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Dangerous Little Lies We Tell Ourselves Just to Survive…”Big Little Lies”, by Liane Moriarty

It seems like any other school fundraiser, but P&C Trivia Night at the local public school in Pirriwee ends with disaster. Author Moriarty is known for her knack for creating main characters who are so believable that any one of us could know them as a next door neighbor, or a friend at PTO.

Big Little Lies is a complicated, yet also simple, story of ordinary people who end up in an extraordinary situation. The reader knows that one character will not be living at the book’s end, but they have no clue as to which character, until the very end of the book. Will it be gregarious, passionate Madeline, who does not use her “filter” if confronting a foe, especially her ex-husband or his new, younger wife. Will it be Celeste, the town beauty who can stop small town traffic with her looks, and the sight of her two energetic twin boys. Or, will it be the young newcomer, Jane, who is a very young single mom, who the others have decided to mentor. The reader finds out after reading through the “brilliant take on ex-husbands, second wives, mothers and daughters, school booard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive”.

Moriarty writes books that keep the reader page turning into the wee hours of the morning, just too good to put down. The film adaptation, by David E. Kelley, tells the tale of three mothers of first graders, whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to show the truth…… even to the point of murder. The film stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley.

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Student by Day…Off the Grid by Night…”Night School”, by Lee Child

American author, Lee Child presents his 20th book in the Reacher series of international mystery and suspense. In the 90’s only about 10% of the population was using the internet, so orders to operatives were actually kept secret! At the same time, it is amazing how such organizations were able to function. Reacher is called into service by disguising him as attending school, but of course by that same night, he is off the grid.

The questions abound as the team researches a Jihadist sleeper cell in Hamburg, Germany, where they overhear a Saudi courier whisper to a CIA plant…… “the American wants a hundred million dollars”. That is when all the questions begin……who is the American?……..What is he selling? ………… And to whom? The fear is, that if they do not get their man, there will be world terrorism of epic proportions.

From readers who previewed the book, it was said that it is literally a page – turner to see what will happen next! One of their favorite scenarios is when Reacher and his female sergeant encounter Neo-Nazis who attack them. Even though it seemed a bit unrealistic, the readers still enjoyed envisioning the female sergeant kicking the butts of the attackers. One rather comical comment was about the fact that actor Tom Cruise, who is not a tall person, will play the role of 6’5″, 250 lb. Reacher………seemed like an error in casting to that reader.

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Perfect Storm of Greed and Corruption…”The Whistler”, by John Grisham

American author, John Grisham has sold over 300 million copies of his books since writing The Pelican Brief in 1992. His newest offering is The Whistler, which he calls a bit of a different style than he usually writes. He has enlisted the character of Lacy Stoltz, who is an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. She is a lawyer who responds to complaints about perceived dishonest judges. In being called upon to investigate a certain judge who has been accused of skimming millions from Indian owned and operated casinos, she quickly realizes that this particular investigation could prove to be very personally dangerous. But, she did not expect it to be deadly.

The 493 Indian casinos in the United States make more than any regular casino……..they gross more than $30 billion (from 2015 figures). And, they have different rules……they pay no taxes, and 90% of their money is in cash. Grisham saw this as a “perfect storm” of sorts for greed and corruption to surface. Since corruption, thrills, and suspense are sellers in novels, Grisham’s combination should be a winning combination for another award winning book. He has had 28 consecutive number one best sellers on the New York Times fiction bestseller list. His wife, Renee, convinced him to put a different spin on The Whistler. She told him, “to stop preaching, get off your soap box and just write a legal thriller”. So, that he did…….with none of the usual serious social injustices incorporated. In recent interviews, Grisham has hinted that there might be a Lacy Stoltz sequel or sequels.

