Title: Call After Midnight

Author: Tess Gerritsen

Publisher: Severn House, 2011

Summary: The book begins with a phone call at midnight, newlywed Kate Fountaine thinks it’s her husband of two months, Geoffrey. When she answers the call-not quite awake- it isn’t her husband: it’s the U.S. State Department. They are calling to tell her that her husband was killed in a fire in the hotel where he was staying in London. She is then asked to come in and answer a few questions. It is soon discovered that the body had a bullet in the head and now she is told he was murdered. She will not accept this and heads to London for answers; there she discovers Geoffrey isn’t the man she thought he was -in fact, he was leading a double life. He has a wife in London and they are both spies. The story takes off from there. It is very fast paced and has a few twists and turns along the way.

Who would like this book: Anyone who enjoys mysteries, a little romance and espionage.  

If you like this, try this: Anything else by Tess Gerritsen- she has written a number of books.  If you like the crime fiction aspect, Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and Robert Ludlum also write similar crime fiction. If you’re looking for something a little more gritty, try the Stieg Larsson series (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo…). If you’re more into espionage, try Alan Furst, who blends mystery, spies, thrills with an international twist.

Recommended By: Virginia, Circulation Dept.

If this looks like a book you’re interested in, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to check the availability and place a hold!

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!

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: Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse

Author: James Swanson

Publisher: William Morrow, September 2010

 Summary: Beginning with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Bloody Crimes tells the parallel stories of Lincoln’s final journey home and Davis’s flight and ultimate capture. Swanson details the events immediately following the shooting of Lincoln, including the chaos at the Peterson house where Lincoln’s body was taken immediately following the attack. From the hysterical and inconsolable Mary Lincoln to the doctors and government officials who came and went throughout the evening, the Peterson house became the first place of mourning. When Mary Lincoln finally decided on Springfield as the President’s final resting place, the death pageant began. The journey by train took thirteen days, covered 1,645 miles and never deviated from the master timetable. Lincoln’s coffin was displayed in 10 cities along the way. Each city hastily constructed viewing chambers for their honored guest, and each city tried to make their display more elaborate than the last. Cleveland constructed a “temporary outdoor pavilion” made to look like a Chinese pagoda. Government officials, embalmers, and the coffin containing Willie Lincoln traveled on the train with Lincoln. More than one million Americans passed by the President’s coffin while it was on display and more than 7 million people lined the train tracks as the train passed by. To the many onlookers “Lincoln’s coffin became a kind of ark of the American covenant, possessing hidden meanings and mysterious powers.” Meanwhile, with the surrender of Robert E. Lee and the Union army closing in on Richmond, Jefferson Davis began his flight south. A $100,000 bounty (more than $2 million today) was placed on Davis’s head. This was twice the amount offered for the capture of Booth. Lincoln, who was always forgiving, probably would have wanted Davis to escape and live in exile, but after Lincoln’s murder northerners wanted revenge. Davis was one of the last to accept that the cause was lost and that the South was defeated, and he moved slowly-never wanting to appear that he was fleeing. Thirty eight days after leaving Richmond, Davis was captured near Irwinsville, GA and gave up without a fight. His flight took him “through four states by railroad, ferry boat, horse, cart, and wagon”. After his capture he began his 12 day journey to imprisonment and 2 year captivity in Fort Monroe, VA. This is a highly readable account of an important event in our history and Swanson does a great job of showing us just how beloved Abraham Lincoln really was.

 Who Might Like This?: Civil War buffs and Abraham Lincoln admirers, and anyone who is interested in American history.

If you like this, try this: Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer By James Swanson.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

Look like something you’d enjoy? Click here to visit our catalog and check availability and place a hold!

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!!

