Review - Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Title: Dead Girls Don't Lie

Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Series: Stand Alone 

Pages: 352

Published:  September 17th 2013 by Walker Childrens 

ISBN: 9780802734495

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description; Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text.  Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth.  

  

I Give This ...

  

I always struggle with what to give a book that starts out slow and really lives you wondering if you are going to like it.   But then the story finally starts to build and in the end you enjoyed it was more than you thought possible.  That's what happened with this one.

Jaycee seemed a little whiny at first.  I understood that her "supposed" best was killed.  But, she spent a lot of time in the beginning justifying her actions.  Her mind set was basically I would have done "a" if she hasn't done "b" if you get what I mean.  I think she was extremely wounded that Rachel just dropped her with explanation.  I think she would have understood if she felt like that had grown apart, but that wasn't the case.   I liked her more as the story developed and she learned that it was possible that Rachel stopped being her friend for her own protection.

Jaycee really was in way over her head though when it came to solving what happened to Rachel.  The story had a Nancy Drew element to it with way more serious consequences.  It's easy to blame the murder(s) on gang problems with you have a influx of certain groups in the area.  Especially when the problem is more home grown and way more people are involved that I thought possible.

I was a little perplexed at some of the police mistakes made in the story.  A true expert in gang activity would have spotted the discrepancies throughout.  Then again, maybe they did and we just are privy to that information.  I also felt there was a lot of stereotyping of the Hispanics.  I think its suppose to be that way because its the mentality of the town.  But, it just sort of rubbed me the wrong way.

Mystery/Thrillers have been my go to genre for years, so I am always please when I find one in the young adult genre that gits it well.  I would have enjoyed this a lot in my teens.  However, I don't think this type of book is a one size fits all thing.  I've found that mystery/thrillers aren't for everyone, no matter how watered down they may be.

The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi

Title: The Whisperer

Author: Donato Carrisi

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 432

Published: January 5th 2012 by Mulholland Books

ISBN: 9780316194723

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 Description:  Six severed arms are discovered, arranged in a mysterious circle and buried in a clearing in the woods. Five of them appear to belong to missing girls between the ages of eight and eighteen. The sixth is yet to be identified. Worse still, the girls' bodies, alive or dead, are nowhere to be found.  Lead investigators Mila Vasquez, a celebrated profiler, and Goran Gavila, an eerily prescient criminologist, dive into the case. They're confident they've got the right suspect in their sights until they discover no link between him and any of the kidnappings except the first. The evidence in the case of the second missing child points in a vastly different direction, creating more questions than it answers.  Vasquez and Gavila begin to wonder if they've been brought in to take the fall in a near-hopeless case. Is it all coincidence? Or is a copycat criminal at work? Obsessed with a case that becomes more tangled and intense as they unravel the layers of evil, Gavila and Vasquez find that their lives are increasingly in each other's hands.

I Give This ...

 

I've had this on my review pile for a long time but for some reason never got a round to reading it.  It's a book that would have fallen into the category of the books I always read before I started blogging.  I haven't found as much enjoyment with this type as of late.

What first caught my attention was the pure genius/insanity of our killer in this story.  The details are so intricately woven together that I often wondered if we would every truly piece it all together.  We get each part of the story a little bit at a time.  It was interesting to see how our killer interacted with each of these people he brings to the investigators attention.  I loved how he pointed out the there so many individuals who are leading normal lives hiding dark and terrible secrets.

I think part of the problem is that its entirely too long.  I think parts of the story could have been edited and it wouldn't have lost and of its shock value.  It also spends far to much time telling you things.  I've read my fair share of thrillers, and most of the things this book repeatedly tells you are things one is already familiar with.   I get that the author is trying to help us understand the mind of the killer, but I just found it annoying. 

I think die hard fans of thrillers will really like this one.  I think it just goes to prove that I'm on the outs with this genre

Review - 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross + Giveaway

Title: 15 Seconds

Author: Andrew Gross

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 336

Published: July 10th 2012 by William Morrow

ISBN: 9780061655975

Source: Sent for arranged tour

 Descrption: Henry Steadman is a successful Florida plastic surgeon on his way to deliver a keynote address at a conference when his world falls apart. Stopped by the police for a minor traffic violation, the situation escalates and he is pulled from his vehicle, handcuffed, and told he is under arrest. Several other police cars arrive and the questioning turns scary, but after it subsides, and Henry is about to move on, the officer is suddenly killed in his car and there is only one suspect: the very person he was about to arrest not ten minutes before. Henry! When a second friend turns up dead, Henry realizes he's being elaborately framed. But in a chilling twist, the stakes grow even darker, and he is unable to go to the police to clear his name. 


