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Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2017
JF...just finished "Kingdon of Shadows"
By Alan Furst. More cloak and dagger than mystery--takes you to 1938, Paris, the Nazi menace grows.NR...now reading "The Bone Polisher"
by Timothy Hallinan.I only knew Hallinan from his Poke Rafferty series but this one features Simeon Grist, a PI in LA.
I finished The Black Widow
by Daniel Silva.Gabriel Allon is about to become head of the Israeli spy agency when he gets pulled into another assignment. Following ISIS attacks in Europe Gabriel trains an agent to infiltrate the terrorist organizaton. Good book (but Gabriel take a backseat in the action). 3.5 stars.
My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Araych wrote: "JF...just finished "Kingdon of Shadows"By Alan Furst. More cloak and dagger than mystery--takes you to 1938, Paris, the Nazi menace grows.NR...now reading "The..."
I love the Night Soldier series. Furst has a great writing style.
Just finished reading Animal Farm for the first time, believe it or not. Better late than never. What a brilliant political satire.
Just finished a GREAT GREAT book "The Grail Protocol"
by Douglas Jones Douglas JonesWoW !! What a book that is. Most definitely a 6 star. Should be your next book to read.
And to think it is Douglas Joness 1st novel…
What a great book. It has all the ingredients of a great fast pacing action book. Douglas Jones is defining it as a kind of science fiction book but unfortunately or fortunately, most of it is already here or in the next decade. If you like a fast pacing action book that will keep you reading until you finished it, that is a book for you.
Glad there is a sequel book to that great reading. Although the book is designated as a biological science fiction, it all makes sense. We already have the “Alexa” gadget working in our world, and the giant advances in genetic sure make sense of what is being played out in this story.
Linda wrote: "Just finished reading Animal Farm for the first time, believe it or not. Better late than never. What a brilliant political satire."Never too late for a classic like that. Bit scary to think how much Big Brother has become part of our vocabulary and everyday life, isn't it?
The whole book was terrifying, Patty, because Orwell saw so clearly how propaganda, false news, groupthink, the lust for power, the instinct for subjugation, etc, can wreak havoc. It's happened before, it continues now, and probably will forevermore. Such a powerful book, especially when written as an allegory.
Mod
Since you liked that one, You might also want to read It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis.
I'll bet so, Nancy, thanks for suggesting it. History does have a habit of repeating itself, doesn't it, because of human nature and all its weaknesses being what it is. Stepping back and seeing it presented in fictional form decades ago makes it even more frightening.
I finished A Merciful Death
by Kendra Elliot.I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
In this first book of a new romantic suspense series FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick returns to her home town after 15 years to help solve some murders. For me the plot is overly contrived and several characters did things that were simply not believable.
2 stars
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Why haven't any of Simon Kernicks books been picked up and adapted for a film yet?
As many of my friends will know Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors alongside Tom Wood, Mark Dawson.
Another great book, is it his best, no but not far away. So you asked why not a five star ?
One thing I can say.... I read his short story "Flytrap" just before... That is one reason....
In 1990 21 year old Kitty Sinn and her boyfriend went on a holiday to Thailand where Kitty mysteriously disappeared. Recently bones have been discovered and the boyfriend and his lawyer have come forward and informed DI Ray Mason that he knows what happened to Kitty and who killed her. The hunt for the truth finds Ray and PI Tina Boyd confronting a number of ruthless, cold blooded villains who will go to extreme lengths to prevent their secrets from being uncovered.
I should mention here great to see PI Tina Boyd in the story, one of my favourite characters of Simon Kernick's well one of my favourite characters full stop !
DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd are two great characters with the same flaws, makes them perfect as a team, outsiders who both like to do things there own way, and not always by the book, Tina and Ray have been through hell in the past and they make a very good team because their characters are so alike.
Again Simon Kernick has given us a strong villain among a collection of good and very bad characters, with pace, tension and a powerful fast paced story.
A four star as mentioned no characters from Flytrap, and due to the very frustrating cliffhanger of an ending. Now we have to wait till Ray Mason number 3 !
Simon Kernick as a four star book is still better than most authors can dream about but I believe the second half of this book could have finished a little better, just my humble thoughts.
Linda wrote: "I'll bet so, Nancy, thanks for suggesting it. History does have a habit of repeating itself, doesn't it, because of human nature and all its weaknesses being what it is. Stepping back and seeing i..."
I finished It Can't Happen Here yesterday. It was very good. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
JF....just finished "The Bone Polisher"
by Timothy Hallinan. First Simeon Grist book I've read, it won't be the last. PI making snotty remarks--my fave.NR...now reading "Terror Town"
by Stuart Kaminsky. This one features Abe Lieberman, 60ish Jewish detective in Chicago. Love Kaminsky's stuff(several series). He's a real pro.
