Mystery Reviews, July 2011
Jul 15, 2011You’re likely opening this issue with your new year’s budget in hand—probably smaller than last year’s—and looking to choose carefully. Yes, every title here will work with library readers! I’m hoping you’ll be pleased that many of this month’s choices have crossover appeal and thus provide more bang for the buck. Plus you’ll have some offerings to help readers who want to break out of their patterns.
Much to my delight, I found two biothrillers to share with you, both exciting and wildly divergent. Bruce Burrows’s debut, The River Killers, oozes with laboratory conspiracy and features genetically altered fish. Meanwhile, Merry Jones (Summer Session) gives us more of a Robin Cook–like medical moment, with a university hospital that’s doping up students in the name of research.
Art-related mysteries continue to flourish. See Tom MacDonald’s Boston-based The Charlestown Connection and Carson Morton’s historical Stealing Mona Lisa. (For a true crime perspective, try Anthony M. Amore and Tom Mashberg’s Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists.)
Amazon is on the move, starting their own mystery imprint, Thomas & Mercer. Well-known writers J.A. Konrath and Kyle Mills are on the imprint’s debut list this fall. You’re probably aware that titles from Amazon’s imprints debut as Kindle editions, but print books are planned as well. In other publishing news, gritty Tyrus Books has been acquired by F+W Media. Tyrus’s founder, Ben LeRoy, is going with the imprint and will be heading F+W Crime. Anticipate a variety of formats here.
ART ON THE LAM
MacDonald, Tom. The Charlestown Connection. Oceanview. Aug. 2011. c.260p. ISBN 9781608090242. $25.95. M
Ex-drunk and ex–football player Dermot Sparhawk is just beginning his new life, 30 days after hitting bottom, when his godfather, Jeepster Hennessey, staggers into Dermot’s office with a knife sticking out of is back. Jeepster murmurs one last word, passes Dermot a key, and dies. Dermot discovers that Jeepster has left quite a trail behind him as various parties from the local IRA, the Boston police, and even the FBI grace his door. Trusting only his closest buddies, Dermot wades into this mess and uncovers an art forgery ring that challenges assumptions in the city’s highest art circles. It’s all about strategy (remember those football plays) in this ambitious debut. VERDICT Brisk pacing and plenty of bad guys keep the pages turning in MacDonald’s art heist tale. The jump into art forgery is a big leap, but MacDonald keeps all his plays moving in a winning style. He introduces intriguing, flawed characters and atypical neighborhoods, making for a highly entertaining read.
Morton, Carson. Stealing Mona Lisa. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Aug. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780312621711. $24.99. M
With all the careful brushstrokes required of a classic, Morton gives us a historical tale of deception and theft surrounding the actual 1911 theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. This delightful caper is told from the point of view of Marquis Eduardo de Valfierno, now on his deathbed, several years later. He shares how he and his comrades devised a plan to steal one of the most coveted paintings in the world. The marquis hadn’t planned on adding to his heist team a young pickpocket artist or the free-spirited wife of one of his clients, but as with all great cons, smooth teamwork is critical. Suspense builds steadily as we hold our breath, waiting to see if all the moving parts can make this audacious endeavor succeed. You’ll never look at museum art in quite the same way. VERDICT Great characters, a captivating tale, and vivid descriptions of old Paris make this debut a pleasurable read. Morton’s screenwriter/playwright background ensures sparkling dialog. Bring out the popcorn and settle in for excitement, thrills, and tension. Tremendous crossover appeal for historical fiction (think Susan Vreeland) and romance readers, too.
