Mystery Crime Books

It was the portly Continental Op who usually played the starring role in Dashiell Hammett's written adventures. Sam Spade, tough guy private detective, was never a major character in the books, actually appearing in only one of Hammett's novels. But what a novel! It has been said that Hammett took crime fiction out of the wood-paneled libraries of tweed wearing detectives and put the thugs in the back alleys where they belonged.

Such a back alley is where Sam Spade's partner gets knocked off - fast - in the opening parts of THE MALTESE FALCON. The action only builds up from there, with Spade being surrounded by an assortment of characters, all of dubious morality, and all trying to play him like a violin. Spade, of course, recognizes these goons for exactly what they are. As his own morality is rather flexible, it isn't exactly that difficult for him to recognize the same trait in others. Like the thin blue line between cops and robbers, it doesn't take much to imagine Spade on the opposite side of this whole plot.

The plot, of course, revolves around an old and valuable statue, the falcon itself. Everyone wants it, but it is always just out of reach. Spade is just one more person, no doubt in a long, long line, who just happens to be in the way of those trying to get it. The double crosses and cards up everyone's sleeves would indicate that these cats have been at this quite some time to have picked up all the tricks.

Hammett all but invented crime noir fiction, and it shows. Short and terse dialogue matches the toughness of the characters. The crime boss refers to his flunky as being like a son, but then states that he can always get another son! Spade slapping a guy around and telling him he'll like it and ask for another. These characters recognize only one absolute - his or her own personal objective; finding the bird that everyone wants. Others exist merely as means to get it.

Hammett was a master of the English language and almost everything he wrote is a pleasure to read. THE MALTESE FALCON is no exception. In fact, it is usually considered one of his best, and with good reason. Fast and exciting, it takes us into a world of bad guys and manipulative women. There is a reason some authors stay in print decades after they are gone. Reading Hammett demonstrates why.

Plenty of raves for The Maltese Falcon abound as it remains the most quintessential detective story. I actually agree but think otherwise for several points. While the writing at times is good and stylish, Dashiell Hammett can at times be intermittent as he keeps the story taut and then lets it loose. Sometimes, the pacing is fast and slow and fast. The characters are every now and then annoying; take for instance, Brigid O'Shaughnessey, she can be boring with her talk when she goes in circles without reaching a point. Casper Gutman is loquacious and very pedantic. Joel Cairo isn't so bad himself but can be effeminate at times. His lines are not bad though. Speaking of lines, Sam Spade gets the best of them. But I am disappointed that he can be a "talker" especially when he rounds up the usual suspects at his apartment or is alone with Brigid to the end of the story. I prefer him to cut the chase and move fast and think fast pretty much of the time. Still, the story behind The Maltese Falcon is interesting and fun for a mystery read, but the actions, at least a few of them, are extraordinarily and complicatedly done. The logic seems to be overwhelming in certain points yet is essential to the mystery. If I had to choose the better version of The Maltese Falcon, it will be John Huston's film over Dashiell Hammett's book; the movie masterpiece is so much better executed and is regarded as the ultimate film noir of films noir. Everything in the film is exactly perfect and remains the way I envision of The Maltese Falcon; the book is pretty much one to two levels below the film. Again, that doesn't mean The Maltese Falcon is not a worthy read...it still is. Once I've read the book and also seen the picture a few times, the latter outclasses the former. One of the best parts of The Maltese Falcon the book is how perfectly well Dashiell describes the characters; it's a gift indeed. The lines that Sam Spade gets are of the legend stuff. Lo and behold, the ever famous quote "the stuff that dreams are made of" is notably missing in the ending. One of my favorites is when Sam says, "I won't play the sap for you." I liked how he keeps saying "dingus" for the falcon. Another is when he says "you're an angel" to his secretary. While Sam has affection (if that's what it is) for Brigid, I find it strange since they only met for few days and without being intimate. It's hardly realistic. All in all, The Maltese Falcon is an almost classic detective story but not of thoroughly supreme quality á la Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes. I am still laughing that our Sam Spade is a blonde. Wherefore art thou, Bogie?

Sam Spade, gorgeous dames, heat packing bad guys, treasure, action, private detective wit...this book has it all in "Spades". I'd never read the book and it's been long enough since I saw the movie that I was able to enjoy it without knowing what was coming next.

