A Serial Killer and a Copycat

London is terrified by a serial killer who bludgeons young women to death and sets them on fire. The police, including the elite squad let by Superintendent Godly, is having trouble finding the killer when another murder is committed. On the surface it looks like the work of the Burning Man, but is it?

Rebecca Howorth, a privileged young woman is found dead in circumstances that look like the work of the Burning Man. To most of the squad, it appears that the serial killer has taken another victim, but DC Meave Kerrigan isn't sure. There is a superficial resemblance, but something is off. She feels her inferior position on the squad, being female and having an affinity for the psychological side of crime, so she's loath to say too much about her ideas.

The Burning starts slowly with Maeve unsure about her theory of the murder. Chapters alternate between Maeve's observations and thoughts and those of Louise, Rebecca Howorth's best friend. However, after the midpoint of the book, the action picks up. It ends as a very satisfying mystery.

In the beginning, I did not like the character of Maeve. She was too needy, wanting recognition by her boss, Superintendent Godly, on whom she had an obvious crush. She was extremely self-absorbed, always wondering how she was being observed by her colleagues, particularly Godley. After the midpoint, she gained confidence and the action speeded up. I ended up liking her.

The plot is engrossing, if you like who done-its. It wasn't hard to figure out that Maeve was right and it was a copycat killing, but the author had several suspects to choose from. I enjoyed the ending.

I recommend this book if you like a good mystery.

I reviewed this book for Net Galley.

Three Search and Rescue Teenagers Encounter a Serial Killer

Alexis, Ruby and Nick joined Portland Search and Rescue (SAR) looking for a way to belong. Alexis wants an extra curricular activity to help her get into college. Nick wants to be a hero like his father. Ruby is incredibly bright, interested in crime and forensics, and wants a way to use her intelligence. Each is in some way is a misfit.

On their first real mission, searching of an autistic man who has wandered into the woods, they find the body of a teenage girl. The police aren't interested in having help from three teens. They're convinced that the murder is an isolated incident, but Ruby is convinced that it's a serial killing. When the police seem to be fumbling, the three teens decide to search for the killer.

The book presents authentic information about Search and Rescue operations. The author provides the information without becoming heavy handed. This should work well for teenage readers.

The characters come across as real. I liked the way the author devoted individual chapters to each teen and to the killer. Seeing the action from different perspectives gave the story depth. I particularly liked Ruby. She is

bright, but has trouble relating to other people. Although not a typical teenage problem, it does affect very bright adolescents. They feel out of place with both their peers and with adults.

I highly recommend this book for middle school teens. Adults could also enjoy the mystery, particularly is they wanted insight into some special teenagers.

I reviewed this book for Net Galley

A Dead Surgeon, Three Wives, and a Mystery

Dr. John Taylor, a respected physician, who specializes in facial reconstruction for children, is found dead in his hotel room. At first it looks like a simple heart attack, but when the police find two puncture holes in his shoulder, the verdict is wrongful death. When it turns out that he had three wives, and the first wife was orchestrating the menage-a-quatre, murder is likely.

Samantha Adams, a new detective, is assigned to the case. The case consumes her leaving little tume for her live-in boyfriend. He's trying to complete his doctoral dissertation, although not very diligently, and resents Samantha's total involvent in her job.

The plot carries this book. It's hard to imagine how an aging doctor with a busy practice had time to have three wives. It keeps you reading just to understand how he did it. The author presents the point of view of each wife in different chapters. This has the virtue of getting to know their thoughts about their life and their husband, but they do sound alike in many chapters. I realize it's not easy to differentiate the wives when we're in their heads, but it becomes more disconcerting as the book wears on to have them sound so similar.

If you're a murder mystery fan, the identity of the murderer is easy to guess. The author tries to insert red herrings, but in order to be true to the psychology of the wives, she has to drop a lot of hints. I was disappointed in the ending. I felt the author could have done a more creative job of figuring out how it was possible for the murderer to kill the man. It seemed very unlikely that it could have been accomplished the way it was described.

This in an enjoyable book if you concentrate on the unusual character of people who could willingly become involved in a situation like this. I can't recommend it as a mystery.

I reviewed this book for the Amazon Vine Program.

Words Matter on Estillyen

Messages from Estillyen brings together the two previous works by William E. Jefferson: The Point: The Redemption of Oban Ironbout; and Redemption: Twelve Readings from the Monks of Estillyen. In Messages we have the story from The Point with the readings from Redemption interspersed with Hollie and Godwin's experience on Estillyen. I think this is a more successful book than either by itself.

In The Point, a young couple Hollie and Godwin Macbreeze journey to the beautiful island of Estillyen on a month long pilgrimage to hear the lectures on redemption. Hollie is facing a difficult diagnosis and is more interested in the lectures than Godwin. He is fulfilling a boyhood ambition to see the cottage on the point that he calls My Cottage Rare. He drew a picture of the cottage when he was a child from a photograph made by his grandfather, and it has haunted him ever since.

