"Defending Jacob" by William Landay

421 pages

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts for more than twenty years. He is respected in the community and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and teenage son, Jacob. Then a shocking crime rocks their small town: a fourteen-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on his way to school. Andy and Laurie are afraid for the safety of their son, just like all the other parents in the area. But when Jacob is charged with the murder, they are both completely astounded. For the first time, Andy finds himself on the other side--the defense--and he will stop at nothing to prove his son's innocence. 

This book does pretty much everything a good thriller is supposed to do. It kept me guessing. It freaked me out. It got my heart pounding. I really like the structure of the story. Throughout the book we get glimpses of the transcript from a future case, in which Andy is telling the story to a prosecutor but we're not exactly sure who's on trial, or for what. At the end--a very, very shocking conclusion that completely took me by surprise--it all comes together. In addition to the pure can't-put-it-down entertainment value, this book raises some moral dilemmas that are quite fascinating. How far can someone go to protect their child? Should our loyalties lie with the law or with our loved ones? How much of criminal behavior is nature as opposed to nurture? All interesting things to think about. I recommend this one for fans of John Grisham and other authors of legal thrillers...or any thrillers, for that matter.

Dead as a Doornail

by Charlaine Harris
295 pages

Sookie's brother, Jason,  is learning what it means to be a were-panther.  Soon several known shapeshifters in the community start being shot and/or killed.  This worries Sookie, especially after Sam is attacked.  To make matters worse, Jason is the shapeshifting community's prime suspect.  It also appears that Sookie is in danger, and the many men in her life are making her life complicated to say the least.

This was another enjoyable Sookie Stackhouse novel.  Many men are now competing for Sookie's affection, but I'm not quite sure which direction Sookie will go.  I can't wait to find out.

A Storm of Swords

A Song of Ice and Fire, book 3
by George R.R. Martin
973 pages

This continues the story right where book 2 leaves off.  King's Landing is recovering from the battle well, and Stannis is on Dragonstone licking his wounds and regrouping.  Robb is in the west, planning a course to re-take the North.  Lady Catelyn is grieving for her dead sons, Arya is still trying to reach Riverrun, and Sansa is still stuck in King's Landing.  Tyrion is recovering from his wounds and planning his next moves as his father has taken over as the Hand.  Jon is still wandering around with wildlings, and Bran is still trying to find his three-eyed crow.  Daenerys Targaryen is still in the East building up an army and followers.  Many twists and turns occur in this novel.  Some characters die, some reach their goals, and some are suffering from blows they never even imagined.  Nobody ends in quite the same place as where they began. You also begin to understand why this series is called "A Song of Ice and Fire," and it has less to do with dragons than you might imagine.

A new narrator is added to this novel: Jamie Lannister.  Believe it or not, I actually found him likable.  Yes, I know he sleeps with his sister, and threw an innocent boy off a window ledge; however, he's not all evil.  Like the other characters in this book, he is "grey."

I was sorely disappointed by some of the events in this novel.  I can't really say much more because if I do, you'll know who's living and who's dead at the end.  *sigh*

Killing Floor

by Lee Child, 536 pages

Since Lee Child has become so popular, I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. Killing Floor is the first of the Jack Reacher novels, and his character is similar to Jason Bourne: a killing machine with few scruples. Still, Jack Reacher does have a sort of moral compass which leads him to care for the good people at risk yet lets him kill the bad guys without much soul searching. The body count was pretty high and the action brutal, so I am not inclined to read the rest of the series even though several people I know recommend it. I might decide to read one of the newer ones to see what it's like, but for now, one is enough.

Silent in the Grave

A Lady Julia Grey Mystery

by Deanna Raybourn, 509 pages

Somehow I missed this historical series when it debuted back in 2007. So far I've read this one and the third one (when I couldn't wait for volume 2). I am liking it well enough to read a few more.

This first line definitely perked up my interest:

To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.

That hook gives you a taste of the tone of the book, which has a wry sense of humor throughout. In fact, I think the witty style captured my attention more than the mystery itself.

