The Woods: a novel by Harlan Coben

Excellent**** July 7,2007

Another excellent stand-alone novel by Coben. This is first-rate crime/mystery writing. The novel goes back and forth between the present, a court trial where prosecutor Paul Copeland is trying two rich white rapists of a black stripper, to a summer twenty years before when Paul was a counsellor at a summer camp and four campers were murdered, including his sister. The characters of Paul and his former girfriend Lucy Gold are well developed and we follow them as they are dragged back to the night and the present-day site of the murders. The plot twists are numerous, the final twist a bit far-fetched. Coben could have ditched the Russian/KGB subplot and had an even stronger novel. I look forward eagerly to his next one.

Invisible Prey: a novel by John Sandford

Superb writing***** June 30, 2007

Lucas Davenport is back in the 17th Prey novel. He is involved in the investigation of a state politician who appears to have had sexual relations with a minor, the daughter of a woman he has been involved with. Lucas is assigned to deal with this situation sensitively. But at the same time he is called to the scene of an heinous murder of a weathy old lady and her maid. It appears that it may have been a robbery gone wrong but some valuable antiques are missing. Lucas turns up a series of other similar murders that appear to be related to antiques. He cleverly figures out who the killers are. They are hiding in plain sight. Sandford weaves a very smooth story well-plotted and with clearly drawn characters. This is one of his best.

The Overlook: a novel by Michael Connelly

Short but Punchy**** June 30, 2007

Months after the confusion of Echo Park, Harry Bosch is back, this time on a different assignment with a wide mandate to investigate sensitive homicides. In his first case he gets a late night call re an apparent execution on the Overlook overlooking Los Angeles. Dr. Stanley Kent, radiologist, has been murdered. His wife is found bound in their home. Kent was contacted by the apparent kidnappers and instructed to steal cesium and bring it to the Overlook. Because of the suspected terrorism link the FBI gets involved and Harry is partnered again with his old flame, FBI Agent Rachel Walling. But Harry realizes that the FBI is unlikely to keep the LAPD involved as is their wont. So he pursues the investigation aggressively and uncovers the real villains while the FBI is left with mud on its face. This is a first-rate short novel by one of the best crime writers in the world.