Blood Hunt by Ian Rankin

An excellent standalone thriller by Rankin, who really, I feel, ranks as one of the top thriller writers, in addition to being a top-notch mystery writer as well, of the Rebus detective series. Taking place mostly in California , but also moves to London and Scotland , the main character, Gordon, here is a former Special Forces soldier who’s brother has committed suicide. Once Gordon arrives in California to take his brother home to the UK , he finds out that, most likely, it was not suicide, but rather murder. Fast-paced and very well-written this one is a must for all thriller lovers and British mystery fans!

Wild Ride

Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer manage to do it again in their latest book Wild Ride. With action, adventure, and quirky characters, the paranormal storyline take the reader on one heck of a trip.

Dreamland, an old amusement park in Ohio, needs some work. Mab has been working her butt off restoring the park to it's former glory. Her goal is to have it shining for the Halloween celebrations. But it is a little strange that the owners and long time residents Gloria, Gus, and Delpha don't want her working at night. And they are a bit anxious when she is working with the statues of the park mascots. Especially after FunFun the clown seems to run her over - or was that an illusion she had? Maybe she has been working too hard.

Gloria's son Ethan returns from the military and gets shot at on the Dreamland grounds. Who is after the Dreamland residents? And what is up with the midnight roller coaster run? His mom keeps talking about demons. Ethan might just have to sober up to figure this all out. What do you mean he's the new Hunter?

Using humor, and great plotting, Crusie and Mayer lead the reader down the path to figuring out just how paranormal this family park is. With twists and turns galore, it is indeed a roller coster of a ride. Great dialogue and lots of frothy fun! And it makes one want to visit Dreamland for real! A great read.

ROSENFELT MINUS THE GOLDENS

DOWN TO THE WIRE by David Rosenfelt

Rosenfelt, known for his Andy Carpenter series, introduces a new character in Chris Turley, a good, but not great, small town newspaper reporter who lives in the legacy of his famous newspaper reporter father. He is looking for that one great story that will net him the Pulitzer and erase any comparisons to his dad.
An anonymous tipster phones with possible information regarding corruption at a high level government office. Turley is asked to meet the anonymous caller in the parking lot of a nearby medical center. Upon arrival, Turley is unable to meet up with the tipster, but instead witnesses the explosive destruction of the medical building. He is able to run into the building to save several people before the building collapses. Instant fame follows as every TV tabloid and news show clamors for an interview with Turley.

He learns quickly, however, that the "madman" responsible for the explosion is not finished with his killing spree. Through almost daily anonymous phone calls, he utilizes Turley as his pawn and "mouthpiece" to report on his ongoing random murder spree. Turley complies as his continued reporting may lead to the coveted Pulitzer. Turley is also wondering about the motive for the killings, and why he was selected by the crazed killer.

Rosenfelt's writing is succinct and to the point. The story is suspenseful and often surprising. As is the case with many of the popular crime/thriller authors, the ending is a disappointment and not very satisfying. However, the ride there is a thrill.

Rosenfelt is known for his Andy Carpenter series of crime novels. In this book, he keeps the humor of the Carpenter series, but loses the omnipresent golden retriever. Still a good read with enough believable plot twists and turns to make it worth the read.

Too Much Money by Dominick Dunne

Entertaining book about high NYC society. The late Dunne (he passed away just after finishing this book) really captures the insiders view of society life perfectly, mostly because he was ONE OF THEM. So, the world he is writing about was really his own world. Silly in parts and the ending was too vague for me, mostly I enjoyed this romp through the lives of people I will never be allowed (or, for that matter, want to) socialize with.

Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

Another methodical, character-driven book by the Queen of Family-in-Crisis Novels, Anne Tyler. When I say that Tyler is the Queen of these types of books, it’s a compliment, not an insult. Just because she writes mostly about issues with families doesn’t mean she’s not one of the strongest writers still writing today in America. And this novel proves she is as good as ever! Her main character here, Liam, is a recently laid-off (AKA early retirement) school teacher who, according to him, is too young to retire but too old to be hired by another school. After losing his job, he gives up his larger home for a smaller apartment, and on his first night in the new place, he is attacked by an intruder. Sadly, after he wakes up in the hospital the next morning, he has NO memory of the attack. The last thing he remembers is going to bed. From that moment on, Tyler weaves Liam into a complex, yet simple, man who is trying to get his life, and memory, in order. A slow-moving, yet fascinating story unfolds…Liam’s story. And, Tyler, as usual, tells it with thoughtfulness and care.

Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Three stories set in the present, the recent past and the late 1870’s intertwine in this novel by Elizabeth Kostova which captures the conflict between life and art. Obsession and its consequences form its core.

Robert Oliver, an artist, is sent to a mental health facility after attacking a painting in the National Gallery with a knife. Robert remains silent, spends hours pouring over old letters in French and draws sketch after sketch of a dark-haired women dressed in 19th centruy clothes. Andrew Marlow, his psychiatrist and a painter himself, becomes very involved, interviews both the former wife and lover of the painter, and travels to Paris, North Carolina and New York to solve the puzzle of his patient.

This is a long novel but I did not tire of the characters and long descriptive passages. The sections on painting techniques and the artists in France during the Impressionistic movement were fascinating. There are several tender love stories to capture the reader’s interest and move the novel to a satisfying conclusion.

Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis

A very entertaining read, for Du Maurier lovers and others as well...those who just like a good story and some good mystery. Challis takes the future authoress and fictionally creates her as an amateur sleuth, all the while allowing her to use her sleuthing for material for her novels, mostly Rebecca. Set in Cornwall, England (Du Maurier's home county in England), Challis sets up a Rebecca-esque story here with all the trimmings...money, a large manor house, an austere housekeeper, a mysterious young woman of a questionable background, and, of course, the sea in the background, its waves crashing against the cliffs. Daphne as a young pre-novelist sleuth is very appealing. She's innocent, yet worldly. She's careful, yet adventurous. Rebecca is one of my favorite books and I'm always skeptical when someone tries to "improvise" on already-near-perfect work. Here, I think Du Maurier herself would be proud.