It was disappointing. I don't like books where they explain everything at the end. It was a slow boil without much payoff. The protagonists self loath...moreIt was disappointing. I don't like books where they explain everything at the end. It was a slow boil without much payoff. The protagonists self loathing got old fast. It is about a lawyer whose father's body was just discovered. The lawyer has daddy issues, wife issues, mistress issues, sister issues, and self issues, and not to forget legal issues. The man has a lot of issues. Kind of boring in retrospect. Don't know why I stuck with it.(less)
Excellent page turner. Could have been tightened up at the end. I found myself skipping unneeded pages but overall I could not put it down. Excellent...moreExcellent page turner. Could have been tightened up at the end. I found myself skipping unneeded pages but overall I could not put it down. Excellent Jack Reacher book. Looking forward to the next one.(less)
I liked it. It was a good entertaining page turner. We finally get the back story on Nate. It was a little over the top on calling The Five peregrines...moreI liked it. It was a good entertaining page turner. We finally get the back story on Nate. It was a little over the top on calling The Five peregrines. Too much cheesey falconry lingo. And it was way over the top when we find out about the interactions they had with two bearded muslim individuals. A bit predictable about where the inside information was coming from. Also, Joe is told to get his family out of town because "he" will use/harm them to get what he wants. So Joe follows orders but doesn't corral everyone. He leaves Sheridan alone. Why? This is a Black Ops pro. Wouldn't he be able to grab her at the college? Maybe I missed something. Other than that it was a fun read. As I have said before and will continue to say in future reviews I am always sad because now I have to wait a year for the next Joe Pickett book.(less)
This was disappointing. It read more like the TV show than the original Leonard books. I felt that Leonard was "giving in" to the TV fans and giving t...moreThis was disappointing. It read more like the TV show than the original Leonard books. I felt that Leonard was "giving in" to the TV fans and giving them what they wanted. Instead of a completely separate book he gives a preview to the show's writers who use it obviously for the show. Now I am watching the season as it parallels this book and remembering last season coal company angle how this was similar to the book. This novel feels like one of those cheesey Richard Castle novels that are out to make a few extra bucks off the show. How did Elmore become Richard Castle (yes I know RC is a character)? He gives us all the same exact characters as on the show and uses the same dialogue they would say on the show. It was a bizarre novel. It was Elmore copying the style of the TV writers who have been sourcing the writing of the original Elmore. I think the "new" Elmore needs to go back to Miami with Raylan and give him back to the original Elmore.(less)
I enjoyed the book. I enjoy the TV show and decided to read the source. It was a fun read and I can see where the writers for the show got some of the...moreI enjoyed the book. I enjoy the TV show and decided to read the source. It was a fun read and I can see where the writers for the show got some of their material (obviously! But I mean there are certain scenes in the book that have been spread out across different episodes) and Raylan's dialogue. This the second book with Raylan. Once again the setting is Miami and and a bookie Raylan had to track down in the last book has vanished. Raylan suspects something and decides to open his own unofficial investigation. He runs into some characters that remind me of a Carl Hiasson book. Overall a fun read. Look forward to the new Raylan book coming soon.(less)
I am a huge fan of C.J. but wasn't really sold on this book. The main character is such an abrasive guy that you could care less if he got fired or fe...moreI am a huge fan of C.J. but wasn't really sold on this book. The main character is such an abrasive guy that you could care less if he got fired or fell down an alcoholic hole. He had two stories and didn't know how to bridge the gap. The interplay between the two daughters was a little over the top with the f bombs being thrown around. Don't know too many girls or boys being brought up allowed to speak that way to each other unless from a trailer park. Cody is a rogue, pain in the ass, cop who is exiled from Denver and moves back to Helena, Montana. He is investigating a dead body. Guess what? He knows who it is. Guess what? It wasn't an accident! No, you say. It can't be true! But it is. Cody investigates further and finds the websites the victim was last looking at (note to self erase internet browser history). Victim was looking at an outback experience in Yellowstone. The killer must be on the trip! What?! That is crazy talk! No, you say. It can't be true! But it is. Wait! There's more! No, you say. There can't be! But there is. It turns out by sure luck (again) that Cody knows someone who is taking the exact same trip as the killer. No, you say. This can't be true! But it is. Oh and Cody shoots the coroner by mistake. Ok moving along. Now we get the perspective of the people on this trip. This section of the story is such a rip off of a movie called Shoot to Kill with Tom Berenger and Sydney Potier I am shocked C.J. hasn't been sued. So now Cody is trying to catch up to the group. The group is becoming smaller and smaller. Will Cody get there in time?! What do you think? The ending was over the top and a female character who has a back story was too neatly wrapped up in a bow at the end. (less)
