The Analyst by John Katzenbach [FIC KAT] - The analyst of the title receives a letter on his 53rd birthday accusing him of ruining the writer’s life. The letter is signed Rumpelstiltskin. The analyst must guess who the writer is within two weeks or commit suicide. If he does not, the writer will ruin the life of the one dearest to him. You won’t be able to put this down!

The Beach House by James Patterson [FIC PAT, LP] - This thriller features Jack Mullen, a law student in New York City. He is told by the powers that be that his brother drowned in an accident, but Jack knows this cannot be true and vows to find his brother’s killer.

Double Play by Robert B. Parker [FIC PAR, LP] - Set in 1947, this ode to baseball when it was still the national pastime imagines what it was like for Jackie Robinson, and most particularly his fictional bodyguard, to see the color barrier broken in Major League Baseball.

Grand Avenue by Joy Fielding [FIC FIE, LP] - This is a page-turning romantic drama focusing on four women who become friends as young mothers living on upscale Grand Avenue. Over the years, they go through a whole range of experiences that test their bond. Fast-paced with complex characters.

Her by Laura Zigman [FIC ZIG] - Elise and Donald meet, fall in love and plan to marry. Just months before the wedding, however, Donald’s ex-fiancee moves to town. She is Yale educated, of French extraction, brilliant, and gorgeous. Elise becomes obsessed with her, and her obsession threatens to destroy her relationship.

The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw [639.54 GRE, LP] - Greenlaw offers tales of her adventures as a Maine lobsterwoman. She lives on tiny Isle au Haut, population 70 (30 of whom are her relatives), and offers her take on everything from island characters to family, home and the best way to cook a lobster.

Mr. Maybe by Jane Green [FIC GRE] - Libby Mason is a single publicist looking for Mr. Right, which also means Mr. Rich. Her current boyfriend is strapped-for-cash, but sexy. Then Ed enters the picture. He is one of Britain’s wealthiest but stodgiest bachelors. Can her fairly-tale be re-written?

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman [FIC HOF] - This is a magical, mystical tale about the women of New England’s Sparrow family. Each has a special gift that has kept them estranged. Now, there is a family crisis and they must find a way to come together.

Right as Rain by George Pelecanos [MYS PEL] - Derek Strange is an ex-cop turned private detective. Strange is hired by the mother of a young cop killed by another cop to clear up doubts surrounding her son’s death. This is a fast-paced thriller set on the streets of Washington, D.C.

Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews [FIC AND] - This is a witty, wisecracking tale of divorce. Eloise Foley married well and found herself living in a ritzy town house in Savannah’s historic district. Now divorced, she is banished to the backyard carriage house where she has launched a spite fest against her ex-husband’s new fiancee.

Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray [FIC RAY, LP] - Caroline owns a dance school. Her husband and daughter are both lawyers. All are doing what they want. Then, the daughter becomes engaged and has doubts about her decision, Caroline’s estranged sister decides to move in after her husband abandons her and the house’s foundation begins to rot.

Wild Designs by Katie Fforde [FIC FFO] - A Cinderella story with a twist. This Cinderella is a single mom with three nearly grown children who falls in love with a millionaire. But will she have a fairly tale ending? A lively cast of British characters get in the way of the dream.

Previous Issues of Book Notes
September/October 2004
November/December2004
January/February 2005
March/April 2005
May/June 2005

Authors to Try:
Katie Fforde [FIC FFO]
Jane Heller [FIC HEL]
Lorna Landvik [FIC LAN]
Elinor Lipman [FIC LIP]
Andriana Trigiani [FIC TRI]

Specific Titles to Try:
Beginner’s Luck by Laura Pedersen [FIC PED]
Bread Alone by Judith Hendrick [FIC HEN - MDT location]
The Daddy Clock by Judy Markey [FIC MAR]
A False Sense of Well Being by Jeanne Braselton [FIC BRA]
Good Grief by Loly Winston [FIC WIN, LP]
Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross [FIC ROS, LP]

If you are a mystery reader and are always on the lookout for new good mysteries, you’ll want to take a look at this site devoted to mystery fans of all types:

    This fan-generated site offers a wide range of features to help the dedicated mystery lover find just the right book. You will find news and reviews of mystery novels. The left side of the screen lists many kinds of mysteries (police/detective, thrillers, suspense, cozy, historical, romantic suspense), so you can target your search to your specific taste.

    You will find information on both new and well-known authors. There is even a section called “author freebies.” There is an archives section so you can see any articles, reviews, or features you may have missed. They even offer an email newsletter if you’re interested.

Fiction
Henry O. Mystery Series by Carolyn Hart [MYS HAR]
Jane Austen in Boca by Paula M. Cohen [FIC COH, LP]
Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray [FIC RAY, LP]
Miss Julie Series by Ann B. Ross [FIC ROS, LP]
Miss Melville Mystery Series by Evelyn Smith [MYS SMI]
My Dream of You by Nuala O’Faolain [FIC OFA, LP]
Night Gardening by E.L. Swann [FIC SWA]
The Red Hat Club by Haywood Smith [FIC SMI, LP]
Stephanie Plum Mystery Series by Janet Evanovich [MYS EVA]
The Sweet Potato Queen’s Book of Love by Jill Connor Browne [FIC BRO]

Non-Fiction
Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life and Comic Art of Lucille Ball by Stefan Kanfer [B BAL]
Having Our Say by the Delaney Sisters [B DEL, CAS, LP]
Life of the Party: The Biography of Pamela Digby Churchill Hayward Harriman by Christopher Ogden [B HAR]
Round-Heeled Woman: My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance by Jane Juska [305.26 JUS]
When I Am Old I Shall Wear Purple by Jenny Joseph (ed.) [305.4 WHE, CAS]
A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson [B AND, LP]