I enjoyed another book by Ms. McGovern and the subject of this book really grabbed at me. I enjoyed it, and while it took me longer than I like because of how busy I've been, it was great. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
Like The Lovely Bones and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Cammie McGovern’s breakout novel is at once a hypnotic thriller and an affecting portrait of people as real as our next-door neighbors. In Eye Contact, two children vanish in the woods behind their elementary school. Hours later, nine-year-old Adam is found alive, the sole witness to his playmate’s murder. But because Adam has autism, he is a silent witness. Only his mother, Cara, can help decode his behavior for the police. As the suspense ratchets, Eye Contact becomes a heart-stopping exploration of the bond between a mother and a very special child.
I loved the characters in this book and how Adam is autistic. Since subbing, I have had a lot of experience and one on one contact with autistic children, I have to admit that I am enthralled by seeing what great strides they can make. Seeing how something as traumatic as losing your friend to murder and seeing it happen, but then throwing in the mix that he is autistic makes for a great suspense read. I look forward to reading more of Ms. McGovern in the future.
Showing posts with label suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suspense. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
108. Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Oh, how I wanted to love this book. I really, really did. I remember loving Gone Baby Gone and have even avoided watching the movie because I didn't want it to be ruined for me. However, I was let down. Maybe it was becasue my expectations were too high, but I just didn't love it. It was still good, but up to all of the hype I have been hearing. I give Moonlight Mile a B.
From Amazon:
Amanda McCready was four years old when she vanished from a Boston neighborhood twelve years ago. Desperate pleas for help from the child's aunt led investigators Kenzie and Gennaro to take on the case. the pair risked everything to find the young girl-only to orchestrate her return to a neglectful mother and a broken home.
Now Amanda is 16- and gone again. A stellar student, brilliant but aloof, she seemed destined to escape her upbringing. Yet Amanda's aunt is one more knocking on Patrick Kenzie's door, fearing the worst for the little girl who has blossomed into a striking, clever young woman- a woman who hasn't been seen in weeks.
Haunted by their conscienses, Kenzie and Gennaro revisit the case that troubled them the most. Their search leads them into a world of identity thieves, meth dealers, a mentally unstable crime boss and his equally demented wife, a priceless thousand-year-old cross, and a happily homicidal Russian gangster. It's a world in which motives and allegiances constantly shift and mistakes are fatal.
In their desperate fight to confront the past and find Amanda McCready, Kenzie and Gennaro will be forced to question in it's possible to do the wrong thign and still be right or to do the right thing and still be wrong. As they face an evil that goes beyond broken dreams, they discover that the sins of yesterday don't always stay buried and the crimes of today could end their lives.
Like I said, maybe the hype was just too much, but I didn't love the book like I thought I would. I think the ending was just a bit too unbelievable for me because in the beginning of the book I was telling anyone who would listen what a great book it was and then it just fell flat for me. If you loved Gone Baby Gone or any of Mr. Lehane's books, I would advise you to read it, but just don't hope for too much.
From Amazon:
Amanda McCready was four years old when she vanished from a Boston neighborhood twelve years ago. Desperate pleas for help from the child's aunt led investigators Kenzie and Gennaro to take on the case. the pair risked everything to find the young girl-only to orchestrate her return to a neglectful mother and a broken home.
Now Amanda is 16- and gone again. A stellar student, brilliant but aloof, she seemed destined to escape her upbringing. Yet Amanda's aunt is one more knocking on Patrick Kenzie's door, fearing the worst for the little girl who has blossomed into a striking, clever young woman- a woman who hasn't been seen in weeks.
Haunted by their conscienses, Kenzie and Gennaro revisit the case that troubled them the most. Their search leads them into a world of identity thieves, meth dealers, a mentally unstable crime boss and his equally demented wife, a priceless thousand-year-old cross, and a happily homicidal Russian gangster. It's a world in which motives and allegiances constantly shift and mistakes are fatal.
In their desperate fight to confront the past and find Amanda McCready, Kenzie and Gennaro will be forced to question in it's possible to do the wrong thign and still be right or to do the right thing and still be wrong. As they face an evil that goes beyond broken dreams, they discover that the sins of yesterday don't always stay buried and the crimes of today could end their lives.
Like I said, maybe the hype was just too much, but I didn't love the book like I thought I would. I think the ending was just a bit too unbelievable for me because in the beginning of the book I was telling anyone who would listen what a great book it was and then it just fell flat for me. If you loved Gone Baby Gone or any of Mr. Lehane's books, I would advise you to read it, but just don't hope for too much.
105. The Neighbors are Watching by Debra Ginsberg
Happy Holidays to everyone! I have been so busy with work and getting ready for the holidays that I have fallen behind with my reviews, so these next four posts will be short. The first one is a book I absolutely loved and didn't want to end. I give The Neighbors are Watching an A-.
From Amazon:
A pregnant teenager shows up, literally, on her biological father's doorstep, and the neighbors can't stop talking. Joe Montana is a handsome restaurant manager who failed to tell his wife that he fathered a baby with an ex-girlfriend seventeen years ago. Diana's bombshell arrival in their quiet cul-de-sac sets off a chain reacation of secrets and lies that threaten to engulf the neighborhood along with the approaching flames from a Santa Ana-fueled California wildfire.
A woman scorned, a former reality TV star, and a suburban housewife with her own checkered past- these are just a few of the warring neighbors who will be forced to band together when Diana disappears in the aftermath of the wildfire evacuation, leaving her newborn baby-and many unanswered questions-behind.
When my SIL asked me what I was reading and what it was about, I said it was a lot like Desperate Housewives. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings as to what happened to Diana and I was always changing my mind as to who the guilty parties were, if there were in fact, a guilty person. All in all I really enjoyed this book and promptly checked out what other books Ms. Ginsberg had written!
From Amazon:
A pregnant teenager shows up, literally, on her biological father's doorstep, and the neighbors can't stop talking. Joe Montana is a handsome restaurant manager who failed to tell his wife that he fathered a baby with an ex-girlfriend seventeen years ago. Diana's bombshell arrival in their quiet cul-de-sac sets off a chain reacation of secrets and lies that threaten to engulf the neighborhood along with the approaching flames from a Santa Ana-fueled California wildfire.
A woman scorned, a former reality TV star, and a suburban housewife with her own checkered past- these are just a few of the warring neighbors who will be forced to band together when Diana disappears in the aftermath of the wildfire evacuation, leaving her newborn baby-and many unanswered questions-behind.
When my SIL asked me what I was reading and what it was about, I said it was a lot like Desperate Housewives. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings as to what happened to Diana and I was always changing my mind as to who the guilty parties were, if there were in fact, a guilty person. All in all I really enjoyed this book and promptly checked out what other books Ms. Ginsberg had written!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
98. Worst Case by James Patterson
As with all of Mr. Patterson's books, this one was a fast read. This past weekend I took a little road trip with my mom to Pennsylvania for a funeral and started Worst Case in the car. I had it finished 2 hours later. But that's one of the things that I like about Mr. Patterson's books... they are easy to read, entertaining, and quick! I give Worst Case a B.
