Books I Read in 2006
Books I Read in November and December 2006
No Good Deeds: A Tess Monaghan Novel, by Laura Lippman (2006).
William Morror, N.Y. 343 pp.
www.lauralippman.com
Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan is drawn into the web of corruptions and murders--"We're from the government--and we're here to help."
(Dec 26-30, 2006)
The Hard Way: A Jack Reacher Novel, by Lee Child (2006).
Delacorte, N.Y. 371 pp.
www.leechild.com
Jack Reacher is hired to find the kidnappers connected to soldiers-for-hire--detailed operations.
(Dec 23-25, 2006)
Two Little Girls in Blue, by Mary Higgins Clark (2006).
Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 322 pp. Three-year-old twin sisters are kidnapped and a series of events link to the ransom money--suspenseful.
(Dec 20-22, 2006)
The Second Horseman, by Kyle Mills (2006).
St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 290 pp.
www.kylemills.com
Career thief Brandon Vale is forced to steal Vegas money and to trade with nukes in Ukrain that end up to destroy Israel--heavy reading.
(Dec 16-19, 2006)
A Stolen Season: An Alex McKnight Novel, by Steve Hamilton (2006).
Thomas Dunne Books, N.Y. 290 pp.
www.authorstevehamilton.com
Detroit ex-cop and Paradise, Michigan, PI Alex McKnight has a new love from Canada who works as an undercover agent to sell guns--intense.
(Dec 13-15, 2006)
Blue Screen: A Sunny Randy Novel, by Robert B. Parker (2006).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 306 pp. Boston P.I. Sunny is hired to protect a movie mogul's rising star Erin Flint and finds love with Paradise police chief Jesse Stone.
(Dec 10-11, 2006)
Origami Activities, by Michael G. LaFosse (2003).
Tuttle, Boston. 64 pp. Good for making boxes.
(Dec 9-10, 2006)
The Crimes of Jordan Wise, by Bill Pronzini (2006).
Walker, N.Y. 231 pp.
www.walkerbooks.com
SF accountant Jordan Wise, after meeting an ambitious young woman, changed his life by embezzling from his firm. He disappeared to Virgin Islands and spent the rest of his life there.
(Dec 8-9, 2006)
The Best Laid Plans, by Janet Majerus (2006).
Five Star, Maine. 250 pp. Children's book author Jessie Schroeder returns from St. Louis to her childhood small town of Riverport and encounters murders.
(Dec 4-7, 2006)
Motor Mouth: A Barnaby Novel, by Janet Evanovich (2006).
HarperCollins, N.Y. 312 pp.
www.evanovich.com
NASCAR driver Hooker and engineer Barney from Baltimore look for the cheater and find murders--hilarious.
(Dec 3, 2006)
Secondhand Smoke, by Karen E. Olson (2006).
MP, N.Y. 259 pp.
www.kareneolson.com
Reporter Annie Seymore encounters murders and threats after a restraunt is burned down--funny.
(Dec 1-2, 2006)
Destined for Destiny: The Unauthorized Autobiography of George W. Bush, by Scott Dikkers and Peter Hilleren (2006).
Scribner, N.Y. 166 pp.
www.simonandschuster.com
Make fun of Bush and Chenny. Pretend to be Bush with humor and sarcasm.
(Nov 30, 2006)
Out Cold: A Brady Coyne Novel, by William G. Tapply (2006).
St. Martin's, N.Y. 292 pp.
www.williamgtapply.com
Boston Attorney Brady Coyne investigates the death of a teenage girl who died in his backyard and ends up in Churchill, New Hampshire--intense.
(Nov 27-29, 2006)
Final Truth, by Mariah Stewart (2006).
Ballantine Books, N.Y. 258 pp.
www.ballantinebooks.com
True crime writer Regan Landry is drawn into the writing a story of convicted criminal.
(Nov 24-26, 2006)
Mask Market: A Burke Novel, by Andrew Vachss (2006).
Pantheon, N.Y. 280 pp.
www.vachss.com
Burke finds a girl named Beryl again whom he rescued twenty years ago--human ugliness.
(Nov 22-24, 2006)
Little Faith, by Michael Simon (2006).
Viking, N.Y. 280 pp.
www.michaelsimon.info
Austin homicide detective Dan Reles from New York investigates a child star Faith Copeland's murder--intense.
(Nov 19-21, 2006)
Hit Parade, by Lawrence Block (2006).
