I read about Money Shot on someone's blog, but it was before my new handy-dandy notebook method so I am not sure whose. I read one previous Hard Case Crime book and loved it so I decided to give this one a shot. It was all right, nothing outstanding, and I give it a B.
Back cover:
They thought she'd be easy. They thought wrong.
It all began with the phone call asking former porn star Angel Dare to do one more movie. Before she knew it, she'd been shot and left for dead in the trunk of a car. But Angel is a survivor. And that means she'll get to the bottom of what's been done to her even if she has to leave a trail of bodies along the way...
Even though this is a hard-boiled, pulp classic, noir type book, I have to admit that the book somewhat reminded me of the Stephanie Plum series. I am not sure if it was because some of the situations Angel ends up in seem so outrageous and similiar to those that Stephanie does, but I just felt like there was a little bit of a relationship between the two. Besides that, there is some hard core language but I am not sure what else to expect with a story where the main character is a former porn star. Lots of bodies stack up and the action doesn't stop and if you are looking for a hard crime book, I would say definitely look for this line.
I am fighting a horrible migraine right now. Our weather is horrible and there has been temperatures in the 60s/70s with lots of rain and it is just driving my sinuses, allergies, and head nuts, so I think I am going to try and take some Excedrin migraine and relax a bit. Maybe I will be able to start a new book, but right now I need the pounding to stop in my head. Happy Reading everyone!
Showing posts with label action books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label action books. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Paying the Piper by Simon Wood
Paying the Piper is a book I have had on my bookshelves for far too long and last time I was looking for something to read, I decided to rectify that. I was hoping to fit a couple of books in this weekend, but alas, it was not meant to be. Paying the Piper went a bit slow for me and I had a hard time picking it up when I had time to read. I rate it a B-.
Back cover:
He was known as the Piper- a coldhearted kidnapper who terrified the city. Crime reporter Scott Fleetwood built his career on the Piper. The kidnapper even taunted the FBI through Scott's column. But Scott had been duped. The person he'd been speaking to wasn't really the Piper. By the time the FBI exposed the hoaxer, time ran out... and the real Piper killed the child. Then he vanished. But now he's back, with very specific targets in mind- Scott's children.
Part of this book was a bit too unbelievable for me. Scott's pure involvement throughout the whole case is so far-fetched, though I do understand that this is a work of fiction, but at times it was too much. Other times I felt like the action was a bit predictible and I thought I had it all figured out a couple of times. There were a few red herrings thrown in that had me doubting myself, but it turns out in the end that I was correct. I also felt like a few things were not fully fleshed out and I was left scratching my head. Overall, it was a good read but I won't be running out looking for the next book by Mr. Wood.
Up next is Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock. I love her books and picked this one up on Friday. I want to try and get this one in before the end of the month and I know there is a long wait list for this, so I always like to get to popular books fast. I had a bunch of plans to get all of my running around done on Friday so I could have the weekend free to myself and reading, but my car had other plans. As I was making my first stop, my car decided to not start. I drive a new car with less than 10,000 miles on it, so I was a bit upset. Turns out it was something with the anti-theft system not recgonizing my key, but by the time I got my car back it already the evening so errands were run yesterday. It is back to the grind of work tomorrow though only two more weeks until Spring Break! I have been running a fever for the past two days, so hopefully it isn't anything serious. I also have the latest Spellman book by Lisa Lutz waiting for me at the library and hopefully I will be able to get it tomorrow. Plus April is right around the corner and that means the start of the Lisa Jackson read-a-thon, so I anticipate a lot of great reading! Well I am off... I hope to get a few chapters of Elizabeth Flock's latest in before bedtime! Happy Reading!
Back cover:
He was known as the Piper- a coldhearted kidnapper who terrified the city. Crime reporter Scott Fleetwood built his career on the Piper. The kidnapper even taunted the FBI through Scott's column. But Scott had been duped. The person he'd been speaking to wasn't really the Piper. By the time the FBI exposed the hoaxer, time ran out... and the real Piper killed the child. Then he vanished. But now he's back, with very specific targets in mind- Scott's children.
