Crime Books

This is a wonderful picture of the small Illinois town where my mother was born. It was a treat to see the mention of some of my family members. My great-grandfather was the owner of the Williams Mortuary. This was a treat!!

This accurate and off the beaten path history read like a murder mystery and showed me the various stages in the growth and death of a small town It also showed "what the simple folks did" to get get their booze during the depression era

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS IN TOWN WHEN THE BOOTLEGGER WAS SHOT AND KNEW HIM. THIS BOOK SHOWS THE TRUE LIFE AND STRUGGLES OF LIFE NOT JUST IN SMALL TOWNS BUT ACROSS AMERICA. EXCELLENT HISTORY LESSON OF SURVIVAL AND WHAT GENERATIONS BEFORE US DID TO GIVE US WHAT WE HAVE.

This is definitely a page turner--rare in nonfiction. Mr. Hallwas combines the suspense of a murder mystery and the facts of a history lesson and makes it all fascinating! I was born in the area and my family's surnames are mentioned throughout the book. Most of my family members have read the book and have SO enjoyed it! In fact it may have solved a generations-old family mystery of a missing relative! A must read for anyone with family roots in small town America!

This book is excellent. Definitely a "can't put down" book. Hard to imagine the quiet, sleepy town of Colchester was once involved with Al Capone, Shoeless Joe Jackson, bombings of homes of law enforcement agents, and murders, bootlegging and crimes of this nature!

Over the course of this series I've grown quite fond of Tempe Crabtree as she deals with conflicts arising from her Yanduchi heritage and her marriage to Hutch, pastor of Bear Creek Chapel.

Tempe is resident deputy of Bear Creek, a small community in California's southern Sierra foothills. In this series entry she has two unexplained deaths to deal with.

Arthur, a member of Bear Creek Chapel, dies after a trip to the ER. His widow, Felicity, seems more relieved than bereaved. Was it natural causes? Was it murder? Hutch is suspicious.

Then a woman's body is found in Bear Creek at the site of an old bridge. Her name is Doreen and she's been having trouble with her boyfriend, Jimmy. He says she jumped. Tempe believes him.

Tempe's investigation of Arthur's death takes her to Southern California, where the couple lived before coming to Bear Creek. As is often the case, their former neighbors love to chat.

Meanwhile, Jimmy is suspected of Doreen's death. To prove his innocence, Tempe wants to talk to the only other person who knows the truth: Doreen. She consults Nick Two John, who instructs her on how to call back the dead.

Meredith is a polished writer. She wraps up this story in 154 pages without sacrificing plot, characterization or sense of place. She introduces a new character, Deputy Oxley, a kind of Barney Fife on steroids, and includes Indian legends on how mountains are made, why people die and what happens when you die.

I loved the element of American Indian mysticism, and I loved this book.

Pat Browning, author of Full Circle

Christianity meets American Indian religion over a cozy homicide, or was it a suicide? Either way, the protagonist (Deputy Tempe Crabtree) sets out to find the answers and almost gets murdered in the process.

If you are anything like me, then you are in the dark when it comes to Indian beliefs and traditions. My perception on this topic consist of how the Indians acted in Dances With Wolves or in a John Wayne movie. Calling the Dead is a modern-day sleuth novel that sets the record straight, while examining a homicide. There's also a woman who's suspected of killing her previous husbands too--kind of like a black widow theme.

It's an easy read that you can tackle in a weekend. Great story and well written.

Calling the Dead is an intriguing mystery which delivers suspense Native Americans who practice in calling back the dead. The story unfolds in Bear Creek California, where Deputy Tempe Crabtree is investigating two deaths. One of the deaths appear to be from natural causes and the other looks to be murder. She investigates these murders by using her insticts and her intuitions as well as investigative tools to solve these crimes. Upon further investigation things become complicated and now the question is was this a murder or an accident or suicide? Other questions arise concerning the two young people who actually reported finding the body, why did they give false names and addresses? And why did they flee so quickly? Then did the other death occur to natural causes or something else? As she continues her investigation into these deaths she is forced to gain answers by use of drastic measures, which puts her own life in danger as she comes closer to solving these deaths.

