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by
Devi
(new)
Dec 09, 2014 06:46AM
A spell bounded psychological thriller which will keep you guessing till the very end
its simple splendid. Check out my review at Songs of the Maniacs
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“Gut-Check Green, a brilliantly written novel that kept me guessing to the end. You may be sympathetic and horrified in one paragraph. I love writing that makes you think and act. Prasad weaves murder, mayhem, veteran’s issues, drug dependence and an evil agro-business company into a prescient read. He has a sparse writing style and the story really moves. Bottom line, this is a great read. I highly recommend this book!”http://www.amazon.com/Gut-Check-Green...
Don wrote: "Just posted a review of Stephen King's Revival on my blog http://gutreactionreviews.com/2014/11..."Loved your review Don...I finished Revival in the early hours of this morning and felt exactly as you did. I think NMr King is having issues with aging and death. I felt his writing lacked the passion for his subject that is usually evident. 3* from me also.
I've posted a review of The Forgotten Addiction by Michael Lion - noir set in 90s LA https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
is the second in the Ray Gordon mysteries. Another brilliant work by Michael Weitz, this is a notch up from the first book. Totally awesome. check out my review at The Grandmaster's King
is a chess based murder mystery. Do not go by the title of the book. Although the title in itself is not very catchy, the story is irresistible. A completely engrossing tale, it is a must read for all murder mystery / thriller enthusiasts. Check out my review at Even Dead Men Play Chess
is the first of a two part novel of the return of Jesus Christ. A wonderful thriller novel, it is a cannot-put-me-down type of book. Try my review of The Return
Thirteen Suspects by C.M. OkonkwoMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Check out the complete review at Thirteen Suspects
A sex filled murder mystery. The murdered victim had sexual encounters with 13 females, all of which are described in vivid details in his diary named "YOLO". The detectives investigating the murder comes across this book and thus the 13 characters are placed under suspicion.
The story is a murder mystery for the sake of saying. It is basically an erotic diary of a sex starved hostel guy.
View all my reviews
Herbie's Diner by L. Joseph ShostyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Check out the complete review at Herbie's Diner
It is truly a short read, just some 60 odd pages. The story starts in the middle, where Actor Johnny Hardwood, who is being a detective, is sitting at Herbie's Diner, waiting for a suspect. And then the author takes us on a journey where the action is happening, at the same time, the background is also being described wherever required.
Truly a fun read, especially just a for a couple of hours, as it gets over by then.
View all my reviews
The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins by Sandra BaublitzMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read the complete review at The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins (A Clarissa and Paw Mini Mystery, Vol. 1)
A very short murder mystery but with such an awesome punch which sometimes even a full fledged novel cannot deliver. Clarissa and Paw are absolute lovable detectives. The Saint Bernard Paw is a darling digger and Clarissa is a very intuitive owner. Together, they manage to solve a murder mystery which was considered to be a suicide at first.
View all my reviews
Most authors make their stories work through plot, or characters, or sometimes both. Some make them work through sheer attitude. Sometimes this latter approach works fabulously (see Don Winslow, Chuck Palahniuk, and Josh Bazell). It's easy to fall off this particular tightrope, though, as demonstrated by
Don't Point That Thing At Me
. Two stars.Read the full review here.
Just read and reviewed Weep a While Longer by Penny Freedman - a good read if you like British police procedurals.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have just finished Bad Blood by Dana StabenowAnother satisfying read from Stabenow. This book ends with a cliffhanger. The Shugak series, of which this is book 20,are full of information about Aleutian Indian culture and Alaskan plants and animals. If you read Hillerman or Nevada Barr,you will like this series.
There is a lot going on in this murder mystery--3 murders, drugs and whiskey smuggling, and a blood feud between two bush Alaskan villages. There is also a Romeo and Juliet love story.
This book is more about Alaska State trooper Jim Chopin than Kate Shugak.
Book:
Petectives: Christmas PartyGenre : Mystery / Thriller / Humor / Short Story
Review: Petectives: Christmas Party - My Review
Rating: 5 Stars
A very cute detective story with a house cat as a detective. Truly interesting and short read.
