Mystery Books
Review: Rural Sprawl
Review: Terror in the Tank
Review: Cause for Murder
Review: Snap Me a Future
Review: Murder in Musicland
Review: Baby-Sitting is a Dangerous Job
Gloria Trevisi is a young woman from a family of Italian origin. In Italian “Trevisi” means “Three Faces”, and in this novel Gloria must deal just with three aspects, three different faces of her life.
Firs of all, her job. She is the new editor of the “Plattsford Sun”, newspaper of the town in sothwestern Ontario’s corn belt. But she’s an outsider and the local people don’t talk willingly to strangers; two persons only, Linda Grant (the chief sales representative) and Sid (the barber) are glad to exchange small talk. Moreover, other people at the “Sun” are afraid of her interference in their tasks, and create trouble.
Then there is Gloria’s sentimental life. Fred Russell, general manager, finds any opportunity to court her, almost to the harassment point. Because she don’t have a husband. Or rather, she has one: Tony. But there is a problem: he’s a musician and performs with a chamber orchestra in towns far away. Moreover, the parents of both Gloria and Tony are worried, because the newlyweds have “disappeared” from Toronto soon after their marriage and Gloria lives “buried” in Plattsford without Tony. So, the parents want to give a look at the situations, and create other few little problems…
About the problems, finally. Gloria have to front one very big, the problem that starts the whole matter: the murder of a local entrepreneur, Clarence McKee, owner of McKee Excavation. Gloria never encountered the man; nevertheless, the murderer fears that she have seen or known something... and he can’t leave her to get around talking, especially not in her newspaper...
Will Gloria succeed in getting back the armony in the three faces of her life, and, over all, in finding the truth about the murder, saving her own life?
“Rural Sprawl” is an intense story. The protagonist is a dynamic, likeable young woman, who bravely faces life difficulties. The reader feels herself sharing and reacting to her situation, obstacles and isolation.
The settings are drawed with efficacy and beautiful images. Characters are portayed realistically, each one with her traits and personality.
A single caution word: the discovery of the truth about the murder is mainly an action not planned by the protagonist. Keep this in mind if you are searching a “cozy” mystery.
In any other case, enjoy this beautiful novel by A. R. Grobbo. And then, you are ready for “Dog in a Manger”, the second story in the Gloria Trevisi series.
(Reviewed by: Gianfranco Cazzaro)
"Rural Sprawl" (200 pages; ISBN: 1-55316-140-8) is published by LTDBooks in many electronic formats.
Terror in the Tank
by
Calley Moore
Madeline Ascot, mystery writer, learns that an old friend, Peter Collins, is dead: owner of the P. M. Collins Aquarium, he has been killed by a tiger shark.
While she volunteers to rearrange the rooms at the aquarium, Madeline finds a bloody knife, that changes the event from a horrible accident to a brutal murder.
The main suspect is Dillon, whom Madaline is in love with. He also loves her, but they both have avoided the matter. The investigation will offer a chance. Maybe positive, because Madaline will search for the true murderer... Maybe negative, because so soon the suspects against Dillon will become very consistent.
But of course, as in any mystery worthing its name, the protagonist will discover that... the appearances are deceptive, and someone has secret motives for secret actions.
Since the beginnings, “Terror in the Tank” captured me. Madaline is a protagonist very likeable and “true”, lively and exuberant, a young woman, who fully enjoys the life. The other characters, too, are well-defined, likely and well-inserted in the tale.
The dialogues flows smoothly. The characters are described with sure-hand details and good-measured touches. The most important clue appears just in full light, but its true meaning become clear only at the end. The settings - above all, those of the aquarium, but of the casino and police station, too - are described with absolute realism, witnessing the accurate research by the author, Calley Moore, also known as Tonya Ramagos (young-adult novels).
Ms. Moore don’t use cliches or used-abused expressions; instead she often employs truly creative, fresh images: so, a cigarette is a “cancer stick”, a night at the casino a “donation to the poker foundation”, and so on.
“Terror in the Tank” is a mystery absolutely to read. Awaiting for the next story with Madeline Ascot as protagonist.
