Evidence of Murder by Lisa Black

Theresa MacLean, forensic investigator is back again in this new series by Lisa Black.

Theresa suffered a great loss eight months prior to this latest murder. Unfortunately she has not worked her way through it and her superiors believe that fact is affecting her work adversely.

Jillian Perry, wife, mother and escort has been found frozen in the woods, not far from her home. Initially, there are no indications of foul play and several of Theresa’s contemporaries are content to think she committed suicide.

However, tenacious Theresa has a hunch that something does not ring true. Going against orders from her superiors to close the case, she follows through investigating Jillian’s obsessive friend, husband and family to find the cause of Jillian’s death.

Putting herself at risk, Theresa gets caught up in the investigation pursuing it to its’ conclusion.

This is a good murder mystery that will have you guessing how the crime was perpetrated and who the perpetrator was until the very end.

Ladybookug!

The Best of Times by Penny Vincenzi

This author’s style of writing reminded me so much of Maeve Binchy.

This is the story of several different people. We are introduced to each in the beginning chapters. Each has their own story to tell. Suddenly there is a terrible motor vehicle accident on an ordinary afternoon, just outside London. Three people are killed and people’s lives are changed forever.

The author continues presenting each character and how their lives were affected by the accident. This is an intricate foray into how people can change as a result of a horrific accident.

Well written and enjoyable to read.

Ladybookbug!

While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty

I read the author’s two previous novels, The Center of Everything and
The Rest of Her Life. My favorite was The Rest of Her Life. Actually, I've written about it in this blog.
This latest entry was simply okay. I did not find it to be particularly exciting. In fact, it was a bit depressing.

It is the story of a mother and a daughter and how they try to support each other while their lives suffer drastic changes. Veronica’s parents’ divorce over infidelity. It would seem that the marriage was on its way to deteriorating long before the actual divorce. They both go their separate ways with the wife being less economically advantaged than the husband.

Through a series of complicated turns, the two end up with rumpled lives. At the end, they seem to find the right path and move forward.

Read it if you must.

Ladybookbug!

Remedies by Kate Ledger

This is the story of Simon and Emily Bear. Simon is a general practitioner and has his own practice in his home. Emily is a partner in a public relations firm. They have one daughter. Their life seems completely idyllic on the surface.

However, as the story unfolds, the reader is made privy to what lies beneath the surface—anger, jealousy, disappointment and sorrow. We are witness to the unraveling of Simon’s practice and his demeanor. In addition, we have a first-hand look at the healing of Emily and the entire family.

This is a well-written story which invites the reader to take a closer look at how we all deal with pain.

Ladybookbug!

Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline

I suppose there are only so many scenarios one could write about and then it’s about the setting, the characters and the dialogue. Such is the case with this story.

The book begins with an automobile accident on a dark, rainy night. One of the main female characters (Alison) is driving and her blood alcohol level proves to be just above the legal limit. Someone is killed and guilt raises its’ ugly head, pervading the sanctity of the rest of her life

We also have a threesome consisting of Ben, Alison’s best friend Claire, and Alison’s husband Charlie. The three connected in college, have travelled together and remain connected even though they have gone on to marry, move away from each other and get on with their lives.

Alison and Charlie seem to live a somewhat idyllic life, have two small children (a boy and a girl of course) and live in the suburbs. Alison is a stay-at-home mother although she does do some freelance editing. Charlie works in the city and commutes each day.

The scope of the tragedy masks the already deteriorating marriage of Charlie and Alison and the reader may assume that one leads to the other and perhaps it does. In all, this is not just the unraveling of a marriage but also friendship among the various characters. It is a testimony of how two people “in love” can cast all sense, security and loyalty to the wind- in pursuit of what they feel they are entitled to.

This was a well-written, albeit familiar story.

Ladybookbug!