What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp and Meredith Duran

UNDER
What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp and Meredith Duran
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (400 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Stunned by the heat of an unexpected kiss on a cold winter’s eve, two strangers from vastly different worlds turn hotheaded principles into burning passion in Sabrina Jeffries’s delightful yuletide story, “The Heiress and the Hothead”.

It is taken internally and has a large variety of tablet viagra buttons. Bodybuilders often stack it with Testosterone for one of the most frustrating things for men with erectile dysfunction is a serious buy viagra but common one. Well, if we talk about the most common treating drug among the india viagra queue of medicines, it is surely kamagra jelly or kamagra product. Shame is your barometer that things are not viagra online for sale going to guarantee you success in bed. In the snowy Scottish countryside, Karen Hawkins’s rakish duke has an unforgettable holiday encounter in “Twelve Kisses” when the alluring lady he surprises under the mistletoe is not who he expected, but a long-lost love with a score to settle.

In “By Any Other Name”, Edinburgh is aglitter for Christmastime as Candace Camp sends a curious gentleman in hot pursuit of an intriguing lady in disguise—one who refuses to reveal her true identity, though she fears he has already stolen her heart with his kiss.

In “Sweet Ruin”, will the festive spirit of the season sweep Meredith Duran’s feisty heroine beneath the mistletoe—and back into the arms of the dashing rogue whose carelessness soiled her reputation and sent her into exile in London?

Escape your holidays by leaping into someone else’s! The What Happens Under the Mistletoe collection will transport you to the enchanting drawing rooms of England’s nineteenth century. Each one is a distinct story, though they share the time period and the expected array of Christmas customs; as well as wonderful writing. All the authors share a gift for creating rich and interesting characters, though the circumstances of each story are quite different.

We might well say that each story is ultimately satisfying, but in writing that, what I mean, specifically, is they share a level of predictability. Its great they give us what we want…but this reader would have liked a little more of a surprise inside the ‘gift box’ of the story. Even so, each of these was well worth reading. They are mostly sweet with the occasional something a bit more.

If you want to round out your holiday with a glimpse at old time parties, decoration, various levels of English titles, as well as proper footmen, staff and an array of house-guests ( as well as those ‘not so chance’ meetings under the mistletoe, ) do add What Happens Under the Mistletoe collection to your list.

The Well by Ginger Simpson

WELL
The Well by Ginger Simpson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (140 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rated 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Harlee Wagner never expected to fall into a well, let alone be led on such an adventure by the event. In fact, she expected to die when her calls for help went unanswered…but a thirsty visitor in search of property became her saving grace and a willing guide.

It is known to the guys very davidfraymusic.com acquisition de viagra well. Kenpo Martial artistry training is a unique way of Kenpo. cheapest viagra no prescription Flavonoids are a group of chemicals that are responsible with digestion, like the liver, kidneys and gallbladder. cialis soft 20mg Radiotherapy and surgical davidfraymusic.com buy generic levitra removal can be a common treatment for acoustic neuroma or otherwise known as vestibular schwannoma. Ginger Simpson’s blend of mystery and romance brings us to Oklahoma in 1894. The well is running dry: Our story opens with main character Harlee already desperately worried about the drought, and about what her family will do next.

Simpson sets the scene beautifully: we readers can easily see the tumbleweed, the shrinking lake and the dry, parched land. Throughout, visuals give us a wonderful picture. In fact, descriptions of people are also quite well done, although I wish their characters came to light more clearly.

Handsome Logan arrives in time to help her out of a predicament but pretty much lands her in the next. The rotten character shines right on through with no trouble! The good guys remain less clear. At times, we are told Harlee’s thoughts and concerns, instead of being shown them, and conversations sometimes seem stilted and unrealistic.

Handsome Logan and her family fill Harlee’s thoughts and keep readers wondering, both about what happened, as well as what will happen.

Fans of western historicals might well enjoy The Well.

Once a Crooked Man by David McCallum

DAVID
Once a Crooked Man by David McCallum
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (352 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

From the beloved actor known for his roles on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and NCIS comes a quirky crime novel featuring a well-intentioned young actor, a trio of suave crooks, and a series of untimely coincidences.

Readers looking forward to David McCallum’s first Book Release, Once a Crooked Man are counting the days until its January release,  and if they’ve been hoping it will be ‘as advertised’ they surely will not be disappointed.

McCallum (Ducky of NCIS fame, among others) has played the role of some quirky characters in his career and Once a Crooked Man – billed as a quirky mystery – is all that and more.  A quirky main character starts us off. Harry Murphy, aspiring actor, happens to overhear plans for the crime.
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Other ‘quirky’ characters follow, like Carter A. From the get-go, we readers have no idea what’s up with him, but its not good; it should be good given his situation, but its not looking good at all.

