Lethal Legacy
Linda Fairstein
Doubleday (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Rare books, valuable maps, the New York Public Library, and a cast of eccentric characters kept my interest despite the formulaic nature of this entertaining mystery. District Attorney, Alexandra Cooper, investigating two murders, crosses paths with thieves determined to double-cross each other to end up with a valuable map which was printed in 12 sections. The different sections of the map are not conveniently all in one spot, however. To complicate matters, there's not one living person who knows where all 12 pieces of the map were hidden.
Killer suspense and a fast-moving plot kept this mystery/thriller both interesting and entertaining right from the start to the very end. The characters were well-developed enough that they came alive for me during the time I was reading this book, and when I finished, I felt like I was leaving old friends behind as I closed the book for the last time. My very favorite aspect of this novel is how the threads of the mystery were inter-woven with the information about rare and valuable books and maps.
Recommended for mystery-lovers of all ages from 16 and up. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thought Provoking
Regression
By Kathy Bell
Northern Sanctum (2009)
First Canadian Digital Edition, PDF format, 358 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible.
40 year-old Adya, mother of 6, is involved in a traffic accident on November 11, 2011. Hours later, she awakes in a hospital bed asking for her daughter. When she is fully awake, Adya discovers that she has regressed into her own younger self. She is 14 years old and single.
There's surprise after surprise as Adya learns to cope with the way things are now and attempts to discover the reason she is here and learn how to cope with a group of other regressees who seem to be hostile and resentful toward Adya. How does Adya cope with the new, alternate reality she has awoken into...? Naturally, Adya is full of questions, and this first novel in a new series answers some of them.
While alternate realities are nothing new, Kathy Bell takes the old story-line, twisting and turning it in new and exciting ways. Regression grabs the reader and does not let go, staying in one's thoughts even after finishing the last page. Regression is not a "quick and fluffy" read, but is full of thought-provoking concepts. This is the kind of novel I look for and eagerly await. I'll be interested in the remaining books to the series.
Recommended to readers age 16 and up who want something more than a quick and easy read. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing. I received the First Canadian Digital edition free from the publisher via the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for this review, however I like this book enough to purchase a signed copy of the paper back edition from Northern Sanctum Press.
By Kathy Bell
Northern Sanctum (2009)
First Canadian Digital Edition, PDF format, 358 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible.
40 year-old Adya, mother of 6, is involved in a traffic accident on November 11, 2011. Hours later, she awakes in a hospital bed asking for her daughter. When she is fully awake, Adya discovers that she has regressed into her own younger self. She is 14 years old and single.
There's surprise after surprise as Adya learns to cope with the way things are now and attempts to discover the reason she is here and learn how to cope with a group of other regressees who seem to be hostile and resentful toward Adya. How does Adya cope with the new, alternate reality she has awoken into...? Naturally, Adya is full of questions, and this first novel in a new series answers some of them.
While alternate realities are nothing new, Kathy Bell takes the old story-line, twisting and turning it in new and exciting ways. Regression grabs the reader and does not let go, staying in one's thoughts even after finishing the last page. Regression is not a "quick and fluffy" read, but is full of thought-provoking concepts. This is the kind of novel I look for and eagerly await. I'll be interested in the remaining books to the series.
Recommended to readers age 16 and up who want something more than a quick and easy read. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing. I received the First Canadian Digital edition free from the publisher via the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for this review, however I like this book enough to purchase a signed copy of the paper back edition from Northern Sanctum Press.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Survival in the New World
Drums of Autumn
Diana Gabaldon
Seal Books (1997),
Mass Market Paperback, 1088 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
In this fourth installment of the Outlander series, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna makes the trip through time and travels from Scotland to America in order to find them, thinking to prevent their deaths by fire. When Brianna finds herself in her father's century, the date on the newspaper clipping she found is still is 6 years in the future... so there's time, but will Brianna be able to make her parents believe the clipping?
The action in the story slows down about mid-way through and drags a bit... not quite as good as the first three novels, but still well worth reading for the continuity. Fortunately, this book picks up again, so only about the middle 1/4 to 1/3 of the book drags compared to the earlier books in the series.
If you haven't read the first three books in the saga, this isn't the place to start, as the story resumes in this book shortly after the end of the third novel; starting at this point would be confusing to many readers. The Outlander saga is one large story, carved into seven more managable parts, which should be read in order.
