A Fatal Winter / G. M. Malliet / 364 pages

Max Tudor is the priest in the small English village of Nether Monkslip.  His former occupation was in the intelligence community and as a result the local police come to him to help investigate crimes.  In this story a bother and sister, Lord Footrustle and Lady Baynard,  living in nearby Chedrow Castle are found dead.  Max is called on to go to the castle and to interview the long-lost greedy relatives who have recently come to visit at the castle.  With the information he gathers he solves the mystery of who is responsible for the murders.

From Doon With Death / Ruth Rendell / 214 pages

This is the author's debut novel written in 1964.  It introduces the character of Chief Inspector Wexford.  Margaret Parsons is a timid, unassuming housewife found murdered in the quiet English town of Kingsmarkham.  Her body is found strangled in the woods.  Chief Inspector Wexford sets out to solve the mystery of her death.  This is a quaint English mystery story.  Not very fast paced, but a relaxing read.

Then She Was Gone/Lisa Jewell/356 pgs

Laurel spent years mourning the loss of her daughter, Ellie.  Ellie was the daughter that Laurel doted on and loved fiercely.  One day, 15 year-old Ellie left the house and never returned.   She was a perfect child who would never just run away as the police insisted that she had done.  And just a few months ago, ten years later, partial remains are found and identified as the missing girl confirming the police suspicions.

Now Laurel, whose marriage fell apart years after her daughter went missing, meets a man, Floyd, in a coffee shop.  Soon the two begin a relationship and eventually Laurel meets Floyd’s daughter Poppy.  Laurel is struck by the likeness the young girl bears to her late daughter, Ellie.  As Laurel spends more time with Floyd and Poppy, she begins noticing strange coincidences that make her think bout Ellie more and more

You may or may not see the twist in this thriller, but you’ll like it.

an Anonymous Girl/Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen/371 pgs

Jessica is a makeup artist who is very good at transforming her clients and making them look beautiful.  She also works very hard trying to make extra money so that she can help her parents financially with the care of her disabled sister, Becky.  Becky had an accident as a child for which Jessica feels responsible.  And the therapy that helps Becky is expensive.

At her job, sometimes Jessica has clients who really don’t need her help, they’re just willing to pay to have someone do their makeup for them.  And one day something happens that changes Jessica’s life.  Her client received a phone call about a study.  The client did not want to take the call or participate in the study. But, Jessica sneaks a look at her client’s phone, gets the information, and goes in her client’s place.  The money is very good, but the questions are unusual.  Pressed for money, Jessica continues to participate in the study, but the requirements begin to be more demanding than she could have imagined.  

This story is a page turner you don’t want to miss.

B is for Burglar / Sue Grafton / 321 pages

Kinsey Millhone is back into business, and she is assigned to locate Elaine Boldt, a woman who had been missing since her departure to Florida.  Kinsey interviews close friends and anyone who was familiar with her, in both Santa Teresa, California and Miami, Florida.  She also learns the story of Miss Boldt's friend, Marty Grice, who had been murdered six months before her disappearance, and one part of Kinsey believes that Miss Boldt may have took off as a result, either from paranoia or she may have been one of the suspects responsible for the murder; another says that she might already be dead.

I liked this book better than the first one, for the characters were more diverse in both appearance and personality, Kinsey revealed hidden depths to herself that made her more three-dimensional, and wowIdidnotexpectthatplottwistatall.
Overall, a very a good novel; I'm already partway through the third book, C is for Corpse, which I'll blog about in March.

A is for Alibi / Sue Grafton / 320 pages

Divorce lawyer Laurence Fife had been found dead, and the media blamed the murder on his wife Nikki Fife.  When she is released from prison eight years later, however, Nikki claims to be innocent, and she hires a detective, Kinsey Millhone, to find out who the real murderer is.  Kinsey goes around Southern California and Nevada to interview several suspects, including Mr. Fife's ex-wives as well as the family of a young woman who died the same way Mr. Fife did.  But when one of the suspects is murdered before Kinsey gets to interview her, she tries to figure out how the deaths are all linked to one another and why.

