Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts

Friday, 5 October 2012

Review: Dublin Murder Squad: Reviews

dear readers,


DUBLIN MURDER SQUAD SERIES


IN THE WOODS  
(Book One)

4 STARS

A great suspense/mystery.  I love the chemistry between Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. They have this brother/sister annoying each other aspect but yet there is a bit of sexual spark as they are both wounded from the past.  Ryan's past is weaved in fantastically with the current murder mystery.


LIKENESS
(Book Two)

4 STARS

 I just gobbled this suspense novel!  This time we get the POV of Cassie who is called back to murder when the victim is her spitting image but has also taken her former undercover identity..  Frank talks her into going undercover again as Sam (the head detective) argues against  it.  Cassie bored of DV says yes and the mystery begins.

love,
kris

Thursday, 4 October 2012

!!!SIZZLING!!! New Romantic Suspense: Review


dear readers,

One of my guilty pleasures is reading romantic suspense novels.  The great novels have a fine balance of romance and suspense.  There is a killer loose and a heroine and hero are thrown together not only to solve a case but also to fight their passion for one another.  I stay away from the porn and violence that sometimes is disguised as a romantic suspense.  You want to leave the book a bit shaken with the thoughts of the villain and stirred within with the love of the characters.  I don't want to be left disturbed and in need of a shower.  A new author - well new to me - Jami Alden's work is closer to the former.


BEG FOR MERCY 
(Book 1)
3.5 STARS

Megan Flynn is finally going to sleep with her new homicide detective boyfriend, Cole Williams only to have it interrupted by a phone call. Her brother has been arrested for rape and murder.  Fast forward 2 years where Sean Flynn is on death row with Megan putting her own life on hold to get him out.  Cole in a bid to save his career publicly stated Megan was not serious to him and he felt that Sean was guilty.
For the sake of his sanity and his sister's Sean decides to forgo anymore appeals.  This only causes Megan to investigate on her own.  She is putting herself in danger getting to the truth but she must find the killer.  Cole worries for her safety but helping her could lose him his job.  But can he really live without her anymore?

I galloped through this spicy novel.  Megan is a bit annoying but then again if I had someone on death row depending on me to rescue them I'd be highstrung too.  Cole is yummy and fierce  - no match for the killer or Megan.  I was more intrigued by Sean who has a past in the Army and this quiet sexiness.  Jami Alden seems to be an author to keep an eye on.

HIDE FROM EVIL                                                  
(BOOK TWO)
4 STARS

Sean Flynn is now free and trying to put the past few years behind.  Krista Slater - Sean's Prosecutor - feels guilty and angry that she had the wrong man and almost had him put to death.  She tries to put things right by continuing the investigation on her own dime.  Her one hope is Sean's help but he does not want to get involved - and neither do some other people.

When Krista attempts to gain Sean's help they are dragged into a fight for their life.  They don't know who they can trust and only have each other to turn to.
Krista is like a Hitchcock heroine - a gorgeous cold blonde.  She is tough as nails and out to prove herself to the world but has a quiet vulnerability that makes her very likeable.   Sean is just what she needs to bring out the warmth and in turn she brings Sean to life.  This novel has quick-paced action in both suspense and romance.  This series seems to get better and I cannot wait for Talia and Brooks story.



RUN FROM FEAR
(Book Three)
4 STARS
Talia Vega survived the Seattle Slasher with the help of the ex-Green Beret, Jack Brooks. Wanting to leave her terrifying past she moves to another town close to her now college bound sister, Rosario. She also wants to get away from Jack who she feels greatly attracted to but thinks he sees her as a broken victim.

Soon Talia starts receiving items that David, her ex-lover and mad man, had given to her and her home is being violated. Rosario calls Jack and suddenly Talia is not only running for her life but for her heart.

Jack has tried to forget Talia but can't and he will jeopardize his heart, job and life to keep her safe and for a moment with her. Together they must work together to find the her stalker.