It's just your basic private detective novel, well paced, lots of fun, and plenty of action. I mean this is just about the gold standard for detective novels. If you want to know what Hammett and Chandler and LaSalle were all about, this is the book to start with.

This probably one of the best mystery novels ever written. Originally published in five issues of an old pulp magazine from 1929 to 1930, this has become the staple for fictional detectives without ethics. This novel and three short stories were the only fiction Dashiell Hammett ever wrote using the Sam Spade character, but I do recommend you also get the book, "The Radio Adventures of Sam Spade" also available on Amazon.com because it'll give you further adventures when you cannot get enough after reading this novel.

The Maltese Falcon is nothing to write home about. It's a good book, and I recommend it, but it is nothing discernibly "special." You don't finish it and go, "Wow!"

Hammett knew his onions when it came to the milieu of the private dick, and creates a memorable story and fleshy characters, but some of the plot points are a bit toooo sweaty. (Surprisingly for a commie author, Hammett omits any hint of politics...to his credit, and the book's.)

The MLA wants us to believe that The Maltese Falcon is the fifty-sixth best novel of the 20th century...which, in keeping with the MLA, is pretty ridiculous. Was it considered innovative at the time? Was it hugely influential? I don't know. But I do know that it is by no means a "classic" work of Western literature. It's a beach-read.

Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are coming to new stages in their lives. Sabrina, against her tomboy nature, is becoming more interested in makeup, trying to look prettier. Daphne is imitating her, because Sabrina is her role model, and yet Sabrina is annoyed by her sister's new antics. However, the girls do not have time to ponder their new ways in life: they have a new case to concentrate on.
The family wants a trial to be held for Mr.Canis in order to prove him innocent in the crimes against Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma. That is, if anyone would work with them. Mr.Canis is resistant to their assistance, and Mayor Heart and Nottingham won't let the Sherwood Associates (i.e. Robin Hood and Little John) get a word in for their client. Adding to the Grimm family troubles is finding Goldilocks so she can wake up the girls' parents. With help of a traveling chest, Uncle Jake and the girls travel to help her escape from a Scarlet Hand member, yet are denied her help.
This book is hilarious, as all the others all. I'm probably considered too old to read these books yet I find them all delightful. Everything is funny and witty, with a great spin on traditional fairy tale characters.
One touch to this book that I find particulary endearing is how Puck attached himself to Sabrina. The more we see him, the more I like him, especially because he helps Sabrina and actually has morals now. I cannot wait to see similar action in the upcoming books.
All in all, this book does everything it should. The Mr.Canis story is finally revealed, and with a does of laughter, this fast read will keep you in your seat.

This 6th book in the Sister's Grimm Saga makes me hungry for more! If you want an exciting twist to Happily Ever After, this is the series for you.
The Grimm Sisters and their unusual friends are lovable characters that readers really connect with emotionally. I feel curriosity, anger, embarrassment, and hope, right along with the characters.

This is one of my favorite books of the series. Almost as good as the 5th book (my favorite). I can't decide if I like it more than the 3rd book or not though. Both have the creepy Little Red Riding Hood in it and she is SUCH a fun character to read.

The only thing I didn't like about this book - was that it ended! :) My parents gave me the first four books for Christmas, and once I started them, I couldn't wait to read 5 and 6. By the way - I am in my thirties! :)

The Grimm books are clever - simple enough that a child can enjoy, but smart enough, so well-written, that I enjoy them too!

I highly recommend this series!!

Despite their many problems (including the fact that their parents are under a sleeping spell) Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are growing up. Sabrina, despite herself, is becoming a girly girl and Daphne is starting to imitate Sabrina. In a way, this is a welcome diversion for the girls as their grandmother's best friend, Mr. Canis, is on trial for crimes he committed while he was the Big Bad Wolf. The Grimms have very good reasons to fear Mr. Canis will not have a fair trial, but do everything they can to help him, including trying to find out what really happened to Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. What they discover will surprise all of them - even Mr. Canis.

