REVIEWS FROM ROBYN GLAZER
THE SPELLMANS STRIKE AGAIN
LISA LUTZ
Simon & Schuster March, 2010
Isabel Spellman and her crazy family are back and in rare form. Isabel has been trying hard to take her job as a private investigator very seriously as her parents have decided that she is the one who should take over the business. However, as hard as any investigator tries, there is always that case that just gets stuck. As Isabel is becoming frustrated trying to prove a man is a fraud, another case dealing with getting an innocent man out of jail pops up to get her going. Of course that is on top of trying to figure out why her parents are so secretive all of a sudden and her sister Rae has dedicated her life to saving another innocent man's life rather than driving Isabel crazy! It is a hectic life but Isabel must figure out all of these mysteries to stay sane.
THE SPELLMANS STRIKE AGAIN is the final entry in the series and what a shame. There is nothing more fun than sitting down to read a book about the Spellman family. Lutz's writing improved with every book and by the last book it was clear how much Isabel had changed and it was definitely a roller coaster for her. The mysteries are always completely unique and captivating and as always the secondary characters, such as Rae, are extremely vivid. Hopefully Lutz will have something new for us next year because she is a talent not to be missed.
- Robyn Glazer
PLEA OF INSANITY
JILLIANE HOFFMAN
Vanguard Press pb 4/10
Julia Vacanti is a young prosecutor hoping to make her mark. This new case has all the earmarks of a showstopper and when Julia is put on the case, she is ecstatic, until she hears all of the details. David Marquette is a successful doctor who is on trial because, apparently, one night he snapped and killed his entire family. David's wife and three small children were the victims and none of them survived. David has put in a plea of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity due to schizophrenia. Julia doesn't know what to believe. Is David a cold-blooded manipulative killer or is he truly afflicted by this horrible disease that brings up many personal memories for Julia? Now Julia must decide which side to fall on and what it could do to her career.
PLEA OF INSANITY was a wonderful read. There was so much suspense as to what the truth behind David was and it really drove the story forward. Julia was a multi-layered character who added credibility to the story and Hoffman really delivered in portraying Julia's confusion and desperation. PLEA OF INSANITY is an intense and satisfying read.
- Robyn Glazer
HUSH
KATE WHITE
Harper March, 2010
Kate White is known for her mystery series featuring Bailey Weggins but now White has written a stand-alone novel that terrifies and entertains. Lake Warren is pretty down in the dumps about her divorce and things take a turn for the worse when she finds out that her husband is suing for full custody of their children. Lake is devastated, but is told by her lawyer that she should be fine in a custody dispute as long as she keeps her nose clean. While Lake is trying to follow his advice, she finds herself attracted to a doctor at the fertility clinic in which she is freelancing. That flirtation leads to a night of passion followed by the doctor's brutal death. Lake knows she is innocent but cannot allow herself to become involved in a police investigation so she decides to investigate... only to realize someone out there is not appreciating her efforts.
HUSH is a well thought out mystery. While some of the motivations behind Lake's actions don't make much sense, there is that frantic energy running throughout the book to show Lake's irrational mental state. White's strongest writing is when she describes the intricate relationships. HUSH is an enjoyable read and one worth Kate White taking a break from her Bailey Weggins series.
- Robyn Glazer
Robyn's reviews of
I CAN SEE YOU
by Karen Robards and
UNDONE
by Karin Slaughter
appear on the
PAPERBACK PAGE
.
STORM PREY
JOHN SANDFORD
G. P. Putnam's Sons May, 2010
Lucas Davenport is back in his twentieth adventure and Sanford really raises the stakes in this book. Lucas's wife, Weather Karkinnen, is going to the hospital to perform a unique and very dangerous surgery on conjoined twins. She doesn't think twice when she sees a van speeding out of the hospital. That is until she finds out that the hospital pharmacy has been robbed and a man was killed in the process. Weather is now one of the only witnesses and the criminals are desperate not to get caught. It is up to Lucas and his team to protect Weather while trying to figure out the mastermind behind the robbery.
STORM PREY is a wonderful thriller with amazing characters. Lucas Davenport is what it means to be a real man and every part he is in crackles with wit and intelligence. It was also nice to see Virgil Flowers make an appearance, even though Sandford now has a separate series starring him. Weather and Lucas' relationship always rings true and adds a depth to each novel. STORM PREY is a fun and enjoyable read.
- Robyn Glazer
DEATH OF A TROPHY WIFE
LAURA LEVINE
Kensington Books May, 2010
Freelance writer, Jaine Austen has been hit hard lately with the lack of jobs so when she gets a chance to pitch ideas for the Mattress King, she just can't say no. Jaine soon finds out that while Marvin, the Mattress King, may be pleasant, his trophy wife Bunny is anything but. When Bunny is murdered no one is that surprised, but Jaine takes it upon herself to figure out who has done the dirty deed. The only problem is that the number of suspects rivals the phone book! Jaine has her work cut out for her and must find the murderer before they strike again -- or interrupt Jaine's Ben and Jerry's eating habits!
DEATH OF A TROPHY WIFE is a fun mystery with a lot of humor thrown in. While Jaine's situation with an unwanted love interest could be a little too silly at times, Jaine is such an inviting character that it is impossible to not keep reading. Levine's secondary characters really make this world come alive and add depth to Jaine's character.