Review - To Hell in a Handbasket

This week I review a fellow Colorado resident's work.  I don't know how I managed to miss the first novel in this series, but here is the second book in this Colorado based series by Beth Groundwater.  Join us in Colorado for some murder and mayhem.

Author: Beth Groundwater

Copyright:  November 2012 (Midnight Ink) 312 pgs

Series:  2nd in Claire Hanover Mystery

Sensuality:  mild foreplay mentions

Mystery Sub-genre:  Amateur Sleuth

Main Character:  Claire Hanover, part-time gift basket creator

Setting:  Modern Day, Breckenridge Colorado

Obtained Through:  from publisher for an honest review

Claire Hanover, her husband, and her daughter Judy are in Breckenridge skiing.  Judy has been away in France for college and this is an opportunity for the family to spend time together.  Except Judy's new boyfriend, Nick Contino, and his family are also staying in Breckenridge.  The book opens with Nick's sister, Stephanie, joining the Hanovers on the slope.  The skiing turns tragic when Stephanie dies from hitting a tree, but Claire notices a few things that causes her to believe somebody purposely ran Stepanie into that tree.  

Because Stephanie had skied ahead of the rest, they did not see what happened.  But there was a hot dog snowboarder who is either the prime suspect or a witness.  Claire begins to ask around while Judy is comforting Nick and his mother.  Nick's father, Anthony, seems increasingly despondent over Stephanie's death.  Judy and Claire have struggles as mother and daughter, which only gets worse when Claire feels that Judy is in danger and is in protective mode.  But none of the Hanovers could have imagined the truth behind Stephanie's death and just how dangerous it will get for all of them.

I loved having a realistic middle-aged woman who is assertive and wrestling with an empty-nest for the main character.  She was well balanced between the aches and pains that come with an active person getting older and a gutsy woman who will go to any length for her family.  Claire's husband, Roger, is a good guy with a level head who balances Claire.  They make a cute couple stealing some romantic time.  Judy was my least liked character.  Occasionally she would act more like a huffy teen than a blossoming woman who attends college in Europe.  The breakout character was Leon, the crime boss Claire met previously (book one) and turns to for information on what she suspects is going on.  Leon is dangerous, but seems to respect Claire on some level.  I also liked Detective Owen Silverstone who is leading the investigation into Stephanie's death.  Claire and the detective manage to understand each other with only a few tense moments, which is a refreshing alternative to the common cop boyfriend or the adversary cop.

The Colorado high country and ski slopes and portrayed intimately and faithfully.  Beauty, cold, snow, and wilderness all give a good backdrop for the action.  Their is plenty of action with close calls, hair's breadth escapes, and chases that moved this to "amateur sleuth" status in my mind.

The plot has international implications, which gives it more of a dose of heightened drama than a typical murder mystery without a cop as the central character.  The investigation process moved along smoothly and kept my interest fully engaged.  The reader is doled out pieces and information along with Claire, and that doesn't allow for getting ahead of Claire much in figuring out the overall puzzle.  The investigation and revelations were nicely done, fostering the maximum reader investment by the climax.

The climax had its edge-of-your-seat moments that were well thought out and executed.  The wrap-up had its touching aspects and felt complete.   

This was a great adventure murder mystery that will be hard to top.  I am already looking forward to the next book in the series to see where Ms. Groundwater will take Claire and what she will throw at her. 

Ratings:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

This video is from January 2011, but gives a good overview of the setting for the mystery.

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - December 2012

It is the first Monday of the month - time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers.  If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews.  

I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival.  Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.  Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Book of Secrets reviewed The Hiding Place by David Bell

A Date with a Book reviewed Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein

Kittling: Books reviewed Bloodthirsty by Marshall Karp

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Turtle Bay by Helga Stipa Madland


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart
 
Books to the Rescue reviewed Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae


Girl Lost in a Book reviewed A Plain Death by Amanda Flower

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell


A Date with a Book reviewed Death in the Memorial Garden by Kathie Deviny

Books to the Rescue reviewed The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Blood Bath & Beyond by Michelle Rowen 

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs

Books to the Rescue reviewed The Cat Sitter's Pajamas by Blaize Clement

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed  Let Them Eat Stake by Sarah Zettel

Book of Secrets reviewed Bruja Brouhaha by Rochelle Staab

Books to the Rescue reviewed The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Girl Lost in a Book reviewed A Not So Model Home by David James

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed A Witch Before Dying by Heather Blake

Book of Secrets reviewed A Lack of Temperance by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Books to the Rescue reviewed Finger Lickin' Dead by Riley Adams

A Date with a Book reviewed Death by Bourbon by Abigail Keam

Books to the Rescue reviewed If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton



Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Bear Bait by Pamela Beason

Book of Secrets reviewed Where Angels Rest by  by Kate Brady

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Play Him Again And The Panther

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber

Booking Mama reviewed Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kylke Williams

Book of Secrets reviewed The Empty Glass by J.I. Baker

Blogcritics reviewed Serial Date by D.V. Berkom

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Recipe for Treason by Andrea Penrose

Booking Mama reviewed The Racketeer by John Grisham



Author Interview

Kittling: Books gives us Scene of the Crime with Author Marshall Karp!

Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Carolyn Hart
 
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Michelle Rowen

Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Heather Blake

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A huge "Thank You" to all the wonderful bloggers out there who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming.

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.

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  Spread the word far and wide!!!
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Review - Recipe for Treason

I reviewed the first book SWEET REVENGE (click here) and the second in the series THE COCOA CONSPIRACY (click here), as well as interviewed the author (click here).  Today I review the newest addition to the series and judge how well it is keeping up with the bar set in the first two books.

Author:   Andrea Penrose

Copyright:  December 2012 (Signet) 336 pgs

Series: 3rd in Lady Arianna Regency Mysteries

Sensuality:  mild romance

Mystery Sub-genre:  Historical Intrigue

Main Character:  Lady Arianna Hadley

Setting:  England, 1814

Obtained Through:  from publisher for an honest review


Time-wise, this book picks up closely after the finish of the second in the series.  This book can stand on its own, but is richer if the prior two books have been read.  We join Lady Arianna and her new husband Sandro, the Earl of Saybrook, as they travel with their friend Henley to Scotland to follow up on their discovery of a traitorous plot against England.  They are ambushed on the road, and while in Scotland it is clear the adversary is one step ahead of them. Could their be a traitor among the English government?  Who can be trusted grows more murky as Arianna and the Earl of Saybrook race against the clock to keep explosive plans from striking a blow against England.  

To add to the personal stakes, the Earl's long standing friendship with a society lady, Miss Sophia Kirtland, is brought to the forefront since her assistance is needed.  Arianna's conflicted feelings are swirling amidst the cat-and-mouse game of intrigue, which notches up the tension overall.

Arianna is a smart action oriented character, perfect for intrigue and improvisation as she dons disguises and chases shadows. The marriage of convenience with the Earl is getting more difficult as her feelings become stronger for him.  In this addition to the series, the reader isn't as sure about the Earl's feelings as in the last book, which combines with the intrigue for an emotional ride.  The Earl is more of a forceful presence as he and Arianna risk their lives.  Their friend Hennley takes some emotional hits and his loyalties are even questioned.  The Earl's friendship with Sophia Kirtland brings a new, strong female to the mix.  She throws a few twists for Arianna, but adds to the overall story in her own right.  Sophia was the breakout character that the reader can't help but become invested in.

This series takes full advantage of the regency time period with the innovations to hot air balloon travel and the rumors of Napolean attempting to escape exile and make a power grab.  Scotland and London are wonderously portrayed taking the reader vividly to that time and place in the past.


The plot is an enjoyable romp with a few areas to catch your breath. The pacing is taut and finely balanced to create a page-turner.  Well done!  The climax has a well conceived and executed suspenseful chase.  The wrap-up answers some questions, but leaves others dangling to entice the reader with the next book. 

This book is on the verge of tipping over into a historical thriller with its breathless intrigue worthy of a regency-era Laura Croft-esque heroine and equally adventurous hero, yet with developed characters to contribute to the recipe.


Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.  It really is that good.  I am still surprised this isn't released in hard-cover. If you enjoy C.S. Harris or Tasha Alexander, you should love this book too.

Holiday Card Projects

Greeting cards are part of the holiday season. We make lists of who should get a card, but without fail you will receive a card from a person you did not expect to. Oh the shame.

But what if you made or bought holiday cards to inspire somebody going through a really tough time, somebody who needs a bright spot in their day? Heidi at deviantART has started the Holiday Card Project for just this purpose.

From the website (click here) "In past years, the Project has received more than 5,000 cards sent in by more than 1,000 deviants from 50 different countries/political regions. Cards were then divvied up and distributed in-person by deviantART members to local Los Angeles, CA hospitals, with additional cards given to various hospitals in the U.S. and abroad for hospital staff members to hand out to patients."

"The purpose of the Holiday Card Project is to have deviants create physical holiday cards for people who are hospitalized during the holiday season — helping to bring a little cheer to those who are undergoing a hospital stay."

You can hand make a card or two, or purchase them, write an encouraging note (share your favorite inspirational poem or quote etc.) to that hospitalized stranger, and send it to:
deviantART, Inc.
Holiday Card Project
7095 Hollywood Blvd., #788
Hollywood, CA 90028
U.S.A.
 
They take care of distributing to hospitals.  One quality, heartfelt card is better than several lacking feeling - so quality over quantity please.  This could be a great family activity to get the kids involved with.  Remember, you will place your cards and envelopes inside a mailer.  You can easily remain anonymous by leaving the return address on the card envelope blank.   Deadline is December 15 for them to receive the cards so they can distribute them.

As a bonus, you will receive one month of premium deviantART membership, so sign up for free and include a note with your username along with any cards you send them.  It is an amazing site with quality artwork touching on a wide range of tastes.

