Silken Prey [Hardcover]

I've finished "Silken Prey" the book in his Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford.

Product Description

The extraordinary new Lucas Davenport thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Murder, scandal, political espionage, and an extremely dangerous woman. Lucas Davenport’s going to be lucky to get out of this one alive.

Very early one morning, a Minnesota political fixer answers his doorbell. The next thing he knows, he’s waking up on the floor of a moving car, lying on a plastic sheet, his body wet with blood. When the car stops, a voice says, “Hey, I think he’s breathing,” and another voice says, “Yeah? Give me the bat.” And that’s the last thing he knows.

Davenport is investigating another case when the trail leads to the man’s disappearance, then — very troubling — to the Minneapolis police department, then — most troublingly of all — to a woman who could give Machiavelli lessons. She has very definite ideas about the way the world should work, and the money, ruthlessness, and sheer will to make it happen.

No matter who gets in the way.

About the Author

JOHN SANDFORD is the author of twenty-three Prey novels; six Virgil Flowers novels, most recently Mad River; and six other books. He lives in California and New Mexico.

Publisher	Putnam Adult; First Edition edition (May 7, 2013)
Language	English
ISBN-10	0399159312
ISBN-13	978-0399159312

My Review:

Lucas Davenport is an Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent who is asked by the State Governor to investigate why child porn was found on a leading Senate Candidate's office computer days before the election.

Porter Smalls is a Republican who is running for the US Senator position who is leading in the polls when he is hit with child porn on his office computer.  The Governor despite their opposing views doesn't believe that Porter would hurt his chance of winning the US Senator position.

As Davenport investigates he soon finds out that Bob Tubbs is a member of a conspiracy to bring down Porter Smalls and has disappeared (everyone believes he has been murdered).  With the help of Kidd a combination of an artist and computer whiz he uncovers the other members of the conspiracy which includes the beautiful and wealthy Democratic candidate Taryn Grant.  She is a narcissist with an over sized ego, ambition and uses dirty tricks to get what she wants no matter who gets in the way.

This was a very fast paced read with some interesting characters with intriguing twist and turns.  I loved that Kidd and his wife Lauren (formerly a cat burglar LuAnn) and Virgil returned to help in the investigation.

4/5

June Releases

4th
Stolen - Allison Brennan
Dire Distractions - Dee Davis
Steamed to Death - Peg Cochran
Mayhem at the Orient Express - Kylie Logan

18th
Her Last Breath - Linda Castillo
9th Girl - Tami Hoag

24th
Second Honeymoon - James Patterson

25th
Tell Me - Lisa Jackson
Exposed - Laura Griffin
The Millionaire and the Mummies - John M. Adams
Blood Tango - Annamaria Alfieri

In the Mail Saturday 2013 (Jun 1)

In the Mail Saturday is hosted every Saturday at Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews.

I received these in the mail this week.

For Review:

Kill for Me [Mass Market Paperback]

Product Description

New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose delivers another pulse-pounding suspense novel that ties into SCREAM FOR ME.

Five teenage girls have been murdered. One survived, and only she can reveal the secrets of a disturbing ring of people who kidnap and sell teenage girls on the black market. But those responsible for the crimes will do whatever it takes to maintain her silence.

Susannah Vartanian and Luke Papadopoulos have both sworn to stop the murderers for their own reasons. Susannah, the sister of the hero in SCREAM FOR ME, suffers from a mysterious past that is connected to the sinister black market. Luke is an investigative agent and a computer expert who refuses to let another child predator get away.

Susannah and Luke are instantly attracted to each other, but their troubled pasts prevent them from immediately acting upon their feelings. The case will lead them to the shady realm of Internet chat rooms, where anyone can mask their identity. As Susannah and Luke draw closer to the criminals, they discover a chain of deception so intricate they don't know who to trust. Susannah and Luke find comfort in one another's arms, but the killers are ruthless and determined, and will take extreme measures to insure their anonymity and keep their business intact. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Stolen (Lucy Kincaid Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Product Description
Nothing is more important to private investigator Sean Rogan than his relationship with FBI trainee Lucy Kincaid. But when his past catches up with him, Sean faces an ultimatum: clear his name and help the FBI take down a rogue agent, or go to prison and lose everything he holds dear. With only Agent Noah Armstrong as his back-up and forced to keep Lucy in the dark, Sean steps back into his old world. But the longer he’s undercover, the more dangerous the game becomes. More than Sean’s future with Lucy is at stake — so is his life.

Lucy can’t imagine Sean would keep secrets from her — until an FBI agent casts doubt about who he really is and who he used to be. Why did Sean quit his job with his brother and move to New York? Why hasn’t he told her anything about his new job? With more questions than answers, Lucy doesn’t know who to believe or who she can trust. All she knows is that Sean is in grave danger, and this time, it’s personal.

Calculated in Death [Hardcover]

I've finished "Calculated in Death" the 36th book in her Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb.

Product Description

On Manhattan's Upper East Side a woman lies dead at the bottom of the stairs, stripped of all her valuables. Most cops might call it a mugging gone wrong, but Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows better.

A well-off accountant and a beloved wife and mother, Marta Dickenson doesn’t seem the type to be on anyone's hit list. But when Eve and her partner, Peabody, find blood inside the building, the lieutenant knows Marta's murder was the work of a killer who's trained, but not professional or smart enough to remove all the evidence.

But when someone steals the files out of Marta's office, Eve must immerse herself in her billionaire husband Roarke's world of big business to figure out who's cruel and callous enough to hire a hit on an innocent woman. And as the killer's violent streak begins to escalate, Eve knows she has to draw him out, even if it means using herself as bait.

About the Author

J.D. ROBB is the pseudonym for a number-one New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including the futuristic suspense In Death series. There are more than 400 million copies of her books in print.

Product Details
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult; 1st Printing edition (February 26, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399158820
ISBN-13: 978-0399158827

My Review:

Marta Dickenson death seems like a simple mugging gone wrong but to NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas clues don't add up.  As she and her partner Detective Delilah Peabody gather evidence it points to the accountant's murder.  When there is a break Marta's workplace and her files are stolen Eve knows she has to divulge into the corporate world to pinpoint the killer.  With the help of her multimillionaire husband Roarke and her team of fellow cops she will dig into the corporate world of a killer who ordered the senseless murder of a woman.  Marta is only the first murder among many more each one more brutal than the last.

I really enjoy how Eve and Roarke play off each other it's very entertaining and fun.  They work well together and they somehow figure things out or come up with ideas.  The interplay between Eve and Peabody is very funny and hilarious. 

4/5

New Release 2013 (May 28)

The Night Is Watching (Krewe of Hunters) [Mass Market Paperback]

Product Description


The dead of night

The Old West town of Lily, Arizona, is home to the Gilded Lily, a former theater and bawdy house. These days, it offers theatrical productions geared to tourists, but the recent discovery of a skull, a real skull, among the props and costumes shakes everyone up.

So, who do you call? The Krewe of Hunters, a special FBI unit of paranormal investigators. In this case, it's agent Jane Everett. Jane's also a talented artist who creates images of the dead as they once were. But the Krewe always works with local law enforcement, and here that means Sloan Trent, former Houston cop and now sheriff. His great-great-grandmother was an actress at the Gilded Lily and she's not resting in peace.

Then more remains appear in the nearby desert. As they search for answers, using all the skills at their disposal, Jane and Sloan find themselves falling into danger — and into love. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (May 27)

What Are You Reading is a weekly Monday Meme that is hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

Post the books you read last week, book currently being read and books you plan on finishing this week.

Last week I read:

1.  Incidental Daughter - Val Stasik
2.  Sweet Tea Revenge - Laura Childs

I’m currently reading:

1.  Calculated in Death - J.D. Robb
2.  Silken Prey - John Sandford

Here's the link:

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-190 

Sweet Tea Revenge (A Tea Shop Mystery) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Sweet Tea Revenge" the 14th book in her Tea Shop series by Laura Childs.

Product Description

In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Agony of the Leaves, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning may always be a bridesmaid, never a bride, but this groom is never going to make it to the altar.

Theodosia Browning’s dear friend, Delaine Dish, has asked her to be a bridesmaid for her wedding. But when the big day arrives, everything seems to be going wrong. First, a massive storm is brewing over Charleston. A bad omen? Second, Delaine’s maid of honor is late for the ceremony. And finally, the groom not only has cold feet — his whole body is cold. A murderer has crashed the wedding.

As Theodosia comforts a devastated Delaine, she needs to sort out the suspects on the groom’s side from the suspects on the bride’s side. One thing soon becomes apparent — revenge won’t be the only dish served cold at this wedding. And if Theodosia doesn’t watch her step, a cold-blooded killer may have a rude reception in store for her.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

About the Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and the Scrapbooking Mysteries. She is a consummate tea drinker, scrapbooker, and dog lover, and travels frequently to China and Japan with Dr. Bob, her professor husband. In her past life she was a Clio Award–winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm.

Product Details
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; First Edition edition (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425252884
ISBN-13: 978-0425252888

My Review:

Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is a bridesmaid for her friend Delaine Dish's marriage to attorney Dougan Granville.  The wedding day has arrived but the groom is missing so Theo goes to get him but finds him dead with an unknown powder around him.  It is soon known that it was not an overdose but a homicide.

Detective Burt Tidwell arrives and Delaine becomes the prime suspect.  Delaine asks Theo to do a little detecting and soon ghost hunters Jed and Tim Beckman arrive at Ravencrest to film a segment for their show Southern Hauntings.  They are extremely happy to hear that a death has occurred because they believe it will help them make contact with the spiritual contact.

Max Theo's boyfriend makes an appearance and they seem solid but she seems to be noticing a P.I. who she thinks is attractive.  Hmm not really like her at all!

I find it quite funny when she goes investigates and she runs into trouble or things happen to her.

I love the yummy recipes at the end with suggestion for staging your own tea parties.

3.5/5