From Amazon:
One by one, children of New York's wealthiest are taken hostage. But the criminal doesn't crave money or power--he only wants to ask the elite if they know the price others pay for their luxurious lifestyles. And, if they don't, he corrects their ignorance--by killing them.To Detective Michael Bennett, it becomes clear that these murders are linked and must be part of a greater, more public demonstration. With the city thrown into chaos, he is forced to team up with FBI agent Emily Parker, and the two set out to capture the killer before he begins his most public lesson yet--a deadly message for the entire city to witness.From the bestselling author who brought you the Alex Cross novels comes James Patterson's most action-packed series yet. With the heart-pounding suspense that only Patterson delivers, WORST CASE will leave you gasping for breath until the very end.
I have to admit, I really like the Michael Bennett character and his family. It's cute and something different. There's not too much to say here as the story is pretty routine for a Patterson book, but it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours in the car. I would never pay for one of his books and always get them from the library or at thift stores. If you like high action suspense, then pick this book up.
From Amazon:
One by one, children of New York's wealthiest are taken hostage. But the criminal doesn't crave money or power--he only wants to ask the elite if they know the price others pay for their luxurious lifestyles. And, if they don't, he corrects their ignorance--by killing them.To Detective Michael Bennett, it becomes clear that these murders are linked and must be part of a greater, more public demonstration. With the city thrown into chaos, he is forced to team up with FBI agent Emily Parker, and the two set out to capture the killer before he begins his most public lesson yet--a deadly message for the entire city to witness.From the bestselling author who brought you the Alex Cross novels comes James Patterson's most action-packed series yet. With the heart-pounding suspense that only Patterson delivers, WORST CASE will leave you gasping for breath until the very end.
I have to admit, I really like the Michael Bennett character and his family. It's cute and something different. There's not too much to say here as the story is pretty routine for a Patterson book, but it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours in the car. I would never pay for one of his books and always get them from the library or at thift stores. If you like high action suspense, then pick this book up.
97. Killing Spree by Kevin O'Brien
Killing Spree is a book I have had on my shelves for who knows how long. Probably since it first came out, which was close to 4 years ago! It was a quick read and nice to get back into some suspense and thrills and I give it a B+.
From Amazon:
When a serial killer gets a taste for blood...Years ago, the Seattle police were baffled by the Schoolgirl Murders. The killer staged the scenes, dressing his female victims in school girl uniforms and saddle shoes. No woman in Seattle felt safe, until they caught the man responsible, and the case was forgotten...He only wants to do one thing...Across the country, a killing spree is taking place. The first victim is attacked in a taxi by a mysterious stranger. The next is found strangled in a changing room. A hitchhiker is left by the side of the road, his identity brutally stolen. The murders are so bizarre, so random, no one would think to connect them...Kill and kill again...Only Seattle writer Gillian McBride sees the disturbing coincidences between all the murders - and it's hitting too close to home. Somehow, she is the link between past and present - and to a twisted serial killer who shows no signs of stopping. With each terrible piece of a sinister puzzle, a psychopath is carrying out a master plan - a killing spree that needs a final trophy to be fully complete...
The one thing I have to say is I hope this wasn't a follow up or sequel to a book about the Schoolgirl Murders because there were quite a few details about those murders given in the book. I tried skipping over some of it, but there were pages and pages and the conclusion of this book really gives it away. I will admit that I had the bad guy picked out from almost the start, but Mr. O'Brien does a great job of making you doubt yourself a few times. I will definitely be reading the rest of Mr. O'Brien's books I have!
From Amazon:
When a serial killer gets a taste for blood...Years ago, the Seattle police were baffled by the Schoolgirl Murders. The killer staged the scenes, dressing his female victims in school girl uniforms and saddle shoes. No woman in Seattle felt safe, until they caught the man responsible, and the case was forgotten...He only wants to do one thing...Across the country, a killing spree is taking place. The first victim is attacked in a taxi by a mysterious stranger. The next is found strangled in a changing room. A hitchhiker is left by the side of the road, his identity brutally stolen. The murders are so bizarre, so random, no one would think to connect them...Kill and kill again...Only Seattle writer Gillian McBride sees the disturbing coincidences between all the murders - and it's hitting too close to home. Somehow, she is the link between past and present - and to a twisted serial killer who shows no signs of stopping. With each terrible piece of a sinister puzzle, a psychopath is carrying out a master plan - a killing spree that needs a final trophy to be fully complete...
The one thing I have to say is I hope this wasn't a follow up or sequel to a book about the Schoolgirl Murders because there were quite a few details about those murders given in the book. I tried skipping over some of it, but there were pages and pages and the conclusion of this book really gives it away. I will admit that I had the bad guy picked out from almost the start, but Mr. O'Brien does a great job of making you doubt yourself a few times. I will definitely be reading the rest of Mr. O'Brien's books I have!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
78. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
While browsing at a bookstore, this book caught my eye. Since I am really watching my book budget and only shopping when I have a gift card, I decided against spending the $15 and looking to see if my library had it. I was in luck and immediately placed a hold. What a great discovery! I give The Weight of Silence an A-.
From Amazon:
It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.
Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.
Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.
I loved this book and the way that is was told. We are brought into the lives and heads of four of the characters. That is one of my favorite types and tools that writers use because I love to get inside the heads of people and characters. Sometimes I think I should have gone into psychology or counseling rather than teaching. I loved the characters though, and just wanted to gather Calli, Petra, and Ben and keep them safe. There is a mystery in the story, though I had that figured out pretty quickly, but it didn't remove anything from the story. I hope Ms. Gudenkauf is quickly working on her next book!
From Amazon:
It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night.
Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler.
Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice.
Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.
I loved this book and the way that is was told. We are brought into the lives and heads of four of the characters. That is one of my favorite types and tools that writers use because I love to get inside the heads of people and characters. Sometimes I think I should have gone into psychology or counseling rather than teaching. I loved the characters though, and just wanted to gather Calli, Petra, and Ben and keep them safe. There is a mystery in the story, though I had that figured out pretty quickly, but it didn't remove anything from the story. I hope Ms. Gudenkauf is quickly working on her next book!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
66. Neighborhood Watch by Cammie McGovern
I first heard about Neighborhood Watch on various different blogs. I was intrigued and it sounded like an interesting book. It fell a bit short for me, however, and I can only give it a B.
From Amazon:
Twelve years ago librarian Betsy Treading was convicted of murdering her neighbor, the bohemian loner Linda Sue. After DNA testing finally exonerates Betsy, she returns to her suburban community determined to salvage her life and find the true killer. As she begins to pick apart the web of secrets, lies, and love affairs uncovered in the wake of her trial, Betsy suspects that her tight-lipped neighbors may know something that she has denied even to herself. In Neighborhood Watch, Cammie McGovern captures the nail-biting electricity of the best literary thrillers and zeros in on the subterranean tension abuzz in a town whose dark secrets threaten to obliterate the glossy façade of a perfect life. It is also the story of a woman coming into her own, finding her strength, and taking control of her life. It asks readers, what sort of price would you pay for the sake of your reputation? Intricately woven, psychologically astute, and filled with complex and surprising characters, Neighborhood Watch marks a significant step in the career of this talented author.
