Carol's Notebook

Title: Babylon South (Scobie Malone #6) Author: Jon Cleary Reader: Shaun Grindell Category: Mystery Audio published: June 1, 2013 by AudioGo (First published 1990) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon | AudioGo In 1966 Sir Walter Springfellow, head of Australian Intelligence, vanished mysteriously and without a trace. As a young constable, Scobie Malone investigated the disappearance. Twenty-one years later some bones are found up in the hills which are presumed to be Sir Walter's, and Detective Inspector Malone finds himself back on the case. His first task is to break the news to Venetia Springfellow, Sir Walter's glamorous widow, whose ruthless ambition has made the Springfellow Corporation a hugely successful company. Then comes news that there has been another death in the family, and one of the Springfellows is to be charged with murder. Police Commissioner John Leads turns out to have every reason for talking a close interest in the case, but emotional involvement results in his putting unfair pressure on Scobie Malone. Always a straight cop...

Title: Pinot Envy Author: Edward Finstein Category: Mystery Published: July 16, 2013 by Bancroft Press Rating: 2½ out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository Meet Woody Robins, a bon vivant, devil-may-care wine guru who specializes in investigatory work involving rare artifacts of a vinous nature. Amidst the backdrop of world-famous Napa, California wine country, and upbeat, cosmopolitan “city by the bay” San Francisco, Woody finds he’s bitten off more than he can chew when hired by a wealthy grape grower to retrieve his stolen, rare, priceless, large bottle of red Burgundy that once belonged to the French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Tested by a colorful cast of characters, deceit, blackmail, intrigue, dealings with the mob and even murder ensue. With the help of his dozy boyhood chum, girlfriend, aunt and detective buddy with San Francisco’s finest, he eventually manages to unravel the case, but not before he learns a thing or two about himself. I don't know what necessarily makes a mystery good. Sometimes it's the...