To Try Men’s Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom

To Try Men’s Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom

Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

Dunne, Oct 20 2009, $26.99

ISBN: 9780312591069

The war is five months old, and all the rebels have so far is a series of defeats.  The morale of the troops is at its lowest and shrinking.  The leadership is in disarray as to what to do as their side is rag tagged amateurs while their opponent is the best professional army in the world enhanced by paid mercenaries.  Every morning leaves the revolutionaries with less soldiers as desertion has become epidemic.

They are out of time as retreating from Long Island to Manhattan to New Jersey and now in Pennsylvania have left the revolt on the brink of failure.  While Thomas Paine works on his latest pamphlet in Philadelphia, General Washington knows he must do something daring, but fears any act of desperation that fails will end the rebellion.  At the same time private Jonathan van Dorn does not want to desert Washington’s army, but fears for his brother who joined the British; his feelings echo many of those who have stayed the course.  Finally, a doubting Washington knows further flight means certain defeat and decides on a daring raid across the icy Delaware where he leads an attack on Hessians stationed in Trenton.

This is an intriguing look at a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War through the eyes of three men.  The story line captures the doubts and fears of Washington, the encouragement of Paine, and the further doubts and fears of fictional van Dorn.  Fans will enjoy this terrific historical thriller especially the lead up to the raid of the Hessian forces so different from the famous painting; mindful of the HBO show Assume the Position, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen provide a deep look at what truly went on beyond the legend.

Harriet Klausner

Hounded to Death-Rita Mae Brown

Hounded to Death

Rita Mae Brown

Ballantine, Sep 29 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 9780345512376

Septuagenarian Jane “Sister” Arnold is the highly regarded master of the Jefferson Hunt Club in Virginia.  She is currently attending the Mid-America Hound Show, a major event in Kentucky, accompanied by her huntsman Shaker Crown and her apprentice Tootie.

When one of her American foxhounds is stolen, her initial inclination is that odious Mo Schneider abducted her prized animal.  However, she soon finds her canine next to Mo’s corpse.   Back home, she takes her injured horse to veterinarian Hope Rogers, who soon afterward is found dead; the police rule suicide but Sister believes otherwise as she knew the vet too well.  She plans to investigate, but during the Virginia Hound Show, a club member vanishes, leaving Sister stunned with what is going on.

This is a fun tale especially for pet lovers because he latest fox and hound personification mystery (see THE TELL-TALE HORSE) is an engaging amateur sleuth starring of course Sister and her allies (including her hounds).  Although there are too many sidebar discussions that leave the story line idling in neutral at times, fans of the Sister foxhunting series will enjoy another visit to the Jefferson Hunt Club.

Harriet Klausner

Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Wedding

Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Wedding

Emily Brightwell

Berkley, Nov 2009, $23.95

ISBN: 9780425230466

The holidays are upon the residents of Victorian London, which means that the wedding date of Coachman Smythe and Betsy the Cook is getting close.  The pair live in the home of Inspector Witherspoon of the Metropolitan Police Department where they work and assist along with the rest of the staff their employer solve crime cases.  Witherspoon is ignorant that his household employees led by Mrs. Jeffries are the reason his detecting record is at 100% solved as they serendipitously work cases by finding the clues but allow their beloved Inspector to get the credit.

The staff prays no murder cases until after the wedding, but their prayers go unanswered when a woman is knifed to death in front of the Evans’ home where an engagement party is going on.  The daughter of the house Rosemary Evans identifies the victim as her old governess, but neither she nor anyone else knows why she was there.  Mrs. Jeffries and the crew understand that they need to expedite this case so it does not interfere with the wedding since Witherspoon is giving the bride away.

The police and the staff separately investigate the homicide and believe they know who the killer is but lack proof.  When information comes to light in spite of a lack of cooperation, the housekeeper and her amateur sleuths know they must act quickly to prevent a second murder from occurring even as a second wedding will occur.

It is fun watching Betsy and Smythe work on the crime, prepare for their wedding, and host her sister and brother-in-law as they do an incredible balancing act.  Readers, Mrs. W, and the Inspector will be blindsided by who the killer is in this delightful cerebral historical cozy.  As always with this terrific series, Emily Brightwell provides her fans with a bright well-written Victorian.

Harriet Klausner

Trail of Fate-Michael Spradlin

Trail of Fate

Michael Spradlin

Penguin, Oct 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 9780399247644

In 1191 Templar knight squire Tristan knows he is lucky to remain alive having barely escaped the murderous intent of malevolent Sir Hugh who demanded he give over the Holy Grail if he wanted an easy death (see KEEPER OF THE GRAIL).  Tristan comes ashore having lost contact with his allies on the ship Robard and Maryam.  He has a lot on his mind for he is unsure what to do or who to go to with his holy relic; Tristan misses his Templar Knight Sir Thomas who would advise him what to do next.  He fears for his friends who may be dead or worse help captive.