The thing about this book was even though it was relatively short, there were so many other story lines running throughout the story, the book left me a bit confused. I was really interested in finding out who the real killer was and thought that the setting was such an important part of the story and the author did a fantastic job of incorporating it in. With that being said, there were just too many different things happening that left me wanting for more and trying to decide why other things were thrown in. So while not my favorite book of the summer, one I am glad I read.
From Amazon:
Twelve years ago librarian Betsy Treading was convicted of murdering her neighbor, the bohemian loner Linda Sue. After DNA testing finally exonerates Betsy, she returns to her suburban community determined to salvage her life and find the true killer. As she begins to pick apart the web of secrets, lies, and love affairs uncovered in the wake of her trial, Betsy suspects that her tight-lipped neighbors may know something that she has denied even to herself. In Neighborhood Watch, Cammie McGovern captures the nail-biting electricity of the best literary thrillers and zeros in on the subterranean tension abuzz in a town whose dark secrets threaten to obliterate the glossy façade of a perfect life. It is also the story of a woman coming into her own, finding her strength, and taking control of her life. It asks readers, what sort of price would you pay for the sake of your reputation? Intricately woven, psychologically astute, and filled with complex and surprising characters, Neighborhood Watch marks a significant step in the career of this talented author.
The thing about this book was even though it was relatively short, there were so many other story lines running throughout the story, the book left me a bit confused. I was really interested in finding out who the real killer was and thought that the setting was such an important part of the story and the author did a fantastic job of incorporating it in. With that being said, there were just too many different things happening that left me wanting for more and trying to decide why other things were thrown in. So while not my favorite book of the summer, one I am glad I read.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
34. Caught by Harlan Coben
I've enjoyed Mr. Coben's books in the past and I was really looking forward to reading his latest. Caught did not disappoint. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
17-year-old Haley McWaid is a good girl, the pride of her suburban New Jersey family, captain of the lacrosse team, headed off to college next year with all the hopes and dreams her doting parents can pin on her. Which is why, when her mother wakes one morning to find that Haley never came home the night before, and three months quickly pass without word from the girl, the community assumes the worst. Wendy Tynes is a reporter on a mission, to identify and bring down sexual predators via elaborate—and nationally televised—sting operations. Working with local police on her news program Caught in the Act, Wendy and her team have publicly shamed dozens of men by the time she encounters her latest target. Dan Mercer is a social worker known as a friend to troubled teens, but his story soon becomes more complicated than Wendy could have imagined.
There were so many twists and turns in this book I felt like I was dizzy! The suspense was non-stop and done well. I thought the whole play on the show that exposes sexual predators was great. Wendy was a real character and one I enjoyed getting to know. I've yet to read any of Mr. Coben's series books, but so far all of his stand alones have been great! If you enjoy suspense, then I would highly recommend Caught!
From Amazon:
17-year-old Haley McWaid is a good girl, the pride of her suburban New Jersey family, captain of the lacrosse team, headed off to college next year with all the hopes and dreams her doting parents can pin on her. Which is why, when her mother wakes one morning to find that Haley never came home the night before, and three months quickly pass without word from the girl, the community assumes the worst. Wendy Tynes is a reporter on a mission, to identify and bring down sexual predators via elaborate—and nationally televised—sting operations. Working with local police on her news program Caught in the Act, Wendy and her team have publicly shamed dozens of men by the time she encounters her latest target. Dan Mercer is a social worker known as a friend to troubled teens, but his story soon becomes more complicated than Wendy could have imagined.
There were so many twists and turns in this book I felt like I was dizzy! The suspense was non-stop and done well. I thought the whole play on the show that exposes sexual predators was great. Wendy was a real character and one I enjoyed getting to know. I've yet to read any of Mr. Coben's series books, but so far all of his stand alones have been great! If you enjoy suspense, then I would highly recommend Caught!
Monday, April 5, 2010
26. Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay
I've been a fan of Mr. Barclay since I ran across one of his earlier books a few years back at the library. He writes excellent suspense books with a dad as the main character and they always keep me on my toes. I give Never Look Away a B+.
From Amazon:
A warm summer Saturday. An amusement park. David Harwood is glad to be spending some quality time with his wife, Jan, and their four-year-old son. But what begins as a pleasant family outing turns into a nightmare after an inexplicable disappearance. A frantic search only leads to an even more shocking and harrowing turn of events. Until this terrifying moment, David Harwood is just a small-town reporter in need of a break. His paper, the Promise Falls Standard, is struggling to survive. Then he gets a lead that just might be the answer to his prayers: a potential scandal involving a controversial development project for the outskirts of this picturesque upstate New York town. It’s a hot-button issue that will surely sell papers and help reverse the Standard’s fortunes, but strangely, David’s editors keep shooting it down. Why? That’s a question no longer at the top of David’s list. Now the only thing he cares about is restoring his family. Desperate for any clue, David dives into his own investigation—and into a web of lies and deceit. For with every new piece of evidence he uncovers, David finds more questions—and moves ever closer to a shattering truth.
I loved the main character, David, as I always seem to in Mr. Barclay's books. They are flawed and realistic, but someone who root for throughout the entire story. There were lots of twists and turns, and I spent a lot of time second guessing myself on what I thought was going on, but as it turns out, I was right for most of the time. I thought that one of the side stories about the article that David was working on could have been left out, but it didn't take anything away from the story. If you haven't read anything by Mr. Barclay, I would suggest you check him out soon!
I am now reading a new book that I bought on Friday called The Perfect Woman. It's a new-to-me author and I was out of library books so I just grabbed this one since it hadn't been shelved yet. It looks promising, so hopefully I will be back with another review shortly. Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
A warm summer Saturday. An amusement park. David Harwood is glad to be spending some quality time with his wife, Jan, and their four-year-old son. But what begins as a pleasant family outing turns into a nightmare after an inexplicable disappearance. A frantic search only leads to an even more shocking and harrowing turn of events. Until this terrifying moment, David Harwood is just a small-town reporter in need of a break. His paper, the Promise Falls Standard, is struggling to survive. Then he gets a lead that just might be the answer to his prayers: a potential scandal involving a controversial development project for the outskirts of this picturesque upstate New York town. It’s a hot-button issue that will surely sell papers and help reverse the Standard’s fortunes, but strangely, David’s editors keep shooting it down. Why? That’s a question no longer at the top of David’s list. Now the only thing he cares about is restoring his family. Desperate for any clue, David dives into his own investigation—and into a web of lies and deceit. For with every new piece of evidence he uncovers, David finds more questions—and moves ever closer to a shattering truth.
I loved the main character, David, as I always seem to in Mr. Barclay's books. They are flawed and realistic, but someone who root for throughout the entire story. There were lots of twists and turns, and I spent a lot of time second guessing myself on what I thought was going on, but as it turns out, I was right for most of the time. I thought that one of the side stories about the article that David was working on could have been left out, but it didn't take anything away from the story. If you haven't read anything by Mr. Barclay, I would suggest you check him out soon!
