3.0 stars� David Ellis is a very talented writer who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, “Look Closer.� I am slowly attempting to read some of hi3.0 stars� David Ellis is a very talented writer who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, “Look Closer.� I am slowly attempting to read some of his other legal thrillers hoping for the same type of reading experience. “Jury of One� was published over 20 years ago, but definitely is written in the same fast paced style as “Look Closer.� Unfortunately, for me, this book went off the rails with numerous far-fetched plot twists which stretched (and then broke) all of the rules of credibility. “Jury� begins with the shooting of a police officer by a juvenile named Alex, who is charged as an adult due to the severity of the crime. Based on an earlier relationship she developed with Alex when handling a less serious case, Shelly Trotter agrees to handle the case despite having no experience in representing anyone in a serious felony case. The book centers around Shelly as she develops relationships with the defendant, Alex, as well as his very helpful brother Ronnie. Luckily for Shelly she is given office space, tons of helpful legal advice, an unlimited budget and an investigator by a successful attorney with a crush on her. The more I read the more bizarre the twists and turns in the book became in every aspect of the story. The trial of Alex was full of surprises (to say the least) but once again, they were not believable. Due to the book’s unpredictability and a twist a minute writing style, I would still recommend it, but I do so with an asterisk because most of the unpredictability is based on ridiculous coincidences and an unbelievable plot. ...more
3.5 stars� Mitch Albom will always hold a special place in my heart as the author of “Tuesdays with Morrie� that I couldn’t even pick up without shedd3.5 stars� Mitch Albom will always hold a special place in my heart as the author of “Tuesdays with Morrie� that I couldn’t even pick up without shedding tears. In fact, I cried so much that I didn’t even enjoy the book (but I did finish it somehow). I continue reading Albom’s books because they are always original and they cause me to think of my salvation and life in new ways. “The Stranger in the Lifeboat� is a short undersized book (like all of Albom’s previous books) that was well written and interesting. It tells the story primarily through the letters/journals of Benji, an employee of the luxury yacht, “Galaxy� who manages to survive the yacht’s tragic sinking after being rescued by one of the yacht’s lifeboat. The lifeboat initially contains 11 passengers, including a mysterious man rescued soon after Benji who only identifies himself as ‘the Lord.� The book does a good job of establishing the many different personalities on the boat, and the conflicts and alliances all seem natural. I truly was intrigued by the characters and their interactions with the Lord who indicates he will save them as soon as everyone on board believes He is who He says He is. I won’t go any further into the plot, but the book held my interest throughout and caused me to think about my interactions with others and the deaths of loved ones. Albom unfortunately resorts to unreliable narrator mode (which greatly diminished the story for me) when the truth of what happened to the passengers in the lifeboat as well as “The Galaxy� is finally revealed. But, as a readable book that makes you think about some of life’s bigger issues as well as Jesus’s place/role in it, a solid 3.5 stars....more
2.0 stars� I have always been a big fan of John Marrs, so I was very excited when I discovered he was releasing a new book, “You Killed Me First� on K2.0 stars� I have always been a big fan of John Marrs, so I was very excited when I discovered he was releasing a new book, “You Killed Me First� on Kindle Unlimited. The book is written from the perspective of 3 neighborhood friends: Anna, Margot, and Liv. The book begins innocently enough as the author does an excellent job revealing the personality quirks of each of the main characters through their interactions together. Margot is a former childhood star with a bad attitude, who always has a negative word to say in every situation. Anna is the shy but kind friend with no self-confidence. Liv comes across as the woman who has everything including money, good looks and the worshipful husband. These perceptions get more and more distorted as you learn the history of each of the characters. ‘You Killed Me First� has a huge amount of unexpected twists and turns that get more ridiculous the more you read. The implausibility of each of the main characters being involved in that many crimes, schemes and scams is very high and definitely affected my enjoyment of the book. Another plot device that didn’t work for me was when the author had each murder victim possess the body of the person who killed him or her until that person murdered again and a new victim took the previous victim’s place. This soul converses with the murderer and gives direction to the murderer on what to do next while living in the murderer’s body. I started having Riley Sager flashbacks each time I read this ridiculous plot device. Despite the many glowing reviews for this book on ŷ and my previous love for all things John Marrs, I was not impressed with this book. I couldn’t get into the story because the actions of all of the main characters were over the top and unbelievable. This was definitely my least favorite John Marrs book, but I still am a huge fan and will diligently return to buy his next book based on the very high quality of all his previous novels....more
