Silken Prey by John Sandford

Silken Prey by John Sandford is the 23rd book in the “Prey” thriller series. Publisher: Putnam Adult, May 2013

Murder, scandal, political espionage, and an extremely dangerous woman. Lucas Davenport’s going to be lucky to get out of this one alive.

Very early one morning, a Minnesota political fixer answers his doorbell. The next thing he knows, he’s waking up on the floor of a moving car, lying on a plastic sheet, his body wet with blood. When the car stops, a voice says, “Hey, I think he’s breathing,” and another voice says, “Yeah? Give me the bat.” And that’s the last thing he knows.

Davenport is investigating another case when the trail leads to the man’s disappearance, then—very troublingly—to the Minneapolis police department, then—most troublingly of all—to a woman who could give Machiavelli lessons. She has very definite ideas about the way the world should work, and the money, ruthlessness, and sheer will to make it happen.

No matter who gets in the way.

Filled with John Sandford’s trademark razor-sharp plotting and some of the best characters in suspense fiction, Silken Prey is further evidence for why the Cleveland Plain Dealer called the Davenport novels “a perfect series,” and Suspense Magazine wrote, “If you haven’t read any of the Prey series, you need to jump on board right this second.”

I know that when I read any of the books in the Prey series, I’m going to be taken for a riveting ride and Silken Prey continues that journey as Lucas is handed a case where political aspirations, savory secrets and murder meet to cause a ripple in an upcoming local election. This book kept me turning the pages with anticipation of watching Lucas discover the people pulling the strings and systematically closing the door on their efforts. A great read and I can’t believe I have to wait another year for the next book in the “Prey” series.

Long Lost by Linda Castillo

Long Lost by Linda Castillo is a short story based on the “Kate Burkholder” thriller series. Publisher: Minotaur Books, May 2013

It’s autumn in Painters Mill, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are taking a much-needed vacation at a small bed and breakfast an hour outside of town. After closing a difficult case, they’re looking forward to some down time, but their relaxation is cut short by rumors that the old house where they’re staying is haunted by a girl who disappeared twenty years earlier, leaving nothing behind but some bloody clothes by the river and rumors of a volatile relationship. Swept up in the girl’s story, and a need for justice, Kate and John begin looking into the mysterious disappearance of Angela Blaine. They discover long-buried secrets—and unravel a mystery with an unexpected outcome.

Linda has done it again. She’s written a riveting story that had me quickly turning the pages as I had to know what happens next. Kate and John are at their best as they tackle a twenty-year mystery with surprising results. This was a great read with two of the strongest and intense characters I know and I eagerly await the next book after having read a sneak peek.

Breaking Point by C. J. Box

Breaking Point by C. J. Box is the 13th book in the “Joe Pickett” thriller series. Publisher: Putnam, March 2013

It was always good to see Butch Roberson, Joe thought—a hardworking, upright local business owner whose daughter was friends with his own. Little did he know that when he talked to Butch that day in the forest, the man was about to disappear. He was heading into the mountains to scout elk, he said, but instead he was running. Two EPA employees had just been murdered, and all signs pointed to him as the killer.

As the manhunt organized itself, Joe heard more of the story—about the tract of land Butch and his wife had bought to build their retirement home on, until the EPA declared it a wetland. About the penalties they charged him when he balked, new ones piling up every day, until the family was torn apart . . . and finally, it seems, the man just cracked.

It was an awful story. But was it the whole story? The more Joe looks into it, the more he begins to wonder—and the more he finds himself in the middle of a war he never expected and never wanted. Powerful forces want Roberson not just caught but dead—and the same goes for anyone who stands in their way.

Every man reaches his breaking point. Joe Pickett may just have reached his.

C. J. Box has done it again; he delivered a dramatic thriller that I could not put down from start to finish. The action never stops in this riveting and well-written suspenseful plot with great characterization headed by Joe as he races against time to thwart more bloodshed. With some surprising twists, this is a great read and I look forward to the next book in this gripping series.

Die Easy by Zoë Sharp

Die Easy by Zoë Sharp is the 10th book in the “Charlie Fox” thriller series. Publisher: Pegasus, January 2013

In the sweltering heat of New Orleans, former Special Forces soldier-turned-bodyguard Charlie Fox faces her toughest challenge yet.

Professionally, she’s at the top of her game, but her personal life is in ruins. Her lover, bodyguard Sean Meyer, has woken from a gunshot-induced coma with his memory in tatters. It seems that piercing back together the relationship they shared is proving harder for him than relearning the intricacies of the bodyguard business. Working with Sean again was never going to be easy for Charlie, but a celebrity fundraising event in aid of still-ravaged areas of New Orleans should have been the ideal opportunity for them both to take things nice and slow. Until, that is, they find themselves thrust into the middle of a war zone.

