Briar Patch Books

Category: Detective fiction

  • A detective who can’t let go

    Bob Moyer has long been a fan of the Bosch detective world created by Michael Connelly. The recent spinoff Catalina series featuring Detective Sergeant Stilwell – known as Stil  – is no exception. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer IRONWOOD. By Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company. 336 pages. $32. How does this guy keep his…

  • Elusive justice on the Rez

      Reviewed by Linda C. Brinson WISDOM CORNER. By David Heska Wanbli Weiden. Ecco. 312 pages. $30.           I In the old days, David Heska Wanbli Weiden tells us as his gripping new mystery novel opens, “Wisdom Corner was the place where elders would gather to tell stories and provide counsel…

  • D.C. cop takes on small-town murder

    Anytime you need a recommendation for a good crime/detective/mystery novel,  look up reviews by Bob Moyer. He knows and reads books by more authors in that world than anyone I know. Actually, he’s reviewed at least one David Swinson book on this blog  before – a quick search took to me to Bob’s review of…

  • One last, big case

    Bob Moyer has followed Arkady Renko, a Moscow police detective,  through 10 impressive mystery novels. Now he is ready to share his thoughts about what we are told is the last book in the series. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer HOTEL UKRAINE: The Final Arkady Renko Novel. By Martin Cruz Smith. Simon & Schuster. 273…

  • When evil invades the bayous

    James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux crime/ Southern noir novels are one of Bob Moyer’s favorite series. Here’s his take on the latest. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer THE HADACOL BOOGIE: A Dave Robicheaux Novel. By James Lee Burke. Atlantic Crime. 477 pages. $30, hardcover. This is a big book, but then it takes a big…

  • Mystery and history

    If you want to find a new, enjoyable mystery series, ask Bob Moyer. He is the expert. Here’s his review of No. 21 in what sounds like a good series set in Paris. Another one to add to my list… Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer HUGUETTE. By Cara Black. Soho Crime. 336 pages. $29.95, hardcover.…

  • Police work – and so much more

    Bob Moyer and I are both fans of Martin Walker’s Bruno, Chief of Police novels, but lately he always manages to get the new one first. Here he reviews the 2025 addition to the series – No. 18. There’s already a 2026 book in the works. One of us will keep you posted. As Bob…

  • A good story, a troubling history

    Lucky Bob Moyer: He’s already read No. 17 in the Easy Rawlins mystery series. And lucky us: He’s written a review for the rest of us. Reviewed  by Robert P. Moyer GRAY DAWN. By Walter Mosley. Mulholland Books. 336 pages. $29. They’re all here. In this 17th episode in the life of Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins,…

  • Murder most foul – yet again – in that Scottish village

    I’ve enjoyed many of the books in the Hamish Macbeth series, and now that Bob Moyer has let me know about this latest, I will be looking for it. I have two questions: What would I do without Bob? and How does he get hold of these books before I do? Reviewed by Robert P.…

  • One corpse after another

    Are you a fan of Alex Delaware books? Bob Moyer is, and he’s just read No. 40 in the series. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer OPEN SEASON. By Jonathan Kellerman. Penguin Random House. 273 pages. $30. Possible to probable to resolution. That’s how most mysteries proceed, from the moment the crime comes to the attention…