Category: SERIES

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, L, Michael Bennett, P, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.13 REVIEW – Tick Tock by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Tara

Tick Tock
by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Copyright: 2011
Pages: 387
Rating: 4/5
Read: May 25 – May 27, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense 2012; Off the Shelf 2012
Yearly Count: 13
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: A bomb set in one of New York’s busiest places is discovered before it explodes. But relief turns to terror when the police realize it is just a warning of greater devastation to come. The city calls on Detective Michael Bennett, pulling him away from a seaside vacation with his ten adopted children and their beloved nanny, Mary Catherine – leaving his entire family open to attack.

Bennett enlists the help of a former colleague, FBI Agent Beth Peters. His affection for Beth grows into attraction and then something stronger, and his relationship with Mary Catherine takes an unexpected turn. Another horrifying crime leads Bennett to a shocking discovery that exposes the killer’s pattern — and the earth-shattering enormity of his plan.

Review: I can always count on a James Patterson book for a great escape. For whatever reason, I always seem to fly through his books. And luckily, this one was no different. I had actually picked this book up last year and tried to read it but never got very far into it. So I decided to give it another shot and the pages just flew by.

I’m a sucker for Mr. Patterson’s books. I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t like him or his work. I have to admit that when you put out a gazillion books a year with your name on it, it is a little hard to make them feel authentic. And while a lot of people have issues with how he uses so many different co-authors, I don’t seem to mind at all. I just like the fun that usually comes with a Patterson book.

For me, while I like the Michael Bennett series, it’s not my favorite. However, there was something about this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I like where Mike and Mary Catherine might be going. I like how the kids (yes, all 10 of them) each manage to have a small role in the book. And, as usual with Mr. Patterson’s books, it was a fun roller coaster ride of a story.

While these books will never win any great literary awards, I would definitely recommend this series, but definitely start with the first one (Step on a Crack).

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, J, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.12 REVIEW – The Pawn by Steven James

Tara

The Pawn
by Steven James

Copyright: 2007
Pages: 427
Rating: 5/5
Read: May 7 – May 20, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense 2012; Off the Shelf 2012
Yearly Count: 12
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: Patrick Bowers specializes in tracking down the killers who elude the FBI’s best forensic investigators. As an environmental criminologist, Bowers employs twenty-first-century geospatial technology to analyze the time and space in which a crime takes place. Using an array of factors, Bowers can pinpoint, with surprising accuracy, the important clues that lead to solving the toughest of cases.

Bowers’s impressive skills have made him one of the Bureau’s top agents. Until now. Called to the mountains of North Carolina to consult on a gruesome murder, Bowers finds himself caught in a deadly duel with a serial killer who seems to transcend Pat’s analytical powers. Forced to track the killer’s horrific string of murders one by one, Bowers finds his techniques and instincts put to the ultimate – and perhaps final – test.

Review: Oh my goodness, this book was so good! I am still beating myself up for not picking this book up sooner. It’s only been sitting on my shelves for a good two years, and the only reason I picked it up when I did is because I am involved in a multi-book trade with a friend and this was one of her selections! *Kicking myself* Seriously, this was that fun of a book!

There was just something about this book that sucked me in nearly immediately. I can honestly say that I was hooked from the very first page (and with my scatterbrained pregnant mind the way it is right now, that was such a nice change). It was a very fast-paced interesting read. The bad guy that Patrick was charged with chasing was interesting and original, in my opinion. Not just your run-of-the-mill bad guy (or guys?!)

And the reader gets to see a personal side of Patrick’s character as well. I thoroughly enjoyed that. His reactions to his wife’s death a while back and how he has reacted to the teenage step-daughter he is left in charge of, well it just made his character that much more real life. And I think that’s part of what really drew me into Patrick’s character.

Overall, I can’t gush enough about this book. I think it will be the start of a great new series for me to explore! Book two is The Rook, and luckily, my library has a copy of it – as well as the other books in this series. Hopefully I can get to them soon (although I’m not holding my breath on that, what with a newborn baby coming any day now!)

Bottom line? – Read this book!!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, Lucas Davenport, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, Review Book, S, SERIES

2012.10 REVIEW – Stolen Prey by John Sandford

Tara

Stolen Prey
by John Sandford

Copyright: 2012
Pages: 402
Rating: 4/5
Read: April 16– April 24, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012
Yearly Count: 10
Format: Print
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program

Blurb: Lucas Davenport has seen many terrible murder scenes. This is one of the worst. In the Minnesota town of Wayzata, an entire family has been killed – husband, wife, two kids, dogs. One the wall, in blood: “Were coming.” No apostrophe.

