Favorite Mysteries of 2012

Happy New Year!
Here are my favorite mystery/suspense novels of 2012.   (These are books that were originally published last year.)
They are listed alphabetically by author, as trying to rank them by how much I liked them is beyond my capabilities.  Clicking on the title will link you to my review. 

• A Killing Winter (Leo Desroches #2) by Wayne Arthurson (Forge hardcover, 10 April 2012).
• A City of Broken Glass (Hannah Vogel #4) by Rebecca Cantrell (Forge hardcover, 17 July 2012).
• Broken Harbor (Dublin Murder Squad #4) by Tana French (Viking hardcover, 24 July 2012).
• What the Heart Remembers by Debra Ginsberg (NAL trade paperback, 4 September 2012).
• The Skeleton Box (Starvation Lake #3) by Bryan Gruley (Touchstone hardcover, 5 June 2012).
• The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Gamache #8) by Louise Penny  (Minotaur hardcover, 28 August 2012).
• Poison Flower (Jane Whitefield #7) by Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press hardcover, 6 March 2012).
• Valley of Ashes (Madeline Dare #4) by Cornelia Read (Grand Central Publishing hardcover, 14 August 2012).
• The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose (Atria hardcover, 13 March 2012).
• Before the Poison by Peter Robinson (William Morrow hardcover, 21 February 2012).
• The Other Woman by Hank Phillipi Ryan (Forge hardcover, 4 September 2012).
• Dark Lie by Nancy Springer (NAL trade paperback, 6 November 2012).

I'm interested to hear whether or not you agree with my choices.  And what are yours?

Resolutions for 2012

On the last day of the year, it seems fitting to post New Year's resolutions. Here's L.J.'s:

• Worry less
• Promote less
• Eat less
• Dance/play more
• Read more
• Write more

Oh, and most important: TAKE A VACATION!
Best wishes for 2012!

Gayle here: In reality, I think of resolutions as unrealistic and broken within the first week. But in theory, I love them and want them to work. So this year I'm going to do a few things differently:

1. Set my goals next week instead of on January 1st. I was trying to think of them earlier, but got swept up in the magic/madness that is Christmas. By December 26th, I was too pooped (see my blog post here). I could make my resolutions today, but I'm going to a party tonight - should I keep any promises I make after having copious amounts of champagne?

2. Write my resolutions down. I know, seems simple, but I kind of forget to do that and then I kind of forget what I resolved to do. Funny how that works.

3. Be more specific about what I'm resolving to do. "Write more" works for some people, but I need more like, "Set a schedule each week for writing goals," or some such blather.

I know they will consist of some things that need doing, like scheduling that mammogram and bone density test. There will also be a resolution about my writing schedule, which tends to be haphazard at best.

Whatever your goals, I hope you reach them in 2012. Happy New Year!

Drew:

• Live every moment as if it's my last.
• Always be grateful and humble. Never take myself too seriously.
• Realize that each experience, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn something new.
• Be kind to everyone.
• Be kind to myself in both body and mind.
• Strive to improve with each word I commit to a page.
• Never forget how much my readers mean to me.

Happy New Year, everyone. Let's make 2012 the best yet.


Marlyn:

I stopped making resolutions some years ago, because I'd inevitably not succeed and then feel badly about myself. Since then, I've made New Year's "hopes".

So, for 2012, I hope to

• Be optimistic.
• Be a good friend.
• Be thoughtful of both others and myself.
• Try to think before I speak.
• Listen to my body.

I wish for all the CFC members and our readers a happy and prosperous New Year!

Jodie:

Just the usual: Exercise more, eat less! 

Wishing my colleagues here and all of our readers all the very best in 2012!



Peg popping in:

I put up a re-post from another blog on my own today about dreams. You can read it here.

Just between us, I plan to have my first release out there in the second quarter, with a second to follow by the end of the year.

And I want to focus on spending more evening time with my husband. I've kind of missed him lately, even if we just stretch out and watch television.

My very best wishes to all of you for a fantastic 2012. With a little work, all of our dreams can become reality.

Judy:


Although I'm on sabbatical until I finish my next mystery I couldn't help but chime in. I'm a big believer in small, achievable, measurable resolutions. So, mine is to take one picture every day in January 2012.
That's it.
Happy New Year to all.

ALMOND TOFFEE - Just Because

By Peg Brantley, who is generally a better writer than she is a cook. She hopes.

Here's the toffee recipe I made for the first time this afternoon. Fresh in my mind, I'm including the things I'll try different the next time. It didn't quite come out looking like Enstrom's, but hey . . . it's not half bad.

And, to keep this crime fiction related, I'm guessing if you had a real almond toffee fanatic, there would be an easy way to doctor the recipe to suit.

TOFFEE

2 cups butter (hey, it Christmas. The only time of year you can get away with this behavior.)
2 cups white, granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt (I almost said, "Why bother?", but recognize salt as the taste bringer-outer of all time.)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I may, per LoML, make sure these are white chocolate the next time.)
1 cup finely chopped almonds (OMG, I typed onions first. Now that would be different.)

In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Allow to come to a boil, and cook until the mixture becomes a dark amber color, and the temperature has reached 285 degrees F (137 degrees C). Stir occasionally.

While the toffee is cooking, cover a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. (I used parchment, and since this was my first time making this, I have no idea how aluminum foil will behave. However, because of the copious amount of butter, I'm guessing it doesn't matter.)

As soon as the toffee reaches the proper temperature, pour it onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the chocolate over the top, and let it set for a minute or two to soften. Spread the chocolate into a thin, even layer once it is melted. Sprinkle the nuts over t he chocolate, and press in slightly. Putting a plastic bag over your hand will minimize the mess.

Place the toffee in the refrigerator to chill until set. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Here's what I'll try differently the next time I make this:

At the end of the cooking cycle for peanut brittle, I add a little vanilla. I think I'll try adding a little almond to enhance the taste. Maybe a teaspoon.

I will crush extra almonds to powder (do they sell almond powder?) and sprinkle on top of the parchment paper prior to unloading the toffee. And maybe a little extra on the top with the crushed/chopped almonds.

My very best wishes to all of you for a fabulous holiday season. I've been blessed beyond reason with love in my life, and really go into an alternative reality to write the stories I write.

Cheers to my Crime Fiction Collective teammates, to all of the readers who make this blog worthwhile, and to an amazing 2012!