A very good Bosch. I have never liked the Haller series but Bosch remains a very flawed Juan and a great detective Connelly does a masterful job of sh...moreA very good Bosch. I have never liked the Haller series but Bosch remains a very flawed Juan and a great detective Connelly does a masterful job of showing how Harry pursues lead after lead doggedly refusing to give up the case even when pressured. Although the ending is a bit over the top, the sleuthing is first rate.(less)
Nesbit has written his best book In the Hole series, intricately plotted with twists and red herrings galore. This is Nesbo at his best, describing th...moreNesbit has written his best book In the Hole series, intricately plotted with twists and red herrings galore. This is Nesbo at his best, describing the essence of corruption and evil that flow from the drug trade. I believe although it is not credited, that he borrowed an idea for the plot from the TV series Breaking Bad but perhaps he came up with it independently. Either way, it is only a tiny part of a massive spider web that is mostly but not completely resolved at the end. A great read from start to finish. Do not read this book if you have not at least read the Snowman and the Leopard and hopefully Devil Star and the Redeemer as well.(less)
I am a Furst fan but this one was particularly good! Paris in 1938 is a wonderful setting made doubly so by the threat of war. As always, Furst's char...moreI am a Furst fan but this one was particularly good! Paris in 1938 is a wonderful setting made doubly so by the threat of war. As always, Furst's characters are both interesting and well-drawn, even the minor players like Kiki de St. Ange and Renate Steiner. The German menace comes to full flower over the course of the book, but it is subtly introduced at first. The actor, Frederic Stahl, the main character, a Viennese born emigre to America is surrounded by "helpful" Germans when he comes to Paris to make a movie. Ostensibly, they want him to speak in favor of "rapprochement" between Germany and France in 1938, but their agenda changes as he resists. As the scene shifts to various European cities, the plot thickens as Stahl becomes a bit player in the world of espionage. Most of Furst's characters are just ordinary people who become drawn into a web of intrigue as war approaches. I never tire of his plots because the period itself is so interesting and because he never uses the same main characters more than once. This example of his work is one of the best although I am still troubled his signature abrupt endings.(less)
This is one of the best books in the Prey series with non stop action and an interesting set of villains including the unseen "Big Voice." Sandford ke...moreThis is one of the best books in the Prey series with non stop action and an interesting set of villains including the unseen "Big Voice." Sandford keeps this one running on high the whole time and as a result it is much more interesting than the last two books in the series. Although I still prefer Virgil Flowers as hero, this one involving the Mexican mob and, in a subplot, a couple of muggers, has lots of action and an interesting plot. Don't miss it if you are a Sandford fan.(less)
Nesbo has written a crime novel without Harry Hole! The plot is convoluted as always but very involving especially when you reach the second half of t...moreNesbo has written a crime novel without Harry Hole! The plot is convoluted as always but very involving especially when you reach the second half of the book. Do not be discouraged by the opening chapters and the rather long setup. The payoff is fast and furious and a lot of fun. I am hoping that we will see a little more of the large detective who plays only a small role in this story but is another unique Nesbo creation. I understand the movie of this book will be shown in New York City at the end of April 2012. I look forward to seeing how they will dramatize this very complex crime story. Without giving anything away, the plot is built around some very interesting technology and the villain is, as always with Nesbo, a real monster. This is another example of the flawed hero facing overwhelming odds and somehow managing to pull through. Very entertaining and highly recommended whether you are a Nesbo fan or not.(less)
Frazier writes so poetically you can feel the landscape of his Carolina mountain settings giving off a palpable aura. Unlike Cold Mountain, this story...moreFrazier writes so poetically you can feel the landscape of his Carolina mountain settings giving off a palpable aura. Unlike Cold Mountain, this story takes place in the 1960s but its feel is much the same as its predecessor. Nightwoods is more a dissection of evil, much like Mailer's Executioner's Song. We visit the mind of a psychopath and realize how ordinary are his thoughts. This book is incredibly creepy and disturbing, not for the faint of heart. However, the beauty of the descriptions more than offsets the horror of the tale. Frazier apparently grew up in the places he writes about and thus he is able to give the reader a wonderful feel for the terrain, the people and their customs. Right from the know nothing sheriff to the warm and wonderful Maddie, the characters come alive. I preferred this book to Cold Mountain, perhaps because I grew up during this time. Although my childhood was in a big city, some things are the same all over!! (I have a minor quibble with the way the dialogue is set off with dashes. Why is it so difficult to use quotation marks?!)(less)
