Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore

Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore ISBN-13: 9781414396682 Trade Paperback: 425 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: June 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California. Detective Abby Hart's best lead is Luke Murphy, a private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she's anxious to talk to him about a cold case that's personal to her--one that Luke is interested in as well. As they learn more about the restaurant fire that took her parents' lives years ago, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?


My Review:
Drawing Fire is a Christian suspense novel. It's the first in a series. The cases were closed by the end, but where the potential romance might go is left open-ended. I liked that Abby and Luke didn't act hastily or inappropriately based on their attraction--Abby is engaged to another man. But I was glad that at least one character could understand Abby's deep desire for justice and could support her through the confusion of what they learn.

Abby and Luke were complex characters who struggled with not having justice or all the answers about a past tragedy. They reacted realistically to events, and I understood why they acted the way they did. Abby is an awesome character; she's dogged in the pursuit of justice, trusts that others can do a job well, and is willing to listen to wise advice. Luke is both a skilled fighter and a gentleman, and he also cared about justice and helping people heal.

I liked how the different cases in this book each acted as a catalyst to bring out information about the old case. The suspense was from physical danger to the characters and imperfect clues that confuse as much as expose what happened in the old case.

There was no bad language and no sex. The Christian aspect was mostly in how the characters treated others and a theme of forgiveness. Overall, I'd recommend this well-written suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko ISBN-13: 9780375990632 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
San Francisco, 1900. The Gilded Age. A fantastic time to be alive for lots of people . . . but not thirteen-year-old Lizzie Kennedy, stuck at Miss Barstow’s snobby school for girls. Lizzie’s secret passion is science, an unsuitable subject for finishing-school girls. Lizzie lives to go on house calls with her physician father. On those visits to his patients, she discovers a hidden dark side of the city—a side that’s full of secrets, rats, and rumors of the plague.

The newspapers, her powerful uncle, and her beloved papa all deny that the plague has reached San Francisco. So why is the heart of the city under quarantine? Why are angry mobs trying to burn Chinatown to the ground? Why is Noah, the Chinese cook’s son, suddenly making Lizzie question everything she has known to be true? Ignoring the rules of race and class, Lizzie and Noah must put the pieces together in a heart-stopping race to save the people they love.


My Review:
Chasing Secrets is middle grade, historical novel for girls. It's set in 1900 in San Francisco. This is the type of book I enjoyed reading when I was ten (though this novel was written in present tense, which I don't enjoy.). As an adult, I felt the characters in the first half were rather simplistic. They became more developed and felt more like real people in the second half, which made the sad part of the ending even more sad.

Rumors say the plague has come to San Francisco, but the adults don't want anyone panicking as it'd hurt trade. Our heroine was confused by the adults denying the plague while taking actions to prevent getting it. Racial prejudice against the Chinese immigrants meant that many blamed them. While helping her Chinese friends, Lizzie had some dangerous adventures and finally learned that her family really does care about her.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to history-curious tween girls.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont

The Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont ISBN-13: 9780425275849 Trade Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
In 1895, at the height of the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, is the summer home of the social elite. During her first Newport season, Deanna Randolph attends a ball given in honor of Lord David Manchester, a Barbadian sugar magnate, and his sister, Madeline. But on the nearby cliffs, a young maid lies dead, her neck broken—and a member of one of the town’s most prestigious families was seen talking privately with her shortly before her death.

Joseph Ballard humiliated Deanna when he refused the engagement their parents' proposed. Joe may be a cad, but he was her childhood friend and Deanna doesn’t believe he’s a killer. The two must navigate a world of glittering parties to discover why their family's sugar agreement with Lord Manchester isn't a sealed deal like they expected and why someone is killing maids at the house where the Manchesters are staying.


My Review:
The Gilded Grave is a historical mystery set in 1895 in Newport, Rhode Island. The historical and setting details brought the scenes to life. It was a clue-based, puzzle mystery. The mystery was complex enough that I could guess some parts and yet not be certain exactly who did what until the end.

The characters were complex and acted in realistic ways, and they really pulled me in. I like how Deanna acted her age and was trying to find her way as an adult while missing the freedoms of her childhood. She was generally sensible and kind, yet her lack of experience still showed.

