Mystery Annotation

Dirty Martini by J.A. Konrath

Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels is a tough Chicago cop.  She’s currently in charge of tracking down the guy calling himself “The Chemist” who’s been poisoning food supplies all over Chicago.  Her partner Herb wants to transfer out of homicide and there’s a girl in her office, blonde hair with pink highlights, named Roxy who says she’s her new partner.  It’s been a rough day and it’s going to get worse.   When the city decides to pay the two million dollar ransom he’s requested, The Chemist wants Jack to deliver it.  The FBI profiler thinks he’ll take the money and run, but Jack doesn’t believe it; something just doesn’t fit.  Will Jack figure it out before it’s too late?   

Elements of Appeal:

Mystery Characteristics

• The solving of the mass murders by the poisoner drives the plot
• The story focuses on Jack, the lead detective, her team, and the FBI consultant working with them, but includes some very interesting side characters, such as Jack’s former partner, Harry McGlade
• The tone is suspenseful, funny, and violent
• The frame is urban – Chicago
• The mood is gritty, but includes enough humor to make you laugh out loud at times
• The pacing is quick and relentless, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final showdown with the villain

Police mystery – Jack is a police detective, the setting is urban, and the police department is working on more than one case, although The Chemist is central.

  

Other books that may appeal to readers who liked Dirty Martini:

The other books in the Jack Daniels series will appeal to fans of Jack and of Konrath’s dark humor.

The “In Death” series by J.D. Robb also features a strong, flawed female police detective.  These books also have an urban frame, gritty tone, great support characters, and some humor.  This series is set in the near future – around 2060.

Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum mysteries are more humorous and less dark than J.A. Konrath’s, but share some appeal features – urban setting, strong if somewhat clumsy female lead, and plenty of violence.

Wanna Get Lucky by Deborah Coontz is a witty mystery with an urban setting – Las Vegas, humor, and a strong female protagonist.

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo is a dark and gritty mystery featuring Kate Burkholder a former Amish police detective who returns to her home town and becomes chief of police.  When grisly murders occur, she must face her past and seek assistance from a BCI detective with a dark past of his own. 

My Opinion:

I like Jack.  The book is not as brutal as the first three in the series and the dialogue is more realistic. Jack's partner Herb and her ex-partner McGlade are fun characters, and even the villain in this one has a purpose that is somewhat sympathetic.

Jessica, here is a possibility for your message in a bottle board.  Loved your idea!  I cut the bottle shape out of red paper, cut a slit in the mouth, rolled a piece of white paper around a pen, and placed it in the slit so it's sticking up out of the mouth of the bottle.

Gentle Reads - Inspirational Romance

A Rescued Heart by Natalie Replogle

Ava Williams, a Kindergarten teacher loves her kids and works to make a difference in their lives, but is haunted by a broken engagement that left her at the altar alone.  Matt Thompson is a police officer and SWAT team member who visits her classroom to tell the kids about his job.  Attraction flares between them; Matt is interested in beautiful, kind Ava, but Ava is afraid to trust again.  Gradually, they begin a relationship and Ava begins to trust again as Matt patiently pursues her.  Ava befriends the mother of a student and becomes involved in trying to help her escape an abusive relationship, which involves her in an explosive situation, bringing danger into her life.  Matt and Ava’s love for each other grows and brings them together in spite of the difficulties, and they are able to face and overcome the danger together.  This book is a slow, sweet ride with enough action and danger to keep the pages turning.

Elements of Appeal:

Tone- upbeat and touching with traditional values

Language – no profanity at all

Characters – the story is driven by the relationships between the characters who are likeable and real, facing real life issues with good humor and faith

Setting – the setting is contemporary and full of domestic pleasures

Pacing – the pacing is leisurely and focuses on the likable characters, but does contain some suspense

Other choices for readers who enjoyed this book:

A Rescued Hope by Natalie Replogle

In this sequel to A Rescued Heart, Matt and Ava are back.  As their wedding approaches, their relationship is threatened by circumstances that drive a wedge between.  Ava’s best friend Jules and Matt’s partner Derek’s paths cross and sparks fly.  Ava becomes the target of dangerous man.

A Rescued Love by Natalie Replogle

In this third and final chapter of the Come to My Rescue Romance series, Jules and Derek draw closer, but dark circumstances will either draw them closer together or rip them apart.

