Martin Limon’s U.S. Army Investigators Sergeants George Sueno and Ernie Bascom return for their eighth appearance in Mr.Kill. This time out, the two American investigators are joined by a Korean investigator aptly named Kill.

The basic plot seems to be an ever too often occurring story in the news -a Korean mother is brutally raped on a Korean train and an American soldier is most probably the culprit. George and Ernie are called upon to investigate but are hampered by the “it couldn’t possibly be one of our boys who did this,” sentiment. The Koreans want justice and they want it now. The longer the investigation drags on, the angrier Korean citizens become and the more heated the anti-American fever runs. But aside from the sort of “ripped from the headlines” plot thread, there are a couple other threads to the plot that make it interesting as things start to come together. Of course if there are soldiers there bound to be women in the mix. That role is filled by an all female country western band who want to entertain the troops with more than their voices.

While George and Ernie give readers a good old fashioned detective story, the real joy of these books is the setting. The author spent time in Korea in the military so he knows the ins and outs of not only how the military functions. Readers who like to read mysteries with a military setting will appreciate Limon’s insider knowledge. Because the author spent several years in Korea, the details of the setting are terrific. Readers will certainly feel that they are in Korea with the characters as they read along. People who like to armchair travel will enjoy this series.

While the book is well written, the entire plot seems a little too loaded with references to previous cases leaving readers unfamiliar with the characters wondering if these references have any tie in to the current case or not. It would seem that this is a series where at least some of the earlier books need to be read before picking Mr.Kill up to read.

Dead Like You introduces Peter James’ Roy Grace character to American readers. While it is actually the sixth book in the series, it is the first one published here. It is maddening for American readers when book series first published overseas are released in the United States out of order. Sometimes it leaves readers trying to figure out the back story of the characters and on going series’ plot threads but sometimes it works out fine. While it is clear that Grace has some personal issues that go far back, readers are given enough of the story to feel like they know Grace.

It’s New Year’s Eve and Roy Grace is trying to clear off his desk before heading home. While he looks through his active case files, he also takes a quick look through the cold cases he’s handled throughout the years. One of the cold cases he reviews is from 1997. Known as The Shoe Man because after raping and murdering his victims, he took one of her shoes, the killer disappeared after kidnapping is sixth victim. So it seems more than a little odd that the very next case Grace is called in on is a brutal rape that follows the same pattern. Grace immediately wonders if Shoe Man is back.

As police procedurals go, Dead Like You is top notched. While the book is well over 500 pages long, the suspense of the hunt for the killer keeps the plot moving. The author manages to build the suspense by shifting readers smoothly back and forth between the killer and the police investigation and from present day to 1997 and back again.

The protagonist, Roy Grace is really a bit of fresh air as policemen in crime fiction go. It seems that many authors in an effort to make their character interesting feel they need to have their protagonist be a bit of a loner bucking the system at every opportunity and clashing with his superiors’ authority at every turn. Grace on the other hand, seems to get along well with the others on the force including his superiors and he carries on his investigation while working with in the system.

As an introduction for American readers to the Roy Grace series, this book has served author James well.

I have read most of Michael Palmer’s books wondering how he could add more excitement and deeper involvement than in his preceding books. “Oath Of Office” is no exception as I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book wondering while advancing through the book how the author can be so knowledgeable as he delves into so many subjects in various fields and subjects? The story begins as Dr. John Meacham has a huge verbal fight with a patient, certainly not the type of thing he would normally do. As that patient stormed out of his office he started thinking beyond the normal box that all those in the office would give him trouble reporting the incident to the hospital and other boards. He decided he would just stop any of them from hurting his future and started shooting and killing any patients in the office and waiting room, his own staff, and any doctors in the immediate vicinity, followed by shooting himself. Dr. Lou Welcome was a good friend of Dr. John Meacham and couldn’t believe that this man could take the actions he had taken with such finality to everyone involved. Dr. Meacham had barely survived the bullet he put in his head and despite all the medical attention he was given, including some from Lou, he didn’t make it.

The wife of the President of the United States, Darlene Mallory, was a good friend of the Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Evans, and was hurt that he had been caught with a hooker and had to resign his cabinet job. She needed to find out if the story was true or not. Their meeting was done secretly, planned well with the help of one of the Secret Service agents assigned to cover Mrs. Mallory, Victor. Victor was a very good agent but also was top notch at helping the presidents’ wife do almost anything she wished to do, outright or secretly. Lou was beginning to suspect something was going on affecting the minds of some causing them to do some outlandish and not near normal activities that had started with his friend killing so many and Dr. Meacham’s wife not acting normal also.

Lou had been taking boxing lessons from a good friend, Cap, and had for some years. This helped Lou stay in good physical shape and he loved the action and boy, did he need some relaxation now after all he had been through the past few days. He and Cap worked out and had a good chance to talk. The town of Kings Ridge was the closest populated area and Lou went there to meet Chief Stone, Chief of the Kings Ridge Police force. Lou told Stone that he was suspicious of some strange things going on in the area with people doing and saying some strange things, some things from their local hospital, the local doctors, and the actions of Dr. Meacham. The chief took note but did not feel there was anything wrong.

Action really picks up even more so involving all of the above, the President of the United States who was involved in a reelection campaign so did not have much time for close friends or his wife, Lou’s friends and associates, Secret Service agents, and many more. As I said, Michael Palmer has spun a great tale in this book and to try to tell you any more than I have would ruin your enjoyment while reading the book. The writing is excellent, the plots are great, and the characters are very real. When the book gets into genetically modified goods, we enter a current problem facing our world right now. How dangerous are these GE products?

When you are a police constable in the Highland in Scotland, the community expects you to be at their beckoned call and expect you to be knowledgeable of all crimes, no matter how minor. This includes investigations of fairies, whether real or not, and all superstitions. This is the problem of Hamish Macbeth in Death of a Kingfisher.

In Braikie, Scotland, this small village has discovered that they can draw people to their community by turning the local forested area, Buchan’s Woods, into a tourist attraction. This area is a habitat for a family of kingfishers and the fairies. Noticing the success of this attraction, the area is renamed “The Fairy Glen” and the tourism greatly benefits the town.

Everything changes when a kingfisher is found murdered and strung up in a tree. With further investigation, this family of birds has also been poisoned. Why would anyone kill a bird and its family?

While investigating this death of a bird family, Hamish becomes entwined with the married director of the woods who seems to be able to bewitch him with her physical beauty and her blue eyes. Is this affecting his investigation and not allowing him to suspect her as a possible suspect?

When a wealthy widow is murdered, literally rocketed through a window, Hamish is overwhelmed with possible suspects and lies. Who is the murderer? Why are more people dying whenever they seem to make an appointment to speak with Hamish?

Death of a Kingfisher has a slow beginning. The characters were not likeable and appeared detached and arrogant. The pacing changed after the first third of the novel and the story was more intense, intriguing, and logical.

When any author writes numerous books in a series, some are going to be better than others. Supposedly, this is the twenty-seventh book in the Hamish series. This particular novel lacked the affection and humor found in many of the previous books. (No, I have not read all twenty-seven.)

M.C. Beaton has won numerous awards for her Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mystery series. She has also written over one hundred romance novels and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series.

Death of a Kingfisher is wonderful if you are patient through the first third of this novel. The second part is well worth the price of the novel and is an intricate and well-woven tale.

Quite a beginning. Herman Diggs, the chief investigator used by Paul Madriani and his investigative law firm, is lying in a hospital with what would probably be mortal wounds for most folks. But Herman is battling and as usual the big fellow will probably be victorious. In the meantime Madriani and Joselyn Cole are being grilled by the FBI for more information about Liquida, who although wounded by Diggs in their knife fight, is on the loose.

Martini has used these characters in previous books and has brought them all together again for an exciting and well thought out book. This time Liquida has decided that he will put an end to Madriani, his associates, and his daughter. However he also has business to attend to so he can keep his funds up for the style of life he leads.

As Diggs finally comes to enough to whisper to Madriani his first words scare Madriani very badly. Diggs mumbles “Sarah…..farm” and Madriani immediately realizes that Diggs is warning him that the Liquida is heading to the farm where Harry Hinds, Madriani’s partner, has hidden out with Sarah, Madriani’s daughter.

Madriani and Joselyn are off on their way to help Harry protect Sarah but they are not really aware of what all will happen along the way. Martini skillfully builds a complete story with many different events and happenings that pull the reader in deeper and deeper.