3.0 stars � I debated whether to read “The Sequel� a sequel to “The Plot.� I had a mixed reaction to the first book, and my experience with sequels ha3.0 stars � I debated whether to read “The Sequel� a sequel to “The Plot.� I had a mixed reaction to the first book, and my experience with sequels has never been very good. (Yes, this means you and your housemaid Freida McFadden). When I say “The Sequel� started off slow and didn’t get much better until over halfway through the book, I’m not exaggerating. The book is written from the perspective of Anna/Dianna/Rose who (if you remember her from “The Plot�) is not the most likable protagonist a book has ever been centered around. The first half of the novel is basically Anna’s quest to strike out on her own and become a published author. Whoopie!! I believe I have read recipe cards that were more interesting. When the author finally gets to the ‘the plot� of “The Sequel� (see what I did there), I actually started getting into the book and really enjoyed the last third of the novel. Too little too late? It depends on whether you mind having to wade through a particularly bad set up in order to get to a very good serial killer plot where Anna does everything in her power to keep from having her true identity exposed. In the end, just like “The Plot,� I have mixed feelings about my experience reading this book and will end by just saying that if you have a whole lot of patience, you will be rewarded....more
3.0 stars� Jeffrey Long is considered an authority on near-death experiences so I was excited to see that several years ago he wrote a book on NDEs wh3.0 stars� Jeffrey Long is considered an authority on near-death experiences so I was excited to see that several years ago he wrote a book on NDEs which specifically researched the issue of the presence/appearance of God during NDEs. “God and the Afterlife� is a relatively short treatment of this issue and my biggest critique of the book is that it is short on analysis and basically consists of posting numerous NDEs from the NDERF website in which God appears either physically or as a light or presence. The book also has some additional research on the changes that occur in the individual after his/her NDE that helps provide some idea of the type of impact such an event has on the person who experienced them. Although interesting in parts, I was never really blown away by either the research nor the stories used to illustrate the research. The NDEs chosen seemed to be all over the board and some didn’t seem to support the principle the chapter was emphasizing. As a whole I would rate the book as average and a good beginner book for those who know little to nothing about NDEs going into the book. J. Steve Miller’s books still reign supreme on this topic and are truly life changing if you are interested in this subject....more
5.0 stars� I have been searching for a book that provided an in-depth look at the Murdaugh family after becoming transfixed by the criminal trial of A5.0 stars� I have been searching for a book that provided an in-depth look at the Murdaugh family after becoming transfixed by the criminal trial of Alex Murdaugh who stood accused of murdering his wife and son. There were several books that looked interesting but none that really seemed to offer anything new that I haven’t already read about this case� until I started reading Goodread reviews of “The Devil at His Elbow.� I am so glad I waited for this one because it was very well researched and written by an author I I had never heard of before, Valerie Bauerlein. Ms. Bauerlein does an excellent job of both filling in the background of the Murdaugh family tree and providing a great amount of details of each of the crimes that Alex and Paul were accused of committing. After watching a couple of documentaries on this subject (including the excellent one on Netflix) I didn’t think there was anything I hadn’t heard about these cases. Boy was I wrong. “Devil� is seamlessly written with details that you can find nowhere else. The book excelled in covering the numerous ways Alex committed and covered up his financial crimes as well as more than in-depth coverage of the murder trial of Alex. So, for all of you true-crime junkies who can’t get enough of this sensational case, do yourself a favor and read this book. I promise you, you will not regret it....more