William Morrow, N.Y. 295 pp.
www.lawrenceblock.com
Hit man John Keller's philosophical sentiment about baseball designated hitter, basketball, stamp collection--humor and philosophical.
(Nov 15-19, 2006)
Dead Watch, by John Sandford (2006).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 373 pp.
www.johnford.com
Forensic bureaucracy researcher Jacob Winter helps Whitehouse to pinpoint the mischief going to happen--murder, passion and political ambition.
(Nov 12-13, 2006)
A Garden of Vipers, by Jack Kerley (2006).
Dutton, N.Y. 334 pp. Mobile, Alabama, police investigators Carson Ryder and Harry Nantilus uncover the secret of a wealthy family involving murders.
(Nov 5-11, 2006)
The Cold Moon: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel, by Jeffery Deaver (2006).
Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 400 pp.
www.simonsays.com
The Watchmaker vs. criminologist Rhyme and detective Sachs--dramatic but no ending.
(Oct 29-Nov 4, 2006)
Books I Read in September and October 2006
White Sister: A Shane Scully Novel, by Stephen J. Cannell (2006).
St. Martin's, N.Y. 342 pp. LAPD detective Shane Scully fights for his wife's repution against Compton's White Sister--powerful action.
www.cannell.com
(Oct 22-27, 2006)
Mourners: A Nameless Detective Novel, by Bill Pronzini (2006).
Tom Doherty, N.Y. 285 pp. PI Nameless is hired by Lynn Troxell to investigate her husband's recent strange behavior, including suicide tendencies--emotional.
(Oct 19-21, 2006)
Bye-Bye, Black Sheep:A Mommy-Track Mystery, by Ayelet Waldman (2006).
Berkeley, N.Y. 259 pp. PI Juliet Applebaum and Al Hockey are hired by Heavenly to find who killed her sister, an addict and street-walker.
(Oct 17-19, 2006)
Pegasus Descending: A Dave Robicheaux Novel, by James Lee Burke (2006).
Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 356 pp. New Iberia detective Dave Robicheaux investigates the victim's child seeking revenge.
(Oct 10-16, 2006)
The Two Minute Rule, by Robert Crais (2006).
Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 325 pp.
www.robertcrais.com
When ex-con Max Holman was released from prison after ten years, he found out his cop son along with three cops were murdered--shrewdly plotted.
(Oct 6-9, 2006)
Never Fear, by Scott Frost (2006).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 289 pp.
www.penguin.com
Pasadena detective Alex Dilillo reopens the 17-year-old River Killer case--dramatic.
(Oct 3-5, 2006)
Pretty Girl Gone, by David Housewright (2006).
St. Martin's, N.Y. 278 pp.
www.davidhousewright.com
Ex-cop Rushmore McKenzie was hired by Minnesota first lady to find the trush about the governer when he was a teenager in Victoria, Minn.--non-stop exciting.
(Sep 25-Oct 2, 2006)
Dark Harbor: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods (2006).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 294 pp.
www.penguin.com
New York lawyer Stone investigates his first cousin's murder in Maine--complicated.
(Sep 21-24, 2006)
Wicked Break: A Noah Braddock Mystery, by Jeff Shelby (2006).
Dutton, N.Y. 245 pp. San Diego PI Noah Braddock is hired to find a brother of the client and ends up fighting supreminists and gangs--powerful.
(Sep 17-20, 2006)
Impulse, by Frederick Ramsay (2006).
Poisoned Pen Press, N.Y. 245 pp.
www.frederickramsay.com
Famed mystery writer Frank Smith flew from Phoenix to Baltimore to attend his 50th reunion at Scott Academy (Mcdonogh School) and solved a 25-year-old mystery--I remember the old Higgins-Clark novels about handsome elders.
(Sep 16-17, 2006)
At Risk, by Patricia cornwell (2006).
GP Putnam's sons, N.Y. 212 pp.
www.patriacornwell.com
Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano is caaled to investigate 20-yeay cold case by a new intiative called At Risk.
(Sep 13-14)
The Traitor, by Stephen Coonts (2006).
St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 370 pp.
www.coonts.com
CIA officer Tom Carmellini investigates Al queda's involvement in Paris--suspense
(Sep 6-13, 2006)
Dark Tort, by Diane Mott Davidson (2006).
william Morrow, N.Y. 282 pp.
www.dianemottdavidson.com
Colorado caterer Goldy shultz prepared breakfast for a law firm and encountered murders including her neighbor paralegal Dusty.
