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Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015
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Tom
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May 05, 2015 01:53PM
I just finished American Sniper. It was an informative read but hardly worth all the hype (pro and con) it's been getting.
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I finished:
Temple Mount: A NovelReview: 3.5* www.goodreads.com/review/show/1258825...
Now reading:
The Gods of Guilt
I've started Hour Game
as an audiobook.... I'm 36% into it and enjoying. Ron McCarty in narrating and I just love him. My next ebook is See No Evil
Mod
(link to movie: http://www.amazon.com/Old-Dark-House-...)
Just finished The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll. Highly, highly recommend!Just started The Holcroft Covenant by Robert Ludlum.
Just started reading The Mystery at Sag Bridge
, which combines the modern story of a retired woman, grieving the lost of her mother, with a century-old murder story. The two stories intersect because Cora, the modern protagonist, encounters strange happenings wrought by a vengeful ghost. I'm about 100 pages into it, and it's really good so far.
Cory wrote: "Just finished 
Chesterfield Manor it was really good I couldn't put it down."A little BSP?
I finished The Color of Law by Mark Gimenez:. This book reads like a John Grisham novel with a dash of Perry Mason. Dallas lawyer A. Scott Fenney works at the elite Ford Stevens law firm where he uses less-than-ethical techniques to bring in huge fees. Thus Scott lives in a mansion, he and his wife Rebecca drive expensive cars, and Rebecca aspires to be hostess of the glamorous Cattle Barons Ball. To top it off Scott has a daughter he adores, 9-year-old Boo. Scott feels like he's living the perfect life.
Then Judge Buford appoints Scott to represent black prostitute Shawanda Jones, accused of killing Clark McCall. Clark is the bad-boy son of Senator Mack McCall, who's determined to become the next President.
Scott tries to get Shawanda to cop a plea but Shawanda says she's innocent and wants a trial. From here the book takes a predictable, but still entertaining, turn. The Senator is determined that his son's past as a druggie who hits and rapes women doesn't become public knowledge. Thus the Senator pulls a few strings and Scott's boss urges him to throw the case. When Scott refuses his life goes downhill fast.
Though the story plays out as expected I enjoyed the book, which has some interesting characters and the requisite courtroom scenes. I liked the book and recommend it to fans of legal mysteries. 3.5 stars.
Clifford Stoll's Cuckoo's Egg is a favorite of mine. Good book.'
Mike wrote: "Just finished The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll. Highly, highly recommend!Just started [book:The Holcroft Cove..."
Liked your review Mike and have added this one to my TBR list.
Barbara wrote: "I finished The Color of Law by Mark Gimenez:. This book reads like a John Grisham novel with a dash of Perry Mason. Dallas lawyer A. Scott Fenney works at the..."
I've just bought my first Mark Gimenez book and am looking forward to giving him a try. Thanks for the review.
Mod
Chesterfield Manor it was really good I couldn't put it down."Thomas is right. You shouldn't be using the reader threads for promoting your new book.
Mod
Bill wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished The Color of Law by Mark Gimenez:. This book reads like a John Grisham novel with a dash of Perry Mason. Dallas lawyer A. Scott Fen..."
Bill wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished The Color of Law by Mark Gimenez:. This book reads like a John Grisham novel with a dash of Perry Mason.
Dallas lawyer A. Scott Fen..."
Hope you enjoy your Mark Gimenez book Bill.
Am starting
for my Mystery Book Club. Has anyone read it?????????????????
Just started The Confession by Robert Whitlow. (Hope it is as good as the others our book club has read by him.)
Mod
If anyone in the U.S. would like an ARC copy of this novel, I have an extra. Just let me know - free to you, including postage.
update: book has been given away!
I finished The Alphabet House by Jussi Adler-Olsen. I read this standalone because I'm a fan of Jussi Adler-Olsen's 'Department Q' mysteries. As the story opens World War II is raging and English flyboys Bryan and James are shot down over Germany. They sneak onto a German medical transport train and take the place of two Nazi officers. They soon find themselves in a mental hospital (Alphabet House) for shell-shocked SS officials. There Bryan and James endure endless electroshock and drug therapy. Their 'mental illness' allows the boys to remain silent but if they're exposed as Brits or fakes they'll be killed. Thus they live in a constant state of fear.
