Death of a Kingfisher: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery
M. C. Beaton
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
February 22, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-446-54736-9
256 pages
$ 24.99
When you are a police constable in the Highland in Scotland, the community expects you to be at their beckoned call and expect you to be knowledgeable of all crimes, no matter how minor. This does include investigations including fairies, whether real or not, and all superstitions. This is the problem of Hamish Macbeth in Death of a Kingfisher.
In Braikie, Scotland, this small village has discovered that they can draw people to their community by turning the local forested area, Buchan’s Woods, into a tourist attraction. This area is a habitat for a family of kingfishers and the fairies. Noticing the success of this attraction, the area is renamed “The Fairy Glen” and the tourism greatly benefits the town.
Everything changes when a kingfisher is found murdered and strung up in a tree. With further investigation, this family of birds has also been poisoned. Why would anyone kill a bird and its family?
While investigating this death of a bird family, Hamish becomes entwined with the married director of the woods who seems to be able to bewitch him with her physical beauty and her blue eyes. Is this affecting his investigation and not allowing him to suspect her as a possible suspect?
When a wealthy widow is murdered, literally rocketed through a window, Hamish is overwhelmed with possible suspects and lies. Who is the murderer? Why are more people dying whenever they seem to make an appointment to speak with Hamish?
Death of a Kingfisher has a slow beginning. The characters were not likeable and appeared detached and arrogant. The pacing changed after the first third of the novel and the story was more intense, intriguing, and logical.
When any author writes numerous books in a series, some are going to be better than others. Supposedly, this is the twenty-seventh book in the Hamish series. This particular novel lacked the affection and humor found in many of the previous books. (No, I have not read all twenty-seven.)
M.C. Beaton has won numerous awards for her Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mystery series. She has also written over one hundred romance novels and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series.
Death of a Kingfisher is wonderful if you are patient through the first third of this novel. The second part is well worth the price of the novel and is an intricate and well-woven tale.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Lost Saints of Tennessee
The Lost Saints of Tennessee: A Novel
Amy Franklin-Willis
Atlantic Monthly Press
February 2012
Hardback
ISBN: 978-0802120052
$25.00
320 pages
Fiction
“Moses Washington always says people love the beginning parts of life, it’s the middle and end parts
that end up being more work than we bargain for.”
What is the old saying about falling off a horse? If you fall off a horse, you get right back on.
In The Lost Saints of Tennessee, Ezekiel Cooper has fallen off of his horse in life. His ex-wife has just
remarried. He was fired for deserting his job. He’s back living in the converted shed in his mother’s
backyard. His mother wants to have a memorial service for his twin brother who committed suicide ten
years ago. Nothing seems to be going right for Zeke. Of course, Zeke is not making much of an effort
to change his life for the better either. It’s like he’s fallen on a horse but refuses to get back on.
This is the story of a working-class Southern family who dream of possibilities for their prized son
while the siblings continue the pattern of previous generations of poverty. However, broken dreams also bring about way too much guilt.
While at a class reunion Zeke manages to avoid the event and leaves town. He finally decides how to end things with his two favorite possessions, his dead brother’s dog and a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Things don’t quite work out though like he planned, but then again, they seldom do.
This is a novel about life and how some of us don’t know how to pick up the pieces once we find
ourselves shattered. It involves the reluctant changes that happen such as having daughters who are
becoming teenagers, divorces, and death.
The Lost Saints of Tennessee is a gripping tale of characters that are richly developed and actually seem
too realistic. The story line, even though somewhat depressing, is a personal journey, mistakes made
and exposed to everyone. Life is frequently more than we bargained for. Read The Lost Saints of
Tennessee.
Amy Franklin-Willis
Atlantic Monthly Press
February 2012
Hardback
ISBN: 978-0802120052
$25.00
320 pages
Fiction
“Moses Washington always says people love the beginning parts of life, it’s the middle and end parts
that end up being more work than we bargain for.”
What is the old saying about falling off a horse? If you fall off a horse, you get right back on.
