Cleaning up my iPod, though this is a good series to save for a rainy day--or one when one is trapped in an airplane or otherwise unable to do anythinCleaning up my iPod, though this is a good series to save for a rainy day--or one when one is trapped in an airplane or otherwise unable to do anything that requires serious brain power. Not that these aren't smart mysteries, and they have such charm, despite the often gritty cases, that they are pleasantly diverting even when provocative. Sex and abuse are the themes here, not at all pleasant, but Grover Gardner presents such an affable, if melancholy and aging, detective, seriously troubled in his relationship with his lover who lives in Italy, and the sense of place and pace of Sicily figure prominently. This time out it's a rough case, with brother and sister vying to convict each other of murdering their loan-shark, womanizing (preferably with much younger women) father and the revelations get nastier as the case progresses. Still, there's good food to be enjoyed, intriguing side stories, and eccentric characters. Gardner voices the hapless policeman who handles the phone as a B movie gangster, adding a touch of amusement. Smart writing, intelligent mystery.
Merged review:
Cleaning up my iPod, though this is a good series to save for a rainy day--or one when one is trapped in an airplane or otherwise unable to do anything that requires serious brain power. Not that these aren't smart mysteries, and they have such charm, despite the often gritty cases, that they are pleasantly diverting even when provocative. Sex and abuse are the themes here, not at all pleasant, but Grover Gardner presents such an affable, if melancholy and aging, detective, seriously troubled in his relationship with his lover who lives in Italy, and the sense of place and pace of Sicily figure prominently. This time out it's a rough case, with brother and sister vying to convict each other of murdering their loan-shark, womanizing (preferably with much younger women) father and the revelations get nastier as the case progresses. Still, there's good food to be enjoyed, intriguing side stories, and eccentric characters. Gardner voices the hapless policeman who handles the phone as a B movie gangster, adding a touch of amusement. Smart writing, intelligent mystery....more
On of the pleasures of retirement is the ability to binge read a series without any guilt. Here I am at the end of Wilhelm's excellent legal series stOn of the pleasures of retirement is the ability to binge read a series without any guilt. Here I am at the end of Wilhelm's excellent legal series starring Barbara Holloway. As I read it, I kept checking to see if there might not be another that I had somehow missed, but she died the year after finishing this. What a wonderful author! I discovered her in the mid-80s when I read Oh, Susanna--a delightful romp starring a librarian. From there to some SF and then her Charlie Meiklejohn/Constance Leidl mystery series, which I devoured. I had read the first of the Holloway books ages ago, and I'm not sure what drew me back to the series, but now I've read them all. Smart dialog (and protagonist), a clever lawyer who pushes the boundaries in court. Her investigations and courtroom performances are powered by coffee, and to a lesser extent by good wine and good food--as long as someone else cooks. The cases she takes on as a defense lawyer always expand, usually to cover series issues (the environment in this one), as she struggles to collect the facts and, at all times, to protect her clients. Over the series we enjoy an ever-growing cast of interesting and likable secondary characters, including her father, a generally pessimistic investigator (the best on the west coast--cases set in Eugene, Oregon, and environs), a gorgeous and brainy assistant, and a romantic interest. She's a feminist through and through who often makes under the radar comments about male judges, policemen, and male attorneys. Serious but not dark, these address complex issues with a liberal bias, as well as the personal and professional worlds of a woman in the law. I've found them all satisfying and they've left me yearning for more....more
I'm a big King fan, although I confess I'm more comfortable when the books are less harrowing, so this works well for me. I also find books about hireI'm a big King fan, although I confess I'm more comfortable when the books are less harrowing, so this works well for me. I also find books about hired assassins particularly intriguing. Like Westerns, they often star protagonists with a strong moral sense, as is the case here. Filled with delightful literary references and a novel within a novel, as Billy writes his own story while he waits for his job. Poignant, compelling, and filled with bad guys and sympathetic characters, who are neither black nor white. Along with The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, not a bad introduction to the pleasures of King's massive storytelling skills for readers who don't like Horror....more
Another hit for Whitehead, this is reminiscent of James McBride's Deacon King Kong but better narrated by Dion Graham. Wonderful look at Harlem in theAnother hit for Whitehead, this is reminiscent of James McBride's Deacon King Kong but better narrated by Dion Graham. Wonderful look at Harlem in the 60s and a fine heist story. Fully realized characters, strong sense of time and place, mostly upbeat tone with humor but it doesn't ignore the dark side of the rising drug problem, compelling story line, wonderful language. What's not to love?...more
My introduction to Thomas Perry came in 1982 with Butcher's Boy, and I think I've read everything he's written since then. Always interesting stories My introduction to Thomas Perry came in 1982 with Butcher's Boy, and I think I've read everything he's written since then. Always interesting stories and frames, dependably good writing, intriguing characters. This series was always a favorite--so I decided to reread it. Half-Native American Jane Whitefield is a guide--she creates new identities for people in trouble and starts them on their new lives. For the good ones, it's a better deal than the FBI's Witness Protection, but there are always bad eggs who turn on Jane and lead her on deadly adventures. Of course, there's always danger as she must find a way to help people escape those trying to track and kill them. So lots of suspense and fast action but Jane's Native American roots always play a role. Not only is she an excellent tracker and reader of signs, but she also has dreams/visions in which her ancestors offer ideas that help. Interesting protagonist, twisty plots framed by NA culture and all that's necessary to become a new person, often harrowing escapes. Worth another look, even if you've enjoyed her adventures in the past. ...more
Not a fast-paced, high-octane thriller, but a compelling one. Early on Hannah's husband of maybe 2 years disappears amidst a scandal in his workplace Not a fast-paced, high-octane thriller, but a compelling one. Early on Hannah's husband of maybe 2 years disappears amidst a scandal in his workplace and after leaving Hannah a note saying simply "Protect Her" and his 16-yr old daughter Bailey a note and a bag with more than 1/2 million dollars. The first question is what happened, the second, more consuming one, is who is he. Laura, aided by Bailey as the teenager finally accepts her, plans to find out. Interesting characters, a story that unfolds in layers as secrets from the past are revealed, flashbacks, and a menacing atmosphere, though the journey to understanding between Hannah and Bailey is moving and heartfelt. I read some reviews that complained about improbabilities in the story, but I didn't find this more improbable than many best-selling domestic thrillers. Riveting. ...more
Gripping Nordic Noir that combines crime thriller with police procedural. Police Detective Ewart Grens faces his unwelcome retirement when a burglary Gripping Nordic Noir that combines crime thriller with police procedural. Police Detective Ewart Grens faces his unwelcome retirement when a burglary re-ignites his interest in a crime 17 years earlier: an entire Albanian family is murdered in their Stockholm apartment except for the 5 year old daughter hidden away in a closet. He's desperate to find her now, in case she's in danger again after the murders of three Albanian gun smugglers. In a second plot thread Piet Hoffman, a former criminal informant who infiltrated suspect organizations for the police, and his family are in danger, as someone has stolen papers relating to his activity and giving his identity from locked police archives. Complex plot with both lines intertwining, as they race against time to find the surviving girl and save Piet and his family. Complex characters, secrets and traitors, action to drive the pacing, engaging style, emotionally-charged nightmare tone. ...more
Reminds me of Patterson's earliest books--clearly, David Ellis, an award-winning writer himself, is an asset as a co-author. Typical Patterson: page-tReminds me of Patterson's earliest books--clearly, David Ellis, an award-winning writer himself, is an asset as a co-author. Typical Patterson: page-turning pace with short chapters, moving us forward; flawed characters with some depth; action, violence, and plot twists; gripping and gritty. Chicago setting and sequel to Black Book....more
I usually love Lippman's non-series titles, but this was disappointing. Too many flashbacks made it hard to follow the twisty plot and, frankly, I didI usually love Lippman's non-series titles, but this was disappointing. Too many flashbacks made it hard to follow the twisty plot and, frankly, I didn't find any of the characters interesting enough to really care. I kept waiting for the story to intensify, but it really never did for me....more
Excellent debut crime thriller. I've read a few in this series, but now I will have to run straight through. Evocative of Berlin/Germany in 1936, the Excellent debut crime thriller. I've read a few in this series, but now I will have to run straight through. Evocative of Berlin/Germany in 1936, the year of the Olympics, when Hitler's thugs are just beginning to pull their weight. Compelling plot with twists, interesting characters including Heydrich and Goering, smart writing with a surprising amount of witty quips and black humor. And it's dark, very dark. Bless narrator John Lee: he actually pronounces Berlin's river Spree correctly! It's spray--like the artist Paul Klee....more
