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Michael
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Jan 14, 2015 05:59PM
I'm reading Djibouti by Elmore Leonard. I've read and enjoyed many of his books, but so far, this one is a real dog. The reading is slow going and I can't tell where the story is going. I plan to finish the book, but I don't think I'm going to like it.
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I am currently reading
by Dr, Louis Siegel. This is a book of fiction that, as mentioned in his intro, illustrates the negative side of medicine. Politics, egos, money, etc. There is supposed to be a mystery thrown in for good measure. I've only read a few pages but will review it upon completion.
I just finished The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. It was an interesting read. I loved the main character, Jason Bourne. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I know there is a movie based on this book is it any good?
The Bourne Identity was a really good movie. In fact all 3 Bourne movies that had Matt Damon in them were great action movies.
Zoo by James Patterson and so far it is very good and unlike any other Patterson book that I've read.
Flash Beagle wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm currently enjoying
, an excellent Cold War spy novel by Len Deighton and the first Shetland mystery,
Don't know what is happening with my replies ... once again I tried to respond to Flash Beagle and it doesn't appear than the comment was posted. This one was suggesting Philip Kerr's books about Berlin detective Bernie Gunther.Philip Kerr
Chrisl wrote: "Don't know what is happening with my replies ... once again I tried to respond to Flash Beagle and it doesn't appear than the comment was posted. This one was suggesting Philip Kerr's books about Berlin detective Bernie Gunther"Great! Thank you!! I'm very interested in reading about Berlin. (I couldn't get one of my posts to work yesterday either - it kept underlining everything and I didn't want it to do that; never did figure it out.) Thanks again!
PS - I added March Violets to my to-reads.
Mike wrote: "I'm reading Djibouti by Elmore Leonard. I've read and enjoyed many of his books, but so far, this one is a real dog. The reading is slow going and I can't tell where..."Finished the book this evening. The second half was much better, but this was hardly the author's best effort.
I'm reading two crime thriller books. The first one is One Rough Man,
the first book in the Pike Logan mysteries by Brad Taylor. The other book I'm reading is JA Jance's Partner In Crime.
Ruth Ford Elward
Author of Diverse Mysteries
the first book in the Pike Logan mysteries by Brad Taylor. The other book I'm reading is JA Jance's Partner In Crime.
Ruth Ford Elward
Author of Diverse Mysteries
I finished Dick Francis's Damage by Felix Francis. Someone wants to disrupt British horseracing. Mandatory testing after a big race reveals that many horses - from stables across the UK - have been tainted with an illegal substance. Soon the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) receives a message - pay 5 million pounds or horseracing will be brought to its knees.Jeff Hinkley, undercover investigator for the BHA, is tasked with investigating and stopping the extortionist. Jeff takes steps to stop the attacks but the horse doper finds other ways to disrupt big races. Jeff and some BHA members want to inform the police but others fear the publicity will ruin horseracing.
During all this Jeff is also contending with personal issues: his sister has cancer, he's a little tired of his girlfriend, and his step-nephew has been accused of selling drugs.
Like his father (Dick Francis), Felix Francis sprinkles the story with interesting tidbits about horsetracks, racing, trainers, jockeys, betting, and the people who govern the sport. I enjoyed the story and Jeff Hinkley is an engaging character - clever and a master of disguise.
The resolution of the story is somewhat predictable and unsatisfying but it's still an enjoyable book, recommended for mystery lovers.
Ankur wrote: "I'm on the Lord Peter Wimsey Bandwagon: Clouds of Witness"Excellent book. I hope you enjoy.
Just finished As the crow flies by Damien Boyd . Reviewed this for netgalley .Reading one kick by Chelsea Cain , which I got from the library
Early hours this morning, I finished Follow The Leader - Mel Sherratt, which I found really enthralling. I've also read and finished Daylighters & Fall of Night - Rachel Caine which I absolutely adored, but unfortunately it was the last 2 books in the series, 13:24: A Story of Faith and Obsession - M. Dolon Hickmon, I disliked the book for the extra part which was to do with child abuse. Now I am going to read The Woman In Black - Kerry Wilkinson.
Finished He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him, by Mimi Baird, an account of a daughter whose father spent most of her life in and out of mental institutions. The best parts are where he writes about his experiences.
Reading Found Innocentwhich was a free download, new author for me, finding it very readable so far.
Just finished Lewis Carroll: The Man and his Circle for Netgalley review and now reading She Shall Have Murder for my English Mystery Group Read. 8:D
I finished Nightfall, by David Goodis. I did have a minor incident while reading though:

that's my blood on the page!

that's my blood on the page!
