The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

This was the first book of Gerritsen's that I have read, and let's just say I will be reading plenty more. I could not put The Surgeon down! I am a big fan of murder mysteries and this one definitely makes the hair on your arm raise with its constant roller coaster rides. A serial killer in Boston is dubbed "the Surgeon" for his brutal attacks against his victims. He uses a scalpel to cut across the stomach to remove the uterus to keep as a trophy while they are awake, and then slashes their throat putting them out of their misery. (Gruesome, I know) Moore and Rizzoli are detectives assigned to the case, which seems to be exactly like murders in Savannah a couple years before. However, it couldn't be the same killer because he was taken down by his last victim that fought back. That victim was Dr. Catherine Cordell and although she has moved away, she becomes haunted by the Surgeon who sends her "gifts." Through forensic hypnosis and great detective work, they find the major connections between the murders and murderers. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, as well as trying to catch the new TV series they have created off these detectives.

Cross Fire by James Patterson

This is the latest in the Alex Cross series! Cross Fire is fast-paced, as always. It was also a much better read compared to some of his other novels I have read lately, even compared to the last few Alex Cross Novels. Once again, Alex struggles with the juggling act between his home life and work life, but he is finally able to get married. Kyle Craig, the Mastermind that continually haunts Cross, is back in this novel with a brand new face, literally. Craig is so close to Alex throughout the novel that it constantly keeps you on your toes. The main plotline revolves around two sniper killers that are committing poetic justice against the big-wigs in D.C. Yet again, Alex Cross is victorious against the evil doings of murderers and it appears as though his story is not over, however I have not yet seen a release date, or title for the next one (perhaps because he's too busy with 5 other authors and their conjoining books, barf).

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I was finally able to read this book, after a whole slew of my students were reading it. In fact, my copy was checked out so much from my classroom library that I had to buy it for my Kindle to read it myself! I have to agree with the kids, this book is very good for young and old readers. Percy goes through many different challenges to complete the quest he has been sent on after finding out he is half god-half human, making him a "hero." Riordan combines adventure, suspense, fantasty, and comedy in this novel of good vs. evil. Eventually I hope to get around to reading the other novels in the Percy Jackson series, as well as seeing the movie they created based off of this book.

Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

I bought this book on Friday and had it read by Sunday. Sure, it was an easy and quick read, but there is just something that keeps me interested in the combination between murder and the Amish faith. Kind of morbid, but it's the truth.I didn't realize at the time it was a HQN book, but I was pleasantly surprised that the plot didn't revolve that much about the love story. When an Amish teenager is accused of murdering a young woman, Jessica is selected by her firm to go and defend him. Unlike other novels I have read, the community actually believes that this young man has actually committed the crime. Throughout the book Jessica has to face her growing relationship with Trey, her turbulant career, understanding Amish culture, threats and attacks from someone trying to hide the truth, and the meaning of hex symbols thrown into the mix. This was an intriguing page turner and I look forward to seeing what her other novels have in store.

The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

As always Jodi Picoult delivers a great story with controversial topics. In this book, a young Amish girl named Katie is accused of murdering her newborn baby. A lawyer named Ellie is a distant family member of the girl and takes on the responsibility of defending Katie, who can't seem to remember what happened after the birth of the baby in the barn. Ellie learns a lot about the Amish way of life, herself, and what she needs most in life, love. Once again, Picoult adds a little twist at the VERY end, where the truth comes out from a very unexpected individual. This book was great, and definitely outshines the Lifetime movie based off of it. Can't wait for the 2011 Picoult book, less than 2 months!

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks delievers another well rounded novel with the Lucky One. Logan finds a picture of a beautiful woman while fighting in the war in Iraq and the picture becomes his "lucky charm." Advised by a close friend, he walks across the country with his dog Zeus to find the woman to meet and thank her. Elizabeth and Logan get off to a rocky start, but a great relationship soon follows that is challenged by her ex-husband, Keith. Logan forms a great bond with Ben, Elizabeth's son, along the way. Of course the story escalates at the end with a very griping ending with twist and turns that changes the lives for all characters.

Postcard Killers by James Patterson

Another so-so read from James Patterson. Unlike most of his novels, this one takes place in several countries in Europe. The murderers in this novel send postcards to make people aware that they are in their country and then commit staged murders so they replicate art. There are a couple love connections in the book, and one that is very odd between the two murderers, a brother and sister. I really wish that Patterson would focus on one great book a year, instead of 6 written with other authors. His original writings are much more involved, and the newer ones seem to be lacking to me, much like this one.