REVIEWS: MYSTERIES

dear readers,

Here are some reviews for a few mysteries I have read recently.

INTO THE DARK

Written by RICK MOFINA 
genre: suspense, thriller, mystery

3.5 Stars 

Cold case detective Joe Tanner is trying to solve the murder of a young screenwriter and single mother of two.  As he reviews his cases he notices a pattern that might suggest that a serial killer had been on a killing spree at this time and now was dormant.  Using Mark Harding, an ambitious reporter he manages to bring the killer out of retirement and now is on his trail to discover his identity.

Claire Bowen is happy.  She loves being a psychologist and being married to Pilot, Robert Bowen. The only thing she is missing is a child.  She is unable to have children but continues to look at other alternative options.  Lately though she has noticed changes in her happy husband and lets her friend, Julie investigate him.

Robert Bowen loves his new wife and his job.  Everything is being to be perfect until he feels like his wife is changing their life with all this baby talk, and worse the police are taunting him.  The dormant dark side of him is awakening and his next victim is close to home.

Another great mystery by Rick Mofina.  We are aware of the killer's identity early in the novel but Mofina keeps the suspense going with the cat and mouse game and how it will go down.  The reason I gave this book a 3.5 versus a 4 is the ending.  The climax was way too rushed especially as slow as the beginning was.


UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
(J.P. Beaumont: Book One)
Written by J.A. Jance
genre: mystery, suspense

3 Stars 

J.P. Beaumont a homicide detective in Seattle has a new partner and a new case of murder. A young girl is found brutally murdered and the first suspect is the religious group she and her mother belong to. At the little girl's funeral he meets Anne - a beautiful rich woman who is sociologically investigating young victims for her book. As Beaumont and his partner, Peters look into the murder he finds himself drawn to the young woman.

I have read Jance's Ali Reynolds novels and have found to be a good mystery read. I liked this novel well enough and it carried me to the end, but I do not feel the need to continue the series. I feel like I have gotten everything out if the novel that I needed. Beaumont also seems to lack the charm of liking the main character. He seems to have nothing that makes him outstanding. I think listening on audio made me give it a 3 versus maybe a 2


HOLIDAY IN DEATH
(In Death: Book Seven)
Written by JD ROBB

4 STARS  

It is the holiday season and Eve Dallas is bewildered at the task of buying gifts for those she cares about especially her billion dollar husband. As she tries to figure out her shopping a woman is found murdered in her apartment with garland around her throat and a partridge in a pear tree hair clip. As Eve investigates her murder another woman is murder in the same manner and the thing they had in common was they both bought services from a matchmaking company. As the killed targets the lonely looking for love Eve is trying to make it through the festive season which she finds harder than catching a killer.

Loved it. Eve Dallas is a great heroine flawed and insecure yet kick ass. I like the way Robb does not force her to become someone else but rather each novel chips away at her armor. It is done in a way that it is not boring or overly repetitive. Read her novella right after this one as it is almost a continuation piece.  

MIDNIGHT IN DEATH
(In Death: Book 7.5)
Written by JD ROBB

4 STARS  

The story continues with Eve hot off a case that leaves Peabody indisposed so Roarke signs himself up as her deputy. David Palmer a sadistic killer has escaped prison and is going to kill everyone who had a hand in putting him away. As Eve races to recapture Palmer she is reminded of her past and those that love her in the present.

I perfect story - while I would have liked more background and chasing about i think this novella has the right amount of story and satisfying ending. It is less of a marketing tool (ie cliffhanger prequel that makes you buy the next one in order to know what happens) and more of an appreciative gift for fans. This tides you over (momentarily) until the next Eve Dallas book! 
 


love,
kris

REVIEW: Don't Disappear for Rick Mofina's New Novel

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

THEY DISAPPEARED
standalone
Written by Rick Mofina
genre: mystery, suspense

4 STARS

As Jeff's marriage hangs in the balance after a family tragedy he and his wife decide to treat their son to a dream trip to New York City.  On their first outing his wife and son vanish while he goes to a shop to buy batteries.  At first the police do not believe Jeff and soon become suspicious of the mechanic from Montana who was having troubles with his wife.  As Jeff tries to race around New York to save his family he comes to realize he wants to save more than just their lives.