 I Give This ....

I thought it was interesting that when I featured this book in my mailbox post, nobody knew who Andrea Gross was.  Now, I understand that I'm primarily a young adult reviewer so my audience is likely not familiar with the genre that Andrew Gross writes.  But, this use to be my everyday reading until I branched out.  I'm very familiar with Andrew Gross although I've not read anything he's written on his own.  I wanted to see how his work stands without the name James Patterson attached to it.


I was impressed with how fast this book opened up.  Our lead character, Dr. Steadman, seems like a stand up guy.  He's trying hard to stay active in his daughter's life.  He does charity work (Doctors without Borders seems like an awesome program!).   But, when things progress from bad to worse, I began to wonder if there was something hidden in his past that would make somebody want to completely dismantle his life.  Nothing he did seemed to help the situation, yet I couldn't see how anything else he did would make it better in anyway.  


The culprit behind the entire setup was an interesting twist to the story.  I felt for the guy at first.  He went straight up the line and managed to gather a lot more information than even the police can do it seems.  I think the problem in the end was, he couldn't directly pin his problems on Dr. Steadman.  He just happened to be the first person he latched on to.  I think from this point on, he reached a new dimension of delusional.  It no longer was about revenge and what he thought was justice.  It was about destruction and righting the wrong he thought he had been dealt in life.  I was pleased to see there really were no skeletons in Dr. Steadman's closet.


The book is not as fast paced as I would have thought.  For a title of 15 seconds, I thought it would proceed forward at breakneck speed.  I think the title was more in reference to the car accident at the beginning and how this in turn effected the rest of the story.   Still, an impressive read for Mr. Gross.  I'm pleased to see an author step up from underneath James Patterson. 

I'm also happy to have a copy of 15 seconds up for giveaway!  All you have to do is enter the form below!   Open to US residents 13 and older.
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Title: Deadly Cool

Author: Gemma Halliday

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 272

Published: October 11, 2011 by HarperTeen

ISBN: 9780062003317

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool. But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.

I Give This ...

 

This was an interesting read for me.  The subject matter hinted an older young adult, but it actually read more pre-teen. So, it's hard to pinpoint exactly how I feel about it.

I had mixed feelings about Hartley.  It seems she had a complete blind spot when it comes to her boyfriend.  Sure, she'll acknowledge that he "might" have cheated on her, but there's no way he could have killed anybody.  Even though the cold hard facts are staring her in the face, it's easier to believe that something else happened.  While, it turns out she's right, I had a hard time taking her seriously.  She's also not much of detective.  I really liked Chase and Sam.  It's always interesting when you like background characters more than you like the main. 

The actual solving of the mystery I actually thought was kind of fun.  It's almost like a comedy of errors with the body count getting higher along the way.  And the reasoning behind the deaths, well that was comical too.  I know that person believed in their reasoning, but come on lol!  Overall, that part was just a lot of fun.  I don't know if it was suppose to be that way though.

The subject matter is all about sex, so that's what makes the book older.  But, if a teen can laugh it all off like I did, I would recommend it too any age. 

Review: The Human Obsession (Manufactured Identity, #3) by Heath Sommer

Title: The Human Obsession

Author: Heath Sommer

Series: 3rd in Manufactured Identity

Pages: 316

Published: Available now from Tate Publishing

ISBN: 9781616637606

Source: Author sent for honest review

Description: A year before retirement, Chief of Police Frank Murphy wants nothing more than to spend his golden years on HGTV marathons and endless tee-off times. What he gets is a string of abductions that makes Ted Bundy look like an amateur. The Human Obsession is the sequel to Heath Sommer's 2009 breakout psychological thriller The Manufactured Identity, where Murphy and hapless lovers Addy and John Joe scramble against inhuman odds and unpredictable twists to solve the riddles of murder, obsession, and human weakness. Focusing on the trial of Cameron Bo, alleged murderer and loony from Sommer's The Grand Delusion, The Human Obsession takes readers even deeper into the minds of Sommers' beloved and twisted characters. In the end, no one could have seen why those meant to protect and serve may be in the greatest danger of all.

