The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Globe Life

Related Photos

Discussion

May 30, 2008

Book review: Well-drawn characters drive 'Death Song'

‘Death Song’

By Michael McGarrity (compact disc audiobook)

“Death Song” is the 11th police procedural mystery in the Kevin Kerney series. The novel is set in northern New Mexico, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and police Chief Kerney is only a few months away from retirement.

Rookie deputy sheriff Tim Riley is killed shortly after he begins his new job with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. The deputy’s wife, Denise, is found gruesomely murdered several miles away at the couple’s home in Santa Fe. Denise was the sister of a good friend of Kerney’s; therefore he’s determined to hunt down the murderer or murderers before he retires. Kerney teams up with Police Sergeant Clayton Istee, his Mescalero Apache son, for the investigation.

The police have few clues and no known motives for the slayings. Kerney and Istee methodically search for potential suspects for the murders. One of the suspects is Brian Riley, son of the murdered deputy from a previous marriage. The investigation uncovers a drug-trafficking ring, more murders and international connections to the case.

I only recently discovered Michael McGarrity, but I have added his series to my list of “must reads.” The well-drawn characters are a joy, and the plot provides suspense to the end. George Guidall provides his usual excellent narration for McGarrity’s engrossing mystery.

The Joplin Public Library also owns the regular print version.

‘Thunder Bay’

By William Kent Kreuger (MP3 compact disc audiobook)

Northern Minnesota and bordering Ontario provide the setting for “Thunder Bay,” the seventh mystery in the Cork O’Connor series.

Cork, former sheriff turned private investigator, is approached by his friend and mentor, Objibwe medicine man Henry Meloux, to find Meloux’s son, whom he has never seen. Meloux’s single clue to finding his son is a watch with a picture of his son’s mother taken about 70 years ago. Cork is torn between a family crisis and helping his old friend locate his son.

A flashback in the novel describes Henry’s story as a youth in the 1920s when he met and fell in love with Maria Lima, a beautiful Cuban girl traveling with her father and gold prospectors in Canada. Now, 70 years later, Henry learns that Maria married Leonard Wellington, one of the gold prospectors. After only two months of marriage to Wellington, Maria’s son was born and she named him Henry. When Cork learns that Henry Wellington is a wealthy Howard Hughes-type recluse, he has little hope of reuniting Henry with his son.

“Thunder Bay” is a wonderful story of suspense and mystery full of family secrets, great characters, murder and greed. Buck Schirner’s narration is excellent.

“Thunder Bay” is also available in regular print and the multiple-disc compact disc versions as well as the MP3 format. The MP3 single disc format is especially convenient when traveling.

‘Santa Fe Dead’

By Stuart Woods (compact disc audiobook)

Ed Eaglem, a famous Santa Fe trial lawyer, and Ed’s new girlfriend, Susannah Wilde, watch the trial on television of his insane ex-wife, Barbara. Barbara was on trial for killing two people whom she mistook for Ed and his girlfriend. Ed had been a witness at her trial and is awaiting the verdict. Meanwhile, Barbara escapes from the courthouse just before the jury announces her acquittal. Ed realizes that he and Savannah are in danger until Barbara is recaptured.

Barbara, with an alias, undergoes a makeover and is relaxing at a spa when she meets billionaire widower Walter Keeler. The two marry after a whirlwind romance of a couple of days. Ed learns of his ex-wife’s wedding and writes a letter to her new husband alerting him to Barbara’s past and warning him not to change his will. Walter dies unexpectedly in a traffic accident. Barbara is not happy when she discovers the conditions of her husband’s will and learns of Ed’s letter. Ed is aware of how devious and lethal his ex-wife can be; consequently he and Susannah must be constantly on the alert for their own safety.

“Santa Fe Dead” is a fast-paced thriller with murders, cover-ups and intrigue. Fans of Stuart Woods should enjoy this quick summer read narrated by Michael Kramer. In addition to the audiobook, “Santa Fe Dead” is available in regular and large print editions at the Joplin Public Library.



Phyllis Seesengood is the technical services librarian at Joplin Public Library.

Text Only
Globe Life
  • 051913_star-rack2.jpg Prototype of a drying rack for Stars of Hope earns award, emotional response

    Michael Moritz, Travis Coffee and Kenneth Paylor had no idea that an assignment for their senior design class at Missouri Southern State University would win an award or the emotional gratitude from a service organization.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • ryan richardson Ryan Richardson: Groups give tips for preventing dog bites

    When I was a teenager in the '90s I had an unfortunate incident with my neighbor's dog, a Brittany, that I had grown up with. It took a chunk out of my thigh when I went into the neighbors' yard to retrieve a ball.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Information is only as good as its source

    Those details later become crucial as contradictory information is found, which it will be. How can one decide which detail is correct if the sources of the details are unknown?

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Jeana Gockley 2013.jpg Jeana Gockley: Library lines up reading club books

    The Joplin Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club kicks off on Tuesday, May 28, so in preparation for a great summer of reading, I have been digging for titles that fit with this year's "Dig Into Reading" theme.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Prepare for holiday visits to cemeteries

    Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to not only decorate the graves of loved ones, but also learn the location of unmarked graves -- and learn about relatives who are buried nearby. That weekend is also a great time to contact living relatives.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_032123610 Patty Crane: Mystery series should appeal to Reacher fans

    In the novel "Taken" by Robert Crais, a bajadores is a predator that kidnaps people being smuggled into the country. The bajadores, the Syrian, demands ransom from families of the people he kidnaps. His ransom demands are low, and as long as the families pay, the demands continue.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • ryan richardson Ryan Richardson: Harness works better than a leash

    This is the time of year to take your dog outside to enjoy the weather. You both get exercise, you bond more, and it gives you an opportunity to work together as a team. I take my dog out as much as I can, and my dog is happy to see other dogs when we go on walks.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • r050713academicstars5.jpg Mutual admiration: Academic Team members thank teachers for inspiration, drive

    Members of The Joplin Globe's All-Area Academic Excellence Team thanked teachers for inspiring them to push themselves during a recognition banquet Monday at Missouri Southern State University.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_312124454 Linda Cannon: Book covers subtleties' effects on humans

    I'm always a sucker for books on what makes people tick, so I grabbed "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave" by Adam Alter as soon as I saw it. Alter holds a Ph.D. in applied psychology from Princeton and is an assistant professor at NYU.

    May 6, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Old home sites treasures to discover

    We genealogists do a similar activity as part of our research. The treasures that we seek are old home sites. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we use clues such as the presence of rusted metal, cellar holes and vintage plants.

    May 6, 2013 1 Photo