From the shelves

Through spring and summer, we now fall into reading


By Tom Mayer
tmayer@cullmantimes.com

So many books, so little time, so … let’s get to it. Here we offer two dozen titles that I’ve picked and plucked from the … more than a few dozen … I receive from publishers each year. From the best nonfiction (and a journey through history with Pope Francis), children’s fiction (just try to resist a story with the title, “Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week”) and fiction from acknowledged masters to masters-in-the-making, this list isn’t exhaustive — somewhere north of 1 million books are published each year — but I’m betting you’ll find more than few titles listed here to ignite your fall reading.

“Ferris” (Candlewick) by Kate DiCamillo: Introduce a ghost and a family of warring raccoons into Ferris Wilkey’s summer before fifth grade and it becomes a season of sheer pandemonium. As always, DiCamillo's writing shines with warmth and empathy.

“After Annie” (Random House) by Anna Quindlen: A poignant story of loss and the long road to healing following the death of Annie Bowen as her husband, children and closest friend are left to understand and repair the chasms left in their own lives and addictions. The novel is a beautiful exploration of love, grief and resilience.

“The Number One Lawyer” (Little, Brown and Company) by James Patterson and Nancy Allen: The authors team for a fast-paced legal thriller about a top lawyer who becomes a top murder suspect following the death of his wife. The novel is a gripping page-turner filled with unexpected twists and turns.

“Life: My Story Through History” (HarperOne) by Pope Francis, translated by Aubrey Botsford: Pope Francis shares his personal journey intertwined with pivotal moments in modern history, offering insights into his faith and leadership. This memoir is a deeply reflective and inspirational account of a life dedicated to service.

“Friends in Napa” (Mindy’s Book Studio) by Stella Yasmin Marikar with an introduction by Mindy Kaling: Marikar’s novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and wine in California's Napa Valley, where six old friends reunite to navigate life’s complexities … and the illusion of friendship. The story is filled with warmth, humor and a touch of nostalgia.

“Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week” (Peachtree) by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Vin Vogel: Thomson presents a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure and Otto the dog that turns two soon-to-be friends' world upside down. Those who loved “The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” will relish this new tale.

“For Worse” (Blackstone Publishing, paperback) by L.K. Bowen: This dark thriller puts readers into intricate plots of marital revenge as Ellie tries to, again, leave her seemingly picture-perfect married life. A tale about a psychologically abusive, manipulative and cruel marriage keeps readers on the edge.

“The Forgetters” (Heyday) by Greg Sarris: Sarris delivers a compelling tale of memory and identity, as two crow sisters, Question Woman and Answer Woman, must work in tandem to recount the journeys of the Forgetters. The novel, told in the style of Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok creation stories, is a profound meditation on the power of storytelling.

“Lost to Dune Road” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Kara Thomas: Pulled back into an unsolved murder after a mistake ruined her reporting career, Lee Ellerin finds a chance for redemption in finding the killer. Thomas weaves a tale of secrets buried along a road to vindication. The story is a haunting exploration of the past's grip on the present.

“Pictures of Time” (Silver Street Media, large format) by David Alexander with graphic design by Tommy Steele: A tale of time is told through photographs as the book explores how art and science converge and cross. The book is rich with vivid descriptions and thought-provoking themes.

“Murder on Demand” (Blackstone Publishing) by Al Roker and Matt Costello: Book 4 in Roker’s The Morning Show Murders series takes place a decade after Billy Blessing’s adventure in Chicago. Much has changed for Blessing in the past 10 years, but when a woman walks into his life talking about murder, things start to seem very familiar. The novel is a clever, fast-paced thriller with a bookish twist.

“Matterhorn” (Mac Dekker Book 1) by Christopher Reich: Mac Dekker is living in an Alpine village, trying to put his past in the past — until he learns that his son, following in his footsteps, was killed in the Alps. Reich crafts a tense military thriller set against the backdrop of a high-stakes mission. The novel is packed with action, suspense and geopolitical intrigue.

“The Hunter’s Daughter” (Berkley, paperback) by Nicola Solvinic: Suppressed childhood memories return after Lt. Anna Koray kills a man in the line of duty. The novel is a haunting exploration of family as a serial killer emerges — and one who is both copying her father and seems to know way too much about her.