Marilyn Meredith has her own unique writing style which brings her readers in and allows them to put the pieces together like a puzzle, and to help solve the mystery as they are engaged in the reading of her work. This is a great story with good characterizations, and well developed plot. I highly recommend this book which can be read in a day or two.

"Calling The Dead is an intriguing mystery. Delivering suspense and folklore about Native Americans and their technique of calling back the dead."

"Deputy Tempe Crabtree is in the middle of investigating two deaths in Bear Creek a small community in the southern Sierra."

"One case appears to be a death by natural causes and the other looks like murder. Tempe continues to search for evidence in both cases based on her instincts that everything isn't as it seems."

"Tempe receives reluctance from the police sergeant and other investigators looking into the cases. She is forced to take drastic measures to gain answers, which puts her life in danger as she comes close to solving the cases."

"This is a great story that mystery lovers will thoroughly enjoy."

Well, Marilyn Meredith has done it again - created a page-turner. Her characters are compelling, the plotting is excellent and without holes. Her writing is tight and ingeresting. Thanks for another delightful read!

It all starts with a series of burglaries. Joe Grey and his female paramour Dulcie are doing their normal prowling when they notice a big black cat helping a human in robbing a local store. This is repeated, and then done again leading to a total of three robberies. The local police are baffled, but Joe and Dulcie find out that the black cat is just like them: he can speak English.

There is a lot of tension between Joe and Azrael (as the black cat calls himself) and even Dulcie rakes her clues across Azrael as we find out that the black cat is one of those sadists who enjoy creating pain and suffering among those smaller or less capable than themselves. While engaged in a lot of cat bickering, Azrael seems to go into a trance and predicts three human deaths.

Now, this is something for the gumshoe duo to look into! Simple robberies are just ho hum, but Murder! Ah, now there is a good choice morsel!

As it turns out, Azrael is really in love with his human companion and does everything he can to help him out. Unfortunately, Azrael's human keeper is involved with the three people who get killed as do a whole host of newcomers and visitors to the town. Add to the mix a librarian who hates cats; a golddigger; an unusual cleaning lady; and you get quite a mix with the locals who we've learned about over the previous three books. All make appearances here.

There is actually very little mystery here as the bok's plot is ponderously unraveled. When you get to the part where the murder takes place, you already have enough clues to figure out who the murderer is and even enough clues to know how he story will progress. That is why I took off one star from this rating - a mystery book should have a mystery and I did not find one here.

On all the other attributes of this series, I like what I read. About the only other negative comment I can make is that there seem to be an awful lot of cats with the ability to speak, understand, and read English in one small town in California. If that was only true I would be having a civilized conversation with at least one of my own cats! Maybe it's time to stop introducing so many cats who can speak; or humans who can turn into cats, and focus instead on the mystery aspects of the plotting?

The people in the town are likable. The romantic involvement of the main principals are believable for the most part and you really care about these folks after a while. So, those parts of the books are highly rated and should hopefully continue unabated.

This is a great series. The books continually get better as the series goes on, so keep reading the Joe Grey mysteries! So far, I've read the first 6 books, and I'd have to say that this one is by far my favorite. Definitely a recommendation!

As the lone human in a household that includes cats, I can't help but appreciate Joe and Dulcie. If my cats could speak (and solve mysteries), this is just the way they'd behave. The books in this series are great for an entertaining, light read. Ms. Murphy does an excellent job in developing her characters, and the reader comes to know them as friends. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I just discovered the series and have really enjoyed all I've read so far. Each one is a "just can't put it down" book. Great weekend read!

This is the fourth book in the "Joe Grey" series. I think the author has refined her technique a lot since the first book, "Cat On the Edge". I think she has improved her stories to the point where they are truly ready to be included among the best of Fantasy or Whodunit books. The main theme is about two cats who have become able to understand and speak English. The cats pull off all kinds of coups in solving crimes. Coups that would be impossible for humans. The cats are most loveable and likeable. The cat characters are the most vivid, but the human characters that the cats "own" or interact with are now also quite likeable. The plots are well done and there is quite a bit of suspense.

The Clue of the Leaning Chimny is a book filled with adventure!!
It all starts with a man in a raincoat and stolen potery. Then a
friend asks Nancy to investigate his missing friends. Can Nancy solve a clue,and wrap up both cases? Read The Clue of the Leaning Chimny and find out!!!!!

