Murder At The Old Vicarage, Jill McGown; St. Martin's Press

“A killing blow on the head took the life of Graham Estow, but the vicar and his wife were hardly grieved. He was the son-in-law who had severely beaten their daughter Joanna a few months ago. Unfortunately, it appears that someone very close to the household is the murderer, though no one is about to confess to it. Inspector Lloyd and Detective Sergeant Judy Hill wander through a maze of self-confessed killers, myriad motives, and their own frustrating partnership to find a murderer with a message.”

Liz’s Note: A well written, traditional British mystery by a writer who deserves to be much better known. Lloyd and Hill are wonderful characters.

Dreaming Of The Bones, Deborah Crombie; Scribner

“Crombie has been nominated for virtually every major mystery award for her brilliant police procedurals featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, who are personally and professionally entwined. In this New York Times Notable Book, Duncan’s ex-wife, a Cambridge biographer, asks for his help in proving that her current subject was not a suicide but was in fact murdered. Initially skeptical, he finds aspects of the case that arouse his own suspicions.”

Liz’s Note: This is a another strong entry in an excellent series. Crombie does an excellent job in showing how the past really does influence our present, often in ways we fail to recognize. This is a mystery that will certainly appeal to fans of the traditional British police procedural, and also to readers of A. S. Byatt’s Possession.

“Seventeen-year-old Dooley is witness to a suicide, but with his troubled past and new details to the case he is suspected of murder.”
Robin’s Note: This is a relatively new title but it’s been buzzed about as a strong tale that manages to be readable, suspenseful, and emotionally honest.  Dooley is a bit of a black sheep, but he’s caught in a situation that’s pushes what he can handle on his own.  This is a strong pick for readers looking for a realistic tale that’s realtively short but packs a punch.

Bringing Down The House : The Inside Story Of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas For Millions, Ben Mezrich; Free Press

“Recounts the story of how a notorious gang of MIT blackjack savants devised and received backing for a system for winning at the world’s most sophisticated casinos, an endeavor that earned them more than three million dollars.”
Robin’s Note: Bringing Down the House is another competition/sports-related title that’s high on action and well-written (and, of course, there’s the particular fun of knowing it’s all true.)  If you like heist movies or the satisfaction of a well done prank, this book will appeal.

Son Of The Mob, Gordon Korman; Hyperion Books For Children

“Seventeen-year-old Vince’s life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent.”
Robin’s Note: Korman’s entertaining Son of the Mob is a wild ride through how difficult it would be to date the daughter of the man determined to bring down your own father for his many crimes.  Korman is always funny, and this book is no exception, and you end up rooting for both sides because they genuinely appealing.

Deal Breaker (Myron Bolitar Mysteries), Harlan Coben; Delacorte Press

“Sports agent Myron Bolitar is poised on the edge of the big time. So is Christian Steele, a rookie quarterback and Myron’s prized client. But when Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend, a woman who everyone, including the police, believes is dead, the deal starts to go sour. Trying to unravel the truth about a family’s tragedy, a woman’s secret, and a man’s lies, Myron is up against the dark side of his business—where image and talent make you rich, but the truth can get you killed.”
Robin’s Note: Harlan Coben is a popular mystery writer, and his plots are suspenseful and engaging alongside world-building details about the culture each series is set within.  This series can make a good match for teens interested in sports as well as mysteries who are looking outside the teen fiction offerings.  As with any mystery series, there are more after this first title – and if you just like his mysteries, he’s written a number of different series aside from this group.

Liar, Justine Larbalestier; Bloomsbury Children's Books

“Micah freely admits that she’s a compulsive liar. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and her parents. But when her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not.”
Robin’s Note: This is a new book that’s gotten a lot of buzz, and I haven’t heard a bad word about it yet.  Micah is emotionally honest, but it’s one of those reads where it’s more and more difficult to spot the “true” story.