Rough Riders: Theodore Roosevelt, His Cowboy Regiment, and the Immortal Charge Up San Juan Hill by Mark Lee Gardner - from the forming of the Rough Riders to the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor for Roosevelt. What I found most interesting was how eager Roosevelt and all his volunteers were to engage in war. It certainly wasn't a war run with military precision. Lots of bungling from the higher-ups. This seems to have been extensively researched, with lots of excerpts from letters and diaries.
3 stars
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Brotherhood in Death by J.D.Robb - the 42nd Eve Dallas book. What starts out as a missing person case becomes several murders of revenge. I think I complained about the previous book being more graphic than I remembered the series being and this is the same. I read these mostly for the relationships between Eve and her friends but am getting tired of sifting through the other stuff. And there are the obligatory sex scenes with Eve and her husband. At least those I know are a page and a half and can easily skip them. I do like watching Eve and her team catch the bad guys, you usually know who they are fairly soon.
2 stars
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Sunday, June 26, 2016
June 19 - 25, 2016
The Highwayman by Craig Johnson - a Walt Longmire novella inspired by Charles Dicken's The Signal Man.A highway patrol officer is getting radio calls from a trooper who died 30 years ago.
3 stars
3 stars
Sunday, June 19, 2016
June 12 - 18, 2016
War Hawk by James Rollins and Grant Blackwood - the second book about Tucker Wayne and his war dog Kane. Tucker is contacted by a former army colleague, telling him she and her son are in danger and another colleague is missing. Lots of action with shooting, explosions, intelligent drones, and Kane biting the bad guys. One of my least favorite plots, a megalomaniac trying to control everything, this time using cyber information. I'm reading this series for the dog.
3 stars
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Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz - Bibi Blair has just been told she has incurable cancer. After a strange experience in the night, she finds she has been cured. Why? She comes to believe it is to save Ashley Bell. But who is Ashley Bell and where is she? Who are the strange people after her? And what are the memories she can't remember? I got sucked into this right away and then two thirds in there was a twist that made me wish I could read faster. I've never read Dean Koontz because I've always thought of him as an author of the supernatural and horror. Although this has a touch of that, I prefer to think of it as suspense and fantasy. This is one you'll either love or hate. 560 pages that flew by.
5 stars
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Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent - the author is asked by a friend to have dinner with her father, Edward. His wife of 62 years has just died and he feels he can't go on. What starts out as a favor has unexpected rewards for Isabel. A short book with good food.
3 stars
3 stars
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Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz - Bibi Blair has just been told she has incurable cancer. After a strange experience in the night, she finds she has been cured. Why? She comes to believe it is to save Ashley Bell. But who is Ashley Bell and where is she? Who are the strange people after her? And what are the memories she can't remember? I got sucked into this right away and then two thirds in there was a twist that made me wish I could read faster. I've never read Dean Koontz because I've always thought of him as an author of the supernatural and horror. Although this has a touch of that, I prefer to think of it as suspense and fantasy. This is one you'll either love or hate. 560 pages that flew by.
5 stars
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Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent - the author is asked by a friend to have dinner with her father, Edward. His wife of 62 years has just died and he feels he can't go on. What starts out as a favor has unexpected rewards for Isabel. A short book with good food.
3 stars
Sunday, June 12, 2016
June 5 - 11, 2016I
My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni - Tracy Crosswhite became a detective because of the disappearance of her sister 20 years ago. She is convinced the man serving a prison sentence for the murder is innocent, which means the real killer is out there. When her sister's body is discovered, she is determined to find the truth. A couple of good twists. The beginning of a series and I will probably read more.
3.5 stars
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The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg by Tim Birkhead - a very detailed description of how a bird's egg is formed, laid, and hatched and how much it varies from bird to bird. The author has studied birds, mainly the guillemot, for over 40 years. I enjoyed the beginning of the book but soon got bogged down with the many scientific terms. It is fascinating how complex an egg is.
