The Lost Girls of Penzance by Sally Rigby

 

The Lost Girls of Penzance by Sally Rigby-254 pages

The pale outline of bones in the dew-laden grass catches and holds Lauren's gaze. In the distance, she can hear the faint sound of crashing waves and the eerie screech of seagulls. Whose life was so brutally cut short in this beautiful, lonely place?

Detective Lauren Pengelly has only been part of the Penzance police force for less than two years, but that’s enough time to know that the sleepy Cornish town doesn’t see many murders. So, when the bones of a woman with a hole in her skull are discovered behind a derelict cottage, she immediately assumes the worst. Rallying her team, Lauren is flooded with a strange sense of relief when the bones turn out to be almost twenty years old, not a recent victim.

But it quickly turns to dread when she receives her second heart-stopping call of the day – a little girl, Isla, has been kidnapped from her nursery and seemingly vanished, despite strict security in the building. Are the two cases connected, or could the peaceful town of Penzance be harboring more than one monster?

With the help of Detective Matt Price, her newly arrived second-in-command, Lauren is certain the suspicious behavior of Isla’s estranged father on the day of her disappearance is a critical clue. But when another little girl is taken, again from her nursery in the middle of the day, a little girl who means very much to one of the people who are frantically searching for the first missing little girl.

The book was ok; it just seemed like there was way too much going on at all the same time.

The Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn

An Impossible Imposter (Veronica Speedwell #7 ) Deanna Raybourn, 325 p.

"London, 1889. Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian beau Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch. He has a personal request on behalf of his goddaughter, Euphemia Hathaway. After years of traveling the world, her eldest brother, Jonathan, heir to Hathaway Hall, was believed to have been killed in the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa a few years before.

But now a man matching Jonathan's description and carrying his possessions has arrived at Hathaway Hall with no memory of his identity or where he has been. Could this man truly be Jonathan, back from the dead? Or is he a devious impostor, determined to gain ownership over the family's most valuable possessions--a legendary parure of priceless Rajasthani jewels? It's a delicate situation, and Veronica is Sir Hugo's only hope.

Veronica and Stoker agree to go to Hathaway Hall to covertly investigate the mysterious amnesiac. Veronica is soon shocked to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. To help Sir Hugo discover the truth, she must open doors to her own history that she long believed to be shut for good." --Goodreads blurb

The seventh book in this fun series didn't disappoint. I found this hidden gem of a mystery series late last year and it has quickly become a favorite series of mine. History comes back to remind Veronica what used to be, friends are enemies, but still friends, and Stoker still loves his sweets. This storyline isn't as edgy as some of the other books in the series, but this was still a great story with lots of reveals and twists. 

The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov

The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov - 288 pages
Book 1 of The Robot Series

Elijah Baley is a New York police officer assigned to solve the murder of a prominent Spacer scientist.  Also assigned to this murder is R. Daneel Olivaw, a humanoid robot who looks like the real deal.  Baley isn't fond of robots, but he and R. Daneel explore and adventure together to solve the murder.  They struggle with a group of Medievalists who believe all robots should be permanently shut down, a group of people with prejudices against robots.

Close Up by Amanda Quick

Close Up by Amanda Quick - 304 pages

Vivian is a modern woman trying to make it as a photographer in 1930s California.  Nick, a private investigator, is sent as a bodyguard to protect Vivian when she is targeted by a killer.  Now they have to work together to figure out why she is being targeted and who is targeting her.

This is the fourth book in Amanda Quick's Burning Cove series of historical romantic mysteries.  While I enjoyed this book it was my least favorite of the series so far.  The only reason I can really give is that it didn't seem as if the characters had any chemistry together.  The romance seemed to come out of nowhere.

Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates

POTIONS AND PASTRIES BY BAILEY CATES  PGS 274



It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.

The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold....

It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
 
The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….

It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
 
The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….

ABOUT POTIONS AND PASTRIES

In this New York Times bestselling mystery series, witch Katie Lightfoot bakes enchanted treats—and faces more than her fair share of toil and trouble….
 
It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
 
The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….