Book:
Red ChristmasGenre: Murder Mystery / Crime / Detective / Thriller / Psychological Thriller / Short Story
Review: Red Christmas - My Review
Rating: 5 stars
A true thriller in just a few words. Do not miss the last line. Sends shivers down the spine
Book:
Inspector Zhang Gets His WishGenre: Mystery / Short Story / Thriller / Detective / Crime
Review: Inspector Zhang Gets His Wish - My Review
Rating: 5 Stars
A very interesting Closed Door Murder Mystery giving due reference and honour to the greats in the industry - Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot
Book:
Perfect CrimeGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Short Story / Fiction / Crime / Detective
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Perfect Crime - My Review
A wonderful attempt at a perfect crime and beautiful detective work all in just a handful of pages. Half an hour power packed read
Book:
Frozen PastGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Psychological Thriller / Detective / Crime / Young Adult / YA Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Frozen Past - My Review
An absolutely engaging and engrossing thriller. Once you start, you can't put it down before finishing. Superb climax too
Book:
Last Straw: Vengeance is not always the province of the LordGenre: Psychological Thriller / Murder / Crime
Rating: 5 star
Review: Last Straw: Vengeance is not always the province of the Lord - My Review
A very well written psychological thriller which questions if the wrong is actually wrong or is it circumstantial right?
Book:
Dead RingerGenre: Thriller / Murder / Mystery / Crime / Detective
Rating: 3 starts
Review: Dead Ringer - My Review
An Average Thriller with a different concept. Like the concept, not fond of the pace unfortunately
I have recently read Kinsey and Me: Stories by Sue Grafton
I enjoyed the ten short stories. The thirteen autobiographical stories were sad and depressing, although they do explain the author's outlook.
I have been reading and enjoying Sue Grafton's alphabet series since 1995. Now that I have read this book, I can better understand Kinsey Millhone and how much of Sue Grafton is part of her.
I liked Paul's review
Thomas wrote: "I have recently read Kinsey and Me: Stories by Sue Grafton
I enjoyed the ten short stories. The thirteen autobiographical stories were sad and depressing, al..."
Thanks Thomas:)
Another good review, Paul. I read it 31 years ago.
Thomas wrote: "Another good review, Paul. I read it 31 years ago."Thanks again Thomas. I note you remember it was 31 years ago, not 30. That's Chandler for you. Memorable!
I have been keeping a written journal of books read since 1980 and gradually transferring it to my Goodreads account.
Thomas wrote: "I have been keeping a written journal of books read since 1980 and gradually transferring it to my Goodreads account."That's a great idea. Wish I'd done that. I occasionally come across books I've read before & forget I've read them already:(
The Amazing Airship Adventure: The Macdougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes Book #1Genre: Mystery / Adventure / Children
Rating: 3 star
Review: The Amazing Airship Adventure: The Macdougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes Book #1
Sherlock followers coming up
Shirley Link and the Safe CaseGenre: Childrens book / Mystery
Rating: 5 star
Review: Shirley Link and the Safe Case
A sweet and nice mystery with a cute 14 yr old detective
Green Witch, Dead WitchGenre: Murder / Mystery / Crime / Supernatural
Rating: 3 star
Review: Green Witch, Dead Witch
A murder mystery with Witches and Magick
I have just finishedRobert B. Parker's Bull River by Robert Knott
Robert Knott has written an enjoyable book. He has Parker's style down very well--short chapters and lean dialogue. Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, deputy US Marshalls solve a bank robbery, kidnapping and some murders along the way. Both Cole and Hitch and their laconic speech style were created by Parker.
This was a fast read, 3 days, like all Parker books
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 have just finished Laughing Dog: A Leo and Serendipity Mystery byDick Lochte
I received this ebook free from the publisher through NetGalley.com. I enjoyed reading this private eye murder mystery. It was first published in 1988 and some things are a little dated,i.e, constant references to Chernobyl meltdown. The beginning was confusing, where the 2 main characters seem to be writing mystery books, each of them taking turns narrating chapters, sometimes repeating dialogue.. After I sorted that out, I was able to follow the plot reasonably well. The two central characters are Leo Bloodworth, private eye, and his self appointed assistant, Serendipity Dahlquist, a precocious 15 year old, who wants a career in criminology and has decided to intern with Bloodworth. They pursue separate cases that soon connect.
