This is likely the last of Ms. Robards works that I will read. Not that her writing style is bad-- for the most part the style and pacing is pretty goThis is likely the last of Ms. Robards works that I will read. Not that her writing style is bad-- for the most part the style and pacing is pretty good. In fact, this one starts with a very exciting scenario-- Bianca's father is a thief and she is part of his team. They are not Robin Hood types, but occasionally will steal something back for a price that was stolen by others. But, the job that they are on goes wrong and she realizes that they are getting setup to take the fall for someone else's crime. Then, she sees her father get blown up.
Settting up a new cover identity and security agency-- she gets an email threatening to expose her and her father-- as if he were still alive. She is blackmailed into doing a job that is obviously a trap to get to her father, who the sender believes to be alive.
The pacing picks up and the excitement begins-- until the end-- where the reader is treated to an unwanted cliffhanger and multiple unresolved issues along with a hint of Science Fiction. The ending left me annoyed and angered.
Good action scenes, crisp dialogue, but LAME conclusion. ...more
Every time that I write a review of a Gray Man book I have to say, regardless of my rating, these books are mindless action-filled fun. I often liken Every time that I write a review of a Gray Man book I have to say, regardless of my rating, these books are mindless action-filled fun. I often liken these novels to comic book heroes because the Gray Man, a super-spy assasin, often does the impossible like Batman or Daredevil. Like Batman, most who know of his existence fear him. Just as in the Batman movies there is always a villain who tells the other bad guys not to worry about the bat because he will take care of them-- there's a villain doing the same for the Gray Man is just about every one of these novels.
This time, Court assasinates a war criminal, but discovers a sex traffic ring-- but the women and girls won't let him rescue them for fear that their families will be harmed. They tell him that they will be punished (and sadly they are right) for his coming and he leaves having accomplished his mission but filled with guilt at the extra trouble he has caused these women.
So, the Gray man puts on his armor and starts seeking to track these women in hopes of rescue. Along the way there are plenty of shootouts, knife fights, covert action, as well as solving the mystery of who is actually running this international ring of criminals.
A fun book is not always a great book, though. Greaney occasionally drowns the reader with Court's thought process- meaning he goes on and on at times.
I like these comic book action novels a lot. I just recognize that they are NOT great literature....more
This series is usually very good and this FIRST outing for Nina Reilly provides some of the early background that the later novels hint at.
This time,This series is usually very good and this FIRST outing for Nina Reilly provides some of the early background that the later novels hint at.
This time, Nina has moved to Tahoe and set up shop as an attorney. With no real experience as a criminal defense attorney she is thrust into a murder case of a ditzy blonde. Everyone around this woman seemed to have sympathy for her and at times i was exasperated by their tolerance of her immoral behavior and treatment of a possessive\abusive husband. As the novel progresses though, details regarding her psychological makcup and reasons for her poor behavior become clear. Even better, she grows as a person.
This one will keep you guessing to the very end. Just when you think it was all revealed-- you find out that it wasn't. There were some lesser mysteries in the novel that the authors (a team of sisters) chose to allow the readers to figure out as they read along.
The legal wrangling is all very fun, but the moment when Nina puts a witness on the stand without a clue as to what she will say under oath stretched credibility a bit. I mean the lawyer's unwritten rule is never ask a question for which you don't already know the answer. Still, the novel is well written and compelling enough to keep the reader deciding to read just one more chapter.
A fine mystery and I recommend this series, even though at times portions read a bit like a romance novel. ...more
Alien Bounty has some great moments. Sadly, those moments don't save this novel from a slightly better than mediocre quality. The pacing is quite unevAlien Bounty has some great moments. Sadly, those moments don't save this novel from a slightly better than mediocre quality. The pacing is quite uneven.
However, some of the xenoculture and xenobiology the author creates is top-knotch. A group of aliens who look like the mythical images of the devil (like Hellboy). I especially like the idea that they use their tails (complete with triangle tips) to communicate emotion, offer obscene gestures, etc.
Still the pacing is herky-jerky, like a racecar driver shifting up and down gears for no particular reason. The final battle is over far too soon and the conclusion just left me flat.
Probably won't look for any more of this series, but at least I finished this one. ...more
I don't really know how Michael Connelly can be such a prolific author and yet mantain the quality of writing at such a consistently high level. In thI don't really know how Michael Connelly can be such a prolific author and yet mantain the quality of writing at such a consistently high level. In this instance, it is yet another Lincoln lawyer novel-- yet it is not. Haller has left behind criminal law to practice civil law. Yet his sense of idealism and desire to fight for his client continues, just in a slightly different arena.
