PositiveCleveland.comIt\'s not often that a mystery features such a fresh plot. Jennifer Hiller\'s thrilling, and quite terrifying, Jar of Hearts is definitely not something you\'ve read before ... The [novel\'s] answers will surprise even the most hardened thriller readers.
Robert Galbraith
RaveThe Cleveland Plain DealerThis week, though, I was reminded to not judge a book by its cover. Or, its author ... Yes, the characters and themes are a little tired on the surface: a supermodel hounded by the paparazzi kills herself (or does she?); the burden of celebrity (especially in pop-star obsessed England) is expounded upon; a detective with more than a few issues of his own is asked to investigate ...as she has done throughout her career, Rowling fully fleshes out her cast – who are a lot more interesting than their superficial appearances ...a testament to Rowling's skillful way of imbuing humanity to her characters... The Cuckoo's Calling is masterfully plotted, which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Rowling's intricate Potter series.
Stieg Larsson, Translated by Reg Keeland
MixedThe Cleveland Plain DealerThe publication of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest closes the book on one of the most intriguing fictional characters of the new millennia, brilliant but anti-social punkette Lisbeth Salander ... Hornet finds Salander and Blomkvist still apart but converging on the same end: finally bringing to light the conspiracy against her. It's the last chapter for these characters ...a satisfying end, albeit one that comes after a dry and overlong first half ... Of Larsson's three books, Hornet is least able to stand on its own. It introduces no new story lines, just continues right after Fire's conclusion ...you reach a conclusion worth the effort.
Tana French
RaveThe Cleveland Plain DealerTana French may be the best mystery writer of our era ... [a] thrilling, powerful read.
