I really enjoyed this first two books by Peter Clines (14 and The Fold), but this one steps it up a notch it terms of edge of the seat action. The othI really enjoyed this first two books by Peter Clines (14 and The Fold), but this one steps it up a notch it terms of edge of the seat action. The other two had a very Stephen King feel in that they started off as perfectly normal, then ever increasing amounts of weirdness crept in. This one gets to the weird stuff very quickly and is faced paced until the end.
If you can imagine a mashup of Andy Weirs 'Artemis', Max Brooks 'World War Z' and a bit of Cthulhu then that's what this book is like. Very entertaining if your into that sort of thing.
Merged review:
I really enjoyed this first two books by Peter Clines (14 and The Fold), but this one steps it up a notch it terms of edge of the seat action. The other two had a very Stephen King feel in that they started off as perfectly normal, then ever increasing amounts of weirdness crept in. This one gets to the weird stuff very quickly and is faced paced until the end.
If you can imagine a mashup of Andy Weirs 'Artemis', Max Brooks 'World War Z' and a bit of Cthulhu then that's what this book is like. Very entertaining if your into that sort of thing....more
Another short that fits between the book in the main series. The main focus of this is Bob working the night shift over the Christmas holiday. As usuaAnother short that fits between the book in the main series. The main focus of this is Bob working the night shift over the Christmas holiday. As usual this is a unique take on a common theme, in this case Santa Claus. ...more
A short novella length story that is #2.9 in the Laundry Files books. In this story, Bob is called in to investigate a potential unicorn infestation. A short novella length story that is #2.9 in the Laundry Files books. In this story, Bob is called in to investigate a potential unicorn infestation. From that it's obvious that Stross's take on unicorns is far removed from the cuddle sparkly ones that you usual come across. In fact, this one wanders much further into the realm of horror than my other readings in the series....more
A collection of stories all occurring on US holidays. 4th of July, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Good enough as far as it goes bA collection of stories all occurring on US holidays. 4th of July, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Good enough as far as it goes but the the authors mistaken obsession that everything red, white and blue is patriotic. He doesn't seem to realism that those colors also represent counties such as Russian and even North Korea. ...more
This book has been sitting in my closet for about 30 or 40 years. it's the first book by this author and was written in 1959 and I remember buying thiThis book has been sitting in my closet for about 30 or 40 years. it's the first book by this author and was written in 1959 and I remember buying this, and several others by the same author, as I really liked the covers. This is an adventure story in the mold of Alistair Mclean and Wilbur Smith set against the backdrop of the Skeleton Coast of southern Africa. In terms of an exploration/adventure novel this hits all the usual point. But the the plot and motivations behind the main characters are totally unbelievable. For that reason I can only give this two stars. His first book so I can excuse the problems with it. Liked it enough to read another by the same author at some point....more
This collection of issues #6-10 is just as bad as the first. The story is adequate but the artwork is full of errors and an editor was obviously lackiThis collection of issues #6-10 is just as bad as the first. The story is adequate but the artwork is full of errors and an editor was obviously lacking or off feeding their guide dog. There was at least one frame where the text bubble obviously pointed to the wrong character. Sheena's magical knife if always described as an ancient weapon created by the first ones, but in the art is shown in detail to be a contemporary clip point bowie.
I will be avoiding anything by these creators in the future....more
Like most people I know Osman from his TV appearances on Pointless and House of Games. This is his first novel and I think it show a promising start tLike most people I know Osman from his TV appearances on Pointless and House of Games. This is his first novel and I think it show a promising start to a literary career as a crime writer. The plot was well handled, pulling together events from the present and those fifty year in the past. From early on, it's obvious there is a connection but Osman does a great job of slowly revealing things. Several twists and turns along the way keep you engaged until the very end. I really liked the main characters, four friends in a retirement community who band together to form the club that is the book title. As I get older I could see, or I wish, myself and my lifelong friends to end up like this. Well worth the read and I look forward to reading his next book. ...more
Wow, it's been 40 years since I first read this classic and even after all those years it's just as good as I remember it. Usually with most old clasWow, it's been 40 years since I first read this classic and even after all those years it's just as good as I remember it. Usually with most old classics this is not the case and maybe it's because Moorcock was considered one of the leaders of the 'new age' of Science Fiction and ahead of his time. There are obviously the hallmarks of Sword and Sorcery in this book, but there are some deeper overtones that eventually went on to become grimdark. Not necessarily in this book, but things got darker as the series progressed.
