'Thin Ice', 2010; Crime Stories by New England Writers; Eighth Annual Anthology; Level Best Books

'The Bank Job' by Bev Vincent is a very cleverly written plot with the story cetering on the power of loyalty and friendship among men. Vincent's story is one of my favorites and I thoroughly enjoyed the humor he injects in his cast of characters. The story sound so 'Jersey' I loved it! A quite unusual story.

Judith Green's 'A Good Safe Place' left me hanging in the end without closure or any hint of explanation, leaving me frustrated.

'Size Matters' by Sheila Connolly is a well written plot that is concise and uncomplicted with ordinary characters in an unusual situation. With her insight, Connolly has blended it all together for a delightful story with a great ending. One of my favorites!

Leslie Wheeler's 'Dead Man's Shoes' was probably my favorite. Filled with suspense and surprises to the very end. Wheeler has a special knack for portraying her characters with diversity and a little craziness. 'Dead Man's Shoes' kept me engrossed with the story line and such intriguing characters. This story was exceptionally different!!

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'A Gift for Murder', Karen McCullough; 2011, Five Star Publishing, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning

As assistant to the director of the Washington,DC Market Show Center, Heather McNeil loves her job except for a one week-long stressful ordeal. The Gift and Home Trade show is the largest by far and this year's show is creating turmoil and many other problems than is the norm. When a murdered executive's body is discovered in a trash bin, Heather knows that this trade show has begun with a catastrophe that throws everyone and everything into confusion. The police suspect someone but Heather doesn't agree and sets out to find the murderer before the trade show is over and the guilty party will be free to kill again. Heather has help from a new security officer but she will be risking a job she loves as well as her own safety and well-being.

What a great character Karen McCullough has developed in Heather McNeil. She is genuine, likeable and a bit complex. In 'A Gift for Murder' McCullough has produced an appealing setting that reveals to the reader what occurs during a trade show. Her writing is concise; her characters skillfully portrayed and her storyline stays on track, creating a most enjoyable and interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page.

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'Did Not Survive', Ann Littlewood; July 2010; Poisoned Pen Press

Near Vancouver, Washington is Finley Memorial Zoo, a small zoo that has two Asian elephant cows, Damrey and Nakri. Iris Oakley is a keeper in the bird section of the zoo, is pregnant and still recovering from her husband's murder. But early that morning she hears a rukus in the elephant barn and decided to investigate and with no elephant experience sees that she has to help her boss, Kevin Wallace from being mauled by Damrey. Damrey has never acted in any aggressive manner and has no motive, but Iris finds that there are others with motives to kill the foreman. Confused and dazed coworkers appoint Iris to find out what's going on. Soon Iris learns of feuds, secrets and adding to all the confusion, animal rights activists are picketing the zoo. Animals are disappearing; what about the improved exhibit that isn't even under construction as planned? Iris plunges in to solve the many mysteries surrounding the zoo.

Ann Littlewood's 'Did Not Survive' offers the reader an inside look at the day to day running of a zoo and the personalities of the employees a well as the animals. I found all this very informative and written with a well-crafted plot that keeps the reader's interest. Littlewood has given each character distinct personalities and is adept at keeping the mystery evolving while still presenting her wealth of knowledge about the zoo world, which I found fascinating. Animal lovers or not,this is a real eye opener that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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'Murder In La-La Land', LA Sisters in Crime Anthology, 2010, Top Publications, Ltd.

'Murder In La-La Land' is an anthology of twelve mystery short stories. The authors present an interesting assortment of their works. A common thread is a melding of science fiction, fantasy and thriller with mainstreaam fiction.
Of the twelve stories, four stand out for me:

'Just Like Jay', by Pam Ripling shows humanism with a most fitting ending.

'Blonde Have More Fun' by Jane DiLucchio was my favorite. Two friends Diega and Marjorie are out celebrating Marjorie's final divorce decree and they are at a gay bar. For a ten page story, this one has humor and a surprise ending which knocked my socks off. DiLucchio has written a concise story that truly holds your interest. I just loved this one!

'This I Know', by Kathy Kingston is a cleverly concocted story taking place at a Halloween costume party and Kingston has not given names to the main characters, a delightful change that really works. 'This I Know' deals with domestic violence and Kingston certainly pulls of a pleasant surprise in her story. Great work!

