Sunday, September 16, 2012

The Seventy Great Inventions of the Ancient World by Brian Fagen

"Necessity is the Mother of Inventions"
Brilliant Ingenuity
This non-fiction book is fascinating ! It explores some of history's remarkable inventions including Roman heating and plumbing, agriculture, codes and cipers, watermills and pumps, bridges, board games, jewelry, bodyart, tattooing, and much more.
Amazing cover to cover !!!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Let the Devil Sleep by John Verdon

Layers Upon Layers
Objectivity and Self-Belief
Dvae Gurney, the most decorated homicide detective in NYPD history, re-examies a notorious serial murder case. He challenges the consensus opinion. Difficulty is a magnet for Guerney.
John Verdon is a new author and this is his third novel.
A definite read !!! Fantastic !!!
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory

Historical Fiction
Court of Edward IV of England
Earl of Warwick, "the kingmaker", manipulates claimants of royal power. He uses his daughters Anne and Isabel for his own ambition. This historical fiction involves intrigue, rivals, enemies, poison, spies, the twists and turns of loyalty, conspiracies, and imprisonment.
This novel shows a historian's deep knowledge and is fascinating !!!!!
The Wrong Man by David Ellis
.
Legal Thriller
Post-Traumatic Stress disorder ????
Jason Kolarich is the criminal defense attorney for a homeless Iraq war veteran. Kolarich feels his client is being framed and Kolarich is being manipulated. There is a lot of courtroom drama, legal procedures, and unexpected complications.
An absorbing read !!!
The 500 by Matthew Quirk

Alert Opportunism - Lobbying
Political Intrigue
'The 500" is the elite men and women who run the world. Mike Ford fresh out of law school gets a job at the  Davies Group, Washington's most powerful consulting firm. Mike grew up in a world of con men. He easily  adapts to getting leverage on people and the seamy side of politics. Every man has a price.When you find it, you own him body and soul.
Can he get out ????.
A riveting page-turner !!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

A Judge Murdered and Police Officers Shot
Drug Lord and Gangs
Deception and Revenge
Family and Relationships
I turned the page and said out loud "no, it can't end. ".
I could not put the book down!!
Wow !!! A definite read!!!

Friday, June 29, 2012

The Last Minute by Jeff Abbott

Ex-CIA and Bar Owner Sam Capra
Round Table  vs  Novem Soles
Local author Jeff Abbott's character is riveting and the plot is fast paced. Every page is special and powerful!!
Fantastic !!!

Hard Country by Michael McGarrity

Immense
A Saga of America's Southwest Frontier
This historical  novel depicts the struggle of courageous men and women to establish a life and a home in the Southwest. This is a rare and extraordinary story. I am grateful they endured.
A definite read !!!!

The Yard by Alex Grecian

"Murder Squad" in Victorian London
Forensic Pioneer
Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Walter Day uses instincts in detective work and coroner Dr. Kingsley uses charcoal dust "finger patterns" for criminal identification. This novel has realistic atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and showcases the beginning of criminology.
A great read !!!!

Mission to Paris by Alan Furst

Historical Fiction
Actor, Spy, France, Nazi Germany
This novel has a slow start, but is a good read about a dark time in history.
Manipulation and deception was used in many ways.
A good read.

The Last Man by P.T.Deutermann

Ancient Zealots
Sacrifice
In 70 A.D. there was a Jewish revolt against the Romans at the fortress Masada. American David Hall and Israeli  Judith Ressner explore the guarded site to discover the secrets of the mountain, past and present.
A good read .

