What Lies in Shadow
Tina Wainscott
St Martin's
Feb
ISBN 0312941641
Romantic Suspense
*****
For weeks, Jonna has been living a dual life, in reality being a "desperate housewife" in a fizzling marriage, and in the virtual world, venting her frustrations and fantasies in a blog as the mysterious, adventress, Montene. When she finally decided to cheat, she chooses a man who has commented on her blog and the nightmares begin. Before Jonna can follow through with her worst inclinations, she finds herself falling in love with her husband who has turned into a kinder, more open man and on the other side of the coin, becoming terrified of her would be lover, Dom. Determined to have her, he sets out on a course that threatens to wreck the marriage she now cherishes and possibly worse. As the situation grows darker and more twisted, Jonna discovers that she does not know who to trust and with no one to turn to.
If you love a challenging, complex thriller, then this is exactly what you need to buy. Ms. Wainscott builds the tension perfectly. As various characters reveal their true faces, even things you might half suspect become shocking. Ever since she began writing fun, sweet paranormals, I've considered every word of hers a keeper. This book only cements that opinion.
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
No Mystery why this is a winner- Oblivious
Oblivious
Cyndia Dupre
Mundania
March
ISBN 978-1-59426-723-9
Mystery
****1/2
When Tucker Monroe needs an alibi after a woman he spent a slight amount of time with is killed, Olivia Chatham is his salvation, but the slightly daffy seeming, much married young woman is not content to just do that for him. Convinced not only of his innocence, but that Tucker is nursing a broken heart that seeing justice for the woman he loved done can help heal, Olivia sets out to solve the case, with Tucker and her sister in reluctant tow. As he works with her, Tucker realizes she might be different, but it's a good different, and she's far brighter than she lets on. Despite his anti-marriage stance, Olivia gets to him. However, as the case unravels, things get dangerous and the future turns iffy.
This is a laugh out loud masterpiece. Whilly clean, it intrigues you and keeps you smiling from beginning to end. Olivia is utterly charming and I hope this is only her first outing as a sleuth. I love this book and it goes on my virtual keeper shelf.
Cyndia Dupre
Mundania
March
ISBN 978-1-59426-723-9
Mystery
****1/2
When Tucker Monroe needs an alibi after a woman he spent a slight amount of time with is killed, Olivia Chatham is his salvation, but the slightly daffy seeming, much married young woman is not content to just do that for him. Convinced not only of his innocence, but that Tucker is nursing a broken heart that seeing justice for the woman he loved done can help heal, Olivia sets out to solve the case, with Tucker and her sister in reluctant tow. As he works with her, Tucker realizes she might be different, but it's a good different, and she's far brighter than she lets on. Despite his anti-marriage stance, Olivia gets to him. However, as the case unravels, things get dangerous and the future turns iffy.
This is a laugh out loud masterpiece. Whilly clean, it intrigues you and keeps you smiling from beginning to end. Olivia is utterly charming and I hope this is only her first outing as a sleuth. I love this book and it goes on my virtual keeper shelf.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
An Ice Cold Grave - Harper Connelly 3
Ice Cold Grave
Charlaine Harris
Berkley
Oct
ISBN 0425217299
Mystery/Paranormal
***1/2
Ever since being struck by lightening, Harper Connelly has had the ability to locate dead bodies and tell how they died. This ability has been both useful to society as well as to her finances. Her latest case involves finding a great number of corpses, all of them children, who are the victims of a serial killer. Before she can leave after concluding her work, Harper is attacked, necessitating an extension of her stay in town. Even if she hadn't been hurt, the local authorities want her to remain and help, so she and Tolliver find themselves forced to accomodate the situation. It also forces the two of them to realize that they are not related and deal with the feelings they have submerged for years.
This is Harper's most deadly case yet, with events in it that mirror real life events in some ways. Fans will note that this entry seems to mark a turning point for the beloved heroine, and one does wonder where the stories will go from here. Be aware that light humor and fun are downplayed in favor of a grittier story. Despite this, if you love the series, be sure and get this asap.
That said, Tolliver and Harper moving into a sexual relationship may disturb some people. For two books now, they have presented themselves as siblings, despite not being related by blood, just by love. Even though they do not share a mutual parent, there is a tinge of incest to this turn of events that potentially will turn away readers or make some of us shudder.
Charlaine Harris
Berkley
Oct
ISBN 0425217299
Mystery/Paranormal
***1/2
Ever since being struck by lightening, Harper Connelly has had the ability to locate dead bodies and tell how they died. This ability has been both useful to society as well as to her finances. Her latest case involves finding a great number of corpses, all of them children, who are the victims of a serial killer. Before she can leave after concluding her work, Harper is attacked, necessitating an extension of her stay in town. Even if she hadn't been hurt, the local authorities want her to remain and help, so she and Tolliver find themselves forced to accomodate the situation. It also forces the two of them to realize that they are not related and deal with the feelings they have submerged for years.
