Title:    Chocolate Covered Murder

Author:    Leslie Meier

Publisher:    Kensington Publishing Corp. NY,  2012

Summary:  Lucy Stone is at it again in the tiny New England town of Tinker Cove, Maine. A town where everyone knows everybody. It’s the middle of a frigid winter and the economy can use a real boost.  Who would vacation in Maine at this time of year? The Chamber of Commerce is promoting a Valentine’s Day theme, “Love Is Best on The Coast” in an effort to draw Tourists to town.  And what is Valentine’s Day without chocolate.    Competing for “Best Candy on the Coast” award is the long standing winner, Fern’s Famous Fudge up against the new upscale arrival to Tinker Cove, Chanticleer Chocolates.  Lucy Stone is a small Town Mom, trying to raise a Family, and make ends meet by working part time as a reporter at the weekly newspaper, the Pennysaver.  One of her first assignments is to interview the handsome owner of the new chocolate shop.  She also meets the Chanticleer’s Manager, who has more on her mind than boxing up fancy chocolates. And it seems the male population of Tinker Cove find her just as enticing as the chocolates on display.    Lucy always manages to stumble upon a dead body and find herself in the middle of a police murder investigation. This book is no exception. Is there a killer on the loose in this quiet town?  Could it be one of the locals?  Even though Lucy has been warned to stay away from the official police investigation, she can’t help herself and starts doing her own snooping.  This is an enjoyable read.  As you read this book and the others in the series, you become part of this small community and get to know the residents.  They are charming and funny, and quirky in their own way.  It is small Town America at its best.

Keep your chocolates nearby as you read this one.  It is mouthwatering delicious!

Who Will Like this?    Anyone following the Lucy Stone Mystery Series by Leslie Meier.  There are 16 books in this series.  Those who enjoy a cozy mystery.

If you like this, try this:  Joanne Fluke, Diane Mott Davidson, Livia J. Washburn, Isis Crawford, Laura Childs, Kaitlyn Dunnett

Recommended by:  Laura, Library Associate

Does this sound delectably irresistible? Visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to check availability and place a hold!

Title:  The Litigators

Author:  John Grisham

Publisher:  Doubleday, New York 2011

Summary:  If you love reading John Grisham, this one will not disappoint. Why would a Lawyer working for a large prestigious Law Firm billing Clients at $500.00 per hour suddenly find himself working as a Street Lawyer making $600.00 per month?  As a young Lawyer with a very promising career, David Zinc finds himself burnt out from working 80+ hours per week.  One day he gets off the elevator and can’t bring himself to go to his Office.  He dives (literally) back into the elevator, walks out of the firm and goes on a drunken bender.  He lands on the doorstep of a two man law firm where they spend their days chasing ambulances, handling quickie divorces and bickering over what little money they do have.  They like to refer to themselves as a “boutique law firm”.  These two guys keep waiting for their big break.  When David wakes up the next day after his drinking binge, he is unemployed and not sure what to do.  He finds himself going back to the two partners at Finley & Figg where he tests the waters as a street lawyer.  He quickly realizes these two have never really practiced law and are clueless on how a real Law Office should operate.  But David is happy.  He has a new lease on life, he is working normal hours and spending time with his wife and enjoying himself for the first time in years.  When the 3 Lawyers are suddenly faced with their first big case, they quickly realize they are in way over their head.  Wally is looking for the quick buck and a fast settlement since he has never been inside the courtroom to try a case.  Oscar who wants to appear as the professional lawyer wants nothing to do with the case until he learns of the potential for a very large settlement. He has never stepped in a courtroom to try a case. David gets pulled into the mess by the bumbling partners. The three Lawyers are preparing to take on a big drug company with the claim that one of their drugs on the market is unsafe and has resulted in numerous deaths.  The drug company hires the best legal defense team, which happens to be David’s previous employer, the very impressive Law Firm that he walked away from.  Since the three Lawyers believe this case will settle out of court, they do nothing to prepare for a trial.  The big drug company, on the other hand, knows this law firm lacks any courtroom experience and can’t wait to go to trial to clear their name. What goes on behind the scenes has as much to do with what goes on in the courtroom, and how money can manipulate the system. This book moves along at a fast and entertaining pace.  David shows us that there is more to life than the big money at a big law firm.

I have not read a book by John Grisham in a long time, but this one really grabbed my interest.

Who Will Like this?    Fans of John Grisham – he has written 23 books.   Anyone who likes  legal thrillers  and courtroom drama.

