Thursday, May 31, 2018
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...: Reported by Kristin Nevermore reads widely, from archeology to mysteries to science fiction to wars, so one reader began this...
Review: The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box
Game Warden Joe Pickett has a new boss.
Above her is a new boss as well as Wyoming has a newly elected Governor. Governor
Colter Allen and Pickett recently got off on the wrong foot. Pickett isn’t
thrilled that he has been summoned to meet the Governor’s plane on landing in
Saddlestring. Governor Allen is all too typical
of many politicians these days in that he is all style and flash and of little substance and character. There are
questions regarding his actual net worth, business dealings, and other issues
that Pickett does not care about as those questions at this point are more
gossip than anything else. Governor Allen does share one aspect with the
previous Governor a man that Pickett did not like that much, but did respect. He
also expects Pickett to do the outside investigative work that Governor Rulon
had him do. Unfortunately from his perspective as the new Governor recently
learned, Pickett stays away from politics and political assignments and simply
won’t do them. A concept totally unclear to the new Governor who is minutes
away from landing in his state plane.
A January morning meant that Joe was
able to meet with the Governor as things are slow this time of year in the Game
Warden business. Once onboard with the Governor Pickett learns that he wants
him to get to Saratoga and conduct an investigation. The assigned game warden,
Steve Pollock, recently quit his job and has yet to be replaced. Pickett is to
go there and make it appear to all that he is a temporary Game Warden substituting
for Pollack while privately and quietly conducting an investigation regarding a
high profile missing person.
The missing person is a media celebrity
which is why Game Warden Joe Pickett knows next to nothing about the case. A
resident of the UK and a very powerful CEO, Kate Shelford-Longden, went missing
months ago. Back during the summer she had come to Wyoming to spend a week at
the most expensive ranch in Wyoming, the Silver Creek Ranch near Saratoga.
Between the time she left the ranch on her last day and the time she was
supposed to board her flight in Denver, she vanished as did her car. Despite
all the efforts by state and local law enforcement and other parties there has
not been any sign of her at all. A British Ambassador recently reached out
through the Governor’s wife to ask about the case and the Governor is
increasingly frustrated by state law enforcement and the lack of action.
In addition to destroying state
equipment in the course of his duties, and upsetting supervisors, Game Warden
Joe Pickett has a reputation of getting things done and closing cases. The Governor
wants answers and wants Picket to get them. He isn’t going to take no for an
answer as it is clear that this time he simply can’t refuse the assignment. Things are too precarious and stressful at
home as it is and losing his job right now would be a full scale disaster.
Pickett is going to have to do what the
Governor asks and the pressure is clearly on. Good thing that Pickett has an
ace up his sleeve as his 23 year old daughter Sheridan just happens to work at
the Silver Creek Ranch. With her help as well as Nate’s through a secondary
storyline, Pickett might just find out what happened. He also may learn far
more than he wants to about a host of subjects.
The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel is a solidly good read. While not the
best in this long running series, the book does provide a solidly good story.
One that is a bit predictable at times for readers that are well familiar with
this series and these characters. Family has always been a mainstay of the series
and that is present here as expected and in very familiar ways to long term
readers. Author C. J. Box is not going
to break new ground with these characters and thus hits the frequent themes of being
a parent of girls moving into adulthood and all that entails as well as the
familiar interfering mother in law among others.
A series that is best if read in order,
this latest continues the theme of family- good or bad- that has been a long
running hallmark of the series.
For another take on the book with a few
more details, read Kristin’s review at the Bookblog
of the Bristol Library.
The Disappeared: A
Joe Pickett Novel
C. J. Box
Random House Large
Print
March 2018
ISBN# 978-0-5255-8937-2
Soft Cover Large
Sized Paperback (Hardback, audio, and eBook formats also available)
560 Pages (542 of
story)
$29.00
Material supplied by the good folks of
the Dallas Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths: By Jeanne Mythology has become a hot topic. There have been many books drawing from myth and legend over the years—books about ...