"Tales from the Hood" is the wickedly funny sixth book in Michael Buckley's The Sisters Grimm fantasy series. The series is set in Ferryport Landing where fairy tale and other fantasy characters such as the Queen of Hearts, Robin Hood, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and others live. Buckley has a lot of fun turning the fairy tale world inside out for better or for worse (especially the Wizard of Oz series - he does a number on the Scarecrow in this book) and creates a world in which the Queen of Hearts is mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham is, well the Sheriff. All of the regular characters in the series are maturing as the series goes along, especially Sabrina and Daphne and Mr. Canis - whose back-story is finally reviewed in the book and it is a good one. While the book is aimed at children, readers of all ages will enjoy it - adults will love the way Buckley skews the fairytale and fantasy characters. And without revealing too much, the courtroom scenes are some of the funniest scenes in that setting I've ever read - Buckley's choice of judge is inspired. The book ends on a cliffhanger that left me anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

"Tales from the Hood" is a great entry in a wonderful fantasy series.

I have been a fan of Dean's since forever. This book is beyond a doubt one of the best ever. If your a fan of Koontz you won't put the book down till the end for that matter if you have never read Koontz start now. It will be the best thriller you ever read..................

Dean Koontz propels this suspenseful story with the drive of a young caring husband, Mitch Rafferty. At the onset, Mitch has a storybook life; the young and beautiful wife, a successful business of his own, a home. As each page turns demons emerge from his past. His parents are cold, unfeeling statues who repel the children in their adulthood. His brother's true identity is revealed to be a criminal, his three sisters have distanced themselves from the family.

Suddenly in the midst of a beautiful day at work, he is slammed with the news of his wife's kidnapping. The captors demand two million dollars for her release. A mere landscaper doesn't have that kind of cash.

The story that ensues feels like a hundred stories told before it. It is Die Hard, Fracture, Lethal Weapon, and uses the same old action and twisting adventure template that sells millions of copies. It stays true to the high body count, shocking revelations, betrayal, unmasking the bad guy at the end kind of structure that does it job keeping the pulse pounding, but does little for the imagination.

Not a bad read. I still recommend The Husband. However, prepare to be reminded.

What a dissapointment this book was! The storyline had so much potential and this could have been a great book. However, Koontz spends far too much time describing every flower and blade of grass (which add nothing but filler) than he does developing the characters. Out of a group of co-workers who share audio books, I was the only one who actually listened to it till the end. The endless descriptions of flora just turned everyone else off. But I thought the plot was good, so I held out for the ending, trying to ignore the fact that Koontz seemed to be trying to prove he could use a thesaurus and knows how to use adjectives. Then comes the ending-UNBELIEVABLY RUSHED and incomplete-faster than a NASCAR race and you feel robbed as he leaves too many unanswered questions. I have never felt before like a book was a waste of my time, but this one--oh yeah! It was like he got tired of writing the book and just rushed the ending to get it over with, dropping the characters and leaving too many loose ends.

I don't know how old this book is but it should be a movie. It's not one of his horror stories or some weird twilight zone kinda thing, it's just a good story and Koontz is a wonderful storyteller. Mitch is just a regular guy with a regular life until his wife is kidnapped and held for a 2 million dollar ransom. The twist and turns and chases in this book are great. I haven't read a lot of Koontz yet only like 4 or 5 books but this is right up there with Lightning. As usual with Koontz expect the unexpected, and even then you'll be surprised. Great story with great suspense, and as always he is the master of metaphors, you'll feel like your right there standing next to Mitch as he tracks down kidnappers. I usually only get to read for about an hour a day and I got thru this in about 4 days, I made time for this book, I had to know what was going to happen next.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book. It keeps you guessing, everything is up in the air, and you can cut the tension with a knife.

The second half muddles along like a drunk turtle. The entire plot is uncovered by the halfway point and then it's a slow parade of yawns to the final, predictable conclusion.

It was like Dean Koontz had a dream one night for a book that was fantastic, the only problem was that he woke up only remembering the first half and tried to just "wing it" during the second half.

I love his books. I love him enough to tell the truth, and the truth is tha this one is easily forgotten. It's right in the vein of Velocity and Nice Guy.

Take my advice, read the first half and then take a nap and dream up your own conclusion. I'm sure it'll be just as satisfying as this effort from Mr. Koontz.

