POINT OF ORIGINDr. Kay Scarpetta is still the Chief Medical Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia. When needed, she is loaned to other agencies due to her deservedly sterling reputation. Life has dramatically changed for both Kay's lover (Benton Wesley) and her niece Lucy. Unable to cope with the intense scrutiny that the FBI provides to a gay woman working on a top secret project, Lucy transfers to the ATF. Benton has also left the agency to become a private consultant.
Just when Kay and Lucy are happy with their significant others, a shadow from their past descends on them. Sociopath Carrie Grithen, Lucy's first lover, has escaped from a maximum security mental facility. She gives notice that she plans to obtain revenge from the three people who sent her up (Kay, Benton, and Lucy).
As soon as the reader becomes complacent that Patricia Cornwell could not possibly surprise them anymore, the talented author releases POINT OF ORIGIN, a novel that contains one of the most unexpected but plausible twists in years. With a simple action, the focus of the characters radically change as the more vulnerable side of Kay surfaces. Lets hope that we do not have to wait another year to find out more about these great characters. --Harriet Klausner
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Ethan Brown loves the Flint Hills section of Kansas where he is a rancher who practices law. For years, Ethan has been seeing Katherine Anne Mackey, but only they know why neither is in a rush to get married. Everything abruptly changes when violinist Annette Zeldin comes to the town of Cottonwood Falls for the funeral of her mother. Though considered to be an arrogant Parisienne by the townsfolk, Annette strikes a cord within Ethan's heart.
However, Ethan does not want anything to change his comfortable lifestyle, so instead of following his heart, he follows his brain. He becomes engaged to Katie. Still, the strings of the heart cannot be denied and Ethan quickly realizes that he has made an error. He tries to end his engagement, but fails. A second disturbance occurs when a tragic fire changes the lives of the people, including Ethan, forever.
FIRERBIRD is a poignant, heart-stirring romance novel that will leave readers drained by all the emotions the book pulls out of them. The lead protagonists and the support cast will receive much reader empathy even as the story line requires several quantum leaps of faith that most readers will gladly do because the novel is so well written. Janice Graham will receive much deserved recognition for this love from the heartland story. --Harriet Klausner
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Be careful what you wish for because one never knows when it is granted. Bailey Bender desperately searches for her son, who she gave up for adoption many years ago. Driven by a compulsion, she needs to find him. However, in spite of her efforts, so far she has come up empty.
Bailey heeds the advice of an investigator, who recommends she check birth records at the New York Public Library. The number on the original birth certificate matches that of the one adoption agency gives to its' clients. However, all does not end well as the name of her son has made the newspaper headlines of a Long Island town. He has been accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend. Bailey does not know whether she should visit him, but she is well aware that her life will never be the sameno matter what she decides.
Ellen Feldman explores life in all its complexities, spanning the range of human emotions so that the audience will feel the soul of each character. GOD BLESS THE CHILD is about choices and how they impact a person's life. It is also about second chances and the hope that, with maturity, people will make peace with their past in order to obtain a better future. Ms. Feldman understands people and is able to brilliantly weave that knowledge into a coherent, fascinating tale about everyday individuals struggling with extraordinary experiences. This novel is a moving story filled with suspense and a maternal love that accepts even as it questions. --Harriet Klausner
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In Cambridge, England, Howard Flatt needs to know why, two years ago, his then ten-tear old brother Daryll killed his foster mother Geraldine King. Howard hires Laura Principal and her small Aardvark Investigations firm to probe into the motives and background that led to the brutal stoning of Geraldine. Reluctantly, Laura agrees to do some preliminary analysis, but points out to her client that his sibling confessed.
As Laura questions the key players in the original investigation, she quickly finds herself deep in a quagmire of child abuse. She also learns that the case was not tied up as tight as it first appeared. Apparently, Geraldine had withdrew her life savings and called her solicitor on the day of her murder. The police recovered less than 10% from Daryll. She continues to dig in an effort to be able to tell her client why his brother performed the killing assault.
The third Laura Principal novel is a very unique and engrossing why-done-it mystery. The lead protagonist remains a charming sleuth, and her two person support team and the other secondary characters add much color to this terrific tale. The child abuse theme is extremely well developed, turning STANDING IN THE SHADOWS into more of a psychological thriller. Michelle Spring continues to be a breath of fresh air with her brilliant and relevant novels. --Harriet Klausner
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While on the phone in her home in Carlton, a suburb of Albany, New York, Molly Masters hears a shot and watches a body fall to the ground just outside her window. She races outside to see that her neighbor Helen Raleigh is dead. She notices that the deceased was digging a hole in her yard. Later on she learns from the police that Helen was actually Frank Worschem, a criminal allegedly involved in a $2 million jewel robbery.
