Mystery Reviews, October 1, 2010
Oct 1, 2010POLICE PROCEDURALS never go out of season, and this fall heralds a new crop of exciting reads for law-and-order fans. Big city cops are represented in Henry Chang's Manhattan-set Red Jade and Solomon Jones's Philly-focused The Last Confession. Western sheriffs star in Kathryn Casey's The Killing Storm and Patrick F. McManus's The Huckleberry Murders. And adding to the mix are Nick Brownlee's Kenyan police inspector in Blood and Fire and Alison Bruce's English detective constable in The Siren.
Ballard, Mignon F. Miss Dimple Disappears. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Dec. 2010. c.272p. ISBN 9780312614744. $24.99. M
It is 1942, and the citizens of Elderberry, GA, are expecting the arrival of a train that will deliver soldiers to celebrate Halloween with them. Meanwhile, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, the longtime first grade teacher at the local elementary school, has disappeared after the school custodian is found dead. Everyone thinks she skipped town, but Charlie Carr, a former student of Miss Dimple and now a teacher, decides to investigate with her best friend, Annie. VERDICT For all readers who wonder what life on the home front was like during World War II, Ballard's (Hark! The Herald Angel Screamed; The Angel and the Jabberwocky Murders) series launch offers plenty of wonderful nostalgia and the heartbreak that only war can bring. Fans of Southern small-town cozies and World War II historicals will enjoy this.
Brownlee, Nick. Blood and Fire. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Nov. 2010. c.398p. ISBN 9780312550240. $25.99. M
When fishing boat skipper Jake Moore's business partner is murdered in the United States, FBI agents arrive in Mombasa, Kenya, to interview Jake. Meanwhile Inspector Daniel Jouma investigates a rash of brutal murders as his newly appointed partner takes over a missing persons case. In this second series outing (after Bait), Brownlee's multiple-viewpoint narrative keeps readers and detectives guessing to the heart-pounding end. For readers, knowing the story's details before the police dig them out just adds to the mystery. Brownlee, a former British journalist, knows Kenya and its culture. VERDICT Readers who enjoy Deon Meyer, Roger Smith, Michael Stanley, and other authors of fast-paced, hard-edged crime fiction set in Africa will want to discover Brownlee.
Bruce, Alison. The Siren. Soho Constable. Oct. 2010. c.280p. ISBN 9781569476055. $25. M
The discovery of the body of a missing man in Spain sets in motion events leading to the fiery death of a woman and the disappearance of a two-year-old boy in Cambridge, England. While on an off-duty pub crawl with a friend, DC Gary Goodhew (Cambridge Blue) comes across a burning house where Kimberly Guyver's son, Riley, is believed trapped along with Rachel Golinski, the friend left in charge of the boy. Golinski's corpse is found in the charred ruins, Riley is missing, and Kimberly is uncooperative. VERDICT In this complex and convoluted tale of jealousy and violence, Goodhew still goes his own way and slowly puts the pieces of the puzzle together, resulting in an unexpected conclusion. Fans of Mo Hayder and John Harvey will be pleased to discover a new author.
Casey, Kathryn. The Killing Storm. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Nov. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 9780312379520. $25.99. M
The kidnapping of a four-year-old boy from a Houston park brings local law enforcement and the FBI together in an intense search. Meanwhile Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong (Blood Lines) investigates the slaughter of some prize cattle. Symbols drawn on their hides point to African folklore. As the search for the guilty party intensifies, a major hurricane bears down in the Gulf heading straight for Houston. Contrasting the seeming unconcern of the missing boy's mother with the anguish of Sarah's daughter, who has just recovered from her father's death and now fears that her mother will perish in the storm, adds depth to this suspenseful thriller. VERDICT Readers waiting patiently for the next J.A. Jance mystery will want to try this exciting read.
