NOT IN THE FLESH by Ruth Rendell

FIC/MYS

RENDELL
The discovery of skeletal remains by a truffle hunting dog draws Inspector Wexford into a difficult missing person investigation. When his assistant Mike Burden discovers another body in the basement of the deserted cottage on the property they must find the link between the two cases. A subplot involving genital mutilation among the immigrant Somali population of Kingsmarkham keeps this long-running series current.

THE RITUAL BATH by Faye Kellerman

FIC

KELLERMAN

Detective Peter Decker is sent to investigate a rape in the sheltered community of a Los Angeles yeshiva. He finds the Orthodox Jewish residents to be uncooperative, but the beautiful widow Rina Lazarus is helpful. The attraction between them complicates everything, especially when it seems the rapist's intended target was and still is Rina. The many details of Orthodox Jewish life are fascinating. This first book is a terrific start to the now-established series.

BEYOND the GATHERING STORM by Janette Oke

FIC
OKE, J.

Before the gathering storm of World War I breaks, young Christine and Henry Delaney, the adopted children of a loving evangelical couple, set out into the world of Alberta, Canada. Christine takes a secretarial post in Edmonton, where she misses the wilderness. She soon falls for the boss's son, who is an unbeliever. Henry, a Royal Canadian mounted policeman, still worries about the fate of the young mother he had to inform of her husband's death five years earlier. Posted to a small town in the north, he is shocked to find the same woman is his barber. Henry is soon head over heels, but the widow keeps all men at bay. Both Henry and his sister trust God for the resolution of their romantic dilemmas.

Those who enjoy this story seem likely to be rewarded with a sequel.

WHEN COMES THE SPRING, by Janette Oke

FIC

OKE

(Book II in the Canadian West Series)

Elizabeth is an Easter schoolteacher who marries a Royal Canadian Mounted policeman. Wynn is assigned to a post in the far North. Their life; among the native peoples presents many challenges and hardships. Wynn's love for Elizabeth sustains her spirit when loneliness and extreme weather conditions make life too difficult.

Excellent for young adults and adults to read or to listen to as a book on tape.

ODD THOMAS by Dean Koontz

FIC

KOONTZ

Twenty-something Odd Thomas is a short-order cook in Pico Mundo, a small city in the western desert. Odd Thomas sees dead people. Though Odd does not fear the dead, he finds his ability to be a curse as often as it is a gift. Sometimes the dead seek his help in bringing their murderers to justice, and sometimes, with the help of the chief of police, Odd can prevent a crime. This time, however, the carnage Odd hopes to prevent, protecting his city and his beloved Stormy, is of unprecedented proportions. Odd must do his best in a race against time....

Readers looking for a well-written horror story, including a bit of bittersweet romance will be more than satisfied with Odd Thomas.