Review of "The Last Precinct: A Kay Scarpetta Novel" by Patricia Cornwell

In this 11th book in the 'Kay Scarpetta' series, the medical examiner is dealing with a lot of personal problems while investigating several murders. The series is best read in order to avoid spoilers, but the book can be read as a standalone. ***** As the book opens Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner, has maimed the deformed serial killer Jean-Baptiste Chandonne ('the werewolf') in self-defense. Kay believes Chandonne killed the corrupt former police chief Diane Bray but - in a   In this 11th book in the 'Kay Scarpetta' series, the medical examiner is dealing with a lot of personal problems while investigating several murders. The series is best read in order to avoid spoilers, but the book can be read as a standalone. ***** As the book opens Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner, has maimed the deformed serial killer Jean-Baptiste Chandonne ('the werewolf') in self-defense. Kay believes Chandonne killed the corrupt former police chief Diane Bray but - in a twist - Kay herself is being investigated for Bray's death. As usual in the Scarpetta novels Kay is the target of various malevolent individuals who wish her harm. (In Cornwell's books being a medical examiner is a very high risk job). Kay is more depressed and fed-up than usual for a number of reasons: she's still in deep mourning after the murder (in a previous book) of her boyfriend FBI profiler Benton Wesley; She's upset about her niece, Lucy, being suspended from her job at ATF; Her 'sidekick', detective Pete Marino, is being more obnoxious than usual; and she's thinking of quitting her job as Chief Medical Examiner. Part of the book is devoted to Kay examining her life in talks with her psychiatrist/friend Anna Zenner and much of this self-examination comes off as whiny and complaining. The book's best parts revolve around the investigation of a couple of bizarre torture murders that are labeled hate crimes and, towards the end, a young boy's suicide. As usual the scenes of autopsies conducted in the morgue are graphic and the forensic analyses of evidence is interesting. The book is okay but not one of the best in the series. Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Greedy Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" by Carolyn Haines

In this 9th book in the 'Sarah Booth Delaney' series, the private detective - who runs an investigative agency with her partner Tinkie Richmond - investigates the cause of a mysterious illness in her home town.



It's best to read the books in order, but the mystery can be read as a standalone.

*****

Hollywood actress and private detective Sarah Booth Delaney hurries back to her home town of Zinnia, Mississippi when a mysterious disease breaks out there. Several people, including Oscar - the husband of Sarah Booth's best friend and detective partner Tinkie Richmond - are in the hospital, seriously ill.



All the patients got sick after visiting Zinnia's run-down Carlisle Plantation.



Each human victim experienced a burning fever and delirium before falling into a deathlike coma. The cause of the sickness is unknown, though it seems to be connected to the plantation's bioengineered cultivar. The Carlisle Plantation, which is no longer a profitable working concern, is being used to grow an experimental cotton crop that - in addition to being plagued by boll weevils - may harbor some unidentified infectious agent.



The Carlisle estate is a source of contention between its two co-owners, brother and sister Luther and Erin Carlisle. Luther wants to sell the land to developers, while Erin wants to keep it in the family.



Either way, the 'disease situation' may affect the plantation's future.

The doctors in Zinnia do everything they can to treat the comatose patients, to no avail.



Thus the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sends two Ph.D. scientists to help. One of them - a gorgeous blonde named Bonnie Louise - immediately gloms onto Sarah Booth's ex-boyfriend, Sheriff Coleman Peters. Sarah Booth, who's dating a Hollywood actor, tells herself she doesn't care.....but she seems very concerned. 😑



Though two trained scientists are now on the scene, Sarah Booth insists on investigating herself. The detective is determined to find out what's causing the disease, so she can save Oscar's life. (In real life, this would be ludicrous. Highly trained doctors and scientists can take years to identify the cause of a new disease. An amateur - who isn't even a biologist or physician - wouldn't have a chance. 😏)

In any case, Sarah Booth's other best friend - the fashionable transgender journalist Cece Dee Falcon - also offers to make inquiries. Sarah Booth's and Cece's interference leads to serious problems for both women.