2.5 stars
3.5 stars
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The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg by Tim Birkhead - a very detailed description of how a bird's egg is formed, laid, and hatched and how much it varies from bird to bird. The author has studied birds, mainly the guillemot, for over 40 years. I enjoyed the beginning of the book but soon got bogged down with the many scientific terms. It is fascinating how complex an egg is.
2.5 stars
Sunday, June 5, 2016
May 29 - June 4, 2016
Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz - The Nowhere Man can help you when no one else can. But now he's in need of help himself. Contacted by two people for help at the same time, he's pretty sure one is a setup. But how to tell? Evan Smoak was originally trained as a covert assassin, buried deep behind government intel. Now he's on his own in a bad situation getting worse. This is the first in the series and I'm anxious for the next one. PG13 at least on the violence level.
4 stars
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The Black Star of Kingston by S.D.Smith - a prequel to The Green Ember. The rabbit community, led by King Whitsun, are hopeful they've found a safe place to rebuild. But on a journey to find coal, they find terror coming out of the mountains. Loyalty, bravery, obedience and lots of other good traits in a children's book. With lots of action, too.
3.5 stars
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The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza - it's possible I was not in the right mood to read this. DCI Erika Foster is thrown into the beginning of a murder case when she should probably not be working at all. She's still recovering from the death of her husband in a botched police raid she led. An influential man's daughter is found murdered and the investigation is hampered by politics. I don't like books where the police fight among themselves and the top officers are unjust. Very crude sex stuff. I won't be reading anymore of this series and I'm very much in the minority at Goodreads.
1 star
4 stars
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The Black Star of Kingston by S.D.Smith - a prequel to The Green Ember. The rabbit community, led by King Whitsun, are hopeful they've found a safe place to rebuild. But on a journey to find coal, they find terror coming out of the mountains. Loyalty, bravery, obedience and lots of other good traits in a children's book. With lots of action, too.
3.5 stars
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The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza - it's possible I was not in the right mood to read this. DCI Erika Foster is thrown into the beginning of a murder case when she should probably not be working at all. She's still recovering from the death of her husband in a botched police raid she led. An influential man's daughter is found murdered and the investigation is hampered by politics. I don't like books where the police fight among themselves and the top officers are unjust. Very crude sex stuff. I won't be reading anymore of this series and I'm very much in the minority at Goodreads.
1 star
Sunday, May 29, 2016
May 22 - 28, 2016
The Marriage of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King - a short ebook that gives us previously unknown details about the wedding of Mary and Sherlock Holmes. The event took place several books ago, but the ebook was published before the latest book in the series. Several hints are dropped that I would have missed had I read these in the proper order.
3 stars
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The Killing Lessons by Saul Black - a horrific serial killer with a horrific past, a haunted police officer, and lots of people in danger. The story was horrible yet compelling. About two thirds of the way through I thought I would quit, but decided to keep reading because I had to know what happened. Very graphic.
2.5 stars
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Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon - Alex is an alcoholic leading a very carefully constructed life so she can function as a freelance journalist. While interviewing a doctor about his work with comatose patients, she learns about Amy, the victim of a vicious attack fifteen years prior. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. Told from various viewpoints including Amy's. I read this straight through and although I had a few little quibbles I'm still giving it
5 stars
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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson - just what the title says, told in a very engaging style. The chapters switch between the journey of the ship and the journey of the u-boat that sank her. Even though I knew what would happen a feeling of dread built up. There are also chapters about President Wilson and a secret British intelligence group. I'm pretty sure this is the first non-fiction book I've given
5 stars
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Rainy Day Sisters by Kate Hewitt - Lucy Bagshaw's life has fallen apart and in a moment of desperation she calls her half sister Juliet. Juliet invites her to her home in Hartley-by-the-Sea in England's Lake District. Part romance novel, but really about two sisters who don't know each other learning to accept each other and growing in the process.
3.5 stars
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The Woman Who Wasn't There: The True Story of an Incredible Deception by Robin Gaby Fisher and Angelo Guglielmo - Tania Head told an incredible story of her survival during the events of 9/11. She also lost her fiance in the destruction of the other tower. She became the spokesperson and head of the World Trade Center's Survivors' Network. The problem is that none of it was true. An interesting read, even though you know at the outset she's lying. No one seems to know why she did it. I find it incredible she kept up the sham as long as she did.