Another great novel by Jami Alden and I am so glad she decided to write Talia and Jack's story. From book one I have liked Talia and could not wait to find out more about her. She is a strong woman stuck in a bad situation and thought herself in love with a man who loved her.
This novel also features men and women from Alden's Gemini Trilogy as Jack is a member of Gemini Security. Although I already know the outcome of the trilogy I will give book 1 a shot. I do kind of wish I would have known this before as I am a stickler with order.


http://www.jamialden.com/

love,
kris

Reviews: Get Ready to Read Through the Night...

and you may want to keep the lights on (no judgement).


dear readers,

I have been lucky this month and had a chance  to read Advanced Copies of two brilliant suspense/mystery authors: Tami Hoag and Lisa Gardner.  Both had their start in the romance genre before they went into the suspense genre for which they are now known for. (I received both ARCs from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

TAMI HOAG


Oak Knoll
1. Deeper than the Dead (2010) 4 STARS
2. Secrets to the Grave (2011) 4 STARS
3. Down the Darkest Road (2011) 4 STARS
Deeper Than the DeadSecrets to the GraveDown the Darkest Road 
The Oak Knoll series is named for the town these novels take place in (California, USA) and are set from mid-80s to 1990.  What I love about this series is that this is pre-CSI era where it is more detective work and instinct versus DNA and profiling.  Former FBI agent Vince Leone is in fact one of the pioneers of profiling so we get the beginning of this new tool.  The characters are all realistic and could fit in the present day but the setting around them reminds you that this a few decades back.  Though you could potentially read these novels as a standalone or out of order - I would advise against it.  Many of the characters run through all of the novels and unfortunately the third book does reveal some spoilers for the first.  I think that this series is so wonderful just read book one and I dare you not to continue.


DOWN THE DARKEST ROAD
(BOOK 3) 
written by TAMI HAOG
genre: thriller, mystery, suspense


4 STARS

Lauren's perfect family has fallen apart - her eldest daughter has been missing for years and her husband has left her a widow.  She is angry and wanting justice she takes her daughter, Leah and moves to Oak Knoll to start anew - except the man she suspects of her daughter's disappearance has also moved to the neighbourhood.  Det. Tony Mendez of Oak Knoll has been put in the middle to discover the truth.

I really like this series and this novel was no disappointment.  I hope Hoag continues with the series.  I love the late 80s/early 90s setting and the characters are wonderful and has wonderful suspense keeping you flipping the pages. 


LISA GARDNER


D.D. Warren
1. Alone (2005) 4 STARS
2. Hide (2007) 3 STARS
3. The Neighbor (2009) 3 STARS
4. Live to Tell (2010) 4 STARS
5. Love You More (2011) 2.5 STARS
6. Catch Me(2012) 3 STARS
The 7th Month (2012)
AloneHideThe NeighborLive to Tell
Love You MoreCatch MeThe 7th Month

D.D. Warren is a female homicide detective in the Boston PD and tough as nail in and out her job.  She likes her freedom but is strongly attracted to fellow BPD detective, Bobby Dodge.  I like this character because is not a damsel in distress or cold unfeeling bitch - she is the perfect blend of strength and compassion.  These books can be read on there on own but there is a story that goes through the novels.

The first 2 books Alone and Hide are more of Bobby Dodge's story than D.D.'s but gives you a great introduction to her character.  The 3-6 book feature her as the main character.  The novella The 7th Month should be read before Catch me and after Love You More. The 7th Month will be released January 10, 2012.

CATCH ME
(Book 6)
written by Lisa Gardner
genre: thriller, mystery, suspense
COMING: February 7, 2012




3 STARS

Charlie cannot remember exact details of her childhood with her mother only that her mother was not entirely sane and hurt her and her siblings.  After a fire she is sent to live with her Aunt and starts to rebuild her life as best she can.  Then the nightmare has started again - 2 years ago her best friend was murdered and the case was never solved.  Then the following year to the date her other best friend is murdered and again the case goes unsolved.  Now it is another year and Charlie is prepping for the fight of her life.  

