Reid Bennett, our favorite policeman north of the border and maybe south of it too, is back for another thriller.  And of course, by his side is Sam, the greatest attack dog on either side of the border.

Ted Wood’s Flashback is set in tiny Murphy’s Harbour, where Bennett serves as the one-man police force and where questions and dead bodies tend to pile up all at once.

The morning starts with Reid chasing off a gang of threatening teens with a baseball bat. Minutes later, Reid learns that a bank robber might be headed his way looking for vengeance. But, the day doesn’t really start rolling until Reid finds a dead woman in the trunk of a waterlogged car.

What follows is a fast-paced thriller involving rich lawyers, a questionable movie producer and quite a few shifting identities. Everyone seems to be circling everyone else in a complicated orbit of sex and money. Can all these events be tied together?

Just an everyday mystery for Reid Bennett, except that with his wife about to have a baby, the danger feels real and much closer to home. Can Reid and his police dog Sam connect all the dots before death shows up at his doorstep? Author Ted Wood keeps the action crisp and the nerves on edge in this latest Reid Bennett mystery.

If you love Flashback and want to read the other Reid Bennett (and Sam, don’t forget Sam!) novels, visit Ted Wood’s author page for a complete list.
RC

His life all but ruined because of a bad rap he took for murdering two guys to prevent a rape, Reid Bennett relocates in a quaint backwater town in Canada. Then the corpses show up. German shepherd Sam by his side, Bennett does what he has to do, and none of it is in the police officer’s manual.

Dead in the Water launched Ted Wood’s mystery career and the fictional adventures of Reid Bennett. But what brings readers back for book after book is Sam, Reid’s German shepherd. Publisher’s Weekly described Sam thus: “…a multitalented utility infielder who can ‘keep,’ ‘track,’ ‘seek,’ “fight,’ ‘guard,’ sniff out cocaine and corpses, save lives and generally pinch-hit for a dozen patrolmen.” Fans plead, “Whatever happens to Reid Bennett, don’t touch a hair of that dog’s head!”

E-Reads is in the process of releasing all 10 titles in the Reid Bennett detective series. You’ll have to read them all to find out if anyone touched a hair of Sam’s head.

– Richard Curtis

Curses! is the fifth adventure featuring Aaron Elkins’  Gideon Oliver, E-Reads’ resident forensic anthropologist. Well, we doesn’t exactly reside here but he will reside in your memory when you immerse yourself in his latest adventure….
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Mayan ruins in the Yucatán…a secret room in a tomb…age-old skeletons. To anthropologist Gideon Oliver, the renowned Skeleton Detective, the invitation to join the archaeological excavation of Tlaloc promises two months of paradise on earth.

That is, until an ancient series of Mayan curses against desecrators of the site is unearthed. When the first one comes to pass (“The bloodsucking kinkajou will come freely among them”), it’s taken by all as a practical joke. But by the time the fourth one is apparently consummated (“The one called Xecotcavach will pierce their skulls so that their brains spill onto the earth”), nerves have begun to fray and suspicions and discord to mount.

The steamy jungles weigh down upon the band of eccentric anthropologists as one by one the curses continue to materialize. It takes Gideon’s special talents for deduction—along with the enigmatic insights of Mexico’s one and only Mayan-Indian inspector of the state judicial police—to resolve an ancient riddle and a modern, murderous mystery.

Addicted to Gideon?  Have another, the sixth in the series, Icy Clutches

Gideon Oliver expects to be amicably bored when he takes on the role of “accompanying spouse” at a lodge in the magnificent wild country of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where his forest ranger wife Julie is attending a conference. But it turns out to be exactly his cup of tea. There is another group at the lodge: six scientists on a memorial journey to the site of a thirty-year-old glacial avalanche that killed three of their colleagues. Their leader is TV’s most popular science personality, the unctuous M. Audley Tremaine, who is the sole survivor of the fatal avalanche.

But he doesn’t survive long, and is soon found hanged in his room. If that isn’t upsetting enough, shocked hikers discover human bones emerging from the foot of the glacier—are they the shattered remains of the three who died, finally seeing daylight after their two-mile. three-decade journey within the glacial flow?

When the FBI seek expert help, everyone agrees how fortunate it is that Dr. Oliver, the famed Skeleton Detective, is on the scene. Everybody, that is, but the person who wants ancient history to stay that way—and who believes that murder is the surest way to keep the past buried.

Indulge your Gideonphilia.  Turn to Aaron Elkins’ author page and find lots more.

Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana are a combustible mix – but if they combust they could ruin their professional careers. Passionately attracted to each other, they are equally passionate defenders of their clients even when their interests are completely adversarial.

