What We're Reading: Edward

Very Bad Men

by Harry Dolan

Ann Arbor magazine editor David Loogan arrives at work and finds a manuscript. It begins with "I killed Henry Korman". David soon learns that Korman has indeed been murdered. Seventeen years ago, Korman was one of three men involved in a robbery from a bank in the UP. There is an attempt on the life of one of the other robbers. David finds himself working with and against his love interest, Detective Elizabeth Waishkey. David also learns of a connection to a candidate for the U.S. Senate. The candidate's father was a police officer at the scene of the robbery. The third robber is still in prison in the UP. He is killed while out of prison for his father's funeral. Why are these men being targeted? Who is behind the murders? David brings his Swiss Army knife to this gunfight. But he still manages to figure it all out before the police. Another great read by Dolan.

What We're Reading: Edward

"Hanging Tree: a Starvation Lake Mystery"


by Bryan Gruley


Starvation Lake is a Michigan resort town that has seen better days. It is a small town where everybody knows everybody else's secrets. Gracie McBride has returned from Detroit to start life over again. After a snow storm she is found hanging in the local lover's tree. Is it a suicide or murder? Gus, the editor of the local newspaper, is asked by his mother to get to the truth about Gracie. Gus and Gracie are cousins and frienemies. Gus worked for a Detroit newspaper before he returned to Starvation Lake. Even when they both lived in Detroit, Gus and Gracie rarely saw each other. Gus is running a series of articles on a millionaire lawyer who has moved to a lush estate outside of town. His son is the star goalie for the local hockey team. The lawyer promised to build a new hockey rink for the town. But the rink is not being built as quickly as promised. Everyone in town is willing to give him more time and the town's money to complete the project. Gus's research turns up a link between the lawyer and Gracie. Gus works to restore Gracie's reputation in the eyes of Starvation Lake.

What We're Reading: Edward

"To Account for Murder: a legal thriller"


by William C. Whitbeck


The murder of Michigan State Senator Warren G. Hooper in 1945, brought to light corruption in Lansing. During Prohibition money flowed freely to state and local politicians. They were paid to allow groups like the Purple Gand to stay in business. Now in 1996, Charlie Cahill tell his part in the events of the time. Charlie returned from the war without his left arm. He is looking for a job as an attorney. Being a war hero gets Charlie hired by politicians fighting corruption. Charlie has a personal connection to the murdered Senator. Will Charlie be able to keep secret what he knows about the Senator's death? Naturally there is a beautiful, rich woman in the story. Whitbeck makes the time come alive.

Whitbeck is Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. He hopes to emulate the success of "The Anatomy of a Murder" by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker.

What We're Reading: Edward

Page One: Whiteout

A Robin Hamilton Mystery

by Nancy Barr

Escanaba in Winter...BRRR!

Robin Hamilton could not wait to escape her home town when she grew up. But she has returned to Escanaba in this the third mystery in the series. Robin is trying to recover from her time at the Chicago Tribune and the death of her fiance, Mitch, a suburban Chicago cop. She keeps in touch with a friend of Mitch's, Nick, who is still investigating Mitch's death. Nick's sources tell him that Mitch's death was a hit by a drug dealer. Nick comes to visit Robin and they discover that drug dealers in Escanaba may be linked to the murder. Suddenly there are missing and dead people around Escanaba. Robin goes out into a blizzard to track down more leads. Will she survive a confrontation that she can not see coming?