Mask of the Deer Woman

This is the debut novel by journalist Laurie Dove which will engage those readers with interest in Indigenous cultures. Although initially I had a hard time with this book due to a cast of unlikable character, characters and the plot line develop well and become engrossing. Booklist's review says, "In this riveting police procedural...The characterization of Starr is multi-layered and believable. The suspense builds steadily into a stunning ending. Dove has written a procedural that produces both stomach-clutching suspense and outrage at the dangers and indifference Indigenous women face." 

Publishers Weekly offers this summary: "Dove's haunting first novel centers on former Chicago detective Carrie Starr, who arrives for her new post as a Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal marshal on Oklahoma's Saliquaw reservation with few belongings but plenty of baggage. Still reeling from the death of her 17-year-old daughter and the subsequent shooting that got her booted from the force, Carrie hopes to lay low while she figures out her next move. But days before her arrival, graduate student Chenoa Cloud disappeared from the reservation, and her frantic mother insists she would never run away. Then the body of a different young woman turns up. With negotiations over a fracking deal that could change the fortunes of the reservation approaching a critical point, there's pressure on Carrie from all quarters. Dove expertly juggles several rich themes, including the national epidemic of missing Indigenous women, without sacrificing suspense. Of special note is her depiction of Carrie's plight as a perennial racial outsider (she has an Irish American mother and an Indigenous father). Though the Saliquaw Nation is fictional, the novel's vivid depiction of the reservation and its inhabitants rings true..." 

Girl Waits with Gun

This first installment in Amy Stewart's historical fiction series is based on actual places, people and events. Library Journal offers this brief summary: " In 1914, Constance, Norma, and Fleurette Kopp's buggy is struck by an automobile driven by silk manufacturer Henry Kaufman. When he refuses to pay damages, the feisty Constance challenges him. Soon, Henry's thugs threaten the Kopp women at their remote New Jersey farm. Undaunted, Constance goes to the police, who are amused by the tall, confident woman. However, wise, fair, and kind Sheriff Bob Heath sees the wrong in what's happening to the family and asks Constance to help catch the men." 

Reviews are uniformly positive. Publishers Weekly praises, "This is an elegant tale of suspense, mystery, and wry humor set in 1914 in Paterson, N.J....A surprising Kopp family secret, a kidnapped baby, and other twists consistently ratchet up the stakes throughout, resulting in an exhilarating yarn. " Booklist gives the book a starred review, saying, "A sheer delight to read and based on actual events, this debut historical mystery packs the unexpected, the unconventional, and a serendipitous humor into every chapter. Details from the historical record are accurately portrayed by villains and good guys alike, and readers will cross their fingers for the further adventures of Constance and Sheriff Heath."

NPR's review makes this cogent point: "It's a historical setting almost disheartening in its timeliness. Kaufman's bullying tactics (verified by court records down to the last threatening letter, because sometimes you can't make this stuff up) are all too familiar to many of today's women who have asserted themselves in public. And the Kopp sisters, who farm the family homestead by themselves, already operate under pressure from their brother Francis to settle nearby in town and diminish quietly, as is expected of them. It's one of this novel's many sly, unspoken jokes that Francis has so underestimated his sisters: They're often a mess... But they're a mess on their own terms, and Francis' demands hit close to the heart of Girl Waits With Gun -- at some point there's not much difference between a drunken bully and your own brother, if they both want you to sit down and be quiet. You'll have to fight it all."

Protagonist Constance Kopp eventually became America's first female deputy sheriff (Library Journal).  I'll be sure to read the sequels to this well written tale.

 

The Mystery of Three Quarters

This posthumous continuation of Agatha Chritie's "Hercule Poirot" series by Sophie Hannah does a decent job of capturing the dialog and process of the original Poirot. It is a sort of closed room mystery where everyone who could possibly have murdered Barnabas Pandy has an alibi. And was it a murder? The official verdict is the aged man fell asleep in the bathtub and drowned. But 4 letters have been sent accusing people of the murder and the letters are signed ostensibly by Hercule Poirot. Of course he didn't send the letters but the recipients are unconvinced and are bringing their wrath down on Poirot's head. He has to solve the crime just to exonerate himself. 

This is Hannah's 3rd outing with the revenant Poirot and Publishers Weekly says she offers "another ingeniously deceptive puzzle." They go on to conclude: "The gratifying reveal is a neat variation on one of Christie’s own solutions and demonstrates Hannah’s facility at combining her own plotting gifts with another author’s creation."

Library Journal praises, "Resurrecting a character as famous and beloved as Poirot is not for the faint-of-heart writer, and Hannah's third installment in her reboot (after The Monogram Murders and Closed Casket) is her best yet. It rings true to -Agatha Christie's original writing, capturing the character of Poirot. VERDICT Enthusiastically recommended for fans of Hannah's other Poirot novels and detective fiction and Christie's original works." Booklist gives the book a starred review and opens with "It's a puzzle worthy of the skills of legendary detective Hercule Poirot..." and continues, "Poirot looks for connections between Pandy and the four recipients, and among the recipients themselves, scheduling his customary reveal with all parties present before he cracks the case, to put pressure on himself, with a slice of an ingeniously constructed cake at the center. In her third Poirot mystery, Hannah, authorized to continue the series by Agatha Christie's estate, once again nails the style and substance of her beloved predecessor, producing another treat for Christie fans."

V as in Victim

"Originally published in 1945, V as in Victim was the first crime novel to feature ordinary cops as the main characters, launching the subgenre know as 'police procedurals' and earning Lawrence Treat [author] an important place in the history of mysteries (from the Introduction). Main characters are police detective 3rd grade Mitch Taylor and police lab tech Jub Freeman. At this point in time, ordinary police are skeptical of how a lab can aid in solving a crime, but Jub is an enthusiastic scientist and aims to prove the lab's value. Mitch is anxious to solve a big crime so he can get a promotion to 2nd grade. On one night, a hit and run results in a homicide and an interview of a possible witness leads the two men to a 2nd homicide. The book has rich footnotes that help explain police jargon and the specific circumstances of war time New York City.

The New York Times offers a brief review: "The police procedural has been a staple of crime fiction for almost 80 years; racial reckonings and real-life abuses haven’t altered this. It was strangely refreshing to go back to near-first principles with Lawrence Treat’s 1945 novel... Treat’s laconic style clearly foreshadows Ed McBain’s wonderful 87th Precinct series." Good Reads reviews are mixed, with some describing the writing as "reflective and witty" while others call it "dry and factual." Decide for yourself. 

