Murder Packs a Suitcase

Murder Packs a Suitcase

Cynthia Baxter

4 out of 5


On her first travel writing assignment, Mallory Marlow is given the task of exploring Orlando, Florida in search of the 50's, 60's and 70's kitsch that made Orlando the tourist attraction that it used to be. Do the old crocodile farms and ice cream coned shaped attractions still exist in this Disneyesque environment. She is on a mission to find out and to share it with her readers.

While on this vacation jaunt, a smarmy veteran travel writer is killed and since Mallory was the one to find the body, it must have been her that did the killing. Well, that just won't do, she has an article to write, and a family to get back home to; so, she'll just solve the crime in her free time. She's a mom, she can do anything.

But when her present and her past suddenly merge, everything that she thought was true appears to get mixed up and Mallory really is in for the fight of her life.

This was quite a fun book, Baxter really gave the reader the feel of old Orlando and with travel tips and real reviews of Florida attractions, it gave quite a unique overall feel to this book.

Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

M.C. Beaton

3 out of 5Just as Agatha and James are about to say their I Do's in wanders the allusive Jimmy Raisin. Yes, that Jimmy Raisin, Agatha's first husband whom she had thought was long dead.

So with the wedding off and Agatha spitting nails, Jimmy is found dead in a ditch and since it appears no one else knew Jimmy, it had to be Agatha who killed him. But wait, not so fast , there are others in this tiny village that have secrets and Jimmy being there just might throw a wrench into their plans.

This is a very good series, humorous and with an interesting cast of characters that follow Agatha from book to book.

The Blue Notebook

The Blue Notebook

James Levine

5 out of 5

The subject matter of this book is so abhorrent that I want to believe that Levine made it all up, that there are no little girls in this world that have to live the life of Batuk; that it is just the sick mind of an author. But, unfortunately, this could be a very real, very true story.

The book tells the story of Batuk a very feisty and real little girl that was sold into into prostitution at the age of nine. I'm still not sure if her father knew exactly what he was doing, but when you are poor in rural India, there are very few options. As Batuk grows into a young woman of 15, this is now her life is, the Common Street in Mumbai where children are kept in cages until there is a paying customer.

Having spent some time in a hospital with Tuberculosis, Batik has learned to read and write and therefore able to write her story when she can find paper and a pencil, and quite a story it is. An unbelievable tale of hope and heartache that leaves a character and a circumstance with you for a very long time.

8th Confession

8th Confession

James Patterson

4 out of 5

All was going well with this book until Patterson decided to take a sudden left turn that really had nothing to do with the storyline or progression of this book. Sometimes I just don't understand what this author is thinking.

A couple of murders in San Francisco has Lindsey Boxer on the run. What does the curious deaths of a glamorous couple and a homeless man have in common. None of the usual clues seem to add up, that is until a quite by chance discovery leads the investigators to a rather unique murder weapon. But to fully understand why these people were targeted leads to quite a few twists and turns.

The storyline is leading the reader down a very interesting and fast paced path, when out of the blue Patterson throw you a sharp left turn about Suki's new love interest. This part had nothing to do with the storyline and I'm still quite confused as to why it was suddenly thrown in there. What was the point that Patterson was trying to make? I'm still confused over that.

This is one of those series that draws you in and from time to time and even though something will hit you wrong, you keep plowing through. Each character has their own story, each book reveals a little more. I like how Patterson is starting to reveal a little bit more about each character, each person is starting to show a little bit more of themselves and that is what keeps me reading the Women's Murder Club.

Doom with a View

Doom with a View

Victoria Laurie

3 out of 5


Not sure about this book, even though I've read all seven books, Laurie is now throwing things in that really make the story seem silly.

Abby Cooper and best friend private investigator Candice team up to help the FBI find three missing college students. Not only are all three missing, and presumed dead, but they all happen to be the children of important political leaders.

Bill Gaston, who has worked with Abby in the past, and has full faith in her abilities, brings her in much to the chagrin of the ever lovable Brice Harrington, who decided to put Abby through quite a bit of harassment. But when Abby starts putting the pieces together, much to the dismay of Harrington, what can he do, but follow Abby to the rather convoluted ending to this story.

Gee, a cold-hearted political figure with a secret life. People damaged in the process. Secrets kept at any cost. Seems to much in the realm of been there, done that. Hopefully, the next book will make a better impression.

The Widow's Season

The Widow's Season

Laura Brodie

5 out of 5

By the middle of this wonderful book I was forcing myself not to read the last chapter to see where Brodie was going with this tale. Weaving reality and fantasy you find your self hoping and wondering and imagining an even larger tale.

Sarah McConnell is in her late thirties and has been married for a little more then 15 years when her husband in supposedly killed in a kayaking accident. He body has never been recovered, but yet one day three months later she sees him in the grocery store. There he is across the isle from her. After a quick distraction she looks over again and he's gone. Not sure of what she saw or didn't see she returns home even more bewildered then before.

Then the noises and bumps around the house begin, how can David be back, but on Halloween night he knocks on her door with quite a tale to tell. What is she to do. She can't tell anyone that she has seen him, the widow's club tells her that it takes a full season to get over a loss, but yet, David is there. She now must meet him clandestinely at their old cabin, she must move on with her life, but not leave David behind.

By the end of this book you are just mesmerized by the story that Bodie tells. You hope, but you fear to hope, because sometimes it takes a season to heal.

How do you move on when the ghosts come with you.