'Mrs. Spacek' by Lenore Carlson

Mrs. Spacek has just lost her son Bobby, who supposedly fell of a cliff he visited often. She is calm and beautiful and Detective Lim is quite impressed with her acceptance of her son's death. Seems Bobby was almost 20 and his girlfriend Isabel Garcia only 13. Strange. Justice is done in Carlson's story with perception and understanding. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of her characters who had great diversity as well as being compassionate.

'Average Monster, Gabriel Vazquez, left me hanging.
'Death is Golden', Jude McGee, had major revenge as its theme.

This is my first anthology review and it was a nice change of pace, especially the four I chose as my favorites.

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'Absolution', Susan Fleet; 2008, Self-Published

In New Orleans, a psychotic killer is murdering women and removing trophies from them. New Orleans Police Department homicide detective Frank Renzi joins up with Rona Jefferson, an African-American journalist in his determination to apprehend this monster. Rona believes that too many black males are immediate suspects of the police department. A tip leads them down an unusual and surprising road. When the police begin to close in on the murderer, he gets to know an emotionally broken and weak teenage girl whom he convinces to run away with him. So now they're on the run with the police in pursuit when things really heat up.

For me, it is hard to believe that 'Absolution' is a first novel for Susan Fleet. Her story pulses with the experience of a career author who has written many mysteries. In 'Absolution', Fleet skillfullly introduces topics of corruption in the NOPD, racial tensions and religious conflicts while still maintaining a solid, concise and fascinating plot. She goes inside the head of the killer with a rare talent. 'Absolution' has characters that are engrossing and diversified; Fleet has done an excellent job of writing an 'I couldn't put it down' thriller.

First class writing! Hope there will be more from Susan Fleet.

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'The Blue Virgin', M.K. Graff; 2010, Bridle Path Press, LLC

Bryn Wallace is a beautiful model who leaves the runway to pursue photography and has a relationship with Val Rogan, a textile artist. When Bryn's body is found at her apartment, Val becomes the main suspect for Detective Inspector Declan Barnes of the Criminal Investigation Dept. Bryn and Val were heard to be arguing the night before. Nora Tierney, a close friend of Val's, returns to Oxford to help prove Val's innocence; arriving with her is Simon Ramsey, illustrator of Nora's children's book. Nora quickly becomes immersed in the murder inquiry much to the apprehension of both Barnes and Simon. A story of love and intrigue, 'The Blue Virgin' has a compelling plot. Nora discovers that simple decisions can lead to disastrous ends.

In 'The Blue Virgin', M.K. Graff situates her story in Oxford and offers her readers an inside view of Oxford with all the beauty and history it contains. Her characters are diverse, intriguing and appealing. Graff's storyline is concise without a dull moment; she is adept at producing a clever plot that left me guessing until the very end. 'The Blue Virgin' is very well-written and I enjoyed it immensely! Hope to see more of her books.

Don't miss reading this one!!

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'Live Ringer', Lynda Fitzgerald; 2010, Crystal Dreams Publishing (a division of Multi-Media Productions, Inc.)

After her divorce, Allie Grainger inherits a beach house in Cape Canaveral from her Aunt Lou and the two were extremely close. Now she has moved back and needs time to mourn and grieve and settle into a home with special memories for her. But within a day, a woman's body is found in the water at the jetty. She renews her childhood friendships with close friends Joe and Sheryl who are on the police force and they discover similar murders along Florida's coast. All the women are about the same age, blonde and divorced and bear a strong resemblance to Allie. Between Joe and the two other men Allie meets,, she believes one is the killer and starts to think she could be his next victim. Finding courage from within, Allie decides to learn the truth but as circumstances heat up, she doesn't know whom to trust.

Lynda Fitzgerald displays her love of Central Florida through her main character, Allie Grainger. 'Live Ringer' is a well-woven story with something for everyone. Along with an interesting mystery, Fitzgerald adds charm with the conversations between Allie and her Aunt Lou. Romance appears as well, but with a dose of reality which keeps the story grounded. Fitzgerald's character descriptions are brought out in friendly narrations as she subtly exposes insight into her characters' moral values. Readers will love her addition of Spook, who steals the show at times and adds humor.
'Live Ringer' is an excellent display of smooth, well-versed writing; a most enjoyable read.

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