When an ambitious robbery explodes into a deadly hostage situation, the motive may be far more complex than simple greed. Somebody has a major score to settle, and Sean is part of the reason. Only trouble is, he doesn’t remember why. And when Charlie finds herself facing a nightmare from her own past, she realizes she can’t rely on Sean to watch her back. This time, she’s got to fight it out on her own.One thing is for certain, though—no matter how overwhelming the odds stacked against her, or however hopeless the situation may appear—Charlie is never going to die easy.

WOW! This is an awesome read! This fast-paced action starts immediately as Charlie and Sean are in for the fight of their lives as they take on adversaries who want their client dead and with someone from Charlie’s past in the mix, the stakes are higher. This gripping drama was so intense that I could not put this book down as I wondered what was going to happen next. Zoe has created a complex, yet lovable character whose strength is shown in her thoughts and action as she handles what’s thrown at her with great aplomb. The author takes us on a thrilling ride from beginning to end and I can’t wait to see what directions this amazing series takes as we follow the exploits of Charlie and her friends.

Sleep No More by Iris Johansen

Sleep No More by Iris Johansen is the 12th book in the “Eve Duncan” forensics thriller series. Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, October 2012

Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan knows what it’s like to be haunted by the past. For years after her daughter Bonnie was stolen from her, she fought for closure. But now as she’s striving to begin anew, she can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen—or maybe already has. When her mother, Sandra, asks for help in finding a missing friend named Beth Avery, Eve is sure that she’s hiding something. It’s odd that Sandra would get involved at all, and the fact that she adamantly refuses to go to the police for help reinforces Eve’s suspicions that something is very wrong.

Eve learns that Beth has been locked away in a mental hospital for years, which makes it even harder to understand how she could have disappeared. As Sandra reluctantly reveals small pieces of the truth about Beth’s identity, Eve is shocked to discover that their lives are strangely entwined, and Beth’s disappearance now puts them all in grave danger.

Desperate, Eve enlists a secret weapon to pick up Beth’s trail: rogue profiler, Kendra Michaels. With an uncanny ability to detect clues and solve puzzles, Kendra begins to uncover the bizarre circumstances of Beth’s escape from what should have been the safety of her hospital room. Beth is on the run, and as her mind clears–detoxing from the drugs that have held her prisoner–she begins to see the threads of a twisted plot within the powerful Avery family, threatening to destroy Beth and anyone else who might jeopardize the high-stakes game that is already in play.

oh man, I can’t believe I devoured this book in one sitting. This book was so good that I could not put it down until I knew what happens at the end and I see potential for more appearances and I can’t wait to see this person get theirs. I love the introduction of what I hope are two new recurring characters in this series. This is another great book in this thrilling series and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

The Panther by Nelson DeMille

The Panther by Nelson DeMille is the sixth book in the “John Corey” thriller series. Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, October 2012

Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent John Corey and his wife, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, have been posted overseas to Sana’a, Yemen-one of the most dangerous places in the Middle East. While there, they will be working with a small team to track down one of the masterminds behind the USS Cole bombing: a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative known as The Panther. Ruthless and elusive, he’s wanted for multiple terrorist acts and murders-and the U.S. government is determined to bring him down, no matter the cost. As latecomers to a deadly game, John and Kate don’t know the rules, the players, or the score. What they do know is that there is more to their assignment than meets the eye-and that the hunters are about to become the hunted.

Filled with breathtaking plot turns and told in John Corey’s inimitable voice, THE PANTHER is a brilliant depiction of one of the most treacherous countries in the world and raises disturbing questions about whether we can ever know who our enemies – or our allies – really are.

This was a good read that kept me turning the pages in this gripping thriller. It was great seeing John, with his wisecracking self, and Kate working together on their latest mission. Despite the book being too descriptive and too long, I did enjoy it.

Backfire by Catherine Coulter

Backfire by Catherine Coulter is the 16th book in the “FBI” thriller series. Publisher: Putnam, July 2012

San Francisco Judge Ramsey Hunt, longtime friend to FBI agents Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich, is presiding over the trial of Clive and Cindy Cahill – accused in a string of murders – when the proceedings take a radical turn. Federal prosecutor Mickey O’Rourke, known for his relentless style, becomes suddenly tentative in his opening statement, leading Hunt to suspect he’s been threatened – suspicions that are all but confirmed when Hunt is shot in the back.

Savich and Sherlock receive news of the attack as an ominous note is delivered to Savich at the Hoover Building: YOU DESERVE THIS FOR WHAT YOU DID. Security tapes fail to reveal who delivered the tapes. Who is behind the shooting of Judge Ramsey Hunt? Who sent the note to Savich? And what does it all mean? Savich and Sherlock race to San Francisco to find out…watching their backs all the while.

A single shot across country. A threatening note to FBI headquarters and soon both Sherlock and Savich are headed to the west coast to protect a friend and catch a killer who has more than one thing on their mind. What a great read that had me turning the pages faster than my eyes could read. The action was fast, fury and non-stop in a race against time before another innocent person is killed. When harm hits closer to home, revenge is on as we watch this FBI duo put an end to the havoc being created by vicious killers. This was another great read in this series and I always enjoy the interaction that exist between Sherlock and Savich and the many people that come into their lives.