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JANUARY - FEBRUARY REVIEWS THE
BLUE ZONE
As the story evolves, Gross’s likeable heroine
Kate does not know who she can trust. Her father continues to be a mystery and
Kate even begins to be suspicious of her own husband, Greg. Tina, Kate’s
closest friend and co-worker, is shot when she is mistaken for Kate. Who can
Kate trust? Who is breaking into her apartment? Who is trying to kill her? What
secret is I loved this book and found it to be both an
attention holder and a book full of new information for me. The Sephardic Jews,
diabetes, Colombian drug cartels, fraternidad,
and the WITSEC Program all are deftly interwoven in Gross’ plot. A great read
from explosive start to shocking conclusion. This is truly an excellent book. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED. STRANGLED
Boston
Record
veteran reporter Jack Flynn is back. On his intended wedding day Jack begins
to receive a series of threatening letters from The Phantom Fiend, who
uses the same M.O. as the Boston Strangler did over forty years ago. Young women
who are living alone are found strangled with a bow tied around their necks. But
the strangler is dead… murdered while in prison. Or is he still alive? Did they
convict the wrong man? The themes of uncooperative police and political
ambition run strongly through STRANGLED.
Jack’s life is threatened by the police commissioner. People associated
with Jack begin to fall victim to murder. Who are the good cops and who are the
bad cops? Who can he trust? Is anyone honest? Can the killer be stopped before
he kills again? Traveling to Characterization is deftly developed in McGrory’s
latest Jack Flynn thriller. Wine and food expert Vinny Mongillo, Jack’s
side-kick, holds a tragic personal secret that is a key in this gripping story.
Jack’s fiancée, Maggie, makes a stunning phone call that changes Jack’s
life. I loved this book, and as I have said before, I
could not put it down. The light touches of humorous asides by Jack are
priceless and a smart touch to this tightly wound thrill-a-minute mystery. MURDER
IN MINIATURE
Geraldine Porter, recently retired high school
English teacher, and her ten-year old granddaughter, Maddie, accidentally find
themselves involved with a murdered woman at an abandoned gas station, and a
jewelry store robbery, a midnight ride to rescue a friend, and many other
adventures. Maddie loves being a detective and insists on being included in
Gerry’s wild adventures. Margaret Grace’s characters are easy to like.
As a retired English teacher myself I found Gerry to be very believable
and funny. She has to swallow the urge to correct all her former students’
grammar errors. How true! Granddaughter Maddie is so bright and interesting. I
expect to be meeting her again in Grace’s next Miniature Mystery, MAYHEM
IN MINIATURE, due in August, 2008. In addition, the author includes some tips for
miniature crafters: Miniature tips for found objects; Miniature tips for food;
Miniature tips for window scenes; Miniature tips for shower curtains. There are
also three detailed maps including: the town of THE
FIRST STONE
This book is a psychological thriller. From the
beginning, the reader is caught up in the problems going on over the heads of
Emma and her medically ambitious husband, Sam.
Is Emma’s imagination playing tricks on her? Or is she really hearing
screams and cries for help from the Malik apartment? Adriana’s repeated cries
for help are deeply disturbing to Emma, and Sam won’t listen to her
suspicions. Should Child Protective Services be called? Who can she tell? Will
Sam’s profession future be threatened by Emma’s revelations? The Colten’s marriage is repeatedly strained in
this thriller. Sam is accused of sexual assault on a colleague and the plot
becomes even more twisted. His career seems to be ruined. Ultimately Emma
discovers why Adriana is crying for help. The conclusion of the story is
shocking, even for the experienced thriller reader. I liked this book very much
but found it quite scary. Reminded me of “Rosemary’s Baby” a bit. NOVEMBER - DECEMBER REVIEWS KNITTING
BONES Betsy
Devonshire breaks her leg in a fall from a horse early in the first few chapters
of KNITTING BONES, Monica Ferris’s
eleventh book in the Needlecraft
Mystery series. She then spends the
rest of her recovery time trying to solve the mystery of a missing check for
over twenty-thousand dollars. Who accepted the check? Was it really the husband
of the president of the embroidery guild? Betsy’s
funny sidekick in this story is Goddy, her assistant at Crewel World. His
comments on his gaydar are a light addition to KNITTING
BONES. Poor Betsy is on pain medications most of the time as the plot
unravels, but is able to help Goddy out by teaching him some great interviewing
techniques. This
mystery is a delight for all you needlework fans. I couldn’t help but feel a
touch of “Rear Window” as I read this cleverly woven story. Betsy is able to
send Goddy out to get to the bottom of this
case of a missing person and mistaken identity. Solving a mystery by
long-distance is tough for the amateur detective but, as usual, Betsy is up to
the challenge. I RECOMMEND this book HIGHLY. I have read several of Monica Ferris’s Needlework series books and think that this is one of the best. -
Maureen Bouffard |