D.D. Warren is now the mother of baby Jack and is back on the force.  She feels something is not quite right with Charlie, but also has another case of young pedophiles being murdered.  Like Charlie's best friends, there was no forced entry or much disturbed.  

I am a big fan of the D.D. Warren series - she is a realistic portrayal of a female detective in Boston PD.  She is ballsy and yet vulnerable.  I was not overly joyed with Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant as a main character.  I just did not care for her as a character and to be honest hoped she would exit left.  I have given this novel 3 starts mainly for the great writing, twists and suspense and because of the realistic nature of the novel.

love, 
kris






Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Lady Emily vs Lady Julia...Part II (A Review of Two Series)

dear readers,

AND IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE LADY JULIA...

SILENT IN THE GRAVE 
written by Deanna Raybourn
(Book 1)
genre: historical mystery, gothic


3.5 STARS



Lady Julia Grey's husband and childhood sweetheart, Edward, has died and she has set in for the year of mourning and taking care of the heir Sir Simon Grey.  On the day of her husband's death she meet the mysterious Nicholas Brisbane who claims he was hired by Edward and he may been been murdered.  She pushes those thoughts aside until discovers the threatening letters and forges ahead to solve a mystery that may not exist.

I loved Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily mysteries and found Lady Julia a good read while I wait for more Emily.  Set in Victorian times - Julia is apart of the eccentric March family whom I fell in love with and the servants were not lumped together as cardborad characters.  It is a fun historical mystery/romance.





I have rest of the books on hold to read soon.  I will post links to my reviews when I have read them for those interested.





















Book 3: Silent on the Moor
Book 4: Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5: The Dark Enquiry


COMING SOON:




SILENT NIGHT 
(A Novella)

'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey - .

After a year of marriage - and numerous adventures - Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together - until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.

Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering - but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories from a previous holiday - one that turned deadly. Is a new culprit recreating 



When it comes to the first books in the series Lady Julia kicks Lady Emily's butt by .5 stars.  Alexander's series is mostly focused on Emily and then her relationship with the Queen's agent, Colin.  Raybourn, on the other hand, focuses on Julia and her family.  There is an attraction between Julia and private investigator, Nicholas and I find it to be more interesting.  Nicholas is mysterious and we only get his story in strands. In real life you may want to be married to Colin, but when it comes to novels you definitely want to fantasize about Nicholas. 
Julia's family plays a bigger part in the book which adds to the book's flavour; Emily's parents seem a bit more bland.  Raybourn's novel is a bit more dark and mystical - think Sherlock Holmes (novels not movies) mixed with Bronte, and Alexander's novel is more women's rights and adventure - think Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World mixed with Jane Austen.  I liked both books for what they were and if I had to pick, "Silent in the Grave" was the better of the two.  As for series...stay tuned.crimes of the past? And will Brisbane let Julia investigate - ? 

love, 
kris



Lady Emily versus Lady Julia.... (A Review of Two Series)







dear readers,

IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE LADY EMILY ASHTON...

                       AND ONLY TO DECEIVE 
(Book 1)
written by TASHA ALEXANDER
genre: victorian era, historical mystery, romance

3.5 STARS      

Lady Emily Ashton's (nee Bromley) character grows as the novel progresses but women's lib kind of knocks you too often in the head. As this takes place in the Victorian era I can see why this would be a big issue, but I think it would been better as a show then tell.  A great Victorian mystery and is believable.  Philip Ashton while on a hunting trip dies of a fever, but while Emily is in mourning she discovers who her husband really was and whether he was actually murdered.

link to summary: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/tasha-alexander/and-only-to-deceive.htm


I have read the rest of the series and am up to date...



















































COMING SOON:

Book 7 in the Lady Emily Series



SYNOPSIS: Years ago, Emily's childum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests go, Emily's childhood nemesis, Emma Callum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests of some very powerful people.

love, 
kris