Category: SERIES

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, L, Mark Mallen, RATING, Read in 2014, Review Book, SERIES

2014.22 REVIEW – Critical Damage by Robert K. Lewis

Tara

Critical Damage
by Robert K. Lewis

Copyright: 2014
Pages: 303
Rating: 4/5
Read: May 11 – May 15, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 22
Format:  Print
Source: Author for review
Series: Mark Mallen #2


Critical DamageBlurb: When ex-cop and recovering junkie Mark Mallen is asked to track down two very different girls who have gone missing, he doesn’t think twice about putting himself in harm’s way to find them. Bloodied and bruised, Mallen shakes down the pimps and hustlers who could crack the cases wide open, leaving no stone unturned in San Francisco’s criminal underground.

But something isn’t right. Somebody’s trying to scare Mallen off, and it’s no ordinary street thug. With heat coming at him from all angles, Mallen’s search for the truth leads him to men who will stop at nothing to make sure their twisted desires never see the light of day.

Review: I received a copy of this book for free from the author for review purposes, all opinions expressed below are my own.

I read and reviewed the first Mark Mallen book, Untold Damage last year as part of a TLC Book Tour. So I was really excited to be contacted by Mr. Lewis himself about reading and reviewing the second Mallen book. I was definitely on board!

I took a gander through my review from Untold Damage, just to try to refresh my memory a little bit before I sat down to write this review out. I can tell you that I loved this book just as much as I loved the first one!

In this particular installment, the prediction I had in last year’s review came true, Gato most definitely asked Mallen for a big favor. His sister had gone missing and he came to Mallen for help. In the end, though, they both had to help each other to get out of the mess they found themselves in.

I still really like Mark Mallen. There’s just something about his character. And I’m pleased to say that (so far) he’s staying clean! I want him to stay clean so badly. If not for him, then most definitely for his daughter, Anna. I think I warmed up to Gato more in this installment than I did in the previous book. Yes, he did end up asking for a big favor from Mallen that definitely got them involved in more than they could have ever imagined, but his intent was pure … he just wanted to find his sister. I think Mallen and Gato would definitely be the kind of guys you would want as friends, they will do anything to help their friends out.

The action in this book was non-stop from just about page 1. I read the first 80 pages in one setting and was bummed that I had to put it aside for other obligations. I kept trying to figure out how on earth Mallen and Gato could get themselves in such trouble in such a short period of time! The writing was very good, but the language is not for the faint of heart (if that bothers you in a book). If you like gritty, non-stop action, with a flawed main character that you want to succeed more than anything, then this book is most definitely for you!

I really can’t say enough about this book. I loved it. Really loved it. And I love Mark Mallen’s character. And after perusing Mr. Lewis’s blog, I discovered that there will be a 3rd Mallen book! Yay!

Overall, a book that I highly recommend. If you haven’t met Mark Mallen yet, do yourself a favor and read Untold Damage. [You could read this book first, but I think you need to have the background information the first book has to really understand who Mark Mallen is.] If you have met Mallen, then don’t hesitate to pick this one up – I really, really, really liked it … and dare I say … I think this book is even better than the first!

On a side note, I want to include a link to Mr. Lewis’s blog post that shows a little more detail into his personal writing process. I have always wondered how authors can possibly sit down and put it all on paper. I definitely have a great respect for authors in what they do. But this particular blog post, found here, definitely shows his process, which I personally found to be really neat.

3.5/5, AUTHOR, B, Book Review, Cotton Malone, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2014, READING CHALLENGES 2014, SERIES

2014.20 REVIEW – The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

Tara

The Paris Vendetta
by Steve Berry

Copyright: 2009
Pages: 472
Rating: 3.5/5
Read: April 25 – May 4, 2014
Challenge: The Official TBR Challenge
Yearly count: 20
Format:  Print
Source: Personal Copy (Bookmooch)
Series: Cotton Malone #5

The Paris VendettaBlurb: Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone wakes to find an intruder in his Copenhagen bookshop: an American Secret Service agent with assassins on his heels. Narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight, the two journey to the secluded estate of Malone’s friend Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. But Thorvaldsen also harbors a hidden agenda – a vendetta – that will force Malone to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, Malone is forced to match wits with a terrorist for hire and to plunge into a desperate hunt for Napoleon’s legendary treasure, lost for two hundred years. It’s a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?