Molly begins to investigate when a second neighbor is killed. She notices that another neighbor, Sheila Lillydale, is wearing a diamond bracelet that probably came from the heist. Though Sheila is arrested for murder, Molly knows that a second killer still is free. She worries that the second killer thinks that Molly has found the loot from the jewelry job and will come after her or her family, seeking the stash.
THE COLD, HARD FAX is a breezy pick me up filled with eccentric characters trying to perform incomprehensible deeds. Readers will especially enjoy the heroine for her bravery and wit. Leslie O'Kane has written an intriguing who-done-it that should garner her a wider audience. --Harriet Klausner
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Wealthy Fuzzy McMahon owns her own prestigious stable, wears designer clothing and jewelry, and drives luxurious automobiles. However, in spite of her opulent lifestyle, Fuzzy is unhappy. Instead, she is a mean spirited individual, who takes her anger and frustrations out on anyone who happens to be in her vicinity. No one is shocked when the despised Fuzzy is murdered and left in a pile of horse manure.
Normally, Natalie Gold, who has been involved with a few murder investigations, would never be involved with the McMahon case. However, the prime suspect, horse communicator Sarah Jane Lowell has disappeared along with Natalie's father, who adores the woman. Natalie soon discovers that Sarah Jane is a top rate gifter, who has numerous aliases and many arrests.
Natalie is determined to find her father before he can get into any more trouble. At the same time, Natalie wants to protect Fuzzy's adolescent daughter, who has stolen a piece of her heart, from any harm.
Jody Jaffe always provides an entertaining mystery and her latest book, IN COLT BLOOD, is no exception to that ironclad rule. Ms. Jaffe adds an interesting subplot involving what it is like being a Jew living in the south, which is handled with an accurate perspective, as well asbeing nonjudgemental. As usual, the culprit is quite a surprise. It is refreshing to read a story where justice is tempered with mercy.
The female protagonist's moral dilemma is easy for readers to identify with even if some will not agree with her decision. This winning book deserves award recognition. --Harriet Klausner
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Most daughters would be angry at their mothers for nagging them about getting married or finding a better job, but not Willa Jansson. She would welcome such demands instead of being accused of selling out to the establishment by becoming a lawyer. June Jansson is to the left of Karl Marx. She is an activist who has been arrested so many times her family has lost count.
When June and thirteen other women, working for the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, protest overseas, a humdrum Willa acts nonchalant. However, Willa becomes very concerned when her mother fails to return to the states with her companions.
Willa flies to Cuba (via Mexico City) to find her mother, but there is no trace of June anywhere. The two reporters who promised to help her have also disappeared. Willa continues to poke her nose into places where she is definitely persona non grata until she is escorted out of the country by the Castro government. Six months pass until information finally surfaces about June. Willa and a friend risk their lives by entering Cuba in an effort to rescue her mother.
HAVANA TWIST truly lives up to its name. The novel has so many plot twists and countless misdirections, most readers will not figure out what is going on even though all the clues are out in the open for all to see. Lia Matera brilliantly makes the clues seem like trivial tidbits rather than vital information. The examination of the socio-political situation in Cuba and the American policy towards that island country makes for authenticity and great reading. Ms. Matera demonstrates that she is an ingenious storyteller who can combine a first rate mystery with a political thriller into an entertaining package. -- Harriet Klausner
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Over two decades ago, Irene's family discovered that her aunt was married to a man who also was married, at the same time, to a wealthy, much older heiress. When the rich woman was found murdered, the bigamist was the only suspect. However, testimony from Irene's aunt and their teenage son gave him an air tight alibi. Since that scandal, the Kelly family has had no contact with the Macguires until it was discovered that Irene's aunt was murdered. Irene is assigned the task of finding her deceased aunt's son Trevor and breaking the news to him.
When she finally locates the man and overcomes his resentment towards her and her family for deserting him, she tells him about his mother. A devastated Trevor is unaware that his father is also dead and he is now a wealthy person. Attempts have been made on his life and Irene, who is fond of her cousin, is determined to stop the culprit before Trevor becomes the next victim.