When Lady Julia Grey's husband dies at a party in their own home, she blames Edward's death on his physical infirmities. Her husband's inquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, tells her that it was murder, but Julia thinks Brisbane is just a bounder trying to capitalize on Edward's death. A year later evidence turns up which leads Julia back to Brisbane, and the two of them set about trying to find out who the killer is.

The sense of danger intertwines with a growing attraction between Julia and Brisbane. Though the mystery is solved at the end of the book, the relationship between the main characters is not. Of course not!

I haven't read the second book yet, so I don't know what happens between Julia and Brisbane after the events in volume one. I am happy to read Silent in the Sanctuary to find out!

Law of Attraction

by Allison Leotta, 279 pages

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Anne Curtis, is a relatively new prosecutor, but she's had enough experience with domestic violence cases to know that the victims have a hard time breaking out of the cycle of abuse.  When Laprea Johnson, shows up in her office the day after Valentine's Day battered and bloody, Anne vows to do her best to see Laprea's abuser behind bars.  But when Laprea lies on the witness stand, there's nothing Anne can do to stop her abusive boyfriend from walking free.  Several months later, when Laprea turns up bludgeoned to death, Anne is drawn into the prosecution for Laprea's murder.  Despite fearing a conflict of interest, Anne's boyfriend is a lawyer for the defense, Anne promises Laprea's mother that she'll make sure Laprea's killer is brought to justice.

I found this on a list of promising debut thriller authors, and I'm glad I picked it up.  I haven't read many thrillers, sadly my experience with "thrillers" prior to this is limited to episodes of Law and Order  and the occasional summer blockbuster.  Leotta's book read a bit like both of these.  The plot kept me engaged and all law and police procedure seemed to be handled with expertise.  Leotta is a domestic violence prosecutor herself, and I think that translated well to the page.  This is another one I couldn't put down.

Sherlockian

by Graham Moore, 350 pages

A two level mystery, combining a modern literary mystery set in the community of Sherlockian scholars with a period piece starring Conan Doyle and his Watson, Bram Stoker.

For me the most interesting part of this book is the afterword of the author, where he talks about the real life mysterious death of a prominent Sherlockian in London. Truth is sometimes more bizarre than fiction.

As for the rest of the book, I didn't find any of the characters compelling or likeable, with the exception of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. For fans of Sherlockiana, I would recommend Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series, starting with The Beekeeper's Apprentice. King's Holmes is aloof and brilliant while remaining a sympathetic character.

Game of Thrones

Volume 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

by George R.R. Martin, 694 pages

I started this a while ago on a friend's recommendation, but got distracted. With Sean Bean starring in the debut of the HBO tv series, I had more incentive to finish it, and I am glad I did.

Martin has created vivid settings and varied cultures, and a byzantine plot line. The Tudors and Borgias don't have anything on the corrupt rulers of the Lannister family. Opposite them you have the flawed but compelling characters of the Stark family, Lords of Winterfell in the icy North. One of the Stark mottoes is Winter Is Coming, which doesn't quite evoke the dire warning it is. In the Seven Kingdoms, the seasons can last a dozen years or more. As the novel opens, summer is waning, and winter is coming.

Someone told me that Martin was inspired by the War of the Roses in Britain, and the houses names sound similar, Lannister for Lancaster and Stark for York. The armies clash, plots are hatched, rulers dispatched while up in the far north beyond The Wall, a malevolent force is on the move...south.

I enjoyed the complexity of the plot--you are never sure which characters will prove true-hearted or not. I am already into the next book, A Clash of Kings. One warning: the series isn't finished yet, and Martin is famed for keeping his fans waiting....and waiting.

Desires of the Dead

by Kimberly Derting
355 pages

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Body Finder (I actually cried at the ending). I had high hopes for this and though not entirely disappointed, I grew tired of the silly teen romance. Maybe I'm just growing bitter in my old age.

