Category: mystery

Author: R.M. Cartmel
Publisher: Crime Scene Books
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-9929486-0-3
Pages: 328
Price: $13.95

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Commandant Charlemagne Truchaud returns home to Nuits-Saint-Georges for his brother’s funeral. But while he’s there, he begins to notice that things are not all as they should be. His father is acting unusually, his brother’s widow shares some disturbing news about the last season’s harvest, and he begins to suspect that some kind of foul play may be afoot.

As he digs deeper, a local wine merchant is murdered, one of his own police staff is seriously injured, and he begins to think his own and several other people’s lives may be threatened. But who is behind these anomalies and why?

Taking place in French wine country, The Richebourg Affair is rich in setting. Cartmel delivers a crash course in wine making from the grapevine to the bottle. Although more of a novel than a true whodonit, this suspenseful story captures the reader’s imagination from the beginning, and is an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: M. Evonne Dobson
Publisher: Poisoned Pencil
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-9293-4508-3
Pages: 294
Price: $10.95

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Kami has no intention of getting involved in Daniel’s problems. He’s been accused of selling drugs – the drugs that killed his sister, Julia – and the whole school is whispering about him. But when Kami notices that Daniel’s actions are inconsistent with the crime he’s supposedly committed, she realizes he can’t possibly be guilty.

Gathering her friends together, as well as a reluctant Daniel, Kami is determined to find out what really happened. As the group meets for strategic planning in their “Bat Cave” in the library, they review the events of the last months of Julia’s life. Someone gave Julia those drugs, and it wasn’t Daniel. But who was it, and did that person intend to kill her?

Chaos Theory is a fast-paced mystery with great characters. Although the mystery takes center stage, Kami and her friends have unique personalities, and it was great fun getting to know them all. I really enjoyed this mystery, and look forward to reading more of this new series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Michael A. Kahn
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0278-0
Pages: 250
Price: $24.95

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When Sari Bashir falls to her death from the office parking garage, the police rule it suicide. But Stanley Plotkin, the eccentric mailroom clerk who worked with her, thinks otherwise. As Rachel Gold, attorney, drives him home from the funeral, he tells her his concerns and insists Sari was murdered.

Rachel knew Sari personally and wants to know the truth. So she allows Stanley, who is an expert at reading facial expressions, to lead an investigation. Several of the partners at the law firm where Sari worked have good reasons to want her dead. Guided by Stanley, Rachel begins to dig deeper into their personal and financial affairs, looking for answers.

Rachel is a smart woman with helpful and resourceful friends. The whole team, including some of Sari’s family and coworkers, band together to determine if Sari was really murdered, and by whom. Face Value is an enjoyable mystery with unique investigative techniques, Jewish witticisms and intrigue.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Jane Tesh
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0367-1
Pages: 255
Price: $24.95

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David Randall, private investigator, isn’t very busy, so he decides to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a local actress. When his psychic friend, Camden, tags along to her house, they discover that she’s not just missing, but actually dead and buried in the basement. Another client sends Randall to Florida, chasing down her business associate that she believes was stealing from her. But he acts in a surprising manner, making Randall wonder at his motives. Could these two cases be related in some way?

Like previous books in the Grace Street mystery series, crime often takes a backseat to these well-developed characters and the interesting twists and turns their lives take. Love, jealousy, friendship, and death all play a part, and the reader almost feels as if she lives at 302 Grace Street as she watches their interactions with each other.

Although the story ended when the mystery was solved, I really wanted to linger a bit longer with them all. Just You Wait is an enjoyable read, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Eileen Brady
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0184-4
Pages: 250
Price: $24.95

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Kate Turner, D.V.M., is out making house calls when she arrives at the home of the Langthornes. Expecting to check on one of their champion Cavalier King Charles spaniels, she is shocked to find the couple seated in their chairs, apparently shot while enjoying their tea.

Although the initial determination is murder-suicide, several pieces of the puzzle don’t seem to fit. Dr. Kate is unpleasantly reminded on several occasions that as a newcomer to town and the one who found the bodies, she’s being considered a suspect. And as she tries to clear her name, she learns that almost everyone had a reason to hate the Langthornes.

Muzzled is the first in the new Kate Turner, D.V.M. mystery series. Animal lovers will be amused by the antics of pet owners and their companions, and cozy mystery fans will appreciate this well-crafted whodunit. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to seeing more of this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Clea Simon
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-5905-8870-3
Pages: 250
Price: $24.95

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Pru Marlowe has an unique gift – the ability to communicate with animals. But animals don’t communicate the way humans do, in complete sentences and thoughts. Instead they convey feelings and impressions, which are often confusing and misunderstood.

While training a service dog, Pru discovers a woman’s body in the woods. The dog conveys a mixture of feelings that Pru is at a loss to interpret. But when the police decide the woman had been mauled by a big cat – and none had been seen in the area for over a century – Pru is puzzled. In speaking to the animals, the police, and the people involved with the woman, the story becomes even more disturbing. If a big cat really was responsible, how did it get there? And where was it now?

Panthers Play for Keeps is the fourth book in the Pru Marlowe mystery series. Unlike some other animal mysteries, Pru’s conversations are believable and add an interesting dimension to the story. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: TJ O’Connor
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-7387-4206-9
Pages: 408
Price: $14.99

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Detective Oliver “Tuck” Tucker is no longer among the living. Being a ghost has certain advantages, though, like being able to instantly transport from place to place, and even back in time. When a man is murdered at his wife’s charity ball, Tuck is back on the case along with his police partners.

As Tuck digs deeper into the mystery, he discovers that he and his family play a part in the drama. Other ghosts assist him in his search for “the book,” which someone is desperate to find, even if it means killing those who stand in the way. Fans of ghost hunting TV shows will enjoy references to paranormal equipment which picks up Tuck’s presence, to the astonishment of those operating it. And Tuck’s ability to communicate with the living continues to grow. But one can’t help feeling his sadness in knowing he will never be able to hold his wife in his arms again.

Dying for the Past is the second book in the Gumshoe Ghost Mystery series. Like the first book, Dying to Know, this is a fast-paced read that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let up. Tuck is a great character, and one can really relate to his plight. I’m really enjoying this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger