Uneven book, especially the pacing. Archaeologist Rabbit Ward is a time traveler, who seeks patrons to go back in time to recover lost artifacts from Uneven book, especially the pacing. Archaeologist Rabbit Ward is a time traveler, who seeks patrons to go back in time to recover lost artifacts from the ancient world. Unfortunately, he remains traumatized by losing the son of a patron on a mission from 20 years ago. Rabbit gets a rare opportunity to return to the period to try to recover the golden menorah once; however, things begin to go wrong as soon as he arrives in 6th century, Constantinople, because he seems to have a competitor or two from the future. I thought the author really left Rabbit's relationship with Helen unexplored, perhaps leaving this for future books in the series, but it was unfulfilling. 2.5 stars, reluctantly rounded up....more
Book #10 in the series, but Book #5 to be translated into English. Strange.
Ryota Uetsuji is found floating in Tokyo Bay, shot to death. His girlfriendBook #10 in the series, but Book #5 to be translated into English. Strange.
Ryota Uetsuji is found floating in Tokyo Bay, shot to death. His girlfriend Sonoka Shimauchi had reported him missing, but the homicide investigators cannot find her. They discover she was the victim of domestic abuse, but Sonoka was hours away, vacationing with a girlfriend, when Ryota was shot, forcing detectives Kusanagi and Utsumi to look for other suspects. Eventually, the detectives find their way to physicist Manabu Yukawa, (a/k/a Detective Galileo, who helped them before, via his ties to a children's book author and close friend of Sonoka's deceased mother. Galileo backtracks though hidden threads of history at an orphanage and his own tragic history to identify the killer and motive....more
Not as good as Jonasson's other novels. A 15-year old girl goes missing from her summer employment on an remote island near Reykjavik in 1956. The youNot as good as Jonasson's other novels. A 15-year old girl goes missing from her summer employment on an remote island near Reykjavik in 1956. The young investigating officer is not allowed to properly investigate because the family who employed her are politically connected. investigate this case (due to her employers’ status and friends in high places). He is haunted by his inability to solve the crime. Some 30 years later, a young reporter decides to write a series of articles about the girl, and manages to solve the mystery with his persistence. It's the the old adage: shine a light down a dark hole and watch the rats scatter....more
Ross Quest is a thief because this is the family business, and her mom has trained her. Nonetheless, Ross wants out, and is planning a score of her owRoss Quest is a thief because this is the family business, and her mom has trained her. Nonetheless, Ross wants out, and is planning a score of her own so she can disappear. Then, the world shift tectonically as her mother is kidnapped for a billion dollar ransom. Her only chance of a prize this big is the world-famous Thieves’ Gambit, a competition pitting the world's best thieves against each other. Ross learns fast that there are other talented thieves, and the competition is forcing teamwork in direct contravention of the family code: trust no one who is not a Quest. I was not impressed by either the competition nor the characters....more
Evan Smoak (a/k/a the Nowhere Man and Orphan X) is called by a little girl, who asks for his help to find her missing dog. This is not what he had in Evan Smoak (a/k/a the Nowhere Man and Orphan X) is called by a little girl, who asks for his help to find her missing dog. This is not what he had in mind, but the little girl is actually related to him and so he decides to help. In the process of tracking down the dog, he stumbles into the assassination of a computer programmer, saving the life of his teenage daughter and pitting himself against the deadly assassin (Wolf), who wants Evan and the girl dead as no witnesses is a rule by which Wolf lives. The Wolf and Evan think alike and therefore have to outmaneuver each other, with only one surviving. The plot is a little much technology wise, and for me, there was a bit too much family drama (Evan and his desire to meet his biological father and his weird relationship with Joey.) In fact, I had to reduce my rating by a full star for Joey changing Evan's ringtone to "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hawt like me," a song I could not stop hearing... ...more