I am now reading a new book that I bought on Friday called The Perfect Woman. It's a new-to-me author and I was out of library books so I just grabbed this one since it hadn't been shelved yet. It looks promising, so hopefully I will be back with another review shortly. Happy Reading!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
22. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
I am late to the game of the great tv show Castle, but I've started to watch it recently and really like it! While it is somewhat corny, it's an enjoyable way to spend an hour. While at my library browsing, I saw Heat Wave and decided to give it a shot. I was a bit disappointed and give it a B.
Amazon:
A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.
Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.
This was a really short book, less than 200 pages. I breezed through it and liked it, but it definitely wasn't anything that will stick with me for awhile. I can't believe I am actually going to say this, but I like the t.v. show better than the book! That never happens! If you are a fan of the show, give the book a try, but don't expect wonderful things!
Amazon:
A New York real estate tycoon plunges to his death on a Manhattan sidewalk. A trophy wife with a past survives a narrow escape from a brazen attack. Mobsters and moguls with no shortage of reasons to kill trot out their alibis. And then, in the suffocating grip of a record heat wave, comes another shocking murder and a sharp turn in a tense journey into the dirty little secrets of the wealthy. Secrets that prove to be fatal. Secrets that lay hidden in the dark until one NYPD detective shines a light.
Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. PulitzerPrize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them. The one called heat.
This was a really short book, less than 200 pages. I breezed through it and liked it, but it definitely wasn't anything that will stick with me for awhile. I can't believe I am actually going to say this, but I like the t.v. show better than the book! That never happens! If you are a fan of the show, give the book a try, but don't expect wonderful things!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
16. The Quiet Game by Greg Iles
I recently, within the past year or so, discovered Greg Iles. While his books are chunksters, they are always enjoyable. I have another book by Mr. Iles I've wanted to read for awhile but felt like I should read The Quiet Game first as it takes place first. I picked up knowing that I had some time off from work and could dedicate more time to it. It sitll took me awhile, but I really enjoyed it and give The Quiet Game a B+.
Back cover:
Ntachez, Mississippi, is the jewel of the antebllum South, a city of old money and older sins, where passion, power, and racial tensions seethe beneath its elegant facade.
It is here that Penn Cafe, a Houston prosecutor turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds.
Penn is stunned to discover that his own family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. But as Penn tries to right the wrongs, he stumbles over the town's darkest secret- and soon learns that this haunting mystery is inextricably bound up with the highest leves of government. With the won closing ranks around him, Penn suddenly realizes that his crusade for justice may cost him his illustrious career- and his life...
It is a bit difficult to classify this book... part legal suspense, part action and part mystery you get a bit of everything mixed up into one. Penn is a great character, one that is flawed but so likeable and believeable and one that really looks out for the little guy. What starts out as a case of revenge, Penn ends up biting off more that he can chew. I love the setting of southern Mississippi (especially since I really do love all things South and really want to move down there eventually) in a small town and thought that Mr. Iles does a fantastic job of discussing and exploring racial tensions both now and in the heights of the Civil Rights era in the 60s, though at times it was difficult to read. Parts were a bit unbelieveable, but in a way that you don't want to believe that the government and people could act like that. I will be reading many more Iles books in the future.
Ok... I need to log off. I am watching the hockey game (Canada vs. U.S.) and am too enthralled. While I wish my Wings' coach Babcock and my beloved hero Steve Yzerman lots of luck I have to cheer on the U.S. Plus the Red Wings' own and Michigan native Brian Rafalski has the Americans' two goals and can I barely type this as I watch. Hopefully I will get some reading done tonight between periods and perhaps on another snow day tomorrow. I also hope to get to everyone's blogs as well some time tonight. Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Ntachez, Mississippi, is the jewel of the antebllum South, a city of old money and older sins, where passion, power, and racial tensions seethe beneath its elegant facade.
It is here that Penn Cafe, a Houston prosecutor turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds.
Penn is stunned to discover that his own family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. But as Penn tries to right the wrongs, he stumbles over the town's darkest secret- and soon learns that this haunting mystery is inextricably bound up with the highest leves of government. With the won closing ranks around him, Penn suddenly realizes that his crusade for justice may cost him his illustrious career- and his life...
It is a bit difficult to classify this book... part legal suspense, part action and part mystery you get a bit of everything mixed up into one. Penn is a great character, one that is flawed but so likeable and believeable and one that really looks out for the little guy. What starts out as a case of revenge, Penn ends up biting off more that he can chew. I love the setting of southern Mississippi (especially since I really do love all things South and really want to move down there eventually) in a small town and thought that Mr. Iles does a fantastic job of discussing and exploring racial tensions both now and in the heights of the Civil Rights era in the 60s, though at times it was difficult to read. Parts were a bit unbelieveable, but in a way that you don't want to believe that the government and people could act like that. I will be reading many more Iles books in the future.
Ok... I need to log off. I am watching the hockey game (Canada vs. U.S.) and am too enthralled. While I wish my Wings' coach Babcock and my beloved hero Steve Yzerman lots of luck I have to cheer on the U.S. Plus the Red Wings' own and Michigan native Brian Rafalski has the Americans' two goals and can I barely type this as I watch. Hopefully I will get some reading done tonight between periods and perhaps on another snow day tomorrow. I also hope to get to everyone's blogs as well some time tonight. Happy Reading!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Murder Artist by John Case
I FINALLY finished a book! Thank heavens... I just couldn't get any reading in this week for some reason. For starters, I've found I 've been spending way too much time online doing absolutely nothing lately, so last night and this morning I made a pact to keep the computer off and read. The Murder Artist also helped to break through this mini-slump, as once I got reading for a bit, I was sucked right in reading over 300 pages last night and this morning. I give The Murder Artist a B+.
Back cover:
Television news correspondent Alex Callahan witnesses danger and death on a daily basis, and knows the meaning of fear. But nothing prepares him for the feeling of profound terror that grabs him when his six-year-old twin boys vanish without a trace at a countryside Renaissance Fair. The ensuing anonymous phone call- and the familiar, plaintive voice of a child- only deepens Alex's certainty that he doesn't have much time. Telltale signs reveal a hidden pattern of bizarre and ghoulish abductions, as a profile of a predator slowly emerges- a twisted soul, hell-bent on fulfilling an unspeakably dark dream. What Alex is closing in on is a monster with a fiendish mission.
The Murder Artist is quite an involved book, one that has lots of twists and turns. If the reader pays close attention to little clues and hints, you can figure out the why and what, though the who is not easily figured out. I loved Alex and thought that he was a great character, and Mr. Case does a great job of painting a grieving parent who has lost their children to a kidnapper. There is a lot of reference to other kidnapped children that also adds to the beliveablitity to the story. The ending leaves you a bit hanging though, where everything isn't all tied up and packaged with a pretty bow, which normally drives me crazy, but this time it didn't bother me because it just seemed like a great ending. There were a ton of twists and turns, along with some gore and tough spots, but overall Mr. Case does a fantastic job of building the suspense. This book is somewhat older, written I believe in 2003, but if you ever come across it at the library or a UBS or something and you enjoy a good suspense book, please do check it out.
