Okay, this made me laugh out loud. If you have ever read the publisher blurbs after reading a book and thought “What were they thinking? What book did they read?” this will appeal to you, as well: Read more
Book Review
Review: Live by Night by Dennis Lehane
There’s a bit of a story behind my reading of Live by Night: I picked up the audiobook from the library months ago – probably closer to a year ago. I sped through the first 9 cds and then…lost it. I brought it in from the car, set it aside, and it disappeared. I was furious! Ransacked the house, went through… Read more
Review: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher
If you read my review of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, then you know what to expect from William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher. They are fun little tidbits, translating Star Wars into something The Bard would have been proud of. Luke Skywalker, on his battle with the Imperial Walkers: A hit! A very palpable hit. Wait, Although my… Read more
Review: The Wilde Passions of Dorian Gray by Mitzi Szereto
Wilde Passions of Dorian Gray by Mitzi Szereto is purported to follow the adventures of an iconic character, but I think this novel suffered from a bit of misrepresentation. It was presented as a follow-up to The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, so cleverly alluded to in the title, and that’s a workable idea for a novel. I would be… Read more
Review: Face Off, edited by David Baldacci
Now, this is a book that had me hooked from the very first pitch! Ever wonder who would win in a fight if the most popular thriller characters were paired against their most worthy opponents? Would you bet on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher or Joseph Finder’s Nick Heller, or even Dennis Lehane’s Patrick Kenzie over Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch? Oh yeah! If you love your detectives… Read more
Review: The Abduction by Jonathan Holt
I was thrilled to receive a copy of The Abduction by Jonathan Holt, the second book in the Carnivia trilogy. It wasn’t long ago that I reviewed The Abomination, which I thought was a terrific mystery, so I was eager to see where the story went next. The Abduction focuses again on the unlikely trio of detectives: Venetian police captain Kat Tapo,… Read more
Not really a review…
Ever start a book – even a book you were really interested in – and find that you just can’t get into it? I really tried to get into The Wonder Bread Summer by Jessica Anya Blau, but I gave up about 30 pages in. That’s really early, even for me. We start off with Allie, working her job at the… Read more
Review: The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn
At the intersection of Blue Velvet and Basic Instinct lies The Neighbors. And that about covers it. What a fun (fluffy) summer read, for those of us who like a little blood and guts with our romance and thrills. There is absolutely nothing believable about this book, but I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Drew Morrison thinks he’s been saved by his old friend, Mickey.… Read more
Review: Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
In Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield, we start with a group of boys, playing in the woods. One boy, William Bellman, kills a rook with his slingshot. Even as a child, he recognizes the moment as significant, but he can have no idea then how this single childhood moment will influence his life. The Bellman family is a prosperous… Read more
Review: Only the Innocent by Rachel Abbott
Rachel Abbott was “the epublishing sensation of 2012” and Only The Innocent was her first novel. This is the sort of author story I love to read – I love the variety that epublishing brings us, and I hope that the trend continues. I only wish that I had enjoyed the book more. Only The Innocent has some major issues and plot… Read more