Awaiting for a client in her computer security office, Aimee Leduc is
shocked when a woman walks in and claims to be her sister, Mireille.
Her caramel coloured skin says otherwise. She is also from Haiti.
However, when she arranges to meet her at a cafe, the woman has
apparently run away after seeing a motorcycle pull up. She however, did
leave an address on a napkin.
When Aimee arrives at the address, she finds a torn apart office and a
man’s body. The police are quick to arrive, but not as quick as Aimee‘s
escape. The following day, a man corners Aimee and says that he is
also looking for Mireille. Is he a threat to her? Aimee is unsure.
An old man who has some information to share with Aimee is unfortunately
run down by a car. An accident or was he pushed into the car’s path?
How much more trouble must Aimee go through to determine whether the
woman is her sister or not? Author Cara Black’s thriller has plenty of
twists and action in it, not just in Aimee’s attempt to find out about
the new woman in her life, but also a conspiracy related to Haiti. A
good quick read.
Monday, July 29, 2019
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Elementary Murder
DS Michael Brennan has been called to the George Street Elementary
School early Monday morning where the body of a young woman has been
found locked in one of the classrooms. It would appear that she
committed suicide after failing to earn the position of teacher at the
school on the previous Friday.
Brennan begins his investigation by speaking to the staff members. They aren’t able to tell him much, however the caretaker tells him that when he had discovered the body, there was a bottle of scotch under the teacher’s desk, and it looked like someone had tried to start a fire in the coal room.
The following morning, Brennan is informed by Captain Bell, that the school inspector who had been at the school on Friday was found floating in a nearby canal the previous evening. Dr. Monroe, the pathologist, informs Brennan that the young woman had been poisoned with arsenic in her tea, while the inspector had drowned, however he had struggled to survive.
What is the link between the two, and why would someone want them dead? And why would a student from the school be missing? Later in the week the headmaster is attacked and hurt. Could this be a third attempt at murder?
Can DS Brennan discover the killer before someone else dies? Author A. J. Wright ‘s mystery leaves the reader wondering just who the killer could be right up to the end and then surprises the reader. This was a good read, and it is the surprise ending, which really makes it especially interesting.
Brennan begins his investigation by speaking to the staff members. They aren’t able to tell him much, however the caretaker tells him that when he had discovered the body, there was a bottle of scotch under the teacher’s desk, and it looked like someone had tried to start a fire in the coal room.
The following morning, Brennan is informed by Captain Bell, that the school inspector who had been at the school on Friday was found floating in a nearby canal the previous evening. Dr. Monroe, the pathologist, informs Brennan that the young woman had been poisoned with arsenic in her tea, while the inspector had drowned, however he had struggled to survive.
What is the link between the two, and why would someone want them dead? And why would a student from the school be missing? Later in the week the headmaster is attacked and hurt. Could this be a third attempt at murder?
Can DS Brennan discover the killer before someone else dies? Author A. J. Wright ‘s mystery leaves the reader wondering just who the killer could be right up to the end and then surprises the reader. This was a good read, and it is the surprise ending, which really makes it especially interesting.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Arrowood
William Arrowood is a detective who takes different cases as compared to
his nemesis, Sherlock Holmes. He and his sidekick, Norman Barnett, are
in dire financial trouble when a young French woman approaches them to
search for her brother who has disappeared. Initially Arrowood is
hesitant to take the case. After she convinces him to, she tells him
who her brother had been working for. The man is an enemy of Arrowood
and Barnett. Arrowood believes that the woman is telling lies, but he
proceeds with the case anyway.
They approach a girl who worked at the same place as the missing man. She offers to provide information, but just as they were to speak to her again, a man stepped out of the crowd and stabbed her to death. He managed to get away before Barnett could apprehend him. The girl was clutching a brass bullet in her handkerchief. It turns out to be a 303 bullet from the be Enfield rifle, which only a few units of the army have.
An ex-convict tells Barnett that there is an American-Fenian group causing problems, and warns him to stay away as they are very dangerous. Then CID from Scotland Yard take Barnett and Arrowood in for questioning. Afterwards Barnett sees one of the CID officers talking with the man who had stabbed the girl in front of their eyes.
As their investigation continues, Arrowood realises that his client has been lying to them all along. Every time that they try to solve something, they run into trouble, and it seems to be getting more and more serious. Author Mick Finlay’s foray into the underworld of Victorian London shows both the squalor and criminal elements. Unlike Holmes, Arrowood is not infallible. He has his trials and tribulations, but he does manage to solve the case. A good, quick read.
They approach a girl who worked at the same place as the missing man. She offers to provide information, but just as they were to speak to her again, a man stepped out of the crowd and stabbed her to death. He managed to get away before Barnett could apprehend him. The girl was clutching a brass bullet in her handkerchief. It turns out to be a 303 bullet from the be Enfield rifle, which only a few units of the army have.