Review: This book is the fifth installment in the Cotton Malone series. I have slowly worked my way through these books the last few years. They always pique my interest, with all the history involved, but I find them to be somewhat slow reads (which is why I probably only read one a year).

In this particular installment, there was a lot of things going on. I found myself not as interested in the actual storyline as I was in the character development. There is a lot of growth, betrayal, and devastation within the characters of this book. Because of this I would not recommend reading this book without having read the previous books in the series. I don’t think you would appreciate some of the characters’ decisions without some background information.

As always with Mr. Berry’s work, the book appears to have been meticulously researched. The writing was extremely good, the storyline interesting. Overall a great book that I did indeed enjoy. It’s just that I have hit a slump in my reading and unfortunately, I think this was the book that started that slump. But I was determined to read it because I knew it would be worth it in the end, it was just a long journey to get there.

Overall, definitely a book and series I would highly recommend to those of you who love a good adventure with lots of history involved.

3.5/5, AUTHOR, Author Debut, B, Book Review, Dresden Files, Fiction, RATING, Read in 2014, SERIES

2014.18 REVIEW – Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Tara

Storm Front
by Jim Butcher

Copyright: 2000
Pages: 322
Rating: 3.5/5
Read: April 4 – 15, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 18
Format:  Print
Source: Personal Copy (PBS)
Series: Dresden Files #1


Blurb: Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things – and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a – well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get … interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Review: A little while back I asked my Twitter friends for recommendations for a person who wanted to dabble in urban fantasy. Samantha gave me many recommendations, but this one stuck out for me. So I put myself on the wait list for it at Paperbackswap (I have credits out the wazoo) and got it relatively quickly. Then it sat. And sat some more. I finally picked it up when I realized I wanted a guilt-free book, something that wasn’t scheduled, just random.

So what are my thoughts? Well, if you know me very well, you will know that anything sci-fi and/or paranormal is wayyy out of my comfort zone. I’m slowly getting into paranormal, but I still have that “yeah, right” mentality when things get weird.

But overall I enjoyed this one. I won’t lie to you, I found myself losing interest slightly about halfway through. But there was something about Harry’s character that really drew me in. Believe it or not … he’s funny! I never would have thought there would be humor in this book. But there was a bit of it throughout the whole book. He’s just got a lot of sarcasm in him. I liked it!

There’s not much to say about this book that probably hasn’t already been discussed (I hate that part of reviewing older books … it seems like everyone has already read them, what is there left to say?!). Overall I have to say, for my first foray into the real of urban fantasy, it wasn’t all that bad. I kind of liked it. Okay, I really liked it at certain times. And while it will probably take me forever to do so, I will more than likely continue on with this series.

So thanks, Samantha, for a great recommendation!

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, H, RATING, Read in 2014, SERIES, Sookie Stackhouse

2014.15 REVIEW – Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

Tara

Club Dead
by Charlaine Harris

Copyright: 2003
Pages: 258
Rating: 3/5
Read: March 24 – Mar. 29, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 15
Format:  Print
Source: Personal copy (PBS)


Club DeadBlurb: There’s only one vampire Sookie Stackhouse is involved with (at least voluntarily) and that’s Bill. But recently he’s been a little distant – in another state, distant. His sinister and sexy boss Eric has an idea where to find him. Next thing Sookie knows, she is off to Jackson, Mississippi to mingle with the under-underworld at Club Dead. It’s a dangerous little haunt where the elitist vampire society can go to chill out and suck down some Type O. But when Sookie finally finds Bill – caught in an act of serious betrayal – she’s not sure whether to save him … or sharpen some stakes.

