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| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY Author: A through M | N through Z | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI | FANTASY | HORROR |
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| Braun, Lilian Jackson | The Cat Who Went Underground |
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Publication Date |
1989 |
| Number of Pages | 201 |
| Geographical Setting | Pickax, a county seat, and the lakeside resort town of Mooseville, 30 miles away, both in an unnamed, Michigan-like state. |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Series | "The Cat Who" series – over 20 titles to date. |
| Plot Summary | Amateur sleuth Jim Qwilleran, fiftyish journalist and cat lover, decides to spend the summer in Mooseville at his lakeside cabin, accompanied by his beloved Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. He hires likable young carpenter Clem Cottle to build an addition to the cabin, but a few days after Clem has begun work, he mysteriously disappears. When Qwill hires Iggy, an unlicensed drifter, to complete the job, and he too disappears in a matter of days, Qwill theorizes that a serial killer with a grudge against carpenters is loose in Moose county. After Koko discovers Iggy's corpse in the crawl space under the house, Qwilleran, the prime suspect, draws together an assortment of seemingly disparate facts to deduce the killer's identity. |
| Appeal | A classic whodunit with lots of possible suspects and minimal violence and gore. Author exhibits a very humorous turn of phrase; for example, newspapers have names like The Daily Fluxion and The Morning Rampage. Resort town society is cleverly depicted with a large cast of funny, colorful secondary characters (e.g., Mighty Lou, Glinko, and Captain Phlogg), many of whom are not as they initially appear, some harboring dark secrets. |
| Notes | Frequent references to astrology, UFOs, and spiritualism. |
| Reviewer/Date | Barbera Bass, 7/19/00 |
| Christie, Agatha | The Murder of Roger Ackroyd |
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Publication Date |
1926 |
| Number of Pages | 276 |
| Geographical Setting | King’s Abbot, England |
| Time Period | 1920s |
| Series | Detective Hercule Poirot, the star of Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, has appeared in thirty-three novels and sixty-five short stories. |
| Plot Summary | Told from the perspective of Dr. James Sheppard, the murder of local squire Roger Ackroyd is thoroughly investigated by the expert Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot. It begins with a village rumor that Mrs. Ferrars poisoned her husband and continues when Sheppard discovers Ackroyd is murdered in his own study at home. As everyone in Ackroyd’s household from the butler to his sister-in-law falls under suspicion, Poirot also manages to reveal family secrets along the way. Eventually, all suspects gather together in one room as the surprise murderer is revealed. |
| Appeal | A controversial novel that increased Christie’s popularity and broke the rules of common detective fiction because of her choice of murderer Intriguing story with intricate plots, methodical detection, and an unexpected ending. |
| Notes | Some phrases in French. Made into a movie titled Alibi in 1931 starring Austin Trevor and in 1999 starring David Suchet. |
| Reviewer/Date | Juliana Punt 7/13/00 |
| Cross, Amanda | The Puzzled Heart |
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Publication Date |
1998 |
| Number of Pages | 257 |
| Geographical Setting | New York |
| Time Period | Present |
| Series | Twelfth in the Kate Fansler Mysteries |
| Plot Summary | Professor Kate Fansler’s husband, Reed has been kidnapped. The ransom demand requires Kate to give up her left-leaning feminist politics and join the Christian Right. Instead, Kate turns to her private eye friend Harriet Furst. Harriet, her business partner Toni Giomatti, and Kate gather clues. It doesn’t take long to find Reed. But discovering who was behind the kidnapping proves more difficult. |
| Appeal | An academic mystery featuring feminist professor Kate Fansler. Woman detective. Takes place in New York. A Saint Bernard named Banny (for Anne Bancroft). |
| Notes | Members of the Christian Right are depicted as wicked extremists. Amanda Cross is the pseudonym Carolyn G. Heilbrun uses for the Kate Fansler mysteries. Carolyn Heilbrun is a professor in Humanities at Columbia University. |
| Reviewer/Date | Joanne Gen 7/20/00 |
| Cross, Amanda (pseudonym of Carolyn G. Heilbrun | Sweet Death, Kind Death |
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Publication Date |
1984 |
| Number of Pages | 178 |
| Geographical Setting | Clare College, an exclusive women's college in New England |
