“Back Spin”   by Harlan Coben

                   A Myron Bolitar Novel

2011 Book Review #43

  Publishers Weekly Review

Golf takes center stage, but the sharp plotting and emotional density, as well as nonstop wisecracks, make this a book even for the golf-averse.

When someone kidnaps the son of golfer, Jack Coldren,  just as he's poised to win the U.S. Open and the boy's grandfather asks Myron to help. The mother, golf champion, Linda Coldren, is afraid to notify police and Myron sees an opportunity not only to save a life but, also to sign up a couple of new clients.

Bodies and clues pile up and, as the past unravels, Myron discovers that the Coldrens' skeletons touch even his close but, enigmatic friend, Win.

The characters are deftly etched and the details keenly observed (regarding a group of mall girls: "There were four girls. Or, maybe five or even six.  Hard to say. They all seemed to blend into one another"). 

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed the seemingly off-handed humor in this book.  The plot was believable and I liked the characters.

“Familiar Friend”   by  Cristina Sumners

A Reverend Kathyn Koerney Novel

2011 Book Review #42

  

Summary

Everyone agrees that Mason Blaine had a lot of enemies. But one of them hated the chairman of the university’s Spanish Department enough to kill him–and then stick a knife in his back. The Reverend Kathryn Koerney is no stranger to the sins of man, but this shocking example of overkill in small-town New Jersey has even her puzzled.

Now, with Harton police chief, Tom Holder, she finds herself hunting a killer through the cloistered world of academia–an unexpected hotbed of adultery, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. For Blaine’s murder is only the bait in a carefully disguised trap set for the real victim. And with their personal and professional lives on the line, Kathryn and Tom can only pray they aren’t looking the other way when death strikes again. 

My Thoughts:  The Reverend Koerney is rapidly becoming a favorite character of mine.  I liked this book very much

“Tripwire”   by Lee Child

2011 Book Review #41

 Booklist Review

After spending 13 years in the military police, Jack Reacher is perfectly content to dig swimming pools by day and bounce at a Key West strip club by night. A man named Costello comes looking for him but, is found dead the next day.

Tracking Costello's employer takes Reacher to upstate New York and Jodie Garber Jacobs, the daughter of Jack's old commanding officer, Leon Garber. His dying request was to meet with his protégé.  Why Leon needed to see Jack so desperately is a mystery, but an attempt to kill Reacher and Jodie clarifies the situation.

People serious enough to commit a daylight double murder want Reacher and Jodie dead. The question is why? The motive lies in a $100 million Long Island land swindle, and Reacher's opposition is wealthy, ruthless, and as cunning as Reacher.

The third entry in the Reacher series is a solid thriller that brings to mind the knight-errant adventures of John D. McDonald's Travis McGee.

My Thoughts:  Another favorite.  This book is  edgy, exciting and a must  read. 

“Trial by Fire”  by J.A. Jance

 

2011 Book Review #40

Booklist Review

Former L.A. anchorwoman, Ali Reynolds, now living in Sedona, Arizona, is asked by the county sheriff to fill in for his media-relations officer. Soon she becomes involved in the case of a woman who was badly injured in an arson fire and has no memory of the event or even her name.

The feds take over the investigation from the county, but Ali is asked to help out by the victim's hospital-appointed advocate, Sister Anselm. When the sister disappears, a worried Ali goes to find her and discovers she has been kidnapped.

Fast pacing, surprising plot twists, and a strong, principled heroine make for a satisfying read.

My Thoughts:  J.A. Jance is another of my favorite authors and she has not let me down this time either.  This is an excellent mystery!  You won't want to put it down!

“The 5^th Horseman”  

     by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

                           A Women’s Murder Club Mystery

2011 Book Review #39

Review from “Curled up with a Good Book” website.

The Women’s Murder Club becomes involved in their latest case when their newest member’s mother dies unexpectedly at the city hospital. Yuki’s mother is only one of the latest patients to die suddenly when no life-threatening illness exists. Patients are admitted with a broken arm or a mild, treatable illness and leave via the morgue. The suit against the hospital is the focus of courtroom drama as an ambitious attorney tries to prove that the hospital is guilty of negligence, if not outright murder. Yuki becomes absorbed in the theater of the courtroom to the exclusion of all else as she struggles to accept her mother’s death.

At the same time, Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer is also trying to solve the cases of The Car Girls - girls found dressed in high fashion, killed and deposited in fancy sports cars. While missing both her boyfriend and her previous on-the-streets position within the police department, Lindsay must help find the killer before he finds another victim. She gets concise and immediate results from fellow Murder Club member and medical examiner Clair Washburn.

The unexpected ending is the treasure of the book. The creation of the characters as a newspaper reporter, a detective, and a medical examiner give the story insiders’ views of all aspects of the courtroom and police plots. This prolific author has continued his habit of writing two or three books a year with this latest addition to his roster of bestsellers. Anyone who has read the previous four books in the Women’s Murder Club series will enjoy this one; new readers will find it works fine as an introduction to the series.

My Thoughts:  Of James Patterson’s books, the Women’s Murder Club series is my second favorite behind the Alex Cross mysteries.  This book is excellent!

“Rainwater”  by Sandra Brown

 

2011 Book Review #38

An antiques store owner's explanation of why he won't sell his beloved pocket watch to a yuppie couple is the basis of this book.

             Publishers Weekly Review

Bestseller Brown brings Depression-era Texas to vivid life in this poignant short novel. At the recommendation of Dr. Murdy Kincaid, Ella Barron, a hardworking woman whose husband deserted her, accepts David Rainwater, a relative of the doctor's, as a lodger at the boarding house she runs in the small town of Gilead, Tex.

As the local community contends with a government program to shoot livestock and the opposition of racist Conrad Ellis, a greedy meatpacker, to poor families butchering the meat, Ella grows closer to David.

 Meanwhile, David becomes a special guardian angel to Solly, Ella's nine-year-old autistic son. Dr. Kincaid has gently suggested Ella put Solly in an institution, but she refuses to do so.

Brown skillfully charts the progress of Ella and David's quiet romance, while a contemporary frame adds a neat twist to this heartwarming but never cloying historical.

My Thoughts:  I will be reading more of Sandra Brown’s books.  Loved this one.

 “Between the Plums”

    By  Janet Evanovich

2011 Book Review #36

                            Summary

Together at last! From America’s favorite #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a very special edition containing not one, but three Between-the-Numbers books:  Visions of Sugar Plums, Plum Lovin’ and Plum Lucky.

Visions of Sugar Plums:  It’s five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Stephanie Plum. She hasn’t got a tree. She hasn’t bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There’s not a twinkle of light anywhere to be seen in her apartment—and there’s a strange man in her kitchen.

 Plum Lovin’: Mysterious men have a way of showing up in Stephanie Plum’s apartment. When the shadowy Diesel appears, he has a task for Stephanie…and he’s not taking no for an answer.

Plum Lucky:  Stephanie Plum is looking to get lucky...In an Atlantic City hotel room, in a Winnebago & with a brown-eyed stud who has stolen her heart.

My Thoughts:  LOVE Stephanie Plum!