5.0 stars� As a longtime Scott Turow fan, I was very excited to read his latest legal thriller, ‘Presumed Guilty.� Turow is most famous for his book �5.0 stars� As a longtime Scott Turow fan, I was very excited to read his latest legal thriller, ‘Presumed Guilty.� Turow is most famous for his book “Presumed Innocent� but he has written numerous books since then that were as good, if not better, than “Presumed Innocent.� Most of Turow’s books take place in the courtroom, and it is obvious that Turow is an excellent trial lawyer. He is the best at writing direct and cross-examinations in narrative form, and I always enjoy reading how Turow’s characters breakdown a witness. ‘Presumed Guilty� brings back Rusty Sabich who is now in his mid-70s and has been retired for years. As you might remember, in “Presumed Innocent� Sabich is arrested and tried for a murder he didn’t commit. So, when his fiancé’s son is accused of murder in which he professes his innocence, it is Rusty to the rescue. The book is very long but not cumbersome because Turow does an excellent job of laying out a trial in a small rural courtroom from beginning to end. The book sets forth a lot of stereotypes about prosecutors, law enforcement and how race is viewed in small town America that I believe were completely off base, but despite my disagreement, it does not take away from the absolute brilliance of this book. As a longtime prosecutor, I have never seen a defense attorney so thoroughly dismantle each witness the prosecution called in the trial as I did in this book. If I were the prosecutor in this case and had a Judge that hostile towards me (which were reflected in nearly all her rulings) I would immediately retire. To say I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. Turow has produced a true masterpiece that I highly recommend if you enjoy legal thrillers. ...more
4.5 stars� Finding a really good true-crime author can be difficult. I have been very fortunate to have found some really good authors who have author4.5 stars� Finding a really good true-crime author can be difficult. I have been very fortunate to have found some really good authors who have authored several well-researched, well-written accounts of some very interesting cases. (Thomas Thompson and Greg Olsen immediately come to mind). I now add Jerry Bledsoe to my list of go-to true crime authors. I read “Bitter Blood� last year and was amazed at one of the most amazing and unbelievable true-crime murder stories ever told, so I had high expectations that this follow-up would be just as good. Although “Before He Wakes� did not have the twists and turns that “Bitter Blood� did, I would still highly recommend it if you like in-depth, well-researched accounts of the life of an unexpected killer. I have always found that stories about female murderers who kill multiple victims are usually more interesting than most other true crime books. This is because females who murder are a rare breed, and their crimes are usually more planned out killings rather than heat of passion crimes that males are the more predominant offenders. ‘Before He Wakes� tells the story of Barbara Ford Stager who was accused of killing two spouses over a several year period. The details of each case are fascinating , and I was unable to put this book down. The author definitely did his homework with interviews with all of the interested parties as well as detailed research on both the police investigation and trial of Ms. Sager. I cannot recall a dull moment at any point in the book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading true crime books....more
4.0 stars� It is a very rare Michael Connelly book that doesn’t get 5 stars from me. However, “The Waiting,� although a very good book, did not rise t4.0 stars� It is a very rare Michael Connelly book that doesn’t get 5 stars from me. However, “The Waiting,� although a very good book, did not rise to the outstanding level of most of the books in the Bosch series. The primary reason for this drop in book quality and reader score is attributable to something very important to both the plot and my enjoyment of the book�.. No-Harry-Bosch (well very little of him anyway). To me it sort of felt like the last season of Laverne & Shirley when there was only Laverne, something (or someone) was missing and my brain wasn’t having it. Don’t get me wrong , Detective Ballard is a good enough character - she is a very smart and capable detective with a complex that others are always judging her and that she has to prove herself everyday due to being a woman in a traditionally male job. The writing is top notch as always too, but without Harry and his corner-cutting, deficiencies and frailties leading the way, the book didn’t stand head and shoulders above the pack like Bosch’s other books typically do. I did enjoy much of the plot, as the cold-case unit led by Ballard is always interesting in the cases they examine and the realistic processes and procedures they go through to solve these cases fascinate me. In conclusion, I guess I will continue to read Connelly’s books because they are well written but like a spoiled child I will whine and complain until I get my way and Harry Bosch is back front and center leading the way to the solution to the next mystery....more