If you like this, try this:  James Grippando, David Rosenfelt, Perri O’Shaughnessy, David Rosenfelt

Recommended by:  Laura, Technical Services Assistant

For more informaton about the book and to place a hold, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog!

Title: The Drop

Author: Michael Connelly

Publisher: Hachette Audio, 2011

Summary: Narrator Len Cariou, the voice of deeply flawed LAPD detective Harry Bosch, brings Bosch alive in this popular series that has yet to grow cold like the cases Harry oversees in the LAPD’S Cold Case Homicide Unit. On the verge of retirement Harry’s need to solve cases reaches a desperate point when not one but two cases are dropped in his lap. The first case a cold case, in which DNA from a 21 year old cold case points the finger at a convicted pedophile rapist, the only problem is that the suspect was only 8 years old at the time of the crime. The possibility of a bad DNA report from the Regional Crime Lab casts a veil of uncertainty over the validity of DNA results that could send thousands of sex crime cases into turmoil. The second case involves the son of Bosch’s arch enemy Councilman Irvin Irving, who “dropped” out of a hotel suite window at the famed Chateau Marmot. It is not clear why Irving specifically requested that Bosch investigate his son’s death when all evidence points to a suicide. Bosch sticks to his credo “Everyone counts or nobody counts,” in his investigation where he finds himself on a path of clues leading to possible political conspiracy.

I love to listen to Connelly’s Harry Bosch books on audio CD with the rich character voice of Len Cariou creates the perfect image of Harry in your mind, when audible voice is given to a character like Harry it outs the story on a whole different level. Michael Connelly revives the character of Bosch avoiding a stale storyline of heroics and glory and really giving insight into a cop facing the possibility of retirement when his life force depends on the challenges of a case and the pursuit of justice.

Who will like this?: Fans of the Harry Bosch series (this is number 17), anyone who likes crime thrillers

If you like this, try this: Joseph Wambaugh, John Sandford’s Virgil Flowers series, or books by David Simon.

Recommended by: Dawn, Main Library

Interested in this book? Visit the Fairfield Public Library Catalog to check the status or place a hold on the audio book, or visit the Fairfield Public Library Catalog to place a hold on the paper version!

Title: Night Strangers

Author: Chris Bohjalian

Publisher: Crown, 2011

Summary: The beginning of Chris Bohjalian’s latest book is riveting.  It had me gasping for breath as I read about Chip Linton, a seasoned pilot, who had to ditch his jet in Lake Champlain after jamming into a flock of geese.  The normalcy of being seat belted into a chair and the next minute hitting the water and going under is frightening.  The body count, thirty nine deaths.

Chip, his wife (a lawyer) and their twin ten-year old girls move to New Hampshire in the hope that they can rebuild their lives.  However, in a musty dirt floor basement in the corner of the room sits a door that has long been sealed with 39 six-inch-long carriage bolts.  39 bolts, 39 deaths on the plane. It only gets spookier from there.

This novel is for sure a psychological thriller but it’s also a domestic drama and the story of a family coping with the aftermath of a horrible catastrophe.

The ghost story develops when Chip begins to see some of the dead from the plane crash, but there are also herbalists aka witches who play a huge part in the demise of this family.  As you read through you begin to build your own dread on what is going to take place.  The ghosts know exactly what they want and Chip is beginning to understand what he must do to help them.  Meanwhile you begin to understand that this cult of women, in this tiny town, is definitely moving this plot into a not so happy ending.  They are a strong and fearful group to reckon with and Chip and Emily’s twins will play an important role in their desires.

I haven’t read a ghost story in a long in a while but I really enjoyed this one.

Recommended by: Nancy, Deputy Town Librarian

Who will like this book?: Those who are already fans of Bohjalian, or those who enjoy psychological fast-paced thrillers

If you like this, try this: Other Bohjalian books, or other psychological thriller authors such as John Sanford or Jeffrey Deaver

Does this look like something you’d like to read? Visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to put a hold or check availability!

Title: “V is for Vengeance”

Author: Sue Grafton

Publisher: Penguin, 2011

Summary: I have been a fan of Sue Grafton’s alphabet mysteries since her first one “A is for Alibi.”  Her main character Kinsey Millhone, who was born in the 1950’s, has been a PI since the early 80’s.  I always related to Kinsey driving around in her beat up Volkswagen, wearing her jeans, turtleneck sweater and boots. When need arose to make a visit to a more elegant venue she’d climb into her back seat of the car, to change into her pantyhose and skirt and manage to walk into a crowd sassy and smart.   She was just a funky kind of PI.