As all this is going on, Sarah Booth gets regular visits from her personal ghost Jitty, who haunts Sarah Booth's ancestral home, Dahlia House. Jitty is always changing her outfits, which is fun. She's also constantly pushing Sarah Booth to have a baby, which gets old.



After considerable drama and trauma, everything is discovered in a climax I didn't predict.

This is an enjoyable addition to the series, recommended to fans of cozy mysteries. 

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Death by Séance: A Ghost & Abby Mystery" by Jo-Ann Carson

In this third book in the series, private detective - and witch - Abby Jenkins investigates a murder at a séance. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Abby Jenkins, a widow with three young children, lives in the Northwest Canadian town of Sunset Cove - which is chock full of witches, vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural beings. 👻 Abby, who recently became a witch herself, works as a private detective AND a night janitor at the haunted 'Sunset Cove Teahouse' - which often smells like blackberry scones.



Abby has two hot men in her life: her boyfriend Eric, a handsome Viking ghost;



and her mentor Dante, a sexy, flirtatious man-witch.



Abby also has a familiar - a smart aleck lynx named Spark who accompanies her everywhere. 😼



As the story opens, Abby is disgruntled because her friend Joy is making her attend a midnight séance at the Sunset Cove Teahouse, which is owned by Joy's aunt Azalea. Joy, who can communicate with the dead, plans to open a séance business - and she's holding a session tonight.



The séance attendees include: Abby - the witch; Joy - the dead-person-whisperer; Elif - the vampire; Kumar - Elif's day butler; Ophelia Maserati - the fashionable would-be singer; and Ming Chan - the gorgeous woman who's dating Kumar. Joy's client is café owner Margaret Gallagher, who wants to contact her former lover Nelson.

Shortly after the séance begins, a breeze blows through the room; darkness descends; and Abby feels an icy coldness sweep through her body. When the lights are turned back on, Kumar is dead.....stabbed in the neck.



Abby quickly calls the local cop, Zane Reynolds, who's savvy about the otherworldly residents in Sunset Cove.



While Zane is on his way over, Abby swipes a locket from Kumar's body, which may be a clue to the killer. Of course, Abby doesn't report this evidence to the police.



Hired by Elif to find his butler's killer, Abby conducts her own investigation



. Abby interviews everyone who was at the séance, but she's aware that a ghost or soul from 'the other side' - or some other powerful creature - may have committed the crime. Thus Abby has a tough job ahead of her.

Meanwhile, ghostly Eric is struggling with his conscience. Eric's mästere, Guiden, has offered to make the ethereal Viking a 'breather' (corporeal being) if Eric agrees to becomes his assassin. Eric would like a solid body so he can have sex with Abby.....but the price is very high.

The seductive man-witch Dante also has things on his mind. He wants Abby to join him in a naked dance under the full moon - which is something witches do. Unfortunately, Eric's mother Sofia isn't happy with the woman who (she thinks) is 'beguiling' her son, and leaves Abby with a bad case of hiccups....and threats to 'melt her insides.' 😳



I suspect Abby is destined for her share of 'man trouble' in this series. She says she's in love with Eric, but finds Dante very appealing.....and is even attracted to the sensuous vampire Elif.

In addition to all her other activities, Abby takes care of her three kids, with help from her cousin Jill. The children are: 7-year-old Jonathan - a rambunctious skateboarder who spends a lot of time in the Emergency Room; 5-year-old Jinx - who loves her Barbies; and 2-year-old Jane - who's still mama's 'baby.' The family also has a chocolate lab named Shreddie. The domestic scenes of Abby with her family - often eating pancakes - are very endearing.





The book has a lot of humor since Abby - and her familiar Spark - are very witty and quick with the wisecracks. Abby also proves to be a skilled detective, and I look forward to her further adventures. 🙂

This novel is a quick read and an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery, recommended to fans of the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Jo-Ann Carson) and the publisher (JRT Publications) for a copy of the book. 