As it turns Alphabet House contains many Nazis faking mental illness. The most heinous malingerers are extremely suspicious of their fellow patients, fearing someone might discover their deception and expose them. Thus they watch everyone closely and harass or murder anyone they suspect is faking. Bryan and James come under intense scrutiny by these men and James especially suffers greatly at their hands. This part of the book is very long and disturbing.
Eventually Bryan escapes. Skip ahead to 1972 and Bryan is a wealthy physician. Bryan has never given up trying to find James and when circumstances align he returns to the town where Alphabet House was located. There he comes across some people he knew in the mental ward and things take a very dramatic turn. This section of the book is also long and disturbing.
It's hard for me to rate this story because - though it's well-written and compelling - the subject matter is distressing and many of the characters are sadistic and disgusting. Thus I settled on 3 stars. I'll probably stick to Jussi Adler Olsen's mysteries from now on.
Mod
I just finished Ian Caldwell's "The Fifth Gospel". Here's my review:
Caldwell's "The Fifth Gospel" is a murder mystery set within the Vatican. Not the Vatican tourists see, but the the vast labyrinth kept from public view. Likewise, Caldwell's characters are all fashioned after those who actually administer the Vatican. I'm astonished at the amount of research Caldwell has done.
But, this novel isn't a travelog nor is it a Vatican expose. It's a carefully constructed murder mystery that had me guessing until the end.
At the core of this mystery is the Shroud of Turin, and a researcher (Ugo Nogara) who is mounting a public exhibit of the Shroud in the Vatican. An exhibit that promises to change everything the public believe about the Shroud. When the researcher is found dead just days before the exhibit opens, the hunt is on for his killer.
And what a hunt it is. Ugo's close friend Simon, a priest, is found standing over Ugo's body and is arrested by the Vatican police. But Simon's brother Alex, also a priest, Believes Simon is innocent. So Father Alex begins an investigation to find who the actual murderer is, an investigation that carries him through monsignors, bishops, and cardinals, all the way to those closest to the Pope. And, eventually, to the Pope himself. Needless to say church politics are in play, and Father Alex's investigation runs into one road block after another.
And in seeking the murderer, Father Alex also delves into the likely reasons why Ugo was murdered. An exploration that quickly focuses on Ugo's research discoveries about the hidden history of the Shroud.
This is a story with complex characters, and a plot that twists and turns. Details about Vatican life, canon law, and church history make the story feel real.
This is also a story about relationships. Brother to brother. Friend to friend. Father to son. The strength of relationships. Commitment. Devotion.
I highly recommend this book for mystery readers, especially fans of contemporary mysteries with strong historical elements.
Just finished The Mystery at Sag Bridge. It's a blend of historical fiction and paranormal mystery that was lots of fun. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished
The Gods of Guilt - A riveting courtroom drama. My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1143093...
Now reading:
The Fifth GospelI won a copy from Goodreads Giveaway. :O)
Alan wrote: "I just started 
The Patriot Threat. Great premise. Fabulous writing."Steve Berry is a fav author! Will have to add this one to my TBR.
I'm currently reading People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo - and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by Richard Lloyd Parry. While engaging, it is tragic and has taken its emotional toll on me and I am reading it slowly throughout the month of May.
To sort of combat the intensity of that book, I'm also reading The Secret Circle: The Captive Part II and The Power by L.J. Smith. Although intended to be a darker tale for young adults, I'm finding it simple and entertaining. Not much thought goes into my reading and I can just read the words and enjoy the story.
I recently finished Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming in audiobook format, read by the author. Tragically uplifting...if that makes sense.
To sort of combat the intensity of that book, I'm also reading The Secret Circle: The Captive Part II and The Power by L.J. Smith. Although intended to be a darker tale for young adults, I'm finding it simple and entertaining. Not much thought goes into my reading and I can just read the words and enjoy the story.
I recently finished Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming in audiobook format, read by the author. Tragically uplifting...if that makes sense.
Mod
People Who Eat Darkness is an incredible story.
Liz wrote: "I'm currently reading People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo - and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by Richard Lloyd P..."</i><i>Liz wrote: "I'm currently reading [book:People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo - and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by [author:Richard Lloyd P..."
He (Alan Cumming) was interviewed on BBC's Outlook regarding this book. It was really interesting!! (I love him on The Good Wife)!
