Quick Notes: Thought this detective story from an apparently prolific ebook writer was pretty good. While the plot about young female "residents" of aQuick Notes: Thought this detective story from an apparently prolific ebook writer was pretty good. While the plot about young female "residents" of a special home being murdered, as numerous bodies are discovered buried by an accident involving an archeological dig, was not that original, the reasonable suspense and insights into the leading protagonist (KI Stone) were decent enough to warrant our enjoyment and turn pages. The Stone character reminded us of Lisa Gardner's character DD Warren, representing, often typical of modern female law enforcement descriptions, traits of grouchiness and surliness, poor "social" and/or supervisory skills, and the tendency to to things alone without suitable backup or following standardized procedures.
New to author Black and her Coast Guard Officer Fierce series, we found a somewhat straightforward plot about rescuing several women from a sex traffiNew to author Black and her Coast Guard Officer Fierce series, we found a somewhat straightforward plot about rescuing several women from a sex traffic ring and catching the culprits. Following the murder of a Guard undercover officer, an important mentor to Cassie in her early career, the part about her and her partner aboard one of the ships involved was so incredulous we had few high hopes for the rest of the relatively short novel that pretty much panned out as you might suspect. The protagonist's memories of a missing father lost at sea really added little to the tale. Not encouraged to seek further of her adventures....more
We are more than pleased that the extensions to Parker's Jesse Stone series keep coming, as we enjoy both the characters and the general tenor of thesWe are more than pleased that the extensions to Parker's Jesse Stone series keep coming, as we enjoy both the characters and the general tenor of these tales. "Secrets" is the first by author Farnsworth, who continued to do a fine job in the footsteps of first Michael Brandman (three novels), then Reed Farrel Coleman (six novels), and most recently two more books by (sports reporter) Mike Lupica. Our impression is that this new author did a credible job with the style and "voice" to which we are accustomed. We might quibble that the plot was somewhat atypically violent, complicated by a new hire by Jesse, somewhat foisted upon him, that turned out really bad for both his teammates on the Paradise police force and the local citizens.
Gabriel is a thriller about a captivating plot to eradicate the world's entire Jewish population with a deadly biological attack fashioned after CovidGabriel is a thriller about a captivating plot to eradicate the world's entire Jewish population with a deadly biological attack fashioned after Covid. It featured an ex-Seal as protagonist who tirelessly pursues the matter, generating reasonable suspense, while escaping all manner of near-death situations from which he miraculously extracts himself time after time, eventually totally straining our credulity.
According to my wife, who has traveled with the author, and the book jacket, Dr. Evans is one of the world's foremost authorities on Israel and the Middle East; he has published over 100 novels (some fiction but mostly non-fiction) relying on his knowledge and first-hand experiences. Not totally our cup of tea, but intriguing... [3.5]...more
This highly readable first novel by nearby small-town Russellville KY native Tammy Oberhausen is really a saga about a fictional country family whose This highly readable first novel by nearby small-town Russellville KY native Tammy Oberhausen is really a saga about a fictional country family whose four siblings and parents form a Gospel singing group. After plying their talent for years mostly unpaid, they hit it big as part of an evangelism crusade, with the usual charismatic leader, who eventually pays them well and makes them a big success. What then follows is essentially one family tragedy after another, especially as the religious bigwig turns out to be as crooked as many who have gone before. The pages flew by as we could hardly wait to see what happens next, and to whom.
The author's writing style is an interesting combination of literary word crafting mixed with "down home" dialogue. Her views on religion and the happenings with the older generation of church music as well as that which now accompanies modern services are both deep felt at times and amusingly accurate at others. The feelings of the musicians sounded perhaps autobiographical to us - we cannot help but wonder if in addition to her day job as a school teacher, raising two kids, and spending some three decades nursing along this book, if our author dabbled as an avocation with musical entertaining herself.
A final last chapter was a somewhat confusing flashback to when the family was just the youngsters, parents, and grandparents -- was this meant to be a heavenly reunion of sorts? Somehow we were looking for a more satisfying denouement, but we're not at all sure what it would have been if we had to write it ourselves!...more
Notes -- while the plot is somewhat straightforward, about an escaped serial killer on a rampage, and the ensuing law enforcement chase, the tale is qNotes -- while the plot is somewhat straightforward, about an escaped serial killer on a rampage, and the ensuing law enforcement chase, the tale is quite suspenseful! The overarching matter of FBI Agent Katie Winter's missing sister is given almost no progress but Katie's relationship with her partner finally resolves. This second in a now 11-book set is fairly quick to read, the print version only 166 pages. {3.5}...more
We frequently remark we enjoy these Spenser extensions, with the latest author to do so, (famed sports reporter) Mike Lupica, doing a fine job with hiWe frequently remark we enjoy these Spenser extensions, with the latest author to do so, (famed sports reporter) Mike Lupica, doing a fine job with his so far, including this latest. Spenser, Hawk, and his police pals are hunting for the person who shot regularly recurring character Rita Fiore (fortunately seriously but not fatally) a flirtatious lawyer they all are half in love with. The plot soon reveals more deaths and injuries are probably related to her shooting and Spenser has to do an awful lot of sleuthing to come up with a resolution. The book seemed a little more light-hearted than usual despite the subject matter; we caught ourselves chuckling several times. Liked it....more
This latest (7th of 7) in Val McDermid's DCI Karen Pirie (of the Police Scotland's Historical Cases Unit) was written totally during the Covid pandemiThis latest (7th of 7) in Val McDermid's DCI Karen Pirie (of the Police Scotland's Historical Cases Unit) was written totally during the Covid pandemic lockdown, which apparently was enforced in the UK with strict disengagement laws. The characters herein abided by the rules throughout, but that didn't stop Karen and her two subordinates (Jason and Daisy) from investigating a missing person situation of a year ago (hardly "historical" but technically a cold case) that was described eerily in a crime author's story so accurately that he was the major suspect. What follows is a complicated back and forth between his writeup and the steps Karen's group took to pursue what might really have happened.
