KEY POINTS:
I always think the crime-thriller genre must be the toughest gig in the writing world. Not only do you have to have a strong enough story to fend off every other novel featuring a mass murderer, terrorist cell and sadistic rapist, but you have to compete against the
real god-awful things people do to each other.
There aren't many recent books that can hold a candle to the horror - and morbid fascination - inspired by the basement bunker of Amstetten, Austria. Imagine someone imprisoning their child for 25 years. I had to take back every contemptuous roll of the eyes and derogatory dig I'd ever made at V.C. Andrews' kids-locked-in-the-attic novels. That is the relief of a crime novel though - the reassurance that it's only a story.
If you're looking for a great storyline, Scream for Me by Karen Rose (Hachette Livre, $38.99) is a terrific choice. The plot weaves together the troubled family histories of a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, Daniel Vartanian, and Alex Fallon, a young woman whose twin sister was abducted and murdered 13 years ago.
Bringing the two together is the present-day disappearance of Alex's stepsister, Bailey Crighton. But unravelling this modern mystery means unearthing the dark deeds of the past. Rose is definitely an author you're going to want to follow up: her plotting is smart, her characters engaging and her writing sharp.
Lauren Lippman's Another Thing to Fall (Hachette Livre, $38.99) is another gem, especially if you're a movie or crime show buff. Private eye Tess Monaghan gets a job babysitting the spoiled star of a new television series being shot in Baltimore. A former journalist with the Baltimore Sun, Lippman is married to a television writer, so she delivers plenty of insight into the day-to-day production of a show.
The dialogue fairly zings and there are some smart observational bons mots, and some clever, clever twists.
Being set in Baltimore, there are a wealth of references to Barry Levinson's movies (Diner, Tin Men), as well as other classic films and television shows, like Law & Order.
There's a nice set piece with Tess teaching a night class on how to become a detective.
Here's hoping her prize student, 60-something Mrs Blossom, gets a recurring role in future work.
The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross (HarperCollins, $36.99) rounds off the top three picks for June. Karen Friedman's world shatters when her investment broker husband dies in a train crash.
But it seems he's been a little "creative" when it comes to some of his accounts - and someone's convinced that the grieving widow knows the whereabouts of the missing millions.
Fortunately, there's a nice (and suitably emotionally wounded) Greenwich police detective on hand to help her figure out just what's going on and why all these people connected toher deceased husband are turning up deceased themselves.
This one is nice, escapist fun - although probably not if you've been unfortunate enough to have taken a hit from bad investments.
- Detours, HoS