Finished PERIL IN THE PARK

 

Short mystery set in Miami.  Some young adult angst and secret keeping complicates the action.

I have now started reading Alchemistic by Anton Strout.  This is the first book in a new series.  Alexandra's brother is dead (assumed because only his hand grasping his cell phone has been found), murdered (assumed because...the above.) Our heroine is being forced into her family's real estate business, though she'd prefer to just practice her art (sculpture.)

Finished WHITEOUT

 

As a very heavy Christmas snowstorm begins, a group of fortune hunters steals an unsurvivible ebola-type virus in order to sell it to terrorists.  Then they take refuge from the storm with a family who have come together for the holiday.  Good suspense. 

I have now started another Jamie Quinn Mystery, Peril in the Park.  As the new parks administrator for the county, Jamie's boyfriend, Kip, has made enemies.  There has already been a murder and Kip is missing....

Finished THE LAKE WOBEGON VIRUS

 

I expected this to be better/ funnier than it was.  The stories follow so closely together (often in the same paragraph) that it was often hard for me to follow.  Most of it also sounded like gossip and though it was sort of humorous, it made me vaguely uncomfortable.  I don't like gossip...I like stories.  So, I don't know, I may not read any more of this author.  I did make it all the way through the book, which means there was something interesting,  but not enough for me to come back.

I am about to start Whiteout by Ken Follett.

Finished DEADLY TOUCH

 

Our heroine can touch a thing a crime victim touched or stand where a crime was committed and see into the last moments of the victim and where the body is.  Not much help if the victim doesn't know what happened until they were bleeding from the neck and on the ground.  This is one of the most intricate whodunits by Heather Graham that I have read and I appreciated that.  There were a couple times I lost track of the characters, but there was enough detail to help me remember them again.  The intricate plot made the solution a little complicated, but, as usual, I enjoyed the book.  I have driven the entire Tamiami Trail, so I knew the stretch featured in the book, which is kind of fun. I really enjoy this dependable series.

I have now started The Lake Wobegon Virus, by Garrison Keilor.  Although a friend has been encouraging me to read these books, this it the first of them I am reading.  I had intended to read them in the order in which they were written, but many are out of publication and, though some of them are available, they are outrageously expensive.  The virus in question causes its victim to do and say things uncharacteristically honest.  Later the person doesn't remember.  Yes, the first few pages are funny.

Starting DEADLY TOUCH, another KREWE OF HUNTERS book by Heather Graham

 

Heather Graham's books are supernatural romantic mysteries/ thrillers.  Ghosts usually are helpful in keeping the protagonists alive, at least, if not it finding the killer.  The books are pretty much formula written, but settings and occupations of the heroines vary.  I especially love the the novels set in places I have lived or visited.  This is in the Everglades, and yes, I have been there.

Finished SONGBIRD SEASON

 

As Melinda's first year in Prosper, Iowa, draws to a close, she manages to buy the farm (though there are many repairs to pay for), her aunt and uncle face possible disaster with their store, and other new and interesting things happen.  Rural life in tiny town Iowa is always interesting--who knew?

I have now returned to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to read a few pages.  Jonathan is now in Portugal to use his magic to help England in the war effort.  However, Wellington doesn't want his help.  He suggests perhaps magic could help the Chaplain or the Psychologist.  But, Jonathan is persisting.

Finished THE SEVENTH PLAGUE

 

A well-known archeologist sets out to prove or disprove that the 10 plagues of Egypt happened.  He, and others, accidently start to bring them down on the whole world.  Enter Sigma Force.  Exciting story with lots of facts mixed in broadening my understanding of science and history.  Love these books.

In the back of the book is a stand alone story also by James Rollins which should have been read before The Seventh Plague to keep action totally in sync.  But I read it after...didn't bother me too much since the new piece of equipment was fairly well described in The Seventh Plague.  In this story Saichan and Kowalski crash land on a small island in the Azores, where they alone save the world (again.)  It was good as short stories go.  I'm more enamored with involved novels.

I have now started Songbird Season, the fifth in the series by Melanie Lageschulte's "duck out of water"

series about a city woman who buys a farm in Minnesota.  After three fast moving adventures in a row, this is a welcome change.  Our heroine is learning her house has to pass an inspection before the sale will be approved by the county and it looks like there may be lots of expensive improvements to be made.