Married to a serial killer, and running for the lives of her kids and herself. That's the premise. The book took off with a bang and never let up. TheMarried to a serial killer, and running for the lives of her kids and herself. That's the premise. The book took off with a bang and never let up. The plot was tightly woven and there was no fluff. All details were relevant. I blew through this book in less than a day and was left wanting more. I didn't realize that this was a series so the end of the book came as a WTH moment. I'll be reading at least the next installment....more
This was a second book included in my Kindle edition of Murder House. Like Murder House it was a quick , decent read. Mary, Mary is one of the Alex CrThis was a second book included in my Kindle edition of Murder House. Like Murder House it was a quick , decent read. Mary, Mary is one of the Alex Cross series. There is a serial killer loose in Hollywood, while Alex is trying to take a family vacation, and simultaneously trying to keep custody of his youngest son. Talk about a full plate! Typical of the series Alex Cross is a multi tasker and criminals had better beware. I enjoy the series in small doses, and it's easy to pick up any one in the series and find one's footing quickly. And I appreciated getting two books for the price of one....more
This installment of the series was okay. I enjoyed it but it seemed like there was a strain to make all the pieces of the puzzle fit. In all fairness,This installment of the series was okay. I enjoyed it but it seemed like there was a strain to make all the pieces of the puzzle fit. In all fairness, I kept having to read a little here, a little there because of time constraints. Not sure if I'll read number 3....more
This book was just what I 've been looking for. A light intriguing series. The author invests in her characters but doesn't take herself too seriousl This book was just what I 've been looking for. A light intriguing series. The author invests in her characters but doesn't take herself too seriously. Lily Mason has just moved to a new town, trying to find a place to start over, fit in. Within a short time, she is embroiled in a local murder mystery. The rub is that Lily is a shape shifter, in some circles known as a werewolf. Well, she's actually a were-cougar. Fitting in might be a problem. I love animal centered stories and this one features a pit bull named Smooshie, along with a no-kill shelter. And of course there's a hunky shelter owner to round out the story line. I look forward to this series as an occasional texture change in my reading. ...more
Second read of the year and hit gold! A city cop returns to his small hometown when a childhood friend is front and center in a homicide/suicide. As Second read of the year and hit gold! A city cop returns to his small hometown when a childhood friend is front and center in a homicide/suicide. As in most small towns, there are secrets, most badly kept.Complicating everything is that the town is in the midst of a two year drought. Relationships and tempers are badly frayed. Won't take much to light the fuse on this one. This was an excellent mystery from start to finish. The characters and plot line grabbed me right away and held me tightly til the end. I thought twice I had it solved only to have my theory blown apart. Great debut! looking forward to more. ...more
This is the second Jack Noble installment I've read. While I was able to engage in the story most of the time, this particular antihero just doesn't This is the second Jack Noble installment I've read. While I was able to engage in the story most of the time, this particular antihero just doesn't turn my crank. I found myself skimming through the second half of the book without missing anything or losing plot. There was so much filler violence. So I bid bye bye to this series. ...more
Two young women take a road trip, only one comes home after being abducted and tortured. The reader picks up the survivor as she picks her way throug Two young women take a road trip, only one comes home after being abducted and tortured. The reader picks up the survivor as she picks her way through the minefield of living life with PTSD and survivor's guilt.Inexplicably she crosses paths with her abductor when he kills again. While the storyline is flawed, it also made for a compelling read. I had no trouble getting involved with the characters and staying invested in the outcome. i would be willing to give this author another go.This was a Kindle first read from 2015....more
A young girl goes missing while on a family camping trip. An inmate on death row whose lawyer believes here has an innocent client. An FBI agent with A young girl goes missing while on a family camping trip. An inmate on death row whose lawyer believes here has an innocent client. An FBI agent with an emotional investment in making sure some one pays for the crime he believes has been committed. The number of major and minor characters along with the resultant back stories can be confusing. But pay attention and it all comes together. I found this story to be nicely put together and the drama tightly woven. There were some heart-pounding moments. There would have been more, but the editing or the lack of it posed some distractions. While this is part of a series, it stood nicely on it's own. ...more
Corruption....the stench of it fills your nostrils so you can taste it; bitter and vile.There are those in the judicial system who foster it, encoura Corruption....the stench of it fills your nostrils so you can taste it; bitter and vile.There are those in the judicial system who foster it, encourage it, benefit from it. And there are those who determine to stop it, whatever the cost. This is the story. While it took me longer than I'd like to finish this book, I enjoyed it. It started out slow and took it's time hitting it's stride. But once it did, I was in for the ride. Given the current political climate, I needed a win for the good guys in the judicial system. I was not disappointed. ...more
Kidnapping of an influential judge's daughter as told through the eyes of her Mom. the kidnapper and the detective charged with solving the case. Int Kidnapping of an influential judge's daughter as told through the eyes of her Mom. the kidnapper and the detective charged with solving the case. Interestingly, the victim isn't given a voice until the end. Initially, it was easy to get into.Really a psychological work, the reader is witness to the breakdown of a family that already is dysfunctional. And there is also a look into the background of the kidnapper. The detective and his expanded role, is where the author starting losing me. Kidnappings are the province of the FBI, not local law enforcement. Maybe that is why it took so long to solve the case. And the attempt to garner sympathy for the kidnapper left me flat. The Stockholmesque relationship was interesting initially but that too became tiresome. The chapters were blessedly short and the plot moved along.And the ending? Well done....more