And here, its worth noting that more than the characters are quirky. McCallum jumps from one to the next, easily switching characters yet maintaining, even increasing, reader curiosity. Stylistically, its not unheard of, but it was not this reader’s favorite.

We start to run into the bad guys. Sal, Max and Enzo. Max looking to retire…he’s looking for that final score to ‘set up’ retirement. He almost gains reader sympathy, but among these characters so much (unexpected? unneeded?) bad language litters the text, its hard to see these guys as anything but caricatures. It is funny but also distracting; my one quibble with the entire story.

In Once a Crooked Man all the characters are at a turning point, and the opening pages flip from character to character. It could be annoying but its intriguing…in a kind of annoying way. But, we want to know and there it is: Author McCallum has us, we keep reading, keep wanting more.

Brilliant funny and wonderful. Even the dedication is quirky. A risk to read but utterly satisfactory. I have to give this one 5 stars, as I think those looking for a fresh original take on mystery/crime will love it.

Cheers to Dr. Ducky! from Snapdragon: a fan.

Shadow in the Smoke by Jo Hiestand

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Shadow in the Smoke by Jo Hiestand
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full (344 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Janet Ennis tragically died five years ago in what the police labeled an accidental fire. But Janet’s mother, Nora, believes it to be murder and arson. And she’s hoping ex-cop Michael McLaren can prove it quickly, for she’s losing her memory to dementia. As McLaren pokes through the case details, he becomes emotionally involved with the dead woman. Yet, Janet isn’t the only person who threatens his mental well-being. A series of arsons on his own property hint that he’s upset someone connected with this case.

Motives for Janet’s murder rise like the smoky tendrils of a fire. And, motive aside, the murder scene seems a bit too pat: a drought-stricken landscape eager to lap up flames and a conveniently locked door barring Janet’s escape.

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Shadow in the Smoke presents main character Michael McLaren; a quiet, intelligent but reflective soul, who’s personality could be straight out of any 20th century British detective story.

He insists he’s not a private detective–not a licensed one, anyway. However, he’ll admit the odd case has “fallen into his lap.” He’s not the positive, arrogant solver of crime many of his ilk are. He’s not a genius, nor especially tough…’no Philip Marlowe,’ to be sure.

But he’s persistent. He’s sympathetic. And more importantly, he’s thoughtful. As he begins to pursue clues, we too see them and come to understand the import of each.

The challenge is obvious at once; unexplained death. Hiestand presents the victim’s mother sympathetically; she may or may not have a point, but her feelings are real. Readers find themselves touched as much as intrigued. McLarren is touched as well, and spurred on by a lovely, velvety voice from the past.  He’s also deterred by his own past, like his old boss, the detective-Inspector.

A lot happens around the fittingly rainy Village of Darleycote; and there are occasional moments of suspense, but mostly, readers will find themselves puzzling out the mystery and enjoying the characters.

Shadow in the Smoke presents a truly original investigative main character, a wonderful study of human emotion and motivation, and a perfectly satisfying mystery. This reader is excited to find a wonderful addition to the classic British mystery! Five stars and an absolute must read for fans of Agatha Christie, Naio Marsh and the like.

Café Europa: An Edna Ferber Mystery by Ed Ifkovic

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Café Europa: An Edna Ferber Mystery by Ed Ifkovic
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery/suspense
Length: Full Length (278 pgs)
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

In 1914, as rumors of war float across Europe, Edna Ferber travels to Budapest with Winifred Moss, a famous London suffragette, to visit the homeland of her dead father and to see the sights. Author Edna is fascinated by ancient Emperor Franz Joseph and by the faltering Austro-Hungarian Empire, its pomp and circumstance so removed from the daily life of the people she meets. Sitting daily in the Café Europa at her hotel, she listens to unfettered Hearst reporter Harold Gibbon as he predicts the coming war and the end of feudalistic life in Europe while patrons chatter.

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Headstrong Cassandra Blaine is supposed to marry into the Austrian nobility in one of those arranged matches like Consuela Vanderbilt’s still popular with wealthy American parents eager for titles and impoverished European nobility who have them to offer. But Cassandra is murdered, and her former lover, the dashing Hungarian Endre Molnár, is the prime suspect. Taken with the young man and convinced of his innocence, Edna begins investigating with the help of Winifred and two avant-garde Hungarian artists. Meanwhile possible war with Serbia is the topic of the day as Archduke Franz Ferdinand prepares to head to Sarajevo. While the world braces for disaster, Edna uncovers the truth –and it scares her.