| Time Period | Contemporary (early 1980's) |
| Series | Kate Fansler Mysteries |
| Similar Titles/Authors | Agatha Christie |
| Plot Summary | Kate Fansler, a professor of English Literature, is called to help explore the death of Patrice Umphelby a renowned historian and novelist. The death had occurred nearly a year earlier and was supposedly a suicide, but two men who were now doing Patrice's biography have found indications that suicide was not at all likely. Patrice was in the middle of a novel on one of her favorite subjects - the joys of middle age - and both the biographers and Kate don't think she would have taken her life before she had finished the novel. To do the investigation discreetly Kate is hired by the college to serve on a planning task force about incorporating gender studies in the curriculum. The story weaves around as Kate interacts with various professors gleaning information about the "case". She works out the crime and in the final chapter tells all the facts that she learned leading her to the solution. |
| Appeal | Amateur Sleuth. Deductive solution. Intellectual characters. Nonviolent (other than the precipitating murder). |
| Notes | Definitely
a cozy detective novel - no graphic language, sex, or violence. |
| Reviewer/Date | Chris Vander Weit - 7/19/00 |
| Davidson, Diane Mott | The Cereal Murders |
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Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 303 |
| Geographical Setting | Aspen Meadow, Colorado |
| Time Period | Present |
| Series | Goldy Bear Series |
| Series | The Goldy Bear series - Catering to Nobody, Dying for Chocolate, The Cereal Murders, The Last Suppers, Killer Pancake, The Main Corpse, The Grilling Season, Tough Cookie, Prime Cut. |
| Plot Summary | The story of Goldy Bear, a caterer and single mother, who accidently stumbles upon a dead student at the prestigious Elk Park Prepatory School. The student turns out to be at the top of his class at the school in which all the parents have a determination to get their children into good colleges or else. Goldy, her foster son Julian, and her son Arch are mysteriously targeted for harassment soon after the student is murdered. Goldy continues to cater school events and college advisory meetings as she continues to stumble upon clues throughout this story. |
| Appeal | Honest portrayal of single mother and son relationships. Likeable main characters. Suspenseful. Excellent descriptions of food preparation and scenery of the town. Romantic male character. |
| Notes | Abusive relationships. Graphic murder scenes. Mild sexual situations. Some strong language. Recipes to dishes prepared in book included. |
| Reviewer/Date | Amy Collen 7/20/00 |
| Evanovich, Janet | High Five |
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Publication Date |
1999 |
| Number of Pages | 292 |
| Geographical Setting | Trenton, New Jersey and surrounding areas |
| Time Period | 1990's |
| Series | Fifth novel in the Stephanie Plum Series |
| Plot Summary | Stephanie Plum, the Inspector Clouseau of bounty hunters, continues her wild adventures trying to capture FTA's (bond jumpers charged with Failure To Appear at court hearings) for her cousin Vinnie's bond company. This former lingerie buyer once again leaves a trail of damaged buildings and destroyed cars, as she searches for her Uncle Fred, who has disappeared after challenging a bill from his garbage disposal company. Then photos of a dead body are found in Uncle Fred's possessions. Meanwhile, with few paying jobs available, Stephanie tries to subdue Randy Briggs, a vertically challenged FTA. A return visit from a mentally disturbed boxer named Ramirez threatens Stephanie's life and peace of mind. Her zany Gradma Mazur, and Lula, a former prostitute and "wanna-be" bounty hunter from Vinnie's office, insist on getting involved. Throughout this adventure, Joe Morelli, her childhood/teen nemesis and current hearthrob, and bounty hunter extraordinaire, the sexy and mysterious Ranger, keep her pulse and libido at a high level. |
| Appeal | A
funny and gripping story; sassy and outrageous dialogue; full
of action; eccentric, yet appealing characters; first person view. |
| Notes | Frequent
profanity and references to sex; violent images; not for the reader seeking a gentle read. |
| Reviewer/Date | Patricia S. Harrison July 20, 2000 |
| Gill, Bartholomew | The Death of an Irish Tinker |
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Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 295 |
| Geographical Setting | Dublin, Ireland |
| Time Period | 1984 and 1996 |
| Series | Peter McGarr series |
| Similar Authors/Titles | John Brady, All Souls; John Brady, A Stone of the Heart |
