The East Bay Mystery Readers' Group -

1 April 2003 Meeting Recap

WALKING THE PERFECT SQUARE (Det. Fiction) - Reed Farrel Coleman - Good

"Moe, an ex-cop forced to retire because of a knee injury, is to find the son of another cop, a young man who left a party one night and hasn't been seen since. So many people have been searching for Patrick Mahoney in the 20 years since his disappearance that Moe doesn't…

Bowen, Rhys – Evan Only Knows – G+

Less light than some of the previous offerings in the series. Evan investigates a man who served time for killing his father and is now accused of rape and murder. It also touches on the impact on the community of Mad Cow disease. This is a very enjoyable…

Brown, Dan – The Da Vinci Code – VG+

I loved it! Any book which captures me on page 1 at 4 p.m. and doesn’t let me go until the last word at 11 p.m. on the same day works for me. It was a fun, intriguing ride.

Corley, Elizabeth – Fatal Legacy – Okay

A wealthy businessman dies and leaves his estate to his nephew and wife. I would like to have seen more character development. There was only one character for whom there was a real backstory given. I shan’t give it away, but the ending was one I…

Deverell, William – Trail of Passion – Okay

Not a murder but a legal “mystery” of a Canadian barrister brought back from recent retirement to defend a university professor against a charge of raping one of his students. Certainly the protagionist was the most interesting part of the…

Dobyns, Stephen – Saratoga Bestiary – G

He’s no Dick Francis but does write an enjoyable series set in Saratoga, NY. This entry deals with a stolen painting of Man-O-War, a dead bookie and dog fighting.

Harstad, Donald – Code Sixty-One –VG

House of young people, one of whom is killed by a “vampire.” Harstad writes wonderful police procedurals whose characters are very “real”; an obvious result of his many years’ of police experience.

King, Laurie – Keeping Watch - G

I love her writing, loved “Folly” and really wanted to like this better than I did. The backstory of the main character’s time in Vietnam was superb where the story in present day almost seemed to be a side bar.

Lehane, Cornalius – Beware the Solitary Drinker – NR

Having lived, briefly, with a New York bartender, alcoholic, cocaine-user, this book was just not for me. Been there, done that (rather, witnessed that), don’t need to be reminded of it.

Masterton, Graham – A Terrible Beauty – VG

Parker, Robert B – Back Story – VG

I am a fan of his and do think he is the master of dialogue. In Back Story, Spenser investigates a 28-year-old murder for the daughter of the victim. Classic Parker.

Parker, T. Jefferson – Silent Joe – VG

Young man, whose face was burned by his father having thrown acid on it, witnesses the shooting of his adopted father, a local politician. It was the first I’ve read by him and definitely won’t be the last.

Peale, Cynthia – The White Crow – VG

Having lived in Boston, I do love books set there. Peale does a wonderful job of conveying the period and developing her characters. I really like the way this series is progressing.

Raphael, Lev – Little Miss Evil – Okay

The killing of a college professor. It was okay but just took a long time for anything to happen.

Roberts, Nora – Birthright – VG

An archeologist discovers she was kidnapped as an infant and sold to another family. This is a mystery/romance, with a bit more mystery than her usual fare. I do admit to being a fan of hers.

Ross, Kate – A Broken Vessel – G+

Tragically, there are only four books by Kate Ross. This is the second of the Julian Kestrel series in which a woman of quality does in a shelter for prostitutes. Dipper, Julian’s “man”, goes undercover.

Simmons, Dan – Darwin’s Blade – G

An action-packed story of an insurance investigator. Not as good as Hardcase or Hard Freeze, but enjoyable.

Spencer-Fleming, Julia – In the Bleak Midwinter – G-

A female Episcopal priest, a local cop, an abandoned baby and a murdered mother. I did enjoy the book in spite of Clare’s blindly rushing off without thinking and my doubts of her realistically being included in as many parts of the…

Todd, Charles – Watchers in Time – G+

Rutledge call to investigate the murder of a priest. Such a well-done series. I really enjoy these.

Bowen, Rhys - Evan Only Knows - G+

Less light, man who shot Evans father accused of rape and murder

Brown, Dan - Di Vinci Code, The - Ex

2003 Top Ten - Holy Grail, cyphers, straight-through read…