First off, I must warn the reader that this is a brutal book. Well-written, great characters, great story, but not for the faint of heart. About the oFirst off, I must warn the reader that this is a brutal book. Well-written, great characters, great story, but not for the faint of heart. About the only trigger warning that comes to mind that doesn't happen in here is the death of an animal.
The book opens with a savage home invasion, and then skips ahead a few decades and lands the reader in a school shooting. Those two events, and the fallout from them, are most of what happens in the book. The Quinn family is the center of the tale, Rusty Quinn, champion of the accused and despised by just about everyone in his small town, his wife, the hyper-intelligent but socially awkward Gamma, and their daughters Samantha and Charlotte.
When the school shooting happens, there are a lot of questions (for those who stop to think) about exactly what happened with the shooter, and all the events around it. There are so many secrets in this book, and they gradually spill out (at least most of them do). A lot of the (often deserved) stereotypes about small Southern towns pop up, and if you really don't like negative depictions of the police, you might not care for this. IMHO, after over 22 years in law enforcement, the depictions are awful, but not entirely unrealistic.
It's a great book, but a difficult read. I see above that it's the start of a series. I might well check out the next. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. ...more
My one star reviews are even more rare than my five star ones. I try not to do it very often. But occasionally, something earns it.
Honestly, conceptuMy one star reviews are even more rare than my five star ones. I try not to do it very often. But occasionally, something earns it.
Honestly, conceptually, this sounds like something a junior high schooler would have come up with. "There's this assassin, right, but he only kills bad guys. And his partner is a super-hot stripper, right? And he drives a limo as a cover identity and all this crazy stuff happens."
Bill works for someone he calls The Grinch, who sends him high profile assignments, and he kills them with some special chemical formula that only he, his partner (Annie), and the scientist who came up with it know about, making it look like the victim has a heart attack. Bill manages each hit with no difficulty at all, including getting people various government agencies haven't been able to capture. In one case, he takes the remarkably clever route of "Hey, this guy's mom is sick, let's use her as bait." Because the Feds wouldn't think of this?
He's supposed to be keeping a low profile to preserve his secrets, but buys a private jet and routinely hits the VIP areas of clubs and Annie spends just about all her off time shopping when they're not partying. Bill drinks a lot, takes random drugs including ones he doesn't even know exactly what they are, and they party with two close friends who are super-hot lesbians, or possibly bi. It seemed like the writer got a bonus each time he used "hot" or "boobs." The few times he works up the nerve to use profanity, it's weirdly self-censored, like "f@ck" or things along those lines.
Why did I rate this so low? Where do I start... multiple cases of the wrong word "high heals" stands out, as well as someone "sitting on his lab." There are weird formatting errors, like Limo being capitalized all the time... except when it's not.
On a more technical front, the hero overcomes no obstacles. He's never in danger, never gets in a fight or a confrontation, I don't think anyone ever even says "no" to him. We get an assassination that's ridiculously easy, then a wild limo story that usually involves drinking and hot women, and then another assassination, with a few random party scenes. The female lead strips, drinks, does drugs, parties, and goes shopping. Sometimes she's a distraction for his assassinations. She has no agency, nor does any other female character.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that seems to come out of nowhere which seems like a bid to entice readers into going on to the next book. I have no idea if there is a next book, but I know I won't be reading it. It also oddly ends with a plea for readers to pray for the character involved with the cliffhanger, then reminds us that it's fiction. I assure you, no one would mistake this for reality. ...more
You've probably at least heard of the movie (or movies). I had never read the original book, and was curious, so I did.
Raymond Shaw is serving with tYou've probably at least heard of the movie (or movies). I had never read the original book, and was curious, so I did.
Raymond Shaw is serving with the Army in the Korean War. He and his unit are captured, and subjected to a deep conditioning, brain-washing program. None of them remember what happened, although two of them start having nightmares when they get back home. Shaw is given the Medal of Honor based on the fictional, although none of them know it, account of what happened to the patrol.
The most memorable character in the book is Raymond's mother, a modern (for then) spin on Lady MacBeth but more ruthless and less likeable. She is a cold, manipulative, scheming woman with no real limits on what she is willing to do.
A tense, high-stakes plot emerges as we see what his masters have in mind for Raymond.
Parts of this book really eerily echo current political events.
It was an interesting read, although some parts of it read a bit oddly for modern readers. ...more
After the events of The Longmire Defense, Walt has several challenges facing him. He and Vic are moving in together, which makes it so they have to clAfter the events of The Longmire Defense, Walt has several challenges facing him. He and Vic are moving in together, which makes it so they have to clean out the house. In the basement, Vic finds an old surfboard, which kicks off a lot of memories.
In the present, Walt is dealing with a hearing stirred up by the important people he offended in the last book, and that isn't exactly going smoothly.
