Mark Lieberman's Blog: Mark Lieberman's BOOK REVIEWS , page 3

Rhymes With Prey: Lincoln Rhyme vs. Lucas Davenport (Lucas Davenport, #24.5) – by John Sandford and Jeffrey Deaver

I just finished reading all the Lucas Davenport series books. I wasn’t sure if I would like this story, as it felt forced by the publishers and editors – just to get something written for these two authors and characters. I am glad it was a quick read for me, as there was hardly any suspense and action for me to enjoy. The plot was a bit confusing, and I kept having to reread prior pages to make sure I understood. I may add all the Rhyme books as he seems like an interesting character.

Lethal Prey (A Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel, #35) – by John Sandford

I was a little bit sad that this is the last book in the Lucas Davenport series, but am also glad at the same time that I can start the Kidd series and Virgil Flowers series by Sandford. I have already read all the Letty Davenport books by Sandford. I will definitely be in line for future Lucas and Letty books, as they are a pretty awesome dad and daughter duo.

I was thinking, though, who would play them in a movie? I know Eriq LaSalle and Mark Harmon played Lucas in two movies, but I am thinking somebody else, and unfortunately, that person is dead, but I think it would’ve been a pretty amazing performance by somebody whom nobody would expect.

OK…

Anthony Bourdain as Lucas Davenport
Elizabeth Olsen as Letty Davenport
Luke Wilson as Virgil Flowers
Jodi Foster as Weather Karkinnen

Ain’t Nobody’s Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton – by Martha Ackmann

I got this book from Netgalley so I can read and review it before it’s published. I just happen to stumble on this book while I was browsing on Netgalley, and I was interested. I mean, I knew a little about her and wanted to learn more. I am not a fan of her music, but that doesn’t matter.

Unlike other musicians memoirs, I have read, this was one was a very quick and easy read. It dove into her family, her childhood, her rise to fame, her marriage, her career in music and television, and her generous philanthropy. It did dive into a few of her hit songs, but not every song and every detail.

I want thank her for her $1 million dollar donation to research at Vanderbilt University which helped kickstart the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and for her kindness in the Imagination Library which provides free books to children.

What an amazing woman she is who started from being poor to where she is now. What a great role model to everybody.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist – by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner

I got this one from Netgalley, so I can read and review it before it’s published. I was interested in his background and how he got started, and was satisfied with that aspect. I loved reading about his passion for music, especially hip-hop and how rapping put him on the map to succeed, and succeed he did (big time).

It was a bit too much detail for how In the Heights and Hamilton came to be, and I found myself skimming through those parts of the book. If you are a fan of the shows, there is a ton of information about it.

I did enjoy the Moana section and how those songs came to be as my son watched it a lot when he was younger.

Overall, it was OK and I am not planning on hyphenating my name.

Ocean Prey (Lucas Davenport, #31) – by John Sandford

Have you ever read a book, and everything is flowing perfectly and then you turn the page, and boom, a main character gets killed? That happened to me in this book, and I won’t spoil it and tell you who it was, but I will tell you, I was very shocked and perplexed by it and had to stop reading for a moment. I almost started to cry.

In this series, a lot of people get killed, and some in very gruesome ways as they are police thrillers, so it’s expected and they don’t bother me at all. But, this one bothered me so much that I was thinking about in the middle of the night when my 9-year-old son woke up and then I wrote these words.

The Investigator (Letty Davenport, #1) – by John Sandford

I’ve been reading the Prey series with Lucas Davenport as the main character by John Sandford. I wasn’t planning to read this one yet—I wanted to finish the Prey books first—but I spotted it, along with The Dark Angel (Letty Davenport #2), at the library and couldn’t resist checking them both out. They also had some of the later Prey books, which I may pick up when I get to them in the series.

I prefer reading on my Kindle, but it was nice for a change to hold a physical book.

Letty is Lucas’s adopted daughter, and she shares much of his personality—which is why they work so well together. She’s tough, independent, and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. In the Prey books, she witnessed her mother’s death and has even killed some bad people. In this book, she’s older and working for the Department of Homeland Security as a Researcher/Investigator. She’s partnered with another DHS agent, and together they investigate a case involving stolen oil. Other things happen on the case trail.

I liked it, and now I’m looking forward to starting The Dark Angel (Letty Davenport #2).

Buried Prey (Lucas Davenport, #21) – by John Sandford

In the present time, the bodies of two young girls are found. Lucas was one of the police officers on the original case, and through flashbacks, the story shines a light on what went down back then. Lucas was a relatively new police officer and was working hard to get noticed by his superiors. Also, as Lucas is investigating, a young Del and Sloan are also helping him. We learn a bit more about Lucas, as he was thinking of law school and was just starting to dabble in computers and reality games.

Lucas and Del, along with Jenkins and Shrake, in the present time, rework the case and of, course, they find the bad guy. The three of them also had to make sure Lucas didn’t do anything stupid that would take them all down.

The Hamptons Lawyer (Jane Smith, #3) – by James Patterson and Mike Lupica

Ok, so this 3rd book in the Jane Smith series wasn’t as good I expected. And, it got confusing for me as you had to have read the first two books in order to understand the characters. I just wish new characters and circumstance would’ve been introduced. Maybe they are planning on that for the next book.