Joe was a decent character, but I didn't like him as Deanna's apparent future match. He wanted to follow his unconventional dream even if it hurt her reputation, but he didn't support her following her own interests. He still treated her like a troublesome child that needed to be kept from danger. Will would make her a better husband as he respected her and appreciated her contributions to solving the mystery. However, it's pretty clear that match will never happen. Ah, well.

There was no sex. There was occasional bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this engaging and interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Green Musician by Mahvash Shahegh

The Green Musician by Mahvash Shahegh Illustrated by Claire Ewart ISBN-13: 9781937786427 Hardcover: 36 pages Publisher: Wisdom Tales Released: August 7, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Publisher's Website:
In a distant kingdom lived a young musician named Barbad. His one dream was to play before the king in the royal court. But Barbad’s way was blocked by Sarkash, a jealous rival who would do anything to stop Barbad from meeting the king. But perhaps the palace wasn’t the only place to play before the king, for he loved to walk in his garden. What if Barbad was to hide in a tree for just the right moment to play?

Find out if Barbad's dream comes true in this magical tale of patience and determination. Stunning artwork from award-winning illustrator, Claire Ewart, gently brings this whimsical story to life. Adapted from a 1,000 year old Persian story by Mahvash Shahegh, the tale of Barbad the musician is originally found in the legendary “Book of Kings” (Shahnameh), which tells the story of the mystical past of ancient Persia.


My Review:
The Green Musician is a children's picture book based on a 1,000 year old Persian story. It's for ages 6 and up. The story is a nice, fairly simple one about a talented boy who finds a way to play for the king even though a rival tries to prevent him. It's a good message about not letting obstacles keep you from your dreams.

The illustrations have the look of watercolor paintings, and they do a good job of telling the story along with the text. I enjoyed just looking at the illustrations for a bit. At the end, the author explained what happened to Barbad after the events in this story, as the tale is based on a real, historical person. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt:

The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks

The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks ISBN-13: 9781401690458 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: August 11, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from Back Cover:
In Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim's grave, Gwen uses her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.

The murderer is a "lone wolf," a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood-and he has a score to settle with Gwen. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race-not grace-provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her and everyone she loves.


My Review:
The Bones Will Speak is a Christian suspense novel. This is the second book in a series. This book didn't spoil the previous mystery, but I'd recommend starting with that one. I didn't always understand why Gwen and her daughter acted like they did, and the first book might have helped flesh that out.

Gwen was resourceful, but she deeply resented her ex-husband and that effected her judgment (and her driving) at times. Her best friend urged her to forgive her husband so she could heal. Gwen's daughter really confused me. At times, the 14-year-old acted like she resented her mother and was in full rebellion. She knew she was in danger, but she didn't lock the doors when told to and even refused to jump into a river because "it's cold." But then she'd act like a naive, trusting 5-year-old who just knows mommy will make things all better. She trustingly opened the door to a stranger. There was a reason to open the door, but a teen would have realized a potential flaw with that reason.

The mystery was clue-based. Whodunit deliberately left obvious clues and Gwen pointed out others, so it was easy to put together whodunit. There were two possible people for the unknown challenge-coin holder, but clues quickly cleared that mystery up, too. So the story hinged on its high level of suspense. This was a creepy story with a sick whodunit who cruelly killed many animals and people. There was danger at every turn.

Still, I had a hard time believing how easily the killer was able to find girls whose facial structure looked just like Gwen's daughter and who had a genetic disease or disfigurement. There was no sex or bad language. The crime scene gore was not graphically described.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg ISBN-13: 9781464204821 Paperback: 260 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: 1934; Aug 4, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When an aeroplane crashes, and its pilot is killed, Edwin Marriott, the Bishop of Cootamundra in Australia, is on hand. In England on leave, the Bishop has decided to learn how to fly, but he is not convinced that the pilot's death was accidental. In due course, naturally, he is proved right. The Bishop and Inspector Bray of Scotland Yard make an appealing pair of detectives, and ultimately a cunning criminal scheme is uncovered.


My Review:
Death of an Airman is a historical mystery set in 1934 in England. It's actually a reprint of a story that was written as a contemporary mystery. It's in the style of Christie; as in, the focus is on finding the clues rather than developing characters, but the characters still come across as real people.