It was ok. I don't understand the great reviews. I think Connelly showed his hand too early in the book. The book then became 100 pages too long. It w...moreIt was ok. I don't understand the great reviews. I think Connelly showed his hand too early in the book. The book then became 100 pages too long. It was interesting to get a look into the life of a trial lawyer. After Mickey's uninvited guest in his house the book was then predictable and worthless. (less)
CJ just gets better and better as a writer. I am not a blind CJ fan. I have not been pleased with all of his books but he really has come a long way f...moreCJ just gets better and better as a writer. I am not a blind CJ fan. I have not been pleased with all of his books but he really has come a long way from his first novel. The story is that Joe Pickett a Fish and Game warden finds a body strapped to the blade of wind turbine. It turns out to be his mother-in-law's newest husband. Joe is asked by his wife to investigate the murder to help exonerate the woman he despises, his mother-in-law. She has been charged with the murder. On a parallel story, Nate, Joe's friend is being hunted down by a mysterious woman. But soon the hunter becomes the hunted. And we get a little more info on Nate's Black Ops past. There were some nice twists in this book. I was bummed out by the death of one character but I guess it was needed to set off the events for the upcoming book. This was one of his better books. I am looking forward to the next book. I have a love/hate relationship with CJ. I love it when his books come out but I hate it because I finish them so fast I realize how long I have to wait for the next one. (less)
I just did not understand what all the hype was about. It was an ok story. It might have been better if it was a short story. The number of times the...moreI just did not understand what all the hype was about. It was an ok story. It might have been better if it was a short story. The number of times the police keep going over her alibi drove me nuts. Also the beginning I didn't buy. So maybe I was not able to buy into the book. The murder seemed justified. I kept thinking if she just come clean right away and explain what happened either she gets off or gets a lesser sentence. So why the need to for the elaborate cover-up? If this happened to me and I decide to make a dumb decision and cover it up I am not going to do it with a neighbor whom I have barely spoken. I just didn't buy it. Also, I kept thinking why not just get rid of the body? Have your alibi but the need to leave a body out there for the police to find? There were no witnesses. If you just got rid of the body properly who is going to know? But then I guess there wouldn't be another 250 pages I would have to read to be disappointed with at the end.(less)
Well, good ole Walt is in for a beating. I really enjoyed the story. I agree that I miss the character interaction between Walt - Henry - and the PD b...moreWell, good ole Walt is in for a beating. I really enjoyed the story. I agree that I miss the character interaction between Walt - Henry - and the PD but it was good to see Omar again and Virgil. I laughed out loud a few times. One of the jokes I was surprised the liberal PC editors in NY let slide. I guess he has good editors who know funny when they read it. It was a little disappointing because you knew what the whole story was going to be about after reading the quote from "The Tempest." It was also a little over the top with all the physical setbacks and dangers Walt goes through to chase down the main bad guy. And I couldn't help but think here is a guy who is middle aged, a physically large man, yet he has no problem climbing up a mountain chasing an indian. Yes, he gets physically beaten by certain events but there never seems to be a moment of leg cramps, or "I need a time out my back is killing me!" moment.
The story was great and not knowing what was real and what wasn't was a great twist at the end. I can't wait for the next book to find about the other story line that Virgil alerts him to. I love reading Craig Johnson but I also hate it because I finish his books in one or two sittings then I have to wait a year for the next one.(less)
Well done Stuart. Will make a great movie. Hope it gets done. Daniel Day Lewis as Fegan?
Great book. Read it in one sitting. Fegan a former button man...moreWell done Stuart. Will make a great movie. Hope it gets done. Daniel Day Lewis as Fegan?