I Give This ...

 

What really amazed me about this series after reading this one is the fact the books are entirely different from each other.  The contain a few of the same characters, but each one has a different feel.  They also have each provoked different emotions.   

I wasn't expecting The Human Obsession to be so dark and gritty.  But, the author decided to take us farther into the mind of someone willing to commit acts that most humans can't even begin to imagine.  It was actually really hard for me to read at times because it effected me personally.  I have 2 little girls ages 5 and 3, which also fit the profiles of some of the victims in the story.  It's one of those things that we don't want to ever think about, but happens way more than we care to admit.

I felt sorry for Murphy.  He's gone through so much.  Not only does he finally have to go through the trial of Cameron Bo, but also deals with a dieing son.  On top of that, the murders begin and an outrages community wants a suspect.  It's amazing he doesn't completely crack.  I did find his changing views on what makes a person "crazy", to be really interesting.

Once again, I find that heavy psychology in this story to be fascinating.  I liked the trial portions that dealt with Cameron Bo and whether he really knew what he was doing or not.  I also liked being in the mind of the killer, no matter how hard it was for me to read.

I'm kind of hoping there might be a 4th book.  While I feel the story is done, I was left wondering about a couple of things.  First the boy found in the forest doesn't get the ending I though he deserved.  I wanted to know what happened after that, not to mention John Joe's involvement.  I also wanted to know more about the killer.  We've learned so much about all the other characters, I felt a little cheated when it came to him.  

The Grand Delusion by Heath Sommer

Title: The Grand Delusion

Author: Heath Sommer

Series: reoccurring characters

Pages: 408

Published: October 2010 by Tate Publishing

ISBN: 9781616635596

Source: sent for review

Description: Loner Addy Siwel only wanted answers when she signed up for a freshman course in theology—what she got was the attention of a murderer. In The Grand Delusion, Dr. Heath Sommer brings to life the precursor stories of characters John Joe, Addy Siwel, and Merci Bowku, who were introduced to the world in the 2009 contemporary mystery The Manufactured Identity. Terror-struck, the three protagonists vie against a backdrop of ironic evil as they are stalked by an unidentified villain who breaks all the rules and sends Chief of police and reluctant clairvoyant Frank Murphy scrambling against the clock in a murder mystery showdown that leaves all questioning what is real and what is beyond this world.

I Give This ...

 

 I was looking forward to what Sommer produced next.  His first novel was very different from what I had read before.  I really enjoy how complex it was and the psychology aspects in contained.   I wasn't disappointed with this one.

I have to be honest and say I don't remember much about the characters from The Manufactured Identity.  There was so much going on in that book.  I was afraid that fact would hinder my enjoyment of this one.  It didn't.  The book draws you in from the prologue.  At first, the constant switch in narrative is distracting.  But, I knew from experience that everything would be tied together.  Gradually the story flow into one stream and you get to know the characters.  All of them are suffering from sort of psychological problem in varying degrees.  I liked watching them all sort through their problems.  And once again, the author shows his knowledge in the area.  It's not written from the perspective of someone who has done a lot of research.  It feels genuine and real.

I liked the intensity of the novel.  We know something big is going to happen, but we don't know to whom or who will be the culprit.  I wasn't even sure if it was a character in the novel or some outside force.  The true psychosis of the villain was awesome.  I love how the author is able to make a villain seem like any person you might know.  The "craziness" is buried deep within.  And with the problems the characters are hiding from each other, it really good have been anybody.

I liked the theoretical questions this novel asks.  God plays a big part of it and I enjoyed it for the most part.  But, in the end it kind of turned me off.  I could have done without the whole classroom scene.  It's just got a little preachy there and felt a little out of place with the rest of the story.   The pacing was a little off for me as well.  It seems a short amount of time goes by in a few chapters and then all of a sudden months of past.  The only real indication of this is wording in the story.  It's almost like the chapters need a timeline.  

But, overall I still really enjoyed this story.  Dr. Sommer has proved he has something to offer the mystery/thriller genre.  I will be looking forward to what he writes next!

