Coming New From Robin Burcell!!

The Bone Chamber by Robin Burcell
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 384

Robin Burcell has a new novel coming out and I can't wait to take a peek!

(Release Date: 12/29/09)

From the Cover: Mysteriously summoned to Quantico to help re-create the face of a murdered, mutilated young woman, FBI forensic artist Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knows immediately this is no ordinary crime. The hit-and-run death of the forensic anthropologist assisting her—a close friend—and Sydney's abrupt dismissal from the case by covert government investigators only strengthen her need for answers. Now her hunt for a killer is carrying her from Washington to Rome to the hidden chamber of a legendary tomb—on the trail of a fabled treasure of the Knights Templar . . . and a curse.

For buried deep in the mysteries of the Freemasons and the Vatican's Holy See is a secret that could rock the world. Suddenly an ancient map is pointing Sydney toward something the Templars wished to hide away forever—something that could unleash an unstoppable tide of blood and devastation.


Sounds interesting, doesn't it.....for all fans of thrillers, this is going to be an excellent read!

Deadly Legacy by Robin Burcell

Publisher: Harper Collins (2003)
Pages: 304

From the Cover: San Francisco P.D. Homicide Inspector Kate Gillespie's investigation into a bizarre apparent murder/suicide is threatening to careen out of control. A dead man might not be dead. The families of the deceased are hiding something. And there are blood-soaked threads reaching into some very lofty places. But most perplexing of all are the shocking revelations of one of the "victims" dark and dangerous history -- the more Kate learns, the less she knows. It's a case that has placed Kate Gillespie on the hot seat as her investigation gets bigger by the moment -- and puts her perilously high on a rabid killer's hit list. Some secrets are murder to keep.

Kate Gillespie is one of San Francisco's finest, knows the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, decent and undeserving. So, when one of her best friends from childhood is found dead, apparently a victim of a murder-suicide, she has to reconsider her values. Eve Tremayne had been her best friend, until Eve had showed Kate the pictures of Kate's father in compromising positions better left unknown. Kate is shocked, what happened to Eve to turn her into someone she didn't know and didn't want to know, why would she be doing this....As Kate looked through the open window of the Mercedes into the face of one of her dearest friends, Eve's dead body not giving the answers Kate long for, reliving every horrible moment of the last conversation she's had with Eve, and when Kate gained the knowledge of her father's infidelity. It was the day Kate grew up.

But now, it's a different time, a different place. There is little doubt that Eve and her passenger are a murder-suicide, not with the ugly bruises on their bodies, as if someone held them down before killing them. With Eve's tawdry sex trade and the pictures that Kate knew were still out there, the search for the killer must begin. As Kate and her partner, Rocky, begin the search of Eve's questionable deeds, Kate comes across a photo album containing all Eve's conquests, including Kate's father. She knew she shouldn't, but the picture was too disturbing, embarrassing. Kate slipped it from it plastic casing and into her pocket. No one needs to know. Almost as soon as the deed is done, Kate knows it's wrong. She's corrupted the investigation into a homicide by trying to protect her family.

When Lt. Andrews finds out about Kate's indiscretion, she's pulled from the case, but the case won't leave her alone, literally. She's pulled back in time and time again. First, by a misidentification of Eve's passenger by his supposed wife, Daisy. Then by Mrs. Tremayne who makes her swear to find the killer. And just when she thinks she can let go, someone kidnaps Daisy's daughter six year old daughter, Bonnie. It just won't leave her alone, and it's a good thing, because someone is out to kill Kate to top off everything else. What can Kate do to find the answers before the killer succeeds? How can she trust? And will it mean her job?

Deadly Legacy by Robin Burcell was a fast paced whodunit that didn't stop until the last page. It has all the makings that all great stories have, corrupt politicians, dirty cops, sex pictures, videos, and sex on CD. It grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. Our intrepid detective, Kate Gillespie, is up to her eyes in dirt and smut; and everyone is willing to kill to make a profit from the illicit activities found within the story. The involvement goes all the way to the FBI, but why shouldn't it. Politicians of all varieties were involved with Eve, which is a perfect name of this character, Eve who couldn't resist the forbidden temptation and all the money it bought with it. And Eve's little sex club is called 'The Garden of Eden'. As our heroine, Kate, makes more discoveries of the perversities that man will stoop to all in the name of pain, the story becomes more involved. Not only was Eve blackmailing people, but Eve's father may have been involved as well. Our hero is this tale is Kate's long time love interest, Mike Torrance, and why these two remain apart is beyond this reader's knowledge. The sexual tension is so great that it oozes out of the pages. Yes, they have a past and words hurtful words were said, but it's nothing that can't be undone if only Kate can get past herself. Mike is the strong, up standing type that knows what he wants, but doesn't quite know how to get it, not without stepping on Kate's toes and maybe scaring her off. He'd like nothing better than to ravish Kate, but is held back by Kate herself.