Only days left to win books from KRL
Only days left to win a copy of "Wedding Cake Crumble" by Jenn McKinlay, and while there check out a fun wedding related guest post by Jenn, and a fun cupcake recipe http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/wedding-cake-crumble-by-jenn-mckinlay/ And to win a copy of "A Magical Match" by Juliet Blackwell and while there check out a Behind the Book interview with Juliet http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/a-magical-match-by-juliet-blackwell/ Also to win a copy of "On the Hook" by Betty Hechtman http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/on-the-hook-by-betty-hechtman/ And to win a copies of -"Antiques Wanted": A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by Barbara Allan, "The Uninvited Corpse": A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, and "The Bengal Identity": A Cat Groomer Mystery by Eileen Watkins http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/kensington-mystery-catch-up-for-your-summer-reading/ Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Lethal Literature" by Kym Roberts, along with an extra special giveaway from Kym http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/lethal-literature-by-kym-roberts.html And to win a copy of "Bitch Out of Hell" by Diana Deverell http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/bitch-out-of-hell-by-diana-deverell.html Happy reading, Lorie
Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018
Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018: A few days ago I was wondering if the 20 Books of Summer challenge would return in 2018. Then I saw Jean's list at Howling Frog Books ,...
SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?
SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?: by Paul D. Marks , Jonathan Brown , Elaine Ash Contents: —Context and White Heat – Paul —Dude? Why so Sensitive? – Jonathan Brown —Th...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box: Reviewed by Kristin Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden, that is when he isn’t being fired, re-hired, or re-assigned by whichev...
Wanted: Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5) by Wayne D. Dundee
About a half hour ago, Mr.
Avery was released from Iron Gate Territorial Prison in the Arizona Territory. A transport wagon driven by Rudy Haemmler
is being used to transport the just released convict to the nearest town of
Fordsburg. Mr. Avery has no idea why the four men on horseback on the narrow
trail ahead of them want him so badly they have blocked and stopped the
transport. While the heavily armed men claim to have been sent by friends of Mr.
Avery to escort him for his safety back home to Tonto City their appearance and
behavior indicate otherwise.
Things probably would have
violently escalated right then and there if not for the timely intercession of Bounty
Hunter Bodice Kendrick. Seven years for a manslaughter conviction there are
many folks that want Mr. Avery dead as soon as possible. In a twist from his
normal paying work as a bounty hunter, Bodie Kendrick has been hired to keep
Mr. Avery alive and get him to another town in the area where he has some
friends waiting for him.
Easier said than done. Blue Tom
Iverson and his men are not going to let that happen easily. And they may not
be the only folks in the harsh desert country looking to get Avery and anyone
with him one way or another.
Wanted: Dead is the latest in a rich and highly
entertaining western series that began with Hard
Trail to Socorro. Wayne D. Dundee has created a complex western
series where each tales has elements of a mystery at work that also serves to push
the tale forward. This read, like the others, features complex characters doing
what they must to survive while at the same time plenty of action keeps things
moving at a rapid rate. Wanted: Dead, like the rest of the
series that is best when read in order, is a mighty good read and strongly
recommended.
Wanted:
Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5)
Wayne
D. Dundee
Bil-Em-Ri
Media
August
2017
ASIN:
B074V231T9
E-Book
199
Pages
$2.99
A
word file was supplied by the author several months ago with absolutely no
expectation of a review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...
Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...: Janet Dawson announced the publication of an e-anthology featuring the fi rst nine books in the Jeri Howard serie s . The ebook will be ...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...: Pixhere There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in June. As usual, anything you can think of is wanted - flash fiction, sp...
Review: Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon by Angela Crider Neary
Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective
Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is the second book in this fun
mystery series. It follows The
Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos that came out in 2015.
While the new book is a sequel, one does not really need to
have read the first book in the series as those references are few.
It is late January and the Chinese New Year and
the start of the Year of The Dragon is almost upon the world. That includes the
animals, domestic and otherwise, in San Francisco. That also includes a certain
ancient cat living in Chinatown. He has the ability to summon a creature from
the zoo to assist him as he has great plans for the future. Plans that require
servants to answer his call and serve their master. It begins with this one
from the zoo, but there will be more if things go to plan.
Meanwhile, Li’l Tom and his assistant, Lola, continue their
work in the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau located in the basement of the Malloch
building on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. Lola, a stunningly attractive
Calico cat, handles reception as well as the initial intake process on all
clients. They have taken on a new employee, Lenny, who recently has fallen on
hard times and is turning his life around with their help. He does paperwork, cleans
the offices, makes the snack runs as Tender Vittles just don’t magically appear
on their own, or whatever needs doing. Business is good, but Li’l Tom still has
time to start the day by reading the printed newspaper.
