Calculated in Death by J. D. Robb

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Genre - Mystery

LT Eve Dallas LAPD’s top homicide cop in the bitterly cold winter of New York looks into a supposed mugging gone wrong. The setting is in the future with vintage cars ala 2060 models and very interesting lifestyle of police and public. Drones do sweeps of crime scenes, forensics are far more advanced, and holocaust programming comes into all walks of life, including vending machines with drinks in the form of chew bars etc.

Eve’s side kick Detective Peabody who always is outlandishly dressed with quirks and all. A powerful read, not too gruesome and extremely interesting to find yourself in a futuristic reading mode. Unlike Robb’s last book, which was not for the feint hearted, this book is one worth reading and certainly a book you could read again.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

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Genre - Mystery

In the pretty cold scenic Norfolk area, a group of archaeologists investigating coastal erosion unearth six bodies buried at the foot of a cliff. Ruth Galloway just back from maternity leave (archaeologist) and seconded to the Police as an expert in forensic tests, finds out that the bodies have been buried for over 60 years.

A fascinating world into archaeology and forensic science combines a gripping story with more than just buried bodies, and lives at stake.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Choked by Tania Carver

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Genre - Thriller

Marina Esposito is a criminologist who escapes her house fire with her husband, who is found seriously injured. However, their 3 year old daughter is missing, and Marina herself was helped out of the house but blacked out with the explosion.


Due to these suspicious circumstances, Marina believes her missing daughter and own rescue from the fire may be due to someone has her in mind to use her skills by way of kidnapping her daughter. Good read and plenty of drama.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Taking Eve by Iris Johansen

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Genre - Thriller

A must read before her next book published HUNTING EVE, available for sale July 16, 2013. Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor whose task is to bring closure to families by recreating faces to unidentified bodies, mainly children. Her 7 year old daughter was taken and murdered, and whilst Eve has moved on she has not forgotten Bonnie as she begins her journey into peace.

However, this is not the case. Eve is captured and has to recreate a face of a father’s son who was shot, and whom Eve thinks the head as being a very evil force. She exposes a dark past of the son and is reluctant to recreate the likeness, but is under dire threat and kept prisoner by the father. Just as you think she may be able to escape, you are left in the lurch to wait for the next book HUNTING EVE.

Good thriller and keeps you on your toes.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Bloodline by James Rollins

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Genre - Thriller

History goes back to 1025 in Galilee concerning an ancient citadel where a Templar knight uncovers a holy treasure long hidden within the fortress’s labyrinth. The Bachal Isu, the presumed staff of Jesus Christ is a priceless icon that holds a mysterious and terrifying power that promises to change human longevity for ever.

This ‘new’ technology affects the modern-day version of DNA making it even more priceless. A government appointed agency, SIGMA, end up being in a race against time to save the President’s first unborn grandchild, with his daughter Amanda and her husband’s unscheduled cruise to get away. Overpowered by other professional forces at sea, Amanda’s husband was killed and her own life and that of her baby boy at stake.

A race against time, the elements and that of evil seeping through all pores of the opposition. Great reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo

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Genre - Thriller


A frantic call in the middle of a dark, cold and wet winter’s night is placed to the Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder by one of the Amish community. The Amish community keep to themselves, but lately have been persecuted with events they turn a blind eye to, because of their religion and lifestyle.


Kate finds the parents of 3 children dead in a hog pit, which is in the barn and unless fresh air is around, the pit emanates lethal gases that kill in a short period of time. Is this the reason why they died or is it something more sinister involving the Amish or outsiders?


Very good read and insight to the Amish lifestyle at the same time.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

A Cold and Lonely Place by Sara Henry

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Genre - General Fiction

Freelance writer Troy Chance is snapping photos during a Winter Carnival in a little Adirondack mountain town. She discovers whilst snapping photos during an ice-cutting machine exercise on the Saranac Lake, a face under the ice is discovered and recognised as Tobin whom everyone thought just left the township.

The face belonged to a very wealthy son of a family whose parents did not have great feelings for, and Tobin’s sister Win arrives in the township to oversee the situation. All is not what is seems and a merry dance is led until the final discovery as to why Tobin died in such circumstances. Is his family to blame, or was it his girlfriend who resides in the same boarding house as Troy and has some pretty dark secrets?

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Vanishing Point by Val McDermid

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Genre -Thriller

Stephanie Harker in charge of five year old Jimmy is travelling through O’Hare airport security, and whilst undergoing security herself, finds a uniformed agent leading her boy away.

