Category: READING CHALLENGES 2010

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, P, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010

REVIEW: The Spire by Richard North Patterson

Tara

The Spire
by Richard North Patterson

Copyright: 2009
Pages: 446
Rating: 5/5
Read: June 11-14, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Celebrate the Author 2010; RYOB 2010; Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 31

First Line:Sixteen years after the murder of Angela Hall had precipitated the decline of Caldwell College, Mark Darrow returned to campus, standing in the shadow of the Spire.

Mark Darrow grew up with very little – football was his only real escape. But when he is approached by Lionel Farr, a professor at a nearby college, Darrow is given the opportunity to excel in many areas of his life. Now a successful attorney, Darrow is called back to his alma mater by Farr to become the school’s new president. But coming back to campus brings back terrible memories – a fellow student was murdered during Mark’s senior year – and the person convicted of the murder was Mark’s best friend. Having pushed his friend’s conviction to the back of his mind sixteen years ago, Mark is unable to shake the feeling that something was not right – that the case was not as airtight as everyone seemed to believe. But as Mark begins an informal inquiry into the murder, he will realize that not only is the murderer still out there, but that his life is surely in danger.

Okay, it’s been a while since I have really been drawn into a book, and I must admit it really was a wonderful feeling! I was sucked into this book within the first few pages and I could barely stand to put it down at all! I will confess, however, that I had a pretty good feeling as to who the real bad guy was kind of early on in the book, but I had no idea just how far things would go when my suspicions were first aroused. However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book one bit. I simply could not get through it fast enough to find out what the ending would be! I really highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good book to read! I loved it!!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, H, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, Review Book

REVIEW: The Alexandria Letter by George R. Honig

Tara

The Alexandria Letter
by George R. Honig

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 325
Rating: 4/5
Read: June 6-11, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 30

First Line: Late one evening, in the spring of the year 362, the venerable Athanasios, Bishop of Alexandria, received a visit from one of his deacons.

After Cambridge scholar Nathan Tobin discovers an ancient Aramaic letter, he finds himself thrown into an agonizing struggle against powerful forces committed to discrediting him. The Alexandria letter discloses surprising revelations about the lives of Jesus and John the Baptist, as well as shocking claims of duplicity by Paul of Tarsus, which threaten to turn long-held principles of Christianity on their heads. But as he races to verify the authenticity of the letter, he faces rejection by his fellow scholars and sinister opposition from within the Church that aims to stop him at any costs. The Alexandria letter represents the most important work Nathan has ever done, but it may also be the last.

I received this book to review courtesy of Maia Levenson with Phenix & Phenix Publicity.I was excited by the blurb when I was first contacted about this book, I thought it sounded like a book that would be really great and right up my alley. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. But I felt like it had a slightly slow start, the first 50 or so pages were kind of rough for me to get through. But once I got really into the book the pages were flying by! I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it!

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, P, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES, Thomas Pitt

REVIEW: The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry

Tara

The Cater Street Hangman
by Anne Perry

Copyright: 1979
Pages: 247
Rating: 3/5
Read: June 5-8, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 29

First Line: Charlotte Ellison stood in the centre of the withdrawing room, the newspaper in her hand.

There is a murderer running loose in the Cater Street area of London in 1881. The Ellison household is shocked by the gruesome murders. The Ellison girls are proper young Victorian ladies and things like this just aren’t discussed in their household. But when Inspector Pitt comes around asking questions, it becomes apparent that he fancies Charlotte. As Inspector Pitt’s investigation continues, and more murders occur, including one that hits incredibly close to home for the Ellison family, the walls of a carefully structured facade will eventually crumble.

Okay, this is the first in the Thomas Pitt series. I had never read any Anne Perry before and figured this would be a good place to start. For the most part, the book was enjoyable. I am not used to reading historical fiction, but this one read quite easily. But I had some issues with the characters. First of all, I realize that it’s set in 1880’s London. I get that it’s going to be stuffy – but my goodness! Charlotte’s father, Edward, could not have been any more controlling when it came to the information that was discussed in the household. I can understand not wanting to discuss murders and the like, but it was happening in their neighborhood, it was bound to be a topic up for discussion. And don’t even get me started on the Grandmother – her character was about as loathsome as you could get. I just wanted the old bat to shut up! The story itself was decent. I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary work up to the eventual outcome of the story, but the murderer ended up being a pretty good surprise. Overall I’m not going to go screaming off the rooftops about how wonderful this book was, but I am curious about continuing on with this series and seeing where Charlotte and Thomas end up.

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

The Sinner
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2003
Pages: 355
Rating: 5/5
Read: June 2-5, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; 2010 Celebrate the Author Challenge; Random Reading Challenge; RYOB 2010; Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 28

First Line: The driver refused to take him any farther.