Book 1: Outlander
Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber
Book 3: Voyager
This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Diana Gabaldon
Seal Books (1997),
Mass Market Paperback, 1088 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
In this fourth installment of the Outlander series, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna makes the trip through time and travels from Scotland to America in order to find them, thinking to prevent their deaths by fire. When Brianna finds herself in her father's century, the date on the newspaper clipping she found is still is 6 years in the future... so there's time, but will Brianna be able to make her parents believe the clipping?
The action in the story slows down about mid-way through and drags a bit... not quite as good as the first three novels, but still well worth reading for the continuity. Fortunately, this book picks up again, so only about the middle 1/4 to 1/3 of the book drags compared to the earlier books in the series.
If you haven't read the first three books in the saga, this isn't the place to start, as the story resumes in this book shortly after the end of the third novel; starting at this point would be confusing to many readers. The Outlander saga is one large story, carved into seven more managable parts, which should be read in order.
Book 1: Outlander
Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber
Book 3: Voyager
This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Norwegian "Dirty Harry"
Nemesis
Jo Nesbø
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 480 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible.
Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend. The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning. Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out. I promise you won't be sorry.
Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway. I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.
Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norwegian answer to Dirty Harry.
This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Jo Nesbø
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 480 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible.
Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend. The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning. Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out. I promise you won't be sorry.
Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway. I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.
Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norwegian answer to Dirty Harry.
This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Limited Interest
The Piano Teacher
Janice Y. K. Lee
Penguin (2009)
Paperback, 352 pages
Rated 2 stars of 5 possible.
The Piano Teacher is written in a present tense, third person point of view that I find disturbing... it's as if someone is secretly watching everything that happens without anyone knowing. One can almost hear the story being narrated in a whisper. For unknown or unstated reasons, The Piano Teacher flip-flops between decades - 1940's and 1950's. As a reader, I find this unexplained flipping between decades to be a major distraction.
Claire Pendleton, the charater referred to in the title, seems to have actually very little to do with the story, yet she should be the main character, or the book should have been given a different title. The story seems to be more about Will Truesdale and Trudy Liang and what happened to them during World War II than about Claire. As it is, there's nothing in the book for me to recommend it to anyone.
Of those that are fully developed, none are likable... not even Claire Pendleton, The Piano Teacher, whom, at best, one can pity. In fact, I am only giving this book two stars because the 1950's portion is interesting. Not so the majority of the book, which takes place approximately a decade earlier. If you're looking for something interesting to read, this probably isn't it. Parts of it are interesting because of the hisotrical material on Hong Kong... but the characters are either the kind you love to hate or rather flat and uninteresting.
Not recommended. This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Janice Y. K. Lee
Penguin (2009)
Paperback, 352 pages
Rated 2 stars of 5 possible.
The Piano Teacher is written in a present tense, third person point of view that I find disturbing... it's as if someone is secretly watching everything that happens without anyone knowing. One can almost hear the story being narrated in a whisper. For unknown or unstated reasons, The Piano Teacher flip-flops between decades - 1940's and 1950's. As a reader, I find this unexplained flipping between decades to be a major distraction.
Claire Pendleton, the charater referred to in the title, seems to have actually very little to do with the story, yet she should be the main character, or the book should have been given a different title. The story seems to be more about Will Truesdale and Trudy Liang and what happened to them during World War II than about Claire. As it is, there's nothing in the book for me to recommend it to anyone.
Of those that are fully developed, none are likable... not even Claire Pendleton, The Piano Teacher, whom, at best, one can pity. In fact, I am only giving this book two stars because the 1950's portion is interesting. Not so the majority of the book, which takes place approximately a decade earlier. If you're looking for something interesting to read, this probably isn't it. Parts of it are interesting because of the hisotrical material on Hong Kong... but the characters are either the kind you love to hate or rather flat and uninteresting.
Not recommended. This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Don't Waste Your Time
Fireside
Lakeshore Chronicles, Book 5
Susan Wiggs
Mira (2009)
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Rated 3 stars of 5 possible
Fireside is a sweet, sticky, formulaic romance with a little more plot than most books of this type, but still not my cup of tea. 5th in a series, yet stands alone too. Not really bad (the author does a good job with grammar, spelling, and punctuation), but not good enough to make me want to look for the previous four books, nor any that may come after... or anything else by this author.
Character development is far too slow and tentative in this book, almost experimental, or so it seems. Too much description, too little action, and too little dialogue to the story for it to be really good. Fully half of the book was past before I sensed any realistc characteristics to the people involved in this story... and then I could not bring myself to care overly much for any of them. Why'd I finish reading this if I don't like it? I'm clueless about that myself... it surely wasn't worth wasting my time.
