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Matt
Matt is 40% done with Fear: Trump in the White House
Before tackling Woodward’s newest, I thought I ought to revisit this gem, in which Bob lays some of the early groundwork for the panic that was/is a Trump Administration. Showing how POTUS never expected to win, refuses to apologize for anything, and yearns for sycophants, the book explores how out of touch Trump is and how he is not capable of making decisions on his own. However, don’t tell him that. Eye-opening!
Oct 25, 2020 09:34PM Add a comment
Fear: Trump in the White House

Matt
Matt is 37% done with Murder at Lake Ontario (DI William Gibson, #2)
DI William Gibson agrees to fly to Ontario and help setup a task force similar to the VIIMCU. His arrival is heralded by a point person who seems to have more than policing on the mind when it comes to our beloved DI. When a murder at a Canada Day celebration pulls Gibson and DI Eckhart into an investigation, it’s all hands on deck. While they work the DIs do their best to hash out a story, but there are issues.
Oct 25, 2020 09:25PM Add a comment
Murder at Lake Ontario (DI William Gibson, #2)

Matt
Matt is 38% done with Fresh Meat (DS Jamie Johansson, #2)
After a thrilling debut novel, Greene brings DS Jamie Johansson back for more! Having let a serial killer evade her, Johansson is left with the pain of defeat and a pile of postcards mocking her. On each is a clue to a criminal that can be apprehended quite easily. However, when one card lists a Jane Doe, Johansson does her due diligence and discovers that there is quite the story to uncover. Secret casinos await!
Oct 22, 2020 08:07PM 3 comments
Fresh Meat (DS Jamie Johansson, #2)

Matt
Matt is 66% done with Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump
Abramson adds depth to his arguments as he hashes out more on the Ukrainian issues that Trump had in trying to bury the Bidens. There is extensive discussion about how Rudy Giuliani began making inquiries and laid the groundwork to dig up dirt that did not exist, pressuring the new president to help Trump find what was not there. Added to that, the ‘quid pro quo’ that took place in the infamous call and it’s hairy!
Oct 22, 2020 03:50PM Add a comment
Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump

Matt
Matt is 56% done with Bare Skin (DS Jamie Johansson, #1)
DS Jamie Johansson and her partner could not be more dissimilar. While she is athletic, he is a complete slob. However, they work well together and seem eager to tackle the case of a drowned homeless man. While it is obvious that he’s been heavily into heroin, it does not appear he fell into the water of his own volition. They work the case and discover a girlfriend who may have some answers, though it is slow going.
Oct 21, 2020 08:46PM Add a comment
Bare Skin (DS Jamie Johansson, #1)

Matt
Matt is starting Bare Skin (DS Jamie Johansson, #1)
DS Jamie Johansson and her partner could not be more dissimilar. While she is athletic, he is a complete slob. However, they work well together and seem eager to tackle the case of a drowned homeless man. While it is obvious that he’s been heavily into heroin, it does not appear he fell into the water of his own volition. They work the case and discover a girlfriend who may have some answers, though it is slow going.
Oct 21, 2020 08:42PM Add a comment
Bare Skin (DS Jamie Johansson, #1)

Matt
Matt is 40% done with Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump
Those who know Abramson’s work in the first two PROOF tomes will want to get their hands on this one, as it explores how Trump is looking towards laying out some land mines for the 2020 Campaign. As far back as 2018, Trump began laying the groundwork to skew Joe Biden by focussing his attention on Ukraine and how to bring the likely nominee down. There is much corruption between Trump and Ukraine, led by Giuliani!
Oct 21, 2020 05:05PM Add a comment
Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump

Matt
Matt is 27% done with Without Her Consent
After suffering a horrible brain injury, Eliza has been in a coma for twelve years. When the nurse at her care facility notices that she is going into labour, it’s a full panic. How did she get pregnant? Why did no one notice? After delivering a health baby boy, the hunt is on to solve this case, which will require scouring the records and calling the police in to investigate. It’s rape, surely, but a lot more!
Oct 19, 2020 08:13PM 2 comments
Without Her Consent

Matt
Matt is 77% done with Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy
Abramson layers more details and political drama in this segment of the book, painting a clear picture that Jared Kushner not only violated American laws for his own benefit, but also violated the chain of command when it came to liaising with foreign governments, particularly the Saudis. Trump changed his policy based on Jared’s negotiations and made sure to tweet it out to the world. What a mess and more to come!
Oct 19, 2020 06:51PM Add a comment
Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy

Matt
Matt is 34% done with Serial Killers at the Movies: My Intimate Talks with Mass Murderers who Became Stars of the Big Screen
For many, the depiction of serial killers in literature can bring a chill to the spine, but also a great deal of excitement. The author seeks to take this one step further, by pulling on some of the great horror and serial killer movies of all time and tying in some of the real crimes that may have inspired them. Some are quite detailed, with many tie-ins, while others are mostly fictional. Still, interesting book!
Oct 18, 2020 08:53PM Add a comment
Serial Killers at the Movies: My Intimate Talks with Mass Murderers who Became Stars of the Big Screen

Matt
Matt is 41% done with Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy
Abramson offers more riveting narratives about the depth and variety of collusion and conspiratorial activities the Trump Campaign undertook in 2016. There was not only influence by the Russians to ensure Trump succeeded, but also help from the Israelis and the UAE, alongside the Saudis. Abramson shows that all had a vested interest in Trump changing some of the strict Obama policies, which could alter history.
Oct 18, 2020 06:32PM Add a comment
Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy

Matt
Matt is 62% done with The Parisian Professor
Nick is with the CIA and posing as a student to bring down a suspected terrorist. Little does he know, he will fall madly in love with the sister of his target, who is enmeshed in some harrowing things of her own. It will take a delicate set of negotiations to get Gabrielle out of Paris, but Nick is willing to risk it all, including the forged friendship with the terrorist. However, there is more to the story.
Oct 17, 2020 09:26PM Add a comment
The Parisian Professor

Matt
Matt is 16% done with Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy
It all formally began with something called the Red Sea Conspiracy, or so Seth Abramson would have the reader believe. A group of six world leaders who sought to choose a US president who could help them all out and change the direction of American foreign policy. This group would use somewhat subtle means of turning their chosen candidate in their favour and pave the way to the White House. What follows will amaze!
Oct 17, 2020 04:56PM Add a comment
Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy

Matt
Matt is 76% done with Proof of Collusion: How Trump Betrayed America
As the stakes get higher, it becomes more apparent that Russian influence in the Trump campaign and his business life is leading to a troubling relationship. Abramson shows the deep connection that became even more solidified when Russia knew they could influence the election and use Trump as their mouthpiece. Collusion remains a grey area in legal terms, but there is surely an unhealthy connection between the two.
Oct 16, 2020 04:25PM Add a comment
Proof of Collusion: How Trump Betrayed America

Matt
Matt is 36% done with Nothing Good Happens After Midnight: A Suspense Magazine Anthology
Jeffrey Deaver edits this collection of short stories with a nocturnal twist to them. From a death row inmates final statement about a potential copycat killer through to a man with a hate on for cellphones, and even an eerie ride aboard a train, all the stories pull the reader in and leave them wanting to rush out for more by the authors. There's never a dull moment, as each page turn garners a new adventure within.
Oct 15, 2020 09:24PM Add a comment
Nothing Good Happens After Midnight: A Suspense Magazine Anthology

Matt
Matt is 16% done with Proof of Collusion: How Trump Betrayed America
Seth Abramson lays the groundwork for the truth around Trump’s collusion with Russia in this first of three tomes. His research and legal arguments are, to this point, sound and worth the reader’s attention. At present, the groundwork for Trump’s ties with Russia are being presented, including personal connections with Putin and the richest of Russians, all intertwined with Miss Universe Pageant. So far, so good!
Oct 15, 2020 06:57PM Add a comment
Proof of Collusion: How Trump Betrayed America

Matt
Matt is 51% done with What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era
Lozada has taken on the monumental task of reading scores of books about or around topics relating to Trump since he became a serious candidate for the 2016 election. A major literary review, of sorts, allows him to find themes in many of the books and present them in thorough chapters of his own piece. Eye opening, though by no means shocking, Lozada’s book is surely one that will dispel fake news claims, one hopes.
Oct 14, 2020 05:58PM Add a comment
What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era

Matt
Matt is 29% done with The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: Decoding History's Unsolved Mysteries
Meltzer works on describing and presenting some of the largest conspiracy theories in American history. Could John Wilkes Booth have slipped away and made it another 4 decades? Is there hidden gold from the Confederacy out there, still buried? And what if that massive stone structure in Georgia, which is full of symbols? The patient reader can learn so much by simply reading along.
Oct 13, 2020 08:57PM Add a comment
The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: Decoding History's Unsolved Mysteries

Matt
Matt is 81% done with Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath
As the pressure mounts and truths emerge about the role Trump played in bullying the Ukrainians, the House begins to look into impeachment. GOP members scream foul and call it a witch hunt, backed by Trump, but there are some who feel things have gone too far and something must be accomplished. In the middle of it all is Speaker Pelosi, who is finally won over to the side, calling for a push to impeach, which occurs!
Oct 13, 2020 08:35PM Add a comment
Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath

Matt
Matt is 81% done with Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath
As the pressure mounts and truths emerge about the role Trump played in bullying the Ukrainians, the House begins to look into impeachment. GOP members scream foul and call it a witch hunt, backed by Trump, but there are some who feel things have gone too far and something must be accomplished. In the middle of it all is Speaker Pelosi, who is finally won over to the side, calling for a push to impeach, which occurs!
Oct 13, 2020 08:35PM Add a comment
Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath

Matt
Matt is 38% done with Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath
Cobbling together reports from various Post reporters, the authors begin to unravel the story behind Trump's interference with the new Ukrainian president and the fallout that developed. Months after the Mueller Report offered its strongly worded commentary, Trump knowingly sought to use his position to interfere, as he had while obstructing justice previously. Congress has yet to hear the whistleblowers call aloud!
Oct 11, 2020 05:11PM Add a comment
Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath

Matt
Matt is 31% done with Hidden in Plain Sight (William Warwick, #2)
As Warwick earns a promotion within the Met, he's told that he will be transferred to the high profile drug squad for the time being. There's a big fish bringing heroin into the country and it needs to stop. Leaning on a CI, Warwick tries to find out where he can make a sting, but things are not as smooth as he would like. Taking time to tie the knot, Warwick will have to rely on his team while he is away, in love!
Oct 11, 2020 01:53PM 1 comment
Hidden in Plain Sight (William Warwick, #2)

Matt
Matt added a status update
Re-positng this to see if Sunday GR users have opinions:

With my “Herculean” 2020 Election Prep Reading Challenge, two intertwined questions have come to mind:

How would things have been different for Nixon if Twitter, Fox News and the 24 hour news cycle existed?

How might the Trump Saga be different without these outlets?

I welcome comments and opinions from anyone who has some insight!
Oct 11, 2020 07:04AM 2 comments

Matt
Matt added a status update
With my “Herculean” 2020 Election Prep Reading Challenge, two intertwined questions have come to mind:

How would things have been different for Nixon if Twitter, Fox News and the 24 hour news cycle existed?

How might the Trump Saga be different without these outlets?

I welcome comments and opinions from anyone who has some insight!
Oct 10, 2020 03:48PM Add a comment

Matt
Matt is 50% done with Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation
Pull back that curtain and see for yourselves what the Mueller investigation undertook when they tackled this gargantuan ask by Justice. Fuelled to write the book after the misleading memo to the public by Attorney General Barr, Weissmann offers behind the scene glimpses into how the group cobbled together their evidence, debated what ought to be done with it, and moved forward. There were hurdles throughout!
Oct 09, 2020 06:30PM 1 comment
Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation

Matt
Matt is 30% done with Shadow Sands (Kate Marshall, #2)
While diving with her son at the Shallow Sands manmade lake, Kate discovers the body of a teenage boy. The police soon deem it an accidental drowning and leave it at that. When the boy’s mother finds Kate and professes that none of it makes sense, Kate checks with some contacts at the coroner’s office. Soon, the case is open again, with a suspect picked up soon thereafter. However, there is more going on. Onwards!
Oct 08, 2020 07:23PM Add a comment
Shadow Sands (Kate Marshall, #2)

Matt
Matt is 67% done with The Sisters
After visiting a young woman who has been on the wrong side of domestic violence, DI Laura Kesey vows to advocate for her and bring the man to justice. Kesey hopes to do so, but first must handle a recent death that appears to have been homicide in nature. Run over twice in a vehicle that’s was found torched, Kesey and her team discover the victim was abusive towards a woman in a sheltered home. Could she be guilty?
Oct 07, 2020 08:05PM Add a comment
The Sisters

Matt
Matt is 89% done with The Ice Killer (DI Barton, #3)
Barton is slowly learning that these murders not only have a theme, but that the killer may be seeking to add to their list. Through some fancy DNA work, someone is identified as a possible link to the killer, though it will take patience and some dedication to reel them in. Without wanting to topple the apple cart too soon, Barton and the team lay a trap, in hopes of ensuring they get the job done without error.
Oct 06, 2020 09:42PM Add a comment
The Ice Killer (DI Barton, #3)

Matt
Matt is 43% done with The Ice Killer (DI Barton, #3)
DI John Barton returns to work just in time to receive a temporary promotion to DCI. While he tries to train some up and coming coppers, he's faced with a slew of murders that appear quite violent. Meanwhile, Ellen has not had the easiest life and with the passing of her mum, things spiral out of control. Ellen thinks back to those who have offended her and seeks to bring about some retribution to settle the score.
Oct 05, 2020 09:10PM Add a comment
The Ice Killer (DI Barton, #3)

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