The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Rhonna

Izzy Spellman never really had a chance for a normal life. Raised by private investigators, she joined the family business at 12, establishing a pattern of snooping and distrust that doesn’t bode well for healthy relationships. Her parents routinely run background checks on her boyfriends. Her uncle Ray regularly disappears on binges of his assorted addictions. Her brother David, the supposedly normal one, has been hiding something. Even her baby sister is mastering the art of extortion within the family. Meanwhile Izzy tries to solve an unsolvable case and maintain a fairly normal (if completely dishonest) relationship with the dentist of her dreams.

I was told to read The Spellman Files because I like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Both series are hilarious mysteries with entertaining young female characters who can’t quite get it together, but Spellman is less slapstick and more clever. This tale of mystery, suspense, and family dysfunction will keep you laughing all the way through.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Mystery

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Rhonna

by John Pecoraro, Assistant Director

Each year from September 15 to October 15 we recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month “by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” What better time of year to explore mysteries written by Hispanic or Latino authors of many nationalities?

Mexican-American writer, Rudolfo Anaya, for example, features New Mexico private investigator Sonny Baca in a seasonal quartet whose titles include Zia Summer, Rio Grande Fall, Shaman Winter, and Jemez Spring. Sonny Baca is not your average private investigator. A divorced former high school teacher, he’s the grandson of a legendary lawman, whose backup includes an extra-large sociopath, coyotes, and a curandera (folk healer). Sonny routinely deals with drug dealers and medical experiments, as well as the mysticism and magic of Chicano culture.

Marcos McPeek Villatoro brings El Salvadoran policewoman Romilia Chacon to life in a series of novels that take her from the Nashville Police Department to the FBI in Los Angeles, as the Latina detective hunts for her sister’s killer. Titles in the series include Home Killing, Minos, A Venom Beneath the Skin, and Blood Daughters.

Inspector Espinosa is the protagonist in a series by Brazilian writer Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza. Lush in setting, these mysteries take place in steamy, exotic Rio de Janiero. Titles in this Rio-noir series include Silence of the Rain, December Heat and Pursuit. Inspector Espinosa is an everyman character, a public servant, a solitary individual, who does not consider himself a hero. Garcia-Roza has created an ethical policeman often out of his depth in the seedy world he serves.

Cuban-born writer Leonardo Padura is the author of a colorful series featuring Police Lieutenant Mario Conde. Havana Gold, Havana Red, Havana Blue, and Havana Black blend dark police procedurals with vivid images of contemporary Havana. Lieutenant Conde is a cop who would rather be a writer, feeling himself drawn to other writers, crazy people, and drunks.

For thrillers with a mystery twist, Spanish author Juan Gomez-Jurado offers several titles written with both energy and a sense of the cinematic. The Traitor’s Emblem involves a daring rescue at sea, a mysterious gold emblem, Nazis, Masons, and a son’s search for the truth behind his father’s death. Other titles by Gomez-Jurado in English include God’s Spy and The Moses Expedition.

Michele Martinez is a Puerto Rican-American attorney and former federal prosecutor in New York who shares many characteristics with her protagonist, Melanie Vargas. Martinez features Vargas and FBI agent Dan O’Reilly in several novels. In Most Wanted, the first book in the series, Melanie Vargas takes the case of a prominent New Yorker found tortured and murdered in his posh townhouse. Other titles in the series include The Finishing School, Cover-Up, and Notorious.

Cayetano Brule is the private investigator in a series of mysteries by Chilean author Roberto Ampuero. In The Neruda Case Cayetano meets the poet Pablo Neruda at a party in Chile in the 1970s. The dying Neruda recruits Cayetano to help him solve the last great mystery of his life. The novel is set against the dangerous political world of pre-Pinochet Chile, Castro’s Cuba, and perilous behind-the-Wall East Berlin.

Cuban expatriate Jose Latour delivers a suspenseful, atmospheric novel of intrigue set in contemporary Havana and Miami in Comrades in Miami. As Colonel Victoria Valiente, the Havana-based spymaster of greater Miami, her husband, and $2.7 million in stolen money set sail for Key West, little do they know that the FBI is on their trail. This novel gives an insider’s view of the Cuban regime’s darker corners.

Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month at hispanicheritagemonth.gov/.