Chang, Henry. Red Jade: A Detective Jack Yu Investigation. Soho Crime. Nov. 2010. c.256p. ISBN 9781569478592. $25. M
Called back to Chinatown because of a murder/suicide involving a Chinese couple, Det. Jack Yu (Year of the Dog; Chinatown Beat) seems unable to escape the old neighborhood. While working out of his former lower Manhattan precinct, he finds clues that lead him back to some still-open murder cases and to Seattle's Chinese community. In the course of his investigations, Yu discovers that racism, though existing everywhere, can be overcome by his professionalism. VERDICT An action-packed plot and a carefully detailed mystery make this a feast for readers who crave insight into the cultural melting pot that is the United States.
Davidson, Hilary. The Damage Done. Forge: Tor. Oct. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 9780765326973. $24.99. M
Successful writer Lily Moore returns to New York from Spain when her heroin-addicted sister is found dead in her bathtub on the anniversary of their mother's suicide. Lily is shocked to find that the dead woman is not her sister but has been living as Claudia Moore for six months. Where is the real Claudia? At this very vulnerable time, Lily's ex-fiancé reappears, causing further emotional turmoil, and then her life begins to disintegrate as everything that Lily believes is turned upside down. VERDICT Making a notable fiction debut, travel journalist Davidson has written an intriguing psychological mystery with a fully drawn protagonist who is surrounded by real characters who either care for her or who want her to fit their idea of who she should be. Readers will eagerly await Davidson's next book.
Hall, Russ. South Austin Vampire. Five Star: Gale Cengage. (Blue-Eyed Indian Mysteries). Nov. 2010. c.248p. ISBN 9781594148668. $25.95. M
Enchanted by the unusually beautiful voice of singer Lola Pilloccherosi, PI Travis (Bones of the Rain) is shocked to find that she has been murdered, her body drained of blood. Then other bodies, with punctures in their necks, are discovered, followed by alarming media reports about a vampire on the loose in Austin, TX. Travis, one of the most unassuming and altruistic sleuths of late, with the help of his ex-girlfriend Cassie and her hard-as-nails sister, Joz, tracks down the bad guys. VERDICT Tongue-in-cheek humor and larger-than-life Texas characters add to this mystery's charms.
Jones, Solomon. The Last Confession: A Crime Novel. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Nov. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 9780312580209. $24.99. M
The day before Philadelphia homicide detective Mike Coletti retires, he finds that he can't leave his job without dealing with his unease about a priest facing a death sentence for multiple murders committed in his church. Coletti had been the lead detective on that case, and his fears confront him as he races against the clock to find the real Angel of Death. VERDICT This fast-paced, gritty police procedural by a noted street lit author (Payback; C.R.E.A.M.) has all the required ingredients to keep readers up late at night. However, the ending may disappoint some. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 7/10.]
McManus, Patrick F. The Huckleberry Murders: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery. S. & S. Nov. 2010. c.236p. ISBN 9781439190845. $25. M
In his fourth outing (after The Double-Jack Murders), Sheriff Bo Tully of Blight County, ID, is hip deep in bodies when he finds three young men shot to death execution-style as he is out picking huckleberries for his mother. Since the killings occurred on federal land, a beautiful female FBI agent arrives to work on the case. Tully also suspects a missing elderly rancher has been murdered by his caretaker but doesn't have a case without a body. VERDICT McManus's folksy narrative keeps the reader's interest with plenty of humor, aw-shucks moments, and action. C.J. Box fans will find less harsh reality here, but Bo Tully is a treat for readers who like some Western flair and an old-fashioned approach to justice in their mysteries. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 6/1/10.]
Yarrow, Joyce. The Last Matryoshka: A Jo Epstein Mystery. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Dec. 2010. c.274p. ISBN 9781594148873. $25.95. M
Jo Epstein (Ask the Dead), a New York performance poet and PI, is hired by her migré stepfather, Nikolai, to prove him innocent of murder. The trail of evidence to clear Nikolai is almost nonexistent since he will not explain anything to Jo. Then Nikolai leaves New York as the bad guys close in, and Jo follows him to Moscow. VERDICT Intricately layered like the Russian nested doll of the title, this tale of vengeance and hatred flavored with a Russian cultural backdrop will appeal to readers who enjoy unusual mysteries with an international setting.