ABOUT POTIONS AND PASTRIES

In this New York Times bestselling mystery series, witch Katie Lightfoot bakes enchanted treats—and faces more than her fair share of toil and trouble….
 
It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
 
The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….

Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer-320 pages

I enjoyed the "Clifton Chronicles" by Jeffrey Archer so I was looking forward to the launch of his new series "William Warwick".  I was not disappointed.  This follows a young man who since the age of 8 had always wanted to be a detective.  He achieves his dream and is on the fast track to Scotland Yard.  There are several cases going on at once and through many twists and turns he seems to always come out on top.  I highly recommend.

Irene Huss Detective Series by Helene Tursten

5) The Golden Calf by Helene Tursten, 340 pages

6) The Fire Dance by Helene Tursten, 336 pages

7) The Beige Man by Helene Tursten, 320 pages

I continue to enjoy these solid police procedurals set in Goteberg, Sweden that feature Detective Inspector Irene Huss.  I enjoy learning about another culture and how the legal process works there.  Sweden has a 25 year statute of limitations on murder, who knew?

If you enjoy Dateline mysteries and Law and Order these are the books for you!  I've got #8 in bag about half read right now.

Detective Irene Huss Series by Helen Tursten

1) Detective Inspector Huss - 400 pages

2) The Torso - 368 pages

3) The Glass Devil - 338 pages

4) Night Rounds - 336 pages

This police procedural series follows Detective Inspector Irene Huss as she works cases for the Goteborg, Sweden police department.  Fans of Law and Order will find much to like here with following a case riding along with the police from inception through being solved.  I like learning about new cultures by reading mysteries in other parts of the world.  Finding out how their legal system differs from the US is often fascinating. 

The first book in the series is a little clunky but it seemed to be a translation issue that was fixed with the later volumes.  I've got four more in the series waiting on my to be read pile. 

Connections in Death by J.D. Robb

Connections in Death by J.D. Robb - 371 pages

It seems that Lyle Pickering has relapsed back into the drug and gang life and overdosed . . . or has he?  Eve Dallas must determine why someone has staged it to look like Lyle has overdosed when really he's been murdered.  The investigation will take her into the gang neighborhoods and seedy underbelly of New York.

This is the latest Eve Dallas mystery by J.D. Robb (aka - Nora Roberts).  It was an enjoyable read.  Definitely a great addition to the series.

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz - 325 pages

Gallery owner Virginia Troy's anxiety attacks are getting worse now that one of her artists has died.  She gets help from detective Cabot Sutter as she believes the death has something to do with their past in a cult.  Is that cult leader really still alive and trying to hunt down Virginia for some reason?

I listened to the audiobook version of Jayne Ann Krentz's latest romantic suspense book.  I enjoyed the narration and the story.

What the Lady Wants by Jennifer Crusie

What the Lady Wants by Jennifer Crusie - 233 pages

Mitch envisioned the life as a private investigator with intriguing women and fascinating cases.  Instead he got divorce work . . . until Mae Belle walks into his office wanting him to find the person who murdered her uncle and stole his diary.

This is another one of Jennifer Crusie's early romance novels.  I enjoyed the characters in this book.  They are all so over-the-top. 

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz - 325 pages

Virginia Troy has tried to put her past as a young child in a cult commune behind her.  But now it appears that one of the other surviving members has been murdered and tried to send a message to Virginia before her death.  Virginia asks Cabot Sutter, another child survivor of the cult, to help her investigate whether the cult leader was still alive and what he wants with her.

This is the sequel to last year's book by Krentz -- When All the Girls Have Gone.  It looks like it will be a trilogy with the final book coming out next year.  I enjoyed this book.  It did a good job of keeping your guessing as to who was the ultimate villain of the story.

Truth or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz

Truth or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz - 401 pages

Zoe and Ethan are settling into married life when things start to get interesting.  Zoe, a psychic interior decorator, starts sensing toxic spiderwebs at various locations throughout town.  Then their friend Arcadia seems to have a stalker.  They must work through these and more issues to get to their happily ever after.