Up next is the latest book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I have been waiting forever for it through the library and finally picked up it earlier this week. Even though I've been dying to read it, even that couldn't get me out of my slump but I hope to start on it today. I am going to catch up on some blog reading and then plan to start it. I have bowling league this evening, but I should be home around 9:00ish and will then spend some more quality time in the pages. My hubby is out of town for the weekend working, so I have the house and tv remote to myself. While I miss him maddly, I am enjoying some me time! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Television news correspondent Alex Callahan witnesses danger and death on a daily basis, and knows the meaning of fear. But nothing prepares him for the feeling of profound terror that grabs him when his six-year-old twin boys vanish without a trace at a countryside Renaissance Fair. The ensuing anonymous phone call- and the familiar, plaintive voice of a child- only deepens Alex's certainty that he doesn't have much time. Telltale signs reveal a hidden pattern of bizarre and ghoulish abductions, as a profile of a predator slowly emerges- a twisted soul, hell-bent on fulfilling an unspeakably dark dream. What Alex is closing in on is a monster with a fiendish mission.
The Murder Artist is quite an involved book, one that has lots of twists and turns. If the reader pays close attention to little clues and hints, you can figure out the why and what, though the who is not easily figured out. I loved Alex and thought that he was a great character, and Mr. Case does a great job of painting a grieving parent who has lost their children to a kidnapper. There is a lot of reference to other kidnapped children that also adds to the beliveablitity to the story. The ending leaves you a bit hanging though, where everything isn't all tied up and packaged with a pretty bow, which normally drives me crazy, but this time it didn't bother me because it just seemed like a great ending. There were a ton of twists and turns, along with some gore and tough spots, but overall Mr. Case does a fantastic job of building the suspense. This book is somewhat older, written I believe in 2003, but if you ever come across it at the library or a UBS or something and you enjoy a good suspense book, please do check it out.
Up next is the latest book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I have been waiting forever for it through the library and finally picked up it earlier this week. Even though I've been dying to read it, even that couldn't get me out of my slump but I hope to start on it today. I am going to catch up on some blog reading and then plan to start it. I have bowling league this evening, but I should be home around 9:00ish and will then spend some more quality time in the pages. My hubby is out of town for the weekend working, so I have the house and tv remote to myself. While I miss him maddly, I am enjoying some me time! Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Swimsuit by James Patterson
I love James Patterson's books, even if they are somewhat far-fetched but really enjoy his stand-alone books. I've been on hold through my library for months and was happy to finally get my chance to read it. Swimsuit was a fast read, but one I enjoyed, and I give it a B+.
Inside cover:
A breathtakingly beautiful supermodel disappears from a swimsuit photo shoot at the most glamorous hotel in Hawaii. Only hours after Kim McDaniels goes missing, her parents receive a terrifying phone call. Fearing the worst, they board the first flight to Maui and begin the hunt for their daughter.
Ex-cop Ben Hawkins, now a reporter for the L.A. Times, gets the McDaniels assignment. The ineptitude of the local police force defies belief- Ben has to start his own investigation for Kim McDaniels to have a prayer. And for Ben to have the story of a lifetime.
All the while a killer sets the stage for his next production. His audience expects the best- and they won't be disappointed.
One of the things Mr. Patterson does best is keeping the suspense building and I will admit my heart was pounding at times. Last night we had really strong winds and we lost power so reading Swimsuit by flashlight around 10:00 p.m. only increased the suspense. Not an easy book to read, with lots of blood and gore, it was a good suspense novel, not because the reader is trying to figure out who the killer is, but because Ben is trying to stay ahead of the killer. Swimsuit is nothing new or different, but what one comes to expect from a James Patterson book. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to read it, but am also glad that I didn't pay $27.00 to read it!
My next book will be one of my mine. I got all of my cleaning, except for vacauming, and laundry done for the weekend, so I am looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend with hopefully lots of time to read. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
A breathtakingly beautiful supermodel disappears from a swimsuit photo shoot at the most glamorous hotel in Hawaii. Only hours after Kim McDaniels goes missing, her parents receive a terrifying phone call. Fearing the worst, they board the first flight to Maui and begin the hunt for their daughter.
Ex-cop Ben Hawkins, now a reporter for the L.A. Times, gets the McDaniels assignment. The ineptitude of the local police force defies belief- Ben has to start his own investigation for Kim McDaniels to have a prayer. And for Ben to have the story of a lifetime.
All the while a killer sets the stage for his next production. His audience expects the best- and they won't be disappointed.
One of the things Mr. Patterson does best is keeping the suspense building and I will admit my heart was pounding at times. Last night we had really strong winds and we lost power so reading Swimsuit by flashlight around 10:00 p.m. only increased the suspense. Not an easy book to read, with lots of blood and gore, it was a good suspense novel, not because the reader is trying to figure out who the killer is, but because Ben is trying to stay ahead of the killer. Swimsuit is nothing new or different, but what one comes to expect from a James Patterson book. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to read it, but am also glad that I didn't pay $27.00 to read it!
My next book will be one of my mine. I got all of my cleaning, except for vacauming, and laundry done for the weekend, so I am looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend with hopefully lots of time to read. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Church of Dead Girls by Stephen Dobyns
The Church of Dead Girls is a book I've had on my shelves for far too long. I got this from either a library sale or thrift store, and I am a bit disappointed I waited this long to read it. It was a good book, more literary fiction than straight up suspense, and I give it a B+.
Back cover:
For decades, the faded, rural upstate New York village has lain dormant- until it is startlingly stirred to life when, one by one, three young girls vanish...
Nightmares are turned into horrifying reality when their corpses are found, brutally murdered, each missing their left hand...
Now as the search for a madman gets underway, suspicion shrouds the quiet streets of Aurelius when its residents soon realize that a monster lives among them...
But not even prayers can save their loved one from the rage of a twisted mind who has only just begun his slaughter...
In The Church of Dead Girls, the town of Aurelius is in itself the main character of the story. The narrator, a man who I am not even sure is ever named and if he was I don't remember, serves as the readers eyes and ears for the events that turn this small town upside down as three young girls are kidnapped and seem to vanish. There are many characters to keep track of, but while reading these pages, you are transported to small, snowy Aurelius and all of it's residents. Suspicion is thrown on everyone, the gay residents, the single men, the married men, and even one or two women. I believe the story is an accurate picture of what would happen to a small town suddenly thrust into the national spotlight because of a terrible person. While I normally enjoy the heavier and grittier suspense books, The Church of Dead Girls was a great literary suspense book that encouraged me to escape from my ususal comfort reads.
It took me a week to read this book! Part of it was because the book was long and desires to be read slowly so you savor the story and the other reason was because I've been busy. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a subbing job for a week for the same teacher. On Tuesday she became quite sick and had to have an emergency surgery and I was called to take over her class again. Since this wasn't a planned abscence, I had to do planning and now it seems she will be out for another two weeks and progress reports are due! Today my day was totally shot by a wedding (I am currently in between the church portion and we are leaving shortly for the reception), so tomorrow will be checking papers and prepping for the next week. As much as I am missing my free time, I am thankful to have this long term subbing position since I get to actually teach and I like the class! I also need to start managing my time a bit better as I seem to be spending much time surfing the internet, looking at nothing. Time to fix my makeup and leave. Happy Reading everyone and have a fantastic weekend!
