New Reviews

MYSTERY

The Girls In the High-Heeled Shoes – Michael Kurland

Cross Justice – James Patterson

The Crossing – Michael Connelly

Husband in Hiding- Karina Bartow

COOKING

Brownies, Blondies and Bars – Stephanie Brubaker

FICTION/LITERARY

Fall of Poppies – Edited by Heather Webb

The Girls In the High-Heeled Shoes

Alexander Brass Mysteries – Book II

Michael Kurland

Titan Books

23 February 2016

ISBN-13: 9781783295388

Mystery/Historical

Rachel A Hyde

rachela.hyde@virgin.net

Reviewers Note: None

New York World’s top writer, the urbane Alexander Brass, and his sidekick Morgan DeWitt are on the trail of a missing woman. Two-Headed Mary can usually be found collecting for a charity outside the Broadway theatres, but nobody knows where she is, or do they? Also missing are chorus girls Billie Trask and Lydia Laurent from the hit show Lucky Lady, along with a large sum of money. The intrepid pair are soon dealing with more than one dead body, a total that is set to rise….

This is the sequel to Too Soon Dead (also reviewed on this site), and now the scene of New York in 1935 has been set the fun can really start, and start it certainly does. Once again Kurland has evoked the world shown in black and white films; the world of the Depression with people down but most assuredly not out. Broadway shows, grifters, oil barons and nightclubs filled with famous people make up the New York inhabited by the innocent but energetic Morgan and his sophisticated boss. 

This is all described in an almost tactile way by narrator Morgan, up from the country and feeling lucky to be a part of such a full-blooded time and place. This is a real page turner in what is shaping up to be one of the more enjoyable (and best written) new historical mystery series, but still for me the best thing is being able to read such an evocative description of a time and place. The next best thing to being there, I look forward to the next case.

Cross Justice

Alex Cross Series #23

James Patterson

Read by Ruben Santiago-Hudson

9781478928041

11/23/2015

Little, Brown & Company / Hachette Audio

Suspense / Washington DC / Detective / Audiobook – Unabridged

Brenda Weeaks

In Cross Justice, Alex Cross, Special Investigator of the Washington Police, goes home. It begins with a chilling prologue; a fashionable killer heading to Palm Beach and another victim. Throughout the book, the storyline shifts back and forth between the fiendish killer, Coco, who is in Florida, and Alex Cross in North Carolina. The North Carolina storyline stayed with me long after the audio stopped.

The story shifts to Alex and his family heading to Starkville, North Carolina. The return sparks emotional memories for Alex and Nana Mama. Alex left Starksville after his parents died. Nana Mama is a former English teacher in Starkville. The family is coming home to assist Alex’s cousin, Stefan Tate, a gym teacher accused of torturing and killing a student. Alex’s niece, Naomi Cross, is defending Stefan. Naomi is Alex’s late brother’s daughter. After they arrive, Alex is greeted at gunpoint by the local police. Later that night, they witness older boys pulling younger boys with ropes around their neck down the road. Alex is frozen in time and doesn’t assist. The stage of racism and entrapment is set, but does everyone have it wrong? Alex isn’t sure, but he didn’t come to set a man free, if he’s guilty. Cross wants to make sure Justice is served to the right person. Cross and his niece head the investigation. They follow all avenues and realize what they’re up against when a friend is killed due to mistaken identity. There are some tense scenes throughout which trigger frightening memories for Alex, but he decides to shake them off, which gives us the impression that either he can’t piece them together or he’s afraid to. Eventually, information about his own father leads him to Florida where he is asked to help with a case involving the socialite murders. Cross is about to step into his second nightmare… That deadly fashionista. All I can say on that is expect a cliff-hanger…

Patterson gives fans another mind-blowing Cross novel. Readers/listeners discover Alex’s and Nana Mama’s lives in North Carolina, and come to understand Alexeven more. Patterson draws deep on the Southern history, both good and bad, to make his readers react. Once they are emotionally spent, he sets them up for the next Alex Cross novel.

Cross Justice is a fascinating listen. I couldn’t turn it off.

The audio version is narrated by seasoned actor and narrator Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Hudson delivers this complex storyline with the strength and patience of Alex Cross. I believe this is the best Alex Cross narration, so far. Hudson recently starred in the movie Selma. He also played Lt King in the 2015 TV series “Public Morals,” and as Captain Roy Montgomery on the TV series “Castle.”