Set all this tension against the sultry background of a Miami riddled with crime and corruption, drowning in drugs, illegal immigrants and shady deals, and simmering with a melting-pot clash of cultures and you have a recipe for a hotly explosive series of legal thrillers by Barbara Parker. You can find them on Barbara’s author page.

In the debut novel, Suspicion of Innocence, Gail Connor is a fast-rising attorney in a major law firm, about to make partner—until her life is derailed by the discovery of her sister’s murdered body and the possibility that Gail is the prime suspect. Gail must fight for her life as she gets a first-hand look at the dark underside of the legal system she is pledged to uphold.

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Barbara Parker was a dear friend, a dedicated professional writer and a beloved and esteemed client whose untimely passing was and remains a source of anguish to all who knew her.  Trained as a lawyer, she worked as a prosecutor with the state attorney’s office in Dade County, Florida before moving into a private practice specializing in real estate and family law. Suspicion of Innocence, published in 1994, was her first legal thriller. It was followed by seven more titles featuring her two lawyer protagonists and sometime lovers, Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana. Suspicion of Innocence was a finalist for a Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award, and two other Gail and Anthony novels, Suspicion of Deceit and Suspicion of Betrayal, were New York Times bestsellers. She died in March 2009, at age 62. Too young. Far, far too young.

RC

Aaron Elkins’ anthropology professor Gideon Oliver has taken a bride, and in Murder in the Queen’s Armes, the third novel in the series, the consummation devoutly to be wished may have to wait as he figures out who would want to steal a thirty-thousand-year-old parieto-occipital calvareal fragment?

Yet someone has lifted this chunk of prehistoric human skull from a musty museum in Dorchester. Then, thirty miles away, an archaeology student is murdered, increasing tensions and suspicion at a dig that had already seethed with suspicion, rivalry, and mistrust.

Could there be a connection between a hot bone and a cold-blooded murder?

Gideon is called on by the police to apply the unique skills for which the media have named him “the Skeleton Detective,” and he reluctantly agrees. Before he’s done, his sleuthing will lead him to another murder and will—in the most literal and terrifying manner imaginable—sic the dogs on him, putting Gideon himself, and Julie as well, in mortal danger…

In the fourth novel, Old Bones, the aged patriarch of the du Rocher family falls victim to the treacheous tide of Mont St Michel, but Gideon isn’t buying the verdict of accidental drowning. And before long, this “accident” is followed by a bizarre discovery in the ancient du Rocher chateau: a human skeleton, wrapped in butcher paper, beneath the old stone flooring.

Gideon, lecturing on forensic anthropology at nearby St. Malo, is asked to examine the bones. He quickly demonstrates why he is known as the “Skeleton Detective,” providing the police with forensic details that lead them to conclude that these are the remains of a Nazi officer believed to have been murdered in the area during the Occupation.

Or are they? Gideon himself has his doubts. Then, when another of the current du Rochers dies—this time via cyanide poisoning—his doubts solidify into a single certainty: someone want old secrets to stay buried … and is perfectly willing to eradicate the meddlesome American to make that happen.

For Old Bones Elkins won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best mystery novel of the year. Read it and learn why.  But if you’re an orderly person you might want to read the first three Gideons. You can see them all here.

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Aaron Elkins is a former anthropologist and anthropology professor who has been writing mysteries and thrillers since 1982. His major continuing series features forensic anthropologist-detective Gideon Oliver, “the Skeleton Detective.” There are fifteen published titles to date in the series. The Gideon Oliver books have been (roughly) translated into a major ABC-TV series and have been selections of the Book-of-the-Month Club, the Literary Guild, and the Readers Digest Condensed Mystery Series. His work has been published in a dozen languages.

Elkins won the 1988 Edgar best mystery award for Old Bones, the fourth book in the Gideon Oliver Series. He and his co-writer and wife Charlotte, also won an Agatha Award. Elkins has also won a Nero Wolfe Award.

His website is http://www.aaronelkins.com/

In The Dark Place, Aaron Elkins’ second Gideon Oliver thriller, the skeletal remains of a murdered man are discovered deep in the primeval rain forest of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. And a strange, unsettling tale begins to unfold, for forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver determines that the murder weapon was a primitive bone spear of a type not seen for the last ten thousand years. And whoever—or whatever—hurled it did so with seemingly superhuman force. Bigfoot “sightings” immediately crop up, but Gideon isn’t buying them.

But something is continuing to kill people, and Gideon, helped by forest ranger Julie Tendler and FBI special agent John Lau, plunges into the dark heart of an unexplored wilderness to uncover the bizarre, astonishing explanation.