Relentless by Dean Koontz

Title: Relentless

Author: Dean Koontz

Pages: 356

Published:  March 2009 by Bantam

ISBN: 9780553807141

Source: Personal Copy

 

Description: Bestselling novelist Cullen “Cubby” Greenwich is a lucky man and he knows it. He makes a handsome living doing what he enjoys. His wife, Penny, a children’s book author and illustrator, is the love of his life. Together they have a brilliant six-year-old, Milo, affectionately dubbed “Spooky,” and a non-collie named Lassie, who’s all but part of the family. So Cubby knows he shouldn’t let one bad review of his otherwise triumphant new book get to him—even if it does appear in the nation’s premier newspaper and is penned by the much-feared, seldom-seen critic, Shearman Waxx. Cubby knows the best thing to do is ignore the gratuitously vicious, insulting, and inaccurate comments. Penny knows it, even little Milo knows it. If Lassie could talk, she’d tell Cubby to ignore them, too. Ignore Shearman Waxx and his poison pen is just what Cubby intends to do. Until he happens to learn where the great man is taking his lunch. Cubby just wants to get a look at the mysterious recluse whose mere opinion can make or break a career—or a life.  But Shearman Waxx isn’t what Cubby expects; and neither is the escalating terror that follows what seemed to be an innocent encounter. For Waxx gives criticism; he doesn’t take it. He has ways of dealing with those who cross him that Cubby is only beginning to fathom. Soon Cubby finds himself in a desperate struggle with a relentless sociopath, facing an inexorable assault on far more than his life.  

I Give This ...

 

I've been reading Dean Koontz for years.  I think his books aren't for everyone.  But, I love them (usually).  This one was no exception.  In the end, I didn't fully buy into the theory of why the critic was terrorizing Cubby, but I didn't care because the rest of the novel more than made up for the ending.

This book was as fast past of most of his horror novels.  It takes place over a matter of days.  When the book still has the normal feel, I was actually a little tense over the events.  Who wouldn't be if you wake in the middle of the night to someone in your room and the power cut.  While, the events eventually become a little bit more unbelievable (Koontz books often become very science fiction or paranormal), they are still downright terrifying.  Having people track you down relentlessly and realizing they've done it to other people before you is a great storyline.  And Koontz doesn't mince words in describing some of the torture these villains have used against their victims.

Oddly enough, there's humor in this novel as well.  I was particularly fond of Milo by the end of the story.  He had some great lines throughout.  Being a boy genius wise way beyond his years brings an interesting twist to the story.  He can do things his parents never though possible.  Which in the end actually saves the day!  I also really loved Penny.  You would have to be a special character to have a genius for a son and a husband with the kind of background he does.  Add in the dog with a special "talent" and it's just a great story.  Cubby is also a great narrative.  I enjoyed watching how he reacted to each terror that surrounds them especially in light of what happened to him as a child.

I was really happy to finally get around to reading this one.  Koontz is just so hard to predict.  Sometimes his story venture to far off the map to really enjoy.  But, this was great!

The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta #17) by Patricia Cornwell

Title: The Scarpetta Factor

Author: Patricia Cornwell

Series: 17th in Kay Scarpetta

Pages: 430

Published: October 2009 by Putnam

ISBN: 9780399156397

Source: Personal copy

Description: It is the week before Christmas. A tanking economy has prompted Dr. Kay Scarpetta—despite her busy schedule and her continuing work as the senior forensic analyst for CNN—to offer her services pro bono to New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of unexpected and unsettling events. She is asked live on the air about the sensational case of Hannah Starr, who has vanished and is presumed dead. Moments later during the same telecast she receives a startling call—in from a former psychiatrist patient of Benton Wesley's. When she returns after the show to the apartment where she and Benton live, she finds an ominous package—possibly a bomb—waiting for her at the front desk. Soon the apparent threat on Scarpetta's life finds her embroiled in a surreal plot that includes a famous actor accused of an unthinkable sex crime and the disappearance of a beautiful millionaires with whom Lucy seems to have shared a secret past.  Scarpetta's CNN producer wants her to launch a TV show called The Scarpetta Factor. Given the bizarre events already in play, she fears that her growing fame will generate the illusion that she has a "special factor," a mythical ability to solve all her cases. She wonders if she will end up like other TV personalities: her own stereotype.

I Give This ...

  

I've been dreading writing this review.  It actually pains me to give this book such a poor rating.  I use to love anything Patrica Cornwell wrote.  But, I've really been struggling with the series for a couple books now.  It's lost some of it's focus and has became something else.  I decided to give it one more shot and purchased this book.  And then it sat on my shelf for almost a year.  Now I know why.

