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The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel when I first started reading it, but quickly became involved with the characters as they unfolded. The story is told in first person by the three main characters, Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter, and tackles racism in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s. I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want it to end.
When I searched for more information about Kathryn Stockett, I discovered she was born in and raised in Jackson, Missisppi and moved to New York to work in magazine publishing. Wow! I can’t wait for her next novel. Will there be a sequel?
My Rating: 
By Linda
Killer View by Ridley Pearson
This second novel in Pearson’s new Walt Fleming series leaves me feeling about the same as I did with the first novel…unsure I want to continue with this series. Domestic terrorism, which seems to be on the rise in our country these days, is the basis for the plot. Unfortunately, there were points where I was so squeemish with the graphic descriptions of violence, I was tempted to stop reading. And the characters are still flat. In summary, I miss Lou Boldt.
My Rating: 
By Linda
Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Cemetery Dance was a ripping good, escape-from-realism yarn. I loved how it all came together in the end with semi-plausible explanations for totally implausible events. Once you get past the total lack of professionalism on the part of the police force as well as the FBI, it’s quite enjoyable. But if you can’t make that leap, this book might not be one for you. I, for one, was clueless until almost the end on the culprit responsible.
My Rating:
By Linda
In The Dark by Brian Freeman
Interestingly Freeman’s fourth novel has two titles: In The Dark for the U.S version and The Watcher for the U.K. version. Personally I prefer the U.S. title…more mysterious. This fourth novel in the Jonathan Stride series continues intertwining an unsolved mystery from his high school years with a current peeping Tom case he is trying to solve. I actually managed to figure out the older murder before the killer was revealed but still surprised by some of the various details that unfolded. Enjoyable as always but I couldn’t help thinking Stride sure has a lot secrets in his closet as well as his friends and just about anyone he meets. Not sure I’d want to live in the same town with him.
My Rating:
By Linda
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz
Ryan Perry is a millionaire with a heart condition that requires a heart plant within a year to avoid death. As he awaits a heart from a matching donor, visions send him to different parts of the country in pursuit of answers to his growing paranoia.
Your Heart Belongs to Me is definitely not one of Koontz’s best works. The ending was totally out of character with the rest of the novel and there were too many subplots left with unexplained loose ends whose sole purpose appeared to be serving as filler.
My Rating:
By Linda
First Family by David Baldacci
I purchased this book before I realized it was the part of the Michelle/Sean series…automatic to purchase Baldacci whenever a new release is out. The book started off slowly but kept me interested as it intertwined its way through two plots: first, finding and rescuing the kidnapped niece of the president’s wife and second, solving Michelle’s mother’s murder. I enjoyed the second plot as it unfolded and revealed more of Michelle’s past demons. Although implausible, it was not nearly as outlandish as the main plot of the book involving the president and his wife. The “ya gotta be kidding me” parts of the plot kicked in when the first kidnapper note was received and continued to become more outlandish as the novel progressed. But I did keep reading and I did finish it. I vow to read the description on the book cover before buying anymore of Baldacci’s books. I really don’t want anymore of this series.
My Rating: 
By Linda
First Degree by David Rosenfelt
Who dunnit with a comedic twist…and second in Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series. Carpenter, an irreverant wise cracking lawyer, whose dry wit makes me chuckle out loud, is tasked with saving his girl friend, Lauire, who is being framed for murder.
My Rating:
By Linda
The Messenger by Daniel Silva
The Messenger focuses on Saudi funding of Islamic terrorism. Silva does an excellent job of fleshing out the characters, maintaining an intricate and fast-paced plot, and provoking thought on how to deal with terrorism in today’s world.
Unlike my recent read of Silva’s Moscow Rules, The Messenger kept me riveted until the very end.
My Rating:
By Linda
Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
Ellen begins searching for more details about her adopted son’s background when she receives a “Have you seen this child” card in the mail with a picture resembling her son. Although parts of the book were not realistic to the point of “ya gotta be kidding“, it was nevertheless a “can’t put it down” read for me.
My Rating:
By Linda
The Falls by Ian Rankin
I thoroughly enjoyed this British mystery featuring Edinburgh police detective John Rebus, who works to solve the disappearance of a young woman from a wealthy banking family. The Falls is Rankin’s thirteenth novel featuring detective Rebus and I plan to delve into those past novels. Rankin’s classic mystery style reminds of a dark version of the old Agatha Christie who dunnit series. Nice.
My Rating:
By Linda
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