Charlotte’s Homecoming-Janice Kay Johnson

Charlotte’s Homecoming

Janice Kay Johnson

Harlequin American, Jul 13 2010, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373716449

After their widower father is hospitalized from a tractor accident injury and having lost her Bay Area job due to downsizing, Charlotte Russell returns to the family farm to help her twin sister divorced kindergarten teacher Faith run the place and care for their dad.  Faith informs her sibling that her abusive former husband Rory Hardesty is trying to reconcile with her but only scares her with his temper further fueled by alcohol. 

Charlotte and town mayor Gray Van Dusen, an architect, meet and are attracted to one another.  Whereas Gray wants to pursue their feelings, Charlotte wants to ignore them.  She left the farm years ago so she could be her own person and not the other half of a twin.  As he points out he likes her sibling but loves her, Gray tries to persuade her that her loved ones including him know she is her own person and not a mirror image.

The cast makes for a strong family drama with the prime story line being the romance between the mayor and the prodigal sister.  In some ways, the other twin’s subplot re an abusive ex spouse is the more poignant entry.  However, Charlotte’s Homecoming is a family affair that readers of contemporary tales will appreciate while knowing the rest of the other Russell twin’s story is to follow.

Harriet Klausner

A Hidden Affair-Pam Jenoff

A Hidden Affair

Pam Jenoff

Atria, Jul 6 2010, $22.99

ISBN: 9781416590712

At Cambridge University Jared Short and Jordan Weiss were lovers until he accidentally drowned.  At least that is what Jordan thought.  When the U.S. Foreign Service diplomat learns the truth that her grief for years was for a sham, she needs to know why he faked his death.  She leaves the State department to pursue the truth while someone wants her to be silenced on this matter.

Jordon follows leads that take her to Nicole Short who apparently knows Jared and where to find him, but conceals everything.  She follows Nicole, which takes her to widower Ari Bruck, whom Jordon believes is an undercover Mossad field operative also interested in Jared though not revealing why.  Distrusting each other in spite of their attraction, they agree to team up in search of the elusive Jared as clues taken them all over France from the Riviera to the wine country and onto the rest of the continent.

A Hidden Affair is an intriguing romantic espionage starring a brave female who seeks the truth about the only man she thought she loved until her attraction with Ari.  The pair shares in common grief; hers is for her college lover who allegedly drowned in the Cam and his for his late wife and daughter.  Filled with twists, fans will want to know what happened to Jared.  With a tie to vanished rare wine lost in WWII that enhances the exciting story line, A Hidden Affair is a super thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Layover in Dubai-Dan Fesperman

Layover in Dubai

Dan Fesperman

Knopf, Jul 16 2010, $25.95

ISBN: 9780307268389

Road weary American auditor Sam Keller is in his twentieth nation as an employee of Pfluger Klaxon.  He and his business companion Charlie Hatcher are in Dubai when the latter is murdered.  Although Sam vomits twice at the sight of the blown away Charlie, the cops believe he is the killer so he flees rather than take his chances on Middle East justice even if Dubai is a very westernized center.

He soon finds the Russian Mafia and his own pharmaceutical company want him dead.  Dubai police officer Anwar Sharaf believes the American is innocent as the alleged motive fails to hold up under minor scrutiny.  However, his investigation leads to him on run from his corrupt peers, the Russians and the hired guns of Sam’s firm.

This is an exciting over the top of the Burj Khalifa as the audience gets a close up look at perhaps the most capitalist center in the world conflicted between money and religious beliefs.  Fast-paced, Sharaf makes the tale work as he rejects the mainstream bias news, jealous peers and deadly others who threaten his loved ones to insure the right people are arrested.  Sam pales in comparison to him during his Layover in Dubai. 

Harriet Klausner

The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World’s Most Perplexing Cold Cases

The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World’s Most Perplexing Cold Cases

Michael Capuzzo

Gotham (Dutton), Aug 10 2010, $26.00

ISBN: 9781592401420

This is a terrific look at the mysterious (pun intended) Vidocq Society pledged to solve the tundra of cold cases.  Established by internet expert William Fleisher, profiling guru Richard Walter and forensic sculptor Frank Bender, the group is named after Napoleonic era Parisian detective Eugene Vidocq.  They meet to brainstorm, discuss processes and solve cases as cold as five decades old and more.

