I bought and read this book and have to disagree with your reviewer. Real life doesn't always follow procedure -- Maggie went with what was happening and it revealed something of her character. I didn't even notice one of the procedures your reviewer brought up. Was it really so important? I'd give it another star for sure.

If your readers are not used to reading Martha Grimes, I heartily recommend her -- her Richard Jury mysteries have every element of what, in my mind, makes for a superb read -- spine-tingling suspense, dry English humor, characters that seem to come alive on the page, and lots of foggy, nasty English weather that sets the stage for the gruesome murders that Jury investigates. Grimes' writing is so well done that her writing is in itself no detraction from the book -- does that make sense?

I loved your review. I loved the book. Found myself going back over the end just to reread. I have always thought that Saylor does a remarkable job w/ setting, story and ethics. Perhaps his weakness is plot, as in mystery plot. This book is stronger than some earlier ones, that way. I feel that this is his best so far. Very mature. Of course we are looking forward to his treatment of Caesar's assassination. And one wonders how long Saylor can keep Gordianus alive so we can live Roman vicariously.

The Dennis Lehane series is incredible. Gritty, violent, witty, human, powerful and informative reads, with lots of twist and plenty of in your face violence. I consider myself very knowledgable with regard to crime mysteries and Darkness, Take My Hand really impressed me. Anyone who likes Parker, Vachss, Hunter, Child, Deaver, Macdonald, or Izzi will love PIs Patrick Kenzie and Angela Genarro.

Nice web site! Scanning it, I didn't see anything on Stuart Kaminsky's Lieberman books. These are excellent in character, plot, thrills, twists, humor. A kind of Jewish Chicagoan Elmore Leonard. If we raise the profile of these gems, Kaminsky might write more.

Just got done reading "Murder With Peacocks" by Donna Andrews. I found the book very funny and quite entertaining. It has crazy characters and family members similar to Charlotte MacLeod, Dorothy Cannell and Maggody. Although the mystery plot was only good, the characters kept one reading to find out what they would do next. I recommend this book for a fun read and hope to see more from the author.

I missed this review and have been fuming about EG's latest and probably her best work being ignored. Thank goodness I found your review!

Thoroughly agree with your comments about the author. I am so intrigued with this series that last summer I gathered up all the earlier ones and re-read them in sequence. Absolutely marvelous work is faint praise indeed.

A few words about my mystery, ANGEL AT TROUBLESOME CREEK: The book was meant to be a fantasy and Augusta is a whimsical character intended to bring a smile to the reader and to steer her subjects along the right paths without actually solving the mystery (and their problems) for them. Please don't take it seriously. To enjoy the book, I recommend that readers temporarily suspend belief in reality and just "jump in" and have fun.

I didn't make a point of this, but I assumed that the angel would have been supplied with enough money to get her through her assignment so she would be prepared. The clothes she arrived in were from her last mission in the 1940's. She didn't wear the ugly shoes in Heaven, but dressed in the clothes she had worn before when returning to earth. Mary George buys the shoes for her because, except for unusual circumstances, Augusta doesn't allow herself to be seen by anyone other than the protagonist. I'm glad the reviewer would like to spend more time with my saucy angel and I thank her for her kind words. I hope readers will also enjoy my next book, AN ANGEL TO DIE FOR, which is due out next fall.

I must say that I've never read review before I read a book that I am looking forward to, but I may just start, as reading this review would have saved me a sleepless night! Jeri Wright's review of the latest Aurora Teagarden mystery was right on, except the "unexpected tragedy" at the end would have earned only one star at the end had I been reviewing this story. I have read all of the series, but am seriously considering not reading another if/when it is published. Not only did I stay up late to read it, but I've been waiting for my local library to receive it for weeks! Thanks for letting me vent, and keep up the great work on both this site and The Romance Reader.

So glad to see that I'm not the only person who reads cozies for the relationships. I was very disappointed in this last book and didn't finish it. I "ate up" all of her other books including the wonderful cleaning woman who lifts weights series. I hope she doesn't intend to continue this "realistic" type of stories.

I agree with Jeri Wright about this book. I was very upset about the death of such a main character. If Charlaine Harris felt this strong character was not needed in the series she could have just had them divorce. And to end the book on such a down note! You feel as though Roe is going to take to her bed and never venture out again. I got interested in the Roe Teagarden series through Charlaine Harris' other books, the Shakespere series. It makes me worried about the future of Jack in those books. I really don't know if I will read further on her series as I read to be entertained and visit with my favorite characters. I really liked Martin. I was really disappointed.

I don't agree with the review of Laurien Berenson's Hush Puppy. I enjoyed the book a great deal and was completely pulled into the story. I had no problems with the secondary characters but unlike the reviewer, I have read all the previous books in the series and look on many of these secondary characters as 'old friends'. Her criticism of the use of the 'b' word in its correct useage, that of female dog, struck me as immature. Berenson's books all involve the dog show world and to use any other word or phrase to designate the female dog would falsely portray that world.

Recently I finished reading Burn Baby Burn by Mike Savage. It deals with pyromaniac personality and cult. It left me smoldering. I should read the previous release in the series, Something in the Water, again just to cool off. A mystery within a mystery is solved in Something in the Water; the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa is made known. These detective "Dave" Davecki mysteries are different than any I have ever read. They are fast moving and serious, but when I'm finished reading, I feel like I've had some great fun.

I agree with the Lesley Dunlap review of Second Wind by Dick Francis. Good writing but boring plot.

I read the Jeffrey Deaver novel "The Bone Collector" and enjoyed it immensly. I eagerly anticipated the film adaptation and was moderatly dissapointed. The killer was not disturbed or sinister, but an angry man. The clever suprise of Rhyme's early incompetence leading to the killer's scarred but brilliant mind was thrOwn out in favor of the rather formulatic "cop in jail" twist that Hollywood seems very fond of.

I agree that the action harkens to the gothic genre: "had I but known." It's irritating enough when a damsel is set up to be stupid, but Alex has suspended too much disbelief.

Excellent book! Four out of four stars! The plot was well written and the climax was unsuspected. If you like Vespers, you will probably enjoy these other two novels.

Meg: By Steve Alten
Reliquary: By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I have just finished reading Without Consent and enjoyed it so much. I thought it definitely had a Ruth Rendell flavor to it - in the multilayered plotting, psychological insights, etc. Fyfield is very good, maybe one of the best of the British mystery writers.

I enjoyed Eyes by Joseph Glass. It wasn't one of the best books I have read, but it was pretty good. I enjoyed how the clues started to come together. The ending happened a little fast and her just showing up at the right apartment door was a strech. I lived in Chicago 30 years and the area of town she was in has a lot of different buildings that have the same view -- we are talking hundreds of doors. Anyway, I would read another book featuring Susan. Any news about a new book? Any speculation as to who Joseph Glass is?

I so enjoyed the two "Skinny man" books by James Colbert. Waiting for more. Does anyone know what's going on with him or how I can e-mail him to get moving on more Skinnies?