Deadly Legacy was a rockin' ride that any amusement park would be happy to have. It starts out slow and smooth, but soon it has you zipping around corners, upside down, and turned around. What you thought you knew isn't always exactly what it seems to be. It's a classic whodunit that keeps you begging for more. I can highly recommended this book for all fans of mystery, mayhem, and romance. I was definitely satisfied, and if I hadn't already read the next book, I'd be waiting with bated breath to see if Kate and Mike actually make it into bed. But, seeing how I know, you'll just have to check it out for yourself. To find out more information about Ms. Burcell's great books, please check out her website.

Robin Burcell

Hi Everyone!

As many of you may realize, I like crime novels--duh--well, almost any kind of novel. I also follow a blog, that many of you may have heard me speak about (okay, rave about) call TLC (The Lipstick Chronicles). This is a blog mystery writers get together and post to everyday (the cast of authors include Nancy Martin, Elaine Viets, Harley Jane Kozak, Michele Martinez, and Sarah Strohmeyer). They all write great mystery novels, I've read most. While visiting their site, I discovered a new author (for me anyway), Robin Burcell. I sent her a comment about her new book, Face of a Killer, and she was so nice, that not only did she answer my comment, but sent an email and casually asked me to let her know if I liked her novel. So, after finishing her book and reviewing it, Face of a Killer, I sent her a return email. I told her how much I enjoyed her book, and I couldn't believe it, she sent me another email, glad that I enjoyed her book and that I had made her night (she even checked out my reviews!!)! The only thing that I can say is that she not only made my night, but my day for taking the time to respond to one lowly fan and showing her appreciation. Thank you Ms. Burcell for the stories you work so hard to complete and giving a part of yourself to your readers. Everyone visit Robin Burcell's site @ http://www.robinburcell.com/ and read her books, they're great!

Dottie

Face of a Killer by Robin Burcell

Publisher: Poison Pen Press
Pages: 378


From the Cover: Facts lie . . . Two decades after the murder that shattered her world, FBI agent and forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick confronts her father's killer face to face. But the inmate who's scheduled to be executed for the crime is not what she expected. Heightening Sydney's unease, she receives a photograph sent to her by a man just prior to his suicide, causing her to question everything she believed about her father. Now she wants the truth—no matter where it's hidden, no matter how painful . . . or dangerous......

Sydney Fitzpatrick is a FBI agent and a forensic artist, she helps where others cannot. She draws the faces of kidnappers, rapists, and murderers. She helps victims which are beyond the help of the police and medicine, she reconstructs the dead. She's 33 years old, but has lived a life time. Her one quest in life is to find out what happened to her father twenty years ago, when his pizza palor was robbed and burned to the ground with him inside.

Sydney's mother wants nothing more than for her to drop the whole issue. Syd wants to go to San Quentin to face the man who killed her father. When she does, all hell breaks loose. Johnnie Walker swears he's not the killer, but he saw the man who is. Scotty, Syd's one time boyfriend, wants her to leave the case alone. But as Sydney is drawn into her father's case, she comes to realize that Walker may not be the killer and the killer is out there waiting for her and her family including little sister, Angie--an FBI agent in training at age 12. As things go from bad to worse, Syd comes to face the facts that a long time family friend may be responsible for all of her suffering. If only she can prove it before Walker is executed.

Face of a Killer is the first book in the Sydney Fitzpatrick series published in 2008. It is a turbulent ride from start to finish. As you step on board the roller coaster that is Sydney's life, you go from one misadventure to another. Fighting bad guys in the streets of San Francisco to Baja California to little San Arleta, the action never quits. Again Ms. Burcell gives us a wonderful ride into the life of criminal activity. Visit Ms. Burcell's site @ http://www.robinburcell.com/ for more information about all of her great crime novels.

Cold Case by Robin Burcell

Publisher: Avon Books / Harper Collins Publishers
Pages: 273


From the cover: Three years ago SFPD Homicide Investigator Kate Gillespie was in pursuit of a suspect who murdered a hooker in a sleazy motel, and she nearly lost her own life in the process. The shooter escaped into the San Francisco shadows and the trail went colder than the grave. Now Kate's appearance on a Bay Area "crime stoppers" TV show produces new leads that carry her back into the sordid world of drugs and prostitution......