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Fox is Framed: A Leo Maxwell Mystery" by Lachlan Smith

In this third book in the 'Leo Maxwell' series, the attorney's father is being re-tried for killing his wife, and Leo helps defend him.



The book can be read as a standalone, though knowing the characters is a plus.

*****

Twenty-one years ago attorney Lawrence Maxwell was convicted of murdering his wife.



Since then prosecutorial misconduct was proven and Lawrence's conviction was overturned. Now the district attorney intends to try him again.

Lawrence's two attorney sons, Leo and Teddy, plan to assist Lawrence's court-appointed defense attorney. The situation is complicated, though, because Teddy - once a formidable lawyer - was shot and brain-damaged five years ago; and Leo, who found his mother's body when he was a child, believed his father was guilty and became estranged from him.

Now Leo is rethinking Lawrence's guilt though some people still believe Lawrence is a manipulative liar who committed the crime.

The DA's office turns up new evidence in the form of Lawrence's former jailmate Russell Bell, who says Lawrence confessed to the crime when they were in prison together. Ironically, Russell, who was convicted of rape, is now free because Lawrence helped him write an appeal.



To add to the weirdness, Russell is working as a driver for the city councilman who originally testified against him.

Russell Bell is murdered before he can testify, potentially placing Lawrence on the hook for two murders: that of his wife and Russell. In any case the DA begins by re-trying Lawrence for killing his wife. The ensuing courtroom scenes are compelling, with the lawyers and witnesses sparring to gain an advantage with the jury.



Meanwhile Leo, now pretty solidly in his dad's corner, is working behind the scenes to discover who really killed Russell Bell.

Other interesting characters who round out the story include Angela Crowder - the tough, smart district attorney; Nina Scuyler - Lawrence's clever defense lawyer; Teddy's wife Tamara - who's also brain-damaged and has no short term memory;



Lawrence's fiance Dot - who got engaged to him ten years ago when he seemed to be in prison for life; Neil Shanahan - the detective determined to prove Lawrence's guilt; and Judge Liu - who does things by the book.



The story starts out strong, introducing the characters and setting up the situation that leads to Lawrence's retrial. The side plot involving Russell Bell is also interesting for a good while. By the end, though, the explanation of what happened with Russell is so tangled and confused as to be almost incomprehensible. 

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "The Space Between Words: A Novel" by Michèle Phoenix

The plot of this novel revolves around the ISIS attacks on Paris in 2015 and the historic persecution of the French Huguenots in the 1600s.

*****

Thirtysomethings Jessica and Patrick become acquainted in Denver, Colorado when Jess responds to Patrick's ad for a roommate. The duo get along famously, but not in a romantic way, and consider themselves PMFEO (platonically made for each other). Vonda moves in later, and - though the three friends have different interests - they get along well. So it's natural that, when Patrick goes to France for a lengthy stay, the women visit him there.



On the evening of November 13, 2015 Jess and Vonda go to a concert at Paris's 'Bataclan Theatre', while Patrick is off doing his own thing. That night ISIS terrorists attack many Paris sites, including the Bataclan.



Amid the vast carnage, Jess is shot and seriously injured. Patrick stays at Jess's side while she recuperates in a Paris hospital, while Vonda - who's unhurt but badly frightened - goes back to the United States.



Jess plans to return to Denver when her health permits, but Patrick convinces her to join him on a trip through southern France, where he plans to scour antique stores and flea markets for 'treasures' to sell back home.



While Patrick is visiting an antique shop, Jess checks them into a small lodge that's run by a brother and sister - Grant and Mona - who provide directions to an excellent vintage store. There, Jess becomes entranced by a sewing box from the late 17th century, and Patrick urges her to buy it.....because 'it's calling out to her.'



Soon afterwards, Jess discovers that the sewing box has a secret compartment that contains part of a diary and pages from an old Bible.



