Category Archives: Mysteries/Thrillers

Maxine Wore Black, by Nora Olsen (2014)

Posted on December 18, 2014 by tom

“Maxine Wore Black” is basically two stories mashed into one. Mostly, it works. The first–and primary–story is an updating of Daphne du Maurier’s classic, “Rebecca.” In the acknowledgements, author Nora Olsen calls “Maxine Wore Black” an homage to “Rebecca,” and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Books Read in 2014, General Fiction, LGBT, Mysteries/Thrillers, Romance, Young Adult | Leave a comment

The Kennedy Imperative (Book One of a Trilogy: Berlin, 1961), by Leon Berger

Posted on October 23, 2014 by tom

Author Leon Berger’s “The Kennedy Imperative” throws the reader right into Cold War Berlin, where fledgling agent Phillip Marsden is given what seems to be a simple mission–to accompany Major Hank Leland to an international conference in East Berlin. East-West … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Books Read in 2014, History, Literary or Genre Fiction, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | Leave a comment

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (novel), by John Berendt (1994)

Posted on June 22, 2014 by tom

There’s something unique about the South. My mom and her ancestors grew up in the shadow of Lookout Mountain, where Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama intersect, where one of the bloodiest campaigns of the Civil War was fought. I remember feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Books Read in 2014, History, Memoir or Biography, Mysteries/Thrillers, Non Fiction and/or Commentary | Leave a comment

American Tabloid, by James Ellroy

Posted on June 9, 2014 by tom

Kemper Boyd—suave FBI Agent infiltrating car theft rings. His best friend, Ward Littel, also an FBI agent, but a bored one stuck in Chicago. Pete Bondurant: a six-foot-five fixer for various underworld figures, including getting drugs for Howard Hughes. Howard … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Books Read in 2014, General Fiction, Literary or Genre Fiction, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tiger Shrimp Tango, by Tim Dorsey (2014)

Posted on December 1, 2013 by tom

(nb: I received an Advance Review Copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss) No person—alive or fictional—loves Florida more than Serge Storms. His latest car is a 1978 Pontiac Trans-Am, with the eagle wings framing the hood scoop … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humorous, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | Leave a comment

Vatican Waltz, by Roland Merullo

Posted on November 3, 2013 by tom

(nb: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley) Cynthia Piantedosi has always been different from her peers. In high school, when other girls were obsessed with boys and parties, Cynthia found her fulfillment in prayer. She was … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, General Fiction, Mysteries/Thrillers, Religion/Spirituality | 1 Comment

Merrick, by Ken Bruen (2013)

Posted on October 29, 2013 by tom

(nb: I received an advance review copy from the publisher via Edelweiss) So a Jewish guy and an Irish guy walk into a bar… And that is where Ken Bruen’s latest mystery “Merrick” begins. To be fair, the Jewish Merrick … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | 2 Comments

Doctor Sleep, by Stephen King (2013)

Posted on October 19, 2013 by tom

Stephen King has created some amazing characters in his career, and in the process of creating them, I think he’s become a character himself, far more so than other equally prolific writers. King is the guy who doesn’t just write … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Books of the Year, Books, Horror, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | 2 Comments

Charisma, by Barbara Hall (2013)

Posted on October 10, 2013 by tom

Fairly Charming “Charisma”   Barbara Hall’s novel “Charisma” is aptly titled. The heroine is named Sarah Lange, and she’s a charismatic new patient at a mental institution. Unlike most of her fellow guests, she’s there by choice. She’s come to … Continue reading →

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Merrick, by Ken Bruen (2013)

Posted on October 7, 2013 by tom

Merrick By Ken Bruen Terse and Gritty, as a Proper Mystery Should Be So a Jewish guy and an Irish guy walk into a bar… And that is where Ken Bruen’s latest mystery “Merrick” begins. To be fair, the Jewish … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Mysteries/Thrillers, series | 1 Comment