11-year-old Parvana is the daughter of educated parents in Afghanistan under the rule of Taliban in the late 1990s. Parvana helps her father in the ma11-year-old Parvana is the daughter of educated parents in Afghanistan under the rule of Taliban in the late 1990s. Parvana helps her father in the market, where he translates or reads letter for the many illiterates in Kabul. Barely scraping by, her father is seized and taken off to prison, leaving the family with no income so Parvana pretends to be a male cousin named Kaseem to continue her father's business as women are not allowed to be alone and must be completely covered at all times by the Taliban. She and a school acquaintance make some money doing something shady, but use the proceeds to sell gum and cigarettes to bring in more income. Her family life changes as someone comes to help and her older sister accepts a marriage proposal. First in a five book series....more
Sami Kierce is on his way to medical school when his college roommate and his lax buddies decide to go to the Sun Coast in Spain, where Sami falls harSami Kierce is on his way to medical school when his college roommate and his lax buddies decide to go to the Sun Coast in Spain, where Sami falls hard for a girl in a disco named Anna. After partying, drinking, drugging, and screwing, he wakes up to find her stabbed multiple times and his hand on the bloody knife. He reports the death, but there is no body, but he runs back to America. Sami has lost his way, and decides to pass on medical school, eventually becoming a cop. Things go badly there, and he is forced to resign in disgrace, but his fiancee is murdered. The killer is found, convicted and sent to prison. As this book starts, Sami is happily married with a one-year old son, and is teaching a class in investigations when the killer is released essentially due to Sami's reputation for being a dirty cop. As he is teaching, a woman looks in on the class and Sami thinks it is Anna, setting in motion, a project for his class as they track her to a fancy estate in tony Connecticut, and comes to learn she is the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy family, who disappeared for 11+ years, returning with no memory of what happened. We then embark on a classic Coben mystery, full of twists and intrigue....more
Twenty years ago, a junior accounting clerk Doris Grandfelt was brutally stabbed to death at work. Readers know who committed the crime, but the policTwenty years ago, a junior accounting clerk Doris Grandfelt was brutally stabbed to death at work. Readers know who committed the crime, but the police are stumped as she was found in a park many miles away. Her older sister, Lara Grandfelt, is a major contributor to local politicians and wants the murder solved, and decides to offer a $5 million reward over the advice of U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and BCA Agent Virgil Flowers, including posting the police reports online. Naturally, this brings out true crime bloggers, and one of them finds the murder weapon buried elsewhere in the park using a metal detector. This is the first of many breakthroughs making the killer feel threatened, who then starts taking lethal actions to hide their identity. Virgil and Lucas work together, pushing and prodding the bloggers until they identify the guilty party. Actually, the book should only be rated 3.5 for the ending....more
John Singer Sargent was the preeminent portrait artist of his era: late 1800s/early 1900s. Jean Strouse has provided a thoroughly researched book abouJohn Singer Sargent was the preeminent portrait artist of his era: late 1800s/early 1900s. Jean Strouse has provided a thoroughly researched book about him and his patronage by the Wertheimer family, who were important art dealers in that same time period. Sargent's mastery was in showing who people were, both inside and outside. Strouse also discusses important social and economic themes, such as anti-Semitism (where museums were not interested in exhibiting Jews) and the decline of the British aristocracy and the rise of modern businessmen (including the transfer of their art and collectibles.) I found the book's organization to be unorthodox, even confusing at times, but liked the color plates....more
Solid effort by Brett Battles, who is continuing the Stuart Woods' series. Woodman & Weld win a lawsuit against a seriously wealthy sociopath, who decSolid effort by Brett Battles, who is continuing the Stuart Woods' series. Woodman & Weld win a lawsuit against a seriously wealthy sociopath, who decides to punish Stone by destroying the artwork of his famous mother, Matilda Stone. When his townhouse is attacked, Stone uses lethal force against one of the intruders, further enraging his adversary. Next, they decide to obtain three paintings, with the intention to burn them at an upcoming birthday celebration for Stone, including one painting acquired by producer, Billy Barnett (a/k/a Teddy Fay.) Meanwhile, Stone meets an insurance investigator, who has been looking into a new of arson cases where paintings have turned to ash. These crooks are hired to find three Stone paintings in too short order, and things go badly, especially when the dirty art dealer decides to keep the originals and hire a forger. My only quibble is that I really do not think Battles has been able to mimic the voices of the main characters, mainly his choice of words....more
Here's the lead: "Bighearted, gritty, magical and moving, Lola in the Mirror is the irresistible new novel from international bestselling [Australian]Here's the lead: "Bighearted, gritty, magical and moving, Lola in the Mirror is the irresistible new novel from international bestselling [Australian] author, ... Trent Dalton." Best book I have read this year. It's quirky though.