There is troubling news in the morning paper. In
recent days, there has been a rash of animal deaths mainly among the pet
companions to humans in the area. It could be bad luck or it could be foul play
through nobody has come in to talk about the cases. Not much of the deceased is
left except collars after an attack. There have been also some art thefts of
small statues and jewels from various small and upscale galleries in the area
around Union Square. As in the animal deaths, according to Lil Tom’s source,
the police have no evidence or suspects.
The discussion between Lola and Li’l Tom of the
two situations is interrupted by the arrival of a potential new client. Oreo is
her name and she happens to be the resident cat at an art gallery near to Union
Square. Normally, as it is people problem she would stay out of it, but since
the people authorities have no clues and she was there when the gallery was
robbed, she is upset and wants something done. She was asleep when one of the
windows shattered and rained glass shards down on her.
She hid as whatever it was ransacked a nearby
collection of small African tribal at statuettes. She stayed hidden until
things had gone quiet and she thought it was all over. Oreo then raised her had
to look out of her hiding place and came face to face with something that had a
foul breath and evil red eyes. It opened its jaws to bite her before the sirens
signaling the coming of the police scared whatever it was off. It was a terrifying
experience and she is still scared.
After a bit of back and forth with the he with the
prospective client as Li’l Tom attempts to get a better sense of what she saw
and what happened, he is very intrigued and takes the case. A case that will
ultimately put himself and Lola in considerable danger from fellow feline and
foe alike.
The latest in the series, Li’l
Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is another fun mystery romp through the animal world.
Numerous characters from the first book make another appearance as does the
milk bar and other hangouts from the first book. Then there are the new
characters all working their own agendas. Plenty of mystery adventure is
present told from the perspective of various animal characters. Also present is
the occasional nod to human landmarks and stories as well as a laugh or two. Li’l
Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is flat out fun, entertaining, and very much worth your
time.
Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year
Dragon
Angela Crider Neary
Tornado Alley Publications (imprint of
Prairie Rose Publications)
March 2018
ISBN
# 978-1986039765
Print
(eBook available)
222
Pages
$11.99
PDF
review copy was supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2018
Monday, May 28, 2018
Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES
Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES: Hope you're having a good Memorial Day Weekend. Did you know that 53% of Americans will be barbecuing this weekend ? Will you? I ...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 28-Jun...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 28-Jun...: Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of May 28-June 3, 2018: Special Events: Elena Gallego Rare Books Pop-up Shop , San Antonio, May 1...
Western Fictioneers: 2018 WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION IS OKC BOUND!
Western Fictioneers: 2018 WESTERN FICTIONEERS CONVENTION IS OKC BOUND!: Once again, it’s time to stuff the saddlebags, shine up your boots and point your trusty cow pony toward the Great Southwest for the 201...
Memorial Day 2018
Each year on Memorial Day we honor the fallen. We honor those who fell in defense of this country whether it be in peacetime or at war. We honor those who never made it back home alive. As you go about your life today, please take a moment to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation as well as their loved ones who miss them so much.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Getting Out Of The House
Grief is a strange thing. The last few days have been really bad as it was just after Memorial Day last year when Sandi was admitted and two days later we learned that the chemo was screwed up. The wheels really started coming off after that. The days leading up to Memorial Day and the day itself were her last few days when things were shaky, but we had hope. We could still have full conversations at that point and she was aware of much of the world around her. A few days later it was all going to hell.
That ended December 1st at 8: 45 AM and my utter hell began. That was 28 weeks ago Friday. It often still feels like it just happened. I miss her so much that even thinking about her for a second gets me to tears. The pain of her being gone, the grief, is so strong and so deep, the idea of getting out of bed, let alone going anywhere seems insurmountable and overwhelming. Going to the store and the library, let alone taking Scott to UTD, things that absolutely have to be done, is not only very hard due to my disabilities and very painful, but the sheer act of going anywhere is exhausting. A major part of that is the disabilities and the permanent chronic pain, but the grief is also a huge part of it.
So much so I turn down a lot of opportunities offered by friends to get out of the house and go somewhere. It all seems more work than worth it. Graham Powell and Earl Staggs pushed hard for weeks to get me to go down to Michael Bracken's place and I finally relented and went.
