Hell Hole
by Chris Grabenstein
St. Martin’s Minotaur, July 2008, $24.95

This latest John Ceepak novel once again features his likable cop sidekick Danny Boyle as narrator. This time Danny runs into a hard-partying group of soldiers home on leave from Iraq and vacationing on the Jersey shore. Soon one of their group, Cpl. Shareef Smith, turns up dead at a roadside rest stop. Local investigators pronounce the soldier’s death a drug-induced suicide, but Danny has his doubts and urges his partner John Ceepak to investigate the case.

Ceepak, known for his cool logic and absolute adherence to the truth, soon finds clues that point not only to murder, but also to the theft of objects from Smith’s car. Still unsure that the two events are even related, Ceepak and Boyle must nonetheless step up the investigation when the obnoxious Sergeant Dale Dixon threatens vigilante justice for his fallen comrade. What they discover eventually pits them against some very powerful people—people who view killing as a necessary evil.

Boyle’s witty sarcasm serves as an effective counterpoint to Ceepak’s often robot-like responses and also humanizes many of the more horrific aspects of the plot. Two minor criminals lend humor to the story, as does part-time cop Samantha Starky. For longtime readers, the introduction of Ceepak’s nasty father and the insight into Ceepak’s character he provides, should be of interest. All in all, smooth writing and an unpredictable plot should please fans of Anthony award-winner Chris Grabenstein.—Mary V. Welk

Moscow Rules
by Daniel Silva
Penguin Group, July 2008, $26.95

Israeli spy/assassin Gabriel Allon is on his honeymoon when he is persuaded to leave his new wife for the afternoon and contact a Russian journalist who swears he has important information on an arms dealer. Unfortunately, when Allon finds the journalist, he’s been strangled. Allon is quickly drawn into a deadly hunt for Ivan Kharkov, a wealthy Russian businessmen who may also be the said arms dealer. The only key to catching Ivan may be through the ex-KGB colonel’s strong, elegant wife, who just happens to love art–something Allon knows a lot about. In fact, Allon, an artist at heart, would rather be restoring classic paintings and honeymooning with his new wife, but the wily, retired head of Israeli intelligence, Ari Shamron, convinces Allon that Kharkov has the power to destroy nations if he isn’t stopped.

Eighth in the Allon series, this tension filled plot races from an Alpine ski resort, to Moscow’s Lubyanka prison, to elegant European hotels, to the Vatican, and involves MI5 and the CIA operatives. Now Allon has to play by Moscow Rules–the first rule being that everyone lies. Furthermore, Allon quickly learns the new Moscow is controlled by powerful millionaires, though the KGB still rules, under new initials. Casual, brutal murders intertwine with sly, ambiguous encounters between Allon and his prey. Silva’s protagonist is the colorful, intriguing center of this spy series. A reluctant hero who has already lost his first wife and child to save the world once, he fears he could be risking his art, his life–everything, all over again. Expertly written and plotted, with lots of suspense and a charming hero, this mystery entertains.–Beverly J. DeWeese

Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Delacorte Press, June, 2008

As itinerant ex-marine MP Jack Reacher travels the country, he passes through Hope, Colorado, and on a whim detours to Hope’s neighboring town, Despair. Where Hope is pretty and welcoming, Despair is dowdy, gloomy, and throws strangers out of town. But the people of Despair make a grave mistake when they throw out Jack Reacher. He’s “a large stranger with nothing to lose,” and hates turning back. Soon Reacher is investigating the huge metal recycling plant that dominates the town, and the town boss who owns Despair and all its residents.

Nothing to Lose is Child’s 12th Jack Reacher thriller and will be warmly welcomed by Reacher’s many fans. Physically Reacher’s in his usual fine form, “a spectacular mesomorph” always ready for action and always in control. He is refreshingly unfettered. He makes his own rules and never hesitates to do whatever’s necessary. Fortunately for the world and righteous readers, he’s morally on the side of good. When an unexplained military guard unit stationed nearby suggests that Despair’s sinister forces have something shady to do with the Iraq War, Reacher is there to put the world back on the right path. The excitement in Nothing to Lose never lets up. Bones will break and worse before he’s done, but with Reacher on the case we know things will turn out fine.

- Verna Suit

This review appeared in the Summer 2008 issue (#105) of Mystery Scene.

Matt Beynon Rees’ A Murder in Bethlehem (published in the US as The Collaborator of Bethlehem) has won the New Blood Dagger from the Crime Writers’ Association of Britain. Mystery Scene readers will be familiar with Rees, a former journalist, from Barbara Fister’s excellent 2007 profile, “The War Within.” Omar Yussef, the Palestinian schoolteacher-turned-detective, is a big favorite here at the magazine.

Martin Edwards, a frequent contributor to Mystery Scene, won the CWA Short Story Award for “The Bookbinder’s Apprentice,” published in The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries edited by Maxim Jakubowski. In addition to award-winning fiction, Martin also writes excellent criticism. Over the past few years he has contributed profiles of Minette Walters, Benjamin Black (aka John Banville), Sarah Caudwell, Michael Gilbert and Ellis Peters, among others. Here is a look at one of our favorites “H.R.F. Keating: Putting the Reader First.” Congratulations Martin!

2008 CWA AWARDS
Announced July 10, London, U.K.

Duncan Lawrie Dagger - Frances Fyfield, Blood from Stone

Duncan Lawrie International Dagger - Dominique Manotti, Lorraine Connection

Ian Fleming Steel Dagger - Tom Rob Smith, Child 44

John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger - Matt Rees, The Bethlehem Murders

Dagger in the Library (voted on by librarians) - Craig Russell

Short Story Award - Martin Edwards, “The Bookbinder’s Apprentice”

Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction - Kester Aspden, Nationality: Wog - The Hounding of David Oluwale

Debut Dagger (for unpublished work) - Amer Anwar, Western Fringes

Congratulations to all the winners!