CHECK THESE OUT
Burrows, Bruce. The River Killers. TouchWood Ed. Sept. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9781926971568. pap. $14.95. M
Back when young Danny Swanson was a commercial fisherman, a disturbing, unresolved incident haunted him. One summer, his crew reeled in a monster one-eyed fish. Billy, a fellow crew member, offered to take the “Frankenstein” fish to the Vancouver Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO). Oddly, Billy was never heard from again. Now, eight years later, a blunt-spoken Danny works for the DFO, sees a JPEG of that distinctive fish in a DFO database, and begins to wonder what happened to Billy. Reassigned to work in his home region of British Columbia, Danny initiates his own investigation. After two more suspicious deaths, Danny feels trouble brewing and knows he needs insider help; who better than the young and attractive Sgt. Louise Karavchuk of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? VERDICT Conspiracy is alive and well in Burrows’s winning debut. There is plenty of technical detail for readers who love adventures like Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm or David Masiel’s 2182 kHz. Burrows’s prose can be dense, but his ability to bring a mixed cast into the tale is stellar.
Gerst, Angela. A Crack in Everything. Poisoned Pen. Sept. 2011. c.250p. ISBN 9781590589441. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590589465. $14.95. M
For being a young crackerjack professional, Susan Callisto is naive about the lengths folks will go to win their political races. She has left her attorney job in Boston for the uncertain world of political consulting. Already helping Roddie Baird with his campaign, she has misgivings about taking on smooth-talking Charles Renfrow as an additional client, but she needs the money. When Renfrow’s sexy assistant turns up dead and more weird attacks take place, Susan sees her economic livelihood, not to mention her life, spinning out of control. The convergence of political machinations, real-estate ventures, and power makes for a volatile mix. VERDICT A spirited and feisty heroine with an unusual profession holds the reader’s interest here; this title is sure to be popular with Hank Phillippi Ryan and Julie Kramer fans. Gerst does a fine job with plot maneuvers, bringing in an exciting twist at the end. A promising new series.
Hunt, James Patrick. Police and Thieves. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Sept. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9781432825072. $25.95. M
Once there were two brothers. Home was not happy, and they were not close. Dan Bridger (Bridger) grew up to be an auto mechanic—and a professional thief. Seth, the good brother, became a parole officer. Seth is murdered in a cold-blooded shooting, but nobody’s talking. Dan, never one to let injustices slide, heads to Seattle to learn more. What he uncovers is a gang of greedy cops operating behind the protection of their badges. VERDICT Spare prose and minimal embellishments make this excellent lone-wolf entry shine. If your readers clamor for Richard Stark’s Parker novels, then Bridger is your new antihero to recommend. With vigilante action and a riveting lead, Hunt’s book brings in the great elements of a Donald E. Westlake (aka Richard Stark) or Marcus Sakey (At the City’s Edge) piece. Buy, read, and recommend highly.
Jones, Merry. Summer Session. Severn House. Aug. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780727880444. $28.95. M
Iraq war veteran and university teaching assistant Harper Jennings wants nothing more than to complete her PhD in archeology and for her brain-injured husband to heal from a devastating accident. But Harper’s tenuous hold slips precipitously when a student commits suicide in her classroom. After that, all bets are off when she is mugged on campus, a waitress is murdered, and many people, from doctors to students, seem abnormally interested in the suicide victim’s book bag, which is in Harper’s possession. Wow! Cornell University is quite the hotbed of excitement in this high-adrenaline biothriller debut. Harper more than proves her mettle as she tackles her personal demons (post-traumatic stress syndrome) and tries to fathom all the concurrent attacks happening stateside. VERDICT With a heroine as resilient and brave as Lori Armstrong’s Mercy Gunderson, pacing as intense as Meg Gardiner’s, and academic/medical intrigue worthy of Robin Cook, Jones (author of the Zoe Hayes mysteries) has a winner here. You won’t be able to put it down.
Lewis, Mitchell Scott. Murder in the 11th House: A Starlight Detective Agency Mystery. Poisoned Pen. Sept. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9781590589502. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590589526. $14.95. M
Why not use astrology to solve cases? That’s exactly what idiosyncratic detective David Lowell does so convincingly in this fun debut. A tough bartender is being framed for the murder of an up-and-coming female judge, and David’s lawyer daughter has inherited her case. Already known for his astrologic expertise, David reluctantly turns his skills toward what looks like an open-and-shut case. It turns out the beautiful and perfect judge, who also had political aspirations, was not loved by everyone. David’s team digs out the seamy details, relying not just upon his battered ephemeris but astrologic databases that can pinpoint a “Mercury in retrograde” moment when a confident killer made a mistake. VERDICT Add this one to your orders. It’s a perfect afternoon read that will provoke smiles. Almost cozy, with a Mr. Monk–like ensemble cast, this series debut has tremendous potential.
