Dark Truth by Mariah Stewart

Nina Madden arrives in her home town of Stone River, sixteen years after her father was imprisoned for rape and murder. He died in prison, with an appeal still ongoing, and now her step-mother has died. Hoping for a friendly reconciliation with Kyle, her stepbrother, Nina looks forward to closing things down and returning to her business. When an attorney tells her the house was left to her and the priest gives her a box of her father's belongings with letters to her and his deceased wife, old emotions rise to the surface. When new murders surface, casting doubt on her father's guilt, Nina turns to Regan Landry for help. Twists and turns make for thrilling reading.

Hard Truth by Mariah Stewart

Lorna Temple comes home to close her family's home after the death of her mother. Her brother and sister are not free to help her and she is faced with the job alone. There is construction at the edge of the field, a section sold off to pay for her late mother's medical expenses. When human bones are discovered at the site, memories of two children who disappeared 21 years ago again are in the spotlight. It is determined that the bones belong to Jason Eagan, brother of Lorna's friend Melinda, and their mother has been arrested for his death. Reagan Landry is called upon by Lorna for help, who turns her to T. J. Dawson, ex-FBI agent, now private-eye to assist. When more bones are found, investigators take a second look at the disappearance of the brother and sister. A great story, weaving mystery and murder into a captivating tale.

Treme (DVD) first season

New Orleans is trying to dig out from the debris of hurricane Katrina. John Goodman plays a writer-professor married to an attorney. They are trying to salvage the city, fight the bureaucrats, and get justice for the masses. Liberally laced with music of Bourbon Street, soul, jazz and close-ups of the misery experienced by the citizens of New Orleans. A great pseudo-documentary based on fact.

Cold Truth by Mariah Stewart

Twenty-six years ago, Cassie Burke's parents and younger sister were murdered. Today she is a homicide cop. When the small community is again shocked by killings that seem to be related to those committed years ago, Cassie is grateful for the help of FBI agent Rick Cisco. When her cousin is attacked and nearly murdered, the hunt for the killer is stepped up and Regan Landry is included in the searching. Stewart writes a thrilling mystery setting up the base for Landry's character for future stories.

Betrayal of Trust by J. A. Jance

When Washington State's governor turns to P J Beaumont for help with a family member, it becomes more than a joke to all involved. A fake snuff film becomes reality, people die and P J with partner/wife Mel Soames digs into the investigation uncovering corruption threatening young lives. Not a bad read.

The View from the Lighthouse by Melody Carlson

Four young women, neighbors, discover they have things in common. Diane wants to write a novel, Shelley a young mother of two, Margaret an artist and Beverly who comes to the Cove on weekends to care for her father. When they start seeing mysterious lights at the abandoned lighthouse, their curiosity is aroused. A simple tale of neighborliness, caring for one another and experiencing God working in the lives of these young women.

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

Jaycee Dugard shares with the reader the horrifying years she experiences after being abducted when she was eleven and her inner strength and resolve to protect herself and her two children born while in captivity. A heart-wrenching story.

Damages (DVD) the complete third season

Litigator Patty Hewes and Assistant District Attorney Ellen Parsons are still at odds. This time financier Tobin has created a Ponzi scheme, defrauding thousands of investors. Leading to murder and mayhem, a twisted tale emerges. Glenn Close and Rose Byrne do a great job.

A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly

Harry has his hands full with a murder investigation. Meanwhile, Terry McCaleb has moved to Catalina Island, married and is the father of a little girl. He thinks he is satisfied with his new life but when Sheriff's Detective Jaye Winston arrives with a murder book and a tape, his blood-hound juices begin to flow. His quick look has him hooked and soon this crime seems to tie into Harry's case. As ever, Connelly writes an action-packed thriller, giving the reader a look into the deepest, darkest, blood-lust criminal mind.

Killing the Blues by Brandman, Michael

Police Chief Jesse Stone is looking at a busy summer season in Paradise, Massachusetts. Hondas are being car-jacked, something is killing the dogs, a public relations executive (read niece of a councilman) is promoting concerts to promote tourism, and to top it all off, Jesse learns a bad-boy from his past is probably headed his way for revenge. Brandman continues the saga of Jesse Stone in an excellent manner. Plenty of sassy dialogue, excitement and thrills. A great read.

