false 1 229 218 true 7166038 read 3 true 7166037 currently-reading 8 true 7166036 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77534509 Nine Dragons (Hardcover) by Michael Connelly
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77087971 to: In Extremis (CSI, Book 9) by Ken Goddard
This is the first of the CSI novels I've read in a long time (I've read all the preceding ones) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was a face paced, all-in-one-night type that was really captivating. It had more tension and action than I remember from the other novels, but still kept well in keeping with the established characters and canon.

I really looked forward to picking up this book every day I was reading it (and there weren't many days, as I tore through it quickly!). It was a great read and I hope this writer produces more novels in this series. Recommended for all CSI fans. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77087941 The Bourne Identity (Jason Bourne, #1) by Robert Ludlum
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74139582 to: Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You: A Guide to the Universe (Paperback) by Marcus Chown
OK, Quantum Theory presented in a light, fun and enthusiastic way, but very basic stuff. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74139393 to: The Death of Bunny Munro (Hardcover) by Nick Cave
I wasn't really sure what to expect with Nick Cave's second novel. As a fan of his music, and someone who enjoyed his first novel back when I was a student (probably the best point in life to read that book, but that is a different review), there was no way I wasn't going to read it. However, I do wonder if the cover would have been enough for me to pick this up had it been by an unknown author...

The novel is the story of the final few days in the life of Bunny Munro, sex-addicted door-to-door beauty products salesman, or quoting the section titles of the book: Cocksman, Salesman, Deadman. Bunny is widowed when his depressed wife commits suicide, and is left to care for his son, Bunny Junior. As Bunny tries to drown his grief with booze, sex, sales and fatherhood, he gradually loses his grip on reality and feels his own death approaching like a stalker.

Where some authors have a talent for finding the hidden beauty in the mundane, Cave finds the hidden sleaze and filth. As Bunny & Bunny junior "hit the road" in dull and dying costal towns, we get a peek behind the net curtains at the hidden debauchery, which gets lewder and more depraved with Bunny's progressing loss of control.

Bunny's descent is well written and the the observations of Bunny Junior provide a nice counterpoint to Bunny's own. The Bunny character is well developed, and at times I genuinely felt for the plight of this poor date-rapist The son character is just as well fleshed out. The supporting cast felt a little 'off-the-shelf', but they played such minor roles, that this didn't seem like a distraction. The writing is of a simpler style than Cave's previous novel, though the graphic discourses on masturbation and celebrities' vaginas, the increasingly distorted world of Bunny and the eventual flight of fantasy of his final moments, make this a novel only Cave could write. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74139512 to: Dewey: The Small-town Library-cat Who Touched the World (Paperback) by Vicki Myron
This was a fun light read. As a cat lover, I had a smile on my face as I read about the antics of Dewey, the cat who lived in the Spencer Town Library. Having lived with cats my whole life I could clearly imagine every trick and tantrum described in the book.

However, I have to confess to skimming over the 'non-dewey' sections: the book contains a lot of auto biographical material on the (difficult) life of the author. I felt slightly cynical doing so, but it is not the kind of thing I usually read, and wasn't too interested in. (In fact I would not have normally purchased a book like this, but it was given to me).

I think any cat lover will have fun reading this, and those cat lover's also enjoy a slightly melancholy tale of personal hardship, then so much the better. Personally I only fill the first criterion, so just a 3 star read for me. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74261625 to: Terminal Freeze (Audio CD) by Lincoln Child
Once again Lincoln Child has managed to make a story that sounds far fetched and a little corny into an engaging thriller: Stranded at a remote Alaskan outpost, a group of scientists, soldiers and documentary makers are hounded by a big, evil beastie.

The setup is similar to Child's previous novel, Deep Storm in that the characters is stuck in their hostile situation, unable to escape to civilization for what seem like contrived reasons. However once the setting is established, this contrivance is easily forgotten, as the book has a pretty strong plot that moves along at a good pace, and throws up enough little mysteries and pitfalls for the characters to keep the reader engaged.

The book has a fairly large cast of characters, most of which are well fleshed out and developed, but there are a couple that feel a little flat.

I'd put this book on a par with Deep Storm: a good read, but not the best from this author. His first two novels, Utopia and Death Match still stand out to me as his best to date, and are among my favourites of the genre.

One last thing: Terminal Freeze has ice road truckers, and ice road truckers are always cool! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74732277 to: Utopia (Mass Market Paperback) by Lincoln Child
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74619663 to: Dune (Dune 1) by Frank Herbert
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