The story started out strong.  I was hoping the book would stay focused on this crime and solving it.  I was wrong.  I totally lost interest shortly after the bomb was delivered.  The story starts to focus on a different case and I started to wonder what the point was of the initial murder.  There's way to much dialogue throughout the whole book.  The characters tell you the story instead of the author.  I found my mind wandering and skimming the pages.  

The story jolts back to reality so fast I didn't have time to process it all.  Why can't past characters just die off or stay out of the sotry?  Why do all of them have to come back and continue to haunt Scarpetta?  And I'm tired of the vibes between all the character.  I haven't like Wesley since he came back into the story.  Marino is barely there and a shadow of what he use to be.  And don't even get me started on Lucy.  I think I'm done and that isn't something I ever thought I would say.

Kindred in Death (In Death #29) by J.D. Robb

Title: Kindred in Death

Author: J.D. Robb

Series: #29 in the In Death Series

Published: November 2009 by Putnam

Pages: 374

ISBN: 9780399155956

Source: Purchased Copy

 

Description: When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind.  Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene that awaited them instead. Brutally murdered in her bedroom, Deena's body showed signs of trauma that horrified even the toughest of cops; including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who was specifically requested by the captain to investigate.  When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know yet that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities. Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to bring justice. 

I Give This ...

I've always enjoyed this series.  I like the futuristic setting (I like how advanced technology is in this series).  Plus, I love the characters  .  But, after 29 books (there's actually a newer one than this plus 2 more set for release in fall and winter), I'm wondering if the series is starting to get redundant. 

Yes, Dallas is still battling her inner demons.  I understand how after years of repressing it, it's going to take awhile for the memories to not fill so raw.  But, I would like a book or too, were the case doesn't connect with Dallas.  At the same time, I think each of these cases helps Dallas heal a little more.  So, I hope you see my inner battle. 

I like the stories that seem to involve the whole gang more.  This one seems to focus so much on Dallas, that even Peabody is a background character.  I did really enjoy the case.  It's gruesome and the police have so little to go on, I'm amazed they solved it.  I liked how all the pieces fit so neatly together.  I also liked how I was think the killer was someone completely different than it was.

I'm sure I will keep reading this series.  Eve and Roarke are to good to give up!

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder

Author: Kimberly Derting 

Series: 1st

Published: March 2010 by Harper Teen

Pages: 327

ISBN: 9780061779817

Source: traded copy (signed ARC)

Description: Violet Ambrose can find the dead. Or at least, those who have been murdered. She can sense the echoes they leave behind... and the imprints they leave on their killers. As if that weren't enough to deal with during junior year, she also has a sudden, inexplicable, and consuming crush on her best friend since childhood, Jay Heaton.  Now a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town... and she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

I Give This ...

 

I really enjoyed this story.  I've always been a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, and I think this falls into that category rather nicely.  Since it's geared towards teens, a lot of the gruesome things that come with that genre in the adult books is way toned down.  My mom would have given this two thumbs up when I was way beyond child books, but she was hesitate for me to read the likes of Stephen King, etc.  And I would have devoured it then, just as I did now.  There were even times this book sent tingles down my spine and I'm hard to scare.  The romance element just makes the book feel extremely believable.  It's just the right blend with the mystery.  And, at no time does it feel over done.  There's no love triangle, which is refreshing.  It's the simpleness of a girl starting to like her best friend, which I'm sure many teens can identify with.   

Overall just a wonderful book.  It was great chance of pace when you enjoy young adult, but occasionally get tired of the paranormal aspect or the never ending "can't live without you" love (lust) stories.  I will be reading the next in this series!

