YCReads

I recently “discovered” a new Southern mystery author that I love, Margaret Maron.  I have read the first two books (Bootlegger’s Daughter and Southern Discomfort) in her Deborah Knott series.  The books are really more about the complex characters than the murders, but that’s what makes them so good.  I love to read about locales and people who seem familiar to me.  I also love that Deborah Knott has such a big quirky Southern family.  You never really know what’s going to happen, but you know the journey will be fun to read about.

Laura W. - Fort Mill                              ISBN  0892964456 and 0892964464

In Last Bite, Casey Costello is an executive chef for an early morning television show in New York.  She doesn’t cook on tv but she prepares all the food for the on-air chef.  The book has a lot of detail about how she gets the food ready, how she has to break down the recipe and do all the different steps so that an entire recipe could be shown in 3 minutes.  Casey mostly works with Sally, America’s favorite chef but there are also guest chefs, most notably the handsome and charming Danny O’Shea.  Casey has a large, passionate Italian family and a job she loves, add to that a trip to Italy, a broken love affair, a small mystery and a new romance and you have a very enjoyable book.  The author worked with Julia Child for almost 20 years so she has a great deal of experience to draw from.  The book is light and easy to read with enjoyable characters that will hopefully show up again in a future book.

Karen - Fort Mill                                                 ISBN 1565124952

In this “between the numbers” novel the reader gets to glimpse into Stephanie Plum’s ever chaotic life between her big cases as a bounty hunter.  Another mysterious man shows up in Stephanie’s apartment (as they are apt to do) and this one has a mision for Stephanie.  This  mission involves helping out a “relationship consultant” by playing cupid for her clients and thus being able to apprehend, in trade, the consultant who is wanted for “assault”.

As usual, Stephanie involves her personal cast of quirky characters in this quest for love for the group of misfits that have asked for help in their love relationships.  Grandma, Lulu, Tank and her sister Valerie are all part of the action.  In fact, an ongoing plot theme is tied up in this offering.  Morelli and Ranger are out of the picture in this book, but Diesel (the mysterious male) makes up for thier absence. 

This book will keep you turning the pages and looking forward to your next cuckle as Stephanie cavorts her way through her newest adventure in good old Trenton, NJ.  This book is a quick read but a really fun way to spend a long afternoon or evening.

Patti - York                                                        ISBN 0312306342

Molly works for a magazine that caters to the three S’s - sex, style and slimming down, but what she really wants to be is “serious journalist”, writing about news and politics and crime. One evening, Molly and one of her best friends, Cassady, go to Molly’s office and discover the dead body of her co-worker, stabbed in the throat.  She wants to make sure that the right person is accused of the crime but it’s also a great way to change her career path,  just  solve the murder and then write about it.    It certainly doesn’t hurt that the lead detective is drop dead gorgeous.    Molly and her best friends Cassady and Tricia are fashion conscious and fun and I think you’ll enjoy spending time with them.

Karen - Fort Mill                                           ISBN 0312319460

An intriguing historical novel with plenty of blood, sex and human interest.  I picked this book up one snowy weekend in New Hampshire and didn’t do anything else until I finished it.  The Aztec society portrayed here was more than just their bloody rituals.  Jennings allows you to step back in time and experience everyday life with them.  His characters are interesting, endearing and shocking to say the least.  I laughed, cried, blushed and cringed at what was taking place in the story.  Jennings weaves together such a tale that you feel so present in the moment.  I read this novel at least fifteen years ago and it is still with me today.

Ellen - Fort Mill

This is the story of Anne Lamott’s journey to find her place in the Christian faith. This is not your typical Christian story because Anne Lamott is not your typical Christian. While reading this book Anne Lamott would take my breath away with the honest details of her life, but on the flip side she could make me laugh out loud. This is her story of how she found Jesus and lives with Him day to day.

Ellen - Fort Mill                                                            ISBN 0679442405

Kindred is a very gripping read.  It tells the story of Dana, a 26-year old black woman, who in 1976 time travels back to the early 1800’s.  She shares a connection with her white slave-owning ancester Rufus.  Whenever Rufus feels that his life is in danger, he summons Dana to the past to intervene. Complicating matters is Dana’s white husband who also makes a journey back with her.

Kindred is very interesting on many levels.  It deals extensively with the question of “how could anyone be a slave?”  Because of the subject matter the book is often disturbing. Nonetheless, it is a fast paced, exciting book.

Laura W. - Fort Mill                                                              ISBN 0807083054