The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

In ten words or less: Designer-clad young women are murdered--who are they?

Review: Richard Jury has been sent to Chesham to help the local force with their investigation into the murder of a beautiful young woman found outside the local pub, the Black Cat. Beautifully dressed in expensive designer clothes and shoes, she seems familiar to the town residents, but no one can identify her.
When a second exquisitely clad young woman is murdered in London--and then a third--Jury is frustrated that no connection can be made between them.
Meanwhile, Melrose Plant is approached by a ten year old girl who claims her cat, Morris, the pub cat, has been kidnapped or murdered. Morris witnessed the murder of the beautiful woman in Chesham. Was the cat kidnapped because it knew too much?
Some chapters are told from the point of view of the animals, which is a bit too cute for me, and seems at odds with the previous books in this series. But the book was dedicated to Grimes' own black cat, who died. As the owner of an elderly black cat, I'll give her a pass this time.
I always look forward to a new Jury mystery, and "The Black Cat" did not disappoint.

Why bother? The twenty-second book in a series that has been consistently entertaining.There are enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages far into the night.

Fever dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

In ten words or less: Pendergast's wife was murdered; he and D'Agosta track the killer.

Review: FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast's wife Helen died in an accident in Africa twelve years ago. An excellent shot, Helen missed an attacking lion, and was mauled by the beast.
Accidently he discovers that her gun had been tampered with. Pendergast asks NYPD Detective Vincent D'Agosta to accompany him to Africa to track down Helen's murder. Their investigation takes them to the Pendergast family plantation in Louisiana and to Mississippi and Florida.
Just who is this woman I married, Pendergast begins to wonder. The enigmatic FBI Agent's personal life is laid bare in this action-packed adventure. Many of the past adventures have featured supernatural elements, but "Fever Dream" is a straight forward thriller, one of the strongest entries in the series yet. It's hard to imagine how the authors will top this.

Why bother? The mysterious Pendergast's past and personal history is revealed--or at least part of it is. Fans of the series will savor the latest from Preston and Child.

April's Books

In Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay, Two best friends, melanie and Angie, own a cupcake bakery. When their good friend Tate becomes engages to a woman they can't stand, they grin and bear it and offer to make cupcakes for the wedding. When the fiance is found dead with a cupcake clutched in her hand, the girls become murder suspects. First in a new series.

The cruelest month by Louise Penny
Rotten to the core by Sheila Connelly
Montana man by Barbara Delinsky
Matter of motive by Michael Hachey
125 best vegetarian slow cooker recipes by Judith Finlayson
Sprinkle with murder by Jenn McKinlay
Murder over easy by Jimmie Sue Evans
Story teller by Margaret Coel
Brutal telling by Louise Penny
Backroads and byways of Wisconsin by Kevin Revolinski
Comics in Wisconsin by Paul Buhle
Miss Julia renews her vows by Ann B. Ross

STALKING THE WILD ASPARAGUS

Spring came early to the frozen tundra this year. The first asparagus is appearing, and here's a great recipe to welcome the new season.


Cream of Asparagus Soup

2 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water
1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large potato, thinly sliced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 tbsp. flour
2 cups milk or soy milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dried tarragon

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the broth or water to a boil.
Add the asparagus, onion, and celery, then reduce the heat and cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
Pour the mixture into a food processor along with the flour and puree until smooth. (If you don't have a food processor, use an immersible blender. Your soup will be a little chunkier, but I like it that way).
Return the soup to the saucepan, add the remaining ingredients, and simmer until the soup begins to thicken and is heated through.
Serve immediately.
Makes six servings.

BOOKS I READ IN MARCH

In Tim Dorsey's "Nuclear jellyfish," madcap psychopath Serge Storms wants to be THE travel authority on Florida. After all, who knows more about the history of the state? Serge and his ever-toking sidekick Coleman seek out justice for those who have been ripped off by cheap motels, con artists, and thugs. Serge's brand of justice includes items found at Home Depot and lots of duct tape. You'll laugh out loud, and never look at a garden hose the same way.

Polk: the man who transformed the presidency and America by Walter Borneman
Thereby hangs a tail by Spencer Quinn
Betty Crocker easy everyday vegetarian: meatless main dishes you'll love
Miss Zukas and the raven's dance by Jo Dereske
Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard
Which big giver stole the chopped liver? by Sharon Kahn
Killer market by Margaret Maron
Bell, book and scandal by Jill Churchill
Nuclear jellyfish by Tim Dorsey
The spirit woman by Margaret Coel
Miss Julia strikes back by Ann B. Ross
One last good-bye by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Trouble of fools by Linda Barnes
Clubbed to death by Elaine Viets

BOOK REVIEW

The Silver Ghost by Charlotte MacLeod

In ten words or less: Which eccentric relative or friend committed murder at Renaissance Revel?

