Review: The Hidden One

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read the first two books in this series I was very excited to win this one for review. I was not disappointed. Even though out of sequence it was not dependent upon the earlier installments to understand the story--truly a stand-alone book. The Amish community is so clearly explained and shown in these books and it is interesting to read the Amish Dutch to see how closely my translation meets the immediate English the author provides. The mysteries Castillo presents are always intriguing and Kate, as a former Amish woman, is an interesting character who though no longer a member of the religious community is both understanding and respectful to its way of life. Though some view her as an outsider, her ability to speak their language and her professionalism as Police Chief often makes the less than trusting confide in her. In this book, as well as the earlier ones I've read, Kate's earlier life is revealed in small segments. Here, she is outside her area of authority doing a favor for a former childhood friend who has been arrested for the murder of his Bishop. Kate is not only an outsider to the local Amish but also to the local law enforcement agency. As her own investigation turns up some new information someone who seems to want her either silenced permanently or, at the very least, driven out of town threatened her life several times.

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Review: Fallen

Fallen by Linda Castillo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Disappointed because on page 50 I knew who the murderer had to be! Rachael has to be one of Castillo's least likeable victims! Headstrong, rebellious, lived life to the fullest, sure, but also selfish, vindictive and a liar. Nothing about her, even as a supposedly precocious child appealed to me. That said, no one should die in such a way. But, not liking her made the book less interesting. As soon as I deducted who the murderer was and why, as I said, on page 50, I remembered the opening scene and knew without a doubt that the red herring wasn't the one. Even the murderer cites the opening scene at the end. Much too transparent this time, Ms Castillo. Hopefully, just poor editing and not a change in style. I'm moving to The Hidden One , number 14, now so we shall see!

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Review: The Redeemer

The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the reasons I read is to learn about places I've never been and things I've never known or thought about. The Harry Hole novels certainly give me some insight into the people, customs, geography, weather etc of Norway but this particular installment also revealed that the Salvation Army has a real presence there. Here in the US we, of course, are familiar with the uniforms and kettles that appear on cold street corners during the holiday season. And, if you are a lover of Broadway musicals, Guys and Dolls also gave a bit of an insight into the Army. On a personal level, the lady, who had the apartment next to ours and shared our garbage dumbwaiter in New York City, was a uniformed officer in the Army and was an interesting neighbor. She never interacted with any of us, but each morning she literally marched off somewhere, obviously to work, and returned each evening.

In this book, the Salvation Army and its practices serve as the framework to a series of murders to be investigated by Harry and his subordinates. It would appear that a paid assassin tried to kill one of the Armies soldiers, made a mistake and spent the rest of the book trying desperately to kill the right guy. While he was getting more and more frustrated, Harry is struggling with a new boss, who seems to want to get rid of him, as well as his addiction to alcohol. His personal life is in limbo since Reikel is unable to adapt to his lifestyle but still stays in touch and her young son,Oleg, is still very much attached.

I love Nesbo's writing--it is so easy to visualize the scenes and actions in the book. Especially when he uses a sort of " fade " approach. For example, one character is knocking on a door but the door opens and it is in answer to a knock by another character on a different door. One reviewer called it cinematic and that is the perfect description. The book is 500 pages long but it just flies--the action is non-stop and yet the characters are so well developed--even the most secondary ones.. A look from a woman on the railroad platform is as noticeable as the face of Harry's boss as he makes clear Harry is to do his bidding in a one on one confrontation in his office.

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Review: Salvation in Death

Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

27th Installment?/I'll never catch up. How does Robb keep coming up with these murders? This time a well respected, might even say beloved, priest is celebrating the requiem Mass for a prominent member of the congregation. The Church is filled with generations of relatives and neighborhood friends. It is the most sacred moment of the rite, the consecration and taking of Communion by the celebrant. He drops half the host into the chalice, lifts it to his lips, drinks and collapses in death. It doesn't take long to determine that he has been poisoned--cyanide. Who would want to murder this man who in his five years in the Parish has been actively involved in all its facets--especially with the Youth group ? It also doesn't take to learn that he is not the priest he has claimed to be--he is an imposter who is not a priest at all! First order of business then must be to determine who he is, why he posed as a priest and, maybe just as importantly, why he asked to be assigned to this particular Parish. Lots of questions, not many immediate answers and a few monkey wrenches thrown into the mix--like the poisoning of another religious leader in the midst of an arena full of followers during a mass celebration. Connected? Maybe.

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Review: A Shot to the Heart

A Shot to the Heart by James L. Thane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On The Thane Train Again

Gave up on this author a couple books back, but this one is a winner! You know from the outset how the murder was committed and by whom, even why. What you don't know for a couple of pages is that the daughter of the victim ,Laura,a cardiologist, is not going to accept a sudden stroke, an accident, as the cause of her father's death. Nor do you realize just how meticulously the widow, Cyndi has planned it and its cover up. What follows is a delicious chess game between these two women,as various pieces fly off the board and the game culminates in a perfect checkmate,with the piece literally falling face up blankly staring the winner in the eye! One of the best books I've read this year!!!

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Review: The Woman in Cabin 10

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The only reason I finished this book is because the reviews were so good that I thought I needed to get into it further. Then, I'd gotten into it so far it seemed I should at least see who was playing tricks on this woman, who I found weak, whiney and totally unappealing. The writing is sophmoric, boring and repetitive but finailly I reached the last third of the book--page 236 to be exact and the story became at least somewhat interesting and, maybe, a bit unsettling but not terrorizing. The last two pages could be the last two of any mystery when there is no body to identify so one isn't sure the person is truly dead. Not in the slightest original. Should I try another ot this author's books to see if there is any improvement in story development and character building or move on to one of my favorite authors whom I know to be more adept and satisfying? For the moment, it will be the latter.

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Review: The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life

The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bittersweet to read Trebek's memories and philosophy written when he knew his life was coming to an end. Some of the " chapters " were a paragraph long, others extended to a page and a half. Interestingly, there were some very profound thoughts and some themes that provided food for thought for the reader. What is courage? Does divorce always have to mean anger and recriminations? Is it enough to be really talented and good at what you do to succeed? He answers the question he found himself confronted with after he revealed his diagnosis--how did he want to be remembered? I'll leave it to other readers to hear it directly from him in his own words. As for me, his wish has been fulfilled.

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