This was a super quick read. One of James Pattersons' new "bookshots", the story moves at breakneck speed. The Sanderson family is in a form of witne This was a super quick read. One of James Pattersons' new "bookshots", the story moves at breakneck speed. The Sanderson family is in a form of witness protection after an incident in Africa. We know someone is gunning for them, it's just a matter of when and how. There are several players in this drama and background is given as the drama plays out. I liked this style.I was short on time and wanted a fast satisfying read. For me it all worked well. ...more
The Fenders are having a hard time, a really really hard time. And as usually happens one person in the family becomes the life boat for every one el The Fenders are having a hard time, a really really hard time. And as usually happens one person in the family becomes the life boat for every one else. Maggie Fender is the life boat and she is bailing as fast as she can but still losing to life's water threatening to swamp her family. Her dad has Alzheimers', her fifteen year old brother is just paroled after a felony hacking charge, and oh yeah, she just lost her job.Add in a Russian mobster, a Ponzi scheme gone all kinds of upside down, a dead man, her dad accused of killing said dead man and her little brother's continued insistence that he was framed. It's a hell of a mess. I enjoyed this mystery/thriller very much.Occasionally it bogged down a bit in high tech details, but overall it held my interest. And there is a fair amount of humor as Maggie struggles to maintain her sanity . I believe this was a freebie through Kindle First. I'll look for this author again. ...more
James Patterson is one of those authors that I return to time and again. While frequently formula driven, his books have the power to grab and hold m James Patterson is one of those authors that I return to time and again. While frequently formula driven, his books have the power to grab and hold my attention. This one was a quick engaging read while I was traveling. The crimes were dramatic and grisly, there were suspects aplenty and the characters for the most part where complex enough to make for a really good mystery. My Kindle edition also featured a two-fer, a second quick read was included. And it too engaged and held my attention.....more
Sara Henry has given her debut character, Troy Chance another mystery to solve. In the beautiful but desolate Lake Placid area of northern New York, Sara Henry has given her debut character, Troy Chance another mystery to solve. In the beautiful but desolate Lake Placid area of northern New York, Troy is on scene when a young man is discovered frozen in the ice of Saranac Lake. Troy, a free lance writer, is consigned to write a series of articles surrounding the mysterious death. This is not a fast paced heart pounding thriller. The author gives depth to her characters from beginning to end. And that includes the locale. Northern New York in the throes of winter is frigidly cold. Unless you've been there it's hard to imagine the how bitter the cold is and how the snow just keeps coming. But the author is able to bring the area to life for her readers. As Troy researches and puts together her articles, the mystery unfolds with secrets uncovered, and nothing is really as it seems. The deeper she digs the more complex things become. I thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with Troy and her adopted community. The twisty turns kept me engaged and guessing to the end. I hope I haven't heard the last from Troy Chance....more
Hide &Seek is one of Patterson's stand alones. A famous singer finds herself in jail, charged in the murder of her husband. Two thirds of the book is Hide &Seek is one of Patterson's stand alones. A famous singer finds herself in jail, charged in the murder of her husband. Two thirds of the book is Maggie Bradford telling the reader how she came to be sitting in jail. Interspersed is the murdered husband and his background and profoundly disturbing personality. While not one of my favorites, it's still a page turner with a few surprises for this jaded reader. ...more
A trio of crimes in this installment are a shooting spree on a ferry, the abduction of a little girl and her nanny and systemic attacks on tenants in A trio of crimes in this installment are a shooting spree on a ferry, the abduction of a little girl and her nanny and systemic attacks on tenants in a apartment building. Two of the three directly affect members of the Women's Murder Club, and one has indirect effect. Mr. Patterson wastes no time in getting the reader engaged.He always starts off at a dead run(pardon the pun), lets the reader regroup briefly then he's off and running again. With short chapters and continuing threads between characters, the stories are for me enjoyable reads. Some are better then others, but they are consistently engaging. I enjoyed the courtroom drama and was fascinated to see how fine the line can be between mental illness and insanity. Good read.
This installment with it's focus on medical malpractice/negligence should have been home run, but it only limped to first base. There was so much gla This installment with it's focus on medical malpractice/negligence should have been home run, but it only limped to first base. There was so much glaring misinformation regarding nursing and hospital procedure I just could not ignore it. I expect at least a tiny but of research from an author. It was missing here. That being said, I did enjoy the courtroom drama, the back and forth between the opposing attorneys. And as in previous story lines, the pages almost turned themselves.I now this is light reading but please Mr. Patterson, do your due diligence in regard to your subject. ...more
This fourth installment of the WMC series focuses on child exploitation. Patterson teamed up with Maxine Paetro for this one and it definitely benefi This fourth installment of the WMC series focuses on child exploitation. Patterson teamed up with Maxine Paetro for this one and it definitely benefited from a woman's touch. I found this one slightly less predictable than the other three, more of a page turner. I'm looking forward to the possibility that she collaborates with him again and again. ...more
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