Hollie and Godwin both enjoy the lectures, but Godwin also finds the cottage and meets Oban Ironbout. It changes life for both of them and for Hollie.

In Redemption the readings given in summary form in the Point are produced in full. The twelve readings are done by the monks in various settings around the island. I enjoyed the descriptions of the settings almost as much as the readings. Estillyen would be a place I'd like to visit.

The readings are done by the monks. One monk, the reader, presents relevant scripture passages, the other takes the role of a doubter, or Satan. The readings emphasize the relationship between the medium, the word, and the message. Words gain importance because of who says them. Christ's words are important because of the concepts they express, but most of all because he says them.

The combination of The Point and Redemption in one volume that knits the story of Oban Ironbout together with the readings on redemption has more impact than either book alone because the story is an example of what the readings are about.

I recommend this book. The story is interesting and the readings draw you in because the language is perfect for the setting. You feel as if you're present at the readings with Hollie and Godwin.

A Glimpse of Veterinary Practice in a Small Town

Eden Falls is not the place Dr. Cyrus Mills wants to settle down, but when he inherits his father's veterinary practice, he decides to give it a try. Cyrus is an introverted veterinary pathologist who has never treated live animals. Now he's faced with not only difficult cases, but difficult owners. In spite of the drawbacks, and the winter weather in Vermont is one of them, Cyrus begins to enjoy what he's doing.

His new life is complicated by a rival veterinary practice, Healthy Paws, that wants to put his practice, Bedside Manor, out of business. There's also Amy, an attractive waitress at the cafe, that he wants to get to know better. Each time he and Amy seem to be getting together either one of his cases, or a tall, dark stranger come between them. Altogether, Cyrus has his work cut out for him in his new role.

The story is told from Cyrus' point of view. He sees himself as bumbling and inept in human relationships. His descriptions of himself often become highly amusing. The book is filled with other attractive characters: Charlie, who tries to set Cyrus up with her mother who happens to work for the rival practice; Gabe, the computer whiz who enjoys hacking into places where he shouldn't be; and Dr. Lewis, Cyrus' partner,

who offers good advice on life and treating animals.

I enjoyed the book particularly the description of the unusual cases Cyrus deals with. It is quite unlikely in a real veterinary practice that he would see this many hard to diagnose cases. However, they provide momentum for the story because you want to know if he'll solve the mystery and cure the animals.

Although this book is a follow on to The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs, enough background information is provided to make this book standalone. However, if you enjoy this book, you'll probably want to go back and catch up on Cyrus' early history.

I reviewed this book for Net Galley.

Romantic Historical Novella set in Texas

Desperate to escape the man who is trying to force her to marry him, Elli Korpela leaves Finland and sails to the United States as a mail order bride. Although she is unsure of her decision, she travels to Austin, Texas to meet Nathan White, her future husband. As soon as she sees his niece, Hannah, she knows she's made the right decision. They marry. Although Nathan tells her that he's only looking for someone to care for his niece, attraction builds between them.

Then Elli's past seems to catches up with her when she's attacked in their new home. But is it Elli's past, or workers taking out their frustration on Nathan, the new foreman at the quarry?

Although this is a novella, it's filled with action and romance. The characters come alive, and you can't help hoping that Elli and Nathan will become a complete family. The setting is interesting although there is only a glimpse of the Butterfly Palace that was featured in the first book in this series.

If you like historical romance with some mystery, you'll enjoy this book.

I reviewed this book for the Thomas Nelson Booklook Blogger program.

Murder and Romance in the Amish Village

The Amish Village is a tourist destination in Middlebury, Indiana where people come to sample the delicious and creative Amish products and enjoy the quiet of the Inn. Quiet that is until one morning, Hannah, an Amish girl who works at the Quilting Bee, finds Ethan, the owner of A Simple Blend dead of an apparent heart attack.

The police are convinced it's a heart attack although there are BB holes in the front window. Amber, manager of the Amish Village, isn't so sure. She and Hannah think it looks more like murder and should be investigated. The police politely decline, so Amber and Hannah start their own investigation.

The setting for this book is delightful. The small shops and interesting shop owners provide a background that makes you feel at home. Both the Amish and English characters are well drawn and likeable. Hannah and her family are very typically Amish and provide a contrast to Amber, the career woman. Romance is provided by Amber's next door neighbor, Tate, and Hannah's good friend, Jesse. Both are gentle romances, not complex but heart warming.

I enjoyed the book. The mystery

wasn't particularly engrossing until the ending which seemed rather extreme. However, the characters make the story, so the resolution of the mystery is believable. Although I usually don't comment on editorial matters. This book had some mistakes that editing could have fixed. In one place, the author starts calling Hannah, Amber. In some of the dialog it's difficult to follow who is speaking. However, if you enjoy the characters and setting these problems don't detract too much.

I reviewed the novel for the Thomas Nelson Booklook Program.