" The Fifth Floor", by Michael Harvey

This is the second novel featuring the wise-cracking Private Investigator Michael Kelly who returns in full force. The heart of the story is based around the mayor's office on the fifth floor of Chicago City Hall.

It starts when Michael is contacted by Janet, an ex-girlfriend and is asked to use his P.I. expertise to protect her from her abusive husband, Johnny Woods who happens to be one of the mayor's fixers. While on his trail he discovers a link to a recent murder. During his research he stumbles across a credible theory of the Chicago fire with a connection between the mayor's family and a land grab that set up a political dynasty. Of course revealing this would be scandalous, especially in an election year. The historical angle along with several plot twists made for a very interesting story.

Michael a man of action and very meticulous at his profession soon finds himself in the middle of political corruption and targeted by powerful men. He is framed for murder and embroiled in scams he had nothing to do with, plunged into an unfamiliar world where nothing is quite what it seems.

I share my thoughts with those saying this is a sizzling follow-up to "The Chicago Way". It is suspenseful and atmospheric, has intricate woven narrative and snappy dialogue and the characters are loveable and gritty. Mr Harvey has written an entertaining thriller with an historical twist. . This is a real page-turner that masterfully delves into the myth behind Mrs O'Leary's cow, the suspected cause of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Michael is one hero worth rooting for in this fast paced drama.

" The Tricking of Freya" by Christina Sunley

This Icelandic saga is full of myth and legend, family drama and accentuated with a vivid description of a beautiful landscape. It tells the story of Freya Morris, a North American woman of Icelandic descent who is obsessed with uncovering a family secret.

Freya grew up in Connecticut but each summer she visited her relatives in Gimli Manitoba, a tinny village in Canada settled by Icelandic immigrants. There she falls under the spell of her aunt Girdie and the story of a secret child ...more This Icelandic saga is full of myth and legend, family drama and accentuated with a vivid description of a beautiful landscape. It tells the story of Freya Morris, a North American woman of Icelandic descent who is obsessed with uncovering a family secret.

Freya grew up in Connecticut but each summer she visited her relatives in Gimli Manitoba, a tinny village in Canada settled by Icelandic immigrants. There she falls under the spell of her aunt Girdie and the story of a secret child she once gave birth to. Freya hopes to meet her cousin and in memoirs recounts her search for this unknown relative.

This is a strange novel, one I found extremely hard to get into. It is written in a form of letters from Freya to her cousin, from the age of 7 to her adult life. It showcases the culture of Iceland and its complicated language. Ms Sunley has masterfully described the landscape, painting in ones mind a country of mesmerizing scenery giving her novel a rich tone. The cast of loveable characters are multi-dimensional and realistic. As for the plot, it was a wonderful journey into Iceland.

I found the story to be a little on the slow side and its climax was evident early on.

" The Dirty Secrets Club", by Meg Gardiner

Book 1 in the Jo Beckett series

This suspense-murder-detective story focuses on Jo Beckett, a forensic psychiatrist who profiles the dead to determine the events and cause of their demise. Lt Amy Tang completes the team, a feisty and hard nosed but likable Asian cop.

The story starts off slow but soon you will find yourself plunged into the mystery when Callie Harding, a bigwig prosecutor smashes her car into a bridge. The mystery deepens when messages are discovered scrawled on her body.

Jo and Amy are called to investigate and discover that Harding was a member of an illusive club "The Dirty Secrets Group". This group invites members to join by confessing and proving their darkest and most shameful secrets, pushing their members to commit dares to thrill others. At one point something goes terribly wrong and one by one the members are targeted and die under mysterious circumstances. Jo and Amy are in a rush against time to avoid more deaths.

We have likable characters with the right mix of toughness and vulnerability. The subject of psychological forensic is definitely a unique job to have given to her protagonist. I particularly loved Gabe Quintana, Jo's closest friend, a definite asset to the cast. The writing is simplistic but has lively dialogue. On the down side, the plot is weak, it has quite a few old clichés, and its pace is slow with few twists and turns. I found the chase scenes far fetched for the type of story depicted.

Although I may not categorized this novel as a page turner I found it a pleasant read and would recommend it.