This one is a solid five stars, it is reminiscent of The Lord of The Rings. Its an odyssey story with a world at put at risk by an evil impossible to This one is a solid five stars, it is reminiscent of The Lord of The Rings. Its an odyssey story with a world at put at risk by an evil impossible to beat. I highly recommend this one. I did find the over use of adverbs a little jarring, though I believe this written in German and translated. Sometimes things are lost in translation. d....more
Loved this book. (I'm hit and miss on the Harry Hole books). I read The Kingdom (the first book in this series) and loved it. I pre-ordered this one aLoved this book. (I'm hit and miss on the Harry Hole books). I read The Kingdom (the first book in this series) and loved it. I pre-ordered this one and couldn't wait and was not disappointed. Blood Ties is a continuation of two Norwegian brothers in a small town of O. This is an antihero story, a first person account told by one of the brothers. The point of view character ends up killing some folks. The author is so talented he makes the murders seem logical and you root for the good guy who, if you take a step back and think about it, he is a bad guy. The setting in these two books have equal weight to a main character which I also really enjoyed. What also works so well, is how the author blends (and makes interesting) the regular (and not so regular) lives in this Norwegian town while he carefully builds the motivation for the killings. Several lives swirl around each other, the people wary, eyeing each other while the suspense builds. Highly recommend this one. One detractor--critical comment. I truly believe the reading experience of this one (Blood Ties) is greatly enhanced by reading The Kingdom, first. Even though he author reiterates what happened in the first book, the motivation in this one (Blood Ties) is a continuation of an intricately woven plot. These two are great books but I favorite still stands, Headhunters.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series, Imogene Taylor series, and the Dave Beckett series. ...more
Fantastic read. Could've been the best of the year (But its early). What I liked best about this book was that it never ventured out of the realm of oFantastic read. Could've been the best of the year (But its early). What I liked best about this book was that it never ventured out of the realm of our world. The book never jumped the shark. The characters, locations and conflict felt real. Not unlike one of my favor spy series by Olen Steinhaur, (Nearest Exit, American Spy, and The Tourist). If you like Steinhaur you'll love this one. Great plot, pacing, and conflicts. Though, the scene involving the Manor, or Farm, might've overshadowed the ending. The ending kinda mirrored what happened in the beginning of the story--the backstory. I'm guessing this was the story in the previous book carried over to The Enigma Girl (I haven't any of this author's other books). I won't repeat it hear because it would a reveal. The voice is also unique for contemporary fiction. The author uses a distant voice (60's-70's style) mixing with a more limited number of in scene, scenes. A distant voice shifting to summary, when it might have played better in scene. The voice was still very engaging and I read the book right through. I would've given it five stars had the book not gone on too long after the end of the crisis....way too long, the distant voice, and the duplicate ending in the jet plane with the same bad guy. Overcame him in the same way. Not similar but exactly the same way as before. Loved the book and highly recommend it. I usually donate all my hardcovers to the library and keep the memorable ones. This one is a keeper.
Connolly has always been one of my go-to books every year the day it comes out. I was a little surprised with this one. Didn't give it a five star ratConnolly has always been one of my go-to books every year the day it comes out. I was a little surprised with this one. Didn't give it a five star rating. The writing is solid but the story structure didn't work for me. Usually a novel will have multiple linked story lines that coalesce for a dynamic ending. This book has three plot lines but are independent of each other. If you remove the transitions, each story line would be an independent novella. Each one is interesting and worthy of its own novel. Because of this the timing of the three different stories skew the novel's timing. Also, to me the main character was a little gruff to others and was never endeared to the reader. The book reminded me of the ED McBain 86th precinct books.
Great read. He is one of my favorites. I buy his hardcover each time it comes out. So I'm a little biased. d.Great read. He is one of my favorites. I buy his hardcover each time it comes out. So I'm a little biased. d....more
Was luke warm on this one. I think I was expecting something different. The concept of sending packages back through time intrigued me. Didn't really Was luke warm on this one. I think I was expecting something different. The concept of sending packages back through time intrigued me. Didn't really happen in the book the way I expected. Love time travel books. I did read it all the way through which of late is saying a lot.