| Plot Summary | Chief Superintendent Peter McGarr, head of the Murder Squad of the Irish Police discovers the dried and chained corpse of a "Tinker" musician hanging from a treetop. Some hours prior to this, Biddy Nevins, a sidewalk artist, has witnessed a similar murder committed by Desmond Bacon, the "Toddler", kingpin of the Dublin heroin trade. The "Toddler" recognizes Biddy, and she flees Dublin, returning, incognito, twelve years later. When Biddy contacts McGarr, an action-packed investigation ensues, and much blood is spilled before the dramatic climax is reached. |
| Appeal | Action packed police procedural. Irish setting and dialogue. Irish detective mystery. |
| Notes | Drugs/Violence/Strong language. Lots of Tinker history and lore. |
| Reviewer/Date | Pamela Richards 7/20/00 |
| Grafton, Sue | "E" is for Evidence: A Kinsey Millhone Mystery |
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Publication Date |
Paperback (May 1989) |
| Number of Pages | 199 |
| Geographical Setting | Santa Teresa and Los Angeles, California and briefly some scenes in Dallas, Texas |
| Time Period | Set in the later part of the 20th century, possibly the late 1980’s |
| Series | A Kinsey Millhone Mystery series starting with “A” is for Alibi, “B” is for Burglar, “C” is for Corpse, “D” is for Deadbeat, “F” is for Fugitive. |
| Plot Summary | From the opening chapter, Kinsey Millhone, an ex-cop and private investigator is rushed into a conundrum as she discovers a deposit of $5,000 in her bank account. Where did this money come from? Next she is assigned to an insurance case for California Fidelity, clearly a case of industrial arson. Noticing that the property-loss is from the family of a former schoolmate, the Woods, Kinsey begins her investigation and thinks she has a leg up on the case. Later she realizes that this is not a simple case after all, as becomes a victim of an extortion plot accusing her of taking a bribe for the insurance case. Now her own client, she sets out to clear herself and discovers that her fate is tied to a family that has many secrets. |
| Appeal | Mystery/Thriller, Hard-Boiled, Women Sleuths, Set in California, Humorous Private eye, Lively dialogue, Alphabetic mysteries. |
| Notes | Profanity, Incest between brother and sister, Descriptive scenes of bodily mutilation from a bomb scene, Main characters distinct voice may be too harsh for some Soft-Boiled readers. |
| Reviewer/Date | Mónica López 7/20/00 |
| Grafton, Sue | "G" is for Gumshoe |
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Publication Date |
1990 |
| Number of Pages | 327 |
| Geographical Setting | Southern California |
| Time Period | The 1980’s |
| Series | Kinsey Millhone series |
| Plot Summary | Kinsey Millhone, a single freelance detective in her thirties, is given an assignment by a middle aged woman named Irene Gersh who wants to locate her transient mother, Agnes Grey, whom she had lost contact with several months ago. After Kinsey finds Agnes and has her transferred to a convalescent home close to Irene, the old woman disappears again, this time dying from a heart attack shortly after she is found. During the investigation, Kinsey learns that the name “Agnes Grey” was merely a pseudonym and that, according to Irene’s birth certificate, Agnes appeared to be thirteen years younger than they had believed. While Kinsey is grappling with this mystery, she is also, with the help of another detective named Robert Dietz, trying to track down an assassin who has been hired to kill her. |
| Appeal | Action and suspense. Detailed descriptions of people and places. Told in the first person point of view. Strong, down to earth female protagonist. |
| Notes | Some strong language. Violence and bloodshed. Graphic descriptions of sexual situations. |
| Reviewer/Date | Donna Marie Atmur 7/20/00 |
| Grafton, Sue | "K" is for Killer |
|
Publication Date |
1994 |
| Number of Pages | 238 |
| Geographical Setting | Santa Teresa, California (small fictional town north of Los Angeles, modeled after Santa Barbara) |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Series | Kinsey Millhone mysteries - "A" is for Alibi, "B" is for Burglar, "C" is for Corpse, "D" is for Deadbeat, "E" is for Evidence, "F" is for Fugitive, "G" is for Gumshoe, "H" is for Homicide, "I" is for Innocent, "J" is for Judgment, "K" is for Killer, "M" is for Malice, "N" is for Noose, "O" is for Outlaw. |
| Plot Summary | Private detective Kinsey Millhone is on one of her darkest cases yet. When beautiful and secretive Lorna Kepler dies mysteriously in her lonely cabin, her grief-stricken mother, Janice Kepler, is certain someone has murdered her daughter. The police suspect homicide, but are unable to find a suspect or motive for the crime. Kinsey has the task of putting the pieces together, if she can, rather than allow a killer to walk free. |
| Appeal | Suspenseful.