Kate Gillespie is a homicide detective and good at her job. But since being involved in the Twin Palms shooting, she has been regulated to cold case work....Who would have thought cold case work could be dangerous. As she starts to investigate the murder of a local high priced call girl, Fiona Winchester--a cold case relating to the Twin Palms shooting, her relatively safe desk job turns into a case of major criminal activity that involves some high power players.

As Kate get deeper into the case, she realizes drugs, a local crime boss (who has the hots for her), and various other nefarious characters seem to want nothing more than to see her dead. Her long time love interest, Mike Torrance, has joined the forces of the FBI and is even more distant than usual. Could he be jealous of Nick Paolini, does he really think she could be interested in a crime boss? Could Nick Paolini's ex-wife, Lucia, be behind the attempts on her life, the one from three years ago to the recent ones?

Cold Case is the third book in the Kate Gillespie series published in 2004. As the story unfolds, Kate finds herself in one dangerous position after another. It is an excellent crime story that as it unfolds grabs your attention and doesn't let go. To find out more about Ms. Burcell's books, visit her website @ http://www.robinburcell.com/.

Another Day, Better Evening AND John Sandford Reviews (Two)

Well, it's almost 5:00 in the morning, which means I only slept for about 2 hours. Have been trying to go back to sleep, but the insomnia has won this round. I hate to take the pills the doctor prescribed, I know the pain in my ankle is the problem, but I don't like the after effects on the sleeping meds. I feel almost drunk the next day, which is worse than being worn out the next day. Going to have to go back and maybe have the nerve block, which I also really dislike doing, but I have to be able to sleep. After a nap later today, I'll feel better and then maybe I won't need the nerve block. See, to have the nerve block, they stick about an eight inch needle along the effected side of your spine, doesn't feel real good, and the last one caused back spasms longer than the effects of the nerve block lasted. My back killed me for about a month and my leg stopped hurting for about 3 days, it just didn't seem like a fair trade off or worth being in the extra pain. RSD causes my ankle to hurt, even though the original break healed months ago, my sympathetic nervous system still thinks it's injured and continues to make my ankle ache. Maybe I'm just being a crybaby and should get over it. I try not even to mention it to my kids or hubby, just causes them extra guilt and makes me feel silly.

Well, starting to get sleepy, so I'm going to quit for now, though I'll probably add to this post later today. Computer starting to act wonky anyway. Talk to you soon,

*************

Well, slept about 4 more hours throughout the day, and I'm feeling much better!! I'm already tired, so sleeping tonight shouldn't be a problem. Shouldn't even need my sleeping meds!! And my leg feeling better, not a lot, but enough that I think I'll be able to sleep, don't even want to try another nerve block right now. Still throbbing, but I think I can handle it.

*************

I've read another couple of good books since Christmas, Phantom Prey and Heat Lightning both by John Sandford.  Here are a couple of short reviews.

Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: Phantom Prey--384 (May 2008) Heat Lightning--400 (September 2008)


Phantom Prey is a Lucas Davenport novel (the 18th in the series) about a widow, Alyssa, who can't find her daughter, Frances, but mysteriously finds her blood smeared throughout the kitchen. Frances was heavy into goth, and Lucas must investigate, mostly as a favor to Weather, his wife and friend of Alyssa's. Lucas is sure Frances has met with foul play, but how and why, and who is this Fairy that everyone seems to know. Who is killing the goth wannabees? Only time will tell Davenport what he needs to know.

Heat Lightning is the second book in the Virgil Flowers series. Virgil Flowers is a detective from the Lucas Davenport series, who came with Davenport into the BCA. He's very good at what he does, sort of like a younger Davenport. In Virgil's first book, he investigated the death of an old man who burned to death. In this book, Virgil investigates the death of Vietnam Vets who appear to be executed in a traditional Vietnamese manner, with a lemon stuffed in their mouths. As the deaths pile up, Virgil gets deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounding the deaths. Virgil likes woman a lot, and soon becomes involved with Mai, one of the local Vietnamese-American women, or is she? There are many twists and turns in this story, with clues leading the reader towards the executioner that may involve the U.S. government. How deep will the mystery go? The Virgil Flowers series is excellent, especially for readers missing the womanizer that Davenport used to be, but with undertones of Virgil's minister father in the background.

John Sandford (a.k.a. John Camp) was recently embedded in Iraq, writing articles for MinnPost as well as recently covering the RNC convention. He is also releasing the 19th Davenport novel, Wicked Prey, in May. He's one busy man.


New author alert: Robin Burcell--Crime/Mystery--check out her new book, Face of a Killer and her website @ http://www.robinburcell.com/ . Good reading!


Have a great night!