THE WORD IS MURDER by Anthony Horowitz

THE WORD IS MURDER  by Anthony Horowitz

A woman plans her funeral in great detail, leaves the funeral home and six hours later is murdered – or maybe it was suicide.  The writing form used for this book (the actual author is a pretend/actual author telling the tale) is a bit off putting, but once you get beyond that the mystery is engrossing. 

Perhaps I read too many of Horowitz’s Alex Ryder books to be interested in his ruminations as the pretend/actual author. I wanted him to just get on with the murder/suicide and tell his tale.

Well drawn characters, several possible murderers, a convincing possibility for suicide – so which is it?  Get beyond his conceit and the mystery is a good one.

3 of 5 stars

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

LETHAL WHITE  by Robert Galbraith (J K Rowling)

Although very long (647 pages) this outing for investigators Cormoran and Robin is compelling.  Strangled children, murder, crooked politicians, assumed identities, money and reputations, horses, and conflicted personal relationships keep the story moving along.  There are lots of red herrings and white horses to keep you wondering. Robin and Cormoran continue to present themselves as complex characters.

Galbraith is a master of plotting and characters. Set aside a goodly amount of time to savor this read, but it is worth it in the final moments of this tale!

5 of 5 stars

THE FLATSHARE by Beth O'Leary

The FLATSHARE by Beth O’Leary

The book started out as a ditsy sex filled romance. By page 25 I could hardly wait to get to page 50 (my self-imposed cutoff) so I could abandon it and read something worthwhile or just entertaining. And then…. It turned into an intelligent exploration of boy-friend emotional abuse.   Yes, the main character was still a bit of a ditz, but she made sense.  Her flatmate, a slightly repressed male nurse, and her friends started to sound sensible, although still somewhat sex-obsessed.

The characters were unique and well-developed. The story was interesting and full of realistic situations and common sense. Her controlling ex-boyfriend did all of the horrid things controlling ex-boyfriends do.  Her friends were supportive and intelligent.   Even the comic character, Kathrin, was authentic and original.

Altogether, a very nicely done romance with both heart and intelligence.

4 of 5 stars (for a trashy beginning)

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING  by Delia Owens

WOW! Just WOW! This is a great book.  Murder, abandoned child, growing up alone, nature, young love, sex, ecology, love, poetry, betrayal, education, redemption, forgiveness, treachery -- it is all here. Well written with strong characters and even stronger biology, Owens debut novel is clearly a winner.

The North Carolina coastal region and the animals, birds, flowers, grasses, etc. are as much a character as the human in this book. Kya, Chase, Jumpin’, Mabel and Tate are the main humans in this beautiful elegy to nature and the human spirit. 

Saying too much more will spoil the “mystery” in the book, so just know that is a book that should not be missed.  Book groups will find much to discuss and ponder. Biologists and sportsmen/women will appreciate the accuracy of the science.

5 of 5 stars