Part of this book was a bit too unbelievable for me. Scott's pure involvement throughout the whole case is so far-fetched, though I do understand that this is a work of fiction, but at times it was too much. Other times I felt like the action was a bit predictible and I thought I had it all figured out a couple of times. There were a few red herrings thrown in that had me doubting myself, but it turns out in the end that I was correct. I also felt like a few things were not fully fleshed out and I was left scratching my head. Overall, it was a good read but I won't be running out looking for the next book by Mr. Wood.
Up next is Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock. I love her books and picked this one up on Friday. I want to try and get this one in before the end of the month and I know there is a long wait list for this, so I always like to get to popular books fast. I had a bunch of plans to get all of my running around done on Friday so I could have the weekend free to myself and reading, but my car had other plans. As I was making my first stop, my car decided to not start. I drive a new car with less than 10,000 miles on it, so I was a bit upset. Turns out it was something with the anti-theft system not recgonizing my key, but by the time I got my car back it already the evening so errands were run yesterday. It is back to the grind of work tomorrow though only two more weeks until Spring Break! I have been running a fever for the past two days, so hopefully it isn't anything serious. I also have the latest Spellman book by Lisa Lutz waiting for me at the library and hopefully I will be able to get it tomorrow. Plus April is right around the corner and that means the start of the Lisa Jackson read-a-thon, so I anticipate a lot of great reading! Well I am off... I hope to get a few chapters of Elizabeth Flock's latest in before bedtime! Happy Reading!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald
I picked up Married to a Stranger when I was browsing at the library. It sounded like a good romantic suspense and something that would fit in to the Suspense and Thriller Challenge. This was a quick, easy read that held my attention. I rate it a B.
From Amazon:
Twenty-six-year-old Emma Hollis has it all -- a fortune she inherited from her father, a job she loves as a counselor at an adolescent crisis center, good friends, and a boyfriend who is crazy about her. Emma met sexy freelance journalist David Webster at a dinner party. Romantic, free-spirited, and a perfect lover, David sweeps Emma off her feet. Now a baby is on the way. Emma expects David to say goodbye, but David enjoys surprises. At their beautiful, impromptu wedding at a historic inn, Emma and David promise to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. The only shadow over Emma's happiness is cast by her stepfather, who is furious that David failed to sign a prenuptial agreement. As the newlyweds set off for their honeymoon at an idyllic cabin in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Emma has no idea that her life is about to turn into a wife's worst nightmare.
While reading about this book on Amazon, I saw that Ms. MacDonald got the idea for this book from the Laci Peterson story. I followed that case like a hawk and I can see some of the connections to this story. I also enjoy the type of story that is told from a woman's point of view sometimes and this book fit the bill. It reminds me a lot of Mary Higgins Clark, so if you are a fan of hers, you would probably enjoy Ms. MacDonald. That being said, I felt that the reader was not given enough clues to try and solve the mystery and the ending left me a little upset. Without giving away details or spoilers, it is hard to explain but it would suffice to say that I think more could have been done. There are red herrings thrown in that do make the suspense better.
Up next is another library book, though I am not sure which one. I just picked up three more this week, so I know I have quite a few that I want to try and get through quickly. I have an incredibly busy week coming up, so this weekend I plan on relaxing and getting lots of reading in! I do need to make it to the grocery store, though I am leaning towards going this evening or tomorrow evening during the Super Bowl. I love sports but for some reason can't get into the hype of the Super Bowl. I did get some squares so I will be checking the scores, but I figure a lot of people won't be at the grocery store when the game is on. I despise going when it is super busy! Well enough rambling from me... have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Twenty-six-year-old Emma Hollis has it all -- a fortune she inherited from her father, a job she loves as a counselor at an adolescent crisis center, good friends, and a boyfriend who is crazy about her. Emma met sexy freelance journalist David Webster at a dinner party. Romantic, free-spirited, and a perfect lover, David sweeps Emma off her feet. Now a baby is on the way. Emma expects David to say goodbye, but David enjoys surprises. At their beautiful, impromptu wedding at a historic inn, Emma and David promise to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. The only shadow over Emma's happiness is cast by her stepfather, who is furious that David failed to sign a prenuptial agreement. As the newlyweds set off for their honeymoon at an idyllic cabin in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Emma has no idea that her life is about to turn into a wife's worst nightmare.
