Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston

Title: Dearly Departed (Secret Sisters Mystery #2)
Author: Tristi Pinkston
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: LDS Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "Ida Mae Babbitt has done her community service and is a reformed woman—no more law-breaking for her. But when Arlette’s granddaughter Eden discovers a mystery in a fancy nursing home, Ida Mae—with the perfect excuse of a broken wrist and a broken ankle—checks herself into the place. After all, it is for the greater good. Soon she’s buzzing around in her motorized wheelchair, questioning the residents and swiping files from the office. She’s bound and determined to get to the bottom of this case. But can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?" (GoodReads.com)
Opinions: Earlier this week I posted the review for the first book in the Secret Sisters series by Tristi Pinkston. I have to say that even though I loved the first book, I think the sequel is sensational. Just my non-professional opinion. If you're a lover of fun mysteries then this book will be right up your alley.

The humor carries through in this book just like the first one, which is a must. Plus, we get to see such fantastic characters excel to new heights. I adore Ida Mae and loved delving into her psyche even deeper and in such a tough physical situation for her. I also was excited to get to see more of Eden. She is my favorite character in this book. I love her internal battles, her spunk, and her willingness to dunk crispy bean burritos in ranch (rock on girlfriend - I thought I was the only one). I loved seeing the same crazy antics from some really awesome women placed in a new and exciting situation as they search into a possible murder. I can't wait to read more....so um, Tristi (if you're reading this)...when is the next installment coming out?

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

Title: Secret Sisters
Author: Tristi Pinkston
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: LDS Fiction/Mystery
Rating: LOVE
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "Ida Mae Babbitt, president of the Omni 2nd Ward Relief Society, didn't mean to become a spy. But when visiting teaching stats are low, and she learns that one family under her care is in financial trouble, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure they have what they need. If that includes planting surveillance cameras in their home and watching them from a parked car in the woods... well, isn't that what any caring Relief Society president would do? With the help of her counselors, Arlette and Tansy, Ida Mae soon learns that there's more to the situation than meets the eye. But it's all in a day's work for the Relief Society." (Book Cover)
Opinions: I had read another of Tristi's novels a while back, so when my family and I saw Tristi at Costco one day we went ahead and bought the book she was signing. The only problem is that it was book two of the Secret Sisters series and I hadn't read book one yet. So I promptly went to my local library and requested that they purchase book one. It came in last week!!!! I was so excited to get it and begin to read it. I have to say, it was a fabulously unique read. It is what I would call LDS Fiction (the majority of characters are "Mormon")with a twist of detective story and a lot of humor. I love these characters. They are all so human, and brilliant, and lovable - especially Ida Mae. On top of that, Tristi's turn of phrases are perfect (i.e. check out pg 72 first paragraph - I nearly dropped the book laughing), especially if you understand LDS culture. The plot originally seemed unusual but the more and more I thought about it, and the more I read, I realized that I could so see that happening to a group of well-meaning women. So overall opinion? If your library does not have this book, please request it. It will be worth it. As for me, I can't wait for a doctor's appointment tomorrow so that I can delve into book two, Dearly Departed. Keep your eyes posted for a forthcoming review.

Cutting Edge by Jeffrey S. Savage

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Title: Cutting Edge
Author: Jeffrey S. Savage
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: LDS Adult Mystery
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "When Travis Edwards discovers someone has been stealing sensitive files off of his computer and the person he confides in mysteriously disappears, he must use all the means at his disposal to prove his innocence and keep his family alive." (PG Library System)
Opinions: My two favorite genres are fantasy and mystery and this book has shot up towards the top of my all-time favorite mysteries. Having worked in the information technology industry for several years I was intrigued to read a story that takes place in an atmosphere that felt very familiar to me. I almost felt like I was back working with my old team, trying to meet deadlines. Then you through a mystery on top of all that stress. LOVE IT!!!! I loved the believability of the story and most definitely the characterizations. I love the strength that Travis finds from his wife and her family. I love the twists and turns that kept me wondering if my suspicions were right (I am pleased to say that not all of them were). If you love mystery then you should thoroughly enjoy this book.

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston

Title: Agent in Old Lace
Author: Tristi Pinkston
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: LDS Adult Mystery
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: Shannon Tanner s perfect life is turned on end when she discovers her boyfriend, Mark, is not what he seems. Fearing for her safety, she enlists the FBI, who puts its best man on the job Rick Holden, who dons a dress and goes undercover as Shannon s roommate. For a while it seems that life is safe again, until Mark kidnaps Shannon s best friend. Shannon realizes the only way to save her friend and herself is to send Rick, her only protection, away. Agent in Old Lace is a thrilling combination of action, suspense, and romance that will keep you turning the pages until the end. (PG Library System)
Opinions: I actually got introduced to Tristi Pinkston through an on-line chat group long before I learned that she was a published author. So I was excited to take the opportunity to read one of her books. Agent in Old Lace was released last year to the LDS market. As a fan of mystery books, I really loved reading it, though I had some difficulty at first. The difficulty revolves around the fact that the bad guy was supposedly a good upstanding Mormon. In my brain, that didn't jive. But then I realized, the more that I read, that just because you belong to (or say that you belong to) a certain religion does not mean that you live the standards that religion teaches. It is the person, not the religion, who has chosen to take the wrong path. Once I realized that, then I was able to thoroughly enjoy reading this book.

I love Shannon as a character as she does not just sit by and play the victim, but does what she can to help herself out of the situation. I also really love the various law enforcement officers, especially Rick. The relationship that builds over time between him and Shannon is fantastic and they are able to find humor where it is needed while trying to capture the man who has been steadily destroying Shannon and her family. For mystery lovers out there who are tired of overly violent novels. This is a fun, clean read and I highly recommend it.

Emeralds & Espionage by Lynn Gardner

Title: Emeralds & Espionage
Author: Lynn Gardner
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mystery/LDS Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: Some violence related to international espionage
Premise: Allison Alexander, home in California on a brief vacation from her work at the United Nations, is shot at and pursued by mysterious intruders who have taken over the estate on which she and her mother have lives as caretakers since Allison was a child. Thus beings a terror-filled week during which she discovers that nearly everyone she loves is involved in some way with an international espionage ring--but are they the good guys or the bad guys? Is Bart, the man she has loved since they played together as children, a secret government agent--or does he answer to an underworld crime boss? If she doesn't go along with his unbelievable scheme, will it cost them their lives? Does he really love her, or is he just using her?
Opinions: Emerald & Espionage is the first in a series of mystery novels written by author Lynn Gardner that focuses around United Nations interpreter Allison Alexander, and all of them are focused around jewels and international intrigue. This was the second time I have read this book, and I enjoyed it so much that I could not put it down...finishing it in under a day. I LOVE books with strong female characters who do not wait for a man to save the day. Allison is a brilliant, intelligent character, plagued by fears of past abandonment having to deal with family and friends that suddenly return into her life after years of absence. Allison has to deal with the turmoil of emotions that arise as a result, the whole time that she is dodging bullets, saving a pair of royal hostages, traveling across the world in order to save loved ones and to find out the truth about herself and her family. This book is an amazing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end and on to the remainder of the series. Please, please read this book.