I absolutely love Jane Smith, a strong female who is the best criminal defense attorney (and she has a cancerous tumor and she deals with that saga throughout). She doesn’t take crap from anybody, and she even has a great support system around her.

Broken Prey (Lucas Davenport, #16) – by John Sandford

In this one, a new character, Virgil Flowers, is introduced. Often referred to as “that fucking Flowers” by Rose Marie and Davenport, I am excited to read his books when I complete all the Prey books.

I Blame Lucas Davenport (a fictional police officer in Minneapolis) for My New Walking Playlist

In Book 16: Broken Prey by John Sandford, Lucas Davenport gets an iPod from his wife — and it becomes a running theme throughout the novel. I have only read one other book, Soundtrack of Silence by Matt Hay where music was prominently featured throughout the book.

Lucas spends the book talking about the songs he wants on it, getting input from everyone he meets. Even near the end (don’t worry, no spoilers!), his playlist pops up in a group therapy session and sparks discussion.

Naturally, the full list is included at the back of the book — and I was thrilled. I’d been hoping it would be, and it didn’t disappoint. The list gets my approval, although I would include a few Beatles songs!

Before anyone judges the selections, remember: the book came out in 2006, so don’t expect anything released after that.

I’m currently recreating the playlist in Apple Music and creating an awesome walking playlist. Don’t judge me later when I am walking and singing out-loud!

In no particular order, here are the songs:

Sharp-Dressed Man – ZZ TopLegs – ZZ TopMustang Sally – Wilson PickettSuperman’s Song – Crash Test DummiesRock On – David EssexRadar Love – Golden EarringHeart of Glass – BlondieWhite Rabbit – Jefferson AirplaneSomebody to Love – Jefferson AirplaneLayla – Derek and the DominoesRoadhouse Blues – DoorsHouse of the Rising Sun – AnimalsSweet Emotion – AerosmithDude (Looks Like a Lady) – AerosmithDancing in the Dark – Bruce SpringsteenBorn to Run – Bruce SpringsteenThunder Road – Bruce SpringsteenEvery Breath You Take – PoliceHeart of Saturday Night – Tom WaitsHot for Teacher – Van HalenWon’t Get Fooled Again – WhoHotel California (covers the Eagles) – Gipsy KingsGive Me One Reason – Tracy ChapmanDown on the Corner – CCRLyin’ Eyes – EaglesLife in the Fast Lane – EaglesSkateaway (Roller Girl) – Dire StraitsMary Jane’s Last Dance – Tom PettyMe ‘n Bobby McGee – Janis JoplinBlack Water – Doobie BrothersI Love Rock ‘n Roll – Joan JettJack and Diane – John MellencampThe Wall (Part 2) – Pink FloydMoney – Pink FloydPiano Man – Billy JoelAfter Midnight – Eric ClaptonLay Down Sally – Eric ClaptonYou Shook Me (All Night Long) – AC/DCDirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – AC/DCLong Cool Woman – HolliesLike a Rolling Stone – Bob DylanKnockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob DylanSubterranean Homesick Blues – Bob DylanSatisfaction – Rolling StonesBrown Sugar – Rolling StonesSympathy for the Devil – Rolling StonesAnarchy in the UK – Sex PistolsSugar Magnolia – Grateful DeadSlow Hand – Pointer SistersSweet Dreams – EurythmicsJailhouse Rock – Elvis PresleyZiggy Stardust – David BowieNight Moves – Bob SegerBye-Bye-Love – Everly BrothersPurple Haze – Jimi HendrixLola – KinksTender is the Night – Jackson BrowneLouie Louie – The KingsmenBad to the Bone – George ThorogoodTurn the Page (covers Bob Seger) – MetallicaSweet Home Alabama – Lynryd SkynyrdWe Will Rock You – QueenRamblin’ Man – Allman BrothersRock ‘n Roll – Led ZeppelinWhat’s Love Got to Do With It – Tina TurnerBorn to Be Wild – SteppenwolfWith or Without You – U2Paranoid – Black SabbathBlue Morning Blue – ForeignerWhite Wedding – Billy IdolSweet Child o’ Mine – Guns ‘n RosesParadise City – Guns ‘n RosesKnockin’ on Heaven’s Door (covers Dylan) – Guns ‘n Roses Walk on the Wild Side – Lou ReedFeel Like Makin’ Love – Bad CompanyRock of Ages – Def LeppardBrown Eyed Girl – Van MorrisonDevil With a Blue Dress – Mitch Ryder and the Detroit WheelsRespect – Aretha FranklinI’m in the Mood – John Lee Hooker & Bonnie RaittI Got You (I Feel Good) – James BrownUnchained Melody – Righteous BrothersLittle Red Corvette – PrinceRoll Over Beethoven – Chuck BerryMr. Tamborine Man (covers Dylan) – ByrdsOhio – CSNYPeggy Sue – Buddy HollyGreat Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee LewisPretty Woman – Roy OrbisonRunaway – Del ShannonWalk This Way – Aerosmith / Run-DMC(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay – Otis ReddingSmells like Teen Spirit – NirvanaStill Crazy After All These Years – Paul SimonWho Do You Love? – Bo DiddleyOne Toke Over the Line – Brewer and ShipleyI Wanna Be Sedated – RamonesShould I Stay or Should I Go – ClashBurning Down the House – Talking HeadsWaltz 2 / Jazz Suite – Dimitri Shostakovich