Cold Dish by Craig Johnson is a fabulous beginning to an excellent series. Sheriff Walt Longmire is just starting to claw his way back from the black hole of grief, which means he is able to function in society but that is about the extend of his capabilities. After the brutal raping of a young girl, Longmire discovers that the assailants are being murdered. Now he has to determine who the culprit is, in a town that is already horrified and enraged by the initial crime. Johnson creates remarkable characters that are funny, clever, and well developed. He has such a wonderful writing style that you immediately feel an affinity for the characters. It is so easy to pick-up his books and instantly get sucked into the lives of the characters. I have also been liking his main character, Longmire. He has a dry, sarcastic humor that often leaves me chuckling. His progression from overcoming the trauma of his wife’s death to being able to go out into the world and reconnect with people has also be fascinating. Not only has Johnson created memorable characters, but his stories are gripping psychological thrillers that will leave you wondering who did it. Also, if you haven’t already, watch the TV show based on the books.

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection is the thirteenth book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective series by Alexander McCall Smith and it is just as entertaining as all of the previous books. Ramotswe has been having reoccurring dreams of a mysterious man. As haunting as this has been for Ramotswe, it becomes even stranger when the man appears in Botswana and is none other than Clovis Andersen, the famous author of The Principles of Private Detection. This is the guide that Ramotswe and Makutsi follow religiously, so meeting the man behind the book left the ladies close to speechless. With the help of Clovis, Ramotswe sets out to find the real reason as to why the beloved matron of the orphanage was dismissed. And of course life in Botswana is never quiet, with bad lawyers and house building mishaps to keep you thoroughly engaged in the story. McCall Smith does such an excellent job with his writing that it is easy to escape to Africa. It was exciting to finally meet Clovis after all of this time, and always entertaining to catch-up with our favorite characters from the past books. As always, the characters are charming and funny with just the perfect amount of suspense added to keep you turning the pages. And to make sure we are excited for book fourteen, Clovis decides to stay in Botswana, so maybe we will see more of him.

Hot Water by Erin Brockovich is a true page-turner! AJ Palladion, environmental activist, heads out to promote the implementation of a nuclear plant that has had several accidents. The mishaps must be investigation since the nuclear plant has the capability to save innumerable lives with its production of medical isotopes. A hurricane, an alligator and a religious group all have the capability to stop AJ from completing her task and returning home in time for her son’s birthday party. Filled with action and riveting plot lines, you are sure to find yourself unable to set this book down until the end. Thanks for your review Polly!

I had so much fun reading Mike Lawson’s thriller novel The Inside Ring. This is the first book featuring attorney Joe DeMarco and Emma, and what a great start to the series. DeMarco is out minding his own business when a strange woman jumps into the back of his car telling him he has ten seconds to drive away before the men kill them. Thus begins his odd relationship with Emma, the maybe government spy. DeMarco is never really sure who Emma is and what her job might be, but he knows she is always willing to help him in any way that she can; leaving the pair in a unique position of quietly helping each other out with their respective cases. In this first novel, DeMarco has to help uncover how the secret service may have been compromised. There has been an assassination attempt on the president and an anonymous insinuation that the secret service is involved. DeMarco is tasked to find out the truth without involving the FBI or the secret service. I loved how Lawson incorporates humor into his action novel. It never felt too serious even though the story-line was dealing with life-threatening situations. Lawson also did a great job of developing his characters and their relationships with each other. Emma and DeMarco are such an engaging pair to read, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship continues to develop through the series. Lawson has done such a fabulous job with his writing. It was easy to visualize Washington DC and all of the adventures that the two characters find themselves in. If you are looking for a new thriller novel or just want to try a new author, this would be a excellent choice.

If you are looking for a great thriller novel to read that will also relate to the Tucson Festival of Books 2012, then grab The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer. Thea’s father has been a victim of a hit-and-run accident and now lies in a coma. Two of her siblings are pushing to end treatment, but Thea refuses to give-up on her father. Something just doesn’t sit right with her and before long she feels like her fathers accident was really something more sinister and deliberate. Palmer is a medical doctor and it definitely shines through his writing with detail descriptions of hospital life. What I really liked about this specific thriller novel is his character Thea who is a well respected doctor with Aspergers. Palmer really delves into her mind and shows the reader how people with Aspergers perceive the world and think. He not only describes her daily life, but also discusses how Thea was able to get through medical school and the therapies she underwent in order to become successful. It was an incredible eye-opening look into both Aspergers and hospitals that really added a nice dimension to the intense action laced plot of business conspiracy, espionage, and an extreme adventure novel.

