Everywhere That Mary Went - Lisa Scottoline

Mary DiNunzio is a lawyer in a Philadelphia law firm, the daughter of Italian immigrants, sister to a nun, and owner of a cat who doesn't like her.

A recent accident took her husband's life and she's thrown herself into work since that time - hoping to make partner. Her competition for the position is an old law school boyfriend, Ned Waters, who is interested in rekindling their relationship.

She's so busy that when she begins getting crank phone calls, she really doesn't worry. But when she feels as though she's being followed and her apartment is broken into, she begins to suspect everyone -- including Ned. The stalker, after all, seems to know a lot about Mary. Her friends/colleague Judy and her assistant Brent try to protect her - and put themselves in danger doing so.

The writing is wonderful - intelligent, funny (so important in a good mystery), and truly suspenseful. The characters have an authentic feel and are enjoyable - my favorites are her parents and her assistant. I wasn't crazy about the ending, however, and felt it was a bit odd. I definitely didn't see the ending coming - but in more of a "Huh?" way.

Everywhere That Mary Went is the first of a series - and while I didn't find it flawless, I will definitely keep reading.

The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde

This is a wonderfuly quirky book. Once you suspend everything you know about the space-time continuum and just let yourself go in this other-dimensional story, its a fun ride. If you can accept this alternate history of the world, you will find yourself enmeshed in a Doughlas Adams-like comedy, mystery, fantasy, satirical, sci fic adventure of wonderful imaginations.

The story begins in 1985, after the Crimean War has drug on for 130 years, time travel is possible, and literature is cherished above all else with authors being superstars. The 3rd-most-wanted criminal, Acheron Hades, is stealing characters from original manuscripts of books (thus changing every future edition) and holding them for ransom. Enter the Special Oprations Network -- who handle anything outside the realm of "regular" police operations -- Literary Division and Literatec Thursday Next (yes, that's her name.)

Thursday Next is smart, likable, and literate. Acheron Hades seems to be unkillable. Other characters are over-the-top, such as her flakey inventor uncle, and are often named to make you giggle, e.g. Jack Schitt and Braxton Hicks.

Thursday, in a brief period of time-travel, even gave a message to herself -- so now I can't wait to read the next in the series.