tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30597902663879329692024-03-13T08:28:49.102-04:00Bloodstained Book ReviewsMystery and Thriller ReviewsLillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-38819164900857666832010-06-03T21:13:00.002-04:002010-06-03T21:37:53.519-04:00Brother Odd by Dean Koontz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90IitGpw5VmbaocaH3mWb10KNjPfaDuHxbgxU2j3k88lqLMPCo3wYKPM5e6sGsmJXjADANUkNNB15TP6MKGHYq2WslEZ60qxhafGeDyigiB8KWz9OMlzTyh1FppBLlBjeZU6yjb0qV8U/s1600/Brother+Odd.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90IitGpw5VmbaocaH3mWb10KNjPfaDuHxbgxU2j3k88lqLMPCo3wYKPM5e6sGsmJXjADANUkNNB15TP6MKGHYq2WslEZ60qxhafGeDyigiB8KWz9OMlzTyh1FppBLlBjeZU6yjb0qV8U/s320/Brother+Odd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478720766425666338" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery/Paranormal<br />Year Published - 2006<br />ISBN - 978-0-533-59131-6<br />Number of Pages -430<br />Rating - 2.0/5<br /><br />In this third installment of the Odd Thomas series we find Odd trying to escape the horrors of past events that happened in his small desert home town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pico</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mondo</span> by living a life of seclusion in a peaceful monastery of St. Bartholomew which is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But trouble seems to follow him around wherever he goes and he becomes aware that the quietness of the monastery is soon to be disrupted by the forces of evil.<br />This is the weakest novel yet. There are some good touches -I liked the description of the snowbound monastery and I found the monstrous apparitions intriguing but on the whole the plot was weak with an unsatisfactory resolution and Koontz's heavy handed moralizing gets in the way. I do have the fourth<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"></span> book in the series on my shelf but it may be quite a while before I get to it.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-52611725366599678162010-06-03T20:09:00.003-04:002010-06-03T21:05:40.207-04:00Death of a Dying Man by J.M. Redmann<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE3e3wl7qFo7Lm1XoQ-hkyu6xTjTRKZ2hBtPRFs8Wv0i5rm1MsSmK3h7QrEBiFhCLn9ztHOUzl9OoqYf8zx0QIC96a4MiUWlLw_9meIuPfaZujWkbR6ER-wSvdef3BDDLMVvk_u-F8G4/s1600/Death.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE3e3wl7qFo7Lm1XoQ-hkyu6xTjTRKZ2hBtPRFs8Wv0i5rm1MsSmK3h7QrEBiFhCLn9ztHOUzl9OoqYf8zx0QIC96a4MiUWlLw_9meIuPfaZujWkbR6ER-wSvdef3BDDLMVvk_u-F8G4/s320/Death.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478704658780062402" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery<br />Year Published- 2009<br />ISBN - 1-60282-075-1<br />Number of Pages - 281<br />Rating - 4.0 out of 5<br /><br />After a ten year wait we have the fifth entry in the Micky Knight mystery series.<br />New Orleans has always been a central character in the series and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">devastation</span> that it experienced by hurricane Katrina is pervasive in the story. Hired by a man who is dying of<br />Hep C/HIV to find a daughter he never knew or wanted before now provides the core mystery that sets the tone. Micky continues to develop as a person and in relationship to others. Thrown into the midst of this is the turmoil that was Katrina. J.M.'s descriptions and dialogues painted pictures in my mind of scenes that at times are enjoyable and at times haunting. The changed landscape of her beloved city is mirrored in Micky's interior landscape. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Redmann</span> does her usual good job in the crafting of her plot. I certainly hope that we do not have to wait for another ten years for the next instalment.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-27049244859572423092010-06-03T18:25:00.005-04:002010-06-03T20:07:56.708-04:00Bone by Bone By Carol O'Connell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsivZqpAoKj5GHcFbpPp6Pu-JmSbmEfsMVti2sSNT9mbd2uekYAoDW-2M4PDpc4bzD5xeC1L070LPn3G40-kjjgkrej4Wn65NkUP2pGXbRmsusb-QUWKmZ80xETC4LVyDwrIpNYhmYsU/s1600/Bone.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsivZqpAoKj5GHcFbpPp6Pu-JmSbmEfsMVti2sSNT9mbd2uekYAoDW-2M4PDpc4bzD5xeC1L070LPn3G40-kjjgkrej4Wn65NkUP2pGXbRmsusb-QUWKmZ80xETC4LVyDwrIpNYhmYsU/s320/Bone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478702959264648834" border="0" /></a><br /> Genre - Mystery<br /> Published - 2008<br /> ISBN - 978-0-399-15514-7<br /> Number of Pages - 337<br /> Rating 4.50 out of 5<br /><br />In Bone by Bone, Carol O'Connell blends the eccentricities of a small town with a murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. Oren, who returns to his home town to find a terrible scenario is playing out at his father's house. someone is leaving the bones of his younger brother Josh who had disappeared twenty years ago on the front porch one bone at a time.<br /><br />Carol O'Connell is at her finest as she skillfully weaves the intertwining lives of a small community. This taut character driven novel will keep your reading and you will find it hard to put down. This is a beautifully written mystery that will keep you guessing till the end. The only character that I would have liked to had more information on is Oren himself.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-24751818411807912872010-06-03T17:54:00.002-04:002010-06-03T18:24:18.266-04:00The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE4aNuFqWsLAea8nq4LsWzHE_1hmQULuqclYcwqFMQA_vAXstyIv38peWU03H7POKnlACA64UF_HT16pF5THzQoitnm2d2NoQe_XPh7cdhvuYPh5f3bZsAwEnHfBZnQVHVxXqM9-bFzI/s1600/Haolo+Effect.