I finished Sycamore Row by John Grisham. Seth Hubbard of Clanton, Mississippi - suffering from cancer - commits suicide. First, however, Seth writes a handwritten will that cuts out his family and leaves his estate to his black housekeeper, Lettie Lang. In a letter mailed just before he died, Seth asks attorney Jake Brigance to fight to the death to preserve this new will - which he expects will be contested by his his son Herschel and daughter Ramona. This starts a legal circus and the fight over the will makes up the crux of the story. All sides decide to have a jury trial to determine if the handwritten will is legal and binding - that is, if Seth was of sound mind when he prepared the will and not unduly influenced by Lettie. One of the Hubbard family lawyers unearths information about Lettie's past and about Seth that he thinks will derail Lettie's claim. There's plenty of suspense leading up to the revelation of this information at the trial.
The courtroom scenes are interesting (if a bit slow)and the characters are well-written, compelling, and realistic.
A big question in everyone's mind (both the characters and the reader) is 'why did Seth do this'? Eventually, this question does seem to be answered. Still, I kept thinking 'Seth could just have given Lettie the money before he committed suicide and saved everyone a lot of bother.' Why he didn't do this is never satisfactorally answered (for me, anyway).
Overall, this is an enjoyable and informative legal thriller.
Nancy wrote: "I finished Nightfall, by David Goodis. I did have a minor incident while reading though:that's my blood on the page!"
Oops! Looks like more than a paper cut. Hope it was nothing serious.
Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I finished Nightfall, by David Goodis. I did have a minor incident while reading though:
that's my blood on the page!"
Oops! Looks like more than a paper cut. Hope ..."
Actually, I sliced my thumb at the fingernail on a fan blade. I'm so accident prone though that I felt the pain and moved on, not knowing I was bleeding until I picked up the book again. I was more upset about the blood on the book.
that's my blood on the page!"
Oops! Looks like more than a paper cut. Hope ..."
Actually, I sliced my thumb at the fingernail on a fan blade. I'm so accident prone though that I felt the pain and moved on, not knowing I was bleeding until I picked up the book again. I was more upset about the blood on the book.
I just finished The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I wanted Ripley to get away with his crimes yet I was very disappointed when he actually did.
Nancy wrote: Actually, I sliced my thumb at the fingernail on a fan blade. I'm so accident prone though that I felt the pain and moved on, not knowing I was bleeding until I picked up the book again. I was more upset about the blood on the book. "You are just described me. I am accident prone too. I keep bumping into things left and right. Sometimes I don't realize I have cut myself hours after when I notice the wound. And then I wonder how the heck did it happen.
so happy to finish the shining girls it was awful, after such a horrible read I always look for a 5★ read so gonna read the stand by stephen king
Rhian wrote: "so happy to finish the shining girls it was awful, after such a horrible read I always look for a 5★ read so gonna read the stand by stephen king"
Just curious -- why didn't you like it?
Just curious -- why didn't you like it?
Farhaanah wrote: "Nancy wrote: Actually, I sliced my thumb at the fingernail on a fan blade. I'm so accident prone though that I felt the pain and moved on, not knowing I was bleeding until I picked up the book agai..."
That is me!! I'll see bruises and wonder how they got there. I have a high pain threshold so I guess I've learned not to really notice. The only time I actually really am conscious about injuring myself is while using kitchen knives or my mandoline -- since blood and food don't mix!
That is me!! I'll see bruises and wonder how they got there. I have a high pain threshold so I guess I've learned not to really notice. The only time I actually really am conscious about injuring myself is while using kitchen knives or my mandoline -- since blood and food don't mix!
Rhian wrote: "so happy to finish the shining girls it was awful, after such a horrible read I always look for a 5★ read so gonna read the stand by stephen king"
Enjoy, Rhian! It's a great book!
Enjoy, Rhian! It's a great book!
Thanks Kathryn I'm sure I will love it, Nancy I just couldn't get into the story there was no flow with all the jumping back and forth to different dates, I kept reading hoping it would get better but it didn't
She Shall Have Murder by Delano AmesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jane is a practical person. She is a legal secretary with a secret - she has a man in her life who is, unfortunately still married (albeit separated and in the throes of divorce) - most unacceptable in the 1940's, the period in which the book is set.
Dagobert does not have a job; in fact he seems to be quite allergic to work. Quite where he gets his income from remains a mystery.
Dagobert is prone to taking sudden fancies to ideas, and expects Jane to execute them. His latest idea is that Jane should write a murder mystery. He feels that in her job, she should have plenty of material to draw from.
Then one of the law firms most irritating clients dies. Is it accidental death - or a cleverly disguised murder? Dagobert feels sure it is murder (and there is no shortage of suspects) and sets out, with Jane, to prove it.
A lovely, intriguing, cozy murder mystery.
View all my reviews
I've finished The Talented Mr. Ripley. Starting Severed: A History of Heads Lost and Heads Found, and of no interest to anyone but me, Revolution and the Word: The Rise of the Novel in America, a book about the books of Revolutionary-era America.
I have to say that I have been laid up with the cold from hell, combined with a loss of a week's sleep pretty much, and it's been very conducive to reading!
I have to say that I have been laid up with the cold from hell, combined with a loss of a week's sleep pretty much, and it's been very conducive to reading!