When I first read this book I couldn't put it down.It was sointeresting and excitable.All the time I couldn't wait to read whatwould happen next.I would encourage anyone who is interested in mysteries and detective novels to read this book, as this is one of the best book I have ever read.

in this exiting mystery nancy tries to locate a missing vase wich is in dick miltons pottery shop.this vase is very rare and the only way dick thinks he can pay mr.soong,the owner of the vase,back is to locate a clay pit near a leaning chimney.while nancy is searching for the leaning chimney she finds a bording house that has one and when nancy goes in one of the rooms of the bording house to investinate she sees a man enter a secret panel in a closet nancy goes in the secret panel and finds it leadsto the next doors house attic.the man nancy saw eneter the attic escaped but when exploring the attic she finds a lot of rare pottrty vases in the attic!!!!!latter on nancy and bess and george go in the woods to investigate to see if they can find the right leaning chimney which they belive it is in the woods because a professor told them something about remenbering a leaning chimney and the girls soon find out that there is a leaning chimney in that area!the way nancy solves the mystery of the missing vases and the fake imitations of vases is exiting.expesially when nancy and mr.soong go to the leaning chimney to find out if mr.soongs friends which went missing five years before are being held prisinor there.

This book is really really good. Instead of a 5 star rating it deserves a 10 star rating. I could not put this book down. It was so bad that my reading teacher had to yell at me to pay attention and stop reading.I read this book in one day because I could not put it down. It was like my eyes were glued to the pages. My friend was doing a book report and she needed a book, she never ever reads so i was like just take this one and she finished it in one day also! The whole collection of Nancy Drew's book are like this, they are all really good,at least a 4.5 rating for all of them.I have only 30 books of the collection and I am still going, I am trying to finish the whole series, Carolyn Keene won't let you down, when it comes to a good book.Ths book is really, really good and i have nothing bad to say about it! Now since my friend read "The Clue of the leaning Chimney," she has asked her mom to get the rest of the collection. This book has action,laughs,thrillers, and much much more. Anyone who reads this review should believe me and get this 5 star rating book!

This review concerns the original 1949 edition as well as the edited 1967 edition which has a plot similar to the original. Bess' cousin Dick asks for Nancy's help when a valuable, old, oriental vase that was on display is stolen from his pottery shop. He also tells Nancy about a pit of china clay that is supposed to be located somewhere around River Heights near a leaning chimney. The clay is used in making fine pottery and could make Dick wealthy if he could find it. Finally, the owner of the stolen vase, Mr. Soong, seeks Nancy's help in finding his missing friend and the man's daughter, who came to America a few years previous, but disappeared before they arrived at Mr. Soong's. This is certainly one of the more interesting books of the Nancy Drew series. The book quickly grabbed my attention and managed to hold it until the final page, which I can really only say happened with about 1/3 of the books in the series. There is quite a bit of action in the book and the writing is very good, at least in the original edition; unfortunately, in most of the revised editions the writing has been dumbed down. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I think that most Nancy Drew fans would place this one on their Best Of the Series lists.

This book is a liberal arts degree
for people who did not have the time
to get a Masters.

the information betweem the covers
is worth over 5 stars
a foundation work for individuals and their futures

for those over over 30 read it fast things jump at you
for those under 30 its an under liner

A Contemporary Mind gives a new perspective on the realities and cultural expectations that thrive in what is considered to be Latin America. The language is exuberant and finely crafted to draw the reader into a web of multiple plots. Well worth the time and effort. Great book for the beach, a must summer read.

Read it fast
it's a jazz composition

The book Cop: The Truth Behind the Badge is an excellent book! Ric Robinson is a person who will not hold back and will tell you the way it is. Great book, great author and way to go!! Hope to see more of them.

I happened to see author Ric Robinson, a former state police investigator, on the Joe Scarborough program on MSNBC. He presented himself as a professional and made several interesting points on a subject everyone else is afraid to talk about, "racial profiling." I got so caught up in the excitement of the interview that I went online and got his new book, "Cop the Truth Behind the Badge." Its one of the best police books I've ever read, the kind of stories great tv shows and movies come from. It was written in an honest and 'no-holds-barred' style that held my interest.
This is a book anyone would enjoy whether you like or dislike police officers, because it tells the truth about what cops face every day.
Police have a dangerous and difficult job, and Mr. Robinson expresses that in a way that will keep you turning the page.
I'm looking forward to his next book.