Grant offers to help Jess translate the diary pages she found in the sewing box, and Jess happily accepts. It turns out that the journal was written in 1695 by Adeline Baillard - a young woman who lived in Gatingy, France. Adeline and her family were French Huguenots, a group that suffered severe religious persecution in their country.



Adeline's diary reveals that some members of her family planned to flee to England - and Jess becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Adeline and her relatives. Thus Jess embarks on a quest through France and Britain, to learn about the Baillards and their descendants. Along the way Jess learns about the torture and murder of the French Huguenots by France's Catholic rulers, and these tales are shocking and horrifying.



The book alternates between the present and past. In the present, Jess fearfully recalls the terrorist shootings; makes new friends; and researches the fates of the French Huguenots. In the past, Adeline enjoys time with her family in Gatingy; teaches religion to children; and remains behind with her charges when her relatives try to escape. i



The book has twists, a budding romance, and a wide array of interesting characters, including: concert goers at the Bataclan; hospital personnel; shop owners; a Priest; civil servants; and more. I especially like Mona's five-year-old son Connor - a sweet, perceptive child who helps Jessica heal.



The book - which includes elements of chick lit, romance, historical fiction, and Christian fiction - isn't preachy and the religious ideology isn't pounded home. Nevertheless, the characters DO engage in philosophical conversations about God, and whether there's a larger meaning to the terrorist attacks - which sometimes lead people (like Jessica) in new directions. This doesn't sit right with me, as there's no way to find a positive aspect to the destruction and pain that terrorists cause....even if some survivors are propelled to learn new things and develop new relationships. 😏

The author also draws parallels between Jess's journey to 'enlightenment' and the travails of the Huguenots, but it's a rough fit (at best)…..and doesn't really come together.

I do think the chapters about the Bataclan attack and the French Huguenots are compelling and instructive....though very sad and disturbing. 😥

I think people who like historical Christian fiction with a touch of romance would enjoy this book, and I'd recommend it to them. 

Rating: 3 stars

Review of "Lion Plays Rough: A Leo Maxwell Mystery" by Lachlan Smith

In this second book in the 'Leo Maxwell' series, the defense attorney is hired to help a young man who's ostensibly been set up by a corrupt cop. The mystery can be read as a standalone.

*****



Defense attorney Leo Maxwell works in Jeanie Maxwell's law firm in Oakland, California.



Jeanie is the ex-wife of Leo's brother Teddy - a once formidable lawyer mentally disabled by a bullet to the brain. Leo now lives with/takes care of Teddy, who still does odd jobs in Jeanie's firm.

While going for his morning bike ride Leo is knocked down by Lavinia Martin in a speeding car. Later on, Lavinia tells Leo that her brother Jamil was set up for a murder charge by a corrupt cop, Eric Campbell. Lavinia then suckers Leo into taking photos of Campbell meeting with known criminal Damon Watson - who presumably wants the murder charge pinned on Jamil.



Well, things aren't exactly as they seem and Leo gets into hot water with both the district attorney and Nikki Madsen, who represents Jamil. Moreover, the corrupt cop issue is much more complicated than Leo was led to believe, and delving into it gets him into serious trouble: Leo gets beat up, accused of murder, thrown in jail, nearly run off the road, almost killed, etc.



Meanwhile, Leo also works on another couple of cases. He defends Marty Scarsdale, accused of raping a teenage girl; and he looks into the cold case of Jeremy Walker, who was shot the year before. As a result Leo's brother Teddy gets re-acquainted with Jeremy's widow, Tamara, a brain damaged woman he met in rehab.



By the end of the book Leo has finally figured out what's what at the expense of a lot of lives and limbs. For me, the plot is overly convoluted and too much of the book is devoted to Leo being beat up, imperiled, and so on. Still, there are interesting characters in the story, and it holds the reader's attention.

Overall, an okay book, recommended to fans of thrillers.

Rating: 3 stars