Rhian wrote: "Thanks Kathryn I'm sure I will love it, Nancy I just couldn't get into the story there was no flow with all the jumping back and forth to different dates, I kept reading hoping it would get better ..."
That's not what bothered me about that book, but I hear what you're saying.
That's not what bothered me about that book, but I hear what you're saying.
Farhaanah wrote: "I just finished The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I wanted Ripley to get away with his crimes yet I was very disapp..."
I wasn't disappointed at all. I was rooting for him at the end. I don't know what that says about me!
I wasn't disappointed at all. I was rooting for him at the end. I don't know what that says about me!
Over the last few weeks I have read these booksNight Sins & Guilty as Sin by Tami Hoag Both books are very good and they tie to each other so great but I think Night Sins is alot better then Guilty as Sin was maybe because liked Megan O'Malley more in Night Sins then Ellen North In Guilty as sin
I also read Missing Justice by Alafair Burke Its the 2nd book of her Samantha Kincaid series I really not too crazy about this series as I am her Ellie Hatcher series
I read Kill and Tell by Linda Howard didnt really care for it but it was alot better then her Ice Book i read in December
Last I read Blood Memory by Greg Iles I LOVED IT! I couldnt put it down but I wasnt shock that the grandfather was a sicko still very good read!
Will Be reading these nowPower Play by Catherine Coulter
The Broken Places by Ace Atkins
Skeletons by Kate Wilhelm
Strangers by Dean Koontz
Nancy wrote: I wasn't disappointed at all. I was rooting for him at the end. I don't know what that says about me! You aren't alone in that. I was rooting for him too. I think Ripley was a rootable character. He is different than the previous antagonists I've read. I think it shows how talented the author is. She got us rooting for the villain, one we would typically hate.
The Olympus KillerGenre: Mystery / Murder / Crime / Detective / Thriller / Series
Rating: 5 Star
Review: The Olympus Killer
A fast paced thriller murder mystery with location and mythology based killing
Catch A Falling StarGenre: Mystery / Murder / Crime / Detective / Thriller
Rating: 5 Star
Review: Catch A Falling Star
Intense Murder / Theft Thriller with a soft start but gripping story
A Slight ImperfectionGenre: SciFi / Thriller / Short Story
Rating: 4 Star
Review: A Slight Imperfection
A short story with a scientific algorithmic error
DeceptionGenre: Romance / Thriller / Suspense
Rating: 5 Star
Review: Deception
A romantic story with a twist. Nice weave of suspense through romance
Five Crazy Days in MayGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense / Erotica
Rating: 1 Star
Review: Five Crazy Days in May
A murder mystery with a twist
Catching the DepartedGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense / Crime / Detective / Series / Terrorism
Rating: 3 Star
Review: Catching the Departed
An Indian Murder Mystery
Dangerous VowsGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense / Romance / Crime / Detective / Spy
Rating: 5 Star
Review: Dangerous Vows
A roller coaster ride right from the first page to the last. Totally worth the stars
Sunny Side UpGenre: Cozy Murder Mystery / Suspense / Adventure / Murder / Crime / Thriller
Rating: 3 Star
Review: Sunny Side Up
A cozy Murder Mystery to be read at leisurely pace
I just finished reading
by Dr. Louis Siegel. I gave this book 5 stars and posted the following review:I would love to give a copy of this book to my doctor with a request for an honest review. Based on his introduction, Dr. Siegel has utilized a fictional device to relate his personal experiences during a long career in medicine. Kinda scary! I guess medicine, like any other profession, employs some major jackasses too. This is a worthwhile read and I highly recommend you check it out.
I am now reading
by Chris Bohjalian. It starts with a gruesome murder of a woman in Italy. I'll review it as soon as I am finished.
I finished Not in the Flesh by Ruth Rendell. In this addition to the series a long-buried body is unearthed on the property of John Grimble and Chief Inspector Wexford and his team investigate. The detectives learn that Grimble dug a trench 11 years before to prepare the property for additional homes. Denied permission to build, an incensed Grimble filled in the trench - which by then apparently contained a dead body. Soon afterwards another set of human remains is found in Grimble's old abandoned home. Much of the story involves the detectives trying to figure out the identity of the dead people, and then discovering who killed them. They question all the people living around the area at the relevant times, including Grimble himself, a mediocre writer and his 'two wives', and an elderly woman who's a snob and bigot. These characters are well wrought and believable.
A side story concerns Somalis in the region and their tradition of female circumcision. Wexford tries to prevent a Somali family from performing this horrific procedure (which is illegal in England) on their little girl. This is a serious issue but it felt like an add-on that didn't really fit with the rest of the book.
Little by little the police discover information that leads to the resolution of the case. However, the story's climax is somewhat unlikely and not totally satisfying. Many of Rendell's other books are better; this is just an okay mystery.
This weekend I want to try and finish Unlucky 13 by James Patterson, The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter and The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.
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