Review of "The Supremes Sing The Happy Heartache Blues: A Novel" by Edward Kelsey Moore

This sequel to The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat revisits three women - Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean - who grew up as best friends in Plainview, Indiana. Affectionately called 'The Supremes', the trio of African-American women, now in their sixties, have supported each through life's ups and downs for decades.

I strongly suggest that interested readers start with the first book.

*****

Odette and her husband James are happily married empty nesters, whose children and grandchildren live in Chicago.



Odette, who was born in a sycamore tree, is a fearless woman who sees - and speaks with - ghosts....most often her mother and Eleanor Roosevelt. James is a State Trooper with a long facial scar from the time his drug-addict father cut him with a razor blade before deserting the family. James fell in love with Odette when they were in grade school, and the story behind this is marvelous!💖

Clarice is a concert pianist, living separately from her husband Richmond, who was a notorious womanizer. The couple still see each other, especially when Clarice needs some loving.



Clarice is happy with the arrangement, but Richmond wants to reconcile - and is trying to prove that he's mended his ways.

Barbara Jean is a gentle philanthropist who's married to the love of her life.



The beautiful, wealthy fashionista has clothes closets that would swallow the average apartment. 👗 However, when she was a child, Barbara Jean lived in a run-down shack with her drug addict, prostitute mother.

*****

As the book opens, Clarice's elderly mother Beatrice - a very devout Christian lady, is marrying Forrest Payne - owner of the Pink Slipper Gentleman’s Club.



The club was once a nightclub/brothel, but 'true love' convinced Forrest to turn it into a music venue. The wedding of the two octogenarians has brought legendary guitar bluesman El Walker 🎸 back to Plainview, to sing at the nuptials. El left town under a cloud more than fifty years ago, and his return starts a lot of wheels turning.



As a child, El lived in the same terrible foster home as Barbara Jean's mother Loretta, who he thought of as a sister. The bluesman has memories and photos of Loretta to share with Barbara Jean, who comes to understand her mother better.



El also has other connections to Plainview, which are revealed as the story unfolds.

Another thread of the story revolves around twentyish Terry Robinson, who used to hide out in Odette's pavilion when he was a frightened schoolboy. Odette befriended the youth, who was shunned by his father and bullied by his schoolmates for being too feminine.



When Terry's father threw him out, the boy loudly vowed to come back and piss on his dad's grave. That time might be getting close, since Terry's father - Wayne Robinson - is dying.....and quite worried about the peeing.😒



As all this is going on, Clarice is preparing for an important piano recital in Chicago, a concert that could affect her future as a musician. Clarice is extremely nervous about the upcoming show, and her anxiety is exacerbated by Richmond's constant pleas to get back together.

The book depicts a lot of heartache, with many of the most painful scenes harking back to difficult childhoods, drug addiction, illness, and dysfunctional families.

There's also plenty of humor in the novel. Some of the funniest parts are about Clarice's cousin Veronica, who longs to be influential and admired. Veronica has a new grandbaby, Apollo, who (unfortunately) looks like an ugly little piglet. People's reactions to photos of little Apollo - and the infant himself - are hilarious. (If you're a 'Seinfeld' fan, this is reminiscent of the ugly baby episode.)



Veronica's issues comes to a head when she substitutes for the sick pastor at a Sunday church service. Veronica's sermon - and what she says afterward - will be remembered in Plainview forever!😁

Edward Kelsey Moore has created memorable characters that range from religious zealots to people who are gay and transgender. The empathy of (most of) the townsfolk toward the latter folks is nice to see.

I enjoyed this book very much, and look forward to more stories about the residents of Plainview. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars

Review of "Dangerous Minds: A Knight and Moon Thriller" by Janet Evanovich

This second book in the 'Knight and Moon' cozy mystery series finds Emerson Knight and Riley Moon trying to save the world from a nefarious conspiracy. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Since she lost her bank job, financial advisor Riley Moon has been working for hunky eccentric billionaire Emerson Knight, trying to straighten out his financial records.





Knight has no patience for this tedious paperwork, so he's thrilled when his friend, Buddhist monk Bagus Wayans, shows up at his mansion - called Mysterioso Manor - in Washington DC.





