ROLLING THUNDER
Chris Grabenstein
978-1-60598-089-8, Pegasus Books
Mystery (release date May, 2010)
On a day my luck was in, I won an ARC of Chris Grabenstein’s latest New Jersey shore mystery, ROLLING THUNDER. In case you haven’t read any of Chris’ previous fast-paced mysteries, all are named for thrill rides in an amusement park. This is book #6, and the Rolling Thunder of the title refers to a brand new roller coaster built on an Atlantic Ocean pier. On the ride’s opening run, a woman dies in the VIP car. Deemed a heart attack, apparently the poor woman was scared to death. Then a young woman, a beach bunny, is murdered and clues seem to link the two deaths to one man with ties to both women. But there are several good (or bad) suspects, and the heroes of Grabenstein’s series, John Ceepak, the straightest arrow ever seen on the Jersey shore police force, and his sidekick, Danny Boyle, a young man learning the ropes, must figure out which it is before someone else gets hurt.
This series recently found a new publisher, and readers everywhere are relieved not to have lost Ceepak and Boyle. Mr. Grabenstein has created two winning characters, and paired them with exciting plots. As a westerner, I appreciate reading about the Jersey shore, an area I probably will never visit except in books. Grabenstein’s stories help me do that, so real I can hear the rumble of the roller coaster, smell the deep-fried candy bars, the greasy pizza, and the Stromboli (or something like that) sandwiches, and imagine myself trudging over the sandy beach. Recommended reading.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mystery
CHARLOTTE HINGER
Deadly Descent
Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN 978-1-59058-645-7
In what looks to be the first of a series featuring Carlton County, Kansas historian Lottie Albright, we find Lottie inviting old county families to submit their family stories to the Historical Society for publication. As it turns out, more than a few are willing to air their dirty laundry in public, no matter who gets hurts, and in a case that begins with an old murder and ends with a couple new ones, this is exactly what happens. Complicating matters, Senate candidate Brian Hadley may be at the center of the trouble. His aunt’s story has sent his mother’s temper raging, and no one knows why. Lottie is the local campaign chairperson for Brian, and feels her expertise in research may help clear the matter up, but when first the aunt is murdered, and then Brian’s cousin Judy, it appears Lottie may be in over her head. At least, that’s what Lottie’s twin sister, a clinical psychologist tells her when Lottie begins receiving threatening letters. And don’t even mention the tension that builds between Lottie and her husband as their marriage comes to a crossroad.
Hinger has developed an intelligent, sympathetic character in Lottie Albright, with a nice group of secondary players. The mystery in this book is intriguing and as the tension ramps up, you won’t want to put the book down until the final page.
Deadly Descent
Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN 978-1-59058-645-7
In what looks to be the first of a series featuring Carlton County, Kansas historian Lottie Albright, we find Lottie inviting old county families to submit their family stories to the Historical Society for publication. As it turns out, more than a few are willing to air their dirty laundry in public, no matter who gets hurts, and in a case that begins with an old murder and ends with a couple new ones, this is exactly what happens. Complicating matters, Senate candidate Brian Hadley may be at the center of the trouble. His aunt’s story has sent his mother’s temper raging, and no one knows why. Lottie is the local campaign chairperson for Brian, and feels her expertise in research may help clear the matter up, but when first the aunt is murdered, and then Brian’s cousin Judy, it appears Lottie may be in over her head. At least, that’s what Lottie’s twin sister, a clinical psychologist tells her when Lottie begins receiving threatening letters. And don’t even mention the tension that builds between Lottie and her husband as their marriage comes to a crossroad.
