Review of "A River Red With Blood: A Charlie Parker Thriller" by John Connoly

  

In this 23rd book in the 'Charlie Parker' series, the private investigator looks into the death of a troubled teen.



Background: Charlie Parker was a police officer when his wife Susan and daughter Jennifer were brutally murdered. Charlie quit his job to pursue the killers, and subsequently became a private investigator. Jennifer is now a spirit who visits Charlie on occasion, usually to warn him of danger.



Ghostly activity is prevalent in this book, with Jennifer and other dead souls appearing throughout.

*****

Seventeen-year-old Scott Theriault was a 'student' at the Spero School - a behavior modification facility located in Maine's Kennebec Valley.





Scott had a habit of running away from the facility, and after the last time Scott ran off, he was found drowned in the Kennebec River.



The police call Scott's drowning an accident, but Scott's father, a convict named Ward Vose, is suspicious. Using an attorney, Vose hires Charlie Parker to investigate. When Charlie visits Vose in prison, Vose suggests Scott's death is connected with the disappearance of 19-year-old Mallory Norton, a Kennebec Valley waitress who's missing.



The Spero School is really a reformatory where parents' send boys they can't handle or don't want around. When Parker starts looking into the Spero School, he makes some men very nervous. It turns out the school's principal and founder Dante Santopietro has two pernicious acquaintances. Santopietro's associates are Roger Teal - who works for the Maine Department of Education; and Edward Kenney - who owns a garden supply company.




Santopietro, Teal and Kenney engage in an activity they call 'The Game', which involves abducting, raping, and murdering women. The three killers fear the investigation into Scott's death will expose them, and they're determined to prevent that happening.

Much of the story takes place at the Spero School, which - like many such facilities - has a steep pecking order. Sixteen-year-old sadistic bully Leonard Levesque is at the top, and a young bedwetter is at the bottom.



Actually, Levesque harasses almost all the students, and some of the bullied boys have an additional problem. They're being accosted by 'dead boys' - an aggregation of spirits that seem to want something, but it's not clear what.

As Parker gathers information about Scott Theriault, he becomes convinced the boy's death is connected to the disappearance of Mallory Norton. Parker tries to discover what happened to Mallory, and is assisted by Sabine Drew, a psychic who's helped find missing children in the past.



In an adjacent storyline, Parker's best friends Angel and Louis are seeing ghostly Jennifer in their dreams, warning of danger.



Louis learns someone put a price on his head, and he takes measures to find out who, what, and why.



The novel has a tiny bit of humor. Parker hires Paulie and Tony Fulci - a couple of bruisers good at surveillance AND the rough stuff - to help with the Scott Theriault case. Tony gets a date with a woman for the first time in his life, and (of course) he invites Paulie along.



As things play out, the ghostly appearances in the story lead to a supernatural villain who's been a thorn in Parker's side for a long time.



For me, this novel isn't among the best in the series. It's too 'all over the place' and the climax isn't completely satisfying. That said, it's always great to visit with favorite recurring characters, and fans of the series would probably enjoy the book.

Thanks to Netgalley, John Connolly, and Atria for an ARC of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review of "Probable Caws: A Meg Langslow Mystery" by Donna Andrews

  

In this 39th book in the 'Meg Langslow' series, Meg - who's a blacksmith, wife, mother and amateur sleuth - helps a horse rescue operation and investigates the murder of a thug. The book can be read as a standalone, but knowledge of the characters is a plus.

A nice feature of the Meg Langslow cozy mysteries is the evolution of the characters, who mature and change as the years go by. The main protagonists in the books are members of Meg's large extended family, all of whom live near each other in Caerphilly, Virginia.

*****

As the story opens Meg is heating her blacksmith forge, thinking about making a gargoyle for her friend Ragnar Ragnarsen.



Ragnar owns a huge farm in the Caerphilly countryside, and he's fashioned his estate into an enormous medieval attraction called Ragnarshjem, which he plans to use for large gatherings and special events. Ragnar's mansion now looks like a castle, complete with towers at every corner and a working drawbridge over the moat.



As Meg is about to begin working she gets a call from her father, Dr. James Langslow, who asks Meg to hurry over to Ragnar's farm. Dr. Langslow explains that the equine rescue operation 'Hoof and Hearth' lost access to the pastures they'd been using, and Ragnar gave them permission to bring nearly 50 horses to his property, which has expansive fields and large barns.



Meg texts her family and friends to solicit additional volunteers, then gathers up her 12-year-old twins Jamie and Josh and hurries over to Ragnar's farm. Some of the equine rescue animals come from horse auctions and must be quarantined and checked for diseases; some sport injuries; some have been terribly neglected; some need attention to their hooves; some are malnourished; one is pregnant and fearful of men; and some have recovered and are doing fine. In any case, all the horses need food, water, and loving care.