(Sep 1-5, 2006)
Books I Read in July and August 2006
Isolation Ward, by Joshua Spanogle (2006).
Delacorte Press, N.Y. 391 pp. CDC investigator Dr. Nat McCormick investigates the illness of patients at Baltimore's St. Raphael's Hospital. With the aid of his former lover in California, he discovers circles of treachery--a portrait of a young doctor on edge.
(Aug 25-30, 2006)
Down by the Riverside: A Shady Grove Mystery, by Jackie Lynn (2006).
St. Martin's Minotaur, N.Y. 288 pp. North Carolina divocee Rose Franklin drove a camper on the way the the southwest and ended up staying at Shady Grove campground in West Memphis, Arkansas. She encountered murder and buried graveground--very intense.
(Aug 27-28, 2006)
Playing Piano Book, by Brooke Halpin (20062.
Adams Media, MT. 276 pp. A complete book about playing piano.
(Aug 24, 2006)
Murder in Exile, by Vicent H. O'Neil (2006).
Thomas Dunn Books, N.Y.. 193 pp.
www.vincenthoneil.com
Insurance fact-checker Frank cole investigates the hit-and-run victim Eddie Gonzales in sunny florida--top-notch plotting
(Aug 21-24, 2006)
Killer Instinct, by Joseph finder (2006).
St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 406 pp.
www.josefinder.com
Sales executive Jason steadman, with the help of a former Special Forces officer, climbs up the ladder--never slow down.
(Aug 17-20, 2006)
Beach Road, by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge (2006).
Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 390 pp. Lawyer Tom Dunleavy helps old friend athlete Dante Halleyville, who was arrested for a triple murder--surprise ending.
(Aug 11-16, 2006)
Dead Days of Summer: A Death on Demand Mystery, by Carolyn Hart (2006).
William Morrow, N.Y.. 280 pp.
www.carolynhart.com
Bookstore owner annie Darling saves her husband Max from a murder charge--dramatic.
(Aug 8-10, 2006)
Death Dance, by Linda Fairstein (2006).
Scribner, N.Y. 402 pp.
www.simonsays.com
Assistant DA Alex Cooper, teaming up with NYPD's Mike Chapman and Mecer Wallace, investigates the death of a Met dancer--very deep.
(July 30-Aug 8, 2006)
Twelve Sharp: A Stephanie Plum Novel, by Janet Evanovich (2006).
St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 310 pp.
www.evanovich.com
Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum works with Ranger to find a killer--non-stop advanture and sharp humor.
(Aug 1-3, 2006)
Prisoner of Memory: An Eve Diamond Novel, by Denise Hamilton (2006).
Scriber, N.Y. 370 pp.
www.denisehamilton.com
LA Times reporter Eve Diamond is involved in post-cold-war tangles--very intense.
(July 22-30, 2006)
Digital Photography for Dummies 5th ed., by Julie Adair King (2005).
St. Martin's, N.Y. 354 pp.
www.dummies.com/go/digitalphotofd5e
More informative than other digital photography books.
(July 16-23, 2006)
Days of Rage: A Smokey Dalton Novel, by Kris Nelscott(2006).
St. Wiley, N.Y. 336 pp.
www.kristinekathrynrusch.com
PI Smokey Dalton investigated the murder dumping ground in the basement of an apartment building that his friend Laura owned in 1969's Chicago--historical details of Chicago mobs.
(July 16-21, 2006)
Bleeding Hearts, by Susan Wittig Albert (2006).
Berkeley Prime Crime, N.Y. 290 pp.
www.penguin.com
Ex-lawyer and herbalist China Bayles is hired to investigate the alleged abuse of high school girls in Texas--herbs mixed with murders.
(July 11-15, 2006)
The Hunt Club, by John Lescroart (2006).
Dutton, N.YPI Wyatt Hunt, with SF homicide inspector Devin Juhte, solved the murder case of a federal judge--complex but simple.
(July 2-10, 2006)
Sorrow's Anthem, by Michael Koryta (2006).
Thomas Dunne Books, N.Y. 309 pp.
www.michaelkoryta.com
PI Lincoln Perry investigates his friend's murder and uncovers the corruptions of city police department--dramatic and powerful. this is the second novel of the author who is aged 22 only.
(June 26-July 2, 2006)
Books I Read in May and June 2006
PC Magazine Guide to Digital Photography, by Daniel and Sally Gotta (2004).
Wiley, N.Y. 366 pp. Experts shares their knoledge on lighting, settetings, focus, file formats and edit of digital photography--a little beyond me.