Hinger has developed an intelligent, sympathetic character in Lottie Albright, with a nice group of secondary players. The mystery in this book is intriguing and as the tension ramps up, you won’t want to put the book down until the final page.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Twenties Girl
By Sophie Kinsella
Dial Press 2009
Hardcover, 435 pages
ISBN 978-0-385-34202-5
Lara Lington (related to the Bill Lington of the story) is a twenty-something professional on the fast track to success. Oh, there are problems along the way. Her partner in a newly founded head-hunting agency has taken an extended vacation, leaving Lara in the lurch, for one thing. Her perfect boy friend has just dumped her. And she’s begun seeing her Aunt Sadie’s ghost. 105-year-old Sadie has just passed, but now is stuck in 1920s mode. She can’t rest or move on until her favorite necklace is found and given back to her. Unfortunately, it seems to have disappeared, and since Lara is the only one who can see her, it’s up to her to help Sadie while managing her own chaotic life.
Set in modern London, this is a story that has a little of everything. I’m torn on how to describe it. Hmm. Chick-lit/mystery/comedic romance? That’ll do for starters. Then include excellent, snappy dialogue, great characters, humor, more twists than you can shake a stick at, and a wonderful character arc. I liked Sadie being a twenties girl, loving to dance the Charleston, drink cocktails, and smoke gaspers, while teaching her great niece to be a twenties girl, too.
Being a little beyond “chick” age, I didn’t expect to like this book, but the premise sounded fun. I didn’t read Kinsella’s Shopaholic books because I don’t willingly shop, and can’t understand people who do. Anyway, I couldn’t put Twenties Girl down. I found Uncle Bill a little one-dimensional and the ex-boyfriend a drag. Cut the boy friend problems in half and I would’ve enjoyed the book even more. That said, this is one that goes on my recommended list.
By Sophie Kinsella
Dial Press 2009
Hardcover, 435 pages
ISBN 978-0-385-34202-5
Lara Lington (related to the Bill Lington of the story) is a twenty-something professional on the fast track to success. Oh, there are problems along the way. Her partner in a newly founded head-hunting agency has taken an extended vacation, leaving Lara in the lurch, for one thing. Her perfect boy friend has just dumped her. And she’s begun seeing her Aunt Sadie’s ghost. 105-year-old Sadie has just passed, but now is stuck in 1920s mode. She can’t rest or move on until her favorite necklace is found and given back to her. Unfortunately, it seems to have disappeared, and since Lara is the only one who can see her, it’s up to her to help Sadie while managing her own chaotic life.
Set in modern London, this is a story that has a little of everything. I’m torn on how to describe it. Hmm. Chick-lit/mystery/comedic romance? That’ll do for starters. Then include excellent, snappy dialogue, great characters, humor, more twists than you can shake a stick at, and a wonderful character arc. I liked Sadie being a twenties girl, loving to dance the Charleston, drink cocktails, and smoke gaspers, while teaching her great niece to be a twenties girl, too.
Being a little beyond “chick” age, I didn’t expect to like this book, but the premise sounded fun. I didn’t read Kinsella’s Shopaholic books because I don’t willingly shop, and can’t understand people who do. Anyway, I couldn’t put Twenties Girl down. I found Uncle Bill a little one-dimensional and the ex-boyfriend a drag. Cut the boy friend problems in half and I would’ve enjoyed the book even more. That said, this is one that goes on my recommended list.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Historical Mystery
Jacqueline Winspear, Among the Mad, Henry Holt & Co., Hardcover, 303 pages, $25.00, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8050-8216-6
1931 is drawing to a close when psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is caught up in the suicide of man on a London street. Not too much is made of the man’s death—thousands of soldiers wounded both physically and mentally in the Great War chose death before pain and starvation. The government has, during this depression, more or less abandoned their veterans. But when letters threatening horrible deaths begin arriving at the home office, Maisie is drawn into the mystery of who this man was and his connection to the letter writer. First to die are dogs and birds, but the case soon turns into a race to stop a madman from dropping chemical death upon the citizenry of London.
I’m not always a fan of Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. This book, however, I found fascinating, though not a comfortable read. One finds the world hasn’t really changed an awful lot in the last 90+ years. The politics of the day finds a parallel in the here and now. I found the section about the experimentation on animals hard to read, but the whole story has the ring of truth. Excellent book.
