Murder Town by Shelley Burr

 Burr's first novel, WAKE, was excellent and a promising start to a murder mystery series. This book, MURDER TOWN, is the second book in the series and is just as good.

Fifteen years ago, the small Australian Outback town of Rainier had a series of gruesome murders committed by a man dubbed the Rainier Ripper. The town has tried to move on, but when a promoter for a walking tour of the murder sites is killed in the same manner as one of the Ripper's victims, notoriety returns to Rainier and long-buried secrets may be uncovered. With the original Ripper safely locked up in prison, the town is afraid a copycat killer is recreating the murders.

Gemma Guillory, the wife of one of the town's police officers, is significantly affected by the latest killing and is now haunted by her association with the killings fifteen years ago. Afraid for her family, Gemma opens up to a former private investigator, who is behind bars with the Ripper, in hopes of finding out who killed the tour operator. Little does she know that finding the copycat killer will put her life in jeopardy and possibly those closest to her.

This is an atmospheric, gripping read. Burr excellently captures small-town life and the people who inhabit them. The plot is complex but plausible; the twists and the big reveal are unexpected. My only misgiving is how Gemma outwits the police by solving the murder and uncovering the truth about the previous murders.

 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 5, 2024.

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Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

 

I'm a sucker for a good courtroom drama, and this book, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, is a winner. It's the second book featuring lawyer Keera Duggan, and it's every bit as good as the first one, Her Deadly Game.

Her father pressures Keera at their family law firm into taking the case of Jenna Bernstein, a woman accused of murdering her former business partner and lover. Keera has known Jenna since childhood and considers her to be a controlling sociopath incapable of telling the truth. Trouble seems to follow Jenna. Once a billionaire and CEO of a startup company, all came crashing down when, five years earlier, she was accused of murdering one of her employees. Keera's father successfully defended Jenna then; now it's Keera's turn. But Keera has her doubts. Can she get past her feelings toward Jenna and be the lawyer Jenna needs?

This is an excellently plotted book. In addition to Keera's moral dilemma, there's the question of Jenna's innocence. Did Jenna get away with murder once and possibly a second time? Jenna is not likable, and I was almost rooting against Keera winning the case. Watching Keera's strategy change as more information came to light was fun, as was her battle of wits with Jenna. Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 22, 2024.

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Run by Blake Crouch

 

Run is another excellent moralistic post-apocalyptic story from Blake Crouch. I loved Upgrade, Recursion, and Dark Matter; Run ranks right up there.  

People are killing people, and Jack Colclough doesn't know why. When he hears his name on the radio of people to kill in Albuquerque, he grabs his wife, Dee, and two children and heads north--destination unknown. As they travel through Colorado, they learn the reason why the killing is occurring and that Canada may be a haven from the madness. The killers are organized, and the trip is dangerous, but staying in one place is not an option: Jack and his family must run,

This twisty, pedal-to-the-metal story starts fast and never lets up. In a lawless environment, Jack and Dee must decide how far they will go to protect their children. Does it include murder? The plot is plausible, the characters are well-drawn, and the pacing is spot-on. If you are a science fiction lover and haven't discovered Blake Crouch, now is the time.

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 22, 2024.

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The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

I generally prefer the book version of a story to a movie or series based on it. This is true of this book. I'm grateful, however, to the Netflix series that helped me find this book. I initially wanted to read it because I had some questions about the series. After reading it, I am disappointed with the many licenses the Netflix series took. While the series is true to the overall story, significant changes were made—especially with the nationality of the characters. The series was cinematically beautiful, and I'm glad I watched it, but I prefer the book.

Beginning with the Cultural Revolution in China, the book follows Astrophysicist Ye Wenjie, her family, and her struggles when assigned to a secret communications monitoring base. Flash forward forty-plus years, and scientist Wang Miao, working in nanotechnology, is under investigation for his involvement with a group of elite scientists. Eventually, Wang's and Ye's paths cross when communication with an alien civilization becomes widely known. Some see the aliens as saviors for Earth's cultural and political problems, while others see them as dangerous conquerors. The ideological differences put the factions at odds and moved the story forward.

This is a hard science book with a compelling storyline. I admit I skimmed some more challenging scientific parts, but that didn't detract from the story or my overall comprehension. The characters face relevant moral and political dilemmas that make the story realistic and relatable. I sometimes got lost keeping the Chinese names straight, but focusing on three main characters helped. This is a fantastic book, and I look forward to the next book, The Dark Forest. 

5/5 stars. 

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We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

 I love The Thursday Murder Club series, but when I read that Richard Osman was releasing a new series, I was skeptical that it could be as good. Boy, was I ever wrong to doubt him!

Amy Wheeler is a bodyguard for a private security company. Her current assignment, guarding bestselling author Rosie D'Antonio from a Russian oligarch out to kill her, is a challenging one. Rosie is a free spirit, and when Amy is forced to kill a man, Rosie puts her considerable resources into finding out who is behind multiple murders aimed at framing Amy. With few people she can trust, Amy turns to her retired police detective father-in-law, Steve, to assist her and Rosie. Together, the trio begins following clues while trying to outsmart a hired assassin hot on their trail.

Following in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club series, Osman uses older characters to help solve murders, showing that retired individuals are just as intelligent and resourceful as their younger counterparts. Handled with humor and fast pacing, the story unwinds quickly as the trio spans the globe in search of answers. I loved the characters, especially Rosie, and I can't wait to read more about them. 

5/5 stars.

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Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

 I first read this book in 2018 and liked it so much that I decided to read the series—so much for good intentions. Now, six years later, I've recommitted myself to the series. This time, I'm going to do it!

When a paper carrier goes missing while delivering papers in a snowstorm in small-town Aurora, Minnesota, his mother calls the former sheriff, Cork O'Connor, and asks for help. Retracing the boy's steps, Cork stumbles upon the body of a prominent judge who appears to have committed suicide. Had the boy also found the body? And, if so, where is the boy now? And, by the way, did the judge commit suicide, or was he murdered?

These questions form the platform of Krueger's skillfully told story. Weaving Indian lore into the plot, Iron Lake is an atmospheric, nail-biting murder mystery with memorable characters. First published in 1999, the novel holds up remarkably well. There is the telltale problem of finding a telephone whenever needed, but that's to be expected. The only problem I had was O'Connor's trampling all over the formal investigation into the judge's death and the boy's disappearance. The sheriff seems quite content to ignore the issue of preserving evidence to convict a murderer. Overall, it is an excellent read, and I plan to read the next book, Boundary Waters, before another six years goes by. 

4/5 stars.

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Below Ground by Michael Wood

 When I think this series can't get better, I read the next book and am proven wrong once again. Now that I've caught up with the series, I must wait until October 25, 2024, when Last One Left Alive comes out. And I'm not a patient person!

DS Scott Andrews is found on the floor of Matilda Darke's house, bleeding from a stab wound, and Matilda is nowhere to be seen. Wanting to keep her kidnapping from the press and with few clues, the team tries to find her - their only clue: serial killer Steve Harrison may again be pulling strings from behind bars. Meanwhile, a skeletonized body is found in the woods, and then another, and another. The team is at odds trying to solve these old murders while still looking for Matilda. As time passes without clues, the possibility of not finding Matilda alive looms.

This is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read. Even though Matilda is the main protagonist, Wood's penchant for killing off characters left me wondering if she would survive her ordeal. Some surprises and twists kept me reading this dark police procedural.

 5/5 stars.

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