The first book to Grafton's Kinsey Millhone/"Alphabet mystery" series, I found it really interesting as I don't often read/listen to mystery novels.  I'm looking forward to B is for Burglar.

I See You/Clare Mackintosh/374 pgs.

Like most people, Zoe Walker takes the same route to work--in her case, a series of trains. Nothing is out of the ordinary until she sees a photo of herself in the advertising section of the newspaper. The contact information appears to lead to a dead end. When the police become involved, a pattern begins to emerge. This is a "read into the night" book--the reader has to know how it turns out. As in Mackintosh's I Let You Go, there are plot twists and turns. Highly recommended!

What She Knew/ Gilly Macmillan/ 472 pages

What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan begins with a walk in the park and quickly moves on to a missing child and an investigator looking for the truth.  Rachel Jenner and son Ben walk the trails in a nearby park to reach a tire swing.  This time Rachel lets Ben run ahead to the swing.  When she arrives Ben is no where to be seen.  The author brings in a cast of supporting characters, including John, Rachel's ex-husband, his new wife Katrina, sister Nicky, and detective Climo.  Together the work toward finding Ben, each from their own perspective.  The author gives the reader a glimpse of each character's past and how it relates to their view.  This book would appeal to readers who enjoyed Gone Girl and similar story lines.

The Bishop's Wife/Mette Ivie Harrison/358 pgs.

The bishop's wife in the title is Linda Wallheim--her husband, Kurt, is a bishop in the Mormon Church. This fictionalized account is told in Linda's voice, and deals with possible domestic violence occurring in her husband's ward. When Carrie Helm, a young wife and mother, goes missing, Linda involves herself in trying to find out where she is, or even if she is still alive. This book gives insight into life as a Mormon, in addition to being an excellent mystery. It's the first in a series. Highly recommended!

Little Death in Dixie/ Lisa Turner/ 298 pages

A Little Death in Dixie is a mystery written by Lisa Turner set in Memphis, TN.  Detective Billy Able and his partner Lou are called to an abandoned car belonging to Sophie Dupree, a Memphis socialite.  Before the day ends, one of the detectives will be dead, a prominent family and several civil servants will be involved in a twisted tale of scandal and money.  This book will appeal to readers who like a good mystery with lots of plots turns and surprises.

Just Deserts Hetta Coffey Mystery Series Book 4/ Jinx Schawrtz / 330 pages

The first time I met Hetta Coffey I thought she was rude and self centered and did not expect to like her.  Once you get to know her, she's OK.  In Just Deserts by Jinx Schawrtz, Hetta's boat is in need of repairs.  Stuck in dry dock and in need of cash to pay for the repairs, Hetta takes a job as a mine consultant for a Mexican mine.  Her job puts her in contact with mine operators, human traffickers, mystery men, drug smugglers and winery operators.  With the help of her long time friends, Hetta manages to get into  and out of deep trouble while saving Arizona and befriending a coyote.  If you enjoy strong women with a heart, you will like Hetta Coffey.

Miss Pym Disposes / Josephine Tey 235 p. Deceased Author

Miss Pym Disposes / Josephine Tey 235 p. Deceased Author

Popular English psychologist is a guest lecture at Leys Physical Training College. She arrives near term's end. She is accepted by the students. She is impressed by their physical abilities.  She tends to notice things.  As end of year Demonstration Day nears,she finds that she wants to see them exhibit their gymnastic and dance abilities. She discovers cheat sheets for an upcoming final; which she destroys. She reasoned that the student had not be able to use them. When an accident occurs, only Miss Pym suspects foul play.   Interesting twist ending.  Strong character development is the defining story element.

Storm Front / Richard Castle / 314 pages

This book was commissioned by ABC studios to advertise for the Castle TV series.  Fans of the show will recognize the tongue-in-cheek humor displayed throughout the book: "The gondolier could only be described as ruggedly handsome."  This book features Derrick Storm - a private investigator who works for the CIA.  Nikki Heat (from the series most talked about in Castle) makes a brief appearance near the end.  This is a fun, quick read, though a bit gruesome in parts.  The humor is a little too adult for children at times.