Murder in the Place of Anubis by Lynda Robinson

Lord Meren, the "eyes and ears" of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun is sent to solve the murder of the scribe Homin in the sacred precincts of the god Anubis. Gives a very good description of everyday life in ancient Egypt. The first in a series of Lord Meren Mysteries. --NG

July 15, 2008

 Death of an expert witness by P.D. James

This is one of James' Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, and has all the ingredients of a first rate English detective story. There is the setting in rural England, the victim (an unpleasant forensic scientist passed over for a promotion), a complicated plot, and the brooding Dalgliesh, who is a poet in his off hours. Who could ask for more?  --SB

July 10, 2008 

 The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCAll Smith

The start of a wonderful series of mystery books featuring Precious Ramotswe. With an inheritance from her father she opens a detective agency in Botswana at the edge of the Kalahari. Her understanding of human nature and her good natured common sense bring her success as her business takes off.
Others in the series:

Tears of the Giraffe
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
The Miracle at Speedy Motors

--NG 

June 27, 2008 

 Twelfth card by Jeffrey Deaver

Quadreplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme investigates the attempted murder of a teenage girl in Harlem.  She has been researching the background of a Civil War ancestor--is a 150 year old crime tied to the attempt on her life?  --SB

June 27, 2008 

 Mack to the rescue by Jim Lehrer

Anyone who knows Jim Lehrer only as the moderator of presidential debates is in for a surprise when they pick up one of his One-eyed Mack books.  This is the eighth in the series, and Oklahoma Lt. Governor Mack is looking forward to the national Lieutenant Governors Association convention in Washington DC.  Then the governor says on radio that he's willing to privatize the entire state government of Oklahoma!  Mack may not be ambitious, but he has principles and is swept up in the fight against the proposal.  This doesn't sound funny, but trust me it is.  --MM

June 16, 2008 

 Uncommon clay by Margaret Maron

Judge Deborah Knott travels to a nearby town famous for pottery in order to settle a property dispute in a divorce case.  When a body shows up, glazed and fired in the kiln, she is drawn into a murder case.  --SB

June 12, 2008 

 Point blank:  an FBI thriller by Catherine Coulter

FBI agent Ruth Warnecki is exploring a cave when she becomes disoriented and loses consciousness.  She is found wandering in the woods behind the house of local sheriff Dixon Noble.  Amnesia has erased her memory of who she is and why she was in the cave.

Federal agents Dillon Savitch and Lacey Sherlock are on the trail of two merciless killers known as Moses Grace and Claudia.  The killers have a personal grudge against Agent Savitch, and have plans to harm his family.  The relationship between Ruth and Sheriff Noble is particularly intriguing.  This book is part of a series, but can stand alone as a mystery.  --SB

June 9, 2008 

 Chocolate quake by Nancy Fairbanks

Food writer Carolyn Blue is in San Francisco, where her mother-in-law is under arrest for the murder of the accountant at the women's center where she worked.  Soon Carolyn is trying to interview a wide range of individuals, providing an excuse to visit various restaurants.  Some of this feels like padding unnecessary to the plot, but the recipes sound wonderful.  --MM 

 Where are you now?  by Mary Higgins Clark

Newest formulaic suspense novel by Mary Higgins Clark. Sister gets caught up in dangerous situations as she tries to find her adored older brother.  Her brother walked away from his family years ago but calls every Mother's Day.  Is her brother running away from something, did he commit a crime, did he have a breakdown?  Clark offers up several other potential evildoers in a fast-past book.  Good summer read yet regular Clark readers may guess the culprits early on.  --JD

June 2, 2008 

 Play dead by David Rosenfeld

I have to admit that I picked this book to read because a golden retriever was on the cover and is one of the main characters.  Turned out to be a great read too!  Andy Carpenter saves a golden from a death sentence and then realizes that the dog is a key witness to a five year old murder.  Now Andy must try to convince the jury to believe the dog's testimony and also keep each other alive.  Fast pace read for mystery and dog lovers.  --SS