My husband and I have been fans of Koryta since we listened to So Cold the River in 2010 or so. I had never read the Lincoln Perry series, so we startMy husband and I have been fans of Koryta since we listened to So Cold the River in 2010 or so. I had never read the Lincoln Perry series, so we started here, with the first, and will certainly continue. Interesting protagonist and secondary characters, including Russian mob out of Cleveland, always a plus; satisfyingly complicated plot with well-developed action; polished, convincing, and compelling style with smart dialog; lively place; well-evoked setting; gritty and menacing yet somehow hopeful tone. ...more
I was surprised to hear an American voice narrating--this is what happens when you reserve titles based on the author and you don't read reviews or coI was surprised to hear an American voice narrating--this is what happens when you reserve titles based on the author and you don't read reviews or comments. Or at least you don't remember what you did read. All worked out for me--and for the characters in this fish-out-of-water tale of an ex-Chicago policeman who moves to a small Western Ireland town to find peace and instead becomes involved in sorting out the town's dirty secrets. Not as much of a mystery as her Dublin Murder Squad, but I liked it better than her previous standalone, The Witch Elm (perhaps because that was her first standalone and I was expecting another Dublin procedural). Wonderful sense of place, lots of atmosphere with a dark and moody tone, fully developed characters (Cal is particularly interesting and introspective), and a wonderfully tender relationship between Cal and young Trey, who just wants Cal to find a missing brother. Doesn't hurt that I'm also a Westerns fan and can relate to Cal as a kind of Western hero. Not the Tana French book to start with but one not to miss. ...more
I enjoyed this way more than I expected! Anderson went to OKC to cover the 2012-13 Thunder basketball season, and there's interesting basketball in thI enjoyed this way more than I expected! Anderson went to OKC to cover the 2012-13 Thunder basketball season, and there's interesting basketball in the book, but it's so much more. From the creation of OKC during the run for the Cherokee Strip in 1893 (in which my great grandfather took part but settled in the Enid area), through oil and gas booms and busts (tales replete with fascinating get-rich-quick guys, no matter the damage), and racial tensions, Anderson offers an engrossing social history of the city. Did I mention tornadoes? They're here, as is the weather forecaster who became famous for his ability to read the signs, warn residents--sometimes block by block as the storm approached--and save lives. I was particularly pleased to learn of Clara Luper, a school teacher who, with her students using King's non-violent approach, integrated OKC's restaurants in the 50s in a very satisfying group of chapters. Anderson moves the history forward and intermixes those chapters with basketball and weather for a really compelling, well-researched, satisfying read. Another plus: he narrates the audio and he's really good! ...more
Still waiting to rediscover what I used to like about this series. Certainly not Lucas Davenport with his "dubious ethics" as my friend Bayneeta puts Still waiting to rediscover what I used to like about this series. Certainly not Lucas Davenport with his "dubious ethics" as my friend Bayneeta puts it. But it's a quick read....more
As a Connelly fan, I wanted to like this a lot. I remember liking the previous series entries, but I realized early on I didn't care for Jack--and by As a Connelly fan, I wanted to like this a lot. I remember liking the previous series entries, but I realized early on I didn't care for Jack--and by the end, I realized I didn't much care for any of the characters. I wish that didn't matter to me, but the book has to have a lot of pluses to make up for characters I don't care about. Fast pacing, investigative, Connelly's excellent dialog and story. Just not my book....more
An older Koryta, but only now widely available on audio. (Audible only when first published). Like Koryta's others, this is a compelling thriller, ricAn older Koryta, but only now widely available on audio. (Audible only when first published). Like Koryta's others, this is a compelling thriller, rich in landscape detail (upper Midwest/Wisconsin), and characters whom we care about--and they survive! Deadly secrets haunt our young protagonist and drive the pace. Violent but ultimately upbeat. ...more
An excellent crime thriller, though a little more violent than I prefer. Maybe not so much the violence but the torture. The author is a screenwriter An excellent crime thriller, though a little more violent than I prefer. Maybe not so much the violence but the torture. The author is a screenwriter and you can tell in the strong characterization, layered plotting, and excellent dialog. The plot is complex with red herrings galore, but also incisive social commentary. Short chapters speed the story--readers and listeners always want to know what happens next. For fans of Nesbo, Lars Kepler, Kaaberbol--there's just something about that Nordic Noir. Somehow it's more chilling, literally and figuratively. The thriller is open-ended, but surely not for a sequel featuring a copycat killer but rather the detective pair. Grisly, relentless, complex characters....more
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