The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3) by Dan Brown

Title: The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown
Published: September 2009
Pages: 509
ISBN: 9780385504225
Source: Personal copy

Description: Everyone off the bus, and welcome to a Washington, D.C., they never told you about on your school trip when you were a kid, a place steeped in Masonic history that, once revealed, points to a dark, ancient conspiracy that threatens not only America but the world itself. Returning hero Robert Langdon comes to Washington to give a lecture at the behest of his old mentor, Peter Solomon. When he arrives at the U.S. Capitol for his lecture, he finds, instead of an audience, Peter's severed hand mounted on a wooden base, fingers pointing skyward to the Rotunda ceiling fresco of George Washington dressed in white robes, ascending to heaven. Langdon teases out a plethora of clues from the tattooed hand that point toward a secret portal through which an intrepid seeker will find the wisdom known as the Ancient Mysteries, or the lost wisdom of the ages. A villain known as Mal'akh, a steroid-swollen, fantastically tattooed, muscle-bodied madman, wants to locate the wisdom so he can rule the world. Mal'akh has captured Peter and promises to kill him if Langdon doesn't agree to help find the portal. Joining Langdon in his search is Peter's younger sister, Kathleen, who has been conducting experiments in a secret museum. This is just the kickoff for a deadly chase that careens back and forth, across, above and below the nation's capital, darting from revelation to revelation, pausing only to explain some piece of wondrous, historical esoterica.

I Give This Book 3.5 Stars!

I kind of feel sorry for Dan Brown.  He had to write a follow up to The Da Vinci Code, and we all know that it was probably not an easy task.  I think he did a pretty good job of it for the most part.  I loved how this one was set in the US, and not just the US, but Washington D.C.   The historical and landmark facts in this book are nothing short of astounding.  It never fails to amaze me how religious the founding fathers really were and how much of those beliefs are worked into our government.   One thing is for sure, this book really made me want to visit our nation's capitol.   I also enjoyed the mystery, twists and turns in this one.  Dan Brown really knows how to keep you guessing until the very end.   But (and sadly there is that but), I felt the overall message delivered in this one was a bit heavy-handed and over the top.  And the descriptions of the "Ancient Mysteries" left me rather bored at times.   It just wasn't as believable as his previous books.  I never had that moment that made me question all the things I've been taught (which I did with Da Vinci Code).   Still, a great read for those who like his previous works, but I would not expect it to wow you like the others did.

Blood Game: An Eve Duncan Forensics Thriller by Iris Johansen

 

Title: Blood Game
Author: Iris Johansen
Published: October 2009
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780312368128
Source: person copy 

description: First comes darkness, then comes fear
Eve Duncan is back! Blockbuster New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen’s latest thriller brings Eve closer to discovering her daughter’s killer…and into a web of danger from which she may not be able to escape… 
Eve Duncan returns in a thriller that pits her against the most evil mind she has ever encountered: a ruthless killer who taunts her with his every move…and who has a special affinity for blood. When a Georgia senator’s daughter is found murdered, and her body drained of blood, Eve Duncan is drawn into the web of Kevin Jelak—a serial murderer who is on Eve’s short list of killers who might know something about her missing daughter Bonnie. When a goblet of blood is found in Eve’s refrigerator, she knows the taunting is over…and the games have begun. As Eve and Jelak engage in a dance of death, Eve must call upon those she loves and trusts the most…even if it means bringing them into the game as well.  

I Give This Book 3 Stars! 

I've always liked Eve Duncan books.  I like the cast of characters and what they bring to the story.  This one didn't work for me as much.  It felt very repetitive (I know some information needs to be repeated for those new to the story).  And I really wish the author would have stayed away from what is so huge in pop culture right now.  And yes, I'm talking about vampires.  And this guy wasn't even a vampire in the traditional sense.  The story gets warped around the idea of becoming a vampire just by drinking "worthy" peoples blood.  And then the book brings in a new character who has a history with the vampire.  He didn't fit into the story as well, and I didn't really understand who or what he was.  I did like Joe's new "gift" and would like to see were this goes in the future.  But, this story, I can take it or leave it.

Truly, Madly (Lucy Valentine, #1) by Heather Webber

Title: Truly, Madly
Author: Heather Webber
Published: Feb 2010
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780312946135
Source: Won From Goodreads

Description: Meet Lucy Valentine; sassy, fabulously original…and psychic.
Lucy hails from a long line of matchmakers known as Valentine INC. According to family legend, the Valentines have been blessed by Cupid with the ability to help couples find true love. Trouble is Lucy’s powers were zapped away by an electrical surge and now all she can find are lost objects.
But what good is that in the matchmaking world?
Lucy is about to find out when she tries to solve a murder and winds up falling into a romance of her own.

I Give This Book  4 Stars!