This week it was Johhny Wesner pushing again to go down to The Wild Detectives on the far side of Dallas. He has been suggesting for months now we go down and that he would come pick me up to make that happen. I finally gave in today and went willingly after not being able to get out of bed most of yesterday I was so upset about Sandi.
Why I could do it today, I don't know. Maybe, somewhere, she gave me a little push as she would not want me sitting at home crying over her and hiding from the world. I wish she was here to talk to. I talk to her urn every night as it sits on my bureau as I go through the motions of trying to live without the woman I loved so much and failed to protect when it really counted. I'd give anything to be with her for another minute.
That ended December 1st at 8: 45 AM and my utter hell began. That was 28 weeks ago Friday. It often still feels like it just happened. I miss her so much that even thinking about her for a second gets me to tears. The pain of her being gone, the grief, is so strong and so deep, the idea of getting out of bed, let alone going anywhere seems insurmountable and overwhelming. Going to the store and the library, let alone taking Scott to UTD, things that absolutely have to be done, is not only very hard due to my disabilities and very painful, but the sheer act of going anywhere is exhausting. A major part of that is the disabilities and the permanent chronic pain, but the grief is also a huge part of it.
So much so I turn down a lot of opportunities offered by friends to get out of the house and go somewhere. It all seems more work than worth it. Graham Powell and Earl Staggs pushed hard for weeks to get me to go down to Michael Bracken's place and I finally relented and went.
This week it was Johhny Wesner pushing again to go down to The Wild Detectives on the far side of Dallas. He has been suggesting for months now we go down and that he would come pick me up to make that happen. I finally gave in today and went willingly after not being able to get out of bed most of yesterday I was so upset about Sandi.
 |
| Johnny Wesner (left), Scott Tipple (right back), and Kevin Tipple |
Why I could do it today, I don't know. Maybe, somewhere, she gave me a little push as she would not want me sitting at home crying over her and hiding from the world. I wish she was here to talk to. I talk to her urn every night as it sits on my bureau as I go through the motions of trying to live without the woman I loved so much and failed to protect when it really counted. I'd give anything to be with her for another minute.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
KRL Update for 5/26/18
Up in KRL this morning a review & giveaway of "Wedding Cake Crumble" by Jenn McKinlay, along with a fun wedding related guest post by Jenn, and a fun cupcake recipe http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/wedding-cake-crumble-by-jenn-mckinlay/ Also up a review and giveaway of "A Magical Match" by Juliet Blackwell along with a Behind the Book interview with Juliet http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/a-magical-match-by-juliet-blackwell/ And a review and giveaway of "On the Hook" by Betty Hechtman http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/on-the-hook-by-betty-hechtman/ We also have the latest mystery Coming Attractions by Sunny Frazier http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/coming-attractions-the-bridal-edition/ And reviews & giveaways of some more mysteries by Kensington authors for your summer reading-"Antiques Wanted": A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by Barbara Allan, "The Uninvited Corpse": A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, and "The Bengal Identity": A Cat Groomer Mystery by Eileen Watkins http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/kensington-mystery-catch-up-for-your-summer-reading/ Up on KRL News & Reviews we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Lethal Literature" by Kym Roberts, along with an extra special giveaway from Kym http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/lethal-literature-by-kym-roberts.html And also on KRL News & Reviews a review and giveaway of "Bitch Out of Hell" by Diana Deverell http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/bitch-out-of-hell-by-diana-deverell.html Happy reading, Lorie-- KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it! Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/
Lesa's Latest Contest: David Rosenfelt Giveaway
This week, I'm giving away books in two of David Rosenfelt's series - Collared and Fade to Black. Details on my blog at https://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only, please.Lesa Holstine
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: TRIGGER LAW
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: TRIGGER LAW: Trigger Law by "Jackson Cole" (1952) "Jackson Cole" was a house name used the the main story in each issue of Better...
Friday, May 25, 2018
Gravetapping: KILLING TOWN by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collin...
Gravetapping: KILLING TOWN by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collin...: Killing Town is the tenth Mike Hammer novel started by Mickey Spillane and completed by Max Allan Collins. In Collins’ Introduction, “M...
Writers Who Kill: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: A Review by Warre...