An ex-convict tells Barnett that there is an American-Fenian group causing problems, and warns him to stay away as they are very dangerous. Then CID from Scotland Yard take Barnett and Arrowood in for questioning. Afterwards Barnett sees one of the CID officers talking with the man who had stabbed the girl in front of their eyes.
As their investigation continues, Arrowood realises that his client has been lying to them all along. Every time that they try to solve something, they run into trouble, and it seems to be getting more and more serious. Author Mick Finlay’s foray into the underworld of Victorian London shows both the squalor and criminal elements. Unlike Holmes, Arrowood is not infallible. He has his trials and tribulations, but he does manage to solve the case. A good, quick read.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
The Angel in the Glass
Early one morning in the summer of 1604, Doctor Gabriel Taverner was
called out by the coroner Theophilus Davey to exam a body of a vagrant man. Upon
examination of the body, Gabe is sure that he had died from natural
causes, although he was diseased. What disease, Gabe was unsure.
Theo had discovered a fragment of paper on the man. Upon examination of it, he realises that it was the drawing of a man. What is the significance of it?
Meantime, Gabe and his sister are concerned about the health of their friends Reverend Jonathan Carew. He has seemed unwell and distracted of recent. When he comes to Gabe for help, Gabe is willing to be of assistance. The pair discover a set of stained glass windows that had been missing from Jonathan’s church for some time. However, a sixth panel is amongst the others. It is of a naked angel with a naked man. It surely didn’t belong with the others!
A few days later, Gabe and Theo are called out to the home of Lady Clemence Fairlight. She has been murdered in the night, and the killer has extracted the heart. Is there a connection to the death of the vagrant several days before?
It is going to take some serious investigation on the part of Gabe and Theo to discover the killer. Author Alys Clare leaves the painful discovery right to the end with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure. A good quick read.
Theo had discovered a fragment of paper on the man. Upon examination of it, he realises that it was the drawing of a man. What is the significance of it?
Meantime, Gabe and his sister are concerned about the health of their friends Reverend Jonathan Carew. He has seemed unwell and distracted of recent. When he comes to Gabe for help, Gabe is willing to be of assistance. The pair discover a set of stained glass windows that had been missing from Jonathan’s church for some time. However, a sixth panel is amongst the others. It is of a naked angel with a naked man. It surely didn’t belong with the others!
A few days later, Gabe and Theo are called out to the home of Lady Clemence Fairlight. She has been murdered in the night, and the killer has extracted the heart. Is there a connection to the death of the vagrant several days before?
It is going to take some serious investigation on the part of Gabe and Theo to discover the killer. Author Alys Clare leaves the painful discovery right to the end with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure. A good quick read.
Friday, July 19, 2019
The Red Ribbon
Wiggins has gone in search of a girl, who his friend, Jax has said is
missing. The trail takes him to the Embassy of Olifa, which turns out
to be a high class brothel. It is here that he also learns that the
king has died. The brothel will be very busy with important dignitaries
from Europe when they come for the king’s funeral.
Wiggins’ boss, Vernon Kell, informs him that they have a major task now. Wiggins is to investigate clerks who might have shared information about a proposed treaty with Italy. They also need to be on guard for a potential assassination during the king’s funeral.
Fortunately nothing happened during the funeral. However, no progress is being made by Wiggins, and Kell is warned that his department could be closed down and turned over to Special Branch. He gives Wiggins a list of ministers who could have revealed the treaty information, with instructions to check them out.
However, before he can check them out, Wiggins runs into trouble as does Kell’s opposite number in the other branch of secret services. As a result, Kell, his wife Constance and Wiggins have to head to Germany.
Can their journey into Germany prevent a major international crisis? And what of the leak of information about the treaty with Italy? Author H. B. Lyle’s historical thriller has plenty of action awaiting Wiggins and Kell. This was a rollicking good read. I can only hope that Lyle is in the process of writing a sequel.
Wiggins’ boss, Vernon Kell, informs him that they have a major task now. Wiggins is to investigate clerks who might have shared information about a proposed treaty with Italy. They also need to be on guard for a potential assassination during the king’s funeral.
Fortunately nothing happened during the funeral. However, no progress is being made by Wiggins, and Kell is warned that his department could be closed down and turned over to Special Branch. He gives Wiggins a list of ministers who could have revealed the treaty information, with instructions to check them out.
However, before he can check them out, Wiggins runs into trouble as does Kell’s opposite number in the other branch of secret services. As a result, Kell, his wife Constance and Wiggins have to head to Germany.
Can their journey into Germany prevent a major international crisis? And what of the leak of information about the treaty with Italy? Author H. B. Lyle’s historical thriller has plenty of action awaiting Wiggins and Kell. This was a rollicking good read. I can only hope that Lyle is in the process of writing a sequel.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Blood Line
DCI Anna Travis has been asked to investigate the disappearance of a
young man by Superintendent Langton. It is not the normal purview of a
murder detective. The man has been missing for a few weeks now, and his
father is sure that he has been murdered.
