The Dark Side of the Road

The Dark Side of the Road by Simon R. Green Summary:   Ishmael Jones is someone who can’t afford to be noticed, someone who lives under the radar, who drives on the dark side of the road. He’s employed to search out secrets, investigate mysteries and shine a light in dark places. Sometimes he kills people. Invited by his employer, the enigmatic Colonel, to join him and his family for Christmas, Ishmael arrives at the grand but isolated Belcourt Manor in the midst of a blizzard to find that the Colonel has mysteriously disappeared. As he questions his fellow guests, Ishmael concludes that at least one of them – not least Ishmael himself - is harbouring a dangerous secret, and that beneath the veneer of festive cheer lurk passion, jealousy, resentment and betrayal. As a storm sets in, sealing off the Manor from the rest of the world, Ishmael must unmask a ruthless murderer before they strike again. Angie's Comments: I don’t normally read fantasy, but I thought I would give The Dark Side of the Road a try. It is a blend of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery. I like mysteries, and this book read like a mystery that just had some elements of the other genres. The book is sometimes slow, but I was able to make it through those parts. There are a lot of action parts as well, with a high body count. This is the first book in the Ishmael Jones series.  Recommended for fantasy readers and mystery readers who don’t mind some supernatural elements.     Request this item

Thin Air

Thin Air by Ann Cleeves Summary:   Ann Cleeves is back with the sixth book in her Shetland series featuring Inspector Jimmy Perez, whom readers will remember from Raven Black, White Nights, Red Bones, Blue Lightning, and Dead Water. A group of old university friends leave the bright lights of London and travel to Shetland to celebrate the marriage of one of their friends. But, one of them, Eleanor, disappears--apparently into thin air. It's mid-summer, a time of light nights and unexpected mists. And then Eleanor's body is discovered lying in a small loch close to the cliff edge. Detectives Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves are dispatched to investigate. Before she went missing, Eleanor claimed to have seen the ghost of a local child who drowned in the 1920s. Her interest in the ghost had seemed unhealthy--obsessive, even--to her friends: an indication of a troubled mind. But Jimmy and Willow are convinced that there is more to Eleanor's death than they first thought. Is there a secret that lies behind the myth? One so shocking that someone would kill--many years later--to protect? Ann Cleeves' striking new novel is a quintessential whodunit with surprises at every turn. Angie's Comments: So as usual, I happened to pick up a new book that is part of a series. Again, fortunately, I didn’t need to read the first five books in the series to enjoy Thin Air. The story is narrated by Polly, Jimmy, and Willow mostly. I loved the character of Polly, and just wish that she would get better friends. Eleanor is an interesting character, especially in death, as everyone tries to figure out what happened. Sometimes a complicated life leads to a complicated death. Recommended for mystery readers who like books where the location is a character.    Request this item

The Language of the Dead

The Language of the Dead by Stephen Kelly Summary:  As the shadow of World War II descends over Europe, Detective Inspector Thomas Lamb hunts for an elusive killer behind the veil of a seemingly charming English village. German bombers are arriving daily, seeking to crush England. But in a rural Hampshire village, things have remained fairly quiet―until an elderly loner, Will Blackwell, is brutally murdered. The method of his killing bears the hallmarks of the traditional vanquishing of a witch, and indeed, local legend claims that as a boy, Blackwell encountered a ghostly black dog sent from the devil, who struck a bargain for Blackwell’s soul. Not long after the murder, a young woman who is carrying the illegitimate child of a fighter pilot also is violently killed; then a local drunkard ends up in the race of an abandoned mill with the back of his head bashed in. As the Germans continue their relentless attack, Detective Inspector Thomas Lamb rushes to solve the crimes. Do the killer’s motivations lie in the murky regions of the occult? Angie's Comments: It appears that this is Stephen Kelly’s first book, which I wouldn’t have guessed. I also hope that The Language of the Dead is the first of a series! Lamb, Wallace, and the other characters are complicated and I want to find out more about them. The mystery gets a bit convoluted towards the end, when the detectives are still trying to find out who did what. Recommended for readers of mysteries and historical fiction.    Request this item

