The author has an uncanny knack for writing thrillers that are almost precient in describing fictional events that seem to play out in real life. This time, the shadow descends on a big city mayor and Toronto once again becomes a central character in the conflict. The tables are turned on us this time as homocide detective Ari Greene battles his own fellow officers when he's charged with murder. You'll never guess how it turns out!

Loved Pat Tierney in the first book and in Black Water, she grapples with threats and conflict that come very close to home. A fiery death sets the action going and the author's talent for devising a plot puzzle to keep us guessing succeeds very well. I also liked the portrait of dark edges in a small, northern Ontario town. Looking forward to the next in the Tierney series!

For me, the combination of a good mystery and a bibliophile topic proved irresistable. The fact that this is a new start to a series made it all the more interesting. Jordan Kelly is an engaging character whom one immediately bonds with. The episodes with her eccentric uncles and daunting employer had me well entertained. And the combination of a great puzzle about a lost Agatha Christie play during her mysterious real-life absence, combined with lots of book lore made for a fabulous read.

A great setting in a novel is always important to me and Robin Spano paints a fascinating picture of Whistler. Panoramic beauty and luxurious resort life on the one hand with a dark underside that most visitors rarely get a glimpse of. But it's FBI undercover agent Claire Vengel who really steals the show. Tough, smart and uncompromising, she is always convincing. We're with her all the way. Deftly written, the suspense doesn't let up - highly recommended.

A beautifully described rural setting is the centerpiece of this book which also takes us on a journey both to the past and to dark memories of Afghanistan. I've been a fan of the author's other work but this stand alone is definitely among her best. The characters are so well drawn, you feel you know them but the novel doesn't get lost in their individual stories. Rather it pulls them along in a gripping tale with surprises I didn't see coming. Highly recommended.

From the opening of the novel I was drawn into Benny's world and as the pages turned became captivated by her adventures and especially the way she embraced life in the face of all her challenges. Heartwarming, sensual, and at times hilarious, Benny's road trip won't fail to engage you. A wonderful portrait of Canada too. This author is a brilliant writer and I look forward to more of her books.

Beautiful, atmospheric and engaging, the Beggar's Opera gives us a different picture of Cuba, almost an insider's view. In the grand noir tradition, it also introduces a fascinating new detective - Inspector Ramirez - a man both with heart and intelligence. I really liked the contrast between the two police detectives, Mike Ellis, a Canadian vacationing in the country with his own secrets to hide and Ramirez who faces huge odds in trying to solve the crime Ellis is accused of. The story all plays out in a series of surprising twists that are entirely believable. Highly recommend this book.

When a book draws me in from the start, I know it's going to be a good ride. I thoroughly enjoyed The Guilty Plea right through to the finish. Grocery magnate Terry Wyler is found murdered in his upscale home. But his young son Simon, peacefully sleeping upstairs, is untouched. Suspicion quickly falls on Samantha, Wyler's ex-wife, who's engaged in an acidic custody battle with Wyler. Detective Ari Greene steps in and he uses his good judgement to begin prying out the truth. From there, we're introduced to a fascinating cast of characters, deftly drawn by Rotenberg who gives us illuminating glimpses into their lives without ever sacrificing the story. Part legal thriller and part who-done-it, The Guilty Plea took me into the wee hours of the night turning those pages. This is Rotenberg's second novel and just as engrossing as his first. Highly recommended.

The opening chapter of this book had me spellbound and as the author takes you on Fa-Ling's trip back to China to learn about her origins, we are treated to a fascinating journey. An adoptee, Fa-Ling struggles with the dark secrets of her birth place and an astonishing history of violence. The novel richly entwines the stories of a group of people - not ordinary tourists - but people travelling to China to adopt babies. The intersection of these narratives are handled skillfully by the author. Recommended to all mystery lovers!