Sundays in Bed with…Red Rain by R.L. Stine

On July 21, 2013July 21, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

Welcome to my Sundays in Bed with, a weekly meme hosted by Midnight Book Girl! This is a fun opportunity to spotlight the book I’m reading on the glorious day of the week.

This morning I’m reading: Red Rain by R.L. Stine

I have a soft spot in my heart for the mastermind behind the Fear Street series, which gave me delicious nightmares back in junior high when Nancy Drew Super Chiller mysteries were the only other “scary” titles in the young adult section. So despite the overwhelming number of one-star reviews, I decided to give this one a try. I mean, come on, how could I refuse a new title by my childhood idol?

As for the negative reviewers, I can totally understand their issues with the bland characters, stunted dialogue and horror movie clichés. Yes, the main characters are one-dimensional. And yes, the freaky twin thing has been done to death in movies like The Shining and Village of the Damned. But you know what, R.L.’s trademark cliffhangers at the end of each chapter keep me glued to the pages until the wee hours of the night.

Reading this book is a lot like watching a campy horror flick. Going into it, my expectations for character development are pretty low, but I still have a lot of fun with the thrill ride. Aside from some awkward sex scenes, this is pretty much a young adult book. So if you’re expecting a horror story on par with the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, you’ll most likely be disappointed. This book isn’t scare per se, but it’s definitely entertaining!

Audiobook Pick of the Month: White Oleander by Janet Fitch

On July 13, 2013July 1, 2018 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

Summary (from the publisher) When Astrid’s mother, a beautiful, headstrong poet, murders a former lover and is imprisoned for life, Astrid becomes one of the thousands of foster children in Los Angeles. As she navigates this new reality, Astrid finds strength in her unshakable certainty of her own worth and her unfettered sense of the absurd.

Why I liked it: You know you’ve read a truly great book when you’re struggling with questions long after polishing off the last chapter. My lingering nature vs. nurture questions have to do with Ingrid. Are some people inherently evil?

Next to Hannibal Lector, Ingrid one of the most frightening villains I’ve come across in a long time. She’s cold, manipulative, egotistical and completely devoid of empathy for others. She has no qualms about making Astrid aware of the burdens of motherhood. Boy does that bring back memories.

“What was a weed, anyway. A plant nobody planted? A seed escaped from a traveler’s coat, something that didn’t belong? Was it something that grew better than what should have been there? Wasn’t it just a word, weed, trailing its judgments. Useless, without value. Unwanted.”

And just when I thought this morally-blind character couldn’t get any more despicable – she’d take her narcissism to a whole new level! Just for shits and giggles, she would get her poetic juices flowing by writing a laundry list of horrible ways to torment people, like “give a homeless man fake money and make sure he thanks you profusely.” Or “convince a depressed person to commit suicide.” Seriously?!? Does this sound like a woman who is capable of redemption? I sincerely doubt it.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say that the book leaves a lot of things open for interpretation. Honestly, I wasn’t completely thrilled by the way it left off, but I have a feeling the author was compelled to give her readers what they wanted.

The narrator: I wasn’t so sure about listening to a book narrated by Oprah. No offense to Oprah, I just don’t like celebrity narrators. They tend to speak a mile a minute or overdramatize the voices like a parent reading a bedtime story. But you know what – she did a pretty good job capturing Astrid’s voice. I know she’s a busy lady, but it would have been nice if she took the time to read the unabridged book. I hate that she skipped over some chunks of this fascinating story.

Favorite character: Astrid is – by far – one of the most complex, sympathetic characters I’ve encountered. Unlike her pathological mother, she looks for the good in people and lacks that instantaneous disdain for others that so twisted her mother’s life. I was especially moved by her relationship with her emotionally fragile foster mom, Clare. Despite her own inner turmoil, Astrid wanted nothing more than to coddle Clare in a cocoon of happiness. In a way, she was displaying the kind of unconditional love and support that she should have received from her own mother.

“I wanted the world to be beautiful for her. I wanted things to work out. I always had a great day, no matter what.”

Like listening to the perfect sad song on a bad day, this book has somewhat of a cathartic effect. Anyone who has grown up in a loveless household will identify with Astrid’s struggle. But ultimately this is a story about survival. Let’s face it; a lot of us get the short hand of the stick when it comes to parents. But once we get out from under their thumb, we have the freedom to chart our own destiny. Astrid’s journey – from a naïve young girl, to a hardened foster kid, to a hopeful young artist – is a tribute to the resiliency of the human spirit.

