People are being killed in the most horrific manners. Are the crimes related or are there three separate serial killers on the loose? Alex Cross has his hands full trying to solve these cases and in doing so, his job is jeopardized and he is jailed when he punches out a reporter who has gotten under his skin. Also on his plate is his foster child, Ava, who is believed to be on drugs and is taken out of the Cross household by Family Services. 

What other unfortunate events are in store for Cross? You will have to read this sensational thriller to find out.

Rated 5 out of 5

Reviewed by Joan Boucher

Beneath the Neon by Matthew O'Brien

The underground world of Las Vegas is not the Mafia. It is a whole new world where miles of tunnels exist beneath the streets of Las Vegas. The author meets and mingles with the people who come to live in these tunnels for a variety of reasons. Some are homeless, some addicts, or people who can no longer live above ground for reasons of their own and a killer who has eluded the police. This world is a very dangerous place to live in.

The underground world is such a contrast to all the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas and it depicts all the desperation of these people who choose to live in darkness. A real eye-opener as to what our world is becoming because the economy of our country has gone sour.

Rated 4 out of 5

Reviewed by Joan Boucher

Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood

A killer kneels in the confessional and confesses to the priest that he has committed violent and horrific crimes and he will do so again. This time he names the person that he is going to kill. This person happens to be Agent Nick Buchannan's best friend's sister. Can Nick keep her safe and catch this evil person before he kills again?

Spine-chilling romantic thriller. One of Garwood's best.

Rated 5 out of 5

Reviewed by Joan Boucher

Blind Descent by Nevada Barr

Anna pigeon is a Park Ranger who is sent with a rescue team to bring out Frieda,an injured Ranger and her crew from the bowels of the Lechuguilla Cavern in New Mexico.
Anna's adventure takes you on a harrowing experience where one must combat claustrophobia, narrow tunnels, total blackness and rock slides.
Anna must also try to solve the mystery of who tried to kill Frieda and the attempt on her own life in the aftermath.
Highly suspenseful and technical with interwoven plots. 

Rated 4 out of 5

Reviewed by Joan Boucher

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

A new British Mystery series, which debuted in 2003, has a unique premise. The heroine has humble roots yet achieves success as a gifted private investigator using psychological techniques she learned from a mentor. All the characters are appealing. The story takes place in the late 1920's flashing back to the trauma of World War I. Once you read this first book you will want to read all eight. 

Some are available as audio books.

Rated 5 out of 5

Reviewed by Kate Carroll

The Great Express by Howard Frank Mosher

If you are a fan of the novels by Mosher set in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, you will enjoy his memoir. In it we travel back and forth with him from present to the past. he embarks on a book tour visiting independent bookstores across the US. As we travel with him we encounter interesting characters. Also he relates how he came to live in Northern Vermont. As he does we recognize the roots of many of the stories in his books. A good read.

Rated 5 out of 5

reviewed by Kate Carroll

The Mole People by Jennifer Toth

The author brings to light the existence of a population that humanity seemed to have forgotten. This population are either homeless, addicted, disabled or unable to afford housing and choose to live in the tunnels and caverns under the subway in New York City.

She visits their domains and builds a trusting relationship with them. She gives us an excellent view of what their lives are like and why they preferred this type of living rather than come above ground.  

 

This book is an eye opener. It happened then and still exists today, perhaps in other cities in the U.S. as well.

Rated 4 out of 5 

Reviewed by Joan Boucher