While the mysteries in Melinda Leigh's "Bree Taggert" series all work as stand alone novels, those who start the series with the latest addition, "Lie to Her," will miss out on some great backstories which are shared in the previous novels. Such readers will still enjoy the twists and turns that Bree Taggert, the female … Continue reading ‘Lie to Her’ by Melinda Leigh is another satisfying murder mystery in the ‘Bree Taggert’ series
mystery
‘Killer Story’ by Matt Witten is a brilliant look at journalism, ethics, and blind determination to get the story
While journalists are finding it more and more difficult to obtain employment that is financially secure, in these turbulent times, broadcasting the truth about our world and politics is perhaps even more crucial than ever. In "Killer Story," author Matt Witten explores that subject through the eyes of Petra Kovach, a journalist who has been … Continue reading ‘Killer Story’ by Matt Witten is a brilliant look at journalism, ethics, and blind determination to get the story
‘Nine Liars’ by Maureen Johnson is another engrossing Stevie Bell mystery
On the cover of Maureen Johnson's latest Stevie Bell mystery, "Nine Liars," are the words: When everyone lies, somebody dies. This little epigram becomes important in the story, and I am embarrassed to admit that I neglected to read those important words before finishing this twisty and cleverly crafted novel. Here Stevie is called upon … Continue reading ‘Nine Liars’ by Maureen Johnson is another engrossing Stevie Bell mystery
‘The Widow’ by Kaira Rouda is a chilling look into elected officials… and their wives
In "The Widow," Kaira Rouda uses multiple points of view as she plots a novel that, by turns, grips us and repels us. The main character, Jody Asher, is the wife of one of Ohio's congressmen, Martin Asher. She and Martin met in law school, and while she had hoped for him to reach higher … Continue reading ‘The Widow’ by Kaira Rouda is a chilling look into elected officials… and their wives
‘The Prisoner’ by B. A. Paris is a clever mystery with several surprises
B. A. Paris kept the identity of the title character of her last novel, "The Therapist," a mystery for much of the story. In her latest mystery, "The Prisoner," we know exactly who the prisoner is. In fact, we read in the first chapter how Amelie has been taken prisoner. While we know that there … Continue reading ‘The Prisoner’ by B. A. Paris is a clever mystery with several surprises
‘Flight Risk’ by Cherie Priest is her second murder mystery featuring a psychic travel agent
A quirky travel agent who also has psychic talents is the star of "Flight Risk," the stand alone sequel to "Grave Reservations" by Cherie Priest. These fast-paced and clever mysteries feature Leda Foley, the aforementioned travel agent whose paranormal abilities are sometimes an asset and sometimes a frustration. In this novel she continues working with … Continue reading ‘Flight Risk’ by Cherie Priest is her second murder mystery featuring a psychic travel agent
‘A World of Curiosities’ by Louise Penny is a brilliant and gripping mystery with many twists
Louise Penny's latest entry in her Chief Inspector Gamache series is brilliant and addictive. While it begins slowly as Penny is creating the backstory, that narrative becomes all-important later in the novel when the action and the connections are so fast and furious that it's almost impossible to put the book down. We feel compelled … Continue reading ‘A World of Curiosities’ by Louise Penny is a brilliant and gripping mystery with many twists
‘A Ghost of Caribou’ by Alice Henderson is the third suspense novel about wildlife and our world
What do you get when you combine a wildlife researcher's knowledge with a gripping plot and an admirable and likable protagonist? You get the books in this new series by Alice Henderson, the latest of which is "A Ghost of Caribou." In each title, she cleverly uses the group noun for the animal that the … Continue reading ‘A Ghost of Caribou’ by Alice Henderson is the third suspense novel about wildlife and our world
For young mystery lovers: a picture book and beginning readers series for using clues to solve puzzles
When I was teaching, I loved using picture books as teaching materials. The students were so entertained by the stories that they didn't realize I was sneaking in important concepts! With these mysteries for young readers, teachers can show students how to pay attention to details and how to use organized problem-solving methods to get … Continue reading For young mystery lovers: a picture book and beginning readers series for using clues to solve puzzles
‘Killers of a Certain Age’ by Deanna Raybourn is humorous, thrilling, and written for a woman like me
I love the concept of "Killers of a Certain Age," perhaps because I am "of a certain age." Deanna Raybourn certainly writes authentically about women in their 60s and these particular women who have been assassins for decades, working for an organization nicknamed "The Museum." Their job has been killing bad guys, beginning with Nazi … Continue reading ‘Killers of a Certain Age’ by Deanna Raybourn is humorous, thrilling, and written for a woman like me
‘Santa’s Little Yelpers’ by David Rosenfelt is a mystery which provides plenty of suspects in addition to the plethora of puppies
True to form, "Santa's Little Yelpers" features not only a myriad of doggie characters, but also David Rosenfelt's favorite wants-to-be-retired lawyer, Andy Carpenter. This is the 26th mystery featuring that self-deprecating, wise-cracking, extremely dog-loving attorney who really doesn't want to work anymore. Most of the mysteries in this series are more thriller than legal procedural, … Continue reading ‘Santa’s Little Yelpers’ by David Rosenfelt is a mystery which provides plenty of suspects in addition to the plethora of puppies
‘Bark to the Future’ by Spencer Quinn about the intrepid Chet and Bernie investigative duo — man and dog
Bark to the Future by Spencer Quinn "Bark to the Future" is the latest doggie mystery featuring the charismatic narrator Chet, a distinctive black shepherd-mix dog with one white ear, who tells the story as only a dog might. And in the capable paws, er, hands, of author Spencer Quinn, we chuckle and nod our … Continue reading ‘Bark to the Future’ by Spencer Quinn about the intrepid Chet and Bernie investigative duo — man and dog
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