The Right Book at the Right Time

Title: Rage Against the Dying

Author:Becky Masterman

Publisher: Minotaur Books, March 2013

Summary/Review: If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller that you just can’t put down, look no further. Rage against the Dying, the debut thriller by Becky Masterman, will not disappoint you.

Ex-FBI agent Brigid Quinn is adjusting to her new life as a newlywed in Tucson, Arizona. Forced into early retirement after shooting an unarmed suspect, the 59 year old Quinn has seemingly moved on. That is until the Route 66 Killer, the case that has haunted her for years, becomes news once again. Not only the most frustrating unsolved case of Brigid’s career, the Route 66 Killer cost the life of her protégé Jessica Robertson. Now a suspect has confessed and Brigid is once again drawn into this disturbing case. Laura Coleman, the new FBI agent assigned to Route 66, has asked for Brigid’s help but no one can foresee the horror that lies ahead.

This novel has everything: suspense, dark humor, and of course some blood and guts. I sincerely hope Brigid’s story does not end here. Unlike any character I’ve ever read, she is strong, smart, funny, and a little bit of a loose cannon. I can’t wait to see her again.

Who will like this book?: Anyone who’s not afraid of a little gore.  Someone looking for a thriller that they won’t be able to put down.

If you like this, try this:  If you liked Masterson’s writing, be on the lookout for more from her: this is a debut novel, but the story leads itself to more.  If you liked the intensity, try Chelsea Cain, who has a number of books including “Heartsick” and “Sweetheart”.  If you’re looking for the same level of darkness without the gore, try Neil Gaiman.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

This book isn’t quite out yet, but we still have it on order, so visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to place a hold!

Title: Defending Jacob

Author: William Landay

Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2012

Summary/Review: Andy Barber has been a well-respected assistant district attorney in Massachusetts for many years until his 14-year-old son Jacob is accused of killing former classmate Ben Rifkin. As the community presumes Jacob’s guilt before the trial starts, Andy and his wife, Laurie, struggle internally and externally to maintain their son’s innocence. Even after evidence points toward his son, Andy sticks to his belief that the neighborhood pedophile is responsible for this murder.

As the story unfolds, it brings up many questions, such as how well do parents know their own child, how far would they go to protect him, what role do genes and family history play in influencing an individual’s destiny, and do childhood actions indicate future behavior?

Defending Jacob is a compelling novel with a shocking ending. Once you start it, you can’t put it down.

Who will like this book?:  Someone who is interested in crime dramas but who is more interested in the psychology of crimes and the criminal mind.  Someone who is interested in
family bonds and how far someone will go to protect them.

If you like this, try this:  If you’re interested in novels about the criminal mind, try “Hannibal” or “Silence of the Lambs” by Thomas Harris, which both focus on the question of mental insanity.  If you would like a newer novel that focuses on criminal minds, try any Chelsea Cain book.

If you are more interested in the suspense/thriller aspect, try Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” or the popular Stieg Larsson novels.  Michael Connelly and John Grisham are also well-known for their legal thrillers.

If you’re interested in this book, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to check availability and place a hold! [Link will open in a new window]

Finally, this isn’t William Landay’s first book- his historical novel is focused on the Boston Strangler, entitled “the Strangler”, and he also writes other fiction such as “Mission Flats”.

Recommended by: Sharyn, Circulation Assistant

Title: Stolen Prey

Author: John Sanford

Publisher: Penguin, May 2012

Review/Summary: I came across John Sanford years ago when looking for my favorite type of fiction about Cops and Detectives and Thugs. Twenty-two books later, featuring detective Lucas Davenport, Mr. Sanford still knows how to write a great story filled with an intense plot and lots of different angles taking place.

Lucas Davenport is a Minneapolis Cop who is tough with that peculiar sense of humor that makes him so likeable. In Sanford’s latest Prey book the opening sees Lucas getting robbed at an ATM, breaking his wrist in the confrontation as well as wounding his ego a tad. The two thugs, man and big burly woman, get away but Lucas is determined to find the two punks who robbed him. It leads to some very smelly horse manure as his puts another cop, Virgil Flowers, on the case.

In the meantime he’s called into a case of an entire family being murdered. A husband, wife, kids, pets – dead. It’s horrible. As the investigation heats up computer geeks, a bank, and some trigger happy Mexicans become central to finding out the truth about what happened.