Most of the book takes place in the past, as Walt and Henry have finished college and, rather than be drafted, enlisted for the Viet Nam war. They go on a road trip from California to their respective places they've been told to report to. Along the way, they hit the trope of "wandering heroes find corrupt town," this one steeped in history. One of the low points of American history, actually, as Walt and Henry find a forgotten Japanese Interment camp from World War II, and slowly learn the tragic history of the place, and the town.
We jump back and forth between the two eras, and it's interesting to see Walt long before he picked up a badge. I very much enjoyed this, and it was another great addition to a series I really like. ...more
Bronson Powers is a unique man. A former Hollywood stuntman and addict turned devout, if radical, Mormon and homesteader, he left modern society 20 yeBronson Powers is a unique man. A former Hollywood stuntman and addict turned devout, if radical, Mormon and homesteader, he left modern society 20 years ago. Living way off the grid with his multiple wives and the kids from those unions, he keeps to himself and raises his family as he thinks right, guided by his interpretation of the religion he converted to.
Enter Maya Abbadessa, a woman desperate to climb the corporate ladder. While high and driving a stolen car, she finds Bronson an d his family and complications arise, as you might expect. In some twisted convoluted circumstances, one of Bronson's wives and three of his kids join the "civilized" world for a year, with some very high stakes on the outcome. Some thrive. Some fall into bad habits. And then tragedy strikes, coming in waves that keep growing higher until death and fire have their way.
It's an interesting story, but I find myself unable to rate it higher. There aren't necessarily clear cut good guys (with maybe one exception) but the ones who come close to that suffer some harsh losses and tragedy. There are definitely some bad guys, and I really don't like that they seem to come out of this really well. Life is like that, sure. Doesn't mean I want to read about it.
Duchovny is without doubt a talented writer. I just didn't find this story grabbing me as deeply as it could have. The disconnect is likely on my end. ...more
This one was a weird one. A family lives in a big house on the outskirts of town. Slowly, we learn there were several deaths in the family a few yearsThis one was a weird one. A family lives in a big house on the outskirts of town. Slowly, we learn there were several deaths in the family a few years ago, and exactly what happened is a bit murky. In the present, living together are Mary Katherine, Constance, and Uncle Julian. They are a very strange household, but they got along all right, aside from being taunted and snubbed by the villagers.
Then Cousin Charles comes to visit and starts trying to impose his will on everything. Things change rapidly and a lot of weird things happen. It's safe to assume the family will never be the same.
It's an odd story, and the whole unreliable narrator bit doesn't help. It was a decent read, but it's not likely to be a favorite of mine. ...more
I read the hardcover. Goodreads is in glitch mode and won't let me pick that one. I have no idea why.
I consider myself a Crichton fan. I read that thI read the hardcover. Goodreads is in glitch mode and won't let me pick that one. I have no idea why.
I consider myself a Crichton fan. I read that this was one of his unfinished works and, no offense to him, his wife who wanted it published, or Richard Preston who finished it, it kind of reads that way. There are some virtually identical sentences that follow each other, some odd editing, and the set up of the group we focus on almost felt like someone building an adventuring party in an RPG. The main villain was almost cartoonishly evil. There's another character that reminded me a lot of Nedry, the computer guy, from Jurassic Park.
The concept was good, some of the ideas within were really cool, and I will say this: don't presume anyone is safe when the deaths start. The unexpected happens. It just overall felt like it needed a bit more polishing.
A group of grad students get an incredible offer: fly from wintry Cambridge, Massachusetts to Hawaii to check out an amazing potential job. Know that bit about "if it sounds too good to be true..." They soon find virtually nothing is how it seems out there. And how does the death of a local PI fit in to all this? ...more
John Sandford is very, very good at what he does. His Prey series, and all the ones spun off form it, are really good. A great story needs a great vilJohn Sandford is very, very good at what he does. His Prey series, and all the ones spun off form it, are really good. A great story needs a great villain, or at least foe, and Lucas Davenport and company get that here. Dr. Lionel Scott believes the world can't survive the way humans are treating it, and he has a plan, putting his virology background to use to become a non-powered, and more believable, Thanos.
Lucas and company have to find Scott and his allies and stop them before they let loose something that would make Covid look like a bad cold, with a much higher infection and mortality rate. Lucas, Rae, Letty, and a few familiar characters, as well as some new ones, are facing stakes much higher than stop the serial killer or crime boss.
There are a lot of twists and turns in the story, and it's really well done on every front. A great addition to both Davenports' series. ...more
This series started strong, and it's been getting questionable as it goes. At this point, I only read one of these when it fits a slot in a reading chThis series started strong, and it's been getting questionable as it goes. At this point, I only read one of these when it fits a slot in a reading challenge, because if nothing else, I know it's a quick, easy read.