We soon tired of the Covid-only setting, and the plot was to us not as appealing as some of these other adventures - while it turned out to be twisty and clever, the getting there was not particularly entertaining and not really that easy to care about. We know this writer can do better. [2.5]
{of the 7, we rated 4 of them = "3" and 3 of them = "4"}...more
We've now read six of the seven DCI Pirie novels by Scot author Val McDermid (obviously not in order...). This was to us her very best so far (with juWe've now read six of the seven DCI Pirie novels by Scot author Val McDermid (obviously not in order...). This was to us her very best so far (with just #7 to go), as the detective work was superlative and the suspense sustained; plus an interesting amalgam of working on long ago cold cases while pursuing (without authority!) a recent murder that may have escaped adequate police investigation. Our only quibble is that a three-months after it ended epilogue was necessary to clean up several loose threads and tie up a few loose ribbons.
Karen's improving relationship with her staffer "Mint" as well as her amusing and formidable handling of her obnoxious supervisor only added to an entertaining outing we thoroughly enjoyed and recommend. ...more
This third DCI Karen Pirie thriller was interesting and suspenseful, with Pirie and her subordinate "Mint" extremely resourceful with their current weThis third DCI Karen Pirie thriller was interesting and suspenseful, with Pirie and her subordinate "Mint" extremely resourceful with their current weird cold case. The matter was initiated by the finding of a skeleton at the top of a building that have obviously been there for years and was almost certainly a murder given what looked like a bullet-hole in the skull. The body was identified and led to a series of investigations and discoveries related to the bloody Balkan wars of the late 90's We would have enjoyed the crime solving much more had not a significant part of the story been a exposé of the horrors of the Serbian and Croatian conflict, which tired us with nearly half the book devoted to it. Surely many readers will debate the "justice" of the ending, but one that might indeed instigate quite the book club debate.
A happening to Pirie's boyfriend finally explains her outlook on life encountered in some of her later tales... [3.5] ...more
Notes: This is the author's third to feature Louisiana Bayou country (police) Detectives Annie Broussard and Nick Fourcade, completing our reading of Notes: This is the author's third to feature Louisiana Bayou country (police) Detectives Annie Broussard and Nick Fourcade, completing our reading of all three. As before, a complicated web of missing persons, murders, and near killings seemed as depressing as they were interesting. While the hunt for one missing adult went along enough to suspect he was dead, another missing adult in the form of a community charmer was tiresome, and eventually what suspense was generated to keep the pages turning was overcome by our chagrin at most of the outcomes and violence involved to get there. Having much the same feelings about the first two in this series, we think we'll skip any future additions to this particular set of tales......more
Quick notes: We had just watched the three-episode Karen Pirie (Brit TV series) "movie" that was very true to the book, except the movie ended with a Quick notes: We had just watched the three-episode Karen Pirie (Brit TV series) "movie" that was very true to the book, except the movie ended with a full resolution, while the book wimped out a bit at the end and cost it half a star. Nonetheless, this first in what is now a 7-book set is interesting, with a complicated plot that spans some 25 years as the cold case and related factors are brought again to light in a new investigation under Pirie. While her role was somewhat limited herein, she goes forward as star of the set in the remaining novels, well-written as always by Scot McDermid. [3.5]...more
A friend so heartily recommended this novel, that we tried it -- and discovered quite the page-turner. We began to suspect who might have been a perp A friend so heartily recommended this novel, that we tried it -- and discovered quite the page-turner. We began to suspect who might have been a perp about halfway through, but were nonetheless thrilled with a denouement that pretty much righted the world, with a bevy of ribbons to tie things up.