Lucas Davenport is older and mellower in this story and as usual sidesteps the rules whenever necessary but you won’t be disappointed with the action and the conclusion.

 Who will like this?: Someone looking for an exciting criminal thriller. Fans of Sanford, who have read the other Lucas Davenport books.

 If you like this, try this: This book is a part of a collection of books featuring Lucas Davenport, including “Chosen Prey”, “Broken Prey”, and “Hidden Prey”. If you liked this one, you may want to check out the others. This one is #22, so you’ll have a lot of choices!

If you like this author’s style and would like to try out some similar authors, try Michael Connelly or Jeffrey Deaver. If you’re looking for an international crime author, Stieg Larsson (“Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”) may be a good choice.

Recommended by: Nancy, Branch Librarian

If this looks like something you’d be interested in, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to place a hold or see if it’s available right now! [Link will open in a new window]

Title: Hush Now Don’t You Cry

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2012

Summary/Review: Whether you have followed private detective Molly Murphy from the beginning of her series, or whether she is new to you, this latest installment is a fun change of scenery. It is the the spring of 1904 and  Molly heads to Newport with her new husband, police detective Daniel Sullivan, to attempt a honeymoon. They are quickly embroiled in another murder mystery and when her husband comes down with pneumonia and is stuck in bed, it is up to Molly to piece together all of the secrets that led up to murder.  Taking Molly and Daniel out of turn-of-the-century New York City is a good twist, and seeing Newport as it was in its heyday is a fun commentary on how the other half lived.

Who will like this? Anyone who likes a good mystery or a historical fiction; this is a great mix of both.

If you like this, try this: Others in the same series. Rhys Bowen also writes the Constable Evans series, set in Wales, and the Lady Georgiana mysteries, set in London in the 1930’s.

Recommended by: Linda Q., Circulation staff

If you’d like to try this book out, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and place a hold! [link will open in a new window]

Title: Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs

Author: Molly Harper

Publisher: Pocket Star, 2009

Summary/Review: This year brought Fairfield a light winter and an early spring, so I am channeling summer and diving into some good beach reads!

When Jane Jameson is unjustly fired from her position as the town’s Children’s Librarian, she heads off to the local pub. After a few rounds, she stumbles home only to be accidently mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead in a field. But, then a good-looking vampire – a group who has recently gone public thanks to a federal lawsuit – finds her and offers to turn her. She accepts the offer and three days later wakes up to find her world changed. Welcoming Jane to this new life is a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, as well as, a cute and mysterious sire, Gabriel.

When someone starts framing Jane for a series of murders in her small town of Moon Hollow, Jane sets out to prove she’s still the nice girl she has always been. This book is the first in a series about Jane Jameson and her supernatural friends, but very normal family.

Written with humor (and a few jokes only a Children’s Librarian would understand), Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs is great for those readers who enjoy a little paranormal romance in their lives.

Who Will Like This Book: Fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Nora Roberts fans, and adult readers of the Twilight saga.

If You Like This, Try This: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon,  Sign of the Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts,  The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley,  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Recommended by: Mary Sorhus, Head of Children’s Services

Does this look like your kind of book?  Visit the Fairfield Public Library Catalog to check if it’s available and/or place a hold!

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 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: “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: Stolen Souls: A Jack Lennon Investigation

Author: Stuart Neville

Publisher: Soho Press, October 2011

Summary: A young Ukrainian sex slave escapes from her captors only to find an even greater horror awaits her.
    Soon after the brother of a Lithuanian crime boss is found dead, three of his business associates are murdered. Detective Inspector Jack Lennon must work quickly to stop the situation from spiraling out of control while trying to find the young woman who may hold the key to the brutal killings.
  Stuart Neville is by far one of the greatest crime fiction writers I have ever read. Starting with “The Ghosts of Belfast” and “Collusion”, Neville continues his Jack Lennon series with this new novel, again set in Belfast. “Stolen Souls” delivers non-stop action from first page to last. In fact, I was lucky to find a good stopping place in the middle so I could get some sleep because once back into it, I was in until the end. Neville’s protagonists are far from perfect. They are deeply flawed and living on the edge. Do these faults make us love them any less? Absolutely not. This is one of Neville’s gifts. We can forgive his heroes anything, because there is always someone out there darker and more evil than they could ever be.

Who Might Like This?: Fans of excellent crime fiction.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

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.