“The House That Horror Built” (Berkley, paperback) by Christina Henry: House cleaner Harry Adams tries to do her job, keep her head low and safeguard the employment she need to support her son. She maintains all of that until she hears noises from behind a locked door that sound like a human cry for help. The story is a spine-chilling mix of gothic horror and psychological suspense.

“In Our Stars” (The Doomed Earth Duology) (Ace) by Jack Campbell: Campbell’s space opera is an epic tale of love, loss, and interstellar conflict. The novel is a sweeping adventure that explores the human spirit's resilience in the vastness of space as the genetically engineered — and ostracized because of it — Lt. Selene Genji is thrust four decades into the past with a chance to save Earth from the annihilation she witnessed in her present time.

“Free Set” (The Four Cities Series Book 3) (Blackstone) by Sarina Dahlan: This sequel to “Reset” (“Preset” was the first in the series) continues the thrilling saga of a group of Dreamers fighting to find each other after Tabula Rosa — the process that wipes citizens’ memories every four years. The story is built on a foundation of family and hope … and fragile trusts.

“Camino Ghosts” (Doubleday) by John Grisham: The best of the Camino Island series to date (“Camino Island” and “Camino Winds” preceded), Grisham’s latest legal drama follows a seasoned lawyer on a quest for justice in a small coastal town. The justice here is social as the sole descendent of a community of runaway Black slaves must save a haunted island, and her heritage, from the hands and wallets of developers. The novel is a gripping exploration of corruption and redemption.

“Lake County” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Lori Roy: Reimagining the life of Marilyn Monroe, aka Aunt Jean, involves a niece and her boyfriend, who also happens to be part of the illegal bolita he’s running on mob lands. When he’s forced to make a deal that could save both of their lives, worlds are altered in an atmospheric 1950s setting from the Edgar Award-winning Roy.

“Serendipity” (Dutton, paperback) by Becky Chalsen: Chalsen weaves a heartwarming tale of unexpected love and second chances set in the charming backdrop of a seaside town. The novel is a delightful mix of romance, humor and serendipitous moments as Maggie reconnects with her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. In a summer share house named Serendipity, Maggie, with the help of her friends, will try to get her life back on track — if she can avoid the drama running on the rails.

“Shelterwood” (Ballantine Books) by Lisa Wingate: Exploring a centuries-old legacy of missing child cases, Wingate’s novel tells the story of a long-hidden burial site in the newly minted Horsethief Trail National Park. When a ranger’s quest for justice unearths more than the burials from a century ago, the book becomes a poignant exploration of memory, loss and the story of children abandoned by the law.

“The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra Needle” (Holiday House) by Dan Gutman: Gutman’s novel is a playful retelling of Cleopatra’s life, with a humorous twist that reimagines history: Could Central Park’s Cleopatra’s Needle have been built by thousands of people in 1461 BCE? The story is a fun and educational romp through the ancient world.

“Jackpot Summer” (Penguin) by Elysa Friedland: Born into a frugal family, the four Jacobson siblings have nonetheless made a mess of their adult financial lives. Whiles one declines to partake, the other three buy a (winning) Powerball ticket and soon find their lives really spiraling out of control. The story is a suspenseful exploration of greed, family, fate and drama.

“The Helper” (Blackstone) by M.M. Dewil: Written by a former monk from North India who is today an award-winning Hollywood director and director, Dewil’s novel is laced with lies, deceit, revenge and how one woman struggles to earn her own piece of the American Dream. The debut is a testament to the author’s biting wit and satirical commentary.

“Winter Lost” (Mercy Thompson, book 14) (Ace) by Patricia Briggs: Ancient and arcane magics are at work, as is Mercy Thompson Hauptman’s mate, a werewolf protector of the Tri-Cities of Washington State, and her brother, Adam, who needs a helping hand in Montana. “Winter Lost” is the 14th segment of this best-selling, highly rated urban fantasy series.

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Stafford Lee defends a local doctor on a charge of murder.
And ultimately is charged with murder himself.
This is a twisting plot narrative and it is very entertaining. Seems like there is a serial killer on the loose and if it isnt Stafford Lee, he better figure out who it is before he goes to prison for life.

Very well written, entertaining and plausible. I enjoyed this very much and I do recommend. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC.

