The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, Violet Ambrose has be able to sense murdered things since childhood. Dead squirrels, dead birds, dead bunnies, and oh yeah dead people. She can also smell murders. As a teenager this "gift", this "curse", this "existence" comes into play when a serial killer starts using her town as a hunting ground and grave yard Violet's skill goes into overdrive. Add in a best friend who doesn't know he is a lover interest and you have a nice teen mystery/suspense/drama.

Supernaturalist - Eoin Colfer

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer. Up until the latest Artemis Fowl book I was a huge Eoin Colfer fan. His books are funny, quirky, and quick, a nice break from creepy mysteries. Unfortunately this early work is not nearly as fun. A futuristic time, an orphan, a global business conspiracy, it could have been good. Unfortunately the characters are underdeveloped, the story a little pieced together, and then at the end I just didn't care. I was glad it read fast. Thank goodness!

The Boy Who Could Fly - James Norcliffe

The Boy Who Could Fly, James Norcliffe. Michael or red is an unwanted lving in a home for abandoned children. One day he sees a weird boy, a boy with wings on his back who can fly. The boy, who calls himself the loblolly boy tells Red he can teach him to fly, give him wings to leave the prison of orphanage he has spent his whole life in. Michael finds that freedom isn't always what it seems, that there is a price to pay for every action in life. While not the most exciting book I've ever read it is a decent quick read.

The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman - I've been meaning to read this series for years, probably since before the movie came, yet I've never gotten around to it. This November while hubby was in Portland he stumbled into a fun little book store with shelves stuffed with both used and new books. Somehow he stumbled upon the series. He bought all three and presented them as early birthday gifts. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book. The movie follows the story almost exactly so if you've seen it you know the book. These books exist in an alternate history of the world where people carry their souls outside of their body in the form of animals. Lyra the young protagonist is an orphan growing up with little supervision in an all male college. One day she decides to spy on the master of the college and finds herself swept up in a political game. There have been some efforts to ban the this book because of negative references to "the church". Pullman probably is making some social commentary. For me it is a non issue. I did happen to find some issue with the basic "rules" of the story but I read it for entertainment, and entertaining is how I found it.

Elizabeth George - This Body of Death

Elizabeth George - This Body of Death. I love Elizabeth George the way I love John Grisham. As he introduced me to mystery, Elizabeth introduced me to English mystery. It was a love at first sight. After her first book I read every English/Irish mystery I could get my hands on. Like most relationships though this one has lost it's shine. All my favorite characters are still here. Lynley, Havers, Winston. The dynamics between them are the reason I read. The mystery itself a little ridiculous. The lush new boss brought in so that Lynley can get back on his woman loving groove, absolutely horrible! I guess I'm in these books for the long haul, until someone dies but it has gotten to the point where they actually pain me to read.