This is Harper's most deadly case yet, with events in it that mirror real life events in some ways. Fans will note that this entry seems to mark a turning point for the beloved heroine, and one does wonder where the stories will go from here. Be aware that light humor and fun are downplayed in favor of a grittier story. Despite this, if you love the series, be sure and get this asap.
That said, Tolliver and Harper moving into a sexual relationship may disturb some people. For two books now, they have presented themselves as siblings, despite not being related by blood, just by love. Even though they do not share a mutual parent, there is a tinge of incest to this turn of events that potentially will turn away readers or make some of us shudder.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A very cool book for anyone
Betrayed
P.C. Cast
Kristin Cast
St. Martin's
Oct
ISBN 0312360282
YA Urban Fantasy
****1/2
As Zoe struggles to cope with the many changes being Marked has wrought in her life, not the least of them being her new role as leader of the Dark Daughters, sinister things begin to go on around her. Human boys are disappearing and dying horribly, and certain events are leading Zoe to wonder who she can trust inside the House of Night. Surprisingly enough, her worst enemy is not as much of a hag as Zoe thought. The implications of that truth will have effects that threaten to tear Zoe's life to shreds, or to make her stronger.
Now that you're done with Harry Potter and want to know what to read next, no matter what your age is, put this series on the list. The Casts have created a world that is equally or more complex and compelling than that of the boy wizard. I savored every page as Zoe's life unfolded before us with all the traumas of teen years magnified by her gifts. Bring on the next entry soon!
P.C. Cast
Kristin Cast
St. Martin's
Oct
ISBN 0312360282
YA Urban Fantasy
****1/2
As Zoe struggles to cope with the many changes being Marked has wrought in her life, not the least of them being her new role as leader of the Dark Daughters, sinister things begin to go on around her. Human boys are disappearing and dying horribly, and certain events are leading Zoe to wonder who she can trust inside the House of Night. Surprisingly enough, her worst enemy is not as much of a hag as Zoe thought. The implications of that truth will have effects that threaten to tear Zoe's life to shreds, or to make her stronger.
Now that you're done with Harry Potter and want to know what to read next, no matter what your age is, put this series on the list. The Casts have created a world that is equally or more complex and compelling than that of the boy wizard. I savored every page as Zoe's life unfolded before us with all the traumas of teen years magnified by her gifts. Bring on the next entry soon!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel - Ronda Thompson
Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel
Ronda Thompson
Oct
ISBN 0312949251
Paranormal/Chicklit/Contemporary Romance/Comedy/Mystery
****1/2
Lou Kinipski has the most unusual beauty secret of any of the top models on the catwalk. In fact, given what it is, you probably should not refer to the runway as the catwalk. Until seven years ago, she was drop dead ugly, then she turned into a werewolf. Once she bruises from an attempted rape that triggered the change heal, she's gorgeous. Because she killed her would be rapist, she went on the run, got a new identity, and became a star model. Life is good, with only a few concessions to her condition required until someone begins killing women who look like her and Lou's past starts to become an issue. Making things even more complicated are the four men now in her life; a sleazy, but still somewhat charming PI, the photographer she's had a crush on for years, the policeman who is the lead on the case, and a vampire. At least two of them could be handy, considering that she's definitely on the killer's list of victims. Romance is not Lou's biggest concern, however. Worry about her past and if she has a future are vying for that role.
I loved this! Suspense and fun are mixed so well that you are on the edge of your seat and laughing at the same time. Seeds of wonderful stories that should be told are scattered throughout the pages, making you want to revisit Lou and her world again. This is a definite keeper.
Ronda Thompson
Oct
ISBN 0312949251
Paranormal/Chicklit/Contemporary Romance/Comedy/Mystery
****1/2
Lou Kinipski has the most unusual beauty secret of any of the top models on the catwalk. In fact, given what it is, you probably should not refer to the runway as the catwalk. Until seven years ago, she was drop dead ugly, then she turned into a werewolf. Once she bruises from an attempted rape that triggered the change heal, she's gorgeous. Because she killed her would be rapist, she went on the run, got a new identity, and became a star model. Life is good, with only a few concessions to her condition required until someone begins killing women who look like her and Lou's past starts to become an issue. Making things even more complicated are the four men now in her life; a sleazy, but still somewhat charming PI, the photographer she's had a crush on for years, the policeman who is the lead on the case, and a vampire. At least two of them could be handy, considering that she's definitely on the killer's list of victims. Romance is not Lou's biggest concern, however. Worry about her past and if she has a future are vying for that role.
I loved this! Suspense and fun are mixed so well that you are on the edge of your seat and laughing at the same time. Seeds of wonderful stories that should be told are scattered throughout the pages, making you want to revisit Lou and her world again. This is a definite keeper.
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