This book caught my interest from the moment I saw it.  I was glad to have won a copy.   It completed exceeded my expectations.  I was afraid that the psychic accept of this story would be a tad bit corny in combination with the romantic elements.  But, it worked better than I imagined.  Lucy was a fiery lead character.  In one book she manged to draw me in and I look forward to reading the future books in this series.  The mystery elements balanced out the romance perfectly.   It even surprised me and wasn't predictable.  The secondary characters added to the story and were developed enough to be a great supporting cast for future books.  Overall, a great read and looking forward to more of this series and more from Heather Webber!

* Watch for my giveaway for this book tomorrow!

The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer

Title: The Manufactured Identity
Author: Heath Sommer
Publication: June 2009 by Tate Pub & Enterprise Llc
Pages: 308
ISBN: 9781606965504

Description:  Months after his mysterious disappearance from a routine fishing trip, no one really expects over-the-hill Texas housewife Lory Latchley to find her missing husband—especially her husband. The Manufactured Identity is clinical psychologist Heath Sommer's ever-escalating immersion into the world of unlikely friends who each awaken to find their faithful companions missing without warning or reason. Desperate to find meaning in their pain, they are thrust by the auspices of fate into a common thread of mystery and human frailty. In the end, the fate of all may reside in the unstable hands of rookie pastor John Joe, but ultimately Lory and her newfound partners will uncover a truth so unnerving it makes even infidelity look palatable.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I was intrigued from the first couple pages of The Manufactured Identity.  I love psychological mystery/thrillers, and have to say that this is one of the best.  I've found most doctors turned writers try not to show too much of their psychology backgrounds in a story they've written.  But, I found this book was the opposite and I loved every minute of it.  But, then I have a B.S. in psychology so I sort of revel in this kind of stuff.  I wasn't sure were the story was going for a while and there are a lot of characters to keep track of.  But, as I soon found out, this was all part of the point.  It was fascinating to watch the story unfold and I was completely shocked at what the whole truth entailed.  I thought the person revealed in the end was different, so I liked being surprised.  In the end was very glad to have read this book!

* A special thanks to the Author, Dr. Heath Sommer, for the chance to review this book!

Naked in Death (In Death #1) by J.D. Robb

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

Description: It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion.
When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washing-ton politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome . . . and the leading suspect in the investigation.

I really love this series, but I was stupid and started at like book 20.  I had never heard of the In Death Series, so I just picked up one that looked really good.  I was hooked and always meant to go back to the beginning.  I was thrilled when I finally got a library card and they had the entire series.  Being the first in the series doesn't make any less than the rest.  It was great to finally understand how somethings come into play later on.  Although, I did miss some of the characters that appear later.  I love Eve and Roarke.  They are such an interesting couple even from the beginning.   I will continue reading them in order now just to catch all the stuff I missed!

The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill

I Give This Book 2.5 Stars!

Description: A woman vanishes in the fog up on "the Hill", an area locally known for its tranquility and peace. The police are not alarmed; people usually disappear for their own reasons. But when a young girl, an old man, and even a dog disappear, no one can deny that something untoward is happening in this quiet cathedral town. Young policewoman Freya Graffham is assigned to the case; she's new to the job, compassionate, inquisitive, dedicated, and needs to know - perhaps, too much. She and the enigmatic detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler have the task of unraveling the mystery behind this gruesome sequence of events. From the passages revealing the killer's mind to the final heart-stopping twist, The Various Haunts of Men is an astounding and masterly crime debut, the first in what promises to be a magnificent series featuring Simon Serrailler.

This book had such potential, but fell flat in my opinion.  The description makes the book sound like a mystery/thriller, but it's written more like a drama.  It felt like it was extremely drawn out, and at times I was completely bored.   I picked the killer out half way through the book, but never really understood why he killed.   There wasn't much momentum through the book.  The shocker at the end was completely unfulfilling.  And why it's called a Simon Serrailler mystery is beyond men.  You barely see the man throughout the book and by the end you know next to nothing about him. 

Moon Called (Mercedes Thompson, #1) by Patricia Briggs

I Give This Book 3.5 Stars!

Description: "Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too. "
Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.
She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.
But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the characters and their development throughout the story.  I especially like Mercy.  The plot was interesting and kept me reading.  My only problem was at times, it was hard to follow.  I found myself having to reread paragraphs (or pages) to make sure I understood what was happening.  In fact I had to reread the section with the vampires more than once because I was completely confused.  I enjoyed reading more about the werewolves and how their dominance works.  And I was right in thinking that reading Moon Called (and maybe more of the series) first would have been better when reading Cry Wolf.  Overall, still a likeable read.

