NEW!

The Third Victim   by Lisa Gardner - -(Bantam Books ISBN: 0-553-57868-5)

 

Wow!! I loved it. I enjoyed Lisa's first two books -- but this one is a leap ahead in every respect. It's fast-paced, tight, well written with great characters. What more can you ask for? She's made a believer out of me. I've already ordered her next two -- The Next Accident and The Survivors Club. Go Lisa!  

The Bottoms   by Joe Lansdale - -(Mysterious Press ISBN: 0-4466-779-2-2)

 

I seriously considered including this book in my "Others" section of favorite books. It's not a typical mystery or suspense. However, it won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Novel. So I put it in Suspense. A quote on the cover calls the book another "To Kill A Mockingbird," and in my opinion, the comparison fits. Yes, there is some bad stuff going on in this book. And yes, there are some action scenes that will keep you up really late. But in total, The Bottoms is a rich, sometimes brutal look at life in the South in the 1930s.

It's told from the point of view of a twelve-year old boy, and it meanders like the mind of such a boy. Yet there is nothing slow about the book. You will be tempted to savor it, even while wanting to read faster. As a writer, I found myself fascinated by the wealth of detail and texture of the book. Yet, I was never tempted to skim. Instead, I'd say Mr. Lansdale must have experienced this time and place in order to put so much into the book, except I met him briefly at Bouchercon this year, and he's not old enough. Although he must be from the area.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. As long as you're aware you're not going to get a lightening fast, kick-butt Suspense Thriller.  

A Place Of Execution   by Val McDermid - - - - - -(St Martins ISBN: 0=312-9795-3-3)

 

To be honest, I'm not sure what to say about this book. It wasn't what I expected when I picked it up, it but it was wonderful in a very different way. It's a very British mystery, which if you've read my other recommendations, you'll know is not my favorite sub-genre. However, this book is very atmospheric, very dark actually -- not in the same way you think of Tami Hoag or Thomas Harris as dark -- but the setting has a darkness that seeps under skin as you read the book. Anyway, it's very good.  

Dennis LeHane   A Drink Before the War   (Avon ISBN: 0-380-72623-8)   Darkness Take My Hand   (Avon ISBN: 0-380-72628-9)   Sacred   (Avon ISBN: 0-380-72629-7 )

My editor introduced me to Dennis LeHane. She called and said, "You have got to read this guy. He is sooo good." Now, when your editor tells you another author is good, you read him or her. ASAP. So, I did.

Well, she was right. He's really good.

Normally I'm not a huge fan of mysteries, private investigators or books told in first person. I prefer suspense or thrillers written in third person, and well, PI's just don't do it for me. However, LeHane has me hooked on his books. First, he has a compelling voice, something which is essential to pull of a first person tale. Add to that his wonderful characters, and you have a winning combination. I have a feeling he's going to be a mega-star.

The series gets better with each book. But, read them in order. I've already have two more of his on my shelf and won't take me long to get to them.

Under The Beetle's Cellar   by Mary Willis Walker - - - - - - - - - (Bantam Books ISBN: 0-553-57173-7)

 

I've enjoyed all of Ms. Walker's books, but this is my favorite. In fact, this is one of my favorite Suspense novels, period. I love the concept, and the characterization is superb. You also might want to try The Red Scream. It's almost as good.  

Point Of Impact   by Stephen Hunter - - - -(Bantam Books ISBN: 0-553-56351-3)

 

This is a masterpiece of plotting, with so many twists and turns that I you dare to guess them all beforehand. In addition, the characterization is wonderful. Both will draw you in and keep you turning those pages.  

Long After Midnight   by Iris Johansen - - - - -(Bantam Books ISBN: 0-553-57181-8)

 

Again, I've enjoyed all Ms. Johansen's suspense novels. I love that she breaks the rules and makes it work. Long Before Midnight is my favorite.  

Ashes to Ashes   by Tami Hoag    (Bantam Books ISBN: 0-553-57960-6)

 

I didn't think I'd enjoy this book. Silly me. It was great!

Usually, I'm not fond of serial killer books, but Tami pulled me in with this one. As a reader, the plot and characters were fascinating--I read the book in one sitting. As a writer, I found it encouraging that Tami gets better and better with each book--something that can't be said about all best-selling authors.

Just a word of warning, however. This book is very dark. So if such things turn you off, look elsewhere.

 

Harvest   by Tess Gerritsen   (Pocket Books ISBN: 0-671-55302-X)

No one is writing medical thrillers better than Tess Gerritsen. Or if they are, I haven't read them. She's the author I give as presents to all my medically-minded friends and family, and I had a hard time picking just one book to mention here. So I listed the first, Harvest. But you can't go wrong with any of her books: Life Support, Bloodstream, or Gravity.

I also have her newest The Surgeon on the top of my TBR pile and am so confident it will be good that it's one of my giveaways in my Review Contest this month. It's even signed!

The Poet   by Michael Connelly   (Warner Books ISBN: 0-446-60261-2)

I just discovered Michael Connelly and thoroughly enjoyed my first encounter with one of his books, The Poet. Since then I've read Blood Work as well and have several more on my shelf. His books are heavily researched and lean toward the "procedural" side of the Suspense/Mystery genre. But despite that, he creates great characters, and I'll probably keep working through his backlist until I've read them all.