Summer Island by Kristin Hannah

Nora Bridge has to come to terms with mistakes made in her past. When she is in an accident, she needs to recuperate and her youngest daughter says she will stay with her. This could be a mistake as Ruby has an intense dislike for her mother who walked out on her family when Ruby was sixteen. Her sister Caroline seems to have come to terms with her mother's actions, but seems to be withdrawn and distant. What is going on in all their lives really? A poignant and moving story of love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Buried Prey by John Sanford

Back when Lucas Davenport was a rookie, a couple of young girls disappeared. He was determined to find them and didn't think the homeless man charged with the disappearance was guilty. Now, construction at an old building site has uncovered the bodies of the two girls and Lucas is on it. Pieces of the puzzle are fitting together and the killer of these two and probably more is about to be brought down. Fast-action, suspenseful and logical plot, a great read.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

It is time again for the Hunger Game, the 75th one, and the rules have been changed. The living victors from all the games in each district qualify. Wouldn't you know it, Katniss is the female contestant for District 12. Everyone is despondent. There are rumours of rebellion and President Snow is extremely angry with Katniss, looking at her as an instigator. Catching Fire is exciting from the beginning, weaving a tale of intrigue and fellowship like none other. A great second book.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a place once known as North America, people in twelve districts are trying to survive, some better than others, its' Capitol a den of iniquity, selfishness, greed and cruel games. It is time for the "reaping." A selection process where two young teenagers, one a girl, the other a boy, are selected from each district to participate in the Hunger Game. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen has volunteered to go in her sister's place when her name was drawn and now surely faces her death. Swept along in the rush of preparing for the games, pampered, and seduced by the offer from the table of plenty, Katniss trusts no one, and struggles to keep her composure as the hours pass by until the Launch into the Game. A novel of romance, philosophy and suspense. Not a bad read.

Left for Dead by J. A. Jance

Life in southern Arizona is difficult. When deputy sheriff Jose Reyes is shot and left for dead while on the job, someone else is dumping the presumed dead body of a young prostitute close to the Mexican border. A curious chain of events draw these two events closer and closer, and only the stubbornness of a couple of police officers with the assistance of a former police academy classmate, Ali Reynolds, brings this mystery to its logical conclusion. An interesting plot.

Blood Storm by Bill Brooks

John Henry Cole, employed by Ike Kelly's Detective Agency in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, arrives in town with a dead man in a dress on a horse. Before he has a chance to explain, Kelly sends John off to Deadwood in response to a letter he has received from an old flame regarding the deaths of three of her "girls." Deadwood is not an inviting place to be in the midst of winter, miners and gamblers trying to get ahead in this dreary mining camp. John seems to get off to the wrong start with the local sheriff right off the bat and things go steadily down hill after that. Encounters with Doc Holiday and Calamity Jane spice up his life, and a couple of bounty hunters who have it in for John keeps the reader turning the pages to learn what happens next. Hot in pursuit of the murderer or murderers, John doesn't give up. A great western read.

Storm Prey by John Sandford

Weather Karkinnen, surgeon and wife of investigator Lucas Davenport, arrives at the hospital early for a scheduled surgery on con-joined twins only to learn that the hospital's pharmacy has been robbed. The robbers aren't the sharpest tacks in the box and one of them assaults one of the pharmacists to the point of death, sending them on a Laural and Hardy-esque rampage of fear, second-guessing and murder. When one of the robbers fears that Weather has identified him as they were leaving the hospital, they import a hired gun to help with the damage control. Weather and Lucas are fearless as they continue to do their jobs while chaos surrounds them. An exciting and suspenseful tale of dumb and dumber trying to outwit the smart guys. A great little read.