Mr. Churchill’s Secretary/Susan Elia MacNeal/358 pgs/Mystery

Maggie Hope, raised by her aunt, never expected to live in London.  She went there merely to sell her late grandmother’s house.  Unfortunately, with WWII in Europe and England’s involvement, there were no buyers.  Instead, Maggie took on roommates and moved into the old house.  Soon, she settled into life in London and found herself working in Prime Minister Churchill’s office.  She did not land the position for which she hoped, but she would prove how her skills would be critical to the English cause.  War, murder, friendships, and intrigue make this book a page turner.  It is also the first in a series.

Watch Me/Jody Gehrman/308pgs/College Setting

If you love the stalker movies that the Lifetime channel used to show, then put the kettle on because this is your cup of tea!  Kate Youngblood is a creative writing professor and recent divorcee in a small Ohio town.  After the small success of her debut novel and a painful awareness of her oncoming middle age, Kate has hit a slump in her life.  Feeling unwanted and unnoticed, she throws herself into work in the hopes of gaining tenure.  Through all of her frustrations, a pair of watchful eyes follows her life on campus.  With a pair of "intense" and "piercing" blue eyes that would make any YA author swoon, student Sam Grist purposely inserts himself into Kate's life at every turn in the hopes of one day claiming her as his own.  Unaware of his predatory plan, Kate finds a writing prodigy in her student and takes Sam under her wing, all the while ignoring that small burst of attraction she feels for him in return.

The narrative jumps back and forth each chapter between Kate and Sam's perspectives, allowing the reader to understand the competing motivations for the two leads.  Neither of the characters are incredibly likeable, but the story is entertaining and follows a quick pace.  I think the author could have stood to push the envelope further with the main relationship, but I recognize I have a penchant for the lurid, so in all the novel could be considered "complete."  Watch Me is a worthwhile read for those seeking out a thriller of sorts.

Promise Not to Tell/Jayne Ann Krentz/325 pgs.

Virginia Troy, a Seattle gallery owner, learns of the death of an artist, Hannah Brewster, who had been a member of the same cult Virginia had been in as a child. Hannah had sent the picture of her last painting to Virginia before the cabin she lived in was torched. Virginia enlists the help of Anson Salinas's detective agency--Anson had rescued Virginia and other children from the cult years ago. This puts Virginia in contact with Cabot Sutter, a foster son of Anson's, and also in the same cult as Virginia years ago. Each of them believes that Quinton Zane, the cult master, is still alive, and that Hannah was trying to get a message to them about him. There is mystery, suspense, romance, and an open ending to the novel. It's an entertaining read, and I look forward to the last installment!

Mind Game/Iris Johansen/374 pgs.

In this latest Eve Duncan series entry, the action focuses on Eve's adopted daughter, Jane MacGuire and her complicated "love" interest, Seth Caleb. When Caleb's sister, Lisa, is kidnapped, she reaches out to Jane, telepathically, seeking help. This creates a situation for Jane with Caleb, as to how to rescue Lisa. It turns out that Lisa is being used as a pawn, and that Caleb is the true target. It's a fast read, with other story lines woven throughout the novel, and reaches a satisfying conclusion. It's a strong addition to an entertaining series!

Look Behind You/Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen/325 pgs.

Kendra Michaels' special talents are called into play by the FBI to track down a serial killer. This particular killer has been leaving behind "trophies" from previous unsolved murders. Agents who had worked on the unsolved murders are called in to help solve the cases once and for all. Then it becomes apparent that Kendra is on the killer's radar--which puts a whole new spin on the investigation. It's a fast moving, engrossing novel--highly recommended!

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!

No Easy Target/Iris Johansen/340 pgs.

Margaret Douglas has appeared in some of the Eve Duncan series written by Iris Johansen. She is the main character in this novel, and the reader learns what makes her tick. Margaret has the extraordinary ability to be able to communicate with animals. She has been on the run from a drug lord, Stan Nicos, who had used her abilities to his advantage. However, she is found, and kidnapped by John Lassiter,a CIA operative. He plans on using Margaret as a bargaining chip to get Nicos to release one of his men who is being held captive in the worst conditions. It's a fast paced novel, suspenseful, and hard to put down. Recommended!

The Kept Woman/Karin Slaughter/461 pgs.

In order to fully appreciate this latest in the Will Trent series, one needs to read the previous titles. However, reading it as a stand-alone still provides an excellent read. Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and his lover, Dr. Sara Linton, medical examiner for the GBI, have been called in when a murder takes place in a prospective night club. The body is that of an ex-cop, but it becomes apparent that another crime had been committed at the time of the victim's death. It appears that Will's "wife" Angie-- who is in and out of his life--is somehow involved. There is so much going on in this novel, that I stayed up half of the night in order to finish it. I can't recommend this title and series highly enough!

The Devil's Triangle/Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison/495 pgs.