3 stars
3 stars
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The Killing Lessons by Saul Black - a horrific serial killer with a horrific past, a haunted police officer, and lots of people in danger. The story was horrible yet compelling. About two thirds of the way through I thought I would quit, but decided to keep reading because I had to know what happened. Very graphic.
2.5 stars
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Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon - Alex is an alcoholic leading a very carefully constructed life so she can function as a freelance journalist. While interviewing a doctor about his work with comatose patients, she learns about Amy, the victim of a vicious attack fifteen years prior. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. Told from various viewpoints including Amy's. I read this straight through and although I had a few little quibbles I'm still giving it
5 stars
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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson - just what the title says, told in a very engaging style. The chapters switch between the journey of the ship and the journey of the u-boat that sank her. Even though I knew what would happen a feeling of dread built up. There are also chapters about President Wilson and a secret British intelligence group. I'm pretty sure this is the first non-fiction book I've given
5 stars
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Rainy Day Sisters by Kate Hewitt - Lucy Bagshaw's life has fallen apart and in a moment of desperation she calls her half sister Juliet. Juliet invites her to her home in Hartley-by-the-Sea in England's Lake District. Part romance novel, but really about two sisters who don't know each other learning to accept each other and growing in the process.
3.5 stars
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The Woman Who Wasn't There: The True Story of an Incredible Deception by Robin Gaby Fisher and Angelo Guglielmo - Tania Head told an incredible story of her survival during the events of 9/11. She also lost her fiance in the destruction of the other tower. She became the spokesperson and head of the World Trade Center's Survivors' Network. The problem is that none of it was true. An interesting read, even though you know at the outset she's lying. No one seems to know why she did it. I find it incredible she kept up the sham as long as she did.
3 stars
Sunday, May 22, 2016
May 15 - 21, 2016
I started the week with some ebooks I've had on my list for awhile.
No Honor Among Thieves by J.A. Jance - the author brings together two of her characters for the first time, Ali Reynolds and Sheriff Joanna Brady. The story starts with a truck over an embankment and barrels on from there. Quite a bit of action for a short story.
3.5 stars
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A Haunting of the Bones by Julia Keller - old bones are discovered and they turn out to be the mother of Bell Elkins, prosecuting attorney. She's always been told her mother ran off with another man and now she vows to learn the truth.
3 stars
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An Event in Autumn by Henning Mankell - finally published in English, this wraps up the Kurt Wallander series, although it takes place between two other books. Kurt literally stumbles on a semi-buried body while looking at a house to buy. He and the team try to solve a mystery that is 50 years old.
3 stars
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Keller's Fedora by Lawrence Block - hitman Keller is out of retirement but he's also playing detective this time. The client doesn't know the identity of his wife's boyfriend but wants him out of the picture permanently. Lots of Keller's usual musings about stamps and odd facts. Inspired by the author's recent train trips. Crude sex talk, which I don't remember from previous Keller novels.
3 stars
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3:17 a.m. (The Lassie Files) by Nick Pirog - a short story in the Henry Bins series, the man who is only awake one hour each night. The Lassie files center on the pets in his life. Lassie, his cat, wants him to rescue a gerbil. I like these improbable stories.
3.5 stars
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3:46 a.m. (The Wedding) by Nick Pirog - Henry and Ingrid are getting married, of course between 3 and 4 in the morning. His dad has everything timed down to the minute. There is an unexpected guest and then things go awry. There's also a new pet in the mix, Archie the kitten.
3.5 stars
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Fan Mail by Peter Robinson - an author receives a letter from a fan asking him to help plan the murder of his wife. Things take an ugly turn.
3 stars
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Summer Rain by Peter Robinson - a man comes to the police station claiming that he was murdered in a former life. Inspector Banks looks into it mainly to avoid dealing with crime statistics.
3 stars
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And now some actual books.
