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Judge Richard Quinn is young, idealistic, and honest to a fault. That's why he's handed the most sensational homicide case in Oregon history. Locked in a race for the U.S. Senate, Ellen Crease gunned down the intruder who murdered her wealthy husband. In a single, brutal instant she became a widow, a victim, and a hero. Yet disturbing questions remain. What secrets did the man who started his fortune running mortuaries keep that might have cost him his life? What about the son frozen out of his will? Or his wife's political enemies? And what about Ellen Crease herself? Soon it becomes clear that a deadly plot of murder, blackmail, passion, and double cross is unfolding around Judge Richard Quinn. And unless he breaks the rules, justice will not only be blind, it will be the final victim. This is the third or forth book I've read by Phillip Margolin. The Undertaker's Widow was a quick read for me. It was fast-paced, hard to put down, but a little to predictable for me. Not Margolin's best, but not his worst either.

A grisly discovery is made deep in an Irish peat bog ? the perfectly preserved severed head of a red-haired young woman. Has she been buried for decades, centuries, or longer? Who is she and why was she killed? American pathologist Nora Gavin and archaeologist Cormac Maguire are called in to investigate, only to find that the girl's violent death may have shocking ties to the present ? including the disappearance of a local landowner's wife and son. Aided by a homicide detective who refuses to let the missing be forgotten, Nora and Cormac slowly uncover a dark history of secrets, betrayal, and death in which the shocking revelations of the past may lead to murder in the future. I was impressed with this book in so many ways. Erin Hart did an excellent job telling the stories of two different mysteries. An ancient mystery involving the body discovered in the bog, and a modern mystery as the missing mother and child. The character development was excellent. I enjoyed the Irish history. You can tell the book was well researched. An excellent debut novel. Anyone who likes the Temperance Brennan series written by Kathy Reichs would like Haunted Ground.

Ravaged by guilt, Detective Kay Delaney is reeling from an attack that resulted in her partner's death. Her only consolation is that serial killer Bernard Eales, who shot her partner, sits in Maryland's State Penitentiary awaiting what's expected to be a sure conviction. But when the prosecution's star witness turns up dead ? and the body bears the same gruesome marks found on Eales's victims ? Kay wonders whether the right man is about to stand trial. Partnered with her former lover, Danny Finnerty, Kay must confront the man who haunts her dreams ? even if it means proving him innocent of three shocking crimes. As the body count rises, Kay embarks on a dark journey that will test her shattered courage, pit her against an unseen evil, and challenge her to unlock a killer's chilling obsession...before it's too late. Blue Mercy was my first experience with Canadian author Illona Haus. It sure won't be my last. Her debut novel is an absolute keeper. The research that went into this book is obvious. I felt a definite feel of realism as I read the book. It's one of the best police procedurals I've ever read. I highy recommend it. The next book in this series is Blue Valor, which I will be purchasing asap.

John Driscoll has laid the ghosts of his past to rest. He?s ready to start over -- both personally and as an NYPD homicide commander. But it seems that a serial killer has other plans for Driscoll. The victims? bodies are found, brutally mutilated and carefully arranged for the world to see -- on a Ferris wheel; in a dinosaur diorama; on a bridge -- grotesque visions to all except for the depraved killer, who considers them masterpieces. These blood rituals spell out a message to Driscoll. And they are just the beginning. Driscoll?s investigation will lead him down the darkest of journeys, toward an evil beyond his worst nightmares. In a hellish landscape conceived by the all-too-clever mind of a twisted schemer, Driscoll must play a killer?s deadly game. It?s up to him to save his city -- or die trying. The Screaming Room was a past-paced read. It was well writen, and researched. It is Thomas O'Callghan's second novel after The Bone Thief. I didn't get the title. 'The Screaming Room' you assume is the place where the killer goes to kill people but the kills take place over different areas of New York City. The third novel in this series is due to be released in 2008. It is titled No One Will Hear You.

Lisa Jackson's newest release, ABSOLUTE FEAR, is a real page-turner. The most shocking aspect of this book was the ending. It definitely leaves the possibility of a sequel. If you have read her previous books, you'll be reacquainted with Detectives Bentz and Montoya. While this is a stand-alone novel, I would suggest reading Shiver first. It will give you more background into the characters. A definite recommendation!

I am a huge fan of Lisa Gardner. And I must say HIDE was not a disappointment. Hide is the 2nd book from the Bobby Dodge Series. The first in the series being Alone. I do recommend that you read Alone first. It will give you a little more history into the characters and the plot. I found this book to be one big puzzle. So many questions to be answered, so much mystery, and suspense. I had a hard time putting the book down. I'm glad I bought this book in hardcover, it's a keeper.

Kayla Sheridan has longed for love, marriage, and a family. Now, miraculously, after a whirlwind courtship with the man of her dreams, she is his wife. But on their wedding night he vanishes, leaving Kayla with the bitter realization that her desire has made her an easy mark for deception. Nick Granville has an ingrained sense of honor and an intense desire to succeed in building the world’s most challenging high-tech bridges. But when he crosses paths with a ruthless con man, he’s robbed of everything he values, including his identity. With nothing left to lose, he’ll risk any danger to clear his name and reclaim his life. Thrown together by fate, and endangering their hearts, Kayla and Nick embark on a desperate journey toward the truth—to uncover the mysterious motives of an ingenious and seductive stranger who boasts he can’t be caught…and to reveal the shocking secrets of their own shattered pasts. TAKEN was a very interesting, fast-paced story. This is the first book I've read by author, Barbara Freethy. I could see her becoming a favorite, real quick. I enjoyed the intriguing mystery of the plot. A great who-dun-it book. I found the characters to be well developed, and very mysterious. I loved the ending, and how it was left open. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel, Played.

I have read a few books by Karen Harper, I find she's either in tune, or way off in left field. I just could not get into HURRICANE right from the start. I thought the characters lacked punch, they just seemed undeveloped. I can say the same for the plot. There was lots of action going on but it just was boring to me. A reviewer on amazon.com classified this book as a romance. Sorry, but there is no romance in this book, the characters didn't even have any chemistry. Not one of Karen Haper's best, that's for sure.

I was really excitied to read this book. TRIPTYCH has Karin Slaughter moving away from her popular Grant County Series. I have very mixed feelings about this book. I thought the story was interesting, it had someunexpected twists, and turns. The characters were very different, and unique. John; was incarcerated for 20 years for a crime he didn't commit. Angie; a female cop who spends her days posing as a prositute. Will; a F.B.I type guy with major self image issues, who also happens to be Angie's boyfriend. Then there is the villian, who I won't go into detail about because then I would give away a major plot twist. The book was well writen, but had alot of street slang, and bad language. I found I had to back track a few times because the book jumps all over, from past to present. Overall a good effort from Karin Slaughter, but I would like to see her stick to the Grant County Series.