We meet a soon-to-be 18-year old girl, whose identity is unknown to her and readers alike. She lives with her mother in an abandoned van with four flat tires, and her friends are houseless and addicts of one kind or another; but, she has big dreams of being a famous artist and wants to go to the local art school in Brisbane. They live off of scraps from a drug dealer, who employs them in her seafood store. The two have been on the run, because the mother killed her husband, who was a monster and she intends to turn herself in when the girl turns 18, but things go awry when the mother attempts a heroic act. The girl's life changes thereafter, and not for the better, eventually placing her in harm's way in more ways than one. Miraculously, she and a wealthy boy fall deeply in love, and when things look darkest, something wonderful happens.
Paul Heppell's ink sketches at the beginning of each chapter are frigging awesome!...more
Another excellent historical fiction book by Mario Escobar, based on a real hero in Warsaw ghetto during WWII. Sixty-year-old Janusz Korczak is a dediAnother excellent historical fiction book by Mario Escobar, based on a real hero in Warsaw ghetto during WWII. Sixty-year-old Janusz Korczak is a dedicated physician, a respected educator, and is well-known in the Warsaw community, where he runs a Jewish orphanage. When the Nazis invade, he, his workers and the children are placed at great risk, eventually forced to abandon their school a move into the walled Warsaw ghetto. Despite his failing health, Janusz and his friends do everything in their power to shield the children from disease, starvation, and the daily horrors surrounding them. An extraordinary story about a truly remarkable hero, whose caring and love for orphans was unbounded, especially his relationship with Hendrik....more
Nesta Acheron is in a bad mental space, drinking and taking strangers into her bed. The war with Hybern, her transition from human to high fae, her unNesta Acheron is in a bad mental space, drinking and taking strangers into her bed. The war with Hybern, her transition from human to high fae, her unknown powers, and her guilt over her father's death have taken a toll. That's a lot of weight on one's shoulders. Doing what they think is best, Feyre and Rhys cut off her cash flow and force her to choose between training with Cassian and work in the library or live penniless with humans. Between the two new activities, she feels better physically and makes some new friends in the library, who she asks to join her in training (to deal with their own personal traumas.) This helps Nesta finds purpose again in life, and rekindle her relationship with Cassian, who is patient, unflappable, and kind. Ultimately, Nesta finds her inner strength when a seemingly insurmountable challenge faces her and her friends. Personally, I did not care for the unnecessary family drama with Feyre and Rhys....more
Brett Battles has picked up where Stuart Woods left off, with Book #7 in the Teddy Fay series. Some of his former colleagues from Operation Golden HouBrett Battles has picked up where Stuart Woods left off, with Book #7 in the Teddy Fay series. Some of his former colleagues from Operation Golden Hour are being systematically assassinated in Europe. With Teddy Fay heading to Europe anyway on a publicity tour for Peter Barrington’s newest movie, Lance Cabot asks Teddy to investigate who is murdering these people and why. As always, Teddy has to avoid entanglements with various women and alter his appearance multiple times, switching between himself, his movie producer persona or his movie stuntman persona. ...more
12-year old Ciara finds an ancient journal/spellbook belonging to Bianca, a disciple of the legendary Dragon Mage, in an abandoned tower, but refuses 12-year old Ciara finds an ancient journal/spellbook belonging to Bianca, a disciple of the legendary Dragon Mage, in an abandoned tower, but refuses to hand it over to the local Warden, who has pillaged the local town with his relentless greed. She summons a dragon named Scorch, who has been asleep for 1,000 years; he realizes that Ciara is a descendant of Bianca and knows the Dragon Mage wanted magic to be accessible to all people. Instead, her evil disciple (Cillian) has misrepresented her wishes, claiming only living descendants can wield magic or monster Revenants will return. Scorch reluctantly begins to teach Ciara magic from the spellbook (a hoot itself) so she can rescue her mother from the Warden and cure her mother of the deadly Skael Cough that killed her father. Sadly, too much magic drains Ciara of all her energy. With the help of the Captain of the Guard's daughter, they launch a daring rescue attempt, which falters when Ciara's energy wanes, requiring outside intervention....more