The over fifty cases are fascinating in a macabre way as Michael Capuzzo graphically describes the crimes such as Marie Noe convicted as a septuagenarian in 1999 for killing eight of her kids in 1949 or John List who murdered his family to keep them religiously pure but afterward vanished for two decades before being sculptured.  Well written, it is the human element accentuated by the victims such as Widow Marilyn Flax who negotiated with her husband’s kidnapper-killer that grips the audience; her story will leave readers eyes watering.  Throughout the 56 entries is the underlying competitive camaraderie between the trio, bickering to the amusement of observers like us readers over glasses.   Graphic (one killer cut off the visage of those murdered) yet heartfelt (all will cheer when the caught priest mutters “God damn”, The Murder Room is a true crime winner.

Harriet Klausner

Entanglement-Zygmunt Miloszewski

Entanglement

Zygmunt Miloszewski

Bitter Lemon, Aug 1 2010, $14.95

ISBN 9781904738442

In 2005 at a Warsaw monastery, a demanding group therapy session occurs hosted by Cezary Rudski.  He tells a tale to the three of his four patents (Euzebiusz Kiam, Hanna Kwiatkowska and Barbara Jarczyk) who remain at the table; Henryk Talek is not there as the therapist assumes he left unable to cope with the intensity. 

The next day Henryk is found dead; a roasting spit jammed into his eye.  Warsaw prosecutor Teodor Szack leads the investigation, but has no energy for the case.  He is bone wearily tired as he interviews the therapist and the three surviving patients.  However, he soon finds his inquiry intriguing as he uncovers a link to a cold case homicide over two decades ago when the Communists ran roughshod.  Adding to his renewed vigor is meeting enthusiastic reporter Monika Grzelka whose beauty and élan revitalizes him.  However, Szack also wonders why the Secret Police are following his every move.

This is a fascinating Polish police procedural in which almost two decades since the fall of the Iron Curtain mysteries remain tied to the Communist era.  The investigation is cleverly devised and the ennui Szarck feels at first is powerful as is his sudden zest for life after meeting the energetic journalist.  However, the key to Zygmunt Miloszewski’s engaging whodunit is Warsaw as the city comes across modern yet retains the scars of communism.

Harriet Klausner

A Spider on the Stairs-Cassandra Chan

A Spider on the Stairs

Cassandra Chan

Minotaur, Jul 20 2010, $25.99

ISBN: 9780312369408

Amateur sleuth Phillip Betancourt knows being the family black sheep makes spending Christmas in Yorkshire at his parent’s home as gloomy as the torrent of rain outside.  Adding to his family’s torrential interrogation of him is questions about his personal life as he no longer is seeing Marla Tate.  When cheerful Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Jack Gibbons calls about a murder in nearby York, Phillip sees an opportunity to escape the torture by joining his friend on the investigation.

The corpse of Deborah Seldon, found in Accessorize in Davygate Shop, might be the work of notorious serial killer Ashdon.  When Jack concludes the victim was killed most likely by Ashdon, he notifies the Yard’s serial killer Detective Superintendent Brumby; though the case has anomalies.  Soon afterward, the proprietor of Mittlesdon’s bookshop finds the body of his former employee Jody Farraday inside on Christmas Day.  Gibbons and Betancourt investigate only to find too many people had access to the store. 

The latest Betancourt-Gibbons collaborative investigation (see Village Affairs, Young Widow and Trick of the Mind) is a superb Yuletide whodunit.  The story line is character driven more so by the seemingly hedonistic Betancourt though his buddy the cop holds his own as each is euphoric with having the case.  Ironically, a contemporary mystery, fans of the classic British “historical” social class mystery like Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey and Carola Dunn’s Lady Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher tales will want to read Cassandra Chan’s fun tale.

Harriet Klausner

Death’s Excellent Vacation-Edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Death’s Excellent Vacation

Edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Ace, Aug 3 2010, $24.95

ISBN: 9780441018680

This is a fun thirteen fantasy collection in which the paranormal go on vacations and have holidays that make the Griswold family and Monsieur Hulot seem tame.  “Two Blondes” (by Charlaine Harris) Pam and Sookie go to a not so gentleman’s club in Mississippi for the weekend.  Jim the demon (see Aisling Gray) heads to Paris for a good time but runs into “The Perils of Effrijim” by Katie MacAlister.  The eight immortals get together as “The Boys Go Fishing” by Sarah Smith, but conclude drinking tea is easier.  In “One for the Money” by Jeaniene Frost, hitmen Cat and Bones find their vacation interrupted protecting an heiress when the former’s mom arrives.  You can’t go home if you want time out as affirmed by Toni L.P. Kelner in “Pirate Dave’s Haunted Amusement Park”, “The Demon in the Dunes” by Chris Grabenstein and “Home From America” by Sharan Newman.  Readers will enjoy the amusing vacations of the supernatural as whether it is Bermuda (Lilith Saintcrow’s “The Heart Is Always Right”) or Port Arthur (“Seeing is Believing” by L.A. Banks), fans will want to accompany the paranormal when they go on Death’s Excellent Vacation tours.