The title refers to the space between the podium and the jury-- which he calls the proving ground.
Haller is representing the mother who lost her daughter to a young man who was manipulated by an A.I. chatbot to murder her. The goal is not to collect money, but to punish the corporation which allowed the chatbot to become corrupted. Of course, this a very timely subject.
Haller is good as always, a modern day Perry Mason. The evil corporation is very powerful. A lot of the clever plotting entails Mickey trying to outwit them both in and out of court.
We get to watch Haller grow as a person, despite turning to civil law. We get to see a familiar character in the Connelly universe: Jack McEvoy.
I didn't think a lot of the conclusion, but overall this was a great legal novel. ...more
I cannot think of a hero in any book that I despised as quicly and thoroughly as the hero in this book. First, he's a raging alcoholic and chain smokeI cannot think of a hero in any book that I despised as quicly and thoroughly as the hero in this book. First, he's a raging alcoholic and chain smoker. Second, he is an absolute liar -- and not for the purpose of undercover investigation-- rather to cover up his own misconduct. He's a total rebel and even his best friend\partner is fed up with covering up for his drunkenness or temper tantrums. The hero does redeem himself a bit as the story progresses, but a very little bit. Even at the grand reveal in the end- I despised him.
The story is pretty good, a deent mystery plot placed in the wonders of Yellowstone park. There are several excellent twists that keep the reader guessing. I can't say it wasn't worth reading, but I doubt I'll follow with others in this series, though C.J. Box does an excellent job of painting a literary portrait of cowboy\outdoors life.
The main thing I learned in this story was how to store your cowboy hat. Crown down, brim up, to keep from ruining the brim.
Fugitive Nights is a quirky and eccentric book. That doesn't make it bad-- for it is carried on a tide of quirkiness, smartaleck remarks, and a crazy Fugitive Nights is a quirky and eccentric book. That doesn't make it bad-- for it is carried on a tide of quirkiness, smartaleck remarks, and a crazy brawl in a mortuary.
Lynn is a policeman on disability leave, awaiting approval of his permanent disability pension. While on leave he fills his life with his primary hobby- drinking alcohol.
Breda is a female private investigator-- she's the most normal of the characters.
Nelson is a patrol officer dying to get transferred to the Palm Springs police department because Palm Springs has shade to protect from the desert heat. He's perhaps the least normal character-- he's a lot like a big, immature kid-- full of the enthusiasm of youth-- the type of enthusiasm which normally gets him in trouble while he is on patrol... and which earned him an exile to a desert posting. His commander has warned him that if he gets in trouble once more his next posting will likely be in the Sahara desert with the French foreign legion.
Mr. Devon (Clive?) is a rich guy whose wife hires Breda to find out about an odd deposit to a sperm bank he has made. I won't spoil this one, but if you don't figure this one out before its reveal then you weren't paying attention. He's not a normal rich guy-- willing to give people a hand-- and when he gives a ride to "the fugitive" Nelson, Breda, and Lynn are pulled into a plot to determine exactly what the fugitive is up to and how does it relate to their client's husband.
The mystery fugitive gets on law enforcement's radar when his plane lands at an out of the way rarely used airport, a cop enters the bathroom where he is at (to do his business) and the fugitive decks him and goes on the run. For most of the book we are left to wonder if he is a drug smuggler or a terrorist.
I enjoyed this one even though it was far from great. It was a quirky change of pace. ...more
Popular Crime is a very uneven book. The book starts off well, describing crimes that attracted a lot of attention and discussing the possible guilt oPopular Crime is a very uneven book. The book starts off well, describing crimes that attracted a lot of attention and discussing the possible guilt or innocence of the accused. The author does a lot of armchair analysis, usually admitting that he is offering nothing better than an educated guess, and his honesty is refreshing. In only some instances does he claim to have figured out that someone is innocent or guilty.
Early on, he discusses the difficulty as well as positive qualities of media coverage of some of these cases. He offers reasons that such coverage both benefits and hinders justice being done. These discussions are well-presented.