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin

Texas Rangers... "Cino Peso"... Cowboys
"Feels like my side's winning. "
This novel will touch you deeply and strongly with a range of emotions. " Thunder and Rain " is a love story of Texas, love of the tradition of the Texas Rangers, love of parent and child, love of a man and a woman. Thunder is events in life. Rain is hope, faith, and comfort.
I highly recommend this book !!!!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Unnatural Acts bt Stuart Woods

" High Cotton Ideas"
"Rain"
Stone Barrington, his protege Herbie Fisher, Dino Bacchetti, and Mike Freeman are included in this page turner. Elaine's is closed !!! The ending is shocking and not anticipated. Fans of Stone Barrington and his regulars will enjoy this book. A great read !!!!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

The Innocent by David Baldacci

Set up or Coincidence ?
What's the endgame ?
Will Robie does sanctioned assassinations for the government. People are being killed, but not by Robie. It's a game to someone. Who ? Robie is juggling a lot of balls and being played. Robie and a fourteen old girl are in the center of everything. Why are they kept alive? This book is an intriguing
puzzle to the last page !!! I could not stop reading !! Wow !!!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye

" Copper Stars "
NYC 1854
This historical fiction highlights the beginning of the New York City police department despite the resentment of the public. The novel also reveals the tension from the unions, the Irish immigrants, Catholics versus protestants, politics, and bribes. The daily life in the slums of New York City is harsh, but caring people overcome the reality.
This book exemplifies the "mean streets of New York City. "
A great read !!!!!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Defending Jacob by William Landay

'Murder Gene"
Family Drama
Andy Barber is a respected district attorney. Jacob, his fourteen year old son, is charged with the murder of a fellow student. Jacob insists he's innocent and Andy believes him. Andy has a past that he's buried. Andy's protege, attorney Logiudice, tries the case.
This novel is a legal thriller, a family love story with an ending that is unforgettable!! Characters are well developed and the plot is unusual. One of the best books I've read this year !

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Spy Who Jumped Off The Screen by Thomas Caplan

Intriguing and Powerful
Actor, Soldier, Spy
This novel has it all: good, evil, love, and a special hero !!! It is an involved world of complicated people doing elaborate things. This book is a definite must read !!!! Fantastic !!!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

U.S. Navy Seal and Texas native Chris Kyle relates his training and experiences as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.
America owes it's freedom and lifestyle to all the brave men and women past and present in the U.S. military. My heartfelt gratitude is very strong and deep. May God bless them and America!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Heart of a killer by David Rosenfelt

Legal Challenge
Computer Crimes
A convicted killer wants to donate her heart to save her daughter's life. A young lawyer Jamie Wagner reopens the murder case. Jamie "Harvard" discovers computer crimes where existence is erased and people are created on-line. This crime fiction has lots of twists and layers of puzzles. A real page turner and I did not stop reading until finished!!! David Rosenfelt is a top favorite author. What a conclusion !!!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

Royal Rivals and Power
Witchcraft and Legend
Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, descended from Melusina the river goddess is the Lady of Rivers. The book is an excellent sweeping historical fiction of a woman in the War of the Roses. I highly recommend The Lady of the Rivers. My favorite book by this author is the Other Boleyn Girl.
Philippa Gregory is one of my favorite Authors !!!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Kill Shot by Vince Flynn

Mitch Rapp
Orion Team
Who set Mitch up ? Who could Mitch trust ? There's a mole in the spy agency. An enraged Mitch is looking to settle a score. Who is the mole ? Non-stop action and mysteries to solve.
A great page turner !!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Pacific Heights by Paul Harper

"Dirty-Secret Junkies"
Mind Games
Psychological Manipulation
Psychological Profile
Insecurities
Obsessions
Vulnerabilities
Exploitable
Sadistic
Paul Harper is the pseudonym of Austin resident David Lindsey. He introduces the new Martin Fane suspense series. This is a change from his other novels under David Lindsey. The book will stay with you. Quite a read!!

Need You Now by James Grippando

Financial Crime Investigation
Operation BAQ
A wall street Ponzi scheme OR terrorist financiers OR "hawalas" OR mafia activities OR a Treasury Department clandestine operation result in a sixty billion dollar missing investment.
Everyone including a quantitative analyst or "quant" is trying to locate the funds.
I could not put this book down and was reading until the wee hours of the morning!!!!
Fantastic !!!!