There’s something about the scene that tugs at Lucas’s cop instincts – it looks an awful lot like the kind of scorched-earth retribution he’s seen from Mexican drug gangs. But this is a seriously upscale town, the husband ran a modest software company, the wife dabbled in local politics. None of it seems to fit.

Until it does. And that’s when everybody starts coming to town: the DEA, the Mexican federales, and some independent operators who are decidedly less welcome.

Where it all leads … will take Lucas into the darkest nightmare of his life.

Review: I received this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. It has a publication date of May 15, 2012.

I honestly haven’t read very many of the Lucas Davenport books (even though I have quite a few of them accumulated on my shelves), but I was really excited to see this one offered on LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. And then I was thrilled when I saw that I had managed to snag a copy. But at the same time, I was a little apprehensive. It’s the 22nd book in a series. A series in which I’ve read maybe two previous books.

But it worked out fine. This book can read as a standalone. I had very little idea as to who the characters he mentioned really were (his wife and daughter, namely), but that didn’t take away from the book whatsoever.

The plotline revolved around Mexican drug dealers, money laundering, murderers, bank fraud. Oh yeah, and murder. It all made it seem very current to today’s world. It was made very interesting when someone ended up being not who they appeared to be.

Overall, I found this book to be very fast paced and enjoyable. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller.

4/5, AUTHOR, B, Book Review, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, Sean King & Michelle Maxwell, SERIES

2012.9 REVIEW – Split Second by David Baldacci

Tara

Split Second
by David Baldacci

Copyright: 2003
Pages: 481
Rating: 4/5
Read: Mar. 28– April. 4, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012; Off the Shelf 2012 Challenge
Yearly Count: 9
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: Michelle Maxwell has just wrecked her promising career at the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she let a presidential candidate out of her sight for the briefest moment and the man whose safety was her responsibility vanished into thin air. Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. Eight years earlier, the hard-charging Secret SErvice agent allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the candidate he was protecting was gunned down before his eyes. Now Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge.

Drawn into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences, the two discredited agents uncover a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making – and are a long way from over…

Review: This was a very good, fast-paced book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed all the characters. I think it will be interesting to see how this series progresses with Sean & Michelle partnering up for a private detective agency. I also wonder if there will be a romantic relationship between the two also, since there is a very obvious mutual attraction. I’m also curious to see if Joan will make a return in the future, she could definitely throw an interesting wrench in the proverbial mix!! Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series in the future. Highly recommended!!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, D, Fiction, Lincoln Rhyme, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.8 REVIEW – The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver

Tara

The Empty Chair
by Jeffery Deaver

Copyright: 2000
Pages: 479
Rating: 4/5
Read: Mar. 18– Mar. 28, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012; Off the Shelf 2012 Challenge
Yearly Count: 8
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: Lincoln Rhyme faces his ultimate opponent: a kidnapper and murderer dubbed the Insect Boy. But Rhyme is in for a surprise when he learns that catching a criminal is one thing … keeping him is another. Now Rhyme finds himself hunting a ruthless killer in the heart of a southern swampland – and going head-to-head with his protegé, Amelia Sachs, in a rivalry that tests the limits of both their expertise and their love.

Review: This is the third in the Lincoln Rhyme series. It’s been a while since I read a Deaver book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I completely understood why Amelia felt that way she did toward Garrett (aka – Insect Boy). There were definitely some twists and turns that I never saw coming until they were halfway past me! That’s exactly how I like my books to be. I would highly recommend this read, and while it’s not necessarily required to read the first two in the series before you read this one, it will definitely help you understand the characters better if you do.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, C, Fiction, Oregon Files, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.7 REVIEW – Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler

Tara

Golden Buddha
by Clive Cussler & Craig Dirgo

Copyright: 2003
Pages: 420
Rating: 4/5
Read: Mar. 7– Mar. 18, 2012
Challenge: Off the Shelf 2012 Challenge
Yearly Count: 67
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: Clive Cussler, creator of the bestselling NUMA and Dirk Pitt series, presents his latest and most intriguing high seas action hero: the enigmatic captain of the Oregon, Juan Cabrillo.

In his first feature-length adventure, it’s up to Cabrillo and his crew of expert intelligence and Naval men to put Tibet back in the hands of the Dalai Lama by striking a deal with the Russians and the Chinese. His gambling chip is a golden Buddha containing records of vast oil reserves in the disputed land.

But first, he’ll have to locate–and steal–the all-important artifact. And there are certain people who would do anything in their power to see him fail…

Review: Every once in a while I like to break out of my mystery reading and pick up a fun adventure book. This particular book definitely fit the bill for that! Apparently Mr. Cussler introduced Juan Cabrillo’s character in one of his Dirk Pitt novels. Having only read two Dirk Pitt novels, I had never met Juan Cabrillo before. That being said, I found him and his Corporation to be quite interesting.

