Search - Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard, Bk 2)

While this book is a little darker than most cozies, it was excellent and I enjoyed it immensely. Great character development and tension building. I found myself thinking about this book several times a day, which is a good sign, as I only read it at night. I also read as long as I possibly could when I did lie down at night to read. Lily is believable, and I feel like I know the area in which she lives very well. I am sad to learn that there are only five books in this series as Charlaine Harris went on to write the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series and never went back to this series. It is being reprinted by Berkely Prime Crime, as the original series was published by Dell

I don't know how Harris packs so much into so few pages without leaving loose ends but she does. This was 206 pages of non stop action and intrigue. 5 out of 5

There's something rotten in Shakespeare... — Lily Bard was running from shattering memories when she moved to Shakespeare, Arkansas. Now cleaning houses pays her bills. Working out helps her heal. Still protecting her scars, she hides a hard body and impressive skill at martial arts under baggy sweats. And nobody knows how strong she is until racial violence has her looking behind closed doors for a killer -- doors to which a housecleaner might have the key.

When Lily uses her training in goju to help a black man jumped by white teens, she does it for justice...only to hear he's been abducted and beaten to death a few weeks later. Then a bodybuilder is killed at her gym. Both incidents jar Lily's need for security and refuge. Looking into closets, sweeping under rugs, she soon uncovers enough dirt to confirm that something sinister is growing in her adopted town. Getting involved could endanger her life. But Lily is seeing a new man and dreaming new dreams. And no one can make this strong woman run again.

I really like these series. I read the 3rd book before this 2nd in the series, which messed up my enjoyment a little, because I sort of new what happened, but it's still a good series. I love the author's writing style.

I like the Shakespeare series the best of all the Charlaine Harris series. Lily Bard is a very strong character. She matures over the story arc of the series, and gets stronger and yet a bit more vulnerable at the same time. I am very sorry that Charlaine feels she has gone as far as she can go with Lily Bard; our loss as readers, that's for sure.

Love the entire series!