Title: The Diviner’s Tale

Author: Bradford Morrow

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, January 2011

Summary: Cassandra Brooks wants an interesting but ordinary life, but her gifts of divining and fore-vision are getting in the way. As a child, Cassandra was taught the art of divining by her father Nep, who was taught by his father, who was taught by his father and so on. She was soon able to divine the future as well, being able to predict future events even as a small child. The power of these visions was tragically demonstrated when her older brother, Christopher, failed to heed her warning and was killed in an accident.
As an adult, Cassandra is a part time teacher and lives a simple life with her twin boys, Morgan and Jonah. While dowsing for water for a new development, Cass discovers a young girl hanged from a tree. She must leave the area in order to call the police, who then scour the area but cannot find any trace of the girl. Cassandra’s integrity is questioned until the police find a young girl, Laura Bryant, very much alive but dazed and disheveled and living in a makeshift hovel. Credited with leading authorities to Laura, Cass regains her reputation, shaky as it was, but continues to be plagued by visions of the young girl she saw hanging in the woods. When Cassandra begins to receive threatening letters and confusing visions, she is forced to revisit an event from her childhood that she has kept hidden for years.
A different kind of ghost story, “The Diviner’s Tale” begins at a leisurely pace, allowing you to really get to know Cassandra and her family. The story gradually picks up speed until you find yourself flying through the pages to find out exactly who is haunting Cassandra. Fun read, not scary but definitely creepy.

Who Might Like This?: Readers who like a few ghosts with their mystery.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

Does this look like something you’d be interested in? Click here to visit our catalog and place a hold or check availability

Title: These Things Hidden

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Publisher: Mira, January 2011

Summary: Though Allison Glenn’s parents considered her their golden child, they soon learned that no one is perfect. Allison deviated from the plan-she fell in love, had a secret affair, and started to enjoy life-until her grades slipped and her parents stepped up the pressure. That was six years ago. Nine months after ending that affair and hiding her pregnancy, Allison was accused and convicted of drowning her newborn daughter. Allison has spent the last five years paying for that crime in Cravenville prison. Released early for good behavior, Allison is now 21 years old, living in a halfway house, and working part time at Bookends, a local bookstore owned by Claire and Jonathan Kelby. It is clear to Allison that her parents want nothing to do with her; her younger sister Brynn isn’t taking her calls either. Brynn just wants to forget that awful night when she helped her sister give birth on the bedroom floor. She thinks of that baby all the time-being taken away by the swift current of the Druid River.
Twenty one year old Charm Tullia is a nursing student who frequents the Kelby’s bookstore. She has been taking care of her beloved stepfather, Gus, who is dying of cancer. Claire sees how difficult it is for Charm and the two have become friends over the past few years. Charm always asks about the Kelby’s five year old adopted son Joshua when she visits the store. As an infant, Joshua had been abandoned at a local fire station under the “Safe Haven” law and Claire and Jonathan adopted him soon after. Charm has a special interest in Joshua that the Kelby’s don’t know about.
This is a cautionary tale of the danger that comes with expecting perfection, from yourself or others, and leaving no room for failure. It is a riveting and fast paced story in which the greatest parental love has nothing to do with biology (the biological parents here leave much to be desired), but with the character and heart of the people who step in to take over where others have failed.

Who Might Like This?: If you like characters that stay with you after you’ve finished the book, and if you liked Heather’s last novel “The Weight of Silence”, I think you’ll like this one as well.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

Think this looks like a book you’d like to read? Click here to visit our catalog and check the availability/put a hold on it!

Title: Pretty Little Things

Author: Jilliane Hoffman

Publisher: Vanguard Press, September 2010

Summary: Author Jilliane Hoffman does it again with her newest thriller “Pretty Little Things”.

When 13 year old Lainey Emerson fails to return home from a sleepover, the police are called in. Detectives wonder why Lainey’s mother waited 2 days to call, and why she doesn’t remember the name of the friend Lainey was supposed to be with. FDLE special agent Bobby Dees, however, has seen this kind of neglect too many times before. Parents too busy or self-absorbed to give their children the attention and supervision they need. Many times these children run away; some are “thrown away”. As head of the Crimes Against Children Squad for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bobby has developed a talent for finding these missing children and bringing them home. This talent has earned him the nickname The Shepherd among his colleagues. It is a nickname that has made him bristle since his own daughter went missing several months ago.

Bobby’s investigation into Lainey’s disappearance leads him to believe that she is the victim of an online predator. When a local television reporter claims that he has proof of several similar disappearances that the police have written off as runaways, Bobby fears that a serial killer could be at work, preying on these vulnerable children.

This is a thriller from first page to last. Making it even more chilling is the realization that the events portrayed in this novel could very well happen for real.

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

 Recommended by: Sue B, circulation coordinator

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