The authorities are unaware of Jimmy’s existence, they just see a woman out of control and behaving most erratically. Stephanie ends up telling her story to the FBI and it becomes clear that all is not well with the kidnapping of Jimmy. Can she get Jimmy back and who is to blame?

An exciting read leading you on a merry chase and one you need to finish.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Promise by Tony Cavanaugh

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Genre - Mystery, Australian fiction

As critiqued by Graeme Blundell - not for the faint-hearted.  Not a pretty ending, but as an Australian the book makes you plough through in light of knowing our countryside and its areas. A very good crime story, complex and quite a shocker as to what is involved with these types of killers.

The storyline is written around Noosa and Trewantin in the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.  Darian Richards, after sixteen years as the head of Victoria’s Homicide Squad, has had enough and retired to Noosa hoping this would drive away his nightmares of homicide cases he endured.

A deranged serial killer is stalking the Sunshine Coast and young girls have vanished, all blonde and pretty.  The killer knows how to stay under the radar, how to hide in plain sight and how to hurt and kill.  Darian gets involved during his own personal time to try and catch the killer.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Tunnel Vision by Sara Paretsky

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Genre - Mystery

Vic Warshawski  is a private investigator who is always struggling to make ends meet. She is also an advocate for the homeless, particularly women and children whom she has a great empathy with.  The story is a bit of a slow start, when she finds a destitute family in her basement.  However, the storyline gets very involved and whilst only 1 party is murdered, Vic finds herself in plenty of hot water from the police force, government hierarchy and the not so nice people out to end her demise.

A good read, and one that eventually you can’t put down.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

A Distant Land by Alison Booth

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Genre - Australian fiction

Alison Booth born in Melbourne and grew up in Sydney and spent 2 decades in the UK and returned to Melbourne.  She is also a Professor of Economics at the Australian National University.

9 year old Zidra Vincent met Jim Cadwallader in their beautiful home town of Jingera. Jim ended up as a respected war correspondent in Cambodia and Zidra a reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald.  Jim is exposed and captured by the Viet Cong and his family are advised of him being shot.  Zidra who has always wanted to end up with Jim is absolutely devastated.

In the meantime Zidra is embroiled in protecting her very good friend who is fighting for the rights of the aboriginals in Australia, and is being followed by a Government sleuth who pressurizes her to spy, for the sake of her family.  Zidra, learns more about what is happening with her friend Daisy and gives her a tape to record any meetings that are held with this fictitious named-sleuth. This ends up with Zidra’s writing a front-page explosive article on politics and government wrong-doing for which she is widely congratulated.

A very good fictional read and most believable considering Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War at the expense of freedom.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Die Easy by Zoe Sharp

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Genre - Suspense Fiction

Once a special forces soldier and now turned bodyguard, Charlie Fox whose personal life is in turmoil with her lover, Sean Meyer. Charlie and Sean are working as bodyguards for the wealthy at a fund-raising event in aid of the ravaged are of New Orleans from cyclone Katrina.  A robbery explodes into a vicious and deadly hostage situation on a Paddle Steamer owned by the wealthy, and both Charlie and Sean find their clients in dire circumstances fighting for all their lives.

A good thriller with unexpected twists to keep you in suspense.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Suspect by Robert Crais

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Genre - Suspense, Thriller

Maggie is a german shepherd trained to detect IUD’s etc in Afghanistan with her handler Peter, who gets involved in an ambush.  Peter is killed and Maggie stays with him with snipers shooting at her.  They manage to get the dog on the helicopter for treatment.

Scott an LAPD cop is not doing too well after being shot during a hijacking where his partner was killed and himself nearly losing his life.  After recovery, but not completely, Scott wants to still work in the Police force and his only option is to be part of  the infamous LAPD K9 regiment.  This is where Maggie finally ends up with problems associated with sudden noises and no confidence.  Scott wins Maggie over and is after the 4 gunmen who killed his partner and nearly himself. Once again Maggie puts herself on the line for Scott.

You have a certain empathy with the dog and its handlers and can’t help but being over-awed at their capability.  Excellent storyline and a book for the home library.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Tuesday's Gone by Nicci French

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Genre - Psychological Suspense, Thriller

At first, this is slow reading and makes you wonder where the story will take you, but in keeping along the lines of a Psychotherapist, as a reader it is necessary to persevere to appreciate the depth of the story line.

Psychotherapist Frieda Klein assists the police when they discover a body found in the flat of Michelle Doyce who has a mental disorder.  Straight away the police think it a ‘slam dunk’ into the death of the body.  Not the case.  Frieda uncovers a possible identity as that of the body being Robert Poole.  However, we find out that Poole has been dead from 6 years.