Arlene wrote: "Liz wrote: "I'm currently reading People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo - and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by [author:Ric..."I listened to his book a few months ago. It was pretty good.
Just got the newest Craig Johnson mystery
and began immediately.Plot description sounded great ... T-rex skeleton claimed by everyone with the usual assortment of great characters.
All going well until the re-introduction of the *evil mastermind bent on revenge* from previous books. [sigh] That is just so not my kind of thing.
I had an excellent reading weekend this past weekend and finished the 3 books I was working on. Started 3 new books; The French Executioner, a historical adventure/ mystery by C.C. Humphreys, The Vicious Vet, the second Agatha Raisin mystery by M.C. Beaton and So Disdained by Nevil Shute (a novel of espionage and treason)
US Marshal Teddy Daniels has come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to find an escaped murderer named Rachel Solando.As a killer hurricane bears down on the island, the investigation deepens and the questions mount. How has a barefoot woman escaped from a locked room? Who is leaving them clues in the form of cryptic codes? And what really goes on in Ward C?
The closer Teddy gets to the truth, the more elusive it becomes. And the more he begins to believe that he may never leave Shutter Island. Because someone is trying to drive him insane...
Cold War America in 1954 and Shutter Island, off the coast of New England, is the location of a high security sanatorium that houses some of America's most violent and disturbed criminals. Teddy Daniels and his new partner Chuck Aule are two U.S Federal Marshals sent to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a delusional child killer.
You Think You've Figured It Out and....then
Apparently, Solando has done the impossible and managed to escape from of a locked cell, slip unseen past a group of orderlies playing cards, and get beyond two other guarded checkpoints. It would be an impossible swim from the island back to land, so Solando must still be somewhere on the island. But where? Perhaps the secret coded message she left behind will be just the clue the marshals need to help solve the unexplainable disappearance.
Teddy Daniels jumped at the assignment when it came up. He is concerned about finding the missing patient, but he is also full of ulterior motives. When his wife died in an apartment fire, the fire-starter was sentenced to spend the rest of his life at Aschecliffe. Part of him wants to confront the man responsible for his wife's death. Part of him wants to kill the guy.
Shutter Island is a wild ride, an impressive mystery, and an intense psychological thriller. Dennis Lehane is a talented writer, one who understands what readers want and expect in a suspense novel, and he gives it to them in a massive dosage !
A great choice for my book pal for May. 4.5 stars for me
Mod
Ruth wrote: "Just started Bruno, Chief Of Police. Not far enough yet to know what I think."I look forward to seeing what you think of it, Ruth
Just about to start
(Netgalley/Kindle), listening to
, and reading
(short story collection/paperback). 8:D
Just finished The Long Walk by Stephen king, 4 stars. Now I'm reading The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer, my first by this author.
Moderator:THANKS SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING ADRIAN McKINTY'S THE SUN IS GOD.
Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to shout. Well, maybe I did. :-)
I think Adrian's one of the best crime writers around, and you just reminded me I want to stock up for this summer's vacation. I read THE COLD COLD GROUND on the beach in Turkey -- talk about cognitive dissonance -- and it was just superb. Sean Duffy -- a Catholic detective on Belfast's heavily Protestant RUC -- is one of the great detectives of recent crime fiction.
My recent favorite read: Dennis Lehane's WORLD GONE BY. At a local reading he described it as "the gangster in autumn," and I think that's perfect. I loved the book, and I haven't read the previous to with Joe Coughlin as the protagonist. Intend to go back and correct that shortcoming shortly, as it were.
David wrote: "Moderator:THANKS SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING ADRIAN McKINTY'S THE SUN IS GOD.
Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to shout. Well, maybe I did. :-)
I think Adrian's one of the best crime writers around, and you ..."
I've just started to acquire his books, looking forward to giving him a try.
Bill, I just posted a review of 1 of Mckinty's books on member reviews. See https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I don't plan to read any more of this series, but rather the Sean Duffy series, recommended to me by GR friends
Thomas wrote: "I don't plan to read any more of this series, but rather the Sean Duffy series, recommended to me by GR friends "I read the first Sean Duffy book and am very much interested in reading the others. I'm not as kean on reading McKinty's books that are set outside of Ireland, though.
About 200 pages from the end of under the dome! This is progress
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