1931 is drawing to a close when psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is caught up in the suicide of man on a London street. Not too much is made of the man’s death—thousands of soldiers wounded both physically and mentally in the Great War chose death before pain and starvation. The government has, during this depression, more or less abandoned their veterans. But when letters threatening horrible deaths begin arriving at the home office, Maisie is drawn into the mystery of who this man was and his connection to the letter writer. First to die are dogs and birds, but the case soon turns into a race to stop a madman from dropping chemical death upon the citizenry of London.
I’m not always a fan of Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. This book, however, I found fascinating, though not a comfortable read. One finds the world hasn’t really changed an awful lot in the last 90+ years. The politics of the day finds a parallel in the here and now. I found the section about the experimentation on animals hard to read, but the whole story has the ring of truth. Excellent book.
Science Fiction
Bruce Sterling, The Caryatids, Del Rey/Ballentine, Hardcover, 295 pages, $25.00, 2009. ISBN 978-0-345-46062-2
This one was a bust and a Did Not Finish. I didn’t like the writing with endless repetition of names, the atmosphere or anything about it. Whew! Now that’s harsh.
This one was a bust and a Did Not Finish. I didn’t like the writing with endless repetition of names, the atmosphere or anything about it. Whew! Now that’s harsh.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July Newsletter--Free Book
July Greetings…
To celebrate summer, my favorite season, (I’m a Leo, so of course it is) I’m giving away a couple copies of my new historical suspense, ONE FOOT ON THE EDGE. Simply e-mail me with EDGE in the subject line and I’ll enter you in the drawing. Entry time runs from July 15 – August 15. Jing, my bichon frise on whom the dog in the story is based, will set her paw on the winning names. And while I’m hoping for a short review, I certainly don’t demand one. The first chapter is up on my website at www.ckcrigger.com and click on excerpts.
I’ll soon be updating my website, with info on a couple Internet radio shows I’ll be doing this month. Maybe you can tune in.
Also, if any readers/women’s/library/service groups in my area (you know who you are) are in need of a speaker, contact me via email and we’ll set something up. I do talks on Turning Fact into Fiction, Talking Western, Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your MS for Publication, and Every Book Needs a Dog.
Until next month…
Good luck on the drawing.
P.S. I haven’t found a great new cake recipe lately, but I made a heck of a good Blueberry Cream Pie from a combination of a couple old receipts. That’s old-timey talk for recipes, but you probably knew that.
.
Carol
To celebrate summer, my favorite season, (I’m a Leo, so of course it is) I’m giving away a couple copies of my new historical suspense, ONE FOOT ON THE EDGE. Simply e-mail me with EDGE in the subject line and I’ll enter you in the drawing. Entry time runs from July 15 – August 15. Jing, my bichon frise on whom the dog in the story is based, will set her paw on the winning names. And while I’m hoping for a short review, I certainly don’t demand one. The first chapter is up on my website at www.ckcrigger.com and click on excerpts.
I’ll soon be updating my website, with info on a couple Internet radio shows I’ll be doing this month. Maybe you can tune in.
Also, if any readers/women’s/library/service groups in my area (you know who you are) are in need of a speaker, contact me via email and we’ll set something up. I do talks on Turning Fact into Fiction, Talking Western, Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your MS for Publication, and Every Book Needs a Dog.
Until next month…
Good luck on the drawing.
P.S. I haven’t found a great new cake recipe lately, but I made a heck of a good Blueberry Cream Pie from a combination of a couple old receipts. That’s old-timey talk for recipes, but you probably knew that.
.
Carol
Sunday, June 21, 2009
DUMA KEY
Duma Key
Stephen King
I'm not going to give a synopsis of DUMA KEY here. If you haven't read the book already, blurbs are all over for you to get the general story idea. My thought is that
I’ve just invested the time in reading a 770+ horror novel, when horror isn’t my thing. I figure life has enough trials without out scaring myself with someone else’s nightmares. I’ll ride my own, thank you very much.
So why did I finish this book? Be damned if I know. Must be because King is very good at what he does. Twists and turns and breath-catching description and spates of terrific action. And yet, there is a lot of repetition, to the point where I say, “Enough already. I’ve got the picture—got the picture—got the picture.” Still, I read almost every word. Don’t want to miss a salient point, you know.