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Aaron Elkins is a former anthropologist and anthropology professor who has been writing mysteries and thrillers since 1982. His major continuing series features forensic anthropologist-detective Gideon Oliver, “the Skeleton Detective.” There are fifteen published titles to date in the series. The Gideon Oliver books have been (roughly) translated into a major ABC-TV series and have been selections of the Book-of-the-Month Club, the Literary Guild, and the Readers Digest Condensed Mystery Series. His work has been published in a dozen languages.

Elkins won the 1988 Edgar best mystery award for Old Bones, the fourth book in the Gideon Oliver Series. He and his co-writer and wife Charlotte, also won an Agatha Award. Elkins has also won a Nero Wolfe Award.

His website is http://www.aaronelkins.com/

Fellowship of Fear introduces award-winning Aaron Elkins’ protagonist, anthropologist professor Gideon Oliver.

When Oliver is offered a teaching fellowship at U.S. military bases in Germany, Sicily, Spain, and Holland, he wastes no time accepting. Stimulating courses to teach, a decent stipend, all expenses paid, plenty of interesting European travel . . . what’s not to like?

It doesn’t take him long to find out. On his first night, he is forced to fend off two desperate, black-clad men who have invaded his Heidelberg hotel room with intent to kill. And then there’s the little matter of a few trivial details that the recruiting agency forgot to mention—such as the fact that the two previous holders of the fellowship both met with mysterious ends.

From there it’s all downhill. Gideon finds himself the target in an unfamiliar game for which no one has bothered to give him the rules. What he does have, however, is his own considerable intellect and his remarkable forensic skills. He will need them, for he is playing for some fairly high stakes. Like the security of Western Europe . . .

And his own life.

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Aaron Elkins is a former anthropologist and anthropology professor who has been writing mysteries and thrillers since 1982. His major continuing series features forensic anthropologist-detective Gideon Oliver, “the Skeleton Detective.” There are fifteen published titles to date in the series. The Gideon Oliver books have been (roughly) translated into a major ABC-TV series and have been selections of the Book-of-the-Month Club, the Literary Guild, and the Readers Digest Condensed Mystery Series. His work has been published in a dozen languages.

Elkins won the 1988 Edgar best mystery award for Old Bones, the fourth book in the Gideon Oliver Series. He and his co-writer and wife Charlotte, also won an Agatha Award.  Elkins has also won a Nero Wolfe Award.

His website is http://www.aaronelkins.com/

Meet Kate Jasper, Marin County, California’s own, organically grown, amateur sleuth.

In Jaqueline Girdner’s first Kate Jasper novel, Adjusted to Death, the heroine plunges into her career when she visits her chiropractor for a simple spinal adjustment, but instead finds a dead man on one of the tables…dead of a broken neck. And it seems everyone in the chiropractor’s office knew the victim, Scott Younger, in one way or another, except for Kate herself. Maggie, Kate’s friend and chiropractor, has known Scott for years, as has her staff. Her receptionist, Renee, even dated him. Devi knew Scott from college. Guru-follower, Valerie, accuses Scott of being a drug pusher! And Wayne, Scott’s now unnecessary bodyguard, a shy, homely man who almost makes Kate forget her husband has left her, knew him the best of all. But Kate can’t forget murder, especially since Wayne is the main suspect. And there’s the pesky matter of Kate’s fingerprints on the metal bar that broke Scott Younger’s neck. Kate Jasper’s in for a spine-tingling, bone-chilling adventure.

The Kate Jasper novels have been in e-book format for a while but now you can snuggle up with paperback editions. For a complete listing, click here. And read the author’s fascinating dossier on her heroine. Researching real people is hard enough, but researching your own fictional ones – that takes some clever doing!

RC

Permed to Death introduces sassy salon owner Marla Shore, and what an introduction it is! Here’s Marla giving grumpy Mrs. Kravitz a perm when the old lady croaks in the shampoo chair. If that isn’t enough to give her a bad hair day, handsome Detective Vail suspects Marla of poisoning the woman’s coffee creamer! Figuring she’d better expose the real killer before the next victim frizzes out, Marla sets on the trail of a wave of wacky suspects.

Looks like Marla’s heading for a bad hair day, but you’re heading for some delicious reading as E-Reads publishes nine delightful whodunnits in the Bad Hair Day series by one of America’s most beloved women’s novelists. The rave reviews will absolutely curl your hair. Oops! Bad hair pun. The thrills will stand your hair up on end. Um, no, not that one either. Well, read all nine books and see how many plays on words you can make up. E-Reads offers them both as e-books and paperbacks.

Read the first chapter of Permed to Death.