Review: Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn attend the Renaissance Revel of Sarah's family friends, Bill and Abigail Billingsgate. During the festivities, one of the Billingsgate's employees is killed, and Sarah's Aunt Appie goes missing. The Billingsgate's valuable antique cars have been going missing, and Sarah and Max investigate. The local police are incompetent, and the couple must interview the eccentric collection of Kelling relatives in attendance.

Why bother? MacLeod's description of the Revel alone is worth reading the book. Who knew Morris dancing could be so funny? Sarah and Max are a pair of level headed thinkers among the assortment of odd ducks that are Sarah's old monied family.

BOOK REVIEW

Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie

In ten words or less: Professional psychic investigates missing bridesmaids; sulks over breakup with boyfriend.

Review: Abby Cooper is a psychic who has just broken up with her FBI agent boyfriend. Why didn't she see that coming? But a good friend is getting married in Colorado, and when Abby travels to the wedding, she gets seriously bad vibes when she looks at a photo of one of the other bridesmaids. And when the bridesmaid goes missing, Abby teams up with hunky Duffy McGinnis, the bride's brother and now sheriff to try to track down the woman. Chick lit meets mystery in this Psychic Eye series.

Why bother? For someone who is psychic, you think Abby would have been feeling some vibes from the ex-boyfriend. She also misreads clues and stumbles into dangerous situations. Still, an overall better-than-average amateur detective novel.

BOOK REVIEW

Blue Wolf in Green Fire by Joseph Heywood

In ten words or less: Conservation officer discovers a government cover-up when scientists are killed.

Review: Grady Service, a Vietnam vet, is a conservation officer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula investigating a deadly fire that killed two scientists. Animal rights activists are blamed, but Grady has his doubts, especially when the FBI and the governor get involved. Grady has just received a promotion that takes him out of his beloved Mosquito Wilderness and away from his much younger girlfriend and fellow conservation officer Maridly.

At the same time, poachers have been targeting bears for their gall bladders and deer with price specimen antlers, and now set their sites on the rare blue wolf that escaped from the secret scientific laboratory. Grady manages to untangle the mass of government lies, petty political grudges, and greed to bring the guilty to justice.

Why bother? Although Heywood's female characters are stereotypes with little individuality, his description of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is spot-on. Readers who enjoy mysteries with a hefty dose of nature and wildlife might like to try this series. Fans of Nevada Barr, Dana Stabenow, C.J. Box, and Steve Hamilton should add this author to their list.

February's Books

This pen for hire by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen owns a freelance writing business, and geeky Howard Murdoch hires her to write a love letter to luscious Stacey Lawrence, a fitness instructor. Though Howard has never met the object of his desire, he is the leading suspect when she is discovered bludgeoned to death with a Thighmaster. Author Levine is a former TV sitcom writer, and no laugh track is needed here. Nonstop fun for the reader, and--even better--it's the first book in a series of eight.

Taste of Home's garden-fresh recipes
Shoes to die for by Laura Levine
Cut and dry by Jo Dereske
Lineup: the world's greatest crime edited by Otto Penzler
Quilting for peace by Katherine Bell
Oh Joe by Michael Z. Levin
Unsafe harbor by Jessica Speart
To thine own self be true by Judy Clemens
Blue wolf in green fire by Joseph Heywood
Death in a prairie house by William Drennan
The long walk by Slavomir Rawicz
Carrot cake murder by Joanne Fluke
Murder on the mind by L.L. Bartlett

BOOK REVIEW

Bride and doom: an Iris House B & B mystery by Jean Hager

In ten words or less: Who killed the chef at the country club?

Review: Matrimony or murder? Wedding bells will soon be tolling for Tess Darcy, who is finally to tie the knot with longtime love Luke Fredrick. To celebrate the much anticipated occaston, Tess's Aunt Dahlia and Cousin Cinny are hosting a bridal shower at the Victoria Springs Country Club, the sacred domain of Julian Walker, superchef extraordinaire, who is as thoroughly despised as his culinary masterpieces are adored. So it is not a complete surprise when the dictatorial kitchen artiste is murdered; the real shock is when Iris House cook Gertie Bogart is fingered as the prime suspect.

Why bother? Mix an upcoming wedding, an arrogant chef, and murder for a classic cozy recipe.

