Clean up your mess (hint, hint)!

One of my dear colleagues shared a cute paperback mystery title today (with a knowing smile) from her new display as a suggested read: Death Loves a Messy Desk. It is the third book in the "Charlotte Adams" series by writer Mary Jane Maffini.

Ms. Adams is a fictional professional organizer and an amateur sleuth in upstate New York. The 30-year-old Adams is in her comfort zone working, as the author's website says, " surrounded by old friends, new dogs and plenty of clients."

I'm afraid my comfort zone includes large piles of papers on my desk (from computer classes or book club stuff and more), checked out books or music CDs, bookmarks, a lunch bag, an old paperweight my father received for serving on the public library board years ago, a framed art print, hand sanitizers, (often) a package of crackers, a cup with scissors, straws, pens, datebooks, and more old books from book sales or removed from the library collection. And, well, there's more with my chair sometimes holding the last items I've touched for the day...

So, I'd be wise to take my co-worker's advice and read the book, especially with tips at the beginning of the chapters like "five minutes of filing at the end of every workday can save hours searching through piles of papers for documents later on." And for more about the book, take a look at this video book ad.

Book club discusses "Anatomy of Fear" (October)

October's book club selection was writer Jonathan Santlofer's Anatomy of Fear which cleverly includes on the book cover the billing "a novel of visual suspense." That is because, if you flip through the first chapter alone you will find nine sketches of a criminal suspect--from the start to finished version--and that is reflected throughout the book.

The story follows the work of police sketch artist Nate Rodriguez with examples of his work incorporated throughout although in actually, author and accomplished artist Santlofer produces the art in the novel. More than 50 pages, including the back flap of the book with author information a self-portrait (seen here), feature Santlofer's sketches and some photographs demonstrating sketching.

The novel follows the work of the talented Rodriguez as he is brought in to assist on a case of a serial killer who sketches of his victims and leaves them--roughly--as calling cards for the police. The police also quietly suspect the murders are hate crimes and Detective Terri Russo finds Nate's background, track record and training at Quantico a good asset to help crack the case. Nate's life away from work is another major part of the book as his diverse background and unique life is revealed.

Attendee comments included:

• Nate is a good listener to get an accurate description of a person for a sketch
• the art is "fascinating" and process Nate uses his mind and creativity to sketch suspects
• perhaps the artwork is too good for the work of a police sketch artist
• the character (Nate) is flawed but the story is not formulated
• Nate has the training to notice which emotions are reflected through the use of facial muscles and it was said that can be better to use than a lie detector
• why does Nate stay put where he is with his training and background?
• the book is well-edited
• one liked the use of color in the book with a deep red lettering on the top of each page for the author's name, book title and spots (of blood maybe?) at the start of each chapter
• the book has a lot of stories woven together
• two people didn't find the book very engaging
• the book is a good idea but the writing as effective with the characters and dialog
• one person read the follow-up book to Anatomy of Fear and found it different in tone without a big story line featuring Nate's very religious and spiritual grandmother--more focused on the crime story.

Anatomy was published in 2007 and its follow-up The Murder Notebook came the next year.

Book club discusses "Murder in Exile" [September]

The award-winning Murder in Exile was the September selection for the book club. Vincent H. O'Neil's debut mystery was the winner of the 2005 St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic contest introducing his series featuring Frank Cole.

Here's a googled pix of author O'Neil.

Cole is a background checker in Florida where he recently settled after a frustrating legal matter deals him a severe professional setback. His life is downsized and he's content for now but his newest assignment is grating his nerves. He is told to work to deny an insurance claim for a young man killed during a biking accident. Convinced his supervisor is in error, he attempts to continue his investigation of the death and comes to believes the victim was mistaken for another man.

Stubbornly pursuing this insurance case, Cole reaches what he feels is a good spot in his work when he arrives home and finds a threat in a "bullet sitting straight up and insolent on my kitchen table." That threat is not dismissed as Cole gets help from a private detective acquaintance and--along with his and operatives--unearth a sticky mess involving questionable businessmen.

