Review: Storm Front (Virgil Flowers #7) by John Sandford

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 638 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0399159304
• Publisher: Putnam Adult (Oct. 8 2013)
• Sold by: Penguin Group USA
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00C5R7I9C

Book Description

 The thrilling new novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

In Israel, a man clutching a backpack searches desperately for a boat. In Minnesota, Virgil Flowers gets a message from Lucas Davenport: You’re about to get a visitor. It’s an Israeli cop, and she’s tailing a man who’s smuggled out an extraordinary relic—a copper scroll revealing startling details about the man known as King Solomon.

Wait a minute, laughs Virgil. Is this one of those Da Vinci Code deals? The secret scroll, the blockbuster revelation, the teams of murderous bad guys? Should I be boning up on my Bible verses?

He looks at the cop. She’s not laughing. As it turns out, there are very bad men chasing the relic, and they don’t care who’s in the way or what they have to do to get it. Maybe Virgil should start praying.

About the Author

 JOHN SANDFORD is the author of twenty-three Prey novels; the Virgil Flowers novels, most recently Mad River; and six other books. He lives in California and New Mexico.

My Review

 I'm a big fan of this series by John Sandford. Virgil Flowers is a fascinating character, a brilliant detective who would rather be fishing...and often is. But not in this book.  This one is a strict crime novel.

Lots of characters to keep track of as everyone is trying to find or buy a missing artifact. It was obvious to me at the start that the dying professor was trying to fund his wife's medical care after he was gone. Impressive, but illegal!

This is an entertaining as well as an absorbing read. I highly recommend this entire series as well as this latest adventure, Storm Front.

Review: Something Borrowed, Someone Dead: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin #24) by M.C. Beaton

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 343 KB
• Print Length: 302 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0312640137
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (Sept. 17 2013)

Product Description

Gloria French was a jolly widow with dyed blonde hair, a raucous laugh and rosy cheeks. When she first moved from London to the charming Cotswolds hills, she was heartily welcomed.  She seemed a do-gooder par excellence, raising funds for the church and caring for the elderly.  But she had a nasty habit of borrowing things and not giving them back, just small things, a teapot here, a set of silverware there.  So it's quite the shock when she is found dead, murdered by a poisoned bottle of elderberry wine.  Afraid the murder will be a blight on the small town, Parish councillor, Jerry Tarrant, hires private detective Agatha Raisin to track down the murderer.

But the village is secretive and the residents resent Agatha's investigation. Of course that doesn't stop the ever-persistent Agatha from investigating and sticking her nose where no one wants it—especially as the suspect list grows. And, as if it isn't enough that Agatha's ex has reentered the picture, the murderer is now targeting Agatha!

With M.C. Beaton's Something Borrowed, Someone Dead  the bossy, vain, and absolutely irresistible, Agatha Raisin continues to be a fan favorite.


About the Author

M. C. BEATON, who was the British guest of honor at Bouchercon 2006, has been hailed as the "Queen of Crime" (The Globe and Mail). In addition to her New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels, Beaton is the author of the Hamish Macbeth series and four Edwardian mysteries. Born in Scotland, she currently divides her time between the English Cotswolds and Paris. 

My Review

 I just love Agatha Raisin. I've followed her adventures through all 24 books. She is hilarious, outrageous and downright loveable! M.C. Beaton does an admirable job of portraying well-off, self-absorbed, middle-aged and slight desperate Agatha.

The mystery is set in the nearby village of Piddlebury. An obnoxious widow who had a tendency to borrow but not return things is murdered. It is a secretive village consisting of long term residents...is that a hint of witchcraft in the air...

Agatha seems to be mellowing out somewhat. Not quite as desperate or unfeeling. Still a highly enjoyable read. It is always wonderful to visit Agatha Raisin's universe...

 

Review: Found Guilty at Five by Ann Purser

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (Dec 4 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425252825
• ISBN-13: 978-0425252826

Book Description

She’s had her hands full sorting out both clues and clutter in the village of Long Farnden.  But a mother’s work is never done, and Lois Meade is discovering detective work is both dirty and dangerous…

A wedding is always a happy occasion, even if Lois Meade must remind herself she isn’t losing a daughter, but gaining a policeman.  Her new son-in-law is in the Tresham force—and happens to be Inspector Cowgill’s nephew—so now Lois has another link to the law.

But when her youngest son invites a mysterious woman, Akiko, as a guest, Lois wonders why she refuses to talk about her past.  And when a thief waltzes off with the young woman’s cello, Lois enlists the inspector’s help to find the valuable instrument.

When Akiko herself goes missing, Lois discovers that this could be another in a string of murderous musical thefts. Now she must pull out all the stops to find the girl and protect her son…before the music stops permanently…


About the Author

 Ann Purser was born in Market Harborough in Leicestershire and has lived most of her life in villages. She has turned her hand to many things, including journalism (as a columnist for SHE magazine), keeper of hens and donkeys, art gallery manager, clerical assistant in a village school, Open University graduate, novelist, mother of three, wife of Philip Purser, critic and writer. She is an avid reader of detective stories.

My Review

 Every mystery reader needs an English mystery series to follow.  Ann Purser's series featuring Lois Meade is mine.  Why do English bad guys always seem so more sinister? I think it must have to do with reading Enid Blyton's books as a child.

Lois's son Jamie has become involved with a young Japanese cellist Akiko.  Akiko's father is a wealthy Japanese industrialist who has a sinister man as his assistant. This assistant is holding something over him and Akiko is right to feel uneasy in his company.

Inspector Cowgill is now a member of the family what with his nephew marrying Lois's daughter Josie.

There is plenty of action to keep the reader interesting. I am getting a little tired over the overuse of the word: ferritin'. Other than that, this series is always a delight to read.