Book #12 in the Lewis Cole series. A drowned women and her baby wash ashore on Lewis's property, and the local town residents are deeply divided by thBook #12 in the Lewis Cole series. A drowned women and her baby wash ashore on Lewis's property, and the local town residents are deeply divided by the illegal immigration issue. More lucrative than fishing, human traffickers are bringing people ashore, drawing the attention of the Department of Homeland Security. Naturally, the feds won't work with the local police department, and then outside agitators show up to escalate matters, leading to gunfire and heightened tensions. Nobody seems interested to locate the smugglers, except Lewis, who not only has to find those responsible, but also is harboring another washed ashore party trying to avoid the local citizen's brigade....more
When Alex Carter gets a call from a former scientific research partner to take her position in Churchill, Manitoba, Alex wraps up her work studying woWhen Alex Carter gets a call from a former scientific research partner to take her position in Churchill, Manitoba, Alex wraps up her work studying wolverines in Montana. But, things go awry almost immediately: her bush helicopter pilot takes another job, her samples are stolen in a lab break-in, her helicopter crashes and burns, and she befriends a women worried sick over her dive partner's disappearance from a solo dive in the chilly Arctic seas. Alex finds herself battling global warming, poachers and an even more insidious enterprise seeking to obliterate damaging environmental data in the name of profits. Author Alice Henderson keeps her readers guessing as to identity of the bad guys and the exact nature of their greed. Onto Caribou next. ...more
2.5 stars, rounded up. Nowhere near as good as Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series or The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Basically, this book is about t2.5 stars, rounded up. Nowhere near as good as Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series or The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Basically, this book is about the poor decisions of 18-year olds. In 1967, William decides to go to Vietnam, with the hopes of becoming a photojournalist. War is hell, and William is scarred from his experience. We then shift forward in time to 1979 when Vincent Bianco decides to work on a summer construction crew with Vincent for spending money in college, with William changing his life trajectory, and finally into the 2000's when William sends Vincent his Vietnam journal. Too slow and repetitive for me. Don't understand how GR rating can be close to 4.5. Disappointing....more
Another excellent WWII thriller by Ronald Balson. Sergeant Nathan Silverman is a German Jewish refugee, who fled Europe at the urging of his family, aAnother excellent WWII thriller by Ronald Balson. Sergeant Nathan Silverman is a German Jewish refugee, who fled Europe at the urging of his family, and has enlisted in the US army, where he has been transferred into an intelligence unit because of his fluency in German. He is sent to NY City to meet a General and Robert Oppenheimer, and introduced to Dr. Allison Fischer, a nuclear physicist. Together, they are asked to sneak into Nazi Germany to evaluate whether a Dr. Snyder can help the U.S. effort to build a nuclear weapon and to determine what progress the Nazis have made in their own efforts to build one. Nathan's father (Josef) worked with Snyder and Nathan is desperate for news of his family, and fears the worst. Nathan impersonates a Wehrmacht officer and Allison is supposed to be his French girlfriend. Of course, they encounter many difficulties along the way, and because of compartmentalization, Snyder only has a partial picture, causing the Berlin chief of station to assist in an unsanctioned daring mission. Very good, 4.5 stars....more
Murphy Shepherd rescues victims of human trafficking, but beyond his noble calling, he provides a safe haven for them to recover from their ordeal in Murphy Shepherd rescues victims of human trafficking, but beyond his noble calling, he provides a safe haven for them to recover from their ordeal in a safely guarded mountain location called Freetown. He was recruited for this work while in military training by a man nicknamed Bones. Despite not being fully recovered from a near death experience, he and Bones go on a mission, ending in Bones being kidnapped. Murphy and his canine buddy Gunner, start dancing to the tune of the kidnapper, who was the same person who almost killed Murphy in the last book. The kidnapper seems omniscient, and so Murphy, Eddie and the team in Freetown recruit some high tech partners to find and rescue Bones.