Non-formulaic storyline. Female private detective. Strong female
main character. Written in the first person Includes "inside jokes" for series devotees |
| Notes | Some violence. Detailed description of murder crime scene. Mention of pornography. Book stands on its own. |
| Reviewer/Date | Stefanie Frame 7/20/00 |
| Grisham, John | The Runaway Jury |
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Publication Date |
1996 |
| Number of Pages | 401 |
| Geographical Setting | Biloxi, Mississippi |
| Time Period | 1995 |
| Plot Summary | Selecting the jury for a court case has never neen more important than the one that is being tried in Biloxi, Mississippi. While cases of smokers suing large tobacco companies have gone to court before, this case is being billed as a potential landmark case. Each side spares no expense in spending time and money to ensure the jury will return the verdict they want. That is, until unusual things begin to occur which signal that something is not as it should be with this particular jury. Mysterious phone calls begin to predict some jurors' actions, and it appears that the caller can control what is happening with members of the jury. Who is this mysterious person, what is their motive and just whose side are they really on? |
| Appeal | Intelligent writing and in-depth detail set the stage for this legal mystery. The story evolves over time, painstakingly providing the reader insight into every thought and action of the main characters. Unexpected events unfold throughout the story to keep the reader hooked. |
| Notes | Other legal mysteries by John Grisham include: A Time to Kill (made into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey), The Firm (made into a movie starring Tom Cruise), The Pelican Brief (made into a movie starring Julia Roberts), The Client (made into a movie starring Tommy Lee Jones), The Chamber, The Rainmaker (made into a movie starring Matt Damon), The Partner, The Testament, The Street Lawyer and The Brethren. |
| Reviewer/Date | Carolyn Tutt 7/19/00 |
| Jance, J.A. | Kiss of the Bees |
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Publication Date |
2000 |
| Number of Pages | 389 |
| Geographical Setting | Tucson, Arizona |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Plot Summary | In order to come to terms with the fateful night Andrew Carlisle attacked and nearly killed her, Diana Ladd Walker decides to write a book about it - co-authoring with the very man who attacked her. The book makes her famous and when her attacker dies in prison, she finally feels free. As Diana and her family begin to resume a normal life, Andrew's cellmate has promised to get revenge and the intended victim is Diana's daughter. |
| Appeal | Mystery
tied in with Native American culture and legends. Arizona backdrop. Story is told from the perspectives of both the "good guys" and "bad guys." |
| Notes | Sex. Violence. Mature themes and situations. Explicit language. The language of the native tribe Tohono O'otham is used through out book, and each chapter begins with part of one of their legends. |
| Reviewer/Date | Sarah Comfort 7/20/2000 |
| Johansen, Iris | The Face of Deception |
|
Publication Date |
1998 |
| Number of Pages | 354 |
| Geographical Setting | Atlanta
and other parts of the Southeastern United States. |
| Time Period | Now |
| Series | She used the same heroine in the Killing Game. Some of her other characters from The Face of Deception appear in her other books, but not the heroine. |
| Similar Authors/Titles | This author has been compared to Sandra Brown and Tami Hoag and Mary Higgins Clark. |
| Plot Summary | Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor, has been asked to do a sculpture of an unidentified head. Although the pay is good, she has a feeling that she is not being told about everything. She accepts the job, but soon discovers that she has underestimated the danger inherent in determining the identity of the person belonging to the skull. Her work angers people in high places and she pursed by people who will stop at nothing, not even murder, to prevent her and the people around her from revealing the identity of the missing person. Murder follows murder and injury follows injury, until the book reaches its exciting climax. In the process, Eva is able to resolve a problem that has haunted her for many years. |
| Appeal | Readers interested in suspense and strong female characters. |
| Notes | Some crude language. Excessively wordy in parts. Romantic relationship suggested rather than developed. Brutality. |
| Reviewer/Date | David Stephens July 18, 2000 |
| Kijewski, Karen | Kat's Cradle |
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Publication Date |
1992 |
| Number of Pages | 295 |
| Geographical Setting | Sacramento, California |
| Time Period | Early 1990's |
| Series | Kat Colorado series |
| Similar Authors/Titles | Sue Grafton (main character, Kinsey Millhone, is also a female P.I.) |
