Shamed by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder, Book 11)

Shamed by Linda Castillo is the 11th book in the Kate Burkholder series. Kate Burkholder is Chief of Police in the town of Painter’s Mill, Ohio. Chief Burkholder was raised Amish but left the life when she was 18. Her early years serve her well as she bridges the differences between the large local Amish community and the non-Amish. In this latest installment, Chief Burkholder and her team race against the clock to find a missing Amish girl.

During a routine patrol of the area, Chief Burkholder comes across an unoccupied buggy at an abandoned farmhouse. As she makes her way onto the property, a young girl covered in blood and obviously traumatized runs toward her screaming that her grandmother has been killed. Kate soon discovers that the girl’s sister is missing and she fears the worst – that the person who killed the girl’s grandmother abducted her sister.

Knowing that the longer the child is missing, the more likely she will be harmed, Kate begins by interrogating those closest to the missing girl. Although family and friends cooperate and are obviously hoping for the child’s safe return, Kate can’t help but notice that almost everyone seems to be holding back. Soon, she discovers that there are long-held secrets spanning many years that must be uncovered in order to bring the girl home…but can she do it in time?

The suspense in the story is strong as each chapter opens with a notation as to the hours the girl has been missing. The reader can feel Kate’s anxiety increase with each passing hour and dead-end lead. Then, when she discovers what has been withheld, it leads her to question the Amish faith and way of life she thought she knew as well as her own feelings in the matter.

Rating: 4 stars

Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson (Witch of Edgehill, Book 1)

Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson is the first book in the Witch of Edgehill cozy series – a series that is definitely off to a good start! This first book is interesting and fun, filled with cats of all types, has engaging characters and definitely keeps the reader guessing throughout. I enjoy a good cozy but am often frustrated by the overly-silly/naive main characters or the nature of the crimes but this was a solid mystery set in a quirky small town in Oregon.

Amber Blackwood, a lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon – and its resident witch – runs The Quirky Whisker, a shop full of novelties, “animated” toys and herbal teas and tinctures. Amber generally maintains a low profile in order to keep her witchcraft secret but, despite the care she’s taken, the Chief of Police has been suspicious of her since he arrived in the town 3 years ago. This all comes to a head when Amber’s best friend, Melanie, is found dead…with a bottle headache tonic from Amber’s shop in her hand. With his suspicions regarding Amber and the goings-on in her shop, Amber has just become the chief’s number one suspect.

When word gets out that Melanie was poisoned, the whole town begins to look at Amber with suspicion. Needing to clear her name, as well as find out who really murdered her friend, Amber begins an investigation using her unique gifts to guide her. Along the way, Amber discovers secrets about people that she thought she knew well and takes risks that threaten to reveal her biggest secret.

Thank you to Ringtail Press, NetGalley and Melissa Erin Jackson for providing this thoroughly enjoyable story in exchange for my review. I will be watching for more in this series and plan to check out Ms. Jackson’s other series as well.

Rating: 4 stars

Fatal Flowers by Miranda Rijks (Dr. Pippa Durrant, Book 2)

The 2^nd installment in the Dr. Pippa Durrant series has the “human lie detector” once more working with the police to solve a murder.

A murdered man has been found at a popular garden center but no one seems to know who he is or why he was at the center after hours.  As the police and Pippa investigate the murder, another body is found – complete with a sinister flower calling card.  The Gowers, the family that owns the garden center, have deadly secrets that someone wants to make sure stay buried.

The story had enough characters and misdirection to keep the reader guessing until the end and the plot moved along at a fast pace.  Unfortunately, none of the characters were likable, resulting in little suspense as the reader doesn’t care if one is killed.  If Ms. Rijks had given me a character or two to care about, my rating would have improved as the story was well-written and included interesting information regarding detecting lies through micro expressions and about floriography, the language of flowers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Miranda Rijks and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Rating:  3 stars

The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland (Victorian Mystery, Book 3)

The Hangman’s Secret is the 3rd book in Laura Joh Rowland’s Victorian Mystery series.  Sarah Bain and her friends, Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly are private detectives, currently working for Sir Gerald Mariner, the owner of The Daily World newspaper, photographing crime scenes.