From the "King" of all storytellers comes another great yarn, this one about time travel. The main character, Jake, travels back to the Kennedy era in...moreFrom the "King" of all storytellers comes another great yarn, this one about time travel. The main character, Jake, travels back to the Kennedy era in hopes of changing the past. It might be wrong to call this a page turner since there are almost 850 of them, but the wonderful imagination of the author carries this book along from crisis to crisis, all the while instilling little bits of wisdom, the most memorable of which is "The past is obdurate." By the time the hero has completed his journey, the reader is drained but, at least in my case, wowed by the intricacy of the plot. While this is not Updike, Bellow or even Franzen, it is arresting prose and it makes you think. I have never been a big King fan but I have enjoyed The Dead Zone and Pet Sematary. This one may even rank ahead of those. My only problem is the length of the book: it could have been 100 pages or so shorter with the same effect. That said, you can whiz right through it, I read the last 200 pages in part of an afternoon. It's like candy, and when it's over, it's really very touching.(less)
Another great Virgil Flowers book, replete with great dialog, an engaging hero and a rapid pace. The plot is well conceived and executed. Be prepared...moreAnother great Virgil Flowers book, replete with great dialog, an engaging hero and a rapid pace. The plot is well conceived and executed. Be prepared for many twists and turns as the finger of suspicion falls on many people. Some of the characters are wonderfully unique, especially George Peck and Thor, the high school kid. Don't worry, they are only incidental to the plot. I haven't spoiled anything. I think this may be the best in the Flowers's series which is now overshadowing Sandford's "Prey" books.(less)
This newly translated Danish thriller is very promising. The detective, Carl Morck is not a drunk as most Scandinavian detectives seem to be these day...moreThis newly translated Danish thriller is very promising. The detective, Carl Morck is not a drunk as most Scandinavian detectives seem to be these days. However, he is defiant of all authority and quite willing to disobey the rules, sometimes just for spite. What makes this guy different is his partnership with a Syrian named, ironically, Hafez-el Assad, and the fact that they handle cold cases. Otherwise he shares many of the traits of Harry Hole, Jo Nesbo's Norwegian detective. From start to finish this is a great page turner and although I was able to figure out the evil doers before Morck, it did not matter much and I probably had more information than Morck did anyway. Much like Harry Bosch, Morck leaves no stone unturned and with the help of the mysterious Assad, eventually gets his man. There are many amusing vignettes along the way. I hope this is the beginning of a series with these two characters!!(less)
Levien's second novel is a good bit better than his first. Lots of action with a monstrous villain and an interesting if not completely plausible plot...moreLevien's second novel is a good bit better than his first. Lots of action with a monstrous villain and an interesting if not completely plausible plot line. The characters are relatively well drawn for a thriller and Frank Behr is a Jack Reacher like hero who doesn't take orders from anyone, regardless of consequences. Suspense builds gradually throughout into an exciting climax. This book is so full of blood and gore that some people may find it difficult to stomach. However, it is definitely hard to put down. I look forward to Frank Behr's next adventure. Not to spoil anything, there are some loose ends left to tie up in the future. Makes for a good teaser. (less)
the best of the five Harry Hole mysteries that I have read so far. Intricately plotted with the pieces neatly fitting together at the end, The Redeeme...morethe best of the five Harry Hole mysteries that I have read so far. Intricately plotted with the pieces neatly fitting together at the end, The Redeemer is a joy to read, although I still do not like the British Translation. Sometimes, the phrasing is stilted suggesting that the translator did not find the right English text to mirror the sense of the original Norwegian. Despite this small issue, I found Harry Hole to be a truly memorable character and I look forward to reading the Leopard next.
