How to wring something positive out of one huge negative—that was the challenge I set for myself this spring. America, and the world, had shut down, locked down, were sheltering in place like victims of a mass shooting. But this enemy was invisible. The coronavirus, COVID-19, had arrived.
Once again another year has ended, and we take a look back at the many books reviewed in KRL. Each of our main reviewers share in this post their top 5 favorite books they reviewed in 2016. Usually I include myself in this list, but to my surprise I found that I have reviewed very few books this year.
In 2009, Dodger Stadium is hosting the World Baseball Classic between Japan and their arch-rival South Korea. With his son-in-law Lloyd the newly promoted Head Groundskeeper, Mas Arai has the privilege of being on the field to witness this match between teams that fully embrace this distinctly American sport. When an aggressively combative reporter from Japan collapses on the field, questions arise whether his death was instigated by his present-day investigations or originated from long-held, never forgotten national aggression.
Beauty is only skin-deep, and that is never more apparent than in this impressive collection of short stories by the Los Angeles Chapter of Sisters in Crime. This biannual anthology takes readers on a tour that reveals the darkness hiding under the gorgeous veneer of Southern California, where illusions and play-acting are a way of life.
Ellie Rush recently finished her first year of probation with the Los Angeles Police Department, but her latest assignment on the Bicycle Coordination Unit has her serving as a crossing guard in front of Grand Avenue’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. On the way to the restroom, Ellie exchanges a few friendly words with the hall’s charming gardener, Eduardo Fuentes. Just a few moments later, she discovers that he’s been pushed down the stairs and critically injured. The culprit is still on the scene, loudly declaring that it was an act of self-defense. Fang Xu, the father of a world-famous visiting Chinese violist, is claiming that Fuentes was attempting to steal his son's cello, a Stradivarius worth five million dollars.
Interested in the exotic? Canadian author R.J. Harlick takes us to the mystical islands of Haida off the coast of British Columbia in The Silver Totem of Shame. When a totem carver is killed, Meg Harris investigates and discovers a totem pole telling the old tale of a chief's treasure that incited a deception. Find out how the story impacts our heroine's life in this, the 6th in the Meg Harris Mysteries.
Barely off of probation and still a rookie with the Los Angeles Police Department, Ellie Rush is struggling to establish herself as a patrolling bicycle cop taking complaints, writing up tickets, and hearing more complaints. It’s not a glamorous job, but Ellie has the ambition and intelligence to accept menial duties if it means advancing her career. That her aunt is the highest ranking Asian-American within the LAPD is a secret few know, as while Assistant Chief Cheryl Toma is a wizard at political maneuvering she has her own detractors and list of enemies.
Only a week away! I couldn't cover all the authors but Coming Attractions will continue to share about upcoming mystery novels even after LCC is but a memory.
I am a big fan of Naomi Hirahara’s writing for many reasons. She is able to bring to life a wonderful unassuming hero in Mas Arai. Reading her books immerses the reader in the richness of a bit of Japanese culture. She always brings to life a setting that is probably new to most—in Strawberry Yellow, Watsonville, California, and the strawberry industry.
Here finally are some more of the Left Coast Crime Mining For Murder mystery author video interviews that have not yet been posted here in KRL! We have Simon Wood, Clark Lohr, Louise Crawford, Sally Carpenter, Jonnie Jacobs, Naomi Hirahara and Ken Kuhlken. Watch for our interview with Juliet Blackwell coming later this month.
