DYING FOR A DATE
by Cindy Sample
L&L Dreamspell
www.lldreamspell.com
ISBN: 9781603182485
Laurel McKay, a recently divorced soccer mom who works as a mortgage loan underwriter, signs up for a six-month membership with a dating service called The Love Club. Her first date ends abruptly after she breaks her date’s nose when he gets too frisky. Laurel’s ready to give it up but can’t justify losing her money, so decides to try once more. But before that occurs, she finds herself the number one suspect when her first date’s body is found in his car with his head bashed in. If that isn’t bad enough, Laurel’s definitely feeling something for the hot detective investigating the case but can’t tell if the heated looks he’s sending her are reciprocal or skeptical. When her second date dies during their dinner together, the police have a large target painted on Laurel’s back, which sends her into panic mode. Before they come for her with handcuffs, Laurel, along with her mother and a couple of friends, decide to do some amateur sleuthing, leading them down a hazardous road filled with danger.
Dying for a Date is packed with zany characters, humorous situations, and laugh-out-loud narrative. Laurel McKay is amusing, her antics entertaining, and her interactions with her family and friends bring smiles as well as nods of recognition. There are several standout characters but this reviewer’s favorite is Laurel’s mother. The relationship Laurel has with her mom, who is a bit jaded and critical, is not only realistic but hilarious. The sizzling chemistry between Laurel and Detective Hunter adds a nice touch to this comedic mystery. Consider reading this book in one setting, because once you start, you will be reluctant to put it aside.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
TESTAROSSA
TESTAROSSA
by Julie Dolcemaschio
Krill Press
www.krillpress.com
ISBN: 9780982144350
LA homicide detective John Testarossa harbors a dark secret, one connecting him to the death of his father, an undercover cop with the New York Police Department, and Testarossa’s brief career there. When an arm is found on Santa Monica Beach, Testarossa and his partner, Alex Ortiz, are called to the scene. It doesn’t take long to find the decomposing body of the arm’s owner, a young college athlete. Although the young man’s death is suspected to be suicide, Testarossa and Ortiz think otherwise and determinedly pursue their investigation, taking them into the dark world of collegiate and professional athletes and their illegal efforts to perform better than their colleagues.
Testarossa’s a jaded man who looks at life through a cop’s eyes yet cares deeply for those around him. He holds women at a distance simply because he doesn’t want to put them through the pain he watched his mother go through when his father was killed. All this changes when he meets Dr. Karen Gennaro, an open woman who expects nothing but the truth from him. But how can he tell her the dark secret from his past and expect her to stay?
Dolcemaschio takes her reader into the gritty world of police officers, their comrades, and the grim world they inhabit. Testarossa is a welcome character to the mystery community; a man fueled by events from his past with a deep need to connect with others and be the best cop he can. The relationship between Testarossa and his partners is nicely portrayed, as is the chemistry between Testarossa and Dr. Gennaro. The Italian dishes described guaranty a growling stomach. The romantic interludes are sizzling and sensual, a nice bonus for romance readers. Dolcemaschio’s well-written debut novel is an intriguing, powerful read, proof positive she’s in position to “run with the big dogs”.
by Julie Dolcemaschio
Krill Press
www.krillpress.com
ISBN: 9780982144350
LA homicide detective John Testarossa harbors a dark secret, one connecting him to the death of his father, an undercover cop with the New York Police Department, and Testarossa’s brief career there. When an arm is found on Santa Monica Beach, Testarossa and his partner, Alex Ortiz, are called to the scene. It doesn’t take long to find the decomposing body of the arm’s owner, a young college athlete. Although the young man’s death is suspected to be suicide, Testarossa and Ortiz think otherwise and determinedly pursue their investigation, taking them into the dark world of collegiate and professional athletes and their illegal efforts to perform better than their colleagues.
Testarossa’s a jaded man who looks at life through a cop’s eyes yet cares deeply for those around him. He holds women at a distance simply because he doesn’t want to put them through the pain he watched his mother go through when his father was killed. All this changes when he meets Dr. Karen Gennaro, an open woman who expects nothing but the truth from him. But how can he tell her the dark secret from his past and expect her to stay?
Dolcemaschio takes her reader into the gritty world of police officers, their comrades, and the grim world they inhabit. Testarossa is a welcome character to the mystery community; a man fueled by events from his past with a deep need to connect with others and be the best cop he can. The relationship between Testarossa and his partners is nicely portrayed, as is the chemistry between Testarossa and Dr. Gennaro. The Italian dishes described guaranty a growling stomach. The romantic interludes are sizzling and sensual, a nice bonus for romance readers. Dolcemaschio’s well-written debut novel is an intriguing, powerful read, proof positive she’s in position to “run with the big dogs”.