A good mystery read, plus the Myron Bolitar adds some humor.
A good flowing story.

Myron Bolitar books are always hilarious and highly entertaining. The characters of Myron, Win, Esperanza, and the rest are all great. This book was a typical Myron Bolitar book in that it is complex yet easy to read, and there are no dull parts because it is so funny. I highly recommend all books in this series!

Coben knows how to weave a story that keeps you up all night finishing his books. This is no exception and his protagonist Myron is the best. A must read for all mystery fans. Excellent writing, plot and characters.

Harlan Coben is a superstar of suspense fiction, but didn't really become a major bestselling writer until his tenth novel, TELL NO ONE, in 2001. Before writing TELL NO ONE, Coben wrote a highly enjoyable murder mystery series involving a sports agent named Myron Bolitar. The Bolitar books have quite the cult following, but never achieved the sales success of Coben's standalones. DROP SHOT, the second novel in this series, is a fun read.

Unlike Coben's more recent novels, DROP SHOT is pretty much structured as a traditional mystery. A has-been tennis star gets murdered, and the murder may have a connection to one of Bolitar's superstar clients. As a result, Bolitar investigates the crime himself, and along the way manages to unearth a lot of skeletons from powerful peoples' closets.

I enjoyed this novel a lot. It's a fast read, filled with humor and a lot of fun dialogue. Coben knows how to plot a book in a manner that maintains the reader's interest, and I found the central mystery of DROP SHOT to be very intriguing. The characters in this novel are on the cartoonish side, but they are likable and fun to spend time with. I finished this book in a few sittings.

DROP SHOT isn't a particularly great novel, but it's a fun whodunnit, the type you enjoy reading on the sofa on a weekend afternoon. This book isn't as breathlessly exciting as TELL NO ONE or GONE FOR GOOD, but it's a solid book for people who like well written mysteries.

I'm a huge fan and am going through the whole series as fast as I can read. These are definitely a collection of novels which I will re-read in the future.

The book had a fair price, got to me immediately, and was in almost perfect condition.

Love Ann Rule's books, and I like these small case file stories more and more.

This is the first Ann Rule book that I have read.
She includes 7 cases that stretch from 1960 to the most current, the Winkler murder case.

The most intriguing for me was the oldest case. "The Antique Dealer's Wife" where Raoul Guy Rockwell undoubtedly murdered and dismembered his wife and step-daughter. He got away with it despite the dogged determination of the lead detective.

I found the case of Dorothy Jones a bizarre,unsolved mystery. There are two possible explanations and many reasons for believing either was the cause.

The chapter on the Winkler case leaves some questions unanswered.
There is no doubt that Mary Winkler killed her husband. The circumstances are unclear or at least,unproven.

"Smoke,Mirrors,and Murder" reads like a crime novel with both solved and unsolved murder cases. This is one of the better books in the true crime category that I have read to date and I can understand why readers like Ann Rule as an author. She's an excellent writer!

Rule's normally top-notch, formulatic TC books are always thrilling to read; this one, however, is limp and left me feeling cheated. No, it's not hasilty written; but rather open-ended. Rule has never before left her readers without an explanation, an outcome. Chapters such as "The Truckers' Wife" ask us to speculate on "Spontaneous Human Combustion" and never offers alternative theories, and very little investigation. As true crime, I was simply left unfulfilled.

This is the latest book in Ann Rule's True Crime Series. The Writings are not up to her usual High Standards. In each of the cases covered it seems the villian is all bad and the victim is all good, which is not the usual case in real life. The best story is in the last one covered, which is "The Minister's Wife". The latter is the story of the Minister's wife from Tennesseee who shot him in the back "in self defense". I was not aware that part of the reason for problems in the marriage is that she fell for one of these Nigerian inheritance schemes. I still find it hard to understand (As Ann Rule does)how anyone could believe that a complete stranger would give you thousands of Dollars. But I guess financially desperate people do desperate things. However the depiction of "The Minister's Wife" (for some reason) created sympathy for her (in me.) I was glad that she served a very short sentence, and was released. One of the things that made these cases unappealing is that most of them occurred many years ago, when life was so much different here in the USA. (No internet, PCs or Cell Phones.)

