Bad Blood
by Pat Whitaker

Bad Blood is the first by Pat Whitaker. Usually with the first publication of a new writer you wonder if it is worth picking up and reading, well this one is well worth picking up. The author has penned a murder mystery like no other, it is written in present tense and contains a wealth of twist and turns. The author has the ability to draw you into the story and leaves you yearning for more.

The setting is England, and the author himself was born in England. He has the gift of vivid detail and the senses he arouses in you as you read is remarkable.

Upon finishing this one I was in awe and cannot wait to read future works from this author.

The Woods
by: Harlan Coben
ISBN: 0525950125

Story of four teens who attend summer camp take off into the woods one evening to never return.  Two are discovered dead, two have vanished and presumed dead.  Were all four of the teens victims of the serial killer?  As the story plays out, the two discovered dead teens are placed to rest and funeral services held, but what of the other two missing teens, where are their bodies?  Are they really dead or hiding for their lives?

Harlan Coben has  penned a whopper of an action packed thriller which is evident by the strong story line.  There are many twists and the story tends to delve into other avenues that may at times take you away from the main theme, so pay close attention for the astounding end to this one.  Not to be missed, an overall excellent read.

Ricochet
by Sandra Brown

Homicide detective Duncan Hatcher is a gung-ho, and sometimes sort of a rogue cop who pushes all the issues to the fullest envelope content. When he sees outlandish criminal Robert Savich released by Judge Cato Laird when Hatcher knew there was enough evidence on this man to put him away for a long time, he becomes obsessed at finding more evidence to keep Savich off the streets. DeeDee Bowen is Hatcher’s partner. She is very gung-ho but not to the extent of Hatcher. She has to attempt to calm Hatcher down when he allows his anger to get into his official police work. The situation intensifies when several connected with Savich’s past and present life turn up missing or dead. Everyone knows that Savich is a bad criminal capable of anything, but since Judge Laird had released him the police had to dig deeper to find solid evidence on Savich. Savich was extremely careful not to leave a trail of evidence that would lead to him for any of the crimes he is suspected of committing. When the police delve into these older disappearances Judge Laird seems to be involved somehow in most of them. One night Judge Laird’s house was broken into and his lovely wife, Elise, shot and killed the man in the judge’s study. A strange trail of evidence was found in the house. Elise had gone downstairs from their bedroom to get some milk, as she did many nights due to “sleeplessness!” She claims she heard a noise as she moved around the downstairs area. She grabbed a hidden gun and claimed that the burglar shot at her, missed her, and she shot and killed him. Hatcher was one of the many law authorities that arrived but Hatcher was having a hard time taking his eyes and mind off of the so gorgeous Elise Laird, making his concentration on the actual case very hard. But between he, DeeDee, and all the other law enforcement agency people that were to work on this high profile case, things return to a huge workload for all involved. Hatcher was fine until he thought or saw Elise Laird. He was caught on her. The authorities were finding too many pieces of evidence, some possibly just coincidence, linking Judge Laird to Savich. This made Hatcher and Bowen delve into old mysterious murder cases that seemed to connect to the judge. Duncan and DeeDee made a great team seemingly to know what is on the others mind while investigating. DeeDee only had qualms regarding Hatcher’s actions some times. When Elise goes missing Hatcher goes even more radical than before. He has to find this woman for who he has so many feelings. At this point I don’t want to ruin any of the many plots and twists and turns in Ricochet. Sandra Brown has come through with another top story. The surprises go to the very end. The reader can follow the story easily the way the author has written it. I have always enjoyed her books especially the crime stories. Her characters are real and their actions place you in the midst of every crime scene and interrogation.  Sandra Brown has developed an ingeneous plot that delivers with constant surprises throughout the story.  This is a must read.

Protector

 

Protector
By Laurel Dewey
ISBN: 978-1884820-85-4
June 2007,  $19.95
Reviewed by Quality Book Reviews

Laurel Dewey has penned an outstanding debut novel, Protector, which is an exciting crime thriller that has a mix with the paranormal. Detective Jane Perry is a disturbed individual, she is struggling with demons from her past.  Recently a family was mysteriously murdered while under her protection and her partner Chris. The incident left Jane with a damaged hand and a jumble of nightmare images that combine the burning death of the little girl with events connected to a different child, someone she has never met. Jane tends to take her job too seriously, and it hits her hard when the family  dies in front of her eyes. Jane begins having serious doubts about her sanity, doubts that are furthered by her suspension from the department due to booze and refusal to accept help.

Jane is slowly spiraling out of control when she is saved by nine-year-old Emily Lawrence. The child is put under Jane’s protective care after both her parents were found brutally murdered in their home. Believed to have witnessed her parents’ murders, Emily is in danger when the killer makes another attempt on her life. What follows is an excellent tale of suspense that intensifies as the bond between Jane and Emily grows stronger and the killer takes more desperate measures.

Protector takes both traditional crime drama and metaphysical to become an intensifying debut novel.  Dewey’s characters are well defined and believable as well as realistic personalities of the characters in which you can identify.  Protector is a crime thriller that is both powerful and emotional with the basis of growing into adulthood from a past of being an abused child.

