Tag: fiction

The Broken Window, by Jeffery Deaver

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Cover ImageFinished 8-31-09, rating 4.5/5, mystery, pub. 2008

“But tell me if those benefits are worth somebody knowing every detail about your life.  Maybe you don’t care, provided you save a few bucks.  But do you really want ConsumerChoice lasers scanning your eyes in a movie theater and recording your reactions to those commercials they run before the movie?  Do you want the RFID tag in your car key to be available to the police to know that you hit a hundred miles an hour last week?”

Chapter 23

This is the 8th book in the Lincoln Rhyme series

Quadriplegic forensic specialist Lincoln Rhyme is back with his most personal case to date.  His cousin, Arthur, has been arrested for murder and his wife comes to Lincoln even though the two men haven’t been friends since high school.  Lincoln feels the familial bond and takes a look at the case and discovers that they may be dealing with a serial killer.  As Lincoln and his girlfriend, Amelia Sachs, try to prove the innocence of more than one person in prison, they become immersed in the new world of Big Brother. 

SSD, Strategic Systems Datacorp, is a data mining company that specializes in knowing everything about you.  No really, everything.  And they do know it all.  And it would not be difficult for an employee to commit awful crimes and pin them on someone else or even to steal a person’s life and destroy it piece by piece.

I loved this book.  We learn more about Lincoln’s personal life than in any book since the first one and I enjoyed learning more about his childhood and family.  And Amelia had her own things to deal with involving Pam, the teen from two earlier books who is now in foster care.

This book knocked it out of the park as far as scaring me to the point of paranoia.  I think most people recognize  that many of our individual freedoms are being stripped from us little by little, and some of us are okay with it and some of us aren’t.  But this book takes it to the next level.  Our whole lives are fodder for commercial gain and government dossiers.  It is frightening and although this is a novel, it hits home because it is happening right now. 

This book is a timely novel that will please Lincoln Rhyme fans and fans of fast paced thrillers.  I loved it.

The Carriage House, by Carla Neggers

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The Carriage House by Carla Neggers: Book CoverFinished 8-10-09, rating 3/5, romantic suspense, pub. 2001

This is Book 1 in the Texas Rangers 4 book series. 

“I can sell it.”

“Who would buy it?  It’s run-down.  It’s on the flipping historic register.  It’s on a minuscule lot.  And, I might add–”  She swiveled around in her expensive ergonomic chair, zeroing in on her office mate and friend with those piercing green eyes.  “I might add that the place is haunted.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

Chapter 1

Tess Haviland is in her 30’s, owns her own graphic design business and is single and childless, much to the disappointment of her dad.  As payment for her services, the eccentric Ike Grantham gives her an old carriage house on Boston’s North Shore, a place that has special memories for Tess.  Soon after gifting her with the house Ike disappears and Tess puts off doing anything with the house.  Now a year later she receives a tax bill and decides to go out to the house to see if she wants to keep it.

Once she arrives at the dilapidated carriage house she is appalled at the condition and the renovations that are necessary.  On her first night there she meets the neighbors, sexy Andrew Thorne, his princess daughter Dolly, and the skeleton she finds in the dirt basement.  Spooked and scared, Tess doesn’t call the police right away and this is where the story really begins.

The characters were all enjoyable, if not memorable.  The story was fast paced and although you knew who did it relatively early on there was some confusion thrown in to keep you reading.  I really liked the secondary characters.  Andrew’s cousin Harley Beckett was an original and Tess’s dad and godfather were loving manly men and it was easy to forgive their chauvinistic ways.

To be fair, I should say that I started this on the plane last week and the fact that it kept my attention at all is an endorsement.  I could be the world’s worst flier.  So, it did keep my interest for pages at a time and this is all I could have hoped for on the plane.

Sky Burial : An Epic Love Story of Tibet, by Xinran

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Sky Burial by Xinran: Book CoverFinished 7-20-09, rating 4.5/5, fiction, pub. 2004

“Zhuoma,” she shouted. “come over here!  What’s Ge’er doing?”

Saierbao, who was standing nearby, couldn’t understand Wen’s reaction.  What was so surprising about the men in the family doing the sewing?  Zhuoma told her that Chinese men hardly ever touched a needle, that sewing and mending were invariably women’s work.  Ni fell about laughing after she heard this.  “Women, sewing?”  she said to her mother.  “Surely not.”

Saierbao shook her head, sharing in her daughter’s disbelief at this absurd idea.

Chapter 4

What would you do if your husband of less than 100 days was sent off to war and never returned?  Would you join the army to gain access and answers?  Would you travel to a harsh, conflict heavy country in search of him?  Would you give up country, family, career, and life as you know to search for a husband presumed dead? 

