FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
 |
THE FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEW is the place to come
to find out what to read next. Want to know what readers are saying
(as opposed to critics) about the books you see around you? You’ve
come to the right place! And, if you appreciate a critical review
we’ll have those, too. Come in, sit down and see what’s
write with the world! (Or, right in the world of write!) New reviews this month from: |
 |
|
|
||
November 2009
Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop
Lee Goldberg
Obsidian a trademark of Penguin Group, 276 pages
ISBN: 978-0-651-22698-3
Once again Lee Goldberg has brilliantly captured the obsessive compulsive master detective Adrian Monk. In this book, Captain Stottlemeyer, the Captain of the San Francisco Police force is conned into appearing with Monk at a police convention. The “conner” is a former SF police officer that Stottlemeyer drummed out of the force due to shady activities. This former SF cop, Braddock is now a cop in Banning. Braddock uses the convention to humiliate Stottlemeyer by aggrandizing Monk’s success rate in solving homicides and implies that without Monk, Stottlemeyer would be basically, a failure. This upsets Stottlemeyer and when word comes down that there must be cutbacks he fires Monk. Monk continues to attempt to help the captain solve crimes by calling the tip line (pretending not to be him.) But everything changes when Braddock is murdered and Stottlemeyer is the suspect. He turns to the only man he knows can clear him: Adrian Monk.
Mr. Goldberg has every nuance and stance of Monk down pat. It is as if I am watching an episode of MONK as I read MR. MONK AND THE DIRTY COP. Mr. Goldberg writes in such a way that you can easily visualize every movement of Monk, Natalie, the Captain, Disher. You are there with them. For me, a writer that paints a picture with his/her words is a great writer. Mr. Goldberg does this. Another well done novel!
On a scale of 1 to 5. I give it a 5.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Bleeder
John Desjarlais
Sophia Institute Press Trade Paperback, August 5, 2009, $12.95, 257 pages
ISBN: 978-1-933184-56-2
Reed Stubblefield has had his share of sadness. His wife has died of leukemia and then he is shot in the crossfire by a student at the school he teaches at. Reed’s brother Dan suggests to Reed that he recover at a campground in River Falls which coincidently has a priest that seems to be healing people. Reed agrees to go there to write a book on Aristotle and rest. He is in a lot of pain and his medication has quite a few side effects. Reed is skeptical about religion in general not to mention anyone who could heal. But when he runs in to this priest, he finds him engaging and fascinating. They both share a love of the classics and Aristotle. But when Dan is mortally injured on the way to visit both Father Ray and Reed everything changes. Dan is pronounced dead at the scene but Father Ray prays over him, holding his chest and suddenly Dan coughs. Father Ray falls ill. And then there is murder.
John Desjarlais has crafted an intriguing mystery. He weaves skepticism with who-dun-it and produces a somewhat predictable yet good read.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.7.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Woman…Speak!
Leahsandra Powell
CreateSpace.com, 375 pages
ISBN: 978-1441461988
Stalking is a serious problem. WOMAN…SPEAK! looks at a one such woman who is stalked. Although it is not written in journal form, it reminds of a journal. A journal into terror. Leahsandra shares with us how she met Stan and how he transitioned from one man into a man deeply disturbed. Leahsandra and Stan travel through some rather interesting worlds such as living in the wilderness and a yoga ashram and they travel through various spiritual “paths.” Then there is the question of whether Stan is Stan! What does that mean? You’ll have to read WOMAN…SPEAK! to find out, but it is intriguing. Sociopaths, con men are good at what they do for a reason. It is time the other side of the story is told…the survivor, and Leahsandra Powell does just that. At time it rambles on, but the content, the intentions are good. WOMAN…SPEAK! is worth reading if you suspect someone you know is a con person, a sociopath, if something is not quite right with them or if you too, are a survivor – for you are not alone!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.8.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Level 26: Dark Origins
Anthony Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
Dutton Publishing, 406 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-95125-4
Anthony Zuiker, the creator of the CSI series and co-author Duane Swierczynski have created a new series: LEVEL 26. In this first of the series, DARK ORIGINS we not only learn about the players we are introduced to a dual reading experience – reading the book and computer play. As one reads he/she is given codes to key into the web site to watch movie style vignettes that either act out what has been read or gives us some more information. The web site also allows for readers to chat and interact with other readers and the authors themselves. It is a quite fascinating jaunt into thriller reading.
Now back to LEVEL 26, DARK ORIGIN. We learn that serial killers have been classified into a number system, the higher the number the worse the killer. And until one killer there had only been a couple of LEVEL 25 killers. However, now the world finds themselves with a killer to evil, so heinous that he can only be labeled Level 26. Steve Dark had been chasing him and has gotten so close he can feel the killer’s breath, but he just misses capturing the killer known as Sqweegel. And for that Sqweegel tortures and kills his family. This sends Dark into a depression and he retires. Sqweegel does not but rather continues his killing spree touching major officials personally. This causes several nations including the US to ban together to raise a $25,000,000 fee to capture/kill Sqweegel. There are no takers. Infuriated, the US’s Secretary of Defense Wycoff orders Special Circs Division head Riggins to make Dark come to service or else. And or else means that Riggins will be eliminated. Riggins is given 24 hours to convince Dark to go after Sqweegel but convincing Dark is not easy. Dark has remarried and has a new baby on the way. It goes down to the wire, with minutes left on the clock when Dark decides to intervene, but only because Sqweegel has broken into his home, assaulted his wife, and has clearly pulled Dark back into the game. But Wycoff is hiding a secret of his own. Dark discovers it irritating Wycoff forcing Dark to go after Sqweegel on his own.
And the hunt is on.