September is also “Library Card Signup Month.” Visit the library to sign up for your card today, or click the Library Card button on our web page to register online. Your library card will open up a world of adventure, information, and knowledge, not to mention mysteries by Hispanic authors.

Some Humor for the End of Summer

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Rhonna

It is the quietest time of year in Manhattan. Most of the summer activities have come to an end and we still have some time before the energy of returning students and school starting up. The recent heat has caused us all to be a bit wilted. A good laugh can help you through the end-of-summer doldrums so you can be cheerful when all our new residents come pouring in.

You might have heard of Lisa Scottoline’s suspense novels. What is less well known is that she partners with her daughter to write nonfiction that will crack you up. Her latest, Best Friends, Occasional Enemies: the Lighter Side of Life as a Mother and Daughte r talks about the close and challenging relationships in families, while making sure to see the humor in life. Another nonfiction favorite is Bill Bryson, known best for his travel memoirs. Whether he’s on a trip across the pond in Notes from a Small Island or traveling back in time with The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid Bryson’s work is known for causing annoyance to those near readers because of the constant chuckling and the repeated phrase “You’ve got to hear this.”

Romance is a genre ripe with scenarios of people making idiots of themselves for our reading enjoyment. In Summer at Seaside Cove by Jacquie D’Alessandro, Jamie Newman escapes New York for the beach in an attempt to regroup after a failed relationship, only to face a run-down shack, an ever-present family, and a difficult (but of course attractive) neighbor/landlord. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig takes us back to the French Revolution with the story of Amy Balcourt. Amy heads out to France with hopes to become a spy with the league of the Purple Gentian. Secrets, misunderstandings, and clumsy spying attempts don’t bode well for her career, but the Purple Gentian finds that he wants her close by anyway.

If you like your romance heavy on the humor but light on spice, you might like these Christian authors. A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist tells the story of Washington settler Joe Denton who needs a wife to keep his land and Ana Ivey who unknowingly signs off as a bride when she just hopes to escape to the west to find a job cooking. Full of witty dialogue and likeable characters, Gist’s books are a treat. In Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake, Lady Syndey Hathwell escapes to her long lost uncle’s ranch disguised as a man. Ranch manager Tim Creighton is disgusted by his new ranch hand’s hardworking but inept and weak attempts to live up to his expectations.

For humor with a more mysterious turn, you might try The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Thursday Next, renowned Special Operative in literary detection, takes up the case when characters suddenly begin to disappear from great works of literature. A mix of fantasy and mystery is delightfully witty. Alan Bradley takes you into the world of the engaging Flavia de Luce, eleven year old chemist in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. When she discovers a dying man in the garden, she revels in the joy of investigation.

Some of us like our humor to be a little otherworldly. In A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, neurotic hypochondriac and recent widower, Charlie Asher, is faced with the challenges of a new baby and a new and unwanted job as a merchant of death. Scott Rockwell has adapted Terry Pratchett’s Discworld into Graphic Novel format, maintaining the bizarrely humorous feel from the original novels about a parallel world that rests on the backs of four elephants balanced on a giant turtle hurtling through space.

When the hot, slow days start to get you down, just remember the words of MarkTwain, “Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.”

Ransom River by Meg Gardiner

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Judi

Rory Mackenzie has returned home to Ransom River and is serving on a jury when two gunmen enter the courtroom and hold the jury, judge and spectators hostage, with a siege that begins a long, nightmarish ordeal for Rory. She is singled out by the gunmen and later accused by police of being an accomplice in their crime. Surrounded by a dysfunctional family and unsure of whom to trust, Rory must race to uncover the reasons for the courtroom violence and to discover why she has been made the target of attacks. Edgar Award-winning author Gardiner has created a taut, complex, fast-paced novel filled with action and suspense–one that will keep you guessing until the end.

As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Rhonna

If you’ve been watching Longmire on A&E, you might like to go back and read where it all began. Back in 2010, I picked up the book Cold Dish by Craig Johnson on a whim. It’s not my usual type of read, so I don’t even remember why I read it, but it began an obsession that has not waned at all. I wait anxiously for each installment in the series. Johnson’s Longmire series is about Walt Longmire, a widowed sheriff who has buried himself in his work since his wife died. With his old friend Henry Standing Bear and foul-mouthed deputy Victoria Moretti, he works to keep the peace in Absaroka County, Wyoming. A mix of suspense, insight, and humor, the story of Sheriff Longmire shouldn’t be missed. I just finished the eighth book in the series, As the Crow Flies, and Johnson’s writing just keeps getting better.