Laurel Dewey was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.  She currently resides in Colorado with her husband.  Dewey has also penned two non-fiction books as well as a western novella that was nominated for a Silver Spur Award.

 Want to know more then please check out the dramatic book trailer at http://www.laureldewey.com

Ricochet
by pm Terrell
ISBN: 0978563204
Reviewed by Terry South for Bookpleasures

Ricochet is a compelling all engrossing story that includes murder, terrorism, illegal immigration and espionage all rolled into a powerful engaging story line.  If you are looking for a fast paced story that will have you hooked and glued to each page then look no further, Ricochet will have you turning page after page from the beginning to the end.  The story begins as Shelia and her friend Margaret go shopping at the mall before Shelia starts her academy training for the FBI.  While Shelia and her best friend are at the mall they stop to grab a bite to eat, while standing in line Shelia becomes suspicious of a someone who is acting strangely and then there is an explosion and Shelia is knocked out.  When she awakes she finds herself buried and is short of breath due to the fire from the explosion, as for Margaret she is not as lucky, she is in a coma.

Later a reporter comes to Shelia and she informs her that she will never forget that face, a terrorist amongst us, and a face that she will soon wish she had not seen.  Her talking with the reporter has now put Shelia in more danger and it could mean life or death.  Shelia joins forces with her instructor Steve Moran to piece together the events and to solve the case, but what she finds leads to more questions and unanswered questions, and the trail that may uncover that her parents deaths were no accident.

Where will all this lead Shelia?  Will she find herself involved in another attack?  Will she find the truth behind her parents deaths?  You will have to pick up a copy of Ricochet to find out the answers and you will be glad you did, this is a great story that is highly recommended.  Fans of suspense, mystery and action will be raving about this book.  I look forward to reading more from this highly talented author who is a great storyteller.

Rant

 

Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey
by Chuck Palahniuk
Doubleday
ISBN:  978-0-385-51787-4
$24.95   319 pages
Review by Terry South for Quality Book Reviews

 I am having a really rough time writing a review for this one.  I could sum the review up in 2 words or 20 pages.  The 2 words are: Mind Blowing, this is one book that I will keep and add to my collection.  Words just really cannot describe how I felt reading this.  I have never read anything by Chuck Palahniuk and really had never heard of him until requesting this one for review, needless to say I am adding him to my favorite author list, and will be dishing out some major bucks to get all of his earlier books. (lol)

***And you have got to check out this new website from Random House /Double Day on Rant it is so cool!!!!

Will try to have the review up by this weekend, even if it is the two words above MIND BLOWING as this was one mind blowing experience and my head is still spinning and the wheels in my brain are ever so constantly turning.

As you can see the cover art is intriguing and enticing which originally drew me to read the blurb in the catalog before requesting this one for review.

The Sacred Bones
By Michael Byrnes
ISBN:  0061146072
$24.95 – Hardcover – 304 pages
Harper Collins Publishers
http://www.thesacredbones.com
Reviewed by Terry South for Quality Book Reviews

The Sacred Bones is set at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  An ancient artifact is stolen from a vault beneath the Temple Mount.  The theft has left many soldiers and policemen dead, leaving the Palestinians angry; tensions run high between the Israelis and the Palestinians.Charlotte Hennesey, an American forensic scientist has been hired by the Vatican to examine the ossuary which contains the bones of an unknown man who was crucified.  Charlotte is joined by Giovanni Bersei, an Italian anthropologist and together they uncover forensic and genetic data that lead them to wonder if the bones could be those of Jesus. 

As Charlotte and Giovanni become closer to solving the true identity of the man in which these bones once belonged, the Vatican’s security begins to have a much greater watchful eye on her.  Are the bones discovered those of Jesus?  Will the Vatican allow the information on the discovering or keep the secrets hidden?  With her identifying the man these bones once belonged to, will Charlotte be silenced?

Byrnes has penned a superbly crafted debut novel that tantalizes with a sense of drama and of suspense as the story races forward.  It is evident that he has done a great deal of research which combines historical fact and protreptic fiction.  Byrnes novel is powerful and opens an emotional vein in you leaving you with the desire to read through to the end. 

Michael Byrnes currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.  Byrnes attended Montclair State University in NJ and earned his undergraduate degree in marketing, and later his graduate degree in business administration at Rutgers.  The Sacred Bones is his debut novel.

This was one explosive and thrilling 5 star read and one genuine page-turner to the very end. 

Simple Genius

By David Baldacci
ISBN-10: 0446580341
ISBN-13: 978-0446580342
Washington Political Thriller,  432 pages
Reviewed by Terry South, Quality Book Reviews 

 

The setting is Washington, D.C. and Virginia, and it all begins when Michelle Maxwell who is struggling with emotional problems and finds herself in the midst of a barroom brawl and ends up being arrested and put in jail.  Michelle agrees to seek therapy in a psychiatric private clinic.  Michelle has some demons that haunt her and she must seek help before it is to late, or before someone ends up dead.