McPherson, Catriona. Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Blood Stains. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Aug. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780312654184. $23.99. M
Scottish aristocrat Dandy Gilver (The Winter Ground) is not one to twiddle her thumbs. Indeed, she’s lead partner in a private investigative firm, with friend Alec Osborne as her Watson. In this outing, Dandy has gone undercover as a maid to help Mrs. Balfour find out why her husband wants her dead. Within 24 hours, the husband is the murder victim. Clever Dandy is fully aware that she’s dealing with a closed-room case and madly uses her powers of observation to unravel a complex puzzle before more violence ensues. This splendid 1926 Edinburgh historical incorporates the ongoing labor strike and social nuances of the day. VERDICT With witty dialog and low-key humor, McPherson’s series is a great choice for Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and Amy Patricia Meade fans. A strong traditional offering with sly humor, a love of dogs, and not too much violence. A real contender for the Agathas! [Library marketing.]
Ryan, Annelise. Frozen Stiff: A Mattie Winston Mystery. Kensington. Sept. 2011. c.323p. ISBN 9780758234568. $22. M
Deputy coroner Mattie Winston’s (Working Stiff ) heart cracks just a little when she learns the beautiful corpse in the snow was once the girlfriend of handsome local detective Steve Hurley. The victim was a Chicago news reporter, and the killer dumped her in small-town Sorenson, WI, to frame Steve. Or is Steve really a killer intent upon wreaking havoc on all his neighbors and friends? A series of wild events over the Thanksgiving holiday truly challenges Sorenson’s law-enforcement team. Mattie continues her clumsy but fearless forays into finding the answers to puzzling questions. Her self-deprecating, slightly raunchy humor can detract, but her competence as a former ER nurse, plus a quirky supporting cast, makes the series intriguing. VERDICT Ryan has a good eye for forensic and medical detail, and Mattie gets past her Big Girl complex to be the woman of the hour in her third outing. Sue Ann Jaffarian fans might like. Ryan is a pseudonym for suspense writer Beth Amos.
Shelby, Jeff. Liquid Smoke: A Noah Braddock Mystery. Tyrus. Aug. 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9781935562399. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781935562542. $15.95. M
At the beginning of a bleak February in San Diego, Noah, an independent, surfer PI, is feeling fairly content; alas, his life is in tatters by the 28th. Shelby’s third entry (after Wicked Break) catches you from the first wave, when Noah learns his father, whom he has never met, is on San Quentin’s Death Row. After the woman who told Noah about his father turns up dead, Noah is compelled to pursue a past he’s always chosen to ignore. Soon Noah is crisscrossing San Diego’s inner realms, fighting with local casino thugs and trying not to panic Mexican immigrants in El Centro, who’d just as soon have him go away. Noah’s first-person narrative makes his confusion very personal, and the fear factor ratchets up with each chapter. VERDICT With plenty of twists and a startling, compelling pace, this mystery will make readers hope Noah finds some justice in the bad set he’s inherited. Hard-boiled but not quite as noir as Don Winslow or Kem Nunn, Shelby’s book will appeal to Robert Crais fans for the sense of place and the lonely world the protagonists occupy.
COZY CORNER
Hale, Rebecca M. How To Moon a Cat: A Cats and Curios Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. Jul. 2011. c.297p. ISBN 9780425242179. pap. $7.99. M
The Green Vase antiques shop, tucked into San Francisco’s financial district, is inhabited by two upstairs resident cats and one young female human. She’s inherited the shop from her uncle and has discovered that real treasure and history can be found anywhere in the building if she listens to her cats. This third madcap cozy (after Nine Lives Last Forever) whimsically combines Gold Rush history with a contemporary bicycle race, the Tour of California, as our heroine and her two cats head out on a treasure hunt that was surely orchestrated by her late uncle. She has lots of company in this light first-person narrative, including a deadly duo seeking fortune and revenge. VERDICT With its clever structure and endearing protagonists, this is a delightful series. Hale’s characters are charming, and the layered story lines ensure our interest in the next installment. For all cat detective readers, plus California-bound folks who crave local color. Penny Warner’s Connor Westphal series would complement.