As a super fan of David Putnam's Bruno Johnson and Dave Beckett series' and novels, I looked forward to this new series with greatA review from a fan:
As a super fan of David Putnam's Bruno Johnson and Dave Beckett series' and novels, I looked forward to this new series with great anticipation--Putnam has done it again--fans of Richard Osman's "Thursday Murder Club" will love 75 year old Imogene Taylor's antics as she solves the mystery of the body in the neighbor's garage. Imogene is a sweet little old lady who can be tough as nails when she has to be--loved the book, loved the twists and turns, loved the end, read it in one sitting--looking forward to the next Imogene Taylor book!...more
Loved-loved this book. This book is not like your normal thriller, it has great depth. During book signings (mostly at Barnes and Nobles) I have the opLoved-loved this book. This book is not like your normal thriller, it has great depth. During book signings (mostly at Barnes and Nobles) I have the opportunity to talk to readers. I watch them as they move through the piles making their choices. What readers do most often is pick up a book and thumb the pages. I’ve asked some of those who do this why and they say “I look for white on the page. I like a lot of white on the page.” What this means is that the reader is more interested in a book that really moves. The lack of narrative voice means more dialogue and a fast-moving book. I believe the reading public, has like everyone else in society, shifted to a need for more immediate gratification. A large swath of readers prefers not to wait for the story to develop slowly through the narrative voice. They want it to really move. This is why the thriller has gained in popularity (James Patterson being the one holding up the thriller banner with everyone else in the field trying to follow). The standard mystery structure has an odd number of scenes in each chapter (three, five, or seven) and usually 27 to 35 chapters in the novel. A thriller has only one scene in each chapter and has 75 to 120 chapters. Each scene needs five things to work. Those five things add pressure on the text and pull the reader to the next scene. With a mystery construct those five things come out more slowly as the author has more elbow room to work. In a thriller the author is concerned with cadence and leaves a smaller window to squeeze in those five things. The thriller also puts a greater emphasis the transitions. Sorry, I digress. What I took the long way around to say/explain is that An Honest Man is unique in this age of immediate gratification because it is a thriller with very little “white on the page.” The story has great depth without drawing down the prose or the pace. These types of great reads are like the Chupacabra becoming more and more elusive. So, when you come across one, latch on to it. Get yourself ensconced in a comfortable chair, sit back and revel in the glow of a master craftsman. David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series (and now the Dave Beckett series).
I loved...loved this book. I don't understand the low rating on Goodreads. This is a killer book. The low rating might be the decade from which it wasI loved...loved this book. I don't understand the low rating on Goodreads. This is a killer book. The low rating might be the decade from which it was written. By my reckoning the book originally came out before 1980 under a pen name. The writing craft is sixties era. Even so I fell right into the prose and the fictive dream. This is a heist story, one of the best I have read. The story is told in the first person point of view of a strong female protagonist. She doesn't start out strong but evolves right before our very eyes. One the most difficult parts of writing is voice and Sanders holds true to the protagonist's voice and motivations. The other characters are also well-drawn and come alive on the page. Some walk the line on whether you like them or not which again is a testament Sanders craft. The antagonist is also great. He starts off as a victim but immediately turns into the pursuer. There are some great twists in this story you won't see coming. I happened into Lawrence Sanders in an odd way back in 1974. I was an avid reader and a sophomore in high school. One day the coach for PE stood on the sidelines reading The First Deadly Sin when he was supposed to be babysitting all the raging hormones in tennis shoes. They ran amok. I sidled up close to the coach to take a gander at what had drawn him away from his normally conscientious teaching ethic. I saw the cover with an ice pickax and the title and was smitten. I walked the two miles home everyday and always stopped at the Thriftys for a triple scoop ice cream (for .30, .10 a scoop) and ate it while reading the best seller list posted in the window of the paperback bookstore. I'd seen The First Deadly Sin before on the list but now I really wanted it. I didn't have that kind of money and had to go out and earn it. It wasn't too long before I bought the book and started a long love affair with Sanders' writing. I honestly don't know how "Caper." slipped under my radar but boy am I glad I stumbled onto it. I was in Tuscon with my wife (a business trip for her job) and found two used bookstores within four hundred yards of each other. There aren't any used bookstores anywhere around us in Calif. I spent part of everyday of the week we were there going through the stacks and came home with a box full. Caper was one of the gems I pulled out of the piles. I ate that book up. Voracious readers know what I'm talking about. Oh, and as a side note I also found two of my novels, used hardcovers in one of the stores. Which always gives me a little jolt and reminds me again of those days eating a triple Rocky Road ice cream and reading the bestseller list on the way home from school. David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Five Days in Bogotá is a well-wrought story wrapped in a thriller structure where the setting is equal to a main character. This is a delicate balanceFive Days in Bogotá is a well-wrought story wrapped in a thriller structure where the setting is equal to a main character. This is a delicate balance and difficult to do without overpowering the prose. Moore accomplishes it with a deft hand. The author also knows this world and it shows. This book put me on the ground in Bogotá, with the colors, the smells, the people, and most of all the wonderful art. When the story opens I was immediately endeared to the main character and discovered her multitude of conflicts. From the first pages I was pulled along wanting to know how it would end. What a great read....more
