Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-89296-537-1

Now I have read books about a lot of different things, but this is the first time I have read one about the seafood industry. At least I think it is. In Cold Smoked, a young woman is murdered at a seafood convention in Seattle. Our mystery solver in this book is Jane da Silva, a lounge singer at the hotel hosting the convention. Which is an interesting setup, but now for the odd part…

Jane da Silva is heir to a trust fund that she can only access by providing free investigative services to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them. Frankly, I find this odd premise out of place in a modern mystery. Perhaps it is explained more fully and believably in the first book in the series. But in this book da Silva is a lounge singer, working as a detective, disguised as a fish reporter, who then pretends she is just a tourist. Seems fishy to me.

However, I do like books that teach me something new, and this one does tell you a bit about the fishing industry and the different factions within it. There are also multiple mysteries in this book (one of them quite funny) so those of you who like to untangle something a little more complicated will be pleased.

The odd thing about this book is that we really didn’t find out much about da Silva’s character except that she doesn’t want a committed relationship with her current boyfriend. While characters that go in for too much introspection drive me nuts, I do like a little more insight into them than is provided here. There wasn’t enough of a hook to encourage me to read any more of this series.

Did I guess it? Parts of it. Will I read more? Yes, but this series will be low on my list.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

ISBN 0-425-21019-7

I look forward to reading everything by Simon Brett. He is a recent discovery for me and I like all three of his series. Stabbing in the Stables is a Fethering mystery, featuring Jude (an alternative therapist) and Carole Seddon (an uptight Home Office retiree). This interesting duo becomes involved in a murder at a stable after Jude has been called upon to look at, and possibly heal, a horse.

I love the relationship between the two women. Jude is a very accepting Earth mother sort with healing hands and Carole is a very rigid type who is learning to unwind as she spends time with Jude. And she, like the rest of us unbelievers, is skeptical of Jude’s abilities (a good move on Brett’s part as this built-in skeptic keeps the reader from balking and moves the story along). And both Carole and Jude have a need to find out answers and can’t resist the lure of a mystery.

Brett populates this entire book with interesting characters. They all have depth because they all have needs, desires, and conflicts (with the possible exception of the villain of the piece, who is obvious fairly early on). The character of Donal is fantastic and is slowly revealed like a peeled onion, changing the way he is regarded by both the other characters and the reader.

This is not a book for the extremely squeamish. While not explained in gory detail, it does have violence against both humans and animals in it. But if you can handle a dose of reality in your mystery, the writing makes this one quite worthwhile.

Did I guess it? Sort of. Any more detail would ruin it for you. Will I read more? Absolutely.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

0-8041-0594-4

A good vintage mystery always has a young heiress with multiple suitors, a sleuthing pair resisting falling in love, a maiden aunt, shady characters with mysterious backgrounds, and the threat of an old scandal coming to light. Peril Under the Palms has all the required elements and is set in Hawaii to boot.

While Beck’s writing style is more suited to modern readers than a mystery actually written in 1928, Beck manages to capture the style and manners of the time. On the upside, we have the clothes, parties, and leisure time fun of the idle rich in the 20’s and the adventurousness of the young with the whole world before them. On the down side we have class snobbery and racial inequality, which Beck demonstrates in subtle but interesting ways.

I cut my teeth on society sleuth mysteries like this one and this was like a trip down memory lane. If you are looking for a change from the modern mystery, this may be just the ticket.

Did I guess it? Mostly. This book is formulaic, but enjoyable nonetheless. Will I read more. Yes.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

ISBN 0-373-26361-9

This is a charming book. It is quaint, old-fashioned, and fun all at the same time. It is about Mrs. Pargeter, who is the widow of a master criminal whose activities are only vaguely described, but who garnered the loyalty of all who worked for and with him. After his demise, this loyalty has been extended to Mrs. Pargeter who, while her husband was alive, knew almost nothing of her husband’s activities – at his insistence. Now that he is dead, however, she feels obligated to wrap up his unfinished business.

The particular bit of business in this book is to return a bunch of stolen paintings to their rightful owners. Mrs. Pargeter and her husband’s colorful former associates plan a delightful little caper to accomplish this feat. And while there is a little mystery in this book, the caper seemed the more interesting part. But that may just be me, I am a sucker for a well-planned heist.

Younger and more liberated female readers will find the character of Mrs. Pargeter unusual. While some of her ignorance of Mr. P’s illegal activities is feigned to protect herself from moral or legal unpleasantness, Brett has fashioned her after a generation of women that really existed but are quickly disappearing. Yes girls, there really were women who never worked and had no idea what their husbands did for a living. But if you can get past this oddity, you will enjoy this book.

Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read more? Absolutely.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

In an ideal world, every book by every author should stand on its own and be reviewed that way. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. Motor Mouth is Evanovich’s second book in the NASCAR themed series featuring Alexandra (Barney) Barnaby and Sam Hooker and, unfortunately, the series is such that it invites comparisons to her Stephanie Plum series.

First, the NASCAR series has very similar characters – central male/female characters with an on-again-off-again relationship, lovable lunkheads who need to be rescued, on-call sidekicks ready for wild and crazy adventures, and even a big dog who eats everything. Sound familiar?

Second, the stories are similar. I describe the Stephanie Plum books as romps instead of mysteries. You follow the characters through a series of misadventures that just keep snowballing throughout the book – and the same is true with Motor Mouth. This progression of bad-to-worse situations is the best part of this book, in my opinion.

The similarities between the two series would be fine, if only the NASCAR series was as good as the Plum series. But somehow it isn’t. The characters aren’t as lovable, the adventures aren’t as fun, even the dog isn’t as enjoyable. And, most importantly, the laughs aren’t there. Everyone who laughed out loud at the misadventures of Stephanie Plum is going to be very disappointed with Motor Mouth.

Is this a horrible book? No. If this is the first Evanovich book you read, you will probably enjoy it and then search out her better books. However, if you are a Plum devotee, prepare to be disappointed. If you can, put the Plum books completely out of your head and try to read this without any expectations.

If you haven’t read any of the Stephanie Plum books, skip this series and run out and get them now. I haven’t read anything as funny as those books in years and I all but stop strangers in the street to recommend these books. What are you waiting for?

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

ISBN 1-880284-71-5

This author knows her stuff. This is a historical mystery set in England in 1573, during the reign of Elizabeth I, and the reader is utterly transported to that time period. Emerson makes it easy on the reader by putting in a glossary of essential terms and a cast of characters, in which she notes who the real-life people were.

Lady Appleton is the heroine of this series, and Emerson manages to put her in some tricky situations. First, the Queen is coming to visit. And while you might think this is a cause for celebration, for Lady Appleton it could spell disaster. A visit by the queen is a costly, the preparations are time-consuming, and it draws unwanted attention from an almost all-powerful monarch who can change, or even end, your life on a whim. And when a suspicious death occurs shortly before the queen is due to arrive, the pressure is on Lady Appleton to figure out exactly what happened. And quickly.

I loved the huge amount of detail Emerson puts in this book about life in the Elizabethan era. It is absolutely fantastic. While she omits some of the unpleasantness of everyday life, she doesn’t glamorize and make it unrealistic. The characters are affected by death, disease, and separation from loved ones. Their actions are dictated by their stations in life in this class-based society, and have to deal with all the prejudices thereof.

The other think I liked a lot was, for lack of a better expression, as sense of impending doom. In this society, there was always someone else who had power of you and your actions. Lady Appleton is the widowed lady of the manor and has the power over her servants. But she has to worry about the Queen and her minions who might report back any grievance to her, the other local gentry, and the religious officials who have the ability to slander her name, defame her character, and demand punishment. Careful strategy, strong allies, and well-placed bribes are the key to a happy life in this book.

Did I solve it? No, I was enjoying the mood too much to really suss it out. Will I read more? Definitely.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

ISBN 0-312-33827-9

The most interesting thing about this book is the very natural and realistic relationships between the people and the events that unfold as a result of these relationships. The characters act out because of their shame, fear, loyalty, envy, ambition, sloth, etc. They all have unique characters and world views and all act accordingly. It seems an odd thing to say, but it seems very organic and believable. I think Granger must be a great student of human nature.

I quite like the main characters, too. Meredith Mitchell works for the Foreign Office and her fiancé Alan Marksby is in the police. In their 30’s and 40’s, they are a strong couple who are willing to compromise to be together and tolerate each other’s baggage. Like Toby Smythe, a friend and co-worker of Meredith’s who Alan doesn’t care for, and who gets them involved in their current unpleasantness – poison pen letters which are being sent to his aunt.

Another thing I liked about this book is that Granger doesn’t have Mitchell and Marksby competing to solve the crime before the other does. I find it so annoying when the unofficial detective messes up evidence and conceals information from the police. Instead, she investigates background information that the police don’t have the time or inclination to pursue and then turns over what she finds to Marksby. It is a pleasing, cooperative effort that doesn’t grate on the nerves.

