Kenzie/Gennaro by Dennis Lehane
Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gideon Crew by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Emma Caldridge by Jamie Freveletti
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
Pendergast by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Ellie Hatcher by Alafair Burke
Gideon’s Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Genre: Mystery
Series: #1 in the Gideon Crew series
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 317
Source: eGalley provided by publisher through NetGalley
The Short Version:
Gideon Crew is out to avenge his father’s death and along the way attracts the attention of a mysterious organization who has an interest in utilizing his unique talents
Why I Read It:
I’d heard good things for years about Preston and Child’s Pendergast series but I wanted to catch up on a few of my current series before taking on another one with a pre-existing backlist. When I heard they were starting a new series I decided to check out the first book.
The Book
When Gideon was twelve his father’s death left he and his mother with no support and devastated by the allegations of treason. Years later his mother tells him what really happened and charges him with avenging his father’s death.
After becoming a successful and talented engineer and part time art thief, he turns his talents to revenge. In the process, he attracts the attention of a mysterious organization with dubious ties to the government. When asked to take on an assignment he is unsure whether or not these people can be trusted, but before long the mission is underway.
I’m hesitant to say much more about the plot of this suspenseful action story because I really think it’s best for the reader to learn things along with Gideon as the story plays out.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. It’s a bit of suspense, a bit of mystery, a bit of spy story, and a little bit of Jack Bauer from 24.
It’s fast paced with plenty of twists and turns. Gideon manages to come up a lie to get him out of pretty much any tough situation. He’s got the sarcasm and quick wit that I like in my action heroes, but without an unbelievable string of luck and coincidences he’d never get out of most of the situations in which he finds himself. There’s plenty of interesting yet fairly unbelievable plot twists, but I don’t read this kind of story expecting completely plausible.
It was fun, it was a character I liked, it was interesting, but it wasn’t something that I’d put on The Hubster’s ‘you need to read this’ list. It was good enough that I’ll be watching for the next book in the series and eventually I will be picking up Preston and Child’s other books.
I decided that this year I’m going to try to learn more and get some real instructions. Rather than go with the latest (and most expensive) CS5 version of the photoshop software, we got a good deal on eBay for the pevious CS4 version. For my purposes that will do just fine for now. I did find an online class available through my local community college, but I think I’m going to start the learning process with the lessons in this book. I’m geekishly excited about learning new stuff.
Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Publication Date: 2011 (This book will be available next Tuesday February 22, 2011)
Pages: 289
Source: Copy provided by publisher
The Short Version:
While taking a ferry across Lake Champlain, Troy Chance sees what she thinks is a child falling off a ferry going the other direction and without thinking further jumps in after him and her life changes in ways she never expects.
Why I Read It:
I’d been hearing promising things about this debut thriller and when I was offered the chance to receive a copy I didn’t hesitate because I enjoy finding new suspense/thriller authors.
The Book:
When Troy impulsively jumps off the ferry to rescue what she’s not even positive is a child in the water she has no idea what she’s in for. A small boy who only speaks French and who may have been purposely tossed into the lake soon wraps himself around Troy’s free spirited independent heart.
Living in Lake Placid, New York and making her living as a free lance writer, Troy decides to track down the boy’s family. Because she’s not sure whether or not his wealthy father had anything to do with it, she’s cautious at first.
Her attachment to the child leads her into pursuing leads to the mystery both with and without the assistance of the Canadian and American authorities. Troy’s search for the answer to who took the boy from his father and why takes many detours and becomes life threatening before it’s over.
My Thoughts:
I’m hesitant to say more than that because it might give away parts of the story that are better experienced as they are revealed by the author.
I think this was a promising debut and I will be watching for Sara J. Henry’s next book. The suspense built through both predictable and unpredictable events as the story played out. There was a lot to like about the book and only a few minor quibbles.
I liked Troy. She was smart with the usual amateur detective type character’s tendencies to not be smart at just the wrong time, but that’s the nature of this kind of story. The boy’s father was a wonderful blend of charming, attractive and maybe just enough untrustworthy to keep suspicion pointed his direction. I enjoyed the secondary characters, in particular the Canadian detective who both believes and not quite trusts Troy.
I had several theories as to how this one would play out and changed my mind a few times along the way. I enjoy mysteries that make me do that. There were a few points when an aside turned into a little too long or detailed, but despite those the story kept moving and making me wonder what would happen next.
I have to say that one thing that bugged me was the main character’s name. To me Troy Chance sounds like some 1950’s era action movie actor rather than a female writer. That’s my problem and not a problem with the book and I’ll still be keeping an eye out for this author’s next novel.
Rating 3.5/5
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
Genre: Mystery
Series: #3 in the Inspector Armand Gamache series
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Publication Date: 2008
Read by: Ralph Cosham
Source: Library
The Short Version:
Evil returns to Three Pines and it’s up to Chief Inspector Gamache to not only solve the murder case, but he must also deal with the events of his past that have returned to haunt himself and his family.
Why I Read It:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the audio versions of the first two in the series and the combination of the author’s excellent stories and the reading of Ralph Cosham will keep me coming back for more.
The Book:
It’s Easter weekend in the village of Three Pines. A group of local residents decide to have a séance at the old Hadley House which has been the site of so much pain and suffering. When one of the attendees dies, the question is was she frightened to death or is something more sinister going on.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is assigned the case in part because of his familiarity with the village and many of its residents. As he assembles his investigation team it is apparent to the reader that someone in the group is trying to sabotage the Chief Inspector. The reasons why, the instigators behind it and whether or not the Chief Inspector realizes what is afoot are all played out as the murder investigation progresses.
