Monday, February 27, 2017

"Illegal Action"

With "Illegal Action" Stella Rimington has drawn on her experience as head of MI5 to write another thriller starring Liz Carlyle.

Liz has been transferred to counter-espionage and her former boss, Charles Wetherby,  is on extended leave as his wife fights a terminal illness.  Although Liz is not happy about this assignment and having to navigate new staff, she was able to bring Peggy Kinsolving with her.  As Peggy was invaluable on her last assignment, she is pleased.

When it is thought that Russia is planning a hit on one of their own citizens now living in Great Britain, Liz ends up going undercover spending a lot of time in his household although she's not really certain there is any danger.  However, when her life is threatened, she begins to take the threats more seriously.  Eventually the path leads her and the Russian to Ireland and a surprising conclusion.  pazt


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

"Foul Play At Four"

I've been on vacation for the last week enjoying the state of my birth, Kansas.  I found time to read a couple of books flying in and out of the state and this was the first one--another Lois Meade mystery by Ann Purser, "Foul Play At Four."

One thing I like about Purser's series is the continuation of characters from book to book.  Magistrate Mrs.Tollervey-Jones is a key character in this particular novel and she is having to make some difficult choices.  She has money problems and can no longer keep up with the costs of running a large estate and her bank has told her in no uncertain terms that she must make some changes.  Her only son lives in the city and neither he nor his family are interested in living in the country.  What is Mrs.Tollervey-Jones to do?

Although Lois sends extra cleaners and her husband along to help Mrs. Tollervey-Jones as she makes a transition, her mind is focused on solving a string of robberies that have been occurring in the area.  When they affect her daughter while working in her shop, it becomes a priority for Lois.  Of course, her husband wants her to stay out of it even though he is also affected personally by the thieves.

However, as always, Lois has a mind of her own and again seeks the assistance of one of her cleaning crew to help her solve the case but not before a murder occurs.  I love Purser's series -- light sleuthing at its best.  pazt

Friday, February 10, 2017

"First Grave On The Right"

"First Grave On The Right" is a first novel by Darynda Jones and it  stars Charley Davidson.  I picked it up from a "Best Picks" shelf at my local library because the reviews appeared favorable.  Although it is a fun read, I didn't find it as hilarious as some of the reviews suggested.  However, that hasn't kept me from wanting to read the second book in the series, "Second Grave On the Left," which I'll be looking for next.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator with an advantage - She can see and talk to the recently dead and help them move into the light.  First, though, they may help her and her policeman uncle solve their deaths so she spends a lot of time bringing bad guys to justice.

As if solving crimes weren't enough, she's also haunted by the son of Satan but the haunting takes the form of sexual encounters that leave her breathless.  Is he a good guy or a bad guy -- you'll have to read this book to find out what she discovers about him.  pazt

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

"Sea Change"

"Sea Change" is the next Robert B. Parker novel I've read in the Jesse Stone series.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I like to read them in order.  After watching a few of the Jesse Stone made for TV movies starringTom Selleck, I see and hear him as Jesse Stone when I'm reading the novels -- not an unpleasant experience!

When the body of a divorced Florida heiress washes ashore in Paradise at the beginning of the annual race week, Jesse Stone and his department have their hands full -- not only dealing with the influx of tourists but also the fact that this body didn't just fall of a boat but was murdered on a boat and tossed into the sea.

When a compromising videotape of the woman having sex with two men shows up, there is an endless list of possible suspects.  However, as Stone and a policewoman in Florida discover, our victim and her family have some secrets.  If you're a fan of Jesse Stone, don't miss this novel with a big surprise at the end -- a murderer who wasn't on the suspect list!  pazt