Book 2 of the VALIS trilogy, this represents Dick's vision of the second coming given the technology and the state of the world at the time this was w...moreBook 2 of the VALIS trilogy, this represents Dick's vision of the second coming given the technology and the state of the world at the time this was written. A work of complex moral, religious and spiritual thinking, with identifiable characters and a touch of sci-fi.(less)
I'm reading Lansdale's Collins/Pine series in reverse order. No real reason...it's just happening that way. It doesn't matter though. Lansdale writes...moreI'm reading Lansdale's Collins/Pine series in reverse order. No real reason...it's just happening that way. It doesn't matter though. Lansdale writes so well and the characters are so three dimensional and real that the results are always satisfying. Put aside a few hours because once you start MM, you'll be hooked.(less)
Very few authors hit the suspense-thriller bullseye as consistently as John Hart, and he has the consecutive best novel Edgars to prove it. This is a...moreVery few authors hit the suspense-thriller bullseye as consistently as John Hart, and he has the consecutive best novel Edgars to prove it. This is a book about violence, much more so than his previous efforts. Where Hart's work shines is in the depth of all his characters, each with their own multi-layered backstory.
George Carlin once said (and I'm paraphrase here, George, so forgive me) that wars are fought to protect white man's property. In Kingdom Come, Ballar...moreGeorge Carlin once said (and I'm paraphrase here, George, so forgive me) that wars are fought to protect white man's property. In Kingdom Come, Ballard takes that notion and focuses on consumerism as the bastion of a quiet fascism, and racial intolerance. With unerring prose, Ballard chronicles the violent, religious fervor of British suburbs (easily transferrable to the US) under the control of a massive shopping complex. This is the perfect book to read at this time of year when the malls are packed to the gills.(less)
At the time of it's publication the themes embraced by most of the outstanding stories collected here were certainly dangerous to air in the public ey...moreAt the time of it's publication the themes embraced by most of the outstanding stories collected here were certainly dangerous to air in the public eye. Today, with taboo walls asunder, the outrageousness is diminished. That's not to say this is not an outstanding anthology. It most certainly is, and I imagine only a Harlan Ellison could have made it happen. For those serious about top-shelf, risky writing this is a must-read. (I have to admit to one exception here - Roger Zelazny's story has not stood the test of time well and leaves no greater impression than "Cute". But it's short so deal with it.)(less)
A killer first novel. Forsyth is one of may favorite suspense writers and Day of The Jackal is one of my favorite movies, which is largely faithful to...moreA killer first novel. Forsyth is one of may favorite suspense writers and Day of The Jackal is one of my favorite movies, which is largely faithful to the novel. This is the craft of suspense writing at it's finest; breakneck pace with impeccable timing.(less)
A standard bearer of crime fiction. Three dimensional characters in a superbly crafted story. McDermid not only creates an intriguing tale for the rea...moreA standard bearer of crime fiction. Three dimensional characters in a superbly crafted story. McDermid not only creates an intriguing tale for the reader but deftly presents information to the readers ahead of the characters to bring the gleeful frustration to a pitch. This is the first of this series I have read and I will be sure to dive into other volumes.(less)
What makes this collected volume of Breathed's works fun, aside from revisiting the all too familiar strips, are the little asides and footnotes injec...moreWhat makes this collected volume of Breathed's works fun, aside from revisiting the all too familiar strips, are the little asides and footnotes injected here and there. It seems impossible that these strips are 30 years old; it feels like yesterday when i was cutting them out of the paper to hang on my cube...(less)
Incredibly visionary for the time that it was written. 1983, a time when PC desktops were embryonic, and Gibson conceives of The Matrix - eons before...moreIncredibly visionary for the time that it was written. 1983, a time when PC desktops were embryonic, and Gibson conceives of The Matrix - eons before the Wachowski brothers came along and borrowed the term for their films- and fashions a cyberpunk paradigm that does not seem so far fetched today, but 30 years ago was light years ahead of its time.(less)
As gutsy and violent a piece of modern noir crime fiction as I've ever come across; no wonder it captured the 2008 Grand Prix for best crime novel. I...moreAs gutsy and violent a piece of modern noir crime fiction as I've ever come across; no wonder it captured the 2008 Grand Prix for best crime novel. I knew nothing about the book or author until I randomly plucked it off the library shelf. Ferey's writing hooked me from page one. For any mystery/crime enthusiast, this is a must-read.(less)
My first Silva read right in the middle of a series character. This is one of those books I kept putting down because I didn't want to know what happe...moreMy first Silva read right in the middle of a series character. This is one of those books I kept putting down because I didn't want to know what happened next, like peeking through your fingers at the movie screen. Silva's depth of characters is what makes this suspense/thriller a white-knuckle ride.
note: the audio presentation was superb. Way above average.(less)
When I went to see The Beatles in A Hard Day's Night at the age of eight or nine, I could not understand a word they were saying in that first scene o...moreWhen I went to see The Beatles in A Hard Day's Night at the age of eight or nine, I could not understand a word they were saying in that first scene on the train. My wasp-eared training had never delt with any forign languange or accent. Slowly but surely the cockney became clearer. Reading William Gibson is a similar experience as his lyrical, and oftimes rambling prose, takes some grey matter shifting in order to appreciate his wit and geek-world views. For those that had difficulty with the cyberspace trilogy, try this one. Gibson takes on marketing, consumerism, internet-obsession with half a dozen sub-texts woven throughout. Shelly Fraiser's audio presentation is outstanding. (less)
John Hart knows his way around a suspense/thriller. The follow-up to his Edgar winning Down River shines with robust characters and seemingly endless...moreJohn Hart knows his way around a suspense/thriller. The follow-up to his Edgar winning Down River shines with robust characters and seemingly endless twists and turns. Hart weaves numerous story threads with a deft hand, never letting the characters falter or the plot stray into the improbable.