15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Judi

Can your whole life change in 15 Seconds? Dr. Henry Steadman finds out that it can–Steadman arrives in Miami for a medical conference when he is stopped for a minor traffic violation. While the police officer is writing up a warning, a car pulls up to the officer, shooting and killing him. Henry is on the scene, and suddenly he is the target of a massive manhunt. As his life spirals out of control, Henry realizes that he has been framed for crimes he didn’t commit and has to try to save the life of someone he loves. Author Andrew Gross skillfully weaves the story line between Steadman’s actions and those of the character controlling Steadman’s situation. This is a fast-paced thriller, filled with action, plot twists and suspense, a story that is hard to put down. If you like Robert Crais, karin Slaughter or James Patterson, you will enjoy Gross’ latest thriller.

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Emilyn

We’re often told by parents (and librarians) not to judge a book by its cover. I’m apparently a terrible librarian because I choose what to read by its cover on a regular basis. God Save the Queen is one example of a book I chose for the cover. That smirking, red haired, steampunk-wearing woman on the cover couldn’t fail to catch my eye at the very least. When I realized it was set in an alternate 2012 in England where Queen Victoria still ruled as a near-immortal vampire, I simply couldn’t resist.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the Royal Guard, the organization charged with protecting the vampires and werewolves who make up the Aristocracy in this alternate Britain. When her younger sister, Drusilla, goes missing, Xandra uses all the resources at her disposal, including going to the goblin prince for information, in order to find her. What she finds shakes her belief in the structure of British society and the right of the Aristocracy to rule and everything she thinks she knows about the people in her world.

God Save the Queen is an exciting blend of horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mystery, steampunk and alternate history. With a flawed main character and conspiracies that run deep, this is a fun read for people who like urban fantasy.

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln: A Novel by Stephen L. Carter

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Mary

What if Abraham Lincoln, our beloved Civil War president, did not die when John Wilkes Booth attempted to kill him at Ford’s Theatre on Good Friday in 1865? What if he recovered from his wounds and within a short time was once again facing the criticisms of how he handled the war and the reconstruction of the south? Stephen Carter has written an intricately plotted, historically detailed story that captures the time period and weaves a fascinating alternate history.

A young black woman joins the law firm that is representing Lincoln in the impeachment suit. Abigail Canner hopes to clerk at the firm and work toward a law degree but she faces the obstacles of race, age and sex. Nevertheless her brilliant mind begins to impress the firms partners and she is soon embroiled in the court proceedings and sleuthing a murder. Try this alternate history thriller and you will learn much about life in the 1860′s in Washington City and how divided the country was after the Civil War.

Out of Control

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Janet

by Mary Connealy

A country that is “no place for a woman”. A woman that loves the country: the cavern with it’s mystery and fossils, and the freedom it gives her to explore. Because her father usually provided a small home in secluded spots for the family of four, Julia took to wandering while her step-mother & baby sister rested in the afternoons. Here in the mountains of Colorado Julia’s dream comes true, for the mountain is full of caverns that house tons of fossils for her to study and write about. Even when she finds herself trapped in the cavern, with no light, and a missing rope, she has such fascination with her study that once she is rescued, she must return.

Rafe, a cattle ranch owner, never wants to enter the caverns again because of a childhood accident that severely damaged his youngest brother. Yet, when he hears a woman yelling for help from the depths of the cavern, his fear is set aside to rescue her. Finding Julia, returning her to her home, finding the home an unfit place to live, and the father dying from a cut on his arm that is infected beyond healing, he feels the need to “take care” of this family.

The question is, who moved Julia’s rope that trapped her in the cave and why would anyone stoop to such low-down maneuvers? One thing is for sure, someone is hiding in the mountains and caves. Someone that is either crazy or just plain mean. Out of Control, set in the mid 1800′s, is a fun read that was too good to put down. I was glad that I had picked up the second book of the Kincaid Brides Series, In Too Deep, so that I could continue the story. I’m happy to say that the third book of the series, Over the Edge, is coming August, 2012.

