Publisher: William Morrow
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/25/2011
ISBN-13: 9780062092847
ISBN-10: 0062092847

Thriller. In a nutshell, criminal nutbar/deranged serial killer Serge Storms wants to wish you a very merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and a prosperous New Year. He also wants to become a family man and celebrate Christmas right, but Serge's special brand of Christmas cheer involves dope-laced gingerbread (thanks to his perpetually stoned sidekick Coleman), two girls on the run after a bar-related "incident," and his usual ability to solve problems permanently -- which this time involves dressing up as an elf. For a holiday novel, this 14th in the Serge Storms series is among the most manic, but newcomers should start with Florida Roadkill.

Publisher: Soho Crime
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/08/2011
ISBN-13: 9781569479810
ISBN-10: 156947981X

Thriller. This English-language release of the 1st entry in a bestselling Danish series introduces Red Cross nurse and compulsive do-gooder Nina Borg, who is drawn into Copenhagen's brutal underworld when, as a favor for a friend, she picks up a suitcase at the city's train station. But the suitcase contains a three-year-old boy, naked, unconscious, and with no identification. Unwilling to hand him over to authorities, and soon in danger herself, Nina is determined to protect the child, who speaks no Danish. As their story intersects with those of a wealthy but worried man, a desperate mother, and a huge Lithuanian, the tension increases. "Warning!" cautions Denmark's Elle magazine, "If you open this book, your life will be on stand-by."

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Publisher: Harper
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/27/2011
ISBN-13: 9780061340789
ISBN-10: 0061340782

Thriller. As far as last words go, "worms!" is probably among the most perplexing. Nevertheless, that is exactly what psychologist Tom Crandall's brother says before falling off a cliff. Fortunately, Tom rescues him, allowing Nick the chance to come up with better words next time. But the Crandall family has other problems -- sister Rikki is being threatened, while another brother, Paul, is involved with a shady physicist turned film-maker, who plans to use a Crandall property for a movie. And all over L.A., people are behaving violently and self-destructively. There's also some technology that will make Michael Crichton's fans happy, while those simply looking for an edge-of-the-seat read will surely be satisfied.

Publisher: Soho Crime
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/04/2011
ISBN-13: 9781569479834
ISBN-10: 1569479836

Crime Fiction. Northern Ireland's Belfast has the meanest streets around, if author Stuart Neville is to be believed. In Stolen Souls, prostitutes are being killed in ever increasing numbers, an issue that has competition for Detective Inspector Jack Lennon's attention -- he's also concerned with dirty cops in his department and his plans for Christmas. But things will come to a head when a 19-year-old Ukrainian girl, forced into prostitution, kills the brother of a notorious crime boss in self-defense. Dark, tense, and suspenseful, this one will have you "reading madly to get to the end" (Los Angeles Times).

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Publisher: Pocket Star Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/27/2004
ISBN-13: 9780743456395
ISBN-10: 0743456394

Suspense Fiction. Though semi-secluded in Maine, former New York City cop Charlie Parker has been asked to help investigate a death in Charleston, South Carolina. The daughter of one of the richest men in town, Marianne Larousse was a beautiful white girl dating a young black man who now stands accused of her murder. In addition to this investigation, there's a threatening Baptist preacher, the ghostly appearances of a missing girl, ties to the Ku Klux Klan, and a creepy Cadillac with an invisible passenger. The White Road is the 4th in the Charlie Parker series; if you're new to it, you should start with the 1st, Every Dead Thing.

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Publisher: Harcourt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/05/2006
ISBN-13: 9780151012176
ISBN-10: 0151012172

Crime Thriller. In his 3rd appearance, private detective Scott Weiss is searching for a prostitute with the face of an angel (fans will remember Julie) who is being hunted by a serial killer with the heart of a devil and a gift for disguises (you'll also remember Shadowman). Toss in Weiss operative P.I. Jim Bishop (yes, fans know him too) and the author himself appearing as a character, then add various games of one-upmanship between Weiss and the killer, and the result is a book that mixes together familiar elements but goes down an entirely new street. Booklist says you'll be in "agony to know how the final shot is fired."

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Publisher: Doubleday
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/10/2010
ISBN-13: 9780385531061
ISBN-10: 0385531060

Legal Thriller. At the prestigious New York law firm of Blake and Wolcott, Duncan Riley is trying to make partner. His two cases -- one for a wealthy property owner, the other a pro bono case -- should help him get there. But Riley soon learns that the pro bono case is much thornier than it seems, and it appears to taint the property owner who is the firm's biggest client. Layers of deception, corruption, and greed are slowly unveiled as the ethical Riley refuses to bow to pressure. Blind Man's Alley, which has been compared to John Grisham's early works, is the second legal thriller by Justin Peacock, whose debut, A Cure for Night, was nominated for the Edgar Award in 2009.

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Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/11/2006
ISBN-13: 9780312332037
ISBN-10: 0312332033

Spy Fiction. After being accused of sabotaging a mission, loyal agent Brano Sev (of an unnamed Eastern European country) has one chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his employers, but his assignment -- to interrogate a potential defector -- is complicated by a murder. Framed, Brano gets no help from his colleagues. Featuring an intriguing mix of espionage and mystery, 36 Yalta Boulevard is the 3rd in a loosely knit literary series chronicling Eastern Europe over approximately 40 years; the 1st was The Bridge of Sighs. Fans of John le Carré and Graham Greene will find much to enjoy.

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Publisher: Grand Central
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/01/2005
ISBN-13: 9780446400220
ISBN-10: 044640022X

Comic Caper. Though a creative problem-solver, John Dortmunder is the most hapless of crooks -- things just seem to fall apart around him. In this 11th book in the series, Dortmunder and his gang have taken jobs with a corrupt CEO's household staff in order to (eventually) steal his classic car collection. But with several other equally blundering people also looking to get to the disgraced CEO, Dortmunder's clever plan rapidly goes to pieces as both boss and butler (Dortmunder himself) get kidnapped. Mayhem -- of the comedic kind -- rapidly ensues. Pick this up for off-beat humor and imaginative schemes -- you needn't be familiar with the series to enjoy it.

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