IT TAKES A WITCH         
HEATHER BLAKE         
Obsidian PBO 1/12

Heather Blake's IT TAKES A WITCH opens in the Enchanted Village, a hokey, magic-themed tourist town -- with a twist. Real witches live there. No, that's not a euphemism for the "B" word; these are people who work real magic. But it's often a mystery as to who is and isn't a witch as the "rules" don't allow you to reveal yourself to a normal human. What a drag! Sisters Darcy and Harper Merriweather are trying to put personal troubles behind them, starting over in the village, and now they have to deal with discovering they are witches, and they can't talk to anyone but family members about their mysterious powers. What's a witch with newly discovered powers to do?

Well, they could start by, um, er -- what was I saying? Oh, yes! They could start by being distracted by some of the good-looking guys in their new town. Mmmm, hmmm. Yummy. Or they could try solving the mystery of who killed one of the least-liked people in the village -- not in the least bit yummy, but practical. Yeah, small towns are wonderfully quaint and all -- till you realize a killer is in your midst. This small town's got a big problem. And magic powers ain't gonna do a bit of good in figuring it out.

Though the victim claimed to be a witch to all who would listen -- so against the rules -- she may have just been a kook. But a kook whose "remedies" are said to have caused rashes, baldness and other problems. But are these any reason to kill her? Maybe. A guy who goes from a full head of hair to chrome dome overnight might get murderously angry.

Meanwhile, there's a pickpocket in the village scaring off the tourists. This small town is having some big-city problems. Can Darcy and Harper catch the culprits before the tourist dollars dry up, affecting everyone's livelihood, and, more importantly, before another murder takes place? Or will their new start in life magically disappear?

CARTE BLANCHE                   
JEFFREY DEAVER         
Pocket Star pb 1/12

Jeffrey Deaver's James Bond is not the suave spy from the movies -- and that's a good thing! I always found that guy too smug, too smarmy, ridiculously super human and too darn perfect.

Deaver's 007 is... human. He makes mistakes. He doesn't always save the day, bed the babe or catch the criminal in time. And when he gets hurt, he feels -- yeah, I'm gonna say it! - pain. This is a very real, very believable spy. And that makes reading his exploits all the more enjoyable.

But that's not to say he's some wimp! He still kicks butt, and other body parts, and puts his life at risk in order to help others. And there is definitely some naked fun with the opposite sex. And, of course, he still has cool gadgets and fast cars.

But Bond's best asset in this adventure is his brilliant mind, as he must go undercover after decoding a message promising "casualties in the thousands." But where will this happen and how? Bond has been given carte blanche to avert the mysterious disaster.

Along the way, he discovers the usual evil villain, with a very unusual predilection. The creep loves dead bodies. Can't get enough of 'em. That doesn't necessarily mean he creates that condition, but show him a corpse and his camera is clicking away to add to his sick collection. And speaking of collecting, this corpse-loving sicko, Severan Hydt, is in the recycling and trash business. Reduce, reuse, recycle -- Hydt gives a whole new meaning to that phrase. What better way to get rid of dead bodies (after photographing them, of course)?

The unrelenting fast pace of this novel will keep you engrossed. And just when you think you know exactly what is about to happen, you're slapped in the face with an about face. Twists and turns will surprise you repeatedly. And, fortunately, you get to follow along from the safety of your easy chair, as our hero dashes from one danger to the next, crossing the globe in pursuit of the elusive evildoers.

OATH OF OFFICE         
MICHAEL PALMER         
St. Martin's Press   February, 2012

Michael Palmer's OATH OF OFFICE opens with a bang, actually quite a few of them as an otherwise respected doctor goes on a shooting spree, killing patients and staff. Now, don't get your undies in a twist; I haven't given away the plot. This info is on the back cover.

And because I don't want to spoil the really intriguing plot of this novel, I won't tell you how the murderous doc is tied in with:

* a man who nearly gets his finger amputated;
* a scientist who accidentally shoots himself in the face with gold pellets;
* some usually competent ER doctors who make some dangerously stupid mistakes;
* mutant, carnivorous (no that's not a typo) termites;
* an obese woman who comes up with a horrific way to get rid of her excess fat;
* and - wait for it - the President of the United States.

Dr. Lou Welcome, who comes into contact with most of these people and critters, must try to unravel the mystery. He knows something strange is going on. But what exactly? Whatever the answer, it's big enough for people to try and kill him. And if he can't figure it out, a lot more than just he and the town in which he lives will be in danger.

I will reveal one secret, however. How can you figure out the mystery tying all these events together? Why, read the book, of course!