Ridiculously rich adventurers Sam and Remi Fargo are helping fund a documentary about the ratlines, the escape routes used by Nazis at the end of World War II. Their team disappears, and Sam and Remi decide to investigate. They slowly end up involved with the Wolf Guard, a group wanting to carry on from the Nazis, and the hunt for the Romanov Ransom, a fabulous treasure supposedly used by the Dowager Empress to try and buy her family's freedom (It didn't work). The bounce around Europe and eventually end up in South America, seeking clues and a decades old plane crash.
The concept is decent, but various parts of the execution were lacking in my opinion. The modern story (there are always historical scenes to kick off a Cussler book) starts with Sam and Remi helping a rescue team train... or Remi actually being injured and it never being mentioned again. The wording is rather unclear as to which. There's a scene later where Sam compliments Remi's shooting... after a tense encounter where she never fired. Was be being sarcastic? Unclear, to quote Ryan George of Pitch Meeting. Sam shoots several people throughout the book with no real repercussions, and Remi, for the most part, is just kinda... there. A few passes from a good editor probably could have ironed some of these things out.
Before he became a self-described hobo, Reacher was a Military Policeman, and a very good one. This book is set back in 1992, when he was still on actBefore he became a self-described hobo, Reacher was a Military Policeman, and a very good one. This book is set back in 1992, when he was still on active duty and doing his job. It was after he'd been busted from major down to captain, and doing assignments as he got them.
The first part of his story is a fairly simple investigation into some chicanery with weapons at an army base. After that is speedily wrapped up, we move on to the main story: a series of scientists are dying under unusual circumstances, and some of them have ties to high positions in the US government. A task force of several different agencies gets put together, with Reacher trying to figure out who is doing the killing, why ,and what the task force people aren't telling him.
There are a lot of surprises and twists along the way, and the surprises and reveals are well done. It's the usual sort of action and skilled investigative technique that's been established for Reacher, and it's an enjoyable story. ...more
Camille Preaker escaped her small hometown and made it to Chicago, where she works as a reporter. But her boss sends her home when it seems like a serCamille Preaker escaped her small hometown and made it to Chicago, where she works as a reporter. But her boss sends her home when it seems like a serial killer is targeting young girls in Camille's former home. Unresolved issues with her mother and family swirl against the larger murder mystery, and the issues of returning to a place you didn't want to be in in the first place.
Camille has her own issues, including alcoholism and self-harm, and the return to the her mother's place doesn't really do her any favors. Camille tries to navigate more and more surprises as she learns more about the hometown she left behind, her mother, and her half-sister, as well as gains new insight about some old family tragedies. She starts a relationship with one of the investigators on the case, and shows similarly bad judgment throughout the story.
It's by turns shocking, disturbing, and very tense. Certainly well written, although I found the main character hard to like. A nicely crafted tale. ...more
I heard about this series from the Longmire tv show on Netflix. As is often the case, the books were better, and I've been happily reading them since.I heard about this series from the Longmire tv show on Netflix. As is often the case, the books were better, and I've been happily reading them since. This was another great addition to the series.
Walt Longmire has a complicated past, and that's certainly true in this outing. Responding to a call about a lost motorist, Walt finds her, but also an old rifle that ties to a decades old case that has some disturbing implications about part of the Longmire family. Walt, being who he is, starts digging in, meeting some mild difficulties that turn into clear indications that someone doesn't want this sleeping dog roused.
There are attempted murders, political pressure from the state capital, some shady operatives, and a mysterious trust fund among other complications. On the more personal side, Walt spends some time with Cady and Lola, there are some surprising developments with Vic, and the usual looming presence of Henry. Actually, Henry isn't in this one much and I missed him.
Fans of Walt know what he's like and how he's going to react to some of the offers he's made and attitudes he sees. He's an old fashioned man doing the right thing no matter how much easier almost anything else would be.
The strong mysticism that runs through many of these books is absent this time around, which I also missed, but then again, Johnson went heavy on that recently and maybe he and Walt are taking a break.
Eve Dallas has faced all kinds of killers. This story brings around one of the hardest types. There's a killer out there that, as the title suggests, Eve Dallas has faced all kinds of killers. This story brings around one of the hardest types. There's a killer out there that, as the title suggests, is picking victims at random. With nothing to tie the victims aside from a vague type, what can Eve, Peabody, and the team do to stop the body count from rising?
The central story is a tense thriller with a lot happening in a very short time frame. It's well done, exciting, and keeps upping the pressure as time goes on. But at this point, the series is more than "killer of the week" (yeah, they don't come out every week, you know what I mean). The House project continues as we see more developments on the Mavis/Leonardo/Peabody/McNab place. Roarke, having revenge-bought a club from an ass that was giving Eve a hard time and committing his own series of crimes, is shaping a new business and gifting it to Eve, despite her refusals.
We get to see a bit from Charles and Louise, who haven't been around for a while, Nadine and her boyfriend Jake, Quilla, and see how the newly promoted Renke is settling in to the stripes.
It's a good read, a well done mystery, and some good check-ins with the at this point constantly growing supporting cast....more
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