Brownies, Blondies, and Bars

Stephanie Brubaker

9781462116942

Cedar Fort

11/10/2015

Cooking / Desserts

Brenda Weeaks

If you enjoy making desserts from scratch you’ll love Brownies, Blondies, and Bars by Stephanie Brubaker. First the author tells us about her love of baking, offers eight important baking tips, then she moves on to those mouthwatering desserts. And quite honestly, when, I leafed through the book I thought: I can’t do this. I’ll mess it up. Well, I found my confidence in the Coconut Macaroon Brownies (I love coconut). The recipes are so easy to follow; they are presented on two different pages – Ingredients & Directions. The font style and color are pleasing to the eye. The recipe directions are short and sweet; easy enough for a beginner (or a nervous baker) to comprehend. I love how Brubaker’s recipes go well beyond the typical brownies, blondies and bar treats. Stuff your brownies with Chocolate Chip cookies? Who knew! I didn’t.

The photographs included in the cookbook show what Brubaker’s recipes can deliver. The Lemon Blueberry Cream Bars, Neapolitan Cookies bars and Eggnog Mettaway Bars had me salivating. The author includes the whole family in this cookbook. There are plenty of recipes for the kids, such as Hot Fudge Peanut Butter Cups or the NoBake Peanut butter bars with Oreo crust. Some of these may even become your seasonal favorites - Spring: Mint Fudge Brownies. Summer: Toasted Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars. Fall: Cranberry Orange Blondies. Winter: Peppermint Mocha Bars. So, do you want to show your friends and family you love them? Pick up a copy of Brownies, Blondies, and Bars and get busy.

You’ll also find more recipes at Stephanie Brubaker’s website backforseconds.com

The Crossing

Harry Bosch Series #20 & Mickey Haller Series #6

Michael Connelly

Read by

9781619694224

Hachette Audio

11/03/2015

Suspense / California / Detective / Lawyer / Audiobook – Unabridged

Brenda Weeaks

If you’re a Michael Connelly fan, then you know Homicide detective Harry Bosch and Defense attorney Mickey Haller each have their own series. Recently, the two discovered their lives were intertwined; both were married to the same woman and both have a daughter by her. Professionally, Bosch is the one who arrests the suspects, and Haller sets them free. The two have teamed up in past novels The Brass Verdict and The Reversal.

Bosch has experienced some changes since the last in series, The Burning Room. He’s retired – well, sort of; he was forced to retire. Haller is handling his lawsuit against the city and the LAPD. These two might be connected in their personal and professional lives, but Bosch still doesn’t agree with Haller’s cliental (criminals). Haller needs Bosch to investigate a current case. Haller presents the usual: a client who was “setup.” Bosch looks into the case but refuses to commit, until he reads the Case Murder Book and interviews those involved. That’s when Bosch realizes he’s getting closer to “the crossing” -- the place where the victim tripped the preverbal wire that resulted in her death, and now he wants find out who did it.

The Crossing does not disappoint. With a guilty criminal, damning evidence and the author’s bestselling duo trying to prove otherwise, Connelly successfully gives fans a complex storyline. Actor Titus Welliver narrates the audio version. It’s a persuasive narration that keeps listeners engaged. If Welliver’s deep, well-spoken voice sounds familiar, that’s because he plays Detective Bosch in the Amazon.com series.

Bosch links

http://myshelf.com/mystery/14/burningroom.htm

Husband in Hiding

Karina Bartow

Blue Boot Books

9780996676137

Mystery / USA / Deaf Detective

http://www.splashingcowbooks.com/the-undeafeated-detective-series.html

Brenda Weeaks

Karina Bartow’s main characters are husband and wife Wes and Minka. When the author shares their background throughout the storyline, readers will find they’re a likeable couple who are meant to be. Minka is a detective in Ocoee, Florida. She’s deaf and uses a Cochlear implant to hear. Her partner, Detective Cael, is Wes’ brother. Wes wants to teach in Texas. Minka’s not sure; she really enjoys her job. Her current case is a kidnapped point guard from the Florida Basketball team, Magic. We discover from the time he was young, Wes has had this inner need to protect Minka, so he decides to play amateur detective. He keeps it secret and puts his life in danger. Minka doesn’t take it well. Minka may be deaf but she speaks quite well, and when she’s not happy with Wes she reverts to Sign Language. When the case becomes even more dangerous, the couple is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. Once you get to know the characters and their story, you can’t help but feel for them. In the end, only a miracle or great detecting can save them.

Husband in Hiding is a rare treat for those who enjoy a clean mystery. It’s well- written, the storyline flows and the characters are well-developed. If you like Hallmark mystery movies, you will feel right at home with Husband in Hiding.