This is the latest Nicholas Drummond and Michaela (Mike) Caine series entry, and it's a doozy! Nicholas and Mike are FBI agents working the U.S. government's Covert Eyes operation--the best of the best in defeating criminals nationally and internationally. They are contacted by Kitsune (the Fox), an international criminal they have dealt with before. Her husband has been kidnapped, and she needs Nicholas's and Mike's help to get him back. That might not be so bad if her husband wasn't kidnapped by a pair of psychotic twins who are seeking the Ark of the Covenant. It's a fast paced story with some interesting turns, and a satisfactory conclusion. I think it's one of the best ones in the series, so far. Recommended!

One Perfect Lie/Lisa Scottoline/355 pgs.

One Perfect Lie starts out with a bang, but starts to fizzle half way through the story. Posing as a high school government teacher, Chris Brennan infiltrates the community of Central Valley. He is also hired as the assistant baseball coach, which gives him the opportunity to observe which high school boy will be ideal for the undertaking he has in mind. There are plot twists and turns, but I didn't feel that the last half of the book lived up to the gripping beginning. That said, I would still recommend it, because I had to know how the story line came together!

Find Me/ JS Monroe / 400 pgs

Find Me is a thriller that starts out going in one direction and ends up in a completely different direction. The plot twist was a good one, coming out of nowhere (but in retrospect hinted at). However, and this is a big however, the direction the story ended up going was not one that I wanted to read about. Let me explain.

Jar Costello's girlfriend, Rosa, committed suicide 5 years ago. He loved her deeply and hasn't really got over her death. He's never believed that she died (her body wasn't found). He even imagines that he sees her around London.  Then one day Jar is handed a hard drive by Rosa's aunt and told that there is an encrypted version of Rosa's diary on it. With some help from friends, Jar gets into the diary and soon realizes that Rosa really might be alive and might have become a spy.

So, I'm down with a spy thriller and according to the blurb, that's what I'm reading. But then the plot twist happens and this becomes a whole other kind of thriller and it really wasn't one I wanted to read about (being vague to avoid spoilers but there is violence involving humans and animals). The writing is good and I give points to the author for an innovative, though sometimes unbelievable plot. But in the end (literally) I wasn't happy with this story.

The Hunt for Red October / Tom Clancy / 469 pgs

This was my first Tom Clancy book! I chose this book because it was the first Jack Ryan book he wrote, and also because it was the one Jack Ryan movie I haven't seen yet. I love Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears, so I hoped I'd like the book. The book centers around a Soviet nuclear submarine captain, Marko Ramius, and his crew aboard the Red October, as Captain Ramius hatches a plan to defect to the United States with his more senior officers who want to defect too. Jack Ryan is a CIA analyst living in London. When he sees pictures of the Red October and their "caterpillar" propulsion system which allows the submarine to sail virtually undetected, he hops a flight to Langley, and from there the adventure begins.

I'm of two minds about this book. Certainly the tension is very well written. There's lots of twists and turns that keep your attention. On the other hand, I bored with all of the technical details found throughout the book. It made the book feel very long, longer than it actually is. However, because the story itself was so good, I hope to get my hands on Patriot Games soon. I genuinely think that the only reason why I don't give this book a higher rating is because the technical jargon, and that should be not as prevalent in Patriot Games. I can see why men like Tom Clancy more. That said, I definitely recommend the Jack Ryan series to anyone who likes Brad Thor or WEB Griffin.

Daisy in Chains/ Sharon Bolton / 344 pgs

I recently discovered Sharon Bolton’s (AKA SJ Bolton) suspense books and I really enjoy them. In this one, lawyer Maggie Rose is asked by a convicted serial killer to take another look at his case because he claims he’s innocent. She’s reluctant at first and aggressively discouraged by the investigating officer, Det. Weston, from doing so. It’s not a spoiler to say she eventually takes the case:) This one has a number of twists and turns but unfortunately I thought they were fairly well telegraphed. I wasn’t surprised by anything except perhaps the very end. I didn’t like this book as much as I liked Bolton’s Little Black Lies and I think it was because the characters weren’t especially likable or sympathetic.

The Chemist/Stephenie Meyer/521 pgs.

Someone wants "Chris Taylor"  (her current name) dead. She has been in hiding from the U.S. government for the past three years. Attempts have been made on her life, but so far she has beaten the odds. In her former life, she was known as "The Chemist," since she could use a combination of drugs to successfully interrogate a suspect. For some reason she became more of a hindrance than a help. Her former "handler" tracks her down and offers her her freedom if she completes one last job. As is often the case, if an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. Stephenie Meyer takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of deception and suspense. It's a little lengthy, but a good read. Recommended.

Before the Fall / Noah Hawley / 400 pgs

This is supposed to be the big book of Summer 2016, and I can totally see why.  As of right now, there are 106 reserves on 26 copies. This doesn't include large print, audiobook, or e-book copies. I'm only factoring in the regular print edition.