Understood, Ms. Moore?
(Reviewed by: Gianfranco Cazzaro)
"Terror in the Tank" (243 pages; ISBN 1-59088-208-3) is published by Wings ePress Books in electronic format.
Cause for Murder
by
Betty Sullivan
LaPierre
Sam Casey plans to spend the summer not at school,
but instead at home with his parents, his friend Richard and his bike. He gives
a lift to Maryann, whose father – Burke Parker, abusive and alchoolist – has
been found dead in his motel room.
Although Sam doesn’t like the girl, when he sees the conditions of her home, he
offers to paint it and fix up the garden. In that adventure he involves his
friend Richard. They both pass the week-ends working around the house. But so
they witness some strange events that need an explanation: Burke Parker’s death,
in fact, seems more and more caused by a poison. A poison from the house storage
cabinet...
Hawkman, the private investigator married to Sam’s mother, decides to intervene.
Helping his friend detective Williams to find the truth about Burke’s death, he
plans to protect Sam and Richard, too often near the trouble.
But the matter worsen, because Maryann and her mother disappear. And clues and
suspects begins to accumulate and rebound from person to person...
“Cause For Murder” is the 7th novel in the Hawkman Series, by Betty Sullivan
LaPierre. It’s a story I would define “tranquil”: without excited action scenes
– apart from in the last chapters – it’s like a river quietly flowing, carrying
the reader in a relaxing voyage. A pleasant voyage, with well-rounded
characters, silhouetted against opposed situations: from the almost idyllic
family of Sam, Hawkman and Jennifer, to that tormented of Maryann, her mother
and her true father; from the scenes of friendship between Sam and Richard, to
the incomprehensions and distrust between the boys and Maryann.
“Cause For Murder” is a mystery for people, who love to sip a book as a good
liquer, curled up with a cat near a brightly lit fireplace.
(Reviewed by: Gianfranco Cazzaro)
"Cause for Murder" (290 pages; ISBN 1419607065) is published by Synergebooks in electronic format. Order print copies from Booksurge.
Snap Me a Future
by
Connie Gotsch
Over a decade has passed since investigative reporter Shelby McCoy became the drive-by shooting victim of an enraged Des Moines, Iowa thug. Leaving behind her journalism career, fiancée and life she had known McCoy, now 50, moved to Mesa Vista, New Mexico where she has been working in the field of public relations for the local mall.
Shelby shares a love of photography with local ‘hope for the future, now dimmed,’ Charlie Pearson whose family is wealthy, influential and own the mall where Shelby works. Charlie’s drinking and gambling have caused himself and his family much pain over the years, however, he has now been sober for two years and is in love with Shelby. She respects his work as a photographer but does not return his ardor.
A job offer to write for the local newspaper, young interns who may or may not have dedication to their work, politicians who attempt to wield both political and personal power, looters ravaging local historic sites all figure in McCoy’s day to day activities. When Shelby gets too close to the truth regarding the ones behind the taking of antiquities; the scene is set for revenge, danger and misery. Shelby’s car is vandalized, her home broken into, her dog Sam is stolen and left in the desert to die. During a photography shoot with longtime friend, museum curator, Benjamin Keith Andrews Shelby makes more than one surprising discovery and nearly loses her life to the knife of a crazed, desperate thief.
"Snap Me A Future" offers the reader a glimpse into the psyche of a woman who has faced death, fright and solitariness before she comes to grips with realities of life. Shelby McCoy is a stronger woman than she had perhaps thought herself to be. Writer Gotsch presents an smoothly read, fast paced publication filled with picturesque characters, inviting settings and spine tingling twists and turns. The well written, absorbing story line is augmented by Gotsch’s razor sharp recognition of timing.
Writer Gotsch integrates a keen eye for particulars with her understanding of the locale wherein her account takes place. From Shelby McCoy trying to slay her particular dragons to the bullying, whinny politician’s son Warren Miller, Charlie Pearson who is trying with little success to overcome his drinking problem to Benjamin Keith Andrews a man who finds it hard to commit; writer Gotsch’s characters are well fleshed, fascinating persons filled with the same alarm, warts and imperfection as beleaguer us all.