Hard Target by Howard Gordon is the latest book featuring Gideon Davis and is certain to please fans and mystery readers alike. Gideon is getting ready to settle down and get married, when no sooner someone is at his door telling him about a terrorist attack. Like any normal non-CIA agent, Gideon attempts to inform the officials of his information, but has no success in convincing them to take it or him seriously. The only thing left to do is to find the terrorist himself and take them down before something tragic happens. This book was excellent! It was filled with excitement and adventure that kept me cruising through till the end. The story gives you a taste of life at the capital building, as well as all of the different divisions of security agencies that work simultaneously in our country. Gordon has created great characters that are easy to root for and a plot that is sure to keep your attention.

Second Chance by Kate Mathis is the latest novel featuring spy Melanie Ward. After knowing that Melanie was safe, at least for the time, Adam takes off to seek justice on Melanie’s behalf. As unhappy about this decision as Melanie is, she decides to stop dwelling on Adam and face her problems with Finn and his corrupt family. And of course, Finn has no plans of letting Melanie live, let alone succeed in his downfall. As if the constant threat of being attacked by her co-worker isn’t enough of a problem, Melanie reunites with her college sweetheart who just so happens to be newly divorced. Now life has really gotten hectic. This was such a fun read. All of our favorite characters are back as well as a few new ones, keeping us laughing and wondering what will happen next. Mathis hit a great balance between the excitement of the spy life as well as the complications of a personal life. I loved being whisked around the world for an adventure for one day and then dropped back into the real world of family dinners the next. All and all, this was a great follow up to Living Lies and I can’t wait to see what Mathis has in store for us next. Stop in the store for an autographed copy.

Richard Castle’s latest novel Heat Rises is a roller-coaster ride of a who-dun-it that is sure to leave you wanting more. Nikki Heat is trying to solve the brutal murder of a priest, but is continuously running into problems from her captain. To make things even more stressful, Rook has been out of town for a month and suddenly turns up on the front page of the newspaper broadcasting his return to everyone, except her. And just to make things a bit more interesting, is all of the attention she is getting from all the higher ups due to her outstanding test scores. Things just seem to keep spiraling away from Nikki and she really has to push through and not let her emotions take over in order to solve this case. This novel is more somber than the past two. Heat and Rook have come to a point in their relationship where more conflicts are arising and their playful side, while still there, is less apparent. The tension within Heat’s department adds to the more serious tone. It is hard to be lighthearted and witty when you know there is a dirty cop somewhere out there. That being said, this book was filled with action and a fun twisty plot that kept me guessing who the murderer was and how all the little pieces fit together. It was very hard to put the book down once the non-stop action started. This is a must read for any Castle fan.

Mitchell Scott Lewis’s newest book Murder in the 11th House: A Starlight Detective Agency Mystery was a really good read. David Lowell has to solve the murder of a state judge by using his astrological charts and his knowledge. Join Lowell as he meets amusing characters and pushes his way through all of the misdirections of his case to find out who the true murderer is. I throughly enjoyed the characters, the story and the setting. The entire astrological aspect was great. Bringing in characters’ charts as well as charts for the murder, etc was highly entertaining and informative. I read a lot of mysteries, expecially ones where I can learn something while being involved with a good whodunit. I hope he continues with this series.

When the governor of the state of Washington asks him to investigate a snuff film found on her grandson's phone, J. P. Beaumont, no stranger to human depravity, is shocked by this horrific crime and discovers that this murder has much wider implications. Another is the long, thrilling Beaumont series. Don't miss this one.

The Devil Colony by James Rollins was great! I have loved all of Rollins's books, and this one was no exception. This is the latest novel in the Sigma Six series (it helps to read them in order but isn't necessary), and right from the first page, the action never stops. Moving from Washington DC to Iceland to Tennessee, the characters are on the move and always in danger. Rollins does a fabulous job of weaving the history we all know with little known facts to create a nonstop thriller. We were lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book to review, but don't worry it is coming out June 21st. Get your pre-order in now!

Karen MacInerney’s Murder Most Maine is an enjoyable mystery read. This is the third book in the Gray Whale Inn Mystery series featuring the inn owner Natalie Barnes. This time Natalie has to prove that her boyfriend is innocent in the murder of the newest town member and body-trainer Dirk. MacInerney really creates the Maine coast perfectly with her broken-down lighthouse and other fun tidbits about the surrounding area and activities. The story even discusses how Maine was one of the Underground Railroad locations and all of the intricate hiding places that were used. Overall, this is fun quick read with great characters and setting.