A fictionalized version of the famous wolf, known as Wolf 8. See the book The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone’s Underdogby Rick A fictionalized version of the famous wolf, known as Wolf 8. See the book The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone’s Underdogby Rick McIntyre. Warm is the smallest pup in his litter, but becomes a guardian of sorts, learning skills from a wolf named Growl. When a pack of ice wolves attack, Warm’s father and the pack leader is killed, and his mother runs off to draw the enemy wolves away, placing Warm in charge of the new pups. Warm takes the four to safety, becoming responsible to feed them. Growing hunger forces Warm to hunt by himself, when he is trapped by the enemy pack; however, one of the wolves lets him slip away after hearing about how much better another pack treats its members. Eventually, the enemy pack comes for Warm, some converts, and the wizened pups, when nature strikes and Warm is born anew....more
A new series by Dale Brown, following his successful 20-book series about Patrick McLanahan. Pilot Nick Flynn is marooned in a station Alaska, after aA new series by Dale Brown, following his successful 20-book series about Patrick McLanahan. Pilot Nick Flynn is marooned in a station Alaska, after a mission goes awry. However, when a prototype Russian stealth bomber is commandeered by a decorated senior officer and hidden in Alaska. Despite horrific weather, Nick and his security team are ordered to parachute into the area to reach the crash sites ahead of the Russians, following a dogfight. The Pentagon and CIA are withholding vital information, but Flynn and his team follow their orders, which pit them against Spetsnaz commandos, who have invaded to find and destroy if necessary the bomber, which has been loaded with nuclear-armed stealth cruise missiles for authenticity. Above average thriller, with a Hunt for Red October type plot....more
Written in verse, this middle-grade novel in verse is ostensibly about football, with chapter headings pertinent to the sport and factoids. Kareem is Written in verse, this middle-grade novel in verse is ostensibly about football, with chapter headings pertinent to the sport and factoids. Kareem is Muslim, and his only friend moves away, leaving him adrift and hoping to make the middle school football team as a quarterback; however, the coach's son Austin is in his way. Austin takes advantage of the situation, while Kareem does everything possible to join the team, eventually getting a look-see because of his son's shortcomings as a student. ...more
It is unusual for me not to be able to understand a middle school fantasy novel, but James Riley has done it. A giant monster erupts from the ground aIt is unusual for me not to be able to understand a middle school fantasy novel, but James Riley has done it. A giant monster erupts from the ground at the Lincoln Memorial, dragging Fort Fitzgerald’s father away, leaving him without parents. Six months later, Fort's aunt is visited by Dr. Oppenheimer, who invites Fort to a government-run school to learn magic from some secret books. Fort views it as an opportunity for vengeance, but is given an impossible task to stay in school: to learn three healing spells sequentially in three days total, when the average time is one week per spell. His friends also help him locate a missing student with extraordinary powers, with whom he is connected somehow. Some wild battle scenes, missing way too much background at the end, which may be explained in future books which I will not be reading. 2.5 stars, rounded up....more
Dr. Evan Wilding, a professor of semiotics (an expert in ancient signs and symbols) is called to the scene of an unusual death in a dark isolated wareDr. Evan Wilding, a professor of semiotics (an expert in ancient signs and symbols) is called to the scene of an unusual death in a dark isolated warehouse area by his friend, Detective Addie Basset. The deceased a friend and colleague of Evan's, Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence, who is an ancient history papyrologist. Determining whether it was a suicide or murder is the first mystery, which is quickly resolved with an assist to Ferro, a Corgi being pet-minded by Evan. As the story goes on, it leads Addie and Evan into the arcane world of illegal antiquities, where there is lots of secrecy and money to be made by unscrupulous people, especially where the Middle East is concerned....more
Based on a true story, Ho Fengshan is a Chinese diplomat working in Vienna during WWII. He is married to a half-Chinese American woman, named Grace, wBased on a true story, Ho Fengshan is a Chinese diplomat working in Vienna during WWII. He is married to a half-Chinese American woman, named Grace, who seems isolated and naive, especially regarding world affairs. Fengshan hires a tutor named Lola Schnitzler to teach her German, and they bond in their initial meeting on a bench park, when they are arrested by the Gestapo because Lola is Jewish. At Gestapo HQ, they meet the evil Adolph Eichmann. While Grace is rescued because of her status as a diplomat's wife, Lola is beaten, eventually rescued by Fengshan at Grace's urging. Grace and Lola become friendly, but Eichmann takes vengeance on them. Fengshan does everything possible to save Austrian Jews from concentration camps, writing thousands of exit visas over the passive objections of the Chinese ambassador, including one for Lola's 9-year old niece. At the end, a tragedy occurs that will change everyone's lives.
