This thread is for reviews of mystery books.
Moderator:Breeni
Born in Death
By J. D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)
ISBN-10: 0425215687
ISBN-13: 978-0425215685
Mass-market Paperback, 368 pages
April 24, 2007
Berkley, a division of Penguin Group
Lieutenant Eve Dallas has a full agenda in Born in Death by J. D. Robb. In addition to solving the latest double murder case, she's in the midst of organizing a baby shower for best friend Mavis, who is taking the prospect of motherhood to new levels. Cutesy baby boutiques and birthing classes aren't exactly Eve's forte, but she'll endure them for the sake of friendship. And husband Roarke will have to endure them with her.
While Eve is allowing her partner, Detective Peabody, to take over the majority of the shower arrangements, she's also investigating the deaths of Natalie Copperfield and her fiance, Bick Byson. The two accountants were sadistically murdered after they stumbled across incriminating evidence regarding a client of the firm they worked for. Now it's up to Eve to uncover the motivation for Natalie and Bick's death, and someone's gone to great lengths to make sure it won't be easy.
But wait, now Mavis' equally pregnant friend Tandy has disappeared! Of course, Mavis trusts no one but Eve to find her friend, especially since the odds are that someone is out to do harm to the kindhearted mother-to-be. Eve enlists all her resources in finding Tandy before it's too late.
Another witty Eve Dallas novel, Born in Death creates possibly the most humorous setting yet for the hardened cop. Imagine gutsy Eve being forced into a world of pastels, fluffy animals, and hormones. Even the typically unflinching Roarke recoils at the image of childbirth. But all will learn and grow from Mavis' experience, and towards the end, there is even a hopeful banter between Roarke and Eve about the possibility of children.
Admittedly, there are so many people involved in this murder investigation that it can be confusing. Of course, the story all falls together in the end, but the reader may get lost in all the names. Eve meticulously investigates everyone involved with the accounting firm. As the connections are made and certain characters are eliminated, it becomes easier to focus on the crime and discern who exactly is involved.
Robb manages to make all of the main characters of her novels extremely likable with their own quirky habits. Personally, my favorite aspect of the In Death series is the bickering between Eve and butler Summerset. They are like two siblings, duking it out, but secretly respecting each other under it all. The mystery, the characters, the setting: Robb is an expert at creating them all and each Eve Dallas novel is an incredibly satisfying read. I look forward to the next one.
By J. D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)
ISBN-10: 0425215687
ISBN-13: 978-0425215685
Mass-market Paperback, 368 pages
April 24, 2007
Berkley, a division of Penguin Group
Lieutenant Eve Dallas has a full agenda in Born in Death by J. D. Robb. In addition to solving the latest double murder case, she's in the midst of organizing a baby shower for best friend Mavis, who is taking the prospect of motherhood to new levels. Cutesy baby boutiques and birthing classes aren't exactly Eve's forte, but she'll endure them for the sake of friendship. And husband Roarke will have to endure them with her.
While Eve is allowing her partner, Detective Peabody, to take over the majority of the shower arrangements, she's also investigating the deaths of Natalie Copperfield and her fiance, Bick Byson. The two accountants were sadistically murdered after they stumbled across incriminating evidence regarding a client of the firm they worked for. Now it's up to Eve to uncover the motivation for Natalie and Bick's death, and someone's gone to great lengths to make sure it won't be easy.
But wait, now Mavis' equally pregnant friend Tandy has disappeared! Of course, Mavis trusts no one but Eve to find her friend, especially since the odds are that someone is out to do harm to the kindhearted mother-to-be. Eve enlists all her resources in finding Tandy before it's too late.
Another witty Eve Dallas novel, Born in Death creates possibly the most humorous setting yet for the hardened cop. Imagine gutsy Eve being forced into a world of pastels, fluffy animals, and hormones. Even the typically unflinching Roarke recoils at the image of childbirth. But all will learn and grow from Mavis' experience, and towards the end, there is even a hopeful banter between Roarke and Eve about the possibility of children.
Admittedly, there are so many people involved in this murder investigation that it can be confusing. Of course, the story all falls together in the end, but the reader may get lost in all the names. Eve meticulously investigates everyone involved with the accounting firm. As the connections are made and certain characters are eliminated, it becomes easier to focus on the crime and discern who exactly is involved.
Robb manages to make all of the main characters of her novels extremely likable with their own quirky habits. Personally, my favorite aspect of the In Death series is the bickering between Eve and butler Summerset. They are like two siblings, duking it out, but secretly respecting each other under it all. The mystery, the characters, the setting: Robb is an expert at creating them all and each Eve Dallas novel is an incredibly satisfying read. I look forward to the next one.