IMPORTANT NOTE For some reason the Snowman was released in the USA before the Redeemer which is chronologically wrong! Get a hold of the Redeemer because the Snowman is a partial spoiler if you read it first.
Nesbo, in my opinion, is better than Steig Larssen but judge for yourself.(less)
A marathon romp across three continents with the infuriating Harry Hole, drug addict, alcoholic, resister of authority, yet supremely skilled as a det...moreA marathon romp across three continents with the infuriating Harry Hole, drug addict, alcoholic, resister of authority, yet supremely skilled as a detective. What makes this series so interesting is Hole's flaws and his destructive personality. Why do I root for a man who is hellbent on doing away with himself? Probably because Jo Nesbo has created one of the great detectives of all time. The Leopard is also his greatest adventure, surpassing even the Snowman and the Redeemer. Although the book is overlong at 650 plus pages, there are many sections that kept me up well into the night. With Nesbo, every little detail is important and somehow weaves its way into the solution. No character is irrelevant. Just for the plot alone, I give Nesbo five stars but the characters are well drawn as well, from the imperious Bellman and his henchman, Beavis and Butthead to the mysterious "turquoise-eyed" woman, to the villain himself, whom I will not reveal. The vivid writing literally puts you into Hole's mind as he falls into one trap after another, each one seemingly worse than the last. I guarantee you will have nightmares about the "Leopold Apple." Don't plan to eat too much before reading!! I hope Harry will appear again but at the end of the book, one is never sure whether he is gone for good or coming back. I hope we see him again!(less)
I thought this was one of the best Sandfords that I have read. The search for the killer of two little girls takes us from Lucas Davenport's early day...moreI thought this was one of the best Sandfords that I have read. The search for the killer of two little girls takes us from Lucas Davenport's early days as a policemen and connects that with his present job as head of the BCA in Minnesota. The novel runs seamlessly from start to finish and is a model of a police procedural. Sandford has built a number of interesting characters around Lucas over the years, including his fellow police officers, who have their own quirks. The dialog is entertaining and the chase is riveting. I look forward to the next one!(less)
A well written Rhyme with some interesting twists and turns, culminating in an almost unbelievable ending. Deaver always does well in tying up virtual...moreA well written Rhyme with some interesting twists and turns, culminating in an almost unbelievable ending. Deaver always does well in tying up virtually every loose end no matter how small and this book is no exception. Pay attention to every clue and you might have some chance of divining the ending although I doubt it. The Rhyme books are very well thought out and if you love CSI you will certainly love this. My one quibble is that these books are overwritten and could be a bit shorter but I guess if you are a fan of Deaver, you have to live with that.(less)
One of the best of the series!! Reacher in his element against some really bad people. Wait till you meet the Duncans. Much better than 61 Hours and h...moreOne of the best of the series!! Reacher in his element against some really bad people. Wait till you meet the Duncans. Much better than 61 Hours and has some great characters. As always, hard to put down. I don't know how many more different ideas Lee Child can come up with but this book is proof that he can still churn out winners. I look forward to the next one.(less)
This is the 4th Virgil Flowers book and they only get better. As grotesque as the crimes are, they are fascinating. The last 100 pages is incredibly f...moreThis is the 4th Virgil Flowers book and they only get better. As grotesque as the crimes are, they are fascinating. The last 100 pages is incredibly fast paced and "unputdownable." Flowers is a great character and I hope we see him for some time to come. Bravo!!(less)
One of the most creative thrillers I have ever read. Harry Hole the alcoholic, chronically depressed detective is the hero in this third book of the t...moreOne of the most creative thrillers I have ever read. Harry Hole the alcoholic, chronically depressed detective is the hero in this third book of the trilogy which started with Redbreast and continued with Nemesis. His battle with Tom Waaler, a fellow police inspector is but one of the subplots of this well crafted thriller. I had to stay up to finish the book. The ending leaves you drained. My only complaint is the same one I had about the previous 2 books, which were not as good as this one, the translation. The translator is a Brit so there are a good many British slang words but the constructions are sometimes awkward. This author would be best served by a better translator. I don't want to spoil the plot, but it is best if you read the first two books before this one since it is helpful to the ongoing battle between Waaler and Hole. Characters are uncommonly well drawn for this genre.(less)