Some book club discussion included the following:

• the book is a "good summer read"
• an informative book about all elements covered
• liked the mystery and characters but not the writing (felt the writing was aimed for those at a young reading level)
• liked the humor in the book
• the theme of justice was nicely presented in Cole's sense of feeling wronged at on the job and the victim doing wronged too and in another situation where a mental challenged employed man faced a tough situation--he was fairly supported by others
• Cole is flexible with his pared down lifestyle and makes do without much fuss.

O'Neil has three additional "Frank Cole mystery" books in print with the newest Contest of Wills published this year.

Book club discusses "Her Royal Spyness" [May]

The book club selection back in May was Rhys Bowen's debut series with a new character Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie. This young "minor royal"--as she refers to her spot on the line of royalty--is 21-years-old and determined to create fresh start for herself without relying on a preselected husband to support her. So, she quietly looks for a job, in London leaving Scotland without her previously steady allowance.

Here is a color version of the author photo that you would find in a copy of this title.

The results are basis for the book as "Georgie" (to her friends) oddly--and secretively--settles in employment as a maid only then to turn amateur detective as she becomes determined to investigate the murder of a man found in a family home and leading to her brother, Binky, as the suspected murder. And, in the meanwhile, Georgie is asked by the queen to spy on her son and his new romantic interest. This book also is the first of a series.

Observations from the book club included:

• the book title doesn't bear any genuine relation to the murder and mystery (though it does set the stage for this new series)
• the book focuses on the queen although the king (King George V) was alive then
• the story actually demonstrates the problems that "minor" royals might have encountered in their lives
• one commented that the book was well-edited
• one commented that she figured out the mystery before finishing the story
• it was suggested the book could become a good TV series.
  

New Mystery by Celebrity Author--

NBC's "Today" show weatherman Al Roker is stretching his writing talents with a new mystery book, The Morning Show Murders, co-authored by Dick Lochte. The author of previous titles about fatherhood and cooking, has a made a splash into fiction writing here. The photo of Mr. Roker comes courtesy of the"NBC Today Show" website.

Sticking close to what Al knows, the book, as the title suggests, deals with a murder mystery in a network TV setting. It begins as TV morning personality, Billy Blessing, a chef and restaurant owner, is suspected in the murder of a network head. The television executive has just dined at Billy's restaurant and dies after consuming poison in his meal. But who is the actual murderer? With his professional life snapped shut and on hold (no TV and restaurant work), Billy turns into a self-styled sleuth.

This is one of two new mysteries I remember from a recent book catalog at work (the other was the new Sue Grafton book).

Recommended Reading (2)

Not that long ago, a fellow librarian mentioned that her most recently read novel was a good title so I jotted the title down to save for a time like this. The book she read was In Their Blood by Sharon Potts and it is her debut novel according to her author website.

The story's plot is about a college student personal investigation of a double murder in his family's home--consisting of his parents. The student, Jeremy Stroeb, explores his parents' background to find out what would lead to their attack and, with expected results in the process, stirs up the trouble for himself and his sister. Jeremy's investigation finds his parents were not the people he believed them to be.

Set in Miami Beach, Florida, the novel is 354 pages and was published this year.

Book Club discusses "The Body in the Record Room" [September]

Unexpectedly, I got behind with book club comments about our selections so I'm catching up now. The September selection was The Body in the Record Room by Joe Barone. Set in 1954 at a Missouri mental hospital, an assertive patient discovers a body in the facility's record room and begins his own investigation of the death.


Here's a photo of author Barone from his blog under "Crimeplace: a place for readers and writers of crime fiction to meet." At this point, he appears to participate in blogs instead of having a website.


With the assistance of a fellow patient and an outside contact, the patient actually makes strides in this endeavour without outwardly upsetting established practices. And the patient does have a name--he goes by "Roy Rogers" after his idol, the cowboy movie star.