Deadly Sins - Deadly Secrets
By Sylvia Dickey Smith
ISBN-10: 1603180184
ISBN-13: 978-1603180184
Trade paperback, 268 pages
October 18, 2007
L & L Dreamspell
Reviewed by Barbara McDuffie
Sidra Smart is a courageous middle-aged woman who has jumped into a new life with both feet and hit the ground running. She left behind a controlling husband and the restrictive life of a preacher's wife to become a private investigator. Due to the untimely death of her brother, Sidra finds herself the owner of a private investigation business. With an eccentric aunt as her secretary and a chauvinistic but lovable PI as her friend and mentor, Sidra's new life is anything but boring.
In Deadly Sins, Deadly Secrets, the crime she is investigating involves the bigotry and hypocrisy of organized religion that Sidra has worked so hard to escape. The novel begins with the bloody homicides of a local couple. The suspected killer of the couple is killed in a train accident before he can tell his story. His elderly father hires Sidra Smart to prove his late son's innocence. The deaths prove to be only the beginning in a string of killings in the town of Orange. Sidra discovers that the common denominator in the deaths is the victims' association with the charismatic Reverend Humble Bluett. Her investigations lead her to uncover secrets from the past that will forever change the town.
Added to the mix is a helpful spirit who was a strong, determined woman during the Civil War era. The house in which Sidra and her Aunt Annie now live was built in the 1800s by Kate Dorman and her husband Captain John Dormand for a restaurant and hotel. The people of Orange often see Kates spirit visiting the house wearing a long white gauzy dress. Sidra finds Kates journal in the attic and as she reads her story a strange bond develops between them.
The story moves quickly with continuous action that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages. I was excited to learn at the end of the novel that Kate Dorman was an actual person who became a Civil War heroine and earned the nickname of Scrappy Kate. Smith has created a likeable and engaging character for all mystery lovers to enjoy. But Sidra Smart will be especially appealing to those of us from the Baby Boomer Generation. Dance on His Grave was Sylvia Smiths first novel introducing Sidra Smart. I eagerly anticipate reading the third book in the series which is slated to appear this year.
By Sylvia Dickey Smith
ISBN-10: 1603180184
ISBN-13: 978-1603180184
Trade paperback, 268 pages
October 18, 2007
L & L Dreamspell
Reviewed by Barbara McDuffie
Sidra Smart is a courageous middle-aged woman who has jumped into a new life with both feet and hit the ground running. She left behind a controlling husband and the restrictive life of a preacher's wife to become a private investigator. Due to the untimely death of her brother, Sidra finds herself the owner of a private investigation business. With an eccentric aunt as her secretary and a chauvinistic but lovable PI as her friend and mentor, Sidra's new life is anything but boring.
In Deadly Sins, Deadly Secrets, the crime she is investigating involves the bigotry and hypocrisy of organized religion that Sidra has worked so hard to escape. The novel begins with the bloody homicides of a local couple. The suspected killer of the couple is killed in a train accident before he can tell his story. His elderly father hires Sidra Smart to prove his late son's innocence. The deaths prove to be only the beginning in a string of killings in the town of Orange. Sidra discovers that the common denominator in the deaths is the victims' association with the charismatic Reverend Humble Bluett. Her investigations lead her to uncover secrets from the past that will forever change the town.
Added to the mix is a helpful spirit who was a strong, determined woman during the Civil War era. The house in which Sidra and her Aunt Annie now live was built in the 1800s by Kate Dorman and her husband Captain John Dormand for a restaurant and hotel. The people of Orange often see Kates spirit visiting the house wearing a long white gauzy dress. Sidra finds Kates journal in the attic and as she reads her story a strange bond develops between them.
The story moves quickly with continuous action that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages. I was excited to learn at the end of the novel that Kate Dorman was an actual person who became a Civil War heroine and earned the nickname of Scrappy Kate. Smith has created a likeable and engaging character for all mystery lovers to enjoy. But Sidra Smart will be especially appealing to those of us from the Baby Boomer Generation. Dance on His Grave was Sylvia Smiths first novel introducing Sidra Smart. I eagerly anticipate reading the third book in the series which is slated to appear this year.
Atomic Lobster by Tim Dorsey
Published by William Morrow
Reviewed by Sarra Borne
Usually this is the place where a reviewer would discuss a little bit about the plot of a book. With Atomic Lobster thats just not going to happen. The plot points are so convoluted, and the story is told in such a non-linear way that it would be impossible to do without major spoilers. This is one of those books that the reader just has to pick up and read for themselves without relying on a review to tell them what the book is about. Lets just say its got Florida, and cruise ships, and a Clowns vs. Mimes version of Fight Club, and tourist statues, and the worlds biggest bong and if that doesnt grab you I dont know what will.
