Broken Monsters

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
442 Pages

The book opens with the discovery of a bizaare crime.  A young boy has been killed and cut in half.  From the waist down he has the body of a fawn.  Dectective Gabriella Versado is the lead investigator of the murder in a story that revolves around the dying city of Detroit.  A wide cast of characters populates the book from T.K. a homeless guy to Jonno, a journalist trying to get ahead with an online blog.

A fairly good procedural interspersed with a fantastical streak that in my opinion takes away from the story.  I understand that the author was trying to show the killer's worldview but when it started affecting others it brought the story down.

Missing You

Missing You by Harlan Coben
399 Pages

In this stand alone book by Coben, NYPD detective Kat Donovan is signed up for an online dating site by her friend.  While looking through the profiles she finds one for the man the proposed to her 18 years ago and then walked away as she became obsessed with the death of her father.  But something isn't quite right with the reponse she gets from him and it turns out that the website is part of a much bigger conspiracy. 

At the same time Donovan is re investigating her father's murder and the answers she finds may destroy her world and the image of her father.

 A fast paced thriller/mystery, Coben again proves why he is a top rated NY Times bestseller author.

Blackberry Pie Murder

Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
357 Pages
 

Hanna Swenson is back on the case.  The problem is that this time the murder suspect is herself.  She was driving in the rain and hit a man who died of his injuries.  Now she will be brought up on charges of vehicular manslaughter.  Hannah is still busy though, trying to figure out who the man was and why he was in Lake Eden.  Adding to the confusion is a girl, sister to one of Michelle’s (Hannah’s sister) best friends, who has returned several years after running away at age 14.  Michelle’s friend doesn’t believe that she is who she says and asks for Hannah’s help.  As if that weren’t enough, all three sisters, Hannah, Andrea and Michelle, are trying to plan their mother’s wedding, which wouldn’t be so hard, except that the wedding is only about a month away and their mother won’t finalize any decisions.  Hannah’s life is never quiet but always interesting.  This latest installment is just as good as the rest of the series, and the recipes also look good.  Fans of humorous mysteries should like this book.