Category: Mysteries

  • East side, west side, all around the town

    Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson BROOKLYN ON FIRE. By Lawrence H. Levy. Read by Cassandra Campbell. Books on Tape. 10 hours; 9 CDs. Mary Handley was the first woman to work as a detective with the Brooklyn Police Department. Her success there gained her quite a bit of fame, or maybe notoriety. She’s not giving…

  • Wealth, danger and scandal – what more could you want?

    Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR. By Stuart Woods. Penguin Audio. Read by Tony Roberts. Six CDs, seven hours. $35. Also available in print from G. P. Putnam’s Sons. Stone Barrington, having had many adventures, close calls and romantic encounters recently (as always), decides to get a little R&R visiting a friend (lady of…

  • A fresh perspective: Bold gambit

    Here’s another of our interesting and well-done reviews by students in the opinion-writing class at the University of North Carolina’s School of Media and Journalism. Reviewed by Nick Niedzwiadek DISCLAIMER. By Renée Knight. Harper. 336 pages. $25.99.  Starting a story by introducing a book-within-a-book — and having it be central to the plot— is a…

  • A fresh perspective: Grisham’s lawyer pushes the limits

    Here’s another review by a student in the opinion writing class at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Media and Journalism. Reviewed by John Thomas ROGUE LAWYER.  By John Grisham. Doubleday. 344 pages. $28.95, hardcover. John Grisham’s latest legal thriller, Rogue Lawyer, follows the story of defense lawyer Sebastian Rudd, a self-described “lone gunman” who loves…

  • A fresh perspective: Horrors from David Mitchell

    Here’s another in a series of book reviews written by students in the opinion writing class in the School of Media and Journalism at UNC Chapel Hill. Reviewed by Josiah H. Graham SLADE HOUSE. By David Mitchell. Random House. 238 pages. $26 In Slade House, every corner and crevice is a trap; do not wander,…

  • Maggie Hope, back in the U.S.A.

    Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson MRS. ROOSEVELT’S CONFIDANTE. By Susan Elia MacNeal. BOT (Random House). Read by Susan Duerden. 10 ½ hours; 9 CDs.  Also available in paperback from Bantam, $15. This is the fifth novel in Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope mystery series, and, like the others, it combines the intrigue of a mystery,…

  • A simply delicious novel

    It’s quite evident that Bob Moyer read this latest Bruno novel with relish. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer THE PATRIARCH. By Martin Walker. Knopf. 321 pages. $24.95 When Martin Walker concocts a Bruno, Chief of Police novel, he tosses in so many appetizing ingredients — French culture, French history, his love of cooking, Bruno’s love…

  • Elizabeth George back in top form with her new novel

    Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson A BANQUET OF CONSEQUENCES. By Elizabeth George. Read by John Lee. 18 CDs; 21 ½ hours. $50. Also available in print from Viking. Fans of Elizabeth George’s long-running British detective series starring Inspector Thomas Lynley and company can rejoice. A Banquet of Consequences is the best novel in this series…

  • The deepest mystery of all

    Bob Moyer takes a look at a new stand-alone novel by the author of one of his favorite series, and he likes what he sees. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer THE MURDERER’S DAUGHTER. By Jonathan Kellerman. Ballantine Books. 364 pages. $28. Early in this one-off, stand-alone book, the new kid, The Murderer’s Daughter, meets with…

  • Another romp with Fox and O’Hare

    Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson Some books are perfect for listening while driving on long interstate stretches or crammed into an airplane seat. Janet Evanovich’s various series fit this category well. They’re highly entertaining, and they don’t require deep thinking. Stephanie Plum, Evanovich’s intrepid bounty hunter and endearing klutz, is by far my favorite, but…