The book club had a very good discussion about the novel and it covered a range of topics. Mainly though, the book takes a major turn in the storyline which is only slyly hinted in book descriptions and reviews. That being the case, I'll keep that big plot line quiet here too.


Otherwise, our comments include the following:

• the novel has its share of bad acts by characters but the author plays fair by finding fault all around


• Roy has genuine mental issues but he is able to keep them at bay while focused on his investigations


• Roy also has a unique ability to move around the grounds with the ease of being undetected and getting the trust of necessary allies


• the manner which the town hosting this mental facility appears to benefit from the operation but isolates it.

As I recall, we all found the book a worthwhile read.

Internet Radio Show "Mystery Matters"

Looking at mystery writer Maggie Bishop's website [see below], I checked her webpage of personal appearances and saw it included an interview on May 15th. More specifically, it says: Radio interview by Fran Stewart on Mystery Matters internet radio.

Mystery Matters?

Well, checking Fran Stewart's webpage I found a link to "Mystery Matters: Where Murder is an Open Book." It is an hour-long, weekly radio show hosted by the award-winning mystery writer Stewart with interviews and discussions about all types of mysteries. (Stewart writes the "Biscuit McKee" mystery series--a librarian and amateur sleuth in Georgia--with the newest title Indigo as an Iris. The webpage includes a search show option which would lead me to the "Maggie Bishop interview" I mentioned earlier.

This radio show airs on Fridays at 10 a.m. EST on the VoiceAmerica, talk radio network. And as one who listens to talk radio on the internet anyway (along with other programming), I'm glad to catch on this show which is PC keystrokes away.

Traveling through the Appalachians--

With the vacation season rapidly coming into full tilt, stories with a sense of community and adventure are appreciated and writer Maggie Bishop manages that with her North Carolina mountains stories. Her newest book was released last year and I found on my library's new fiction shelf weeks ago--Perfect for Framing.

Bishop's author website (which includes this photo) says: In Perfect for Framing, the second in the Appalachian Adventures Mystery series, CSI wannabe, Jemma Chase, has carpentry skills that lead to fire, a peeping Tom, truck trouble and a body. Jemma knows it wasn't an accident but tangles with Detective Tucker about the meaning of clues. The first book was Murder at Blue Falls: the Horse Found the Body and published in 2006.

In fact, during a recent trip to Asheville I remember browsing through mysteries at a bookshop and thinking that a local writer should have a book there...

All the same, I'm glad to discover Ms. Bishop's now and I look forward to listening to her as this month's participant on Mystery Matters.

Book Club discusses "Christine Falls"

This month the book club discussed Benjamin Black's Christine Falls as the month's selection. The book is the first of a new series featuring Dublin pathologist Quirke, a frequent drinker with a troubled background. Here's a picture of the author from his website.

"Benjamin Black" is also a pen name for the award-winning Irish writer John Banville. The last award as noted on his website is the Man Booker Prize 2005 for The Sea.

Quirke, who is never referred to by his first name Garret, becomes suspicious when his stepbrother and physician Malachy ("Mal") Griffin alters the death record of recently deceased young maid Christine Falls. What would prompt Mal to do this Quirke wonders and--against his usual disposition--he actually becomes concerned and investigates the matter. The results are long in developing as Quirke finds few full answers until he travels to Boston to accompany a family member and the entire situation comes into focus.

The book club had mixed to negative reactions to the novel--perhaps more disappointed is correct to say. Some observations included the following:

the mystery element of the story was lacking--a few suggestions popped up about ways the novel could have turned with plot twists

Quirke was too unlikeable to have appeal (of course, the author designed the character to be complex and troubled)

one person found the changes in character narration of the novel confusing (it was mainly two but at least two others were given short passages

the same person liked the writer's use of language

Quirke finds the Catholic Church is supporting a conspiracy which bears a relation to cover-up of Christine Falls death and it appeared to be a strong slap at that institution

too much of the story was devoted to Andy Stafford and his wife Claire (they are tied into the Catholic Church conspiracy)

well-written book gives little of the book setting in the 1950s Ireland

why use the pen name "Benjamin Black"?