Review: Okay, so this is the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. And I have to tell you … I was a little bit disappointed in it. I have enjoyed the first two books quite a bit. But this one fell flat for me. It felt forced. And I hate to say it … I couldn’t stop thinking about how much Sookie was reminding me of Bella from the Twilight books … she was so freaking whiney in this installment that it just about drove me bonkers. To be completely honest, if this book had been the first in the series, I never would have read the second one. That’s how much this one did not work for me.

I’m not giving up on this series yet. I still have the next two books, but if they aren’t better than this one … well. We’ll just have to see after that. Hopefully this book was just a random fluke in this series and the next one will be better.

So I’m curious, if you’ve read this series (I know, I’m terribly behind to the party on this one!) did this one fall flat for you? Does it get better again in the next one? Let me know your thoughts!

4.5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, E-Book, Edelweiss, Fiction, Lucy Black, M, RATING, Read in 2014, Review Book, SERIES

2014.2 REVIEW – Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway

Tara

Little Girl Lost
by Brian McGilloway

Copyright: 2011
Pages: 238
Rating: 4.5/5
Read: Jan. 7 – 12, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 2
Format: E-Book
Source: Edelweiss

LITTLE GIRL LOST_cover imageBlurb: Midwinter. A child is found wandering through the snowy woods, her hands covered in someone else’s blood.

Authorities suspect the child is the kidnapped daughter of real estate tycoon Michael McLaughlin. Once they realize she is far too young to be the missing teenager, they reach a dead end in identifying the girl, who either cannot or will not speak. The only adult she seems to trust is the young officer who found her, Detective Lucy Black. A frenzied investigation to find the McLaughlins’ daughter and to discover the name of the mysterious child is ignited when it becomes apparent that the two cases are linked. As Lucy digs deeper and deeper into the case, she is forced to question not only the persons of interest, but everything she thought she knew about her own past.

Review: I received a copy of this book for free via Edelweiss for review purposes, all opinions expressed below are my own.

I had come across this book randomly on Edelweiss one day and my interest was piqued. Honestly the first time I saw it, there was no book description. All that was there was the book cover. This book’s cover really is what caught my interest (I’m not normally a big cover person). Maybe a week later my contact at William Morrow sent me more information on this book and I immediately clicked the link she sent through for direct access to the book. I loaded it onto my Nook the day Bout of Books started and I was off reading.

The first few pages in I had determined that this author must really have an issue with spell-check. I was a little concerned until I saw the tell-tale “our” on the end of a word instead of the American “or” version. That was finally when I realized that it’s okay that “curb” was spelled “kerb” and “pajamas” was “pyjamas.” I guess I should spend a little more time reading what publicists send me so I know that I’m actually reading a European author write a book set in Ireland! Actually it’s pretty sad because when I look back at the email I was originally sent the subject line actually reads: “#1 UK Kindle Bestseller now available by Witness.” Um, yeah, Tara … you could be a little more observant!

Anyway, I guess I should really stop with the rambling and get on with the review.

So, I will say that I was immediately taken with Lucy Black’s character. She just seemed to spunky and fresh. And you knew immediately that she was dealing with some personal issues as well. Her father is suffering from Alzheimer’s and she has moved back home in order to care for him. Her relationship with her mother is very seriously lacking. And she’s trying to settle into a new job in a new department. So what happens? She dives straight into a case and starts finding connections that some people don’t want to be made. Lucy is such a compassionate character – she really has a way with children and she’s a saint for what she deals with in regards to her father’s failing condition. She’s just a really likable character. I am also interested in seeing how her mother’s character is fleshed out in the future books. The door is open for them to have more of a relationship, I hope that it happens for both of them.

