We’ll kick off the round-up with “Cold Case Squad” by Edna Buchanan (Simon & Schuster, 2004, $22.95) Buchanan, a Pulitzer Prize winner reporter who worked the police beat at the Miami Herald for almost 20 years, certainly has the background to write a thriller.
Craig Burch, K.C. Riley, Sam Stone and Pete Nazario make up the cold case squad for the Miami Police Department.
When a woman claims she’s seen her ex-husband (who supposedly burned to death 12 years earlier), the team reluctantly begins an investigation.
This compelling book keeps a reader’s attention, focusing on the personal lives of the team as well as the crime.
Joel Goldman’s “Cold Truth” (Pinnacle, 2004, $6.99) offers us a fast-paced legal thriller.
Radio personality Dr. Gina Davenport’s dramatic fall (and death) are caught on tape by a camera crew.
The radio station owner hires attorney Lou Mason to defend his daughter, who is accused of the murder. Lou is pretty sure she’s innocent, and of course, he can’t stop himself from investigating the crime.
This one’s a paperback that makes good beach reading.
“The Last to Die” by Beverly Barton (Zebra, 2004, $6.50) is billed as romantic suspense — and suspenseful it is. I include it in this round-up because readers can choose their favorite part — the romance (which is a good one) or the suspense.
Jazzy Talbot, who was introduced in an earlier book by Barton, becomes the prime suspect when her former lover, Jamie Upton, is murdered. All signs point to her guilt
And now, a woman looking remarkably like Jazzy has come to town, asking if they could possibly be sisters.
Since this book was one of a series, there are unanswered questions at the end. But never fear, the sequel, “As Good As Dead,” is on the way. And I admit to having a galley copy of that book. I don’t think readers will be disappointed in Barton’s efforts.
In Troy Soos’s second book, “The Gilded Cage,” (Kensington, 2004, $6.99) set in 1893 New York City, we follow the adventures of Rebecca Davies, a young woman of wealthy background, and her boyfriend, Marshall Webb, a freelance reporter and novelist.
This is a wonderful historical mystery.
Stuart Woods brings back William Henry Lee IV in “Capital Crimes” (Signet, 2004, $7.99) Woods has been a favorite of mine for many years since his first book, “Chiefs.”
Lee, formerly a senator from Georgia, is now the president. His wife is the director of the CIA (like that’s going to happen in real life). A series of murders targets right-wing political figures means an investigation by the authorities. We know pretty quickly the “who” but not the “when and where.”
When “Married to Murder” by Robert Scott (Pinnacle, 2004, $6.50) crossed my desk, I knew when I saw the synopsis on the back that I had seen a television show featuring this case.
Robert Spangler eventually confessed to murdering not only his first wife and two children, but his third wife as well. When his second wife, who was bright enough to divorce him, committed suicide, the investigation began in earnest.
A typical true crime book for those who like them.
Faye Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com.
