What we thought: Flawless by Heather Graham

Mystery Readers Book Club August 2016                        Flawless by Heather Graham 

 “I want to be able to fly like a superhero. I won’t be happy until I can fly across oceans and cities, saving people from being murdered.” Heather Graham 

The discussion focused on the characters and how they fit into the story. Readers were not convinced about the instant attraction between Kieran Finnegan who shares ownership of a family pub and Craig Frasier the FBI agent assigned to solve a case of diamond robbery and murder. They said the romance was too quick and were surprised that they acted on it after only a week. Some said that they both had secrets that they did not reveal to each other and maybe that was part of the attraction. Also it seemed unrealistic that all of the characters were connected to this one pub, Finnegan’s in New York City.

Some readers didn’t consider this a true mystery because the author more or less followed along with a story about the pub and the people connected to it. There was a puzzle to be solved but it wasn’t very compelling and they were confused about how New Jersey fit into the story. The suspense was minimal but all agreed that the book was a page turner and that the characters were likeable, except the bad guys of course. 

 

Halifax readers revealed themselves as prolific and sophisticated fans of mystery as they turned their attention to their own preferred authors. James Patterson was the favorite. Lindsay Boxer, Cindy Thomas, Claire Washburn and Jill Bernhardt, the stars of 1st to Die and 2nd Chance, are the founding members of The Women's Murder Club. Later, in The 4th of July, Yuki Castellano joins the Club. Together, they solve crimes in their home city of San Francisco, and often meet up to talk about clues and life over Mexican food and drinks at Susie's. The latest Women's Murder Club novel, 15th Affair, is on sale now! 

They liked Tami Hoag’s, Deeper than the Dead, a previous club selection and one reader suggested a vampire mystery series by J.R. Ward, Dark Lover: The First Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. David Baldacci’s, The Camel Club series was recommended along with the alphabet series by Sue Grafton who was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America (2009). Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series was popular beginning with her first book, One for the Money and others with numbers in the titles and Rita Mae Brown’s MRS. MURPHY Series: Deep South Cozy mysteries with talking pets (Sneaky Pie).

Have you read Flawless? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What We Thought: Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag

Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag

Mystery Readers Book Club July 2016

 “Anne Navarre felt herself shaking inside as she walked away from Frank Farman and the crime scene her students had stumbled upon - shaking from the shock of what she had just seen, shaking with anger at Frank Farman.”  Tami Hoag 

Deeper than the Dead is a complex and scary thriller with detailed descriptions of the residents of a quiet college town and the police who worked diligently to solve a series of horrific crimes against young women in the community.  Readers said that the book kept them guessing the identity of the serial killer terrorizing everyone connected with the victims. Even experienced mystery genre readers couldn’t figure out who the serial killer was right away. Most readers were waylaid by the author’s clues adding to the book’s appeal. Everyone said that the book was an excellent read despite the graphic and disturbing nature of the crimes.

 Most were surprised that the story involved children and commented that this was unusual in a murder mystery. Readers discussed the characteristics and family backgrounds of the four fifth graders as if they were real and were concerned about the effect of the crime and its eventual outcome would have on each of them. They talked about how the school staff and police dealt with children and their families in the aftermath of the discovery. Set in 1985 quality psychological support for the ten-year-olds was practically non- existent. Their young teacher, Anne was a sympathetic character with some basic education in child psychology who tried to help all of her students deal with the trauma. Readers said that she was believable and that perhaps she would appear in a sequel having left her career as a teacher. They were anxious about the future of the four students as well but did not think there was much hope for positive outcomes especially for the boys with disturbing family relationships.

 

Forensic science and criminal profiling was in its infancy in 1985 and the author wrote credibly about the difficulties of finding a serial killer. The character of the FBI profiler was multi-dimensional and readers appreciated how he dealt with his personal and professional life. Vince was an interesting character whose attraction to Anne added a romantic interest despite their age difference. It didn’t matter to readers and they said this was common these days. 1985 seemed like ancient history and readers compared the differences in culture as well as police work. 

Readers spent time discussing other mysteries and authors that they enjoyed reading. Two book club favorite authors, P.J. Tracy Monkeewrench and Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkeholder series Pray for Silence and Sworn to Silence were mentioned. Other recommended titles; Stephen King’s Bill Hodges Trilogy, Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch, and James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club Series.

Have you read Deeper than the Dead?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

What we thought: The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

Mystery Readers Book Club June 2016

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

“She didn’t know then that life has a way of backing you into a corner. You make your choices when you’re far too young to understand their implications, and with each choice you make the field of possibility narrows. You choose a career and other careers are lost to you. You choose a mate and commit to loving no other.”  A.S.A. Harrison

Readers had mixed reviews about A.S.A. Harrison’s The Silent Wife. Although a few liked the debut novel, most were not impressed by the story. They didn’t think it qualified as a mystery, but was more like a psychological suspense novel. They said the psychobabble put them off and got in the way of the story. The characters were not likeable and except for the twist at the end readers felt that events were predictable. They were especially disappointed in the older man younger woman plot line and the several lose ends left readers hanging. Readers were not sure if this was intentional because this was the author’s debut novel and there will not be a sequel. Some readers thought that the main characters' behavior was the result of their dysfunctional families. Others didn’t care to discuss it. Most of the readers said that they thought the author’s background as sexologist was better suited to non-fiction. No one recommend this book. 

Have you read The Silent Wife? What did you think? Share your thoughts in comments.