It is with great regret I write this review, this author has been one of my favorites writing about Martha’s Vineyard through the eyes of our hero, J.W. Jackson, gentle solver of mysteries through the people that wash up on the shores of the island. He’s a cook, fisherman and seems to know a great many interesting folks. I will miss him greatly. The occasional recipes have been a bonus feature (and great recipes, too). This one solves two mysteries, both due to J.W.’s loyalty to his friends. I always thought the character was based on the author, at the very least attributed the love of the Vineyard to him. The end of a lovely series, if you haven’t read them, start with any one of the titles with Vineyard in them, they stand alone exceptionally well.

If you are in the mood for a new mystery heroine, check out a Zoe Sharp novel featuring Charlie Fox. Second Shot is the second book in the series, but the story worked fine as a stand alone novel. Charlie is working as a personal bodyguard for a rich lottery winner when things start to get complicated. I enjoyed how frank Charlie is, even with her obnoxious clients. She is definitely a get the job done right kinda gal. This book has enough action to keep you turning the pages, and not to mention a few fun plot twists.

This series is an absolute delight - written in a very down home fashion that makes you feel a part of the family. And what a family it is! There is always something going on with the kids; babies, marriages, and life in general. But the two main characters are sisters in Alabama, so different that they are like day and night. Patricia Anne is the "normal" happily married sensible one; Mary Alice the outrageous many married part of the duo. They keep happening on dead bodies. Along the way we get slice of life in the south. The resulting comedy of errors and eventual solutions are totally fun to read. Escape at it's very best.

Susan Cummins Miller’s newest novel Fracture is sure to have you glued to the pages. This is her latest book featuring geologist Frankie MacFarlane. Frankie and Philo have planned a nice, quiet vacation where they can just escape everything. That is until Philo’s aunt is murdered and all eyes turn to the husband Derek Dain as the prime suspect. Soon the duo find out that Dain’s highly valuable coin collection is missing, and the quest begins. Frankie and Philo travel all over Tucson and soon end up in San Francisco, California with even more of Philo’s family secrets being discovered. This is another great read by Miller. The characters are fun to read and the suspense is sure to have you staying up late into the night. Don’t forget, Miller will be signing at our booth March 12 at 10 AM at the Tucson Festival of Books. If you are looking for a TFOB author to read, or just craving a new mystery writer, consider a Susan Cummins Miller’s novel. She is a favorite of ours.

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy is an entertaining cozy mystery. Olivia is working hard to reach her goal of becoming the executive chef at the White House, but when she is the only one able to stop an intruder she finds her goals are quickly changing. Olivia soon starts an investigation to find and bring down the assassin who threatened the President. This book was a treat to read. The story was fun, fast-paced and well written. It was also set in a unique setting; the White House kitchen is not your typical sleuth mystery location. There are also fun recipes included for you culinary enjoyment. Overall, a great way to spend the day.

Eleventh Victim by Nancy Grace truly displays her background as a former prosecutor. From the frustration of dealing with the legal system, to the compassion of dealing with the victims’ families, Nancy covers it all in her debut mystery. This book starts with Hailey Dean prosecuting the killer of eleven women. The murderer knows he did not kill eleven women, and is out to get vengeance on Hailey for sending him to jail. Even after she changes careers and relocates out of the state, all the killer does while he is in prison is plot his revenge. This was a very satisf

Grave Secret is the final chapter in the Harper Connelly series. Harper and Tolliver head to Texas to attempt to patch things up with their little sisters. While they are visiting their family, Tolliver learns that his father has been released from jail and is trying to reconnect with his family. Naturally, this makes things tense for both Harper and Tolliver. Now the two must face their past and find out once and for all what really happened to their missing sister. This was an exciting conclusion to the series and a satisfying end. (I still get a kick out of Harper.)

I recently just finished reading Daniel Suarez's thriller novel Daemon. It was a crazy ride from start to finish. The story is about the death of a legendary computer game designer, Matthew Sobol, and the computer program he creates called The Daemon. The majority of Sobol's computer games were meant to be played online with other players, and often had a realistic and complicated story that other designers were unable to match. Before he died, Sobol decided to create a program that would "recruit, kill, and corrupt" as many people as possible. In fact, it is just amazing to find out what Sobel anticipated from law enforcement and the government, and the measures he took to prevent his program's destruction. The story may sound like science fiction, but I would consider this more of technology thriller. Once you start to read the story, the idea of a computer taking over and corrupting people seems less "out there" and more possible. I have to say this is not a novel that I would typically read; I tend to avoid technology related stories, but I really liked this one. It was very action-packed, and the story was filled with twists and turns. Once you finish Daemon, you will quickly have to grab Suarez's newest novel Freedom to find out the exciting conclusion.