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

It has been a dry spell, now homicide detective Harry Bosch has been called to the scene of an execution-style shooting. His new partner, Iggy Ferras, is hesitant to follow Harry's lead as Harry's reputation has followed him to this new position at LAPD. Due to the victim's work with radioactive capsules, the FBI arrives on the scene looking at the murder as a terrorist action. Leave it to Harry, ever vigilant, to determine that the officials are being played. When FBI agent Rachel Walling arrives on the scene Harry doesn't know whether to breathe a sigh of relief or be wary. Connelly again writes a great murder mystery.

Damages (DVD) the second season

Glenn Close and Patty Hewes and Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons continue the saga of women lawyers in litigation. Ellen is pissed and wants to take Patty down. Patty has a man (played by William Hurt) from her past arrive with a box of information that he wants her to "take care of" for him. Pretty good second season.

Porch Talk by Philip Gulley

Philip Gulley writes essays, reminiscing much as folks do when they are lounging on the front porch watching the world go by. Easy reading, funny and fun.

The Sixes by Kate White

Author Phoebe Hall is taking some time off from writing, teaching journalism at Lyle College. When a student is found, drowned, in the river after Phoebe had talked to her, Phoebe feels her investigative juices warm up. Secret societies, lies, people missing. All these things seem to be coming together, causing even Phoebe to fear that something evil was about. Lots of darkness, lots of investigating, lots of "I need to talk to you in person" conversations. An ok read.

City of Bones by Michael Connelly

A dog finds a bone, leading detective Harry Bosch in search of a 24 year-old child killer. His partner, Edgar, is frustrated with Harry who heads out on his own in search of answers. His boss knows Harry has the right stuff but he isn't a team player. When the media exposes a suspect who then commits suicide, Harry plays hard-ball. Looks like Harry might not be at his job much longer if he doesn't start playing by the rules. A great, twisted, tale of murder, suspense and thrills. Hard to put down.

Damages (DVD)

Glenn Close portrays Patty Hewes, an aggressive litigator in New York. Protegee Ellen Parson (played by Rose Byrne) is thrilled to be hired by her prestigious law firm. In the middle of a class action law suit against CEO Arthur Frobisher (played by Ted Danson), Ellen finds things are not as simple as they seem. Patty Hewes is determined not to lose at any cost. Ellen finds she doesn't have a life outside of the office and her fiance isn't any too happy with their arrangement. People are getting threatened, even murdered. For an evening of suspense, check out the complete first season of Damages.

Escape by Barbara Delinsky

Emily Aulenbach and her husband have been on the lawyer "fast track" for seven years ( but it seems like forever...) working grueling hours 24-7 with no breaks. Emily finally feels the need to get away, to escape from the rat race she feels trapped in. So she jumps in her husband's car and takes off to the beach leaving only a vague note about her whereabouts. When the beach doesn't meet her needs, she again takes off for a place that she last seemed happy at ten years ago. Will running away solve her problems? Will her husband understand? When she meets a woman, named Lee, who is having troubles of her own and needs Emily's' lawyerly help, she seems to make a connection, a brief satisfying feeling that at last she is doing something worthwhile with her life. Delinsky writes a compelling tale of women living life in the technological age searching for meaning to life, love and happiness. A great read.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

Jordan Scott, son of a modern day polygamist, struggles to rescue his mother from jail after his father is found murdered. In between these chapters, the reader learns about Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Mrs. Young is known for her crusade to end polygamy in the turn of the century and the author used known records of her experience as a plural wife as well as other historical documents to create a work of fiction. The author's creation is the "what if" you really knew what happened, who said what and thought what. Entertaining reading, if a bit tedious at times.

Death of a Cattle King by Wayne D Overholser

Death is the story of families settled in Oregon, ranching and learning to get along with each other in the days before statehood and the advent of any kind of reliable law. Sam Holt and Jason Bell are the patriarchs. There is a fence that is causing some of the trouble. Morgan Drew accompanied the Holt family west but seemed to be cut from a different fabric than Sam and Jason, wanting to get bigger, run out the small settler, taking what he wanted. A good read.