While Meg is helping with the horses, she asks Helena Bannerman, the founder of 'Hoof and Hearth', what happened. Helena explains that the equine rescue group had been using elderly Ezra Abernathy's farm for ten years, but Ezra died, and his sons Abel and George each inherited half the property. Abel is fine with the horses using his pastures, but George plans to sell his portion to developers, and he wants the horses gone. There are even suspicions George and his thuggish pals have been harming the horses, to speed their departure. Lawsuits are threatened, and until things are resolved, the equines are being taken to Ragnar's farm.



As it happens, George Abernathy and his nasty sidekick Lefty come by Ragnarshjem right about then. George - who's wearing a yellow jacket with a picture of a pitbull - makes a scene and threatens to sue for damages the horses did to his pastures. Meanwhile, Lefty gazes around, seeming to memorize the layout of Ragnar's farm. Ragnar tells the trespassers to leave, and he's backed up by Police Chief Henry Burke, whose grandson Adam is volunteering for 'Hoof and Hearth.'



That night, Meg and her husband Michael are sleeping in a tent near one of the barns, to be near the horses stabled there. When Meg is awoken by thunder and hears horses nickering, she checks the barn and finds Lefty dead, wearing George's pitbull jacket.



Police Chief Burke investigates, and quickly learns George Abernathy has an unshakeable alibi. George was staying in his RV, which he parked in a church lot for the night. At the time Lefty was killed, a police deputy was actually speaking to George about being there without permission.



With George out of the picture, suspicion falls on the people staying on Ragnar's property, including Abel Abernathy; Helena Bannerman; an ex-jockey who works for 'Hoof and Hearth'; volunteers helping with the horses; and others. Meg takes it upon herself to investigate, planning to share any evidence she discovers with Police Chief Burke - who's busy interviewing persons of interest.



Though the novel is billed as a murder mystery, it's more about horses and the happenings at Ragnarshjem. Meg learns that horse nomenclature is partially based on color (Appaloosa, bay, gray, black, palomino, etc.); that it's dangerous for a mare to have twins; that horse biscuits are healthier treats than apples and carrots; that horses can sleep standing up but need to lay down for REM sleep; and more.



Other scenes in the novel feature different critters. In one vignette, Ragnar's militant black swans trap someone in a cupola, threatening severe bodily harm. Luckily, Meg's aunt Rose Noire, a wiccan animal whisperer, comes to the rescue. In another sketch, Meg's grandfather Dr. J. Montgomery Blake, who has a small private zoo, teaches crows to find food beneath cards with specific colors (like blue cards, for instance).



Some of my favorite action takes place in the castle's dining room, where Ragnar's marvelous chef Alice serves gourmet meals. Alice currently favors Italian cuisine, and she prepares pizza, spaghetti, gnocchi, ribollitta, arancini, arrosticini, and much more, for everyone on the farm.



By the end of the story, some of Ragnar's animals - horses, goats, cows, and crows - help nab the murderer, and the equine rescue situation is successfully resolved.

The Meg Langslow books make great light reading, and this horse-themed book is an enjoyable addition to the series.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Bernadette Dunne, who does a fine job.

Thanks to Netgalley, Donna Andrews, and Macmillan Audio for an ARC of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars 

Review of "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon: A No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Novel" by Alexander McCall Smith

In this 14th book in the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series, Mma Ramotswe has two cases to solve. The book can be read as a standalone but knowing the characters is a bonus.

*****

Mma Ramotswe's first case, brought by a lawyer named Mma Sheba, concerns the inheritance of a local farm. The deceased farmer's heir, a nephew, has shown up to claim the property. However Mma Sheba fears 'the nephew' may be an imposter, and asks Mma Ramotswe to investigate.



The second case involves Mma Soleti, owner of "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon." When Mma Soleti moves her salon to a desirable new location she receives a package containing the feather of a ground hornbill - a symbol of bad luck. Soon afterward a rumor campaign starts, claiming that women who get facials at Mma Soleti's salon suffer irreparable damage. Mma Ramotswe agrees to look into the matter.



Normally, Mma Ramotswe's associate, Mma Grace Makutski, assists with investigations. But Mma Makutski is pregnant and about to take maternity leave. Thus, Mma Ramotswe has to tackle most of the inquiries alone.....though Grace offers valuable advice. As always, Mma Ramotswe uses her intuition and insight (along with a bit of luck) to solve the cases.



