');
}
//-->
What I've Read This Month
Reviews
By Blood Possessed – Elena Santangelo
This book is the first in a series of “paranormal” mysteries. Pat Montella’s dreary life is drastically changed when she learns she’s to inherit a Virginia estate called Bell Run. Seems one of her ancestors was the sole the only daughter of the original owners of the property – all of whom were killed during the Civil War. Within hours of arriving at the property, Pat starts having visions of her ancestor’s last days and receiving death threats. Pat discovers and solves an old mystery while trying to figure out who wants her dead and why.
I’m not a big fan of books that take place in “The South” or during the Civil War and this book is both. I am, however, a fan of paranormal mysteries. Santangelo handles the “I see dead people” aspects of this book well. The book also has interesting secondary characters including a 91 year old eccentric named and Magnolia Shelby and a brooding postmaster named Fitzhugh Lee (no relation.) I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series: Hang My Head and Cry.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder – Joanne Fluke
Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar, is caught up in another mystery when a man turns up dead face down in her strawberry shortcake. While trying to prove that the victim’s wife is not a murder she comes up with a growing list of people who wanted the man dead.
This book is a fairly light weight “foodie” mystery. Most readers will figure it out way before Hannah does. The first book in the series, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, was more interesting. There are some great recipes in the book. I intend to use at least two of them for my “holiday” baking this year. One of the things that bugged me about the book is Hannah’s views on fat people. She gets really defensive if anyone points out that her cookie creations are fattening. She makes derogatory remarks about anyone, even herself, who has an extra ten pounds. Her loathing of overweight people might be subtle but it is there.
Death of a Pta Goddess – Leslie O’Kane
PTA president “Perfect” Patty Birch is found stabbed to death in her home. Freelance cartoonist Molly Masters finds out that the woman wasn’t so perfect after all. In fact, a lot of people had very good reasons for wanting her dead.
This is another series mystery, the other books have clever titles like When The Fax Lady Sings. I have a feeling that cute titles are all this series has going for it. One reviewer called Molly Masters the I Love Lucy of amateur sleuths. I never really liked Lucy that much so I shouldn’t be surprised that I wasn’t fond of this book. It had some cute moments, usually because of the cartoons Molly draws but there really wasn’t much to hold my attention.
A Touch of Frost – R. D. Wingfield
D.I. Jack Frost is called in to investigate various crimes that happen over a five day period. With very little sleep, a series of wrong steps and his supervisor watching his every move, Frost stumbles toward his goal.
Imagine Columbo with Andrew Dice Clay’s taste in jokes. I had two reasons for picking up this book, 1) to see if some one could really pull off a character named Jack Frost and 2) because of the author’s last name was Wingfield. I’m not sure what I expected but it was an interesting read. The various crimes Frost has to investigate are mostly unrelated so the reader has to keep track of who’s who and what’s what. I’ll freely admit that I never figured out the final culprit – I missed the most vital clue.
I’ve just finished reading Carter Beats the Devil and I loved it. Well I wasn’t too thrilled about the violence of the third act. I thought it went against the tone of the rest of the book, but I can see where the author was going with it.I was surprised to find out this is a first novel for Glen David Gold.This book is a ‘re-imagining’ of the life of magician Charles J. Carter. It’s filled with color from the golden age of magic. I was surprised by how familiar Carter’s world seemed to me. I’m a long time fan of magic and I knew a little of the history of magic in America before I read the book. Previous knowledge of magic history is not needed to enjoy this delightful book.
I’ve been working my way through a whole bunch of “paranormal” mysteries. This book features psychic Marlie Keene and Orlando Police Detective Dane Hollister. These are two likable characters and there is lots of room for a series. Unfortunately, Howard doesn’t seem interested in these characters – the book was published in 1994.
Some people would classify this book as a “romance” but I’d rather see it as a mystery with romantic elements. After all, it is a story about a psychic helping a cop catch a serial killer. One problem I had was the “sensitive psychic” stereotype and the “cranky, bullheaded cop” stereotype.
Most of the book is spent with Marlie and Dane as their relationship grows. Does she love him? Does he love her? Will the case get in the way? Will Dane’s hard on EVER go down? The sex scenes have a few hot moments before everything…um… peters out – there are plenty of books with more intense sex scenes out there.
I’m not really sure I liked this book that much. I liked the characters, but the plot was predictable. On the up side, it had the funniest epilogue I’ve ever read.
Naked in Death by J. D. Robb
J.D. Robb is a pseudonym for Nora Roberts. Many people who like Roberts’ other work don’t like the Robb books. They say they’re too violent and depressing. I don’t like the Roberts’ books they’re too “romancy”. I think if people really want violent and depressing they should check out books by Andrew Vachss.
Naked In Death is the first book in the “in death” series. They’re set in New York in 2059. Eve Dallas is a Lieutenant with the NYPSD. She stands for the dead. She’s not a bundle of sunshine. She has issues. She’s not the kind of woman you want to piss off. She is interesting. So is the man in her life (known only as Roarke.) I can’t help liking a woman who gets swept off her feet by a sexy “Irish god.”
The sex scenes are pretty hot. The whole attitude towards sex is slightly different from our time. In 2059 prostitutes are called “LCs” or “Licensed Companions.” Dallas and Roarke are almost addicted to each other. As the series goes, the vibe starts to wear off on other characters as they pair up for the horizontal mambo.
Okay, enough about the sex (wooo hooo) the actual mysteries are good too. The plots are complicated and interesting. They’d have to be to hold your interest between the great sex scenes… just kidding. I’d like these books even without the sex – sex just makes it better. I can’t really talk about the plot without giving too much away. In this book Dallas meets Roarke and he’s a suspect in a murder. That’s all I’ll say. If you like smart, sexy, futuristic mysteries then you’ll like this series.
Book of Shadows | Cooking With Arden | Port Kronos Disbeliever