The Jericho Deception
by Jeffrey Small
Jeffrey's Small's Latest Book (3/13/2013)
I wanted to read this book, even though I do not normally read thrillers, because one of its themes relates to the common ground of all religions. I did enjoy that aspect of the book, and would have liked more. I also would have liked more development of the characters. I think this book would appeal to readers of thrillers like the Dan Brown books. Although it did not have the depth I would have liked, nevertheless I quickly read to the end, and I plan to read Small's prize-winning book, The Breath of God.
Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster
Mystery in the Yorkshire Moors (5/9/2012)
I was hooked immediately by the story, the setting and the characters in Beneath the Shadows, and I finished it two days later. This is the author's debut novel, and I think for a first book it is very good. However, I would have liked some "fleshing out" of the characters and the setting, and I imagine that will come as the author writes more books. For instance, when they found the old Christmas ornaments in the basement I expected to read about those old ornaments and more about decorating the tree and Millie's reaction. But overall the book kept me reading to find out just what happened to Adam. I recommend it to readers who like English settings and mysteries that keep you guessing until the end.
A Lonely Death: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery
by Charles Todd
Another Great English Mystery (11/6/2010)
The mother and son writing team, Charles Todd, have produced another great mystery in their Ian Rutledge series. Lonely Death is the 13th book which features a young Scotland Yard Inspector, recently returned from the Great War, shell-shocked with mental war wounds which are always present. Set in 1920 the series is an atmospheric depiction of the post-war era in England. Never far from his war memories, Inspector Rutledge uses his intellect and his experience from the war to investigate step-by-step until he solves his cases. He's a character you will respect, enjoy and root for. This book stands alone if you have not read the series, but once you read it, you will probably want to read the first book in the series, A Test of Wills.
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
by Peter Robinson
A great addition to this series (7/17/2010)
Bad Boy is Peter Robinson's 19th book in his series about Yorkshire's Inspector Banks. Fans of this series will not be disappointed in Bad Boy, which begins with Banks vacationing in Arizona and California, trying to put his life -- his job and his relationships--in better perspective. When he returns, jet-lagged, he is immediately thrown into a case involving his former partner and sometime lover, Annie Cabot, who has been shot and is in critical condition. To complicate matters more, he learns his daughter is somehow involved and is missing. Banks jumps in to find the man who shot Annie and to bring his daughter safely home. I've read most of the books in this series and enjoyed meeting the characters once again. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy British police procedurals...this series is one of the best. I think the book also works well as a stand-alone, but the reader would miss the rich background that has been established in the earlier books.