Recommended to those who like sweet and sticky, mostly plotless and formulaic romance novels; anyone else should steer clear of this... This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Lakeshore Chronicles, Book 5
Susan Wiggs
Mira (2009)
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Rated 3 stars of 5 possible
Fireside is a sweet, sticky, formulaic romance with a little more plot than most books of this type, but still not my cup of tea. 5th in a series, yet stands alone too. Not really bad (the author does a good job with grammar, spelling, and punctuation), but not good enough to make me want to look for the previous four books, nor any that may come after... or anything else by this author.
Character development is far too slow and tentative in this book, almost experimental, or so it seems. Too much description, too little action, and too little dialogue to the story for it to be really good. Fully half of the book was past before I sensed any realistc characteristics to the people involved in this story... and then I could not bring myself to care overly much for any of them. Why'd I finish reading this if I don't like it? I'm clueless about that myself... it surely wasn't worth wasting my time.
Recommended to those who like sweet and sticky, mostly plotless and formulaic romance novels; anyone else should steer clear of this... This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Nice Blend of History and Fiction
Fever 1793
Laurie Halse Anderson
Aladdin Paperbacks (March 2002),
Paperback, 265 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
The Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 and its aftermath have been historically documented, providing much factual information on which this novel is based. Other reviewers have done a good job summarizing the story, so I won't repeat their efforts here. Instead, I'll just tell you why I think you should read the book.
Following the novel is an 8 page appendix revealing that many of the events portrayed in the novel actually did happen and that some of the characters were based on real historical persons. While I like seeing such a feature in books that are based on actual events, a bibliography of source material used would also have been a nice feature for a book like this one.
The nearly seamless blending of historical fact with fiction, and her believable, historically consistent characters that help make Laurie Halse Anderson's novel a page turner; one of the best reasons for reading it would be pure enjoyment. The characters are well-developed and the writing exceptionally good. The story is told from start to finish in about 240 pages and moves forward at a nice pace, so it's not overly long and certainly not boring either, with the rich historical content on which the novel is based.
I recommend this novel to readers age 14 and up who are interested in historical events told through fiction. While written specifically with young adult females in mind, this book should appeal to all ages and both genders through it's strong characters and well-defined story. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Laurie Halse Anderson
Aladdin Paperbacks (March 2002),
Paperback, 265 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
The Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 and its aftermath have been historically documented, providing much factual information on which this novel is based. Other reviewers have done a good job summarizing the story, so I won't repeat their efforts here. Instead, I'll just tell you why I think you should read the book.
Following the novel is an 8 page appendix revealing that many of the events portrayed in the novel actually did happen and that some of the characters were based on real historical persons. While I like seeing such a feature in books that are based on actual events, a bibliography of source material used would also have been a nice feature for a book like this one.
The nearly seamless blending of historical fact with fiction, and her believable, historically consistent characters that help make Laurie Halse Anderson's novel a page turner; one of the best reasons for reading it would be pure enjoyment. The characters are well-developed and the writing exceptionally good. The story is told from start to finish in about 240 pages and moves forward at a nice pace, so it's not overly long and certainly not boring either, with the rich historical content on which the novel is based.
I recommend this novel to readers age 14 and up who are interested in historical events told through fiction. While written specifically with young adult females in mind, this book should appeal to all ages and both genders through it's strong characters and well-defined story. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Outstanding Historical Fiction
Voyager
By Diana Gabaldon
Dell (1994)
Mass Market, 1072 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible
Voyager, the third novel in the marvelous Outlander series, takes up the tale of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall where Dragonfly in Amber left off, opening right after the battle of Culloden. Jamie had sent Claire back through the stones to her own time just prior to the battle - to protect her and their unborn child. He had meant to die in battle, yet he has unaccountably survived.
The author has done extensive research and taken care to incorporate authentic detail into these novels, making them more believable and that much more enjoyable. One look at the rating for the Outlander series will tell you I'm hooked. I doubt I have ever given three consecutive novels in a series this consistently high of a rating... yet Outlander and it's sequels definitely deserve the ratings they've gotten from me.
I highly recommend the entire series. Each novel is - somewhat - stand alone, making a complete story on it's own. Still, I recommend starting with Outlander and read them in order. The larger story will make better sense that way.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews, and LibraryThing.
By Diana Gabaldon
Dell (1994)
Mass Market, 1072 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible
Voyager, the third novel in the marvelous Outlander series, takes up the tale of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall where Dragonfly in Amber left off, opening right after the battle of Culloden. Jamie had sent Claire back through the stones to her own time just prior to the battle - to protect her and their unborn child. He had meant to die in battle, yet he has unaccountably survived.