Great book. Read it in one sitting. Fegan a former button man for the IRA is seeing ghosts of the innocent people he killed. He spends the rest of the book righting the wrongs by going on a killing spree. Every revenge kill he makes a ghost or ghosts disappear. He was a scum bag but because he is trying make things right and the fact when he killed these people he did not know they were innocent you find yourself cheering for him but not giving him a total pass. It is an extremely well written book. There are different threads. There is a mole, there are politics being played, corrupt cops, a man of the cloth, a woman with a connection, and the ghosts. It was said this is a first in a series. I am looking forward to the next book.(less)
It was ok. I really liked the book until the end. I won't give anything away but the ending, in my opinion, was LAME. The book was beautiful, and seed...moreIt was ok. I really liked the book until the end. I won't give anything away but the ending, in my opinion, was LAME. The book was beautiful, and seedy, and accurate about the underbelly of Huntington Beach but man what the hell was Kem thinking at the end? I was actually kind of ticked off. This was a perfect book and then you do that?! LAME Why don't you have aliens come down next time? (less)
I really enjoyed this book. It was sad. Lots of red herrings. made me question myself everytime I thought I had it figured out. I didn't agree with on...moreI really enjoyed this book. It was sad. Lots of red herrings. made me question myself everytime I thought I had it figured out. I didn't agree with one of the main characters decision. But I was imposing my own decision making process on the character. I guess something is better than nothing.(less)
Very quick read. Very entertaining. I read the book in three sit-downs. It is the sequel to Gone Baby Gone. Amanda is 16 and missing again. Patrick is...moreVery quick read. Very entertaining. I read the book in three sit-downs. It is the sequel to Gone Baby Gone. Amanda is 16 and missing again. Patrick is looking for her again as are Russian gangsters. Some twists along the way and some funny moments. The Russian lieutenant is very amusing. Definitely worth your time.(less)
Probably one of his best. I sat down and almost finished the book in one night. I just could not put it down. Joe stumbles across twin brothers in the...moreProbably one of his best. I sat down and almost finished the book in one night. I just could not put it down. Joe stumbles across twin brothers in the mountains and he quickly ends up becoming the hunted after issuing them citations for no fishing license. It turns out these brothers have a past and the government is looking for them and to shut them up permanently. I enjoyed the theme of this book. Box picks a topic and shares both sides of it and in this case it is a too intrusive government. This was just a good slimmed down thriller. No daughter troubles, wife troubles, mother-in-law troubles, just Joe getting knocked down and with the help of Nate getting back up on that horse (literally) and facing his fears.(less)
Great book. I have slowly become a fan of the Jack Reacher series. This was the best of the lot I have read. I finished it two days. I just found myse...moreGreat book. I have slowly become a fan of the Jack Reacher series. This was the best of the lot I have read. I finished it two days. I just found myself ripping through this book. Jack Reacher just left some trouble in South Dakota and is now in Nebraska. Where, surprise, he finds more trouble. A family owns a town and dictates how things are run. Feels a little like the movie Roadhouse and a lot of other movies, tv episodes, and books before this one. Not the most original problem. People are scared to speak up or stand up for themselves and at the same time reluctant to move. Reluctant to move out of Nebraska? Really?! Hard to believe. No offense to the Cornhuskers out there but I can think of a 100 places in the U.S. that I would rather be come winter than Nebraska. If it sounds like I am panning this book. I am not. It was a quick fun read. Well paced. Never got boring. Great airplane read. You won't put it down. But it is covering familiar territory. I am definitely looking forward to when Jack gets to Virginia.(less)
It was ok. I wasn't really fired up to read it. I am a fan of James Lee Burke and the Robicheaux character. I just think it has gone on too long. It i...moreIt was ok. I wasn't really fired up to read it. I am a fan of James Lee Burke and the Robicheaux character. I just think it has gone on too long. It is the same old story. Some bad guys show up, harass a family member of Dave's (Alafair again), Clete shows up to help, Clete drinks too much, they bang some heads, Dave's .45 makes an appearance, they solve the case. There were two puzzling things about this book. Alafair's character is so naive and bitchy. You would think being raised by a homicide detective she would know a little bit more about the realities of the world? She owes her life and comfortable living to this man and she has no respect for him. The other problem I had was the fact she is dating a bi-sexual man and possibly having sex with him. There is no concern for AIDS? He is having a relationship with a former prison punch and having a relationship with Alafair and Dave never seems to be concerned about that? (less)
Dan Brown can't write. He can research. He cannot write. He can use the same formula over and over. He cannot write.
I liked the Da Vinci Code. I like...moreDan Brown can't write. He can research. He cannot write. He can use the same formula over and over. He cannot write.
