Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna

Started: 4/27/2022

Finished: 4/29/2022

Year: 2018

Pages: 304

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: goodreads.com giveaway

Type: Hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "When two young sisters disappear from a strip mall parking lot in a small Pennsylvania town, their devastated mother hires an enigmatic bounty hunter, Alice Vega, to help find the girls. Immediately shut out by a local police department already stretched thin by budget cuts and the growing OxyContin and meth epidemic, Vega enlists the help of a disgraced former cop, Max Caplan. Cap is a man trying to put the scandal of his past behind him and move on, but Vega needs his help to find the girls, and she will not be denied. 

    "With little to go on, Vega and Cap will go to extraordinary lengths to untangle a dangerous web of lies, false leads, and complex relationships to find the girls before time runs out, and they are gone forever.'"

Opinion: Alice Vega is a no holds bar, very independent woman. This was a great intensive mystery. This is the first in a series and I will be looking for the others.

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton

Started: 4/25/2022

Finished: 4/27/2022

Year: 1992

Pages: 286

Genre: mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: reading the series in order/bookcrossing.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "I IS FOR IF . . .

"Five years ago David Barney was acquitted of the murder of his rich wife, Isabelle. Now, Isabelle's ex-husband, Ken Voigt―who is suing Barney for her estate―is claiming the jury made a fatal mistake...

"I IS FOR INDICTMENT . . .

"Enter P.I. Kinsey Millhone, who takes the Barney case over from a former colleague…and comes up with more questions than answers. Why are Mr. Barney's witnesses denying ever having spoken to him? Why did Isabelle have so many enemies―including but not limited to her best friend, Voight's second wife, and her own twin sister?

"I IS FOR INNOCENT

"But the most troubling question of all is: Why is it that everything David Barney has to say about his beloved Isabelle still checks out? Now it's up to Kinsey to figure out who's getting away with murder . . . .before she courts her own."

Opinion: The changes in Kinsey's speech when talking with people seemed kinda off in this one-like she would jump personalities and not even when it was appropriate. Still overall a good mystery that had an exciting ending.

Behind the Fourth Wall by Michael Solomowitz

Started: 4/11/2022

Finished: 4/14/2022

Year: 2022

Pages: 277

Genre: Literature

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "New York playwright Noah Miller had it all–a supportive wife, a precocious daughter, a promising career. Then, suddenly, all is lost.

Still mourning his family, Noah reluctantly agrees to oversee the summer production of his play on Cape Cod. There he befriends a woman who sympathizes with his grief. But her true objectives run deeper–into his very soul–and Noah becomes an unwitting victim of her deception.

Immersed in his production, he begins an affair with one of his actors but the guilt from their relationship leads to tragic consequences. Then, on the anniversary of his wife's passing, Noah discovers the harrowing mystery behind her unexpected death and the part he played in it.

Harboring this devastating secret, his show about to open without one of its lead actors, and a dubious figure harassing him, Behind the Fourth Wall is a story of hope and redemption, forgiveness and second chances, and ultimately, the courage to face one's darkest fears."

Opinion: review will be on Readerviews.com

Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

Started: 4/21/2022

Finished: 4/25/2022

Year: 2008

Pages: 334

Genre: mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: reading the series in order, booklender.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The Crime: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars. Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. He always was the smart one.

The Cousin: Joe Morelli. Morelli is Dom's cousin. He's also a cop. Less than a week after Dom's release from prison, Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. Meanwhile, Dom has gone missing…

The Catastrophe: Moonman. Morelli hires Walter "Mooner" Dunphy, stoner and "inventor" turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli is low on cash. Mooner will work for potatoes.

The Cupcake: Stephanie Plum. Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She's a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she's involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.

The Crisis: Ranger. Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie's evening activities.

The Conclusion: Only the fearless should listen to Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich.

Thrills, chills, and incontinence may result."

Opinion: I did like how Ranger played a much smaller role in this book and how it wasn't so focused on the triangle between Ranger, Stephanie and Morelli. Much more focus was on the mystery.

H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton

Started: 4/18/2022

Finished: 4/21/2022

Year: 1991

Pages: 256

Genre: mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: reading the series in order, bookcrossing.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "H IS FOR HUSTLER…

"When PI Kinsey Millhone's good friend and colleague Parnell Perkins is found murdered in the parking lot behind California Fidelity Insurance, she can't believe he had any enemies. The only clue that raises a red flag for Kinsey is one of Parnell's files on a Bibianna Diaz, who appears to have made a lucrative career out of scamming insurance companies with phony claims…

"H IS FOR HAZARDOUS…

"Taking an alias, Kinsey goes undercover to befriend Bibianna, hoping she'll get close enough to catch the con artist at her own game. But Kinsey never dreams that hanging out with Bibianna will get them both thrown in jail. And when they're released, Bibianna's very jealous, very dangerous ex-fiancé Raymond Maldonado is waiting for them.

"H IS FOR HOMICIDE

"Kinsey soon discovers the short-tempered thug is the kingpin behind Bibianna's and countless other phony insurance claims. But was Raymond also responsible for Parnell's death? All Kinsey knows is that she'll have to think quick to nab one of the most treacherous criminals she's come face to face with―and keep herself alive…"

Opinion: Kinsey going undercover for the police...entertaining

G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton

Started: 4/19/2022

Finished: 4/20/2022

Year: 1990

Pages: 261

Genre: mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: reading the series in order, bookcrossing.com book

Type: mass market paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "G IS FOR GAME…

"When Irene Gersh asks PI Kinsey Millhone to locate her elderly mother Agnes, whom she hasn't heard from in six months, it's not exactly the kind of case Kinsey jumps for. But a girl's gotta pay her bills, and this should be easy money―or so she thinks. Kinsey finds Agnes in a hospital. Aside from her occasional memory lapses, the octogenarian seems fine. And frightened.

"G IS FOR GUN…

"Kinsey doesn't know what to make of Agnes's vague fears and bizarre ramblings, but she's got her own worries. It seems Tyrone Patty, a criminal she helped put behind bars, is looking to make a hit. First, Kinsey's car is run off the road, and then days later, she's almost gunned down, setting in motion a harrowing cat and mouse game…

"G IS FOR GUMSHOE

"So Kinsey decides to hire a bodyguard. With PI Robert Dietz watching her 24/7, Kinsey is feeling on edge…especially with their growing sexual tension. Then, Agnes dies of an apparent homicide, Kinsey realizes the old lady wasn't so senile after all―and maybe she was trying to tell her something? Now Kinsey's determined to learn the truth…even if it kills her."

Opinion: Another adventurous Millhone mystery...interesting turn of events.

Stalking Ground by Margaret Mizushima

Started: 4/15/2022

Finished: 4/18/2022

Year: 2016

Pages:  307

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: fan of the series, TBR pile

Type: hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "When Deputy Ken Brody's sweetheart goes missing in the mountains outside Timber Creek, Mattie Cobb and Robo are called to search. But it's mid-October and a dark snow storm is brewing over the high country—and they're already too late. By the time they find her body, the storm has broken and the snow is coming down hard.

While Brody hikes down to bring back the forensics team and veterinarian Cole Walker gathers supplies to protect them from the storm, Mattie and Robo find themselves alone, guarding the gravesite overnight in the dead of the early winter. And that's only the first long, dark night in a series of them, because as their investigation develops, Mattie, Robo, Brody, and Cole find themselves in the middle of the killer's stalking ground—with no way out unless they can catch a predator more deadly than any natural threat."

Opinion: I really enjoy this series even though I'm reading them out of order-this is book 2. Lots of action. Predictable mystery but the action and the characterization makes up for the predictability.

F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton

Started: 4/8/2022

Finished: 4/11/2022

Year: 1989

Pages: 261

Genre: mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book, reading series in order

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "When Kinsey Millhone first arrives in Floral Beach, California, it's hard for her to picture the idyllic coastal town as the setting of a brutal murder. Seventeen years ago, the body of Jean Timberlake―a troubled teen who had a reputation with the boys―was found on the beach. Her boyfriend Bailey Fowler was convicted of her murder and imprisoned, but he escaped.

After all this time, Bailey's finally been captured. Believing in his son's innocence, Bailey's father wants Kinsey to find Jean's real killer. But most of the residents in this tight-knit community are convinced Bailey strangled Jean. So why are they so reluctant to answer Kinsey's questions? If there's one thing Kinsey's got plenty of it's persistence. And that's exactly what it's going to take to crack the lid on this case.

As Kinsey gets closer to solving Jean's murder, the more dirty little secrets she uncovers in a town where everyone has something to hide―and a killer will kill again to keep the past buried..."

Opinion: Another decent mystery with twists and turns....not sure whodunit until the end.

E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton

Started: 4/6/2022

Finished: 4/8/2022

Year: 1988

Pages: 227

Genre: Mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: bookcrossing.com book/reading the series in order

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "E IS FOR EX

Being a twice-divorced, happily independent loner has worked like a charm for P.I. Kinsey Millhone―until holiday weekends like this one roll around. What she needs is a little diversion to ward off the blues. She gets her much-needed distraction with a case that places her career on the line. And if that isn't enough to keep her busy, her ex-husband, who walked out on her eight years ago, pops back on the radar...

It all begins with a $5,000 deposit made into Kinsey's bank account. Problem is she's not the one who deposited the money. But when she's accused of being on the take in an industrial arson case, Kinsey realizes someone is framing her…

Now Kinsey's working for herself. But with new evidence―and corpses―surfacing around her, she's going to have to act quickly to clear her name before she loses her career, her reputation―and quite possibly her life…"

Opinion: A quick read-Kinsey is being set up and she's bound to find out who did it or die in the process. I've always enjoyed reading these.

Between You & Me by Susan Wiggs

Started: 4/1/2022

Finished: 4/5/2022

Year: 2018

Pages: 357

Genre: Romance

Grade: C

Reason for reading: goodreads.com giveaway

Type: ARC

Blurb (from Amazon): "Deep within the peaceful heart of Amish country, a life-or-death emergency shatters a quiet world to its core. Number-one New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs delivers a riveting story that challenges our deepest-held beliefs.

Caught between two worlds, Caleb Stoltz is bound by a deathbed promise to raise his orphaned niece and nephew in Middle Grove, where life revolves around family, farm, faith—and long-held suspicions about outsiders. When disaster strikes, Caleb is thrust into an urban environment of high-tech medicine and the relentless rush of modern life.

Dr. Reese Powell is poised to join the medical dynasty of her wealthy, successful parents. Bold, assertive, and quick-thinking, she lives for the addictive rush of saving lives. When a shocking accident brings Caleb Stoltz into her life, Reese is forced to deal with a situation that challenges everything she thinks she knows—and ultimately emboldens her to question her most powerful beliefs.

Then one impulsive act brings about a clash of cultures in a tug-of-war that plays out in a courtroom, challenging the very nature of justice and reverberating through generations, straining the fragile threads of faith and family.

Deeply moving and unforgettable, Between You and Me is an emotionally complex story of love and loss, family and friendship, and the arduous road to discovering the heart’s true path."

Opinion: The timing throughout is off. Some spans are among days and then it jumps to years and back to days. Predictable romance plotline. One part near the end made me furious

Rules of Prey by John Sandford

Started: 3/26/2022

Finished: 3/31/2022

Year: 1989

Pages: 479

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Grade: B

Reason for reading: TBR pile-starting the series

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The killer was mad but brilliant.

 He left notes with every woman he killed. Rules of murder: Never have a motive. Never follow a discernible pattern. Never carry a weapon after it has been used...So many rules to his sick, violent games of death.
 

But Lucas Davenport, the cop who’s out to get him, isn’t playing by the rules."

Opinion: Lots of twists and turns....lots of questionable acts by a police detective. Not a huge fan of Davenport's personal behavior but it adds to his character and how he isn't the most likeable person.