Entertaining crime novels for all tastes …

Talking to the Dead

By Harry Bingham
Bantam. $15

It was a sad story but not that uncommon. A drug-addicted prostitute was found dead in a squalid house, murdered by an unknown assailant. What makes the case a bit more interesting is that the platinum credit card of a very wealthy man is found at the crime scene.

Although he’s also been dead for a while, the authorities want to know what the tycoon’s connection with this woman was. Taken on face value, did she receive or take the card for services rendered or is there more to the story?

It is up to rookie Welsh Detective Constable Fiona Griffiths to delve into this mystery and find an answer. Over intense and intuitive, Fiona has earned a reputation as being a bit odd at police headquarters in Cardiff, Wales, but, no matter, she is intent in learning all she can about the victim and her young daughter who was also found dead at the scene of the crime.

Before she is finished Fiona will uncover secrets about this community that might be better left buried and her own past will be open to public scrutiny.

This marks Harry Bingham’s American debut and his protagonist for this captivating series will certainly find a comfortable place among the legions of U.S. mystery fans that can’t get enough British whodunits.

Eyes on You

By Kate White
Harper. $25.99

In her latest suspense novel Kate White draws upon her experiences as a top magazine editor to take her readers into the glamorous New York media world.

After her career as a TV host disintegrated along with her marriage, Robin Trainer has landed a new program on cable TV. It appears that the former journalist is about to put her life back together and regain her position as a media celebrity. Robin also has a new book about to be released that will cement her return to the limelight.

Then, at the launch party of her book, Robin suddenly realizes the bad times are far from being over. When she finds a note that reads, “You evil little bitch. You’ll get yours,” Robin fears there’s more trouble ahead. And she’s right!

A series of incidents, each one more threatening than the last, underscores the fact someone is jealous of Robin’s new popularity. As the situation reaches critical mass the poor woman has a hard time hanging on to her sanity.

Can it get any worse? Of course it can and that’s why you’ll find this a gripping read and one that you may wish to share with your friends.

By Any Means

By Chris Culver
Grand Central. $15

Ash Rashid has been taken off the homicide squad and placed in the community relations department but that all changes when he happens upon what appears to be a routine auto accident. The two dead people in the car were not the victims of the crash but rather shot to death. Apparently there is a third person involved that was abducted by the killer.

With a shortage of investigative officers, Rashid is assigned the case and given another opportunity to show his superiors in the Indianapolis PD what he can do. Every clue he finds raises more questions than answers, which forces this methodical but sometimes unorthodox detective to use any means at his disposal to apprehend the killer.

The third novel in the Ash Rashid series, this police procedural featuring a Muslim cop has received some solid reviews. There’s a depth of character here not often found in this type of crime novel.

The Alpine Yeoman

By Mary Daheim
Ballantine. $26

So much for marital bliss. Newspaper publisher Emma Lord and Alpine Sheriff Milo Dodge have finally walked down the aisle and are now happily united, but it has been a short honeymoon.

Not only must Emma deal with a newspaper staff that is slowly becoming a handful, but her new husband also has to figure out what has happened to a key deputy who has disappeared. Add some rambunctious high school girls and a stranger who is found dead near a local fish hatchery and you have the makings of another intriguing Emma Lord mystery.

With her usual panache, Mary Daheim has created another novel in this long running series that will surprise and delight her many fans. As she nears the thirty mark, one has to wonder if the author doesn’t have some major changes planned for her cast of regulars and where this popular series is heading.

The newspaper business is a challenge today and with Emma finally tying the knot, perhaps there are some major storyline alterations planned or perhaps even retirement. Daheim has always been good at surprising her readers. Maybe the biggest surprise of all lies ahead!

The Detective & the Pipe Girl

By Michael Craven
Bourbon Street/ Harper. $14.99

Private detective John Darvelle is extremely loyal, performs well under pressure and loves Ping-Pong. He also knows his home turf like the back of his hand, which will be a real asset in this latest adventure.

One of Hollywood’s movers and shakers has hired Darvelle to locate his missing girlfriend. When the woman is found murdered, the client has the answer to the question, “What happened to her?”

A curious sort, Darvelle wants a few more answers, like who killed the woman. When he decides to do a little informal digging on his own, the PI stirs up a hornet’s nest and finds himself on the wrong side of the LAPD, an underground crime operation and a bloodthirsty killer.

Before you have finished this atmospheric thriller you’ll know perhaps more than you want to about the greater LA area and its nooks and crannies. You’ll also discover that John Darvelle can hold his own with other legendary sleuths from Phillip Marlowe to Harry Bosch.

Also, if you don’t have a clue what a “pipe girl” is, you’ll discover the answer as you read this riveting novel.

Gold Digger

By Frances Fyfield
Witness Impulse/Harper, $13.99

Greed and intrigue come to the forefront when a wealthy dying art collector and his young wife must defend their priceless paintings against the husband’s relatives. A no-holds-barred battle that will bring out the worst in the participants, Thomas Porteous’ extended family, means that his wife will need the help of a motley crew of eccentrics to defend her turf and make sure the precious paintings stay where her husband wants them to be.

In this psychological suspense story the main character keeps her adversaries guessing as she plays a clever game of cat and mouse. You’ll love the turns, twists and unforeseen surprises.