Summed up in three words: Dark, poignant, beautiful.

Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles

On July 8, 2013July 8, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

I was flipping through my Romantic Times magazine and immediately honed in on a full-page ad displaying the colorful book covers for Anne Charles’ Deadwood mystery series. The purple cowgirl boots, the dilapidated haunted house, the rural South Dakota setting – it all looked pretty awesome to me! Lo and behold, I found it on my Nook for a darned good deal, and now I’m totally hooked in Violet Parker’s rip-roaring real estate adventures!

The mystery revolves around Violet, a single mom who’s struggling to keep her fledgling real estate gig afloat. She’s desperate to make a sale, but her only prospect is a crumbling old house filled with wall-to-wall clown paraphernalia – yikes! And it doesn’t help that her only buyer, Doc, is constantly rejecting the historic homes. Why is he always sniffing around the rooms like a bloodhound? And what’s the deal with his mysterious day job? Of course, Violet’s only priority is to make a sale before her three week deadline is up, but she can’t help but to wonder about the enigmatic hottie. Not that it matters because her best friend is totally infatuated with Doc. Plus she’s dating Wolfgang, a wealthy jeweler who just inherited the creepy clown house, so the last thing she needs is another male distraction. Uh yeah, right!

Things get complicated when Violet discovers that little girls are vanishing from Deadwood. Fearing that her daughter might be the next face on the missing girls posters, Violet sets forth on a mission to find the kidnapper. Good thing she formed an accidental friendship with a gun-toting old codger named Harvey. He may be crusty on the outside, but underneath that grisly exterior, he’s a total softy. He’s kind of like a male version of the ubiquitous “zany grandma” characters that you see in Janet Evanovich books. But despite the cliché, the banter between Harvey and Violet is incredibly funny. Between his inappropriate quips and her neuroticisms, they make an excellent team!

Speaking of fun secondary characters, Doc sure kept me guessing. Although he’s dating Violet’s best friend, he spends a lot of time protecting her from potential stalkers. And when he’s not at his mysterious job, he’s in the library pouring through books about Deadwood’s historic sites. Clearly he and Violet have some serious fireworks brewing, but there’s too much at stake if they act on their desires.

There’s so many questions that need to be answered – and I’m already starting to miss old Harvey and his potty mouth humor! Even though this book is heavily steeped in romance, the author does a fine job keeping the focus on the mystery. I enjoyed watching Violet and her trusty sidekick confront possible suspects and piece together clues in creepy old houses. Plus there’s a scene toward the very end that gave me the willies. Don’t be fooled by the light-hearted banter and silly antics, this book isn’t for the faint of heart!

I still have so many questions about Violet’s backstory – and what the heck is haunting the woods surrounding Harvey’s house. But, alas, I must knock off a couple more books on my to-read list before downloading another e-book. So many books, so little time!

The Friday Five: A Killer Maize by Paige Shelton

On June 29, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

In honor of my favorite day of the week, I bring you The Friday Five. Every Friday I will ask the same five questions to myself, or any other willing participant! All my fellow book lovers are welcome to join in on the fun.

From the publisher: Becca Robbins is selling her farm-made jams and preserves at a county fair where business is not the only thing that’s dead…

The last person Becca expects to run into at the Swayton County Fall Festival is her ex-husband, Scott Triplett, who’s operating a shooting gallery. Honesty was not always Scott’s policy, and their unexpected reunion is further complicated when the festival becomes a crime scene. On Becca’s second day there, Ferris wheel operator Virgil Morrison is found hanging from his rickety ride, dead from a gunshot.

As Becca starts to notice Scott suspiciously sneaking around the fairgrounds, she begins to worry her ex may be involved in the murder. Then there’s the shadow she sees in the creepy corn maze and rumors of a gypsy curse—not to mention Virgil’s mysterious spider tattoo. Now Becca must search through a labyrinth of lies, secrets, and superstition to find a kernel of truth…before the killer starts stalking her.

Why did you choose this book? The hubster bought me this book for Christmas, probably because he knows that I’m a sucker for cozy mysteries with pumpkins on the cover. He knows me well!

