'The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras', 2009, J. Michael Orenduff; "FTC - full disclosure-book provided by the publisher"

In Albuquerque's Old Town, Herbert Schuze owns a shop dealing mainly with old pots of Native American origin. He admits to being a pot thief, but that is not a true description. Prior to 1980 it was legal to dig up old pots from public lands for profit and fun but Herbert still feels the exhiliration of the find is the real reward. Carl Wilkes comes into the shop and wants Herbert to 'procur' a pot on display at the Valle del Rio Museum at the University of New Mexico and offers him $25,000 to get it. That amount would help Herbert with his back taxes he owes the IRS. So he decides to think about it and go check out the museum. Upon returning to his shop, Agent Guvelly of the Bureau of Land Management is there questioning him about a Mogollon water jug stolen in Bandelier - the 'other' water jug. Guvelly accuses Herbert of stealing it and soon the theft magnifies to murder. Stretching his reasoning skills to the limit and overcoming his nerves, Herbert sets out to clear himself.

Orenduff presents surprises from beginning to the very end and has invented an unusual plot that has humor, appealing characters and some zany ones as well as a memorable setting. Orenduff's familiarity with the Southwest in all its aspects really grasps your attention. 'The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras' offers the reader a delightful story, with history, art and some philosophy. It's a very enjoyable read and quite educational.

'The Fat Lady Sings', 2010, Kit Sloane, Oak Tree Press; "FTC full disclosure - book provided by the publisher

Margot and her significant other Max, live in the Los Angeles area; Margot is a film editor and Max writes screenplays. While attending a college theatre performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Iolanthe", Margot meets Lenore Chambers, a singer appearing with the local G&S company, the Los Angeles Savoyards. About a month later Lenore sends Max and Margot flowers with tickets to "The Mikado"; Lenore is performing the part of Katisha in the production. Max decides against going so Margot invites her friend Sophie and as they approach the theatre, it is surrounded by police, a SWAT team and an ambulance ready for the stretcher with a covered body on it. They decide to go for a drink and Lenore calls Margot to tell her that their director, Graham Moody has been murdered. An explosive device has gone off in his desk. Lenore asks Margot to be the director for their upcoming play, "Patience" and Lenore and the cast have hopes that the production will be a finalist in the competition and then on to London and perform against the other companies. Later another body is found at Margot and Max's house and she begins having second thoughts about directing and is fearful for herself, the cast and the production.

Kit Sloane is very comprehensive with her knowledge of the theatre and film fields. Her characters in 'The Fat Lady Sings' are quite an assortment of personalities and Kit Sloane is very skillful at concocting them. The storyline unfolds leisurely offering the reader an interesting and informative story. I only wished that Margot and Max had done more sleuthing.

'Motherhood is Murder', 2010, Diana Orgain, The Berkley Publishing Group/Penguin Group

Kate Connolly and husband Jim are on a San Francisco Bay dinner cruise, that Kate was invited to by a new-mommy club, Roo & You, that she joined. This was to be a night out for the parents to relax. One of the members is found dead at the bottom of the stairs on the cruise and soon Kate is trying her hand at being a PI and hopes to solve the case. She is a first-time mommy and feels she can work from home and take her 2 month old, Laurie, with her on stakeouts. All the guests are suspects and all seem to have motives, but Kate is determind to unravel the mystery. However, the killer is very sly and plans to stop Kate's investigation, no matter what.

Orgain has written a mystery with characters and incidents that make you laugh. Nevertheless, the murder plot is well thought out and weaves from one exploit to another keeping the reader interested and smiling, sometimes at the same time. 'Murderhood is Murder' is a credit to Diana Orgain who gives us an appealing and entertaining mystery. Let's hope for more of Kate!

'Dead On', 2009, Robert W. Walker, Five Star Publishing/Gale, Cengage Learning

Former Atlanta policeman Marcus Rydell has had a setback in his life and is trying his hand moonlighting as a PI. But his past won't let him go and he is considering suicide when he hears the screams of a child on the floor above him and rushes to help. At the apartment he meets Dr. Katrina (Kat) Holley, an attractive woman. Kat lures Rydell out of his suicidal despair by convincing him to go after a macabre murderer on the loose who has destroyed both their lives. Their journey takes them from Atlanta to the northwest section of Georgia in the deepest part of a dense forest. Kat and Marcus are hunting for this killer/maniac when they realize he is stalking them and the hunting game begins.

