A little on the darker side ...

Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson (Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, Bk 1) (library copy) -

I read this after seeing a review (including an intriguing trailer) of the 4th book of the series, Troubled Bones on the Mysteries and My Musings blog. I was worried because I'm not usually fond of books set during the medieval period, but I decided to give it a try anyway.  Aspects of the story reminded me of Robin Hood (in particular I picture the BBC America television show), such as Crispin's fall from knighthood and rocky relationship with the Sheriff.  Other aspects were intriguing in their own right.  Crispin has resorted to all he has left since his fall in status.  He must walk a line socially between his former and current peers.  I wasn't fond of his derision toward the lower classes, but it does make him more human.  He's flawed, and he needs to work around it.  Overall, I'm glad I tried it and I look forward to reading book 2, Serpent in the Thorns.

Child of Fire (library copy) and Game of Cages (personal copy)
by Harry Connolly (Twenty Palaces, Bks 1 & 2) -

I liked the protagonist, Ray Lilly. He's had an interesting past as a criminal, but despite that he has a moral standard that allows the reader to connect with him. Child of Fire had some gruesome stomach turning aspects that I can't describe fully but make for a very intense story. I wasn't as into Game of Cages because his boss, Annalise Powliss, isn't part of the story from the beginning of the story, but I still found it very interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the third book in the series, Circle of Enemies. In addition to wanting to know what happens to Ray after the events of book 2, it sounds like book 3 gives some answers to things in his past that haven't been fully explained in books 1 and 2. And on that note...

the trailer...

Full Twenty Palaces Trailer from Harry Connolly on Vimeo.

Orchestrated Murder by Rick Blechta -

This is the 3rd of the Rapid Reads line that I've read.  While I didn't enjoy this as much as Gail Bowen's Chalie D books, I still appreciated the fast-paced movement of the story characteristic of this line.  I particularly found it interesting how the author balanced the detective solving the case within a short time period while trying to be realistic with things like how long it would take to get lab results.