Busted

Busted by Shiloh Walker Summary:  From the national bestselling author of Wrecked and Razed comes an emotionally charged story of undeniable passion and life-affirming love…  Like his brothers Zach and Zane, Trey Barnes thought he had found the love of his life. But fate had other plans. A widower who’s had to raise his five-year-old son on his own, Trey has not allowed himself to be with another woman. Until he meets Ressa Bliss at—of all places—a children’s library program. The beautiful librarian is wonderful with his son, Clay, but every time Trey even considers asking her out, he is tortured by guilt. Fate is indeed fickle. When the two meet again at a conference, this time the attraction is too powerful to resist. But is their connection and passion strong enough to survive Trey’s deep inner torment? Angie's Comments: I always enjoy books that feature librarians – sometimes for the wrong reasons, but this time the author captured librarianship well. Trey and Ressa have connections from the past, which isn’t revealed until later in the book. I liked the chemistry and the fact that the book takes place over a period of months. There a lot of complications, and it is interesting to see how the characters handle them responsibly. Recommended for readers of modern romance.    Request this item

The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History

The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History by Brian Fagan Summary:  Animals, and our ever-changing relationship with them, have left an indelible mark on human history. From the dawn of our existence, animals and humans have been constantly redefining their relationship with one another, and entire civilizations have risen and fallen upon this curious bond we share with our fellow fauna. Brian Fagan unfolds this fascinating story from the first wolf who wandered into our prehistoric ancestors' camp and found companionship, to empires built on the backs of horses, donkeys, and camels, to the industrial age when some animals became commodities, often brutally exploited, and others became pets, nurtured and pampered, sometimes to absurd extremes. Through an in-depth analysis of six truly transformative human-animal relationships, Fagan shows how our habits and our very way of life were considerably and irreversibly altered by our intimate bond with animals. Among other stories, Fagan explores how herding changed human behavior; how the humble donkey helped launch the process of globalization; and how the horse carried a hearty band of nomads across the world and toppled the emperor of China. With characteristic care and penetrating insight, Fagan reveals the profound influence that animals have exercised on human history and how, in fact, they often drove it. Angie's Comments: Fascinating look at the relationships between humans and the domesticated dog, goat, sheep, pig, cattle, donkey, horse, and camel. Fagan discusses the domestication of each animal and the ways different cultures in different times regarded the animals. Fagan especially singles out the donkey as one of the most important, yet underrated, animal that allowed humans to form relationships with other humans. The final part discusses the treatment of animals, especially focusing on the abuses, although one could argue that humans treated other humans just as badly as they treated animals. Each section progresses through time, and focuses on one animal at a time, except for the farm animals which are treated together. The writing is engaging. Recommended for readers interested in history and animals.     Request this item

Too Dangerous for a Lady

Too Dangerous for a Lady by Jo Beverly Summary: The new novel in the Rogue Series from the New York Times bestselling author—and five-time RITA Award winner… Lady Hermione Merryhew, daughter of an impoverished marquess, already has her share of problems. The last thing she needs is an intruder in her bedroom, especially not a fugitive thief. She should scream, but the shabby rascal is a man from her past. Six years ago, at her first ball, dashing Lieutenant Mark Thayne failed to steal a kiss, but succeeded in stealing a little of her heart. She's older and wiser now. She can't toss him to the wolves. Besides, she wants that kiss. Now Viscount Faringay, Mark has never forgotten Lady Hermione, but he mustn't involve her in his dangerous life. He's infiltrated the Crimson Band, violent revolutionaries who plan a bloodbath in London, and if he survives the night he will be able to destroy them. Hermione is involved, however, and only he can protect her. Angie's Comments: Although this is book 16 in the Rogue’s Company series, the series is really made so that each book can stand alone. Not too much is revealed about the previous books in the series, so I don’t mind going back and reading some the earlier books in the series. Between money problems, sick uncles, the threat of violent revolution, and keeping everything secret, there is a lot of action going on in Too Dangerous for a Lady. I liked the pace and the addition of each new twist made the plot much more interesting. Recommended for readers of historical English romance and Jo Beverly fans.    Request this item

