Here's a tip for mystery readers who like historical settings and unique scenarios-the Billy Boyle World War II series by James R. Benn.   Boyle is a Boston cop (Irish, naturally) who is distantly connected by marriage to General Eisenhower.   When he is called up during the Second World War, strings are pulled to get him assigned to Ike's staff. - but this in no way puts him out of harm's way.  The General employs Billy, along with a cast of intriguing recurring characters, to investigate murders and other crimes that impinge on the successful conduct of the war for the allies.  The result is a series of well-crafted detective stories that also introduce the reader to less-well known aspects of the war, from IRA sabotage of the British war effort to what was really on the mind of Vatican officials as Hitler and the Germans advanced on Rome.  The series has gotten rave reviews but still hovers just below the radar - give it a try!

Submitted by Mary Rindfleisch, Assistant Director