A quick and easy read, which I finished in one sitting. An extremely topical story, using the recent Me Too movement as the inspiration for the story.A quick and easy read, which I finished in one sitting. An extremely topical story, using the recent Me Too movement as the inspiration for the story. Well written and a good story, highlighting the problems facing women in all areas of society. I really liked the main character, which is usually necessary for me to enjoy a book. She has an imperfect past but has changed her life around and is determined not to be abused.
Merged review:
A quick and easy read, which I finished in one sitting. An extremely topical story, using the recent Me Too movement as the inspiration for the story. Well written and a good story, highlighting the problems facing women in all areas of society. I really liked the main character, which is usually necessary for me to enjoy a book. She has an imperfect past but has changed her life around and is determined not to be abused....more
Exceptional by title and an exceptional read! Great thriller with excellent characters and fast action packed plot. I had read the book which follows Exceptional by title and an exceptional read! Great thriller with excellent characters and fast action packed plot. I had read the book which follows on twenty years later from this story and so enjoyed it I wanted to read this book. Although it meant I knew some of the key plot elements I was still captivated from the first few pages and surprised by how the storyline developed. Having served in the NYPD this author brings great authenticity to his crime stories. Strongly recommended!
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Exceptional by title and an exceptional read! Great thriller with excellent characters and fast action packed plot. I had read the book which follows on twenty years later from this story and so enjoyed it I wanted to read this book. Although it meant I knew some of the key plot elements I was still captivated from the first few pages and surprised by how the storyline developed. Having served in the NYPD this author brings great authenticity to his crime stories. Strongly recommended!...more
I've really enjoyed this series and am sad to reach the end! A secret, government organisation carrying out genetic experiments on children to breed sI've really enjoyed this series and am sad to reach the end! A secret, government organisation carrying out genetic experiments on children to breed super agents has a hint of realism and then we have our hero Orphan 9, breaking away and trying to live a normal life. The agency kidnaps his son and he is forced after 5 years of family life to once again combat the organisation and his former fellow operatives. It is a classic good versus evil battle with some surprises along the way. As always, this is an extremely fast paced story, which you won't want to put down. With elements of James Bond, Matt Helm, Jason Bourne and others this is a great read if you like action packed adventures.
Merged review:
I've really enjoyed this series and am sad to reach the end! A secret, government organisation carrying out genetic experiments on children to breed super agents has a hint of realism and then we have our hero Orphan 9, breaking away and trying to live a normal life. The agency kidnaps his son and he is forced after 5 years of family life to once again combat the organisation and his former fellow operatives. It is a classic good versus evil battle with some surprises along the way. As always, this is an extremely fast paced story, which you won't want to put down. With elements of James Bond, Matt Helm, Jason Bourne and others this is a great read if you like action packed adventures....more
I love this series and this book is an excellent addition! I've said it before, but I love Zoe as the tough leader of a mostly female team of operativI love this series and this book is an excellent addition! I've said it before, but I love Zoe as the tough leader of a mostly female team of operatives. This book is as action packed as the others and once started it is very difficult to put down. The published synopsis gives you the idea of the story, but to be honest I don't really care what is the plot or setting for the story, because it's the characters I love. I look forward to the next in the series!...more
This is a thought provoking story about one man's two year spiritual and literal journey to find more meaning to his life. He walks away from a well pThis is a thought provoking story about one man's two year spiritual and literal journey to find more meaning to his life. He walks away from a well paid job in finance with sufficient savings to spend two years travelling the world in search of answers. Max is very open and honest as he shares his thoughts and experiences. I easily became immersed in Max's world and enjoyed sharing his journey. He comes across as a person I would enjoy spending time with. I understood Max's motives and related to his restless desire to find more meaning to life than just the normal daily routine most people accept.