Sean King is Michelle’s partner, they both are former Secret Service Agents, and as Sean watches Michelle’s decline he is in need of some very needed extra funds which he is lacking.  Sean accepts an assignment from an old girlfriend at her Investigation Agency and takes on the new assignment which is to investigate a mysterious death in Virginia.  His assignment takes him to a place called Babbage Town where he investigates the shooting near the CIA training center.  As the investigation continues Sean begins to discover more accidents and apparent suicides that have taken place.

Michelle checks out of the psychiatric facility and teams up with Sean in Virginia.  As the story continues to unfold Sean and Michelle are up against major corruption and must save an innocent girl before time runs out and they must expose the corruption that is occurring at the CIA training camp before it is to late.  Will they be able to save Viggie, and will they unlock the hidden dangerous secrets that seem to be locked in her memory? What is this major corruption?  Is our nation safe? 

David Baldacci’s characters are finely tuned and are well developed, compelling and memorable. He has a gripping plot and incorporates twists and turns that will shock you.  Baldacci has done a wonderful job in creating a thriller that is thought provoking and he manages to wrap everything up effortlessly so it all comes together.  Reviewing this title was a great pleasure and is a highly recommended read.

Gun Shy
by Ben Rehder
http://www.benrehder.com
St. Martin’s
ISBN:  0-312-35752-4
Reviewed by:  Terry South

Gun Shy is the fifth novel in this mystery series featuring game warden John Marlin.   The setting is Blanco County, Texas and it begins as the National Weapons alliance and director Dale Stubbs gear up for the big rally.  The rally is supporting Americans with the right to carry concealed weapons.  This is a controversial subject to say the least, but the author has brought humor into the mix and makes light of both sides, remember this is a work of fiction. This rally is expected to be on a grand scale and the NWA’s spokesman is none other than Mitch Campbell.

Mitch is hosting the rally at his Blanco County ranch and will be performing the NWA’s anthem and his number one hit single “My Cold Dead Hands”, but he is no real cowboy, in fact he is an impostor; his agent thought the persona would boost his record sales, deceitful yes.  This deceit could end up in a disaster or could make Mitch a big hit.  Mitch’s true identity is that of Norman Klienschmidt from Middlebury, Vermont so he is not even from Texas.  Will Mitch be able to keep up his hidden identity or will he falter and make a huge mistake?

Due to Mitch’s devious actions and all too fake persona, he has turned to drugs to cope and the drugs are clouding his thinking.  He soon becomes paranoid, believing his life is in danger and ends up shooting his gardener.  But when the dead Mexican turns up, game warden John Marlin and law enforcement officials are on the case.  As Marlin begins checking into the murder a new series of events begin taking place, these events may bring Mitch down as well as the NWA.

Rehder has well developed characters, a strong story line with a very good plot as well as sub-plots.  He has created some unexpected twists that will keep you guessing.  Rehder does not take an extreme position on questions of gun control and he pokes fun at both sides equally in the book.  He presents a comical crime fiction series, that is humorous and entertaining.

It was a great pleasure to review such a witty crime fiction series.  I now need to get the other four books in this series.  This was the first title I have reviewed from this author and now am hooked.  If your looking for a humorous and entertaining read I highly recommend picking up a copy of Gun Shy as it is an enjoyable read.

I believe this deserves a big star with 5 points, (here I am trying to be humorous).  A definite 5 stars!

Anatomy of Fear

By Jonathan Santlofer

ISBN:  978-0-06-088197-9  $24.95

William Morrow

An Imprint of Harper Collins

10 East 53^rd St., New York, NY 10022

http://www.HarperCollins.com

Reviewed by Terry South for Bookpleasures

 

As an added bonus be sure to check out the video trailer starring the author Jonathan Santlofer and his artwork:

http://www.jonathansantlofer.com/anatomyvideo.html

(also on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaL97PkP1hs)

Also check out the HarperCollins sweepstakes where the winner gets their portrait sketched by Jonathan Santlofer:

http://www.harpercollins.com/features/anatomyoffear/

The setting is New York and Terri Russo a detective for the NYPD is called to the scene of a murder where she discovers a sketch of the victim alongside the body.  Russo is aided in her investigation by Nate Rodriguez, the police sketch artist.

Nate’s father was an undercover narc for the NYPD, Nate still very much disturbed by his fathers death, has managed to avoid doing any on the scene police work.  All this is about to change as Nate is drawn into the case, and maybe even further than he could have imagined.  Nate begins piecing together the face of the killer and he himself then becomes a target.

The killer also sketches people, his victims, and he uses his abilities to turn the investigation in a different direction.  You will find this story erupts with some explosive twists, so hold on for a heart pounding ride.

Jonathan Santlofer is also an artist and has his works displayed in several locations including museums.  He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute.  Santlofer began writing in 1989 after a gallery fire claimed five years of his works.  Anatomy of Fear contains both of his talents; his artwork enhances the strong compelling and intriguing plot, each complementing the other.

Santlofer has a steady flow of action and suspense with enough twists and turns to leave you with anticipation.  The characters are distinctive and interesting with qualities that make them believable.  The scenes are written with such a compelling impact that is gripping and makes this a genuine page turner to the end.

A guaranteed 5 star read.