April 6 - 12, 2014

Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb - an Eve Dallas story. Bodies are found concealed in the wall of a building being demolished. This book was a little longer than normal and didn't seem quite as intense. It also seemed to be much more foul mouthed than previous books. There are of course the obligatory sex scenes that are easily skipped. I read these for the character development but I think the author is getting tired, this is the 38th in the series, and she also writes as Nora Roberts.

2 stars
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The Merchant's House by Kate Ellis - the beginning of a new series, published in 1998. Detective sergeant Wesley Peterson has transferred from London to Tradmouth and finds himself investigating a murder on his first day. As an amateur archaeologist, he's also interested in a dig his friend in doing in town where two bodies are found. I liked the characters and I'll continue the series.

3 stars
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Precious Thing by Colette McBeth - a news reporter is called to a missing person story and finds that is her best friend. Just when you think you know what's going on there's another twist. Just the kind of book I like.

5 stars
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Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi - Boy runs from her abusive father and marries a man with a young daughter. When she has her own daughter she discovers her husband is a black man passing for white. The blurbs made this sound like the retelling of a fairy tale but I didn't really get that. I felt this book could have been so much more. Didn't really get it and really disliked the end.

2 stars
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The Vows of Silence by Susan Hill - another Simon Serailler novel. A gunman is killing young women who are either recently married or about to be. There's also a family crisis which is given at least as much time as the mystery.

3 stars
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52 Steps to Murder by Steve Demaree - a cozy mystery featuring two older, out of shape detectives. Lots of time going over and over the suspects but I was still surprised at the end. Not especially well written but because of the humor I gave it

3 stars
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Angel Fire by Lisa Unger - writer Lydia  Strong is dreading the anniversary of her mother's murder when she begins to suspect there is a serial killer at work where she is now living. Lots of anguish and unrequited love. Didn't really care about the characters in this one.

2 stars
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The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - the life of a widowed book seller is changed drastically when a baby is left in his store. Each chapter begins with a synopsis of a short story. Some language. I loved the way this was written.

5 stars
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The Armada Boy by Kate Ellis - a Wesley Peterson book that once again connects a murder in the present with bodies found at archeological digs. I was quite surprised at the outcome.

3 stars
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The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg - a woman's suicide is found to be murder. Many viewpoints and all mixed together instead of having a chapter to themselves. I was surprised by the murderer but there were too many competing storylines in this one.

2 stars
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Elaine's Circle:A Teacher, A Student, and One Unforgettable Year by Bob Katz - read this book after seeing it on a friend's blog. A true story of a boy with cancer and how his 4th grade class rallies around him due to the influence of their teacher. I didn't really care for the writing but liked the story.

3 stars
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America Through the Lens: Photographers Who Changed the Nation by Martin W. Sandler - another book found on a friend's blog. This is a YA book about different photographers who took photos of the country or of social ills. Interesting, and I think I'll do some more reading about some of them.

3 stars