HONOR AMONG THIEVES by Jeffrey Archer

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ARCHER

Saddam Hussein has hired the Mafia and stolen the Declaration of Independence. He plans to burn it in front of reporters and the eyes of the world on the Fourth of July. Law professor and CIA agent Scott Bradely is to star in a scheme to recover the Declaration, hopefully with the help of Hannah Kopec, a Mossad agent and Bradley's former lover. Hannah, however, is heartbroken, believing she successfully assassinated Scott under orders from Mossad. Plots and counterplots interweave seamlessly, keeping the reader guessing. While nearly all of this story is wildly improbable, it is lots of fun, and Archer seems to write with tongue in cheek.

ONE GOOD TURN by Kate Atkinson

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Atkinson

This sequel to Case Histories features ex-cop Jackson Brodie, again becoming involved in a series of complex, inter-connected cases which begins with an incident of road rage in Edinburgh. Set amidst the Edinburgh Festival where
Jackson’s girlfriend Julia is appearing in a Fringe production, this is another dazzling thriller full of twists and surprises.

THE BEACH HOUSE by James Patterson

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PAT

Jack Mullen is a law school student who grew up in the Hamptons. He frequently heads home to his widowed father's home where his brother Patrick and grandfather also live. Jack is devastated to learn that his beloved younger brother, Peter, has drowned while working as a valet at a ritzy part. When Jack sees the body he concludes that Peter was beaten to death. The rick folk and local authorities insist the death was an accident. Jack investigates, discovering that his brother had a secret life. With the help of his grandfather and friends Jack sets out to avenge his brother's death in a way that the Hamptons will not soon forget.

THE HADES FACTOR by Robert Ludlum

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LUD

What a thriller! This fast-paced novel follows a virus that threatens the lives of people around the world. Lt. Col. Jonathan Smith, a physician and researcher notices that three unrelated people in different locations have all died of the same virus. An old FBI friend calls Smith in the middle of the night to warn that he is in danger.

Once Smith and his fiancee, Dr. Sophia Russell, start to investigate the deaths, a number of attempts are made on Smith's life. When Sophia contracts the virus, Smith realizes her death is not an accident.

Smith vows to find out who is responsible. From Washington to Baghdad, the tension mounts as our hero struggles to discover the truth behind the deadly virus.

EYE OF THE NEEDLE by Ken Follett

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FOLLETT, K.

Eye of the Needle is a terrific spy/espionage/romance, appropriate for men and women readers, because unlike many espionage writers, Follett is savvy enough to create admirable, sympathetic female characters.

Die Nadel (the Needle) is a cold calculating German spy, quick to kill and utterly ruthless. He is sent to a remote British island in order to determine whether the Allies are planning an invasion from that point. His boat is wrecked, and he is taken in by David and Lucy Rose, a young couple with a small child. David is paralyzed from an accident that occurred on their wedding day, and consequently become embittered and hateful. Lucy is valiant, but love-starved. The end is thrilling and one is left wondering - was it lover or part of the game?

FOUR CORNERS OF NIGHT by Craig Holden

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HOLDEN

Mack and Bank have been friends since the fourth grade when Bank protected Mack from bullies. Although their lives have taken different turns, as adults they find themselves on the same police force, friends still. As a police officer, Bank likes to prowl the streets at night keeping track of prostitutes, drug addicts and his "snitches."

When a young teenager, Tamara, vanishes both Bank and Mack become emotionally involved in the case, because they are reminded of the way Bank's own daughter disappeared seven years before. When a second disappearance brings to light fingerprints matching those on Bank's daughter's items, Bank's obsession and desperation become troubling.

This is a dark story of the street.

ODD THOMAS by Dean Koontz

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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.