Writers Who Kill: Ready Player One byErnest Cline: A Review by Warre...: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: A Review by Warren Bull Image from pixabay Wade Watts is a teenager in the dark and depres...
Mystery Fanfare: ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD WINNERS: Crime Writers of Canad...
Mystery Fanfare: ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD WINNERS: Crime Writers of Canad...: 2018 Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing Shortlists The Annual Arthur Ellis Awards by Crime Writers of Canad...
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: NEW RELEASE! -- TEXAS STORM
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: NEW RELEASE! -- TEXAS STORM: Celebrate with me! TEXAS STORM , the third book in my Texas Time Travel trilogy is now released for readers. Although I have a difficult...
FFB Review: A Little Darling, Dead by Jonathan Escott writing as Jack S. Scott
It was bound to happen sooner or later. This final Friday in
May and the start of Memorial Day weekend means the heat is starting to settle
in across North Texas. It is only going to get worse for months on end from
here. Today also means it is time for Friday’s Forgotten Books
hosted by Patti Abbott. We have another treat in store as Aubrey Hamilton has
offered us her second FFB review after her first of Coffin
Corner by Dell Shannon. After you read her review today, go read
her other FFB review from last April, and then go make sure you read all the
recommendations over at Patti’s blog.
Have a great weekend…stay cool and stay safe!
A Little
Darling, Dead
by Jonathan Escott writing as Jack S. Scott (St. Martins Press, 1986) was one
of two mysteries featuring Detective Chief Inspector Peter Parsons, somewhere
in central England. Escott released
about 15 police procedurals between 1976 and 1986.
A teenaged
girl is found drowned. Still in her school uniform she was clearly on her way
home, even if the route was not her usual way to get there. Detective Chief
Inspector Peter Parsons looks into the situation, which leans toward a finding
of accidental death until a routine search of her room in her respectable home
turns up expensive jewelry she could not possibly have afforded. Her friends
seem to be withholding information but Parsons and his sidekick Sergeant
Wimbush cannot prise their secrets from them.
While mulling
all of this over and trying to decide if the case should be closed as the
accident it appears to have been, the school is burglarized over a weekend and
comprehensively swept clean of anything of value. The school caretaker was
known to the police and he was the first person to be asked to help the police
with their inquiries. He in turn seeks the support of the local parole officer
as well as the alderman who helped him get the caretaker position to begin
with. Their subsequent actions make Parsons wonder just what they are up to and
when the caretaker is found dead, he has another suspicious death to
investigate.
A robust
British police procedural by an author not all that well known. The resolution
rather galloped toward the end after a somewhat meandering investigation,
although perhaps that’s the way events sometime transpire in real life. I was
sorry to see there are only two books featuring Chief Inspector Parsons, who is
a smart and likeable character. I intend to look up other books by Scott
however.
·
Hardcover: 215 pages
·
Publisher: St Martins Press;
1st edition (February 1, 1986)
·
Language: English
·
ISBN-10: 0312488459
·
ISBN-13: 978-0312488451
Aubrey
Hamilton ©2018
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works
on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
New Issue of Crime Review
We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review ( www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time it’s Christopher Wakling in the Countdown hot seat: We’re on Twitter at: Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia This week’s reviews are: DEAD IF YOU DON’T by Peter James, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler A missing teenager sets Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his team of Brighton cops in a race against the clock. A BRUSH WITH DEATH by Quintin Jardine, reviewed by Linda Wilson Bob Skinner is asked by the Security Service to look into the death of a multi-millionaire boxer. MURDER AT THE GRAND RAJ PALACE by Vaseem Khan, reviewed by Chris Roberts Retired police inspector Ashwin Chopra takes on the case of a man found dead in the Grand Raj Palace hotel, while his wife Poppy is kept busy seeking a reluctant bride. ZEN AND THE ART OF MURDER by Oliver Bottini, reviewed by John Cleal An injured Japanese monk appears in a small Black Forest village. Tracking the man leads Chief Inspector Louise Boni to an international child sex and smuggling ring. THE WOMAN BEFORE ME by Ruth Dugdall, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor Ruth Wilks lives inside a prison inside a prison for the manslaughter of a baby she loved like her own. Cate holds the key to open one door, but only Rose has the key for the other. EARTH STORM by Mons Kallentoft, reviewed by Ewa Sherman Detective Malin Fors investigates cases of two opposing voices – the murder of a right-wing extremist and a missing left-wing teenage activist. FRIENDS AND TRAITORS by John Lawton, reviewed by Arnold Taylor Frederick Troy, a member of the Metropolitan Police, forms an unlikely friendship with Guy Burgess, even though he is aware that he is probably a spy. Burgess's reappearance after his defection to the Soviet Union, puts Troy in danger. THE ORPHANS by Annemarie Neary, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor Two small children on a beach in North Goa wait for their parents to return. That was 25 year ago. They are still waiting.
