‘Executive Privilege’
By Phillip Margolin (compact disc audiobook)
Phillip Margolin’s latest political thriller takes you inside the White House to the highest office in the land.
Dana Cutler, a private detective in Washington, D.C., gets an assignment from a prominent attorney with political connections to tail Charlotte Walsh. Her assignment is pretty boring until the night she takes pictures of the pretty college student and a man at a secret romantic meeting at a cabin in the woods. Dana narrowly escapes getting caught by the Secret Service and realizes that her life may be in danger when she discovers that the man that Charlotte met was Chris Farrington, President of the United States. Charlotte’s body is discovered the next day, and the murder is attributed to a serial killer active in the D.C. area.
Chris Farrington is a former governor of Portland, Ore., where Brad Miller, a young lawyer in huge law firm, is given a case to investigate — that of a convicted serial killer on death row. The serial killer has confessed to several murders, but he’s indignant and insists he is being framed for a murder he didn’t commit, that of a teenager who baby-sat for the Farringtons when she was killed. He provides Brad with the information necessary to prove his innocence in the murder.
The president is up for re-election but he feels the heat when a tabloid prints a story with Dana’s pictures. Both Dana and Brad believe that the president is somehow implicated in at least these two murders, but how is it possible for the president to slip out of the White House to murder someone?
Margolin uses believable characters, action-filled plots, and a surprise ending in his fast-paced thriller. The narrator, Jonathan Davis, is skilled at differentiating the multiple characters and delivers a solid performance. In addition to the multiple compact disc set, “Executive Privilege” is also available in regular print and the Playaway edition at the Joplin Public Library.
‘Lady Killer’
By Lisa Scottoline (compact disc audiobook)
Mary DiNunzio, a good Catholic girl with Italian roots, is an attorney with the law firm Rosato & Associates of South Philadelphia. She is representing her father and his buddies against an old lady from “The Neighborhood” in an argument over Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin; trying to help a frantic mother and her disabled young son; harboring a dark secret from her past; and has a new romance in her life.
Mary’s life is complicated enough already, and she is stunned when former classmate Trish Gambone appears in her office demanding her help. Mary and Trish were never friends in school — in fact, Mary refers to Trish and Trish’s friends as the “mean girls.” Trish tells Mary that she fears for her life. Trish’s abusive boyfriend who has threatened her is gangster drug-dealer Bobby Mancuso. He and Mary dated briefly in high school but she doesn’t tell Trish.
Mary offers solutions to her problems but they don’t interest Trish and she storms out of Mary’s office. When she vanishes the next day, the “mean girls,” Trish’s mother, and several others in “The Neighborhood” blame Mary for Trish’s disappearance. Mary decides to track Trish down before it’s too late. Then someone discovers a body in a dark alley behind Bobby’s “business” and Mary wonders if it already too late to help Trish.
“Lady Killer” is the latest in the series featuring Mary and the Rosato & Associates characters. It’s a fun, suspenseful mystery filled with adventure, quirky characters and snappy, humorous dialog. It reminds me of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series except that “Lady Killer” has a little less humor and more mystery. The narrator, Barbara Rosenblat, does a wonderful job of conveying the humor and making the characters unique. The regular print edition of “Lady Killer” is also available at the Joplin Public Library.
Phyllis Seesengood is the technical services librarian at Joplin Public Library.
Globe Life
Related Photos
Discussion
Book review: Action-filled plot drives 'Executive Privilege'
- Globe Life
-
-
Bearing down: Carl Junction woman has passion for bear hunting
Born and raised in Joplin, Mitchell graduated from Joplin High School in 1963. For 35 years, she has been self-employed as a real estate developer. Seventeen years ago, her husband, Steve, a bowhunter, introduced her to hunting.
-
Ryan Richardson: Appliances complicit in dog-hair problem
Despite missing having her here, her absence has given me an opportunity to clean up the small messes that have been accumulating since she has been gone. I've also given myself the opportunity to evaluate what has and has not worked in such a small living space.
-
Phyllis Seesengood: 'Six Years' fast-paced, suspenseful
Harlan Coben is a superb suspense writer who has written an intense thriller/love story, although I personally think he should stick with the thrillers and leave the romances to romance writers.
-
Frankie Meyer: Website offers digitized newspapers
Newspapers are a great source of info for genealogists. Obituaries are especially helpful, as are articles about major events that occurred in the areas where ancestors lived.
-
Frankie Meyer: Rubbings of graves can work better than photos
When compiling family history, researchers invariably become intrigued with gravestones, which are one of the best sources of family information.
-
Jacque Gage: Book celebrates past photos, warns about future
The book is strangely compelling, titled "Talking Pictures: Images and Messages Rescued from the Past." It is by Ransom Riggs, author of the New York Times bestseller, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children".
-
Ryan Richardson: Readers share their own summer advice
Only here can we have a long winter segue straight into a balmy summer. Between the torrential rains and the highs already flirting with the upper 80s, I’m convinced that this summer is going to be a mix of everything.
-
Founder of Souls Harbor returns to her ministry after 20-year absence
After helping husband Art Jones found Souls Harbor more than 31 years ago, Georgia Jones has come full circle and returned to lead the mission that serves the homeless and needy in the Joplin area.
-
Ryan Richardson: Time apart tough for pets and owners
Since I became a Joplin resident over nine months ago, I have had my dog, Cami, with me the whole time. We've explored trails, survived thunderstorms, slept on the couch and had some epic belly rubs.
-
Frankie Meyer: Research collections can disappear after death
When researching family history, genealogists collect many reference books, pamphlets, documents and photos. What will happen to your cherished items after your death? Unless you make your wishes known, those items could be tossed or sold at a flea market by unknowing relatives or friends.
- More Globe Life Headlines
-
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