| Plot Summary | In this third Kat Colorado novel private investigator Kat is hired by Paige, a fickle young adult who was raised by a loveless grandmother, to find her past so she can inherit the ranch. Kat discovers that Paige's mother Ruby (supposedly long dead from a car accident) had a twin sister named Opal. One of the twins now runs a company in Omaha while the other is hidden away in a care facility. As Kat tries to figure out who is who, important people in the case begin turning up dead. Kat also becomes a target for murder. Will she find out the truth in time? |
| Appeal | Woman detective, based in Sacramento area |
| Notes | Limited violence and some graphic language |
| Reviewer/Date | Kristina Wetherbee, 7/17/2000 |
| Kijewski, Karen | Honky Tonk Kat |
|
Publication Date |
1996 |
| Number of Pages | 323 |
| Geographical Setting | Nashville, Tennessee - "seat of country music" |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Plot Summary | Sacramento P.I., Kat Colorado, is called to Nashville's music scene to investigate a series of anonymous threats received by her very best childhood friend, Dakota (aka Cody) Jones, who has now become a world famous country and western music singer. Soon after Kat's arrival, however, the threats escalate to more deadly violence … bombings and even murder. With personal safety at stake, Kat encourages Dakota to "lay low" and cut back on her performances in order to protect herself and her crew; but at a benefit concert which could not be cancelled the two friends land themselves in the middle of the danger zone. With a string of jealous acquaintances and bad romances following Dakota, there is definitely no shortage of suspects for Kat to investigate. Searching for clues, Kat and Dakota dig deep into their shared past and find that even family members are not exempt from THE suspect list. Adding to the intrigue are a mysterious, long lost cousin who hopes for her own music career; Dakota's current self-centered boyfriend; and her ex-husband, a singer, who's star never rose the way Dakota's did. |
| Appeal | Strong female protagonist, as well as a cast of strong supporting characters. Special appeal to country music fans and to those who live in (or are familiar with) the Nashville and/or Sacramento areas. Explores the nature of "celebrity" and the true meaning of friendship. Romance and intrigue. |
| Notes | 7th in a series of nine "Kat Colorado" thrillers. Previous titles are: Alley Kat Blues, Wild Cat, Copy Cat, Kat's Cradle, Katapult, and Katwalk (winner of three mystery awards: the Shamus, the Anthony and the St. Martin's Press awards). Two additional "Kat" books published since Honky Tonk Kat are Kat Scratch Fever and Stray Cat Waltz. |
| Reviewer/Date | Jacquie Foster 7/24/2000 |
| Lawrence, Margaret | Hearts and Bones |
|
Publication Date |
1996 |
| Number of Pages | 307 |
| Geographical Setting | Rufford, Maine |
| Time Period | 1786, post-Revolutionary America |
| Series | A Hannah Trevor mystery |
| Plot Summary | The people of Rufford, Maine are trying hard to forget the previous years of war. When Hannah discovers the brutally murdered body of a young woman, the town is horrified. A letter accuses three men of the murder, including Daniel Josselyn, Hannah's former lover and the father of her child. It's up to Hannah to prove Daniel's innocence before the townspeople seek vengeance of their own. |
| Appeal | Independent female main character. An excellent mix of historical fiction and mystery. |
| Notes | Depicts graphic violence; extramarital relations. |
| Reviewer/Date | Kara Nielsen, 7/20/00 |
| Massey, Sujata | The Flower Master |
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Publication Date |
1999 |
| Number of Pages | 375 |
| Geographical Setting | Japan--Tokyo |
| Time Period | 1999 |
| Series | The Salaryman’s Wife; Zen Attitude |
| Plot Summary | American Rei Shimura, part time amateur sleuth and antique dealer, lives in Tokyo, Japan. Although raised in California, her father is Japanese and she has become quite close with his family in Japan. Hoping to increase the knowledge of her heritage, Rei’s Aunt Norie enrolls her in ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) classes at the respected Kayama Family School. One night before class, an unpopular master teacher is murdered and Aunt Norie is the prime suspect. In her attempt to prove Norie’s innocence, Rei discovers painful truths about the Kayama family, placing her in danger, and resulting in a dramatic conclusion. |
| Appeal | Japanese culture, seen through the eyes of a foreigner. Strong female character. Eclectic group of supporting characters. |
| Notes | 3rd book in series featuring Rei Shimura. Contains information on Japanese flower arranging (ikebana) and antiques. Agatha Award winning author. 4th novel in series forthcoming: The Floating Girl. Recommended that reader begin with first book in series, The Salaryman's Wife. |
| Reviewer/Date | April Cota-Hobbs 07/20/00 |
| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY Author: A through M | N through Z | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI | FANTASY | HORROR |