Death Comes to Pemberley By P D James

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AppId is over the quota

I just realized that I hadn't reviewed this after seeing it for another week in the top 10 of the New York Times best seller list. Oops. Well I will do my best to get this out. I did read it a few weeks ago but can remember how brill it was. From the beginning of this story you are transported to a Jane Austen novel. That probably sounds really goofy but it is true. You are just transported to that time and place and if you've ever seen any of the television productions you can immediately imagine the scenery too. Ms. James has done another great job but this is extraordinary. I literally re-read the first few pages as I couldn't quite believe it. She is amazing. Anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice needs to read this even if you have never read a mystery or like the genre.

The author takes the main characters we know and love, and even those we love to hate, and tells the story of their lives in and around Pemberley. This is a mystery so there has to be some drama but I have to tell you it was so cool reading about Elizabeth and Darcy's continuing relationship and how P.D. James assumes it went. I always hate to give away too much of the actual plot but someone dies on the grounds of Pemberley and Darcy immediately assumes responsibility of the body and informing the local magistrate. Some of the characters who made us all so mad in Pride and Prejudice rear their ugly heads once again and make life a misery for Darcy especially. Right now I just want to spill all the details but I really shouldn't so I won't do that.

Elizabeth's sisters and parents also play somewhat of a part in this book. There is an annual ball at the house that Darcy's parents handed over to he and Elizabeth so that is the backdrop of the main story line. So while the preparations continue for this gala, the decision has to be made on whether or not they should continue after a pretty gruesome death on the grounds. Elizabeth does see her family quite regularly but especially Jane who lives very close by and she comes and stays at the house to help with the ball. Again this is so fab to 'catch up' with Jane and all that she has been up to. I really could go on and on but gushing is so uncouth. Read this beautifully written book and really enjoy the countryside and character development. I know you will be pleased and feel as if you know Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth even better than before.

You can find more of my book and movie reviews at: http://ukchica.com/

Trespasser by Paul Doiron - Mystery-Thriller Book Review - Asian Murder, ATV Adventure, and Amore

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AppId is over the quota

Twenty-five-year-old Mike Bowditch is a passionate Maine state game warden. It's been seven months since the ordeal with his father, Jack Bowditch at Rum Pond (consider reading Doiron's award-nominated debut novel, The Poacher's Son as a preface to Trespasser).

Bowditch responds to a dispatcher's call to investigate a deer/car collision on Parker Point Road. He arrives to find a damaged, red, rental sedan, and deer bloodstains in the middle of the road, but no driver, no deer.

What happened to the driver and the deer? Who anonymously alerted the authorities from the pay phone at Smitty's Garage two miles away about the accident?

The rental car agreement found in the glove compartment indicates the current driver as Ashley Kim, 23, from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

State trooper, Curt Hutchins arrives at the scene soon after Bowditch. He assures him that he'll continue pursuit of Kim, now that it's a state police matter. Bowditch is skeptical. Something's not right and Bowditch knows it.

Bowditch is compelled to do his own investigation of Ashley Kim's disappearance. He entails the help of town clerk, MaryBeth Fickett and legendary, retired warden pilot, Charley Stevens. Stevens befriended Bowditch during his search for his father.

Fickett discovers that Hans Westergaard owns a summer home not far from the accident site. Westergaard is also from Cambridge, Massachusetts and a Harvard Business School professor. The Kim/Westergaard connection is too close to ignore. Bowditch calls Westergaard's wife, Jill, and learns that Kim was her husband's research assistant. She informs him too, that Hans left for a conference the day before and hasn't been heard from since.

Bowditch and Stevens explore the capacious, oceanfront Westergaard home where they discover the mutilated corpse of Ashley Kim. The killer had carved the word SLUT on her body. With no sign of Westergaard, early suspicions focus on a romantic liaison between the two gone sour.

Seven years ago, Earland Jefferts, an affable, handsome, former lobsterman, was convicted of murdering twenty-year old, Nikki Donatelli. The crime occurred on a hot July night after drinking and seduction at the Harpoon Bar. Interestingly, Bowditch learns that Donatelli's body also had the word SLUT carved into her body.