Where did the author go right? Or if it’s a turkey, what went wrong? I like cozies that are heavy on the mystery with a light dash of romance. I’m in it for the quaint setting, the quirky characters and the cute little furry sidekicks. And that’s exactly what I got with this atmospheric farmers market mystery. The fall festival setting swept me away to my favorite time of year when the air is crisp and apple pies are plentiful. The author did a fine job spinning a tight web of plot threads and red herrings. As I pieced together the clues and hit a few dead ends, I felt like I was navigating my way through an elaborate corn maze. And speaking of those creepy, claustrophobic corn contraptions, there is indeed a corn maze scene that will give even the most jaded mystery fans the shivers! Oh and there’s a dash of “gypsy magic” thrown in to the mix, adding to the delicious Halloweenie atmosphere.

Did anything bug you about the book? My only minor complaint is that there are a bunch of characters to keep up with. If you aren’t paying close attention, you could easily get lost in the maze of possible suspects.

Would you read another book by this author? Most definitely! I look forward to stumbling upon another dead body at Becca’s small town farmer’s market in South Carolina. Mmmm…I sure would like some of her famous pumpkin preserves right about now.

How would you sum up the book in three words? Spooky, puzzling, delicious.

A Q&A with Jennifer Brown-Thomas, Author of Blissful Lies

On June 22, 2013June 22, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

If you’re in need of a Gossip Girl fix, Blissful Lies just might do the trick. Look beyond the sprawling mansions, the glitzy couture gowns and the strappy Jimmy Choos and you’ll find a tangled web of lies, deceit, lust and betrayal. And it all hits the fan when five close friends stumble upon some dirty little secrets. The torrid affairs, the backstabbing, the jealous glares – it all brings back fine memories of Blair and Selena’s incessant fights over Lonely Boy.

I caught up with the author Jennifer Brown-Thomas for some juicy details about her debut novel. Read on for more about the Blissful Lies movie, her fashion line, and what’s up next!

What made you decide to become an author?

Well, I wasn’t really planning this. My career plan was to graduate from TCU and continue on to law school. I’ve been writing for most of my life, and now it’s just blossomed into this amazing career. I’m so thankful.

How did you come up with the idea for Blissful Lies?

Blissful Lies is such a fun storyline. I loved coming up with the characters because they are all different, but the same. They’ve struggled through some enormous challenges that no one around them knows about. To the outside, they’re privileged and almost elitist, but they’ve faced struggles and they’re trying to live their lives as normal as possible anyway. I just sat down one afternoon and started working on the screenplay, from there the story was born. I love it.

What draws you to the world of the rich and powerful?

It’s a world that’s interesting. It seems as though the extremely wealthy tend to adhere to a different set of rules and regulations, so I know I enjoy reading these types of stories—I hope everyone else does too!

Of all the characters in the book, which one would you like to spend an afternoon with? Why?

Addison Hamilton. She’s amazing. She’s accomplished and on-point about everything she does. And finally, this woman who has sacrificed so much for her career and family is indulging in something for herself for once. She’s my favorite character, but they’re all unique and fun in their own ways.

What do you hope your readers will get out of this book?

A small break from reality. I know how hard life can be and how much work it takes to get from day to day, so I hope my readers will get the chance to enjoy the story and take a few minutes for themselves.

What’s next for you?

So much! We’re so excited to be launching the first installment of a trilogy series in the fall. Vindictive Grounds is such an amazing story. I can’t wait to share it with all of you. We’re launching a clothing line called Kinsley Kouture in the fall and just established a non-profit organization called Kinsley’s Kure. It’s been a huge year so far! Stay tuned.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you all for taking the time to chat with me. I love having the opportunity to reach out to readers. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.

More about the author: At just 25 years old, Jennifer Brown-Thomas is a celebrated book author and movie director. Her first novel, Blissful Lies, combines both of her passions. At the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, she presented Blissful Lies (the movie) starring Emmy award winning actress, Leann Hunley. YTINIFNI Pictures is working to bring the film to DVD and on-demand television this spring. Jennifer is a married, Texas Christian University graduate and mother of one. Her newest venture, LBT Enterprises, is set to launch a fragrance, a children’s clothing line and more. Watch for more novels from Jennifer – the next on its way is Vindictive Grounds. In February, Jennifer will begin directing the film version of this novel. She says, “It definitely has more of the explicit sexual contact comparable to Fifty Shades of Grey.” Find more about Jennifer on her website, blog, twitter,Facebook and Goodreads.