CERTAIN SIGNS THAT YOU ARE DEAD by Torkil Damhaug, reviewed by Ewa Sherman A badly injured patient vanishes at Akershus University Hospital. The Iranian porter Arash is blamed as he later finds the body in the basement. But as the retired pathologist Jenny Plåterud gets involved, things get messier and more complicated. THE DEVIL’S CLAW by Lara Dearman, reviewed by Chris Roberts A young journalist returns home to Guernsey, and when a drowned woman is found on the beach finds links to other such deaths stretching back over 50 years. MISS KOPP’S MIDNIGHT CONFESSION by Amy Stewart, reviewed by John Cleal Constance Kopp, New Jersey’s only female deputy sheriff, faces new challenges as America prepares to enter the first world war. THE COST OF LIVING by Rachel Ward, reviewed by Linda Wilson When a colleague is attacked on her way home, Bea, who works in the same supermarket, takes an interest in the case. BLIND DEFENCE by John Fairfax, reviewed by Chris Roberts Barrister William Benson defends a man accused of the murder of his partner and finds the case extends beyond simple domestic strife to organised criminal activity. SWEETFREAK by Sophie McKenzie, reviewed by Linda Wilson Carey’s best friend is receiving nasty messages from someone calling themselves SweetFreak. When Carey is accused of being the perpetrator, she’s determined to prove her innocence, but the evidence is against her. WE WERE THE SALT OF THE SEA by Roxanne Bouchard, reviewed by Chris Roberts Detective Sergeant Joaquin Morales, relocating from Montreal to a seaside village, is assigned the death of a local woman who sailed home after years away. A LESSON IN VIOLENCE By Jordan Harper, reviewed by John Cleal An 11-year-old girl is unexpectedly reunited with her father, but this is only the beginning for them. POTTER’S BOY by Tony Mitton, reviewed by Linda Wilson The son of the village potter wants to grow up to become a fighter, not a potter. This is Ryo’s story. A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE by Shari Lapena, reviewed by John Barnbrook Karen drives her car into a lamppost, late at night, in a seedy part of town, but she cannot remember why she was there. The police are suspicious, her husband disbelieving, and her best friend is behaving oddly. STAR OF THE NORTH by DB John, reviewed by John Cleal A young black Korean-American woman disappears without trace from a South Korean island. Her twin sister refuses to believe she may be dead and is herself later recruited by the CIA to find the truth and go undercover into the world’s most secretive state. DANGEROUS TO KNOW by Anne Buist, reviewed by Kate Balfour Natalie, a bipolar clinical psychiatrist who moves to the country for a quiet life, finds it anything but. She starts to counsel her new boss, Frank, whose family’s history is very far from normal. Natalie must try to stop herself from being drawn into their dangerous web. Best wishes Sharon www.crimereview.co.uk
Do Some Damage: 47 Things They Don't Teach in Author School
Do Some Damage: 47 Things They Don't Teach in Author School: By Steve Weddle A decade ago when we started this blog, one of our goals was to help promote other writers. We would do Q&As with them...
Mystery Fanfare: MEMORIAL DAY MYSTERIES // MEMORIAL DAY CRIME FICTI...
Mystery Fanfare: MEMORIAL DAY MYSTERIES // MEMORIAL DAY CRIME FICTI...: Memorial Day aka Decoration Day is a day of remembrance of those men and women who who fell protecting us, of those who didn't co...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 40 Writing Contests in June 2018 - No entry fees
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 40 Writing Contests in June 2018 - No entry fees: Ryan Hickox - Flickr June is a great month for writing contests. There are more than three dozen free writing contests this month, some ...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Dead Wake, Human Comedy,Ishi, Wodehous...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Dead Wake, Human Comedy,Ishi, Wodehous...: Reported by Ambrea Nevermore kicked off their meeting with Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. On...