If you are looking for a quick fast pace ride this is the novel for you.  It feels like an episode from the first half of Law&Order as you follow the twists and turns.  While the general storyline has been done a few times the plot has you turning the pages.

love,
kris

Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder - Part I (Reviews)

dear readers,

Last year (2011) I discovered 3 mystery/suspense authors who write about death in Seattle (Washington).  I live in Vancouver, BC so Seattle is not so far away making the killer quite literally next door.


Rick Mofina was a journalist for the Toronto Star (Canadian newspaper) as a crime reporter and many of his articles appear in many other publications around the world.  He grew up in Ontario and now resides in Ottawa with his family.

This is the first time I have read Rick Mofina and I started with his Jason Wade trilogy (I did contact the author and he does not think that there will be anymore novels in the series) which takes place in Seattle.

Jason Wade
1. THE DYING HOUR (2005)
2. EVERY FEAR (2006)
3. A PERFECT GRAVE (2007)

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/rick-mofina/

I had picked up The Dying Hour as a freebie from my former job at a bookstore.  While shopping at Costco I saw book 2 and 3 as a book bundle and could not resist.   After visiting Seattle this year I decided to try this series and loved not only his description of Seattle but the life of a lowly crime reporter was realistic and grabs you from the beginning.

THE DYING HOUR 

(Book 1)

3 STARS

Jason Wade is an intern in the running for a permanent position at the Mirror but stakes are high as his background is not as impressive as the other interns.  He had been working at the local brewery with his alcoholic father and then put himself through community college.  Hs mother left them when he was young and recently his own girlfriend left him.  He has to win this position as he needs it to survive and keep his sanity.  Then on the police scanner he hears about a car is found abandoned on the side of the highway with the driver missing.  The competition begins....

I was intrigued with the case as much as Jason was - a woman just vanishing into thin air - there has to be more behind it.  Jason is not only the underdog in this race for a permanent position but has everything - everyone -  going against him.  This was a great suspense/mystery novel.

EVERY FEAR

(Book 2)

3.5 STARS

SPOILER: This review may contain spoilers from THE DYING HOUR.

 Jason Wade has been given the position at the Mirror but this does not mean he is accepted as he is still being shunned for his antics on the last case.  Maria Colson and her baby son, Dylan stop at the corner store - while she runs inside she leaves her son with the young girl outside the store.  Seconds later her son is being shoved into a van and Maria runs and jumps inside only to be thrown out and is now fighting for her life.  Jason is put on the case  only to discover that the couple have no troubles and no enemies.  Jason's dad, now a PI, comes across another murder that may be tied into Jason's case.  Grace Garner is the homicide detective in charge of the case and Jason's new frenemy...all are running out of time.

I liked this novel better the previous book but felt like there was something missing.  I cannot put my finger on it but I was not as satisfied in the end.  The case of missing baby Dylan was great and the characters were realistic.

A PERFECT GRAVE

(Book 3)

3 STARS

SPOILER: This review may contain spoilers from THE DYING HOUR and EVERY FEAR.

Jason Wade is back and is still not friendly with the Editor and finds himself alone, yet again.  A nun is brutally murdered but they cannot find anyone who disliked her.  This case not only digs into the nun's mysterious past but Jason's father's past comes back to haunt him.  Jason and Grace who only went out for a short time are now unsure of how to be around one another.  This leads them to keep secrets from one another which does not help with their case.

This is the concluding book in the Jason Wade series and it does tie up loose ends but I still want more - ha.  Another great  suspense mystery from Mofina.

I next want to tackle his Jack Gannon series!

Jack Gannon
1. Vengeance Road (2009)
2. The Panic Zone (2010)
3. In Desperation (2011)
4. The Burning Edge (2011)

Author's Website: http://www.rickmofina.com/

NEXT: Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder II (Gregg Olsen)

love,
kris