I must say that Max is a very accomplished writer. The story flows well and it was easy to keep turning the pages. I will be interested to see in the future where life takes Max. I am sure he will be writing further books....more
It is rare to read a book that you can describe as completely unique. The plot is a crime story, written in the style of P. G. Wodehouse with an underIt is rare to read a book that you can describe as completely unique. The plot is a crime story, written in the style of P. G. Wodehouse with an underlying thread of humour in the characters and scenes. Our hero Harry is an ex policeman, who is a thoroughly decent chap, initially trying to help his landlady, who is being conned out of her property. Harry is in love with her daughter Sheila, but she has the habit of walking in on him in what appear to be compromising situations with other woman but are in truth innocent misunderstandings. This is an easy read, which keeps you hooked and for someone like myself, who remembers the sixties / seventies, the larger than life characters seem very believable. (Prince being the exception but in a good way!) The depictions of everyday life are nostalgic. As you would hope, the story has a very satisfactory conclusion both for the crime story and Harry's love life. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!...more
I have been so happy to recently discover this brilliant series. I am a great fan of Simon Scarrow and can pay the author no bigger compliment than toI have been so happy to recently discover this brilliant series. I am a great fan of Simon Scarrow and can pay the author no bigger compliment than to say I equally enjoyed these books. Sadly, I must now await the next in the series, which I hope won't be too long in coming. Highly recommended!...more
As usual, I have read this latest book in the series in just two reads. I have to put off starting until I can find a window when I will be able to giAs usual, I have read this latest book in the series in just two reads. I have to put off starting until I can find a window when I will be able to give undivided attention as this series is unputdownable! The basis of any good series is that you enjoy the characters, and this is certainly the case. Zoe and her team are intelligent enough but it's the chapters where they are kicking ass that I particularly enjoy! The story is intricate and has some good surprises. The ending did seem a bit like a natural conclusion to the series, but I hope not. I would like to read more adventures of Zoe. If you enjoy a well written, fast-moving action story with twists, then you will enjoy this book and indeed the whole series. ...more
This is the second book I have read in this series and it was again a good read. I like DCI Gerald Croft and find him a very believable character. He This is the second book I have read in this series and it was again a good read. I like DCI Gerald Croft and find him a very believable character. He is faced with a serious crime wave, including the strangest series of kidnappings I've ever read about! Additionally, there are murders, which put Croft's career at risk and need solving before further people die. (p.s. Garton seems even less safe a place to live than Midsomer!) There are surprises along the way and an interesting mix of criminals from the rather inept to very calculating. I look forward to the next book in the series. ...more
I love how I can trust a Jack Reacher book to provide exactly what I need in a great read! Loads of action, fast paced and a few twists. Impossible toI love how I can trust a Jack Reacher book to provide exactly what I need in a great read! Loads of action, fast paced and a few twists. Impossible to put down, I only ever take a couple of days to read. Reacher is the eponymous tough guy and hero in the James Bond mould but I find Reacher far more realistic than Bond. This particular story had added spice with its international setting. Highly recommended!...more
I've enjoyed reading previous books by this author, which I found humorous and somewhat nostalgic. As I particularly enjoy murder / mystery stories, II've enjoyed reading previous books by this author, which I found humorous and somewhat nostalgic. As I particularly enjoy murder / mystery stories, I was excited to read the author's first serious crime story and I wasn't disappointed. There are plenty of dead bodies and enough red herrings that keep you reading to the end to discover who is responsible for the mayhem. I enjoy this author's style of writing, which evokes a very quintessentially English feel to the scenes and characters. And if you like a murder story without too much descriptive detail of the bloody violence then this book is a winner. Highly recommended. ...more
This book gripped me from the beginning! There is a very nasty serial killer and a believable detective tasked with catching whoever is responsible foThis book gripped me from the beginning! There is a very nasty serial killer and a believable detective tasked with catching whoever is responsible for a killing spree. The plot is quite intricate and there is more to the killer's agenda than just sexual gratification. I liked that the book moved at a fast pace from the beginning and there are some surprising twists. The author describes the murders in some detail but only to highlight the killer's evilness. I didn't think it was overly gratuitous. I look forward to reading more of DCI Croft's adventures....more
I love this series and the latest book is one of my favourites. I had to wait until I had a free weekend because once you start these books they are iI love this series and the latest book is one of my favourites. I had to wait until I had a free weekend because once you start these books they are impossible to put down. The plots are always good but it is the characters that I love and keep me reading. In particular, it is the female characters, who are all strong women capable of holding their own against any men whether in a fight or planning. The story is an action packed thrill ride based around a terrorist plot with some clever surprises. Highly recommended! ...more
I love reading stories set during WW2, especially when they tell of the bravery of ordinary people resisting the Nazis. This is one of my favourite auI love reading stories set during WW2, especially when they tell of the bravery of ordinary people resisting the Nazis. This is one of my favourite authors and she has delivered another gripping story based on true events. This is a story set in Holland and tells of the attempts of the Dutch resistance to save Jewish children before they are sent to the concentration camps. The subject matter is shocking and you are left pondering how the Nazis could have such disregard for human life. The resistance workers reveal their humanity by risking their own lives to save children they don't know simply because it is the right thing to do. A book I finished in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed despite the realistic, dark episodes described. Highly recommended!...more
A mix of excellent crime short stories. I have enjoyed being able to read one or two stories even when I don't have much free time. Provides a good inA mix of excellent crime short stories. I have enjoyed being able to read one or two stories even when I don't have much free time. Provides a good introduction to some very good authors. Recommended!...more