This is actually the sequel to Light in Shadows so it was a little confusing.  I listened to this on audio and the narration was good as was the story.  However, there did seem to be several instances were previous knowledge was required.  Still I enjoyed the audiobook.

The Private Eye by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Private Eye by Jayne Ann Krentz - 224 pages

Josh January is a detective with serious burnout when accepts a case investigating vandalism at an inn.  He thinks it will be an easy job while he recuperates from an injury and tries to start writing the novel he's dreamed of writing.  Then the vandalism escalates and Josh is determined to protect innkeeper Maggie and her elderly residents.

This was one of Jayne Ann Krentz's earliest books.  It is a re-released Harlequin romance.  It's actually aged better than some of her other early books.  The technology isn't too integral.  The biggest thing that dates the story is the details about clothing.  Otherwise, it was a quick read that I enjoyed.

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb - 375 pages

Eve Dallas is looking forward to a quiet evening at home with her husband Roarke when she gets the call of a sniper that killed three at the skating rink in Central Park.  This is just the first attack by a long distance serial killer sniper.  It's up to Eve to figure out the targets and to take down the killers.

I really enjoyed this audio book.  It is the latest in Nora Roberts' futuristic mystery series.  The killers were exceptionally chilling in their motives and psychology.  A great addition to the series.

Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace

Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace -- 288 pages

Can the Bible be trusted? Were the eye-witnesses telling the truth? Have their documents been reliably preserved? Wallace, an atheist, and a homicide detective, decided to investigate.

Wallace specializes in cold-cases, cases without recent evidence, cases that have gone unsolved for years. Using the methods and guidelines that he uses to solve cold-cases, he investigates the claims of the Bible.

I found this book to be very helpful, correct, and easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone.

NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp, 359 pages

In the latest in the NYPD Red series (number 3 to be exact), detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald are assigned to a kidnapping and murder case that keeps them on their toes. Zach and Kyle are NYPD detectives that are assigned to cases of the rich and famous.  When Hunter Alden Jr.'s son is kidnapped and the chauffeur is found murdered in a most gruesome way, the detectives have to find out what Hunter Alden Jr. is hiding.  The latest NYPD Red book does not disappoint in the suspense department.

The Setup Man by T.T. Monday

The Setup Man by T.T. Monday - 262 pages

Johnny Adcock is an aging relief pitcher with a side job as a private detective for his fellow major league baseball players with sensitive problems.  This premise sounds bizarre but it works and the noir tone elevates the story to a higher level.  The world is fully fleshed out and the characters have depth from the moment you meet them.  As a baseball fan, I truly enjoyed this diversion from the traditional detective format with its look behind the scenes into that elite world.  Just a note - there is heavy violence in this book so it is by no means a "cozy" mystery.

Godchild by Kaori Yuki

Godchild, v.1 by Kaori Yuki - 208 pages
Godchild, v.2 by Kaori Yuki - 208 pages

Lord Cain became the head of the Hargreaves family upon his father's death.  But is his father really dead?  Why does death follow Lord Cain around?  And how are the two questions connected?
This series is a sequel to the Cain series which focuses on Cain's father.  I'm thinking that there might be a lot of back story in that series that would help to make this one make more sense.  It seems that this series focuses on various murders that Cain happens upon and that he then solves.  A lot of the murders are based upon nursery rhymes and classic books.  Some of the mysteries are better done than others.

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, 437 pages

In King's latest book, he entertains the reader while breaking away yet again from his traditional horror roots.  Mr. Mercedes tells the cat and mouse story of a retired police detective and the mass murderer who got away.  Upon retirement, Det. Hodges left only three cases open, two of which his partner was closing in on.  But one kept Hodges up at night, the Mercedes Killer.  Then one day, Mr. Mercedes makes contact with Det. Hodges, and the games begin.

Despite not being like King's classic works, I really enjoyed this one.  At no point while reading did I think that any information given to me was unneeded.  Also, minor spoilers-ish, you (the reader) know who the killer is all along.  In fact, a good portion of the narrative is told from his perspective...and it was pretty cool.  To demonstrate how good the story was, I'm a pretty slow reader and I basically read the entirety of the book in one weekend.