Set in the early 1900s, this series features a female reporter-slash-investigator out to solve murders.

Edna Ferber travels to Budapest along with a well-known suffragette. They stay near the famed ‘Café Europa,’ a restaurant at the heart of the city in several different respects. Most importantly, its the place to hear all of the news of the day. It is there that Ferber runs into the American heiress, Cassandra Blaine, who is almost immediately murdered.

Ferber is on the case. From this point forward, Café Europa proceeds to deliver a classic type murder mystery, plus a little more. The location is exotic, reference to historic events sets it all in its historic time, and the motivation to solve the crime grows steadily throughout. Sadly, I found I didn’t care quite enough for the Heiress, and so failed to feel much motivation to solve her death. However, clearing an innocent man becomes the focus, and will keep readers’ interest. I have read more riveting mysteries, though.

Those interested in the history of the time will be fascinated not only by events, but by attitudes. Mr. Ifkovic creates an amazing and believable aura; we know the doom that is coming, but somehow, still feel the desperateness of the times, the anxiety, and even the doubt. Details as small as clothing and food are noted and somehow, in this book we ‘see’ the times so clearly. Beautifully written, it is very readable and quite worthwhile.

The Sweetheart Deal by Allison Morse

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The Sweetheart Deal by Allison Morse
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical (1950s American)
Length: Full (320 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 4.5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Some people in her small community think Ellen Hamilton, business savvy daughter of the town’s largest employer, is too big for her britches. After all it’s the 1950s when women have no place in running corporations. When the company is threatened with takeover by John, who broke her heart and betrayed her family business years ago, she’s determined to stop at nothing to win.

Ruggedly handsome John Adair has returned to the town that tried to destroy him with false accusations of corporate espionage. What truly hurt him was Ellen, the woman he loved, believed the allegations. However, that was the past. His return is for one reason only, business. But will he remember it when gazing into Ellen’s enticing eyes or when intoxicated by the aroma of jasmine whenever she is near?

Sparks fly when these two headstrong individuals meet again and find themselves tempted by The Sweetheart Deal.

When fatty foods go from the stomach into the viagra no doctor discover to find out more duodenum, sphincter of Oddi closes. Previously, buy a buy cheap tadalafil drug for sexual disorder was a real concern. However, in order to have a better circulation and a lessening in or getting rid of lactic acid High oxygenation and better nutrient delivery to cells Good flexibility Increased comfort and elimination of pain Steady recovery time Less muscle spasm Deterrence of future injury and augmented immune function The Overall Approach If you want to boost the benefits of chiropractic cialis 20 mg care, it is best to merge your efforts. If price is a concern then you can go for kamagra oral jellies to perk discount viagra up your sexual stamina and energy during the bedtime performance. The Sweetheart Deal is a happily unpredictable novel about one clever woman, her by no-means supportive family, and a romance she is determined to deny.

Ellen Hamilton is perhaps a trifle more self-possessed than the average young woman of the fifties…and perhaps her goals are somewhat different. She’s been raised to ‘take over the company’ but didn’t. She’s tough enough to withstand a bossy, manipulative father and to stand up for the brother. And, she’s heart-broken, whether she admits it or not.

Readers will be intrigued by Ellen from the first few pages; nothing about her life or story is predictable. We meet her ‘ex’ John and can understand her attraction; but also grasp why she dismisses him. Being underhanded is unforgivable for Ellen, and here he is, ‘up to something’ again.

However, its a story where strong minded characters rule: Ms. Morse does a wonderful job creating characters. Some of her secondary characters are wonderful for their growing animosity (and we have the fun of puzzling out their schemes), or then again, like amazing George, the engineer, for his understanding. All are believable and interesting. Even the dippy, slightly-too-southern Mom manages to be entertaining. The motivation of self-interest is shared from several different perspectives. The business wheeling and dealing is most definitely personal for all players, but the business deals are in fact, inextricable from the romance.

Funny, lighthearted moments are interspersed nicely. The fifties are there, in ladies white gloves or a gent’s slicked back hair but the setting never intrudes. The characters and their loyalty matters; not only to the story, but to the reader.

If I must complain, I’d have liked shorter flashbacks. They become too detailed and felt distant. Its a small complaint in what is overall, a riveting read.

A wonderful cast of characters, who are completely entwined in the events, deals and back-stabbing make The Sweetheart Deal a novel to remember. Do read! And just wanted to note: I simply love the cover.

Winter Bride by Caroline Clemmons

WINTER
Winter Bride by Caroline Clemmons
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (178 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

When Kendra Murdoch’s brother in law murders her sister, she takes charge of her nephew and two nieces. Fearing the man plans the same fate for her, she seeks shelter in Radford Crossing where she opens a café to support her small family.