Malinalli

Veronica Chapa offers this fictionalized account of the life of Malinalli, who was the interpreter for Cortes when he invaded Mexico--"a pivotal figure in Mexican history" according to Kirkus. A fantastic account with lots of magic mixed in with the horrible depradations of the Spaniards against the indigenous peoples. We also get the benefit of her detailed research into the customs and culture of these tribes.  Booklist offers this review and positive recommendation:

"First-time novelist Chapa masterfully blends history and myth in a mesmerizing reimagining of Malinalli, also known as La Malinche, the enigmatic interpreter for conquistador Hernán Cortés. Though born into Nahua nobility, Malinalli ended up living a life irrevocably shaped by loss and vengeance following the deaths of her twin and her father. Her journey takes her from priestess to slave as the Spanish invade the Aztec empire, and ultimately to Cortés's translator, but her role is far from ordinary. Chapa imbues Malinalli with supernatural powers, including the ability to bring her embroidery to life, adding a fantastical dimension to the narrative. As Malinalli battles warring leaders and mystical forces, she is caught between loyalty and survival as she embarks on a quest for justice. Chapa delivers a spellbinding tale that reclaims Malinalli's story with imagination, depth, and compassion. This novel is a must-read for fans of magical realism and stories that challenge traditional views of history." 

Kirkus is lukewarm in their review, calling the book more of a "fantasy adventure" than a historical novel. They go on to say "The plot follows what we know of the real events of La Malinche’s life only vaguely, and there’s little sense of place or of everyday life in 16th-century Mexico. But the book’s biggest flaw is the flatness of its characters, especially Malinalli herself, whose voice seems to remain that of an adolescent even as she’s exposed to (and takes part in) brutal violence." And they add "La Malinche is a complex symbol, seen by some as a victim of colonialism, by others as a traitor to her people, and by yet others as a founding mother of today’s Mexico. This novel, a fictionalized version of her life, won’t settle any arguments."

There is also a detailed review of the book's strengths and weaknesses by the Historical Novel Society. 

Suddenly at His Residence: A Mystery in Kent

Christianna Brand (pen name for Mary Christianna Milne, 1907-1988) wrote a series of mysteries featuring Inspector Cockrill as well as a children's series with Nurse Matilda that was adapted for the movie Nanny McPhee. This is a classic cozy set in the English countryside during the Blitz with a "locked room" storyline. The grandchildren of Sir Richard March are gathered at the house for a weekend when their squabbling and poor "life choices" so outrage Sir Richard that he vows to disinherit them from Swanswater Manor and his fortune. He shuts himself away in a small lodge on the grounds and is found dead next morning. Everyone seems to have an alibi and Inspector Cockrill must solve first this murder and then a 2nd murder of the grounds keeper. This is a reprint series from British Library Crime Classics. Kirkus calls this "Perhaps the most underrated country-house mystery of them all."

This Tender Land

This Depression-era novel by William Kent Krueger is one of his stand-alone books about 3 youths who escape one of the notorious "Indian Training Schools" and a young orphan girl in the care of horrible superintendents of the school. They go in search of different things--sense of self, family, home. They are tied together by friendship, by kinship and by terrible events that preceded their leaving and which now mean they are hunted by the law. They are thrown out into a United States that is starkly divided between the haves and the have-nots, the latter being where they typically find support and generosity. Starting out in a canoe on the Gilead River, they eventually make it to the Missouri and then the Mississippi in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their travels are beset by difficult times and dangerous people as well as empathetic helpers--all of which stress their relationships to one another. 

Library Journal says, " It's a remarkable story of a search for home that also reveals the abusive treatment of Native American children in schools and the wanderings of people during the Depression." Booklist agrees that this "... is more than a simple journey; it is a deeply satisfying odyssey, a quest in search of self and home. Richly imagined and exceptionally well plotted and written, the novel is, most of all, a compelling, often haunting story that will captivate both adult and young adult readers. Publishers Weekly calls it a "heartland epic" in which "the constant threat of danger propels the story at a steady clip." One reviewer (Parade) aptly compares it to Where the Crawdads Sing. The Historical Novel Society praises inn concluding their review, "Crafted in exquisitely beautiful prose, this is a story to be treasured – outstanding and unforgettable."

Coded Justice

This is the third installment in Stacy Abram's "Avery Keene" series and it was very engaging with wonderful characters and a very tricky but realistic plot about the incursion of AI into the provision of healthcare. At times, it was a little thick and hard to follow when she got into the weeds about programming and reprogramming of AI "assistants" but worth the work.  

Kirkus offers this summary in their lukewarm review: "Onetime newsmaking Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene, now a corporate internal investigator at a private firm, probes a mysterious death at a giant tech company that promises to revolutionize patient care. On the verge of going public, Camasca Enterprises says it will offer vastly improved treatment through its super-sophisticated AI technology, with an emphasis on eliminating bias toward veterans and other traditionally neglected groups. Excited to be investigating a crime after months of boring tasks, “adrenaline junkie” Keene quickly detects that something is amiss at the company. Far from embodying “the soul of Hippocrates,” the voice of its neural network, Milo, coldly resists following instructions and reveals its capability of using private information it has surveilled without permission. When two Vietnam veterans are stricken with carbon monoxide poisoning—supposedly caused by a faulty ventilation system—and other patients develop unusual symptoms, the investigation shifts into a higher gear. So does the deep institutional coverup that may or may not involve the CEO and founder of the firm, Rafe Diaz, “the industry’s Leonardo da Vinci,” whose charisma and good looks have a way of softening Avery’s judgments. For all its “dead bodies, missing people, [and] blackmailed police,” the novel is surprisingly light on suspense." 

Personally, I found it sufficiently suspenseful to keep me hooked throughout.

Where the Lost Wander

Based on actual persons, Amy Harmon's story of a wagon train's passage from St. Joseph, Missouri to the west coast is realistic and gripping. I had a little trouble getting started, but character development is excellent and you can't help rooting for the young protagonists: 20-year old widow Naomi May and 25-year old mule driver John Lowry. Booklist concludes their review by saying, "Novelist Harmon brings the tribulations of the vast westward migration to life in this sweeping, majestic narrative, but [s]he also examines diverse perspectives, including the responses of Native peoples to the incursion on their lands, brought to life in the stories of historical figures such as the magnetic Chief Washakie. The love story of John and Naomi is filled with tension and honest reflection, as well as missteps and disappointments, all of which add a rich realism to this sumptuous historical novel."