Witty dialog, creditable characters, a touch of Romance are all interwoven in this fast paced thriller.
Excellent choice for the home library for all who enjoy a good thriller with just a hint of romantic intrigue.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.
(Reviewed by: Molly Martin)
"Snap Me a Future" (277 pages; ISBN: 1-932014-14-4) is published by DLSIJ Press in electronic Pdf format.
Murder in Musicland
by
Diana Kirk
Phyllis Marlowe McPhee, fifty-five year old retired police officer, operates as
private eye in Branson, Missouri.
She accepts a case: to search for the missing wife of a country music big name.
But, the day after, she finds that her client has been killed. And this is only
the first of a murder’s chain.
When she find herself, too, accused of theft and restricted to house arrest, her
detective talents wake up in full power.
So begins an investigation against the time and enemy plots, through alternate
fortunes, verbal skirmishes and the unexpected help of a fine and delicate lady,
in order to deliver the true guilty to the justice. That justice that follows
her always, in the good and bad times, in the person of Sam Malone, the local
sheriff.
“Murder in Musicland” is a mystery that belongs to hard-boiled genre (noticed
the “Marlowe” hint?). So, don’t expect a meticulous work to collect the clues
and find the solution through subtle deduction “à la Poirot”. The protagonist is
more incline to the action and strong emotions, than to the pure and abstract
reasoning.
And the story world, too, it’s an environment of great impact and overwhelming
heat, in wich even the ground (and underground) conformation is inextricably
bound to the events.
Phillys, the protagonist, is absolutely likable. A character that appears
realistic as much as her partner and almost-boyfriend, sheriff Sam. The other
characters are also well-sketched. And the events go on through twists that
maintain high the story rythm and the reader’s attention. Until the unexpected
final revelations and the case solution.
Do you like the hard-boiled mystery? Well, the story by Diana Kirk, Eppie 2000
finalist, will involve you in the adventures of two likable companions as
Phillys McPhee and Sam Malone. A couple of pleasant, interesting, agreeable
companions, from the beginning to the end.
(Reviewed by: Gianfranco Cazzaro)
"Murder in Musicland" (274 pages; ISBN:1-58200-101-4) is published by Hard Shell Word Factory in many formats: Pdf, Ms Reader, Rocket Book, Palm Doc, Palm Reader, Mobipocket, Html.
Baby-sitting
Is a Dangerous Job by
Willo Davis Roberts
Darcy Stevens is a 13-years girl, living her days passionately and totally immersed in her -sometimes totally contradictory - emotions. She have the interests, friendships and fears typical of her age; plus, she dialogues with her mother, absorbing and appreciating her common sense; and she don't hesitate to help another girl in trouble...
Now, her greater worry lay in her new job: baby-sitting the Foster kids, three little brats, rich but restless, whose first words was "We don't want you for a sitter."
But an unexpected event turns over the life and perspectives of Darcy. She and the children are kidnapped by three men and confined in an ancient, large house somewhere in the country. So, while before the girl was preoccupied to pass the "service" hours without the children cause any trouble, now she must relieve, reassure, protect Shana, Melissa and Jeremy from the treat of the kidnappers. And also, likely, she have to protect her own life, because the criminals are aware that she knows their identity, and the children will be able to identify them.
Will the girl succeed to find a solution, before the criminals will collect the ransom and have to dispose of the kidnapped?
With "Baby-sitting
Is a Dangerous Job" (her 8th book for children) Willo Davis Roberts confirms her talent as
suspence storyteller, offering the reader with an handful of well-rounded characters and
a fast-paced narration. Actually, I have found impossibile to put down the book
without be tempted to pick it up soon away to find how the story goes on.
A book absolutely to read.
But beware! Reading about a baby-sitting is a dangerous affair: the story will kidnap you also!
(Reviewed by: Gianfranco Cazzaro)
You can find "Baby-sitting Is a Dangerous Job" in paperback here
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CARIBOOKS Reviews with care