While reading about this book on Amazon, I saw that Ms. MacDonald got the idea for this book from the Laci Peterson story. I followed that case like a hawk and I can see some of the connections to this story. I also enjoy the type of story that is told from a woman's point of view sometimes and this book fit the bill. It reminds me a lot of Mary Higgins Clark, so if you are a fan of hers, you would probably enjoy Ms. MacDonald. That being said, I felt that the reader was not given enough clues to try and solve the mystery and the ending left me a little upset. Without giving away details or spoilers, it is hard to explain but it would suffice to say that I think more could have been done. There are red herrings thrown in that do make the suspense better.
Up next is another library book, though I am not sure which one. I just picked up three more this week, so I know I have quite a few that I want to try and get through quickly. I have an incredibly busy week coming up, so this weekend I plan on relaxing and getting lots of reading in! I do need to make it to the grocery store, though I am leaning towards going this evening or tomorrow evening during the Super Bowl. I love sports but for some reason can't get into the hype of the Super Bowl. I did get some squares so I will be checking the scores, but I figure a lot of people won't be at the grocery store when the game is on. I despise going when it is super busy! Well enough rambling from me... have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Stingray Shuffle by Tim Dorsey
I really enjoy Carl Hiassen's books, I read that Mr. Dorsey's books are often compared to his. I decided to get one awhile ago, and decided to pull this one from the shelves to read. Unfortunely, I was a bit disappointed with the book and can only give it a C.
From Amazon:
When serial-killing local Florida historian Serge A. Storms is off his meds, no one is safe -- not Russian hoods, Jamaican mobsters, spoiled frat boys, women's book clubs, drug dealers, bad Vegas-rejected local lounge acts -- especially when $5 million in cash in a bugged suitcase is still racing up and down the Eastern Seaboard. But in the oddball circus known as the Sunshine State, little things like astronomical body counts tend to get lost in the shuffle.
I just couldn't get into this book. I am not sure if it was me or the book itself. There were quite a few humorous parts where I had a big grin on my face, but there were so many little details and history thrown into the book that it was boring me. I had to force myself to pick the book up and read, and it shows. It took me over 5 days to read it, and while I was busy, if it was a good book this wouldn't have been a problem. I am not sure why I didn't just give up on it, but I kept reading and forced myself to finish it tonight. Ugh... I won't do that anymore. There are just too many books and not enough time. The book wasn't all bad... but I just couldn't get into it.
I have three library books to read now. Holds came in, so I am going to get in to them. I am not sure which one I will read first, but hopefully it will be something that grabs me. Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
When serial-killing local Florida historian Serge A. Storms is off his meds, no one is safe -- not Russian hoods, Jamaican mobsters, spoiled frat boys, women's book clubs, drug dealers, bad Vegas-rejected local lounge acts -- especially when $5 million in cash in a bugged suitcase is still racing up and down the Eastern Seaboard. But in the oddball circus known as the Sunshine State, little things like astronomical body counts tend to get lost in the shuffle.
I just couldn't get into this book. I am not sure if it was me or the book itself. There were quite a few humorous parts where I had a big grin on my face, but there were so many little details and history thrown into the book that it was boring me. I had to force myself to pick the book up and read, and it shows. It took me over 5 days to read it, and while I was busy, if it was a good book this wouldn't have been a problem. I am not sure why I didn't just give up on it, but I kept reading and forced myself to finish it tonight. Ugh... I won't do that anymore. There are just too many books and not enough time. The book wasn't all bad... but I just couldn't get into it.
I have three library books to read now. Holds came in, so I am going to get in to them. I am not sure which one I will read first, but hopefully it will be something that grabs me. Happy Reading!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay
So ever since last year when I discovered Mr. Barclay's books while looking on the shelves at the library, I have been obsessed with them. I picked up Mr. Barclay's fourth book in the Zack Walker series from the library and just absolutely loved it. I grade it an A-.