Of all the on-going mystery series on the market today, the Irene Kelly novels are one of favorite of this reviewer. The best book in this wonderful collection is the latest, LIAR which turns me into a fibber because I said that about the previous book, HOCUS. The story line is an action-packed mystery, filled with interesting characters whose traits are explored. The trademark Jan Burke prose makes this a winner that deserves to be the breakout book for the talented author. --Harriet Klausner
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During a blackout, Harvard University Professor of Economics, Veronica "Nikki" Chase, trips over the corpse of Rosezella Maynette Fisher, the dean of students. Since both are black females in a white male world, Nikki feels a certain affinity with her dead sister and cannot help but investigate the murder.
Nikki soon finds a collection of viable suspects who had the motive for silencing the opinionated Ella. Could the killer be the president of the school, Leonard "Leo" Barrett, who promoted the loyal Ella to her last position. Or could it have been her former spouse, a radical who was allegedly going to reveal something about Ella. Nikki insists on continuing with her inquiries even though the police and the university administration want her to stay out of the way, and a cold blooded killer plans to silence her if she gets too close.
A DARKER SIDE OF CRIMSON is a very interesting look at Harvard from the perspective of the black minority. Nikki is a great character who struggles between being true to her roots and acting like a "white" professor is supposed to behave. Though the first person dialogue using accents can be distracting and the secondary players are one-dimensional, this novel confirms that Pamela Thomas-Graham is a very talented writer. Fans of amateur academia sleuths and minority who-done-its will want more appearances by Nikki, especially inside the Ivy League. -- Harriet Klausner
BRUNSWICK GARDENS
Anne Perry
Fawcett, Apr 1998, $25.00, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0-449-90845-3
In 1891, Thomas Pitt has been named Commander of London's Bow Street Police Station. His current investigation involves the suspicious death of Unity Bellwood, a pregnant woman, who died from a fall down a set of stairs. Though most people, including the renowned Vicar Ramsay Parmenter, insist this was an unfortunate accident, Thomas thinks a murder has occurred.
Thomas decides that there is enough cause to continue the investigation even though pressure for a fast solution is immense. He begins to uncover secrets about Ramsay, the man's alienated son, and the curator that makes both of them look like possible suspects. His spouse Charlotte, attending social functions, provides Thomas with additional data. However, before he can reach a substantiated conclusion, a second murder occurs. This forces Thomas to expedite the investigation before anyone else is killed.
The eighteenth Thomas Pitt, late Victorian mystery is a fascinating novel that will be thoroughly enjoyed by fans of the series as well most historical fiction readers. Thomas remains an interesting character and the insight provided about his spouse and their relationship immensely adds to the reading pleasure. Though Anne Perry's story line is not quite at the level of some its predecessors, BRUNSWICK GARDENS remains a great book.--Harriet Klausner
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As Catherine investigates both cases, she soon realizes that they merge. It seems that Chloe was having sex with Matt and was with him the night he was killed. Making the investigation even more difficult for Catherine is that the town's clergy and police are struck by anti-satanic fervor. Though the anti-Satan zeal interferes with her case, Catherine knows that she must quickly stop the killer before the missing girl becomes his next victim.
VAMPYRE BYTES is a well designed mystery that has many viable suspects with reasonable motives for committing the crimes, turning the novel into an almost unsolvable who-done-it. Additionally, the entertaining story line contains serious social issues that are intelligently presented in an informative yet entertaining manner. Linda Grant has scribed a very intriguing Catherine Sayler mystery that will have fans wanting more tales starring the intrepid sleuth. --Harriet Klausner
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THE SILENT CRADLE
Margaret Cuthbert
Pocket, Apr 1998, $23.00, 348 pp.
ISBN: 0-671-01513-3
Dr. Rae Duprey, head of the Berkeley Hills Hospital OB/GYN department, learns that the board is considering shutting down her section for economical reasons. Apparently, Rae's department is losing money because it is unable to compete with the Birth Center, run by her ex-boyfriend Bo Michaels. However, a bigger crisis occurs when a rash of Birth Center patients begins to arrive at Berkeley Hills' emergency room with deadly complications. Rae is blamed and subsequently fired.
Not one to sit back, Rae begins to investigate the abnormal amount of emergency deliveries. As she digs deeper into the mystery, Rae realizes that someone, who knows obstetrics and the hospital from an insider's perspective, is making money via medical vandalism.
THE SILENT CRADLE is an intriguing medical thriller whose characters need CPR to turn them from caricatures to people. The story line is interesting and moves forward at a rapid pace, a happenstance which ensures the audiences' undivided attention.