The Marriage Wish by Dee Henderson

On his 38^th birthday, Scott Williams wishes for a wife and family.   When he fall for the beautiful Jennifer St. James, he must help her wounded heart heal with faith and his unconditional love.

 True Devotion by Dee Henderson

Lifeguard Kelly Jacobs must face her fear of loving another man in a dangerous profession after her Navy Seal husband is killed.  Navy Seal Joe “Bear” Baker loves Kelly, but is afraid to profess it to her.  Danger brings them together and faith helps them face their pasts.

Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

This Inspirational Romance is set in the Old West instead of a contemporary city, but the characters are likable people facing pain with strength and faith.  Marty is a young woman whose husband is killed as they arrive in the West and she must face life alone with her unborn child. 

My opinion:

I chose A Rescued Heart because it was written by a local author who visited my library.  While this book was a change of pace from what I usually read, it was a nice book, a quick read, and kept my attention.  I'm looking forward to reading the next two in this series. 

Simple Readers' Advisory Promotion

Retrieved from zazzle.com

I came across this awesome Readers' Advisory idea on Pinterest.  Each staff member wears this button and fills in the blank.  This provides a great opportunity for patron to ask about the current read.  I'm thinking this is a very simple idea, but effective.

Romance Display and Craft

Retrieved from Pinterest

Each year we celebrate Library Lovers Month in February. We usually cut out hearts for patrons to write why they love the library and post them on the front of the circulation desk.  We also give away book marks and have a make and take craft for anyone to do.  I think these little folded heart book marks would be fun to make.  I also think Library Lovers Month is an excellent time to highlight our romance collection.  We can cut out hearts and place them on a table in front of the circulation desk with pens and a heart-shaped basket.  We will make a sign that says: "Write the title of your favorite love story on a heart and put it in the basket.  If you're looking for a great love story, feel free to take a heart and bring it to the desk - we'll help you find the book.  You may discover your next favorite love story!"  We could incorporate Readers' Advisory by adding to the sign: "If you don't see a story you want to read, ask.  We have tools to help you find your next favorite book."

Paranormal Romance

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Synopsis:

“Pia was blackmailed into committing a crime more suicidal than she could possibly have imagined, and she had no one to blame but herself.” This opening line sets the mood for the book, and it doesn’t stop until the final exciting conclusion. Pia Giovanni is a half Wyr who has spent her entire life working very hard to stay under the radar, hiding her true identity, as her mother carefully taught her.  Now, she’s stolen from one of the oldest and most powerful of the elder races.  Dragons are very attached to their hoards, and Dragos, a shape-shifting dragon has no intention of letting the thief get away with it.  It is only a matter of time before he finds and captures the thief, but before he can get her back to his tower, they are shot with magical Elven arrows, captured by goblins, and chased by Dark Fae.   As Pia and Dragos seek answers and fight the dark forces together, they cease to fight their attraction for each other.  This steamy paranormal romance is populated by dragons, gryphons, faeries, a harpy, and magical other lands, all existing together with humans.  

Elements of Appeal:

Paranormal – Ms. Harrison is an excellent world builder, giving the background life and believability.  The magical “other lands” are vibrant.  The United States has been divided into demesnes presided over by different factions of paranormal creatures , the elder races, including Wyrkind, Elves, Dark Fae, Light Fae, and Nightkind. 

Suspense – The action takes place within a reasonably short time-frame.  The atmosphere is tension-filled with danger lurking around every corner.  The action begins with the first line of the story and rarely lets up until the final conclusion.  The protagonist is in peril from all sides, but is a strong lead character who doesn’t give up. 

Romance - The emotional tone of the story draws the reader in.  The characters are easily identifiable types, the strong rugged, dangerous male (doesn’t get much more rugged and dangerous than a dragon) and the strong, intelligent female.  The story is framed by the paranormal elements and the magical world, but these are secondary to the love story.  This is a steamy love story with a happy ending.

My opinion:

It's been a long time since I read a romance novel, and I enjoyed this one.  I really liked Pia and her world.  Dragos was a force to be reckoned with, but honorable and eventually likable.  I enjoyed the other characters that populated this story.  All in all, it kept my attention and engaged my imagination.  I would recommend it.

Other books you may enjoy if you liked Dragon Bound:

Storm’s Heart by Thea Harrison

This sequel to Dragon Bound by author Thea Harrison will appeal to readers who loved Dragos and Pia.  Both of the main characters were introduced in Dragon Bound and Pia and Dragos make cameo appearances.  

Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter

This steamy paranormal romance takes us to Atlantis where Grace, a woman searching for her missing brother, meets Darius, a shape-shifting dragon warrior who may have just met his match.

A Highland Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear

This steamy paranormal romance finds combines kilt-clad, sword wielding Scots, werewolves, danger and humor.  Calla Stewart has finally seen the light and called off her engagement to Baird McKinley and is looking forward to planning a celebration for a Scottish clan, but not to dealing with their penny-pinching werewolf money manager, Guthrie MacNeill.  When she is threatened by her former fiancé, Guthrie’s protective instincts are engaged.  This tale is fast paced and often humorous.

Blue Moon by Lori Handeland

In this action packed, sassy and suspenseful paranormal romance, no-nonsense police officer Jesse McQuaid, who doesn’t believe in the supernatural must seek the aid of mythology professor and Native American activist, Will Cadotte when bodies start turning up in the forest and werewolves are suspected.

Storm Warrior by Dani Harper

In this engaging paranormal romance, Veterinarian Morgan Edwards travels to Wales to learn more about the land of her ancestors.  There she unwittingly breaks the curse on binding fierce Celtic warrior, Rhys to roam the Earth for eternity.  When he follows her home to Spokane, the two must navigate the unknown paths of love and faith.

Kirkus-style review of Paw and Order

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn

This seventh installment in the Chet and Bernie Mysteries finds Bernie Little and his partner Chet the dog embroiled in political intrigue in the nation’s capital.  

Chet, who flunked out of K-9 school and prefers not to talk about it, is riding shotgun in Bernie’s real old Porsche when he smells barbecue.  After a small misunderstanding at the barbecue place, Chet notices a biker gal whipping out a little pink-handled gun, and “The next thing I knew I had that little pink popgun in my mouth and the thick-necked biker gal was holding her wrist and calling me names I’m sure she didn’t mean.”   Chet and Bernie then head east, little pink gun in glove-box, to visit Suzie Sanchez, an up and coming journalist in Washington D.C. and Bernie’s girlfriend.  Upon their arrival, Bernie meets Eben St. John, a friend and informant of Suzie’s to whom he takes an instant dislike (most likely due to the English accent and some hand-kissing by said informant.)  When Suzie finds Eben dead and a particular pink-handled gun turns up at the scene, Bernie ends up in jail and Chet must help him find the real killer to prove his innocence.  After a few twists and turns, some political intrigue, the “accidental” destruction of a spy drone, a little bit of international espionage, some very clever sniffing and at least one pants-leg grabbing, Chet and Bernie discover the truth, justice is done, and Suzie just might forgive Bernie. 

Spencer Quinn is brilliant at the dogs-eye point of view, the story is fast-paced, humorous and insightful, and Chet is irresistible. 

Prompt Response 2 - Reviews

After reading the reviews of the e-book only Romantic Suspense, The Billionaire’s First Christmas, I find no elements of suspense mentioned.  It strikes me as straight romance.  I did not read anything in any review that indicates a threatened heroine placed in danger as mentioned in this week’s Powerpoint.  I might buy it for the collection because it sounds sweet and readers, especially romance readers, seem to enjoy a good Christmas story.  I checked out reviews on Amazon and Goodreads as well.  I am a little concerned by the fact that so many reviewers said the writing was stilted and filled with grammatical errors – that is a pet peeve of mine. 

After reading the reviews, I would definitely buy Angela’s Ashes if I were selecting.  These words make it a must:  “An extraordinary work in every way” (Kirkus Reviews), “almost impossible to put down… a wonderful book… strongly recommended” (Library Journal),  “Readers will enjoy the humor and the music in the language. A vivid, wonderfully readable memoir.” (School Library Journal) I perused reviews in Goodreads and found most either loved it or hated it.  Sounds like something a public library should have!

I wish all books were given equal weight in reviews, but that is not going to happen.  It would be easier for those selecting for a library collection, but where there is a dearth of professional reviews, at least we have Goodreads, blogs, and other reader reviews.  Public library collections should represent the interests of all of readers and since it is not possible to read every book written, (alas!) reviews are a good tool.  I think review sources should print both positive and negative reviews (within reason – no reason to be unpleasant) as this makes it easier to judge the work.  Not everyone is going to like every book!

I am currently not selecting at my library, but I know the fiction selector for EPL reads lots of reviews.  She uses RT. Review, Entertainment Weekly, NY Bestseller list, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and others.  When I‘m choosing a book to read for myself, I take suggestions from friends, and browse books I check in.  I like different kinds of books, so I’m willing to try just about anything.  If I don’t like it, it was still a learning experience.

