From Publishers WeeklyThis second, slightly uneven entry in British writer Hewson's Nic Costa series (A Season for the Dead) picks up as the Italian detective reluctantly returns to work following a six-month hiatus after being wounded and losing his partner. Stable now—but not fully recovered—he and new partner Gianni Peroni (also damaged goods) are assigned to investigate a somewhat odd archeological find. While sifting for treasure along the banks of the Tiber, an American couple discovered the body of an adolescent girl, perfectly preserved in the rich peat. Apparently the sacrificial victim in some ancient Dionysian ritual, the girl sports an unusual tattoo and was buried with a coin in her mouth. As is soon revealed, though, her death was recent. The plot thickens when British tourist Miranda Julius reports that a mysterious man on a motorbike has abducted her 16-year-old daughter, Suzi, who resembles the dead girl. Costa and Peroni are soon joined by anti-Mafia agent Rachele D'Amato, though it's unclear how the mob is involved in the affair. Hewson does a stellar job bringing all these disparate characters together, but Costa misses and misinterprets obvious clues, asks too few questions and wraps the case up too quickly, straining credibility. Though not as tight as Hewson's first Nic Costa title, this is an atmospheric follow-up, steeped in dark ritual. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistOnce again capturing the imagination of historical mystery lovers, the author of Lucifer's Shadow [BKL My 1 04] brings an ancient Dionysian ritual to light as a clue in this riveting and fast-paced thriller. Hoping to score an archaeological status symbol in an Italian peat bog near Rome, a drunken American couple dredges up instead the beautiful preserved body of what seems to be a 2,000-year-old sacrificial victim. Amid departmental infighting and territorial feuds between government agencies, the Roman police and morgue pathologists discover a link between the bog body and the disappearance of a young tourist: both were involved in a cult that worships Dionysus, the god of lust and debauchery. With all their leads ending in violent death and time running out, detectives Costa and Peroni unearth a web of Mob cover-ups and crooked cops in a puzzling drama involving sex rites and drugs. Every character hides a dark secret that, like Rome's ancient mysteries, seems to lurk just beyond reach. A complex and satisfying mystery from a master plot maker. Jennifer BakerCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Views: 17
He wants her caught. She just wants him.Ex-army ranger Jonathon Reece needs to prove himself with his new job at Lazarus Security. And his first big assignment is to hunt down a fugitive wanted for murder. But his cut-and-dried case suddenly gets a lot juicier--and way more complicated--when the fugitive in question is a scorchin'-hot gal who won't take "you're under arrest" for an answer!Normally, Mara Findlay would be delighted to have a nice piece of man like Jon hot on her tail--on the road and in bed! But having been framed for murder and eluding authorities (even sexy ones!) is taking its toll. Worse still, it looks like the only way out of this mess is by teaming up with the one man determined to haul her in. Unless she can exploit his one weakness...her! Views: 17
A Vintage Shorts "Short Story Month" Original Selection Philosopher and amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie has an unstinting commitment to her principles. Sticking to her promises has always been one of them. Then Isabel runs into an old classmate facing marital and financial troubles, who reveals a secret that becomes more and more difficult for Isabel to keep. Thankfully, Isabel's devoted husband, Jamie, is there to help our heroine navigate her competing moral obligations. Beautifully perceptive and witty, this original short story by Alexander McCall Smith shows Isabel calling upon all of her intelligence, charm, and tact. An ebook short. Views: 17
From USA Today bestselling author Anna Snow comes another uproariously funny Barb Jackson Mystery...Feather boas, strippers, and murder? Oh, my! After a busy few months, Private Investigator Barb Jackson is dreaming of a relaxing vacation with her hot man at her side...but her hopes of a little R&R are abruptly put on hold when an acquaintance from a past case, Cindy, comes to her in desperate need of help. Cindy is a dancer at the Double Trouble Gentlemen's Club, a somewhat upscale club that caters to somewhat less-than-law-abiding men. Recently two of Cindy's fellow dancers have been murdered. The police don't have a clue who killed the girls or why—and as far as Barb can tell, don't even really care. But with Cindy afraid the killer may strike again, Barb steps in to pick up where the police have left off. Even if her homicide detective boyfriend wishes she'd leave the murder investigations to him and stick to planning their getaway for two. Between an ex-boyfriend... Views: 17
More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA Views: 16
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Pegramville...Oh no! Bubba's got problems...again! For months, Pegramville and Pegram County have been relatively peaceful. But then there's the "attack" of the Pegramville Murder Mystery Festival, organized by none other than Miz Demetrice herself. Who knew people would make fun of the murders that happened in their own town? To add a spoonful of hot pepper to the mix, the local judge has just announced his run for the gubernatorial seat of Texas, and The Purple Singapore Sling has a new persona, causing all kinds of confusion, chaos, and commotion.During the midst of the festival madness, Bubba's truck has broken down, and he's found a cache of original car parts. One of the boxes contains a lost soul's plea that may be as old as the antique truck, "If someone finds this note, then I have been murdered. My name is M—."And you thought small towns were boring...Book 4 of the Bubba series.Book 1 - Bubba and the Dead WomanBook 2 -... Views: 16
Hiking the Appalachian Trail with their friends, Chet, Phil, and Biff, the Hardys hit a snag when daredevil Biff gets hurt. The old mining town of Morgan's Quarry is the nearest place for help. But even the run-down, isolated town turns menacing when two tough locals drop a bag full of money in front of the brothers! Joe and Frank are stonewalled when they ask about the money. The roads are washed out, the phones are down, and a crumbling mansion hides a gold mine of secrets. Every fork in the road leads to more danger...and everyone in Morgan's Quarry seems bent on makng sure the boys don't make it out alive! Views: 16