This was a phenominal read and very fast paced. First let me preface this review by saying that i do believe that its important to read the Alex Cross books in order. Many of the "bad" reviews came from reviewers who have not read the books in the proper order. OK, coming off my soap box now.

Alex Cross is on the hunt again. High Profile murders are being committed in the Heart of DC to some pretty important people. Alex is pulled off of a more personal case in order to work on this high profile one. But fear not the caped crusader will not be denied his target. The intesity of this book is great and i found it very difficult to put the book down. I thoroughly enjoy Patterson's writing style. He makes his stories easy to read and thrilling on top of that.

If you are looking for some exciting reads this summer i encourage you to read the Alex Cross series. You wont be disappointed...

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My headline says it all, I have equally loved every single James Patterson book I have read, I am his #1 fan and this book...just like all his others, didn't disappoint me in the least! S.L. Chessor author of My Tongue Fell Out & Poodlums Boogeymen and Booglers.Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers: A Poetry CollectionMy Tongue Fell Out

This is one of my favorites of James Patterson. I have always had difficulty putting down one of his books. There are two murder cases. One is Jack and Jill murders and the other is the murders of black children. These were two different cases, but why would Alex Cross think the murderers are one and the same? Read and find out, you will enjoy it. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Writing as a Small BusinessQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelTravelersThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

"Jack and Jill" was good, but it took a while for me to get into it. It seemed to stagnate in the middle, then finally did start moving again. But, let me add that when it did start moving again, it was great!

A set of assassins nicknamed Jack and Jill are loose on the streets of Washington, D.C. The pair are killing famous and influential people, such as movie stars, newscasters, and lawyers. At each crime scene, the duo leave a few lines of rhymed poetry detailing what they have done. And during the course of each murder, the Secret Service get a call as to where to look for the body.

In D.C.'s poor Southeast area, young schoolchildren are being murdered in broad daylight. The killer is an amateur, but few people are willing to volunteer details on what they have seen happen.

Detective Alex Cross is assigned to work both cases. The first is frightening because Jack and Jill are the Secret Service code names for the president and his wife; those protecting the Chief are worried about an assassination attempt. The second is terrifying because it is happening a few blocks from Alex's house. But when the powers that be decide that solving one set of killings is more important than the other, problems begin to arise.

Like the other novels in James Patterson's Alex Cross series (this being the third book), "Jack and Jill" revolves around a fast-paced plot, a set of murders that mirror the racial tensions in the United States, and more twists and turns than a maze. And, like his other novels, you won't be able to put it down.

The Third Option is Flynn's third spy thriller. Each one seem a little better then the previous. Nuff said, simply the best.

Rapp is involved in an assassination plot in Germany and should have taken the advice of his gut. His cohorts aren't working on the same side and try to kill him. Fast paced and always great to watch Rapp get out of a mess. Like Stansfield and hate to see him go. Kennedy is okay, but does not have the savvy that Stansfield has. Boy, once again those dirty Senators. Boy, it motivates one to get rid of Congress. Have to read Separation of Power to get justice. Loved it.

Flynn has hit his stride in this book. He carefully is starting to transition characters, which only adds to the complexity of the plot[s].

I just love this Mitch Rapp series. He's definitely our over the top guy. I hope there are people somewhat like him in real life. Prime characters: Mitch Rapp counter terrorist operative; Dr. Irene Kennedy Director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center;CIA Director Thomas Stansfield the ultimate master spy;President Robert X. Hayes;Senator Hank Clark Chairman of The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence;Congressman Albert Rudin Chairman of The House Select Committee on Intelligence. Peter Cameron a man for sale with 24 years of experience in The Agency's Office of Security. Secretary of State Charles Midleton an elitist snob who thought he should be running things. Clark has designs on the Presidency.Rudin has a deep hatred of the CIA. Plenty of spellbinding excitement as the plots unwind while Rapp thwarts the ambitions of Clark,Rudin & Midleton to take over the CIA.

