Gone Missing

By Linda Castillo

This is the 4th novel at Police Chief Kate Burkholder of fictional Painters Mill, in Holmes County, Ohio. Kate is a former Amish woman who left her faith and family after a horrific experience during her teen years. She is a dedicated police officer, though often takes matters into her own hands when she should wait for back-up! In this story, the police are just realizing that there is a pattern forming concerning the disappearance of Amish teen girls in Northeast Ohio and western PA. Part of the investigation even takes place in Geauga County. I think Linda Castillo has become a better writer over the course of this series - the plot was tighter, the characters better developed and the violence less graphic. The series is an interesting mix of police drama and Amish culture in our area.

~ Linda

Born of Silence

By Sherrilyn Kenyon

The latest of the League series focuses on Darling Cruel, one of the many members of the Sentella (an otherworldly group of ex-assassins out to protect the innocent from a corrupt intergalactic government). While the story could be read without the previous novels it would be more enjoyable to know the background of the characters first, so starting the series from the beginning book is highly recommended.

Darling's character follows the same storyline that all the League Assassins have, which is the physically abusive past, secret assassin double life, and the girl who betrays him. The interesting twist is we have previously been led in the other books to believe that Darling is a homosexual, and this book gives us the intricate story of what Darling's true preference is. While the basic underlying story is almost a carbon copy of the previous books, Kenyon still is able to make it exciting enough to keep reading and rewards us with a jaw-dropping ending.

I loved it!

~ Becky

Juno’s Daughters

By Lise Saffran

I felt transported to the island community of San Juan in the Pacific Northwest, where single mom Jenny and her teenage daughters get involved in a local summer Shakespearian production of Tempest in a Teapot. Jenny's relationship with her daughters forms the heart of this novel and provides plenty of tension throughout. I appreciated Jenny’s growth as a mom and a person as her daughters began to negotiate their own journeys.

~ Sally

I, Michael Bennett

By James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Michael Bennett is a widower, father of ten ethnically diverse children, grandson of a priest and a member of the NYPD. Bennett is given information that Manuel Perrine, a notorious drug kingpin, is coming to New York. During the attempt to apprehend the criminal, police officers and a bystander are killed. While waiting for trial, Perrine orchestrates additional attacks against the legal establishment from his jail cell. To get away from the chaos, Bennett takes the kids, grandfather and nanny to the family cabin in upper New York. Before long, he realizes that trouble has followed him there. The continuing conflict between Bennett and Perrine gathers momentum, ending with a cliffhanger.

Terrific read. I can’t wait for the next book.

~ Rochelle

Wallflower in Bloom

By Claire Cook

Another sweet beach read! If you have ever felt taken for granted, Deidre is just the heroine to help you get yours back! This story is a really fun mix of pop culture and real life, including a spot on Dancing With the Stars.

~ Sally