I loved it. The book does a great job of focusing on the sole adult survivor of a horrendous private plane crash into the ocean off Martha's Vineyard, but it also goes back in alternating chapters to give the reader a glimpse into the lives and thoughts of the other passengers on the plane. My only complaint is that I figured out how the plane crashed (the main mystery of the book) after only 1/2 to 2/3 of the book had been read. That said, I loved how the book ended. I thought it very fitting. I highly recommend it. This book lived up to the hype, in my opinion.

Heart of a Killer/David Rosenfelt/298 pgs.

Attorney Jamie Wagner has been given the pro bono case of Sheryl Harrison, who four years ago, confessed to the murder of her husband, Charlie Harrison. She claimed her husband was abusive, but she was still sentenced to thirty years in prison. Her  fourteen year old daughter, Karen, needs a heart transplant in order to live--her blood type is rare, so Sheryl is a perfect match. Sheryl wants to be the donor, which means either the state would have to execute her, or she would have to be freed in order to commit suicide. And that is just one thread in this very fast moving, tension filled story. Thank you to Sandy M. who never steers me wrong for good book suggestions. Highly, highly, recommended!

The Guilty/David Baldacci/420 pgs

This is the 4 title in the Will Robie series.  This series is fast becoming a favorite of mine.  In "The Guilty", Will has a problem on his last assignment and he is put on leave.  At the same time, he finds out that his father has been arrested for murder and being held for trial in his hometown.  He has not been back in 20 years since he left after graduating from high school.   He goes home to see if he can help with his father's defense and to see if he can get back his calm.  Great book!

White Ginger / Thatcher Robinson / 289 pages

     I am always looking for a thriller series that doesn't follow the formula. I love kickin' female main characters. The Michael Munroe series (by Taylor Stevens) started that need and wanted another one. I do believe I have found it. Bai Jiang (by chang) lives and works in San Francisco. She is a people finder, a souxun  (so-SOON) who works mostly out of Chinatown. Her life is rather complicated as her grandfather is head of the Chinese triad but Bai isn't part of that world. At least she is trying real hard to stay out of it.

     A young girl is taken from her family and Bai is contacted. After following the tangled trail given by the young lady's family, Bai is taken down some very dark and very dangerous paths. We see part of the slave and drug trades plus what power the Chinese have in certain cities. Bai tries very hard to maintain her calm and professionalism but as the twists and turns deepen she knows she must call upon her family ties to help find the girl and protect her family no matter what.

     This isn't a novel for the cozy set. We have violence, graphic scenes, language and yes, sex. In my opinion it fits. Bai inhabits a world that isn't commonplace middle America. It is exciting and very dangerous and very addicting. We are immersed in a world most of the public chooses not to see. Bai is the person who straddles both, struggling to maintain her Buddhist beliefs and to give her daughter a normal life. I highly recommend this for adrenaline junkies and lovers of "quick moving work it out later" novels. I can't wait for the next one. Bai Jiang is a character to watch. In case you were wondering white ginger is the translation of Bai Jiang in certain Chinese dialects. 

Six Degrees of Reading: The Informationist: A Vanessa Michael Munroe novel by Taylor Stevens, Vanishing Act: A Jane Whitefield novel by Thomas Perry, Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. 

One Kick/Cain, Chelsea/306 pgs.

"Kick" Lannigan a.k.a Beth, a.k.a Kit, was abducted as a child, but was rescued 5 years after the abduction. She is now 21 years old, and is obsessed with any missing child case. Enter John Bishop, a former weapons dealer, who now works for an "organization" with allows him contacts to the FBI, and other law enforcement personnel. He wants/needs Kick to help him find Adam Rice, a missing child still believed to be alive. They join forces on what becomes a merry-go-round of suspense, mystery, and drama. The book hooked me from the beginning, and kept me up late at night/morning reading it. Quite awhile ago I had read some of Chelsea Cain's Archie/Gretchen series, and was reluctant to try this one. Thank you, Sandy M., for convincing me to give it a try. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

The Dead Will Tell: A Kate Burkholder Novel / Linda Castillo / 320 pages / Mystery

Police Chief Kate Burkholder and the Painters Mill police department have their hands full when three brutal murders occur within a short period of time. Wooden Amish dolls are found left by the serial killer with each victim, indicating a connection to the unsolved murder of an Amish family that took place over 30 years ago.

While Kate works to find the killer before more lives are lost, she must also deal with a cranky town council member who is being threatened, and her fragile relationship with John Tomasetti is threatened by an enemy from his past.

Like all of the entries in this series, The Dead Will Tell is a page-turner. I read it in one day. Kate is a tough but deeply compassionate protagonist. The only negative to this book is that the whodunnit was not a surprise, I figured it out well before the conclusion. Thus as a mystery it is somewhat disappointing, but the pacing makes it an excellent thriller.

Linda Castillo has become one of my regular pre-orders and I look forward to every new book in this series. The folks in Painters Mill better get busy making babies though, as the population declines considerably in this 6th entry of the Kate Burkholder series.