MURDER AT EAGLE SUMMIT                     By Virginia Smith                                                                   

Review #19 
Inspirational, romantic, suspense novel.
Main Characters: Liz Carmichael and Deputy Sheriff, Tim Richards

A murder at a romantic, Utah ski resort turns everyone there into suspects.
Liz Carmichael has come from Kentucky for her cousin's wedding. At 3 o'clock in the morning, unable to sleep, she goes out on her balcony and sees a shawdowy figure on the ski lift. One that should not be running. When that figure turns out to be a murder victim, Liz finds herself giving a statement to her former fiance, Deputy Tim Richards about what she saw.

Does Liz have something the killer wants?
Can Liz finally make things right with Tim? Or...will the killer find her first?

I enjoyed this book. It is well written, free of vulgar language and holds your attention throughout! You won't want to put it down until you find out what's going on!

MURDER BY MUSHROOM                             by  Virginia Smith

Review #18
Main Character: Jackie Hoffner, Social Worker
Christian, romantic, suspense

Someone laces the left-over casserole Jackie brought to the church potluck picnic with poisonous mushrooms. Fellow churchgoer and town fussbudget, Alice Farmer, is the recipient of the deadly dish and is now pushing up daisies.  

Jackie believes she is the prime suspect and sets out to prove her innocence. With help from the Pastor's wife, Margaret and with Trooper Dennis Walsh's helpful efforts, she starts bumbling her way to a solution.

In the mean time, the town's mysterious poisoner seemed to have more victims in mind.  Teenager, Samantha Carlson is run down by a car...Jackie's car.

You'll like this book. It is funny at times, suspenseful, of course, and there's romance in the air! It's at the library and it's in paperback. What else could you ask?

THE MAN WHO PAINTED INDIANS                       By Nancy Plain
Review #17

Biography of George Catlin.
A 42 page juvenile book.

This is a short biography of the painter, author, and ethnographer who devoted himself to recording Indian life, not only in this country but in South America and Asia.
George Catlin was an extremely interesting man. His travels to American Indian Territory took place in the 1830's. He traveled to South America, first looking for gold and then painting the Indians of the South American jungle.

When he stopped traveling, he settled in Europe to write books and paint. Catlin put together The Indian Gallery which is at the Smithsonian today. He returned to the United States in 1870 at the age of 74. He died in 1872.

There are many of the artist's paintings in this book and I think any child interested in art and Indians will enjoy this book.

KINDRED IN DEATH     by J.D. ROBB
Review #17
Main Character: Lt. Eve Dallas
This novel is set in the year 2060 and is a futuristic romantic suspense
It is the 30th full-length book of the 'In Death' series.
Nora Roberts writes as J.D. Robb

For NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas, there is no such thing as a holiday from work. Eve had just settled into a quiet Peace Day at home with her husband, sexy Irish billionaire Roarke, when the call comes in. When NYSPD Captain MacMasters and his wife arrive home early from a week-end vacation and find their 16 year old daughter viciously murdered, the first thing MacMasters does is request that Eve head up the investigation. Eve and her team are determined to quickly and successfully close the case, but despite a number of potential leads, the murderer always seems to be one step ahead.

New York City law officers have more technological weapons at their disposal in 2060 but, so do the criminals. An impressive team of professionals-augmented by Dallas's husband, Roarke, and his young protege, Jaime Lingstrom, begins the arduous task of collecting and analyzing data. Clues suggest Deena may not be the only victim targeted by her killer and this increases the pressure on Dallas and her cohorts.

Robb combines sex, horrific crime, forensics and technological wizardry for another winner sure to please her many fans. For those of you who do not read books with
vulgar language, this one is not for you. It is not excessive, but it is there.

I love J.D. Robb's characters in this series of 'In Death' books. However, there is much more behind the scenes than is told in this volume. I would suggest, before you read this book, reading one of the first books in the series so that you will understand the backgrounds and natures of the characters. (For instance, you need to know why Eve Dallas killed her father when she was 8 years old and how a thieving street boy in Dublin becomes a billionaire married to Eve.) They are unique, indearing and witty folks!

Naked in Death , Glory In Death and Immortal in Death are the first 3 books in this series.

