ElizabethR's Titles

The Marriage Hearse by Kate Ellis (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) #10 in Kate Ellis' series featuring DI Wesley Peterson. A bride is murdered in her home right before her wedding and there are several plausible suspects. Wesley's archaeologist friend Neil Watson is bored at a nearby dig, but rediscovers his enthusiasm when a skeleton is uncovered at a farm in the area. As always with Ellis' novels, the present-day case is convoluted, but by the end is surprisingly tied to the old one from the 16th century. Another great story. -- Added by ElizabethR on 03/03/2013 Add Comment

A Cursed Inheritance by Kate Ellis (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) #9 in the series featuring DI Wesley Peterson of the Tradmouth Police, Devon, England. A journalist reasearching the massacre of a family at a Devon estate 20 years ago (1985--book pub. in 2005) is murdered and the case has ties to numerous characters, some still in the area, some not. There is also a connection to the history of an early American settlement in Virginia (Jamestown, thinly disguised as Annetown) where Wesley's archaeologist friend Neil Watson is helping US historians uncover. Another very complicated plot which is wrapped up very well by the end. Ellis's books always have a fascinating historical perspective so history buffs will enjoy this one as much as mystery fans. -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/23/2013 Add Comment

The Plague Maiden by Kate Ellis (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This is the 8th in a series featuring Detective Sgt. Wesley Peterson of the Tradmouth police in the West Country of England. Wesley is one of very few black officers in the police, and his family story is explored as well as several murders. Wesley's white wife has to shoulder most of the burden of caring for their young toddler while pregnant with their second child as Wesley works long hours to solve crimes. As always in Ellis' books, several apparently disparate plots are woven together. There are threats against a local grocery store, a letter claiming a man in prison for murder is innocent, and a modern-day murder victim's body found at the site of an archaeological dig. This was another really compelling story with an archaeological theme by this author. I'm glad I have the next 4 in the series to work on . . . -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/17/2013 Add Comment

No Mark upon Her by Deborah Crombie (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This is the 14th entry in Crombie's series starring DS Duncan Kincaid of Scotland Yard and DI Gemma James of the London Metropolitan Police. A female detective in the Met goes missing, and then is found drowned in the Thames River. She was a highly skilled rower, so her death is suspicious. The postmortem reveals injuries which indicate murder, and a complicated story ensues. If you have read other books in this series, you will enjoy this one. The usual cast of characters is present and we meet some new ones, and there are a few twists in the plot before the answers are revealed. As always, a map of the area involved in the story is included on the endpapers (hardback copy). Very useful! Crombie is an outstanding writer and keeps the reader's attention all the way through. I'm glad the next book in the series is about to be released--can't wait to see what's next for some of my favorite literary "friends." -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/16/2013 Add Comment

A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell (Adventure, Suspense, Travel, Sports) This book falls more into the category of suspense than mystery, although Ruth Rendell is renowned for her mysteries. She is superb at capturing the psychological characteristics of the men & women who people her stories. In this book, you know what the key event is right from the first page, but you have to read the whole story to find out how & why. A very interesting book. -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/16/2013 Add Comment

The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This novel takes the reader back to the year 1200, when John was King of England and much of France. The story is told in 1st person by Alais, the sister of the king of France. She is sent on a journey to Canterbury by Eleanor of Aquitaine, the mother of John and former Queen of England, to retrieve some old, hidden letters which could prove damaging to John. She is kidnapped at Canterbury and adventure ensues. This book was very interesting for what it reveals about life in those times. It is well-written and the historical details thoroughly researched. -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/10/2013 Add Comment

Dressed for Death by Donna Leon (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) Commissario Guido Brunetti is called upon to solve the murder of an apparent transvestite in a town near Venice, Mestre. It is the hottest time of the year and Brunetti's family must go on vacation without him as the murder takes priority for his attention. This is an interesting mystery which exposes some of Italy's political and social environment. Brunetti is an admirable cop who always tries to do the right thing, even when it may hinder his crime-solving. One of a very enjoyable series by this author. -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/09/2013 Add Comment

The Wire in the Blood by Val McDermid (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) #2 in Val McDermid's series featuring Dr. Tony Hill & DCI Carol Jordan. This is another story of a very creepy murderer who abducts young girls and does terrible things to them. There's a second plot about a serial arsonist. Very well-written but again, not for the faint-of-heart. -- Added by ElizabethR on 02/09/2013 Add Comment

The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This mystery is the first in Val McDermid's mystery series starring psychologist Tony Hill and DI Carol Jordan. It is very well-written and tightly plotted, but the murderer is a seriously twisted character. Although she doesn't go overboard on details of the murders, I would not recommend this one for the faint of heart. This story lays the foundation for the characters in all the succeeding books in the series. -- Added by ElizabethR on 01/25/2013 Add Comment

Beneath the Bleeding by Val McDermid (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This mystery takes place in the fictional town of Bradfield in northern England. A star soccer (football) player for the local team dies suddenly, and it wasn't an extreme case of the flu, it was poison. The police have a hard time finding motive & opportunity, so they consult profiler & psychologist Dr. Tony Hill to work with DCI Carol Jordan on the case. There are more poisonings, and a bombing at the soccer (football) stadium which may, or may not be related. An intriguing, complex plot & interesting characters. I want to read more in the series. -- Added by ElizabethR on 01/22/2013 Add Comment

Exit Music by Ian Rankin (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This mystery is another in the series featuring Detective Inspector John Rebus. Rebus is about 10 days from mandatory retirement, and desperately wants to solve the murder of a Russian poet visiting Edinburgh. When another murder occurs, Rebus is convinced the two are connected, and it's a mad race against time with his partner Siobhan Clarke to try to untangle the many complicated threads. A long but gripping mystery. Sorry to see Rebus retire! Looking forward to finding out if the new Malcolm Fox series Rankin has started is as good! -- Added by ElizabethR on 01/12/2013 Add Comment