In The Lost Saints of Tennessee, Ezekiel Cooper has fallen off of his horse in life. His ex-wife has just
remarried. He was fired for deserting his job. He’s back living in the converted shed in his mother’s
backyard. His mother wants to have a memorial service for his twin brother who committed suicide ten
years ago. Nothing seems to be going right for Zeke. Of course, Zeke is not making much of an effort
to change his life for the better either. It’s like he’s fallen on a horse but refuses to get back on.
This is the story of a working-class Southern family who dream of possibilities for their prized son
while the siblings continue the pattern of previous generations of poverty. However, broken dreams also bring about way too much guilt.
While at a class reunion Zeke manages to avoid the event and leaves town. He finally decides how to end things with his two favorite possessions, his dead brother’s dog and a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Things don’t quite work out though like he planned, but then again, they seldom do.
This is a novel about life and how some of us don’t know how to pick up the pieces once we find
ourselves shattered. It involves the reluctant changes that happen such as having daughters who are
becoming teenagers, divorces, and death.
The Lost Saints of Tennessee is a gripping tale of characters that are richly developed and actually seem
too realistic. The story line, even though somewhat depressing, is a personal journey, mistakes made
and exposed to everyone. Life is frequently more than we bargained for. Read The Lost Saints of
Tennessee.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
El Gavilan
El Gavilan
Craig McDonald
Tyrus Books
2011
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-4405-3194-1
426 pages
$ 24.95
What do you do when your job causes the death of your wife and child? How do you go on?
Tell Lyon left the Border Patrol to start over as head of the police in New Austin, Ohio. Hoping that the problems of the past never reappear, heading a small law enforcement force might just be what he needs.
One of his first duties is to meet with the sheriffs of the two neighboring areas, Sheriff Able Hawk from Horton County and Walt Pierce from Vale County. He quickly realizes that there will be territorial and overlapping boundaries between these close-in proximity areas. Also, he quickly concludes that both have a completely opposite approach to law enforcement.
The problem of immigration, both legal and illegal, is the focus point for each of these three law enforcement leaders. How the three of them approach this realistic problem is visibly apparent in El Gavilan.
El Gavilan, which means hawk in Spanish in the nickname given to the highly opinionated Sheriff Hawk. This man assists the legal immigrants in numerous ways within the community but has no patience for the illegals. With introducing Tell into the community, he discovers a kindred spirit which assists in developing their respect and mutual friendship.
Tell quickly reestablishes his life and begins to develop a personal relationship with Patricia as she is ending her interest in Shawn O’Hara, the editor of the local newspaper. When Shawn is beaten, his resentment is focused on Tell.
The story centers on the brutal rape and murder of Thalia. Her surviving family includes her mother and daughter. Shawn O’Hara, the editor, had been with Thalia the night before her death. He slunk off from her early the next morning without a word to her. He was the last one, except the murderer, to see her alive.
The story revolves around the Thalia’s case now and Tell’s past, giving insight into the motivations of the characters. The action is non-stop. This investigation is fast-paced and somewhat predictable. You just don’t know how it will be proven and how the personal problems can be resolved.
Craig McDonald is a writer, journalist, and editor who has been nominated for numerous awards for both his short stories and books.
El Gavilan is graphic both sexually and violently. The story is fast-paced, enthralling, and one novel that you will not quickly, if ever forget.
Craig McDonald
Tyrus Books
2011
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-4405-3194-1
426 pages
$ 24.95
What do you do when your job causes the death of your wife and child? How do you go on?
Tell Lyon left the Border Patrol to start over as head of the police in New Austin, Ohio. Hoping that the problems of the past never reappear, heading a small law enforcement force might just be what he needs.
One of his first duties is to meet with the sheriffs of the two neighboring areas, Sheriff Able Hawk from Horton County and Walt Pierce from Vale County. He quickly realizes that there will be territorial and overlapping boundaries between these close-in proximity areas. Also, he quickly concludes that both have a completely opposite approach to law enforcement.
The problem of immigration, both legal and illegal, is the focus point for each of these three law enforcement leaders. How the three of them approach this realistic problem is visibly apparent in El Gavilan.
El Gavilan, which means hawk in Spanish in the nickname given to the highly opinionated Sheriff Hawk. This man assists the legal immigrants in numerous ways within the community but has no patience for the illegals. With introducing Tell into the community, he discovers a kindred spirit which assists in developing their respect and mutual friendship.
Tell quickly reestablishes his life and begins to develop a personal relationship with Patricia as she is ending her interest in Shawn O’Hara, the editor of the local newspaper. When Shawn is beaten, his resentment is focused on Tell.
The story centers on the brutal rape and murder of Thalia. Her surviving family includes her mother and daughter. Shawn O’Hara, the editor, had been with Thalia the night before her death. He slunk off from her early the next morning without a word to her. He was the last one, except the murderer, to see her alive.
The story revolves around the Thalia’s case now and Tell’s past, giving insight into the motivations of the characters. The action is non-stop. This investigation is fast-paced and somewhat predictable. You just don’t know how it will be proven and how the personal problems can be resolved.
Craig McDonald is a writer, journalist, and editor who has been nominated for numerous awards for both his short stories and books.
El Gavilan is graphic both sexually and violently. The story is fast-paced, enthralling, and one novel that you will not quickly, if ever forget.
Chasing Her Destiny
Chasing Her Destiny
Terri Friedlander
Black Rose Writing
2011
Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-61296-076-0
235 pages
$ 16.95
“I forgot to do something in my life. I forgot to have kids.”
Life has changed tremendously in the last hundred years. Where women use to dream only of marrying and having a family, now women can develop a career and decide themselves when is the best time to marry or to have children. However, life doesn’t always work out the way you plan.
Sherri Richmond loves her life of working in Manhattan for a group of attorneys. She is not concerned about money or the time that she spends earning that money. Life for her now is successful and she thrives on the stress, competitiveness, and ambition the keeps her near the top of the corporate ladder. Being briefly married earlier in her life, has just strengthened her sense of independence and made her proud of her personal accomplishments in the business world.
Then she meets Kent Weber. Skeptically, she finds him to be perfect for her. She is uncertain of anyone being just too good to be true, but he really seems to be genuine. The two quickly marry and begin their life together. Both though find themselves longing for children after being married for five years and this is their story of fulfilling that need.
The strength of Chasing Her Destiny is the realism when nature does not always cooperate with our personal desires. The struggle emotionally with infertility is a subject that is not often mentioned.
This is a story for anyone who wants a child and for some undiagnosed or logical reason, just cannot become pregnant and the effect this can have on both a husband and a wife.
Chasing Her Destiny is a well-written romance novel. The characterizations are realistic and visual. The pacing is superb with the reader feeling the empathy and triumphs along with the characters. The novel actual flows from one page to the next with a loving fluency for smoothness as each word becomes alive on each page.
Chasing Her Destiny is Terri Friedlander’s third contemporary novel. This one is somewhat based on her own life and is also dedicated to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Although Chasing Her Destiny is basically a woman’s romance novel, there is a depth of the characters that men could also appreciate. More than a romance novel, this is a novel about life.
Terri Friedlander
Black Rose Writing
2011
Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-61296-076-0
235 pages
$ 16.95
“I forgot to do something in my life. I forgot to have kids.”
Life has changed tremendously in the last hundred years. Where women use to dream only of marrying and having a family, now women can develop a career and decide themselves when is the best time to marry or to have children. However, life doesn’t always work out the way you plan.
Sherri Richmond loves her life of working in Manhattan for a group of attorneys. She is not concerned about money or the time that she spends earning that money. Life for her now is successful and she thrives on the stress, competitiveness, and ambition the keeps her near the top of the corporate ladder. Being briefly married earlier in her life, has just strengthened her sense of independence and made her proud of her personal accomplishments in the business world.
Then she meets Kent Weber. Skeptically, she finds him to be perfect for her. She is uncertain of anyone being just too good to be true, but he really seems to be genuine. The two quickly marry and begin their life together. Both though find themselves longing for children after being married for five years and this is their story of fulfilling that need.