Christmas is around the corner, and no one is unaffected when they get called out to a brutal crime scene at a convent. Two nuns are found, one dead and one critically injured, after being savagely attacked within the walls of the convent. When medical examiner does the autopsy of the dead woman, she is in for a surprise: Sister Camille gave birth shortly before her murder. When another body is found mutilated beyond recognition, it takes a while for Maura to realize that there might just be a connection between the two cases. But what Maura and Detective Jane Rizzoli uncover about these two cases will prove to be even more shocking and will hit even more closer to home for Maura.

This is the third book in the Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles series. I particularly enjoyed this book. First off, it was told from Maura’s perspective, which is different from the first two books where Jane tells the story. So that was kind of nice, it let us into Maura’s world a little bit more. I also enjoyed what Jane was going through in her personal life, it really opened her character up a little as well. I know that after I read the previous book, The Apprentice, I complained a little about Jane’s character. I felt like she was a lot more developed and likable in this installment. I enjoy this series, which I find interesting because for the most part, I do not like medical-type books whatsoever. But I have really taken to these books. I’m looking forward to getting the next book in the mail so I can start it!

5/5, Alex Delaware, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, K, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman

Tara

Blood Test
by Jonathan Kellerman

Copyright: 1986
Pages: 349
Rating: 5/5
Read: May 29 – June 1, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 27

First Line: I sat in the courtroom and watched Richard Moody get the bad news from the judge.

Five-year-old Woody Swope was terribly ill. His parents were unsure about the treatment that he was receiving at the clinic. One day, Woody goes missing from the hospital. Without treatment, Woody’s chances of survival were slim-to-none. Child psychologist Alex Delaware is brought in by the attending physician and cannot seem to shake this case. Alex and his good friend, homicide detective, Milo Sturgis, have to track down Woody and whoever took him. Unfortunately, Milo is limited in what he can do with the case, so it will be up to Alex to unravel the truth behind this little boy and his situation.

This is the second book in the Alex Delaware series. I personally felt like it had a slightly slow start, but overall the book ended up being quite enjoyable. I found myself flying through it with all the twists and turns. Alex can sure find himself in some strange situations, even if his intentions are perfectly good. I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t as much character development in this installment as I would have preferred, with Robin out of town the entire book and Milo just playing a secondary role in the case. There was also two story lines going on throughout the book which sometimes made for confusing moments, but overall it was a good book with a good storyline. I would recommend it.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, H, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, Review Book

REVIEW: Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

Tara

Never Let You Go
by Erin Healy

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 338
Rating: 4/5
Read: May 24-28 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 26

First Line: For seven years, Lexi Solomon had been as cold as the wind that raced down the mountain above her home.

Lexi Solomon has worked unbelievably hard to keep everything together since her husband left seven years ago. But then things start to fall apart all over again. Her husband is back in town, her sister’s murderer is up for parole and an old “friend” is demanding payment on a debt that Lexi knows nothing about. Things are happening that Lexi can feel but not explain. Sometimes it feels as if she is losing her mind. But there are forces behind Lexi and her family that will keep everyone safe, if Lexi just opens her mind to it.

This is a review book that was provided to me by Amy Currie with Phenix & Phenix Publicity. I snatched up this review opportunity because I recently read Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy. Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, it wasn’t one of my favorites. I personally did not consider it to be very suspenseful as it is categorized. It held my interest well enough, but I had my doubts with the ending. I am not a religious person in the least, and Christian books are a little out of my comfort zone. This is not my first Christian fiction book, but this one was the first one I had some issues with. I guess it was a little more in your face than I prefer. But that didn’t take away too much from the overall story, just a little bit. I’m just a skeptic, and this book brought out my skepticism. But I would still recommend it, it’s a good clean read.

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, P, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES, Women's Murder Club

REVIEW: The 9th Judgment by James Patterson

Tara

The 9th Judgment
by James Patterson

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 355
Rating: 5/5
Read: May 20-22, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010;
Yearly Count: 25

First Line: Sarah Wells stood on the roof of the carport and snaked her gloved hand through the hole she’d cut in the glass.

A young mother and her baby are gunned down while leaving a shopping mall. There are no witnesses and all that is left for Detective Lindsay Boxer is a cryptic message written in lipstick. The same night a famous actor’s wife is brutally shot in her bedroom in what appears to be a burglary gone wrong. Lindsay has her work cut out for her in trying to piece together the pieces to all the puzzles. With women and children being murdered throughout the city and multiple burglaries occurring, Lindsay has her work cut out for her in order to solve both cases before it’s too late.