Xinran is a Chinese-born reporter who was able to spend a few days with Wen, to hear her story of love, loss, and peace.  She wrote Wen’s story as a love letter to a husband and to Tibet.

Wen and Kejun lived a charmed life as Chinese doctors in the 1950’s.  Kejun joined the army and went to Tibet in hopes of unifying the two countries.  He was told they would be greeted as liberators (sorry for stealing the apt line), but found violence instead.  He was declared dead shortly after arriving and Wen in her grief joins his unit and heads to Tibet.

Almost immediately Wen is separated from her unit and she was cared for by a Tibetan woman, Zhouma.  The two women are both searching for love lost and lead a nomadic life for many, many years.

The book was riveting.  I was unsure if I would warm up to Wen, but I did.  Xinran was so outspoken in her admiration for this woman but it took the whole story to be told for me to really understand it.  And even then I think it could have been that Wen was mysterious and  left the author wanting more.

This is Wen’s love story and also a description of her life as an outsider.  It was easy to be drawn into an unfamiliar, yet stirring country and its people.  The book is a fast read at only 200 pages, but a worthwhile one.  I highly recommend it.

7th Heaven, by James Patterson

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Cover ImageFinished 6-23-09, rating 3.5/5, mystery, pub. 2008

This is book 7 of the Women’s Murder Club series

“After a few hours, Ricky decided to cut up his body with a knife.  It was the most horrible thing I could ever imagine – and I grew up on a farm!  I was throwing up and crying,” Junie said, looking as though she might do it now.

I pulled out my chair again, put my butt in the seat, determined not to scare the little hooker even as she shocked me to the bone.

“But once we started cutting, there was no way back,” Junie said, pleading to Conklin with her eyes. “I helped Ricky put Michael’s body into about eight garbage bags, and then we piled the bags into Ricky’s truck.  It was was like five in the morning.  And no one was around.”

Chapter 7

I know I complain about this series every time I write about it, so I am taking this book off.  As a matter of fact, this was my favorite book of the series (so far).  I thought there was more mystery and surprise in this one than in the others and the relationships of the women moved along nicely.

A poster child for goodwill vanishes and after six months the police finally have a lead and they bring in an angelic looking prostitute for questioning.  Lindsay and Conklin are able to get a confession and Yuki, is awarded the case for the district attorney.  She thinks it is an open and shut case, but things start to go south in court and at home as she is stalked by a writer covering the story.

There is also a number of arson and murder cases that claim some of San Francisco’s wealthiest as victims.  Things turn personal when Conklin must tell an old flame that her parents have been burned to death. 

Lindsay is still conflicted about  her feelings for Joe and Conklin.  It makes you want to sit down and talk to her about what is going on in her head!  There is also a baby to one of the women in the club and a surprise in the plot at the end that left the book ending on a high note.

Lethally Blonde, by Kate White

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Cover ImageFinished 6-13-09, rating 3.5/5, mystery, pub. 2007

Book #5 in the Bailey Weggins mystery series

It all started with a coincidence.  Not one of those totally creepy coincidences that make you feel as if someone has just walked across your grave.  In fact, later I could see that the phone call I got that late summer night wasn’t all that unexpected – but at the time it made me catch my breath.  And, of course, it was the start of everything horrible that happened…

first paragraph

Bailey Weggins is a chic New York gal in her 30’s with a fun job and a revolving door of hot men.  She also seems to find trouble and danger if there is any to be found.  In this latest installment she is contacted by a hunk from her past, who just happens to be the next big It guy in a new prime time tv show.  Chris is worried that his friend and fellow actor, Tom, has disappeared.  The police aren’t too concerned about it and he knows that Bailey is a great one to get to the bottom of the things.  Bailey agrees to help and the two also fall back into bed together.  As her inquiries lead to a dead body, spooky calls, druggings, and more death, Bailey wonders if she’s in over her head.

I liked that this mystery took her away from her job at the magazine a bit and we were able to get a better feel for the city.  This was perfect for me since I picked it up and started reading it while in New York. 

Bailey is fun.  She is the hip New Yorker that you’d want to be friends with and share juicy stories.  And the mystery is good too- I didn’t have any idea until very close to the reveal at the end.  Not only is her ex Chris back, but another ex, Beau, is back and looking Bailey’s way.  Not sure how much bed hopping is appropriate, but it was close to my limit.  If you’ve never been the big town girl with a cool job, mysteries to solve, and attractive men in your bed then Bailey is just what you need.  Live vicariously through her.