Before it is over there are travels from the U.S. to Thailand, to Paris, and on to Mexico. All along the way the FBI, who hopes that they will lead them to Liquida and then perhaps on to the people who have hired Liquida for one of his specialties, closely tails Madriani and his crew. It seems that the White House has gotten information of the possibility of someone having stolen important data from our weapons programs. Not only has the data been taken but two of the workers in the area from which it was taken are also missing and are believed to be selling their information to Liquida’s clients.

Before Martini brings Trader of Secrets to a close he has many different people involved in all sorts of scary, hair raising antics that keep the reader involved at all times. The climax comes in a really well written battle that goes on deep in the Mexican jungle. There are forces from different countries using varied pieces of weaponry and they all meld together in this foray which is brought vividly to the readers eyes and senses by the way that Martini has written it. Great job and a tremendous finish to an interesting plausible story.

The story begins in England with a psych patient, Liam Baker, at a hearing for his release. He’s in the psych hospital for nearly beating to death and leaving his victim, Zoe Hagarty, paralyzed from the waist down. Professor Joe O’Laughlin, a psychologist, who had treated Liam in the past asks to speak and proves beyond a doubt that he has not changed and should not be released.

Shortly later his daughter Charlie’s best friend Sienna, who is Zoe’s sister, appears at his front door covered in blood. She runs away and is found on the banks of a river by Joe. She is hospitalized and the blood is found to be her father’s, a former police officer. She is a cutter with scars on her arms. Her father is then found dead in their home and you begin to learn more about him. Joe starts to ask questions mainly because of his daughter’s friendship with Sienna. As he becomes more and more involved a manipulative killer is brought to light.

I would definitely recommend this book because it is a great mystery and the story involves family, separations and the dangers for young girls.

The title of this book is very deceiving. This murder, at first, might seem like a very simple crime. As you start reading this book, you will be taken through many twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you are totally wrong.

The reader is given many details about the two brothers, Adam and Monty Lee, who were orphaned after the violent death of their parents. Their new place to stay was now in the dark basement of an aunt’s house. Monty became successful in life and Adam always admired him. Whatever Monty did in life, whether it was good or bad, seemed to be fine with Adam.

The question is who killed Adam’s Wife, Rachel? Adam was trapped in his marriage to Rachel who has some mental problems. They have a mentally retarded son who is in an institution due to his violent behavior. On the day Rachel was murdered, the son was home on a visitation. So who killed Rachel? Was it the husband, the son or someone else?

The story then shifts to Leo Hewitt, a former Assistant District Attorney, who is accused of setting free a child killer. Is this case a chance for Leo to get his career back on track?

A Very Simple Crime is an engrossing read. It is a complex story full of darkness and violence. The characters are all flawed in some way and this only adds to make this a very compelling read. Grant Jenkins writes with a very simplistic prose but that did not matter. He had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is his first book and I look forward to the next one. A Very Simple Crime is a fast read and one that will be a treat to any mystery/thriller fan will enjoy.

Nicholas Watson is a United States counter terrorism Agent, a position that places him in danger every day he is alive. This excellent book tells of Nicholas’s adventures as he tries to stay alive, do his job well, and still find time for love, all of which are very difficult in his business. The author has spun a great tale full of danger, love, and some humor. Until you read the book it is hard to tell if Nicholas’s real motive for his life is the adventure and the danger or the love affairs he thinks and hopes he will have. His main job on the first assignment in the story is to destroy munitions and some of the enemies connected with those munitions. He is in and out of immediate danger but not every time. Sometimes he gets too deeply involved and can’t make a clean get away and the author makes the reader grin and bear it until the last pages of the book.

While on assignment Nicholas sees a beautiful woman while going through an airport in South America, and he just has to meet that gorgeous woman who he immediately is infatuated with but can’t quite catch her. She is just as illusive as he is normally. You might know that when he wants to meet and be with someone, circumstances are dead set against him. From that moment on every time he travels to another nation he is searching for that same woman. He feels she has to be the one for him but how will he ever find her. Meanwhile danger goes on and Nicholas travels, gets in trouble, hides, searches, blows up munitions, kills some bad guys, all the time hoping he will meet that woman again.

