A Walk Down A Different Path

One type of book I do not usually read is the True Crime genre. Lethal Charmer is a book that belongs in this category. It is written by a Texas author - Patricia Springer - so I figured I would give it a shot. In fact (and that is a characteristic of True Crime stories cause they are not fiction), this book is set in the north Texas area.

The story centers around murder that occurred in Fort Worth in Feb 2005. In fact it was a multiple murder of a pregnant woman, her unborn child, and her young son. It made the news not only here but all over. Maybe you heard some of the names of people involved in the story. Stephen Barbee? Lisa Underwood? Jayden Underwood? Detective R. A, Gallaway? These are just a few of them.

The book starts off with a description of what happened that night.

The rest of the book is full of information including a look at the early life of the murderer, what happened leading up to the murder, the investigation of the murder, and the trial for the murder. It also delves into the lives of other persons involved in the story. So why did the murder occur? The murdered woman claimed the unborn baby had to belong to the murderer. Later tests revealed the baby was NOT. The tragedy could have been prevented had there been a paternity test. But since the murderer did hot want his new wife to know, this test probably never would have been made.

Overall I thought the book was a good read. I am not a typical reader of this genre but I would read more by this author.

Other Things I've Read

I read for the fun of it. When I started blogging, I started it for the fun of it as well. Part of my intent with the blog was to have a place showing everything I read - mysteries that is!!! I wanted the reviews I write to be a little creative. Sometimes it is hard to be creative and it is those times it is hard / not fun to blog about what I read. So today's blog is just going to be a chronicle about some of the books I read lately.

My daughter recently picked up a book by an author I enjoy and I was happy to learn she enjoyed it too!!! The book is called Winter Study and it is written by Nevada Barr. The thing about the book that attracted her was the wolf on the cover - she has a thing about wolves. Well ... I finally picked up the book from the stack she read and read it. I enjoyed it as I have others in the Anna Pigeon series. Anna Pigeon is a National Wildlife Services (NWS) worker and she runs into these mysteries at different parks she is working at. This time it is at the Isle Royal National Park in Lake Superior. She has been chosen to be the NWS representative on this wolf study team and she learns just how cunning one of the animal species (man) really is. This is the 14th book in the series of 15 - with number 16 coming out this summer. (Oh ... by the way ... my daughter has since started reading other books in the series and enjoys them too!!!)

I recently let my mom read a couple of books by Cindy Daniel in her Death Warmed Over series. They are good, clean mysteries. She recently returned the books and brought me some to read. One of the books comes from Heartsong Presents Mysteries series. It is called Down Home and Deadly - a Sleuthing Sisters Mystery. It is written by Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, & Sandy Gaskin. It involves some sisters who get drawn into solving mysteries / deaths / crimes much to the chagrin of the local law enforcement officer. Jean Stafford quits her job at a health club and starts her sister (Carly) start her restaurant business. On opening day she discovers a body in a car by the dumpster behind the diner. Needless to say she becomes involved in this investigation in spite of the objections by the local lawman. This book is similar to the Death Warmed Over series in that it is a good, clean mysteries. It features a family who has been brought up with some good Christian morals. Each chapter starts with a little old saying.

Finally, I also read the latest book in another series by an author I enjoy. It is called Monster In Miniature by Margaret Grace. Retired teacher Geraldine Porter continues her interest in miniatures and falls into another murder investigation. It is around Halloween and while looking at Halloween displays with her granddaughter they discover a "real dead body" in one of the displays. Geraldine along with the computer assistance from her granddaughter investigates the circumstances surrounding this murder. This is another one of those ez read mysteries and it is good.

KEEP ON READING!!!

MRD Group Selection For June

What was the June selection for the Barnes and Noble Mystery Discussion Group? It was Frankly My Dear I'm Dead by Livia Washburn. I was excited our group was reading this one since I read it before and it was by one of my favorite Texas authors. I did a review on this one in a previous blog (see http://misterreereeder.blogspot.com/2009/10/starting-literary-tour-mystery-series.html ), so I am not going to do another one. But I do want to point out a few things.

First ... let me tell you some feedback from our group. As always, we did a count to see how the group felt about it. There were seven present for our discussion and the vote went .... Six thumbs up and one neutral (wavering on a thumbs up). One of the things indicated as the reason for the thumbs up was because it was an easy read. One of the things mentioned as a possible criticism was whether there was a believable reason for the murder(s). Since this was an easy read that could be overlooked.

A brief introduction to the book - which has a catchy title. The amateur sleuth is Delilah Dickinson. She is a recent divorcee who is trying to start a travel agency of her own. This is the first tour her agency is doing and she needs it to be good for her business. She is keeping her eyes open for anything that might go wrong and she most certainly is not expecting murder. Check it out!!!

As you may know, this is the first book in the series and there is another one out Huckleberry Finished. If you like the first, check out the second.

She's Back - Justice In June!!!

Who is she? Take your pick because it can be either the author or the character. The author is Barbara Levenson and she wrote Fatal February. I had the opportunity to read and post on my blog about that book in Feb 2009. (If you want to see the earlier blog it is at http://misterreereeder.blogspot.com/2009/02/virtual-book-tour-fatal-february.html.) Her newest book released this June 2010 is called Justice in June. Mary Macgruder Katz returns in this book.

If you recall, Mary Macgruder Katz is a lawyer and she kind of picks up where she left off in the last book. Her practice is picking up in it's business and she continues her relationship with her 1/2 Latin lover - Carlos.

It is June in Florida and she discovers the weather and her practice has something in common - when it rains it pours. She has three cases that all demand her attention - a female judge who is under investigation; an Argentine visitor accused of terrorism; and Carlos who is being sued for incomplete construction of an Apartment / condo complex.

And if you thought that was enough to deal with let me just tell you there are several other things she has to deal with. She is attacked outside her office, her house is broken into and she gets a warning, and she gets phone calls warning her to back off. And her personal life has some issues as well.

If you are looking for an easy read mystery - this is the book for you. For more info about the author check out her website - http://www.barbaralevenson.com/. Let me also say thanks to Maryglenn McCombs for the recommendation.

Announcing June Workshop For Dallas - MWASW

DALLAS MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA--SW

June 5th Workshop Speaker: Caryn FitzGerald--
"The Manifesting Queen" ( www.CarynFitzGerald.com )

Social networking is today's most effective means of communicating with others, according to writer, speaker, author & coach, Caryn FitzGerald. Her workshop will focus on how to use Facebook, Twitter and other aspects of the Internet to create and connect with eager readers and fans. More fans. More readers. More sales. More of a chance of launching your book into best seller status practically overnight!

The Dallas MWASW group meets the first Saturday of each month at Texas Land & Cattle, 812 South Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080. Meeting time is 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. There is a $5.00 door fee, cash only. All who attend are invited to remain for lunch.