Dark of the Moon by John Sandford: Main character Virgil Flowers works for Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Lucas Davenport from Sandford's ‘Prey Series’, his boss, gives him the hardest cases. Virgil, divorced several times, is easy going & loose, operates on his own and does not like guns but wears alternative-rock t-shirts. He has wit, humor and charm keeps you entertained. A murder wave has hit the small town of Bluestem where Jim Stryker, an old baseball mate of Virgil’s is sheriff. Starting with an old man then a Doctor and his wife Flowers stirs things up by looking for a connection between the victims and the killings continue. To thicken things up there is an old pyramid scheme and a religious felon running a cult. Lots of cover-ups, crook cops and weird people, Virgil Flowers, man alone, can trust no one in this little place. Seems everyone he meets is a valid suspect. Virgil has an affair with Stryker’s sister Joan, either of whom could be the killer. Fast pace, plot driven, great character development, lots of twists, turns and dead ends. Good dialogue and some LOL spots.
This could be a great new series for Sandford but the Kidd series is still my favorite.

Double Cross by James Patterson: YES!, the old Alex Cross is back… the old James Patterson is back … As Alex is settling down to private practice and new squeeze Detective Brianna Stone (who may be the next Dragon Slayer) the D.C.A.K. (D.C. Audience Killer) goes on a spree and he helps out Sampson & Bree to round him / them up. As in the old Cross books there is another story going on and merges with first one. Kyle Craig breaks out of death row and adds to the fun. I am not giving away any more, this book is back to the type of stories we have come to expect for Cross/Patterson. MUST READ… GREAT! Pure enjoyment! THANK YOU Mr. Patterson.

A Wrongful Death by Kate Wilhelm: #10 Barbara Holloway Novels: Another fast paced blockbusting best seller - legal thriller: Boyfriend Darren proposes marriage and Barbara is on soul search solo vacation where she run in to a mother and son who disappeared. There is an ex-husband, a family business, patent stealing and a billion-dollar company sell. The woman shows up in Barbara’s town and gets shot to death or does she? The boy is missing and the ex-family is running crazy. Barbara, with the help of dear ole Dad & Baily solve this tangle with all of its twist and turns to save the day. Excellent story and the some of the best characters ever.

Man in the Middle by Brian Haig (#6): Lt. Col. Sean Drummond, a military investigator and wiseass assigned to the CIA to check out the suicide of a DOD high ranker. Who is the main liaison with some ex-Iraqi trying to stop Saddam. It is an action-packed thriller mystery that mixes some truth into the story maybe trying to educate and comment on politics. Kinda, standard / run of the mill story and action, read them for the Drummond character though this was not the best of the series.

              The Cleaner by Brett Battles - Stop already too much detail, scene layout, explanation, dialogue, flowing thoughts, unrelated lists of goods, geeky bravado & uncharacteristic emotions but not a bad story. Little to no character development, far fetched action, unlikely responses, unbelievable circumstances, lucky breaks and long flash back with no point but the core could be salvaged in a sequel, but why?

Takedown by Brad Thor's the Scott Horvath series. Home Land Security is kidnapping terrorist in secret and a dwarf has a score to settle. New York is isolated and attached by a squad looking for one of their captured fellows. Scott and a rag tag team is all that stand in their way. Fast, intense and the best worse possible ending ever. Cool story, almost too realistic…READ IT!

 The Judas Strain by James Rollins: Sigma Force series. Marco Polo’s voyage notes leave a trail to a cure for a deadly virus that has broken out on a remote island and spreading. The Guild is looking to capitalize on its uses. Gray Pierce and Seichan are on the same side this time and his parents get in the mix. They travel through the Vatican, Istanbul, Marco Polo's tomb to Angkor Tom. Fast, furious and bloody. Good story…READ IT!

QUICKIE by James Patterson:  – Good but we found the first quarter a hard start then the book broke loose and we could not put it down. It is a one setting read. The story has the twists and turns of a modern roller coaster, a good plot but a lot of crying, hours of crying. Starting with cheating and moving quickly to murder, blackmail, lying robbery, and all the rest of what makes a good story. GOOD

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum, Jersey bounty hunter, is the main suspect in her ex-husband’s, Dickie Orr, disappearance since she attacked & tried to strangle him. Wanting to clear her name, Ranger and Morelli find out that Dickie was involved in drugs and money laundering. Stephanie unknowingly took the codes to $40 million of Dickie’s and Joyce Barhnardt his now girls friend wants her share. There is a taxidermist and a grave-robber FTA she has to deal with also. Lula and Grandma are, as always, along for the ride. Car count 2 ½. Laugh count 8. Well worth the read.
 

The Overlook by Michael Connelly: Connelly Scores Again! – The Overlook is Harry Bosch at his best. Harry’s new assignment to Homicide Special came with a rookie partner, Ignacio Ferras, complete with generation gap. There is a Doctor assassinated, some radioactive medical cesium missing, killers screaming Allah and the word ‘terrorists’ starts to flow around. This draws in the FBI in the form of Rachel Walling, the girl Harry could never quite get it right with and still has trouble. Harry tries to stay in charge of the case fighting the FBI all the way while balancing national security with a single murder. Then the bodies start to pile up, Harry puts it all together and the ‘terrorists’ are exposed. A great straight through read!