This is the ninth in the Women’s Murder Club series. Overall the book was good, but I really didn’t like how the book really revolved around Lindsay so much. I like the other characters in this book and there was just so little involvement with those supporting characters. The ending was interesting, it left a big question mark with me in terms of where the next book will take the WMC and it’s readers. In all honesty, I prefer the Alex Cross series to this one, but it’s still an interesting series.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, C, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010

REVIEW: Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell

Tara

Point of Origin
by Patricia Cornwell

Copyright: 1998
Pages: 356
Rating: 4/5
Read: May13-19, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010;  RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 24

First Line: Benton Wesley was taking off his running shoes in my kitchen when I ran to him, my heart tripping over fear and hate and remembered horror.

Carrie Grethen is back in this installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. This time she has escaped from the mental institution where she was being held while awaiting her trial. When Kay receives a letter from Carrie, it just brings all the horrors that Carrie has caused to Kay and her closest family and friends. She must put Carrie out of her mind when she is called to the scene of a horrific house fire. But what she never expected was to find a link between the house fire and Carrie. The amount of hatred that Carrie has toward Kay and everyone close to her is sometimes unbelievable and Carrie will do everything in her power to break the famous Dr. Scarpetta.

This is another good one in this series. I know that a lot of people have complained that as the series went on it went a little south in terms of quality. Maybe I haven’t reached that point, or maybe I just really like this series. But I will say that this one had a few slow parts for me. Overall I enjoyed it, but there was a little bit of what I would consider padding (you know, useless info/words that just add to the page count). There was a surprising turn of events in this book, however, and that really kept things going near the end of the book. I was sad to see how it turned out, but I’m anxious to see where Ms. Cornwell takes Dr. Scarpetta in the next installment!

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, O, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010

REVIEW: Victim Six by Gregg Olsen

Tara

Victim Six
by Gregg Olsen

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 406
Rating: 5/5
Read: May 8-12, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010;  RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 23

First Line: “Quiet, bitch,” he said. “Be a good girl and do as I say.”

When one girl goes missing the police assume that she’s run back to her home country. But when the second and third go missing they realize that something is not right. And when the bodies are discovered, Detective Kendall Stark can’t help but feel like she’s somewhat to blame for what is going on because she didn’t take the disappearance of the first girl very serious. When the body count reaches four and a fifth woman goes missing, things in the little town of Port Orchard, Washington hit a fever pitch. With the awareness of a serial killer in their midst, one dubbed the Cutter by the local newspaper, Kendall and her partner Josh Anderson have to do everything in their power to track down this killer and finally put an end to the terror in their town.

Gregg Olsen is one of my MUST read authors. Although I must admit, I’ve never read any of his true crime books (and I enjoy true crime) I have read all of his fiction novels. He can come up with some of the sickest, twisted stuff and I just can’t get enough of it! Now, I will state that this particular book started out slow for me. However, I stuck with it and definitely enjoyed how it ended up. I particularly liked how the title of the book made sense to me after I finished reading. Sometimes I wonder where book titles come from, but this one made perfect sense to me. Granted, Gregg Olsen’s books are not for the faint of heart, and I wouldn’t really recommend them to just anyone, but I can’t help but love his writing and I really enjoyed this one!

4/5, AUTHOR, B, Book Review, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES, The Camel Club

REVIEW: The Camel Club by David Baldacci

Tara

The Camel Club
by David Baldacci

Copyright: 2005
Pages: 593
Rating: 4/5
Read: May 1-7, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; Random Reading Challenge;  RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 22

First Line: The Chevy Suburban sped down the road, enveloped by the hushed darkness of the Virginia countryside.

There is a secret club in Washington. It’s members are four rather eccentric guys who study conspiracy theories and try to find out the truth behind certain governmental actions. They are led by Oliver Stone, a very mysterious man. Their efforts have very little impact on current events until they witness a murder. Determined to keep themselves alive and solve the murder, they have to work together with a somewhat disgraced Secret Service agent in order to keep the country from spiraling into an uncontrollable war of unimaginable proportions.

This is my first time reading David Baldacci (even though I have like 6 or 7 of his books.) This is a book that I’ve had on my shelf for more than a couple of years now and one that I have actually picked up and put aside twice before. The third time was definitely a charm for me and I am so glad that I was finally able to read this book because I did enjoy it. I must say that overall I enjoyed this book. However, I thought that it had a slow start (which might explain why I had previous trouble getting into this book). I also had trouble with all the flip-flopping back and forth between the different story lines in the beginning of the book. It took me about halfway through it before I was really able to get a good grasp on what exactly was going on and who all the characters really were. But I must say I was intrigued by the storyline itself, it was a very good plot in my opinion.