Later, he discusses the problem of police investigators focusing on a suspect who fits the bill as a possible suspect. He does this, for the most part, without trying to paint police as evil or corrupt, just often misled. He adds to this discussion the politics of prosecuting some crimes and how the justice system has changed greatly in this century. Interesting information is provided in a cohesive manner that ties the material together.
After some point, James grinds his axe and begins attacking the "True Crime" genre of books as well as their authors. Eventually we are told that books are well-researched or well-written, but the author suffered from reality myopia or tunnel vision. At times, he states outright that certain books are just garbage. When he uses his platform to be a book critic, the book slides backwards terribly and leaving the poor reader to shake his head and wonder "why?" The worse portion of the book are the places where he seeks to be critical of the works and work of other authors.
James does offer an interesting viewpoint on prison reform, offering a plan for more prisons, but smaller and scaled to offer real rehabiliation. While his plan makes sense on the surface, I think there are major problems with it. Yet, looking at our prison system as dangerous training grounds for criminals rather than rehab is a legitimate criticism and perhaps his plan may be scaled to a workable level. However, the book is about the populace's response to criminal acts-- not about prison or judicial process reform.
The strength of the book is found when the author discusses why some crimes capture public attention and how this attention affects the outcome of investigation and/or trials. The book is weaker when he discusses reform.
James isn't a detective or a prosecutor-- just an avid reader of true crime material. When he delves into reform he detracts from his real subject matter and makes it appear that he is getting paid by the chapter. He tends to wander off of the subject at hand (usually to criticize a book he has read) only to declare like Elmer Fudd that he has been hunting rabbits.
Still, most of this material is intriguing and his approach to it is strong when he stays on point. ...more
Imagine if you will an episode of a beloved television show-- let's say Star Trek-- except Captain Kirk is played by the diminuative Billy Barty. Or pImagine if you will an episode of a beloved television show-- let's say Star Trek-- except Captain Kirk is played by the diminuative Billy Barty. Or perhaps Bonanza, but Wally Cox plays Hoss.
That's what happens when you let a mediocre writer take the helm and continue writing a series you enjoy. This is why the Jack Reacher novels have been going south for a number of the Reacher novels.
But, hey, you might be saying-- this review isn't about a Jack Reacher novel... Well, since Grant has stepped in to assist with the Reacher series-- it really sort of is. Add that insult to the reader's injury-- this character is something of a poor imitation of Reacher, without the depth of character that Child developed in the earlier Reacher novels. In fact, in one scene he uses one of Reacher's standard combat moves. He tries to think like Reacher-- but the author fails to make him seem nearly as clever. So, this pale imitation is so thin and transparent as to be difficult to read.
Further, the author decides to start each chapter with a lecture... something along the lines of "When I was in training, they taught us to _________________ in order to ____________. " Not a sentence, but several paragraphs. Or "My parents always said ________________, but I ____________." Or, "I've learned over the years to always ________________." These asides are burdensome and after the first few just outright annoying-- slowing the pacing of the novel.
Finally, it's just plain obvious from the beginning. The final chapter "reveal" only shows what the reader has known pretty much from the beginning, but I won't spoil it for you. I'll leave it to the author to do that.
I usually pass on my books to others who I think will enjoy them. If I can't fit a fellow reader to a book I donate it to the local Thrift store. My reader friends and family won't see this copy. Furthermore, I won't even donate it-- because I cannot picture any other reader feeling compelled to obtain his money's worth, because this one is pretty close to worthless. So, into the trash can where it belongs.
If I wasn't clear enough.. this one is pretty much a stinker! One of the worst spy novels I've ever read....more
As they used to say on the old Monty Python show, "And now for something completely different." Bored with some of the old repetitive genres, I decideAs they used to say on the old Monty Python show, "And now for something completely different." Bored with some of the old repetitive genres, I decided, as I do VERY occasionally, to opt for a classic. Why I chose such a long one is far beyond my understanding, but I did so with happy result.
This is a story about people-- it pretends to be about class differences, but it really is about people, both noble and common. Young Pip is exposed to high society when he goes to minister to an old spinster who is somewhat demented. His exposure causes him to despise his common upbringing and creates the major conflict of the book, torn between the two worlds he struggles internally.
However, a secret benefactor provides funds and moves him into higher society. However, being a part of higher society brings problems of its own. He has fallen in love with Estella, who mistreats and abuses him, because she knows of his low and common beginnings. She struggles with her own relationship with her adopted mother and becomes harder and more embittered as the book continues on.