Publishers Weekly offers a decent summary of the plotline. "In Harmon's passionate tale of pioneers and Native Americans ..., a young widow falls in love with her wagon party's mule driver. Twenty-year-old widow Naomi May is traveling with her family on a wagon train from St. Joseph, Mo., to California in 1853 when she meets John Lowry, known as Two Feet by his Pawnee mother's family for "straddling two worlds." Naomi is drawn to him, and John is attracted to Naomi's beauty, resilience, and devotion to her family, but his awareness of the prejudice he faces due to his Pawnee heritage makes him reluctant to believe they could have a future together. Misadventures abound as members of the wagon train succumb to cholera, endure difficult river crossings, and face confrontations with Sioux warriors. After the wagons are attacked and burned by a war party, Naomi and her infant brother, Wolfe, are kidnapped and John determines to save them. Harmon richly details the train leaders' stubborn handling of the trail's challenges from John's point of view, foreshadowing the fate awaiting them. The genuine bond between John and Naomi will keep readers turning the pages." 

Boundary Waters

This is the 2nd in William Kent Krueger's "Cork O'Connor" series [see post for Iron Lake] set in northern Minnesota. The town of Aurora is adjacent to the the Ojibwe reservation and the Boundary Waters, a densely forested area of lakes and mountains that crosses the border into Canada. Cork is approached by recording executive, William Raye, to help locate a famous country and western singer, Shiloh, that is believed to be hiding out in the area.  She has distant connections to the Ojibwe through her grandmother who lived and ran a small business in Aurora. Shiloh's father was never identified by her mother and her mother was murdered when Shiloh was 4 years old, so Raye took on the responsibility of raising her. He now says he is worried about her and Cork agrees to help find the young woman. When Shiloh's great uncle who has been supporting Shiloh's seclusion in a cabin in the deep wildermess fails to appear for 2 weeks, Shiloh is convinced something has happened to him and she must find it within herself to figure out a way back to civilization. Told alternately from the perspective of Shiloh and the group of searchers that includes Cork, Raye and some dubious federal officials, all come to realize that a 3rd party is trying to find Shiloh intent on not rescue but murder. The motive for the lethal hunt does not become clear until nearly the end of the book and the reader will be cheering on Shiloh and her would be rescuers the whole time.  But even among the would-be rescuers, there are murky motives for finding Shiloh. 

Kirkus says of this second installment, "Cork remains a spritely, intriguing hero in a world of wolves, portages, heavy weather, and worrisome humans,..." Similarly, Publishers Weekly offers, "Krueger follows up his sure-handed debut novel, Iron Lake (1998), with an equally effective second thriller..." and goes on to conclude their review with "Krueger's writing, strong and bold yet with the mature mark of restraint, pulls this exciting search-and-rescue mission through with a hard yank."

Painted Ladies

This is about # 38 in Robert B. Parker's long-running "Spenser" series, published just after Parker's death. From the book jacket we are told, "Called upon by The Hammond Museum and renowned art scholar Dr. Ashton Prince, Boston PI Spenser accepts his latest case: to provide protection during a ransom exchange-money for a stolen painting. The case becomes personal when Spenser fails to protect his client and the valuable painting remains stolen." Spenser takes his failure seriously and returns his fee to the museum and vows to find the killer as well as the stolen painting. Both Susan and Pearl play their usual roles as do Spenser's colleagues with the state and local police, but there are no appearances by Hawk in this episode.  

Library Journal offers this: "Things, of course, are not quite what they seem, and the path to resolution is full of twists, betrayals, secrets, and good intentions gone horribly wrong. Parker's dialog is as sharp and snappy as ever. Verdict Fans of the series and of mystery fiction in general will enjoy one last outing..."  Booklist claims that the series has held up well "Spenser can still nail a person's foibles on first meeting, still whip up a gourmet meal in a few minutes, still dispatch the thugs who haunt his office and his home, and do it all while maintaining a fierce love of Susan Silverman and English poetry..." They go onn to conclude "Halfway through this thoroughly entertaining mystery, Parker writes a perfect valedictory for the much-loved Spenser: 'Sometimes I slew the dragon and galloped away with the maiden. Sometimes I didn't. . . . But so far the dragon hadn't slain me.' Long live Spenser."

Missing, Presumed

I had not previously read Susie Steiner but was reasonably impressed by her writing skills, character development and plotting. Set in the town of Huntingdon, a young woman, Edith Hind, is reported missing by her live-in boyfriend. The Major Investigations Team of the Cambridgeshire police, having previously been criticized for failing to elevate a missing persons case to high risk status until late in the investigation, responds quickly to the limited evidence--broken glassware, some blood, her coat left behind. Their haste is fueled by the fact that Edith's father is the surgeon to the Royal Family and friends with the current Labor Secretary. But nothing is as it appears and the twisty plot will keep you guessing until the end.  Library Journal says "Manon Bradshaw, the complicated, complex, and wholly human British detective at the heart of Steiner's ...new mystery, raises this story from a classic police procedural to something far more engaging." The Guardian concurs: "Susie Steiner has a real knack, sometimes missing in police procedurals, for shading in the throwaway details about a character that turn them from two-dimensional into three."his is the first in a series about DS Bradshaw. Booklist recommends with "This combination of police procedural and an unfolding family drama that continuously twists and turns will work well for fans of Kate Atkinson and Tana French." 

Kirkus concludes their review: "Though it follows all the typical twists and turns of a modern police procedural, this novel stands out from the pack in two significant ways: first of all, in the solution, which reflects a sophisticated commentary on today’s news stories about how prejudices about race and privilege play out in our justice system; and second, in the wounded, compassionate, human character of Manon. Her struggles to define love and family at a time when both are open to interpretation make for a highly charismatic and engaging story. Hopefully, this is just the first adventure of many Steiner will write for DS Bradshaw and her team."

 

Spirit Crossing

Well I jumped into this book in William Kent Krueger's "Cork O'Connor" series and sort of wished I hadn't. So much has transpired between his first in the series, Iron Lake, which I just reread, and this his 20th installement: the kids are all grown, Jenny is married, Stevie is getting married, and Annie is back from charity work in Guatamala with a new life partner; Cork's wife Jo is no longer in the picture--unspecified why-- and has been replaced by Rainy; there's another new sheriff, etc. I found it distracting, although the writing is still excellent and the plotting tight and engaging. A local politician's daughter has gone missing and a major search effort is mounted--unlike the past responses, or lack thereof when local indigenous teens were reported missing. In the process, the body of a young native woman is found buried in a shallow grave, largely to the psychic insights of Jenny's 7-year-old adopted Native American son, Waaboo. He will play a major role in further discoveries and there is significant focus on the lack of credibility given to Native American belief systems. Also there is ongoing discussion of the inequities in the valuation of life when it comes to Native American missing persons. Somebody definitely believes in Waaboo's abilities, however, and is trying to silence him permanently, making Waaboo and the entire O'Connor clan the targets of a ruthless killer. 

Publishers Weekly calls this book "chilling" and "one of his [Krueger's] most puzzling mysteries to date." Although I've seen some reactions criticizing the book for its emphasis on the supernatural elements of Native American beliefs, I find this a fascinating part of this series. AP News says "Krueger has no Native American blood himself, but as usual he treats native culture and mysticism with understanding and respect. His prose and character development are superb, and his vivid descriptions bring Minnesota’s north woods to life."

James

This widely praised retelling of the Huckleberry Finn story by Percival Everett has won both the Pulitzer for fiction (2025) and the National Book Award for fiction (2024) and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. We are reading this for our book group in October; I have been wanting to read it for several months and feel richly rewarded for doing so. The basic premise is to retell Twain's novel from the perspective of Jim the slave, or as Everett put it, it's a conversation with Twain about a book he could not have written at the time.

Several of the "set pieces" from Huckleberry Finn are maintained while others are added to help create the character of James, a secret reader and philosopher. Library Journal succinctly notes that "The rules of engagement for Black people encountering white people are brutally clear in 1830s Missouri, a state with enslavement. Don't ever make a white person think you know something he doesn't, or you'll pay. " James teaches the local children how to code-switch --using slave speak--within hearing range of whites even though his vocabulary and grammar are far superior to those of his enslavers. They go on in their review, praising the "fast and furious" action, the attention grabbing characters, and an unexpected reveal that "changes the nature of Huck and Jim's relationship dramatically." They conclude by saying that "Everett ...has written an even richer and penetrating Adventures than Twain's already rich masterpiece."

James decides to run when he learns that he is to be sold down river and separated from his family. Huck decides to fake his death to avoid the severe beatings of his father and stumbles into Jim on a small island in the Mississippi River. Booklist summarizes the story's trajectory: "When he is accused of robbery and murder, James flees with an initially gleeful Huck, who only gradually understands the terrifying reality of being a Black man with a price on his head. As Huck comes to acknowledge the depth of his relationship with James, and the "slave's" profound gifts, the boy is forced to recognize the illogic of white supremacy and privilege. Meanwhile James, determined to return and rescue his wife and daughter, takes the story in a completely different direction than the original, exemplifying the relentless courage and moral clarity of an honorable man with nothing to lose."  

Publishers Weekly calls this an "ingenuous retelling" of the classic tale noting that "Everett also pares down the prose and adds humor in place of sentimentality. " They conclude that "Everett has outdone himself." Kirkus praises "One of the noblest characters in American literature gets a novel worthy of him." The New York Times calls this "...Everett’s most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."

The Doorman

This book by Chris Pavone (author of Two Nights in Lisbon) came so highly recommended that I forced myself to finish after many times wanting to give up. It is such a slow burn to reach the dramatic highpoint--essentially over ¾ of the book--that to me it just wasn't worth it. Others disagreed, however.

Publishers Weekly refers to the book as an "adrenaline-pumping thriller" that "delivers a lacerating, Tom Wolfe–worthy dissection of Manhattan society in the post-Covid era." They go on to summarize the plot: "The primary setting is the Bohemia, a storied Central Park West co-op where protagonist Chicky Diaz stands watch. A streetwise former Marine who moonlights as a security guard to pay off his late wife’s crushing medical debt, Chicky has seen and done a lot—but nothing approaching the perfect storm of catastrophes that converge during the fraught hours over which the narrative unfolds..." and they conclude with: "Page-turning from the opening paragraph to its killer finale, the narrative combines noirish atmosphere with a sharp attunement to the particular depravities of ultrawealthy urbanites. Pavone’s provocative look at the city that never sleeps will keep readers up well into the wee hours." I, on the other hand had to push myself to finish the book, but you can see why I was sucked in by the review.

The New York Times offers a more detailed account of the story line and effuses: "With its laser-sharp satire, its delicious set pieces in both rich and poor neighborhoods — a co-op board meeting, a Harlem food pantry and more — and its portrait of a restive city torn apart by inequality, resentment and excess, “The Doorman” naturally invites comparison to “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” Tom Wolfe’s lacerating dissection of New York in the 1980s." And they go on to offer a minor qualification to their praise but end up recommending the book with this: "If 'The Doorman' suffers from anything, it’s a surfeit of riches — details and digressions that can lead you away from the central story. But all of it accelerates into a tour de force ending (this is where it becomes a thriller) that rewards close attention." 

Kirkus closes their short review with this: "Social, racial, and political commentary add color to the profanity-peppered pages.Readers will root for the doorman in this enjoyable yarn." I did root for Chicky (the doorman) but can't say I found the book at all enjoyable except for the very end when some deserving person gets their comeuppance. 

 

Furever After

This is the 16th entry in the Magical Cats mystery series by Sofie Kelly. I read the first two books, Curiosity Thrilled the Cat and Sleight of Paw and enjoy both the plots and the characters.  These are cozy mysteries with the added element of two cats who are anything but ordinary house pets. Owen can disappear at will and Hercules can walk through walls, doors, etc. Of course they are very smart and often have to help their owner, librarian Kathleen Paulsen, solve mysteries by providing clues.  In this book she is getting ready to marry Detective Marcus Gordon and the story focuses a lot on the strong network of friends that Kathleen has formed in her small town of Mayfield. When she finds a dead body in the library, she feels compelled to try and figure out why the victim, ne'er do well Will Redfern, was trying to steal a painting from the library. It turns out the painting was part of a high profile theft some years ago and was never recovered. How did it end up in the library and why would someone kill Will Redfern? Our protagonists are put in mortal danger before the wedding and their union surprisingly comes with a bonus. 

Kindness Goes Unpunished

This is the third installment in the long-running "Longmire" series by Craig Johnson. I like the first book, The Cold Dish, but couldn't find the 2nd book, so settled for the 3rd. Separate missions take Longmire, Bear and Dog to the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)--Longmire to see daughter Cady and Bear to appear in a photography show at an art gallery. On their first night in town, Longmire meets deputy sheriff Vic Moretti's mother Lena. Cady is late coming home and eventually the police show up saying Cady has had an accident--a fall-- and is in the hospital unconscious.  She remains in a coma for most of the book and Longmire and then Bear as well are determined to find out what really happened to her.  Kirkus praises with this conclusion to their review:  "Johnson deftly integrates country and city sensibilities; makes Walt’s love and fear for Cady palpable; and casts a droll eye on Walt and romance. Even better than Death Without Company (2006): a must-read for both the tough and the tender-hearted." Publishers Weekly recommends as well: "The quick pace and tangled web of interconnected crimes will keep readers turning pages."