I have just read The Friendship of Criminals by Robert Glinski
I received this book free from Minotaur books through the Goodreads giveaway program. This book is written from the viewpoint of two criminals in the Philadelphia world of organized crime, Anton Bielakowski and his protege, Sonny Bonhardt. Bielakowski is head of the Polish organized crime faction, which stays in Port Richmond. It does not encroach on any other group's territory, and fiercely defends its own. The Italians decide to move on the Poles and the ensuing struggle is like watching a chess game. It turns out that one player is hugely outclassed, in a hard, gritty game of move and counter move. While the book blurb compares it to George V. Higgins' books, it is written in plain English and not dialect. I never finished The Friends of Eddie Coyle because of the dialect and lagging plot.
I read this book in three days. It was a fast, easy read. The plot moved along briskly and never lagged. The author is a former Philadelphia criminal defense attorney.
This book is a solid 4 out of 5 stars. If you were a Sopranos fan, you will like this book.
Peter wrote: "“Gut-Check Green, a brilliantly written novel that kept me guessing to the end. You may be sympathetic and horrified in one paragraph. I love writing that makes you think and act. Prasad weaves mu..."That looks good Peter.
Thomas wrote: "I have just read The Friendship of Criminals by Robert Glinski
I received this book free from Minotaur books through the Goodreads giveaway program. This boo..."
Will check that out Tom. Looks good.
Never SpokenGenre: YA / New Adult / Romance / Thriller / Short Story
Rating: 5 Star
Review: Never Spoken
A love triangle in a completely different dimension
Cause of DeathGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Crime / Serial Killer / Psychological Crime / Detective / Series
Rating: 3 Star
Review: Cause of Death (Det. Annie Avants #1)
A serial killer who kills using black widow bites and Annie Avants on his prowl
IT Can Be DangerousGenre: Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense / Crime / Detective / IT
Rating: 3 Star
Review: IT Can Be Dangerous
A murder in an IT firm and an innocent programmer becomes suspect
Sunny Side UpGenre: Murder / Mystery / Suspense / Crime / Series / Cozy Mystery
Rating: 3 Star
Review: Sunny Side Up (Lake Erie Mysteries Book 1)
A cozy murder mystery of two ladies investigating to save a innocent suspect
Hi
Just read and reviewed Salaryman Unbound, an intriguing novel of psychological suspense set in Japan.
http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.c...
Kate wrote: "Hi
Just read and reviewed Salaryman Unbound, an intriguing novel of psychological suspense set in Japan.
http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot..."
That looks interesting Kate.
Hard PlayGenre: Murder / Mytery / Crime / Thriller / Detective
Rating: 3 Star
Review: Hard Play
A murder mystery with an unconventional detective
I just finished So Sure Of Death byDana Stabenow
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is book 2 of the Liam Campbell Alaska state trooper series. I read it in 4 days, an easy, satisfying read. Liam has two separate murder incidents. One is a multiple murder of 7 people and the other a single person. He must fly to these murder scenes, because his territory in bush Alaska is huge. He is terrified of flying, but he must do it everyday, sometimes more than once.
A subplot is his on/off romantic relationship with Wyanet Chouinard, who owns the small plane charter service that he uses on a daily basis.
The book also has some humorous observations on Alaska:
"The governor narrowly escaped prison only by payment of a $330,000 fine, but when the legislature changed hands two years later, they vacated the judgement and repaid the fine with interest."
A newspaper reporter comments "Ah, Alaska, gays can't marry... and embezzlers never go hungry."
