An Insignificant Case - Phillip Margolin

 An Insignificant Case - Phillip Margolin

PUb. Date:  Nov. 5, 2024

She read

Charlie Webb, described as a “third rate” lawyer ekes out an existence by defending shady characters such as motorcycle gang members. He is appointed to defend a colorful character who sees himself as the reincarnation of artist Guido Sabatini. For him, painting is all. He breaks into the office of someone who has purchased one of his works to steal it back because she disrespected his talent by not hanging it where the public could view it. He also steals something out of her safe that turns out to be evidence in a sex trafficking case that may involve some important public figures. In the race to get the evidence back, three people are killed and Guido is charged with their murder. He insists that Charlie defend him, even though he has never defended a homicide suspect. The dangerous chase is on by both the good guys and the bad to reclaim the evidence and bring charges against the real killers and sex traffickers.

Through the years, I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Margolin’s books, especially the more recent ones in his attorney Robin Lockwood series. An Insignificant Case is a standalone.  Although a bit predictable, there were some twists in this fast, entertaining read. Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, crime novels, legal thrillers, and quirky characters. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for the DRC.

The Waiting - Michael Connelly

The Waiting - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date:  Oct. 15, 2024

She read

This is the sixth in the Renee Ballard series, a spinoff of the Harry Bosch stories and Harry does make an appearance. Renee’s gun, badge and ID are stolen. Fearing disciplinary action, she doesn’t report it and when her investigation uncovers a possible terrorist plot, she seeks the assistance of Bosch.  

Meanwhile, her unsolved cases unit gets a DNA break on an old serial rapist/murder case and it just might involve a local judge. A new addition to the team is Maddie Bosch, Harry’s daughter, who thinks she might be able to solve a very old famous LA case. 

As a fan of the old Harry Bosch series, I love that Renee keeps her connection with him. I also like police procedurals, although Renee’s flaunting of the rules and unconventional practices make me a bit uncomfortable. But, then again, Harry never played by the rules either.

Connelly is a skilled story teller. Well plotted, this is another welcome addition to the Bosch/Ballard legacy. It would, however, work well as a standalone for those new to this series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

****

 

The Lake of Lost Girls - Katherine Greene

 The Lake of Lost Girls - Katherine Greene

Pub. Date: Nov. 5, 2024

She read

In 1998/99, four young women disappeared from a college in a small North Carolina town. Twenty four years later, the body of one of them is discovered in a secluded lake. Which one? Lindsey is the younger sister of one of those girls; her family has never recovered from their loss. When a journalist wanting to write the story appears, he approaches Lindsey for assistance solving the mystery.  As she digs down into the case, secrets are revealed and suspects identified, but does Lindsey really want to find out the truth?

Set in dual timelines and different POVs, the story is interspersed with podcast transcripts, interview notes, and newspaper articles.  I have seen this technique used in other novels.  It works successfully here. There is the danger of male predators as well as the effects of their behaviors on their many victims, including their families. Twists, turns, and red herrings lead the reader on a suspenseful journey in this engrossing, fast read.   

Thanks to #NetGalley and @CrookedLaneBooks for the DRC.

****

The More the Terrier - David Rosenfelt

 The More the Terrier - David Rosenfelt

Pub. Date: Oct. 15, 2024

She read

A lost dog showing up on Andy and Laurie’s doorstep leads to him defending a college student accused of killing one of his professors.  As Andy and crew investigate, they find ties to the Russian mob as well as evil players in the metaverse. 

This is the 30th in the mystery/legal thriller series featuring the irascible but somehow charming Paterson, New Jersey based attorney Andy Carpenter. Independently wealthy, he and his wife, a retired member of the police department, operate the Tara Foundation for rescue dogs. Surrounded by a support system of colorful characters to assist, Andy takes on occasional legal cases when he thinks the accused is innocent.  

This installment has a decent, well paced plot. What I really enjoy about Rosentfelt’s writing is the humor spread throughout his stories, especially Andy’s snarky wit. This is one of the few series I have ever read (and I have read many) that always has me laughing out loud. This is a book that is a mystery, legal thriller, and comedic. What more could you ask?

As an aside, for those unfamiliar with David Rosenfelt…in real life he and his wife do have a Tara Foundation for rescue dogs. They have rescued thousands of dogs. How can you not love this author?

*****

The Man in Black - Elly Griffiths

 The Man in Black - Elly Griffiths

Pub. date: Oct. 15, 2024

She read

The Man in Black - Elly Griffiths

Pub. Date: Oct. 15, 2024

She read

From the author who has brought the literary world characters such as Ruth Galloway, Justice Jones, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto, comes a selection of short stories, many of them featuring these beloved players. 

I was recently introduced to Elly Griffiths and am familiar only with Ruth Galloway whose adventures as an archeologist I enjoy.  The stories in The Man in Black include mysteries, suspense, folklore, different kinds of love, grief, loneliness. 

Well written, some new characters are introduced. I particularly liked the Ruth Galloway tales, especially since the timelines went back and forth so that I learned some of her history as well as what happens in the future. 

I am not a huge short story fan, but I couldn’t put this book down. My favorites in this collection were Ruth’s First Christmas Tree, What I saw from the Sky, and Flint’s Fireside Tale A Christmas Story, told from the perspective of Ruth’s cat, Flint.  Regarding the second story, how can you go wrong with the Amalfi Coast, Capri and references to Aperol!?!

Thanks to #NetGalley and @MarinerBooks for the ARC.