Bagus, who was living on a small island in the Pacific Ocean, has a strange story to tell. He was forcibly removed from his island by furtive strangers - and when he escaped and went home, the island was gone.



Knight is intrigued by this odd occurrence, and the game's afoot. Emerson, Riley, and Bagus hurry off to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ask about the missing land mass. The NOAA claims they have no record of the island, which seems very suspicious.



Meanwhile, Emerson's cousin Vernon - a crude but likable schlub who lives in an RV behind Mysterioso Manor and writes a blog about unexplained occurrences - learns that hikers have been vanishing from U.S. National Parks.....especially parks with volcanic activity.



So Emerson decides that he and his friends - Riley, Bagus, and Vernon - will go to Yellowstone National Park to investigate the case of the missing trekkers.

SPOILER ALERT    SPOILER ALERT    SPOILER ALERT

All this activity brings Emerson and his friends to the attention of Bart Young - director of the National Park Service, and Tim Mann ('Tin Man') - the murderous head of security for park resources. These two tough dudes spread their chests, try to intimidate the foursome, and tell them to mind their own business....or else.🔫



Of course the adventurers ignore the warning and proceed to search Yellowstone.



They don't find any missing hikers but they DO come upon a multi-billion dollar installation with enormous pumps that are bringing up lava. Further investigation reveals a scheme that can endanger the entire Earth.



The intrepid bunch then make their way to Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, where their peril from Tin Man escalates even further.



Emerson, Riley, Bagus, and Vernon will have to fight for their lives if they're going to save the planet. (This series leans toward these kinds of fearsome, over-the-top scenarios.) 😲

END SPOILER ALERT    END SPOILER ALERT   END SPOILER ALERT 

The globetrotters hilarious escapades involve hatchets; guns; cars; planes; helicopters; enormous lava tubes; science fiction-like matter traps; a forklift; and more - as wicked villains hunt the foursome, and allies and friends help them out.


Lave tube

We're also treated to Bagus's mystical Buddhist philosophy and sharp sense of humor. When asked how he got to Washington DC, Bagus says, "I walked." From Bali? “I walked onto a boat. Then I walked onto a plane. Then, when the plane landed in Richmond, I walked some more.”



During the team's adventures, Emerson and Riley take baby steps in their budding romance💖.



Bagus demonstrates Houdini-like powers of escape; Vernon constantly makes (what he thinks are) hilarious raunchy remarks.....and we learn why Vernon's ex-girlfriend is SO mad at him (and the reason is a doozy!).

This is a fun cozy mystery. Recommended to fans of the genre.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review of "Rough Weather: A Spenser Novel" by Robert B. Parker

In this 36th addition to the 'Spenser' series, the private detective deals with abduction and murder. The book can be read as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****

As the story opens, beautiful socialite Heidi Bradshaw glides into Spenser's Boston office to engage his services.



Heidi tells the private detective that her daughter Adelaide is getting married on her private island, Tashtego, in a few days. With come hither glances, the sexy diva goes on to explain that she's separated from her husband and needs a 'substitute man' for the weekend celebration - presumably to watch out for trouble.

Heidi offers Spenser a large fee to attend the affair, even though the island has a professional security service. Spenser agrees to go, and arranges to bring his longtime girlfriend -psychologist Susan Silverman - to the festivities. Susan packs enough clothes to fill Bloomingdale's and off they go. 👗🕶



On the day of the wedding, Spenser and Susan are shocked to see Spenser's longtime nemesis, Rugar (The Gray Man) stroll into the venue.



They hope Rugar won't make any trouble, but no such luck. During the ceremony, Rugar's cohorts arrive in a helicopter, and - before long - shots are fired, people are dead, and newlywed Adelaide is kidnapped.



Spenser is shocked, because this kind of flamboyant abduction isn't Rugar's style. The Gray Man is a pro, and his crimes are usually less showy. So what's up? Is the kidnapping a cover for something else? The picture gets even murkier when there isn't an immediate ransom demand for the bride.

Spenser, who's upset about the crime occurring on his watch, is determined to find out what's going on - and to rescue Adelaide. Spencer starts investigating, with backup from his tough-as-nails friend Hawk.