There is some action in the story and a mystery, which is slowly revealed. Some of it is a bit of a contrived coincidence that tends to defy belief, but still the slowly revealed mystery keeps the reader guessing.
The most dramatic moment of the book occurs about midway-- Pip discovers Estella is going to marry a most wicked man and begs her not to approach the marriage-- finally declaring boldly, in a lengthy passage, his undying and deep love for her. In this same encounter, he brings no change to Estella, but her mother begins to see the error of her own attitudes and bitterness.
Probably the most important theme of this book is Pip's ability to affect the lives of others for the good. Despite his common beginning, he demonstrates love and loyalty to his friends in bold and demonstrative ways. He exposes hypocrisy and generates good feelings. He proves himself to be a blessing to those who know him. I really believe that this was one of Dicken's positive themes-- that we can always help others, by chosing to act selflessly.
Like Scrooge in the Christmas Carol, Pip learns that money is not happiness, but relationships are most important.
A fine novel. A bit of a bother with many old English phrases and style, and at times it offers details that are quite unnecessary, but a fine novel and a good change of pace from six guns, private eyes, and spies. ...more
I'm very confllicted about this series. On one hand, I enjoy the work the author put into to create the conflict described in its pages. On the other I'm very confllicted about this series. On one hand, I enjoy the work the author put into to create the conflict described in its pages. On the other hand, I get a little annoyed at some of the ridiculous methods that Shane "Scarecrow" uses to escape certain doom. Then, the puzzles are somewhat interesting. The action is absolutely intense, though the sudden escapes are often simply beyond belief.
I begin to wonder which gadgets and weapons actually exist and which are simply invented. One of Scarecrow's main tools is his maghook, which is a lot like Batman's gun that fires a rope and pulls him up to the top of buildings. It is very difficult for me to believe that an item powerful enough to lift one man exists in a pistol form, much less that it can lift two fully grown men. Finally, It is difficult to believe that its magnetic operation can also be strong enough for such efforts.
Is this great material? Absolutely not. It is popcorn munching, close calls and cliffhangers, adrenaline filled action. Characterization is minimal. Stunning surprises and covert operations abound. Bullets fly around like an episode of the A-Team, only in this universe they actually hit, kill, and maim characters.
I'm not ready to give up on this stuff.... I've been reading them out of order and I'm hoping that they will get better.
The emotion of White Doves at Morning fills the pages, much like the misty fog on the bayou setting that James Lee Burke describes so efficiently. ThiThe emotion of White Doves at Morning fills the pages, much like the misty fog on the bayou setting that James Lee Burke describes so efficiently. This Civil War epic describes the area in and around the New Iberia setting we see in the author's Dave Robicheux series. The characters are almost all the same (without the alcohol struggle Dave undergoes in his stories). It wouldn't be a Burke novel without a whole lot of blustering and posturing. The bad guys are always seeking to intimidate Willie Burke (one of Burke's ancestors?) with threats, etc. The Civil War portion of the story is compelling and even disconcerting, with plenty of blood, guts, and battlefield confusion. Eventually, the Klan begins to rise and cause problems in the post civil war portion of the book.
Burke provides plenty of sorrowful characters that compel pity from the reader. Flower, born to a wicked plantation owner who utilized his sexual "privilige" is a compelling character. She experiences abuse from a number of characters, but always manages to rise above and demonstrate a strength and a nobility. Her father, who has never acknowledged her, lives in disgrace and shame, but manages to offer her a modest amount of protection due to his influence.
By the time we get to the stories climax, we see (in typical Burke fashion) bad guys get their just desserts. Also, in Burke fashion, that end is not always what one ecxpected.
Burke gets the history, the racism, the political posturing, the power, the fear, the blood, and the dialogue right. This is a very, very, good story, even without a mystery. ...more
Connelly is such a prolific writer that he must keep himself chained to his computer for twenty hours a day. Everytime I turn around I am falling behiConnelly is such a prolific writer that he must keep himself chained to his computer for twenty hours a day. Everytime I turn around I am falling behind because another Connelly book has dropped. Readers might expect the quality to drop with the quantity of writing he does, but it never seems to. In fact, Connelly writes compelling and powerful books, dealing with both the darkness of police investigation and the internal politics of the police department.