Did I read this book for the characters? Must have. I like characters, although with a 770 + page novel some are simply walk-ons that I can’t invest much in. But for the three guys, the tres amigos of this story, they’re all great individuals. The women, not so much. Sometimes it seemed they’re in the book to provide victims. Ah, well.
Will I read another King horror novel soon? Probably not, even though King is a terrific writer with an imagination few can equal. Thank God.
Stephen King
I'm not going to give a synopsis of DUMA KEY here. If you haven't read the book already, blurbs are all over for you to get the general story idea. My thought is that
I’ve just invested the time in reading a 770+ horror novel, when horror isn’t my thing. I figure life has enough trials without out scaring myself with someone else’s nightmares. I’ll ride my own, thank you very much.
So why did I finish this book? Be damned if I know. Must be because King is very good at what he does. Twists and turns and breath-catching description and spates of terrific action. And yet, there is a lot of repetition, to the point where I say, “Enough already. I’ve got the picture—got the picture—got the picture.” Still, I read almost every word. Don’t want to miss a salient point, you know.
Did I read this book for the characters? Must have. I like characters, although with a 770 + page novel some are simply walk-ons that I can’t invest much in. But for the three guys, the tres amigos of this story, they’re all great individuals. The women, not so much. Sometimes it seemed they’re in the book to provide victims. Ah, well.
Will I read another King horror novel soon? Probably not, even though King is a terrific writer with an imagination few can equal. Thank God.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
THE OUTLANDER
The Outlander
By Gil Adamson
HarperCollins 2008
Hardcover, 390 pages
ISBN 978-0-06-149125-2
This is a story that, from the blurb, I expected to belong in the western mystery genre. And it does. Sort of. Yet it’s not really genre fiction at all, but rather a weird combination of literary novel, western, suspense (I wouldn’t call it mystery), romance, with a study of mental illness and a lesson in the healing power of love thrown in for good measure. Did I say weird? Well it is. But the whole thing works in a story that grew on me until I was completely mesmerized. Adamson is certainly an author who deserves the accolades that come her way.
Briefly, the plot is thus: A bewildered young woman is running away from a murder—and she is the murderess. The brothers of the man she killed are following her, determined to bring her back to hang. The widow (as she is named throughout the book although we do finally discover her name is Mary) flees into the wilderness, stealing just enough supplies (and a horse) to stay alive. She hears voices and sees things that aren’t there, doesn’t know what’s real and what is not. The people she meets along the way are, for the most part, as confused about their own existence as she is. Most are kind to this poor muddled woman, certainly eccentrics with an unexpected generosity of spirit. The man she killed? Her husband. I think he had it coming.
You may want to read The Outlander more than once. I know it's going on my keeper shelf.
By Gil Adamson
HarperCollins 2008
Hardcover, 390 pages
ISBN 978-0-06-149125-2
This is a story that, from the blurb, I expected to belong in the western mystery genre. And it does. Sort of. Yet it’s not really genre fiction at all, but rather a weird combination of literary novel, western, suspense (I wouldn’t call it mystery), romance, with a study of mental illness and a lesson in the healing power of love thrown in for good measure. Did I say weird? Well it is. But the whole thing works in a story that grew on me until I was completely mesmerized. Adamson is certainly an author who deserves the accolades that come her way.
Briefly, the plot is thus: A bewildered young woman is running away from a murder—and she is the murderess. The brothers of the man she killed are following her, determined to bring her back to hang. The widow (as she is named throughout the book although we do finally discover her name is Mary) flees into the wilderness, stealing just enough supplies (and a horse) to stay alive. She hears voices and sees things that aren’t there, doesn’t know what’s real and what is not. The people she meets along the way are, for the most part, as confused about their own existence as she is. Most are kind to this poor muddled woman, certainly eccentrics with an unexpected generosity of spirit. The man she killed? Her husband. I think he had it coming.
You may want to read The Outlander more than once. I know it's going on my keeper shelf.
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