From Amazon:
Metropolitan newspaper writer Zack Walker has a knack for stumbling onto deadly stories. But it’s one that his good friend Trixie Snelling doesn’t want told that’s about to unleash a storm of trouble. As a professional dominatrix in the suburbs, Trixie has her share of secrets, but Zack has no idea what she’s really hiding when a local newspaperman threatens to do an exposé on her…not until Zack finds a dead body strapped to the bondage cross in her basement dungeon.
Now Zack is implicated in a murder, Trixie is missing, and everything he thought he knew about his friend, his town, even his own marriage, reveals a darker side. Zack’s twisted trail to the truth will lead to a long-unsolved triple homicide, bikers, drug wars, and a stone-cold killer hell-bent on revenge. It’s a story that’s already cost him his job and possibly his wife, and, if Zack’s not very lucky, it will cost him his life.
Zack is such a lovable character who always seems to be falling into trouble. While I would be hard pressed to label these books as mysteries, since we always know who the bad guys are, they keep me reading and turning those pages. There is always humor and you really get a great feel that Zack is just a great family man who is trying to do right by those he loves. The first couple of books were laugh out loud funny, and this one had a few chuckles. It wasn't as funny of the earlier ones, but still real enjoyable. While you certainly do not have to read these books in order, I would recommend it. To anyone who enjoys Carl Hiassen's books, I would urge you to try one of Mr. Barclays books.
Mr. Barclay recently released a stand alone book that is titled No Time for Goodbye which was just released. This book sounds a bit darker and not so much an action book as a a suspense novel. I have it on hold at my library and hope it will get in soon! If you haven't tried his books, run to your nearest library and check his books out!
Up next is The Quickie by James Patterson. I won three books on Emily's blog a bit ago and this was one of the books I selected. I saw the tv commercials for it and it really interested me, so I hope this will be a great read. I have high hopes for getting through a book a bit quicker, especially since I have all day to read. I got a lot done today, so tomorrow should be a bit easier and relaxed. This week is too be crazy, so I want to get some reading in. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Metropolitan newspaper writer Zack Walker has a knack for stumbling onto deadly stories. But it’s one that his good friend Trixie Snelling doesn’t want told that’s about to unleash a storm of trouble. As a professional dominatrix in the suburbs, Trixie has her share of secrets, but Zack has no idea what she’s really hiding when a local newspaperman threatens to do an exposé on her…not until Zack finds a dead body strapped to the bondage cross in her basement dungeon.
Now Zack is implicated in a murder, Trixie is missing, and everything he thought he knew about his friend, his town, even his own marriage, reveals a darker side. Zack’s twisted trail to the truth will lead to a long-unsolved triple homicide, bikers, drug wars, and a stone-cold killer hell-bent on revenge. It’s a story that’s already cost him his job and possibly his wife, and, if Zack’s not very lucky, it will cost him his life.
Zack is such a lovable character who always seems to be falling into trouble. While I would be hard pressed to label these books as mysteries, since we always know who the bad guys are, they keep me reading and turning those pages. There is always humor and you really get a great feel that Zack is just a great family man who is trying to do right by those he loves. The first couple of books were laugh out loud funny, and this one had a few chuckles. It wasn't as funny of the earlier ones, but still real enjoyable. While you certainly do not have to read these books in order, I would recommend it. To anyone who enjoys Carl Hiassen's books, I would urge you to try one of Mr. Barclays books.
Mr. Barclay recently released a stand alone book that is titled No Time for Goodbye which was just released. This book sounds a bit darker and not so much an action book as a a suspense novel. I have it on hold at my library and hope it will get in soon! If you haven't tried his books, run to your nearest library and check his books out!
Up next is The Quickie by James Patterson. I won three books on Emily's blog a bit ago and this was one of the books I selected. I saw the tv commercials for it and it really interested me, so I hope this will be a great read. I have high hopes for getting through a book a bit quicker, especially since I have all day to read. I got a lot done today, so tomorrow should be a bit easier and relaxed. This week is too be crazy, so I want to get some reading in. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
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