I have just finished Louisiana Hotshot: A Talba Wallis Novel by Julie Smith I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Talba Wallis is a smart, sassy, computer whiz who applies for a job with a private detective agency run by Eddie Valentino. She shows off her computer skills by handing him a folder with his personal info. Julie Smith writes well drawn characters across racial lines--Talba is black and Eddie is white.
One quote from the book that I liked: "... a shrimp po'boy was still finer than nightingales' tongues."
This is book 1 of the series.
Mind Me, MiladyGenre - Mystery / Thriller / Detective / Crime / Serial Killer
Rating - 5 Star
Review - Mind Me, Milady
The story is so gripping that it would really be impossible to keep the book down once you have started it.
What Lies BetweenGenre - Mystery / Romance / Drama / Fantasy
Rating - 5 Star
Review - What Lies Between
There is nothing that would prepare you for this story. It is full of so much twists and turns that you will really be surprised when you come to end of it.
Dangerous VowsGenre - Mystery / Thriller / Romance / Drama
Rating - 3 Star
Review - Dangerous Vows
The overall feel of the novel was really nice. A mystery without going dark.
The Mystery of the Missing BearGenre - YA / Children / Mystery / Suspense / Amateur Detective / Dog Detective / Short Story / Crime / Series
Rating - 5 Star
Review - The Mystery of the Missing Bear
With Clarissa and Paw, of course, you cannot help but love them for their kindness to others, protective nature and love for each other. The bond between them is truly amazing. Sandra created yet another magic with Volume 4
I have just finished Firebreak: A Mystery by Tricia Fields I enjoyed reading this book. I received it free from Minotaur Books, the publisher, through the Goodreads giveaway program. This book takes place in the West Texas desert town of Artemis. There is a dangerous wildfire threatening the the. It is eventually contained with only a few home burnt up. One house that was almost completely destroyed has a body in it. Police Josie Gray investigates and realizes that this house fire was not part of the wildfire burn area.
How she pieces together the murder with only a 3 person department makes for an engrossing mystery. Not until almost the end did I realize who the killer was. She is also dealing with personal problems--the love of her life left her after he was kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel(subject of a previous book in this series).
This is book 4 in the series and I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books, but it can be read as a stand alone.
I give it 4 of 5 stars.
There is a line in the book concerning the oppressive heat:"..ten straight days of temperatures above one hundred." This past winter was one of the coldest ever for me, with Feb. 2015, being the coldest month for the last hundred years in Buffalo,NY(the whole month it never got above freezing-0C/32f). This was a good book to read during a cold winter.
I have just read Texas Vigilante by Bill Crider I received this ebook free from the publisher through NetGalley.com. I give it 4 and 1/2 stars(rounded up to 5). It is a crisp western set in 1880s Texas. It was an easy read--2 days for me. Ellie Taine is a widow running a ranch when a group of escaped convicts kidnapped the daughter of her foreman. She goes after them with the girl's mother, because the father was shot during the kidnapping.
This book is a sequel to a previous book by Crider, Outrage at Blanco, which is now on my to be read list of books
The writing reminds me of westerns written by Elmore Leonard. I learned about this author from my GR friend Col. Thanks Col!
I finished Jackpine by William Elliott Hazelgrove I received this book free through the GoodReads First Reads program. I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 and 1/2 stars out of 5(rounded up to 5).
The title Jackpine comes from a second growth tree found in the Boundary Waters protected wilderness of northern Minnesota. Almost all of the old growth trees have been logged out. There is a small stand of old growth trees inside the protected area. Johnson Timber, run by Ben Johnson and his son Cliff, wants those old growth trees.
A logger is found dead, and Deputy Sheriff Reuger London has to determine if it is suicide or murder. There is also a possible rape of a 16 year old girl, who recants her accusation. Then a second logger turns up dead.
The sheriff demands that Reuger arrest an Indian for the rape and a local environmentalist for murder, but Reuger keeps digging. There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing until the end.
I like how the author incorporates the local speech patterns:
"How she go?"=How are you?
Ya for yes and yer for you
Referring to the rest of the US as the "lower 48." Until now, I thought only Alaskans used this expression.
The book is an easy read and the local dialect is not overwhelming.
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