Longworth, M.L. Death at the Chateau Bremont: A Verlaque & Bonnet Mystery. Penguin. Jul. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780143119524. pap. $14. M
“We all have our secrets” could be the mantra for this troubled family with noble roots in beautiful Aix-en-Provence. Their story begins with the apparent suicide (by falling from the family château) of one of the Bremont sons. Chief Magistrate Verlaque finds the death suspicious, and law school professor Marine Bonnet, who grew up with this family, agrees. But it isn’t until another victim turns up that we know a murderer is underfoot. Ex-lovers Verlaque and Bonnet find their own relationship starting to sizzle as they pursue suspects as varied as the Russian Mafia, gambling personnel, and the hired help. VERDICT A beloved home turns sinister in this evocative romantic suspense debut from veteran travel and food writer Longworth. Via great sights and a strong sense of place, readers can leisurely follow Verlaque and Bonnet as they uncover a complicated backstory. Your readers will eat this one up.
Madison, Ada. The Square Root of Murder: A Professor Sophie Knowles Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780425242193. pap. $7.99. M
Dr. Sophie Knowles is a fortysomething math professor teaching summer session at a small Cape Cod women’s college. Her close-knit academic community is suffering through a sweltering summer heat wave when, out of the blue, a much-despised chemistry professor is poisoned in his lab. Wanting to help the graduate student who’s been fingered as the killer, Dr. Knowles begins her amateur investigation. Along the way, she learns about the darker side of academia. The ensemble cast includes the requisite wacky best friend (who owns a bead shop) and the action boyfriend (an emergency medical responder), making this a comfortable read with forays outside the science building. It takes time and math to find out why murder was the final grade for Dr. Appleton in this leisurely paced cozy. VERDICT Veteran series author Camille Minichino, also known as Margaret Grace, introduces an engaging new protagonist with a fresh venue for her fans. This mystery is a puzzler designed for word problem skill building. Puzzles and brainteasers included.
Sharp, Deborah. Mama Sees Stars: A Mace Bauer Mystery. Midnight Ink. Sept. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780738726984. pap. $14.95. M
Animal handler Mace Bauer (Mama Gets Hitched ) is pleased to have an extra gig working on a movie set in rural Himmarshee, FL. Of course, Mama is working on the set, too—it wouldn’t be seemly for Mace’s family to miss out on the action. But when the movie’s producer is shot dead on the set, things get complicated quickly, like they always do with this quirky group of characters, augmented this time by pretentious Hollywood types. With ponytailed directors and closeted stars around, even Mace’s detective boyfriend, Carlos, can’t seem to keep his head on straight. This zany fourth entry in Sharp’s series is a feature worthy of the big screen. VERDICT The mystery aisles can always use more humor, and Sharp delivers with this light feature full of stereotype-bending characters. Certainly easy to recommend to Dixie Cash fans, and probably a good bet for Rita Lakin’s readers, too.