The kidnapper is a major player in the sex trafficking, who is seeking retribution for the losses that Bones and Murphy have inflicted on his operations. Like the proverbial shepherd who leaves his flock to go and find the one lost sheep, Bones is trying to save the kidnapper from himself. We learn much about the hell in which Bones was raised and his motivation to help the one (and not the many this last time.) ...more
Gabriela Rose is the recovery agent: she makes her living by recovering assets or items for clients. In this case, she is working a personal angle to Gabriela Rose is the recovery agent: she makes her living by recovering assets or items for clients. In this case, she is working a personal angle to save her hometown of Scoon, which has been devastated by a wicked storm. Gabriela is seeking an ancient, but powerful ring, called The Seal of Solomon. However, there is a murderous cult leader who also wants to possess the ring and will stop at nothing to get it. Gabriela is a sort of Indiana Jones/Lara Croft, and has her girl Friday to help her research on the Internet. She is forced into partnering with her ex-husband, for whom she still feels a strong sexual attraction. A bit ho-hum for me. 2.5 stars, rounded up....more
A Danish restauranteur, Ole Hendryks, is about to be honored by a local association for his civic activities and record as a Danish hero in WWII, rescA Danish restauranteur, Ole Hendryks, is about to be honored by a local association for his civic activities and record as a Danish hero in WWII, rescuing Jews, when a 90-year old woman is arrested for spray-painting epithets on the walls of his restaurant: traitor, liar, Nazi collaborator. and charitable contributions. Frequently appearing on local TV, he is well known for his actions in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II—most consider him a hero. A showboating lawyer files a $5 million defamation lawsuit, and Britta Stein welcomes the lawsuit and court fight. One of Catherine Lockhart's former law mentors asks her to help, as Britta is the grandmother of one of his rising attorneys. Reminiscent of Karolina's Twins, Britta tells a very long story of how the Danes kept their national identity during the Nazi occupation, with the majority opposing the occupation, working together to undermine the Germans, and to rescue their Jewish citizens. Her father was in Parliament, and her sister and brother-in-law active in the resistance. Excellent investigative support by Liam (again) and a well-executed legal strategy, especially in light of Britta's failing health as the trial commences. Another gem by Balson, and especially strong pictorial of the righteous Danes in a dark part of history. ...more
It's always hard to end a series, especially in the fantasy genre, but I was super glad to win a copy of this in a GR giveaway. I thought this was betIt's always hard to end a series, especially in the fantasy genre, but I was super glad to win a copy of this in a GR giveaway. I thought this was better than average.
It was great to be reunited with most of James Stark/Sandman Slim's friends from earlier books: Candy, Alessa, Janet, Fuck Hollywood, Kasabian, Allegra, Carlos, Brigitte, Samael, Mr. Muninn, Mustang Sally and Flicker. There are even references to some no longer alive, such as Alice and Vidocq. Only Father Thomas and the hellhounds seemed absent.
Like most of the books, a rip-roaring pace from the beginning. L.A. is in serious trouble as an epidemic is turning citizens into raving maniacs or worse. Violent gangs and new psychos (the Shoggots) are becoming disciples of King Bullet, who seems all-powerful. Even the Sub-Rosa are running scared, and looking for Stark's help. King Bullet seems to have a fatwa on Stark, and is harming his friends, forcing Stark to face perhaps his most lethal enemy ever. Epic battles and ending. My only complaint is the soul searching by Stark, doubting himself because all he seems to do is bring death, dismemberment and grievous injuries to those he loves and likes. Like others, I am not a big fan of Janet (a whiner), happy to see Candy still loves Stark, and Fuck Hollywood will always be a personal favorite....more
Una, who lives in Reykjavik, applies for a teaching position in Skálar, one of Iceland's most isolated villages: 10 people, 2 students. Of course, likUna, who lives in Reykjavik, applies for a teaching position in Skálar, one of Iceland's most isolated villages: 10 people, 2 students. Of course, like all small closely-knit villages, the community is tightly bound and leery of strangers. The women who hires Una is also her landlady and mother of one of the two students. They live in a house haunted by an ancient ghost, and while Una tries to fit in, a number of strange events occur. Sadly, the plot and characters were pretty dull, a bit like the fishing village itself, and not up to the higher standard of Ragnar Jónasson's two other atmospheric series, both of which I liked. At the end of the day, Una was not a compelling character. ...more
Beautiful Hero is the story of Jennifer (Geng) and her extended family's troubles in Cambodia from 1975 to 1981 when the Khmer Rouge ravaged the countBeautiful Hero is the story of Jennifer (Geng) and her extended family's troubles in Cambodia from 1975 to 1981 when the Khmer Rouge ravaged the country. Her immediate family had to abandon their home and businesses (her father was a photographer and her mother was a hairdresser.) Geng's mother is the beautiful hero, who manages to keep her family alive with her energy and ingenuity, while so many others perished from abuse, disease, starvation and other atrocities.