The J-Team, led by Jeffert's aunt, Lou Bates, is determined to win him a new trial; convinced the prosecution did a botched job of presenting the evidence. They approach Bowditch about joining their mission. He initially declines. But, given the similarities between the Kim/Donatelli murders, he finds himself drawn into investigating Jeffert's conviction.

Danica Marshall is the Assistant Attorney General who helped prosecute Earland Jefferts. Often referred to as a "courthouse sex symbol," and "Black Widow," she warns Bowditch to stop investigating Ashley Kim's death, and revisiting the details of Jeffert's conviction.

The Square Deal Diner is the town's gossip hub. Upon entering, Bowditch has been the topic of conversation, both during his father's disappearance and Ashley Kim's murder.

Adventure accentuates Trespasser, as Bowditch engages in a death-defying ATV chase on an ice-filled, snow-driven night to lure local Calvin Barter. Bowditch is sure he's the culprit whose ATV tracks have been ruining neighbor, Hank Varnum's property: " I shifted into a lower gear and gassed it, aiming for as much momentum as possible and hoping to hell my wheels didn't lose traction on the icy surface."

Bowditch met his live-in girlfriend, Sarah, during college. Despite her affluent upbringing, she was attracted to his raw, love for the outdoors. "She recognized something feral underneath my clean-cut exterior, and like many good girls from proper families, she was aroused by the scent of danger."

His affinity for danger, both during the search for his father and now in the Ashley Kim murder investigation, have take its toll on their relationship. Her tolerance for his availability, both physically and emotionally, have peaked, especially now that she's secretly pregnant.

Well-written fiction mirrors reality, often presenting insightful dialogue. One of the best lines in Trespasser worth contemplating is "You never really know someone until they're no longer in your life."

If you enjoy reading crime fiction, you'll appreciate Doiron's newish voice. It's one that's sure to become more recognizable over time.

The 2012 Bouchercon World Mystery Convention is being held in Cleveland, Ohio, October 4-7. To learn more about this gathering of some of the world's best crime fiction writers, visit: http://bouchercon2012.com/

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

A Lost Journal And A Murder Draw An Investigator Into A Spiritual Awakening With Sex And Secrets

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Rinella's first novel is a triumph of erotica, intrigue and mysterious secrets. Well researched yet still remaining intriguing, the book follows Ben Kramer on a journey of self-discovery and inclusion into a hidden mystery religion. This eventually leads him to some intense sexual encounters, solving a murder and further threats of violence, and truly intense enlightenment through ecstatic experiences.

Ben finds a mysterious box in his mother's attic when she moves to Florida for retirement. The journals contained therein reveal much about his reclusive and, at least to Ben, largely unknown uncle, Jonathan. Ben is reminded of a strange theology book this uncle gave him 25 years previously. In the intervening years Ben has developed a career as an investigator but also as a spiritual seeker. His uncle's journals from the box lead him into new situations with the "cult" his uncle and apparently many others close to him have been involved with.

Richard Ceznat is the outer voice of a secret religion, a cult in the positive form of a belief system hidden from public view. Thomas is the monk of this order that is brought in to guide Ben but eventually becomes much more. Cynthia is the priestess brought in to replace the murder victim. She also becomes more to Ben and their relationships all become more entwined in the course of the investigation into the murder. There are other characters and many situations where Ben learns about ecstatic religious practices, odd terrorists and himself. He seeks and finds more information and then enlightenment through these persons and some others that surprise him and the reader equally. Ben finds himself skeptical and doubtful of the veracity of what he reads and finds out. But the investigation becomes more of a journey of discovery for him.

The characters are all memorable. The situations and the religion described here are believable and uplifting for any in alternative sexualities. Such a religion would fulfill many dreams for those who live their lives as gay, lesbian, power exchange and even simply kinky relationships.

Highly recommended for any adult reader looking for light erotica, decent mystery and perhaps even personal enlightenment, the book is well written and very readable. In the genre of BDSM erotica it is a stellar beginning for Rinella, who has made a great first entry in the fiction market, he should write more.

Published by Rinella Editorial Services, 2011. ($19.95 USD SRP/Amazon $19.95 USD)

Reviewer received book from author.

Reviewed by Chris Phillips