Murder on the Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett

On June 15, 2013June 24, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

Lorna Barrett’s Booktown Mystery series is everything I love about cozies. Set in a charming little touristy East Coast hamlet, the stories revolve around a loveable bookstore owner, a bevy of eclectic characters, and a couple of furry, four-legged sidekicks. It’s like this series was tailor-made just for me!

In this sixth installment, our fearless protagonist, Tricia Miles, stumbles upon a dead body while staying at a newly opened Bed and Breakfast. Known as the “Village Jinx,” she has a knack for finding murder victims in her so-called peaceful town of Stoneham, New Hampshire.

This time, the victim is a former Playboy bunny turned B&B owner named Pippa. The plot thickens when Tricia discovers Pippa’s husband is actually Harry Tyler, an old boyfriend who was believed to be dead for more than 20 years. This makes Tricia a suspect, adding some serious tension between Tricia and her police chief boyfriend. Plus being a murder suspect really puts a damper on business, so she better find the killer before she loses her sweetie and her loyal book club customers.

As Tricia delves into the mystery, she comes up with more questions than answers. Why would Harry knock off his wife right after opening a B&B? Who’s sending all of those old pictures and cryptic messages in the mail? And who is always lurking in the shadows?

As you can see, there are a lot of pieces in this puzzle – and boy is it fun putting it all together! Half the fun is getting to k

now all of the quirky characters, especially Tricia’s feisty sister who runs an eclectic bookstore for foodies. She’s a tad on the selfish side, but she tends to redeem herself when Tricia is in a bind. Plus she’s got some scrumdiliumptious recipes that you can find in the back of the book. Mmmm…I can’t wait to try out the Simply Crackers Candy!

But of all the secondary characters, I’m most intrigued by an ex-con named Pixie Poe. She’s rude, violent and anti-social – but trust me – she’ll grow on you! I’m really excited to see what lies in store for her and Tricia in the next book!

If you love a good character-driven mystery in a deliciously inviting setting, you’re in for a treat. I’m putting this one on the top shelf with my other two favorite bookstore mysteries: Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand, and Alice Kimberly’s Haunted Bookshop series.

Short & Sweet Sundays: Foal Play by Kathryn O’Sullivan

On June 9, 2013June 9, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies6 Comments

Sundays are a day of rest. So in honor of this one day of the week when I can legitimately loaf around in my Garfield jammies in front of the DVR, I bring you “Short and Sweet Sundays.” This is a fun way for me to write up a quick and dirty book blog without getting too wordy.

From the publisher: Colleen McCabe is enjoying an uneventful summer in North Carolina’s Outer Banks supervising her firefighters, making rounds with her Border collie, Sparky, and keeping an eye on the wild horses escaped from the local sanctuary. But when a dead body washes up on shore, she knows trouble has arrived in Corolla.

Colleen is ready to start work on the investigation, but much to her irritation, her best friend, Sheriff Bill Dorman, makes it clear he doesn’t want her butting her nose in or poking around. The stubborn Colleen, however, is not so easily deterred. When a man with a gun is spotted lurking around the lighthouse and her former school teacher’s house explodes, she adds arson and a second suspicious death to her informal investigation. Colleen soon finds herself juggling her job, amorous advances from the town’s developer, and intrusions from the local press, all while keeping information from Bill. Her secret sleuthing quickly comes to an end, however, when a bigger threat enters the picture.

The biggest selling point: It’s a tossup between an eclectic cast of loveable characters and the gorgeous coastal setting. If I had to choose, I’d say the characters really stole the show. Colleen embodies everything I love in a female protagonist. She’s fearless, strong-willed, witty – and an animal lover to boot. Plus she’s a firehouse chief, which is quite impressive all in itself! Her colorful sidekicks were all very amusing, especially the flirtatious real estate developer, Pinky Salvatore, who habitually summoned her to his bachelor pad with smoke signals. But most of all – I enjoyed Colleen’s horse-herding border collie, Sparky.

What irked me: I can’t go into details because I’d give the whole thing away, so I’ll just say that a major component of the story requires a suspension of disbelief. To be honest, it didn’t really bother me because I was too busy zipping through the pages to find out whodunit!

This book is best paired with: A tequila sunrise and the Endless Summer soundtrack.

Overall assessment: If you love animals, charming small-town settings and entertaining characters, this book’s for you. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, and even the most seasoned mystery buffs are likely to be surprised by the ending. All in all, this is one heck of a debut, and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. Want to know more about this talented new author? Check out her Q&A on Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries and More.