I have become a Nesbo fan with this very dark crime novel. Redbreast, the prequel to this book was not nearly as interesting but I still enjoyed it. W...moreI have become a Nesbo fan with this very dark crime novel. Redbreast, the prequel to this book was not nearly as interesting but I still enjoyed it. With Nemesis, Nesbo has delivered an intricately plotted suspenseful novel which never stops twisting and turning. Harry Hole, as most great detectives, is flawed in myriad ways. It is just for this reason that he is so appealing. HOwe , he unwinds himself from one tricky situation to another is draining for the reader but just another case for Harry! Although the plot strains credulity, there are enough shreds of carefully planted evidence to convince the reader of Harry's detective brilliance. The Nesbo books, as those of Steig Larsson and Henning Mankell, are not short and to some may feel overwritten and broodingly introspective. I found this one worth the read every step of the way.(less)
This wonderfully plotted stimulating spy thriller is the second in a series about a secret department of the CIA called the Department of Tourism. I h...moreThis wonderfully plotted stimulating spy thriller is the second in a series about a secret department of the CIA called the Department of Tourism. I have not read the first of the series but it is on my list. Some wonderful characters, including Milo Weaver the protagonist and Erika Schwartz, a world weary but very intelligent Director in the BND. The plot switches are many but the writing is crisp and ending is not what one would expect. I look forward to more of these novels!!(less)
One of my favorite authors, Furst has once again created a great backdrop for his characters,Salonika Greece just prior to German occupation in 1941....moreOne of my favorite authors, Furst has once again created a great backdrop for his characters,Salonika Greece just prior to German occupation in 1941. All sorts of spies, both amateur and professional, gangsters and sultry women interact with the protagonist. The result is a delicious brew of mystery, romance and action. Furst always chooses a different setting for his novels, but the common thread is WW II. There is always a new major character but occasionally, a minor character from a previous novel will show his face, a sort of tip of the hat to continuity. Though this is not Last Action Hero, there is plenty of suspense and if you are a lover of intrigue, you will not be disappointed. Like le Carre, Furst is more interested in the characters, and setting, building his plots slowly. Meticulously researched, this particular Furst novel is a great success. I look forward to many more!!(less)
Finally, another great Turow book. Returning to his original hero, Rusty Sabich, the author weaves a great courtroom drama around him and his family,...moreFinally, another great Turow book. Returning to his original hero, Rusty Sabich, the author weaves a great courtroom drama around him and his family, culminating in a "hard to put down" novel of lust and stupidity. For a smart man, Sabich does some incredibly dumb things which nonetheless endears him to the reader. Why we should be rooting for this guy is why we root for many flawed heroes; they are much like ourselves. Turow's prose is at its best when describing his characters and their thoughts but in this book the plot moves briskly along as well. I found this book to be at least as good and possibly a bit better than Presumed Innocent !! The characters, especially Nat and Tommy Molto, are particularly well drawn and the dissection of the legal process from a former lawyer is both interesting and not overdone. Highly recommended.(less)
One of the better Lucas Davenport books in this series. This one hits close to home and involves Weather and a whole bunch of psychos. As usual you ha...moreOne of the better Lucas Davenport books in this series. This one hits close to home and involves Weather and a whole bunch of psychos. As usual you have to suspend disbelief but it is a fast paced book which despite its length can be finished off in a day or two at most.(less)
This is a fine novella by a talented writer. It is simple but well constructed and can be read in a few hours. I stretched it out over several days si...moreThis is a fine novella by a talented writer. It is simple but well constructed and can be read in a few hours. I stretched it out over several days simply for lack of time. The narrator, George Young, is fulfilling the dying wish of the widow of his former employer. In the process, he reveals himself to the reader and meets some very interesting characters. Nothing new here but very well written and the plot is believable. Highly recommended for those who prefer an intelligent thriller to the "save the world" type.(less)