The writing itself was very good and the storyline was really interesting. There were a lot of twists and turns along the way. And when Lucy finally came to figuring out the entire thing, well in order to avoid spoilers, let’s just say that you will probably be surprised with how things end up unfolding. I especially liked how the storylines ended up weaving in together. I spent the majority of the first part of the book trying to figure out how the two cases were going to come together, so it was very interesting to see how they finally did – and not entirely surprising, either.

I’m excited that this is the first in a new series. I can only hope that the next book in the series will be made available in the US as well because I am very eager to meet these characters once again.

Highly recommended.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, C, Fiction, Myron Bolitar, RATING, Read in 2014, READING CHALLENGES 2014, SERIES

2014.7 REVIEW – Fade Away by Harlan Coben

Tara

Fade Away 
by Harlan Coben

Copyright: 1996
Pages: 355
Rating: 4/5
Read: Feb. 6 – Feb. 13, 2014
Challenge: Eclectic Reader Challenge
Yearly count: 7
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

Fade AwayBlurb: In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating heroes in suspense fiction: the wisecracking, tenderhearted sports agent Myron Bolitar. In this gripping third novel in the acclaimed series, Myron must confront a past that is dead and buried – and more dangerous than ever before.

The home is top-notch New Jersey suburban. The living room is Martha Stewart. The basement is Legos – and blood. The signs of a violent struggle. For Myron Bolitar, the disappearance of a man he once competed against is bringing back memories – of the sport he and Greg Downing had both played and the woman they both loved. Now, among the stars, the wannabes, the gamblers, and the groupies, Myron is embarking upon the strange ride of a sports hero gone wrong that just may lead to certain death. Namely, his own.

Review: This is the third book in the Myron Bolitar series and I want to start this review by telling you the same thing I told you in my review of the second book (Drop Shot). Myron Bolitar is hilarious. Laugh out loud hilarious. Yeah sometimes it’s pretty cheesy, but for the most part it’s really funny. Humor is not something I have in the book that I read, so this was a nice light read for me … just what I needed, really!

In this book Myron is called back onto the basketball court. His NBA career was over before it even began many years prior when his knee blew out after an unfortunate collision with another player. So you could tell that Myron was as giddy as could be when the opportunity arose which would place him back on the court. Yeah, he understood he wasn’t in as good of shape as the other guys and that he would likely warm the bench. But still, you can’t help but smile at the thought of a second chance for Myron. Regardless of how short-lived it would be. And so what if this opportunity arises because a star player has disappeared and he’s really only joining the team to get closer to the team members in order to try to find Greg Downing.

There are many twists and turns in this one. Myron finds himself crossing paths with the Mob, murderers, blackmailers and even some people who have been underground for many years after being outed as 1960s revolutionaries. There’s a lot that goes on and every twist and turn definitely kept me on my toes because I never knew what Myron would find himself involved in next.

Overall this is a really good book. The characters were well-developed. The writing was excellent. The storyline was interesting. The book’s pacing was spot on. There’s not much at all I can honestly find to complain about.

I’m definitely interested in seeing where Myron goes next now that he’s had his “closure” from his playing days. I think what I like most about Myron is that yeah he’s funny, but he’s really got heart. There’s just something to him that works.

Definitely a good book that I would definitely recommend, but I don’t know if this one would standalone very well. I’m sure it would be okay, but I honestly think that you won’t understand some of the secondary characters if you don’t have the background of the first two books.

Either way, definitely recommended.

