Category: mystery

dogs, mystery

Dino Vicelli Private Eye

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lori Weiner
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0294-8
Pages: 98
Price: $10.00

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In an alternate-reality version of New York City, dogs can talk and mingle with humans as if human themselves. Dino Vicelli, an Italian greyhound, is a private eye who takes on what seems to be a missing persons case. But he has no idea that what he’s really investigating is an illegal cloning experiment.

With a beautiful Afghan accompanying him, he attempts to evade the police while tracking down the perpetrator of this scheme. But things get complicated when he doesn’t know who he’s chasing – the originals or the clones?

Dino Vicelli Private Eye presents a unique twist on the usual private investigator novel with the main character a dog. But I found that some of the things that happened to Dino puzzled me. I never understood why the police were after him so unexpectedly, with no evidence or even a motive. The story moves quickly – maybe a little too quickly – and the scenes and characters aren’t developed fully. This is an intriguing plot, but I felt it needed a little more editing before being published.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery, sports

Dead Ball

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Michael Balkind
Publisher: Pero Thrillers
Genre: Mystery / Sports
ISBN: 1-56315-453-6
Pages: 218
Price: $14.95

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Reid Clark is once again caught in the middle of an investigation, but this time his partner and good friend, Bob Thomas, is dead. He calls in Jay Scott and his team, knowing these guys are the best, and they’ll be sure to find Bob’s killer.

As CFO of AllSport, the non-profit training facility for underprivileged athletes, Bob needed to keep an eye on an accounting department that processes a high volume of donations. But Bob recently had a fight with the auditors who monitor things, and a few other suspects come to light. Dead Ball takes place two years after the events of Sudden Death, and Reid thinks that maybe someone from his past wants to get to him by killing Bob.

Jay’s investigation sends his men into some dangerous places, but they manage to come out alive. And finally, at the end, the killer is brought to justice. The action is fast-paced, as they follow leads, but some of the scenarios felt false, and I wondered if gangs or the mafia would act as Balkind suggests. And while the final clue pointed directly to the killer, I also found it unlikely that a non-profit facility would take the measures needed for such a clue to come to light.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery, sports

Sudden Death

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Michael Balkind
Publisher: Pero Thrillers
Genre: Mystery / Sports
ISBN: 978-1563154041
Pages: 224
Price: $14.95

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Reid Clark, golf pro, has just received a threat on his life. When his agent, Buck Green, suggests he hire Jay Scott to investigate, Reid readily agrees. If he wins the Masters, he’s fine, but the next time he wins, he’s going to die. Jay brings in his best men, determined to protect Reid from harm.

In the midst of this investigation, Reid wants to win the Masters. He has issues with anger over the press invading his turf, and a new lady in his life complicates things further. And a huge endorsement contract with a leading manufacturer of golf balls is an added incentive to win. But if winning will cost him his life, is it really worth it?

As an avid sports fan and mystery lover, I looked forward to reading Sudden Death, but I was a little disappointed. The investigation, for the most part, is only a very small part of the story, and takes place behind the scenes. Most of the plot development revolves around Reid’s experiences on the golf course and his interactions with family and business. I also expected this to be more of a thriller with a lot more action and danger, but it was a fairly straight-forward story, with only a hint of the threat Reid faced.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Posed For Murder

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Meredith Cole
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-312-37856-1
Pages: 256
Price: $24.95

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Lydia McKenzie’s photography is unique. Fascinated with the unsolved murders of young women in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she recreates these scenes posing her friends as models. But she never anticipated these photos would lead to someone’s death.

When her friend, Marie, is murdered and posed exactly as she had been in one of the photos, Lydia is spooked. Someone had access to her work, and used it not only to kill her friend, but also to frame her for the murder. At times working with the homicide detectives assigned to the case, but also occasionally withholding information, Lydia tries to figure out who would want to murder Marie.

The killer is hot on her trail, and she needs to prevent the murders of any more of her friends, or herself, as she’s been warned. It’s a battle of wits that she’s determined to win.

Posed For Murder uses a clever background for murder, setting this story in the arts community, with an unusual form of art. The characters are believable and well-developed. But the one flaw I found with this mystery was the conclusion and revelation of the killer. Without giving too much away, I was a little disappointed at who this turned out to be. But overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing story, and I look forward to seeing more of this new author’s work.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery, tween

The Great Scarab Scam

Bergers Book Reviews

scarab
Author: Valerie Storey
Publisher: Dava Books
Genre: Tween / Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-9643289-1-4
Pages: 212
Price: $12.95

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Lydia Hartley wants to be an Egyptologist like her dad, Phid. When a mysterious scarab scam surfaces, Phid is called to investigate. Under cover of a vacation, she and her family travel to Egypt to find the culprits.

But Lydia knows her father can’t help but try to find the Trove of Isis – a cache of treasure he had seen only once before it vanished. And now something fishy is going on at the Malik household where her family is staying, and Lydia needs to get to the bottom of it. Suddenly her trip of a lifetime has turned ugly.

Egypt and mystery blend together perfectly, but there are elements of this story that don’t fit quite as well. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief on a few plot points. The characters were likeable, the setting interesting, and there was great action. But if these elements were fixed, the story as a whole would flow better, in my opinion.

Kids who love Egypt and action-packed mystery will probably enjoy The Great Scarab Scam.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Shoot the Moon

Bergers Book Reviews

moon
Author: Billie Letts
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-446-40114-2
Pages: 368
Price: $7.99

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In 1972, a young mother, Gaylene Harjo, was murdered and her infant son disappeared. Though a suspect was arrested on two counts of murder, he died in jail and was never brought to trial.