The First Gentleman

This thriller, co-written by Bill Clinton and James Patterson, revolves around an author and his partner/researcher who believe that the first gentleman, husband of President Madeline Wright, killed his cheerleader girlfriend 17 years ago and they intend to write a book exposing him. Kirkus provides a positive summary and review:

"The former president teams up again with the industrial-strength tale-spinner to deliver an action-packed mystery. Cole Wright is in big trouble. Thanks to the dogged diggings of former Boston Globe reporter Garrett Wilson and his partner, sometime lawyer Brea Cooke, the former New England Patriots tight end is on trial for murdering his cheerleader girlfriend 17 years earlier. Thing is, Cole is now married to Madeline Parson Wright, the president of the United States. ... Garrett and Brea are shopping a book in which they claim to have hard evidence that Cole Wright killed Suzanne Bonanno, but as they probe deeper into the story, things become murky: Mafiosi, a contract killer, FBI agents, overworked cops, a law professor with deep insight into Cole’s enemies, and sleek political operatives all wait their turn to complicate the tale. For all the tangled threads, Clinton and Patterson turn in a taut yarn that’s satisfyingly stuffed with red herrings, a neatly engineered conspiracy, and more than a few dead bodies. One is tempted, of course, to read between the lines: The first gentleman is, after all, married to the first woman president, and there’s a vast right-wing effort to stymie her efforts to forge a “Grand Bargain” that, among other things, is going to “increase the legal immigration quota by a million people per year for a decade,” raise the corporate tax rate to an ironclad 15%, and “bring back Al Gore’s Reinventing Government initiative from the 1990s.” Suffice it to say that the primary audience for the book is not the MAGA crowd. Carefully constructed, entertaining escapism with a political edge, and just the thing for beach or airplane reading."

As an introduction to their interview with the authors the BBC offers this: "Their gripping new novel centres on US President Madeline Wright and husband, Cole Wright, a former professional American football star. He still carries the scars of his career and is looking for a purpose in the White House, as he fights to clear his name in a trial for the murder of a cheerleader more than 20 years ago. It's a classic police procedural-meets-courtroom drama, as journalists, detectives and political operatives all work to uncover the truth behind who killed the cheerleader and to exonerate the First Gentleman – or to destroy him – and his wife's political agenda. " 

 

Sheepdogs

I've read one other book by Elliot Ackerman, 2034: A Novel of the Next World War, a piece of speculative fiction co-written by Admiral Jim Stavridis about the third world war--and that was even before Russia started throwing its weight around. He is a veteran of several tours in Iraq as a Marine and of the CIA operations division. To paraphrase, there are three kinds of people in the world: sheep who do not recognize that evil exists, wolves who are evil and prey upon sheep, and sheepdogs who recognize the evil in the world and try to protect the sheep. This book took a while to engage me but did eventually. It is hard to describe the plot but Publishers Weekly does a decent job:

"International intrigue, classic heist tropes, and gonzo humor collide in this bruising page-turner from Ackerman (2054). Jay Manning, better known as "Skwerl," was a member of an elite CIA unit before one of his missions went FUBAR and he was fired. His old friend Aziz "Big Cheese" Iqbal is an Afghan pilot renowned for his ability to fly any kind of plane. Adrift without a war to fight, the two take to operating as mercenaries-for-hire. As the novel opens, Skwerl has persuaded Cheese to travel to Africa and "repossess" a luxury jet on behalf of an anonymous client. Things go south fast when they walk into an ambush, barely escaping in Cheese's plane to a hangar in rural Pennsylvania. They regroup and--with the help of a memorable supporting cast including Skwerl's dominatrix wife Sinead, an excommunicated Amish mechanic named Ephraim, and a former soldier nicknamed "Just Shane" who's gone off the grid in Colorado--try to determine who might have set them up. When Cheese's pregnant wife is kidnapped, things get more urgent. Ackerman, a former Marine, holds a funhouse mirror up to classic grizzled-soldier narratives while grounding the loopy proceedings with real stakes for his characters. The result is a riotous entertainment. " 

Other favorable reviews come from Library Journal which concludes its review with "Ackerman ...crafts a fast-paced spy-ish story that offers frisson and humor in equal doses. Fans of Carl Hiaasen will enjoy." Booklist offers "Gripping and stylishly conveyed, this thriller is also a fascinating portrayal of the interconnectedness of contemporary global conflicts."

The Summer Guests

I was so enthralled by The Spy Coast that I immediately checked out the 2nd book in the "Martini Club" series by Tess Gerritsen. It was equally engrossing--Publishers Weekly calls it a "lively sequel"-- to the point that I stayed up late to finish it. This is a story about a missing teenager, a body found in the bottom of the local lake, and a decades-old massacre that has scapegoated one of the resident families in Purity, Maine. As in the previous book, Maggie and her jolly band of ex-CIA spies are on the case and usually several steps ahead of the local police...but then they do have some special skills and special resources that even police chief Jo Thibodeau doesn't have. This story is absolutely loaded with red herrings and chapters told from various characters' points of view. None of this lessens the driving plot line, however. 

Following a brief prologue, we jump to present day when "the Conovers, a family of longtime summer residents, are arriving back in town. Fifteen-year-old Zoe goes swimming in Maiden Pond with a newfound friend and mysteriously disappears later that day. She is an excellent swimmer and diver, so drowning seems unlikely. Perhaps she has been abducted, perhaps worse. She is not 'the sort of girl you’d think would get into trouble'" (Kirkus). Kirkus goes on to describe Maggie and friends as "a delightful group of five retired government spooks who just love a good puzzle to keep their aging brains in shape. They are merry meddlers who keep trying to help Thibodeau..." and concludes their review with "A complex mix of fright and fun."

Publishers Weekly concludes their favorable review by saying, "As in the first book, Gerritsen paints Maggie and her crew with a fine brush, and strikes a satisfying tone...These sexagenarian spies are hitting their stride."  

Mr. Churchill in the White House: The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents

This chunk of Winston Churchill's life by Robert Schmuhl is painstakingly researched and reported. I have read 3 other books about Winston Churchill: Hero of the Empire, about his service as a soldier during the Boer War; The Splendid and the Vile, describing his personal and public life during his first term as Prime Minister during WWII, and Lady Clementine, which also describes his personal life during WWII alongside the lives of those closest to him. In many ways this book extends his biography to include Churchill's intensified interactions with President Roosevelt once the U.S. joined the war, as well as his strong relationship to President Eisenhower during Churchill's 2nd term as P.M. "With a new biography, Robert Schmuhl walks readers through Winston Churchill’s frequent stays at the White House – and the strong bonds those sojourns forged" Christian Science Monitor, July 31, 2024). For me at least, it did cement in my mind that this was a truly a great man who initially stood alone against the Nazi threat and who advocated relentlessly for peace and democracy. I had not realized he won a Nobel Prize for literature and just how extensively he studied and documented history of the western world.