Zuiker and Swierczynski have written a well crafted, graphic, thriller. This combined with interacting is a fun way to be part of the game, the hunt. There are few inconsistencies from the videos to the book but they are inconsequential. Personally, I read many pages, and then did a series of the videos. I found it more productive that way, but that was me. Others read and then went to the web site. Whatever way, I found it to be fun and enjoyable. LEVEL 26 is slated to be a series and I look forward to the next in the series.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5. And I bought this book, I am an independent reviewer.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Stuff to Spy For
Don Bruns
Oceanview Publishing, $25.95, 305 pages
ISBN: 978-1-933515-22-9
The STUFF TO… series continues with STUFF TO SPY FOR. James Lessor and Skip Moore are and have been best friends forever it seems. In the first book of the series, STUFF TO DIE FOR, the duo bought a large moving type truck in the hopes of starting a moving business (you’ll have to read the book to experience the delightful misadventures). In this book, they still have their truck, but Skip works for a security company selling alarms and James waits tables at a crab restaurant. It has its perks – all you can eat crabs. When Skip goes to Synco Systems for a proposal he runs into a girl he went to high school with, Sarah Crumbly. Sarah is having an affair with the president of the company. Sarah is thrilled to see Skip and asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend so the President’s wife won’t suspect that she and the President are planning on running away after a big score. Skip, much to his girlfriend Em’s irritation agrees. But then there was the $10,000 payoff Sarah offered. When Skip’s company gets the contract he hires his roommate and a neighbor to help install the system.
Barely beginning the installation and Skip is invited to a talk with Sandler’s (the President) wife. She asks Skip to spy on her husband and find out everything that is going on because the inventor of some special product they are protecting was murdered. She says she is next and wants Skip to protect her. James hearing this gets excited and decides that he and Skip should go into the spying business. They buy spy equipment and start spying. They place a GPS signal on the head of security’s car and discover that a GPS has been placed on their truck. Why? And what does the Department of Defense have to do with everything?
As in the other two STUFF TO… books, this pair and Em get themselves into such trouble. At times they are a tad but ridiculous yet Don Bruns has constructed such an unlikely duo/trio that I could not put it down. I enjoy this series immensely, even with their occasional dumb actions. I guess it is what makes them all the more endearing. Em is the voice of reason. Skip is somewhat stable, and James is lovable but lazy. There are interesting side characters that give the book a richness and a flavor that is delightful. Don has done another great job!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.
Dr. Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
The Last Resort
April Star
Five Star Publishing Hardcover, June 17, 2009, 264 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59414-768-5
Laura and David Jennings are newlyweds and have chosen the life of full time RVing. Laura, before marrying David ran her families RV Park thus had an affinity for RVs. David won the lottery and had no need to work, so when he met Laura sparks flew. When she said lets hit the road in an RV, although he was skeptical he agreed. They land in St. Augustine, Florida in the Harbor Lights RV Park where prior to their arrival the owner of the resort, Patricia died. She was found burned on the beach. Laura and David stroll the beach and find a bottle with something in it. Not a message, but what could be sand and odd things. Laura decides to keep the bottle thinking it has to mean something. Gracie, Patricia’s way ward daughter and Cory, Patricia’s husband are now running the resort. Rumors are flying. Gossip abounds and before long Patricia’s death is considered a murder. Another set of campers, Jeremy and Katie join in the hunt for who did it. Jeremy is an anthropologist and Katie is his traveling companion. Together the four set out see if they can assist Detective Miles in discovering who killed Patricia. But before long strange “accidents’ and not so accidents plague Laura. Is she getting to close?
THE LAST RESORT is charming cozy. It’s an easy, fast read. Although the writing is a little choppy here and there, overall it is a fun diversion into the world of RVing and crime fighting. April Star could make better use of some of her secondary characters as they are delightful and one wants to get to know them better, but that being said, overall a good read!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.6.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
No Mercy
John Gilstrap
Pinnacle Books, July 2009, 443 pages, $6.99
ISBN: 978-0-7860-2087-4
Jonathon Grave runs a highly secret, private intelligence agency specializing in hostage rescue. Normally, Jonathon swoops in, rescues his target, and is out before anyone is the wiser. He is stealth but on one evening, what should have been a simple kidnapping rescue is not and everything explodes. They knew Jonathon was coming and a gun battle ensued. When the bullets stopped flying, Jonathon and his target a teenage boy were the only ones left standing. Boxers, Jonathon's friend and "employee" brings the chopper in to extradite the two. Jonathon gives instructions to the boy who is not only in shell shock over being kidnapped and tortured but one of the dead kidnappers is the love of his life. The instructions include a drop off place, a bus ride to another location and then go home. But after the drop off the boy does not listen to Jonathon.
Someone is after Jonathon and his company. He and his ex wife are still close and she is involved in the company but when she is murdered it becomes personal for JonathonSheriff Gail Bonneville investigates the murders at the house and although she feels that it was a kidnapping rescue she cannot let it go. She must get her man or men.
Jonathon has Gail on his trail, has a sadistic killer on his trail, and he has no clue where Gail's current husband, a reporter is. And the rescued boy did not get on the bus. What did the killers want with his ex wife? Why torture her? Is everything connected or is this from one of his older cases? As Jonathon weaves through we are put through an exciting roller coaster ride. NO MERCY is slightly predictable but that does not detract from the fast paced, exciting, edge of your seat read. And the secondary characters such as Boxers, Dom, and Venice are charming and delightful. If there is a sequel I would love to see more of them, but that's me :). John Gilstrap has constructed an exciting thriller!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.9.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Main Book Reviews Index
All rights reserved.
Contact Lida: publisher@fmam.biz
Website contact: webmaster @ fmam.biz