This wasn't as good as the first two books in the series, but I think I liked it a bit more than The Target. It was interesting to learn about Will's This wasn't as good as the first two books in the series, but I think I liked it a bit more than The Target. It was interesting to learn about Will's backstory and what drives him as a person. Will has a terrible event that occurs to him while he's on a job, and it causes some trauma that impacts his ability to do his job. Around the same time, he finds out that his father has been arrested for murder. Will has to go home to see if he can help his father, and so he does. Basically, the book is really about going back to your past and trying to make sense of it, how it has crippled you emotionally. To be honest, this book reminds me why I am not a small town person. I don't like the idea of everyone knowing me and and my business to that intimate degree. I could feel how awkward and frankly painful it was for Will to revisit his past. The resolution of Will's relationship with his father turned out to be very satisfying at the end, but it took a long time, and I wasn't feeling that connection until near the end of the book.
Baldacci went in a different direction from his other books in the series. This is a mystery more than an action story. Of course, there are some good action moments where Will demonstrates his skills. And I ain't gonna lie, like Will, I was waiting for Jessica to show up. I love Will as a character, and it was good without Jessica, but the two of them shine together. I loved that Jessica was there to support Will, and she seems a lot more open and in peace in this book.
It was interesting to see Will off his game and kind of uncertain about things. I liked the deeper character development. The novel gives the reader time to get to know Will, which wasn't necessarily the case with the first three books.
This book reminded me oddly of Agatha Christie. The idea that such evil could lurk beneath such a banal facade is pivotal to this story. I don't want to spoil it, but my goodness, the killer is truly awful. I guessed who the killer was, but I still feel that the reveal was done very well, that had some textures and layers I didn't expect, and there were some nice twists and turns getting to the end. ...more
I remember this being a very good, suspenseful story. Not a cozy mystery per se. Probably straddling that line between a cozy with an amateur sleuth aI remember this being a very good, suspenseful story. Not a cozy mystery per se. Probably straddling that line between a cozy with an amateur sleuth and a medical mystery. I liked this one enough to want to go back and read the first book in the series.
Not my usual cup of tea, to be honest. This is as much a literary meditation on life, death and loss as it is a mystery novel. The hero is very confliNot my usual cup of tea, to be honest. This is as much a literary meditation on life, death and loss as it is a mystery novel. The hero is very conflicted and deeply nuanced. There's a lot to explore in this novel.
I knew this wasn't the first book in the series, but I decided to check it out from the library and listen to it anyway. Very enjoyable. Miles is an aI knew this wasn't the first book in the series, but I decided to check it out from the library and listen to it anyway. Very enjoyable. Miles is an appealing lead character. I loved that Miles isn't your typical hero as far as looks. He's not very tall and he has medical issues that have affected his looks. It doesn't matter at all, because he has presence. And I love a smart guy who's solving mysteries. Miles is more or less a space detective. I like detective in any setting, but it was fun to read a science fiction book with detectives in it. I read this while I was working on my final painting for my class, and it more than kept me company. The narrator was good, he had a pleasant voice, sort of like an older English butler. It worked for me.
The story involves corporate corruption and cryostasis. Quite a combination. I liked how multicultural the cast of characters were. It sort of reminded me of how in Firefly, the Chinese culture has dominated and its reflected in the dialogue and names of people. In this case, there is a good mix of various Asian cultures, along with other ethnicities. There is plenty of suspense, but a lot of wry humor, which is always welcome. It didn't mess things up for me that I hadn't read the first book. Instead I am intrigued to read about Miles' parents Aral and Cordelia, and fortunately I do have that book.
I know I'm not giving this book justice in this review. My brain is pretty fried, so this will have to do.
A surprisingly serious although also humorous and quirky mystery featuring a feisty chef and her endearing but very quirky Irish family. I will definiA surprisingly serious although also humorous and quirky mystery featuring a feisty chef and her endearing but very quirky Irish family. I will definitely read more of these. I love the Irish flavor, and food always goes well in a mystery, methinks!
This was a little too serious to be a bonafide cozy mystery, and it was too slow moving. The lead character has an interesting ability. I would have lThis was a little too serious to be a bonafide cozy mystery, and it was too slow moving. The lead character has an interesting ability. I would have liked the author to explore that more. I loved the view of modern-day Edinburgh and the intriguing secondary characters.
This was a quick, involving read, and part of me wanted to rate it higher because of that and the fact that Jess reminds me favorably of Veronica MarsThis was a quick, involving read, and part of me wanted to rate it higher because of that and the fact that Jess reminds me favorably of Veronica Mars, but the mystery was a bit too simplistic and predictable. But overall, I like the idea of a teenage English girl sleuth very much, and I'd recommend it to YA mystery readers.