I liked the Da Vinci Code. I liked the subject matter. I found it to be an interesting theory. So it was easy for me to forgive the horrible dialogue.
I didn't find the Masons as interesting so it was harder for me to get through this book. I skipped a lot of pages. It was an easy read. The ending was horrible. Not much of an ending at all. I kept thinking why did the editors allow the last 50 pages to exist? This book needed a competent editor. It might of been interesting if we got rid of the Noetics Science story line, and condensed the book to 300 pages not the 500.(less)
I enjoyed this 6th novel in his series. A land developer wants a junkyard moved. A severed thumb is found in the junkyard. One of Walt's deputies is s...moreI enjoyed this 6th novel in his series. A land developer wants a junkyard moved. A severed thumb is found in the junkyard. One of Walt's deputies is struggling with mortality and Walt is struggling with his feelings for Vic. This book was very funny but I would agree with another reviewer when it was described as "bordering on slapstick." I don't want to say it was too funny but it did become distracting. Wondering why the author has suddenly decided to go over the top with the comedy in this book. Maybe to make up for the bland previous book? He was pitch perfect in the Moccasins #4 book and the Cold Dish #1 book when it came to comedic writing. I also had a problem with the wrap up. I hate it when a book takes the time at the end to wrap everything up. The characters sit around and explain everything to the reader that just went on during the previous 300 pages. The mysteries that need to be answered should be incorporated in the story telling. Just my opinion. I am looking forward to #7. The series is strong and the one should invest the time to read Craig Johnson's work. (less)
Very interesting book. A young, Vietnamese, woman is found murdered along the highway. Walt, the county sheriff in Absaroka County, Wyoming investigat...moreVery interesting book. A young, Vietnamese, woman is found murdered along the highway. Walt, the county sheriff in Absaroka County, Wyoming investigates. He starts to have flashbacks to Vietnam. He has flashbacks about a young bar girl he knew and a case he was investigating. How were the events forty years ago related to the dead girl in his county?
A very good mystery. We get some insight to Walt's Vietnam service and Henry's tour of duty as well. We also get a to see the relationship between Walt and Vic ebb and flow. This was one of his better novels in this amazing mystery series. I would start at the beginning but you could easily pick this book up and get the feeling of what you are in for with the relationships between the characters. Craig is definitely a great writer.(less)
One of CJ Box's better books. The book really becomes a page turner quickly. He does a good job throwing in a red herring to throw the reader off trac...moreOne of CJ Box's better books. The book really becomes a page turner quickly. He does a good job throwing in a red herring to throw the reader off track. The reader is also never really sure how this was going to end. It was good to see all the main characters come back. I look forward to reading the latest in his series.(less)
I found this book to be too slow. I saw some students reading it and decided to give it a tumble but it dragged on and on. The premise was interesting...moreI found this book to be too slow. I saw some students reading it and decided to give it a tumble but it dragged on and on. The premise was interesting. Four orphans sent to a "special" school that is behind sending secret messages through children. The four have unique problem solving skills and they have to work as a team to find out who and why is behind the messages. I didn't really feel connected to these characters. I think if the book was shortened by 100 pages, tightened up, and having some more emotional bond I think maybe I would have enjoyed the book a bit more. I realize i am in the minority after seeing the high marks this book received but it felt more like a chore to get through it than a pleasure to pick it up each day.(less)
I love Craig Johnson. This book, for some reason, did not do it for me as much as the others. Maybe it was the lack of Henry? Maybe it was the flashba...moreI love Craig Johnson. This book, for some reason, did not do it for me as much as the others. Maybe it was the lack of Henry? Maybe it was the flashback/flash forward/flashback/flash forward style? I'm not sure what it was about this book but I found myself skipping pages, being annoyed by the date changes, and really just wanting to get to the end (almost felt like I just wanted to get it over with). (less)