There were three viewpoint characters: the Bishop, the local detective, and the Scotland Yard detective. The detectives were clever. They tracked down reasonable leads, asked good questions, and would quickly realize when the various scenarios they came up with didn't match the clues. We learn the clues as each character finds them, so we have a chance to guess new scenarios before the detectives do.

It's not easy to make all the clues fit together. Like the detectives, I would guess, realize that doesn't quite work, but how about this, but no... I had a good idea of whodunit and how shortly before the detectives. They were still missing critical information that the reader knows. I like it when you can guess just before the detectives, but they're still clever fellows. Nice!

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intriguing mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris ISBN-13: 9780800721923 Trade Paperback: 305 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Jan 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Olivia and Ivan Hamilton barely know their workaholic father--a man who never married their mother. During a rare visit to their father, Ivan is horrified when he witnesses his father's security guards torturing a man. The evidence points to their father being involved in the illegal drug trade. In shock, the siblings decide to try to save the condemned man because it's the right thing to do. But are they putting their lives in danger for a corrupt man or a good one?

Michael Hunt doesn't see a way to escape. The undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. He's presumed dead by friends and family. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. But can he really trust the children of a man who may be a merciless drug lord?


My Review:
Hidden Agenda is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third book in a series. You can understand what's going on without reading the previous novels. However, some events from the previous novels are spoiled in this one, so I'd recommend starting with the first book.

The suspense is high from start to finish. It's mainly created by the physical danger, but it's also from the relationship tensions. Who can they trust after all the lies? Also, Ivan is deaf, but he's now an adult. He wants his sister to stop mothering him and see him as a capable adult. These relationship dynamics kept the story interesting. I appreciated that Olivia and Michael realized they need to get to know each other under normal circumstances to see if their on-the-run attraction is a enduring one.

The Christian element was mostly in how their faith effected their decisions, like the siblings saving a man they weren't sure of or people deciding to forgive the lies that they were told by loved ones. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Michael Midas Champion, Book 1 by Jordan B. Gorfinkel, Scott Benefiel

Michael Midas Champion: Book One by Jordan B. Gorfinkel, Scott Benefiel (Illustrations) ISBN-13: 9780425280782 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: InkLit Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As Champion, the crimson guardian of his hometown Urbana Falls, Michael Midas battles vengeful samurai, wicked sorcerers and evil creatures, earning the gratitude of the people he saves—and the heart of Dani, the woman he loves.

But being a superhero doesn’t pay the bills. All of Michael’s super-strength and stamina is defenseless against the daily trials and tribulations of making ends meet. Beneath his colorful costume, he’s another struggling blue collar worker, full of lingering self-doubt about his role as Champion.

Michael’s super and civilian identities collide when he’s confronted by Truck, his grade school bully and romantic rival. His long-time nemesis has evolved into an endlessly adaptable, monstrous supervillain, determined to destroy the world—and he’s got the power to do it.

Torn between fulfilling conflicting responsibilities to his family and to mankind, can Michael Midas Champion find the power to be a hero at home as well as on the job?


My Review:
Michael Midas Champion is a superhero comic with the hero's story being told to a boy who's upset with his father. Book one is mainly about a bullied boy who has an all-star athlete as a rival for a girl's affections. Both rivals gain superpowers and keep on fighting over the girl. The underlying theme is that Michael feels insecure in his relationships and like he can't be a hero both on the job and at home. Michael was a likable character, and the graphics and text told the story well.

However, the story jumps around a bit. We start in one place, then jump back in time to the origins of our hero. We're left at the end of Book One with the ongoing dilemma repeating itself as the climatic last scene. It came across as a comic that fathers wish their wives and kids would read rather than an adventure in itself. It was a fun read, but I wasn't hooked into wanting to read the next book as it didn't seem like it held anything new in store.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt.

Honorable Mentions From My Mailbox

I receive more books than I can read, so sometimes I begin a book but decide not to finish it due to my limited time. These "honorable mention reviews" are initial impressions, not complete evaluations of the books mentioned.