Now, nearly thirty years later, Mark Albright has just discovered he’s adopted, and his real name is Nicky Jack Harjo – the missing boy. He returns to DeClare, Oklahoma to meet his birth mother, and suddenly finds himself digging up skeletons that someone would rather keep buried.
Shoot the Moon is a delightful mystery with an interesting cast and setting. Ivy, Mark’s “cousin,” seems to be his complete opposite, yet he’s strangely attracted to her. O Boy, the sheriff, is keeping secrets Mark needs to discover. And the old domino boys share their unique philosophy on shooting the moon.

A great read and a page-turner, Shoot the Moon will appeal to those who love a good mystery with a little romance, humor, and some very human characters. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Thripz

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert Farley
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1438232874
Pages: 225
Price: $6.99

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Nathan Brewster, crime reporter for the Waikiki Times, can sense trouble by the persistent ringing in his ears. When he sees the police report about a man attacked by bugs before disappearing, his sixth sense tells him this is something worth investigating.

As more reports about abnormal thrips attacks come in, Nathan begins working with University of Hawaii molecular biosciences chair, Dr. Lanahino, to discover what’s causing these bugs to act this way. Normally feasting only on produce, these altered thrips have turned their appetites to humans, with deadly results.

Panic mounts as the thrips threaten to overrun the island, and Nathan knows he needs to catch the man responsible for releasing these bugs, before it’s too late. But while it might be possible to kill him, will anyone be able to kill his weapon?

Genetically altered bugs, a lonely bachelor, and a race against time pulls the reader in and hooks him, as Nathan attempts to save the island.  Fast-moving and suspenseful, Thripz is a page-turner and an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, mystery

Bitter Tastes

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: V.B. Rosendahl
Publisher: Stargazer Press
Genre: Children’s / Mystery
ISBN: 0-9734940-9-3
Pages: 108
Price: $12.00

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Nancy Drew, move over – Kathy and Martha are the new detectives in town!

It’s bad enough Kathy Harmon had to move from New Jersey to North Carolina at the start of sixth grade. But it’s even worse that she’s “different.”

Miss Janine had been kind to her, helping her cope with her handicap while she learned to cook. And now she’s dead. Kathy was there on the day Miss Janine died, and she may have seen something that will help solve the murder.

Kathy has only made one friend so far – Martha Cunningham. When Martha finds out Kathy wants to find Miss Janine’s killer, the two play “Nancy Drew,” snooping in places they have no right to be.

Kathy and Martha are likeable girls – smart, clever, and quirky. They use good logic in figuring out who to include as likely suspects, and why these people might have killed Miss Janine.

Bitter Tastes is a fast and fun read. Children will enjoy it for its kid-appeal, suspenseful action, and great main characters. Although it opens at the climax to immediately grab the reader, this story easily stands on its own, and I’d suggest it might even have worked better written in a linear fashion. I hope Kathy and Martha will get to have their own mystery series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

From Crime to Crime

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dennis Palumbo
Publisher: Tallfellow Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-931290-60-9
Pages: 304
Price: $24.95

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Every Sunday afternoon, the Smart Guys Marching Society gets together for an informal meeting involving snacks and discussions of “the big issues.” These four men — a lawyer, a journalist, a psychotherapist and an actor — are unexpectedly joined by a fifth member, Isaac, who has an uncanny knack for solving mysteries.

From Crime to Crime grants the reader admission into these weekly Smart Guys meetings, giving him the opportunity to match wits with Isaac. In the traditional armchair mystery style, one person explains the puzzle as he sees it. Then the Smart Guys all try to figure it out.

The good-natured banter between these five men is humorous and light-hearted. And the puzzles are clever and a real challenge to solve – but no clues are held back in the interest of fairness.

If you love a good cozy and lament the fact that Agatha Christie’s style has gone out of fashion, you’ll really enjoy these short stories. Dennis Palumbo has combined the best of the old style mystery with a splash of humor and camaraderie that makes them a joy to read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Under the Liberty Oak

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paige M. Cummings
Publisher: BookSurge LLC
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6801-2
Pages: 321
Price: $14.99

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Brittan Lee Hayworth does not want to return to Liberty, Georgia, until a nine year-old girl’s body is discovered in the Altamaha River. Everyone thinks it’s Beth Ann Hamilton, Brittan Lee’s best friend back in 1964 – until the night she disappeared.

FBI Agent Andrew Zeller is already in Liberty, investigating civil rights violations from that year. The night Hurricane Dora swept through Liberty, a terrible fire started in the black community. Everyone always assumed that lightning started the fire, but its origin is now being questioned.

Brittan Lee joins the investigation reluctantly. Always encouraged to believe they were just nightmares, she now has her memories validated and tries to remember what really happened that fateful night. As Liberty faces another hurricane, Brittan Lee finds herself in danger once again, as someone doesn’t want that long-ago night’s events revealed.

The suspense builds as repeated attempts are made on her life, leading to the stunning conclusion when Brittan Lee finally remembers the details of what really happened the night Beth Ann Hamilton disappeared.

Paige M. Cummings has beautifully recreated the turbulent times of civil rights unrest, revisiting the 1960’s through Brittan Lee’s memories. She writes with a strong southern voice, painting delightful sensory images. If you enjoy southern mysteries, you’ll love this novel.

Under the Liberty Oak is a nominee for the Georgia Writer’s Association’s “Best First Novel”/Georgia Author of the Year award for 2007.

Reviewer: Alice Berger