This one is billed as a Ballard and Bosch novel, and Harry is present, but the focus is more on Ballard and Harry's daughter, Maddie, who becomes a new volunteer with the cold case division Ballard runs. Maddie has a secret, though. She is intent on solving an old case and sets her mind on doing it even before she shows Ballard that she thinks she has leads on L.A.'s most famous unsolved murder.
The book begins with Ballard having her badge and gun stolen from her car while she is surfing. She is fearful of reporting the stolen badge because of department politics. She sets out to investigate and retrieve her badge which leads her into another important investigation. Both Ballard and Bosch bend the rules a bit too much for my taste. I don't like the illegal entry methods, etc. Even though this kind of stuff bothers me a bit, it tends to make exciting reading.
Ballard's readiness to lie to her superiors also troubles me a bit. I recognize that she is using her lies as a weapon to combat a system that is rigged against her, but still...
Connelly's writing always reveals some historical details of Los Angeles, which adds to the interest of this reader. He also works diligenty to mantain the integrity of the geography. Then he wraps it up into an interesting mystery, with solid detective work, and just the right amount of real action. ...more
I stumbled across this one at a library sale. I realize it is written for a juvenile audience, but I enjoyed this comic fantasy novel. Reeve demonstraI stumbled across this one at a library sale. I realize it is written for a juvenile audience, but I enjoyed this comic fantasy novel. Reeve demonstrates a wonderfully inventive imagination and creates a wacky world. While the most prominent beings in the book are indeed goblins, Reeve tosses in a Troll, a giant, some would be sorcerors, a princess, and a young human with a deep desire to seek out adventure and be a hero.
The main keep at Clovenstone was sealed with the defeat of the Lych Lord ages ago. The old magical creatures have gone into been in hiding from humans. In fact, there is a gag about a regular lecture that declares that magic and magical beings don't exist. However, the towers around the keep are populated with goblins, who spend their time fighting with one another and stealing whatever they can scrounge up from the Lych Lord's treasure. Their hope is to one day enter the keep and get their hands on the real treasure. In the meantime, they have collected papers, parchments, and books and stored them in a room labeled "bumwipe" and that is exactly what they do with it. But Skarper is a little bit sharper than the rest of the goblins and has learned to read these materials. Especially a map of the entire facility.
The book begins with Skarper offending the Goblin king and being catapulted into exile. Of course, the thought was that this will kill him, but he meets some magical creatures who rescue him.
There are plenty of humorous moments, and while the humor is aimed at juveniles, I felt like it was family friendly and every few pages found something to smile about.
Is it a great fantasy novel? Not really. Is it a great kid's fantasy novel? Yes, I think so... It is scary in places and funny in others without ever getting too dark. ...more
The Lincoln Rhyme novels (for me) range from mediocre to really, really good. This one is pretty good. Deaver takes strands of a number of events and The Lincoln Rhyme novels (for me) range from mediocre to really, really good. This one is pretty good. Deaver takes strands of a number of events and deftly weaves them together, much like braiding a young girl's hair. He leaves the reader to discover whether or not the events are actually related or not.
Sachs is chasing a murder suspect, who is very distinct in appearance, when a mall accident occurs with an escalator. Sachs stops the pursuit in order to attempt to rescue the victim, but fails. Meanwhile, young Ron Pulaski is working an unsanctioned undercover operation and the reader is left until about 3/4 through to discover his reasons. Rhyme has given up police forensics and is consulting with a lawyer on the escalator incident. Sach's former lover, a crooked cop named Corelli, is released from prison and enlists Sachs in proving his innocence. There is a big question mark about his actual innocence and Sachs is reluctant to help. Do these threads come together?
There are two AHA moments in the novel. Deaver plays fairly with the reader, dropping clues, but still those two moments are startling and thrill the reader. Those two moments alone bumped my review up a level.
Of course, there are some boring moments. Rhyme and his new intern spend multiple pages conducting a MENTAL chess match that is illustrated for the reader. I found no real interest in this part of the novel, though the author was attempting to show the intelligence of the two parties involved. Come on, Deaver, I know Rhyme is smart.
I'm pretty much sold on Pearson as a quality writer. This particular novel gets rated a bit lower, but I adjusted it down a bit due to its style- as iI'm pretty much sold on Pearson as a quality writer. This particular novel gets rated a bit lower, but I adjusted it down a bit due to its style- as it was written for a juvenile audience. Writing for a younger audience must be a real challenge, Pearson handles it fairly well, but the chapters are much too short for my taste. However, I recognize that it was written in this style because of the shorter attention span of younger readers.