One note: read the book. The audio presentation, at best, is annoying as the reader drifts into over-enunciation of words and stilted delivery, pronouncing every "the" with a long "e", "a" as a long "a" and "again" as "a-GAIN". It's a testament to Hart's craftsmanship that the material shines through nonetheless. (less)
A well crafted mystery featuring wacky Swedes to whom screwing and sexual sadism appear to be national pastimes. Larsson unravels the mystery with per...moreA well crafted mystery featuring wacky Swedes to whom screwing and sexual sadism appear to be national pastimes. Larsson unravels the mystery with perfect pace, keeping suspicion flying in multiple directions, an excellent work.(less)
Sin and Syntax rocks. It's grammatic nuts and bolts presented in a hip, snarky style foriegn to any English torturer...um...teacher I ever encountered...moreSin and Syntax rocks. It's grammatic nuts and bolts presented in a hip, snarky style foriegn to any English torturer...um...teacher I ever encountered. My dictionary and thesuarus need to make space for a new book on the reference shelf, S&S is the definitive tool for all serious writers and just plain old language geeks. (less)
I hate Cherie Priest. She is part of the rarified breed that makes writing appear effortless. If nothing else, Boneshaker is an example of writing exc...moreI hate Cherie Priest. She is part of the rarified breed that makes writing appear effortless. If nothing else, Boneshaker is an example of writing excellence. Fortunately, it is more than that.
Imagine pirates, zombies, mad scientists and steampunk warriors crashing together in a poisoned world where mother and son search for each other. I'm not doing the story justice but suffice it to say Priest's characters are substantial and her ability to transport the reader to an improbable time and place ranks among the best storytellers.(less)
I've seen the movie a dozen times but never knew how much more was in the book. I watched the movie again post-read and it feels like it moves faster...moreI've seen the movie a dozen times but never knew how much more was in the book. I watched the movie again post-read and it feels like it moves faster than it did before. Harper Lee's words are so elegant in reflecting Scout and Jem's experiences.
Note: Sissy Spacek does a masterful job (surprise surprise) reading thsi work.(less)
It is clear why this was chosen as the 2009 Edgar best novel; it does everything right...and then some. Box has constructed a wor...more2009 edgar best novel
It is clear why this was chosen as the 2009 Edgar best novel; it does everything right...and then some. Box has constructed a work that should be a required study for any aspiring mystery/suspense writer, one of the best edge-of-your-seat page-turners I've ever read.(less)
Egolf had the talent granted to so few, the talent to construct jitterbugging phantasms in a reader's mind. While heartbreaking that he chose to Cobai...moreEgolf had the talent granted to so few, the talent to construct jitterbugging phantasms in a reader's mind. While heartbreaking that he chose to Cobain his way into the spirit world, he left behind three raucous novels. Kornwolf was the third, an outrageous monsoon of culture clash amidst the Amish countryside of Lancaster Pennsylvania. The characters are preposterous and legitimate, an ensemble of devout Mennonites, the non-Order townsfolk Egolf categorizes alternately as "The English" and "The Red Coats", an inept police-force in the town of "Lamepeter" (Egolf was arrested as part of a protest against George Bush in Lancaster. The actual police force is Lampeter. The fictional name takes on the appropriate connotations) and the return of The Blue Ball Devil, a werewolf who bears a striking resemblance to Richard Nixon. At center stage, however, is Egolf's craft. His writing is an absolute joy to read, a commodity not often encountered in contemporary fiction. (less)
This book blew me away...a complete surprise. I love cautionary tales that are simultaneously subtle and hysterical. Feed, however is also creepy and...moreThis book blew me away...a complete surprise. I love cautionary tales that are simultaneously subtle and hysterical. Feed, however is also creepy and at times unnerving. M.T. Anderson's has provided his characters amazing, on-the-mark voices. I HIGHLY recommend the audio version as it's produced in a multi-media style that drives home many of the book's philosophies and visions.(less)
This is the book I wish I could write. It's a dark cautionary tale that brilliantly nails the diffrent cultural attitudes in the world today. Certainl...moreThis is the book I wish I could write. It's a dark cautionary tale that brilliantly nails the diffrent cultural attitudes in the world today. Certainly grisly at times (Brooks does offer his gratitude to George Romero among others), but at it's core this book holds up a mirror to the world to reflect what we've become and the impact upon a cross-section of cultural attitudes. Sometimes un-nerving, somtimes bleakly funny, this is an outstanding piece of fiction.(less)
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