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE4aNuFqWsLAea8nq4LsWzHE_1hmQULuqclYcwqFMQA_vAXstyIv38peWU03H7POKnlACA64UF_HT16pF5THzQoitnm2d2NoQe_XPh7cdhvuYPh5f3bZsAwEnHfBZnQVHVxXqM9-bFzI/s320/Haolo+Effect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478670001906490706" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery<br />ISBN - 0-7783-2197-5<br />Date Published - 2005<br />Number of Pages - 379<br />Rating -3.25 out of 5<br /><br />Detective Noah Jordain is trying to keep one step ahead of a serial killer who has been targeting prostitutes, killing them with ritualistic precision. When Cleo Thane, a high priced prostitute and client of sex therapist Dr. Morgan Snow disappears after giving Morgan an unpublished book about her exclusive clientele, Morgan knows that what she has in her hands could be explosive. As she begins her own investigation into Cleo's disappearance Morgan begins to realize that navigating Cleo's mind could prove deadly.<br /><br />Rose has written and explosive erotic thriller that will keep you turning the pages till the end. The character of Dr. Morgan Snow is well developed and the plot has enough twists and turns that will keep you guessing as to who the killer is. I didn't rate it higher because I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">personally</span> found it hard to believe that a therapist would go and try to find a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">killer</span>. That aside I did enjoy the book.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-71210298995289960422010-06-03T17:22:00.003-04:002010-06-03T17:52:14.034-04:00Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbevmDDYmg9Hn2enWRU50jpG7P1ZpzjTAP969LhBDYF-EsjW5V_f1ZK-cN4c46mdYE1jyCoxHN6qsbV9tVUchJyfenMfWOj3hMb5ng8MA8UHTjLVKAdq35MgzJNcknuNsOeTO9PPybZA/s1600/Terminal+Freeze.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbevmDDYmg9Hn2enWRU50jpG7P1ZpzjTAP969LhBDYF-EsjW5V_f1ZK-cN4c46mdYE1jyCoxHN6qsbV9tVUchJyfenMfWOj3hMb5ng8MA8UHTjLVKAdq35MgzJNcknuNsOeTO9PPybZA/s320/Terminal+Freeze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478661405142746018" border="0" /></a>Genre - Thriller<br />ISBN - 978-0-385-51551-1<br />Number of Pages - 320<br />Date Published - 2009<br />Rating 4 out of 5<br /><br />200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">paleoecologist</span> Evan Marshall and a small band of fellow scientists have the opportunity to study first hand the effects of global warming. However everything changes when they have an unprecedented find. During a routine exploration of a glacial ice cave the group discovers an enormous ancient animal. Despite warnings from the local First Nations people, the media conglomerate that sponsored the expedition plan to thaw out the creature on live television.<br /><br />Once again Lincoln Child has provided the reader with a riveting thriller. He weaves together a stunning Arctic landscape, a terrifying mythic creature, an enveloping aura of chaos with a good dose of fear. The plot moves quickly and the characters are well developed with a terrifying collision between modern science and a First Nations legend. I found myself reading well into the night, not wanting to put the book down. A must read for thriller fans.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-76075592049069415792010-05-24T12:44:00.003-04:002010-05-24T13:04:59.150-04:00Impact by Douglas Preston<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cjfJzkdS4qrVZ5HFn5jzvKRNhuizeEVaX37l9Ek6Abh-1j7_j28sOeZk35ma9UEMU_hZIhOwhC0FrzRmEtOdW6FAojMvc8_DhXn1PFpzqSAgpc-_2o0E3LKkiJSePz0DYAEeze1_KDI/s1600/Impact+1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 72px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cjfJzkdS4qrVZ5HFn5jzvKRNhuizeEVaX37l9Ek6Abh-1j7_j28sOeZk35ma9UEMU_hZIhOwhC0FrzRmEtOdW6FAojMvc8_DhXn1PFpzqSAgpc-_2o0E3LKkiJSePz0DYAEeze1_KDI/s200/Impact+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474879050060745426" border="0" /></a>Genre - Thriller<br />ISBN -978-0-7653-1768-1<br />No. of pages - 364<br />Rating 4.0 out of 5<br /><br />One again Douglas Preston has executed a terrific thriller. It is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fascinating</span> thriller that is full of twists and turns . Every time I thought that I knew what would happen next I would be surprised. This is a fast paced, action packed, mind bending adventure. The book is well crafted and thought provoking providing the reader with an original well executed plot. I look forward to more from this talented writer.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-56473652906821111142010-05-24T12:23:00.002-04:002010-05-24T12:41:16.730-04:00Forever Odd by Dean Koontz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM6Hd4ZOrf6F3sbnOHREjTeLzsvKWMt6G91AGpOCosJZ0qNcYsvJkd5rfSNfB1auTnR_FkofA1tRCrJI9VjYBg80GZUe202dAqDGL2QiEI0dQjoO5UK-2s5Dmx6Rlya8nJn8YsWQL2eE/s1600/forever+odd.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM6Hd4ZOrf6F3sbnOHREjTeLzsvKWMt6G91AGpOCosJZ0qNcYsvJkd5rfSNfB1auTnR_FkofA1tRCrJI9VjYBg80GZUe202dAqDGL2QiEI0dQjoO5UK-2s5Dmx6Rlya8nJn8YsWQL2eE/s200/forever+odd.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474873242156501554" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery/Suspense/Paranormal<br />ISBN - 0-553-58826- 5 - paperback<br />No. pf Pages - 364 pages<br />Rating - 3.0 out of 5<br /><br />Koontz's second book in the Odd series continues the mix of suspense and wit which marked the style in the first book Odd Thomas. I particularly enjoyed how Thomas uses his heart, wit, mind, and will power when he discovers that his friend Danny is missing. To be honest I enjoyed the first book more, but I also enjoyed this one. The setting, the plot, Thomas' wit and perseverance, takes the reader on an entertaining journey through a world of terror and transcendence. I plan to read the next book in the series.