Back cover:
For decades, the faded, rural upstate New York village has lain dormant- until it is startlingly stirred to life when, one by one, three young girls vanish...
Nightmares are turned into horrifying reality when their corpses are found, brutally murdered, each missing their left hand...
Now as the search for a madman gets underway, suspicion shrouds the quiet streets of Aurelius when its residents soon realize that a monster lives among them...
But not even prayers can save their loved one from the rage of a twisted mind who has only just begun his slaughter...
In The Church of Dead Girls, the town of Aurelius is in itself the main character of the story. The narrator, a man who I am not even sure is ever named and if he was I don't remember, serves as the readers eyes and ears for the events that turn this small town upside down as three young girls are kidnapped and seem to vanish. There are many characters to keep track of, but while reading these pages, you are transported to small, snowy Aurelius and all of it's residents. Suspicion is thrown on everyone, the gay residents, the single men, the married men, and even one or two women. I believe the story is an accurate picture of what would happen to a small town suddenly thrust into the national spotlight because of a terrible person. While I normally enjoy the heavier and grittier suspense books, The Church of Dead Girls was a great literary suspense book that encouraged me to escape from my ususal comfort reads.
It took me a week to read this book! Part of it was because the book was long and desires to be read slowly so you savor the story and the other reason was because I've been busy. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a subbing job for a week for the same teacher. On Tuesday she became quite sick and had to have an emergency surgery and I was called to take over her class again. Since this wasn't a planned abscence, I had to do planning and now it seems she will be out for another two weeks and progress reports are due! Today my day was totally shot by a wedding (I am currently in between the church portion and we are leaving shortly for the reception), so tomorrow will be checking papers and prepping for the next week. As much as I am missing my free time, I am thankful to have this long term subbing position since I get to actually teach and I like the class! I also need to start managing my time a bit better as I seem to be spending much time surfing the internet, looking at nothing. Time to fix my makeup and leave. Happy Reading everyone and have a fantastic weekend!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Puppet by Joy Fielding
Since I've been in somewhat of a reading slump lately, I decided to pull one of Ms. Fielding's books off of my shelves to help me get out of it. It didn't seem to help much, as it took me quite awhile to read it, even though I haven't been very busy. It was a good read, and I give it B.
Inside cover:
Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who win just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamourous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristine Palm Beach condominium. Her estranged mother, dead father, two ex-husband, a love that once consumed her, and countless one-night stnad have since lagged far, far behind.
But when ex #1 won't stop calling, Amanda finally gives in. He tells her that her mother shot a man at point-blank range in the lobby of Toronto' s Four Seasons hotel. Despite her best arguments, Amanda knows she must return to her hometown to face her demons and uncover the hidden facts behind her mother's violent outburst. All too soon, she is drawn into the dark, strange power her mother seems to hold over everyone. Her childhood nickname, Puppet, echoing in her ears, Amanda must finally confront the past in order to be free of the ties that bind and learn to stand on her own.
Ms. Fielding always write an engrossing and suspensful tale. She is able to create characters that come to life through the pages and while you may not love or sympathize with all of them, they are very realisitic. While we knew who the killer was in this book, the suspense comes from trying to figure out why Amanda's mother shoots an apparent stranger at point-blank range after waiting in a hotel for him. Amanda was someone who was hard to like as she seems to be very self-absorbed and selfish, but through the book she grows on you and the reader gets a good understanding of why she is the way she is and how she became the person she is today. I enjoyed the book, and while it wasn't my favorite Joy Fielding book, it was still a good read.
Up next is the latest Chelsea Cain book, Evil at Heart! YAY! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about finally having this book in my hot little hands. I am going to sign off right now and dive right into this book. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who win just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamourous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristine Palm Beach condominium. Her estranged mother, dead father, two ex-husband, a love that once consumed her, and countless one-night stnad have since lagged far, far behind.
But when ex #1 won't stop calling, Amanda finally gives in. He tells her that her mother shot a man at point-blank range in the lobby of Toronto' s Four Seasons hotel. Despite her best arguments, Amanda knows she must return to her hometown to face her demons and uncover the hidden facts behind her mother's violent outburst. All too soon, she is drawn into the dark, strange power her mother seems to hold over everyone. Her childhood nickname, Puppet, echoing in her ears, Amanda must finally confront the past in order to be free of the ties that bind and learn to stand on her own.
Ms. Fielding always write an engrossing and suspensful tale. She is able to create characters that come to life through the pages and while you may not love or sympathize with all of them, they are very realisitic. While we knew who the killer was in this book, the suspense comes from trying to figure out why Amanda's mother shoots an apparent stranger at point-blank range after waiting in a hotel for him. Amanda was someone who was hard to like as she seems to be very self-absorbed and selfish, but through the book she grows on you and the reader gets a good understanding of why she is the way she is and how she became the person she is today. I enjoyed the book, and while it wasn't my favorite Joy Fielding book, it was still a good read.
Up next is the latest Chelsea Cain book, Evil at Heart! YAY! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about finally having this book in my hot little hands. I am going to sign off right now and dive right into this book. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
I fell in love with Mr. Barclay's work when I read his first book in a cozy mystery series surrounding a goofy dad who worked as a comic book author and have enjoyed his books ever since. I have been dying to read Fear the Worst since I first learned it was coming out and was so happy to finally pick it up from the library. It was another great book by Mr. Barclay, and I give it an A-.
Inside cover:
Tim is an average guy. He sells cars. He has an ex-wife who's moved in with a man whose moody son spends more time online than he should. Tim's girlfriend is turning out to be a bit of a flake. It's not a life without hassles, but nothing will prepare him for the nightmare that's about to begin.
His daughter, Sydney, has vanished into thin air. At the hotel where she supposedly worked, no one has ever heard of her. Even her closest friends seem to be at a loss. Now, as the days pass without word, Tim must face the fact that not only is Sydney missing, but that he may not have known his daughter as well as he thought.
As he retraces Sydney's steps, Tim discovers that the suburban Connecticut town he always thought of as idyllic is anything but. What he doesn't know is that his every move is being watched. There are others who want to find Sydney as much as Tim does.
But they're not planning a welcome home party.
The closer Tim comes to the truth, the closer he comes to every parent's worst nightmare- and the kind of evil only a parent's love has a chance in hell of stopping.
Mr. Barclay does such a great job writing books that are fast-paced, suspenseful, and have a touch of humor in them. Though the book's topic is heart-wrenching and the suspense is at top speed, there are little parts here and there that entice a chuckle or small smile out of you. I loved Tim and thought he was a wonderful character. A dad who loves his daughter and will do anything for her, but isn't so blind with his love that he doesn't see the stupid things that all teenagers do. I can't recommend Linwood Barclay books enough, and if you haven't checked one out from him, I highly suggest you run and get one! The reason for the A- and not an A is because of one little aspect of the story that seemed just a bit too unbelieveable for me and one that I really thought didn't have to be added to the story.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I still have some library books, including a biography that I would like to get to, but I really need to start reading some of my own books for the RYOB challenge. I can't believe August is almost over already! The job still stinks, and I am absolutely dreading going, but I am not going to let it ruin my evenings when I am home and can relax with a good book like I did yesterday. I am going to hop in the shower right now and sneak in a few chapters of one of my own books before bed time. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
Tim is an average guy. He sells cars. He has an ex-wife who's moved in with a man whose moody son spends more time online than he should. Tim's girlfriend is turning out to be a bit of a flake. It's not a life without hassles, but nothing will prepare him for the nightmare that's about to begin.