Favorite quotes:

Riverside Drive was relatively quiet. Myron arrived at his Kinney lot on 46th Sreet and tossed Mario the keys. Mario did not park the Ford Taurus up front with the Rolls, the Mercedes, Win’s Jack; in fact, he usually managed to find a cozy spot underneath what must have been a nesting ground for loose-stooled pigeons. Car discrimination. It was an ugly thing, but where were the support groups? (p. 34)

Myron checked the clock. He’d been in for thirty-four seconds and his man had scored five points. Myron did some quick math. At that rate, Myron could hold Reggie Wallace to under six hundred points per game. (p. 241)

4.5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, E-Book, Fiction, M, RATING, Read in 2014, READING CHALLENGES 2014, SERIES, Sookie Stackhouse

2014.1 REVIEW – The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

Tara

The Winter People
by Jennifer McMahon

Copyright: 2014
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5/5
Read: Dec. 29, 2013 – Jan. 1, 2014
Challenge: Eclectic Reader 2014, What’s in a Name 2014
Yearly count: 1
Format: E-Book
Source: Edelweiss

The Winter PeopleBlurb: West Hall, Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends. The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter, Gertie. Now, in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara’s farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister, Fawn. Alice has always insisted that they live off the grid, a decision that suddenly proves perilous when Ruthie wakes up one morning to find that Alice has vanished without a trace. Searching for clues, she is startled to find a copy of Sara Harrison Shea’s diary hidden beneath the floorboards of her mother’s bedroom. As Ruthie gets sucked deeper into the mystery of Sara’s fate, she discovers that she’s not the only person who’s desperately looking for someone that they’ve lost. But she may be the only one who can stop history from repeating itself.

 

Review: I received a copy of this book for free via Edelweiss for review purposes, all opinions expressed below are my own.

In January of 2013, I had my first experience with a Jennifer McMahon book, The One I Left Behind. It absolutely blew me away and ended up on my Best Reads of 2013 list. So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw her 2014 release available on Edelweiss for request. You can bet your life that I clicked that request button as soon as absolutely possible (and probably put something like “I loved her last book and would love to read this one” in the additional request box …).

I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting of this book, but I know I went in with it with high expectations. Overall I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed. However, it definitely wasn’t the book I expected it to be. I was expecting more mystery than ghost story. But it’s okay, because once again, Ms. McMahon blew me away.

If I honestly had to use one word to sum up this book it would without a doubt be “creepy.” Extremely creepy. Like, I had to put it aside at 10:30pm because I was too creeped out to continue and didn’t want to give myself nightmares creepy.

This book flips back and forth between the present day storyline and the 1908 storyline. There are so many characters in the beginning that I will be completely honest here and let you know that I was a little confused by the sheer number of characters being mentioned. But eventually things come together nicely and you really understand the need for all the characters.

The writing was extremely good. The storyline was so fresh and interesting. The characters were extremely well-developed. And the mystery of it all was so incredibly creepy I still give a little bit of a shudder when I think back on the book itself.

Overall I really have nothing but nice things to say about this book. I definitely highly recommend it and am so excited to realize that I have found another favorite author to put on my auto-read list!

Highly recommended.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, Jeremy Fisk, RATING, Read in 2014, Review Book, SERIES, U-V-W

2014.5 REVIEW – The Execution by Dick Wolf

Tara

The Execution
by Dick Wolf

Copyright: 2014
Pages: 335
Rating: 4/5
Read: Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 5
Format: Print
Source: Publicist for review

The ExecutionBlurb: A number of bodies are discovered on the United States’ border with Mexico, each carved with a bizarre symbol: a hummingbird. Detective Cecilia Garza – dubbed the Ice Queen among her colleagues at the Mexican intelligence agency because she’s famous for never showing an ounce of weakness – arrives at the scene and recognizes the image immediately; it is the calling card of a killer called Chuparosa, a man both feared and celebrated for his cunning and brutality. Known to be incorruptible in a seemingly lawless land, Detective Garza has pursued this killer for years, yet knows little about him, except that he’s merciless and heading to New York City – along with the rest of the world.

It’s United Nations Week in Manhattan and Jeremy Fisk – an integral member of the NYPD’s Intelligence Division, an antiterror unit modeled on the CIA – can’t let his grief over a devastating loss keep him from his duty to safeguard the city and the world’s most powerful leaders. Complicating matters is the startling news of a mass murder on the beach in nearby Rockaway – and the arrival of a beautiful and assertive Mexican detective determined to do things her way.

