Breaking Silence, like Linda Castillo's previous books, is set in Amish Country in Ohio, and features Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. Kate is called to the scene of a tragedy on an Amish farm, where the Slabaugh parents and uncle are found dead in what appears to be an accident. But, the coroner discovers evidence of foul play, and Special Agent John Tomasetti is sent to learn if these deaths are connected to recent hate crimes.
Melissa de la Cruz's Witches of East End introduces the Beauchamps, a family of incredibly powerful witches, who have been living in North Hampton, suppressing their powers. When they give in to temptation, and start to use their magic, they bring unwanted attention to themselves. And, it seems that there are dark powers working against them.
Paul Doiron, author of the Edgar nominee, The Poacher's Son, takes readers back to the Maine wilderness, and back in the life of game warden Mike Bowditch, who reopens a seven year old murder case, with opponents trying to prevent him from bringing a killer to justice.
Bones of a Feather is the latest Sarah Booth Delaney southern mystery by Carolyn Haines. When P.I. Sarah Booth Delaney takes on the Levert sisters as clients, she becomes involved with the family's sordid past, a missing four-million-dollar necklace, and then, a missing Levert.
A Bedlam of Bones by Suzette Hill brings back Reverend Oughterard, the renowned "humbug crunching vicar," and his talking cat and dog, Maurice and Bouncer. This time, they take on a blackmailer who is stalking the bishop. Think Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries set in a quaint British village mystery.
Here's one to watch for, Craig Johnson's latest Walt Longmire mystery, Hell is Empty. A confessed murderer and other convicts escape in a snowstorm, and it's up to Walt, guided only by Indian mysticism and a battered paperback of Dante's Inferno, to pursue them into the icy hell of the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area.Fred Lichtenberg takes readers into the complex world of a small Long Island community in Hunter's World.. When a syndicated romance columnist is murdered, lewd paintings are uncovered that lead to scandal. When the townspeople turn on Police Chief Hank Reed, he finds himself alone in the investigation, risking everything to find the killers.
Inspector Peter Diamond returns in Peter Lovesey's Stagestruck. Diamond has to confront his own mysterious and deep-seated theater phobia to find a killer who strikes during a celebrity appearance at Bath's Theatre Royal. There are bitter rivalries, the disfigurement of a diva, and, of course, murder.
Rosamund Lupton's debut novel, Sister, was a hit in the UK. It's a thriller that proves there is nothing as strong as the bond between sisters. When Beatrice's sister, Tess, goes missing, she returns to London. When Tess is found dead, apparently by suicide, everyone but Bee accepts that she killed herself. But, Bee knows different, and, determined to find a killer, she takes over Tess' life to learn the secrets that could cost Bee her own life.
The Counterfeit Madam by Pat McIntosh is the eighth mystery to feature Gil Cunningham, set in medieval Glasgow. Gil is ordered to investigate an outbreak of counterfeit coins in Glasgow, but when he tries to look into the death of his sister's godmother, Dame Isabella, he continues to find false coins. Gil and his wife, Alys, are soon involved in sinister matters in their investigation.
The end of June brings us Brenda Novak's Inside, the story of Virgil Skinner. He spent fourteen years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, but, once he's out, he can't escape the gang he joined in order to survive. If they can't get to him, they'll go after his sister and her kids. To protect her, he goes undercover, back into prison to infiltrate another gang. Warden Peyton Adams doesn't want him in her prison. She's afraid she might not be able to protect the man she's attracted to.
With You Belong to Me, author Karen Rose begins a new romantic suspense series that features Baltimore homicide detectives, district attorneys and prosecutors as lead characters. Two decades earlier, a young woman was brutally assaulted and murdered while onlookers did nothing. Now, someone is getting revenge on those witnesses, and Baltimore medical examiner Dr. Lucy Trask is the one finding the bodies. Detective J.D. Fitzpatrick has to convince Lucy to share secrets of her past connection to the case, secrets that might lead to her own death.Karin Slaughter brings us a novel that looks as if it's going to be a powerful thriller, Fallen. Faith Mitchell is a cop. But, she's also a daughter. Her mother isn't answering her phone. Her front door is open. When she sees a bloodstain, she charges into her mother's house, finding a man dead, and a hostage situation. But, she doesn't find her mother. Suddenly, Faith is a witness, and a suspect who finds out what hides behind the thin blue line; police corruption, bribery, and murder.
And, the final book in this month's treasures is John Milliken Thompson's The Reservoir. Thompson started out researching an old Richmond, Virginia court case for a nonfiction book. He ended up writing a story of historical fiction, beginning with the discovery of a woman's body floating in the city reservoir. Suicide? Or foul play involving an affair with an ambitious young lawyer. It's a story that ends in a riveting courtroom climax.
Well, I'm all set for June, even if no other books show up in my closet. And, just think. June's hot titles will be discussed tomorrow. What appeals to you in the list?