RC
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PRAISE FOR PERMED TO DEATH

Sun-Sentinel: “…an amusing tale, buoyed by a likable amateur sleuth and enhanced by the South Florida atmosphere.”

I Love a Mystery: “PERMED TO DEATH is a beauty of a read. The characters are believable,
the mystery is well-plotted, and the suspense is a real manicure ruiner.”

Kirkus Reviews: “…a plot with more tangles than an uncombed perm…”

Mysterious Women: “…a fascinating story, with intriguing, sometimes quirky characters, a touch of humor,
a hint of romantic possibilities, and a look at a profession we don’t often see in mysteries.”

GO Riverwalk Magazine: “Cohen fills her book not only with a close look at the South Florida scene, but a rash of well delineated murders, which keeps the reader’s attention right to the end.”

Murder on Miami Beach: “A pleasing and interesting cozy that will keep you entertained all evening…The atmosphere is definitely South Florida, the heat, the crazy drivers, the Santeria, but with none of the Miami overtones.”

Under the Covers: “PERMED TO DEATH is propelled by strong characters set in a plot full of interesting kinks.” (Highly recommended)

Cozies, Capers, & Crimes: “…a funny, suspenseful story…PERMED TO DEATH is a good book to start reading while waiting at your favorite salon for your hair appointment. Just the title alone, ought to get you great service.”

MyShelf.com: “Nancy Cohen has styled a novel that is to curl up and die for. A permanent solution to the doldrums.”

The Mystery Reader: “…exceptionally clever, amusing, and lively…”

Crescent Blues: “Cohen captures Marla’s voice perfectly and makes the Cut ‘N Dye salon so real
I could swear I’ve sat in its chairs.”

About.com: “Even if you don’t like your current hairstyle, you will love PERMED TO DEATH.”

BookBrowser: “PERMED TO DEATH is an entertaining amateur sleuth tale that sub-genre fans will fully enjoy.”

Southern Scribe: “…a nail-biting adventure, so schedule a manicure. PERMED TO DEATH is a witty and a well-crafted mystery that will have you guessing till the intense end.”

Romantic Times: “…a nicely woven story…” (4 stars)

Fort Myers Life Magazine: “This is a very successful mystery in a new series.”

In an age of young superheroes, a 72 year old Laotian coroner is not at first glance the most promising selection for protagonist of a mystery series. That’s why Colin Cotterill’s Dr. Siri Paiboun deserves a second glance, and believe me, that’s all you’ll need to fall in love with one of the most engaging characters in the mystery field today.

E-Reads has just released e-books of the first two volumes in the series, The Coroner’s Lunch and Thirty-Three Teeth, and there are more to come. If you have a taste for faraway settings, they just don’t come more exotic than Colin Cotterill’s.

In The Coroner’s Lunch, Dr. Siri, one of the last doctors left in Laos after the Communist takeover, has been drafted to be national coroner. He is untrained for the job, but this independent 72-year-old has an outstanding qualification for it: curiosity. He has survived thirty years as a revolutionary and doesn’t mind incurring the wrath of the Party hierarchy as he unravels mysterious murders, because the spirits of the dead are on his side. When he performs an autopsy on the wife of a government official and on an unidentified body fished out of the river, it’s clear that all is not calm in the new Communist paradise of Laos.

In Thirty-Three Teeth, Dr. Siri investigates a series of deaths by what seem to be bear bites, to explain why the government official ran at full speed through a seventh story window and fell to his death, and to discover the origins of the two charred bodies from a crashed helicopter in the temple at Luang Prabang.

Some full-throated praise for The Coroner’s Lunch

”A wonderfully fresh and exotic mystery.”
–The New York Times Book Review

”The sights, smells and colors of Laos practically jump off the pages of this inspired, often wryly witty first novel.”
–Denver Post

”If Cotterill…had done nothing more than treat us to Siri’s views on the dramatic, even comic crises that mark periods of government upheaval, his debut mystery would still be fascinating. But the multiple cases spread out on Siri’s examining table…are not cozy entrtainments, but substantial crimes that take us into the thick of political intrigue,”
–The New York Times Book Review

And here’s what reviewers had to say about Thirty-Three Teeth:

”A crack storyteller and an impressive guide to a little-known culture.”
–Washington Post Book World

”The quasi-mystical story keeps a perfect balance between the modern mysteries of forensic science and the ancient secrets of the spirit world”
–The New York Times Book Review

”Readers who were charmed by Cotterill’s first novel, last year’s The Coroner’s Lunch, will be delighted to hear that his hero, the witty seventy-something Dr. Siri Paiboun, is back again.”
”Day to Day,” NPR