THE LOST SYMBOL     by Dan Brown

Review #16
Main Character.....Robert Langdon


He saved the Church from a fundamentalist radical in Angels & Demons and exposed the world's greatest cover-up in The Da Vinci Code. Now, symbologist and Harvard professor, Robert Langdon, returns to uncover another mystery.


Langdon receives an invitation to give a lecture in Washington, DC, but discovers an empty chamber when he arrives at the lecture hall. He quickly learns that he's been summoned for his knowledge rather than his oratory skills. His friend, Peter Solomon, has been abducted, his tattooed right hand mounted to a wooden base and left for Langdon to find and "read". To save Peter's life, Langdon must follow a set of clues and uncover a treasure hidden somewhere in the nation's capitol.


A mysterious clue leading to a series of puzzles; a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing; ancient secrets; mysterious organizations that link past to present are all elements of this exciting novel.


If you liked the controversial book, The Da Vinci Code, you will like this one.

THRILLER 2      Edited by Clive Cussler
Over 500 pages, 23 short stories by 23 authors, with introductions to each story by Clive Cussler! Fabulous!

Review #15
This is the sequel to 2006's Thriller: Stories to Keep You Up All Night.

This volume features an impressive line-up of crime writers. All are members of the International Thriller Writers, the organization that came up with the concept for the series. In this book, most of the familiar authors leave their established characters at home and strike out in new directions. So, while David Hewson delivers an exciting story, it isn't about his Roman detective, Nic Costa. In his introductions, Cussler points out that thrillers are not an easy genre to define, as it has more to do with pace than with plot. But that's good news for readers, who will enjoy such diverse story types as international intrigue (Jeffrey Deaver's The Weapon), suspense (Hewson's The Circle), and even a blend of political thriller and science fiction (Kathleen Antrim's Through a Veil Darkly).

I enjoyed most of the tales. I was only familiar with 4 of the 23 writers, (Jeffrey Deaver is on my favorites list), but, now I have 19 new writers to explore! A few have language you might object to but, you can always bypass these stories if you want to!

MY FAVORITE AUTHORS

The 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge has caused me to think about what I read, what I have read and what I will read in the future. I have decided to share my favorite authors with you….whether you want me to or not! ;)

Following is a list of my 32 top favorite Modern Authors. By Modern Authors, I mean those that were not part of my school experience such as, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, etc…I enjoyed many classics in my younger years, but haven’t read any lately. There are other books and authors I have read, but they are not authors I read all the time. (I read about other things besides mysteries.)

As I started to prepare this list, I realized I would never be able to list all the authors I have read and liked since I started reading...62 years ago, so I limited my list to the authors I have enjoyed, over and over, in the past 20 years! I have probably forgotten some, but that’s alright. If I have forgotten them, you probably don’t want to read them anyway. So here goes:

AUTHORS AND THEIR MAIN CHARACTER(S)

J. D. Robb .....Lt. Eve Dallas..... Futuristic Police Lt.
James Patterson .....Alex Cross..... Detective
Lee Child .....Jack Reacher..... ex-military cop, drifter
Patricia Cornwell .....Kay Scarpetta ..... Coroner
J. A. Jance .....J.P. Beaumont..... Seattle investigator AND .....Joanna Brady.....Sheriff
Iris Johansen.....Eve Duncan.....Forensic sculptor
Johathan Kellerman.....Alex Delaware.....Psychologist consultant
Faye Kellerman.....Peter Decker..... LAPD Lieutenant
John Sandford.....Lucas Davenport.....Detective
Sara Paretsky.....V.I Warshawski.....Private Eye
Stuart Woods..... Stone Barrington.....Lawyer AND ..... Holly Barker..... CIA Agent
David Baldacci..... Oliver Stone..... Government Watchdog
Jeffery Deaver..... Lincoln Rhyme..... Quadriplegic Detective
Clive Cussler..... Dirk Pitt....Underwater research Director
Sidney Sheldon..... Multiple
John Grisham..... Multiple
Agatha Christie..... Hercule Poirot......Detective AND .....Miss Marple..... Elderly Lady amateur sleuth
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle..... Sherlock Holmes .....Detective extraordinare
John Mortimer..... Rumpole..... English Barrister
Dick Francis..... Multiple
Tami Hoag..... Multiple
Sue Grafton..... Kinsey Millhone..... Private Eye
Rita Mae Brown/ Sneaky Pie Brown..... Mary Minor Harristeen.....Farmer
Janet Evanovich.....Stephanie Plum....Bail Bonds Enforcer
M.C. Beaton..... Agatha Raisin..... Retired PR Exec turned sleuth
Emily Brightwell..... Mrs. Jeffries..... Housekeeper for the Inspector
Carolyn Hart..... Bailey Ruth..... Ghost sleuth (comes back to help) AND ..... Annie & Max Darling.....Book store owner & husband
Patricia Ryan..... Nell Sweeney..... Governess
Donna Ball..... Raine Stockton..... Dog Trainer and Kennel owner
Shirley Damsgaard..... Ophelia Jensen.....Good Witch, Librarian
C.S. Lewis..... All of Narnia!
J.K. Rowling.....Harry Potter.....Young Wizard (Good Wizard!)