Another top effort by Sandford in the Virgil Flowers' series. Not only is Virgil likable he is more than slightly flawed. Just as important as Virgil...moreAnother top effort by Sandford in the Virgil Flowers' series. Not only is Virgil likable he is more than slightly flawed. Just as important as Virgil are the supporting characters, this time a den of lesbians and some really ugly villains. The beauty of Sandford is that he starts slowly and builds to a crescendo of thrills and violence. If you are willing to suspend disbelief, you will have a most enjoyable read. Like Robert Parker, Sandford specializes in dialog and this book is no exception. I may be wrong but I think this book will appeal more to males but it should be a fantastic ride for anyone. By the way, a road atlas of Minnesota will be helpful to have at your side. (less)
This is the first of the John Madden series and of the two I have read, far superior to the second one Blood Dimmed Tide. In fact I now realize that A...moreThis is the first of the John Madden series and of the two I have read, far superior to the second one Blood Dimmed Tide. In fact I now realize that Airth uses some of the same plot devices in the second book as he used in the first. However, the first book is much tighter, more engaging and certainly more suspenseful. The setting of Post World War I England makes a wonderful backdrop for a series of horrendous murders. Without modern gadgetry, it is interesting to watch how detectives painstakingly gathered clues to piece together the identity of the killer. Although there are some melodramatic passages, this is a well paced well constructed thriller that I would highly recommend.(less)
Jeffrey Deaver, the master of misdirection, has written another fine thriller, the second in the Kathryn Dance series. Moving at the usual breakneck p...moreJeffrey Deaver, the master of misdirection, has written another fine thriller, the second in the Kathryn Dance series. Moving at the usual breakneck pace, the novel gyrates madly, throwing suspicion on everyone before the actual perpetrator is finally unmasked. I enjoy the pacing, the setting of Monterey Bay and the principal character. The knack of reading people by their body language is an old one, but Deaver has institutionalized the art into a science. While the story is ultimately preposterous, Deaver leaves no strands unwound as he ties up all the loose ends neatly into a coherent novel. As thrillers go, this one would be very high on my list. One warning, readers would do well to read the previous Kathryn Dance book, The Sleeping Doll, because there are numerous references to it in this book. Some of those reference would likely spoil your reading of Sleeping Doll if you decided to read it after this one.(less)
One of Connelly's best. A good page turner from start to finish although as usual becomes a bit predictable and absurd at the end. However, the premis...moreOne of Connelly's best. A good page turner from start to finish although as usual becomes a bit predictable and absurd at the end. However, the premise is strong and it keeps you going until the last sentence. Much better than the Harry Bosch latest novels. I think Bosch as a character is played out. McEvoy is interesting and has the same aversion to authority figures so the author must have that problem as well. I am predisposed to serial killer novels to begin with so this one was right up my alley. (less)
I thought this to be clearly the best "Prey" book in quite a while. The introduction of Letty as a major character bodes well for the future. Also the...moreI thought this to be clearly the best "Prey" book in quite a while. The introduction of Letty as a major character bodes well for the future. Also the villains in this one were really bad people like in some of the earlier Prey books. Although, Virgil Flowers is absent, the novel is fast paced and well plotted against the background of last year's Republican Convention in the Twin Cities. In summation, there was a lot more meat in this Prey book than in the more recent ones.(less)
This is a great page turner with action from start to finish. I had trouble putting it down. Virgil Flowers, the protagonist is a very engaging charac...moreThis is a great page turner with action from start to finish. I had trouble putting it down. Virgil Flowers, the protagonist is a very engaging character and is not, as most action heroes, painted in one dimension. His failings are many but some of them are endearing. Sandford's plots are always interesting but this one is particularly good. As a big Sandford fan, I may be biased but I think this is one of his best.(less)
As a thriller, this is top notch, maybe Deaver's best effort. The Lincoln Rhyme series started strong then faded a bit but this one is a true page tur...moreAs a thriller, this is top notch, maybe Deaver's best effort. The Lincoln Rhyme series started strong then faded a bit but this one is a true page turner, intricately plotted with plenty of preposterous coincidences as always. However, there is plenty of suspense and lots of twists and turns. Also some food for thought about privacy concerns. All in all a very entertaining summer read.(less)
](http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352510194s/8525804.jpg "Spies Of The Balkans[Random House](Hardcover)")
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