We found the premise about a woman's amnesia, so profound that each day was a repetition of awakening with no memory, to be quite original. While reminiscent of the movie "Groundhog's Day", spending a couple of days inside her head was much more fun than anticipated. Well done! ...more
We like these mostly Hawaiian-island-set relatively light mysteries enough to read one of Neal's ebooks from time to time, especially when she frequenWe like these mostly Hawaiian-island-set relatively light mysteries enough to read one of Neal's ebooks from time to time, especially when she frequently makes them available at no charge, presumably to develop a following. Forget trying to figure out which of her "Paradise"-themed series each of her titles falls into, as seemingly the same characters appear in all or most of them, especially Lei Texeira and Sophie Ang. Lei vacillates from job to job with various law enforcement agencies (which is a bit tough to swallow as she's not particularly that stellar at any of them) and has some strange love-life arrangements as well. Meanwhile, Sophie is to us rather an unlikable computer nerd, who, as is often the case in crime fiction, can hack into virtually anywhere she wants to with amazing alacrity and success. She also has a strange home life – and in this episode, according to FBI rules, has to stop using her home computers for on-the-job processing, which leaves her restless and forlorn.
Together herein they solve a couple of crimes and there are some surprising developments with characters from Lei’s younger days – but as is often the case, we can hardly muster more than a 2.5 or 3-star feeling afterward, and once again wonder why we don’t just swear off these tales! However, the prolific Neal has a big following of readers who obviously are more enchanted and charmed....more
Quick thoughts: Margolin has long been on our "B" list for legal thrillers -- we've read all nearly thirty of his novels. We felt his latest was a bitQuick thoughts: Margolin has long been on our "B" list for legal thrillers -- we've read all nearly thirty of his novels. We felt his latest was a bit different -- it seemed rather straightforward, almost tongue in cheek overall, as though to say "I don't have to write something weighty and complicated every time out..." There was a fair degree of subtle humor in this very easy read, and while certainly not our favorite, sometimes it's fun to just read something interesting but on the lighter side (despite the several murders and unusual application of justice herein)... {3.5}...more
As is somewhat typical for author Crais, it's been a couple of years since the prior Elvis Cole tale about his self-appointed "Greatest Detective on EAs is somewhat typical for author Crais, it's been a couple of years since the prior Elvis Cole tale about his self-appointed "Greatest Detective on Earth." We generally enjoy them and as usual find Cole to be the brains and his mostly silent partner, Joe Pike, the brawn, starring in a a variety of investigations. This time Cole is looking into the ten-year-ago disappearance of a internet "celebrity" of sorts' father. As a little progress unfolds, the plot gets terribly complicated and ends with quite a bevy of violent occurrences.
By all means, "Empty" was not our favorite entry in the set, although we invariably rate them at around three stars or so, indicating they are entertaining enough to warrant our following, but not on our "A" list for sure, maybe just our "B- list"! {3.5}...more
Notes: We're experienced readers of short story anthologies, of which "Safe" is a typical example. Hardly a new medium for Lee Child fabulous author oNotes: We're experienced readers of short story anthologies, of which "Safe" is a typical example. Hardly a new medium for Lee Child fabulous author of the fabulous Jack Reacher character, as Lee has previously gifted us some dozen short tales featuring his famous star. [Unfortunately, the over two dozen full-length novels featuring him have to us severely waned in quality after his brother mostly took over the reigns and changed too many of Jack's modus operandi and endearing traits.]
As with most collections like this, featuring 20 entree's, some were great, most were at least average, but of course several seemed like pointless duds. It was a little disappointing that the entertainment value seemed to diminish with each passing story, as the first few were we thought excellent, the later ones mostly not!
We're glad we read it, and it doesn't take very long -- but we suspect most readers will have a similar reaction as opined above....more
Quick Notes: It's been quite awhile since our last reading of McDermid's likable DCI Karen Pirie series, now seven novels all told. This sixth (in theQuick Notes: It's been quite awhile since our last reading of McDermid's likable DCI Karen Pirie series, now seven novels all told. This sixth (in the set, our third) is a very twisty tale about a current murder and a cold case having elements in common, with some awfully diligent and clever police work by the cold case staff to unravel a rather complicated set of affairs, making for an entertaining plot -- a pretty good page-turner...
As an aside, we just learned there was a Brit TV series based on Pirie and her staff, although so far just one case covered in three 90-minute episodes... We thoroughly enjoyed the first one so far, though we wish the actress cast as Pirie, who looks to be about 17 (!) but supposedly is 28 years old, had been an older character; however, so far Pirie is just a Detective Sergeant in the show... ------- Speaking of which, we just finished the three episodes and found them extremely well done and entertaining -- and very faithful to the first novel ("Distant Echo") in the Pirie set. We certainly now intend to read the remaining four entries (to us) in this series....more
We've again exhausted the list of now 19 tales about Canadian CI Gamache, often set in the delightful village of Three Pines (where he supposedly retiWe've again exhausted the list of now 19 tales about Canadian CI Gamache, often set in the delightful village of Three Pines (where he supposedly retired??), with as usual varying degrees of entertainment and satisfaction. While we like the author Penny's writing style and most of her recurring characters, the plots are sometimes definitely not our cup of tea -- like this one that was so complicated (and perhaps a rather far-fetched terrorist premise, although who knows these days) that we tired of the unfolding events, with little excitement until the final couple of chapters.
Looking back, we've rated these 19 novels as follows:
5 stars - 1 (a rating which we'll admit to be stingy handing out) 4 stars - 8 3 stars - 8 2 stars - 2
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