I happened to see author Ric Robinson, a former state police investigator, on the Joe Scarborough program on MSNBC. He presented himself as a professional and made several interesting points on a subject everyone else is afraid to talk about, "racial profiling." I got so caught up in the excitement of the interview that I went online and got his new book, "Cop the Truth Behind the Badge." Its one of the best police books I've ever read, the kind of stories great tv shows and movies come from. It was written in an honest and 'no-holds-barred' style that held my interest.
This is a book anyone would enjoy whether you like or dislike police officers, because it tells the truth about what cops face every day.
Police have a dangerous and difficult job, and Mr. Robinson expresses that in a way that will keep you turning the page.
I'm looking forward to his next book.

Ric's book is really down to earth and informative. It's told in a way that is becoming quite uncommon today with all of the political correctness and such that haunts the country. I'm pleased to know that there are law enforcement officers out there who do have common sense and take off the gloves when it comes to dealing with human parasites. I'm sure that it would offend the liberals. Good!

This is absolutely one of the best books I've read in along time. I recommend it to anyone who has questions about why "the police do the things they do!" Or, why the police can't do things that citizens want them to do. Ric explains things in a way that is easily understandable. If you have a negative opinion about those who protect and serve, this book will open your eyes to the way it really is, to be "behind the badge."

I think dthe book is great. It has wonderful ideas and great teaching methods. Its a fine teaching tool and it a great project to work with.

This is an excellent book. The tools and origantially of it is amazing. If you are a teacher and are looking for a group project to do with other teachers, get this book.

B.Harris, R.Kiel, and K.Kohlmeier are my current English,Science, and History teachers. When our class did the crime scene investigation we picked jobs and wrote out an application to see if we were qualified. I wanted to be a prosecuting criminolgist and I made it....this project was fun, exciting, and about the real world. I enjoyed doing this because we not only had fun but did learn something as well. Kathy Baroutgian-pupil of Wilson Middle School.

It was a pleasure not just to read but also to be in the audinance. I think all of the teacher did a great job. Not only did the kids learn but they found out how the system works. We can look forward to alot of great kids when teachers like these go out of their way not just teach but make things almost life like.

B.Harris, R.Kiel, and K.Kohlmeier are my current english, science, and history teachers. When we did the crime scene, it was a great learning experiance and a great way to find out what lawyers and jury members REALLY go through. I really enjoyed doing this project. We took fiber samples, hair fibers, fingerprints, shoeprints and analized them in science. We wrote out the reports in english, and in history we recived our jobs from Kris Kohlmeier. I was a Defense Attorney. We had about two weeks to prepare for the real trial. It was really fun, but everyone was really nervous. I thought it was fun that they filmed us and that we had a real jury. My favorite part was when we found out the final verdict(even though 2 of our 3 clients were guily). But it was still fun! Over all I had a blast doing this and I learned alot!! I am really glad my teachers wrote this book, so other teachers can read it and teach other students, and give them the same experiance that I have recived. Student from Wilson Middle School, Windsor castle Brittany Cuen

This was one great book. I did not want to put it down for anything. Every time I would put it down, I would wonder what would happen next and pick it up and start reading again. It only took me about a day to read it. With the way the book was written, I thought I was there with the Sgt. and his team. I started to feel the pain, anger and sorrow that those involved thought. I almost yelled out when the shooter was caught in Utah. Great book!!!!!!!!!!!!

Culture Shock by Ross R, Koepp is the absorbing first person account of the investigation of the murder of Gisela Pfleger in the Californian San Jacinto Mountains. The perpetrator was an Asian youth whose family was in the process of trying to adjust to a new society and culture. The investigating officer shows the human side of his police work: long working hours, empathy with the victims, thoughts, feelings, and even tears on the long road to justice. That's what makes this book worth reading, the necessary toughness, which is tempered by sensibility. I am not really a reader of detective novels, but I enjoyed this one because it rings true. Hope you do to.