January 2010 Books

Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim

What could be worse than having your husband's ex-wife move into your neighborhood? Judith Flynn is trying to run a relaxing bed and breakfast when Vivian and her new, much younger husband buy a house on the quiet cul-de-sac. is Billy Buss her fifth or sixth husband? Who's keeping track?
Vivian and her toy boy throw a huge, noisy party that attracts the cops and the ire of the neighborhood. But the morning after, during a massive cleanup, a body is found hanging in Vivian's back yard.
Judith's husband Joe, a retired cop, wants her to steer clear of the police investigation. But she's losing business and her sleep. Of course, she'll find the killer.
A solid entry in Daheim's long running series.


Nine dragons by Michael Connelly
Our Wisconsin River by Nels Akerlund
Complete book of underground houses by Rob Roy
Murder can wreck your reunion by Selma Eichler
Uncommon grounds by Sandra Balzo
Storey's guide to raising llamas by Gale Birutta
Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms by Paul Stamets
Bubbles betrothed by Sarah Strohmeyer
Cherry blossom corpse by Robert Barnard
Fatal grace by Louise Penny
Whisper to the living by Stuart Kaminsky
Case of the tough talking turkey by Claudia Bishop
Write away by Elizabeth George
Savage cut by Jo Dereske
Three can keep a secret by Judy Clemens
Conventional corpse by Joan Hess
Bookmarked for death by Lorna Barrett
Welsh rabbit by Douglas Carstens
Impact by Douglas Preston
Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim
Death of a valentine by M.C. Beaton
Think fast, Mr. Peters by Stuart Kaminsky
Merry wives of Maggody by Joan Hess
Agatha Raisin and the case of the curious curate by M.C. Beaton

Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton

Hamish MacBeth has been assigned an assistant, but he wasn't expecting the pretty, outgoing Josie McSween. Josie is more interested in becoming Mrs. MacBeth than in investigating the murder of a local beauty queen. The beauty queen--all agreed she was a lovely, kind girl with no faults--is discovered to be a manipulative, vindictive troublemaker.

In the previous MacBeth adventures, Hamish is pursued by attractive females but they never get him to the altar. He solves the crime while enraging his superiors. This one is no different, but it's a fun, light read, just right for a cold winter's night.

My top ten books of 2009

Looking over the titles of the books I read in 2009, I can't give myself high marks for literary taste or a quest for knowledge. At least half the books I read were mysteries--that's somewhere between 100 and 200 volumes. But there were some great mysteries, and some wonderful authors I had never read before. I'll have to check my list for the exact numbers of books read last year. Here are some of my favorites.

Winter and night by S.J. Rozan
This was the year I discovered Rozan's Lydia Chin and Bill Smith series. I read 'em all, and can't wait for the next one to appear. Books with finely drawn characters and complicated relationships appeal to me, as does the New York Chinatown setting.

Road dogs by Elmore Leonard
In this follow up to "Out of Sight," Leonard unites bank robber Jack Foley with criminal Cundo Rey and part-time psychic Dawn Navarro, characters from other books. Lots of over-the-top laughs.

What it is by Lynda Barry
A book that almost defies description. Barry has combined a memoir of her unhappy childhood with a guidebook to help stimulate the creative process. A visual treat.

Rule against murder by Louise Penny
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife are on their summer holiday when murder strikes, and of course, Gamache must oversee the investigation. The Quebec countryside is a wonderful setting for a mystery, and Gamache is a thoughtful, compassionate detective.

Driftless by David Rhodes
A reviewer called this novel "pleasantly overstuffed." It gives a glimpse into the lives of folks in the small town of Words, Wisconsin, and how those lives intersect and affect each other. It's Rhodes first book in thirty years, since being paralyzed in a motorcycle accident.
500 things to eat before it's too late by Jane and Michael Stern
The Sterns take on regional specialties in this guide to locally favorite foods that are fast disappearing, probably because they are laden with fats, sugars, and other unhealthy things. Be sure to check out your favorites---mmmm, frozen custard, bratwurst, and cheese curds.

Wreck of the Carl D. by Michael Schumacher
It's difficult to write a compelling story when the outcome is already known, but the author does a masterful job. Not as exciting as his earlier "Mighty Fitz," but a whopping good story of a shipwreck on Lake Michigan that had tragic results.

Dog on it by Spencer Quinn
Police dog washout Chet teams with human partner Bernie to find a missing teenager. Chet narrates, but doesn't talk, so this mystery doesn't suffer from cute animal syndrome. Ever wonder about what a dog is thinking?

