Grievances
By Mark Ethridge
NewSouth Books 2006, $27.95
What a great debut novel! Mark Ethridge takes readers inside the newsroom at a large daily paper (in this case the fictional Charlotte Times as protagonist Matt Harper struggles with life on the night desk. He spends most of his time on crime stories and accident reports, obituaries and sometimes visitors who think they have a story to share.
One evening, a man comes to the newsroom with a story that Matt feels may lead to something special. The catch is that it is in South Carolina in a town not really in Charlotte's circulation area.
Matt, with the cautious approval of his editor, begins to pursue the story of a 20-year-old murder case, along with the assistance of another newsroom reporter, Bullock.
The nosy reporters stir up the little community of Hirtsboro in all sorts of ways as they seek a solution to this mystery.
Ethridge is a third-generation journalist. He directed The Charlotte Observer's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigations of the textile industry and the PTL scandal involving Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
I don't know if we'll meet Matt Harper again, but I'm sure the next book from Ethridge will be filled with wonderful characters.
High Heels and Homicide
By Kasey Michaels
Kensington, 2006, $14
Michaels brings back author and sleuth Maggie Kelly along with her hero, Alex, known to Maggie's readers as the Viscount Saint Just. For those who haven't read the earlier volumes, somehow or other, Maggie's protagonist and his sidekick, have come to life in 21st century America. Needless to say, interesting situations arise for that reason alone.
In this book, Maggie and her friends visit a 17th century manor house to see her book turned into a movie. Little do they know that a murder will take place while they are in residence.
Michaels always comes up with a wonderful cast of characters in addition to the regulars.
Two Little Girls in Blue
By Mary Higgins Clark
Simon and Schuster, 2006, $25
The name Mary Higgins Clark pretty much catapults a book onto a bestseller list — even before most people have read it. This one is probably one of her best.
Steve and Margaret Frawley leave their twins, Kathy and Kelly, with a sitter while they attend a black-tie dinner in the city.
Upon their return home, the couple finds that their children have been kidnapped and a ransom of $8 million is requested. Steve’s company helps with the ransom, but only Kelly turns up alive. Everyone is sure that her sister is dead, but the little girl insists she is in contact with Kathy — telepathically.
Clark delivers for her longtime readers. I could definitely see this one as a movie.
Faye Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.