Short & Sweet Sundays: Cocktail Hour by Tara McTiernan

On May 26, 2013May 26, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies2 Comments

Sundays are a day of rest. So in honor of this one day of the week when I can legitimately loaf around in my Garfield jammies in front of the DVR, I bring you this new feature that I like to call “Short and Sweet Sundays.” This is a fun way for me to write up a quick and dirty book blog without getting too overambitious.

Synapsis (from the publisher) What if your friend – someone admired, envied, and fervently sought after by everyone who knew her – was really a dangerous sociopath?

Spring in glamorous uber-rich Fairfield County, Connecticut is a time of beginnings: a new diet for the approaching summer spent out on the yacht, fresh-faced interns being offered up at the office as the seasonal sacrifice to the gods of money, and corporate takeovers galore. Five women in their thirties have a brand-new friendship, too, one that fed and watered regularly at local hotspots over cocktails. With all of their personal struggles – Lucie’s new catering business is foundering due to vicious gossip, Kate’s marriage is troubled due to an inability to conceive, Chelsea’s series of misses in the romance department have led to frantic desperation, and Sharon’s career problems are spinning out of control – the women look forward to a break and a drink and a chance to let their guards down with their friends. And letting their guards down is the last thing they should do in the kind of company they unknowingly keep with the fifth member of their cocktail-clique: Bianca Rossi, a woman who will stop at nothing to have it all.

What I liked: After reading the author’s previous novel Barefoot Girls –which also includes one helluva villain – I knew I was in for a treat. She has a real knack for getting inside the mind of a certifiable sociopath, and Bianca really takes the cake! That is one crazy-ass bitch, and I hate to think that there could be real-life Biancas preying upon unsuspecting men and exploiting their “friends” weaknesses. She grew more despicable with each chapter – and I couldn’t wait to get to the very end to watch it all come crashing down. I can safely say this is one of the most evil female antagonists I’ve encountered in a very long time. She’s so bad, she makes those Lifetime movie psychos look like playful kittens!

Favorite character: The posse of gal pals all had interesting backstories, but out of all of the women, Kate is my fave. Yes, she’s totally naïve and sometimes just plain dumb, but she’s also loyal and incredibly sweet. Fresh off the farm and new the big city, she’s refreshingly un-jaded and ready to befriend anyone with a seemingly friendly face. Although I constantly wanted to shake her and tell her to smarten up, she really hit a soft spot in my hardened, misanthropic heart.

If you think about it, haven’t we all been there? At some point, don’t we all find out the hard way that we can’t accept everyone at face-value? To quote Dan Rather, “A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well.”

The cover: The long-legged women sitting on barstools are pretty and all, but to be honest, I really don’t think the cover does the book justice. If I saw this in a bookstore, I probably would’ve just assumed it was another light-hearted story about women looking for love in the big city. Since the story revolves around a demented seductress, I think it would be more fitting to invoke a sense of danger on the cover.

This book is best paired with: A tall mojito and some Miles Davis.

Overall assessment: Cocktail Hour isn’t all margaritas and tapas – McTiernan tackles some troubling issues – from adultery to mental illness to family dysfunction. Emotional, fascinating – and sometimes unsettling – this is one quality read for anyone who enjoys stories about love, loss, friendship and deceit.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Gwen Cooper Reads & Signs “Love Saves the Day” at APA!

On May 19, 2013May 19, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies4 Comments

Me (the awkward blond on the left) and Gwen Cooper.

Oh happy day! I had the pleasure of meeting Gwen Cooper, the celebrated author of Homer’s Odyssey, at an Austin Pets Alive event! She spoke to a full house of crazy cat lovers about all my favorite topics: Kitties, books and how to break into publishing.

I’ve never heard of Love Saves the Day, but the cover is super cute and the author is one of the bests in the animal memoir biz, so I went ahead and swooped it up. How could I go wrong with a story about an adorable little orphaned kitty that helps a woman through a long, complicated road of bereavement? I love a good tear-jerker about healing and self-discovery, so I’m sure I’m going to fall in love with this book.

Here’s a little snippet from the author’s website about the book, which is narrated by a kitty named Prudence who’s struggling with the death of her beloved owner. Sniff…where did I put that box of tissues?