Reversal by Michael Connelly

Investigator Harry Bosch is hired by long time defense attorney Michael Haller, only Mickie is working for the prosecution this go-'round. The current DA doesn't want to risk his own future appointments when convicted child-killer Jason Jessup, who has already served 24 years, is granted a retrial. Jessup has a celebrity defense attorney already working for him in the media. Harry has to really dig for any new information since a lot of the previous "players" have died or are incompetent. Jessup is out on bail for the trial, and Harry feels confident that Jessup will strike again. Harry and Mickie both have teenage daughters that they fear for com- plicating the investigation. What a thriller. A real page-turner.

The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book by Camilla V Saulsbury

Loaded with more than 800 recipes using cake mixes, cookie dough and cereals. For fast and easy cooking, be sure to check this one out.

Singing Wires by L. P. Holmes

Clay Roswell thought he wanted to be a Pony Express rider. When he was bush-whacked by the Pickard brothers, his trip to the Express office got delayed and when he finally arrived, they told him he was too late, that the telegraph wires were running them out of business. Maybe he could get a job with them. Signing on with Jack Casement, after another run-in with the Pickard brothers, Clay felt the responsibility of the new job. Things go well, then there is a rat in the woodpile somewhere, a drover gets killed before they even get out of town and a wagon load of supplies is stolen. Clay has his suspicions. If it isn't the thieves, the weather in the desert, or the Indians, it is that rat that Clay is looking for. A great western story, full of the thrill of the times, stringing the telegraph wires west.

Promise Me by Harlan Coben

Bachelor Myron Bolitar looks upon his friends children as "sort of" his own and he cares and is concerned for them as well as their parents. When he overhears a teen-aged daughter discussing partying and drinking and driving, he makes two neighborhood girls promise him that if they are ever in a dangerous situation, to call him. He will come get them, no questions asked. When his phone rings at 2 am and he responds, picking up the girl, taking her to her friend's house, his nightmare begins. When she doesn't show up at home, Myron decides to track her down, the investigation leading to the disappearance of another missing girl also. Things being the way they are with young adults today, this story seems to have a ring of truth. A very good read.

Echo Park by Michael Connelly

Harry has been working a cold case that happened 13 years ago. Marie Gesto disappeared when she went to a ranch to work with their horses. Harry had a gut feeling who was responsible for her disappearance, but could not come up with any proof. Now there is a serial killer in jail who claims he was the one who killed Gesto. Harry doesn't buy Raynard Waits story. This is the story of Harry and Waits, and how Harry gets to the truth of the matter. A real page-turner. Good to the end.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben

Dr. David Beck has been grieving for his wife for eight years. When he receives an anonymous e-mail his world begins to spin. Is his wife still alive? What has happened in the past is starting to come undone, drawing Beck, his sister, and two friends plus a patient's father into a mysterious, enthralling, hard to put down read. Evil abounds. A great read.

Blood Work by Michael Connelly

Ex-FBI agent Terry McCaleb is recovering from heart transplant surgery. When the donor's sister arrives at his boat he is surprised. She is not supposed to know who he is. He is not supposed to know who the donor was. When she begs him to investigate the unsolved murder of her sister, to run down the killer, he is reluctant. He is after all, retired; no longer in a position to have access to the murder book, the police investigation records. Risking the ire of his doctor and against his better judgment, he agrees to look into the case. His search puts him on the trail of a mystifying and horrifying killer. A great read. Have read before, enjoyed again the second time.

The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray

Lucy is still trying to adjust two years after the end of an abusive marriage. She travels to Jacob's Crossing to help care for twenty-two year-old Mattie while she undergoes chemotherapy. On the train, she encounters Calvin Weaver and his little sister Katie who are returning to Jacob's Crossing after a visit with Katie's Uncle John. Calvin needed a distraction from a broken engagement to Gwen who decided she wanted someone else. A good beginning to introduce the relationship growth of two very caring people. A good read.