Ross Quest is a thief because this is the family business, and her mom has trained her. Nonetheless, Ross wants out, and is planning a score of her owRoss Quest is a thief because this is the family business, and her mom has trained her. Nonetheless, Ross wants out, and is planning a score of her own so she can disappear. Then, the world shift tectonically as her mother is kidnapped for a billion dollar ransom. Her only chance of a prize this big is the world-famous Thieves� Gambit, a competition pitting the world's best thieves against each other. Ross learns fast that there are other talented thieves, and the competition is forcing teamwork in direct contravention of the family code: trust no one who is not a Quest. I was not impressed by either the competition nor the characters....more
Similar to Rendon's Cash Blackbear character, Quill is an indigenous woman who is strong and brave, and wholly dedicated to protecting women on the reSimilar to Rendon's Cash Blackbear character, Quill is an indigenous woman who is strong and brave, and wholly dedicated to protecting women on the reservation. Out for a run, she hears a blood-curdling scream, but is only able to find a lone earring. When the local cops make no progress, Quill and her two best friends contact the jewelry maker, and find the name of the missing woman. As she continues her quest to find the missing woman, other women are attacked, with blame placed on local oil pipeline workers, who are a rough sort and looking for "fun" at others' expense. Putting herself at risk, without regard to her loving husband (Crow) and two children, there is great tension at home, especially when Quill withholds details from him. Meanwhile, Quill becomes somewhat of a crusader among the local people, especially when a bad apple or two turn up close to home. ...more
Cash Blackbear is ploughing a field, wondering why a car has been running all day at the nearby farmhouse. When she goes to look, she finds the dead bCash Blackbear is ploughing a field, wondering why a car has been running all day at the nearby farmhouse. When she goes to look, she finds the dead body of her employer as well as a young Native girl, who is too scared to talk, despite Cash's best efforts. Her parents have disappeared, pushing the young child into foster care. Cash promises to find her parents, having been in similar straits herself, including with the same uncaring woman making the placement decisions. Somehow, the child ends up with the grieving widow, who does not like indigenous people, especially Cash. Cash visits with her spiritual friend, Jonesy, who tries to guide her. The widow hires a young virile farmhand, who is helping in multiple ways. Suspicion falls on the little girl's mother, but when Cash learns the truth from the mother, she realizes that getting justice will require her usual unorthodox methods, hoodwinking her Sheriff friend and protector....more
I wish I had known this was a sequel to Nesbo's The Kingdom, which I disliked and would not have wasted my time reading this book. Carl and Roy OpgardI wish I had known this was a sequel to Nesbo's The Kingdom, which I disliked and would not have wasted my time reading this book. Carl and Roy Opgard are brothers in a small town called Os, and seem intent on doing whatever they can to succeed. Truly despicable characters, who have very bad blood between them stemming from one brother cleaning up the other's messes, who then takes advantage of his own sibling. Meanwhile, the town cop is after them for the killings convinced that a number of convenient accidents, on a curving and icy road, are anything but....more
The sixth book in the Clare Carlson series. A private investigator, Wendy Kyle, is murdered. Wendy became a P.I. after her career in the NYPD ended prThe sixth book in the Clare Carlson series. A private investigator, Wendy Kyle, is murdered. Wendy became a P.I. after her career in the NYPD ended prematurely, following her allegations of sexual harassment were brushed aside and she punched her boss. She became a capable P.I., with a business that catered to women who suspected their husbands of cheating. This sort of work created numerous suspects, who were angered by her work and the consequences on marriages. Clare is continuing to balance her roles as a producer of television news and a reporter, struggling under new management. Her investigation is not appreciated by many of the suspects, once again making Clare's work dangerous, but interesting....more
Nathan, a volunteer fireman, finds a life-changing amount of cash in a burning building. He wants to leave the small town, but his wife won't go. CallNathan, a volunteer fireman, finds a life-changing amount of cash in a burning building. He wants to leave the small town, but his wife won't go. Callie is a hard-working nurse, taking care of a terminally ill cancer patient, who has a final wish that nobody will grant. Finally, Andy is a recovering drug addict, who has lost his wife and daughter, and he is on the verge of a relapse. Of course, the owners of the money care nothing for these small-town dramas, and care only about recovering their money. Some very bad decisions are made by all....more