Well, I am totally jealous that one of my co-workers beat me to reading Jennifer Lee Carrell's newest novel Haunt Me Still. I have been told that readers will not be disappointed with this novel. It is a wild ride, much like her last Shakespearean mystery. This story pick-ups with Kate and Ben a few months after their "Hamlet" adventure from Interred with Their Bones. Only this time, the mystery is centered around Shakespeare's play "Macbeth". Kate has been hired to direct the play "Macbeth" in Scotland, and it doesn't take long for the infamous Macbeth curse to start reeking havoc on everyone involved. People are reported missing and later found crazy, trenches are being filled with blood, and people are being murdered. Now, Kate and Ben must discover if there is indeed a play where Shakespeare included rituals and witchcraft before they are either murdered or arrested. I am so excited to read this one. My co-worker has been raving about how wonderful it is, and I did love Carrell's last Shakespearean mystery.

If you haven’t read Child, start now. His books are compelling, thrilling and full of great characters. Terminal Freeze takes place at the top of the world at a rarely used U.S. base. A small group of scientists has the opportunity to study the effects of climate change on glaciers. Several days into the exploration of an ice cave at the base of the glacier, they find a creature encased in ice. The group sponsoring the expedition turns this into a media event by freezing the ice and showing it on live TV. Before that happens, disaster strikes and people begin to die. A shaman from the only settlement near the base has tried in vain to stop the exploration before things went awry and now must help stop the killing. From his website (and I could not agree more) “In this riveting new thriller, Lincoln Child weaves together a stunning Arctic landscape, a terrifying mythic creature, and a pervasive mood of chaos—and fear. With Terminal Freeze, Child demonstrates why he has become a major bestselling author, and why his novels electrify and enthrall so many.” Both his stand alone and his books written with coauthor Douglas Preston are a must read.

I made the mistake of starting Cruel Intent before I went to bed - you got it, didn't get to sleep until the book was finished. Ali Reynolds, the ex-TV anchor who lost her job and started a blog, not going back to TV journalism; keeps getting caught up in murder. She has moved back to her home town of Sedona AZ and her contractor is accused of murdering his wife. Ali does everything she can NOT to get involved; to no avail. I love her restaurant owning parents (home-style cooking) especially her Mom, who solves every situation with cooking comfort foods. The story just flows beautifully. J.A. Jance and her characters just keep getting better and better, but this one is a don't miss.

A great book in the Cotton Malone series.

The first and one of my all time favorite Stuart Woods books. Several of the characters show up in outer books throughout his different series. The story takes place over several decades and involves three different police chiefs, a mass murderer and life in a small southern town. A must read.

This is a totally different writing matter than the gritty wilderness series about Joe Pickett. The lead couple has adopted a baby girl who is being taken away from them. In the attempt to keep the baby, we get into political wrongdoing, gangs and worse. This is not for the faint of heart; but is extremely well written and we are with the parents, particularly the father, every step of the way. Having read the full earlier series this was a surprise, but a welcome one. CJ Box doesn’t lose his touch just because we aren’t in the wilderness any more; he is equally at home with the city life and the suspense doesn’t quit. Now he is on my list no matter what he writes.

I finally started reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and honestly, I can't believe I waited this long. The first book in the series is One For the Money. Stephanie has been laid off and is forced to become a bounty hunter in order to pay her rent. Bounty hunting seem like a quick way to make some cash, but Stephanie soon realizes that it is harder than she originally thought. Now she has a crazed professional boxer after her, as well as someone else who is trying to kill her, and the only person who can help her is the one man she needs to bring in. Never fear, Stephanie leans a few things about bounty hunting and gets to accessorize as she goes. This novel is filled with wit and humor. Not to mention, all of the fun mid-1990's references (I really enjoyed her outfits). This book is a great way to spend an afternoon.

I just finished reading Robert Parker's The Professional. The twists and turns of the plot are fun and keep the reader interested. The dialogue between Spenser and Hawks is so clever and amusing, I wish there had been more. This mystery is different from the other Spenser novels that I've read, and the whole reading experience was quite enjoyable. I might have to read it again next year.

I have been reading Parker for many years and love his mysteries. I was looking through the authors that are coming to the Tucson Festival of Books and saw he was one of them. I was totally excited and looking forward to meeting him. I didn't realized that I had missed this book. Wow, I remembered why I enjoyed his books so much. He is great with the character development, story line and just enough creepy people to keep you guessing. If you have not read any of his books, this could be the one to start.