This was admittedly a slow read for me. But it's proof that some things are worth sticking in for and waiting on. At its heart, this is a moving storyThis was admittedly a slow read for me. But it's proof that some things are worth sticking in for and waiting on. At its heart, this is a moving story about a young boy who is coming to terms with his identity as an adoptee. He's asking the questions about his birth family, but that in no way invalidates his feelings or attachment to his adoptive family. On the surface, this is a mystery/adventure about a treasure hunt in a house that once belonged to a famous smuggler. Milo wanted a quiet Christmas with his family, but unexpected guests arrive and change the whole dynamic. But it turns out this is a pivotal event that will put to rest old secrets and reveal the answers to all the questions of the guests that come to stay in Greenglass House one snowy Christmas week.
While this moved slowly, and I found myself rereading several parts to make sure I understood what was happening, there is a strength to the narrative that made me want to soldier through. I found Milo adorable. He's Chinese by birth and ethnicity, and he's sick of that question of why he doesn't look like his white parents. He's a quiet and bookish kid with a big inner life, and he's ripe for an adventure. Milo meets a young girl who comes along with their cook, and they become partners in a Dungeons and Dragons-like game called "Odd Trails", which ties in very heavily with their quest for secrets about Greenglass House.
That mystery is extremely clever. Especially how the very house itself is full of clues about the mystery. I would enjoy staying at Greenglass House, and exploring its several floors that have stood the test of time, and gazing at the raging winter (I love winter) outside the beautiful stained glass windows. Any good mystery writer presents a group of suspects, and each one is interesting, with deep motives yet to be discovered.
The end was quite a lovely surprise. I hadn't suspected what we find out near the end, but it definitely makes sense, and there are seeds all along. That's the hallmark of a good mystery to my mind.
The author writes an afterword about her reasons for writing this novel, and that adds so much to the story. How this came out of her personal journey to adoption, along with other aspects of the genesis of writing this novel, in which an adoptee plays a major role.
I'm glad my library had this book, and for the recommendation from my friend Rane. While it took me a good while to read, it was definitely worth the reading. I'll look forward to reading other books by Ms. Milford....more
Pretty good, and a quick read. The villain made me murderous, and the hero is a bit generic, although I liked him. I read this for review, but I went Pretty good, and a quick read. The villain made me murderous, and the hero is a bit generic, although I liked him. I read this for review, but I went ahead and got the first book on my Kindle to read.
I gave this four stars because it's a well-plotted mystery that kept me guessing, with a very surprising and rather disturbing twist. I would continueI gave this four stars because it's a well-plotted mystery that kept me guessing, with a very surprising and rather disturbing twist. I would continue reading this series.
Moving Target was a very engrossing book that lives up to the momentum implied in its title. This is my second read by JA Jance and in this Ali ReynolMoving Target was a very engrossing book that lives up to the momentum implied in its title. This is my second read by JA Jance and in this Ali Reynolds series, and I am hooked. I'll be looking for more by this author in my library audiobook section. I think this author will make for good listening material.
One of those "please get to the point" kind of books. Lots of chatty dialogue that had me wondering what the relevance was. I have to say it all came One of those "please get to the point" kind of books. Lots of chatty dialogue that had me wondering what the relevance was. I have to say it all came together very well, and the resolution had a wow factor.
Blue Monday is a bit hard to pin down as far as genre. It has elements of both a mainstream and a mystery/suspense novel. I think the suspense elementBlue Monday is a bit hard to pin down as far as genre. It has elements of both a mainstream and a mystery/suspense novel. I think the suspense elements tended to be sacrificed in favor of the exploration of characters and psychoanalysis elements. Nevertheless, it was a pretty good book. Warning: There are aspects that some readers will find disturbing if they are sensitive about children in jeopardy or being harmed.
I admit I am reading these books out of order, but it hasn't hurt. I like Crais' spare writing style, yet how he writes description beautifully, bringI admit I am reading these books out of order, but it hasn't hurt. I like Crais' spare writing style, yet how he writes description beautifully, bringing Los Angeles to life for me as I listened. I was a bit disappointed with how quickly it ended, leaving me with some questions about why the killer was operating. The same narrator as The Watchman, and he does the Cole/Pike books perfectly well, so I shall not complain.
I exhaled a dreamy sigh whenever Pike came around. He is utterly lickable. (Did I write that in my review? Pausing to drool...) Back to the review... I am quite fond of Elvis too. I don't feel that I know him as well as Pike, but that's my fault for reading these books out of order.
It was very awesome to see Carol Starkey from Demolition Angel again. She seems a little better adjusted, but smokes like a chimney. I enjoyed the banter between her and Elvis.
This one is a low four because of the sparse detail on the killer and how it wraps up. I think the characters are a strong point for me with this series, and the mystery part is sort of an added bonus, so I can can still rate this one well. It's a four because I really liked it for the reasons I mentioned. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! ...more
Danielle The Book Huntress
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