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Mary

Is a hot July in Kansas getting you down? How about spending a few hours in frigid New England during a December snowstorm? In the Bleak Midwinter is a riveting mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming set in Millers Kill, a small town in the Adirondacks of New York. This first story begins a series with Clare Fergusson, an ex-army helicopter pilot and rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and the local chief of police, Russ Van Alstyne. A baby is found in a box on the steps of the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church by the new-to-town former Army chaplain and she calls for the assistance of the police to identify the parents. This tough, former helicoptor pilot is a determined and kindhearted sidekick to the chief of police and the sparks begin to fly between these two as they cross paths looking for answers. This chiller is guaranteed to give you goosebumps during the hottest 100 degree July days. There are six books in this series with the seventh due out late 2012.

Flat Spin by David Freed

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Judi

David Freed is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, a pilot and an expert on world affairs and he combines his knowledge in his first mystery Flat Spin . Filled with colorful characters, lots of humor, clever dialog and vivid descriptions of flying and of places, this book pulls you in from the first page. Cordell Logan is a retired black ops agent trying to earn a living as a flight instructor and making an attempt to follow the teachings of Buddha–not always with much success. Logan’s ex-wife asks him to track down her husband’s killer–a job complicated by the fact that this was the man that stole Savannah from him. With an intriguing plot, a fast-paced story line, a unique main character and laugh-out-loud moments, this is an exceptional debut mystery–hopefully there will be many more novels featuring Cordell Logan, his aging plane and his adventures!

Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Judi

Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is a fascinating character and the central focus of the 12 book mystery series by C.J. Box, beginning with Open Season. A man who loves his job and family, Pickett fights everything from bureaucracy to environmental terrorists in the series, all the while he remaining true to himself and his sense of justice. Pickett is a happily married man, in love with his wife and daughters, and works hard to protect his family and the land and animals that he loves and respects. These are stories of an honorable man trying to do the right thing in every circumstance, and not always getting it right–a very likeable, human and flawed character. Game Wardens are unique in that nearly every encounter in their capacity as law enforcement officers is one that involves another person that is armed, often in an isolated area, making it a dangerous profession, and Pickett finds himself in many dangerous situations throughout the series. This is a series that should be read in order–the character interactions continue through the series as Pickett’s family changes and grows and the local community changes as well. Box has won several awards for his mystery writing and lives in Wyoming, making the locations in this series realistic and believable. This is a series to read start to finish–check on Novelist to find the order of the titles. You will find Joe Pickett a memorable character and this an outstanding mystery series!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Judi

Nick and Amy are the perfect New York couple who lose their jobs and are forced to return to Nick’s home town in Missouri to take care of his again parents. On their fifth anniversary, Amy disappears from their home, leaving behind signs of a struggle. Nick has no alibi and as time goes on and clues are uncovered, he becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance. Chapters alternate between Nick and Amy’s telling of their life together and of the scenario after her vanishing from their home. Flynn has created a chilling tale of marital discord with a complex plot and many twists and turns–the story will keep you guessing until the end. Gone Girl is a powerful story of psychological warfare with an amazing portrayal of flawed and fascinating characters–a dark, clever thriller that is impossible to predict and hard to put down–a perfect mystery!

Catch Me by Lisa Gardner

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Linda

In four days, someone is going to kill me…At 8pm on January 21st, twenty-eight-year-old Charlie Grant believes she is going to be murdered and she want’s Boston’s top homicide detective, D.D. Warren, to handle her death investigation. Her death will be up close and personal, no evidence of forced entry, no sign of a struggle. Charlie tells a chilling story: Her two childhood best friend were murdered on January 21st, two years apart. Now only Charlie remains to count down her final hours. Gardner’s latest edition to the D.D. Warren Series, Catch Me is a scare-your-socks-off thriller, packed with enigmatic characters (some good, some crazily evil) and superb storytelling.

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Mary

Alexander McCall-Smith keeps adding to the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and I keep enjoying the adventures of Precious Ramotswe. This time the difficult situations are a little too close to home for the Precious and her assistant, Grace Makutsi. The best auto repair assistant of Mma Ramotswe’s husband is arrested for auto theft, then Grace and her husband hire a contractor to begin building their home but the builder comes into question when one of his worker’s leaves doubt in their minds. The renowned Clovis Anderson, author of The Principles of Private Detection, comes for a visit and helps them with the terrible trouble of the dismissal of Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphan farm. Satisfactory solutions result and we continue to applaud the wisdom of Precious Ramotswe and her allies.

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