To have a chance at finding and stopping Chuparosa, these uneasy allies must meld their opposing investigative styles. They soon discover that there’s much more to this threat than meets the eye – and Fisk will have to learn the hard way that justice is not always blind.

Review: I received a copy of this book for free from a publicist for review purposes, all opinions expressed below are my own.

This is the second book in the Jeremy Fisk series. I read an ARC of the first book, The Intercept, shortly before it came out. Even before looking back over that review, I had vague recollections of being a little irritated by something within that book. After reading my review, I realized that it was because Mr. Wolf made the decision to kill off a pretty important character in the first book in the series.

So I guess you could say that I actually went into this book with a little bit of trepidation. How would Mr. Wolf handle things minus Fisk’s partner? Overall, I am quite pleased with the direction this one decision ended up going. I don’t want to spoil anything too big here, but I really think that it opens up Fisk’s character a lot more than I had ever thought possible. He’s a wounded man from losing his girlfriend and partner. He’s angry. And he’s sick and tired of everyone tip-toeing around him in regards to her death. The reader gets to see a lot more of Jeremy Fisk than he would want us to see just by the way he handles his feelings about her death after a little bit of time has passed.

The storyline of this book is very fast-paced and interesting. There’s really a lot going on in this book. You have Fisk trying to coordinate UN Week. And you have Cecilia Garza, a Mexican police officer in town on her country’s Presidential protection detail. Cecilia may be on that protection detail, but there’s a lot more that has drawn her to New York City than she wants to admit. Fisk and Garza have to work together to catch a very brutal killer before he has a chance to kill someone else.

I think what I liked most about this storyline (as well as the storyline to The Intercept) is that it felt real and relevant. It seems very hard to keep things relevant these days. But somehow Mr. Wolf is able to do just that. Having Jeremy Fisk work in the Intel division, rather than just be your standard homicide detective, makes for a really interesting protagonist with endless possibilities of story lines.

Overall I felt like this was as really good book. The storyline was interesting. The writing was very good. The characters were extremely well-developed. I’m very glad that I gave Mr. Wolf a second chance after only feeling lukewarm about his first book. In my opinion it’s a really good installment in this series that has me wanting more Jeremy Fisk.

Favorite quotes:

The explosive noise of the guns had set off a chain reaction, sheets of wet snow dropping from the limbs of the pine trees surrounding Jeremy Fisk. Even after the gunfire stopped, Fisk could hear limbs snapping, snow thudding to earth, a circular cataract expanding, fading away from him like ripples in a frigid pond.

And then the endless forest … went silent.

My God, thought Fisk. They’re all dead. (p.1)

And then I also wanted to share with you a quick one-liner that really made me chuckle just because of the absolute truth to it. To set it up a little bit, it’s spoken to Jeremy Fisk by Magnus Jenssen, the man responsible for Fisk’s girlfriend’s death.

What is a jury trial now but a television entertainment show? (p. 89)

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, F, Fiction, Mitch Rapp, RATING, Read in 2014, SERIES

2014.4 REVIEW – Separation of Power by Vince Flynn

Tara

Separation of Power
by Vince Flynn

Copyright: 2001
Pages: 436
Rating: 4/5
Read: Jan. 17 – 25, 2014
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly count: 4
Format: Print
Source: Personal copy

Blurb: Newly appointed CIA director, Dr. Irene Kennedy, is the target of an inside plot to destroy her and prematurely end the American President’s term. To make matters worse, Saddam Hussein is close to entering the nuclear arms race – something Israel has vowed to stop. With the haunting specter of World War III looming, the President calls on his secret weapon: top counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp. But with only two weeks to take out the nukes, Rapp is up against a ticking clock – and impossible odds.