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: NOT THIS AUGUST
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: NOT THIS AUGUST: Not This August by C. M. Kornbluth (1955, 1981) Once upon a time there was a group of alienated young people who formed a loose group of...
Only days left to win books and more from KRL
Only days left to win a copy of the latest China Bayles mystery, "Queen
Anne's Lace", by Susan Wittig Albert, and while there check out an
interesting guest post by Susan
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/queen-annes-lace-by-susan-wittig-albert/
And to win a copy of "Sixth Cabin" by Kathi Daley
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/sixth-cabin-by-kathi-daley/
Also to win a copy of "Apple Strudel Alibi" by H.Y. Hanna
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/apple-strudel-alibi-by-h-y-hanna/
And to win a copy of "Follow Me" by Angela Clarke along with an interesting
interview with Angela
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/follow-me-by-angela-clarke/
Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Newport Ave."
by Ken Kuhlken
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/newport-ave-by-ken-kuhlken.html
Happy reading,
Lorie
Anne's Lace", by Susan Wittig Albert, and while there check out an
interesting guest post by Susan
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/queen-annes-lace-by-susan-wittig-albert/
And to win a copy of "Sixth Cabin" by Kathi Daley
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/sixth-cabin-by-kathi-daley/
Also to win a copy of "Apple Strudel Alibi" by H.Y. Hanna
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/apple-strudel-alibi-by-h-y-hanna/
And to win a copy of "Follow Me" by Angela Clarke along with an interesting
interview with Angela
http://kingsriverlife.com/05/19/follow-me-by-angela-clarke/
Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Newport Ave."
by Ken Kuhlken
http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/newport-ave-by-ken-kuhlken.html
Happy reading,
Lorie
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018) edited by...
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018) edited by...: Recently, Wildside Press published a long overdue anthology, The Misadventures of Ellery Queen (2018), edited by Josh Pachter and Dale C...
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Downfall: Margot Kinberg
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Downfall: Margot Kinberg: This is the fourth book in Margot Kinberg's Joel Williams series. Joel is a former policeman who has left that job to teach criminal j...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 60 Great Writing Conferences in June 2018
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 60 Great Writing Conferences in June 2018: Pixabay June is bustin' out all over for writers. There are no fewer than 60 writing conferences this month, stretching from coast t...
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: How to Be Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps) by Jess...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: How to Be Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps) by Jess...: Reviewed by Jeanne One reason I like BPL Book Bingo (new round starting soon!) is that it encourages me to read books I woul...
SleuthSayers: Sticking It Out
SleuthSayers: Sticking It Out: Guest starring Brendan DuBois … Jan Grape invited a guest whom we are honored to have with us today. Brendan DuBois is the award-winning...
Review: Texas Two-Step by Michael Pool
Cooper Daniels has come up with a sure
fire plan. Take the marijuana he and his buddy, Davis, has grown and processed,
stuff it in some furniture, load that furniture and a bunch of other assorted
junk into one of those container units, and ship it down to Texas. Let somebody
else do the high risk deed of driving the pot across state lines. Legalized pot
in Colorado is killing their ability to sell his illegal weed. The market is collapsing
around their ears and being the brains of the duo, it is up to Cooper to get
them out of their latest problem. A problem made massively worse thanks to a taskforce
in Chicago that busted the guy he was going to sell his latest thirty pounds of
high quality weed.
Things are changing and Cooper and Daniels
are struggling to keep up. The old network is going under thanks to the wave of
marijuana legalization sweeping the country. Cooper and Davis aren’t getting
the bucks they are used to which is killing their life style. A life style built
on concerts, parties, and getting blasted while staying at the best places and
having the time of their lives. It has been grand, but they are getting older
and things are changing in many ways.
In one last desperate attempt to get a
big pay day, Cooper reaches out to an old contact down in Teller County, Texas.
Elroy “Sancho” Watts is thrilled to hear from Cooper and is willing to work a
deal. Neither Cooper or Davis wants to go back home to their old Texas stomping
grounds, but the plan is to get in, do the deal, and get out of Texas as fast
as possible and for good reason.