Stafford Lee Penney is an amazing lawyer in Biloxi, Mississippi, and he gets a client who is most likely guilty, off on a murder charge in The #1 Lawyer , a thriller with James Patterson’s name on it with co-writer Nancy Allen. Anything James Patterson is instantly a best seller, but that doesn’t mean the novels are well-written or even good. Apparently Nancy Allen knows her stuff, because this is one of the best written James Patterson novels out there. The writing style is not James Patterson, and will appeal to most thriller aficionados rather than just the lowest common denominator - tabloid reader. In this excellent novel, Stafford Lee’s wife is murdered shortly after the trial and the police (always incompetent) think it’s related to the trial and was committed by a disgruntled relative of the murder victim. His wife was with a lover, who was also murdered, since he was presumed to be Stafford Lee. Stafford Lee takes his wife’s death hard, starts drinking, and ends up on rehab. After rehab, his client’s wife is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect.

Allen has done an excellent job of developing the characters in this novel, and they are definitely believable, especially by those who are familiar with Biloxi, the surrounding areas and the culture there. The story has twists and turns that keep readers on the edge, and there are enough suspects to keep them thinking. This novel is hard to put down. It captures some of the racism that is prevalent even today in the south, and the dénouement is surprising. Unlike Patterson, Allen has obviously done her research – there are no blatant issues that are false or misleading and also unlike many of Patterson’s novels, there are no parts of the plot that are left dangling.

All told, readers who pick up this novel will want to read everything written by Nancy Allen.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I liked this book more than I thought I would, but a lot of the legal jargon and courtroom proceedings were losing me. Like I knew the book was about a lawyer, I just didn't realize how heavy the story would be in the courtroom. I should of, but didn't. I liked the narrator and thought he did a nice job on all the individual voices.

You can never go wrong with James Patterson. His story telling is always top notch and I am always invested in his characters.

After I read this book, I was curious to see if others felt like this was a cheap rip off of John Grisham. I was glad to see I wasn't the only one who felt like they were reading a cheap imitation of Grisham.

This book started out okay, but just slowly slid downhill for me. My interest in what really happened waned fast. I just couldn't jump on board with the characters and the plot.

Overall, this book was pretty meh. Grisham wrote it better.

This is a pretty good book by the prolific James Patterson; felt like I was reading a Grisham book however. A quick read and enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I am a huge fan of James Patterson and this was my first time reading anything by Nancy Allen. The plotline was good, there were a couple of twists along the way, and the characters were well-developed.

“Gobblicious” is the perfect word to describe this compelling novel. This book masterfully blends a riveting courtroom legal battle with an irresistible mystery-thriller.

James Patterson teams up for his second collaboration with the accomplished Nancy Allen. She brings not only her own thrilling novels to the table but also her legal expertise as a former assistant attorney general and prosecutor, adding authenticity to this whirlwind tale. Patterson’s own talents for characterization and plotting shine throughout this suspenseful story.

Stafford Lee Penney, a local Biloxi hero, relishes engaging with his constituents. Revered as a criminal defense attorney who has never lost a case, he staunchly believes in the Fifth Amendment’s right to due process for everyone, regardless of personal feelings about the client. He finds himself embroiled in a highly explosive and controversial case, defending Dr. Daniel Caro, who is accused of murdering his lover, Aurora Gates. Despite the circumstantial evidence, the prosecuting district attorney, Henry Gordon-Jones—whose niece is the victim—presents damning evidence, including photos and expert testimony suggesting that Aurora’s body shows signs of strangulation and a gunshot wound, alongside other brutal injuries. Penney’s cross-examination highlights his client’s humanity and service to the community, even suggesting the possibility of another suspect. After a tumultuous trial, the verdict of “Not Guilty” leads to courtroom chaos, including an assault on Penney by the victim’s father, Benjamin Gates.

The plot thickens when Penney receives a phone call about the murder of his estranged wife, Carrie, found in their bed next to a man whose face has been gruesomely disfigured. Next to the bed, the authorities discover Benjamin Gates, dead from an apparent suicide. Overwhelmed with grief, Penney’s life spirals into alcoholism. The situation worsens when Dr. Caro’s wife is also found murdered, making Penney a prime suspect. He decides to defend himself, supported by his long-time friends Mason Burnett, a successful trial lawyer, and Jenny Glaser, a private investigator.

The authors excel at storytelling, weaving multiple plot lines, twists, and unexpected events into a suspenseful tale full of menace and intrigue. This unpredictable narrative culminates in an explosive finale, deftly addressing themes of racism, corruption, and the complex ramifications of both friendship and love. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com.....

