The Great Scarab Scam

Author: Valerie Storey
Publisher: Dava Books
Genre: Tween / Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-9643289-1-4
Pages: 212
Price: $12.95

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Lydia Hartley wants to be an Egyptologist like her dad, Phid. When a mysterious scarab scam surfaces, Phid is called to investigate. Under cover of a vacation, she and her family travel to Egypt to find the culprits.

But Lydia knows her father can’t help but try to find the Trove of Isis – a cache of treasure he had seen only once before it vanished. And now something fishy is going on at the Malik household where her family is staying, and Lydia needs to get to the bottom of it. Suddenly her trip of a lifetime has turned ugly.

Egypt and mystery blend together perfectly, but there are elements of this story that don’t fit quite as well. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief on a few plot points. The characters were likeable, the setting interesting, and there was great action. But if these elements were fixed, the story as a whole would flow better, in my opinion.

Kids who love Egypt and action-packed mystery will probably enjoy The Great Scarab Scam.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Shoot the Moon

Author: Billie Letts
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-446-40114-2
Pages: 368
Price: $7.99

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In 1972, a young mother, Gaylene Harjo, was murdered and her infant son disappeared. Though a suspect was arrested on two counts of murder, he died in jail and was never brought to trial.

Now, nearly thirty years later, Mark Albright has just discovered he’s adopted, and his real name is Nicky Jack Harjo – the missing boy. He returns to DeClare, Oklahoma to meet his birth mother, and suddenly finds himself digging up skeletons that someone would rather keep buried.

Shoot the Moon is a delightful mystery with an interesting cast and setting. Ivy, Mark’s “cousin,” seems to be his complete opposite, yet he’s strangely attracted to her. O Boy, the sheriff, is keeping secrets Mark needs to discover. And the old domino boys share their unique philosophy on shooting the moon.

A great read and a page-turner, Shoot the Moon will appeal to those who love a good mystery with a little romance, humor, and some very human characters. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Thripz

Author: Robert Farley
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1438232874
Pages: 225
Price: $6.99

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Nathan Brewster, crime reporter for the Waikiki Times, can sense trouble by the persistent ringing in his ears. When he sees the police report about a man attacked by bugs before disappearing, his sixth sense tells him this is something worth investigating.

As more reports about abnormal thrips attacks come in, Nathan begins working with University of Hawaii molecular biosciences chair, Dr. Lanahino, to discover what’s causing these bugs to act this way. Normally feasting only on produce, these altered thrips have turned their appetites to humans, with deadly results.

Panic mounts as the thrips threaten to overrun the island, and Nathan knows he needs to catch the man responsible for releasing these bugs, before it’s too late. But while it might be possible to kill him, will anyone be able to kill his weapon?

Genetically altered bugs, a lonely bachelor, and a race against time pulls the reader in and hooks him, as Nathan attempts to save the island.  Fast-moving and suspenseful, Thripz is a page-turner and an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Bitter Tastes

Author: V.B. Rosendahl
Publisher: Stargazer Press
Genre: Children’s / Mystery
ISBN: 0-9734940-9-3
Pages: 108
Price: $12.00

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Nancy Drew, move over – Kathy and Martha are the new detectives in town!

It’s bad enough Kathy Harmon had to move from New Jersey to North Carolina at the start of sixth grade. But it’s even worse that she’s “different.”

Miss Janine had been kind to her, helping her cope with her handicap while she learned to cook. And now she’s dead. Kathy was there on the day Miss Janine died, and she may have seen something that will help solve the murder.

Kathy has only made one friend so far – Martha Cunningham. When Martha finds out Kathy wants to find Miss Janine’s killer, the two play “Nancy Drew,” snooping in places they have no right to be.

Kathy and Martha are likeable girls – smart, clever, and quirky. They use good logic in figuring out who to include as likely suspects, and why these people might have killed Miss Janine.

Bitter Tastes is a fast and fun read. Children will enjoy it for its kid-appeal, suspenseful action, and great main characters. Although it opens at the climax to immediately grab the reader, this story easily stands on its own, and I’d suggest it might even have worked better written in a linear fashion. I hope Kathy and Martha will get to have their own mystery series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

From Crime to Crime

Author: Dennis Palumbo
Publisher: Tallfellow Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-931290-60-9
Pages: 304
Price: $24.95

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Every Sunday afternoon, the Smart Guys Marching Society gets together for an informal meeting involving snacks and discussions of “the big issues.” These four men — a lawyer, a journalist, a psychotherapist and an actor — are unexpectedly joined by a fifth member, Isaac, who has an uncanny knack for solving mysteries.

From Crime to Crime grants the reader admission into these weekly Smart Guys meetings, giving him the opportunity to match wits with Isaac. In the traditional armchair mystery style, one person explains the puzzle as he sees it. Then the Smart Guys all try to figure it out.

The good-natured banter between these five men is humorous and light-hearted. And the puzzles are clever and a real challenge to solve – but no clues are held back in the interest of fairness.

If you love a good cozy and lament the fact that Agatha Christie’s style has gone out of fashion, you’ll really enjoy these short stories. Dennis Palumbo has combined the best of the old style mystery with a splash of humor and camaraderie that makes them a joy to read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Under the Liberty Oak

Author: Paige M. Cummings
Publisher: BookSurge LLC
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6801-2
Pages: 321
Price: $14.99

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Brittan Lee Hayworth does not want to return to Liberty, Georgia, until a nine year-old girl’s body is discovered in the Altamaha River. Everyone thinks it’s Beth Ann Hamilton, Brittan Lee’s best friend back in 1964 – until the night she disappeared.

FBI Agent Andrew Zeller is already in Liberty, investigating civil rights violations from that year. The night Hurricane Dora swept through Liberty, a terrible fire started in the black community. Everyone always assumed that lightning started the fire, but its origin is now being questioned.

Brittan Lee joins the investigation reluctantly. Always encouraged to believe they were just nightmares, she now has her memories validated and tries to remember what really happened that fateful night. As Liberty faces another hurricane, Brittan Lee finds herself in danger once again, as someone doesn’t want that long-ago night’s events revealed.

The suspense builds as repeated attempts are made on her life, leading to the stunning conclusion when Brittan Lee finally remembers the details of what really happened the night Beth Ann Hamilton disappeared.

Paige M. Cummings has beautifully recreated the turbulent times of civil rights unrest, revisiting the 1960’s through Brittan Lee’s memories. She writes with a strong southern voice, painting delightful sensory images. If you enjoy southern mysteries, you’ll love this novel.

Under the Liberty Oak is a nominee for the Georgia Writer’s Association’s “Best First Novel”/Georgia Author of the Year award for 2007.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Flowers For Emily

Author: T.L. Vance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-0-595-44499-1
Pages: 129
Price: $11.95

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Dr. Veronica Donavan (Roni) has spent the last two years hunting down a serial killer she believes took the life of her little sister, Emily. When Scotland Yard closes the case, she moves to Denver where she believes he has resumed his killing spree.

As the case unfolds, more information comes to light, revealing that Roni holds the key to the whole investigation – and that she may be the killer’s intended target.

Agent Dean Colby is assigned to protect her, and he moves into her apartment and into her bed. Although neither is looking for love, they can’t deny the passion that blazes between them, and discover that love may have found them.

Just when you think the case has been solved, the author throws a curveball. The climax will leave you stunned, hoping that Roni can outsmart the killer and find true love after all.

Reviewer: Alice Berger