Did I guess it? Sort of. If you are looking for a solid mystery with really good characters, pick this one up. This is a long series and I plan to go back and read the others, too.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

I love Lovejoy. Lovejoy is at first glance a bounder, a cad, and a criminal. But he has his own set of rules he tries to live by that make him seem somehow honorable. And you can understand how the many women in his life have a hard time deciding whether to sleep with him or smack him upside the head.

In The Ten Word Game, Lovejoy is on the run from past misdeeds and gets caught up in a net so big he can’t figure out where the edges are to make his escape. And this time he doesn’t have the usual cast of characters with him to help out – he has been Shanghaied onto a cruise ship full of antique enthusiasts. This is an excellent plot device because Gash introduces a ton of characters and we have no idea who to trust.

The mystery? I didn’t see it coming and should have. Maybe. I love that it snuck up on me even though I should have guessed it. Because I know about … but I won’t ruin it for you.

And, once again, I marvel at the amount of information that Gash knows about the antiques business, both legitimate and not. And how effortlessly he can include this information in the book. Frankly, this takes real talent. How many times have you read a book in which the author just dumps the data and it is painful to read? My guess is too many times. My recommendation is that you pick up this and all of the Lovejoy books. They are a treat.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

Fire When Ready is the seventh book in the Manor House series, featuring Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton. Lady Elizabeth and the small English town of Sitting Marsh have adapted to the American pilots billeted at the Manor House, but the new munitions factory in their town is a different matter. Tempers flare as the locals debate whether the benefit of more jobs outweighs the possibility that the factory might draw enemy bombing raids to their small town.

When the factory burns down immediately after its grand opening, Lady Elizabeth is determined to find out why two people were locked inside the blazing building. She is aided in her investigations by the unexpected return of Earl Monroe, the American pilot she has fallen in love with. Unfortunately, his return seems to have addled her brains. She does everything but swoon in the second half of the book and, instead of the strong Lady of the Manor, she turns into an intrusive bumbler who makes bad decisions right up until the end when Earl comes to her rescue.

After reading Berried Alive by this author, I am disappointed by this book. The mystery is formulaic and very much secondary to the romance. Personally, I prefer a little romance with my mystery rather than the other way around. However, the characters continue to make these books worthwhile. Kingsbury has populated Sitting Marsh with people you will enjoy reading about, and even quietly cheering for as they survive life on the home front during World War II.

Did I guess it? Yes. A not very mysterious mystery.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006

Whenever I read a book by Jonathan Gash, I wonder if he had a misspent youth. Sure, he grew up to be a distinguished doctor in real life, but how did he learn so much about antiques forgeries for the Lovejoy books and the world of prostitution rings in London for this book? It just makes you wonder…

Different Women Dancing is the first in a series by Gash about Dr. Clare Burtonall. She has two encounters with a strange man at the scenes of accidents and her curiosity prods her to find out more about him and his life as a male prostitute. And just as Gash draws us into the Lovejoy books with all the detailed information on antiques, we are drawn into the underground world of prostitution rings and the people who populate them. Each chapter heading defines a new and different term for the reader so you have a better idea what is being referred to in the street slang conversation between the different players. And this definition of terms is an excellent thing, because this book is dense with dialect and slang. I read a fair number of English mysteries and I still was lost once or twice.

And now let’s digress for a moment and talk about sex. Jonathan Gash writes sexy books and this book is about the sex trade. I couldn’t help but think as I read this book, that Gash’s depiction of the world of prostitution was somewhat glamorized by his own views on sex. I find it hard to believe that the world of professional prostitutes is as nice as depicted in this book. There is violence and murder in this book, which you think would be the norm, but Gash somehow tries to keep the sexual aspect above it all.

This Dr. Burtonall series is new to me, but I have read all of the Lovejoy books. While some readers might be annoyed that Lovejoy usually has sex with several women in each of the books (and then sponges off them), Lovejoy says the most complementary things about women, if not to them. In the last Lovejoy book I read, there was almost an Earth mother/Goddess type reverence in the comments made about the women Lovejoy slept with. Which makes me want to go back to the earliest Lovejoy books and see if this element was present all the way along or if this was something that Lovejoy/Gash learned with age.

But anyway… aside from what I feel is a probably a slightly unrealistic view of the sex trade, this is a pretty good book. I look forward to reading more.

Did I guess it? Some, but not all.

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006