On shore in a land he does not know, Tristan finds himself amidst French Cathars.  He is attracted to their leader Celia and wants to help their cause even if she and her cohorts clearly loath Templars for their undying support to the pope whom they deem treacherous cowardly and avaricious.  They fight against the religious persecution of the ruthless King of France, but Tristan knows Sir Hugh still pursues him and he must return to England immediately.  However, Tristan thinks with his wrong head and offers his assistance to the Cathars thus jeopardizing his mission and the Holy Grail he protects.

The second Youngest Templar is a terrific medieval thriller held together by Tristan, who proves brave and loyal although his decisions endanger the Grail he protects. The support cast is solid whether they support or oppose the young champion.  Filled with action, fans will enjoy this coming of age entry as the audience knows as does Tristan Sir Hugh is coming for him, but he still stops to abet the Cathars as he believes their cause to be just.

Harriet Klausner

The Asylum Prophecies-Daniel Keyes

The Asylum Prophecies

Daniel Keyes

Leisure, Oct 2009, $7.99

ISBN 9780843962710

A coalition of terrorists have merged with a plan to deploy Operation Dragon’s Teeth that will make 9/11 look like a quiet day at the park.  The only person outside of gangs who knows of the specifics of the upcoming assault is Raven Slade, the daughter of a CIA field operative; resident of a mental institution in Athens, Greece as she suffers from multiple personality disorder (MPD) and talks with her dead sister.

Her father hypnotized Raven to insure she cannot reveal what she knows about 17N and MeK to anyone even the FBI or CIA until they are defeated.  However, she is kidnapped and tortured by one of the terrorist groups, the 17N.  Rookie FBI agent Frank Dugan is sent to Europe to prevent the plot scheduled for 17 November by the Mujhadeen-e Kalq starting with rescuing Raven so he can learn what she knows.

This is a fast-paced action-packed thriller from the strange opening scene in the Athens hospital and never slows down until the climax.  However, readers need to set aside their plausibility meter as several spins like the hypnosis and sending a novice to prevent a major terrorist attack seem farfetched even with late denouements.  Still fans of Daniel Keyes will enjoy this exciting tale mostly seen through the hypnotized mindset of an alleged MPD sufferer with voices on her head.

Harriet Klausner

Evil at Heart-Chelsea Cain

Evil at Heart

Chelsea Cain

Minotaur, Sep 2009, $24.99

ISBN: 9780312368487

In Portland, Oregon, detective Archie Sheridan continues his deadly grisly chess game with serial killer Gretchen “the Beauty Killer” Lowell who seems to checkmate him ever time (see SWEETHEART and HEARTSICK).  Her latest violent assault is leaving body parts all over a bathroom.  Archie was in rehab for prescription drug addiction; but checks out of the center to continue his macabre quest to obtain the final victory over his menace.

Reporter Susan Ward accompanies him as he investigates several homicides that look like the gruesome art work of Lowell, but the sleuth feels something is off kilter.  He begins to wonder if perhaps one of Lowell’s zillion fans, who see her as a real life Lector since her daring prison escape, might be playing copy cat killer.  Meanwhile Lowell continues to taunt and tease him deep inside his heart but also eating at his brain, like many males he wants her.

Readers will feel empathy for Archie who has been painted in many media circles as the villain sort of like an Inspector Javert of Les Miserables stalking America’s Sweetheart as capitalism takes over with tours, etc.  The story line is character driven by the competition between Archie and Gretchen as fans of the saga will enjoy round three of what looks like a twelve round title fight.

Harriet Klausner

The Yard Dog-Sheldon Russell

The Yard Dog

Sheldon Russell

St. Martin’s, Sep 1 2009, $24.99

ISBN: 9780312566708

In Oklahoma as WWII draws to a close, Hook Runyan touches his armless sleeve and thinks back to his ex wife.  She walked away without a mark from a car accident that cost him his limb in which he was a passenger and she the driver; she walked away from him too.  Currently he lives alone in a junker caboose near where he works at the Waynoka Train depot just south of POW Camp Alva.

When his only friend moonshiner Spark Dugan is found dead in the Waynoka rail yards, no one cares except Hook who knows it his job as the local yard dog to investigate, but this is personal.  He begins to uncover unsavory things about his dead buddy including his belonging to a smuggling ring stealing army supplies and selling them on the black market and with ties to the camp.  Camp Commander major Foreman refuses to cooperate while newcomer Dr. Reina Kaplan implements an internationally outlawed brainwashing program.  Neither of them can deter Hook from his inquiry

This is a super mid 1940s mystery that uses the investigation to provide readers with a deep look at the POW camps on American soil and at rationing American capitalist style.  The story line is fast-paced as the YARD DOG Hook does his detective job by conducting an inquiry into the death of his buddy.  Although the whodunit is well written and very entertaining, the historical view owns the novel as Sheldon Russell provides the audience with an interesting glimpse at WWII in the Oklahoma home front.

