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JUNE 27, 2009
Summertime, at last. Time to kick back, raise a glass of something cool, and open a good book. Of course, if you live, as I do, in eastern North America, it might be best to keep an umbrella and rainboots handy, but never mind. Anyway, sun or showers, hot or cool, inside or out, here's a tempting selection of books perfect for the season.
Dennis Tafoya's DOPE THIEF may not be everyone's idea of easy summer reading (just check out the cover) but Maddy Van Hertbruggen thought this noir debut truly outstanding and a good new writer is always a treat in any season. Peter Robinson, on the other hand, is a veteran, and I found his collection of short stories, THE PRICE OF LOVE, uniformly excellent. Another veteran, Simon Brett (his output is nearing 80!), has a light-hearted winner in THE POISONING IN THE PUB, according to Nick Hay.
There isn't anything particularly light-hearted about modern Chinese officialdom in Qiu Xiaolong's THE MAO CASE, but Barbara Fister was fascinated by its portrait of a group of people trying hard to live in the past, if less by the mystery itself.
Off to Africa - first to Mombasa, Kenya in BURN, which Luke Croll calls a fast-paced and innovative follow-up to author Nick Brownlee's first novel, BAIT. Another sequel, THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU, by Michael Stanley, also avoids the second-book wobbles and may, I think, be even better than its predecessor.
What better way to while away a hot summer afternoon than in the company of the kind of folks who populate cosy mysteries? Sharon Katz, who thought she was proof against chick-lit, was nevertheless beguiled by THE BRIDE WILL KEEP HER NAME, by Jan Goldstein and Merrill Young was very taken with the changes Mary Jane Maffini could ring on standard cosy fare.
Indeed, the cosy in general fared very well with our reviewers. PJ Coldren liked MAMA RIDES SHOTGUN, even if Mama is less centre-stage than usual, as well as Rita Lakin's latest Gladdy Gold, GETTING OLD IS A DISASTER, while Linnea Dodson enjoyed Elaine Viets's CLUBBED TO DEATH. Emily Listfield's BEST INTENTIONS is perhaps more a psychological mystery than a cosy and Christine Zibas found it stunning.
Now for some thrills and chills. Serial killers? Of course. Ann Pearson found Andrew Pyper's THE KILLING CIRCLE quite creepy, but written so well she's going to look for his other books, while Linnea Dodson had some reservations about Jeffrey Deaver's ROADSIDE CROSSES and Mary Welk could not recommend Patterson & Paetro's SWIMSUIT. Nor did any of the returning action heroes, Jason Bourne, Butch Karp, or Jack Reacher, rate much praise, with Reacher faring the best.
We are delighted to announce the resumption of a long-absent feature from this page - the book draw. This week, three tote bags containing three books by Ridely Pearson - see the announcement at the bottom of the page. Andi Shechter is in the chair and will handle the proceedings.
But I must conclude on a sad note. Ginger Stratton, who contributed reviews to RTE for the last six years, passed away earlier this month. Her first review was of McCall Smith's NO 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY, her last, the same author's latest adventure of Mma Ramotswe. Between those two works, she covered a wide range of crime fiction sympathetically and well. I am sure you all join me in offering her husband, Gene Stratton, also a contributor, our deepest sympathy.
Yvonne
Our mascot and masthead is Smokey the Cat. Smokey the cat went to the great playground in the sky on April 29, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. He was about 13 years old, had diabetes and only 11 teeth left. He is much happier now. He will remain as our masthead and mascot.
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RIDLEY PEARSON DRAW.
 In this "Welcome Summer!" drawing we are giving away 3 tote bags. Each tote bag will have one signed copy of KILLER SUMMER by master of suspense Ridley Pearson and two unsigned Pearson paperbacks. It's summer vacation time (we hope) and everyone can use some summer reading and a cool tote to carry your books in.
In KILLER SUMMER, An annual wine auction is held in Sun Valley, Idaho, playground of the wealthy and politically connected. The auction attracts high rollers from across the country, and Blaine County Sheriff Walt Fleming is the one who must ensure it goes off without a hitch. Walt is responsible for all aspects of the glitzy event, from security of the dignitaries to the physical safety of the auction site to the transportation and safeguard of the wines themselves.
To enter the draw for the tote bag, KILLER SUMMER and two other paperbacks, click on Email drawing@reviewingtheevidence.com (note new email). Please put the words KILLER SUMMER as the subject and only your name and mailing address within the e-mail.
Please note that this competition is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.
On Wednesday, July 8, we will place your e-mails, which should contain nothing more than your name and mailing address, in the amazing sand pail of mystery. The three names randomly chosen (by fabulous computer generated program) will be the winners at which time the winners will be notified and their e-mail and snail mail addresses will be sent to the publicist. The books will be sent directly from the publicist to the winner.
This competition is not open to RTE reviewers or their families.
We have a lot of catching up to do so please enter early, but not often. Only one email per person please.
Good luck!
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Contact: Sharon Wheeler (shazwuk@reviewingtheevidence.com), Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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