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-61653101603618311162010-05-24T11:41:00.004-04:002010-05-24T12:44:16.409-04:00Greasing The Pinata by Tim Maleeny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU43g-al6X5gfxlfN7oPj2k6sN0wDBFaK6OSVfb6G3M9IXnbDeBLZr6eDfcC4E8I21w_CdeAwiTJ4qkWE842aGRB8JcrKNlM0eZZzMmnmIF5_v9NIvTFhbfLETlyFpZ2ofeT_y8DNqDgA/s1600/Pinata.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU43g-al6X5gfxlfN7oPj2k6sN0wDBFaK6OSVfb6G3M9IXnbDeBLZr6eDfcC4E8I21w_CdeAwiTJ4qkWE842aGRB8JcrKNlM0eZZzMmnmIF5_v9NIvTFhbfLETlyFpZ2ofeT_y8DNqDgA/s200/Pinata.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474863071320396770" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery<br />ISBN - 978-1-59058-566-5<br />No. of pages - 334<br />Rating 4.0 out of 5<br /><br />Once again Tim Maleeny delivers a fast paced mystery that readers will enjoy.<br />Maleeny's third Cape Weathers continues to engage the reader with an excellent plot with twists and turns that will surprise. His vivid characters enrich the suspenseful plot. Hired to find a missing United States senator Cape stumbles on a conspiracy that leads from corporate boardrooms in the US to powerful drug cartels in Mexico. Cape's deadly companion Sally who was trained by the Hong Kong Triads continues to watch his back as he confronts a killer who wants bury the past along with anyone who wants to dig it up. I hope to learn more about Sally and I also hope that she eventually has a more prominent role as this series continues .Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-61423965232636233222010-04-12T11:10:00.004-04:002010-04-12T11:43:11.717-04:00Burn Out by Marcia Muller<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jKgUQq-4I_sdJbji5Tr5SQfMENPGmsiU1sUylBHm5cVTEqf0FBdzkamIcwyDL-sKLZZpJUXhMuZX215m9ywq1WA6opibvmi1LZc7OySOtnRX-lxhp_y0B4IWAioOoVY2eTWz8_lB5to/s1600/Burn+Out.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jKgUQq-4I_sdJbji5Tr5SQfMENPGmsiU1sUylBHm5cVTEqf0FBdzkamIcwyDL-sKLZZpJUXhMuZX215m9ywq1WA6opibvmi1LZc7OySOtnRX-lxhp_y0B4IWAioOoVY2eTWz8_lB5to/s200/Burn+Out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459268662569191266" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery<br />ISBN - 0-446-58107-0<br />No. of Pages - 309<br />Rating - 4.0 out 0f 5<br /><br />Burn Out begins which Sharon McCone retreating to her high desert ranch suffering from burn out and traumatized by a recent life or death investigation. Here we see McCone suffering from depression and trying to figure out the direction her life should go in. Even though she is determined not to investigate anything, McCone finds herself drawn into a case concerning a First Nations American woman and her dysfunctional family. As the corpses keep mounting up we see McCone coming to terms with her own Shoshone heritage and future of her life.<br /><br />Once again Marcia Muller shows us why she is regarded as one of the world's premiere mystery writers. She combines a strong sense of place along with an in-depth character study of her main protagonist. The plot moves along well and keeps the reader guessing as to "whodunnit." Muller consistently provides us with satisfying reads.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-52164735123668659052010-04-12T10:41:00.005-04:002010-04-12T11:10:10.766-04:00Watch Me by A. J. Holt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Ew5pTvQyYHqtKOJz0Ey4NxIvtmaPvJVynn9LXHCPJhU8MJztpdJCCfLrFLnMWryv6XquHfv7V4wC5c_3A_o-Vh-Xpv-jq5y9XF-CwrEOziARgrGHghwn32VzNN2eX8VJWvzTJUBIsc/s1600/Watch++Me+1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Ew5pTvQyYHqtKOJz0Ey4NxIvtmaPvJVynn9LXHCPJhU8MJztpdJCCfLrFLnMWryv6XquHfv7V4wC5c_3A_o-Vh-Xpv-jq5y9XF-CwrEOziARgrGHghwn32VzNN2eX8VJWvzTJUBIsc/s200/Watch++Me+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459261181212887090" border="0" /></a>Genre - Mystery/Thriller<br />ISBN - 0-312-95997-4<br />No. of Pages 370<br />Rating - 3 out of 5<br /><br />This is another book that has been sitting on my TBR shelf for a while. As far as I can tell it is still available from major bookstores. I usually do not care for serial killer novels because of the violence portrayed in them so the fact that I was able to read this one through to the end speaks volumes about the author's ability to hold the reader's attention without wallowing in gory details. The added plus is that the story is told from the perspective of Special FBI agent Jay Fletcher who knows how to catch serial killers. She has developed a computer program that identifies the most vicious murderers in the US.<br /><br />Holt has provided the reader with an in depth character study of her protagonist and the toll that her job takes on her. A good read. This is the first book I have read by Holt- I will be on the look out for more.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-40133033787447077132010-04-12T10:14:00.003-04:002010-04-12T10:40:32.347-04:00Lost City by Clive Cussler<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHFN6qDDKzt8kjz4nzDhNewzTizrfWA785TQDIqO-ImjrzVVK7h9ZlZn8NtMiI-FONP_iIg_tUwUAfz6cXQt-cLOBK8X_a942cZ0z0417_kA5AOgJOJDPX86D8eCLFUhROvtW8voAGm0/s1600/Lost+City.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHFN6qDDKzt8kjz4nzDhNewzTizrfWA785TQDIqO-ImjrzVVK7h9ZlZn8NtMiI-FONP_iIg_tUwUAfz6cXQt-cLOBK8X_a942cZ0z0417_kA5AOgJOJDPX86D8eCLFUhROvtW8voAGm0/s200/Lost+City.