Violet has a special power, she can see the "echoes" of those that have died and imprints on those that have killed them. In the first novel, Violet finds herself involved in the hunt for a serial killer and soon becomes his target. In Desires of the Dead, she is harassed by a jealous classmate, contacted by the FBI and getting more and more serious with her new boyfriend, and best friend, Jay. Though there is a mystery to solve, most of the time is spent going over the trials and tribulations of young love. I do recommend this if you've read the first one and I will probably read any continuation of the series.

Chasing Fire

by Nora Roberts, 472 pages

Rowan Tripp followed in her famous father's footsteps and risks her life through the Montana dry season as a smoke jumper.  She has a rule to never get romantically involved with anyone on her team and follows it religiously until she meets one of this year's new recruits, Gull Curry.  Gull tempts her to break her rules, and a little back up is just what Rowan needs as an already dangerous job heats up with a little man made destruction.

This book was excitement from beginning to end.  I'm always amazed at how quickly Roberts sells me on her characters- it never takes more that a couple of chapters before I'm hooked.  I had a pretty good idea of whodunit midway through the book, but that didn't stop the suspense from building.  This is a great summer read, so pick it up if you're headed on vacation (or just wish you were!)

Bi-curious. Volume 1, Serenity by Natalie Weber

For a straight girl, Serenity is surrounded by lesbians. Her older sister, college roommate etc… While her boyfriend Rock would love for her to be more “curious”, Serenity is certain she ain’t like that. Uh huh. When she meets Sadie, the lesbian version of every player you’ve ever known, her fantasies get the best of her and they begin an affair.  As we all know, first comes lust then comes lots and lots of complications.

Urban lit with a lesbian twist is a new trend I’ll be the first to admit I’m still adjusting to it. There is plenty of urban drama here and the requisite, “Oh girl, what DO you think you’re doing?”  This is a quick read with a lot of sex. Despite the lesbian slant-it felt very straight with male sexual terminology(with no men present) and strictly defined roles for the women characters. The story is predictable and a few pages in it will be clear what is going to happen.  However, Natalie Weber is the sister-in-law of Carl Weber so expect demand. 2011, 288 pages.

Three to Get Deadly

A Stephanie Plum Mystery By: Janet Evanovich, 300 pp.

Our famous bounty hunter is at it again...

Stephanie Plum seems to always catch her FTA (Failed to Appear) fugitive, but it never ceases to amaze me at what cost and at what lengths she goes about it!

In this third book, Stephanie must find Moses Bedimier, "Uncle Mo" to the "Berg." She almost catches him a couple of times, but he is just too quick for an older guy that owns the local candy store. All the while Uncle Mo is missing, Stephanie keeps finding dead bodies. Never mind that these dead bodies are of drug dealers, it is still wrong to kill!

In the first two books so far, Stephanie has strong sexual tension with Joe Morelli, a cop that she has known since they were kids, and this one is no exception. Find out all the details when you read, "Three to Get Deadly."

I am enjoying reading the Stephanie Plum mysteries. I am beginning book four now and cannot wait how it turns out. The books get funnier and more thrilling as I read them! I hope you will try reading Janet Evanovich's series books too! Enjoy!

Killing Orders: A V. I. Warshawski Novels

By: Sara Paretsky, 368 pp.

Victoria (V.I.) Warshawski is a private eye who has been begged by her aunt, which V.I. has been angry with for years, to come over and help her with a very important crime that she has been suspected of. However, their differences in the past create more friction and V.I. can only speak to her cousin in order to get more details about the case; which is that V.I.'s aunt has been asked to leave her jib due to the fact that she was suspected of mutual forges that were found in the safe of her church in which she is the accountant.

Trouble is brewing while V.I. is doing her investigating and on several occasions, V.I. has had to save herself from being murdered.

Meanwhile, V.I.'s best friend is murdered and another friend's uncle has been stabbed and almost killed! Who is next? V.I. must hurry up and solve this one case (that has turned into several cases) in order to stop any more murders!

At first, this novel is comical, yet it turns into huge suspense and you find yourself trying to help V.I. figure out just who exactly is calling the shots and committing all of this crime.