BLUEGRASS PERIL   by  Virginia Smith   
Review  #14
This is an inspirational, romantic, suspense novel, set near Lexington, KY.

Neal Haldeman operates a retired champion horse farm, 'Out To Pasture'. It is his passion to save champion horses from the slaughter house when they are no longer able to breed. Becky Dennison runs his office.

WHO KILLED HER BOSS? When single Mom of twin boys, Becky Dennison, trips over her boss's body in the horse barn, she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Then, Scott Lewis, handsome assistant manager of a nearby horse farm, entered Becky's life. Soon the amateur detectives were on the trail of the murderer. As they work and sleuth together, their feelings for each other deepen. Then her ex-husband shows up and complicates matters.

I found this book easy to read, the plot interesting and overall, liked the writing. I would recommend it to all romantic suspense lovers.

NOTE:
There is only one real farm like 'Out To Pasture', in the Nation, that takes in Stallions. It is in Georgetown, KY.

'Old Friends', founded by Michael Blowen, began as a retirement and rescue facility for pensioned Thoroughbreds. Then news broke of the inconceivable death of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in a slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002.....to read more about this real farm, go to: www.oldfriendsequine.com/

LAST DITCH    by G.M. Ford

 Review #13


Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman, a caring but in-your-face kind of guy, discovers a skeleton in his own backyard. Since he lives in a house inherited from his father, police and press assume the worst; that Leo's politically powerful father murdered "Peerless" Price, a local muck-slinging reporter of some repute who disappeared 30 years ago in 1969. Leo sets out to prove otherwise, despite opposition but with the aid of his pathologist girlfriend and humorous homeless sidekicks,"The Boys".


Good plot, unlikely adventure.
Leo Waterman is growing on me. I like this one better than the last one!

THE BUM'S RUSH By G.M. Ford

THE BUM'S RUSH     By  G.M. Ford
Review #12
The cast of characters: Seattle PI Leo Waterman and his "residentially challenged" cronies known as "the Boys".


Leo is hired to find a librarian who has scammed the city's automated acquisitions system out of 200 grand. He is also tracking a missing member of his group of homeless friends, Ralph. While searching for Ralph and the librarian, Leo stumbles into a battle for the riches of a young pop star, Lukkas Terry, who died of a seemingly accidental heroin overdose. Leo is given some help from Selena Dunlap, a skid row alcoholic who says she's Lukkas's long-lost mother. Leo checks out her story and believes it, especially when some hoods come looking for her. Who might want to deprive Selena of Lukkas's estate? His manager, music impresario Gregory Conover? Or his spacey girlfriend, Beth Goza, now pregnant with his child? Leo coaxes his homeless pals out of their boozy haze to help him find the answer and trap a killer.


The various plots and their joint resolution come together seamlessly--aided by some nifty online sleuthing. Waterman's supporting cast not only adds humor to the proceedings but also offers ironic commentary on the lead characters and their mainstream world, undercutting pretentiousness while displaying their own character flaws with a believable mixture of panache and melancholy.