In reading Frieda’s lifestyle, her work, patients, friends and police colleagues who are very involved into her way of living within her expectations.  Frieda is unable to discover the real truth, and more bodies are found supposedly suicide cases. Just when you think all is sorted out, a final twist leaves you in suspense.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Catch by Tom Bale

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Genre - Thriller

Two friends Robbie and Dan are thrown into disarray after a simple favour turns into tragedy.  Robbie, who works for his mother’s company Compton Property Services likes to deal behind his mother’s back if it means a bit of cash on the side.  He asks his good friend Dan to accompany him to the local pub and arrange for his sister Cate to hand over an envelope to his client O’Brien who has been indirectly blackmailing another party.

All things turn sour, O’Brien gets hit accidentally by Robbie and Dan who try to cover it up and not admit it was them.  A third party (Blakes) come into the scheme wanting crucial information O’Brien has that would make them very wealthy.  However, nothing stops them from arranging the demise of people who get in the way, and Cate ends up at the wrong end of the scheme.

A very good read and the final outcome is a bit of a surprise, as it does not leave you completely at rest with the result.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Shiver by Karen Robards

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Genre - Romance, Suspense


Samantha Jones is a young mother earning a living driving a tow truck and picking up repossessions in one of the seediest parts of town. She is picking up a new BMW and finds someone in the boot who has been shot and beaten. This person is Danny Panterro under the alias Marcos, who is working undercover for the FBI and found himself near death’s door until Samantha collected his car.


They are running for their lives from a drug running mob who want to kill Danny and anyone who stands in his way. They escape with Samantha’s son Tyler and are put into protective custody. Is this all? They are found out and once again on the run.

A good read with the mob style cruelty in the mix.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

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Genre - Thriller


Detective Alex Cross once again finds himself on Christmas Eve having to attend a crisis scene whereby a father is threatening to murder his own family. Not only does he have to appease his family, but again is called out on Christmas Day to discover a wanted women by the FBI who threatens in the name of Allah to destroy as many American citizens as she can. Alex needs to find out her co-conspirers and once again, is in a life threatening situation.


A good read for Patterson fans. Did you know that James Patterson has also written children’s books which started off as an encouragement for his own son who did not always like reading?


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Alone by Lisa Gardner

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Genre - Thriller


Psychological thriller – Massachusetts State Trooper Bobby Dodge finds himself in the position of being a sharp-shooter under the direction of the Police, kills a man who was aiming a gun at his wife and small child. Was this the case? The wife, Catherine Gagnon is the daughter in law of the infamous Judge Gagnon who is out to put Bobby behind bars.


Not so easy as it seems, delving deeper into Bobby’s, Catherine’s and the Judge’s lives, rears an ugly head. Bobby is left on his own to defend himself as a true lawman.

Good fast read and very sticky ending situation.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Educating Alice by Alice Greenup

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Genre - Biography, Australian


This is one of the best biographies you can read. Set in rural outback Queensland, the sheer power of Alice’s transformation from an outgoing 18yo from the leafy suburbs of Brighton Beach (Melbourne) to the humble beginnings at Yepoon and then further afield. From an outgoing teenager who knew all and a gap year to ride around Australia with her brother’s friend, finding herself dumped in Alice Springs, brings a revelation that life has not started.


Alice has had to learn the outback ways, what is expected with her first job as a Governess to a very strict couple and in her spare time no television, radio or even not able to use a mobile. Is this the life for her? After all, a cow is a cow and likewise so is a horse is her only knowledge of the running of an outback station.


Alice’s empathy with the land and her transformation took quite some time with hard work and always at the back of her mind to finish her studies which she did. Time away from her beloved ‘mate’ Rick was a test in the strength of their relationship. With adversities from the dry weather conditions, Alice’s health and an accident which did not seem possible to come through unscathed.


The story starts a bit on the slow side, but nevertheless descriptive to the environment keeps you reading and wishing there was another book in the offing.


I have never read such a great biography with so much emotion and feelings for our beloved country, makes you feel lucky no matter what your situation is.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

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Genre - Thriller


Gracie Doyle who took over her father’s business in running a Casino in Manchester and is known to run a tight ship. She has been estranged from her mother and 2 brothers since she found out that her mother was having affairs. Gracie is visited at her Casino by police who inform her one of her brothers is critically injured in a London hospital.


London is also where her estranged husband of 5 years Lorcan also has a casino. Gracie returns to London and finds herself embroiled in the life style of her brothers and mother, which she discovers, are also in danger.


Rather a powerful read and a few home truths on the seamy side of the Casino lifestyle.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat