This was a solid three star until the final quarter of the book when the author tossed in a lot of information to keep the reader from figuring out whThis was a solid three star until the final quarter of the book when the author tossed in a lot of information to keep the reader from figuring out who did the murders. There was no need, since the reasoning is so convoluted that it needed no additional trees in the forest.
The first half was a lot of fun however, enough that I'll try another entry in the series.
Find it. Buy it at a used bookstore. Read it. ...more
A great rollicking ride of a murder (double) mystery with false identities, suspicious wills, and everything you want in a Nero Wolfe tale. This is alA great rollicking ride of a murder (double) mystery with false identities, suspicious wills, and everything you want in a Nero Wolfe tale. This is also one of the rare tales where Wolfe leaves the brownstone.
One of the best scenes is when our corpulent crimebuster decides to ditch the whole scenario to go home and get a decent meal. I nearly dropped the book, it made me laugh so hard at Archie being left to twist in the wind.
Even if you have been disappointed in Stout's work before, you should really give this one a try. It is a hoot of a good mystery.
Wow, I really need to read the first nine novels in this series and then come back to this one again. To make it worse, the book ended on a cliffhangeWow, I really need to read the first nine novels in this series and then come back to this one again. To make it worse, the book ended on a cliffhanger. Great prose, as always, from Green. If you have not read any of the prior books, DO NOT START WITH THIS ONE! Otherwise ...
A good, entertaining read. I think I missed some important information by not reading the first book in the series however. Plot twists are great, butA good, entertaining read. I think I missed some important information by not reading the first book in the series however. Plot twists are great, but the reader should not (IMHO) be left scratching his head in confusion even after everything has been explained.
Out title character (whichever name he uses) is highly trained and has the potential to be the greatest assassin in history. He is also the recipient/victim of a brainwashing program that was (implied anyway) designed with people like him in mind. The story of how he progresses from evil to good is interesting, but drags at the beginning of the second half of the book. A little less of that and a bit more explanation of the events of the first book sprinkled throughout the narration of the character David would have been better.
This is the first of four Sugar Creek Gang books I found in a charity shop that supports a cancer hospice. After looking into the background a bit, I This is the first of four Sugar Creek Gang books I found in a charity shop that supports a cancer hospice. After looking into the background a bit, I found these were fairly popular for kids a bit too young for Tom Swift or the Hardy Boys. They were also favorites for parents who wanted a book series with Christian themes woven into the plot. The series was reprinted in multiple formats until the mid-80s.
This first one does a good job of introducing the kids, a few of the parents and an interesting story about a young man looking for his Uncle who disappeared a few years earlier. I'll leave the synopsis there, because it is fun getting to the resolution and how the boys stroll right into the middle of trouble while in their nightshirts.
It's a nice look into those times with a surprising amount of adventure for a book written for a pre-teen audience.
Frightening does not begin to describe some of the action and journey in this book. I'm not spoiling a single for you except to say that you need to rFrightening does not begin to describe some of the action and journey in this book. I'm not spoiling a single for you except to say that you need to read it now!...more
This is the first attempt at providing an origin for DC Comic's first super-team. Since it is pre-Crisis, Levitz and Company were able to include the This is the first attempt at providing an origin for DC Comic's first super-team. Since it is pre-Crisis, Levitz and Company were able to include the GA Batman and Superman. The plotting is pretty tight, and despite traveling from Gotham to Scotland to Germany and then back to D.C., everything moves swiftly.
This JSA Special would be referenced many times over the next ten years until Crisis. Even after that, many writers kept the story as canon, just tweaking it to shift the heroes around in replacing Batman and Superman.
Well worth your time. I think it is one of the best retcon stories ever written.
I love the author, and read everything with his name on it. This one was a bit of a miss for me though. A modern western, L'Amour dived into the mysteI love the author, and read everything with his name on it. This one was a bit of a miss for me though. A modern western, L'Amour dived into the mystery of the Anasazi. In doing so, he also sent the reader into the metaphysic ideas that have grown around the legend over the last century plus. The story is a thriller as well, but the author spends (IMHO) too much time with Mike Raglan's internal monologue, especially where he dithers over rescuing his friend.
I'm glad I read it, but this will probably not work its way into my reread pile for awhile.
Recently picked this up in a charity shop for the original cover price. I remember reading it back in '73 (a stocking stuffer) and the stories still hRecently picked this up in a charity shop for the original cover price. I remember reading it back in '73 (a stocking stuffer) and the stories still held up to my admittedly jaundiced eye. Simply put, these are some of the best SA Flash tales you could read (along with a few others). It's hard to pick a stand-out, because they are all so much FUN.
It's a great entry if you are trying to get younger family members into comics. Probably easier since The Flash is on TV now.
A step up from the average tale. Chet was the only companion in this story, although his sister Iola and her friend Callie did put in an appearance.
TA step up from the average tale. Chet was the only companion in this story, although his sister Iola and her friend Callie did put in an appearance.
The Boys start with a blown tire and a crooked locksmith. The tale grows into buying stolen boats and a locked house mystery. That's right, you read locked-house, not locked-room. The concept is handled rather well, which lifts this entry in the series to four stars.
This was considered a modern-day classic when published and generated an excellent movie of the same title. In my opinion, Bridge does not age well. FThis was considered a modern-day classic when published and generated an excellent movie of the same title. In my opinion, Bridge does not age well. From my own years living in England, I do not think Boulle really understood the British soldier or what life was lie for them in the Pacific theater, regardless if they were prisoners or not.
For a better take on this, read Michener or even the ERB Tarzan novel that was set in the same time frame. Both are better tales.
This is an earlier printing of Jon Sable Freelance v. 1, and I have to say I like this version a little bit better than the newer edition from IDW. ItThis is an earlier printing of Jon Sable Freelance v. 1, and I have to say I like this version a little bit better than the newer edition from IDW. It is done in the same print style (coloring, etc.) as the original, single issues, so it appeals to a guy like me who read the originals off the shelf back in the day.
Jon is suffering from guilt, anger, and every other negative emotion a human deals with after the murder of his wife and children. Within a few days, he tracks them all down, except for one, and brutally kills them. Skip forward a few years, and Jon has moved on to a point, but his mind is still often at that moment where he found his family.
The author utilizes this (not uses, there is a difference) to create one of the most interesting fictional characters I have had the pleasure of reading. Where other writers lazily turn their protagonist into a raging kill machine that slowly drinks himself to death, Grell shows a man rebuilding himself into a better version of who he was when tragedy struck.
OK, enough back-slapping for character building. This is also a car crashing, sword wielding, pistol shooting, bone-breaking, MEN'S ADVENTURE series. It should also appeal to most women if the feminist movement hasn't gotten to them yet. There's your trigger warning for anyone who needs one.
If you like your characters multi-faceted, multi-skilled, and pretty much multi-everything else, this is the series for you.
This is how to take 29 pages and make the reader want to go out and buy the whole !@#$ series right now!
I haven't read any of the Voodoo Plague books This is how to take 29 pages and make the reader want to go out and buy the whole !@#$ series right now!
I haven't read any of the Voodoo Plague books yet, but Patton certainly has me hooked. If that's not the best possible review for any short story or other written work, I don't know what it could be.
Not one of the better books in the series. The author simply dangled too many sub-plots and bits of information that really didn't help the story moveNot one of the better books in the series. The author simply dangled too many sub-plots and bits of information that really didn't help the story move along.
For the younger crowd, it is a good tale, but anyone over 14 is going to speed through it to get to the end.
Simply put, this is Remo's origin as seen from Chiun's POV. It is really far more than that however. This was originally published in Assassin's HandbSimply put, this is Remo's origin as seen from Chiun's POV. It is really far more than that however. This was originally published in Assassin's Handbook (which I haven't read yet) and acts as a bridge between the cookie-cutter men's adventure protagonists Remo and Chiun started out as and the far more interesting, enlightened assassins they became in the third book (which you should read immediately after this novella).
Warning though, all you tough guys and gals may find a little leakage around the eyes when Remo calls Chiun 'Little Father' for the first time. Not to say I did, of course, but I'm probably late in changing out the air filter again.
Ah Remo Williams! My favorite Men's Adventure hero after Mack Bolan, the Executioner. Murphy and Sapir certainly created an icon for anyone who likes Ah Remo Williams! My favorite Men's Adventure hero after Mack Bolan, the Executioner. Murphy and Sapir certainly created an icon for anyone who likes their bone breakers with a side of philosophy and introspection. Remo is no whining, modern-day Flashman however. When the time comes to do the right (and excessively violent) thing, he is ready with an open hand and an ice-cold heart.
We all know the origin: Framed by CURE to work for CURE; answerable only to Mr. Smith, the President, and Chiun. What I had forgotten, was that Chiun was no where in the actual mission that drove the storyline. I'm probably bringing in elements from the Fred Ward movie (a good flick savaged by the critics) in my memory.
I had also forgotten that the main villain turned out to be a macguffin. If you don't know what that means, look it up and then immediately read the book. I swear you will laugh out loud at how Murphy and Sapir work that out.
Norris laid out a plan for getting American government and our fellow citizens out of its malaise. You could say it is very timely, but it was writtenNorris laid out a plan for getting American government and our fellow citizens out of its malaise. You could say it is very timely, but it was written over ten years ago. If anything, the problems Chuck lists are even worse than when BBP was published. For a few that may depend on your political POV, but there are several problems like youth obesity that should go beyond politics for a solution.
For anyone interested, read the book with your personal beliefs in neutral. Chuck does not advocate for either major party, and really pushes personal responsibility far more than anything else. It's a good read and worth your time.
The concept of immortal warriors has been around for a long time. One of the best series was Casca IMHO. Rucka does a good job here of stating how farThe concept of immortal warriors has been around for a long time. One of the best series was Casca IMHO. Rucka does a good job here of stating how far his 'universe' stretches back, but I had no investment in the team leader at all.
I'll give the next few issues a try, Rucka's take on the idea is interesting enough to go through the first storyline.