Harriet Klausner

Cast In Chaos-Michelle Sagara

Cast In Chaos

Michelle Sagara

Luna, Aug 1 2010, $14.95

ISBN: 9780373803194

The City of Elantra’s influential are stunned when the powerless charlatans on Elani Street suddenly possess magical skills.  Alarm spreads even by some of the new practitioners.  This trepidation turns to abject fear when rains of blood come down from the sky and abnormal births become the norm.

The Oracles are confused as the leaders at the Dragon Court declare a homeland security emergency.  The leadership concludes that something from outside is trying to penetrate the barriers between worlds.  They also believe their response to prevent this from happening rests with Hawk elite force Private Kaylin Neya whose mysterious skin markings is postured to have the answers.  Unintentionally somehow Kaylin enters a void that has been opened between worlds; here she meets the dark trying to crash through to the light of Elantra.

The sixth Cast “police procedural” fantasy continues the growth as a person of Kaylin who has a come a long way since her early days as a prejudicial cop on the Shadow beat.  Although the story line is character driven by the courageous heroine, her efforts (and the prime plot) is to simply save the world.  Fans of Elantra will want to soar with the heroine as her latest case takes several twists and spins.

Harriet Klausner

Total Eclipse-Rachel Caine

Total Eclipse

Rachel Caine

Roc, Aug 3 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451463456

Weather warden Joanne Baldwin and her husband Djinn David defeated their enemy former weather warden Bad Bob (see Cape Storm), but at a price that she knows was too high.  Besides her friends like Lewis becoming ill, she and David are stripped of their power, Djinn are dead in mass numbers, and the Black Corner of the planet no longer contains earth’s natural pulse.  Their victory at all costs has come with an even greater price as Mother Nature is waking up from a long nap; outraged by the pollution that has destroyed much of the planet’s magic.

With the Djinn gone, no one can intercede to persuade Mother Nature to give mankind one more chance; her inclination is extinction of humanity and all other living essences.  Leaving “Gilligan’s Island” (as she has no gowns anyway) to save the world, Joanne accompanied by her man David, her BFF Cherise and Cherise’s soul mate Kevin set out on a quest to prevent the end of times though they have no power beyond that of humans.

 

The ninth tale in the Weather Warden urban fantasy saga is a great finish that showcases why Rachel Caine is a master wizard.  The story line is simple: save the world from a rightfully righteous fuming Mother Nature without any otherworldly powers.  Fans of the long running series will relish the climax as Joanne and company find themselves in dire straits with no hope of success; however as she understands to hit a home run one must swing the bat and risk striking out; as not trying means out anyway.

Harriet Klausner

A Wild Light-Marjorie M. Liu

A Wild Light

Marjorie M. Liu

Ace, Jul 27 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780441019014

Every year, demon hunter Maxine Kiss kills a zombie on her birthday; the anniversary day of her mom’s murder.  In Seattle, this year Maxine wakes up in bed next to Grandfather Jack Meddle’s bloody corpse.  She recalls nothing about the previous evening, not even Jack wishing her happy birthday.  Maxine soon finds other gaps in her memory as she has no idea who her soul mate, the Lightbringer Grant is. Adding to her trepidations, her five demons residing as tattoos on her epidermis are mute.  Her worst fear is that she gone dark and killed her beloved grandpa.

Still Maxine needs to fill the holes in her head and get the “boys” communicating.  She begins making inquiries and uncovers a potential calamity if not resolved yesterday; as the inner ring containing the demon horde inside is crumbling with Reaper Kings prepared to glean the harvest of souls.

The third Hunter Kiss urban fantasy (see The Iron Hunt and Darkness Calls) is a terrific entry that contains a powerful story line while also moving forward on the overarching theme.  Readers will learn much about the heroine’s heritage as she investigates what happened to her and Jack.  With a late great twist, fans will enjoy Marjorie M. Liu’s dark A Wild Light.

Harriet Klausner