Harriet Klausner

Blood Game-Iris Johansen

Blood Game

Iris Johansen

St. Martin’s, Oct 20 2009, $27.99

ISBN 9780312368128

Forensic sculpture Eve Duncan goes home after a complex mentally draining case that featured the murders of several children (see QUICKSAND).  She opens her refrigerator to find a goblet with blood stains inside.  It looks identical to a goblet found by the corpse of nineteen year old Nancy Jo Norris; the blood had been drained from the U.S. senator’s daughter.

Eve’s lover FBI agent Joe Quinn apparently can now see dead people; at least two that is: Nancy Jo and Eve’s daughter Bonnie.  He assumes that he somehow obtained this paranormal skill from psychic Megan Blair (see QUICKSAND and PANDORA’S DAUGHTER).  The ghosts thirst for blood so assist the human sleuths on a search for a wannabe Dracula copy cat killer.

This is an exciting Eve Duncan serial killer thriller that increases dramatically the paranormal elements.  Eve remains restless, but Joe has proven to be a comfort for her as Bonnie haunts her emotionally and haunts him directly.  The story line is fast-paced as Eve and Joe with help from beyond hunt a vampire killer, but gothic overtones detract from the suspense as the lead couple is too well known by fans for the pair to be overly melodramatic.  Still BLOOD GAME is a fascinating Duncan investigative tale.

Harriet Klausner

The Scoop-Fern Michaels

The Scoop

Fern Michaels

Kensington, Sep 2009, $13.95

ISBN 9780758227188

In Charleston, South Carolina the four sexagenarian BFFs gather for the funeral of the millionaire husband of one of them Teresa Amelia “Toots” Loudenberry; this is her eighth spouse she has buried.  She informs her buddies that the mourning period will be one week before they dash to Hollywood.

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder centerfold Ida, overweight Mavis accompanied everywhere by Coco the Chihuahua and smoker Sophie agree to go with her to California.  Toots plans to buy the near bankrupt tabloid the Informer where her daughter Abby Simpson works as a reporter.  . However, the ten million dollar deal collapses when newspaper publisher Rodwell Archibald Godfrey III takes the money and runs to the Cayman Islands. V

THE SCOOP is a zany over the top of the Hollywood Hills starring the Golden Girls who go after Godfrey.  Each of the four musketeers is different, while the ringleader is Toots.  The story line is amusing and irrelevant as even the opening funeral services affirm nothing is sacred in life when it comes to eternity.  Fans will enjoy this madcap comedic tale as the escapades keep on coming when the four BFFs go after their man.

Harriet Klausner

Falcon’s Bend Case Files Volume II-Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler

Falcon’s Bend Case Files Volume II

Karen Wiesner and Chris Spindler

Lulu, 2009, $15.00 (print); $5.99 (download)

ISBN: 9780578031095

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/falcons-bend-case-files-volume-ii/7333564

“Murder on the Heartstrings”.  Police Lieutenant Pete Shasta promises his wife Lisa that their celebration of her birthday and Valentines Day will include no investigations.  Upon arrival at the Honeymoon Haven Inn, they are greeted by a blizzard and the murder of the hotel masseuse.

“Flashback”.  Police Lieutenant Danny and his wife Melody Vincent prepare a nursery for the child they are expecting when Lucinda Staub, missing for seven months, arrives.  Her frightened husband Ryan refuses to allow her back into their home; insisting she has fought and defeated the devil; Danny investigates what happened to Lucinda.

“Double Take”.  Police officers and lovers Amber Carfi and Warren Jensen investigate the theft of a valuable painting stolen from the Brooks Gallery.  To the shock of the cops and the owner Victor Brooks, the brazen thief returns the next day to purloin two more paintings.

“ Retribution”.   Lisa and Melody are not thrilled that their spouses ogle the hot Latina, six foot plus neighbor Cassandra Delicia.  When Cassandra vanishes leaving behind her two young children Chastity and Owen, Lisa, depressed over the loss of her unborn child, investigates the vanishing while watching over the kids.

“Up in Smoke”.  With Melody in labor, Pete teams with Sergeant Jeff Chopp to investigate a robbery and arson at Mitchell Ferrara’s Christmas tree farm that is now out of business for the season due to the fire.

“Ghost of the Past”.   Amber looks forward to enjoying the evening with Warren; she stops for take-out at the Rainbow Café only to have Ericka Callister claim a teen is stalking her.  Amber knows in 1989 sixteen years old Ericka gave birth to a son she wrapped inside a pillowcase and tossed into a dumpster; he survived so Amber wonders if it is he?

The return to Falcon’s Bend for six more cases is a terrific anthology that looks deep into the lives of cops and their significant others as each thrives for normalcy while also conducting investigations into the abnormal behavior of criminals.

Harriet Klausner