These events took place when Jennifer/Geng was 5-11 years old, and it is very difficult to believe that she could remember these horrific events so clearly, especially when most of her extended family did not survive....more
A very wealthy Charles Hollister is found dead in his apartment, and his estranged wife, Laurie Bateman, is arrested for his murder. Channel 10's ClarA very wealthy Charles Hollister is found dead in his apartment, and his estranged wife, Laurie Bateman, is arrested for his murder. Channel 10's Clare Carlson, was there as the police arrest Laurie, Clare had an exclusive interview scheduled to discuss Laurie's imminent divorce filing. Laurie is a famous Vietnamese model and actress, and she had planned to reveal that her supposedly idyllic marriage to Hollister, was not. All the evidence points to her guilt but Clare jumps in and investigates, forcing the police and court to consider other parties. Hollister has made many in his rise to success. Laurie's theatrics in court win her release, but Clare then stumbles on an obscure movie in which Laurie had used the exact same lines, causing Clare to think she helped a guilty party get freed. A lot of twists and turns as Clare doggedly pursues her story and justice. Not as good as the previous books....more
Bitterblue is now Queen of Monsea, but is upset about the disappearance of two envoys to Winterkeep and a strange message about zillium. She decides tBitterblue is now Queen of Monsea, but is upset about the disappearance of two envoys to Winterkeep and a strange message about zillium. She decides to visit the small kingdom with her advisors and protector, Gibbon, when she is washed overboard by a rogue wave in a storm, and eventually held captive. Meanwhile, things are unsettled in Winterkeep over whether zillium should be used as a polluting power source or something worse. The Cavenda family is headed by a leading political figure from each party, who differ on zillium, and the mother rules the roost, terrorizing the children. Their daughter, Lovisa, is a main character as she has to decide right from wrong, especially about some of the illegal and immoral actions of her parents. The book builds suspense along the way, and there are some great animals, such as the sea dwellers, but Cashore misses the boat on fully developing the human-bonding foxes. Like other reviewers, I think the many sexcapades detracted from the story. Lovisa is a strong character, whom I hope to see more of in the next installment in the Graceling realm....more
Like most readers, I liked this book better than the first in the series. The Rangers of Pine Mountain head off to summer camp with other troops. ArloLike most readers, I liked this book better than the first in the series. The Rangers of Pine Mountain head off to summer camp with other troops. Arlo and his friends are part of Blue Patrol, when their leader is suddenly ill, they are joined by a nice enough Ranger from Texas. Arlo starts seeing ghosts and eventually sees his friends across a chasm, throwing them an old flashlight. When Arlo finds an old scrapbook in the attic of the dining hall with his Uncle and a familiar face, he decides to investigate their Yellow Patrol, which no longer exists and which camped in a now closed section of the campground. Much better adventure, including (view spoiler)[a sea serpent and (hide spoiler)] time travel, and character development than the first book....more
Christie Nicholls is pretty funny … sometimes. Her book is split into four sections: her travels abroad (mostly as a child as her father was an oceanoChristie Nicholls is pretty funny … sometimes. Her book is split into four sections: her travels abroad (mostly as a child as her father was an oceanographer), jobs, family events, and boyfriends. The first section was strongest and the last was weakest. The summer is Brazil with das hund (German Shepherd) was very funny as was her stand-up routine is Sweden, where she introduced her mother in Swedish and told audience her mother was horny. I liked the value of anything at Marshalls was the difference between the "usually sells for price" and the price at which it was purchased. The section about caring for her MomMom with Alzheimer's was very touching and sometimes amusing, and I was more depressed than anything about her family's drinking exploits....more
Loading...
