CHRIS DAVIES' 50 BOOKS READ IN 2015

[Chris]

20. by C.S. Harris
Finish date: 02/04
Genre: Historical Fiction /Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Continuation of series about Regency England detective Sebastian St. Cyr. Some interesting revelations about his family, and the character is interesting. The history in the book is reasonable and the author weaves a good tale.

I do wish that I hadn't waited so long to read this second book as I've forgotten most of the first.

[Chris]

21. by David Liss
Finish date: 02/12
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: A
Review: The continuing story of Benjamin Weaver, a thief-taker. This is a story of his condemnation for murder and his determination to clear his name. The story of his love for Marion and her refusal to be with him. The plot is great, but the history of political process in the early 18th century is outstanding.

This is a wonderful read!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Looks like you have had a few good books lately

[Chris]

I've been selective in posting, there have been some dogs, too. :-)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Ah - now I understand.

[Chris]

22. by James McGee.
Finish date: 02/15
Rating: A- (Would have been higher but was a little too gory for my taste.)
Review: Grim and grisly look at the 19th Century practice of grave-robbing and interesting story about the science of surgery during the same period. A horrific look at how mental illness was treated. I can't say that this was my favorite book, but it is one of the most interesting I've read. I continue to enjoy the series.

[Chris]

23. by Steve Hamilton
Finish date: 02/16
Genre: Crime/Private Detective
Rating: B+
Review: Lots of twists and turns. A new venue, Northern Michigan, which was interesting to me. I liked the Alex McKnight character. Would like to know more about the other characters and their interactions. Guess I'll have to read on :-)

[Chris]

24. by Henning Mankell
Finish date: 02/17
Genre: Crime/Detective
Rating: A
Review: How did I miss this! I am a big fan of Scandinavian crime stories and this is a good one. I liked the character with all his foibles and self-doubt, but he persists and figures out a really interesting crime. I'd recommend it.

[Skeetor]

I added it to my TBR list. Thanks, Chris!

[Dave]

Chris wrote: "24. by Henning Mankell
Date read: 02/17
Genre: Crime/Detective
Rating: A
Review: How did I miss this! I am ..."

I've read the first three books in the series and also really enjoyed them. I first learned about the series because Masterpiece Mystery on PBS aired several episodes over the last couple of years. Kenneth Branagh is cast as Wallander. They're very well done and I recommend them, but if you like the image of Wallander that is in your mind, stick with the books. They're great.

[Chris]

Dave wrote: "Chris wrote: "24. by Henning Mankell
Date read: 02/17
Genre: Crime/Detective
Rating: A
Review: How did I mis..."

Thanks, Dave! I'd heard that it was on PBS but haven't yet seen the series. I'll look forward to it.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks Chris - that series looks fantastic and Dave thanks for the series tip.

[Peter]

Chris wrote: "9. by David Liss
Finish date: 01/19/15
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Every once in ..."

I agree!

[Peter]

Chris wrote: "10. by Bernard Cornwell
Finish date: 01/20/15
Genre: Historical Fiction / Midieval
Rating: A
Review: Seco..."

Cornwell is terrific.

[Chris]

25. by David Liss
Finish date: 02/20
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery (Georgian Era)
Rating: B+
Review: This wasn't my favorite in the Benjamin Weaver series. This was somewhat of an expose of the East India Company, which I did find interesting. As usual, his historical research is impeccable. I thought the plot was a little convoluted. I will say that David Liss at his worst is probably better than the other 99%.

[Chris]

26. by Loretta
Chase
Finish date: 2/20
Genre: Historical Romance / Edwardian Era
Rating: B+
Review: This was a well-written historical romance about the fashion industry. It was a fun read and I always enjoy a good HEA. This was a little different than the Regency or Victorian eras which you see more often.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

[Chris]

Sorry, Bentley! You must give me points for being so consistently off :-)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You can collect them like Starbucks points without the coffee (lol)

Update: Kept the format sample on this page so you did not have to scroll back.

[Chris]

Such a deal!

[Chris]

27. by Connie Brockway
Finish date: 02/24
Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian
Rating: B+
Review: Late Victorian era with and interesting plot line and good dialog. The MCs were a suffragette and an explorer vying for an inheritance. I love a happy ending.

[Chris]

28. by Patrick O'Brian
Finish date: 02/24/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Napoleonic era
Rating: A
Review: This was a wonderful adventure tale that I've always wanted to read, and am so glad that I finally have. I love the friendship between the two very different characters Aubrey and Maturin, and the way that they look out for each other. Anything of this era fascinates me, and this was no exception. I don't generally go for tales on the sea, but this was very interesting. I would definitely recommend.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Love 28

[Peter]

Chris wrote: "28. by Patrick O'Brian
Finish date: 02/24/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Napoleonic era
Rating: A
Review: Th..."

The whole series is fantastic.

[Donna]

Chris wrote: "28. by Patrick O'Brian
Finish date: 02/24/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Napoleonic era
Rating: A
Review: Th..."

My husband read the series and decided recently to re-read them. He loved the Aubrey and Maturin relationship, too. I will plan to get to these one day soon.

[Peter]

Donna wrote: "Chris wrote: "28. by Patrick O'Brian
Finish date: 02/24/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Napoleonic era
Rating: ..."

I remember one review that had the line:

"This series is about naval warfare in the Napoleonic era in the same way that Moby Dick is about a whale"

[Chris]

Peter wrote: "Donna wrote: "Chris wrote: "28. by Patrick O'Brian
Finish date: 02/24/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Napoleoni..."

Peter, I think you're spot on. I think Maturin said something early on in the book about studying an isolated group of men and their interactions, and that was more surely the focus. I thought Aubrey was an interesting study in leadership, as well.