One of my favorite Joe Pickett books. There is a serial killer on the loose in Wyoming. The killer is going after hunters and treating them like deer:...moreOne of my favorite Joe Pickett books. There is a serial killer on the loose in Wyoming. The killer is going after hunters and treating them like deer: Gutted, skinned, decapitated and hung up. Joe is asked by the Gov. to find out who is doing this. Joe is reunited with his old boss, Nate, and the regular cast of characters that we have come to enjoy over the years. Box has really tightened up his story telling. I didn't find myself skipping pages only turning them as fast as I could. Unfortunately, the book was predictable. The story was a little old. This reminded me of the Dirty Harry film with Sandra Locke called Sudden Impact. However, it is fun to read about the character and his family book after book as the daughters grow older. It is also fun to see him take two sides of the coin on an issue (in this case hunters vs anti-hunters) and show it through a mystery. Even if they are predictable and simply potboilers they are still fun reads. I can't wait for the next one.(less)
I am a huge Charlie Huston fan. I downloaded this for free on the kindle I got for Christmas. It was my first e-book. It was typical Charlie Huston. U...moreI am a huge Charlie Huston fan. I downloaded this for free on the kindle I got for Christmas. It was my first e-book. It was typical Charlie Huston. Unfortunately, unlike his past books I did a lot of skipping pages. His editor dropped the ball on this book. Basically, it is about Joe Pitt, a vampire who does some investigative work. He is looking for a runaway in NY. She is endanger because someone out there has a zombie strain and is spreading the virus. The vampire higher ups want this hushed up. No need for any attention. They also have other motives. There are other sects of vampires throughout the city. Joe interacts with all of them while trying to find this girl. The characters are well written. The plot is interesting. This is a good seedy P.I. book. It just so happens have vampires in it. (less)
Craig Johnson gets better with age. This is his third book and it is his best so far. The other reviewers sum up the plot so I won't waste your time....moreCraig Johnson gets better with age. This is his third book and it is his best so far. The other reviewers sum up the plot so I won't waste your time. This is a great read about a Wyoming lawman who come to Philly to visit his daughter and becomes entangled in a murder mystery. The book stays away from the cliches of the obvious set up of cowboy and indian in the big city. Craig has strong, amusing characters. It is a tight plot. I never felt the need to skip some pages. I can't wait for the next one.(less)
I felt this book was tighter than his last one but not better. I missed the interplay between the Sheriff and Henry. The last one was a little too lon...moreI felt this book was tighter than his last one but not better. I missed the interplay between the Sheriff and Henry. The last one was a little too long but enjoyable because he took his time with his characters and let them breathe, even the minor ones. I hope he goes back to this and trims the story a bit. Craig is an amazing writer. I forgot about the Basque presence in that area and was interesting to see him bring them into the fold. He definitely writes about what he knows. A little predictable when it come to love relationships but the dance is still fun to watch. I hope they turn his books into made for TV movies like they did with Robert Parker. (less)
Great book. I am a a fan of CJ Box who writes about a Wyoming game warden and someone suggested Craig Johnson. Craig just brings it to another level!...moreGreat book. I am a a fan of CJ Box who writes about a Wyoming game warden and someone suggested Craig Johnson. Craig just brings it to another level! C.J. is a great potboiler writer. Quick and easy. Just a good fun read while on the airplane or at the beach. I am not trying to belittle CJ at all. I am a fan. Craig is more about prose and incredible dialogue. This book takes place in Wyoming and the protagonist is a Sheriff in a small county. Great characters and dialogue. I laughed out loud a few times. The book was a touch predictable though he tries to shake you off the scent a few times. Anyway, this is a great read. Every character is fleshed out no matter how small. The give and take between Walt (main character) and Henry (His best friend, an Indian) is hilarious. Definately worth your time to pick up this book and get into the series. Afterward, maybe check out C.J. Box and get back to me about your take on their writing. Also, the tv show, Longmire, does a great job of keeping the spirit of the books and characters alive. (less)
One of my favorite books of the Joe Pickett series. I read this book in record time. The research about Yellowstone and the issues around it or involv...moreOne of my favorite books of the Joe Pickett series. I read this book in record time. The research about Yellowstone and the issues around it or involving it was fascinating. I would love to buy C.J. a beer and talk to him just about the issues surrounding this book. Leaves you with another cliffhanger. A great read.(less)
One of the better Joe Pickett books. Takes a dark turn in the end (a darker book overall) and leaves a great cliff hangar. I won't tell you anymore. I...moreOne of the better Joe Pickett books. Takes a dark turn in the end (a darker book overall) and leaves a great cliff hangar. I won't tell you anymore. I really wish Hollywood would produce a Joe Pickett movie or made for TV movies like the Tom Selleck CBS movies of the Jesse Stone series. (less)
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