Twelfth Card, by Jeffery Deaver

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Cover ImageFinished 6-9-09, rating 3/5, mystery/ thriller, pub.2005

#6 Lincoln Rhymes series

“You like that actor broke his neck?” She slurped her coffee, added more sugar.  Slurped again.

“That’s right”

“An’ you can’t move nothin’?”

“Not much.”

“Damn”

“Keesh,” Geneva whispered. “Chill, girl.”

“Just, you know, damn.”

Chapter4

Paraplegic Lincoln Rhymes is back in his Upper West side townhouse with his usual cast of of friends.  This time he is called to investigate an attempted attack in Harlem on 16 year old Geneva Settle.  Geneva was researching her ancestor, Charles Singleton who had been a freed slave 140 years ago, when she had eluded an attack using her street smarts.  The attacker goes on to kill a bystander and a police officer at the scene, so it is all hands on deck to protect the girl and to find out what had made her a target.

Lincoln is also dealing with some personal insecurities.  After months of machines working his paralyzed body it is finally time to find out if it has made any difference and he is willing to use any excuse to put this off.  Sellitto has a close encounter with the killer and has become a bit gun-shy, a bad thing when you are chasing dangerous men and women everyday and a good way to get yourself killed.  Kara, the musician from the last book makes a  small appearance.

This was my least favorite of the series so far for a few reasons, but what it all comes back to is that is felt more like a politically correct history lesson than a thrilling mystery.  The slang used by Geneva and her best friend seemed stereotypical and tired.  The old mystery involving  the freed slave also working with the black activists of the time was not interesting enough to keep the story moving.  I’m no lawyer, but the end seemed very outlandish to me.

Deaver’s books are always well written, fast-paced, and full of many twists and turns.  This one was too, it just wasn’t quite up to the level of his others.  And it did seem very appropriate to be reading this while I was in New York!

Sights Unseen, by Kaye Gibbons

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Cover ImageFinished 5-29-09, rating 3.5/4, fiction. pub. 1995

Both she and Mr. Barnes were of a time when properly raised Southerners equated informality of address with being common, with going to the door in stocking feet or talking about one’s gout at the table.  Because I did not yet know my mother well enough to assign an indisputable motive to her, I was unsure if her informality signaled welcome familiarity or disrespect.

Chapter 9

Hattie was conceived in the hope that she would provide her mother with something to do and bring her back to the land of the normal.  That did not happen and Hattie’s mother, Maggie, spent years hurting her family with her manic depression.  Hattie had their live-in cook/maid/nanny/ nursemaid, Pearl, to provide the  love and understanding that her mother could not.   This was 1960’s North Carolina and Maggie was eventually taken to Duke to be cured.  Hattie was hopeful that Maggie would come back whole and make up for the years she went without a mother. 

This is told in first person years into the future after Hattie is grown with her own children and the story is told with a child’s honesty and an adult’s perspective.  The story of her childhood is heartbreaking.  Not only her mother’s mother’s direct beahvior, but also the fact that Hattie and her brother never had a friend to their house because they never knew what their mother’s condition might be.  But this was offset by stories of Maggie’s high times when she would go on shopping sprees and keep her husband in the bedroom for days. 

It was not at all what I expected.  I expected a story, but this was more of a recollection of a difficult childhood, which I liked, but it was lacking something for me.  I wanted more.

It is a charming southern read that can be read in one sitting.

Wicked Prey, by John Sandford

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Wicked Prey (Lucas Davenport Series #19) by Sandford Sandford: Book CoverFinished 5-26-09, rating 3.5/5, thriller, pub. 2009

This is book 19 in the Prey series with Lucas Davenport

“Never done anything to us,” Juliet said, doubtfully.

“Davenport did this to me,” Whitcomb said, whacking his inert legs.  “Set it up.  Started it all.”

“The girl didn’t…”

“Davenport set me up,” Whitcomb said.  He watched the girl disappear into the house.  “I’m gonna get him back.  No fun just shootin’ him.  I want to do him good, and I want him to know what I done, and who done it.”

Chapter 1

 Lucas is back and the 2008 Republican Convention has come to St. Paul.  The police are out in full force trying to keep the politicians and the protesters from hurting each other.  There is a gang of thieves that followed the money to the convention and are planning to rip off these men and women for millions of dollars.  There is also an old nemesis of Lucas that is stalking his teen daughter, Lettie.   

Lucas is still working for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and his old friends are all back to help him when he is charged with finding the gang before anyone else dies.  Lettie is front and center in this book and gets into quite a bit of trouble for a 14 year old.  Instead of telling her dad about the stalker she decides to handle it herself, in part by befriending a hooker. 

