Tamarack County

"Tamarack County, Minnesota is the gateway to the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Within its borders lie a million acres of deep forest, a thousand crystal clear lakes, and a few quiet towns. Nobody builds fences in Tamarack County. It's not the neighborly thing to do. This is the place that, for most of his life, Cork O'Connor has called home.

During a blizzard one bitter winter night, just days before Christmas, the car belonging to the wife of a retired local judge is discovered abandoned on a rural county road. The gas gauge reads empty. Judge Carter's wife is seventy years old and has a bad heart. After days of fruitless effort, the Search and Rescue team has little hope that she'll be fhound alive, if she's found at all. Cork O'Connor is part of that team. "(excerpt from inside cover).

New York Times Best Selling author, William Kent Krueger once again takes the lead into launching the reader into another compelling murder mystery surrounded by deep forests and great spirits from the Anishinaabeg people who live there. While it all seems to surround the same premise of another crime that came to Tamarack County a few years ago, Cork is convinced this one is different. The dots don't seem to offer up any logical clues to motive that would point to a possible criminal. It seems unrelated until it begins to draw closer to Cork personally. It is possible that the sins that were committed long ago have begun to resurface in hopes of finding not only justice but to bring about the innocent after all these long years?

I received Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger compliments of Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This novel does contain some profanity and sexual content and thus the reason for my rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on my own review standards. The storyline however is moving, compelling and drew me deeper into the heart of what makes this such a great novel. The character development is amazing and loved the mystery surrounding the Native American tribes that live in Tamarack County. I love how appreciate the land and the living things that dwell within it. I think combining those elements added a level you don't find in most murder mystery novels and for me this is what really sold me on the novel. I would love to have spent more time with the character of Henry and gotten to know a bit more about him. He is the wise Native American sage that the characters ultimately turn to when things get personal. Overall, a wonderful novel for murder mystery fans everywhere.

For more information about Tamarack County, William Kent Krueger or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger

You can also find William Kent Krueger on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (August 20, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451645759
• ISBN-13: 978-1451645750
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches

Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark - Giveaway and Review

When they say that some people who have great looks will use them to move forward in life, that is exactly what Lyle Renalto had planned to do. Seems like just about anyone would pay for great looks or even fall in love with someone who did no matter how old or young they were. Since becoming a well-known attorney to the rich and famous, he believed that his life was taking a turn for the better until he found Angela Jakes.

Now that she has been brutally beaten, raped and left tied to her nearly decapitated older husband, he's about to find out just how far his looks will get him. Danny McGuire is the lead detective assigned to the case which is the most gruesome crime scene he can recall ever seeing in his entire career, and what makes it worse is why Angela Jakes wasn't murdered as well but simply left tied to her husband. Seeing her beauty behind all the bruises and cuts to her face, Detective McGuire will stop at nothing to see that justice prevails and the brutal killer is caught. Only now, the only obstacle in his way is her attorney Lyle Renalto. He duty is to assure that she remains protected and away from the badgering questions of the police.

When he fears for her safety, he has her put on a plane and sent out of the country. Only now it seems that Angela has vanished when Detective McGuire needs to question her further.

After ten years, and no suspects in the case, Detective McGuire still haunted by his failed efforts leaves the United States for Lyon, France and now finds the solitude of working for Interpol helps to quell the demons from his past. Only now it seems that the killer is back on the lose when married older men are being murdered at random and left tied to their brutally beaten wives.

I received Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark by Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. This being my first Sidney Sheldon murder/suspense mystery, I was immediately involved as the reader. Trying to pick up on subtle clues I was along for the ride with Detective McGuire to try and figure this one out. I kinda had an idea but wasn't sure if I was correct or not until the very end. This book does contain some graphic violent crime scenes and some sexuality among the characters so the reader should be warned, it may not be for everyone. Those who are looking for a compelling, edge of your seat ride, will definitely want this one. I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Angel of the Dark, Sidney Sheldon or Tilly Bagshawe, or where to our purchase this one, please click on the link below:

Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark by Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe

Thanks to the generous folks at William Morrow and Harper Collins Publisher, they are offering a copy for a giveaway for one lucky follower of this blog. Here are your details to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. "Like" my Reviews From The Heart Facebook page.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book, along with your email address below in the comment box. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner of the giveaway via email on April 30th and will publish the winner's name on my Facebook page as well.

1222: A Book Review

The Scandinavian Phenomenon 1222

Described as Norway's #1 bestselling crime writer, Anne Holt had fashioned together a most intriguing story of deceit, mystery and murder. Her latest book, 1222, is written in a very unique fashion, eluding familiar concepts of strong writing and story telling. One example of this can be seen in her main character, Hanne Wilhelmsen.

Hanne is not your typical protagonist.

Having been paralyzed from the waist down in a police shoot out four years ago, she is wheel chair bound. As a lesbian, and a respected police officer, she finds herself very lonely and depressed, and is not much of a social butterfly, even more so since her accident.

On her way to see a specialist about her paralysis, Hanne's train derails in a snowstorm high above any settlement, and her and the other passengers are forced to take refuge in a hotel at the top of the mountain. As the storm continues to get worse, communication between them and the outside world is complete cut off. To make things even more interesting, a clergy man is found shot. With her crime investigation experience and knowledge, Hanne is shanghaied into the team that seems to be taking charge - a lawyer, a doctor, and the hotel manager. With the storm raging outside, and a murder amongst them, they truly do not have much time before the next body is found.

This book kept me hooked until the very end! Holt did a terrific job concealing who the murder was until the very last pages! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries, and action/ thriller novels!

I received this book compliments of Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster Publishers for my honest review and would rate this novel a 5 out of 5 stars. For more information about this book, the author or where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the link below:

1222 by Anne Holt

Tick Tock

NYPD's # 1 Detective Michael Bennett has a huge problem. Someone is planning and masterminding a crime spree in New York like never before. They are conducting copy cat crimes of some of worst America has every seen, the Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wysteria, Mad Bomber, just to name a few. Not only that but it's not some crazy terrorist act plaguing New York again, but an intelligent, rich and ex military that is calculating everything down to the last detail and filming it all.

Caught in the midst of his vacation with his ten adopted kids in Breezy Point, Michael Bennett's love life is also caught in a web of confusion and chaos. Even while the crime spree in New York is spiraling out of control and terrorizing it's citizens, racial tension is running high against Michael's own adoptive children.

Will he be able to catch the killer or will Michael Bennett, himself, become the star of his very own crime reenactment?

I received James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge's latest novel, Tick Tock, compliments of Hachette Book Groups and Little, Brown and Company for my honest review and once more, never disappointed. Caught up in the page by page action and wondering just who the killer is and what the next crime would be, I was held captive myself until I finished the final page holding my breath. This one is a 5 star thriller! This is also book #4 of the Michael Bennett series!

For more information about this book, the author and where to get a sneak peek into the book, please click on the link below:

Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge