1938 and trouble is brewing in Germany but you would never know it in Paris where there are bubbles, grand parties and art and wealth everywhere. Charlie is escaping a series of bad events (one being her soon to be divorced husband) and starting over as a reporter for The Times in Paris. Determined to make a name for herself she quickly becomes one with high society and the very busy social scene. At her first big event one of the wealthy is murdered and Charlie is right in the middle of the biggest story of the year. As she digs deeper she finds herself closer to her new friends who are all keeping secrets the biggest being that one may be a murderer. Elegant and filled with the promise of endless parties, overflowing champagne flutes and more murders, this is the start of a new series and an unflappable heroine we want to know more about. This will appeal to historical murder mystery lovers the likes of Agatha Christie and MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH MURDER by Colleen Cambridge. 3 1/2 stars
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Jay sets out to recover his dead father bones off the Pacific coast where he committed suicide. He dons his scuba gear alone and promptly runs into a massive problem - that of being swallowed by a sperm whale. With one hour of air and some knowledge of whale digestive systems he is in a bit of a pickle.
Natural horror as well as Jay's inward battle with his relationship with his father and the voice in his head. This is a sure bet for those of us who are fascinated with the deep and love adventure but don't really want to deal with giant creatures like whales, deep sea squid, dinosaurs and great white sharks. 4 stars Jason Bourne meets Stephanie Plum and Finlay Donovan!
I had forgotten how much fun a spy adventure from Ally Carter can be - a bit more spice than YA and just as much witty dialogue and danger. A woman comes to on her back in Paris with someone shouting a name telling her to run and much gunfire. She has no idea who to trust, who she is or where to run but ends up trusting Sawyer. As the bad guys continue to hunt them down her name is revealed- Zoe and she learns that her identical twin that she didn't know she had is the one everyone is after. For now, she plans on keeping the mysterious Sawyer close by while he tries to keep her at a distance and safe. A madcap adventure through Europe with plenty of bumps and bruises - this will delight readers who want a dose of fun with their James Bond tale as well as readers of Elle Cosimano and Janet Evanovich. The perfect book to pack for your trip to Europe. 4 stars Two women born on the same day at the same hospital are now in the same restaurant celebrating their 45th birthday. Alix has a successful podcast and Josie thinks she has a great new story for it - her own and Hi, I'm Your Birthday Twin is born. They start recording episodes and get friendlier the more time they spend until a get together between the two couples sets a speeding train towards certain derailment. Suddenly you, the reader, along with everyone else is wondering what the heck is going on and just how much of it all is truth. Lisa Jewell knows full well how to ramp up the story so we must finish it in a single go and this plays to our new fascination with podcasts, true crime and armchair detective gossip sessions. This one will leave you with whiplash and will appeal to her many fans. 4 stars A missing girl that literally vanishes from a dead end alley is DCI Days newest case and it is further hampered when she is blackmailed into planting evidence implicating an innocent man. She has a secret about her daughter that will ruin her family and it seems that someone knows it. Julia is first a mother and then a crack detective but can she be both and keep her reputation intact? Twisty mystery with a lot of turns and many characters. Told from multiple point of views it is easy to get confused and while not a quick read it is worth it for those who want a challenge. Her fans will be up for it. 3 1/2 stars
Aki and her family are back in Los Angeles after being held in an internment camp and then relocated to Chicago. Having lost everything when they went to the camps they are still better off than many. She works at a hospital and it is there that she runs into her husband's good friend back from the war.
He has brought in his father who was beaten and this turns to murder leading Aki on a twisted path to find out what has happened to this old man and if her husband's friend is involved. This historical mystery sheds a pale light on the injustice and racial tensions towards Japanese Americans as well as the migration of African Americans from the south. They were Americans and fought in the war but were treated as second class citizens, stripped of their personal property and dignity. The perfect blend of historical fiction and crime noir. Readers of the author's previous book CLARK AND DIVISION will enjoy the continuation of the family in new surroundings. 4 stars Two hustlers move through southern Europe milking unsuspecting people from shopkeepers to big game wealth. When they prey on Lulu something goes horribly wrong and Ali flees the scene taking Lulu's identity and job as a chef for a family on holiday with her. All seems to be going well in Provence but as Ali gets deeper into the transition to Lulu the luxury vacation home quests may be putting things together. Ali's conscience is catching up to her fast and how long can she look over her shoulder for the volatile partner she left behind? TALENTED MR. RIPLEY meets THE GUEST this is not a calm beach read and more of a car chase hugging a narrow cliff lined French coast kind of book. The audiobook was riveting as well. 4 stars
Ren Hopper enjoys his solitude working as an Enforcement Ranger in Yellowstone Nat. Park. He has seen it all from idiot tourists approaching wolf packs to log jam photographers following bison herds and bears. The one thing he has no tolerance for is poaching or harassing either wildlife or those trying to protect the wildlife. When his friend, a wolf watcher biologist, falls prey to a deadly trap Ren goes on the hunt to find out who is responsible and put an end to the violence. This book beautifully portrays the dichotomy of necessary tourism with the people who live off the land near the park and those trying to protect the fragile ecosystem. A stunning outdoor adventure for readers of CJ Box and Alice Henderson. 4 stars
A gothic mystery set in the heyday of the Italian cinema scene of the 60's with a spooky setting of a remote castello and a woman desperate for her chance at fame. Silvia needs a big break and gets it when she is suddenly cast in the lead in a horror film being made at her estranged aunt's castello. Between a romantic interest in one of the producers, her aunt's sudden disappearance and horrible night terrors she has little time for anything else, especially ghosts of the past. A dangerous cat and mouse game played out in a spooky Italian castle and a powerful ending. The perfect escape and an easy pick for Agatha Christie fans or gothic mystery lovers. 4 stars Patricia, a librarian who yearns to be a successful novelist has left her dismissive boyfriend and the big city behind to work at a small town library. Margo is also new to the library and her efficient and friendly circ. desk manner makes her seem like a shoe-in for employee of the year. But once in a while a shadow of ice and rage replaces the friendly face. Patricia is fascinated with Margo but as the two become friends and Patricia learns a little bit of Margo's past she becomes obsessed with making Margo the main focus of her yet unwritten novel. When strange things start happening at the library warning bells go off in Patricia. Can she keep what she knows a secret especially from Margo or will she end up as the next unfortunate library event? This book has so many library anecdotes that librarians will give it many stars but it is a perfectly paced mind game that will attract every reader of sizzling thrillers. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy. This one is going to create a lot of funny looks between patrons and librarians. 4 1/2 stars
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