There are still a few mystery-thrillers from last year that deserve a mention, so here goes.

I really thought I had reviewed a couple of these books, but after checking it appears that I was wrong -- and I did want to say how much I enjoyed them.

South Carolina writer Mignon Ballard brings back her wonderful angel, Augusta Goodnight, in "Hark! The Herald Angel Screamed" (St. Martin's Minotaur, 2008, $24.95), with its Christmas-themed mystery set in Stone's Throw, S.C. Augusta's earthly charge is Lucy Nan, who, with her friends, always seems to get embroiled in solving someone's murder, sometimes endangering herself -- which is where August comes in.

I simply love the endearing characters in this series and look forward to each book.

I actually read Carolyn Hart's "Ghost at Work" (William Morrow, 2008, $24.95) immediately after I received it. I guess I misplaced my notes, but I do want to say how much I enjoy all of Hart's series. She writes the Henrie O. and Death on Demand series.

"Ghost at Work" introduces Bailey Ruth Raeburn, who happens to be a ghost -- and a freshman in Heaven's Department of Good Intentions. Her first mission on Earth is in her hometown of Adelaide, Okla., where she is called upon to get the pastor's wife out of a jam.

Sometimes Bailey's methods don't meet the approval of Wiggins, her new boss, but she gets the job done.

I'll look forward to the next book in this series as well as Hart's other series.

Robin Burcell is the author of "Face of a Killer" (Harper, 2008, $7.99) in which FBI forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick realizes that the man convicted of murdering her father may be innocent after all.

The clock is ticking on Sydney's investigation because Wheeler's execution is coming up soon. Her discoveries soon lead to danger as secrets implicate people at a high level in government.

This is a fast-paced, exciting thriller that I greatly enjoyed.

I like Sherry Moore, protagonist of George D. Shuman's novels, the most recent of which is "Lost Girls" (Simon & Schuster, 208, $25). Sherry is a blind psychic who gets her signals about the last few minutes of a person's life by touching the deceased.

Sherry is called to Alaska to take hold of the hand of a dead climber, who is the son of a Colombian druglord. Sherry realizes that the cartel is now dealing in sex trafficking all across the world, and Interpol is alerted.

Months later, Sherry is contacted by Carol Bishop, the mother of an American teenager whose body has been found in the Caribbean. What she finds out leads the two of them on quite a journey.

This book is a real page-turner.

Another writer whose work I enjoy is Steve Berry. His latest is "The Charlemagne Pursuit" (Ballantine, 2008, $26), which offers readers history, action and adventure.

Former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone is seeking the full story of his father's death in a submarine disaster. His search for information will lead down all sorts of avenues and stir up memories that certain people think are best left alone.

Meanwhile, twin sisters Dorothea and Christl are also on a quest to find out about the sub -- but for a different reason.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.