If you would like to remember our hospitalized or deployed military men and women, the Red Cross has a Holiday Mail for Heros drive (click here for details.)  Each year the Red Cross collects cards between October and early December and then distributes them at military installations, veterans hospitals, and in other locations.  Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456.  The deadline for having cards to the P.O. Box is Friday, December 7th.

In addition to sending cards on your own, you may want to host card signing parties or card making parties.

I think this is a great way to keep the idea of giving from our hearts alive in the holiday hype.  Better than getting stressed over the commercial aspect.  I scrapbook and have been getting into card making - so I am making at least one for each of these groups to send in.  I am looking forward to it.   

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Just a reminder note to please submit your mystery/suspense book blog reviews or author interviews for the Blog Carnival.  Last month there weren't enough submissions, so we did not have a carnival.  

Please submit links to recent articles (within the last 3 months) to keep the information fresh.  Submit at this link:

(http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8796.html)

Review - The Anatomist's Wife

This is a brand new historical mystery, or is it a historical suspense?  Whatever the case, here is an author to keep an eye on as the Lady Darby Mystery series debuts.

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Copyright: November 2012 (Berkley) 368 pgs

Series: 1st in Lady Darby Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild period references to promiscuity

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Suspense

Main Characters: Lady Kiera Darby, an accomplished artist and widow, society outcast

Setting: 1830, Scotland - isolated Gairloch Castle

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review


Kiera's husband died unexpectedly a year and a half ago.  Sir Anthony Darby married her for one reason only, to use her artistic ability to illustrate his book.  He was an anatomist and surgeon, one of the men who dissected scores bodies to document how the human body functioned back when medicine was getting more scientific.  Kiera was forced to do the illustrations of internal organs etc. during the dissections.  When her husband suddenly died, the truth was revealed about her husband's work and her part.  She is considered unnatural and evil by the majority of people and thus is an outcast. She has been treated very badly by society and has taken refuge, for most of the past eighteen months, at her sisters home in Scotland healing from the many emotional scars.

Kiera's sister and her husband, Alana and Philip, decide to host a grand house party and have several people stay for a few days.  The book opens with the screams of one guest as the body of Lady Godwin is found in the popular shrubbery maze.  The son of a London investigator, Sebastian Gage, is in attendance and begins the investigation while everyone awaits the nearest official to arrive, in about six days.  Since Lady Darby is the closest thing to a medical examiner they have (after all her illustrations of bodies and internal medicine), she is pressed into lending a hand.  

Kiera's past comes back to haunt her when the consensus is that she must be the murderer and she is plagued, even in her sanctuary, by slander and vile gossip.  Kiera can't be sure that Gage isn't just keeping an eye on his number one suspect rather than really needing her assistance.  Upon Kiera's examining the body, it is clear Lady Godwin died from a slit throat, but the surprise is how she had been pregnant - obviously due to an affair since her husband has long been out of the country.

Kiera is a phenomenal character.  She is deeply wounded from being blatantly and coldly used during her marriage, then nearly terrorized after his death.  She trusts only her sister and is fiercely loyal to her.  Her assistance in the investigation shows that no matter how wounded and tormented, she has an inner strength that sees her through it all.  She has her vulnerable moments, which are completely realistic, yet she steels herself and rises to strike down the killer amongst them. Sebastian Gage is a capable enough investigator, but he is also a ladies-man.  His character transforms from a shallow flirt to a serious investigator that shrewdly eyes all the guests.  He also shows he can have compassion.  I liked his character and feel there is far more to him yet to be discovered. There is a tentative attraction between them that is so precarious it could crumble easily, which adds to the complexity and layers of this story.  Alana is the paragon of a loyal sister and devoted mother with a surprising sharp tongue and fighting spirit.  Her husband Philip is a good guy who loves his wife and clearly cares about Kiera and her rough life.  His character was a careful balance of brotherly concern and Lordly authority.  Lady Stratford was the surprising breakout character, but I can't share any more without some spoilers - so enough said.

The setting of isolated Gairloch Castle in Scotland was used to its fullest advantage.  This setting gave some Gothic touches and helped to heighten the suspense.  Well done. There is less a focus on heavy Scottish brogues and plaids and more on taking advantage of the castle in the challenging landscape.  I think this strategy paid off well.

This is a traditional mystery in the sense that there are a limited number of suspects all staying at the castle, and figuring out the murder's timing and movements are almost as important as the motive to the solving the case.  The plot unfolds as more information about the victim is revealed during the investigation, providing many suspects.  I did pick up on the subtle clues and had fingered the killer, but the motivation was a surprise.  The climax was high suspense and got the blood pumping.  The wrap up promises a reunion of Kiera and Mr. Gage for the next book.


Great historical, great traditional mystery, and great suspense all woven together into an edge-of-your-seat story that leaves a lasting impression.  I LOVED this book, I keep thinking about it after finishing it!! 

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy several copies: one for you and one for each of your historical-mystery-loving friends for gifts this holiday season! :-)