Invisible Prey by John Sandford: Sandford did it again. Lucas is wondering through two cases, one of antique quilts with tax fraud and the other a politician playing with an under age girl when they over lap and nothing makes sense as a lot of bodies pile up. Del makes a showing and uses his powers while Weather adds her two bits. This was an very enjoyable book, nice pace and believable with the perfect ending.

The 6th Target by James Patterson:  WOW what a let down! I am glad I didn’t read this one first or I would not have read the other five. Number 1 thru 4 were great, 5 slipped a little and 6 crashed. The murder club is back with a sigh. Cindy was a non- characters totally unused. Claire got shot and found out she was with child. Neither of these developed characters were really part of the story. Yuki blew a slam dunk case during miles of needless court dialogue and tons of self doubt. Lindsay wanted and got busted back to sergeant, told Joe to take a hike, twice, once over a ring and after he relocated to S.F. and oh yea solved three blasé cases while having emotional problems. Way too many italicized thought and questions in a book with no plot. The girls only got together twice and one of those was in Claire’s hospital room. I will wait for number seven to come out in paperback and insomnia attach.

Step on a Crack by James Patterson: Detective Michael Bennett with his10 kids and his wife dying of cancer has to rescuing 34 hostages taken at the former first lady funeral. Well written and great story.

 Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum is back with Diesel and she has to play matchmaker to give 5 people a happy Valentines Day and then decide to marry Diesel. What about Ranger and Morelli? 5 or 6 chuckles and at least that many belly laughs.

High Profile by Robert B. Parker - Jesse Stone Novel: 2 murders in Paradise, Mass. and Jess Stone is on the job. Then Jenn shows up with problems and needs Jess’ protection. In comes Sunny Randall to help with Jenn and jeopardize their fledgling relationship. Good Book!

Sleight Of Hand by Kate Wilhelm: Barbara Holloway Novels: Barbara defends a former client of her father’s  an ex-pickpocket is accused of the theft and then murder. Kicking legal stuff!

Cross by James Patterson - Alex Cross is back in private practice to save his family life but a murder with the same MO of his slain wife’s sucks him back into police work hoping for chance of finding her killer. Good Story.

Hundred-Dollar Baby by Robert B. Parker: Parker does it again with Spenser, Hawk & Susan try to help out a old friend at a whore house and uncover the big story with the help from the cops. Good ending. Read it.

Echo Park by Michael Connelly:  Connelly does it again this Harry Bosch Novel expands the character and depth of Bosch. An old case gets a confessor or is he. Kiz is great in a supporting role and an old girls friend comes back. A 5 star - must READ!

Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich: A good story and funny in parts.  Barney, Hooker and a dog named Beans are at it again with more murder, illegal NASCAR parts, kidnapping and laughs all along the way.

 JUDGE & JURY by James Patterson: Nice story a bit long, predictable and unrealistic. Written with Andrew Gross, he does not bring the same level of excitement and suspense.

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich: The best yet, Stephanie is in over her head. She is the only one who can save Ranger's kidnapped daughter, and Lula and Grandma are in Sally's band- playing real Rock & Roll. A must Read NOW!

Blue Screen by Robert B. Parker  - Sunny Randall starts out  body guarding and runs in to Jesse Stone at a murder scene in the house she is protecting. They get together to solve this one  and a few personal problems of their own.  Great story and follows Sea Change perfectly.

Beach Road, by James Patterson: An interesting take on a multi-murder from several character's view. It has sports, love, court room drama and true feelings with the biggest twist at the end I can remember. A ‘Must Read’, the best of Patterson/DeJonge.

 SEA CHANGE, by Robert B. Parker: Jesse Stone at his best! Dealing with the rich yachter during the month long Race Week in his harbor he finds a floater, some under age sex and learns to deal with his ex as she does news coverage of the race. Parker always delivers and is never disappointing. Stay tuned to his trilogy of characters, Spencer is staring in ‘School Days’ and Sunny Randall coming soon in ‘Blue Screen’.

The 5th Horseman, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro: Excellent Book! Lindsay Boxer, while working out her own love life, and The Women's Murder Club are back and chasing an escort killer. The story has lots of twists. A midnight killer in the local hospital comes to her attention during a law suite against the hospital. That adds more drama, emotion and sharper twists. 

Gone by Lisa Gardner: Great story, Very well written... The fourth and best installment in the Pierce Quincy, Kimberly Quincy, Rainie Conner triad & introduces another character, Mac (a keeper). One has a drinking problem. One gets kidnapped. One gets engaged and someone gets killed. This is an edge of your seat twist and turn mystery.

Mary, Mary by James Patterson: Alex is in a bad mood and all goes wrong. The story is not up to the standard. I wonder if Patterson even read the book?

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly: Good story, Well written and hopefully more to come. Mickey Haller is a bottom feeding attorney that luckily gets big case or was he set up.