Another excellent book in the Adam Lapid series. Israel's political leaders are debating a vote to end its boycott of Germany and initiate negotiationAnother excellent book in the Adam Lapid series. Israel's political leaders are debating a vote to end its boycott of Germany and initiate negotiations to accept reparations from Germany for the Jews killed during the Holocaust and the property stolen by the Nazis from the Jews. Adam Lapid goes to a protest, where violence ensues. He tries to help a badly injured policeman, but instead is arrested on suspicion of causing the injuries. Adam is bailed out of jail by a journalist with an offer to assist a wealthy industrialist investigate the suicide of his 23-year old daughter. While Adam dislikes the client, he is happy to be away from the arresting officer, who is hell bent to render justice. As he investigates, Adam learns that the father and daughter have long been estranged, but his moral compass convinces him to solve the mystery of her death no matter the costs....more
I'm not a big fan of novellas, but was pleasantly surprised that this was a fully realized mystery. Using the same set-up as in the opening book of thI'm not a big fan of novellas, but was pleasantly surprised that this was a fully realized mystery. Using the same set-up as in the opening book of this series, Detective Constable Lacey Flint comes across a crime in process: this time near her home, where a man is set afire in the local park. A racism angle seems quite likely, but no substantive evidence can be found to incriminate the suspected perpetrators and it doesn't feel right to Lacey. As always, she gets very involved in the investigation, enlisting the help of her reporter friend, Emma Boston, and puts herself in danger again in order to identify the guilty. Unconventional ending, kudos to author Sharon Bolton.
Merged review:
I'm not a big fan of novellas, but was pleasantly surprised that this was a fully realized mystery. Using the same set-up as in the opening book of this series, Detective Constable Lacey Flint comes across a crime in process: this time near her home, where a man is set afire in the local park. A racism angle seems quite likely, but no substantive evidence can be found to incriminate the suspected perpetrators and it doesn't feel right to Lacey. As always, she gets very involved in the investigation, enlisting the help of her reporter friend, Emma Boston, and puts herself in danger again in order to identify the guilty. Unconventional ending, kudos to author Sharon Bolton....more
Book #2 in the Song of the Last Kingdom series was not as good as the first one for the following reasons: (1) it seemed slower, with too much unnecesBook #2 in the Song of the Last Kingdom series was not as good as the first one for the following reasons: (1) it seemed slower, with too much unnecessary detail, (2) the protagonist Lan does not appear for too long and then makes serial bad decisions, and (3) characters have multiple names (a serious pet peeve of mine.) ...more
Justine Poole is a private security agent for an LA-based firm, Spengler-Nash. Spengler assigns her to protect an elderly couple, and foils a robbery Justine Poole is a private security agent for an LA-based firm, Spengler-Nash. Spengler assigns her to protect an elderly couple, and foils a robbery with five armed robbers, killing two and pinning down the other three until the police arrive. The mastermind behind the robbery is furious, and hires a paid killer to end her life. A game of cat and mouse ensues. Not as good as his other novels, in my opinion....more
Sophie is a middle school age girl, with no friends, primarily because her parents own a book shop, where they "bottle" dreams captured in dreamcatcheSophie is a middle school age girl, with no friends, primarily because her parents own a book shop, where they "bottle" dreams captured in dreamcatchers and run an illicit business out of their basement. Sophie does not dream, but possesses a gift to pull things out of someone else's dream. This is manifested early when she befriends a monster, and her parents reluctantly allow her to keep Monster, who swears to protect her. By helping a few kids in school who suffer from nightmares, she is on the verge of making friends, when her parents and two of her friends are kidnapped. Monster, her other friend Ethan and she decide a rescue is needed and create some allies to help. Cute....more
Personally, I am not a big fan of the in-between filler stories, but this was better than most. First, it covered a big event in Ali's life: her marriPersonally, I am not a big fan of the in-between filler stories, but this was better than most. First, it covered a big event in Ali's life: her marriage to B. Simpson and all of the hullabaloo. Second, there was a cure little mystery involving her grandkids rescuing a miniature dachshund, and locating its owner. Jance's long personal history with dogs is described in the afterword.
Merged review:
Personally, I am not a big fan of the in-between filler stories, but this was better than most. First, it covered a big event in Ali's life: her marriage to B. Simpson and all of the hullabaloo. Second, there was a cure little mystery involving her grandkids rescuing a miniature dachshund, and locating its owner. Jance's long personal history with dogs is described in the afterword....more
A series of interconnected stories about a Palestinian-American community in Baltimore and their parents. This book highlights the complexity of cultuA series of interconnected stories about a Palestinian-American community in Baltimore and their parents. This book highlights the complexity of culture contrasts between traditional Aran heritage and the American dream, in the context of the diaspora....more
This book is often compared to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, however, it lacks the excellent cast of supporting characters. Double divorceeThis book is often compared to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, however, it lacks the excellent cast of supporting characters. Double divorcee (from the same loser) Davis Way is hired by a Biloxi casino to do some snooping, but has no idea to what she has agreed nor for that matter why she was chosen, given her short tenure as a police officer. She blunders her way around, eventually figuring out why she was hired, and yet she makes some terrible mistakes resulting in her arrest for attempted murder of the casino owner. 2.5 stars, rounded down....more
The first book in the Stevens & Windermere series: he is a Minnesota BCA agent and she is an FBI agent. They are paired to track down a group of four The first book in the Stevens & Windermere series: he is a Minnesota BCA agent and she is an FBI agent. They are paired to track down a group of four college grads, who instead of moving into menial jobs decide to kidnap successful businessmen for small ransoms ($60-100k.) First, one of the victims calls the police, and almost immediately thereafter, they kidnap the husband of a "connected wife." Things go badly, and retribution is initiated. A chase all over the country ensues, a race between law enforcement and the lawless. Good characters, although how four essentially non-violent graduates escape the Mob is pretty far fetched. Nevertheless, I liked the characters and will continue with the series....more
Sam Anderson is a scientist, a key member of a team who invented the Absolom time machine. Absolom was a research project to move objects into other lSam Anderson is a scientist, a key member of a team who invented the Absolom time machine. Absolom was a research project to move objects into other locations using quantum entanglement, but the team discovered they could also displace objects in time. Governments decided this would be a deterrent for the worst criminals, as they were banished back to prehistoric times to survive among dinosaurs and other predators. When the team is starts work Absolom 2, there is discord, especially from Nora Thomas. When she is murdered, suspicion falls on Sam, who was her lover and the last to see her alive, but the murder weapon has Adeline’s fingerprints. Sam confesses to save Adeline, and he is sent to the Triassic era via Absolom, where he fights for his life. Adeline meanwhile is determined to find who actually killed Nora, and to rescue Sam, using all the resources she can muster....more
Another excellent legal thriller by Kia Abdullah. Leila Syed is a partner in a architectural firm and happily married to Will. Leila and Will help herAnother excellent legal thriller by Kia Abdullah. Leila Syed is a partner in a architectural firm and happily married to Will. Leila and Will help her younger sister, Yasmin, whenever possible. Yasmin is married to Andrew, and they have a toddler named Max. Andrew asks Leila to take Max to day care, which is a minor inconvenience, but Leila is distracted by a work emergency requiring her to detour to the office. Max had been forgotten in Leila's car on the hottest day of the year, and does not survive. Leila is subsequently charged with negligent manslaughter, leading to an intense trial and the slow reveal of deep and dark family secrets....more
The Acknowledgements section at the end of this novel explains Jemisin's decision to change the Great Cities trilogy to a duology, which include the gThe Acknowledgements section at the end of this novel explains Jemisin's decision to change the Great Cities trilogy to a duology, which include the global pandemic and the rise of fascism. If you liked The City We Became, it is probable you will like this sequel, but probably not as much because the novelty of the first book has gone. The boroughs are still trying to figure out how to save the city from a politician with no moral compass trying to Make New York Great Again (Senator Panfilo) and the alien presence hovering over Staten Island: sometimes referred to as the Woman in White or alternatively as Squigglebitch. Padmini/Queens is dismissed from her job allowing her to support Brooklyn's candidacy for mayor. As always, Manny, Neek and the others have to work cooperatively against the competition, especially convincing Aislyn (Staten Island) that she/it is New York and should reject, not accept, the alien presence, who makes it clear that humanity needs to stand aside....more
Many years ahead of his time, Pat Frank wrote this book about a nuclear holocaust in the late 1950s. Randy Bragg gets a warning from his brother in thMany years ahead of his time, Pat Frank wrote this book about a nuclear holocaust in the late 1950s. Randy Bragg gets a warning from his brother in the miliary, who asks him to provide shelter for his wife and kids in Randy's small Florida town. Miraculously, this town survives, while all of the local cities and military bases are obliterated. Randy rallies from being a town joke to helping a group of disparate men and women to work cooperatively to survive in the new world order. Very well done; recommended....more
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