[Chris]

29. by Camilla Läckberg
Finish date: 02/25/15
Genre: Crime / Scandinavian
Rating: A
Review: So many plot lines that came together so well at the end. I have really enjoyed this series. Patrik Hedstrom and Erica Falck are such down-to-earth characters, so realistic and so easy to like.

The evil in Agnes and Lilian was palpable and all of the secondary characters make this such a good book.

[Skeetor]

I've heard good things about this series from others, also. 'Adding it to my long list. Thanks! :)

[Chris]

30. by Ashley Gardner
Finish date: 02/28/15
Genre: Historical Mystery / Regency
Rating: B
Review: Captain Lacey, ever the Regency gentleman without means. He struggles his way through cases and relationships in pursuit of honor. I just wish he could earn a paycheck! I am very fond of his character and that of his friends. I hope the series continues.

[Chris]

MARCH


31. by John Pilkington
Finish date: 03/05/15
Genre: Historical Mystery / Elizabethan
Rating: C
Review: Elizabethan era story of espionage and intrigue. The Marbeck character was likeable and it was a quick and entertaining read. I haven't read much late Elizabethan, so I found the historical details to be very interesting. I'd continue with the series.

[Chris]

32. by Edward Rutherfurd
Finish date: 03/10/15
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A rich history of England from the POV of five families of Salisbury. The book spans from the first Celtic settlements until the late 20th Century and hits the highs and lows of English History. I thought it was fascinating the way the author caught the feel of each era.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good progress

[Chris]

33. by Jefferson Flanders
Finish date: 03/13/15
Genre: Historical/Mystery
Rating: A
Review: An interesting mystery against the backdrop of the of the Jacobin takeover of the French Revolution. A good deal of historical information with a decent plot and interesting characters. Calvin Tarkington, an American merchant, trying to negotiate the schemes of political intrigue and romance to find his missing brother in Paris 1793.

[Chris]

34. by Robert Crais
Finish date: 03/17/15
Genre: Crime Fiction/Detective
Rating: A-
Review: Fourth in the Elvis Cole series about a detective in 1990's Los Angeles. This one about the takedown of rotten cops and gangs. I always enjoy the cast of characters. Fun read!

[Chris]

35. by J. Sydney Jones
Finish date: 03/21/15
Genre: Historical/Mystery
Rating: A-
Review: A new series/author to me. I found the descriptions of Vienna c. 1900 very interesting. The author knew the history and culture of the era, and presented well. The mystery was good, and the Karl Werthen character, "Private Inquiry Agent" was great. I'd definitely go back and read the first two books in this series.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You read a lot Chris

[Chris]

Bentley wrote: "You read a lot Chris"

Sometimes I listen ☊, then I can actually get something done.

[Chris]

36. by Carol K. Carr
Finish date: 03/23/15
Genre: Historical Mystery/Victorian
Rating: A
Review: This was such a fun book with a very unusual character. I thought it more espionage, and more suspense than a mystery. But, whatever the classification, it was a total romp and very funny. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.

[Donna]

Chris wrote: "36. by Carol K. Carr
Finish date: 03/23/15
Genre: Historical Mystery/Victorian
Rating: A
Review: This was such..."

I enjoyed that one as well, Chris, especially the humor.

[Donna]

Chris wrote: "36. by Carol K. Carr
Finish date: 03/23/15
Genre: Historical Mystery/Victorian
Rating: A
Review: This was such..."

I enjoyed that one as well, Chris, especially the humor.

[Chris]

37. by Iain Gale
Finish date: 03/27/15
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A more personal account of the Battle of Waterloo told through the eyes of the key players. I was expecting a more "Sharpe" like adventure book, but this was a more serious telling. I enjoyed it!

[Chris]

38. Spain Under Charles the Second, or Extracts from the Correspondence of the Hon. Alexander Stanhope, British Minister at Madrid 1690-1699 by Alexander Stanhope (No picture)
Finish date: 3/28/15
Genre: Historical/Non-Fiction
Rating: B
Review: Interesting first hand account of the last 10 years reign of Charles II written in letters by Alexander Stanhope, the British council to the Spanish court. It was a good example of a declining empire. Charles II died without heir, and his death brought about the War of Spanish Succession which began in 1700.

[Chris]

39. by C.S. Harris
Finish date: 03/29/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Third in the St Cyr series and same quality as the first two. I never expected the ending, and was caught totally off guard, which is a good thing for a mystery. I may have to move to the next right away.

[Chris]

APRIL

40. by Susanne Alleyn
Finish date: 04/03/15
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Rating: A
Review: This was a first in the Aristide Ravel mysteries about a French aspiring writer who is co-opted into helping solve a murder. It was pre-Revolution and an interesting look at Marie Antoinette's diamond necklace affair, freemasonry, and the study of anatomy.

[Skeetor]

It sounds interesting.

[Chris]

41. by Desmond Seward (no picture available)
Finish date: 04/05/15
Genre: Non-fiction/Historical/France
Rating: B
Review: This was a fairly concise overview of the Bourbon kings. It included a section for each, and many personal details which might not be available in a more traditional history of France. I thought the sections on Henry IV and Louis XIV were most interesting.

[Jill]

I like the looks of that book, Chris. Will have to look for it. Thanks.

[Chris]

Jill wrote: "I like the looks of that book, Chris. Will have to look for it. Thanks."

Jill, I think I used Kindle Unlimited if you have that, it's a bargain.

[Chris]

42, by C.S. Harris
Finish Date: 4/21
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: ★★★★✩
Continued wonderful regency mystery series. This book is not the book that tore the St Cyr's apart but it has brought them back together again.