The woman holds the same position as Nicholas for another nation so when he finally does meet her, they both know that their love is forbidden since they are actually at war with each other. How in the world can they pull this off? Kalyna Muzak is the woman’s name as Nicholas soon finds out. Their adventures as they each work for opposing nations become sometimes hilarious but I am sure it is not funny for them. Eventually Nicholas is given orders to blow up a building containing many people along with munitions and Kalyna. As he watches the building blow knowing his one chance at love since his first marriage failed is gone. His chance for love will have to end in that collapsed building.

Larry Johnson has written a story that will be liked by almost any type of reader whether they like love, murder, torture, humor, suspense, and twists written in a way that is easy to understand.

Following his debut Frozen Assets which author Bates introduced readers to Sergeant Gunnhildur Gísladóttir known as Gunna, Bates brings Gunna back in Cold Comfort. Now promoted to the Serious Crimes Unit in Reykjavik, she has left rural Iceland behind and moved into the city.

The two crimes which are the focus of Gunna’s investigations involve a criminal who escapes from prison and goes on a crime spree across the area settling up with those who have crossed him in the past. Closer to home, she tries to find the killer of a former beauty queen turned television personality who was also fitness instructor. Gunna ‘s investigations lead her to connections between these two people from the opposite ends of society.

The author has used the financial disarray of Iceland quite successfully in the plotting of this book. Money is power and power is so often the root of crime, and so it is in Cold Comfort.

There are two minor issues with this book. First, there are many, many characters in this book and given that the names are not easily read and remembered by most American readers, a listing of the characters in the beginning of the book would have been a helpful readers’ aid. Secondly, the author tends to jump around a lot and he does it rather abruptly having left this reader to pause and do a double take while she catches up to where and with whom we are now.

Gunna is a tough as nails, take no hostages type cop. She throws herself into each investigation pushing the subject in the interview room until she gets what she wants. While there are flaws with this installment in the series, Gunna is such a strong character that holds this book together.

In A Darkly Hidden Truth, Author Crow brings back protagonists Felicity and Anthony first introduced in A Very Private Grave. The protagonists are a couple of the most interesting characters to come along in the mystery genre for some time. Felicity, an American who came to England to teach, finds she is disillusioned with the classroom, but rather than returning home to Idaho, she decides to follow one of her passions and enrolls in the theological college run by the Community of the Transfiguration. Anthony, actually Father Anthony, is in residence at the same community well on his way to becoming a priest in The Church of England.

As Book Two of the Monastery Murders opens, Felicity is arranging retreats at several other religious communities while she ponders her future in the church. When a valuable icon goes missing, and the crime resembles another in a different monastery, Father Anthony is asked to investigate. Since he and Felicity solved the murder of Father Dominic in the first book, Father Anthony wants Felicity’s help again. Although initially, Felicity does not want to change her plans, eventually she is drawn into the case. Complicating Felicity’s life even more, her mother arrives from America with very little notice and a great deal of distressing news to share.

The author clearly knows a great deal about Church history as well as the liturgies. This knowledge shines through the plot without leaving the reader feeling “schooled” in the subject. A Darkly Hidden Truth takes place during Holy Week and because the author gives such vivid descriptions of the church’s décor, ceremonies, processions and atmosphere, readers really get a sense of presence with Felicity as she attends the various services. Also, because the setting of the book is mostly in various monasteries, it is quite natural that the author has included a great deal of history of The Church of England through the history of the monasteries and the various icons. Even when the characters travel to London, the pursuit of church history is at play.

It is refreshing to have a pair of protagonists who are so devoted to their faith. There are several well written mystery series set against the backdrop of a church community that are not really Christian Fiction, while much of the genre of Christian Fiction features protagonists who are leading ordinary lives with prayers or religious moments interjected throughout the books. Seldom do you find a series where a balance has been struck between the two sides. The Monastery Murders series takes place in and around monasteries. The two protagonists are connected in their own ways to The Church of England. Both are deeply religious people-but the reader gets this faith connection not because the characters stop what they are doing to pray over each decision and not because God is brought up on each page. Rather, readers get a sense of their faith through their actions. Reading about Felicity’s emotions during the feet washing on Holy Thursday for example, was like experiencing that strong religious connection with her. I would categorize these books as traditional mysteries with strong religious themes.

While this reviewer has not read the earlier book, I had no problem dropping in on Felicity and Father Anthony for this case. I enjoyed this book so much that I have already ordered the previous book.