As Travis and DS Paul Simms begin their investigation, they learn that the missing man was generous to a fault. However, the following day, they learn from neighbours that they had seen the girlfriend of the missing man had purchased a large quantity of bleach and carpet cleaner at about the time that he had gone missing.
With a warrant Travis and Simms inspect the flat where the couple lived. Underneath the bed they find bloodstains under the carpet. The girlfriend denies knowing anything about it. With no body, they are unable to hold her.
The forensic evidence from the flat proves to be very interesting on several factors, causing Simms to conjecture that the missing man could be the murderer. Had he killed someone and then disappeared? As the investigation progresses, it appears that the victim led a double life.
With evidence piling up, Travis is confronted by Chief Superintendent Langton. He doesn’t believe she is on the right track. She needs to focus on the girlfriend. Travis has a lead in Cornwall, that she wants to check out. Langton tells her only after the girlfriend is put under pressure.
Will Travis find the information she needs in Cornwall or will it be a wasted trip? Author Lynda La Plante has the reader wondering about the deceased and the killer throughout this murder mystery. Is he dead or is he the killer? La Plante once again proves that she is a top notch author of murder mysteries.
As Travis and DS Paul Simms begin their investigation, they learn that the missing man was generous to a fault. However, the following day, they learn from neighbours that they had seen the girlfriend of the missing man had purchased a large quantity of bleach and carpet cleaner at about the time that he had gone missing.
With a warrant Travis and Simms inspect the flat where the couple lived. Underneath the bed they find bloodstains under the carpet. The girlfriend denies knowing anything about it. With no body, they are unable to hold her.
The forensic evidence from the flat proves to be very interesting on several factors, causing Simms to conjecture that the missing man could be the murderer. Had he killed someone and then disappeared? As the investigation progresses, it appears that the victim led a double life.
With evidence piling up, Travis is confronted by Chief Superintendent Langton. He doesn’t believe she is on the right track. She needs to focus on the girlfriend. Travis has a lead in Cornwall, that she wants to check out. Langton tells her only after the girlfriend is put under pressure.
Will Travis find the information she needs in Cornwall or will it be a wasted trip? Author Lynda La Plante has the reader wondering about the deceased and the killer throughout this murder mystery. Is he dead or is he the killer? La Plante once again proves that she is a top notch author of murder mysteries.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Death Watch
DI Peter Shaw and DS George Valentine are at the hospital because of a
death; a suspicious death in the incinerator! The younger brother of
the victim informs Shaw and Valentine that the death was connected to
drugs. The victim could grab drugs before they were incinerated, but
this time he had refused. Was he killed for the refusal?
Valentine is sure that a previous case was connected to the street where the victim lived. Going through old files he discovers that the twin sister of the victim had disappeared many years ago, and Shaw’s father had been the senior investigator. Could it be relevant to the current case?
The following day, when Shaw is given a tour of the incinerator system, he shows the doctor a tag, which was found with the victim. It points to the children’s ward, and there shouldn’t be surgical human waste coming from there.
At the morning briefing, Shaw comes to the realisation that the victim’s death was eighteen years to the date of his twin sister’s disappearance.
Later in the day, Shaw is informed that the human waste found with the body was a perfectly good kidney. It must have been harvested for a transplant, which didn’t happen. Could it have been a part of human body parts harvesting? Apparently there is good money in that.
Things become more interesting when a floater is found. And that is followed by the discovery of a body in a large garbage bag on a nearby island. It is minus its eyes. A common thread are the initials MVR on bracelets and a torch found with the three bodies.
Can Shaw and Valentine solve the case before anymore men die? Author Jim Kelly’s mystery is fast paced with a bit of international intrigue thrown into the mix plus a cold case that the pair are very invested in. A good read, leaving the reader wondering what will happen in the next book in the series.
Valentine is sure that a previous case was connected to the street where the victim lived. Going through old files he discovers that the twin sister of the victim had disappeared many years ago, and Shaw’s father had been the senior investigator. Could it be relevant to the current case?
The following day, when Shaw is given a tour of the incinerator system, he shows the doctor a tag, which was found with the victim. It points to the children’s ward, and there shouldn’t be surgical human waste coming from there.
At the morning briefing, Shaw comes to the realisation that the victim’s death was eighteen years to the date of his twin sister’s disappearance.
Later in the day, Shaw is informed that the human waste found with the body was a perfectly good kidney. It must have been harvested for a transplant, which didn’t happen. Could it have been a part of human body parts harvesting? Apparently there is good money in that.
Things become more interesting when a floater is found. And that is followed by the discovery of a body in a large garbage bag on a nearby island. It is minus its eyes. A common thread are the initials MVR on bracelets and a torch found with the three bodies.
Can Shaw and Valentine solve the case before anymore men die? Author Jim Kelly’s mystery is fast paced with a bit of international intrigue thrown into the mix plus a cold case that the pair are very invested in. A good read, leaving the reader wondering what will happen in the next book in the series.
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