Review: The Darkness

The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't stop thinking about this book. Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is such an intriguing main character. And the ending blew me away. I will read more by Ragnar Jonasson.

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Review: Dance Hall of the Dead

Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hillerman never disappoints. Leaphorn is such a good egg. I love those western lawmen.

Joe is investigating another murder, but this time in Zuni territory. He's steady, smart, and reliable, as alwasy. And he lets his moral compass guide him to do the right thing, even if he has to blur the lines of the letter of the law. Such a great series, in a beautiful setting, with interesting cultural details and rich characters. Makes me miss living there.



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Review: Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, Venice. City of canals. City of murder. But Commissario Brunetti will get his man in the end.

I like stand-up, moral guys who do the right thing, and Brunetti is the Italian version of my favorite lawman, Walt Longmire. Lawful good is my jam, folks. He solves the crime despite his superiors, red herrings, and roadblocks. I was way off on my assumptions, and I liked the resolution. Well plotted and I enjoyed the details.

New series for me. I like Commissario Brunetti and will definitely continue solving crimes with him.

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Review: Cut & Run

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I waited WAY too long to start this series. I am sometimes a silly girl.

Ty and Zane. Zane and Ty. Love, love, love them. What's not to love? Smart, witty banter. Two hot guys. FBI protectors with scars both inside and out. And a clever case to solve. I have to admit, I was onto the bad guy, and I still have questions about the motivations, but since Zane is impulsive and rash we will never know.

So glad I read this. Great action, hot romance. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. 4 stars.

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Review: Death of a Hussy

Death of a Hussy by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And Hamish changes least of all.

Hamish and Towser, recently relegated to Strathbane after Lochdubh's police station has been closed due to lack of crime. The people of Lochdubh are crafty and make up a bunch of crimes to get Hamish back. Hurray! He returns home to meet newcomers Maggie and her niece, Allison. Maggie is overbearing, conniving, and a bit awful with an insecure center. Allison is a shrinking violet who falls for Hamish. Hoping to light a bit of a fire under Pricilla, I'll allow it.

Maggie is rich, you see, and lords that money over little orphan Allison and four of her former lovers/honeypots. And she's writing quite the risqué account of her sexcapades. Saucy! Then she ends of dead, of course, and Hamish is on the scent to find the killer. No one believes him, but he gets his man, or woman, in the end. He's lazy, but smart, after all. And he gets 3 stars for continuing to bring me back to Lochdubh.


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Review: Angels Flight

Angels Flight by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great entry in the Harry Bosch universe. Man, he's my kind of detective, but he really can't catch a break with his love life. Poor Harry! I love Bosch because he's lawful good, a kind of everyday Joe who fights for justice and just can't keep his mouth shut when things aren't right. He's one of my book boyfriends. Love them smart, gruff, and principled, I guess.

We have a couple of murders. One with a hot shot lawyer who loved suing cops. And a poor innocent lady in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a complicated plot, and I have to be honest, I guessed way wrong on this one. I was surprised at the twists, so well played, Connelly. Bosch is awesome, and if you aren't reading this series, start at the beginning and get reading. You can thank me later.

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Review: A Superior Death

A Superior Death by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Road trip time! Pack your backpacks, kids, because we are headed from Guadalupe Mountains National Park to Isle Royale.

My favorite park ranger, Anna Pigeon, has been relocated from Texas to the cold shores of Lake Superior. She's enjoying the solitude, making a few friends, and still holding people at arm's length. But it's cool, because she's her own woman. Love her. She gets to drive boats around, do some shipwreck diving, and, best of all, no snakes in this one! A good mystery to unravel and same old Anna you know and love. 3 stars.

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Review: Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1)

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? I love the desert, I've lived here for years, but Anna sure runs across a lot of snakes in this book. Thankfully, my life doesn't echo hers.

Anna Pigeon is a widowed park ranger. She's kinda awesome. She's independent, and sassy, and reminds of Kinsey Millhone, another favorite character. I like women who kick ass and have sharp edges and a small marshmallow center. Anyway, in this first book Anna is working at Guadalupe National Park. A mystery unfolds, a mysterious death by mountain lion (or was it), and Anna's the only one suspicious enough to stubbornly pursue justice. She puts herself in danger and, in the end, gets her man. As you would expect.

I love this series because I have been fortunate enough to live and work in the National Park System and look forward to hearing her insights about the politics of the NPS (yucky, but sadly true) as well as her character living in amazing places. Can't wait to get to book 3, where I used to live and work. On to the next!

