Into the Night - Sarah Bailey
She read
Publication date: Dec. 4, 2018
This is the second Gemma Woodstock novel by Sarah Bailey. I did not read the first.
Gemma has moved away from her former lover and young son to start over in Melbourne. Adjusting to a new supervisor and less than welcoming partner, she is investigating both the murder of a homeless man and that of a popular actor.
A character I didn’t particularly like, Gemma is another tortured, self loathing police detective. Yet, by the end of the book, she had evolved somewhat and there is hope for her for the future.
I don’t try to figure out who the guilty parties are when I read a mystery/police procedural, yet this one was known to me fairly easily, albeit with a twist.
Into the Night was well written and despite this character not being a favorite of mine, I do look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Robert B. Parker's Blood Feud - Mike Lupica
Robert B. Parker's Blood Feud - Mike Lupica
He and she read
Publication date: Nov. 27, 2018
Mike Lupica has taken over the writing of the Sunny Randall series created by the late Robert B. Parker. I have not read any of the earlier Parker novels, so cannot comment on this continuation.
In Blood Feud, Sunny Randall, former police officer turned private investigator, looks into the shooting (wounding) of her ex husband and still lover, Richie. Richie is the son of a crime boss and Sunny gets drawn into the business of the Boston crime syndicates that Richie’s father has always tried to shield from him. It seems the attack on Richie is the beginning of a full assault on all that his father holds near and dear.
Though continually warned off the investigation by all involved, Sunny persists and enlists the assistance of other mob bosses as well as some law enforcement authorities and her close friend, Spike
The story is predictable, although with a twist and some of the action
strains credibility. Despite that, I enjoyed this fast read. It was entertaining and kept my interest throughout. I would certainly read future titles in this series by Lupica.
He and she read
Publication date: Nov. 27, 2018
Mike Lupica has taken over the writing of the Sunny Randall series created by the late Robert B. Parker. I have not read any of the earlier Parker novels, so cannot comment on this continuation.
In Blood Feud, Sunny Randall, former police officer turned private investigator, looks into the shooting (wounding) of her ex husband and still lover, Richie. Richie is the son of a crime boss and Sunny gets drawn into the business of the Boston crime syndicates that Richie’s father has always tried to shield from him. It seems the attack on Richie is the beginning of a full assault on all that his father holds near and dear.
Though continually warned off the investigation by all involved, Sunny persists and enlists the assistance of other mob bosses as well as some law enforcement authorities and her close friend, Spike
The story is predictable, although with a twist and some of the action
strains credibility. Despite that, I enjoyed this fast read. It was entertaining and kept my interest throughout. I would certainly read future titles in this series by Lupica.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
The Fox - Frederick Forsyth
The Fox - Frederick Forsyth
He and she read
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
It’s been a while since I read a Frederick Forsyth novel; I’d forgotten how much I enjoy this author‘s writing . This novel moves quickly; it is more a narrative than an action story. I liked that it didn’t get bogged down with page after page of descriptions of gun fights, etc. Hostile encounters were dealt with matter of fact and to the point.
I don’t like stories that stretch credibility. Scarily, I thought that just about everything that occurred in this cyber warfare tale could be very real. The ending was a bit too convenient, but I don’t really know what would have made a better one……
He and she read
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
It’s been a while since I read a Frederick Forsyth novel; I’d forgotten how much I enjoy this author‘s writing . This novel moves quickly; it is more a narrative than an action story. I liked that it didn’t get bogged down with page after page of descriptions of gun fights, etc. Hostile encounters were dealt with matter of fact and to the point.
I don’t like stories that stretch credibility. Scarily, I thought that just about everything that occurred in this cyber warfare tale could be very real. The ending was a bit too convenient, but I don’t really know what would have made a better one……
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Broken Ground - Val McDermid
Broken Ground - Val McDermid
She read
Release date: Dec. 5, 2018
This is the fifth book in the Karen Pirie Historic Cases Unit police procedural series by prolific writer, Val McDermid. I’ve read one prior novel in this series and really like the main character. She is strong, intelligent, vulnerable, but not overly flawed.
Karen is juggling three cases, two historic ones that are in her perview and a current one that she has insinuated herself into based on an overheard conversation. Although still mourning the death of her love, Phil, she meets a new interesting man and her new supervisor, seemingly out to get her, has planted a spy in Karen’s three person department.
The unfolding of the primary case is told through the revelation of evidence as well as flashbacks to both 1944 which set the scene for the crime and 1995 when the crime was committed. There were some unique aspects to the cases which made them interesting and the book held my attention throughout. I thought the resolution came quickly and the final disposition of the case could only be assumed. McDermid did lay some ground work for the next in the series and I look forward to it.
She read
Release date: Dec. 5, 2018
This is the fifth book in the Karen Pirie Historic Cases Unit police procedural series by prolific writer, Val McDermid. I’ve read one prior novel in this series and really like the main character. She is strong, intelligent, vulnerable, but not overly flawed.
Karen is juggling three cases, two historic ones that are in her perview and a current one that she has insinuated herself into based on an overheard conversation. Although still mourning the death of her love, Phil, she meets a new interesting man and her new supervisor, seemingly out to get her, has planted a spy in Karen’s three person department.
The unfolding of the primary case is told through the revelation of evidence as well as flashbacks to both 1944 which set the scene for the crime and 1995 when the crime was committed. There were some unique aspects to the cases which made them interesting and the book held my attention throughout. I thought the resolution came quickly and the final disposition of the case could only be assumed. McDermid did lay some ground work for the next in the series and I look forward to it.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
A Shot in the Dark - Lynne Truss
A Shot in the Dark - Lynne Truss
She read
Release date: Nov. 6, 2018
If you enjoy farces, then you will like this story of characters adapted from a popular BBC radio series also written by this author. It is difficult to give a book like this a rating. Compared to other mysteries, it might be a bit over the top, but rated on its own merits, it was well written with intriguing characters and quite amusing. I wouldn’t want to read a novel like this every day, but it was and enjoyable change of pace (genre). Incidentally, I loved all the references to various British confections and enjoyed “Googling” them to find out what they were.
She read
Release date: Nov. 6, 2018
If you enjoy farces, then you will like this story of characters adapted from a popular BBC radio series also written by this author. It is difficult to give a book like this a rating. Compared to other mysteries, it might be a bit over the top, but rated on its own merits, it was well written with intriguing characters and quite amusing. I wouldn’t want to read a novel like this every day, but it was and enjoyable change of pace (genre). Incidentally, I loved all the references to various British confections and enjoyed “Googling” them to find out what they were.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The Colors of All the Cattle - Alexander McCall Smith
The Colors of All the Cattle - Alexander McCall Smith
She read
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2018
Sit back and relax with a cup of tea and the 19th installment of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The same familiar cast of characters are here: Mma Potokwane has bullied Precious into running for town council, there is an unsolved hit and run to investigate, and Charlie is maturing. And the Talking shoes make a cameo appearance.
She read
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2018
Sit back and relax with a cup of tea and the 19th installment of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The same familiar cast of characters are here: Mma Potokwane has bullied Precious into running for town council, there is an unsolved hit and run to investigate, and Charlie is maturing. And the Talking shoes make a cameo appearance.
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