Publishers Weekly notes that, in spite of the hundreds of books written about Churchill, Schmuhl takes a unique approach by focusing extensively on the character of the men involved and their relationships and closes by strongly recommending the book to "history buffs."  As one example cited by the Wall Street Journal's review reveals, "In an extraordinary gesture of trust, the American president [Roosevelt] left Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9, 1943, and handed the British prime minister his keys. 'Winston, please treat the White House as your home. Invite anyone you like to any meals, and do not hesitate to summon any of my advisers with whom you wish to confer.' Winston Churchill had been staying at the White House for more than a week and Franklin Roosevelt was departing for his country home in Hyde Park, N.Y. 'I availed myself fully of these generous facilities,' Churchill later wrote. Assembling the British and American chiefs of staff, he led a meeting on the invasion of Italy. One onlooker wondered whether 'there has ever existed between the war leaders of two allied nations, a relationship so intimate as that revealed by this episode.'" Moreover, Churchill is famously quoted as saying, "No lover ever studied every whim of his mistress as I did those of President Roosevelt" (letter to John Colville, May 2, 1948). Kirkus says, "An educational recollection of an era when geopolitics was based on respect, mutual understanding, and friendship....It adds up to a fresh approach to an important piece of history." 

The Spy Coast

This thriller from Tess Gerritsen kept me engaged the entire time. There is a small community of ex-CIA spies living in the small town of Purity on the coast of Maine. They wanted the quiet life in their retirement or at least they thought they did. But when a stranger accosts ex-spy Maggie Bird at her chicken farm, it appears that her past has finally caught up with her. The body of that same woman is dumped in Maggie's driveway the following day after having clearly being tortured. Maggie's friends, Declan and Ben are determined to hep Maggie figure out who is after her even though she would prefer they stay safely away from her search. Alternating chapters reveal the back story about why someone might be hunting her down. The ending is a surprise.

Publishers Weekly concludes their positive review by saying "The plot bustles along nicely, careening from Thailand to Italy and many points in between, but the real surprise is the richness of Gerritsen's supporting cast, a cantankerous bunch whose love for one another runs deep. Some details toward the end hint that a sequel may be in the works, and it'd be more than welcome. Maggie and her gray-haired tribe are more than capable of helming a long-running series." Similarly, Booklist recommends the book as "Compelling reading throughout, with astute characterizations, a fast-moving but understandable spy plot, and lashings of dark humor. Gerritsen fans and readers of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club mysteries will love this."

The Cold Dish

This is the first in the long-running "Longmire" series by author Craig Johnson; the series was made into a widely popular TV series. Reading the book highlights how some of the characters in the TV series have been miscast, e.g., Deputy Sheriff Victoria Moretti is a short dark-haired woman in the books but a tall blonde woman in the TV version. Four years prior to the story's point in time, four high school boys raped a mentally disabled Cheyenne girl and never were significantly punished. Somebody has decided that revenge is overdue and is killing the young men. Two are already dead and Sheriff Walt Longmire races to find and protect the remaining two. The characters are compelling, the setting evocatively present and the plot line is fast-paced. A satisfying read. 

Kirkus describes Deputy Moretti as "...a foul-mouthed but extremely capable Philadelphian" and Standing Bear (aka Henry), Walt's life-long friend and fellow Vietnam veteran as "Walt’s Virgil as the sheriff steps onto the local reservation." (See Appaloosa by Robert Parker for the reference to Virgil) they conclude their review, offering "The police work comes slow and the solution comes out of nowhere, but Johnson’s gorgeous Wyoming and agreeable characters make the trip very, very pleasant."

Never Name the Dead

This novel by D.M. Rowell is a deep dive into Kiowa Indian culture as well as a murder mystery. Mae Sawpole (aka Mud) is a successful marketing entrepreneur in Silicon Valley on the eve of a huge IPO for one of her clients. Yet she flies home to Oklahoma and the Kiowa reservation in response to a plea for help from her grandfather, James Sawpole,  She knows he would never ask unless it was very important and urgent. She is dragged unwillingly back into her heritage and culture when her grandfather fails to pick her up at the airport and is also missing from his home. What she finds instead is a dead body. This book is followed by a 2nd novel featuring Mae Sawpole called Silent Are the Dead, which Publishers Weekly concludes: "By the time the narrative arrives at its surprising, fair-play conclusion, readers will be convinced this series deserves a long run."

Library Journal concludes their review with this: "The mystery is secondary in this debut wrapped in Kiowa history, stories, and culture. This novel is slow-paced, but a perfect fit for a story keeper account." 

A Murder for Miss Hortense

This is the most frustrating book I have not finished. To be fair, I read 200 pages and still could not keep all the characters or the chronology of events straight. This book by Mel Pennant offered a look into the Jamaican diaspora in England and I was looking forward to that. But the dialogue was thick with word usage I didn't recognize and could not altogether figure out from the context. I have absolutely no idea what it means to "cuss your teeth" and she used the phrase dozens of times. Nevertheless, the reviews I found were uniformly positive.

Booklist says, "Pennant's debut is both a gripping mystery and an eye-opening portrait of life for the Jamaicans who immigrated to England as part of the Windrush generation, emphasizing the discrimination and mistreatment they suffered as well as their close community bonds...Pennant perfectly captures the Jamaican patois in this quirky, witty tale with an unconventional cast of characters, a dark edge, and a satisfying ending." Similarly, Library Journal offers this recommendation: "Infused with humor and heartbreak, playwright and screenwriter Pennant's delightful first novel is for readers who enjoy community-based mysteries led by amateur detectives of an older generation..." 

Publishers Weekly offers this summary and positive review: "British playwright Pennant debuts with a lively cozy centered on the indomitable Miss Hortense, a Jamaican nurse who’s been living in Birmingham’s Bigglesweigh neighborhood since 1960. In the decades since Miss Hortense emigrated from Jamaica, she and her friends and neighbors have started an unofficial investigative service to look into local crimes. One case that has remained unsolved is that of “the Brute,” a man who, in 1970, brutally attacked a series of women in Bigglesweigh and left them for dead. Now, in 2000, Miss Hortense’s nemesis, Constance Brown, has turned up dead. Authorities believe she died of a heart attack, but Hortense fears murder. Then the body of a mysterious stranger is placed inside Constance’s house with a Bible verse taped to it, and Miss Hortense becomes convinced that the Beast has returned. Pennant populates Bigglesweigh with colorful, well-drawn characters and strikes an appealing tone halfway between sweet and melancholy. It’s a promising start." 

