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…

Waiwaiole, Lono – Wiley’s Lament – NR

Very noir, somber and violent without a sympathetic protagonist. Others have loved it, but it was not for me.

Set in San Francisco, Det. Frank Hastings investigates the murders of members of an exclusive men’s club (thinly veiled Bohemium Club of which I know a member). Even has an appearance by Bruce Taylor, former owner of SF Mystery Book. Living in the Bay Area, I always enjoy his books and regret he is no…

East Bay Mystery Readers' Group -

4 March 2003 Meeting Recap

TO WEAR THE WHITE CLOAK - Sharan Newman

Coleman, Reed Farrel - Life Goes Sleeping - G

His 1st book-good but too much WWII intrigue overlays the plot…

The East Bay Mystery Reading Group -

4 February 2003 Meeting Recap

MURPHY'S LAW - Bowen, Rhys - (Amateur Sleuth) - Good

"Molly is on the run from England for killing a man trying to protect her virtue. She meets a woman who is unable to travel to America with her children and rejoin her husband. Molly assumes her identity and all goes well until a man alludes to knowing her secret and making her life…

Alexander, Bruce - Watery Grave - VG

When preserving an image is more important than justice

Block, Lawrence - SmallTown - G+

More graphic sex than normal, quick tie-up and…

East Bay Mystery Readers' Group -

7 January 2003 Meeting Recap

Books discussed were:

CLOSING TIME - Jim Fusilli

From the publisher: "It's after midnight and a novice private investigator discovers the battered body of a livery cabdriver in downtown Manhattan's meat-packing district. Two days later, he witnesses a bloody explosion at a gala opening at a SoHo art gallery." "Unrelated incidents? Not…

Alexander, Bruce - Murder in Grub Street - VG

James Fielding/Jeramy Procter-mental illness, religious fanatics

Bowen, Rhys - Murphy's Law - G

Immigrant to Boston, Molly Murphy, probably won't read more.…

LJ's Top Reads of 2002

Banks, T.F. - The Thief Taker

Barton, Dan - Dead Crowd

Burke, Jan - Nine

Connelly, Michael - City of Bones

DuBois, Brenden - Killer Waves

Ford, G.M. - Black River

Gerritesen, Tess - The Apprentice

Grafton, Sue - Q is for Quarry

Harvey, John - East Meat

Hoag, Tami - Dark Horse

Katzenbach, John - The Analyst

King, Laurie R. - Folly

Moorcraft, Paul - The Anchoress of Shere

O'Connelll, Carol - Crime…

Burke, Jan - Nine - VG+

Stand alone - very well done-would like more of these characters

Dymmoch, Michael Allen - Death of the Blue Mountain Cat - G

Straight cop, gay psych-2nd in series-charac VG, plot OK…

Abbott, Jeff - Black Jack Point - G

No honor among thieves

Banks, T.F. - Thief Taker, The - VG

Early Bow St. Runners-Vict. England-would read more!…