"Blood Never Dies"

"Blood Never Dies" was published in 2012 and is the latest book in Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Detective Inspector Bill Slider Mystery series.  I've read every book in the series and am so disappointed there is not another one out ready for me to read!  If you want to know more about this author and other series that she's written, check out www.cynthiaharrodeagles.com.  I was pleased to discover when I visited her site that all of the Bill Slider mystery series is now available on ebooks.  (Perhaps you may have guessed that I received an e-reader for Christmas.) 

I took a little vacation earlier this month and wanted to read a book daily but my body decided I needed rest as I kept falling asleep while reading --- and I never fall asleep normally while reading mysteries.  I did manage to finish "Blood Never Dies" and it's a mystery within a mystery.  The first victim (an apprarent suicide) is himself a mystery.  First, it wasn't suicide then discovering who the victim is takes Slider and his team down a path discovering identity after identity -- Will they ever discover who this victim was?  As they question those who knew him (under pseudonyms) some of them end up as victims, too -- of apparent suicides which turn out not to be suicides?  Someone doesn't want something discovered but who and what?  It is another very satisfying read from Harrod-Eagles!  pazt

"The Christmas Cookie Killer"

"The Christmas Cookie Killer" by Livia J. Washburn seemed like a fitting book to read over the holidays.  It also includes some yummy looking/sounding recipes at the end although I haven't had time to try any -- yet!

Once again in this "Fresh Baked Mystery" we find ourselves in Weatherford, Texas, home of Phyllis Newsom and it's Christmas and the day of Phyllis' annual holiday exchange.  Unfortunately, all does not go well when Phyllis delivers cookies to a shut in neighbor and discovers the woman murdered.  While trying to determine if she can help the woman, Phyllis is knocked out and ends up in the hospital.

While there are a number of possible suspects in the murder -- including some family members of the dead woman, Phyllis isn't convinced the police investigation is heading the right direction so she (as usual) begins to do a little sleuthing on her own against the wishes of her son who works for the sheriff's department.  Although Phyllis doesn't have the support of Sam either (one of her lodgers),  he does accompany her when she requests his help.  Not only is there a satisfactory but surprising conclusion to the murder investigation but Phyllis and Sam (both widowed) appear to be heading for romance.  If you're looking for a light read and tempting recipes, this is the book for you if you can put up with a little moralizing along the way.  pazt

"Free Fall"

Really!  I should learn !!!  "Free Fall" is a continuation of the Elvis Cole detective series by Robert Crais.  I started it over the holidays for bedtime reading and, as usual with the Cole series, I couldn't put it down until I finished it.  Did I have things I needed to be doing instead of reading? Of course! Will I learn to wait to start the next one until I have nothing else on my "to do" list?  Probably not... so let's hope the next book in the series, "Voodoo River," arrives before I start my vacation.

"Free Fall" finds Cole with a client, Jennifer Sheridan, who can only afford his fees on a payment plan -- at $40 per month.  She's worried that her fiance, Mark Thurman, is in some kind of trouble and wants Cole to quietly investigate.  When Cole suggests she might do better by contacting the police, she tells him she can't call the police because her fiance is an LA cop in a special plainclothes unit.  Unable to resist a damsel in distress, Cole reluctantly takes on the case and finds himself and his partner, Joe Pike, with a client and themselves immediately in danger.  What have they gotten themselves into that involves putting their lives at risk not only from the police but from the South Central gangs?  No wonder I couldn't put it down!  It's nonstop action from beginning to end.  pazt

(For more about author Robert Crais, visit his website:  www.robertcrais.com)
 

"Pie In The Sky" Series 2

My spouse and I just finished watching Series 2 of "Pie in The Sky," the British detective series starring Richard Griffiths as semi-retired policeman, Henry Crabbe, and I've already requested Series 3.  I think this must be our favorite British mystery series.  There's always a mystery to be solved but rarely a murder.  There were several intriguing episodes in this series but I would have to say my absolute favorite involved Henry's relationship with an elderly woman who has written some of his favorite books about cooking.  She needs his assistance dealing with a nephew and the nephew's wife who have put her in a retirement home.  However, she won't stay put -- running off to visit a long time male friend or Crabbe.  All is not what it appears, though, as often seems to be the case when Crabbe is involved.  It's truly a creative solution to an age-old issue - don't miss it or the others in this series if you're a fan of British mysteries.  pazt