My Thoughts:
Returning to Three Pines with the Chief Inspector is a visit with a familiar place and characters at this point. The core groups of village residents from the first two books are back and feel like old friends at this point. Their quirks and ongoing back stories are interesting elements as they are interspersed with the primary storylines of the murder and the troubles within the Surete du Quebec. Gamache is still a deliberate and methodical inspector who at the same time gives much credence to feelings and emotions among both his team and the possible suspects they question.
I enjoy the villagers and their quirkiness. Clara and Peter the artists continue to have their artistic struggles. Ruth the curmudgeonly poet adopts some baby ducks with hilarious yet touching results. The B&B owners make me laugh with their quick banter.
The murder story and the other subplots were intertwined and kept moving without ever really bogging down or letting one get put aside to long in order to move the other along. The story of Gamache and his past troubles within the Surete that have been building in the first two books are finally brought into the open and some resolution is made in the story that has only been hinted at up to now.
I think Ralph Cosham does a wonderful job of reading this series and I feel that his voice is perfect for Gamache.
This is a series that is somewhere between a hard boiled crime fiction story and a ligher fare but not really cozy mystery series. It’s one that plays out at a measured pace that mirrors the measured methods of Chief Inspector Gamache. I’d recommend this series to people who might not like the more bloody or gruesome types of mystery stories.
Rating 4/5
State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: #1 in the White House Chef series
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 301
Source: Library
The Short Version:
While vying a rival to be the first female White House Executive Chef, Olivia (Ollie) Paras also ends up the target of both an international assassin and a slimy new Sensitivity Director.
Why I Read It:
There was a lot of talk among my favorite book bloggers recently when the latest in this series was released, but it was Jenn at Jenn's Bookshelves who convinced me to try this series because we like so many of the same authors and books.
The Book
Ollie Paras has been working as an assistant chef at the White House for a couple of years. With her boss and mentor getting ready to retire, she is one of the final candidates to take over his job. Her rival for the position is a wonderfully evil and overbearing former co-worker turned television cooking show hostess.
One morning as she arrives for work, Ollie ends up in the middle of a chase as the secret service rounds up an intruder on the White House grounds. While she manages to stop the guy in time for the agents to grab him he tells her before he’s hauled off that he has a message for the President about imminent danger. Despite the objections of her Secret Service agent boyfriend Tom (and his bosses) Ollie can’t help doing some amateur sleuthing.
Ollie has to deal with a despicable new Sensitivity Director making things difficult for the kitchen staff, her awful rival for the promotion, preparations for a state dinner that change constantly, and an international assassin that may be after Ollie herself.
My Thoughts:
What a fun new series for me. I knew I could trust Jenn’s recommendation. This is an enjoyable first in a cozy mystery series. The heroine is likeable despite her tendency to keep getting involved. I enjoyed the unique setting with the complications of political intrigue as well as the protocol and tradition of the workings of the White House staff.
The multiple story lines were all entertaining and kept the story moving. Ollie’s rival for the promotion is hilariously over the top. The Sensitivity Director who shakes up the normal routines of the staff by insinuating himself into things that are working just fine before he ever came along is a great character to dislike. I have to admit that when his new position is first described my mind went straight to C3PO from Star Wars and he became ‘the protocol droid’ in my brain for the rest of the book.
Outside the inner workings of the White House, the stories involving the potential peace between two long antagonistic Middle East countries and the hunt for the assassin were enough of a tension filled plot to balance out the cozy parts of this cozy mystery.
All in all thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to continuing with the series.
Rating 4/5
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Mystery
Series: #1 in the traditional canon of Sherlock Holmes
Publisher: The Floating Press
Publication Date: 1887 (this edition 2009)
Pages: 125
Source: Library ebook
The Short Version:
It’s the story of how Dr. Watson first meets Sherlock Holmes and his first experience observing Holmes take on a murder case.
Why I Read It:
Although I’m a long time mystery fan I’ve never read any of the Sherlock Holmes stories or books. I decided that it was time to remedy that and to start at the beginning.
The Book:
After returning from military service in Afghanistan, Dr. Watson finds himself seeking affordable lodgings in London. A friend suggests Sherlock Holmes as a potential roommate. When they first meet Watson is surprised at Holmes knowing he’d been in Afghanistan before being told. This is just the first of many observations and deductions that fascinate and intrigue Watson.
They agree to share a flat and before long Watson is going along for the ride when Holmes is called in by detectives to consult on the case of a body found in an abandoned house. Much of the first part of this short book is taken up with introducing Holmes’ methods and interactions as observed by Watson.
There is a sudden shift of time and place at the halfway point in the book that seems at first to be a totally separate story set in the American West 30 some years earlier. Eventually everything connects and the scene shifts back to London and the conclusion of the mystery.
My Thoughts:
This was a very enjoyable short quick read. I was a bit thrown by the time and place shift in the middle, but once I verified that it wasn’t some weird error in my ebook I went with the flow and continued. The mystery itself was interesting and I enjoyed seeing Holmes work through Dr. Watson’s eyes.
What surprised me a bit was the American side of the story and the introduction of the Mormon emigrants to Utah. I wasn’t expecting that and was certainly not expecting the anti-Mormon sentiment to the story. However, considering that this was written in the 1880’s this may have been based on popular perception.
Either way, the story was fun and interesting to read and I’m so glad I finally ventured into the world of Sherlock Holmes. I’m putting this on The Hubster’s reading list and I’m hoping he’ll continue with the rest of the Holmes stories and books along with me. I enjoyed both the serious side of the mystery and was surprised at the parts that made me laugh. I wasn’t expecting the humor in Watson’s observations.
Rating 4/5
The Baby shower was yesterday and in addition to this the Mom-to-be also got a quilt and two baby sweaters made by friends at the party. Lots of handmade love for this little guy already.
SuziQoregon
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No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment. 4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
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