Category Archives: Mysteries & Thrillers

Watchmen

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Title: Watchmen

Author: Alan Moore

Illustrator: Dave Gibbons

Publisher: DC Comics, April 1995

Summary: After a summer of blockbuster movies, you might just be sick of superheroes. But soon (pending some legal wrangling) the greatest graphic novel ever is coming to the big screen: Watchmen, by legendary scribe Alan Moore (responsible for such classics as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta.) It is the story of a group of superheroes undone by their all-too-human frailties. Set in the mid-80s, a killer is stalking the former ‘masks,’ who have either retired or been driven underground by anti-vigilante legislation, as the world moves closer and closer to nuclear conflict.

This is a thoroughly post-modern take on heroes, and while characters like The Comedian, Nite Owl, Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan might not be as familiar as Batman and Wolverine, their stories are just as unforgettable. If you think you’re too grown-up for comics, read Watchmen. This is a true masterwork that explodes any expectations you might have for the flying and tights genre, named an essential book by Entertainment Weekly and Time magazines. Read it before the movie comes out!

Who will like this book?: Superhero fans who have read it all. People who like stories that expose the humanity, for better or worse, of heroic figures.

If you like this, try this: Anything by Alan Moore, especially V for Vendetta and From Hell. 300 by Frank Miller.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

HeartSick

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Title: HeartSick

Author:  Chelsea Cain

Summary: Archie Sheridan was the lead detective tracking the Beauty Killer, a prolific and monstrous serial killer. When he himself is kidnapped by the murderer, Gretchen Lowell,  she tells him he will be her 200th victim. Gretchen keeps Archie longer than her other victims but eventually turns herself in and allows Archie to be rescued. This, however, doesn’t happen until after she has so cruelly tortured his body and mind, that he will never be the same person he was. Since her arrest Archie has visited Gretchen in prison every Sunday, hoping that she will give him information about her other victims. Archie’s obsession has led to his divorce and an addiction to pills.

Now Archie has been asked to come back to investigate another possible serial murderer. He asks to have a young journalist follow along with him on his investigation so she can report on the current case. He also hopes her reports will end the speculation about what happened to him while he was held captive, and if he really is irreparably damaged. Will Archie ever break away from the psychological hold that Gretchen has on him? Will he be able to catch this new killer that is stalking high school girls? You’ll just have to read HeartSick and find out.

Who will like this book?  This one is a little gruesome, but if you like thrillers this is a great book.

If you like this book, try this: The follow up to this book, Sweetheart, will be out in September 2008.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

A Prisoner of Birth

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Title: A Prisoner of Birth

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Summary: A modern day version of The Count of Monte Cristo, this enthralling story is full of interesting characters and suspenseful twists and turns, A young British auto mechanic, Danny Cartwright, is wrongly accused of killing his best friend, who is also the brother of his pregnant fiance. He is imprisoned, and he spends his time reinventing himself and creating an elaborate revenge plan.

This is not a literary masterpiece and some of the plot is far-fetched, but the story still makes for an exciting and engrossing read. Archer is a great storyteller, and this book was hard to put down.

Who will like this book?:Readers of this would also like Archer’s other books, and Harlan Coben

Recommended by: Laurie, Circulation Clerk

MADicine

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Title: MADicine

Author:  Derek Armstrong

Summary:We all know where the path of good intentions leads, and it is clearly illustrated in the newest novel by Derek Armstrong. Hoping to cure his son, Dr. Gies has engineered a virus to cure violence in psychopathic patients. When Dr. Ada Kenner of the CDC notices a sharp increase in violent rampages conducted by seemingly “normal” citizens, she suspects a Rabies type virus is to blame. Hmm. Could Dr. Gies’ genetically altered virus be to blame? With the help of Alban Bane (who brings to mind the cranky Dr. Gregory House), and a host of unconventional characters, Ada must find the source of this new virus and find out why Braxis, a shady pharmaceutical company, conveniently has enough serum to vaccinate millions of people and make billions of dollars.

This novel is filled with suspense, humor, adventure and satire. If you’re looking for something a little offbeat with colorful characters, you’ll want to read this.

Who will like this book?   People who like medical thrillers and also want to crack a smile or two while reading them.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Sacrifice

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Title: Sacrifice

Author: S.J. Bolton

Summary: Tora Hamilton and her husband Duncan have just moved to the Shetland Islands. Tora is new to the Islands, but Duncan is returning after a 20 year absence. Soon after Tora moves in, she accidentally digs up a body buried on her property and soon realizes she has unearthed more than just human remains. She has quite a few questions to ask the authorities about the body. Simple questions like why was the woman’s heart removed and why did she have ancient symbols carved into her back? The more questions Tora asks, the more secretive the people around her become. She finally decides to do some investigating on her own and discovers that the symbols carved in the woman’s body are ancient runes and the manner in which she was killed is eerily similar to a ritual described in Shetland Island folktales. Unfortunately for Tora, as one character puts it, “…tucked away inside all legends, a kernel of truth can be found”.