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Review: Death of a Perfect Wife (Hamish Macbeth #4)

Death of a Perfect Wife by M.C. Beaton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ah, Hamish. You are such a simple man. Priscilla doesn't deserve you.

More murder and mayhem in Lochdubh. For such a small, quiet village lots of people get murdered. I grew up in a small town of 2700 people and we rarely had these shenanigans go on. The one cop on duty was resigned to setting up speed traps (in the same place!!) to get some action. We didn't even have any stoplights, so I feel like I'm a bit of an expert in small town life. Hamish would have fit in perfectly. Anyway, a busybody newcomer is killed, with a long list of suspects. She was pretty terrible, so anyone could have been the culprit. But Hamish solves the case like we would expect, with no resolution to his relationship with Priscilla. Looking forward to book 5.



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Open Season (Joe Pickett #1)

Open Season by C.J. Box

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Dear Sheriff Longmire, please don't be mad at me for cheating on you with another Wyoming lawman. He meant nothing to me, I swear!

I was set up on a blind date with Joe Pickett, Saddleback Game Warden and family man. We had a good time. I mean, Joe is lawful good, to an extreme. He's a good husband, father, and morally in the right. Plus Wyoming is always a good time for an outdoors-lovin' girl like me. The mystery was solid and I will continue the series, but I think Joe and I will remain "just friends". My heart belongs to the more impulsive, mature, and headstrong Walt Longmire. He's the Wyoming lawman for me.

I just didn't get into Joe like I do Walt. Joe is a bit of a sad sack. I need my book boyfriends to be strong and confident. If you have ever read the Hamish Macbeth series, Joe reminded my of him. Likable, but not someone to fall in love with. Anyway, I will continue hanging out with Joe when I have some downtime, because why not?



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Any Other Name (Walt Longmire #10)

Any Other Name by Craig Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Walt, Walt, Walt. You almost get beaten up more than Harry Dresden, but not quite. Harry gets his ass kicked on the regular more than anyone.

This time Walt should be on his way to Philly to welcome his grandbaby into the world. What is he doing instead? Solving a case. With Lucian. And a little assist from Vic and Henry. My favorite everyman's hero does it again, Wyoming-style, and solves the case, which turns out to be two cases. Extra bonus for Henry being the best sidekick ever and I enjoyed the cop / investigator guy who helps them figure it out by the end.



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Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth #3)

Death of an Outsider by M.C. Beaton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oh Hamish. What have you gotten yourself into this time?

We find ourselves exiled with Hamish to Cnothan to cover the local Constable's three month vacation. We step away from our regular band of locals to a more hostile crowd. But gangly Hamish, with his red hair and easy smile, wins them over in the end. Or at least most of them. The crime in this one wasn't one you could look back and solve. Lots of clues were missing, and even when it was explained you didn't know it was coming. But Hamish is fun and it was nice to get to see him in a new environment. I'm hoping we've seen the last of Blair--he's incredibly two-dimensional. And in the end our boy returns home to the life he knows best. A quick read and an average mystery, but still three stars. Hey, what can I say, Hamish has grown on me.



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The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad #2)

The Likeness by Tana French

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Second book in the series. I liked it better than book 1.

We get to see the world through Detective Cassie Maddox's eyes, set a few months past the events in In the Woods. Cassie has moved on and is now a part of the domestic violence division--new partner, new cases--when she is pulled back into a complicated undercover assignment with her former boss.

The plot unfolds slowly but the pieces fall into place. Every time I though I knew the answer another clue led me in a different direction. I can't imagine how it is to drop into a new identity, a new life, and not slip up in some way. Anyone who is trying to impersonate me will have their hands full with my idiosyncrasies and weird food rules--something like that will trip you up. It's an interesting mystery and you get a better idea of Cassie's character and a little of her past as well. I'll definitely read the next book.



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Death of a Gossip (Hamish MacBeth #1)

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Another one to add to my "quick read cozy" shelves. First book in the series, and nothing too objectionable here.

Hamish MacBeth is a constable in the Scottish village of Lochdubh. He seems slow, dim, and lazy, but that helps him to solve crimes when others underestimate him. In this first book, murder comes to Lochdubh, and it happens on Hamish's watch. A fly fishing school. A group of strangers. And a dead body. Hamish is pushed aside by the city cops who come in to solve the murder. As it is a cozy, and Hamish is the star, you know he will get his man, or woman, in the end.

Humorous and old fashioned (it was written in 1985), it is interesting to see how much things have changed over 30 years. You might find yourself laughing at some of the outdated ideas and silly character choices, but the mystery is fun and I didn't guess the killer until the very end. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie but not as smartly done, you might enjoy the plotting, setting, and Hamish himself. He grew on me enough by the end to move on to book 2.



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A Dying Fall (Ruth Galloway #5)

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I don't know why I keep torturing myself with these books. Ruth is the worst. I grow to hate her more with each book I read. Actually, no, I take that back. I don't hate Ruth, I just don't like her. It's Harry I hate.

In this one, a huge contrivance of events takes Ruth and Harry back to his hometown (separately, of course) where ridiculous things happen. Along the way there is danger for Ruth, she feels terrible about herself and is jealous of her supposed best friend, and has guys falling for her regardless. Same MO as the other books in the series, with a slight twist that I won't ruin for you here. But you do get Cathbad, and that should be enough but it's really not.

I read this one because I accidentally skipped it and read book six first, but I won't be continuing on. Ruth and Harry can figure out their boring lives without me.



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The Outcast Dead (Ruth Galloway #6)

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I keep torturing myself with this series. Why? No idea. I can't stand any of the characters but Cathbad. And Judy. They should have a spinoff mystery series. I'm totally pulling for those crazy kids to make it.

In this one, Ruth gets to be a part of a TV show because she's unearthed some really interesting bones. She's insecure, down on herself, yet still gets attractive men to chase after her, as always.
I'm pretty much over this series. She and Harry can live unhappily ever after without me. Sorry, Ruth. I'm out.



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In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1)

In the Woods by Tana French

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Solid start to a new crime series for me, but the ending left me both scratching my head and anxious to start book two. Well played, Tana French. The mystery spans two timelines; both past and present.

Past: Twelve-year-old Adam Ryan was playing in the woods behind his suburban Dublin home with his two best friends when they both disappeared without a trace. A bloody, traumatized Ryan is found in the woods with no memories of what happened.

Present: An archaeological dig in those same woods finds the team stumbling upon the body of a murdered young girl. Are the cases related? Will Ryan regain his memories? Will either case really be solved? Lots of twists and turns and red herrings like you would expect in a mystery series.

I liked the detectives on the case and I am curious which ones will be featured in book two. I will definitely continue on with this one.



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As the Crow Flies (Walt Longmire #8)

As the Crow Flies: A Walt Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


My favorite sheriff Walt Longmire saves the day again. I just love this series!

This time we miss most of the usual cast of characters, as Walt is teamed up with Lolo Long, new tribal police chief as they investigate a potential homicide. The colorful folks Walt works with and investigates over the course of the case make the story fun even as the body count mounts, and we still get enough of a dose of Henry and Dog to make it typical Longmire.

Time marches on, and in the end the greatest legal mind of our time enjoys her nuptials. It remains to be seen what is in Walt's future. On to book #9!




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Hell is Empty (Walt Longmire #7)

Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This series gets better with each book.

This time around, Walt is assisting with a prisoner transfer and investigation with several agencies, including the FBI. Yes, there is cold, ice, and the typical Wyoming winter you have come to expect. Is it ever summer, or even spring, in Absaroka county? Or are all of the criminals so excited to have some warmth that they take some time off from breaking the law so we don't get mysteries set in summer? But I digress.

Walt, protector of everyone, is on the hunt when the prisoner transfer goes south in the middle of a blizzard. He's my favorite version of an everyman hero, and I love the partners he takes in this one to save the day.

If you aren't already reading this series, you should be. But don't start with this one--start at the beginning and enjoy the ride.



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Mr Monk and the Blue Flu (Mr. Monk #3)

Mr. Monk and The Blue Flu by Lee Goldberg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


These books are fun, easy reads. If you loved Monk, you will enjoy reading these mysteries by Lee Goldberg. If you didn't watch Monk when it was on, set this book aside and watch the series. It is so good!

Told through the voice of Natalie, his assistant, she gives us Monk through her eyes. The labor dispute leads to a "sick out" where Monk temporarily gets his badge back, and is teamed up with similar misfits to solve a series of crimes involving one left shoe. If you know Monk, you know how crazy this makes him. The story moves fast and reads more like a screenplay, but is an amusing way to pass the afternoon.





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