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459255854136931890" border="0" /></a>Genre - Thriller<br />ISBN - 0-425-20419-7<br />no. of pages - 515<br />Rating - 2.75 out of 5<br /><br />This novel has been sitting in my TBR (to be read) pile for a while. It is a fast paced novel that keeps you turning the pages to find out how the heroes are going to get out of the jam they are in. I like like Cussler's novels. They demand a suspension of belief, with just enough science fact to make the stories interesting. The writer takes you from the cold 2000 feet below the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the countryside in France as Kurt Austin, the leader of Numa's special assignments team tries to discover why scientists from a remote Greek island are disappearing and what this has to do with a body discovered frozen high in the Alps. A decent time waster and a fast read.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-57319452950949182562010-04-12T09:36:00.003-04:002010-04-12T10:14:28.155-04:00The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVPxzOQFFSM8KXo9Wg43hhj8E7C_YWKgP7KPP3YUVbwkkuPI7J0iWmR38h3M1MsoSFmC7PUg0mkWB-6zYz8f077FSk2a50XSD_oVN1V1ULbAf3PEeSCmL9f_WepDgRUKVN0L_mPhxFUA/s1600/Girl+with+dragon+Tattoo1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 72px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVPxzOQFFSM8KXo9Wg43hhj8E7C_YWKgP7KPP3YUVbwkkuPI7J0iWmR38h3M1MsoSFmC7PUg0mkWB-6zYz8f077FSk2a50XSD_oVN1V1ULbAf3PEeSCmL9f_WepDgRUKVN0L_mPhxFUA/s200/Girl+with+dragon+Tattoo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459244875671362498" border="0" /></a><br />Genre - Mystery<br />ISBN - 978-0-14-317009-9<br />Rating - 5/5<br />No. of Pages - 841<br />It has been a long time since I have read a mystery that I just couldn't put down. This book has everything, a striking sense of place, two fascinating characters- a disgraced financial journalist and a captivating complex heroine Lisbeth Salander, a terrific mystery of family and power dynamics sprinkled with death, intrigue, and sex. I sincerely doubt that you with find a better book. To be honest when I saw the size of the book I thought to myself - O Boy, this will be a dragged out story. Not So. Larsson combines a chilly Swedish backdrop, his reporter eye for detail, and high tech sleuthing, to give us a compelling well woven tale that keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. This is one of the few books that I have given an excellent rating. The only down side is that the author died unexpectedly at a young age. There are 2 more books in this series. I have the second and the third is due out this year. I will be reading them!Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-40267248906760247612010-04-04T18:20:00.002-04:002010-04-04T18:25:06.134-04:00It has been quite a while since my last post. Real life had been extremely with work changes and a move to a new city. But the good news is that I have returned and will be publishing reviews again.<br />I have just reading two mysteries and the reviews will be up shortly.<br /><br />LillianLillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-78757273881716239482008-07-30T10:00:00.009-04:002008-08-04T09:47:56.914-04:00Chanukah Guilt by Ilene Schneider<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5yYZ5pf3DqTUBKvFpmCMgAJ8LzhIbdWlYKgjgjsPH9nWY-IEqrHDJpZNBny9feJYbqh9cphrwEppX61LoPKr33uIG4cauIXrwar3pb0k7o1Y7ab5ed39ve9mCapUXFobgarxoYVjd-0/s1600-h/57011140_a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5yYZ5pf3DqTUBKvFpmCMgAJ8LzhIbdWlYKgjgjsPH9nWY-IEqrHDJpZNBny9feJYbqh9cphrwEppX61LoPKr33uIG4cauIXrwar3pb0k7o1Y7ab5ed39ve9mCapUXFobgarxoYVjd-0/s200/57011140_a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228807591411586386" border="0" /></a>Title - Chanukah Guilt<br />Author - Ilene Schneider<br />ISBN -978-934041-31-4<br />Genre - Mystery - Amateur Sleuth<br />Number of pages - 312<br />Rating 3.75 out of 5<br /><br />Sometimes mysteries with religious content become venues for moralizing. Not so with this good mystery by Ilene Schneider. Chanukah Guilt weaves Jewish culture and mystery in a delightful blend.<br /><br />Rabbi Aviva Cohen, 50-something and twice-divorced, would never have chosen to officiate at an unpopular land developer's funeral. And his highly dysfunctional family won't make it any easier on her, especially when one of his daughters asks to see her privately the day after the funeral. When a second family member turns up dead, this time declared a suicide, the family starts to wonder. Could both deaths have been murder? Rabbi Cohen is dragged into the investigation when one family member threatens her with a lawsuit, and she's compelled to search for answers.<br /><br />The character development in this book is very good. Ilene Schneider's writing style allows you to really know both the main characters and the supporting roles. You finish this book with a solid picture of what these people look like and their personality quirks. Chanukah Guilt gives insight in to the Jewish culture and religion because the rabbi's life revolves around the synagogue where she is employed. The plot moves along well and the conclusion is satisfying. I enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to the next instalment by this talented author.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-27377945854442993842008-07-19T10:33:00.004-04:002008-07-19T12:19:21.709-04:00Whack A Mole by Chris Grabenstein<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM-gLuakvLdFWLJljBhsvXVtC0yGjntXbi2kLOltvftWKyISNl4u16_o7kxMuxSFFxpJjg_uXlW7qFCDC8tFOqvWBXr5tCrL5H8bikAWQ40ZD9l2Ex1HbMSb2ykdiJTsJmvUmsx8PlvI/s1600-h/Whack.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM-gLuakvLdFWLJljBhsvXVtC0yGjntXbi2kLOltvftWKyISNl4u16_o7kxMuxSFFxpJjg_uXlW7qFCDC8tFOqvWBXr5tCrL5H8bikAWQ40ZD9l2Ex1HbMSb2ykdiJTsJmvUmsx8PlvI/s200/Whack.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224733661373769266" border="0" /></a>Title -Whack A Mole<br />Author - Chris Grabenstein<br />ISBN - 978-0-78671-818-4<br />Number of Pages -312<br />Genre - mystery<br />Rating - 4 out of 5<br /><br />I live in a resort city and enjoy going to unique places that most tourists do not go to. So the fact that Chris Grabenstein uses this setting is a draw for me.<br /><br />The unearthing of an old high school ring on the beach in Sea Haven take John Ceepak and his partner Danny Boyle on a hunt for the owner. The discovery that the ring was given to a young woman 20 years before and who subsequently disappeared leads Ceepak into making inquiries regarding the disappearance. Not long afterwards other grisly finds are made which lead Ceepak and his wisecracking parter Boyle on a hunt for a once dormant serial killer who is planning to start killing again.<br /><br />Once again Chris Grabenstein in Whack A Mole has written a good mystery that is darker than his previous books Tilt a Whirl and Mad Mouse. The killer uses an atypical manner to mock the police. The plot is very good with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to who the killer is. The pace, although bit slow in the first quarter of the book , picks up and moves along quickly to a satisfying conclusion. I particularly enjoyed the richer character development of Ceepak and Boyle. The setting of a resort community with its tasteless and brassy souvenier shops is authentic. This series is now one of my favourites and I look forward to reading more of Ceepak's exploits.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-48836081605585227302008-07-16T22:02:00.005-04:002008-07-17T11:07:21.401-04:00Big Money by Jack Getze<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFJ_p5teLC9YWybf646ZakoqWd3lRwxmCZOgP49q5uAHsDTBKI1Z9bBT9P6ScMr4L9Zwn4x-P5crjwog-siWtk52k3xVPZ5c4zt7TUuETvKCntRxc5oZCKg5m-1YlPsPATGfLPc0Vdmw/s1600-h/Big+Money.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFJ_p5teLC9YWybf646ZakoqWd3lRwxmCZOgP49q5uAHsDTBKI1Z9bBT9P6ScMr4L9Zwn4x-P5crjwog-siWtk52k3xVPZ5c4zt7TUuETvKCntRxc5oZCKg5m-1YlPsPATGfLPc0Vdmw/s200/Big+Money.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223798322367762594" border="0" /></a>Title - Big Money<br />Author - Jack Getze<br />ISBN - 978-1-59133-239-8<br />Genre -mystery/thriller<br />Number of pages- 234<br />Series -2nd in the Austin Carr series<br />rating- 4.25 out of 5<br /><br />I'm a person who enjoys some of the classic mystery novels from the 1960's and Jack Getze's novel Big Money has that same feel and style of writers such as John D. Macdonald.<br /><br />Austin Carr, a stockbroker who lost his license, is left in charge of Jersey Shore Investment firm while his boss Mr. Vick goes on vacation. Vick also makes him promise to look after his adult daughter Carmella and his mother Mama Bones. Vick has barely left the country when Carmella ex-husband returns and beats up on her, Mama Bones is arrested, and the regulatory audit of the investment firm turns up some questionable transactions. To top it off a local mob boss tries to persuade Austin in a not too friendly manner to launder money through the firm.<br />Before long Austin finds himself a target of a hit man and his children in danger.<br /><br />Jack Getze has written a fast paced mystery with plenty of action and suspense. His first person point of view is well done and his bumbling protagonist Austin Carr is well developed. I found myself turning the pages hoping that everything would turn out well for Austin while at the same time chuckling at Austin's view of the world. The plot is good and the conclusion is very satisfying. I look forward to reading more in this series.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-19690629116033118822008-07-13T19:36:00.008-04:002008-07-16T21:59:41.043-04:00Memories Are Murder by Lou Allin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsSxJUXZr36TUVjdqqPl7RPJZ2INB87IsUkbCekzme5pU7d2ue1BafrAotvRJjp0t_HmyxtVmKv8sKTvsWz2Oehfq_ge4SzUIEIEmdBTSdkctVkfWP_ceMcHiqbL7tcAqywCFUatGeR4/s1600-h/MEMORIES.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsSxJUXZr36TUVjdqqPl7RPJZ2INB87IsUkbCekzme5pU7d2ue1BafrAotvRJjp0t_HmyxtVmKv8sKTvsWz2Oehfq_ge4SzUIEIEmdBTSdkctVkfWP_ceMcHiqbL7tcAqywCFUatGeR4/s200/MEMORIES.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222650384465887074" border="0" /></a>Title - Memories are Murder<br />Author - Lou Allin<br />ISBN -978-1-894917-33-9<br />Genre - mystery<br />Series- 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> in the series of 5<br />Number of pages -282<br />rating - 4 out of 5<br /><br />I often worry when I start to read a book at the end of a series. Starting at the end of a series is kind of like going into a movie with 30 minutes left to go and trying to figure out who the people are and what the story is about . My worries completely vanished as I started Lou Allin's Memories Are Murder. Allin's fine writing hooked me into the story and kept me turning the pages to a satisfactory conclusion.<br /><br />Belle Palmer is a real estate agent in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sudbury</span> Ontario. To her surprise Belle runs into a former classmate who she had persued and dated in high school without success. Now a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">zoologist</span> Gary Myers is doing research on elk in the wild and is looking to rent a cottage for a couple of months. A few days later Gary is found dead apparently a victim of accidental drowning. When Matthew Malloy (nicknamed Mutt) Gary's partner of several years arrives he and Belle begin to look into Gary's research and death and find themselves targets of an unknown killer.<br /><br />Lou Allin has written a good novel more on the cozy side than not with humorous descriptions of life in Northern Ontario. The sense of place is very good and the characters are interesting and well developed. Allin's use of unusual names helped to endear and bring life to the characters. The plot is good with enough twists and turns to provide a satisfactory ending. I plan to read the back list of this talented author and I look forward to reading her new series.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-57044397514311441652008-07-11T08:55:00.006-04:002008-07-11T11:05:47.446-04:00Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnOcSDNY-xvZYbE5Aa-hVRZggzrsTigbq2urxqq5kHr0QKjjREDN9c0NAyB44vFg7CKQwE6pWVdOhiheSxcqknj7LCAbCZYUSS_wOimORmRut-QaRIC58jYANUiAmyB3eCL5UXgl-BDM/s1600-h/Killer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnOcSDNY-xvZYbE5Aa-hVRZggzrsTigbq2urxqq5kHr0QKjjREDN9c0NAyB44vFg7CKQwE6pWVdOhiheSxcqknj7LCAbCZYUSS_wOimORmRut-QaRIC58jYANUiAmyB3eCL5UXgl-BDM/s200/Killer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221740395431755970" border="0" /></a>Title - Killer Heat<br />Author - Linda Fairstein<br />ISBN -978-385-52397-4<br />Genre- Mystery<br />Number of Pages - 370<br />Rating - 3.75 out of 5<br /><br />Alex Cooper, the assistant District Attorney, is working on the final preparations<br />for the Floyd Warren trial when she is called to the scene where of a body of a young woman is discovered. Before long two more bodies are discovered and Alex is beginning to suspect that the murders are done by the same killer. When another young woman disappears, Alex and detective Mike Mercer race against time finding themselves scouring abandoned sites in order to save a life and their own as well.<br /><br />Once again Linda Fairstein has written a good fast paced novel. Her ability to take the reader to places in New York that they may not have even known enhances the story. The behind the scenes information on how prosecution has changed over the years was very informative and added to the story. There are few surprises in the story which made the plot feel a bit formulaic but the suspense build up is good and the conclusion satisfying. I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-34348420426086876682008-07-07T22:26:00.003-04:002008-07-08T00:19:01.316-04:00Pandemic by Daniel Kalla<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6BzPqRGymVSDpXD04DMY8QvAinDUnhERy0gBYpgQteJaFPBxcKpFe_lLIz_PSCXKchAXc4oRIAqTW2CipxjhdTkIcWYkD1y60AycjrB4ahFxRdDuIC7sPwE84c6n7qEOcxMOrzxknXI/s1600-h/41R2DF5X9KL._SL160_AA115_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6BzPqRGymVSDpXD04DMY8QvAinDUnhERy0gBYpgQteJaFPBxcKpFe_lLIz_PSCXKchAXc4oRIAqTW2CipxjhdTkIcWYkD1y60AycjrB4ahFxRdDuIC7sPwE84c6n7qEOcxMOrzxknXI/s200/41R2DF5X9KL._SL160_AA115_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220473009181863938" border="0" /></a><br />Title - Pandemic<br />Author- Daniel Kalla<br />Genre - Medical Thriller<br />ISBN -0-765-35084-X<br />Number of Pages -407<br />Rating - 4 out of 5<br /><br />Noah Haldane of the World Health Organization is sent to China to investigate a new form of flu that kills 25% of the people that are infected. The outbreak is contained and there is great relief. New outbreaks occur in Canada, England, and the United States. Dr. Gwen Savard, director of Counter Bio-terrorism for Homeland Security joins Noah Haldane to search for the cause and cure of the deadly virus and discover that they are dealing with a mad religious zealot intent on bringing down America and its allies.<br /><br />Daniel Kalla blends fact and fiction into this very good medical thriller. The novel is fast paced and chilling particularly so because it is a "could happen" scenario. Pandemic is a thought provoking debut novel that is historically and medically accurate. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Kalla didn't simply focus on the extreme factions of Islam. In the character of inspector Eleish and his family Kalla shows the quiet side of the faith, those who study the religion in order to find a deep abiding spirituality from which they gather strength for daily living. His protagonists are well fleshed out and the plot well executed. I highly recommend this debut thriller.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-89551512696241413072008-07-07T10:35:00.006-04:002008-07-07T11:42:15.459-04:00The Monarchs Are Flying by Marion Foster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzfG9lEHmAjsDu614KDQRIq_EQm4cpxw2wwJ25O7OfeYg6t8NCZrHYmNUPDp7tT7KZBr1McPBkB4Ac2VJObdsaJCZO2MbHH8JiSOG1VMAWCDZ-HKuAzNVs2UdETPrJftwBQ8mjgSnjpo/s1600-h/Monarch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzfG9lEHmAjsDu614KDQRIq_EQm4cpxw2wwJ25O7OfeYg6t8NCZrHYmNUPDp7tT7KZBr1McPBkB4Ac2VJObdsaJCZO2MbHH8JiSOG1VMAWCDZ-HKuAzNVs2UdETPrJftwBQ8mjgSnjpo/s200/Monarch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220281026681468418" border="0" /></a>Title - The Monarchs Are Flying<br />Author - Pen Name Marion Foster - Susan Shea<br />ISBN - 978-0932379337<br />Genre -Mystery<br />Rating - 4.00<br /><br />Gay/lesbian/bi-sexual/transexual folk have, in our society, always been on the margins. GLBT folk have been legally discriminated against in the workplace, in housing opportunities, religious institutions, the legal system, as well as dealing with homophobic people in other aspects of society. In Monarchs Are Flying , Marion Foster paints such a picture of homophobia in a small conservative northern Ontario town..<br /><br />TV reporter Leslie Taylor is arrested for murder of her ex lover Marcie Denton, who, after their break up marries an abusive man whom she had been trying to leave. Harriet Croft, an older divorced lawyer, is called on the case by Marcie's husband who want to be sure that Leslie is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But Harriet is attracted to Leslie's courage and after Leslie fires her local lawyer, she agrees to represent her and prove her innocence.<br /><br />I rated this book highly because Marion Foster in her writing gives the reader a very good sense of what it is like to live in a small community where homophobia is present. Perhaps what is even more important is her ability to demonstrate how internalized homophobia is destructive to the GLBT person. Leslie decides early in the novel to plead guilty even though she is innocent because of her own sense of guilt over who she is. The plot of the novel is standard and straight forward and moves along well. As a mystery the book is average. As a character study in growth and development, Foster's insight is excellent.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-17619059949510019532008-07-05T09:39:00.008-04:002008-07-07T10:35:19.532-04:00Hell's Bay by James W. Hall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg2yg0JocaEKNu1IpCh_Q6VTGicLkNwUzceUG3ha_dwe9PsueAAkYUbGRewlJCjvSfsWNQTogon35X85dHShJkZmDmA1VTcVJl9hDAk96d7lrb3MWXmwuRUD63di6C8lQ6EWnqFVVZAg/s1600-h/Hell.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg2yg0JocaEKNu1IpCh_Q6VTGicLkNwUzceUG3ha_dwe9PsueAAkYUbGRewlJCjvSfsWNQTogon35X85dHShJkZmDmA1VTcVJl9hDAk96d7lrb3MWXmwuRUD63di6C8lQ6EWnqFVVZAg/s200/Hell.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219524512819376258" border="0" /></a>Title- Hell's Bay<br />Author - James W. Hall<br />ISBN 978-0-312-35958-4<br />Genre - thriller/suspense<br />Number of pages 306<br />Rating 2.75 out 5<br /><br />Daniel Thorn agrees to be a fishing guide for a luxury commercial undertaking by his former lover. His job is to take small groups out on week long fishing trips into the Florida everglades on a custom made houseboat.. The first customers are a travel writer with her photographer and a father/daughter pair who turn out to be Thorn's uncle and niece. Before long they find themselves to be the target of a killer who is determined to kill them all.<br /><br />James Hall has written a straight forward story that follows the traditional plot device, an isolated location and a small group of people under attack, and is able to give the reader a sense of building suspense. There are few twists and turns, and few characters to keep track of. Hall does however give a very good sense of setting. I found myself wondering why Thorn, a man who hates the impact of modern society on nature, would agree to take a commercial venture into an untouched and unspoiled area of the everglades. Overall, Hall's thriller is very readable but felt that something was missing.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-75307922917278287502008-07-05T07:11:00.005-04:002008-07-05T09:39:20.894-04:00A Chilling Goodbye by Jean Sheldon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhxg0fBtdR3UYprnqnwWaM3AE1CMr8jmtD33lvVitTnh2lAyVjDkLnM0un7DuhxKuGV5sNKGzkX6CY1TiyosYCprzCU565RLWIB4gh1yvvOLhxKTJ8AqDnAS2R0DsBQRx8iP0CK_I9eY/s1600-h/CHilll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhxg0fBtdR3UYprnqnwWaM3AE1CMr8jmtD33lvVitTnh2lAyVjDkLnM0un7DuhxKuGV5sNKGzkX6CY1TiyosYCprzCU565RLWIB4gh1yvvOLhxKTJ8AqDnAS2R0DsBQRx8iP0CK_I9eY/s200/CHilll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219486270864660994" border="0" /></a><br />Title - A Chilling Goodbye<br />Author - Jean Sheldon<br />ISBN - 978-0-9723541-5-8<br />Genre - Mystery<br />Number of Pages 244<br />rating 4 out of 5<br /><br />I'm a Canadian who lives in the "cold" north and am used to the freezing winter weather. However the thought of being frozen in order to be re-animated at a future time absolutely chills me to the bone.<br /><br />Winter is bitterly cold in Chicago and Detective Kerry Grant has to bundle up to take her trash out to the dumpster. Amidst the thinly spread garbage she discovers the naked body of a woman. Three more bodies are found in dumpsters and one is found on a beach. All were previous frozen by a technique called cryonics. As Kerry and her partner Mike track down where the bodies came from and investigate the murder of the owner of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cryonics</span> lab they find themselves targets of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep a secret hidden.<br /><br />This is the third book in the Kerry Grant series by Jean Sheldon and the first I have read. Sheldon has created a well developed character in the stubborn and impulsive Kerry Grant who frequently finds herself in the not so good graces of her superior <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lieutenant</span> Romero. The plot is well paced and the conclusion is satisfying. I particularly enjoyed the way Sheldon gives us insight into Kerry through her relationship to her P.I. lover Marty. I strongly recommend The Chilling Goodbye and I personally plan to read the backlist of this very talented author.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-24190653437180381902008-07-01T11:01:00.008-04:002008-07-02T19:03:20.512-04:00Black Order by James Rollins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YYw9iJ8b-a18FwGFyyT6-hpJby7yiHZlag50dPO1TLPLBJe_EhBH0D0xmJRxTnhcRwHNS5wijTLqFYZggEbiyKF9Nwpzc9USTW2tGSnwZBq5TjSo2YrRSycTvFYCFyc15sO4y8680eo/s1600-h/Black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YYw9iJ8b-a18FwGFyyT6-hpJby7yiHZlag50dPO1TLPLBJe_EhBH0D0xmJRxTnhcRwHNS5wijTLqFYZggEbiyKF9Nwpzc9USTW2tGSnwZBq5TjSo2YrRSycTvFYCFyc15sO4y8680eo/s200/Black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218061087469076930" border="0" /></a><br />Title - Black Order<br />Author - James Rollins<br />ISBN - 978-0752882161<br />Genre - Thriller<br />Rating - 4 out of 5<br /><br />I enjoy thrillers and this book by James Rollins is the best of his recent Sigma novels.