**spoiler alert** 2.0 stars�-Woe is me. What has become of my favorite author. After absolutely hating “Good Bad Girl�, I was hoping that Ms. Feeney w**spoiler alert** 2.0 stars�-Woe is me. What has become of my favorite author. After absolutely hating “Good Bad Girl�, I was hoping that Ms. Feeney would have a return to form with her new book, “Beautiful Ugly.� Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. ‘Beautiful Ugly� begins with successful author, Grady, receiving a call from his wife, Abby, that she is returning home with supper. While still on the phone, Abby stops to assist a woman lying across the road. When Grady loses phone contact, he runs to find his wife and is unable to find any trace of her. Grady is forced to go on with his life not knowing what happened to his wife. The story takes off from there as Grady tries resume his career by accepting his agents offer of relocating to a cabin on a sparsely populated island in an attempt to regain his writing mojo. It is at this point I will stop because the story gets weird.. very weird. I can’t say I enjoyed the rest of the book due to the strangeness of both the plot and main character, Grady. No matter what he sees, hears or happens he be-bops along like Ned in the first reader. Nothing affects this man nor does he ever seem to be bothered by hallucinations, thefts, imaginary phone calls or seeing people who aren’t really there. Nobody would act like this dolt did with all of the clues surrounding him that something was amiss. The author’s resolution to the mystery as well as the usual “Feeney Twist� were downers as well. (I actually hated the Feeney twist in this book because it meant much of the early portions of the book were 100 percent inaccurate —with no indication or reason provided for why. The book’s open to interpretation ending was also a letdown. The book as a whole was disappointing and I just never got in-step with the cultish vibe it gave off. If someone asked me to sum up this disappointing book in one sentence, I would tell them it is basically the Jordan Peele movie “Get Out� but with men instead of blacks. ...more
2.5 stars� After reading a few non-thrillers to change it up a little bit, I decided to go back and read a book from one of my recent favorites, A.R. 2.5 stars� After reading a few non-thrillers to change it up a little bit, I decided to go back and read a book from one of my recent favorites, A.R. Torre. “A Fatal Affair� begins with detectives being called to the home of a celebrity super-couple where the twin brother of the male half of the couple was found dead of an apparent suicide with the body of an unknown tortured female. The detectives are initially hampered by their access to the couple and their home in attempting to investigate the case but eventually begin making progress including identifying the dead body found with the twin. The investigation proceeds from there in attempting to find out what happened and why. Although once again I found Ms. Torre to be a very gifted writer, in my opinion the entire plot was underwhelming and at times, boring. It seemed like the whole plot moved at a snail’s pace, which was completely unlike the three previous novels I read from Torre. I also felt like the motive for the killings and the so-called twist were so ridiculous, that it sucked the life out of the book. If Torre wasn’t such an excellent writer this would be a 1 star, but the interactions between the detective team as well as their realistic work in discovering evidence and interviewing suspects propelled it up to a star. In the end, I just didn’t feel like the “twist� was something that could ever happen in a quintillion years or something this detective team would ever of fallen for. I guess that is what ruined this book for me. I will be back for more of Ms. Torre’s books as she is still one of the best and most consistent writers out there....more
4.0 stars� Ever since I watched the Lifetime network show,”Phrogging� I have been creeped out about some weirdo living in my attic or basement without4.0 stars� Ever since I watched the Lifetime network show,”Phrogging� I have been creeped out about some weirdo living in my attic or basement without my knowledge . I didn’t think it could happen until I watched that show, but that show gave numerous examples of it happening time and again. Which brings me to “Someone in the Attic�. I read “Someone in the Attic� solely on the basis of all of the great reviews I read on ŷ when the book was first released. I never heard of or read any books by the author, Andrea Mara, before giving this one a try. The book begins with the murder of Anya, who is the second of a group of four lifelong friends to die under tragic circumstances. After the police rule the death an accident, the two remaining friends, Julia and Eleanor, begin suspecting that someone is stalking them and hiding in their attics. The narrator of the story, Julia, lives alone with her two children and the book does a great job of slowly allowing Julia to accept that there is someone surveilling her who might also be inside her house on a regular basis. The book also does a fantastic job of putting out multiple plausible suspects and storylines that left me guessing as to both who would have the motive to do this and what the motive actually was. For the most part, the plot was very plausible and just enough information was revealed throughout the book to keep me motivated to finish it in order to find out what was really happening to Julia and her family. The ending left a little to be desired but all in all I felt “Someone in the Attic� was a very well written and interesting book....more
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