No Comfort for the Lost by Nancy Herriman Source: Review copy from the publisher. How Far Got: Finished It

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
After serving as a nurse in the Crimea, British-born Celia Davies now lives in San Francisco and runs a free medical clinic for women who have nowhere else to turn. When one of her Chinese patients is found brutally murdered, Celia’s hotheaded brother-in-law stands accused of the crime. Detective Nicholas Greaves, veteran of America’s civil war, is intent on discovering the killer of the girl. Their inquiries take them from Chinatown’s squalid back alleys to the Barbary Coast’s violent shipping docks to the city’s gilded parlors.

My Review:
No Comfort for the Lost is a historical mystery set in 1867 in San Francisco. The mystery was clue-based and was complex enough that I didn't guess parts of the overall scenario. While the writing was good at giving me a feel for the city at this time, some things seemed a little ahead of their time. For example, our heroine followed cutting-edge medical ideas that wouldn't be generally accepted for a few more years. I liked the detective, but I didn't like Celia. She was very unforgiving about other people's mistakes but couldn't see her own faults. There was no sex (though unmarried sex was referred to as having happened). There was occasional bad language.

The Lightning Stones by Jack Du Brul Source: Review copy from the publisher. How Far Got: About 50 pages

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sinking thousands of feet below the surface of the earth in the Leister Deep copper mine in Minnesota, Philip Mercer rides a series of heavy-duty elevators to visit his old friend and mentor, Abraham Jacobs. Jacobs has led a research team to the deepest section of the mine for a groundbreaking study into climate change and cosmic rays. But as Mercer approaches the bottom, he is stunned to hear the unmistakable report of automatic gunfire in the massive underground chambers. He can't stop the inevitable: by the time Mercer finds his way to them, his dear friend, and the entire research team, have been efficiently executed. Mercer is left seeking answers . . . and revenge.

My Review:
The Lightning Stones is a thriller. No idea if there was any sex, but there certainly was no time for it in the action-packed part I read. There was a fair amount of bad language of all types. The writing was good in that it captured my interest and kept the action and tension high for Mercer. But at the first break in the action, I was left wondering how the prologue tied in to the current situation. The prologue was what had captured my interest. Since I had fun books to read that contained less bad language, I moved on.

THE 33 movie trailer

I thought people might be interested in learning about this. Sounds interesting to me. THE 33 is the true story of the Chilean miners who survived underground for more than 60 days. It's at https://youtu.be/uEbCAKAlNtE or below:

Scents and Sensibility by Spencer Quinn

Scents and Sensibility by Spencer Quinn ISBN-13: 9781476703428 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Atria Books Released: July 14, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Private Investigator Bernie Little and his canine companion Chet decide to help their next door, old Mr. Parsons, who is under investigation for being in possession of a saguaro cactus illegally transplanted from the desert. Chet and Bernie discover bad things going on in the wilderness, far worse that cactus smuggling, all connected to the Parsons's son. They unearth leads that take them back to a long-ago kidnapping that may not have been a kidnapping and threaten a ruthless criminal who sees what Chet and Bernie mean to each other and knows how to exploit it.


My Review:
Scents and Sensibility is a humorous mystery for adults who like dogs. It's told from the dog's viewpoint. We're told the human words and actions even though the dog doesn't understand everything they're saying or doing. He's dog-smart, not human-smart. This book is the eighth in a series, and it spoils the whodunits of previous cases.

Chet's internal dialogue kept me laughing, and this is really his story. It just happens to include a mystery because his human is a private detective. I had more sympathy for Chet's relationship troubles (with a newly discovered puppy son) than with his human's relationship troubles. Bernie kept at it until the case was solved, but he seemed a bit hopeless when it came to relationships with women. He even treated his cop contact in a rude way. I think I would have appreciated Bernie's relationship troubles a bit more if I'd started with the beginning of the series.

While I suppose justice was served regarding the murderer, I didn't feel very satisfied at the end because he let some criminals go free. I was also left wondering about several aspects of the mystery. All we can do is speculate based on the information Bernie and Chet collected. Basically, I prefer my mysteries a bit more neat and tidy at the end.

There was no sex. I've only previously read this author's young adult book, so I was surprised that there was a fair amount, full range, a great variety of bad language. All of the human characters seemed to feel the need to cuss or swear at some point--occasionally in every other sentence.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.