Tina, the secret shopper spy!

I would not be a good spy!  As a “secret shopper” I felt very conspicuous, although it is quite obvious no one questioned my purpose at all.  So, the intrigue was entirely one-sided, but I enjoyed it anyway.  I visited a large public library on a Friday afternoon at around 1:30.  It was not very busy in the library; I saw only a few other patrons.  I chose a library that is close to my own library both in distance and size of population served.  I thought the comparison would be a good learning experience for me.

I entered through the front door and saw the circulation desk immediately to my left.  I wandered slowly through the large atrium looking around.  There were two or three staff members behind the circulation desk, but all of them were busy and didn’t seem to notice me; no one spoke to me.  I continued on through the library, venturing into the stacks.  I did not notice any readers’ advisory signs, but there were several booklists and bookmarks with read-alike titles listed.  I wandered the stacks for 5 minutes or so.  As I didn't see any staff members, I wandered by the reference/info desk, which was easy to find.  Both reference librarians seemed busy – one was on the phone and the other on her computer.

I decided to try to look lost, checked out a Valentine display case that was close to the reference desk, and wandered a bit more.  Since no one asked if I needed help, I decided that approaching the reference desk was my best bet, so I went over and stood in front of the librarian who wasn't on the phone.  She looked up and smiled – whew!  I said, “I’m looking for a book.”  She asked what she could find for me.  I told her I needed something to read; I had been reading the In Death series by J.D. Robb and was sad because I had finished the entire series.

She first asked if I was on the holds list for Obsession in Death (the next book in the series) and I told her I was.  She said she was, too and mourned the fact that she was seventh on the list.  She maintained eye contact with me as she said this.  This made me comfortable with her and encouraged me to chat about the books, characters, etc.  She then asked me what I liked about the series: the romance, the mystery; articulating the books’ appeal for me.  (So far, she’s doing very well!)  I said I liked the characters, the relationships and interactions between them, following them through the series and getting to know them. 

While she talked with me, she was on her computer, consulting a source, but she did not say anything about it to me, just kept chatting with me about Eve and Rourke (the main characters in the In Death series) keeping the conversation flowing.  She asked me if I’d read any of the Sue Grafton mysteries.  I replied that I’d read them through R is for Ransom and they began to seem all the same to me, so I'd lost interest.  She mentioned the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series, and I said I’d read all of them as well.  Still smiling, she typed away.  She then asked if I’d read anything by Carol Higgins Clark and I told her I had not.  She thought I might like her Reagan Riley mystery series.  I nodded, willing to try, so she checked the catalog for availability.

                She mentioned that I might want to start at the beginning, I agreed, and she said they had the first book in the series available in Large Print.  I said that was fine, so she took me to the shelf and pulled the book, Decked for me.  I checked the description on the back, and told her I thought it sounded good.  She asked me if I’d like a list of the series in order, so I could find the next book in the series when I was ready.  I said that would be wonderful, so she went back, printed the list and handed it to me.  I thanked her and left. 

I learned several things from this experience that I will use to help sharpen my readers’ advisory skills.  I appreciated the way the librarian handled the interview, but might have enjoyed some additions.  I would have appreciated being asked if I needed help. I would also have enjoyed, as a patron, following her process, and gaining knowledge about the tools she used so I could use them later to find a book for myself.  I used this knowledge recently when a staff member’s daughter came in looking for a book.  I showed her Novelist and how to use it instead of just finding a book to suggest for her.  She loved it!

                All in all, I felt it was a good experience and that she did a great job.  It would have been nice for someone to have asked me if they could help me with anything.   Once I initiated the interaction, however, the librarian was very helpful and stayed with me until she found a book that interested me.  She followed the readers advisory interview steps, asked me what I liked about the books I’d been reading, and then used an online resource to search for items with similar appeal.  When her first couple of suggestions were books I’d already read, she kept searching until she found something new that interested me.  I really appreciated the printed list of the series in order for future reading.  I felt good about the interview.  The librarian was friendly.  She respected my reading choices and was definitely not condescending.   I can’t wait to start reading Decked! 

                My experience did give me a renewed conviction to greet each library guest as they walk in the door, to not be hesitant to ask patrons I run into in the stacks if they need any help finding something, and to share my RA tools and methods with patrons.