Even though the characters are interesting, I don't know if G.M. Ford is destined to be one of my top favorites, but, I have a couple more of his books to read, so, I'll let you know later.

Recommended Books

Just to let you know: I have decided to share any recommended books I receive in my followers comments. You will find the recommendations under the book shelf on the right side of this page. Enjoy!

Chasing the Bear: 
A Young Spenser Novel By Robert B. Parker


Review #11
Remember the TV series, Spenser For Hire? It was based on a series of books by Robert B. Parker about the tough, grown-up character, Spenser. 


 In this book, Spenser is asked about his youth by his girlfriend, Susan. In answer to her query, he reflects back to when he was fourteen years old and how he helped his best friend Jeannie when she was abducted by her abusive father. You will, also, get a glimpse of how he was raised by his father and uncles after the death of his mother. You will, definitely, get an idea of what made Spenser, Spenser!

It was written in 2009. It is a lite, easy read, 169 pages long (it took me about 3 hours to read).

The First Ten of my Book Reviews
                                      
                              Reviews 1 ~ 10


You will soon come to realize that I prefer books by authors who have recurring characters. I have become friends with these characters and feel comfortable with them.

I would like to thank my local Library for help in writing the following reviews. I had read 10 books and I needed help remembering some of the plots.

#1 Nothing to Lose     by Lee Child

Jack Reacher only rents rooms one night at a time, confirming his absolute freedom to move on. About the only thing sure to convince Reacher to stick around is someone telling him he has to leave. That's what happens when the former military policeman turned inveterate loner stops for a cup of coffee in a company town called Despair, Colorado. Strangers aren't allowed in Despair, he's told, and two cops arrive to drive him out to the city limits. You can run Reacher out of town, maybe, but you sure can't keep him out.

You will enjoy this one.

#2 Persuader      by Lee Child

Jack Reacher is back! Here he discovers a diabolical enemy whom he thought a decade dead, as well as a major smuggler and his sadistic bodyguard living in a gothic horror of a mansion overlooking the sea. Reacher allies himself with a band of FBI agents who want to bring down the bad guys and find one of their own who's missing. Persuader includes a number of intriguing plot twists, and Reacher always finds himself in tense, tight, and exciting situations. Well written!

You’ll love it!

#3 Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings 
       by Emily Brightwell

Two weddings provide the backdrop for Brightwell's enjoyable 26th Victorian mystery, the first of the series in hardcover, featuring mild-mannered Inspector
Gerald Witherspoon and his indomitable housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries. As Christmas approaches, the inspector's servants are busy preparing for the marriage between Smythe, the coachman, and Betsy, the maid. Meanwhile, Rosemary Evans and her older fiancé, Sir Madison Lowery, are celebrating their impending nuptials with a formal tea, which is interrupted by the discovery of a former governess of Rosemary's lying dead with a knife in her chest outside the Evans house in a posh London neighborhood. As usual, Mrs. Jeffries and her fellow servants gather and sort through clues while their sometimes dilatory master investigates.

These books are fun!

#4 There Goes the Bride: 
     an Agatha Raisin Mystery 
           by M.C. Beaton

In Beaton's 20th Agatha Raisin mystery, trouble comes with an invitation to ex-husband James's engagement party. Agatha is reluctant to attend but can't stand appearing jealous of the young bride. The party is a disaster, with angry words for everyone from the bride, barely dressed waiters, and a beleaguered groom. But when the wedding is canceled, it's because the bride has been fatally shot at the altar. As soon as she's cleared of suspicion, Agatha begins her own investigation into the murder, providing the police with solid clues and a few suspects, including a debonair Frenchman she'd like to date. But she can't stop questioning herself and her choices. Agatha's insecurity over her looks, her sleuthing skills, and her appeal to men soften her gruff personality, allowing readers to root for a happy ending for her no matter what trouble she starts.

Agatha is a trip! You will hate her, love her, disapprove of her, feel sorry for her and… love reading about her!

#5 A Study in Scarlet and 
     The Sign of the Four 
             By  Arthur Conan Doyle

It’s 2 books in 1 with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson…what else can I say?