The two men learn that Heidi has always been a gold-digging vamp; that the socialite's various husbands need looking into; that Adelaide is a troubled girl; that a lot of money is at stake; and more.

After Spenser starts making inquiries, a bunch of thugs try to kill him and Rugar phones to warn him off. This is followed by the brutal murder of another person of interest. Nothing will stop Spenser, though, until he gets answers, and hopefully the girl.



As usual, Spenser and Hawk exchange lively humorous repartee - which is always a highlight of these books.



The two bruisers also get into scrapes with the bad guys, and (of course) come out on top.

In the course of the story, Spenser, Susan and Hawk hang out and play with Blanche (the bulldog).



They also have lively conversations; exchange opinions about the crimes; drink some bubbly; dine out; etc. They go to an Italian eatery where Hawk enjoys his chop; Spenser has his usual pasta Bolognese; and Susan nibbles a salad. (I'd be surprised if Susan eats more than 600 calories a day.) I always enjoy these scenes of the characters' normal, everyday activities.

Susan and Spenser's love affair, and the accompanying banter and intimacy, is going strong. 🧡 I could do with a bit less of this, but it's a boon for romance lovers.



The novel is a good addition to the series, with plenty of excitement and suspense. I'd recommend it to mystery readers, especially fans of the Spenser books. 

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Dying Truth: A D.I. Kim Stone Mystery" by Angela Marsons

In this eighth addition to the 'Kim Stone' series, Detective Inspector Kim Stone and her team, who work in the West Midlands region of England, investigate suspicious deaths at a prestigious boarding school. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is advantageous.

*****

When DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant get a call in their car saying a girl is about to jump from the roof of the elite Heathcrest Academy, the detectives rush to the school.



They're too late, though, and the dead, broken body of 13-year-old Sadie Winter is on the ground. People are calling it suicide, but DI Stone's sharp eye - and an autopsy - reveal that Sadie was murdered.



Kim and her team interview Sadie's family, roommate, fellow students, and teachers. They learn that Sadie was a quiet girl who kept to herself and had no friends.....and no enemies. When DS Kevin Dawson asks several students if Sadie was bullied, he's repeatedly told that NO ONE would bully Sadie. Digging into this further, Dawson squeezes out the fact that Sadie's older sister, Saffron, is the 'Queen of Hearts' in a clandestine Heathcrest club, so no one would dare hassle Sadie.



Dawson, who has vivid memories of being the bullied 'fat kid' at school, is intrigued by these 'secret clubs' and investigates them further. It turns out that the clubs are very selective, have initiation rites that amount to hazing, and expect total loyalty reminiscent of the Mafia's Omertà - "a code of silence about criminal activity and a refusal to give evidence to authorities."

Sadie's death is the beginning of a crime spree at Heathcrest, and students as well as faculty are targets. Kim wants the school closed and the pupils sent home. However, the head of the institution, Principal Thorpe - who's main concern is the school's reputation - refuses to close the doors. Moreover, Thorpe is uncooperative with the police. He assigns the detectives a dim, dusty storeroom for their interviews.....and Kim's 'remedy' for this is priceless. 😊



Given the nature of the crimes, Kim has to consider both children and adults as potential suspects. To probe the possibility of a child killer - which she finds very troubling - Kim asks the opinions of her colleagues; the coroner; her police mentor; and even Dr. Alex Thorne - the imprisoned sociopath who tried to ruin Kim's life.



As Kim and her squad pursue their inquiries, they learn that Heathcrest has a dark history, and past events hold clues to the school's present difficulties.

In a side plot, Kim has to write up the yearly appraisals for the cops on her team. To accomplish this, Kim has a brief meeting with each of her detectives - DS Bryant, DC Stacey Wood, and DS Kevin Dawson - and it's interesting to observe Kim's thumbnail sketches of their professional strengths and weaknesses.



I was caught up in the story's suspense, and intently followed all the detective work in an attempt to guess who the murderer was. I didn't figure it out....so well done Angela Marsons.