While at one of their goriest crime scenes yet, the trio realizes that this is, in fact, the site of a murder and not the “suicide” that it appears.  The victim, bar owner Harry Warbrick, moonlights as England’s top hangman and he has just met his fate in the same manner as the hundreds of criminals he has executed.

When Sir Gerald is informed of the staged scene and the very real possibility that this was a murder, he announces that The Daily World will solve the crime before the police can.  This puts Sarah in direct competition with the man she loves, Constable Barrett, as they each race to solve the crime before the other.

During the course of their investigation, Sarah and her friends find connections between Harry Warbrick and his most famous execution, Amelia Carlisle, the “Baby-Butcher” who was sentenced for the murders of hundreds of infants placed in her care.  Something happened at this execution but due to the Official Secrets Act, those present are unable to discuss the event.  The cover-up extends much higher than originally thought and Sarah and her friends find themselves fighting for their lives and their freedom.

This book was well-written with interesting characters.  The storyline kept the reader guessing ‘til the end.  I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Laura Joh Rowland who gave me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  4 stars

One Grave Too Many by Beverly Connor (Diane Fallon, Book 1)

A new series and a new author for me. One Grave Too Many is the first book in the Diane Fallon series by Beverly Connor. In the tradition of Kay Scarpetta and Tempe Brennan, Diane Fallon is a Forensic Anthropologist who becomes involved in solving a murder.

Diane has just returned to the US after overseeing the excavation of mass graves in South America. She's seen too much death and dealt with too much political intrigue as a result and now wants to settle in to a nice, calm position as Director of the RiverTrail Museum of Natural History. Unfortunately, what she wants and what she gets are two different things.

Before the museum is even open to the public, the board of directors is pressuring Diane to sell the property and move the museum to another location. In addition, strange things seem to be happening at the museum and they all have her name attached.

If that wasn't enough to keep her busy, her former lover, Frank shows up with a bone and asks her to confirm whether it's human or animal and potentially where it may have come from. The investigation into the bone, leads to multiple murders, break-ins and abductions.

The writing was good and the storyline was interesting. Unfortunately, many of the characters were not very likable - especially Diane. A few exceptions were Andi, Diane's assistant, and Linc, one of Frank's brothers. The story was a bit convoluted with all the shenanigans at the museum and the murder mystery but it was a good read and worth checking out.

Rating: 3 stars

Sacred Stone by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo (The Oregon Files, Book 2)

I was a bit concerned when I started this as many of the reviews commented on it being disjointed and hard to follow due to the large number of characters but I actually found that it worked well. The storyline was structured with multiple discrete episodes that each was pulled into the main storyline as needed.

The story itself was a fun, easy read with spy action and thriller components. I am looking forward to getting to know the crew of The Oregon better as I definitely see the people, and their various talents/personalities, as a major strength of the series.

The only significant issue I've had so far -with both books - is the the endings are a bit anticlimactic as the mission is completed.

Rating:  3.5 Stars

Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo (The Oregon Files, Book 1)

A new Clive Cussler series for me. Different from the Dirk Pitt books I'm most familiar with, this has an ensemble cast. Yes, it still has the classic cars and the detailed technical descriptions, but you don't get the same character building. I am guessing that will happen as I get to know the members of the team better in later books. In any case, it was an interesting, enjoyable read that I would recommend to readers who enjoy action adventure (or as my favorite used bookstore labels it, Men's Fiction...lol)

Book Description: Juan Cabrillo's first adventure with the Oregon-a state of the art spy ship disguised as a nondescript lumber hauler-takes him and his crew into dangerous waters, as they try to put Tibet back in the hands of the Dalai Lama by striking a deal with the Russians and the Chinese.

Rating:  3.5 Stars