Fall of Poppies

Edited by Heather Webb

William Morrow

Fiction/literature

March 1, 2016

9780062418548

Fall ofPoppies is an anthology that has settings and writings related to World War I. These historical fiction stories delve into unique experiences that are told from both the female and male point of view. Nine authors share stories of hope, strength, and renewal. The plots are insightful and interesting. Readers get a glimpse in understanding what the civilian and military population had to endure.

Heather Webb, the editor and brainchild behind this anthology, described the process she went through. “As a former teacher it was a natural skill for me to keep people on tab. It started out with a brainstorm about Armistice Day, the idea that tied all the stories together. The guidelines were any country touched by WWI with the time period either beginning on Armistice Day or ending on it. I contacted authors I knew who either wrote about this era or were interested in it, and they joyfully came on board. Anyone who loves history will find this time period perfect to explore.”

One of the most gripping stories is “All For The Love Of You” by Jennifer Robson. Through a heartwarming plot, she describes what an American Captain had to endure when his cheekbones were shattered and right eye lost. He was able to have a mask fitted by the American Red Cross Studio for Portrait Masks, a civilian based organization that allowed wounded warriors to get fulfillment, flickers of hope, and protection from those who might react negatively to the deformities. But it is also a love story, which emphasizes the importance of a person’s inner beauty, rather than their physical appearance.

Another wonderful story that also shows how facial prosthetics gave a wounded warrior confidence to venture outside again is “The Record Set Straight” by Lauren Willig. Inspired by the pioneering aviator, Denys Finch-Hatton, Willig writes the character, Nicholas Frobisher, an “Aviator with the Iran Mask.” This story examines how two brothers react to losing a part of themselves, Nicholas his face, and Edward his leg. With the help of his friend, who became his wife, Nicholas was able to realize his worth and regain a sense of purpose. The theme emphasizes how peoples’ personal life is tested during war, and the realities they must live with as peace arrives.

Willig commented, “The tin masks were designed for the maimed soldiers so they would not have to go out in the world and be thought of as freaks. For me, this was the birth of organizations that pioneered reconstructive technologies. I thought how today’s society is isolated from this current war and compared that to England during WWI where most everyone was touched in some way. Many of us have less understanding of our soldiers because we are removed and do not comprehend the day to day challenges those fighting must face.”

Readers will also be drawn to the Gone With The Wind comparisons. Willig took that story and beautifully applied it to the World War I time period. There are many of the same elements: an epic war, soldier casualties, and a love triangle where the female lead is in love with one person, but marries someone else. It also has the Carrington house that becomes a central theme to the plot as the classic book does with Tara.

Another notable chapter, “An American Airman In Paris” by Beatriz Williams, brings to life an American pilot, Octavian. Her fans should appreciate how she delved into writing a story that takes place during wartime. Through her characters, people come to understand the effect World War I had on those who fought it. Readers get into the pilot’s mindset and can relate to his struggles. As with all of her books, Williams explores the historical significance of the era, showing how this war, unlike WWII, did not have stand out heroes or villains amongst the leadership. In addition, she always centers the plot around an object, in this case, a photograph. This story highlights how the effect of WWI brought about the loss of innocence.

According to Williams, the photograph represents “Octavian’s childhood, his emotional purity and naivety. Just as he loses that photograph, all of this is lost in the war, when his ideals were crushed. This included the romantic notion that the war could enable someone rather than debase them, when in actuality it was just the opposite.”

One of the most relatable stories to today’s world is “Hour of the Bells” by Heather Webb. There are a lot of time metaphors as this author plays off the famous quote, “On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...November 11, 1918.” But more powerful is how she speaks for the military families and the effect the war had on one in particular. Having lost a husband and a son to the brutality of the Germans, Beatrix Joubert allows her grief to turn into a desire for revenge. This story has a woman seeking retaliation against the Germans who she sees as having no moral backbone. She decides to become a suicide bomber to blow up those that killed her family.

Webb noted, “I hoped to communicate how warfare in the past does relate to the present. I wanted to tap into and draw a parallel between something that happened a hundred years ago and what is happening today within an intense story. I wanted to focus on a woman who was completely devastated, but instead of becoming down trodden, she turns her emotions of grief into anger.”

Fall of Poppies has riveting stories related to World War I. This anthology of historical short stories allows readers to gain an understanding of the war, its aftermath, and how those on the front lines along with the civilians in harm’s way deal with loss, hope, and reconnecting in what appeared to be a new world.