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Shy, Dyslexic…”Damaged”, by Lisa Scottoline

With anti-bullying being a contemporary anthem these days, the 15th in the Rosati & DiNunzio novel is very timely. Patrick O’Brien is the target of those who are so cruel to their fellow students. Patrick, who is 10 years old, is shy, dyslexic, very small for his age, and does not defend himself against the bullies. In an unfortunate set of events, he is accused by a nefarious teacher’s aide of Patrick stabbing him with scissors. The male aide sues Patrick’s guardian (his grandfather), and the school board. Mary DiNunzio is called to defend the ten year old. Patrick would never harm anyone.

Mary DiNunzio was just about to walk down the aisle when the complicated and emotionally draining case was presented to her. She immediately became very emotionally involved, to the point of finding herself fighting her associates, her fiancé, and social workers to defend and care for Patrick.

The story has many upsetting twists and turns as though ripped from current headlines. As if the abuse that Patrick has encountered from the aide isn’t bad enough, having to announce it to the public through court is very traumatizing to both Mary and Patrick. Then, the nasty opposing lawyer attempts every trick in the book to try to remove Mary as the boy’s attorney. “Starting slowly, (author) Lisa Scottoline, expertly stokes the boiler to the bursting point”. Readers will immerse themselves in Mary’s sweet-talking attempts to rescue this ten year old boy who is in danger of being lost to a world of trouble.

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Backroom Deals, Media-Created Scandals & Secret Cover-Ups…”Guilty Minds”, by Joseph Finder

Author, Joseph Finder, has accomplished many things, but being an American author of mystery thrillers seems to be his best niche in life. He has been a history teacher at Harvard, has been recruited by the CIA, and supposedly sang with Ella Fitzgerald, but most remarkably, is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest, Guilty Minds, is a theme that could be taken right out of current political playbooks, where a very powerful person can be brought down by professional character assassinators with carefully structured lies. It is a sad commentary to think that such people exist, but we know they do…….we have recently seen them in action.

Guilty Minds is the third in a series featuring super spy, Nick Heller, who has been called in to find the necessary evidence to defend a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court against the untrue accusations presented against him by a prostitute. Not only is this “escort” trying to defame him, but a sleezy website known for their lying gossip is supporting her with publicizing the lies. Nick is based in Boston, but is hired by many because he has a history of handling discreet and risky situations in his own way. He has just 48 hours to prove the allegation to be false, which seemed like an easy task to accomplish……..then, he found the prostitute murdered. The story – line then takes many twists and turns exposing political backroom “deals”, media – created scandals, and secret cover-ups!!! All proving that the secrets we keep and bury so deep, can never truly stay buried.

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Demeanor Like a Ticking Time Bomb…”The Black Window”, by Daniel Silva

As with author Daniel Silva’s other seventeen spy novels, The Black Widow is another ingenious writing that is a very timely book of intrigue and extreme danger. The subject of ISIS is very compelling and one which many people want to learn more about.

The main character, Gabriel Allon, art restorer, spy, and assassin is again asked to find an Islamist extremist who has claimed responsibility for a huge bomb that was exploded in a part of Paris. He enlists the assistance of a beautiful doctor who will pose as an ISIS recruit. Her demeanor is to be that of a ticking time bomb……..a black widow.

The novel is a journey into a new world of darkness that promises to haunt those who read it. “The Black Widow reveals itself as Silva’s most timely and powerful novel yet.”

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Unspeakable Sins….”The Obsession”, by Nora Roberts

The New York Times bestselling author, Nora Roberts, has written another excellent novel that promises to give her fans the reading satisfaction that they have come to expect. She uses ordinary, relatable characters to draw in the reader, then gives a twist and turn to the story that is totally unexpected. She is best known for “painting a picture with her words”.

Naomi Bowers, as a young girl on the verge of turning twelve, discovers a hideous secret life that has been lived by her father, not far from the home she thought was safe and secure. Nothing could have been further from the truth. She saved a life on that stormy night, but lost her own identity as she had known it. In later life, no matter how close she got to happiness, she could not escape the sins of her father……… unspeakable sins.

