Two Words, One Answer.
Jane Kozak
 A Date You Can't Refuse $11.95 Wollie never expected to transition her jury duty service into a new job, but that's just what happens when Yuri Milos offers her a job at MediasRex. The company trains Europeans on how to be American media darlings, and Wollie's job would be part driver, part dating/social setting coach. Further complicating things, the FBI rope her into spying on the MediasRex employees in exchange for guaranteeing that her brother will stay at his half-way house. She has hardly moved into the MediasRex complex when she discovers that her predecessor died in a car crash that no one is willing to discuss. Was it the accident everyone says it is or murder? A body in a nearby canyon only increases the stakes. Can Wollie get out alive? This is a fast paced romp that left me turning pages. Every time I had to stop, it was with great reluctance. The set up may be complicated, but Ms. Kozak keeps all her balls in the air quite nicely. In fact, this may be the most polished book in the series. The climax wasn't quite what I like, but that was a minor complaint. The characters are at their best here as well. Yes, we do get to see all the regulars, and they add nicely to the story. The new ones are instantly memorable, which is nice since there are a lot of them. And the book is very funny. I found myself laughing several times. While knowing the characters certainly helps, if you aren't already familiar with Wollie and her friends, you can certainly jump in here and still enjoy every minute of the action.  Side Out $2.99 Consider this a Guilty Pleasure favorite. I proudly admit that I watched this movie everytime it came on HBO. OK, so the story might be lame, no Award-Winning acting, consider it a good way to pass the time. A good lazy weekend movie. It recently just came into my head that this was avaiable on DVD! Might as well grab a used copy.  Landmarked for Murder $14.95 LAndmarked for Murder is an anthology of mystery short stories written by some of the members of the Los Angeles Chapter of Sisters in Crime. The central theme of the book is Los Angeles landmarks and the stories all occur near or relate to a landmark. Reading a mystery anthology is akin to going to a new restaurant and ordering the sampler dinner. You get to try a small bite of many different things and expand your horizons beyond your usual fare. LAndmarked for murder offers the reader ten tidbits for all different tastes. Leaving Slackerland by Gay Degani - a young, unhappy woman is set up to take the fall for the murder of a rival in this gritty modern story. Just Like Old Times by G.B. Pool - a group of aged Hollywood actors get the chance to show they have still got it when uninvited guests crash their dinner party. Making it With Gammy by Darrell James - a man is hired to steal the ashes of his client's grandmother from his vengeful ex-wife. Marathon Madness by Dee Ann Palmer - stolen shoes, stolen jewels, and a murder make for an unusual marathon for an experienced runner. Sleepy Lagoon Nocturne by Paul D. Marks - a vintage noir detective story with lots of mood and some unexpected twists. It Doesn't Take a Genius by Kate Thornton - a woman tries to thwart and overheard plot in time to save the victim. "The Best Laid Schemes..." by Jinx Beers - one of a group of co-workers at Santa Anita Park is killed in a "perfect murder." Setup by Pamela Samuels-Young - a popular USC athlete is killed in a controversial police shooting - but the circumstances of the event are in question. Running Venice by A.H. Ream - a reporter desperate for a story crosses the wrong people and has to run for her life. Some Creature I Care About by Arthur Coburn - a Venice homeowner with a problem neighbor has the solution presented to him. These are all well-written stories and I was absolutely delighted with Just Like Old Times. I did find The Best Laid Schemes and Some Creature I Care About wanting, however. The authors both laid good groundwork for the stories, but didn't really make these two classic mystery and mystery/horror plots their own. Did I guess them? Some. Due to their brevity, short stories are different from novels and have fewer characters to use as suspects. The authors need to have different tricks in their bags and there are some delightful twists in this anthology that I didn't see coming. Favorite character? The geezers in Just Like Old Times are great and the thief in Making it With Gammy is also a favorite. Will I read another? Absolutely. I love anthologies because I discover authors who are new to me. I often search out an anthology author's books if their style or characters appeal to me. |
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