Broken

Broken by Cynthia Eden Summary: The first novel in New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden's sizzling LOST series introduces the Last Option Search Team, an elite unit that must protect the only surviving victim of a serial killer. Ex-SEAL and LOST founder Gabe Spencer is accustomed to the unusual in his job. But when knockout Eve Gray steps into his office, he's rattled. For the mysterious woman is a dead ringer for the heiress thought to be the latest prey of the serial killer who goes by the name Lady Killer. When Eve awoke in an Atlanta hospital, her past was a blank slate. Then she recognized her own face in the newspaper and vowed to learn the truth. Determined to confront the nightmares hidden in her mind, she never expects to find a partner in Gabe. As Gabe and Eve work together, their explosive attraction becomes irresistible. Gabe knows that his desire for Eve is growing too strong, bordering on a dangerous obsession, but nothing pulls him away from her. And when another Eve lookalike disappears, Gabe vows to protect Eve at all costs. While Eve may have forgotten the killer in her past, it's clear he hasn't forgotten her. Angie's Comments: I loved the tension in this book as they try to discover who the Lady Killer is. The book was definitely suspenseful. Although it may be easy for some readers to guess who did it, there are plenty of twists that make it tough to completely decide who did it. The romance part was also good, with Eve taking a leading role. Eve is anything but broken! Recommended for readers who like mystery and romance.    Request this item

Top Screwups Doctors Make and How To Avoid Them

Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon Summary: A primary care doctor is skeptical of his patient’s concerns. A hospital nurse or intern is unaware of a drug’s potential side effects. A physician makes the most “common” diagnosis while overlooking the signs of a rarer and more serious illness, and the patient doesn’t see the necessary specialist until it’s too late.  A pharmacist dispenses the wrong drug and a patient dies as a result.   Sadly, these kinds of mistakes happen all the time. Each year, 6.1 million Americans are harmed by diagnostic mistakes, drug disasters, and medical treatments. A decade ago, the Institute of Medicine estimated that up to 98,000 people died in hospitals each year from preventable medical errors. And new research from the University of Utah, HealthGrades of Denver, and elsewhere suggests the toll is much higher.  Patient advocates and bestselling authors Joe and Teresa Graedon came face-to-face with the tragic consequences of doctors’ screwups when Joe’s mother died in Duke Hospital—one of the best in the world—due to a disastrous series of entirely preventable errors. In Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them, the Graedons expose the most common medical mistakes, from doctor’s offices and hospitals to the pharmacy counters and nursing homes. Patients across the country shared their riveting horror stories, and doctors recounted the disastrous—and sometimes deadly—consequences of their colleagues’ oversights and errors. While many patients feel vulnerable and dependent on their health care providers, this book is a startling wake-up call to how wrong doctors can be. The good news is that we can protect ourselves, and our loved ones, by being educated and vigilant medical consumers. The Graedons give patients the specific, practical steps they need to take to ensure their safety: the questions to ask a specialist before getting a final diagnosis, tips for promoting good communication with your doctor, presurgery checklists, how to avoid deadly drug interactions, and much more.             Whether you’re sick or healthy, young or old, a parent of a young child, or caring for an elderly loved one, Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them is an eye-opening look at the medical mistakes that can truly affect any of us—and an empowering guide that explains what we can do about it. Angie's Comments: This is a good overview of mistakes that doctors/health care providers make often. The essential message of the book is to be vigilant: know what prescriptions you are taking, what conditions you have, and making sure that your health care providers know what is going on. Recommended for everyone!    Request this item

Say Yes to the Marquess

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare Summary:  Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle  for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and ... and ...? After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement. Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother--even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself. So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet? ·         He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes. ·         He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride--and tries not to picture her as his. ·         He doesn't kiss her. ·         If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again. ·         When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off. ·         And no matter what--he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own. Angie's Comments: An interesting look at fighting in historical England, although the book doesn’t go too much into details about fighting. Clio is a strong heroine, and I like that she eventually recognizes that she has only been thinking about herself. And the ending is very fitting! Recommended for readers of Tessa Dare and readers of historical English romance.      Request this item