For a first time author, Mr. Koepp did an excellent job in allowing the reader feel like they are apart of the investigation. It was a page turner that made me want to not stop until the book was finished. I hope that Mr. Koepp continues to write and let us, the reader, follow along in another true life homicide investigation

Ross Koepp takes us deep into the inner-workings of a murder investigation and lends insight to the toll such cases take on investigators. I was indeed awed with the skill of these men who, with a lot of hard work and a little luck, identified and located the killers of an innocent visitor to America. I am anxiously awaiting Sergeant Koepp's next book as I am confident there are many more remarkable stories yet to be told.

I think Culture Shock is one of the best non fiction murder stories I've read since Joseph Wambaugh's " The onion field".
You feel like you're part of the investigating team. It puts you right alongside Ross, Kevin, Tony and all the others investigating this cowardly cold blooded killing. I give it the highest rating of FIVE STARS. It's kind of a catch 22 situation. I would love to see Ross koepp continue his writing, but not at the expense of some other innocent life.

Thanks to Ross Koepp and the rest of the team for a job very well done, and thanks Ross for this very well written book. Keep up the good work.

Don Edwards

If you like mysteries that combine good historical and geographical information along with a good tale, you'll like this author and this title in particular.

The story takes place near Afghanistan during the Raj period. I don't know how accurate it is, but there's plenty of satisfying background and detail to provide flavor. I like the way the author is able to handle both male and female characters without flattening either. Not much character development, but nice pacing.

A pleasant book for a rainy afternoon.

Another excellent offering from Barbara Cleverly in herserries about British India. Always interesting and keeps your attention, without any great underlying meaning.

Set at the beginning of the last generation of British rule in the subcontinent, this mystery takes us to the North West Province, in what is now northern Pakistan, with wonderful contrasts of British and tribal cultures straining to avoid another war. Great characters, setting, and plot twists all the way to the end. I hope Ms. Cleverly has a lot more of these coming.

AS always, Barbara Cleverly keeps my interest and surprises me throughout.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Although it helps to have read the first two books in the series to understand Joe, the other characters are interesting and well developed. She conveys a very tangible sense of place and there are twists and turns that keep you going to the very end. Set against a backdrop of English-occupied India in 1992, this is an excellent mystery, and one certain to be on my 2004 Top Ten list.

Elizabeth Sims has done it again! Another great Lillian Byrd mystery. Elizabeth Sims is funnier than Dorothy Parker, deeper than Edith Wharton, scarier than Mary Shelley, smoother than Patricia Highsmith, and nicer than Laura Ingalls Wilder. :)

Ok, I have to admit, the only reason I picked up the first one (Holy Hell) was because of an email I received about Elizabeth getting the Lambda Literary Award for this one and the fact that she was a local grrl. I'm not normally into the "Lesbian Mystery" type books.

This is NOT typical in the least! I was enthralled from the start and laughed out loud many times. The love scenes were very scorching! The main character was fabulously believable and imperfect. I don't think I can give this series enough stars and am impatiently anticipating Lucky Stiff. Keep them coming Elizabeth!!!

I've been reading lesbian books for a long time and this is one of the best stories in a sports milieu. The fact that Lillian is a golfer (duffer to be sure)helps pull the reader into the "Dinah". The only problem I have (as I do with many other books) is Lillian's sureness that she is in love with Genie in two days. Really! We do get a solid picture of who Genie is and what golf means to her by the end of the book. An excellent read!

Best book I've read in awhile! I adore this fresh, bright character. Can't wait for the next installment of Lillian's adventures!
Sims writes in the first person perspective, but even moreso - it's as if the character Lillian is sitting right beside you, unfolding her story. And I come away as if I'm met a new friend...a friend who is smart, very witty, with a heckuva great sense of humor.
I especially enjoyed that Lillian shlepps her mandolin around with her, sharing fiddle tunes with friends. The details about this part of her life and also about her pet rabbit Todd make Lillian come alive. Great character development. Damn Straight is a fun and engaging read.

Lillian Byrd is back and she is as sarcastic, human, and intuitive as she was in her first book, "Holy Hell". There are several laugh out loud funny parts as well as some deliciously creepy ones. The story gets going right away and before we know it Lillian is on a plane with Todd the rabbit, heading to California to meet up with her old friend Truby (who turns out to be a fun side story) and right into the arms of a mystery. The story is filled with twists and turns, humor, and humanity. Buy this book, you will not be disappointed!