ADDITIONAL MYSTERIES
Arsenault, Emily. In Search of the Rose Notes. Morrow. Aug. 2011. c.369p. ISBN 9780062012326. pap. $14.99. M
Arsenault writes unusual mysteries that don’t quite fit the conventions of the genre. Her first, The Broken Teaglass , revolves around lexicographers following a trail of clues with wit and wordplay. Here she focuses on a much darker story—the disappearance of a teenage girl. When best friends Nora and Charlotte are 11, Charlotte’s beloved babysitter, Rose Banks, vanishes. Sixteen years later, when her body is discovered, Nora and Charlotte cautiously rekindle their friendship and try once again to solve the mystery. Back then they used the Time-Life series “Mysteries of the Unknown” to shape their investigation; now they bring an adult perspective, except Nora is overwhelmed by revisiting her rocky adolescence. Confronting her past proves difficult and filled with more than one mystery as she returns to her hometown for the first time since high school. VERDICT While Arsenault excels at depicting the confusion and anxiety of childhood, the mystery itself lacks suspense. A solid read in which the uncertainty of relationships is more important than finding out what happened to Rose.—Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI
Cantrell, Rebecca. A Game of Lies. Forge: Tor. Jul. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780765327338. $24.99. M
The third entry in Cantrell’s award-winning historical series (A Trace of Smoke; A Night of Long Knives) is a fast-paced, action-packed tale set in Berlin during the 1936 Olympic Games. Journalist Hannah Vogel (posing as Swiss reporter Adelheid Zinsli) accompanies double agent SS Hauptsturmführer Lars Lang and his friend Andreas Huber to the games. Hannah excuses herself for a clandestine meeting with longtime mentor and friend Peter Weill, who dies suddenly in front of her. Uncertain and scared, Hannah desperately searches for the truth. VERDICT Cantrell’s meticulous research and her vivid characters and strong plot—based on real people and actual events—will have special appeal to fans of historical fiction related to World War II Germany.—Melody Ballard, Pima Cty. P.L., Tucson, AZ
Penny, Louise. A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Sept. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780312655457. $25.99. M
This follow-up to the Agatha Award–winning Bury Your Dead finds Armand Gamache, chief inspector of the Montreal police force, and Beauvoir, his lieutenant, still healing physically and psychologically from a fatal police operation gone awry. But this doesn’t prevent them from taking on yet another murder case in the secluded village of Three Pines. When resident artist Clara Morrow’s solo show at Montreal’s premier art museum causes a sensation in the art world, it sets into motion a series of events that expose the vicious jealousies of artists and dealers. Clara’s joy rapidly gives way to perplexity when the body of her sociopathic, long-estranged roommate is found in her garden. Gamache’s investigation reveals the sad panoply of crippling human aspirations and failures. VERDICT Readers who love literary mystery writers such as Donna Leon will enjoy Penny’s latest excellent series entry. [100,000-copy first printing.] — Lynne F. Maxwell, Villanova Univ. Sch. of Law, PA
DEBUT OF THE MONTH
Ridpath, Michael. Where the Shadows Lie. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Aug. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780312675035. $24.99. M
Boston detective Magnus Jonson, an Icelandic American, is sent on temporary assignment to work with the Icelandic police force after uncovering a police corruption scandal that endangered his life. On arriving in Reykjavík, he immediately joins an investigation into a puzzling death at a lake resort. It turns out a professor was murdered because he possessed rare manuscripts and perhaps something more. What’s the motivation—simple theft or cultural pride? In a land where literary sagas are revered, Magnus learns that one long-lost story heavily influenced J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Magnus must discern if Norse mythology can be the reason people are dying. VERDICT This highly atmospheric and addictive thriller brings in elements that will entice both crime fiction and fantasy readers. If your readers like a treasure-hunting chase, give them this one. With Tolkien groupies, Internet hacking, and revenge, this title has no shortage of appeal. Clearly, Ridpath, the author of eight financial thrillers, has his own trilogy in mind.
SERIES LINEUP
Andrews, Donna. The Real Macaw: A Meg Langslow Mystery. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.308p. ISBN 9780312621209. $24.99. M
Besides juggling twins, now Meg (Stork Raving Mad) has to deal with a houseful of animals and a dead animal shelter employee.
Crosby, Ellen. The Sauvignon Secret: A Wine Country Mystery. Scribner. Aug. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9781439163887. $24. M
Virginia’s favorite vintner-detective (The Viognier Vendetta) ventures out to California’s Napa Valley when her grandfather makes a request.
Ellis, Kate. Kissing the Demons: A Joe Plantagenet Murder Mystery. Crème de la Crime: Severn House. Aug. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9781780290010. $28.95. M
A spooky house with a checkered history leads DI Plantagenet (Playing with Bones) into danger as he untangles a sinister trail.
