"The Risk Agent"

"The Risk Agent" is the first in a new series by Ridley Pearson starring John Knox and Grace Chu.  The second book in the series, "Choke Point," came out this year and the third book in the series has been sent to the publisher according to Pearson's web site at ridleypearson.com.

The first time I read Pearson's books was when I discovered his books starring Sheriff Walt Fleming (the Sun Valley series) which I thoroughly enjoyed and I just discovered I've missed the last one in that series,  "In Harm's Way," so it looks like I have some reading to catch up on.

Back to "The Risk Agent" - This is a big book - 428 pages - which I found a little daunting at first but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down.  John Knox has been hired by Rutherford Risk, an international security contractor, that specializes in the negotiation and recovery of kidnapped hostages -- mostly those who work for U.S. companies operating overseas -- to locate and recover two kidnapped victims in China.  Rutherford cannot operate in China and Knox, as the owner of a private importing business, often makes trips to China on business.  When an employee of Rutherford and friend of Knox approaches him, he knows all about the need Knox has to earn enough money to take care of his ailing brother.  Another tool to overcome any reluctance Knox might have to take on this job is to inform him that one of the victims is the man who will be his brother's guardian if anything should happen to Knox.  As an American, Knox' friend is likely to be killed by the kidnappers leaving behind a wife inTexas in the late stages of pregnancy.

Relutctantly Knox takes on the job and is paired with Grace Chu, a forensic accountant put in place to work for the American-owned construction company who has had one of its employees kidnapped along with the American.  For Grace it is also personal because the kidnapped employee is a relative of hers.

Both Knox and Chu have been highly trained in the past - Knox has received some military training (as a civilian) that gives him super survival skills and he also has a knowledge of Shanghai and its language.  Chu was trained in America but also served in the Chinese military so she, too, brings some special skills to the job.  Together they begin following threads that lead them to the kidnappers but also put them in danger from someone (possibly someone high up in the Chinese government) who wants to stop their investigation permanently.  This book is full of twists and turns -- surprises around almost every corner.  If you like adult suspense, don't miss this one!  pazt

"Highland Fling"

"Highland Fling" is the first book written by Nancy Mitford, oldest sister of Deborah Mitford (who later became the Duchess of Devonshire).  After reading Deborah's memoirs, "Wait For Me," I thought it might be fun to read her oldest sister's books.  To learn more about Nancy go to www.nancymitford.com.

The introduction to the Vintage Books version of "Highland Fling" is written by Julian Fellowes who created the popular "Downton Abbey" English TV series among other accomplishments.  He describes Nancy as a "beauty and a wit" and one of the darlings of the 20's.

I found the book to be entertaining but I suspect there were a lot of innuendos/humor I didn't get because I wasn't familiar with the players or the times.  I believe Nancy liked to base her characters on people she knew so the book might have had more interest for me if I knew some of the background.  Some of the character's antics were downright silly -- probably the idle wealthy with too much time on their hands.  However, I still found it lighthearted fun and really enjoyed the part where Sally (who has known for some time that she is pregnant with her first child) begins talking with her husband about probably she should either visit and/or let her mother know about the pregnancy before she hears about it from someone else and is peeved!  I will probably try to locate the next Nancy Mitford book that is available through Vintage Books even though I don't expect to find any memorable lines that bear repeating over and over as in Jane Austen's works.  pazt 

"Heat Lightning"

"Heat Lightning" is another riveting book by John Sandford in his Virgil Flowers series.  I seem to have detected a pattern in Sandford's books - we know from the beginning of the book who the villain is because we hear what he or she is thinking and planning but we don't yet know their names.  As Flowers works to uncover who is behind a crime, we learn more about who is doing it as we follow the sleuthing techniques of Flowers.  However, that is where the similarity seems to end.  So far I have found each book to be a unique story plot and they are always complex in their telling and in their unraveling. 

In "Heat Lightning" Virgil Flowers is brought in again by his boss (Lucas Davenport) to find out who is killing older men and dumping their bodies at war memorials with lemons stuffed in their mouths.  As Flowers investigates, he begins to look for the connection that these men have to one another.  Since they do/did know one another, why have they been selected to be murdered -- and in some cases tortured -- and can he stop the killings before more victims are discovered?  As he races against time to stop the killings and prevent more deaths, he also is trying to figure out a motive and who might be behind the scenes orchestrating everything.  Flowers may be young but he is brilliant -- no wonder Davenport depends on him for his toughest cases.  It's a very complex tale thus also a very satisfying read!  pazt

"Weeping On Wednesday"

Ann Purser's "Weeping On Wednesday" is her third book in the Lois Meade mystery series.  Lois is looking for new staff for her cleaning business, New Brooms, and against the advice of some of her friends and family, she takes on Enid Abraham.  Enid lives in Cathanger Mill, a creepy old mill no longer being used that is just outside the village of Long Farnden.  Enid's mother is a recluse keeping to her room leaving Enid to cook and clean for the family which also consists of her father and twin brother.  Although Lois doesn't like to listen to rumors, she has not heard good things about Enid's brother, Edward, and Enid's unwillingness to have anyone come to her home also concerns Lois.  However, Enid turns out to be a good worker and an asset to Lois' youngest son who wants to learn to play the piano since it turns out Enid can give him lessons.

All is moving along until Edward goes missing and Detective Inspector Hunter Cowgill once again turns to Lois for help.  However, Derek (Lois husband) has asked her not to do any more sleuthing so she ends up sneaking around to meet Cowgill and risks her marriage in the process.

When Edward takes Enid away against her will, Lois cannot help being involved because now Enid is an employee and has become family to her.  Will she be able to find her safely without putting her own family at risk again? 

This was another quick read -- started it one night and finished it the next afternoon.  It's light fare but fun!   pazt

"Rules of Prey"

After reading John Sandford's first Virgil Flowers book in that series and discovering there was another series featuring Virgil's boss, Lucas Davenport, I decided it was also time to look at that series since I really do like Sandford's writing.  In "Rules of Prey" (which is the first book in the Davenport series) Lucas is pitted against a serial killer who is as smart as he is.  Lucas, in addition to being a cop, also develops games (or is a gamer) and he is successful enough that he can live well above the average cop's salary.  When he comes up against a serial killer who is playing his own game, Davenport's boss thinks Lucas is the one to ferret out this killer.  They're both ruthless in their game playing and Lucas might be just the man to take this killer down.

In the midst of the hunt to find the serial killer Lucas is still admiring women and finding himself attracted to more than one.  That may soon change, though, when Lucas learns he's going to be a father.  How will that change his life?  I look forward to reading the next book in the series and discovering that!  pazt