In the Woods by Tana French

This was a really excellent book!! It was highly suspenseful and intriguing. The story starts out with a flashback by telling about the disappearance of three children who were best friends. When they went to the woods to play, no one thought a thing about it because it was something they always did. When enough time had gone by and it seemed apparent they weren't going to show up, the police were called. One of the children was found; his shoes were full of blood. He was no help in relaying what had happened or where the other two were because he could remember nothing. The other two never showed up or were never found. Now an adult, the boy went by his middle name (Rob) so that he would not be associated with what had happened to him as a child. He is now a police detective.

When a murdered child is found in the same town where Rob's childhood incident had occurred, Rob and his partner Cassie are given the case. She is the only person who know of Rob's past. Parallels are quickly drawn between the two situations, and many feel they are connected. Although Rob knows he shouldn't be working on this case, he forges ahead anyway. As he and Cassie work to bring the little girl's killer to justice, great care is taken to show how all of this is affecting Rob; and great care is also given to showing us how this situation along with memories of his own childhood situation lead to the unraveling of Rob.

This was a book I found hard to put down. There was a carefully woven plot which consisted of much intertwined suspense. The characters were developed so well that you feel that you know them personally, and you feel that you completely understand them, their thoughts, and their feelings. If you are fans of books by Deborah Crombie or Peter Robinson, then you will LOVE this book. I can't wait to go out and get the next one (The Likeness).

Suzanne

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

I am not one who likes to read science fiction or medical thrillers; however, this was a very good book. It really made me think about the future and the path that science, medicine, and technology may take.
-Beth Ann

Dairy Queen

I finally read this book. I really liked it! It seemed like the author was describing my hometown. I also gained much insight about farming and raising animals. I have a new appreciation for those who have worked on a farm and raised animals. I admire DJ and her strength, not just physical but also emotional. She was able to attain recognition by her hard work and fortitude. I want to read the next book to follow DJ's adventure. What an inspiring person DJ is!
~Shirley

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

I found this story to be very intriguing and interesting. I like Stephen King stories and this story had a science fiction twist that was very compelling. The author created a plot with a very controversial theme. How can a person decide between medical science and moral convictions? I found this book to be very well written and creative. I would recommend it to others who like to theorize about the application of science to a modern world with a conservative set of values. I began to adjust my thoughts about science and how it can affect a change in society's problems.
~ Shirley

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

This is an excellent first-person look at what fighting in the most recent Iraq war is like. The story follows Robin "Birdy" Perry, a new recruit from New York, and his squad as they encounter the horrors of war.

There is enough realistic violence to appeal to male readers but enough of a personal, more human storyline to attract female readers as well. Overall, this is a well-written book which makes you seriously consider the sacrifices that the men and women of the armed forces make for us all on a daily basis.
~Jackie

Books by Georgette Heyer

I also read three books by Georgette Heyer. These were all three classic English country-house mysteries all written in a manner similar to Agatha Christie's mysteries. Each has its own separate cast of characters. In Why Shoot a Butler?, barrister Frank Amberley stops to help a woman. What he finds is a sports car with a dead body behind the wheel. Throughout the book, he goes back and forth between thinking this girl is innocent and thinking she is guilty. Along with finding out who killed the man in the car, Frank must also solve other murders which occur as the plot unfolds. In Behold, Here's Poison, the master of the Poplars, home of the Matthews family, is found dead in his bed. It seems to be a death due to natural causes until the autopsy reveals he died of nicotine poisoning. Resourceful Inspector Hannasyde is called in to handle this case. Unfortunately for him, all family members had motives for wanting Mr. Matthews dead; and none of them have an alibi. In The Unfinished Clue, people are gathering at the home of Arthur Billington-Smith (an abusive, most hated man) for a lovely English country weekend. The guest list contains a strange array of characters. Over the course of the weekend, when Mr. Billington-Smith is found stabbed to death, no one seems particularly upset. Scotland Yard's Inspector Harding arrives to find himself in the middle of a real mess. To add to his problems, anyone there could have done it; and since no one there seems to have an alibi, there is no one he can eliminate from his investigation. Since I am a big Agatha Christie fan, these books were right up my alley!!
Suzanne

Books by Laura Caldwell

I read three books by Laura Caldwell: Red Hot Lies, Red-Blooded Murder, and Red, White , and Dead. All were excellent. The series centers around the character Izzy McNeil who is an attorney. In the first book, she is working for a high profile law firm which specializes in entertainment law. Her most important client (also a friend) is murdered. After this murder occurs, Izzy's fiance has mysteriously fled town with important documents belonging to the dead man, which makes him a prime candidate as a murder suspect. Izzy is left to try to solve the murder plus discover the whereabouts of her fiance and discover what his role in all of this is. In the second book, Izzy, now out of a job, has been offered a position at a new network station called Trial TV. Her boss will be one of her former clients at her previous law firm. Izzy's friend/boss is found strangled in her home. The network moves Izzy into the position of "star" of the show. According to the police, Izzy's new position, along with several other things, makes her suspect #1. Izzy must now fight for her own life/freedom as well as figure out who the real killer is. The third book takes an unexpected turn. In this installment, Izzy becomes involved in a search for her father, who was presumed dead for many years. Her search takes her to Italy, where she becomes a target of the Italian mob. This one was really interesting in part due to the fact that it was so different from the first two.

Suzanne

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is intense, interesting, uncomfortable at times, full of surprises, and well worth reading. I liked it much better than I thought I would since I knew some of the story line. The book definitely evokes your emotions and makes you think.
Pam