I loved it. Lots of twists and turns on what was going to happen next. One of my new favorite books.

You will probably think you're reading Grisham. But not Grisham at his peak. The book is okay. I wish I had listened to the audio version while on a drive because it was a mediocre read, but maybe a great voice actor could elevate it. I did not hear the audio version so that's speculation.
Top lawyer is murder suspect. Okay, we've trekked this road before and it's been done better elsewhere. Including in one of the Lincoln Lawyer novels. These author with sub author books are a curious thing. I wonder who was actually the lead creative force. Things that make you go hmm.


C+

Classic James Patterson mixed with a bit of John Grishams southern lawyer vibe adds to one heck of a story filled with rich characters, well plotted red herrings, and a delightful twist. This one is a sure fire hit and will make you look twice the next time you see a life guard! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the read!

I think that James Patterson will always be an author that can capture my attention and will always love reading. Stafford Lee Penny is a small town, southern lawyer that is known and knows everyone. The case he is working on now has quite a few risks and leads to quite a few problems for Stafford. This case ends up complicating things for Stafford and he ends up with a murder charge of his own. In this fast paced, suspenseful thriller, we find out how Stafford can get out of this charge.

This was a great fast-paced story, the characters and plot were well written and flowed so nicely. I honestly didn't want to put this one down, I read it in a day. I hope that he makes this one a series, because I would love to hear more about Stafford, his private eye, Penny and the rest of the small town crew.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company Publishing and James Patterson and Nancy Allen for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. The #1 Lawyer publishing date was 18 March 2024. If you like a quick, suspenseful read, pick up this one!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for review, based upon my honest opinion

It has been a hot minute since I have read a James Patterson book that I enjoyed this much. The pace of this book, the storyline, and the characters were so good and so well written. This book reminds me of why I love James Patterson. I was obsessed with the Alex Cross books and the Women’s Murder Club series has to be one of my all-time favourite series. I hope that this book becomes a series because I really enjoyed the characters.

Stafford Lee Penny, is a big-time lawyer in a small town, his reputation is known by everyone. Stafford’s latest case seems like it may not be winnable, and if it isn’t, what risk is there to him as his client is a mob boss’ son. Is the verdict the right verdict or is Stafford Lee potentially fighting to set a guilty man free.

Stafford Lee is not alone in his fight for justice. He has a wonderful private eye Penny, a new assistant, Rue and a good friend Mason, who is also a solicitor. What happens when Stafford Lee becomes accused of murder? Is someone setting him up or is there something deeper going on?

Great book quick read I really hope there’s a second in this series.

Fans of the James Patterson franchise are the target for the book, but it had definite overtones of Grisham novels as well. It WAS set in Mississippi, after all. The characters and plot keep you entertained, but I wouldn’t place it with my favorite legal thriller authors.

Patterson's books can occasionally be hit or miss for me. This one definitely hit the mark! This is a fast-paced page turner. It pulls the reader in from the start, then takes the reader on a twisty ride to the unexpected ending. The mix of realistic courtroom drama mixed with murder, corruption, and well-developed characters make this an engaging read.

At this point, James Patterson attaches his name and recognition to books written by other people. Some are good- Howard Roughan- and some are not. The #1 Lawyer is somewhere in the middle. I miss old James Patterson when he wrote his own books.

I love books by James Patterson and The #1 Lawyer did not disappoint. It grabbed me from the very beginning and I didn't want to put it down until the last page. Full of twist and turns, I highly recommend, The #1 Lawyer, by James Patterson.

I had a lively conversation with James Patterson about The #1 Lawyer, co-written with Nancy Allen for my podcast The Modern Law Library. It was obvious that they carefully researched for the courtroom scenes, which should be appreciated by the readers with legal backgrounds. I liked that both the prosecutor and criminal defense attorney were given agency and personalities. The adventures outside the courtroom felt far-fetched, but most legal thrillers do! I think it's a perfect accompaniment for an airplane journey, and it ends satisfactorily if it's a one-off, while leaving potential room for further adventures for Stafford Lee Penney.

Such a fun murder mystery! Stafford Lee Penney is the top attorney in Biloxi, Mississippi when he wins a particular case but loses his life as he has known it. This is the story of his rehabilitation both emotionally and legally. There are lots of murder cases to solve, lots of clues to put together, and a surprise ending to tie it all together. It's a fast, compelling read, with short chapters and lots of action. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The #1 Lawyer.