One of the many things they don’t know
is that things have changed in a major way in Texas as well. One of those
changes is the involvement of a man known to one and all as Bobby Burnell. Known
to folks as “Bobby Burnout” for good reason the man is a human disaster zone. Involved
in the deal, he as well as Sancho and several other folks are under the
watchful eyes of local and state law enforcement. All of this and more means
trouble, often at the point of a gun, for all involved.
Published by Down & Out Books, Michael
Pool’s latest crime fiction feast, Texas Two-Step is a high octane
ride. Shifting through various characters it becomes clear as the read powers
towards a deadly confrontation that nearly everyone involved has dirty hands.
Some are just a little worse than others.
As he did in other reads, author
Michael Pool quickly pulls the reader in to a crime fiction tale populated by
complex characters doing their best in their own ways to get through that
brings far more trouble than one would expect on the surface when the decision
happens. Texas Two-Step is an
intense read that works on every level. Highly recommended.
Texas Two-Step
Michael Pool
Down & Out Books
2018
ISBN# 978-1-946502-56-8
Paperback (also available
in eBook format)
280 Pages
$16.95
Paperback review copy provided by Wiley Saichek of Saichek
Publicity for my use to read and review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
Monday, May 21, 2018
Grandparent Time
Today was a treat as my son, Karl, his wife, Amy, and their two sons, Jacob and Justin, came down the long distance from their home in far northern Collin County. This also was my first chance to see Justin, the latest Tipple, who will be five weeks old as of this Thursday. He slept most of the several hours he was here. I did not get a chance to hold him yet as Mom kept a firm grip on him.
I did get to hold Jacob a little bit until he got tired of being on Grandpa's lap. He is a high energy boy and likes to move around a lot. But, I did manage to sneak in a few minutes.
Most of the time it was his Dad chasing him and hanging on to him outside the house.
As well as inside the house.
It was a blast. I am also one very tired Grandpa.
 |
| Amy and Justin |
I did get to hold Jacob a little bit until he got tired of being on Grandpa's lap. He is a high energy boy and likes to move around a lot. But, I did manage to sneak in a few minutes.
Most of the time it was his Dad chasing him and hanging on to him outside the house.
As well as inside the house.
It was a blast. I am also one very tired Grandpa.
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 21-27,...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR May 21-27,...: Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of May 21-27, 2018: Special Events: New Ideas 2: A Festival of New Plays , Dallas, May 18-26 El...
Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Double Wide by Leo W. Banks
Double Wide by Leo W.
Banks (Brash Books, 2017) is an entertaining mash-up of unrelated elements (societal
dropouts, baseball, gold mines, and economic botany) that add novelty to the
usual smuggling along the border of Arizona in this compactly plotted debut.
Prospero (Whip) Stark was an up-and-coming pitcher with a professional player
contract and a killer fastball when his career crashed beyond salvaging. He
retreated to the exquisitely beautiful desert outside Tucson, living more or
less off the grid in a trailer and renting a few other trailers to those like
him with no particular liking for society. Content with life, Whip comes home
after a grocery run to find a shoebox on his front porch and is dismayed to
find the severed hand of his friend and catcher from his professional baseball
days in it. A short time later he finds the dead body of a stranger within a
couple of miles of his trailer community.
Uneasy
about the crime wave in his area, he knows he has to figure out what happened
to his friend, which brings Whip back to the baseball field where he had his
greatest successes. There he meets Roxanne Santa Cruz, a hard-drinking reporter
ever on the hunt for a good story and she thinks Whip has one. Their
investigation encounters a parade of eccentric characters including a retired
professor of botany who has gone on the run with a stripper, the professor’s
reclusive mentor who greets visitors with a shotgun and attack dogs, a sleazy
sports agent, a naïve teenager with a wild pitch that he thinks is his ticket
to fame and fortune, and a machete-toting drug smuggler.
Banks
describes Arizona with the enthusiasm and detail of a travel guide. His
characters are credible, if unusual. This convoluted and fast-moving story won
the 2018
Spur Award for Best First Novel and the 2018 Spur Award for Best Contemporary
Western. It was also True West Magazine's Best Western Crime Novel
of the Year. I am looking for a sequel featuring at least some of the people
introduced here.
·
File Size: 1763 KB
·
Print Length: 352 pages
·
Publisher: Brash Books;
1st edition (November 1, 2017)
·
Publication Date: November 1,
2017
·
ASIN: B074K1MD1H
Aubrey Hamilton ©2018
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works
on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.