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben - former special ops pilot Maya has buried her husband just a few days ago when she thinks she sees him playing with their daughter on the nanny cam. Is it real or PTSD? Her private investigation leads her to the death of her sister and her involvement with a secretive blogger. One of the more surprising endings I've read.
4 stars
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The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George - Jean Perdu runs a bookshop on a barge in the Seine. He has somewhat peculiar ideas about what books people should read and often will not sell the wrong book to them. But when his lover deserted him 20 years ago, he sealed himself off from emotion. When circumstances lead him to finally read her goodbye letter he sets off on his barge through the south of France accompanied by some other hurting people. Translated from the French and with a European sensibility towards sex. With recipes and book recommendations.
4 stars
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The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout - Nero Wolfe is asked to somehow persuade the FBI to cease its harassment of a woman and her business. Wolfe sets several traps to snare the FBI into showing its hand. Mr. Stout did have a bias against the FBI and Herbert Hoover and the way it treated private citizens. This was published in 1965. I've read it before but nothing rang a bell until the last fifth of the book. One of the advantages of getting older. Not one of my favorites in the series.
2 stars
No Honor Among Thieves by J.A. Jance - the author brings together two of her characters for the first time, Ali Reynolds and Sheriff Joanna Brady. The story starts with a truck over an embankment and barrels on from there. Quite a bit of action for a short story.
3.5 stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Haunting of the Bones by Julia Keller - old bones are discovered and they turn out to be the mother of Bell Elkins, prosecuting attorney. She's always been told her mother ran off with another man and now she vows to learn the truth.
3 stars
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Event in Autumn by Henning Mankell - finally published in English, this wraps up the Kurt Wallander series, although it takes place between two other books. Kurt literally stumbles on a semi-buried body while looking at a house to buy. He and the team try to solve a mystery that is 50 years old.
3 stars
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keller's Fedora by Lawrence Block - hitman Keller is out of retirement but he's also playing detective this time. The client doesn't know the identity of his wife's boyfriend but wants him out of the picture permanently. Lots of Keller's usual musings about stamps and odd facts. Inspired by the author's recent train trips. Crude sex talk, which I don't remember from previous Keller novels.
3 stars
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3:17 a.m. (The Lassie Files) by Nick Pirog - a short story in the Henry Bins series, the man who is only awake one hour each night. The Lassie files center on the pets in his life. Lassie, his cat, wants him to rescue a gerbil. I like these improbable stories.
3.5 stars
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3:46 a.m. (The Wedding) by Nick Pirog - Henry and Ingrid are getting married, of course between 3 and 4 in the morning. His dad has everything timed down to the minute. There is an unexpected guest and then things go awry. There's also a new pet in the mix, Archie the kitten.
3.5 stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan Mail by Peter Robinson - an author receives a letter from a fan asking him to help plan the murder of his wife. Things take an ugly turn.
3 stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Rain by Peter Robinson - a man comes to the police station claiming that he was murdered in a former life. Inspector Banks looks into it mainly to avoid dealing with crime statistics.
3 stars
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now some actual books.
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben - former special ops pilot Maya has buried her husband just a few days ago when she thinks she sees him playing with their daughter on the nanny cam. Is it real or PTSD? Her private investigation leads her to the death of her sister and her involvement with a secretive blogger. One of the more surprising endings I've read.
4 stars
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George - Jean Perdu runs a bookshop on a barge in the Seine. He has somewhat peculiar ideas about what books people should read and often will not sell the wrong book to them. But when his lover deserted him 20 years ago, he sealed himself off from emotion. When circumstances lead him to finally read her goodbye letter he sets off on his barge through the south of France accompanied by some other hurting people. Translated from the French and with a European sensibility towards sex. With recipes and book recommendations.
4 stars
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout - Nero Wolfe is asked to somehow persuade the FBI to cease its harassment of a woman and her business. Wolfe sets several traps to snare the FBI into showing its hand. Mr. Stout did have a bias against the FBI and Herbert Hoover and the way it treated private citizens. This was published in 1965. I've read it before but nothing rang a bell until the last fifth of the book. One of the advantages of getting older. Not one of my favorites in the series.
2 stars
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