Third Option and Seperation of Power could really be one book. If this was Clancy it would have been. Growing trend seems to be in a certain size book for this genre so I have an idea that's why it was split. Combined, these books offer a great story and compelling plot with plenty of action to go around. I really like the Mitch Rapp character. Do yourself a favor if your considering reading this book and pickup Seperation of Power at the same time. I was lucky and had ordered the whole Mitch Rapp series after reading "Consent to Kill". I'm out of order a bit as this was a latter book, but I've since started at the beginning and like I said enjoyed this book, but at the end I was like "Hugh"! The ending was incomplete until you read Seperation of Power.

Perhaps it because Tom Selleck has played Jesse Stone or maybe we all want to have a Jesse Stone in our lives but I love these books, the action is fast and the dialogue is funny. Not all the bad guys are completely bad and not all the good guys are completely good. Give Jesse a chance....

Good thing I got this one from the library and didn't spend money on it. It stinks! The worst book of this series by far. The series went steadily downhill after Stone Cold. This book is about Jesse, his boozing, his women, his relationship with his ex, and his therapy which has drug on for about a dozen years now. (Isn't this guy ever going to get better?).

The plot is totally ureal. Crow reappears after ten or more years from the time he stole $20million from the rich people of Paradise. And the most stupid thing of all is that ABOSULTELY NO ONE acts like they want their $20 million back!! I almost stopped reading at that point, it was so stupidly unreal. You never know why Crow comes back and it is not ever really explained except in a convoluted and roundabout way. Anyway, the plot is incidental and intrudes on the Jesse stories mentioned above occassionally. It finally grinds to a stop and I was greatful.

I also got totally sick of this liberal, east coast author shoving his beliefs down the readers throats. He has steadily increased this sort of thing over the coarse of this series. A sure sign that his talent is waning and he has lost his ability to actually write a mystery/crime story. Don't believe I will be revisting anything by Parker in the future.

Ten years ago, Jesse missed catching Wilson "Crow" Cromartie, and Crow got away with a huge haul from a heist in the rich part of town. Now Crow is back, and asking for Jesse's help - as in, asking Jesse to stay out of his way. He has been assigned to bring a teenage girl - Amber Francisco - home to her father. However, Amber is living with her mother, Fiona, in poverty and embroiled in a Latino gang. However, when Amber's father Louis insists that Crow kill Fiona before bringing Amber to Florida, Crow refuses. He may be a hit man, and a "bad" guy, but he doesn't kill women. Jesse is there to help as he can, and his on-again, off-again relationship with his ex-wife becomes more "on" as she uses the access she has through Jesse to do a documentary on gangs.

Finally, Crow and Jesse come up with an incredibly complex scheme to destroy Louis Francisco and save his daughter, Amber.

This is a fairly short book and I was on several occasions bemused by two page chapters. Nonetheless, it is a fun story - I like Crow a lot and hope we'll see him again. Fans of Parker won't want to miss this one.

If Robert B. Parker's name didn't appear on the bookcover I don't see how this book could have been published. Since Mr. Parker now publishes 3-4 books a year at age 75 I guess he can't be bothered to write full length novels so we get 3 page chapters often with less than 60 words on the page.

The plot is thin and there's no mystery or tension to speak of. Some long standing characters seem to do things at odds with their previous actions and the new characters fall into the tired stereotypes of Latino gangbangers and Italian Mob bosses.

Jesse Stone's new sidekick,Crow, is almost a carbon copy of Spenser's Hawk. I mean couldn't Mr. Parker come up with a name that isn't a bird? The Crow character runs around town shooting people right and left and every woman he meets falls on their back begging him to take them. I sometimes wonder if Mr. Parker hates women as they are all weak and easy in this book.

The Jesse Stone character started strong but he has become a less funny version of Spenser who goes on and on about his silly ex-wife and how he could have made it in the majors.

Frankly, as someone whose read Mr. Parker's books for going on twenty years this book made me sad. I think maybe he should consider retirement.

Parker let me down this time...repeats everything. on & on& On.....Needs to think up new plots or do away with Jesse.

I was hesitant at first to read The Coroner's Lunch as I had never really preferred procedural police mysteries. But I am so glad I did! The writing is light but the imagery is rich and dense. I was immediately and completely immersed in a world I have never been but seemed very real from the page. The humor is dry and subversive - I caught myself several times laughing out loud when I least expected it. There is a spiritual component and at first I was skeptical of whether it would fit in with the wit and realism of the rest of the writing but the writer successfully melds both with a delicate deftness. When I finished this book I couldn't wait to read the next in the series! Thankfully, there are several more.