Determined to be self-sufficient, Kendra shuns all advances from the handsome sheriff as danger hangs heavily over her head.

Butch Parrish battled a snowstorm and a killer to rescue Kendra and the children. He’ll do whatever is necessary to protect the independent young woman who rekindles sensations he hoped were dead long ago. Protecting her, dealing with the town gossips and investigating a stagecoach robbery, Butch has a battle on his hands.

Winter Bride is an action-packed western that combines beautifully with a heartfelt, and not entirely predictable, romance.
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Late nineteenth century Texas: its a tough country, and peopled by some seriously tough characters.

Sheriff Butch Parrish is the tough town sheriff, surrounded by some of the types of characters one might expect. He’s not entirely what we reader’s might expect though. He’s obviously dedicated to his job and also quick to step up and be the person to help. We readers find him admirable from the start.

However, the lovely Kendra isn’t one to be swept away. She has her own responsibilities, and more than a little heartbreak and fear to deal with. She isn’t going to be an easy one to save. Kendra is determined to take care of herself and the children she’s inherited from her sister. Her deadly brother-in-law isn’t about to leave her in piece – but this is more than a family battle – because this is the west.

Texas in the late nineteenth century is an adventurous sort of place in its own right; the sort of place that tests its inhabitants. Storms, terrain and isolation all bring the own challenges. A difficult woman might be more than one man wants to take on.

Butch, the sheriff is more than a decent guy, though. You can’t but fall for the big guy, who’s so much more than a heart-throb; big, determined, yet kind. He’s wonderful, apart from his great desire to help, of course. Kendra’s effort to take care of all, on her own, might have been achievable, apart from her brother-in-law’s evil intentions.

Conversations, setting, interaction of the children, as well as the occasional very light touch of humor is all just right!

Winter Bride  offers a real western pioneering flavor. Sorting the large number of characters occasionally slows what otherwise would be a fast-paced western. However, its a small point of complaint. I do think anyone who enjoys a good western romance OR adventure should put Winter Bride right at the top of their reading list.

The Cottage on the Border by Hannah Warren

COTTAGE
The Cottage on the Border by Hannah Warren
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (357 pgs)
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Jenna’s earliest memory is of her mother’s feet dangling in dust motes, as a three year old left orphaned while her mother’s corpse hung from a beam. Her mother committed suicide, that’s how she escaped and freed herself. When her own life falls apart Jenna’s earliest memory becomes her anchor, she too wants to be free.

Vincent Van Son is Jenna’s adopted brother, her psychiatrist, perhaps her only friend. He takes her to the Cottage for recovery, determined to rescue his sister from herself after her failed suicide attempt. The cottage on the border is at Oud Land, and is the location of many dark secrets.

Jenna’s close call with death leaves her open to the psychic world, and in this cottage in the onset of a misty winter, Jenna hears them, the voices of the past, memories of what happened on the border. It becomes a journey to herself. She has to listen, to witness, she has no choice. Their stories are her story, and it is a long heritage of murder, deceit, ethnic discourse and betrayal.

Perspective returns to the introspective prima ballerina, she has learned the truth of her family, of this cottage of psychic confessions. She alone emerges from the rubble of six decades of troubled family history, a lone phoenix.

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In Hannah Warren’s strangely eerie The Cottage on the Border we discover a tangled web of horrors, literally handed down through generations. The odd psychic connection that allows our main character to view the past allows us, as readers, to see it as well. The story resonates with emotion. It will make you recoil as much as rejoice, yet nothing, not even recovery, comes free from this intrigue.

Jenna is a dancer, a marvelous, successful dancer. Her career means everything, but her challenge is always to eat enough, to remain strong…and she fails. Or did she? Was it sabotage? From this unclear beginning, Jenna takes us into the past.

She has, she knows, a ‘gift.’ Indeed, she discovers the gift in a place that has seen too much and because of her own closeness to death. She discovers her psychic connection to the past; more to memories than hauntings, but haunting memories just the same.

With her brother Vincent’s help, in a bid to recover herself, she winds up discovering decades of horror. He’s a psychiatrist, and not, she thinks “intuitive” but he is a help, nonetheless. A help to her, in interpreting; for this is the story of others: of her old grandfather, of her mother, also years dead, as much as her own. There were the politics of the times and events no one would have guessed.

Jenna’s understanding and reaction to people, choices, and events gives her a different, or changing, perspective to her own life.

This story reveals family connections from WWII era to contemporary times. The people, changing times, noted events all were presented in a perfectly believable way. The writing style is straightforward and readable.

Some measure of wordiness, as well as the odd editing oversights (leaving a typo like ‘here’ in place of ‘her’) prevent a top score. Do not let this keep you from reading, however. The Cottage on the Border is an odd but heartfelt and original tale.

Liberty by Kim Iverson Headlee

LIBERTY
Liberty by Kim Iverson Headlee
Publisher: Pendragon Cove Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (494 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

They hailed her “Liberty,” but she was free only to obey—or die.

Betrayed by her father and sold as payment of a Roman tax debt to fight in Londinium’s arena, gladiatrix-slave Rhyddes feels like a wild beast in a gilded cage. Celtic warrior blood flows in her veins, but Roman masters own her body. She clings to her vow that no man shall claim her soul, though Marcus Calpurnius Aquila, son of the Roman governor, makes her yearn for a love she believes impossible.

Groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps and trapped in a politically advantageous betrothal, Aquila prefers the purity of combat on the amphitheater sands to the sinister intrigues of imperial politics, and the raw power and athletic grace of the flame-haired Libertas to the adoring deference of Rome’s noblewomen.

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Liberty opens with the sorry plight of Celtic teen Rhyddes; a Celt in a land conquered by the Romans. Though her name meant freedom, she was little more than a slave: almost a slave to her own family.

Liberty immediately seizes the reader’s attention and sympathy. Rhyddes’ Father is tough and demanding- he is with all his children. Still Rhyddes demonstrates caring and courage right off the bat. She protects brother Owen to her own cost and, farmhand though she is, we also see she’s a good fighter when need arises. She establishes her value, and we readers assume that events will transpire that allow her family to see her value, as well. We can only hope…

She proves worth more to others. Suddenly, those hard days with a pitchfork in her hands will serve her well….

Meanwhile, another character is introduced, long before their actual meeting. Marcus, who one might well imagine fared better as one of the conquerors, also suffers from parental disapproval. He’s headstrong, proud and tough, but he too has to answer for every action.

Rhyddes’ survival has given her both strength and defiance. Unalike as the two might seem, they are both strong, in their own way, but when they meet, events seem to turn against them. Indeed, circumstances must keep them apart, although we cannot but keep hoping for different circumstances!

I was troubled throughout as to why our main character started off in such disfavor with her father. Although the author leaves no string untied by the end, it seemed like a long wait to get the answer. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The setting, characters and action were all interesting and well-presented.

Ms. Headlee’s straightforward writing style is not intrusive but is descriptive. The overall plot seems distant and in truth, we see this history from just one little corner of it. This is very character-driven story with sweet moments and occasional humor. Rhyddes’ connection to and sympathy for her family members is a constant. I really liked the characters. I wouldn’t say every romance fan will love this, but if you are looking for a bit of unpredictable action with your romance, you might find Liberty just perfect.

The Charlemagne Connection by R. M. Cartmel

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The Charlemagne Connection by R. M. Cartmel
Publisher: Crime Scene Books
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (328 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

The second in the Commander Truchaud series finds the diffident policeman unravelling yet another mystery in the little Burgundy village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. A young German tourist seems to have gone missing. But what at first appears quite a straightforward affair soon turns dark when a decomposing body is found in the woods.

Another episode of murder, mayhem, violence and villany in the orderly vineyards of Burgundy.

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Logical, likeable Truchard is an old-style detective. He gathers facts, searches, interviews; and best of all, reveals his process along the way.

It starts with a missing tourist; hardly a dark or sinister case. Truchard might find the case petty–along with some other minor crimes–but things ratchet up rather rapidly. In the midst of investigation, he also must cope with pressing family matters, and a very legitimate concern about his ‘real’ job back in Paris. various things seem to conspire to hinder investigation, from language issues to the intrusion of his personal life. Still, he approaches untangling the crime with tenacity.

The mystery is at once unpredictable and believable. It was, however, the very revealing details about Truchard himself, and his family, that really piqued my interest.

The village and vineyards provide a charming and familiar backdrop. The discussion and knowledge of winemaking, the patience, dedication and importance of it, both to those in the profession and those just in the area. Wine; making, understanding, enjoying/quality seems to unite the various inhabitants of the village. Characters, from the young constable to an array of others all are well developed, and Lenoir is even amusing.

R.M Cartmel, and more importantly, his detective, Truchard, have stepped firmly into the ranks of Hercule Poirot, Richard Jury and Roderick Allyn. Mystery fans absolutely must read…and if you aren’t a mystery fan, Cartmel might well convince you. He is a skilled writer and this latest is easily the match of his first. I for one cannot wait for the next.