Her life has evolved over the years, and alphabet, into a seasoned Private Investigator.  We are still in the 1980’s for this latest book and it opens with Kinsey celebrating her birthday with two black eyes.  Kinsey decided to stop in at Nordstrom’s and take a look at some lingerie and silk pj’s. That was unfortunate for the woman who was shoplifting.  The woman is caught but when released from jail commits suicide by jumping off of a bridge, or did she?  This woman’s finance wants to know the answer and hires Kinsey to find out.  Kinsey hasn’t mellowed at all in this latest installment.  She begins an investigation of a woman with a murky past; she stumbles onto the death of a spoiled kid, who had a huge gambling debt he thought he could beat and she runs into a powerful “mafia” style boss whose dealings fall outside of the law.  Oh yeah, and just to add a little bit more spice to the situation there’s a “bad” cop involved.

You might think that after 21 books Ms. Grafton’s 22 might be a little stale and boring.  But she’s kept Kinsey current to the timeframe and life of the 1980’s as she’s added new and interesting characters to her life.  A quick and enjoyable read.

Recommended by: Nancy, Deputy Town Librarian

Who will like this book: Those who are looking for a quick-paced and exciting mystery. Those who are looking for an exciting and quick read.

If you like this, try this: Anything else by Grafton, especially the Alphabet Series.

Title: The Keeper of Lost Causes

Author: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Publisher: Dutton, 2011 (originally published in Britain with the title “Mercy” by Penguin Books)

Summary: Ever since Stieg Larsson’s wildly popular “Millennium Trilogy,” it seems that any crime/mystery writer that hails from Scandinavian can’t escape being held up in comparison.  It does seem, though, that Jussi Adler-Oslen has what it takes to live up to the promise of being the next  Stieg Larsson.  “The Keeper of Lost Causes” is a police procedural that is suspenseful, well-written and sufficiently creepy enough to keep the reader on edge all the way to the end.

“Keeper” is the first novel in a planned series by Adler-Olsen entitled “Department Q,” which also happens to be the name of a newly-created “unsolved crimes” squad of the Copenhagen Police Department in the book.  Carl Morck, our flawed and surly lead detective, has been appointed head of Dept. Q, mostly to get him out of the way.  He’s still recovering from being wounded in a shootout that left his best friend dead and another colleague paralyzed.   So when he’s placed in charge of the department, he’s less than enthusiastic.  His lone assistant, Assad, seems more mysterious than anything else, although it isn’t long before Assad proves to be quite the capable detective, which only adds to the mystery about him. Banished to the basement with stacks of cold case files, Morck and Assad begin to investigate the case of Merete Lynggaard, a beautiful politician who disappeared five years earlier.  What follows is a chilling and gripping thriller that is entertaining, disturbing and completely satisfying – and will leave you anxiously awaiting the next installment.

Who will like this book?  Fans of Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbo, Henning Mankell.

Recommended by: Mary, Branch Reference

Does this look like a book you’d like to read? Visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog here, where you can check availability and place a hold.

BOOKS SO NICE, WE’VE REVIEWED THEM TWICE!

Title: Pretty Little Things

Author: Jilliane Hoffman

Publisher: Vanguard Press, September 2010

Summary: Although this book is a work of fiction, the subject will be a reality check for some- especially those with teenagers. Lainey Emerson is a 13 year old girl living in a somewhat dysfunctional family. She turns to the internet for companionship. There she meets someone calling himself “El Capitan” whom she agrees to meet in person. When Lainey’s mother finally realizes that she is missing, the family initially believes that she has run away just as her older sister Liza has done numerous times before. When her mom finally decides to call the police the case is given to agent Bobby Dees, also known as “The Shepard”, because he has found and brought home so many runaways. As they get further into the investigation, the detectives finally figure out there is a psycho out there who abducts teenagers and keeps them locked up. The kidnapper then sends an oil painting of the victim to a certain reporter who has been trying to make it big in the business. If you enjoy books with a lot of twists, turns and surprises I think you will enjoy this book. Due to the graphic details, it is not for the faint of heart.

 Who will like this book: Readers of thrillers and suspense, and anyone who has enjoyed Jilliane Hoffman’s previous novels.

 Recommended by: Virginia, Circulation Dept.

 Think this book looks great? Click here to visit our catalog and place a hold!