Til the cows come home by Judy Clemens
Stella Crown is a young woman who runs a dairy farm with the help of a hired man. Tattooed and riding a Harley, she's not what you'd expect in the heart of Mennonite country. A mysterious illness is affecting local children, and someone is pointing the finger at Stella's cows.

Beat the reaper by Josh Bazell
This first novel is violent and funny, and not for everyone. A Mafia hitman is sent into the witness protection program as a medical intern and a former associate recognizes him and threatens to rat him out. Fans of "Dexter" would like this book.

THREE CAN KEEP A SECRET by Judy Clemens

Dairy farmer and biker Stella Crown is exhausted running her farm by herself, after the death of her long time farm hand. When Lucy Lapp, a young Mennonite widow with a daughter, applies for the job, Stella is relieved. She checks Lucy's references, and has a good feeling about her. She certainly knows her way about a dairy barn.

But Stella's house is vandalized with graffiti directed against Lucy, and there are anonymous calls hinting about suspicious circumstances around her husband's death. Plenty of suspicious characters and pinger pointing to go around. The second book in this series does not disappoint.

ROBERT B. PARKER

Robert B. Parker, author of the wisecracking Boston private detective Spenser series, died this week. He wrote dozens of books, mostly mysteries featuring the hard-as-nails but quick witted Spenser, but also penned series with small town cop Jesse Stone and private investigator Sunny Randall. A fan of westerns, he has a new title coming out this year. You could always count on a Parker novel for snappy dialog and characters that felt real.

DECEMBER'S BOOKS

Professional by Robert B. Parker
Bullet for a star by Stuart Kaminsky
Rule against murder by Louise Penny
Still life by Louise Penny
New tricks by David Rosenfelt
Champlain's dream by David Fischer
Hollywood moon by Joseph Wambaugh
Pride prejudice and zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Big little life: a memoir of a joyful dog by Dean Koontz
Murder she wrote: coffee tea or murder by Donald Bain

NOVEMBER'S BOOKS

Murder can depress your dachshund by Selma Eichler
Donovan and son by Michael Jahn
A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer
Girl who played with fire by Stieg Larsson
Dead of winter: CSI: NY by Stuart Kaminsky
Fete fatale by Robert Barnard
Bomb squad: a year inside by Richard Esposito
No plot no problem by Chris Baty
Sharing the harvest by Elizabeth Henderson
Money shot by Christa Faust
Plum pudding murder by Joanne Fluke
Cookie dough delight by Camilla Saulsbury
Taste of Home Christmas cookies and candy

OCTOBER'S BOOKS

The trouble with J.J. by Tami Hoag
Wash and die by Barbara Colley
Mildred Pierced by Stuart Kaminsky
Til the cows come home by Judy Clemens
Death of a cozt writer by G.M. Malliet
Museum of Natural History by Lyle Rexer
Bad bears go visiting by Daniel Pinkwater
Deluge: CSI: NY by Stuart Kaminsky
Miss Zukas and the library murders by Jo Dereske
Great Christmas cookie swap cookbook by Good Housekeeping
Marshall plan for novel writing by Evan Marshall
Marshall plan workbook: writing your novel by Evan Marshall
Blood on the sun: CSI: NY by Stuart Kaminsky
Marshall plan for getting your novel published by Evan Marshall
Brothers from Bataan by Adrian Martin
Marley and me by John Grogan

Mildred Pierced by Stuart Kaminsky

In ten words or less: Peters investigates a murder; Joan Crawford was a witness.

Review: Private investigator toby Peters is hired by hapless dentist Sheldon Minck to prove his innocence in his wife's murder. Actress Joan Crawford was a witness to the crime, and she claims she saw Minck shoot a crossbow at his wife. The dentist had joined a survivalist group and was training with weapons.
Peters attempts to exonerate the dentist while keeping Crawford's name out of the papers. The wisecracking Peters reminds the reader of Nero Wolfe's associate Archie Goodwin. Grat characters, lots of action, and snappy dialog.

Why bother? Fun classic private eye series set in Hollywood during the golden age of film stars. Fans of Rex Stout and Dashiell Hammett will love this series.

SOUPY SALES
1926-2009

Take a pie in the face in memory of Soupy Sales.

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM PIE

1 (3oz.) pkg. strawberry jello
1 1/4 cup boiling water
1 pt. vanilla ice cream
12 oz. strawberries, thawed and drained (can use the juice for part of the water)
Graham cracker crust or baked pie shell

Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add ice cream by spoonfuls. Set until partially firm. Add thawed and drained strawberries. Put in crust and refrigerate until firm. Top with plenty of whipped cream! makes a 10" pie.

Eat or toss--it's your choice.