Naomi became a very successful photographer, and changed her name to Naomi Carson. She has a very rewarding career and lives in a rambling, old house with beautiful views. Yet, that one, stormy night when she innocently, playfully followed her father into the woods, will forever be obsessively only a nightmare away for her. The Obsession is so compelling as a story of the terrifying evil that humans are capable of. Author Roberts mixes light and shadow like no other. After walking through all the darkness, The Obsession shows the human spirit as being capable of incredible strength and courage to thrive and survive.

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The Man Who Can Forget Nothing…”The Last Mile”, by David Baldacci

Author David Baldacci has written a new book, The Last Mile, that is a second book with main character, Detective Amos Decker……..the man who can forget nothing”. Decker gets involved in a case where a convicted criminal is within hours of execution, when another person confesses to the killing of his parents twenty some years ago. Decker identifies with the death row criminal, but it will demand all of his unusual brain power to help one of the two men to be set free of murder charges.

Amos Decker was a professional football player who had a career ending injury that left him with an almost perfect memory. Some reviewers felt that Decker was a more interesting character in the Memory Man, but that die-hard Baldacci fans will appreciate the different form of Decker using his Quantico unit to help solve the latest case in usual investigative style.

Baldacci lives in Virginia with his family where he and his wife work with their foundation, Wish You Well, in supporting literacy efforts across the country.

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In an Attempt to Catch the Most Wanted Elusive Felons…”The Job”, by Janet Evanovich

This is the third in the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum series, Alexandra Barnaby series and the Lizzie and Diesel series) and Lee Goldberg (author of the bestselling Monk mysteries). In an attempt to catch the most wanted and most elusive felons in the world, the FBI teams up Special Agent Kate O’Hare with ex con artist Nicholas Fox. To the rest of the world, Nick is still wanted by the FBI and Kate is the agent in charge of capturing him. The reality is that they are working together formulating a con to catch a violent drug lord at the request of Kate’s boss and the Deputy Director of the FBI. They are given unlimited funds and unofficial permission to do what it takes to capture their mark without being caught. In this adventure Kate and Nick formulate an elaborate con to bring down the leader of a drug smuggling empire. Traveling around the world with their enlisted band of misfit accomplices, Nick and Kate work to execute their plan. Challenges include a psychotic bodyguard and a Portuguese enforcer among others. Kate’s father Jake, who is retired Special Forces and shares Kate’s deep love of impressive firearms is back again to help out a good cause. An ongoing flirtation between Kate and Nick, as well as the antics of their team keeps the book light and funny, while still delivering an impressive and well thought out plot. Be sure to read the first two novels to get the most enjoyment out of ‘The Job’. (The Heist – book one, and The Chase – book two.)

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There Is a Sinister Murderer on The Run…”The Steel Kiss”, by Jeffery Deaver

The Steel Kiss (Lincoln Rhyme #12) is the New York Times bestselling author, Jeffery Deaver’s latest offering. The new novel combines the talents of Amelia Sachs, not only the professional partner, but also the love partner of quadriplegic, forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme. There is a sinister murderer on the run, and it is up to them to stop him.

With the intricate mind of the latest serial killer, the pair are up against their most formidable opponent ever. Sachs and Rhyme find themselves racing against the clock and growing body counts to secure the identity of this maniac. He is known to turn common products used by his “Shoppers” victims, into murder weapons against them.
In reviews of The Steel Kiss, most reviewers applaud the new faces and complexities that Deaver included in this twelfth novel. When there are so many books about the same characters, sometimes the subject matter becomes monotonous, but according to several early readers, this book is not in any way monotonous. One reader described about four stories taking place in the one book.

There were some statements from those early readers worth quoting……..”What a creepy and suspenseful book I have just finished”; “I will never look at a remote in the same way again”; “Cars, elevators, escalators, buses, trains, planes, the equipment I use at work……computers, microwaves, heating……..technology that surround those targeted by the killer”; DO NOT READ OR LISTEN TO THIS BOOK AT OR NEAR BEDTIME!”

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