Kirkus also gushes: "Pennant’s debut mystery is written with a playwright’s deft pen; the scenes are neat, the action direct. What stands out most is the care with which characters are written, in how they move, dress, and—most notably—speak. As a bonus, traditional recipes are peppered throughout with great effect. Surrounded by the smells of turmeric and cinnamon, Hortense does her best thinking while in the kitchen.A memorable cozy with lots of depth." 

Marble Hall Murders

Anthony Horowitz has returned with protagonist Susan Ryeland, book editor, who has just separated from her Greek boyfriend and the hotel on Crete that they ran together. She wants to re-establish herself in the publishing community so reluctantly agrees to take on a project she would just as soon avoid--a continuation of the Atticus Pünd series that she formerly edited for her previous employer. She knows the author, Eliot Crace, who is the grandson of a deceased children's books author. He has been a troubled youth and his marriage hasn't seemed to be the stabilizing force that many had hoped for. It quickly becomes apparent that the book he is now writing is intended to stand in for what he believes was actually the murder of his grandmother. He has captured the series' author's knack for inserting anagrams, tricks and clues in the text of the book and Susan fears he will put himself in danger by pursuing this. "Desperately, Susan tries to prevent Eliot from putting himself in harm's way--but his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic. Another murder follows . . . and suddenly Susan finds herself to be the number one suspect. Once again, the real and the fictional worlds have become dangerously entangled. And if Susan doesn't solve the mystery of Pünd's Last Case, she could well be its next victim"--" (Library Journal). 

Publishers Weekly open with this praise: "Horowitz dazzles with the brilliant third entry in his Susan Ryeland series..."  (see also Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders), and closes with this: "Horowitz throws down a gauntlet for the reader: will finding the killer in Eliot’s novel, which takes up a solid chunk of this book’s page count, translate to a conviction in the frame story? Horowitz is at the top of his game here, linking past and present in a virtuoso finale worthy of Agatha Christie. Fans will clamor for the sequel." Kirkus also recommends the books suggesting the challenges that readers will find within: "Sharpen your mental pencils. Editor Susan Ryeland is taking on her most baffling mystery-within-a-mystery....Susan’s third metafictional whodunit is Horowitz’s most extended and intricately plotted yet—at least until next year." 

Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Getting Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered

You can tell from the title that 90-something Judith Viorst is not going to take aging altogether seriously, but she does delve into very serious topics and reports what she finds from interviewing dozens of he oldster cohort. Her chapter deal with leaving one's home for a "sensible safe retirement community," with the fact that we are all "losing it," our ardent wishes for a loved someone to "stop being dead," questions about an afterlife, thoughts on happiness and loneliness and the importance of community. A short and easy read that is still thought provoking and definitely worth your time.  

The Huntress

Another historical novel from Kate Quinn. Although the woman in question is the titular killer during WWII, she is not the narrator of any of the three braided stories. We have Jordan, a teen and aspiring photographer who lives with her widowed father. She has suspicions about her father's new love interest Anneliese but she falls in love with the woman's 4-year-old daughter Ruth and her father is so happy again that she keeps her worries to herself. The we have Englishman Ian Graham, a former war correspondent who has seen the worst that humans can do. He now spends his time hunting down Nazi war criminals even though the public taste for punishment has waned. He has a special focus on the Huntress because she killed his younger brother. Finally we have Nina, raised in the wilds of northeastern Russia by a father who drank himself unconscious on a regular basis and, at one point, tried to drown Nina in Lake Baikal. Nina leaves at the earliest possible moment, learns to fly and becomes a member of the Russian women's bomber squadron known at the Night Witches. She was witness to Ian's brother's murder and is the only one who can identify the Huntress. She is technically married to Ian in order to have British citizenship.  Booklist says that the secondary characters: "... from Nina's anti-Stalinist father to Jordan's pilot boyfriend, feel three-dimensional, and the coldhearted Huntress is a complex villain."

Publishers Weekly describes this as an "exciting" and "suspenseful' thriller, although I agree with them that the book was "longer than it needs to be." I would much rather the author had chosen to focus on a single strand or maybe two, and the shifting perspectives--although clearly labeled in the chapter headings--were disruptive. Still, as Library Journal concludes, "A great choice for historical fiction fans, particularly of World War II-set novels, mystery readers, or anyone seeking well-crafted stories in which good triumphs over evil." Kirkus notes "That Jordan’s suspicions are so easily allayed strains credulity, especially since the reader is almost immediately aware that Anneliese is the Huntress in disguise. The suspense lies in how long it’s going to take Ian and company to track her down and what the impact will be on Jordan and Ruth when they do. Well-researched and vivid segments are interspersed detailing Nina’s backstory as one of Russia’s sizable force of female combat pilots ..., establishing her as a fierce yet vulnerable antecedent to Lisbeth Salander. Quinn’s language is evocative of the period, and her characters are good literary company.

Dead Money

What a twisty techno thriller from Jakob Kerr. Even the title contributes to the subtrefuge. There are deceptions within deceptions. Publishers Weekly offers this summary and review:

"Kerr puts his background as a lawyer and tech executive to good use in his impressively unpredictable debut. Mackenzie Clyde, an attorney from humble beginnings, now works as an investigator for Hammersmith, one of San Francisco's hottest venture capital firms. When Trevor Canon, head of tech startup Journy, is discovered dead in his office and the SFPD fail to make headway on the case, the founder of Hammersmith--whose firm made a $5 billion investment in Journy--uses his influence to bring in the FBI. Mackenzie joins FBI agent Jameson Danner, the son of a U.S. senator, in leading the investigation, and the pair soon discovers that, before Trevor's death, he inserted a clause into his will freezing his assets (including Hammersmith's investment) until his murderer is caught. It gradually becomes clear that only a Journy executive would have had the access necessary to kill Trevor, but each one has an airtight alibi--except for the chief technology officer, who's just disappeared. After setting the stage for a standard, albeit glitzy, murder mystery, Kerr takes the narrative on a series of hairpin turns before arriving at a jaw-dropping finale. "

Booklist says of Kerr's character development of the female protagonist, "flashbacks take the reader through Mackenzie's past. She is a confident rebel, and these vignettes show just how far she'll go to get what she wants. Kerr's writing in the main story is fast paced and straightforward; it's in the flashbacks where the story shines, giving the reader insight into Mackenzie's character." Kirkus opens their review by saying, "Tech insider Kerr’s twisty, propulsive debut explores Silicon Valley’s dark side through the eyes of a wily outsider heroine." They go on to conclude, "This surprising nesting doll of a thriller, in which no one is who they appear to be, layers one story inside another within another...Kerr has created one of the most memorable female thriller protagonists in recent years. Striking not only because of her unusually tall height, the independent Mackenzie is determined to control her destiny in a male-dominated industry. A sharply observed portrait of the tech world and the role ambitious women play in it."