MYSTERIES IN BRIEF
Ayoob, Michael. In Search of Mercy. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Oct. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 9780312644925. $24.99. M
Ex–hockey goalie Dexter Bolzjak is running hard from the ghosts of his past; eight years ago, he was abducted and tortured after losing a game. Hired to find Mercy Carnahan, Dexter must put his past to rest and stay alive long enough to solve the mystery of the larger-than-life actress. VERDICT Winner of the PWA Best First Private Eye Novel Competition for the year, this is a well-told tough-guy tale of obsession. For fans of hard-boiled PI novels. [Library marketing.]
Beaufort, Simon. The Bloodstained Throne: A Sir Geoffrey Mappestone Mystery. Severn House. Nov. 2010. c.256p. ISBN 9780727869173. $28.95. M
Leaving his new wife and his sister in charge of his Welsh estate, Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (Deadly Inheritance) takes off for the Holy Land with his friend Sir Roger. But they are shipwrecked along the English coast and uncover a plot to overthrow the king and return Norman England to Saxon rule. VERDICT For fans of P.C. Doherty and other authors of medieval mysteries.
Charbonneau, Joelle. Skating Around the Law. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Oct. 2010. c.274p. ISBN 9780312629809. $24.99. M
Rebecca Robbins wants to sell the roller-skating rink she inherited and go back to Chicago. But a body found headfirst in the rink's toilet foils her plans, and Rebecca teams up with her frisky grandfather and a handsome veterinarian to solve a murder. VERDICT Featuring lots of small-town charm and humor, this quirky debut will attract cozy fans. [Library marketing.]
DiSilverio, Laura. Swift Justice. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Oct. 2010. c.290p. ISBN 9780312641504. $24.99. M
When Charlotte Swift's silent partner dies, his ex-wife, Gigi, shows up at the office of Swift Investigations looking to become a real partner. VERDICT This is a delightful series debut, full of zany humor and female bonding. Sure to attract fans of soft-boiled and chick lit mysteries.
James, David. Three Bedrooms, Two Baths, One Very Dead Corpse. Kensington. (Amanda Thorne Mysteries). Oct. 2010. c.268p. ISBN 9780758206312. $22. M
Hosting a broker's open house is a natural for a real-estate agent. But Amanda Thorne turns it into a three-ring circus when she arrives late and finds a corpse in the living room. VERDICT In this series debut, Palm Springs will never survive Amanda's antics or her potty mouth. Sadly, the author does not have a clue about women.
ADDITIONAL MYSTERY
James, Peter. Dead Like You. Minotaur: St. Martin's. Dec. 2010. c.560p. ISBN 9780312642822. $25.99. M
In the latest entry in James's Roy Grace series of police procedurals (Looking Good Dead), a brutal rape at Brighton's Metropole Hotel reminds Detective Superintendent Grace of a similar series of rapes from 12 years ago. The similarities become obvious when the rapist strikes again, following the same pattern, and Grace and his team are certain that they are looking for the Shoe Man. His criminal career was thought to have ended in 1997 around the time Rachael Ryan, possibly one of his victims, disappeared. James's novel takes place in the present but is interspersed with flashbacks from the time of Rachael's disappearance and Grace's original investigation. Grace's personal past with his wife, Sandy, who also disappeared in 2000, is revealed in the flashbacks in contrast to his present life with Cleo, who is expecting his child. VERDICT This intriguing series addition (and James's first book for Minotaur) offers a tantalizing look at Grace's past and a mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end and anticipating James's next book. Fans of British police procedurals, if they haven't discovered James already, will want this one. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 7/10; Minotaur First Edition Selection; library marketing campaign.]—Lisa Hanson O'Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg
| Author Information |
| Jo Ann Vicarel, a branch manager and head of Reader's Advisory Team Services, Cleveland Heights–University Heights P.L., OH, has reviewed for LJ since 1982 and wrote the Mystery column from 1985 to 1987 |