The author has done extensive research and taken care to incorporate authentic detail into these novels, making them more believable and that much more enjoyable. One look at the rating for the Outlander series will tell you I'm hooked. I doubt I have ever given three consecutive novels in a series this consistently high of a rating... yet Outlander and it's sequels definitely deserve the ratings they've gotten from me.
I highly recommend the entire series. Each novel is - somewhat - stand alone, making a complete story on it's own. Still, I recommend starting with Outlander and read them in order. The larger story will make better sense that way.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews, and LibraryThing.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Enjoyable Without Being Understood
Utmost Magpie
Richard Marsh
Mazgeen Press, (2009)
E-book, 54 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Utmost Magpie is a story about magpies who, led by their captain, deliver messages to people. The messages foretell - by the number of magpies seen - what may happen to the people... The events foretold by the magpies are prophetic, but not entirely unavoidable.
I suspect the story is heavily laden with symbolism that I haven't stopped to analyze in it's entirety. The satire goes right over my head too... or at least, mostly it does. Despite that, I can still see the magpies as politicians and their messages as the rhetoric delivered by politicians in an attempt to convince their colleagues to vote for certain measures when the political body is in session.
On another level, Utmost Magpie is an entirely enjoyable fantasy tale about magpies and the "work" they do. Utmost Magpie can be read as "light and fluffy" or studied in depth. I can recommend this book, even to those who don't normally read satire.
This review has been simultaneously published on Amazon.com, Dragonviews, and LibraryThing. Utmost Magpie was given to me free in exchange for this review.
Richard Marsh
Mazgeen Press, (2009)
E-book, 54 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Utmost Magpie is a story about magpies who, led by their captain, deliver messages to people. The messages foretell - by the number of magpies seen - what may happen to the people... The events foretold by the magpies are prophetic, but not entirely unavoidable.
I suspect the story is heavily laden with symbolism that I haven't stopped to analyze in it's entirety. The satire goes right over my head too... or at least, mostly it does. Despite that, I can still see the magpies as politicians and their messages as the rhetoric delivered by politicians in an attempt to convince their colleagues to vote for certain measures when the political body is in session.
On another level, Utmost Magpie is an entirely enjoyable fantasy tale about magpies and the "work" they do. Utmost Magpie can be read as "light and fluffy" or studied in depth. I can recommend this book, even to those who don't normally read satire.
This review has been simultaneously published on Amazon.com, Dragonviews, and LibraryThing. Utmost Magpie was given to me free in exchange for this review.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Mysterious Visitor
Patterns in the Sand: A Seaside Knitters Mystery
By Sally Goldenbaum
New American Library (2009)
Hardcover, 304 pages
Rated 4 Stars of 5 Possible
Patterns in the Sand takes place in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, one of those sleepy little seaside towns where everybody knows everybody else, and they also know who likes or does not like whom. Shortly before all the excitement begins, Willow Adams arrives in town and is introduced to the community in an unconventional manner... she's discovered by the police, fast asleep in the display window of Izzy Chambers's Seaside Knitting Studio...
Like a ball of Izzy's yarn, this story unravels bit by bit. The suspense is delightful as just enough detail is revealed to keep the reader interested and on the edge of her seat while the story develops, and the plot unwinds. Patterns in the Sand is the second book of the new Seaside Knitters Mystery series.
I recommend this novel with no reservations at all to mystery readers age 14 and up... even if you didn't read the first novel in the series, you could enjoy this one, as it stands alone well.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing, and I reserve the right to publish it elsewhere as the mood takes me.
By Sally Goldenbaum
New American Library (2009)
Hardcover, 304 pages
Rated 4 Stars of 5 Possible
Patterns in the Sand takes place in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, one of those sleepy little seaside towns where everybody knows everybody else, and they also know who likes or does not like whom. Shortly before all the excitement begins, Willow Adams arrives in town and is introduced to the community in an unconventional manner... she's discovered by the police, fast asleep in the display window of Izzy Chambers's Seaside Knitting Studio...
Like a ball of Izzy's yarn, this story unravels bit by bit. The suspense is delightful as just enough detail is revealed to keep the reader interested and on the edge of her seat while the story develops, and the plot unwinds. Patterns in the Sand is the second book of the new Seaside Knitters Mystery series.
I recommend this novel with no reservations at all to mystery readers age 14 and up... even if you didn't read the first novel in the series, you could enjoy this one, as it stands alone well.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing, and I reserve the right to publish it elsewhere as the mood takes me.
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