Walker has written a tension filled noir thriller that seizes you from the first paragraph. He expresses in depth perception of what Rydell is thinking and feeling to such a degree that the reader can truly get inside Marcus' head. 'Dead On' has an extraordinary plot filled with twists and turns. Walker inserts a subplot on the relationship between Kat and Rydell and adds humor as well. Will these two continue to work together?

'Dead On' is a true page turner bound to keep you immersed.

'Midnight Fires', 2010, Nancy Means Wright, John Daniel & Co./Perseverance Press

Nancy Means Wright has situated her book in Mitchelstown Castle in County Cork Ireland, 1786, where the infamous Anglo-Irish Kingsborough family resides. Mary Wollstonecraft has been hired as a governess for some of the numerous children. On her voyage from England to Dublin Mary meet a sailor, Sean Toomey who gives her a letter to deliver to a 'Liam'. Within minutes she watches Sean go overboard with a knife in him. After a few days at the castle there is a so-called pagan bonfire and the illegitimate son of the Lord is murdered. Later the Irishman Liam Donovan is considered the prime suspect in the murder. Mary is determined Liam is innocent and is resolved to find the real murderer. She thinks the two murders are connected. Secrets and intrigue follow.

'Midnight Fires' is positioned at a time when the Catholics and Protestants were fighting for independence from England as well as battling against each other. Poverty is the life of the Irish working class and Wright presents a penetrating look at the difference in the social classes. She does this with memorable characters, their experiences and everyday reality in that time period. Nancy Means Wright gives us great insight into the history, both social and political, with great ease.

'School of Lies', 2009, Mickey Hoffman, Dagger Books/Second Wind Publishing, LLC

Kendra Desola is a dedicated high school teacher in Special Ed. and finds that the politics in an academic setting can unnerve you. Vice Principal Zant is a thorn not only in Kendra's side, but all the Special Ed. faculty. When she opens her email one day, there is an attachment photo of four male students in a car and she is pictured in a compromising position with two of them in the back seat. Obviously an altered photo, but how can she prove it? Hoping to stop this fabrication before it spins out of control, she plans to find the culprit. But the suspicious death of a colleague prompts the police to start an investigation on campus. Kendra fears that the police will think she has a motive for murder because of the falsified photo and does not tell them.

'School of Lies' is full of lies, politics and deceitful co-workers. Hoffman delivers broad insight behind the workings of a high school and depicts each character with his/her own idiosyncracy in a clever way. I would have preferred more about the murder and less teaching details. However, 'School of Lies' is a very satisfying first novel for Hoffman. Her book certainly shows her knowledge of teaching.

'Murder on Everest', 2010, Charles G. Irion & Ronald J. Watkins, Irion Books

One evening on Mt. Everest at 28,700 feet during a blinding blizzard, Scott Devlon is trying to help his friend Derek Sodoc down from the summit but Derek cannot get up,is close to death and Scott must leave and save himself. The expedition was sponsored by Derek's father, Michael, and his Sodoc Foundation and became the most publicized event in climbing history.

The following year Michael Sodoc, also owner of SNS (Sodoc News System) sets up another expedition with the same individuals from the previous year to recover his son's body. But there are other bodies up there - what about them? Scott and his friend don't like the idea nor the danger in the Death Zone with media filming the recovery. 'Murder on Everest' then follows this group and their guides on this expedition to hopefully find Derek and bring his body back down.

Irion and Watkins have woven quite a compelling story with diversity in their characters. A bizarre plot with on target descriptions not only of Everest, but the area and history surrounding it. Readers will feel the authenticity of the book with the portrayal of the weather and efforts of the climbers. An interesting look at people's emotions and needs in a dire location.

"FTC full disclosure - book provided by the publisher"