<br /><br />Lisa Cummings is a doctor on a mountain climbing expedition when her expertise is needed. She and Sigma Force operative Painter Crowe are investigating a Buddhist monastery in Nepal where something very strange seems to be happening to the monks and one goes on a murderous rampage.<br /><br />In Denmark, another Sigma Force operative, Grayson Pierce is pulled by a young girl into an investigation a stolen Bible that belonged to Darwin himself, and supposedly holds clues to a secret scientific experiment. In South Africa, something very strange is happening with some of the animals, causing them to brutally attack humans when unprovoked.<br /><br />Three seemingly unrelated series of events unfolding appear to have chilling ties to a Nazi experiment conducted during WWII that was supposedly destroyed. Suddenly, Sigma Force operatives are in a race against time to get to the bottom of these events before it destroys them all.<br /><br />Once again James Rollins has written a good action thriller. He keeps up a good pace and the suspense builds up well to a satisfactory climax. I found, however, that the switching of points of view happened too frequently for me but everything came together well and the climax was satisfactory. I look forward to more novels by this author.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-89380995178226157292008-06-26T19:12:00.003-04:002008-06-26T20:52:18.741-04:00Blood Trail by C.J. Box<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPjNWgA3UybTwGwfaFK1S83X94l0isiAAlIm3s-PI41UOfNuhaKxnHYJYj0avOKF1S7OtWU6UcDAhfrAmBZR08SGL2r8kNgDPjUo4lDxVgWAyTIP6CZqNqAYh7eyGQzzgbSnZZ8dguNw/s1600-h/Blood.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPjNWgA3UybTwGwfaFK1S83X94l0isiAAlIm3s-PI41UOfNuhaKxnHYJYj0avOKF1S7OtWU6UcDAhfrAmBZR08SGL2r8kNgDPjUo4lDxVgWAyTIP6CZqNqAYh7eyGQzzgbSnZZ8dguNw/s200/Blood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216332461392328578" border="0" /></a>Title - Blood Trail<br />Author - C.J. Box<br />ISBN - 978-0399154881<br />Series - 8th in the Joe Pickett series<br />Genre -mystery/thriller<br />Number of pages - 320<br />Rating - 4.50 out of 5<br /><br /><br />Evoking the natural beauty of Wyoming's Big Horn Mountain, C.J. Box has penned a novel that is fast paced, packed with suspense, with more twists and turns than a forest trail.<br /><br />Joe Pickett has been summoned by the governor to investigate the death of a hunter who was found hung in a tree and field dressed. A red poker chip is found near the body. Now forced to work with Randy Pope who had him fired in his last outing Joe discovers that this is not simply an isolated event - two other hunters have been murdered. A serial killer is hunting the hunters. This sends the state into a panic and the pressure mounts to find the killer.<br /><br />Blood Trail holds your attention and is filled with local colour. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing who the killer is. The book contains more graphic violence than in his earlier books but is not overdone. The characters are well rounded and the plot is well executed. I look forward to reading more of C.J. Box's books.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3059790266387932969.post-47520274738293933122008-06-26T14:04:00.005-04:002008-06-26T19:11:44.070-04:00Judgment Fire by Marilyn Meredith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNPd_j5DiWWyc2fRCipertuIUglOG_66v5muRT1l-5HhbQa4fsbKomdy4NzTgqUtAZE8D9GkpymXxPtjevvaaLoYoonTnYwfT4PdzOI59fOuO322scJkLmlGSyFpwT0Rr6osZ7BBzCSo/s1600-h/Judgment.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNPd_j5DiWWyc2fRCipertuIUglOG_66v5muRT1l-5HhbQa4fsbKomdy4NzTgqUtAZE8D9GkpymXxPtjevvaaLoYoonTnYwfT4PdzOI59fOuO322scJkLmlGSyFpwT0Rr6osZ7BBzCSo/s200/Judgment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216254261018700258" border="0" /></a>Title - Judgment Fire<br />Author - Marilyn Meredith<br />ISBN -978-1-59426-484-9<br />Genre - Mystery<br />Number of pages - 139 pages<br />Rating - 3.75 out of 5<br /><br />I probably have mentioned before in previous posts that I enjoy books that have First Nations and Native American protagonists. Once again Marilyn Meredith has produced another good novel starring Tempe Crabtree of Yanduchi heritage.<br /><br />While on patrol Tempe Crabtree, the resident deputy of Bear Creek, comes across a van on fire. Behind the wheel is a local Shaman who warns Tempe that her life is in danger. When a house fire is used to cover up a murder, Tempe is once again warned by the Shaman and undergoes a ritual for protection that awakens old memories and puts her in danger.<br /><br />Marilyn Meredith continues to deliver a good story that both informs the reader about Native spirituality and the prejudices that American Natives experience while at the same time giving the mystery lover a good "whodunnit." The tale is well plotted and the characters are well developed. Those who have been following the series will enjoy the growth in understanding and tolerance of Tempe's family and new readers will enjoy meeting Tempe and the new and reoccurring characters for the first time. My only complaint regarding the book is that it was too short.Lillian Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07079747010489537924noreply@blogger.com2