Ray's Reviews: Souviens by Barbara Darling Saxena, Hair-Trigger by Rip Hunter, Dark Sunset by McGarvey

　

If you enjoy Michigan mysteries, you're in for a real treat. Here's a quick look at three entertaining crime novels, including one that's now back in print. You may have best luck ordering these directly from the author from the author or other on-line suppliers.

"Souviens" by Grand Ledge physician and award-winning author Barbara Darling Saxena (Createspace, $13.99) is an intriguing first paperback novel that has been re-issued by the author after her publisher went out of business.

With many scenes set in Lansing, it deals with a woman who's been having flashbacks about the awful Kern Hotel fire downtown on December 11, 1934.

It has many unexpected plot twists, strong characterization and a nasty, unscrupulous villain. The carefully researched tale uses many local businesses, landmarks and events, adding a distinctive flavor to the complex thriller.

It is again available from the author at bsaxena@comcast.net .

Canadian author Peter McGarvey has released two paperbacks that are set in Michigan; both have scenes set in his fictional town of Sunset, located up north between Traverse City and Petoskey.

"Hair-Trigger" (Cliff House, $14.95) showcases Rip Hunter and Wilma (not their real names!), who are "high-functioning psychopaths".

They've been successful professional killers for 15 years; Hunter breaks one of their cardinal rules and accepts a job without getting half the money up front.

Serious complications arise; the dedicated duo face a wide variety of challenges, including deadly encounters in a crumbling Detroit.

It's the first in a new series; a sequel, "Double Tap" is in the works.

"Dark Sunset" (Cliff House, $14.95) marks the debut of police detective Molly Parsons; it's mostly set in Sunset, but at different time periods.

This is a solid police procedural, initially focusing on the death of a writer who was doing research on a famous re-discovered American poet. It's a complex but satisfying tale; "Bloody Sunset", a sequel, is scheduled for release shortly.

Both of McGarvey's books are fast-paced, enjoyable crime novels that are better than many of the crime novels currently in print.

The real question is why a major publisher hasn't latched on to these compelling tales and given McGarvey considerably more exposure.

McGarvey's email address is peter@petermcgarvey.com. For an additional giggle, you may want to visitsunsetmichigan.com/index.html.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find these books and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February 23, 2014.

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Ray's Reviews: The Ascendant by Drew Chapman and Beat to a Pulp: Hardboiled 3 by David Cranmer and Elise Wright

　

If you're still trying to thaw out, here's a quick look at a pair of recent edgy releases. One's an exceptionally fast-paced thriller; the other offers an intriguing collection of taut, tough short stories by a variety of new authors.

"The Ascendant" by Drew Chapman (Simon & Schuster, $25) is a remarkable debut novel that's not easy to categorize. It's a tense techno-thriller with many political, cybernetic and financial aspects.

Set in today's tough economic climate or in the near future, Chapman introduces Garrett Reilly, a 26-year-old Wall Street bond-trading whiz-kid.

Reilly's got an unusual talent that's making his firm a lot of money -- he can see patterns in numbers. He notices that two hundred billion dollars of U.S. Treasury bonds are being sold off in a cleverly veiled manner by the Chinese.

He takes the information to his boss and mentor, Avery Bernstein, who worriedly calls in the feds. Reilly's life is about to change forever as the military gets involved, wanting Reilly's assistance in producing counter-measures and a counter-attack.

The novel is told from a variety of viewpoints and in different geographical areas; a few chapters are even set in a dark and dismal Detroit.

While it helps to have a knowledge of the financial aspects or technical trends, it's not required; this is just a nifty adrenalin-charged thriller that's tough to put down.

Chapman is an experienced writer on studio movies and directed the indie film "Standoff." This is the first book in a new series; TV rights have already been optioned.

"Beat to a Pulp: Hardboiled 3" edited by David Cranmer and Elise Wright (Beat to a Pulp, $7.99) is a slim 105-page paperback collection of cutting-edge crime stories by nine different authors.

Most of these dark tales originally appeared in the BTAP webzine; there's considerable violence, noir overtones, nastiness and unhappy endings.

Patti Abbott's "Doe in the Headlights" is a gritty, graphic, slice-of-life tale set 150 miles northwest of Detroit. It features Delores (or Doe), a former waitress who must make some challenging, deadly, life-changing decisions.

The last three pages of the book offer information about the careers of the authors -- if you like a particular story, it's easy to find out what else may be available.

　

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find these books and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February 16, 2014.

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Ray's Reviews: The Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson, Buried by Kate Watterson and Moriarty Returns a Letter by Michael Robertson

　

Three recent books delve into the past, but have strong ties to the present. Each is an entertaining novel filled with strong, memorable characters.

"Moriarty Returns a Letter" by Michael Robertson (St. Martin's/Minotaur) is the fourth in his popular series showcasing Reggie Heath, an attorney who has opened his law offices at 221B Baker Street in London.

Reggie and his brother Nigel have been involved in some pretty unusual adventures; this novel continues in fine form. Letters addressed to Arthur Conan Doyle have been accumulating for over 100 years; some are now to be put on display for the first time.

The novel opens in 1893, with an American agent infiltrating a counterfeit ring. It continues in 1944 in London, during wartime, with deadly results.

Shifting to 1998, Reggie and his actress lady friend face serious challenges as they go on a country holiday. It helps if you've read earlier volumes in the series and can appreciate the characters, but dedicated Doyle fans will enjoy many of the related references.

"The Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson (Viking, $20) is the latest in his popular series featuring Walt Longmire, Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, but it's not really a crime novel.

Longmire is the hero of a hit A&E television drama; this story has a contemporary opening but goes back quickly to 1988, during his first year as sheriff.

A young girl was terribly injured in a car accident that killed three people. Longmire has to convince his predecessor, Lucian Connally, to fly her to safety during a major blizzard.

Only a decommissioned WWII B-25 is available; most of the book is devoted to the harrowing, white-knuckled journey. While this is a short 160-page novella, it's definitely well worth reading.

"Buried" by Kate Watterson (Tor, $7.99) is the third in her suspense series starring strong-willed Wisconsin detective Ellie McIntosh.

In this paperback, she's trying to discover the identity of the long-buried skeleton found on her grandfather's rural property. Another case involves apparently unrelated cop killings in Milwaukee.

McIntosh has to deal with different partners and frustrations as she tries to figure out what's really going on and who's responsible.

Watterson deftly interweaves both subplots in an eminently satisfying, captivating crime novel.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find these books and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February 2, 2014.

Read More...