The 10th in a series of books featuring Serge Storms and his sidekick Coleman, Atomic Lobster can be read as a stand alone novel but it does refer to past events so it can be a little confusing if you arent familiar with Dorseys previous works and repeat characters. Serge is a spree killer, a nice enough guy, but he has problems with anger management and if crossed the offender will likely end up dead in any number of ingenious and inventive ways. How does one choose between pulling off ones own head or being hit by a speeding train?
This book is hilarious, its one of those books where youll have the urge to read out the funny bits to your spouse, partner, guy sitting next to you on the train. Expect to get a lot of weird glances where people are wondering why youre making those choking noises when trying not to burst out laughing at inappropriate moments.
Published by William Morrow
Reviewed by Sarra Borne
Usually this is the place where a reviewer would discuss a little bit about the plot of a book. With Atomic Lobster thats just not going to happen. The plot points are so convoluted, and the story is told in such a non-linear way that it would be impossible to do without major spoilers. This is one of those books that the reader just has to pick up and read for themselves without relying on a review to tell them what the book is about. Lets just say its got Florida, and cruise ships, and a Clowns vs. Mimes version of Fight Club, and tourist statues, and the worlds biggest bong and if that doesnt grab you I dont know what will.
The 10th in a series of books featuring Serge Storms and his sidekick Coleman, Atomic Lobster can be read as a stand alone novel but it does refer to past events so it can be a little confusing if you arent familiar with Dorseys previous works and repeat characters. Serge is a spree killer, a nice enough guy, but he has problems with anger management and if crossed the offender will likely end up dead in any number of ingenious and inventive ways. How does one choose between pulling off ones own head or being hit by a speeding train?
This book is hilarious, its one of those books where youll have the urge to read out the funny bits to your spouse, partner, guy sitting next to you on the train. Expect to get a lot of weird glances where people are wondering why youre making those choking noises when trying not to burst out laughing at inappropriate moments.
Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World (Book 1 of the Antarctic Murders Trilogy)
Author:Theodore Jerome Cohen
The year is 1960. The place: Talcahuano, Chile. At 9.5, it is still the most powerful earthquake ever recorded anywhere. Two Chilean Naval officers hatch a plot to profit from the chaos when they are assigned to guard the Central Bank of Chile in Talcahuano. When they find out they are being sent to Base Bernardo OHiggins on the North Antarctic Peninsula, they hide their loot in the cargo hold of their ship, in a crate belonging to Chilean Army Officer Rodriquez. They offer him a share of the loot but when he refuses, they abandon him to his death while on a seal hunt. What they dont realize is that a member of the ships crew, Cristian Barbudo, is actually from Internal Affairs, working undercover to find out who stole millions from the Central Bank of Chile. When Barbudo reveals his true identity to Scientist Ted Stone, Stone becomes a target that must be silenced. What follows is a life and death struggle in what could be the worlds most inhospitable environment.
Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World by Theodore J. Cohen, the first in a trilogy, is a most unusual blend of fact and fiction. It is often said that you should write about what you know and Cohen does just that, having earned three degrees in the physical sciences from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also experienced Antarctica first hand, having been a member of the Chilean expedition of 1962. This experience allows him to craft a fascinating story in which he weaves fact and fiction which engages the reader from the very first page. I look very forward to reading the succeeding novels of this trilogy. This is a top-notch novel, very deserving of 5 stars.
-Jud Hanson
Author:Theodore Jerome Cohen
The year is 1960. The place: Talcahuano, Chile. At 9.5, it is still the most powerful earthquake ever recorded anywhere. Two Chilean Naval officers hatch a plot to profit from the chaos when they are assigned to guard the Central Bank of Chile in Talcahuano. When they find out they are being sent to Base Bernardo OHiggins on the North Antarctic Peninsula, they hide their loot in the cargo hold of their ship, in a crate belonging to Chilean Army Officer Rodriquez. They offer him a share of the loot but when he refuses, they abandon him to his death while on a seal hunt. What they dont realize is that a member of the ships crew, Cristian Barbudo, is actually from Internal Affairs, working undercover to find out who stole millions from the Central Bank of Chile. When Barbudo reveals his true identity to Scientist Ted Stone, Stone becomes a target that must be silenced. What follows is a life and death struggle in what could be the worlds most inhospitable environment.
Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World by Theodore J. Cohen, the first in a trilogy, is a most unusual blend of fact and fiction. It is often said that you should write about what you know and Cohen does just that, having earned three degrees in the physical sciences from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also experienced Antarctica first hand, having been a member of the Chilean expedition of 1962. This experience allows him to craft a fascinating story in which he weaves fact and fiction which engages the reader from the very first page. I look very forward to reading the succeeding novels of this trilogy. This is a top-notch novel, very deserving of 5 stars.
-Jud Hanson