The Diamond Eye

 Another great historical novel from Kate Quinn featuring a strong female protagonist. Here is the summary and review from Publishers Weekly:

"Quinn ... draws on a historical female sharpshooter from WWII in her exciting latest. In 1937, Mila Pavlichenko studies history at Kiev University and raises her five-year-old son, Slavka. She's estranged from her husband, Alexei, a surgeon whom she met when she was 15. When the Germans invade Russia, Mila, who's already trained at a marksmanship school, enlists in the army, is assigned sniper duty, and earns the nickname "Lady Death" for her high number of kills. In battle, Mila is steadfast about completing her missions with her partner, Kostia, and also finds time to write letters to Slavka. In 1942, Soviet leaders send Mila with a delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Roosevelt in a bid to seek American support... Mila unexpectedly develops a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, but faces a threat from a misogynistic male marksman who sends her threatening notes. Quinn humanizes Mila by showing how she and Kostia use humor--along with a healthy amount of vodka--to cope with their risk-taking, and she convinces with her description of Eleanor's political savvy and influence on the president. Historical fiction fans will be riveted. " 

Library Journal also praises with these additional observations: "There's so much packed into this book, from subtle, complex characters who grow and change throughout to lessons about this the real history behind the book. The relationships build an emotionally engaging foundation as tension builds on battlefields and danger tracks Mila in Washington. Quinn (The Rose Code) specializes in centering strong women; each of her books exceeds expectations set by the previous title." Booklist calls the book "thrilling" and concludes, "Recommend it to... all lovers of smart historical fiction....[Quinn's] inspiration for the hero of this powerful WWII tale, a librarian-turned-military-sniper, will appeal to an even greater audience."

Assassins Anonymous

This book with a somewhat preposterous premise by Rob Hart, is nevertheless filled with the kinds of struggles faced by those in any 12-step addiction recovery program. The book jacket gives an accurate flavor of the storyline. "Mark was the most dangerous killer-for-hire in the world. But after learning the hard way that his life's work made him more monster than man, he left all of that behind, and joined a twelve-step group for reformed killers. When Mark is viciously attacked by an unknown assailant, he is forced on the run. From New York to Singapore to London, he chases after clues while dodging attacks and trying to solve the puzzle of who's after him. All without killing anyone. Or getting killed himself. For an assassin, Mark learns, nonviolence is a real hassle." 

Publishers Weekly opens their review with this, "A legendary assassin joins a support group of murderers hoping to cure themselves of their addiction to violence in Hart's nail-biting latest..." and concludes, "Mark's continued efforts to stay "clean" from violence provide welcome humor to the otherwise breakneck proceedings. Strong characters and rattling suspense lift things further above par." Kirkus generally concurs, saying "Despite Mark’s insistence that 'being an assassin is nothing like John Wick,'  Hart’s latest wears its myriad cinematic influences on its sleeve. Escalating stakes and precisely choreographed action sequences keep the pages turning, but a slew of increasingly gonzo twists skew the tone toward camp—a vibe underscored by Mark’s droll yet angsty first-person-present narration. Though Hart often mistakes quirk for character development, the scenes Mark shares with his fellow recovering murder addicts impart some nice emotional resonance, helping to ground the tale and lend it heft. Bombastic whiz-bang fun."

The Frozen River

This historical mystery by Ariel Lawhon is based on the real life midwife, Martha Ballard, who in the late 1700's delivered over 1,000 babies and never lost a mother. When the rape of a friend and a murder occur in her small town, Martha is determined to seek justice. Here is the plot summary and review from Booklist: 

"Spanning the winter of 1789--90 in Hallowell, Maine, from the freezing of the Kennebec River to its late thaw, Lawhon's outstanding sixth novel is based on the actual life of frontier midwife Martha Ballard, who recorded daily diary entries about her household and career. Called to examine the body of Joshua Burgess after it was retrieved from icy waters, Martha recognizes the telltale signs of hanging. Burgess and another man, a local judge, had been accused of raping a young pastor's wife four months earlier, and Martha believes her account unquestioningly. She also guesses the two crimes are connected. A sage, strong presence at 54, Martha is an extraordinary character. Devoted to her patients and her six surviving children, mostly young adults with complicated love lives, she battles subjugation by a Harvard-educated doctor who dares to think her incapable. Although this isn't a traditional detective story, Martha's narrative will capture historical mystery fans' attention with its dramatic courtroom scenes and emphasis on justice, particularly for women. Flashbacks to Martha's past add context and generate additional suspense. Martha's enduring romance with her supportive husband, Ephraim, is beautifully evoked, and details about the lives of the townspeople make the post-American Revolutionary atmosphere feel fully lived-in. Lawhon's first-rate tale should entrance readers passionate about early America and women's history." 

Publishers Weekly concurs, concluding, "Lawhon combines modern prose with the immediacy of her source material, making for an accessible and textured narrative. This accomplished historical powerfully speaks to centuries-old inequities that remain in the present day." Highly recommended.

Pro Bono

Thomas Perry is the author of almost 2 dozen books. Kirkus calls this a "lumpy but irrisistible thriller" and summarizes the plot as follows:

"Three years after George Ellis left a party he was hosting and never returned, his wife, Vesper, notices that some of his investment accounts have been shrinking instead of growing. Suspecting fraud, she consults Charles Warren, who’s been recommended by a mutual friend. Charlie turns out to be an excellent choice for several reasons. He’s both an attorney and accountant, so he’s good with numbers. He’s hard to bully, as any number of bankers and potential assailants learn to their cost. And he has both sympathy for the victims of fraud and extensive criminal experience, which began long ago when he raced after his fleeing stepfather, Mack Stone—who’d plundered the accounts of Charlie’s mother—running him off the road into a fatal crash that’s never been tied to Charlie except by Andy Minkeagan and Alvin Copes, two convicts who turned up at the scene of Mack’s accident ahead of the police, ran off with his financial papers, and are still bent on finding a way to cash in on their discovery. In fact, Charlie and Vesper are surrounded by so many lowlifes in pinstripes that it’s a good thing they have each other. As the story goes on, though, the obstacles to Charlie’s legal victories seem to fall away, and readers familiar with Perry’s knack for steering his tales in new directions they never saw coming may wonder what will happen during those last hundred pages. A series of completely new threats against a completely different person, that’s what. A model of suspense, though not of construction."

The Wall Street Journal praises this latest work: "Few crime-fiction authors are as skilled as Thomas Perry at keeping readers off balance and in suspense. Mr. Perry’s “Pro Bono,” a cutthroat caper of embezzlement and revenge, repeatedly shifts direction as its unpredictable plot unfolds."