Author Kevin Wade is a writer and producer of the tv show Blue Bloods, and wrote this novel during the 4-month actors strike in 2023.
Jeep Mullane and Author Kevin Wade is a writer and producer of the tv show Blue Bloods, and wrote this novel during the 4-month actors strike in 2023.
Jeep Mullane and Johnny Chambliss were BFFs and a formidable lacrosse duo on a Long Island travel team, but were from different socioeconomic backgrounds. As they got older, they went their separate ways, with Jeep following his father into the NYPD until an unfortunate event caused him to move back to the North Shore, becoming a local village police chief. Meanwhile, Johnny got married to another wealthy scion, and continued to drift in life, in line with his moniker ... Johnny Careless. A series of high end car thefts are threatening Jeep's job security when Johnny is found dead on a local beach under questionable circumstances, including scratches on his back, following a private school reunion. Questionable decisions in Johnny's past make solving the death complicated. Being from Long Island probably made this more interesting for me than it might be for others....more
Porter Beck is a sheriff in rural Nevada, succeeding his father. When a former FBI agent is found murdered, following torture, Beck's skills as a formPorter Beck is a sheriff in rural Nevada, succeeding his father. When a former FBI agent is found murdered, following torture, Beck's skills as a former intelligence officer are needed. He is joined by Special Agent Sana Locke from the FBI’s Las Vegas field office, raising questions for him. The murder seems to tie back to the victim's own investigation of a nuclear test site in the late 1950s, with someone seeking to make sure information remains undiscovered. Meanwhile, there are some strange goings-on, including a disappearance in a nearby commune, which may or may not be related. Beck's father has memory issues, and his sister is a bit odd. They must all work together to solve the mystery of who killed the FBI agent and what was the big secret that led to the murder. 3.5 stars, rounded up....more
Amy Wheeler is a bodyguard who protects VIPs. She is married to Adam, who she barely sees, but is very close to Adam's father, Steve. Steve is a retirAmy Wheeler is a bodyguard who protects VIPs. She is married to Adam, who she barely sees, but is very close to Adam's father, Steve. Steve is a retired cop, living on a small English town, working as a P.I., with mostly small jobs. He is a grieving widower, who speaks with his deceased wife daily and has a stray cat named Trouble for companionship (besides Amy.)
Amy is on a private island in South Carolina, protecting a famous mystery writer, Rosie D'Antonio, who is being threatened by a Russian oligarch named Vasiliy Karpin for something she said in a recent novel. Suddenly, Amy becomes a target and runs off with Rosie in her private jet, after trying to find out about a recent murder nearby, only to find the Sheriff dead too. Someone seems keen on killing her boss as well. Amy and Rosie ask Steve to join them, and they avoid several attempts on Amy's life. Readers are kept in suspense as to who wants her dead, supplied only with the names Francois Loubet and Joe Blow, with Francois being a known money launderer. Too much folly and too slow at the outset for me....more
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