Colin Cotterill has created some wonderful characters which he weaves into a tale that is gripping, humorous, and culturally enlightening. I love how he uses Lao and Hmong beliefs, spririts, and traditions to add a supernatural flavor to his insight into solving cases and dealing with life as a wise, elderly coroner in Laos. These books are very easy to read in a day. I have read Cororner's Lunch and Thirty Three Teeth, both of which I read back-to-back. I am buying the rest in the series and look forward to more.

I bought this book because I love unusual mysteries and had just spent some time in Laos. I was very pleased with it, and have picked up the author's subsequent books.

Other reviews will tell you something about the plot, but I would like to tell you why the book is so good: It brings Laos alive. It is set in 1976, just after Laos had a successful Communist revolution, and it describes both the physical country and the people with a very credible degree of expertise.

The author tells of the early days of Lao Communism with a wry humor that allows him to give readers the true spirit of a very difficult time, while not appearing to be preaching. Having studied Lao history and discussed it with some locals while I was there, I can say that the author is not making up anything fundamental -- he is true to the spirit of what went on then.

At the same time he tells a detective tale worth reading. Because it includes some spiritualist aspects (typical of Laos), some might find it offputting or lacking in credibility. I suggest that the opposite should be true. Opening yourself up to a different culture and its ideas is very enlightening, and a good mystery is a great vehicle for doing it.

Lastly, if you are an older person like me, go out of your way to get this book. The elderly coroner is a great role model, while displaying the usual infirmities to make him endearing.

Dr Siri Paiboun is a surgeon in his seventies and is keen to retire. The People's Democratic Republic of Laos has a different view:

`Of course, Comrade Siri, we have to have a coroner because, as you well know, any organised socialist system must be accountable to its brothers and sisters. Revolutionary consciousness is maintained beneath the brilliance of the beam from the socialist lighthouse. But the people have a right to see the lighthouse keeper's clean underwear drying on the rocks.'

And so it is that without any formal training, Dr Siri becomes the Chief Coroner of Laos. What may have been a routine existence of making do with scarce supplies and managing the officious requirements of bureaucracy becomes rather more complicated when a senior official's wife turns up dead and the bodies of Vietnamese soldiers start surfacing in a Laotian lake. Who is covering up what, and why? Could these deaths be linked in some way?

This is a delightful novel. It combines mystery, humour and wonderfully subtle observational wit about the ways in which people rebel against authority in order to assert their individuality. Dr Siri himself is as fascinating as the cases he is solving, and this novel is a splendid gallimaufry of people, situations and circumstances. There may even be some red herrings to identify.

If you like mystery with elements of mayhem, then you may well enjoy this novel. This is the first of five novels so far published to feature Dr Siri Paiboun. I discovered this novel quite by accident, but now that I have, I am keen to read the others.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

First of all, thanks to V.J.Canberra for recommending this historical/esoteric/ethnic series of crime novels around Dr.Siri.
Meet the hero: the man is 72 and reluctantly (he would rather retire) national chief coroner of the recently turned Republic of Laos under communist Pathet Lao rule. The time is 1976. Dr.Siri is insufficiently qualified as well as equipped and staffed. He makes that up by being the founding father of cynicism. He has odd green eyes. Dogs hate him (until a turnaround point in the plot when they begin to love him). His bosses are weary of his atttitude. Women seem to love him, but he has only recently begun to notice, his wife died 10 years ago. He has been a long time party member, but for the wrong reasons (chercher la femme! though Thai radio propaganda against the new regime claim that all Lao communists are ugly.) On top of all this, Siri is psychic. He sees dead people, "all the time". (saw that movie? it would help)
All Asian countries are heavily infested with ghosts and spirits. Probably the poorer, the more infested. As Siri is otherwise short of resources, he makes best use of his off-curriculum abilities (which actually go against his scientific mindset.)
The novel has three concurrent crime cases, which stretch poor Siri's skills to the limits.
First, a communist top cadre's wife has died under strange circumstances. While this case is the most normal of the three and easily seen through, it provides most of the suspense in this otherwise rather funny book.
Second, three shady Vietnamese turn up killed, which threatens to cause an international confrontation. Siri solves the case and saves peace, which however doesn't fully convince; it may not be fully thought through. Third, in an army project that wants to help minority people to substitute opium by other cash crops, the army commanders have been dying one after the other in strange circumstances. The story leads into realms of spirits that I am not familiar with and that make Siri become an unexpected exorcist's assistant.
I was considering to deduct a star for too much reliance on the other world and for a wobbly second case, but then, as I like the book a lot, I thought, what the heck. Go for it!