From the deadly alleys of Baghdad to the corruption-riddled streets of Washington, D.C. Separation of Power is Vince Flynn at his shell-shocking best – filled with true-to-life insider detail and action that sizzles.

Review: This is the third book in the Mitch Rapp series (but I’m seeing some places call it the 5th because two books have been published in recent years that supposedly come before the first two in the series. Personally, I like to stick with the order they’re published, so this makes book #3).

Last year I read the first two books in the series and enjoyed both of them immensely. I am not entirely sure why it took me so long to go ahead and pick this one up, but I can honestly say that I was not the least bit disappointed. A word of caution though, this book relies heavily on the second book,  The Third Option. This book really picks up where that one left off and goes with that storyline a little bit. Now that’s not to say that you can’t read it as a standalone, I just have a feeling that it makes more sense if you know the whole backstory as to why Mitch goes astray in Italy.

That being said, this book was an exciting read. I don’t have much to complain about in regards to it. I suppose if I had to nit-pick something it would be that the really exciting action happens in probably the last 100 or so pages. But that’s not to say that the book is not enjoyable in any way, because I did not feel that way at all.

The writing is extremely good. The overall storyline is interesting. The character development was excellent. It made me want to pick up the next on in the series when I finished this one. And that’s how series books are supposed to be in my opinion.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in future books now that Mitch has been “outed.” It definitely sets up for some interesting developments that I’m looking forward to discovering in the future!

My only true disappointment is that we lost Mr. Flynn last year. I was very upset when I heard of his death, but I’m even more upset now that I realize that there can only be so many more Mitch Rapp books (I honestly hope his estate doesn’t continue on like some prolific author’s have … I don’t like that at all).

A good solid read and another good installment to a series I highly recommend.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, C, Fiction, Harry Bosch, RATING, Read in 2013, READING CHALLENGES 2013, SERIES

2013.51 REVIEW – The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly

Tara

The Last Coyote
by Michael Connelly

Copyright: 1995
Pages: 408
Rating: 4/5
Read: Dec 15 – Dec. 29, 2013
Challenge: Off the Shelf 2013
Yearly count: 51
Format: Print
Source: Personal Copy

The Last CoyoteBlurb: Harry Bosch’s life is on the edge. His earthquake-damaged home has been condemned. His girlfriend has left him. He’s drinking too much. And after attacking his commanding officer, he’s even had to turn in his LAPD detective’s badge.

Now, suspended indefinitely pending a psychiatric evaluation, he’s spending his time investigating an unsolved crime from 1961: the brutal slaying of a prostitute who happened to be his own mother.

Even after three decades, Harry’s questions generate heat among LA’s top politicos. And as the truth begins to emerge, it becomes more and more apparent that someone wants to keep it buried. Someone very powerful … very cunning … and very deadly.

Review: This is the third in the Harry Bosch series. And another really good installment in my opinion. I only wish I had started this series before I did, they’re such good books!

This particular installment started out a little bit slow to me, but once it picked up it was a really exciting read. I think in this book the reader really gets to see just who Harry Bosch is. He’s not perfect by any means, but I think that’s what really adds to the intrigue of Harry. It really makes for an interesting protagonist. Personally I like Harry. He’s tough and not afraid to get his hands dirty. But at the same time he’s got a soft side, even if he does everything in his power to hide it. I just like him, that’s all I can say about it really.

This particular storyline was interesting. Harry taking on the unsolved murder of his mother. He knows going into it that he might not like what he uncovers. And when the end is revealed, it’s not at all like I was anticipating. But I think it will be good in the end for Harry to have the closure that he seemed to need so badly.

As always with Mr. Connelly’s works, the writing was good, the character development was good and the storyline was fresh and interesting. Definitely a series that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. And I’m really looking forward to getting to the next installment in the very near future.

Highly recommended, though I do strongly suggest you read this series in order so that you can fully appreciate Harry’s character.