Skating Around the Law by Joelle Charbonneau

In ten words or less: Man drowns in roller rink toilet--owner Rebecca asks "Why?"

Review: Rebecca Robbins is a klutz--too bad her mother owned a roller rink. Two things Rebecca wanted out of life: to move away from her small Illinois hometown and to leave roller skating in her past. When her mother dies, Rebecca takes leave from her job in Chicago as a mortgage broker to return home to prep the rink for a hopefully quick sale.
When Rebecca discovers the body of the town handyman in the women's restroom, his head submerged in the toilet bowl, she is shaken. But when the local sheriff, more interested in his flower garden than in investigating crimes, pronounces it suicide, Rebecca is angry and vows to discover the truth.

Why bother? A notch above most small town cozies. Rebecca is a likeable heroine, and her Casanova grandfather and a good looking veterinarian help to solve the case. All this, and a fedora-wearing camel named Elwood, too!

Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
In ten words or less: Hawaii's history examined by NPR commentator Vowell.

Review: In 1898, America annexed Hawaii, which would in time become the fiftieth state. Vowell takes the reader through the history of the missionaries who came to christianize the islanders, the whaling and sugar industries that brought rough sailors and con men, and the last Hawaiian queen.

Why bother? Sarah Vowell combines her curiosity about history with a razor wit and a take-no-prisoners attitude toward the injustices committed by politicians, robber barons, and missionaries driven to impose their beliefs on others. I highly recommend her books.

Back Nine by Billy Mott

In ten words or less: Charlie McLeod flees his pass to start life anew.

Review: Charlie McLeod is no kid, so when he shows up at a golf club in California looking for a caddying job, the other caddies are wary. But Charlie knows the game, keeps to himself, and doesn't cause trouble. He finds himself a room and begins a tentative friendship with Sarah, the young woman who works the desk at the rooming house.
But a chance meeting with a golf pro who knew Charlie in high school back in Pittsburgh turns his world upside down. Will Charlie be able to face his demons or will he flee again?

Why bother? Even if the reader knows nothing about golf, the story of a man weighed down by past disappointments is well done. And for golfers, there's lots of technique, strategy, and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of caddies. Author Billy Mott, a former actor and caddy, has you cheering for Charlie.

The Alpine Legacy: an Emma Lord mystery by Mary Daheim

In ten words or less: Emma's foe Crystal Bird is found dead; suicide or murder?

Review: Crystal Bird, publisher of an independent newsletter, writes editorials pusing for community support of a battered women's shelter and other causes. Her attacks on Emma Lord, the owner of the weekly newspaper, have gotten personal. A mutual acquaintance has agreed to set up a face to cade meeting between the two women.
When Emma arrives at Crystal's house, Crystal is in her hot tub and is not interested in making peace. Crystal's body is discovered the next morning, an apparent suicide. Was Emma the last person to see her alive?

Why bother? Not as humorous as Daheim's other series. Emma Lord has put her life on hold for a married man, and had an affair with the local sheriff. She's investigating Crystal's death for the newspaper, but is she trying to prove something to the sheriff? This series will appeal to fans of investigative reporters with the bonus of an attractive Pacific northwest setting.

June's Books

Over one hundred fresh and healthful salads are featured in Catherine Walthers' Raising the Salad Bar. None of the recipes are overly complicated, and the salads include grains, pasta, beans, and chicken. The photos are enticing, and with the summer crop of vegetables soon upon us, take a look at this cookbook.

Dog Park Club by Cynthia Robinson
Oh, Johnny by Jim Lehrer
Throw out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke
Weekend Makeover by Don Aslett
Complete Clutter Solution by Good Housekeeping
Once was a Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming
500 Soups by Susannah Blake
Raising the Salad Bar by Catherine Walthers

Til Dice Do Us Part by Gail Oust

In ten words or less: Kate's friend is accused of murdering her no-good husband.

Review: If Jessica Fletcher lived in a retirement community in South Carolina, she'd be a neighbor of Kate McCall. Kate, a widow who's children are grown and have moved away, plays bunco with a group of women. When one of the players returns from a Las Vegas vacation with a new husband, Kate and the others can't hide their surprise.
Claudia Connors informs them her new husband, Lance Ledeaux, is an actor. He's well-dressed, tanned, fit, and charming. Kate thinks she recognizes him from a minor role on "CSI" where he played a murder victim. Soon Lance has recruited all the bunco players to help him produce a play he's written. When someone substitutes live ammo in a prop gun for blanks, Lance is shot dead in front of the cast and crew, and Claudia is arrested for his murder.

Why bother? A light and fluffy mystery--good for bringing along on vacation or having stashed on your shelf for a rainy day. I had trouble keeping the large cast of characters sorted out, but there were enough red herrings to keep me reading until the end.