The paperback version of the book includes 12 "discussion questions" in the back and I shared them in the book club. This is only the second time I remember having accompanying discussion questions for a book club mystery title.

Book Club discusses "The Blood Detective"

Last month the book club discussed the first novel by writer Dan Waddell,
The Blood Detective. In this novel, a surprising alliance is formed to solve a murder case between the two London police officials in charge and a local genealogist. Nigel Barnes is the family historian brought into the police case headed by Detective Chief Inspector Grant Foster and Detective Superintendent Heather Jenkins. And Barnes' sharp eye and familiarity with the subject matter--genealogy information--keep him around as a consultant (and employed) for the immediate future.

This is Waddell's first novel after working a journalist and writer of 10 nonfiction books. The concept for the Barnes character came to Waddell following his book adaptation of a popular BBC TV series about genealolgy called Who Do You Think You Are? That is shared with other information by Waddell in a queston and answer session in an audio interview which Waddell discusses The Blood Detective and more. Here's a photo of Waddell from Google.

The novel treated the reader to interesting surprises as Barnes and Foster both
have background issues which they'd rather keep quiet. And the killer does murder more than one with gruesome methods as a message to the police.

Our discussion targeted several issues:
* a clever title for a book about an amateur sleuth working in the genealogy field
* the detail involved in genealogy study and the appeal for Barnes
* Foster and Jenkin's dilemma when handling the murder case of vagrant
* Foster's quiet background situation of possibly assisting in the death
of his ill father (he is acquitted of wrongdoing in the novel and that
is a fair decision--ultimately)
* Barnes leaves a university job after an affair with a student (a situation much less sordid than it seems)
* the messages left by the murders and the surprising reason for the murders
* English slang (this is a London story)

We have a good discussion about the book and there was interest in reading the next book of the series Blood Atonement due next year.

Book Club discusses "The Genius"

In September, the book club discussed Jesse Kellerman's newest book The Genius. The son of writers Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Jesse (the accompanying photo comes from Google) has released his third novel set in the fast-paced New York City contemporary art scene with its demanding artists and competitive lifestyle.
Art dealer Ethan Muller is a member of this environment and when a unique art piece (consisting of multiple drawings for a single design) set falls in his possession--he appears to have found gold. The artist is an older man named Victor Cracke but he is missing. After a search for the man, Ethan forges ahead and opens a show with the newly-found art. The attention-grabbing work is good for business but draws unexpected attention. It rises the curiosity of a retired police detective, Lee McGrath, who recognizes in the art the identities of actual murder victims from years earlier. So, then, how is the absent artist involved? Muller and McGrath began a tenuous relationship to investigate.

We liked the story and found the layered story entertaining. The novel bounces from present-day NYC to "Interlude" chapters beginning 1847 with a family tree story of immigrants setting in the city with ties to the present day. One unique story involves a deformed family member hidden from the public and one attendee remembered how visited a family with that situation (that person could be hear but was not seen).

The Ethan Muller and Lee McGrath team later switch to Muller and Samantha McGrath (Lee's DA daughter) as the investigation continues and a romantic begins. That was a troublesome aspect for some as that relationship seemed unlikely and forced (I didn't agree as the writer seemed to make it appear plausible--my take). While working with Samantha--Ethan does his own legwork though--he is able to use the *cover* of working with the DA when interviewing others.

Otherwise, Ethan does actually have a girl-friend, Marilyn, who is also in his field so that Ethan does have a messy personal life by his doing. Those actions and attitudes create conflict with results throughout the novel.

Victor Cracke is the other major player in this novel as the "genius" with artiistic talent. Is he a genius though? Ethan mulls over the concept of "genius" and the skill with which Victor created art. One attendee suggested however, Victor may have a medical disorder--autism--which guides his talents. At times during Victor's growth into adulthood, he is placed in institutionized settings for convenince, but not treatment.

A well-written book, most said they would recommend this title to others.