The strength of Chasing Her Destiny is the realism when nature does not always cooperate with our personal desires. The struggle emotionally with infertility is a subject that is not often mentioned.
This is a story for anyone who wants a child and for some undiagnosed or logical reason, just cannot become pregnant and the effect this can have on both a husband and a wife.
Chasing Her Destiny is a well-written romance novel. The characterizations are realistic and visual. The pacing is superb with the reader feeling the empathy and triumphs along with the characters. The novel actual flows from one page to the next with a loving fluency for smoothness as each word becomes alive on each page.
Chasing Her Destiny is Terri Friedlander’s third contemporary novel. This one is somewhat based on her own life and is also dedicated to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Although Chasing Her Destiny is basically a woman’s romance novel, there is a depth of the characters that men could also appreciate. More than a romance novel, this is a novel about life.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sticks and Stones
Sticks and Stones: A Cat Deluca Mystery
K. J. Larsen
Poisoned Pen Press
February 7, 2012
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1590589212
317 pages
$ 24.95
Pants On Fire Detective Agency is owned by Cat DeLuca. This agency specializes in discovering cheating husbands. Cat learned the basics from growing up in a police family with her father and brothers being part of the Chicago Police and from her own cheating husband.
Cleo Jones definitely has a cheating husband. Unfortunately, Walter cheats on Cleo with her sister. Besides that, he takes her money and her dog. So Cleo feels justified when she shoots her husband full of buckshot so that he will not be sitting for quite a while. Cleo also tends to be overly dramatic and gives her neighbors opportunities to use their video cameras when she threatens Walter.
Cat decides that it is best if she accompany Cleo back to the house to take whatever she needs and the dog. She also is pressing Cleo to stop shooting at Walter. When they enter the house, all is quiet but the dog has been in something messy and sticky which turns out to be Walter’s blood. He’s dead. The two also find a bag full of cash which they take with them as they leave with the dog.
The police believe Cleo killed her husband and Cat knows that she didn’t since they were together at the house. Even so, Cleo is arrested and Cat plans to find the real killer.
Unfortunately, Walter had many enemies and had been embezzling money. Also, his past has many secrets with unsavory characters.
Cat DeLuca has the advantage of having a huge, overbearing, Italian, Catholic family. With family support and obligations, she is never alone and someone is always ready to give her advice and food. She also has a special relationship with one F.B.I. agent and tends to attract hunky men.
Sticks and Stones is a quick and humorous read for anyone who enjoys romantic mysteries.
K. J. Larsen
Poisoned Pen Press
February 7, 2012
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1590589212
317 pages
$ 24.95
Pants On Fire Detective Agency is owned by Cat DeLuca. This agency specializes in discovering cheating husbands. Cat learned the basics from growing up in a police family with her father and brothers being part of the Chicago Police and from her own cheating husband.
Cleo Jones definitely has a cheating husband. Unfortunately, Walter cheats on Cleo with her sister. Besides that, he takes her money and her dog. So Cleo feels justified when she shoots her husband full of buckshot so that he will not be sitting for quite a while. Cleo also tends to be overly dramatic and gives her neighbors opportunities to use their video cameras when she threatens Walter.
Cat decides that it is best if she accompany Cleo back to the house to take whatever she needs and the dog. She also is pressing Cleo to stop shooting at Walter. When they enter the house, all is quiet but the dog has been in something messy and sticky which turns out to be Walter’s blood. He’s dead. The two also find a bag full of cash which they take with them as they leave with the dog.
The police believe Cleo killed her husband and Cat knows that she didn’t since they were together at the house. Even so, Cleo is arrested and Cat plans to find the real killer.
Unfortunately, Walter had many enemies and had been embezzling money. Also, his past has many secrets with unsavory characters.
Cat DeLuca has the advantage of having a huge, overbearing, Italian, Catholic family. With family support and obligations, she is never alone and someone is always ready to give her advice and food. She also has a special relationship with one F.B.I. agent and tends to attract hunky men.
Sticks and Stones is a quick and humorous read for anyone who enjoys romantic mysteries.
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