#6 Death on Demand   by Carolyn G. Hart

Annie Laurance runs a mystery book store, Death on Demand, which she inherited from her beloved uncle. Once a week she has a meeting of the Sunday Night Regulars, local mystery writers from the South Carolina island where she lives. One of the writers, Elliot Morgan is a disagreeable fellow who threatens to reveal things about his fellow writers which they would prefer to keep quiet. Before he has a chance to do so he is killed, presumably by one of the Sunday Night Regulars. The local police suspect it is Annie herself but with her friend Max Darling, she sets out to find the real murderer. There are lots of wonderful references to classic mysteries and mystery writers as Annie and Max work to solve the case.

This is the first book of a justly popular series.

#7 White Elephant Dead    by Carolyn G. Hart

When Henny Brawley, organizer of the Broward's Rock (S.C.) women's club annual white elephant sale, goes missing, Death on Demand Book Store owner Annie Darling and her wealthy, very charming husband, Max, quickly begins a search. They find Henny, but unconscious and in the vicinity of a dead body. The new police chief pins the murder on Henny, so Annie, Max, and droves of club members come to the rescue. Bubbling with energy, good humor, hearty appetite, and affection, Annie saves the island village from murderous deceit.

Bouncy prose, great characters, and frequent references to other mysteries makes this highly recommended for series fans.

#8 April Fool Dead   by Carolyn G. Hart

In Hart's 13th book in the series to feature Annie Darling, the owner of Death on Demand Bookstore, "the best mystery bookstore east of Atlanta," has planned the signing to end all signings for a local writer on their South Carolina island. But someone produces fake copies of publicity flyers for the signing and sets a cat among the pigeons to solve some old crimes and settle some old scores. Annie and Max, hasten to salvage the shop's event and Annie's reputation. Their efforts to resolve the mystery of the bogus flyers bring to light clues to several unsolved crimes. A high school teacher subsequently turns up dead. Was the murder committed to keep old secrets buried, or is a new onslaught of crime just beginning?
Readers will relish the banter between the couple that evokes classic screwball comedy, though at times the author can be overly formulaic. Max is always "sexy as hell." "Hell" and "damn" are about as strong as the language gets, by the way.

This is one book in a consistently fine series!

#9 Deeper Than the Dead   by Tami Hoag

In Hoag's newest thriller, the year is 1985; DNA evidence and the Internet are distant glimmers on the horizon. In a sleepy California suburb, four children stumble across the body of a dead woman in the park. Young hotshot detective Tony Mendez is convinced the woman is the third victim of a serial killer and solicits the FBI. His call reaches the ears of Vince Leone, a pioneer in profiling, just returning from medical leave. The children's discovery also draws teacher Anne Navarre into the mystery. Once the team is in place, the race is on to find the killer before he strikes again.

This is a serial killer story with a little romance thrown in. You’ll like it!

#10 Hothouse Orchid   by Stuart Woods

CIA agent Holly Barker returns home to Orchid Beach, Fla., where she was once chief of police, she's reunited with both welcome and unwelcome figures from her past. Renegade ex-CIA agent Teddy Fay, sporting a new identity, has chosen to settle in nearby Vero Beach. Lauren Cade, a former military comrade, is now a sergeant with the Florida State Patrol. Holly is shocked to learn that James Bruno, her former commanding officer who was tried and acquitted of raping Lauren and who once tried to rape Holly herself, is Orchid Beach's new police chief. Holly's not so shocked to learn that a serial killer and rapist is at work in the area. Playful dialogue and romantic sexual escapades lighten the atmosphere.

Not Wood’s best, but still a good read!

52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

I have been an avid reader since I was 13 years old. I have read the classics, novels and serious books of all kinds. I do still read serious books from time to time, but I prefer mysteries and... light mysteries at that.

I have read or listened to 77 books since the first of September, 2009 and 10 of those I have read or listened to since the first of January, 2010. I go through a lot of books because I listen to books on tape while I do other things, like, crocheting!

My daughter, Marcy, sent me information on the challenge to read 52 Books in 52 Weeks! I accepted! If you would like to participate, please, go to this website.

I will be posting the books I read along with a review of them. I hope you enjoy them!