His daughter, Sydney, has vanished into thin air. At the hotel where she supposedly worked, no one has ever heard of her. Even her closest friends seem to be at a loss. Now, as the days pass without word, Tim must face the fact that not only is Sydney missing, but that he may not have known his daughter as well as he thought.
As he retraces Sydney's steps, Tim discovers that the suburban Connecticut town he always thought of as idyllic is anything but. What he doesn't know is that his every move is being watched. There are others who want to find Sydney as much as Tim does.
But they're not planning a welcome home party.
The closer Tim comes to the truth, the closer he comes to every parent's worst nightmare- and the kind of evil only a parent's love has a chance in hell of stopping.
Mr. Barclay does such a great job writing books that are fast-paced, suspenseful, and have a touch of humor in them. Though the book's topic is heart-wrenching and the suspense is at top speed, there are little parts here and there that entice a chuckle or small smile out of you. I loved Tim and thought he was a wonderful character. A dad who loves his daughter and will do anything for her, but isn't so blind with his love that he doesn't see the stupid things that all teenagers do. I can't recommend Linwood Barclay books enough, and if you haven't checked one out from him, I highly suggest you run and get one! The reason for the A- and not an A is because of one little aspect of the story that seemed just a bit too unbelieveable for me and one that I really thought didn't have to be added to the story.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I still have some library books, including a biography that I would like to get to, but I really need to start reading some of my own books for the RYOB challenge. I can't believe August is almost over already! The job still stinks, and I am absolutely dreading going, but I am not going to let it ruin my evenings when I am home and can relax with a good book like I did yesterday. I am going to hop in the shower right now and sneak in a few chapters of one of my own books before bed time. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
In Their Blood by Sharon Potts
In Their Blood is a suspense book by new author Sharon Potts. I heard about this on several different blogs, I believe, though of course I didn't use my handy-dandy little notebook to record it. It was a good book and one that I flew through, even with completing some of my projects I had to do. I give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Born into a live of privilege, Jeremy loves freedom, but loathes responsibility. Unable- or unwilling- to cope with the demands of college life, Jeremy drops out and starts backpacking his way across Europe. But this free-spirited drifter crashes back to brutal reality when his parents, Rachel and Daniel Stroeb, are murdered in their home on Miami Beach.
When he returns to Miami, Jeremy faces the responsibility he once feared and assumes guardianship of his teenage sister, Elise, who is traumatized and convinced the killer will be back for her.
With steely, urgent resolve, Jeremy vows to find out what really happened to Rachel Stroeb, the respected CPA, and Daniel Stroeb, the controversial professor. Determined to get on the inside of his parents' lives, Jeremy takes a job at the accounting firm where his mother worked, and enrolls at the university where his father taught.
But too many details don't add up. With mounting certainty that his parents were anything but the people he thought they were, Jeremy must face the toughest questions of all. Who were Rachel and Daniel Stroeb? And when will the killer be back for the next of kin?
Jeremy is a difficult character to like. He is very selfish, and though he says he is going to take care of his sister, some of the decisions he makes do not add up to that. Jeremy also has a tough time learning about his parents and discovering who they really are and discovering some of the mistakes they have made in their lives. Because of these two things, this story is very true to the heart. I think I would have had a hard time believing things if Jeremy just came back from Europe and became Mr. Mom to his younger sister Elise. The suspense was done well, and several times I was running back and forth to who I thought the killer was. I eventually figured out the why, but was a bit unsure of the who. If you enjoy a good suspense book, I would strongly suggest you pick up In Their Blood.
I up way too late, so I am going to say Good Night and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Born into a live of privilege, Jeremy loves freedom, but loathes responsibility. Unable- or unwilling- to cope with the demands of college life, Jeremy drops out and starts backpacking his way across Europe. But this free-spirited drifter crashes back to brutal reality when his parents, Rachel and Daniel Stroeb, are murdered in their home on Miami Beach.
When he returns to Miami, Jeremy faces the responsibility he once feared and assumes guardianship of his teenage sister, Elise, who is traumatized and convinced the killer will be back for her.
With steely, urgent resolve, Jeremy vows to find out what really happened to Rachel Stroeb, the respected CPA, and Daniel Stroeb, the controversial professor. Determined to get on the inside of his parents' lives, Jeremy takes a job at the accounting firm where his mother worked, and enrolls at the university where his father taught.
But too many details don't add up. With mounting certainty that his parents were anything but the people he thought they were, Jeremy must face the toughest questions of all. Who were Rachel and Daniel Stroeb? And when will the killer be back for the next of kin?
Jeremy is a difficult character to like. He is very selfish, and though he says he is going to take care of his sister, some of the decisions he makes do not add up to that. Jeremy also has a tough time learning about his parents and discovering who they really are and discovering some of the mistakes they have made in their lives. Because of these two things, this story is very true to the heart. I think I would have had a hard time believing things if Jeremy just came back from Europe and became Mr. Mom to his younger sister Elise. The suspense was done well, and several times I was running back and forth to who I thought the killer was. I eventually figured out the why, but was a bit unsure of the who. If you enjoy a good suspense book, I would strongly suggest you pick up In Their Blood.
I up way too late, so I am going to say Good Night and Happy Reading!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tell No One by Harlan Coben
Tell No One is a book I have had on my shelves for awhile and decided to finally pull it off after reading something about Mr. Coben. It was a good read, and perfect for me to read in the short, little breaks I had that I could sneak it in. I give it a B.
Back cover:
For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.
Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible- that somewhere, somehow, his wife is alive... and he's been warned to tell no one.
Tell No One is a suspense-filled book, one that the pages are turning and the suspense is building. While there aren't a lot of clues for the reader to follow along with and try and solve the crime, it is action packed. I loved the character Beck and the inside look at the low income practice he has in New York City. I would have rated the book higher, but some parts of the book were just so unbelievable that I knocked the grade down a little bit. I tend to like my suspense books to be a bit more believeable as they tend to spook me more. There were also a lot of characters running through the story, including some from the past, that gave me somewhat of a problem keeping track of. I enjoy Mr. Coben's books, but I probably won't be buying them new.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I leave for up north on Monday for a retreat for my new job, so this weekend I have to get this house scrubbed (I always have to clean before I leave out of town), do laundry, run to the library, run to the bank, and other odds and ends. When I get back from the retreat (which I am dreading...) it's back to school full time pretty much, so I want to squeeze in as much of the little projects I have been putting off all summer. I am going to sign off now, catch up on some blog reading, and get started on some of that laundry. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.
Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible- that somewhere, somehow, his wife is alive... and he's been warned to tell no one.
Tell No One is a suspense-filled book, one that the pages are turning and the suspense is building. While there aren't a lot of clues for the reader to follow along with and try and solve the crime, it is action packed. I loved the character Beck and the inside look at the low income practice he has in New York City. I would have rated the book higher, but some parts of the book were just so unbelievable that I knocked the grade down a little bit. I tend to like my suspense books to be a bit more believeable as they tend to spook me more. There were also a lot of characters running through the story, including some from the past, that gave me somewhat of a problem keeping track of. I enjoy Mr. Coben's books, but I probably won't be buying them new.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I leave for up north on Monday for a retreat for my new job, so this weekend I have to get this house scrubbed (I always have to clean before I leave out of town), do laundry, run to the library, run to the bank, and other odds and ends. When I get back from the retreat (which I am dreading...) it's back to school full time pretty much, so I want to squeeze in as much of the little projects I have been putting off all summer. I am going to sign off now, catch up on some blog reading, and get started on some of that laundry. Happy Reading everyone!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Cutting by James Hayman
I am not sure where I read about this book, though it may have been in a magazine. The Cutting is the first book by James Hayman, and it sounded like something right up my alley. While I didn't get much time to read it yesterday, this evening I spent a few hours reading it and before I knew it, I was turning the last pages. I really enjoyed The Cutting and give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe moved from New York City to Portland, Maine to escape a dark past: both the ex-wife who'd left him for an investment banker, and the tragic death of his brother, a hero cop gone bad. He sought to raise his young daughter away from the violence of the big city... so he's unprepared for the horrific killer he discovers, whose bloody trail may lead to Portland's social elite.
Early on a September evening, the mutilated body of a pretty teenaged girl, a high school soccer star, is found dumped in a scrap metal yard. She has been viciously assaulted, her heart cut from her chest with surgical precision. The very same day a young businesswoman, also blonde and an athlete, was abducted as she jogged through the streets of the city's west end. McCabe suspects both crimes are the work of the same man- a killer who's targeting the young, who is clearly well-versed in complex surgical procedures, and who may have struck before. Just as the investigation is beginning, McCabe's ex-wife reemerges, suddenly determined to reclaim the daughter she heedlessly abandoned years earlier.
With the help of his straight-talking partner, Maggie Savage, McCabe begins a race against time to rescue the missing woman and unmask a sadistic killer- before more lives are lost.
I loved McCabe as a character. I thought he had the perfect mix of a hard-assed detective, but a loving father and compassionate person mixed in well. He seems like the perfect person to be friends with and someone who would defend and protect you to the end. It just seems when you fall in love with a character, you really fall in love with a book. The premise and twist of the story is intriguing, and while I had it figured out pretty early on, I still enjoyed it. It seems like there were a few loose ends left in McCabe's life, so I am hoping and crossing fingers that The Cutting may be the first in a new series. I know, I know, another series is the last thing I need to start right now, but I would love to reconnect with McCabe.
I think next is going to be one of my books, perhaps a chick lit or Jackie Collins book. I feel like something light and breezy and something that screams summer. It finally warmed up to the 80s today, and tomorrow I hope to get some sun and read the perfect book to go with it! I'm not sure though, and as it's already after 11:00, I won't start anything now. I have to go bed, so I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe moved from New York City to Portland, Maine to escape a dark past: both the ex-wife who'd left him for an investment banker, and the tragic death of his brother, a hero cop gone bad. He sought to raise his young daughter away from the violence of the big city... so he's unprepared for the horrific killer he discovers, whose bloody trail may lead to Portland's social elite.
Early on a September evening, the mutilated body of a pretty teenaged girl, a high school soccer star, is found dumped in a scrap metal yard. She has been viciously assaulted, her heart cut from her chest with surgical precision. The very same day a young businesswoman, also blonde and an athlete, was abducted as she jogged through the streets of the city's west end. McCabe suspects both crimes are the work of the same man- a killer who's targeting the young, who is clearly well-versed in complex surgical procedures, and who may have struck before. Just as the investigation is beginning, McCabe's ex-wife reemerges, suddenly determined to reclaim the daughter she heedlessly abandoned years earlier.
With the help of his straight-talking partner, Maggie Savage, McCabe begins a race against time to rescue the missing woman and unmask a sadistic killer- before more lives are lost.
I loved McCabe as a character. I thought he had the perfect mix of a hard-assed detective, but a loving father and compassionate person mixed in well. He seems like the perfect person to be friends with and someone who would defend and protect you to the end. It just seems when you fall in love with a character, you really fall in love with a book. The premise and twist of the story is intriguing, and while I had it figured out pretty early on, I still enjoyed it. It seems like there were a few loose ends left in McCabe's life, so I am hoping and crossing fingers that The Cutting may be the first in a new series. I know, I know, another series is the last thing I need to start right now, but I would love to reconnect with McCabe.
I think next is going to be one of my books, perhaps a chick lit or Jackie Collins book. I feel like something light and breezy and something that screams summer. It finally warmed up to the 80s today, and tomorrow I hope to get some sun and read the perfect book to go with it! I'm not sure though, and as it's already after 11:00, I won't start anything now. I have to go bed, so I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon
I read about Dismantled on someone's blog, and as I had read and enjoyed Ms. McMahon's previous novel, I decided to give this one a try. I should have stuck with what the reviewer said, because I didn't really enjoy the book that much. I give it a C.
Inside cover:
Henry, Tess, Winnie and Suz banded together in college to form a group they called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto- "To understand the nature of a thing it must be taken apart"- these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin in the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz's death and the others decide to cover it up.
Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour's drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers, but their guilt isn't ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide- apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler style postcard- it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma. Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die- or has somehow found a way back to seek revenge?
I really didn't like any of the characters, so I think that was part of the problem with the story. I didn't care about any of them, except maybe for Emma, and thought that they were all very selfish. There were also paranormal aspects, which we all know is not exactly my cup of tea, so that lowered my rating a bit as well. There was quite a twist at the end of the story which redeemed part of it, but part of the time I was reading I kept asking myself why I was even reading it. I probably should have just moved on but didn't.
Well hate to make this short, but I have a wedding to go to. I really don't want to go, but am sucking it up. Have a great night everyone and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Henry, Tess, Winnie and Suz banded together in college to form a group they called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto- "To understand the nature of a thing it must be taken apart"- these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin in the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz's death and the others decide to cover it up.
Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour's drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers, but their guilt isn't ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide- apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler style postcard- it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma. Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die- or has somehow found a way back to seek revenge?
I really didn't like any of the characters, so I think that was part of the problem with the story. I didn't care about any of them, except maybe for Emma, and thought that they were all very selfish. There were also paranormal aspects, which we all know is not exactly my cup of tea, so that lowered my rating a bit as well. There was quite a twist at the end of the story which redeemed part of it, but part of the time I was reading I kept asking myself why I was even reading it. I probably should have just moved on but didn't.
Well hate to make this short, but I have a wedding to go to. I really don't want to go, but am sucking it up. Have a great night everyone and Happy Reading!
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