HAIR OF THE DOG
HAIR OF THE DOG
An Angie Deacon Mystery
by Cindy Davis
L&L Dreamspell
www.lldreamspell.com
ISBN: 978-1-60318-299-7
This follow-up to A Little Murder finds former ER nurse Angie Deacon co-owner of a theater and in a relationship with Detective Colby Jarvis. Angie and Jarvis hope to spend a few days relaxing in nearby Weirs, but the constant barking of a dog in the cottage next to theirs proves a deterrent. The dog finally stops barking, to Angie’s relief, but soon after, she finds the body of the dog’s owner, Simon York, on his living room floor. Due to an altercation Angie had with York over the dog, she’s targeted by the investigating detective as a suspect. Angie subsequently has the bad luck to discover the body of York’s ex-wife, Darlene Lonergan, dog breeder and owner of Lonergan Cosmetics. The common denominator between the two murders: Angie. Angie and Jarvis suspect the deaths are related to suspicious goings-on at the local bar, Hair of the Dog. In an effort to clear Angie of the murders, they begin their own investigation while caring for York’s dog, only to find their lives in mortal danger.
This well-written mystery offers plenty of suspects as Davis takes the reader into two diverse worlds: the dog show venue and the cosmetics industry. Angie and Jarvis are unique in that they are portrayed so realistically, each with their own strengths and weaknesses; a couple trying to work out the kinks of their relationship. The mystery will challenge readers as they follow the clues and filter through suspicious characters and circumstances. Dog lovers will appreciate the presence of Guinness, an Irish Setter, along with a nice dose of information concerning dog shows and breeding.
An Angie Deacon Mystery
by Cindy Davis
L&L Dreamspell
www.lldreamspell.com
ISBN: 978-1-60318-299-7
This follow-up to A Little Murder finds former ER nurse Angie Deacon co-owner of a theater and in a relationship with Detective Colby Jarvis. Angie and Jarvis hope to spend a few days relaxing in nearby Weirs, but the constant barking of a dog in the cottage next to theirs proves a deterrent. The dog finally stops barking, to Angie’s relief, but soon after, she finds the body of the dog’s owner, Simon York, on his living room floor. Due to an altercation Angie had with York over the dog, she’s targeted by the investigating detective as a suspect. Angie subsequently has the bad luck to discover the body of York’s ex-wife, Darlene Lonergan, dog breeder and owner of Lonergan Cosmetics. The common denominator between the two murders: Angie. Angie and Jarvis suspect the deaths are related to suspicious goings-on at the local bar, Hair of the Dog. In an effort to clear Angie of the murders, they begin their own investigation while caring for York’s dog, only to find their lives in mortal danger.
This well-written mystery offers plenty of suspects as Davis takes the reader into two diverse worlds: the dog show venue and the cosmetics industry. Angie and Jarvis are unique in that they are portrayed so realistically, each with their own strengths and weaknesses; a couple trying to work out the kinks of their relationship. The mystery will challenge readers as they follow the clues and filter through suspicious characters and circumstances. Dog lovers will appreciate the presence of Guinness, an Irish Setter, along with a nice dose of information concerning dog shows and breeding.
A SPORTING MURDER
A SPORTING MURDER
by Chester D. Campbell
Night Shadows Press
8987 E. Tanque Verde
Tucson, AZ 85749
ISBN: 9780984604401
Jill and Greg McKenzie, owners of McKenzie Investigations, have been hired by an attorney for a group of Nashville Predators NHL hockey fans to investigate rumors there are efforts to bring an NBA basketball team to Nashville. Greg receives a phone call from a young man from Germany that he has important information about this, but when Greg goes to their meeting place, he finds the young man dead. Greg begins a parallel investigation into this death which ties into what look to be ominous mechanisms of the financiers behind the basketball deal. To make matters worse, he learns a man he put in prison years before has been released and is in the area. When Greg and Jill are almost poisoned and their jeep blown up, they’re not sure whether the culprit is the felon or has connections to the basketball financiers. But they continue onward, more determined than ever to solve these two cases and find the murderer.
This series is cozy mystery’s answer to Dashiell Hammett’s Thin Man series. Greg and Jill McKenzie are a charming couple who complement one another and work well together. Their interactions are heartwarming and refreshing and a nice bonus to the story. The plot moves at a fast pace, offering a mystery readers will be challenged to solve.
by Chester D. Campbell
Night Shadows Press
8987 E. Tanque Verde
Tucson, AZ 85749
ISBN: 9780984604401
Jill and Greg McKenzie, owners of McKenzie Investigations, have been hired by an attorney for a group of Nashville Predators NHL hockey fans to investigate rumors there are efforts to bring an NBA basketball team to Nashville. Greg receives a phone call from a young man from Germany that he has important information about this, but when Greg goes to their meeting place, he finds the young man dead. Greg begins a parallel investigation into this death which ties into what look to be ominous mechanisms of the financiers behind the basketball deal. To make matters worse, he learns a man he put in prison years before has been released and is in the area. When Greg and Jill are almost poisoned and their jeep blown up, they’re not sure whether the culprit is the felon or has connections to the basketball financiers. But they continue onward, more determined than ever to solve these two cases and find the murderer.
This series is cozy mystery’s answer to Dashiell Hammett’s Thin Man series. Greg and Jill McKenzie are a charming couple who complement one another and work well together. Their interactions are heartwarming and refreshing and a nice bonus to the story. The plot moves at a fast pace, offering a mystery readers will be challenged to solve.
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