The most important thing for me when reading a book is being able to get attached to the characters. When I saw the subject of the book, I had my doubts. A suburban madam? But Laura Lippman never fails to draw you in to her characters and empathize with them. I found myself unable to put the book down, and that is what I love in a mystery. I might not have liked all the qualities that the heroine possessed, but I definitely could relate to her as a mom wanting to protect her son, as a daughter wanting more from her mom, and as someone searching to make a better life for herself. Don't pass this book up!

When I received my copy of An Unmarked Grave I was very excited. I had wanted to read both series by Charles Todd, (actually a mother and son team) known for their Ian Rutledge series and then for this series about Bess Crawford, a WWI nurse. The setting is during the Spanish Influenza, a most devastating time in history. Bess is working right in the trenches in England and France, saving lives and overwhelmed with soldiers who have been wounded or have contracted the deadly disease. In the midst of this is a mystery and I believe that while many will enjoy it, I found that I just could not get attached to Bess Crawford, the main character. It may be because I have not read the 3 mysteries that precede this book. It left me rather cold and disappointed. I felt this same way about the Maise Dobbs series, so probably if you are a fan of those you will like this book. I was glad when I finished it and could move on to something else.

I knew within 5 or 6 pages that I was going to love this book. If I had the time, I would have read it non-stop. For those who loved The Help, the subject matter is similar, race relations and the relationships that were formed between the characters. It differs in that this story is told by a 13 year old girl, the time is the early 1950's in the south. The family is dysfunctional at best, but the author manages to make us fall in love with some of the characters and abhor others. It is a statement about the times, about being strong enough to act on what you believe in, and in the end, just a well written book that I hated to see end.

Laura Lippmann continues to write amazing stand alone books, in addition to her Tess Monaghan series. Her latest book, The Most Dangerous Thing, had me hooked in the first chapter. Her characters are so alive, they jump off the page. In this book she goes back in forth in time, dealing with adolescents and their secrets and their parents, with secrets of their own. In order to like a book I need to like the characters and I loved each one. The book is part mystery, part coming of age, and just one darn good novel. I would recommend it very highly.

I want to start out by saying that I am a huge Laura Lippman fan, having read many of her stand alone novels. This novella, a small book that first appeared in serial form in the New York Times magazine, is part of her popular Tess Monaghan series. I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of that series and maybe that is why I found the book to be just "ok". Put on bed rest for the last 2 months of her pregnancy, Tess has only a window to look out of, and sees a girl in a green raincoat walking her greyhound everyday. One day the dog appears, but the woman no longer is with him, and Tess's curious nature is on alert and ready to solve the mystery. The author did have a great twist in it, but I found myself unable to care much about the characters and that is a must for me. For those of you who are die hard Tess Monaghan fans, you may see it differently. For me, it was a disappointment.

I have to admit that I ordered Peter Robinson's book, "Bad Boy" because my mom is a fan and I knew I could send it on to her. I have to tell you that within a few pages I was totally hooked on the book and am just sorry that I am starting with the latest Inspector Alan Banks book first. I have read many detective stories and what I loved about this book was that the characters came to mean something to me. I cared what happened to them. I rarely find that in a book that is also a nail-biter, one that you really don't want to put down. So now I am off to start reading the 19 other books by the award winning author. If you like British detective novels that will absolutely keep your attention, this book is for you.

Heavenly Pleasures is a chocolate shop in a quaint little town in Australia, and Kerry Greenwood has created a delightful cast of characters in this second installment of the Corinna Chapman series. Corinna has left the world of accounting and has opened her own breadshop. Besides her love of baking, she also loves being a detective when a mystery pops up, especially when it involves her quirky friends, and her lover Daniel.

I found this book to be a delight and couldn't put it down. It is lighthearted (no blood and gore), funny, and down to earth, all at the same time.There should be a warning on the book -- you will absolutely want a fresh slice of bread or a chocolate truffle while you are reading. I opted for the latter and was even more surprised to find some recipes at the end of the book. I think this book will appeal to mystery lovers who like character development and a little lightheartedness, rather than those who want blood and gore. It left me wanting more and I'm off to get the first installment of this series.