The Ever-Running Man by Marcia Muller

In this new Sharon McCone Mystery, Muller introduces us all to the "ever-running" man. He is the person who has blown up a number of RKI facilities and then starts attacking personnel.

McCone has been hired to look into things by RKI, the security firm owned in part by her husband, HY. The investigation, always thorough in true McCone fashion, puts a strain on their marriage.

As Sharon uncovers some negative history, she realizes HY may have been involved in some illegal activity. She needs to follow the investigation to the end but she doesn't want to destroy the relationship in the process.

Some tense moments ensue and kept this reader on her toes.

Worth a read!

Ladybookbug!

High Noon by Nora Roberts

Reading Nora Roberts time and time again is like visiting an old friend. While I can't say I have read everything she has written, I know I have read enough to appreciate being "taken away" to another place.

Her latest entry, High Noon, is about a woman named Phoebe. Simple statement, but it doesn't beging to cover what this character is all about. She's intelligent, sexy, former FBI, current hostage negotiator for Savannah's police department, single mom, and tied to an old mansion in the city.

It begins with an assualt on Phoebe while she is at work. What follows is a series of assualts on those who are close to her. It takes sharp detective work to uncover who the perpetrator is.

And in the end Phoebe finds true love. "and they live happily ever after."

I don't care, I like happy endings. A quick respite from the ills of the world is always a good thing.

Ladybookbug!

Double Take by Catherine Coulter

If solving mysteries is up your alley, you get two for the price of one in this new novel by Catherine Coulter. A psychic has been murdered. The police have been following his wife around for the past six months as the prime suspect.. Recently, she has been given the opportunity to move freely again and then someone tries to kill her.

In another part of the country, a young sheriff, Dix Nobel, has been moving on with his life after the sudden disappearance of his wife. A relative is attending a fundraiser and sees someone who looks very much like the missing wife so Dix flies out to the West Coast to investigate.

As a rule of thumb, I like this author. I’ve read all her previous works and found them intriguing. It’s not easy to figure out what is going on and I love a challenge. This entry was no different. However, I would point out that there is a part of the story when fellow psychics enter the picture and I found it to be a little slow. But keep on keeping on—it’s worth it.

Ladybookbug!

Play Dead!

Play Dead! By David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter, attorney is called to the dog shelter to view a golden retriever who is being slated to be put down. Andy deftly figures out a way to appeal the sentence.

Yogi aka Reggie, the golden, becomes the center of a wonderfully contrived mystery.

The characters in this book were well-defined. The plot was intriguing and kept this reader on her toes. I read this book in one sitting. It was one of my best reads so far this year.

Mr. Rosenfelt left another career to become a writer and I’m glad he did. In addition to his expertise at writing, he and his wife have established The Tara Foundation which has thus far rescued over four thousand dogs.

Check out this author!

Ladybookbug!

The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Can’t get enough of James Patterson lately. What a great FAST read. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again—he has a knack for keeping things moving right along and inspiring the reader to do the same. I could not put it down.

The story opens and a policewoman is contemplating having an affair with another cop. She does give in. A murder takes place that she is witness to and the cover-up begins. We begin to think we have things all figured out, as does the heroine but as usual, there is more to the story.

If you love Patterson, you’ll have to read this. If you like Patterson, you’ll want to read this AND if you’ve never read Patterson before, try this one and I’ll bet you’ll get hooked.

Ladybookbug!

Summer Reading by Hilma Wolitzer

This book is set in the infamous “Hamptons”. It’s a comparatively lightweight story, just in time for a day at the beach. My favorite character in the book is Michelle. She can be viewed as the underdog and she does get to have her day. Lissy is flighty and pretty. While she occasionally has some depth to her thinking, for the most part what you see is what you get. Angela is a book of a different color. She harbors an unhappy past and covers it up by being especially erudite as she conducts several different book groups throughout the Hamptons.

This is an entertaining read, especially if you are at all familiar with the setting. Warning—you might shed a few tears of laughter or otherwise.

Ladybookbug!