Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell

I discovered this book after a recent trip down to Tombstone when my craziness for anything Tombstone-esque was at an all time high.  I'm glad I found it.

This book isn't the Earp tale you've heard before.  It's not the OK Corral shoot-out you'd expect.  Wyatt doesn't read like a hero.  The Earp women have a larger part than they do in anything else I've read.  Politics are king.

This is a great find.  If you like the Old West or Tombstone, if you think you've heard the tale, or if you enjoy politics, this is a book for you.

Highly recommended.

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

I'll keep this review simple to avoid spoiling anything.

I didn't see the ending coming, which I always enjoy.  The book is fast-paced.  It kept me worrying whenever I wasn't reading, I was constantly thinking about Eric and whether he'd figure a way out of this mess.  

This book will mess with your head and yet, somehow, you'll love it.

Read this one.

Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

I think the Private series is growing on me.

This one featured Jack and yet I liked him.  He was still edgy but something about his asshole brother made me appreciate Jack more.  I don't understand it fully, but there you have it.

For those who haven't heard, Private is a series about a guy (Jack) who owns a private detective agency.  He has a lot of money so he can offer first class services to anyone who will pay well.  The best tests, often before the police can get them.  He can also offer you dedicated services with little else to get in his way or hold him back.  It's an interesting concept.

Anyway, the mystery was good this time.  If you're eager to try the Private series but my reviews have turned you away...try this one.

Recommended.

Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag

In college I read books that were not on my literary list for classes faster than publishers could keep up.  I would devour a minimum of one book per day.  It was shocking.  It was expensive.  I became a regular at a used bookseller near to my dorm, purchasing books for less than a dollar.  I would trade in those that I had already finished and wait, impatiently, as they decided how much credit to give me.  Then I would pay the difference as I had always filled my arms with more than they thought my trade was worth.  That is how I first discovered Tami Hoag.  On a shelf underneath a picture of James Patterson's Along Came a Spider was a load of her books.  The cute little tag someone stapled to the wall read "If you like James Patterson you'll love these books!"  I graduated from college over 12 years ago (YIKES!) and I am still reading her books.

This book, however, read like a sequel.  I kept finding mention of a character or an action that had previously happened.  I knew I should know who this was, but flipping back through pages I just couldn't figure it out.  I was frustrated.  There is no mention of this being a sequel anywhere on the cover or in the book.  Later research turned up a first novel called "Deeper than Dead".

Regardless, I loved this book.  Anne is a deep character whom I can associate with.  I felt actual pain when Dennis' case turned.  I continue to adore Tami Hoag and I will be forever grateful to the clerk in Flagstaff who once suggested we try her books.  Hoag's writing is brilliant!

It was fun that this book is set in the 80s, without DNA evidence that we have come to rely on.  This one is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a smart detective novel.