Gaus, P.L. Harmless as Doves: An Amish-Country Mystery. Ohio Univ. Pr. Jul. 2011. c.184p. ISBN 9780821419670. $24.95. M
Professor Branden (Separate from the World) sets aside his sabbatical research and flies to a Florida Amish vacation spot in this engaging series entry.
Laurie, Victoria. Vision Impossible: A Psychic Eye Mystery. Obsidian Mysteries: NAL. Jul. 2011. c.358p. ISBN 9780451234063. $23.95. M
Psychic Abby Cooper, FBI profiler and newly minted spy (A Glimpse of Evil), is in trouble when military software can mimic her aura-reading skills.
Levine, Laura. Pampered to Death: A Jaine Austen Mystery. Kensington. Aug. 2011. c.228p. ISBN 9780758238474. $22. M
Jaine and her cat Prozac (Death of a Trophy Wife) plan to enjoy a relaxing spa weekend in Santa Barbara, but a murdered guest means work for Jaine instead.
O’Donohue, Clare. The Devil’s Puzzle: A Someday Quilts Mystery. Plume: Penguin Group (USA). Oct. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780452297371. pap. $14. M
A skeleton in Nell’s (The Double Cross) grandmother’s backyard brings up talk of witchcraft and other long-buried secrets.
Ramsay, Frederick. Rogue: An Ike Schwartz Mystery. Poisoned Pen. Jul. 2011. c.250p. ISBN 9781590589021. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590589045. $14.95. M
In his seventh outing, Ike (Choker) isn’t about to lose love again. He’s going to find out who put his fiancée in a coma.
Rowe, Rosemary. The Vestal Vanishes: A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain. Severn House. Aug. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9780727880291. $28.95. M
Rowe’s long-running series (Requiem for a Slave) involves Druid rebels and disappearing vestals; Libertus investigates.
Sedley, Kate. The Midsummer Crown. Severn House. (A Roger Chapman Mystery). Jul. 2011. c.252p. ISBN 9780727880192. $29.95. M
A young boy’s tutor’s death ties in with an ancient legend, and Roger’s (Wheel of Fate) life looks vulnerable, too, in this popular, 15th-century historical series.
“LIKE” THIS
I’m always looking for new places to read interviews or to sample new authors. Have you tried out Criminal Element (CriminalElement.com) yet? Just launched in April, it’s an attractively designed smorgasbord of feature articles, short stories, blogs, tweets, and more. Macmillan is the leading force behind the site, but it’s a “publisher-neutral crime and mystery community” with minimal marketing right now. And it’s just plain addictive. When I was itching to find out who won the Agathas at Malice Domestic, where did I find the answer? Yep, their bloggers were at work. When I wanted to know more about BookExpo America happenings, whose tweets did I follow? Right again. The contributors discuss classic book series, muse about movies and TV shows, and explore all the possible styles of crime fiction. Librarians, you can read a great article and then post it on your library’s Facebook site for enhanced content.
See if you don’t get sucked into the vortex like I did. Criminal Element also has sister sites for romance (HeroesandHeartbreakers.com) and science fiction (Tor.com).
Another site to follow is www.thebigthrill.org.Sponsored by the International Thriller Writers (ITW) organization, this webzine is chock-full of content, e.g., Karin Slaughter’s dynamic Save the Libraries campaign is featured. It might surprise you, but cozy writers hang out here, too.
QUOTABLE
“One thing in particular had parked itself front and center in my thoughts, and I wasn’t happy about it. It was like buying a new game and emptying all the pieces onto the table. Everything was there—I just needed someone to show me how to play.”—Jeff Shelby, Liquid Smoke
| Author Information |
| Teresa L. Jacobsen, retired librarian, was a training coordinator for Solano County Library, and previous to that, a fiction evaluator/reference librarian for Santa Monica Public Library. She has written occasional feature articles for LJ and BookSmack! and reviewed fiction regularly since 2004. She is an unabashed mystery fan who enjoys bringing new readers into the fold |