****

The Conditions of Unconditional Love - Alexander McCall Smith

The Conditions of Unconditional Love - Alexander McCall Smith

Pub. Date: July 16, 2024

She read 

This is the 15th in the Isabel Dalhousie novels by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith.  Married to a musician and having two children, Isabel, a philosopher, is the editor of a publication in her field.  Like so many women, Isabel feels the pressure of being overextended with house, husband, children, job, and offering help to others. This time, the Dalhousie’s have invited someone needing a place to stay to use one of their spare rooms.  Noises coming from her room and her propensity to hide away and lock her room raise a lot of questions. Isabel is approached by a colleague she doesn’t like very much to participate in a scheme whose finances seem a bit shady. A book club moderator approaches her to help solve problems the club is having and her niece, Cat, once again is having romantic and delicatessen problems.  

Visiting with Isabel is always so very pleasant and soothing.  McCall Smith creates such wonderful characters and the story is full of poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels are not action packed, but they impart wisdom of a philosophical and practical nature.  

Fans of this series will enjoy this latest installment. For readers who are new to these books, it is not necessary to have read the prior ones to appreciate this one. 

BTW - the  cover has sheep on it.  Except for one reference to sheep, there are no sheep in the novel. It takes place in Edinburgh. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @ssKnopf for the DRC.

****

Remember Her Name - Lisa Regan

 Remember Her Name - Lisa Regan

Pub. Date: Sept. 17, 2024

She read

A baby is found abandoned in a park. Left behind are blood stains from her mother and a polaroid picture. The baby’s father’s alibi doesn’t hold up. Following a clue from the polaroid, Josie discovers another body, also with a picture left behind. As more bodies and photos are found, she realizes that the locations are related to cases from her past. Can she put the pieces together in time to stop more deaths?

This is the 21st installment in one of my favorite series. Although it can be read as a standalone, fans of Detective Josie Quinn will enjoy the references to some of her earlier cases. Do yourself a favor and read some of the prior titles.

This is yet another exciting, page turning read. Regan always grabs my attention and won’t let go. Gripping is a word often overused to describe stories; this one truly was. 

 I enjoy Josie. Despite all the travails she has met with in her life, she remains a strong, intelligent, though vulnerable, character. I also like almost all of the repeating characters who surround her both in her personal and professional life.Those of you who are familiar with this series know that a new character was introduced two books back to replace a beloved member of Josie’s team who died in the line of duty. Nicknamed Douchbag by her, I was glad to see that he is finally starting to show some sparks of humanity.  

If you like well written police procedurals/thrillers, and are not familiar with Lisa Regan, I recommend her. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the DRC.

*****

This Girl's a Killer - Emma C. Wells

 This Girl's a Killer - Emma C. Wells

Pub. Date: Oct. 29, 2024

She read

Cordelia’s well constructed and maintained life is falling apart. A successful pharmaceutical rep, her main product has just been pulled from the market due to life threatening side effects. She has been using the drug for her hobby, which is to murder monsters….abusers, predators, pedophiles. Now that the authorities have discovered a number of men missing, the press wonders if there is a serial killer afoot. The only good thing in Cordelia’s life is her found family; longtime friend, Diane and Diane's daughter to whom she is totally devoted. When a new man in Diane’s life raises Cordelia’s suspicion that he may be a monster, her well thought out plans go awry.       

This started out as a decent thriller, but for me, became a bit of a farce.  There is a lot of introspection, dithering, and some ludicrous situations. Despite the dark theme, there is humor and a slapstick quality to the story. Think the I Love Lucy character as Dexter!  For many, this will be an entertaining read.   

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the DRC.

***

The Blue Hour - Paula Hawkins

 The Blue Hour - Paula Hawkins

Pub. Date: Oct. 29, 2024

She read

An artist who lived a reclusive life as the lone inhabitant on an island accessible only during low tide dies and leaves her works to be exhibited by her former lover’s foundation rather than leaving them to a woman who had been a confidante for years.  A bone believed to be human is discovered as part of one of her pieces.  Could it belong to her ex husband who mysteriously disappeared years ago? To investigate that and the fact that there seem to be some of her works missing, a young employee of the foundation, enthralled with the artist, is dispatched to meet with the confidante. But, there is so much more to this story…

There is a sense of something ominously foreboding throughout this novel.  It is a study of insecurity, obsession, friendship, gender, love, the artistic process, loneliness, pathology. Written with multiple POVs and timelines and interspersed with the artist’s journal entries, there are twists and turns that are slowly revealed.  I had a difficult time engaging with any of the characters or the plot.  Fans of the author and art enthusiasts may well enjoy the story more than I did.  

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MarinerBooks for the DRC.

***

Beyond Reasonable Doubt - Robert Dugoni

 Beyond Reasonable Doubt - Robert Dugoni

Pub. Date:  Oct. 22, 2024

She read

Jenna Bernstein was the CEO of a biotech company that raised money fraudulently.  When she is accused of murdering her former associate/lover, she seeks the help of the Duggan law practice. Father Patsy had gotten Jenna off of a murder charge five years ago.  With Patsy indisposed, it falls on his daughter, Keera, to defend her.  Childhood acquaintances, Keera knows Jenna to be a manipulative, cruel, liar.

This is the second in the Keera Duggan Series. I am a big fan of Robert Dugoni’s books and did read the first in this series, Her Deadly Game. This one, however, would work as a stand alone.

Dugoni always weaves a good tale. Well plotted with a contemporary theme and good character development, this is a smooth, engrossing read. I like Keera and look forward to picking up the next installment in the series. Move over, Tracy Crosswhite, Dugoni has created another strong, capable female MC. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasandMercer @AmazonPublishing for the DRC.

*****