Rough Country by John Sandford

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

Description: Virgil’s always been known for having a somewhat active, er, social life, but he’s probably not going to be getting too many opportunities for that during his new case. While competing in a fishing tournament in a remote area of northern Minnesota, he gets a call from Lucas Davenport to investigate a murder at a nearby resort, where a woman has been shot while kayaking. The resort is for women only, a place to relax, get fit, recover from plastic surgery, commune with nature, and while it didn’t start out to be a place mostly for those with Sapphic inclinations, that’s pretty much what it is today.
Which makes things all the more complicated for Virgil, because as he begins investigating, he finds a web of connections between the people at the resort, the victim, and some local women, notably a talented country singer. The more he digs, the more he discovers the arrows of suspicion that point in many directions, encompassing a multitude of motivations: jealousy, blackmail, greed, anger, fear. Then he finds that this is not the first murder, that there was a second, seemingly unrelated one, the year before. And that there’s about to be a third, definitely related one, any time now. And as for the fourth . . . well, Virgil better hope he can catch the killer before that happens. Because it could be his own.

When I first started this book I was afraid maybe I had stepped away from this genre for too long. It felt rough around the edges, seemed more of a "man's" book, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But, I knew if I walked away from a mystery, it would bug me not knowing who the killer was. So, I stuck it out through the language (which wasn't excessive, but apparently I've been reading books that don't contain a lot), and the focus on the lesbian issues. Then it really started to draw me in, and I was extremely glad I hadn't given up on it. I got a great twist towards then end that I really didn't see coming. I love that because I've read enough of this type of story that I usually can see it coming. The mystery was tied together nicely and the last pages left me laughing!

 

* I want to thank Lydia Hirt for the chance to opportunity to read and review this book!

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

Description: The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identy. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

I liked this book overall and felt it was a good and fast read. I especially enjoyed the psychological/paranormal aspects of the story.  It's something that is so rarely done in this genre. It made me really connect with Naya and I liked Dr. Gram. I was happy to see he took her dreams seriously, and even more so with the detective Leia Bines does as well.  There are times the story felt very simple to me, maybe I've read to many mysteries. I was hoping for more of a twist in the ending, but I knew who the killer was about half way through the book (I did doubt it for a bit though.)  Still very pleased I read it.   I could see Dr. Gram and Detective Bines being used in a series.

* I would like to thank the author Preetham Grandhi for the chance to review this book!

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Description: Biographer Margaret Lea returns one night to her apartment above her father's antiquarian bookshop. On her steps she finds a letter. It is a hand-written request from one of Britain’s most prolific and well-loved novelists. Vida Winter, gravely ill, wants to recount her life story before it is too late, and she wants Margaret to be the one to capture her history. The request takes Margaret by surprise–she doesn’t know the author, nor has she read any of Miss Winter’s dozens of novels.
Late one night while pondering whether to accept the task of recording Miss Winter’s personal story, Margaret begins to read her father’s rare copy of Miss Winter’s Thirteen Tales of Change and Desperation. She is spellbound by the stories and confused when she realizes the book only contains twelve stories. Where is the thirteenth tale? Intrigued, Margaret agrees to meet Miss Winter and act as her biographer.
As Vida Winter unfolds her story, she shares with Margaret the dark family secrets that she has long kept hidden as she remembers her days at Angelfield, the now burnt-out estate that was her childhood home. Margaret carefully records Miss Winter’s account and finds herself more and more deeply immersed in the strange and troubling story. In the end, both women have to confront their pasts and the weight of family secrets. As well as the ghosts that haunt them still.

Have you ever read a book that you knew you liked, you just weren't sure how much (like does it rank in with the best books you've ever read?)  That was this book for me.  I come across them from time to time.  This book pulled me right in, but there were parts that I didn't enjoy reading.   Why we really needed to know about Margaret beyond the fact that she was a twin was beyond me.  I didn't feel any of that really added to the story (except her research stuff).   The ending was not what I was expecting, and I wasn't exactly sure how believable it was.   And what happened to Charles?   Were did he go?  I hate loose ends!!   But, overall I enjoyed the story.  Worth the read.