A great re-read an I will probably continue on with some of the others in the series. As I have read some 40+ Moorcock's it certainly won't be all of them:) ...more
Probably the best yet of the Vorkosigan books. (That's if you are reading them in the authors reading order and not publication order.) Miles is on hisProbably the best yet of the Vorkosigan books. (That's if you are reading them in the authors reading order and not publication order.) Miles is on his first mission in his new position and as usual a simple case turns into something much more complex. Many twists and turns in this story but I think the supporting characters are what made this work so well. Miles is is brilliant as always but rather than doing everything himself he coordinates all the findings of the supporting cast. I would give this one 4.5 stars but round up to 5 for Goodreads....more
Another in expanding Rivers of London world of graphic novels. As the main protagonists are minor side characters, Peter, Nightingale only make a tokeAnother in expanding Rivers of London world of graphic novels. As the main protagonists are minor side characters, Peter, Nightingale only make a token appearance in this story and there is nothing at all of my favorite character Toby the Dog. The art in these books has progressively improved and the style has really grown on me, looking forward to the next one although I would like to see a more mainstream story rather than side characters....more
A fun collection of some of the best stories from the early editions of the Claypool Elvira comics. All the art is black and white but has a slightly A fun collection of some of the best stories from the early editions of the Claypool Elvira comics. All the art is black and white but has a slightly comedic look that fits perfectly with the tongue in cheek tone of the narrative. ...more
The interesting thing about this series is that they seem to span the gap between small town British police procedural and the more sensational internThe interesting thing about this series is that they seem to span the gap between small town British police procedural and the more sensational international thriller. The villains all have more wide reaching goals and motivations that just the local crime scene.
Some revelations and events at the end of this book mean there will be some changes going forth with the series. ...more
A big departure from what we usually associate with King. No horror here, it's very much a YA Fantasy tale revolving around a King, his two sons and aA big departure from what we usually associate with King. No horror here, it's very much a YA Fantasy tale revolving around a King, his two sons and an evil magician. Fast moving with very short chapters I found this a great book to read when RL was too busy to tackle a book requiring more substantial periods of reading. It's a great story and well worth reading, or reading to your kids....more
McBain is definitely on form with this entry in the series, back to the format of having more than one story going on at the same time. Here we have tMcBain is definitely on form with this entry in the series, back to the format of having more than one story going on at the same time. Here we have two attempted murders that involve into a complicated case while Carella is also dealing with the trial resulting from his murdered father in a previous book. In the end there was in interesting twist of the kind where I knew something was up but hadn't quite figured it out. Two stories along the theme of law and justice do not always equate to the same thing. ...more
An educational book with lots of pictures and aimed at a younger audience. It looks nice, but some of the text captions on the pictures are either repAn educational book with lots of pictures and aimed at a younger audience. It looks nice, but some of the text captions on the pictures are either repetitive or not very relevant. A nice book to read through but I'm sure there are much better books on pirates out there. ...more
Another installment of the Vorkosigan Saga where there is little action but a great deal of smart character interactions and a detailed plot. Miles f Another installment of the Vorkosigan Saga where there is little action but a great deal of smart character interactions and a detailed plot. Miles finds himself back home and being discharged from military service, but then works his way into an even more prestigious position. The ending appears to finish one major story arc that's been going on for the last 6 or seven books. Sad to see that end, but eager to find out what happens next with Miles and his new career. ...more
Six clones and an AI wake up on a spaceship with no memory of what happened over the last 25 years. This wasn't a bad book and I enjoyed reading it, deSix clones and an AI wake up on a spaceship with no memory of what happened over the last 25 years. This wasn't a bad book and I enjoyed reading it, despite there being a few things I'm not a big fan of. i.e. Waking up with no memory, character based stories and half the book being flashbacks. ...more
I had this book sitting around since it was first published, but at 750 pages of small print in hardback it was a daunting prospect. This is book 10 I had this book sitting around since it was first published, but at 750 pages of small print in hardback it was a daunting prospect. This is book 10 of the Safehold series and continues the story post Jihad with rebuilding all the damage done in the previous 9 books. Basically it's a sort of retelling of the Marshall Plan. As such there is little action in this book, it's almost all politics and economics. Despite that, Weber's writing kept me interested and I didn't feel bored or disinterested. Hanging over the heads of everyone in this book is the prophecy of the return of the Archangels. The book ends in a bit of a revelation that's not at all what I, nor any of the characters in the book, expected. It's been 3+ years since this one so I hope Mr Weber gives us another installment soon. ...more
A stand alone novel about the mob. Someone kills off the heads of various operations, setting up paranoia, suspicion and retaliation among the remainiA stand alone novel about the mob. Someone kills off the heads of various operations, setting up paranoia, suspicion and retaliation among the remaining bosses. Problem is, nobody really knows who is behind it. As well as the characters in the book there is a mysterious group of Dons called The Big Board that oversees things but doesn't take an active hand in the operations.
Sex and violence are staples of Spillane's work but this one, written in the 1907's, seems to turn it up a notch compared with earlier works....more