The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerrtisen

Following a painful divorce, Julia Hamill takes a chance buying an old dilapidated historic home in a small town outside of Boston. While digging in the garden, Julia finds an old skeleton buried in the yard. She feels compelled to discover who lies in this unmarked grave and together with a relative of the previous owner, digs into family treasures that bring them on a journey back to Boston in the 1830's and tells the story of a city divided by class lines and the fear invoked by a Jack the Ripper style serial killer.

I really enjoyed this one. I was glued to the book from beginning to the end. It wasn't as suspenseful as it could have been, but I was really drawn in by the characters and the developing story being unfolded as Julia and Henry read all of those old letters.

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

Assistant Prosecutor, Emily Wallace, has landed the trial that will either make or break her career. When famous Broadway star, Natalie Raines, is found murdered, her estranged husband, Gregg Aldrich, becomes the prime suspect but there is not enough evidence to go to trial. Two years later career criminal Jimmy Easton, arrested for burglary, pleads a deal claiming to have information connecting Gregg to Natalie's murder.

Emily, having recently lost her husband to a roadside bomb in Iraq and then recovering from a heart transplant surgery, needs this trial to go her way. Will the jury believe Jimmy Easton's testimony? Is he telling the truth?

I have been a long-time fan of Mary Higgins Clark. In fact I began reading her books when I was in the sixth grade. In the past few years her books just have not been as good as they once were. While I liked this book well enough in the end, I didn't find it all that suspenseful and it was pretty predictable. It felt like there were all of these random things going on (the heart transplant story line, the serial killer next door, the trial, etc) and then it all just came to a quick end in the matter of ten pages. I will continue to be a loyal reader of hers, more out of habit than anything else, but this wasn't one of my favorites.

Rules of Prey and Wintergirls

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia's best friend Cassie is found dead in a motel room. Dead and alone. She called Lia 33 times that night, but Lia never answered. Lia keeps this secret while fighting her own demons in her "matchstick body" while her busy and successful parents live their own lives oblivious to what is really going on. Lia's goals are simple: stay in control, eat as little as possible, and get to her goal weight: 0.

I love every single one of Laurie Halse Andersons books. They are so powerful. This one will take your breath away.


Rules of Prey by John Sandford

Lieut. Lucas Davenport is a tough, brilliant, and unstoppable detective with an itchy trigger finger. Davenport is asked to step in and help stop a serial killer preying on dark haired women. But has Davenport met his match with this "maddog" killer who seems to stay one step ahead?

This is the first in the Prey series. I have been meaning to read this series for a while now and am glad I finally got started. Will definitely read through the entire series.

18 Seconds by George D. Shuman

18 Seconds by George D. Shuman

Sherry Moore has a unique gift. Even though she is blind, she is able to see the last 18 seconds of a person's life by grasping the hand of the deceased. For several years, Sherry has used this gift to help many police investigations, archeologists, and more. When a local woman is found murdered in Philadelphia, Sherry sees images that seem familiar.

Meanwhile in New Jersey, Lieutenant Kelly O'Shaughnesey is investigating the disappearances of two young women. She gets a call from a Detective in Philadelphia that seems to connect what is going on in New Jersey to the murder in Philadelphia. Sherry and Det. John Payne travel to New Jersey to join forces with Lieut. O'Shaughnessey landing them all face to face with a vicious psychopath who has nothing to lose.

I really loved this one. It was fast paced and thrilling with an interesting concept. I will definitely read the next two in the series.

When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski

When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski

Mary Ann Winkowski is a consultant for the show The Ghost Whisperer. In this book, Winskowski talks about her childhood, how her grandmother discovered and nurtured her gift, and how her gift works. The book is filled with amazing stories of Winkowski talking to various "earth bound" spirits and how she helped them cross into the light and helped their families cope with the loss by providing information and comfort.

Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun by Victoria Laurie

Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun by Victoria Laurie

MJ Holliday's business partner, Gil, has worked a deal for MJ to work on the production of a new show that features Mediums connecting to spirits attached to "haunted objects" in San Francisco. Reluctantly, MJ and the team check into the famous and famously haunted Duke Hotel. Upon arrival, MJ connects to the spirit of a murdered young woman, Sophie, in the parking lot and meets Det. MacDonald who is immediately impressed with MJ's abilities.

MJ, Gil, and Stephen along with new firend and fellow medium, Heath, aren't at the Duke long when they become entangled in a web of spirits including a very powerful and evil demonic entity.

This is the third book in the Ghost Hunter series. As with the others, this one is a lot of fun and a little creepy. I really enjoy all of Victoria Laurie's books. Can't wait for #4!!