(June 24-25)
A Simple Guide to Digital Photography, by Bill Corbett (2002).
AmPhoto Books, N.Y. 158 pp. Emphasis on the composition and exposure of the digital photography--not up to date.
(June 25, 2006)
Death Takes Passage: An Alex Jensen Alaska Mystery, by sue Henry (1997).
Avon Books, N.Y. 292 pp. Alaska trooper Alex Jensen is drawn into the misadvanture on the cruise ship The Spirit of '98, cruising down the Alaska Inside Passage--featuring the breathtaking Alaska landscape.
(June 17-24, 2006)
Alaska, by John Murray (2005).
Fodor's Compass American guide, N.Y. 363 pp. Pictorial Alaska--beautiful.
(June 5-8, 2006)
Mr. Murder: A Sally Harrington Novel (2006).
Mira, N.Y. 346 pp. A news anchor Sally Harrington faced murders relating to her--complicated romances.
(June 2-5, 2006)
Withour A Word, by Carol Lea Benjamin (2005).
William Morror, N.Y. 273 pp.
www.carolleabenjamin.com
PI Rachel Alexander is hired by a distraught man to find his missing wife who disappeared five years ago and left a troubled daughter, a murder suspect--deep in thought.
(May 28-31, 2006)
Desert Run: A Lena Jones Mystery, by Betty Webb (2006).
Poisoned Pen Press, N.Y. 260 pp. PI Lena Jones solves a 60-year-old murder case involving 1944 Papago German POW camp big escape--dramatic.
(May 19-27, 2006)
Murder at Five Finger Lighthouse: A Jessie Arnold Mystery, by Sue Henry (2005).
New American Library, N.Y. 272 pp.
www.penguin.com
Dog racer Jessie Arnold is invited to a renovation party at Five finger Lighthouse and encounters murder--beautiful Alaska scenic descriptions.
(May 11-19, 2006)
Prommer's Alaska Cruises and Ports of Call 2004, by Jerry Brown and Fran Golden (2004).
Wiley, N.Y. 207 pp.
www.fromers.com
Brief descriptions of Alaska Southeast cruises--informative.
(May 15, 2006)
Alaska's Inside Passage Traveler, by Elien Searby (1997).
Windham Bay Press, California. 229 pp. Details.
(May 15, 2006)
The Unfficial Guide to Cruises 8th Edition, by Kay showker (2004).
Wiley, N.Y. 579 pp.
www.wiley.com
Detail guide to cruises including cruise lines--very practical.
(May13-15, 2006)
Fever, Sean (2006).
Little, N.Y. 255 pp.
www.woodsontheweb.com
Ex-FBI agent Matt shannon turned head of security for cruise ships. His step-brother planned a heist on board the Norwegian Empress--impressive and full of suspense
(May 7-11, 2006)
The 5th Horseman, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (2006).
Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 409 pp.
www.twbookmark.com
SFPD Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer probes into hospital deaths and escort deaths--unorganized and unclear--disappointed.
(May 1-5, 2006)
Books I Read in March and April 2006
PI on a Hot Tin Roof: A Talba Wallis Novel, by Julie Smith (2005).
Tom Doherty Book, N.Y. 353 pp.
www.juliesmithauthor.com
PI Talba Wallis uncovers as a maid in judge Buddy's mansion--great detail in home decor and dress.
(Apr 24-30, 2006)
Fire Sale: A VI Warshawski Novel, by Sara Paretsky (2005).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 402 pp.
www.penguin.com
P.I. Warshawski volunteers to serve as a basketball couch in a seedy Chicago community where she grew up--funny.
(Apr 18-24, 2006)
S is for Silence, by Sue Grafton (2005).
G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 318 pp.
www.penguin.com
PI Kinsey Millhone is drawn into the investigation of the disappearence of Violet 34 years before in a California small town--complex plot.
(Apr 9-15, 2006)
Devil's Corner, by Lisa Scottoline (2005).
Little, HarperCollins, N.Y. 393 pp.
www.scottoline.com
Prosecutor Vicki Allefretti takes care of a ruined Philadelphia neighborhood, Devil's Corner--strong female characters
(Apr 2-7, 2006)
Falls The Shadow, by William Lashner (2005).
William Morror, N.Y. 417 pp.
www.williamlashner.com
Defense attorney Victor Carl vs. dentist Bob--saint or murder?
(Mar 22-31, 2006)
Mary Mary, by James Patterson (2005).
Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 392 pp.
www.jamespatterson.com
FBI agent Alex Cross is assigned to find series killer 'Mary Smith' who keeps murdering Hollywood stars--dramatic.
(Mar 17-21, 2006)
Cover Your Assets, by Patricia Smiley (2005).
MP, N.Y. 290 pp.
www.patriciasmiley.com
Management consultant tucker investigates her ex-boyfriend's death--hilarious.
(Mar 10-16, 2006)
Salt City Blues: A Robin Light Mystery, by Barbara Block (2004).
Severn House, N.Y. 263 pp. Syracuse pet owner and part-time bartender Robin Light looks into two murders.
(Mar 4-8, 2006)
Bindweed, by Janis Harrison (2005).
St. Martin's, N.Y. 245 pp. Flower shop owner investigates the death of a boy in a small town--too boring to finish.
(Mar 1-3, 2006)
Books I Read in January and February 2006
Dig: A Morgue Mama Mystery, by C.R. Corwin (2005).
Poisoned Pen Press, N.Y. 250 pp.
www.poisonedpenpress.com
Newspaper librarian Maddy Sprowls investigates two murders decades apart--like Murder She Wrote.
(Feb 21-28, 2006)
Cinnamon Kiss, by Walter Mosley (2005).
Little Brown, N.Y. 312 pp.
www.waltermosley.com
Easy rowlins' daughter Feather is sick and needs money for treatment in europe--sad and emotional.
(Feb16-24, 2006)
Mew Is For Murder, by Clea Simon (2005).
Poisoned Pen Press, N.Y. 223 pp. Freelance reporter Theda Krakow looks into the cat-lady's death--hilarious.
(Feb 13-15, 2006)
The Typhoon Lover, by Sujata Massey (2005).
Happercollins, N.Y. 306 pp.
www.sujatamassey.com
Japanese American antique dealer Rei Shimura went from Washington D.C. to Tokyo to search for an antigue stolen from Iraq Museum--intrigue.
(Feb 6-12, 2006)
The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly (2005).
Little Brown, N.Y. 291 pp.
www.michaelconnelly.com Criminal lawyer Haller finds his first high paying client and ends up almost getting killed--skillful plot.
(Jan 31-Feb 5, 2006)
False Testimony, by Rose Connors (2005).
Scribner, N.Y. 241 pp.
www.simonsays.com
Attorney Marty Nickerson and her partner Harry Madigan defend ex-con while give an advice to a senator for the disappearence of his aid--witty.
(Jan 29-30, 2006)
An Ex to Grind, by Jane Heller (2005).
WM, N.Y. 369 pp.
www.janeheller.com
Melanie Banks hires a matchmaker to find a girlfriend for her ex-husband in order to get rid of her alimony payment and then later tries to regain him back--hilarious and philosophical on gender equality.
(Jan 26-28, 2006)
Bluetick Revenge: A Pepper Keane Mystery, by Mark Cohen (2005).
MP, N.Y. 310 pp.
www.pepperkeane.com
PI and former JAG Pepper Keane was hired by his lawyer to steal (dognap) a fine bletick hound Prince. Next thing he knew, he was involved with a biker gang and FBI--witty, hilarious and twisting.
(Jan 10-14, 2006)
Delete All Suspects, by Donna Andrews (2005).
Berkeley Prime Crime, N.Y. 247 pp.
www.penguin.com
Inteligent computer Turing and her PI friend Tim investigate the hit-and-run victim Eddie--computer amateur sleuth.
(Jan 6-9, 2006)
Iron Orchid, by Stuart Woods (2005).
GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 292 pp.
www.penguin.com
Orchid Beach police chief Holly Barker joined CIA and was then assigned to NYC to look for Teddy Fay, an ex-CIA who attacked terrorists--fastpaced.
(Jan 3-5, 2006)
Lifeguard, by James Patterrson and Andrew Gross (2005).
Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 394 pp.
www.twbookmark.com
When Florida lifeguard Ned Kelly was involved in a heist of paintins, everything went wrong--his four friends and his brother were murdered. A beautiful FBI art agent saved his life--sizzling.
(Jan 1-2, 2006)
The Case for Hillary Clinton, by Susan Estrich (2005).
Regan Books, N.Y. 246 pp.
www.reganbooks.com
Based on polls, the author analyzes the chances of Hillary Clinton to run for presidency in 2008--boring.
(Dec 23, 2005-Jan 3, 2006)
Books I Read in 2005
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Books I Read in 2004
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Books I Read in 2003
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