Like all books in this series, the story is more about the characters than the cases. Mma Makutski and her husband, Phuti Radiphuti, have moved into an elegant home. Unfortunately, venomous snakes like it too!



And Phuti's unpleasant elderly aunt is determined to enforce 'the old traditions' when Mma Makutski gives birth, which clashes with Grace's modern views.



Other ongoing characters make an appearance as well. Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, decides to be a 'more modern' husband and help with the cooking. (His heart is in the right place, but he tries to mash the potatoes before he cooks them. LOL 😃). Apprentice mechanic Charlie, known for chasing girls, takes an unexpected shine to Mma Makutski's new baby. (Can he be thinking of settling down?) Orphanage manager Mma Potokwane offers tea, fruitcake (and serendipitously.....a valuable witness). And so on.

In the course of the story Mma Ramotswe realizes how much she appreciates Mma Makutski's friendship, intelligence, and help. So, at the end of the book, Mma Ramotswe gives her employee a nice surprise.



I'd highly recommend the book to readers who like cozies, especially fans of Mma Ramotswe. I wouldn't suggest reading this book as a standalone though. It's best to start at the beginning and 'grow' with the characters.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review of "Heir of Fire: Throne of Glass, Book #3" by Sarah J. Maas

  

 

Celaena Sardothien won a competition and became the official assassin of despotic King Havilliard of Adarlan. Unknown to the king, Celaena fakes the assassinations he orders, and plans to conquer King Havilliard and free the lands he's seized.



As 'Heir of Fire' begins, King Havilliard has sent Celaena to Wendlyn, with instructions to kill Wendlyn's royal family. Instead, Celaena - who's REALLY Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the lost Princess and rightful Queen of Terrasen - plans to learn how to destroy King Havilliard, who's using magic Wyrdkeys to gain power and enslave people.



Celaena is depressed about the death of her friend Princess Nehemia, and the end of her relationship with Captain of the Guard Chaol Westfall. For this reason, Celaena has been wandering around Wendlyn for days, and is dirty and reeking.

Celaena is in a tavern when she's approached by a Fae warrior called Prince Rowan. Rowan has been sent by Queen Maeve, ruler of the Fae in Wendlyn. (The Fae are an immortal race who possess magic, enormous strength, ancient cultural traditions, and secondary animal forms.) Rowan is none too impressed with disheveled smelly Celaena, and he rudely and harshly escorts her to Queen Maeve in Mistward.



Celaena has come to ask Queen Maeve how to destroy the Wyrdkeys possessed by King Havilliard. Maeve says she'll answer the query after Celaena - who's half Fae - trains with Prince Rowan to master her Fae heritage and to use her fire magic.



Rowan is a VERY HARD taskmaster, and Celaena's training is grueling, exhausting and dangerous. Over time, though, the shared experience forges a bond between Celaena and Rowan, who are blood relatives.



Meanwhile, there's a lot going on elsewhere. King Havilliard has entered into an alliance with the ferocious Ironteeth witches, to provide him an aerial force for battle. The king supplies the witches with resources and wyverns (flying dragon-like creatures), and the witches train to fight.



One of the most ambitious witches is Manon - of the Blackbeak clan - whose autocratic grandmother rules all the Ironteeth clans. There's competition among the younger witches for leadership roles, and the rivalry leads to backstabbing, deceit, and worse. During training, Manon bonds with a wyvern named Abraxos, and goes to great lengths to strengthen and train him for battle.



Meanwhile, back in Adarlan, a rebellion against King Havilliard is fomenting. Captain of the Guard Chaol Westfall, who was once a loyal supporter of King Havilliard, has become disillusioned with the monarch's ruthlessness and hunger for power.



Likewise General Aedion Ashryver, one of the king's greatest military commanders, is secretly planning to overthrow the king.



So Chaol and Aedion form a shaky alliance, not quite trusting one another.



Meanwhile, King Havilliard's son Prince Dorian is in a precarious situation. The king banned magic from Adarlan under penalty of death, and Dorian recently discovered he has magic.



The prince's attempts to suppress his abilities results in tremendous pain, so Dorian goes to castle healer Sorscha for remedies. Over time, a romance develops between Dorian and Sorscha, which is dangerous for them both.



During all this Chaol and Dorian remain best friends. Chaol tries to help Dorian hide his magic and is sympathetic toward Dorian's relationship with Sorscha. As things play out, both Chaol and Dorian are in peril from King Havilliard.



By the end of the book there's been much death and destruction, and Celaena is embarking on a new path to destroy King Havilliard.



For his part, the king is becoming more of a megalomaniac, with ambitions to conquer the world.



The ongoing story is engaging, and it will be interesting to see what happens next. 

Rating: 3.5 stars