The reach that the Corporation has is truly intriguing. It was interesting to have all these smaller storylines running along with the others only to have them connect back up a little later on in the book. As I mentioned above, I mainly read mysteries, but an adventure book is almost always fun. This book (when I had time to actually sit down and read more than a couple of pages) was really fun and fast paced. The way the story just unfolded in front of me was amazing. Little things here and there ended up being connected to the overall story in ways I never would have imagined.

Overall I’m definitely glad that I gave this series a chance (as if I needed another series, haha!). And I hope to be visiting the Oregon again soon!!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, E, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES, Taylor Jackson

2012.6 REVIEW – The Immortals by J.T. Ellison

Tara

The Immortals
by J.T. Ellison

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 389
Rating: 4/5
Read: Feb. 22– Mar. 6, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense 2012; Off the Shelf 2012 Challenge
Yearly Count: 6
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: It is Samhain – the Blood Harvest. Nonbelievers call it Hallowe’en. The night when eight Nashville teenagers are found dead, with occult symbols carved into their naked bodies. It’s a ritual the killers believe was blessed by Death himself.

When children are victimized, emotions always run high, and this case has the public both outraged and terrified: a dangerous combination. Recently reinstated homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows she has to act quickly, but tread carefully.

Exploring the baffling culture of mysticism and witchcraft, Taylor is immersed in a darkness that threatens to unbalance the order of her world, and learns how unchecked wrath can push a killer to his limits.

Review: I have enjoyed all of the Taylor Jackson books in this series so far and this installment is no exception. I had a bad feeling going into this book when I found out that there was an occult spin on the storyline. I tend to steer clear of anything with witches/vampires/werewolves, etc. It’s just not my thing. But I love Taylor’s character and was pleasantly surprised to find this one enjoyable. I guess I should say that while there was that aspect to this story, it wasn’t too overpowering for someone who tends to not care for paranormal stuff.

For whatever reason it had been a few months since I had read the previous Taylor Jackson book. I don’t know why; this book had been on my shelf since before I finished the previous book. (It’s probably because it had the occult/paranormal twist and I was putting it off). So I had a little bit of trouble recalling some things that had happened previously. But all in all I found this one to be another great installment in this series.

I need to say that while you do not have to read these books in order, it is definitely for the best that you do.

So I guess my final rating would be that it was another good installment in a favorite series!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, Kindle County, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES, T

2012.4 REVIEW – Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

Tara

Presumed Innocent
by Scott Turow

Copyright: 1987
Pages: 421
Rating: 4/5
Read: Jan. 29– Feb. 9, 2012
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense 2012; Off the Shelf 2012 Challenge
Yearly Count: 4
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: Hailed as the most suspenseful and compelling novel in decades, Presumed Innocent brings to life our worst nightmare: that of an ordinary citizen facing conviction for the most terrible of all crimes. It’s the stunning portrayal of one man’s all-too-human, all-consuming fatal attraction for a passionate woman who is not his wife, and the story of how his obsession puts everything he loves and values on trial – including his own life. It’s  a book that lays bare a shocking world of betrayal and murder, as well as the hidden depths of the human heart. And it will hold you and haunt you … long after you have reached its shattering conclusion.

Review: Sometime last year I picked this book up, read 80 pages, and walked away from it. I just never took to it at the time. However, I hung on to it. I considered trading it (and the other books in the series that I have collected), but I never could make myself do it. I can say that I am glad that I did not trade it. While I will admit the beginning was a little hard to get through, mainly because of all the flip-flopping between what was going on and what was being described by Rusty to his psychiatrist. But once I got through that part the book really started to take off.

I will admit that this book has to have, honestly, some of the best legal courtroom scenes I have ever read. I was just totally enthralled by the courtroom action. Sometimes I felt as if I was right there in the courtroom watching the action unfold. And when Rusty’s lawyer, Sandy, had his big shining moment in the courtroom, it was simply unbelievable! Criminal defense lawyers would probably give their right arm to have that kind of moment in a case.

That’s not to say that this book isn’t without its faults. First of all, as I mentioned above, the beginning was a little slow to get into. And my biggest complaint is that the “who-dunit” part wasn’t all that surprising to me. I kind of had an inkling about halfway through about what the outcome would be, and sometimes that irritates me. Maybe I just read too many mysteries, I have the “formula” figured out 🙂

Either way, I am very glad that I read this book (finally!). I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great legal thriller. And I’m really hoping to see the movie sometime in the future … I can’t believe I never saw the movie either!

