Category Archives: Mysteries

Madness in paradise

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Linda

Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson   THE MADNESS OF CROWDS. By Louise Penny. Minotaur Books. 436 pages. $28.99. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is back in Three Pines, the Quebec village faithful readers know and love, for the 17th novel in Louise … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective fiction, Mysteries, Popular fiction | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mastodon, big snakes and lots of laughs in Florida

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Linda

*This is a review of the hardback novel, published last year. The photo is of the cover of the paperback edition, which has a new epilogue written after last year’s election and some of the events that followed.   Every … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysteries, Satirical Humor, Thriller/Suspense | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hollywood noir gets a new star

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Linda

Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer A MAN NAMED DOLL. By Jonathan Ames. Mulholland Books. 208 pages. $26. For some time, the niche of mystery novel called Hollywood noir has been depleted. Not L.A., but Hollywood. The territory was once inhabited … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective fiction, Mysteries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A rip-roaring read

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Linda

When it’s August and too hot to do much outside, Bob Moyer puts his time to good use reading and reviewing books for Briar Patch Books. Let’s all be like Bob. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer AGAINST THE LAW: A … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysteries, Thriller/Suspense | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Honoring the traditions

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Linda

Bob Moyer reviews the latest in a venerable series that’s long been one of my favorites. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer STARGAZER. By Anne Hillerman. Harper. 312 pages. $27.99 Any writer tackling the takeover of a series started by another … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysteries, Police procedural | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When murder and fiction collide

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Linda

Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS. By David Bell. Berkley. 416 pages. $27 hardcover. David Bell’s latest thriller has all the ingredients for a great summer read. The fast-moving plot is gripping, with plenty of twists and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysteries, Thriller/Suspense, Women's Fiction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Flag waving, patriotism and spies

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Linda

Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson THE HOLLYWOOD SPY: A Maggie Hope Mystery. By Susan Elia MacNeal. Bantam. 352 pages. $27. If you believe the inspiring old stories about how patriotism united America during World War II, Susan Elia MacNeal’s latest … Continue reading →

Posted in British mysteries, international thriller, Mysteries, Popular fiction, Thriller/Suspense | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The City of Devils

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Linda

Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE. By Louise Penny. Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s). 439 pages. $28.99. Among the many things I missed during the year of COVID was a long-awaited new novel from Louise Penny, one … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective fiction, Thriller/Suspense | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A treat for Spenser fans

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Linda

Bob Moyer reviews the latest in a venerable detective series that has outlived its creator. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer Robert B. Parker’s SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME. By Ace Atkins. Putnam. 306 pages. $27. Since Ace Atkins took over … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective fiction, Mysteries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A voice of pain and passion

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Linda

Bob Moyer reviews the latest in a venerable detective series that’s set decades ago but, he finds, has much to say that’s relevant to today’s readers. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer BLOOD GROVE. By Walter Mosley/ Mulholland Books. 307 pages. … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective fiction, Mysteries | Tagged , , | Leave a comment