The many storylines of this book keep it moving at a fast pace.  This fast pace also takes some of the focus from Lucas and I was disappointed in that.  Lucas is one of my favorite characters and I want him front and center!  I think that by giving Lettie more time and showing us what kind of messes she gets herself into, we can look forward to more from this precocious teen. 

I liked this latest installment, but it wasn’t one of my favorites.  I wanted more Lucas.  Also, the storyline involving Lettie did seem a bit much for a 14 year old girl on her bike.  But the suspense was good.  The detective work was good. And I will pick up the next installment next May as soon as it comes out.

A note about the language…This is a police novel with many degenerates.  The conversations do have lots of course language.  If you can’t get past it, these are not the books for you.

After some thought I have to say that while you don’t have to read these in order, you would enjoy them more if you at least tried.  The first one in the series is Rules of Prey.  Also here is a link to Sandford’s website which lists them all in order for you.  I love this series and recommend it if you like gritty detective novels.

Dead Sleep by Greg Iles

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Cover ImageFinished 5-10-09. rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 2001

The paintings look modern for the most part, or what my idea of modern is, anyway.  A lot of stark color arranged in asymmetrical patterns, but it means little to me.  I’ve been called an artist-often during attacks by purist photojournalist-but that doesn’t qualify me as a judge of art.  I’m not even sure I know it when I see it.

Chapter 3

Renowned photojournalist Jordan Glass has been everywhere, with much of that time spent in the most dangerous, war-torn places on earth.  Her father, winner of two Pulitzers, died while obtaining his last award winning shot in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.  At least the world believes that, but Jordan is not convinced.  Jordan is in Hong Kong when she comes face to face with a painting of her, apparently dead.  The popular collection of ‘Sleeping Women’ at first thought to be women in repose is now rumored to be dead women.  Jordan is thrown because she knows she is not looking into the mirror, but at the face of her twin sister who has been missing for over a year.

As Jordan races back to New York and the seller of the portraits, she contacts the FBI for help.  As it becomes obvious that Jordan’s life could be in danger the FBI bring her in to help with the investigation.  The case takes Jordan home to New Orleans, where her sister’s husband and two children still live.

The action is non stop, the characters have depth, and the mystery is top notch.  The paintings and the possibility that the women may be dead haunted me just as the possibility did Jordan.  The spooky vibe and the sexual tension between Jordan and FBI Agent John Kaiser keep the book operating on  all cylinders.  This is a great thriller and I look forward to reading more from Greg Iles.

I won’t give away the ending, but I will say that I liked it, but didn’t love it for a few reasons I can’t say without saying too much.  But that is only the difference between a 4 and 4.5, so obviously I loved it!  It is wonderfully original story with a strong woman leading the way.

Fox River, by Emilie Richards

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Fox River by Richards Richards: Book CoverFinished 5-8-09, rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 2001

“It’s a fork in the road,” Maisy said, stroking her daughter’s hair.  “And you don’t even feel up to walking a straight line.  But you will.  You can.  You’ll get through this honey, and make all the right choices.  There’s no question.”

For once in her life Julia was profoundly grateful to be suffocated in her mother’s soft arms.  But as she sobbed, she wondered who was comforting Christian.  Who would tell Christian that at this critical fork in the road he would take the right path?  Who would hold him and reassure him?

 She knew, without a doubt, it should have been her.

Chapter 11

This grand sweeping romance will draw you into the world of horses and fox hunting and the privileged people who live there.  Julia, who comes from the most respected of horsemen families, is a woman who has had to deal with a lot of tragedy in her almost 30 years and it all culminates with a fall off a horse that leaves her blind.  Her father died when she was too young to remember, her best friend was murdered, her boyfriend was sent to prison for the murder, and the last of the foursome was killed in a car crash.  And this is all before she begins to think her nine year marriage may be over.

Christian was released from prison when another inmate confessed to the murder, but nine years is a long time to serve for a crime you didn’t commit.  He is welcomed back to Virginia horse country by the man who had taken him in as a teenager and had never stopped believing in his innocence.  Now he just has to face down locals who still believe he’s guilty and face up to Julia, whose trouble on the stand helped send him to prison.

Julia’s mother, Maisy, is a wonderful character who takes in her daughter and granddaughter and shares a novel she’s writing which becomes another story within Fox River.  There is no shortage of action and it all weaves together perfectly for a wonderful family saga full of life and death, lies and betrayal, love and revenge.

I adored this story.  I think if you are interested in horses or fox hunting you might appreciate it more, but it is certainly not a necessity.  This is my first Emilie Richards novel, but it won’t be my last!  Read my interview with her here.