That said, I didn't completely love the book. To me, Heathcrest Academy was such a venal, unconscionable institution that I couldn't suspend disbelief. If a school really allowed the behavior that was prevalent there for decades - with no consequences for wrongdoers - social media would explode. There would be an investigation, parents would boycott the school, and Heathcrest would go bankrupt (IMO). Some of the students were SO entitled, they were openly rude and snide when the police questioned them. To me, this behavior just isn't believable.



Since the 'school atmosphere' underlies the book's plot, it reduced my enjoyment of the story.

Still, this is a well-wrought mystery and a laudable addition to the series. Recommended to mystery fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Angela Marsons), and the publisher (Bookouture) for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Turkey Trot Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery" by Leslie Meier

The plot of this 24th addition to the 'Lucy Stone' series incorporates two topics prevalent in the news today: immigration and drug use. The amateur sleuth in these stories, Lucy Stone, is a wife, mother, and reporter for the 'Pennysaver' newspaper in her home town of Tinker's Cove, Maine. In the course of her work Lucy observes both of the above issues affecting her community.

The book can be read as a standalone.

*****



Lucy Stone is out jogging with her dog Libby, preparing for the Turkey Trot Race scheduled for Thanksgiving morning, when she spots a body in Blueberry Pond. The deceased is identified as college student Alison Franklin, daughter of local billionaire Ed Franklin.



Ed is well known in Tinker's Cove for several reasons: he built a huge, ostentatious mansion that clashes with the town's ambiance; his beautiful trophy wife is pregnant; he's head of the community's 'Board of Health'; and he's an outspoken xenophobe who doesn't like 'Mexicans.'



Alison's death is a shock to the local residents, who speculate that opioid use was responsible for the accident. However, Alison's toxicology screens haven't come back, and Lucy isn't convinced the girl was a user.....or that her death was an accident.

Nevertheless, Alison's father publicly lambastes Mexican drug pushers for killing his daughter. Moreover, when three Latino youths are arrested for selling drugs in Tinker's Cove, Ed sponsors a conspicuous billboard showing the boys' mug shots - with the caption "America for Americans."



Ed also harasses Rey Rodriguez, a California television chef/cook book author who recently moved to Tinker's Cove. Rey, who's descended from Spaniards who came to America before the pilgrims, is about to open an upscale restaurant called 'The Cali Kitchen'......



…….which will be managed by his son Matt.



Bigoted Ed refers to Rey's family as 'unwanted Mexicans' and - citing (phony) regulations about dishwater effluent - says the eatery has to use paper plates. Rey's attorney is confident that Ed's restrictions won't hold up, and preparations continue to open the classy restaurant.

Shortly afterwards, a group calling itself "America for Americans" holds a raucous demonstration at The Cali Kitchen, shouting and throwing rocks.....with Ed looking on from his SUV. In the midst of the hubbub, someone is shot to death, and Matt Rodriguez becomes a suspect.



In a side plot, Lucy observes regular drug sales in a parking lot near her jogging path. Planning to write an article, Lucy stakes out the spot with her camera.....and sees a young man named Hank - who went to college with her daughter - making a buy. Lucy confronts Hank about the drugs and the police about the pusher.



Though the story contains two deaths - as well as illegal drug sales - it's not structured as a typical mystery. There's very little detective work, either by Lucy or the police. Instead, a 'lightbulb moment' leads Lucy to the truth about what happened to Allison and Ed, which (to me) is cheating.

I have two more quibbles with the book.

First, when Lucy looks into rehab facilities for Hank, she learns that they're hard to get into and very expensive. However - almost miraculously - a spot becomes available; money is found; and Hank is happy to go. This isn't realistic, and probably doesn't reflect reality for most drug addicts.



Second, Ed Franklin's blatant xenophobia is overdone. Ed's frequent, obnoxious rants against Mexicans are meant to show how 'wrong-thinking' he is.....but there's a LOT of this mean-spirited blather.



To be fair, in an interview the author noted that her novels explore current topics that catch her attention. In this book the things that inspired Leslie Meier were President Trump's 'personality' (nuff said); and how ubiquitous the drug trade has become.

I think long-time fans of the Lucy Stone series would like this book, which contains well-liked, familiar characters. New readers, however, might want to start with a different volume.

Rating: 3 stars