Title: Bent Road

Author: Lori Roy

Publisher: Penguin Group, March 2011

Summary: It’s 1967 and the Detroit race riots, among other things, have convinced Arthur Scott that it’s time to move his family back to Kansas and the town he fled more than 20 years before. Arthur and his older daughter, Elaine, adapt easily to life in the rural town of Arthur’s childhood, but his wife Celia and children Daniel and especially Evie have a more difficult time. Maybe it’s because Evie looks so much like Arthur’s dead sister Eve, for whom Evie was named. It seems the whole town is still haunted by the memory of Eve and her unsolved murder, even though 20 years have passed. When a little girl goes missing soon after the Scott’s arrival, fingers again point to Eve’s fiancé at the time of her death. The missing girl, Julianne Robison, looks strikingly similar to both Eve and Evie- a coincidence that does not go unnoticed by the townspeople. Are the two crimes related? Everyone seems to think so. Celia fears for her family, especially little Evie, since the prime suspect, now married to Arthur’s sister Ruth, is becoming more and more unhinged. Told from the point of view of different characters, sometimes without warning, the plot twists and turns while leading to a final, explosive showdown.

Who Might Like This?: Anyone who likes family drama with twists, turns, and some thrills thrown in.

If you like this, try this: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

Does this look like a book you’d like to read? Visit our catalog here, where you can check availability and place a hold

Title: Caribou Island

Author: David Vann

Publisher: HarperCollins, January 2011

Summary: While trying to find the love that has slipped away, a couple sets out to build a cabin on Caribou Island. Irene and Gary have drifted apart over the years, both blaming the other for their unfulfilled lives. In an attempt to recapture the ideal that drew them to Alaska in the first place, Gary and Irene begin construction on an isolated, rustic cabin on Caribou Island. For Gary, this is a chance to finally live his life the way he always intended to live it. Irene sees the cabin as Gary’s way of leaving her behind, knowing full well that secluded cabin life is Gary’s dream and not hers. The cabin becomes a representation of their marriage; built without proper planning, materials, or foundation, and morphing into something uglier than either had ever envisioned. Like a psychological game of chicken, Gary and Irene forge ahead with construction, neither one wanting to be the first to give up on it or their marriage.
Caught in the middle is their adult daughter Rhoda. Watching her parents’ marriage fall apart before her eyes, Rhoda tries unsuccessfully to play peacemaker without much support from her brother or boyfriend. Rhoda’s own life seems stagnant and she must decide what kind of life she wants for herself.
Imagery abounds in this powerful novel of a husband and wife fighting the elements and each other as they speed toward ruin.

Who Might Like This?: If you are into family drama that is not your own, this is the book for you.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

Does this look like your type of book? Click here to enter our catalog and place a hold/check availability!

Title: Before I go to Sleep

Author: SJ Watson

Publisher: HarperCollins, June 2011

Summary: Christine is a brain trauma patient who suffers from amnesia. Each morning  she has no idea who she is, where she is, or how she got there- most days still thinking she is a 20-something. Each day, she must be reminded by her husband Ben about her life. After working closely with a young doctor, Christine feels as though she may be making progress- until she finds her own hand-written journal with the words “DO NOT TRUST BEN” written firmly on the front. As she struggles to piece together her life each day, she now must figure out whose version of her life is truth.

Before I Go to Sleep is a fast-paced psychological thriller- a great read with both depth and action. The reader is pulled in all directions as Christine questions not only everyone around her, but herself- and maybe most importantly, how she got this way. Eventually, the reader will too. Unpredictable, sensational, and emotionally charged, Watson’s debut is a sure hit.

Who will like this book?: Anyone with the slightest interest in psychology. Those who wants  a quick-paced book that you won’t be able to put down. Anyone interested in mysteries with tons of twists and turns

Recommended by: LB, Library Assistant

Review 2: I seem to be drawn to psychological thrillers and this debut novel by British writer S.J. Watson hits the mark.  We all live on our memories, happy, sad or fleeting but imagine losing them every time you went to bed.  Your name, your identity, the people you love – all forgotten in the morning.  This is what happens to Christine, a 47 year old woman who is married and has a son.

She wakes up every day with no knowledge of whom she is or who the man sleeping next to her might be. The novel follows her as she tries to reconstruct her life through a journal.  How does she remember she has a journal, her psychiatrist calls her every morning to remind her, on a phone he purchased for her. Why doesn’t her husband remind her, well, he has no knowledge of the journal or the psychiatrist?  As her journal grows, it begins to cast doubts on the truth behind her memory loss and her life.  Her husband, the only person she thinks she can trust, may not be telling her everything she needs to know.

The pacing is intense so beware; once you start this thriller it is hard to put down. If you love trying to put all the clues together and figuring out mysteries you will love this book.

Recommended by: Nancy, Deputy Town Librarian

Do you want to check this book out? Visit our catalog here to check availability and place a hold!!