Margaret Cuthbert demonstrates
she has plenty of talent (see the ER scenes), but needs to
humanize her heroine, support cast, and villain. Still fans
of the sub-genre will enjoy the cut-throat (literally)
competitive edge to the health industry, especially when it
comes to the baby boom business.
--Harriet Klausner
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Two years ago in her hometown of Wrangell, Alaska, Jenna Rosen was helpless as her five year old son drowned. Unable to cope with her guilt any longer, she leaves her husband in Seattle and returns to her remote Alaskan village to confront her grief. However, instead of finding solace, Jenna hears rumors that her little boy's soul has been absorbed by the kushtaka, a half man-half otter. Only a powerful shaman can set the lad's soul free.
Jenna is not sure whether she should believe in her Tlingit heritage, but decides that she cannot take a chance that her son's soul has been abducted. Jenna knows that she will need the professional help of a shaman to allow her son's soul to finally rest in peace and, perhaps, her own as well.
RAVEN STOLE THE MOON is a powerful novel that brings
alive the Tlingit animalistic-based belief system in a very
interesting tale. This book is must reading for anyone
intrigued by an alternate approach to describing how the
universe ticks. However, instead of just a dry, social
anthropological comparison, in the ingenious hands of Garth
Stein, readers get a genuinely fascinating story.
--Harriet Klausner
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Expert mountain climber Jack Furness leads a team climbing one of the world's highest mountains, Machhapuchhare in Nepal. The climb, which is illegal since the peak is considered sacred and holy by the natives, is a catastrophic failure as Jack is the lone survivor of a tremendous avalanche. In an ice cave high on the mountain's side, Jack finds a fossilized skull. When he returns to California, he takes his find to his former lover, Dr. Stella Swift, a renowned paleoanthropologist, who realizes that Jack has not unearthed a fossil. It seem that the climber has brought back with him evidence of a different hominoid line, potentially the yeti.
Jack and Stella quickly organize an expedition to return to the ice cave. However, unbeknownst to the team leaders, an intruder has entered their academic enclave. The Pentagon, desperate to locate a lost satellite that crashed in the region, has slipped one of their players on the team. The mole's assignment is to find the satellite at any cost. India and Pakistan are ready to open up the nuclear genie at each other. With the homo sapiens world falling apart around them, Jack and Stella plunge into the world of the abominable snowman.
This may be the best thriller of the year so far. Not only does a remote
section of the Himalayas feel as if the reader is watching the Travel
Channel, but the fast-paced, action packed story line speeds faster than an
Olympic downhill skier. Philip Kerr has reached the top of the mountain with
Esau, a
great tale.
--Harriet Klausner
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A few days later, Emma's mother arrives. She believes Ramsey is a kidnapper and plans to kill him. Miraculously, Emma regains her voice, informing her mother that he is her savior and friend. Molly, observes the bond between her daughter and the judge, and confides in him. The trio retreat to the estate of her father,a criminal kingpin, for protection. However, even there, Emma remains in danger from a sexual maniac who plans to reclaim her for his own perverse pleasures.
THE TARGET is romantic suspense the way it is supposed to be written. The book is a taut and chilling ride that never allows the reader to fully relax because around the bend of the next page is more unexpected action. Reading Catherine Coulter's novels is like viewing the artistic works of one of the masters: both are emotional experiences. --Harriet Klausner
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THE EXPERT is filled with believable characters with viable motives for their actions. Best selling author Lee Gruenfeld presents an insidious look at what passes for justice in the real court system, not just a writer's imagination. --Harriet Klausner
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Maitland and his cronies are convinced that no reputable attorney will defend the beleaguered professors, but he fails to understand the passionate ideals of Joshua Rabb, who takes on the case. When one of his clients and a McCarthy supporter are both murdered, Rabb realizes the difficulty of the case. At the hearing, protesters, including his daughter, rally in support of the professors. However, they are all arrested when a bomb blast kills a U.S. marshal. Rabb knows that the case has become personal as he must uncover the truth even though it means challenging some of the most powerful people in the nation.
DEFENDING THE TRUTH is a must read novel that demonstrates clearly how demagogues come into power and maintain their position through terror tactics dedicated to keeping the masses under control. Richard Parrish is a powerful writer, whose convictions are evident as he skillfully employs his everyman protagonist against overwhelming forces. Mr. Parrish is on a level with the great legal thriller authors of today such as Cornwell and Turow. --Harriet Klausner
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MORE TO COME SOON!