Suddenly Prudence finds herself living in a strange apartment with humans she barely knows. It could take years to train them in the feline courtesies and customs (for example, a cat should always be fed before the humans, and at the same exact time every day) that Sarah understood so well. Prudence clings to the hope that Sarah will come back for her while Laura, a rising young corporate attorney, tries to push away memories of her mother and the tumultuous childhood spent in her mother’s dusty downtown record store. But the secret joys, past hurts, and life-changing moments that make every mother-daughter relationship special will come to the surface. With Prudence’s help Laura will learn that the past, like a mother’s love, never dies.

Bumped into these little dudes at the event. They're up for adoption, y'all! — Bumped into these little dudes at the event. They’re up for adoption, y’all!

Oh and did I mention that I scored a free Litter Genie at the event? Now that’s some cool swag! With some help from corporate sponsors, she’s traveling from shelter to shelter to promote her new book and give back to the little animals in need. Be sure to check your local events calendars to see if she’s coming your way!

The Crypt Thief: A Hugo Marston Novel by Mark Pryor

On May 12, 2013May 12, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

I knew I had to read this book when Scott Montgomery, the resident mystery maven at BookPeople, mentioned that it has the one of the creepiest opening chapters he’s ever read. This guy is a voracious reader of mysteries and horror, so that’s a pretty impressive feat for Mark Pryor.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a hard-boiled, tough-guy mystery, so I decided to give this Hugo Marston series a test drive. Considering the author is an assistant DA, I was expecting it to read like a procedural. No offense to Patricia Cornwell fans, but I’d rather watch a Perry Mason marathon than read a procedural.

But Scott Montgomery never steers me wrong, and I’m so glad I gave this book a try! Some authors are just born to write – and Mark Pryor is one of them. He knows how to rope his readers in with loveable, complex characters, and he has mastered the art crafting page-turning suspense. But what I love most is the setting. I’ve never been to The City of LIght, but I could travel there vicariously through his atmospheric descriptions of street-side cafes, rolling green pastures and creepy cemeteries. Here’s a fun little spine-tingling teaser:

As the last traces of orange tinged the skyline, the shadows cast by the crypts around them grew. The Patches of gray that in early evening had circled the monuments like little skirts now spread like spilled blood, staining the grass and the stone walkways, tinting the newest of the marble monuments in a slow, inexorable creep of darkness that silenced all sound, except for the occasional hoot of an owl, and the noises of discomfort that they made themselves as they waited for a man with a gun. A man with a gun, and they suspected, a bag in which to carry away the bones of someone long since dead.

It all begins in a Parisian cemetery, where a giggling young couple inadvertently bump into a grave-digging fiend named The Scarab. Annoyed by the interruption, he shoots them in cold blood and peels off a little prize from the girl’s back. You see, he’s rather fond of tattoos…and skeletons…and Moulin Rouge dancers.

Enter Hugo Marston, the tall, handsome chief of security for the U.S. embassy. I have to confess, I have a bit of a crush on this guy. He’s ballsy, smart and fiercely devoted to his friends, especially his self-destructing alcoholic partner. I’m a tad jealous of his “friends with benefits” crime reporter sidekick, Claudia. They are so perfect for each other, but complicated circumstances keep them apart. I’m really excited to delve into the next Hugo Marston mystery to see how their relationship develops.

But I digress. Let’s get back to the mystery, shall we? It turns out that one of the victims is the son of a U.S. senator who’s hell-bent on blaming it all on a suspected terrorist. When Hugo looks into the case, he finds that all of the evidence points to a serial killer with a penchant for human bones. Hugo’s investigation gets derailed as the senator insists on going public with the terrorist manhunt, thus giving The Scarab more freedom to continue his macabre cemetery excursions. Why is he collecting old bones from dead can-can dancers? How does he pop in and out of cemeteries unseen? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

A word to the wise, don’t read this book alone at night. I made the grave mistake of reading it while my husband was out of town and had to call him in the middle of the night so he could talk me off the ledge. Parts of this book really gave me the heebie jeebies – especially the cemetery shootout scene. Come to think of it, this book is a good cautionary tale for staying away from cemeteries after sundown – and to sign up for a self-defense class. It’s a scary world, and I shudder at the thought of real-life Scarabs roaming the city streets.

Overall, this book is one heck of a thrill ride that is sure to impress fans of fast-paced mysteries by the likes of Jeff Abbott, Harlan Coben and John Sandford. Hugo Marston is my kind of hero, one who’s willing to rush into a burning building to take down the bad guy – and risk everything to save his friends. This author has the rare ability to make sitting on my cushy couch feel like a heart-pumping chase through creepy Parisian graveyards.