Mystery Books

 

 

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Oscar Wilde and a Game Called Murder  by Gyles Brandreth

 

Have a party, invite a dozen friends. Play a game of Murder. Ask each friend to choose who they would most like to murder, then watch as one by the one, each day thereafter, victims fall.....Who's doing it?? What kind of a game is this anyway? Join friends Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker and several other notables as they try to figure out this twisted knot. A great book for a cold winter's night.....

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Punch  by Tim Dorsey

 

What a road trip!! Here it is - that little mystery with a dash of clever weirdness and a just a hint of the psychotic hurricane expert that you've been hoping would drop into your life. Tim Dorsey writes an exquisitely humorus tale wonderfully executed by the very talented Oliver Wyman. Buckle Up!! It's a heck of a ride!

 

Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper Moon  by Andrea Camilleri

 

This is the latests installment in the series of mysteries featuring Sicilian police inspector, Motalbano. Was the salesman murdered by jealous women or were there drug connections? As always, the story is atmospheric and well-written. This is a straight forward story with more humor than usual and less societal ills. Some strong language and descriptions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Arrow  by I.J. Parker

 

This is a mystery set in medieval Japan. The new governor of a distant province must solve a series of murders, prevent a rebellion and learn the secrets of the locals. Although there is action and some mild historical atmosphere, I found the book very slow starting and rather tepid.

I will not track down the other titles in the series. 

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Never Happens by Anne Holt

 

Norwegian novelist Anne Holt's latest in a series. In this one the police must solve a series of celebrity murders with the help of a wife trained as a profiler. Typically, the reader is shown the mind of the killer, but must wait for the identity until the police reach the answer. The crime itself is interesting and the ending is unusual for a mystery, but there is entirely too much filler about the investigators' personal lives, something I find tedious in a mystery novel. There is some gore and some expletetives, but not like so many modern thrillers. Over-all I found the novel unexciting and was glad for it to end.

 

S.D. 

 

 

 

 

 

As the World Churns by Tamar Myers

 

The latest in the series of mysteries featuring Mennonite inn-keeper Magdalena Yoder. She hosts a cow competition and must determine which of the guest injures a judge and abducts her family. She also is harrassed by her mother in law and worried by the escape from prison of her nemesis, Melvin. Although, light and funny Myers reuses old jokes and formulas and long-time readers may be a little tired of the routine, but there are plot advances in her personal life of interest. No sex, gore or strong language.

 

S.D. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson

 

   In the author's 14th book of culinary suspense, we find Colorado's favorite crime solver/caterer, Goldy Schulz, at it again.  While preparing a holiday brunch for the local library, the madness begins as a former district attorney is found dead between the stacks.  To add to the mystery, Goldy spots the woman, believed dead, who murdered her husband.  Goldy reluctantly gets involved in the unsavory, double-crossing world of antique map dealing.  Will she make it to her next catering job in tact?  Included in the book are ten original recipes that will make your mouth water!  A fun read!

 

BQ   12/1/07 

 

 

 

 

 

Dead Heat by Dick Francis

 

   Local chef, Max Moreton, is having a miserable month.  Dinner guests have been poisoned at one of his catered events; a bomb went off at another.  When will this craziness end?  There's more misery ahead for Max before this is all over, but an attractive musician helps ease his pain.  A series of twists leaves you not knowing who to trust.  This latest Dick Francis book is a winning collaboration of the writer and his son, Felix.  It is an interesting mix of the culinary and horse racing worlds.  

 

BQ   12/1/07

 

 

 

 

 

The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich

I would recommend Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. (One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, etc.,) Evanovich has created many colorful characters that gives this mystery series many laughs.                                  

 

AL 01/22/08

 

 

 

 

       

 

The Bubbles series by Sarah Strohmeyer

 

The Bubble series is about a beautician, Bubbles Yablonsky, and has a similiar voice to Janet Evanovich. It is a very funny series. Like Evanovich's Plum series the book is full of colorful characters.  I've only read the first three books in the series (Bubbles Unbound, Bubbles in Trouble, and Bubbles Ablaze) but the mysteries are challenging. I thought the second book was a bit easier to figure out than the first and third books, but still a good read.           

-A.L. 01/22/08 

 

 

 

 

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