Still, there is a lot of suspense, as young Steven (nicknamed "Steel" for having a photographic memory) gets involved in a cleverly contrived plot. There are some portions of the plot that are simplified for the younger audience, but still this one was a fun (and quick) read for me. The briefcase at the center of the plot makes for a strong centerpoint that keeps the focus of the story sharp.
I probably won't bother with others in this series, but this a good beginning point for young readers looking for suspenseful plotting and interesting characters. I'm not sure the technology the author introduces actually exists, but I imagine it will in the fairly near future.
This one was so mediocre, bordering on bad. Why? Because the author created a plot so ridiculous and absurd that I had to fight just chucking my paperThis one was so mediocre, bordering on bad. Why? Because the author created a plot so ridiculous and absurd that I had to fight just chucking my paperback copy in the trash. I don't like to throw books away, but once in awhile.
In this case, Sgt. Scully returns to duty, after discovering a mafioso attempting to infiltrate the unions of Hollywood production. He convinces the LAPD to finance a sting operation in order to obtain evidence and suddenly the LAPD is a major partner in a stinker of a film, with finances spiraling out of control on a film that is NEVER going to be made. Meanwhile a gang war (that may or may not be connected) threatens to tear L.A. apart. Into the mix comes Scully's son, Chooch, (half mexican), who is suddenly acting furtively and causing Shane concern that he is mantaining his former gang connections.
The action is absurdly ridiculous.
The only COOL idea in the whole book was the Mafioso who was eaten up with cancer, losing his vocal chords, etc. who had to use sign language in his meetings, making the recording of the meeting inadmissable in court. A great idea, tossed into a terribly plotted novel. Absurd and convoluted, not really worth anyone's time. ...more
There are some amazing moments in "The Emperor's Revenge." Cussler (and his co-author) offer a novel with enough technological secrets to make Q brancThere are some amazing moments in "The Emperor's Revenge." Cussler (and his co-author) offer a novel with enough technological secrets to make Q branch from the 007 universe envious. He tosses in his usual staple, an ancient artifact from the Napoleonic era. The bad guy, is as usual an over-the-top evil genius with a temper, a bit of a meglomaniac.
This novel is pure pulp-- reminiscent in some ways of the old Doc Savage novels (but the writing is a bit better) and comic book action. Figuring out the real evil plot is a complicated task, but following up on some leads seems to have been much too easy. I enjoy the original Dirk Pitt novels much more than this side of Cussler's universe. The Pitt novels always feature a unique antique automobile or airplane. It is also kind of cool when Cussler appears in some of those novels.
Even though I prefer the Pitt novels and some of the action is nothing short of ridiculous, this is still kind of a guilty pleasure to read. It is like the heroic team never misses their shots. This doesn't mean that they are invulnerable. Like far too many fictional characters, they recover from injury faster than people in real life do. Yet, even with all of my complaints, I still enjoyed the book. ...more
Cogburn's knowledge of the old west keeps this western novel fresh and vibrant. Though billed as a Morgan Clyde western it is very much an ensemble. TCogburn's knowledge of the old west keeps this western novel fresh and vibrant. Though billed as a Morgan Clyde western it is very much an ensemble. To call it a Morgan Clyde Western would be like saying Friends was a Rachel Green Story. Morgan is the main character, but the other characters make the novel much richer. Cogburn even introduces a new character, an outlaw character.
This time around, though, Cogburn uses an odd plotline, making Clyde kind of a secret agent. While this plotline moves the conflicts together in a satisfying manner, Cogburn makes it seem like Clyde solved the corruption in the Indian Nations by dealing with one corrupt posse. The individual conflicts are handled very well, but the odd manner in which Cogburn facilitates Clyde's involvement lowers my rating slightly.
With that stated-- I don't think anybody writes better western novels. While I think the Widowmaker Jones novels are superior-- Clyde's adventures are fine historical novels. Cogburn knows his horsemanship, his territory, his history, and his weapons. He excels in mentioning weapons that to modern readers are obscure and force us to the internet to look them up. While those weapons are obscure to those of us who were convinced by television and movie westerns that everybody carried a Colt Peacemaker, they were common on the frontier.
Readers looking for real western details can't go wrong with Cogburn. Despite this one not being up to par with his other works, it was still an enjoyable novel. ...more