Find it. Buy it (or get it free at Amazon). Read it. ...more
I haven't read a Jack Higgins novel in awhile, and am kicking myself for it. Think Tom Clancy without the extra 150 pages of detail that, while intereI haven't read a Jack Higgins novel in awhile, and am kicking myself for it. Think Tom Clancy without the extra 150 pages of detail that, while interesting, does not move the story forward.
Here, our sub-title characters (heroes they ain't) are at still a pair of right b@st@rds, getting everyone into the deep end with such blatant betrayal, that I am surprised this book's heroine, Genevieve Trevaunce, didn't shoot Munro. She didn't have to kill him, but at least put the bloody git on a cane like Jack Carter. Still, I liked her a lot.
OK, I'm getting off the soap box. All that said, this was a great story of double and triple agents, sociopaths (on both sides) who get what's coming to them, and a brush with nearly changing the entire ending of the of war.
Craig Osborne (start whistling Yankee Doodle) is so close to Captain America, I almost thought he was going to be found in a block of ice at the end of the tale. He does Steve Rogers one better though and actually makes it to his date without the need of time travel.
I'm going to leave the review here, if you like WWII era thriller, this is the book for you.
I first read this in the early 80s, and it is still a great, fast read. This is the first book in Mack Bolan's final week in his war against the mafiaI first read this in the early 80s, and it is still a great, fast read. This is the first book in Mack Bolan's final week in his war against the mafia. After the end of this storyline, the series transitions Mack into a one-man anti-terrorist unit and sends him around the world. From that came the Phoenix Force and Able Team spin-offs. A great time for lovers of men's adventure novels.
Everything that a fan loves about Don Pendleton is here. A man so hard that the toughest of tough guys know it is time to run, a beautiful woman, accurate weapon descriptions, and nowhere is the word cordite used.
If you are looking for a quick read for your lunch hour or something to fit between textbooks or work material, this book is for you.
I have to admit, it does get a little old with Fenton Hardy, one of the world's premiere private investigators, being captured and having to wait for I have to admit, it does get a little old with Fenton Hardy, one of the world's premiere private investigators, being captured and having to wait for his teen-age sons to rescue him. Of course, these books were written for an entirely different generation, so I guess I just have to suspend my disbelief a little more intently.
That said, this was still an interesting read. This is one of the few, original series, books that took place outside the U.S. The writer does not spend a lot of time with descriptions, but does hit on a few key points when it comes to history and geography which you can look up after or while reading the book. It also reflected the fears of U.S. atomic secrets getting away from the country and our allies.
Chet and Tony were along for the adventure, so Tony's boat smarts and Chet's newest hobby, ventriloquism, both played into the story; especially when it came to the ventriloquism. A little eye-rolling for adults after the 37th adventure, but fun for younger readers who are still getting acquainted with out intrepid group of young sleuths. Well worth your time.
Another solid anthology from Pro Se Press. The authors and their stories hit every beat (pun intended) needed to merge a love of jazz and the supernatAnother solid anthology from Pro Se Press. The authors and their stories hit every beat (pun intended) needed to merge a love of jazz and the supernatural.
Each tale is quite good, but my favorite is probably 'Jazz Juice' by McCallum J. Morgan. He takes the idea of the Crossroads Demon and puts a 'combo' twist on it. If you don't get that, consider it another reason to read the story. The protagonist ends up exactly where you expect, but Morgan still put a smile on my face.
The first story, 'Trane Blue', does the opposite. The supernatural creature is not one I have ever associated with Jazz prior, but I will certainly think about it from now on. A neat, little twist!
Next up is 'Sounds and Sweet Airs'. The author has given us a tragic heroine, but not one that just accepts what her future might be. Dorothy doesn't get exactly what she hoped for, but her visions led her to a piano player that let her see something better.
'Ghost in the Jazz' is the shortest tale, but it tugged at my heart the hardest. Sixie isn't the typical, tragic heroine, but she is pretty tough, just the kind of gal (i.e. Stanwyck and Harlow) that belongs in a tale like this.
'Django in Paris' could easily be made into a Twilight Zone episode. Davide Mana has his characters dialed in that well. Many years ago, I had the chance to patron a Paris jazz club and it felt much like Davide's story. On top of that, a bunch of Nazis get it in the neck. What more could you ask for?!
'Siren Song' is a time travel story that could have easily folded itself into a corner, but the author did a nice, little side step to avoid the problem. The main character also found himself with a little redemption and resurrection before the final page.
'Dark Magus' takes place in Ethiopia. It is a cracking good monster story that locks down a demon on the downbeat. Pun definitely intended that time. Our trumpeter has a familiar name, so I just added (to me) the appropriate last name whenever I read it. You probably will too.
Our last tale is 'Starshine in Storeyville'. Perhaps not the best in the series, but the author certainly knows how to keep your attention and race you through New Orleans until you are out of breath by the end, and that is always a good talent to have.
Not a dud in the bunch, but I've come to expect that from Tommy Hancock and Company. Great book boys and girls!
![DC 100 Page Super Spectacular Flash, v1 #22. Nov 1973 [Comic Book]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399971293l/22078157._SX50_.jpg)
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