It's difficult not to give a Thomas Perry book five stars. He's one of my go-to authors. I always pre-order his novels and this one was no different. It's difficult not to give a Thomas Perry book five stars. He's one of my go-to authors. I always pre-order his novels and this one was no different. I loved it. The writing craft is outstanding, (although, at time the distant third voice did intrude and detract a smidgen) There are two main points of view the strong female protagonist and the bad guy chasing and trying to kill her. This is a chase novel with great motivation and well drawn characters. The story is set in Los Angeles and I was familiar with many of the streets and locations which added to the enjoyment. The story is short and terse, the ending quick and deadly. If you are a Thomas Perry fan you won't be disappointed. I'm already in line for the next one. David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson novels....more
Special Operations is the second book in the Badge of Honor series and is really the jumping off point. Book one, Men in Blue merely sets the stage. YSpecial Operations is the second book in the Badge of Honor series and is really the jumping off point. Book one, Men in Blue merely sets the stage. You could almost start with the second book. I loved Special Operations, a solid five stars for me. I read it back in the mid-80’s and remembered loving it then. The book still holds up today. I finished it in two sittings. I then ordered all the rest of the series. That’s how good this book is. I’ve also read twice the Brotherhood of War by the same author. Reading them twice should tell you all you need to know. Special Operations really captures the time period when there wasn’t cell phones or computers. Cops had to call in and leave messages. They didn’t have handheld radios. When they left the radio car they were on their own. There is great tension in all of these books and the author really points up the personal life of the police. He humanizes them. ...more
Men in Blue is the first book in the Badge of Honor series. I read what written was of the series when they first came out in the mid-80’s. Love them.Men in Blue is the first book in the Badge of Honor series. I read what written was of the series when they first came out in the mid-80’s. Love them. (I’ve also read twice, The Brotherhood of War). I lost track of the Badge of Honor and never finished the series. I thought at the time there were only three. I started reading them over and fell in love with them all over again. They are great reads and really captures law enforcement life. Especially the off-duty and personal life aspect. The books are set in the early seventies and really do a great job the time period. Men in Blue sets the stage for the entire series. But the main character for the series isn’t really introduced until the second book, Special Operations. These books are written in an antiquated style, a more, “telling,” voice in distant third and with many points of view and yet the author does a masterful job maintaining the “fictive dream.” The first book is good, but the second book is great. I’ve ordered all the books and am devouring them. ...more
This is a great read, not quite a “Wow, and I’ll explain why toward the end. This is a romance wrapped up in a dragon story. I love dragon stories. AnThis is a great read, not quite a “Wow, and I’ll explain why toward the end. This is a romance wrapped up in a dragon story. I love dragon stories. And love romances. This is a little like Hunger Games meets Harry Potter, meets Game of Thrones. What a comparison. No wonder this book/series is doing so well. The Fourth Wing almost exclusively deals with the training of dragon riders while establishing the world and the more importantly the romance. In this book the dragon story almost disappears under the weight of the romance. But the romance is so well-drawn the pages keep turning. The main conflict is whether the main character will survive the brutal training. And to that end there are a great many hurdles to overcome creating micro-conflicts. The rise and fall, the cadence of the story—the romance is tone perfect. Even masterful. The main plotline is an odyssey storyline and would grow plot fatigue if not for the wonderful romance aspect. In all novels there is a rise and fall in the plot. Some rising higher, some dropping lower. The Fourth Wing has a great rise and fall but in the individual episodes. Instead of overall as in a regular structure that utilizes conflict, complication, crisis, conclusion. The romance aspect is different though and has an excellent rise and fall. You can almost say there are two stories here. I think the author understood this and tried to intertwine the bonding of the dragons in the story and the romance by having two separable dragons linked. And having those dragons choose the main character and her lover as their riders. The Fourth Wing, the first book, to me, feels more like the setup, the conflict for the overall story. I haven’t read the second book, (I preordered it and now have it on my TBR pile), but I would bet it will deal entirely with the complication. And the third book the crisis. The way the book is physically structured with all the, quarter, half and full page, chapter separations, coupled with the way the story is structured, (the four C’s, conflict, complication, crisis, conclusion), I can almost imagine that the author submitted the book all inclusive, all three books combined in a 900-page tome. Most popular fantasies have that kind of page count. I have a suspicious mind and believe the publisher broke up the book to make more money. Yikes. I loved every aspect of this book except one. If you’re into fantasies this is a solid five star read. Loved it. The blivit that I referred to earlier, to me, is like nails on the chalkboard. The quadruple tagging of the dialogue, the use of adverbs in the dialogue tags and the late tags. Besides this being my own personal speed bump, it also tends to overburden the prose and slows down the scenes.
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