Suspense

David Lewis: The Paris Chase

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The Secret Churchill Files #3

This enthralling mystery is set in 1942 and begins with our heroine, Welsh woman and secret agent Catrine Colline, pondering her future after her woman only spy division, 512, is absorbed into the larger SOE (Special Operations Executive).  Determined to qualify to be sent to France, she’s passed all the physical tests, but can’t manage to speak the language like a native, so is seconded to the dreaded office work. Churchill, however, senses Catrine has something special, and when an SS agent disappears in Paris, he decides she’s the one to find him and bring him to London.  The man, Dieter Silber, had discovered the plans for Hitler’s gruesome “Final Solution,” and can’t stomach it. read more

E.A. Jackson: Missing

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Debut

This was an unexpectedly wonderful read.  Set in London, the book follows Detective Inspector Martha Allen, who catches the 1990 case of a missing baby in a somewhat sketchy London hotel.  When the police arrive, the parents are utterly distraught (the mother has actually been sedated), and they go all out to find 5 month old Bella, who was snatched through an open window in the middle of the night, without waking the parents. This seems unlikely to DI Allen, but she and her team find clues, though most are frustrating dead ends. read more

Patricia B. McConnell: Away to Me

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Debut

This is an excellent debut from animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, whose main character, Maddie McGowan, is also an animal behaviorist who goes to sheepdog trials in her spare time.  She takes her beloved dog, Jack, to trials, and he is still learning the ropes a bit.  The book opens with a bang.  Maddie is at a trial with her mentor, George, who offers her encouragement before her “run” with Jack, and then the worst happens.  George is shot and dies, and everyone at the trial feels it must have been a hunting accident. read more

Julia Spencer-Fleming: At Midnight Comes the Cry

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Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alsytne #10

Julia Spencer-Fleming has been following the beloved duo of Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne throughout their entire relationship, and At Midnight Comes the Cry finds them at a period of great change. The couple have just had a baby, and are re-shaping their lives around their son. In addition, Russ has resigned as police chief earlier than intended and he isn’t quite sure what to do with himself. Going from the military to the police force kept his life regimented and task driven, and being a stay-at-home dad isn’t quite the same. read more

Vanessa Lillie: The Bone Thief

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Syd Walker #2

This is the second novel following Syd Walker, an archaeologist for the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs).  It has the same strengths and weaknesses as the first novel, but the strengths are many, and overcome the weaknesses.  The weaknesses:  Syd jumps into danger and neglects her pregnant wife to an annoying degree.  If you’ve ever watched the TV show The Closer and been frustrated by Brenda’s treatment of her husband and parents while still admiring Brenda’s skills as a detective, you’ll experience the same feelings here. You’ll admire Syd while at the same time you might be thinking to yourself – get home to your wife! read more

Hank Phillippi Ryan: One Wrong Word

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Perhaps it’s appropriate that one of wordsmith Hank Phillippi Ryan’s best books revolves around the correct, and powerful, use of words. Her central character, Arden Ward, works for a crisis management firm, and as the book opens, she’s being fired. Even though her boss knows it isn’t true, he’s pleasing a client whose wife thinks Arden was fooling around with him. Arden is heartbroken – she loves her job – but her boss offers her a last client with a great reference to follow.  Arden agrees – she needs the reference. read more

Vanessa Lillie: Blood Sisters

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I had a love-hate relationship with this read.  Love: I loved the characters, the set-up, the cultural background, and the rocket powered story.  Hate: I hated the way the main character runs into danger, alone, even though she knows it’s stupid.  The 4th or 5th time she did it I almost closed the cover, but I am so glad I didn’t because this read is powerful, moving, and difficult to forget.

The main character is Syd Walker, a Cherokee from Oklahoma who has made a life for herself far from home.  She’s an archeologist, married to a dentist, and the two women are trying for a baby, though Syd doesn’t seem to be totally on board with the baby idea.  As the book opens, Syd is examining the bones of a woman found on Native land in Rhode Island. As she’s on her way home from the site, she gets a call from her boss. read more

Elly Griffiths: Bleeding Heart Yard

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In DS (Detective Sergeant) Harbinder Kaur’s third jaunt, Bleeding Heart Yard, she’s been promoted to DI (Detective Inspector). Author Elly Griffiths never lets her characters stay stagnant, and this latest entry is no exception. Harbinder is looking toward the future in every way – she’s living in a new city, has new roommates, and has her own team of detectives to command in her new position. Being away from her family and friends is a big adjustment to her life, but it’s lovely to see her making positive changes. Of course, her first case is focused entirely on the rest of the character’s pasts. read more

Rosalind Stopps: A Beginner’s Guide to Murder

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This book was – surprisingly – both charming and touching, along with being a suspenseful caper novel. Three older women – Grace, Daphne and Meg – are sitting in a London coffee shop together when a young, frightened girl lurches in.  She heads for the restroom, and not long after a suspicious man comes in, claiming she’s his daughter.  They tell him they’ve seen nothing and watch him leave, then they immediately scoot out the back, taking the young woman with them.

As the title indicates, these women are beginners in the art of murder, but their target is immediately obvious.  What isn’t obvious are the personalities and characteristics of the women, and the author goes back in time to flesh out each character’s backstory, so the reader can see what shaped each one.  While the three hadn’t really known each other well before the coffee shop incident, they are united in their desire to save the young girl, Nina.  The real heartbreaker of the book is Nina’s story. read more

Jane Casey: The Killing Kind

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This stand alone from Jane Casey is whip smart and terrifying.  I am a big fan of her Maeve Kerrigan series, with its combination of character, complex plotting and nuanced look at police work.  In this standalone, the central character is not a policewoman but a barrister, youngish Ingrid Lewis, happily involved with Mark.

As Ingrid goes through her court routine in the opening scene, which sets up not only the legal surround but some of the relationships and events that carry through the book, she lends a colleague her umbrella.  As she’s hurrying out later to another case, she sees that the umbrella borrower has been a victim of a hit and run.  As she is interviewed by a police officer about her colleague, she mentions a stalker from her past.  She’s afraid the man saw her umbrella and pushed the wrong woman under a bus. read more