4/5, Abe Glitsky, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, L, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.3 REVIEW – Damage by John Lescroart

Tara

Damage
by John  Lescroart

Copyright: 2011
Pages: 445
Rating: 4/5
Read: Jan. 16 – Jan. 29, 2012
Challenge: The Eclectic Reader 2012; Mystery & Suspense 2012
Yearly Count: 3
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: The Curtlees are a powerful force in San Francisco, unscrupulous billionaires who’ve lined every pocket in the Bay Area in pursuit of their own ascent. So when the family’s heir, Ro Curtlee, was convicted of the rape and murder of a servant girl in the family home, the fallout against those responsible was swift and uncompromising. The jury foreman was fired from his job and blacklisted. The lead prosecutor was pushed off a career fast track. And head homicide detective Abe Glitsky was reassigned to the police department’s payroll office.

Then Ro’s lawyers win him a retrial, and he’s released. Within twenty-four hours, a fire kills the original trial’s star witness, and her abused remains are discovered in the ashes. When a second fire claims another participant in the case, Abe is convinced that Ro is out for revenge. But with no hard evidence and an on-the-take media eager to vilify any challenger, Abe finds himself in the crosshairs, wondering how much more he can sacrifice in the name of justice.

Review: So my grandmother gave me this book a couple of weeks ago with a glowing recommendation to read it as soon as I possibly could. Since 99% of the time we always agree on books, I jumped right into this one. I want to make it perfectly clear that while it took me what felt like forever to read this book, it had absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. It’s the fact that I’m not reading as much or as fast as I once was. That being said, seriously: read this book.

Having read a couple of Mr. Lescroart’s earlier Dismas Hardy novels, and one of the earlier Abe Glitsky books, I was a little familiar with most of the main characters in this book. And although I read it out of series order (something that I hate doing), I feel as if this could read perfectly fine as a stand-alone for anyone who is unfamiliar with Lescroart’s work.
The Curtlees were definitely some interesting characters. They actually reminded me a little bit of the people who were from the richest family in my hometown. And when I say rich, I mean super duper rich – private airplanes, trips to Paris to go shopping, vacation homes all over the country – you get the idea. And while the abovementioned family from my hometown may not be as devious as the Curtlees, they sure do own most of the town and most of the people in it. So I could relate a little bit to what the people involved in the investigation felt like when they were getting squeezed by the Curtlees to make sure that everything went their way.
I must say that the ending was surprising, but not completely out of left field for me. I had kind of a feeling as to where Glitsky was headed in his investigation into one of the murders. It was actually a really cool twist, if you want my opinion. And almost the perfect crime.
Overall, I would highly recommend this novel 100%. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As always, Mr. Lescroart has definitely written another winner in my opinion.
4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, C, Fiction, Myron Bolitar, RATING, Read in 2012, READING CHALLENGES 2012, SERIES

2012.2 REVIEW – Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

Tara

Drop Shot
by Harlan Coben

Copyright: 1996
Pages: 341
Rating: 4/5
Read: Jan. 8 – Jan. 15, 2012
Challenge: The Eclectic Reader 2012; Mystery & Suspense 2012; Off the Shelf 2012
Yearly Count: 2
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Blurb: A young woman is shot in cold blood, her lifeless body dumped outside the stadium at the height of the US Open. Once her tennis career had skyrocketed. Now the headlines are being made by another young player form the wrong side of the tracks.

When Myron Bolitar investigates the killing he uncovers a connection between the two players and a six-year-old murder at an exclusive club. Suddenly Myron is in over his head. And with a dirty senator, a jealous mother, and the mob all drawn into the case, he finds himself playing the most dangerous game of all…

Review: So this is the second in the Myron Bolitar series. I read the first one (Deal Breaker) a long time ago. (And please excuse my terrible review, which was before I got very detailed in my reviews). I wasn’t too impressed, so naturally I wasn’t in very much of a hurry to get around to the second book. For whatever reason, I decided to give this series another shot. I’m glad I did. To be completely honest, having that big of a gap (3 years) in between reading the two books, I was a little lost. I didn’t remember the supporting characters. I didn’t remember some things that were mentioned. But that was okay for me; it didn’t hurt my opinion of the book at all.

What I continually kept asking myself while reading this book was this: was the first book this funny? I mean, I’m talking laugh out loud funny at times. Other times it was cheesy funny. But in all seriousness, I don’t recall Myron being humorous. I would assume that he was funny in the first book, that’s not something that is likely to change in a character; I just don’t remember that aspect of Myron’s character. Either way, I enjoyed the humor.

The big ah-ha moment came at a perfect time in my opinion. I hadn’t figured out what was really going on before the big reveal. That’s exactly how I like my books to be, I don’t want to figure it all out way too early and then have to finish the rest of the book. And to be completely honest, the person who ended up being the killer made perfect sense when I sat down and really thought about some of the clues left throughout the book.

Overall, I would recommend this book. I found it to be funny and enjoyable. And while I would recommend reading any series in order, this book stands relatively well on its own.