The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (2001)
In the thrilling first installment of the Rizzoli and Isles series, Dr. Catherine Cordell thinks she killed the man who had raped her and tried to kill her in Georgia. When a similar series of murders occurs in Boston, her new home, it brings back unpleasant memories—especially when she becomes a target for this new killer. Meanwhile, Detective Jane Rizzoli is determined to solve the murders before her male colleagues in order to prove her worth to them, and this resolve puts her in the line of danger as well. Both women fight for their lives against a monster in this gripping novel. ~ Recommended by Jennifer
The Informationist: a Thriller by Taylor Stevens (2011)
Vanessa Munro is the most intriguing heroine I have met in a long time. Growing up as the daughter of a missionary in Africa could not be an easy experience. Upon reaching her teen years, Vanessa rebelled by hanging out with a gun runner who did other nefarious deeds. Without going into all the awful details, this was a life changing experience for her, making her a tough fighter. Vanessa also has the skill of researching countries, people and events which she puts together as reports for her clients; she had a knack for understanding what was happening around her. Now living in the U. S. as an adult, she goes back to Africa for an assignment, partnering up with a long ago friend. Through many cliff-hanging type adventures, Vanessa learns a great deal about herself and her life. I love Vanessa Munro and her abilities. I love reading about her and am so glad I had a very normal boring childhood. If you love adventure, amazing heroines, and appalling situations, you will be hooked into her life as was I. ~ Recommended by Sue
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale (2008)
In 1860 in England a gruesome and disturbing murder took place and riveted the entire nation. The investigations, with the English-speaking countries watching, peered into the private house and life of the victim's family. Victorian times abhorred such intrusions even though a heinous crime was committed. Along with the investigations, the fledgling occupation of detection was scrutinized by the public to be a detriment to solving the crime and an invasion of privacy. The author also chronicles the role and reputations of detectives in literature, and how authors fueled public opinion or took from it. The murder was never fully solved, but with the recorded facts in this book, maybe you can uncover the whole truth. ~ Recommended by Connie
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Moloka’i by Alan Brennert (2003)
Rachel is an inquisitive seven-year-old living in Hawaii at the turn of the 20th century. When doctors discover a leprous sore on her body, she is removed from her family and sent to live in a quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka’i. The novel follows Rachel throughout her life and documents her struggles and triumphs as she attempts to adjust to a life separate from her family. If you have enjoyed historical fiction by Lisa See, Amy Tan or Arthur Golden, you will like this book. ~ Recommended by Rebekah