Ms. Dance is a "human lie detector" who works for California's version of the FBI. So, when an unsolved murder involving a mass murderer behind bars hits her desk, she has Daniel Pell (the murderer) brought to a prison near her (why not go where he's already incarcerated, you ask? -- Don't!). This percipitates a fiendishly complicated escape plot that is executed perfectly and then the chase is on with Dance trying to understand what Pell is doing while he outsmarts her at every step. The bodies keep piling up as Dance is always almost catching Pell and more and more devilish twists come up.

For a mystery thriller there does not seem to be much mystery as we follow Pell through the book and know that he is the main subject. However, this is definitely a thriller and the pages keep turning and the book cannot be put down. Just when you think the plot is getting ready to be resolved, you learn of some new twist and turn - reading the other reviews here, I note that this is vintage Deaver.

I was completely taken in by the plotting and the twisting and certainly never expected the two major plot twists that came up at the end of the book. One was acceptable to me and had me rooting for Deaver for having come up with such a delightful thing, the other one I did not care for. I will not write what they are as they will ruin the book for others.

Of course, this kind of thriller requires you to suspend reality completely. I mean, what is the reason for Dance not to go interview Pell in the super-secure prison that holds him? Why bring him out to a different facility where he manages an escape? Even more baffling is exactly how smart and up to date Pell is. He frequently manages to pre-think the scrapes he will be in and have prepared for them well in advance. Also, even though he has been in prison for almost a decade, he manages to know exactly which locations to drive to that are completely deserted to perform various nefarious deeds. Dance is always a step behind until the very end of the book when the obligatory shoot out takes place.

So, a great summer or airplane read and I highly recommend it for that purpose.

I've been a fan of Jeffrey Deaver for quite some time now and have read several of his novels. The Sleeping Doll is one of his best yet, delivering action, suspense, and the surprise twists that Deaver has become known for. Kathryn Dance (first introduced in the Lincoln Rhyme novel The Cold Moon: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Lincoln Rhyme)) has quickly become one of my favorite characters and her specialty of kinesics is a fascinating one. Deaver specializes in combining technical knowledge and compelling personal traits, forging eminently believable people. California Bureau of Investigation Agent Dance is charged here with capturing escaped murderer/cultist Daniel Pell, himself a well-drawn, intelligent criminal, who specializes in bending weak-minded people to his will, as well as leaving a trail of carnage. Dance must use her own knowledge and insights to try and stay one step ahead of Pell, whose motives remain a mystery until the end. She's also a single mother with two kids, one of whom is having issues with her dating again after the death of her husband. These personal details never seem forced or unwelcome in Deaver's able hands, but make for a complete picture of each of his characters.

Everything readers have come to expect from Deaver is on full display: the building suspense, the intricate plot machinations and surprises, and very human characters. There's even an interlude with fan favorites Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhyme, if only via phone conversation. Kathryn Dance makes for a very intriguing new heroine and I look forward to Deaver's next novel featuring her. An excellent read, highly recommended.

The book started off with a bang but had a very boring and anticlimatic ending in my opinion.

A secondary character from the last Lincoln Rhyme novel takes center stage in this very satisfying thriller that finds Jeffrey Deaver back in top form. Maybe it's the left coast setting, but the author is back to basics in this vibrant offering. Even those of us who know how he springs his tricks on readers will be blindsided a few times. The villain here is very compelling but not super-human as some in the recent Rhyme books have been. And some of the dramatic scenes with the surviving cult members have a tense dramatic feel to them and are some of Deaver's best writing. Maybe the book's a little bloated in length but a welcome comeback.

This book kept you interested up until the final paragraph, trying to second guess everything that happened. It was great - just as everything else by Jeffrey Deaver.