Books that I have read and enjoyed The Crossing my review, 5/5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cruel Mercy my review, 4/5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Any Other Name my review, 3.5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished a wonderful psychological suspense Romance "Wrong Memories"
* * * * * 5 StarMy Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
The Steel Kiss by Jeffery Deaver a few days back. Scary book, in the fact that it quite conceivably could happen...... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You're not afraid to give 4 & 5 star ratings, Jacob, so that book must be a real dud! Thanks for the warning.
Start reading "Targeted (an Isaac Jones Thriller)"
I finished Precious and Grace
by Alexander McCall Smith. A Canadian woman born in Botswana hires Mma Ramotswe to find her childhood home and nanny. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe has to extricate Mr. Polopetsi from a bad jam and find a home for a stray dog. Mma Makutsi, as usual, is not shy about voicing her (often odd) opinions.
Not as fun and engaging as other books in the series, but still worth reading. 3 stars
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Barbara wrote: "I finished Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith. A Canadian woman born in Botswana hires Mma Ramotswe to find her chi..."
I love this series and I agree this might not be the best but I still love being back in Botswana with Precious.
Getting started on The Cuckoos calling by Robert Galbraith because I know it's being made for tv and I've had the first 3 books for ages
Finished reading
by
David BaldacciMy Review
I am going to start reading
by
Scott TurowThis is an Advanced Reading Copy which I won on a Goodreads giveaway
South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula was the location for this "domestic suspense" novel by Aussie author Dianne Maguire, Things We Cannot See. 3★Important subject about teens and sexual predators written by a former social worker.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I agree Susan. It's always good to visit Precious and Botswana.
I'm currently reading Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman and Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson
Barbara wrote: "I agree Susan. It's always good to visit Precious and Botswana."It's a wonderful series. I need to get back to it. The missus and I really enjoyed the TV series. Unfortunate it only lasted one season.
Jim wrote: "Finished reading by David BaldacciMy Review
I am going to start reading
by [authorimag..."I just got this on NetGalley. It's not due out until May so it will be a bit before I get to this. I like his books so I'm looking forward to it.
Bill wrote: "I'm currently reading Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman and Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson"I love the Tony Hillerman series. He is a writer I miss.
Susan wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm currently reading Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman and Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson"I love the Tony..."
I'm glad I still have lots of the series to read, Susan.
Lucky enough to have an advance copy of Before the Devil Knows You're Dead by Owen Mullen. Half-way in and loving it!
Bill wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I agree Susan. It's always good to visit Precious and Botswana."It's a wonderful series. I need to get back to it. The missus and I really enjoyed the TV series. Unfortunate it on..."
I liked the series too.
I'm about halfway through Code Name Verity, which is listed as a YA book, although my adult mind is fully embracing it. I've heard it gets even better the further into it I go, although I'm already loving everything about it. Am actually having a hard time tearing myself away to do other things!
Susan wrote: "... I just got this on NetGalley. It's not due out until May so it will be a bit before I get to this. I like his books so I'm looking forward to it"I believe the only book of his that I have read so far is Presumed Innocent, which I liked. I have heard so many good things about his books that I am looking forward to this.
I'm pretty far behind on my Scott Turow reading. I have seen him do a reading before the home town crowd. I think half of the audience was family and friends. About as close as I came was that we used to work in the same building. I recently finished Erle Stanley Gardner's The Case of the Sulky Girl and An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. Just got The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore, stepson of an old classmate of mine.
After reading 2 DUD books I decided to start a book from "Brian Haig"
I selected "Private Sector"
. I know that Haig never ever failed me.
Recently finished The Vegetarian, it's unique but didn't quite compel me...now reading a lighter, somewhat feminist(?) children's book, Kiki's Delivery Service
sanny wrote: "Recently finished The Vegetarian, it's unique but didn't quite compel me...now reading a lighter, somewhat feminist(?) children's book, Kiki's Delivery Service"I used to watch that movie with my kids. Very good film.
I finished Alena
by Rachel Pastan.In this homage to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier the owner of a museum on Cape Cod hires a novice curator at the Venice Bienalle. He brings her back to the museum where the general manager hates the new curator because she's replacing Alena, who disappeared two years before. Not a completely successful update of Rebecca but an okay book. 3 stars
My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
JF.....just finished "Terror Town"
by Stuart Kaminsky. He's always a pleasure to read.NR....now reading "Echo Burning"
by Lee Child. A Jack Reacher...need I say more?
Off to bed, making a big effort to finish The cuckoos calling by Robert Galbraith
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The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
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