If you like a book that has some chills,  and a setting that is not commonly used, this may be the book for you.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Adam

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Title: Adam

Author: Ted Dekker

Summary:  FBI agent Daniel Clarke is obsessed with finding the serial killer known as Eve. Eve has killed at least 16 women and shows no sign of stopping. Daniel’s obsession has already cost him his marriage and now it has cost him his life. Or has it? After being shot by Eve, Daniel is clinically dead for 20 minutes. He is resuscitated but now the face of Eve is hidden somewhere in Daniel’s memory. When Eve kidnaps Daniel’s ex-wife Heather, Daniels knows his best chance of catching Eve before Heather is hurt is to die again so he can recover his memory. What he doesn’t realize is that Eve has a plan of his own for Daniel- to make Daniel his first “Adam”.

If I had to use one word to describe this novel I would say “intense”. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the creepiest, I would give Adam an 8. If you like like horror and have a few sleepless nights to spare, you should definitely read this one.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Broken Angel

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Title:  Broken Angel

Author:  Sigmund Brouwer

Summary: Set in a Christian dystopia, in the not-so-far-off future, Broken Angel is the story of religious fundamentalism gone horribly wrong. Caitlin has grown up in Appalachia, an independent country within the United States run by fanatics who have distorted Christianity. Punishments for crimes in Appalachia (including the heinous crime of reading and teaching others to read) range from forced labor to death by stoning. No wonder there is secret network of people, known as the Clan, who help people escape this hell hole. Oops-that probably would have gotten me 5 years of hard labor in the factory.

As Caitlin reaches puberty, her father plans for her escape to the Outside. You see, Caitlin was born with a deformity that they have been able to hide up until now. If this deformity is discovered, she will certainly be put to death. Since everyone’s movements in Appalachia are monitored by the government, escaping is never easy. Caitlin is forced to flee on her own as her father tries to draw the bounty hunters away from her tracks, but she eventually meets up with two other fugitives. Together, they must help each other survive while keeping ahead of their pursuers. Will all three of them make it? What really happened to her father when the bounty hunter caught up to him? Is everyone in Appalachia what they appear to be? What is this mysterious deformity of Caitlin’s? Brouwer does a great job of keeping this a fast paced story with intriguing characters and plot twists.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Hold Tight

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Title: Hold Tight

Author: Harlan Coben

Summary: First, let me just say “WOW”. I have not stayed up well past 2:00 a.m to finish a book in a long time, but this book was worth it. Hold Tight has suspense, thrills, chills… you name it. I found myself rushing through my day so I could get back to reading this book.

One woman is missing. One turns up dead, beaten beyond recognition. Mike and Tia Baye’s teenage son Adam goes missing soon after his best friend commits suicide. Mike has an idea where to look for Adam because Tia insisted on installing a sophisticated spy program on Adam’s computer. They can read his email, his instant messages, and track the websites he has visited. Oh, and Adam’s phone has a GPS. The Bayes’ soon find out that having too much information can lead to disaster.

Betsy Hill finds a picture of her son Spencer, taken the night he committed suicide. She sees Adam in the background of the picture. Betsy now believes Spencer was not alone on the rooftop when he overdosed on prescription drugs and alcohol. Are all of these events connected? You bet they are. Everything comes together in the end, which makes this a great read from cover to cover

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Down River

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Title: Down River

Author: John Hart

Summary: Five years ago, Adam Chase was acquitted of murder, even though his own stepmother testified against him. Most people in his hometown believed that he was guilty and that his father’s money paid for the verdict. Adam left home soon after the trial and has been living in New York ever since.

Now Adam has been asked by a childhood friend to come back to his hometown in North Carolina. Adam returns to find that the residents’ feelings toward him have not changed since he left. To make matters worse, many of them are angry with Adam’s father for interfering with a local land deal which could make them all rich. After Adam’s arrival,  violent attacks occur against the people closest to him. Seeds of doubt as to Adam’s innocence are again planted and he must find the true murderer before he/she kills again.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

The Savage Garden

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Title: The Savage Garden

Author: Mark Mills

Summary: The Savage Garden, written by Mark Mills, is the story of two murders, committed 400 years apart, and the attempt to solve the mystery of both crimes.

It’s 1958 and Adam Strickland, Cambridge undergraduate, has just been dumped by his girlfriend. When he is offered the opportunity to study a Tuscan Renaissance garden for his art history thesis, he accepts the offer. The garden was built in 1577 as a memorial to the villa owner’s wife Flora, who died at a very young age. During his research, Adam begins to see the garden’s statues and inscriptions as clues to Flora’s murder, not as a memorial to her death.

As Adam deciphers the clues in the garden, he begins to suspect that the more recent murder-that of the current villa owner’s son, may not be as clear cut as everyone thinks. Signora Docci’s son, Emilio, was shot and killed by Nazi officers on the third floor of the villa and the area has been sealed off ever since. Though everyone is excited about the revelation of Flora’s murder, Adam finds himself in danger when he begins to question the events surrounding Emilio’s death.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator