Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews
Page Seven of SevenPaws for Alarm by Marian Babson
St. Martin's Press, May 1998.Paperback, 220 pages.
ISBN: 0312965133.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Nancy and Arnold Harper and the twins, Donald and
Donna, are looking forward to their summer in England,
thanks to a house exchange which allow the Harpers to
escape the New England heat to live
rent free in a cottage in a genteel village near to London.
But something in the cottage doesn't seem quite right,
especially when they find out that the husband of the
house's owner was recently killed, possibly murdered.
When Arnold is attacked it seems that the killer is on his
trail, as well -- but why? The Harpers face many challenges
on this vacation -- from strange food, odd neighbors and
cranky children to a nameless menace which seems
determined to make Arnold the next victim.
There is no other author who can create the unique atmosphere which pervades Marian Babson's books: cozy, funny and yet with a sense of menace underlying it all. While laughing at the misadventures of an American family in England you'll nevertheless feel an uneasiness at what might be lurking around the next chapter. A fun, fascinating and, at times, frightening tale which is addictive. Once you've read one Marian Babson, you'll simply have to read the rest of her books.
Spiced to Death by Peter King
St. Martin's Press, April 1998.Paperback, 293 pages.
ISBN: 0312965001.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Spiced to Death is the follow up to
Peter King's first mystery novel starring the
British chef turned culinary
sleuth, the Gourmet Detective. This time,
the Gourmet Detective has been hired to fly to
New York to authenticate an extremely rare and
valuable spice rumored to possess healing and aphrodisiac
powers which no one has seen in over 500
years called Ko-Feng. After rigorous testing at the airport, the spice
is pronounced to be authentic, but when the shipment
arrives at the buyer's office the spice is gone -- somehow it's been
stolen between the time of the authentication at the airport
and the arrival at the buyer's office. When the other culinary expert
present at the authentication turns up dead, suddenly the
Gourmet Detective is the prime suspect in both the murder
and the robbery. Determined to clear his name and find the
murderer of his friend, the Gourmet Detective sets off on
a voyage of culinary exploration which will take him through
the entire food community of New York. Aided by one of
New York's finest, an attractive detective who goes by Gabriella in her
off hours, the Gourmet Detective encounters action, adventure
and, of course, lots of fabulous food in his search for the truth.
Peter King's second novel is an absolute delight for mystery lovers and food lovers alike. His wry, sharp humor combines nicely with the inside look at the world of restaurants, chefs and the people who supply them with those hard to find ingredients. A treat to be savored.
Wed and Buried by Mary Daheim
Avon, Feb., 1998.Paperback, 299 pages.
ISBN: 038078520X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
B&B owner Judith McMonigle Flynn is feeling a bit stressed
about her son Mike's upcoming wedding. The charming
bed and breakfast is bursting at the seams with her
future daughter-in-law's bizarre family -- except for Uncle
Gurd, who feels compelled to sleep under
the neighbor's hedge. While at the rehearsal dinner, Judith
is looking out the window when, to her horror, she
sees a man in a tuxedo throw a woman in a bridal
gown off the nearest building. At first, no one can find
a body, but Judith perseveres. Against the orders of
her policeman husband Joe, Judith sets out to investigate
the murder that she feels sure she saw happen. When a
body does turn up, Judith's sleuthing takes a serious turn
when it looks like the murderer is still hanging around.
With her faithful cousin Renie, Judith is hot on the trail --
when she's not arguing with her ghastly new in-laws or
trying to conceal her sleuthing from her understandably
annoyed husband who is in charge of the official investigation.
Mary Daheim has charmed legions of readers with her bed and breakfast series, and Wed and Buried should only add to the number of her fans. Judith and Renie make a wacky and appealing investigative team and their adventures are sure to amuse. The characters are well-drawn and the plot is tightly woven. A friendly and appealing series.
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