I actually think that having Brett Battles as author improves this series. I enjoyed the jaunt around Europe as Teddy Fay in his alternate identities I actually think that having Brett Battles as author improves this series. I enjoyed the jaunt around Europe as Teddy Fay in his alternate identities as producer Billy Barnett and actor Mark Weldon eluded assassins while touring for the opening of a new movie....more
Stephanie finds herself engaged to both Morelli and Ranger. While dealing with this quandary, she also has a number of FTAs to track down, as she has Stephanie finds herself engaged to both Morelli and Ranger. While dealing with this quandary, she also has a number of FTAs to track down, as she has a cash-flow problem and needs the fees. One person she's after, Zoran the (possible) vampire, also seems to be after her.
(Unlike several other reviewers, I think Stephanie made the right choice at the end.)...more
At first, I was disappointed not to have another Thursday Murder Club book, but I ended up loving this one anyway. Bodyguard Amy Wheeler drags her ex-At first, I was disappointed not to have another Thursday Murder Club book, but I ended up loving this one anyway. Bodyguard Amy Wheeler drags her ex-cop father-in-law Steve out of retirement when she is being framed for 3 murders and targeted by a hitman. The famous writer Rosie D'Antonio whom Amy is guarding has to come along for the ride, as she is still the target of a different hitman. The scenes stretch from South Carolina to Dubai, with many exiting stops in between....more
By the end of the book, I was preparing myself for yet another mind-blowing twist as a possible ending; several of the stories had been exceptional. MBy the end of the book, I was preparing myself for yet another mind-blowing twist as a possible ending; several of the stories had been exceptional. Most of them are at least interesting, but the quality is uneven. None feature Jack Reacher, and the protagonists and settings are quite varied....more
Set at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles & environs and written with this author's trademark meticulous sensory details, this is the story of a Set at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles & environs and written with this author's trademark meticulous sensory details, this is the story of a romance developing between an Olympic equestrienne and an undercover agent working to prevent a terrorist attack there....more
The way the author makes architecture burst forth from the printed page is amazing. That talent is here in support of a pretty entertaining thriller pThe way the author makes architecture burst forth from the printed page is amazing. That talent is here in support of a pretty entertaining thriller pitting artificial intelligence against religious traditions and raising questions of current importance.
Merged review:
The way the author makes architecture burst forth from the printed page is amazing. That talent is here in support of a pretty entertaining thriller pitting artificial intelligence against religious traditions and raising questions of current importance....more
Multiple anti-vampire terrorist attacks happen just when Anita's father and family are arriving in St. Louis for pre-wedding fittings and introductionMultiple anti-vampire terrorist attacks happen just when Anita's father and family are arriving in St. Louis for pre-wedding fittings and introductions to the groom, Jean-Claude and others. One villain is an ancient vampire who can shapeshift into a fire-breathing dragon. Another is Anita's abusive paternal grandmother....more
This is an amazing book, a science fiction novel about climate change in the very near future. The chapters are told from different points of view, seThis is an amazing book, a science fiction novel about climate change in the very near future. The chapters are told from different points of view, several recurring throughout the book, others one-offs. Some chapters read like non-fiction, showing very substantial research into what is happening and what the possibilities are to save ourselves and the rest of the biosphere. One of the main recurring characters is Irish-born Mary Murphy, the head of the international ministry of the title, which is headquartered in Zurich. A number of chapters are set there, but the story ranges all over the world, with several very interesting chapters set in Antarctica....more
This takes us back to 1992, when Jack Reacher was an Army captain in the MPs. Along with other competent but crosswise-with-higher-ups agents from theThis takes us back to 1992, when Jack Reacher was an Army captain in the MPs. Along with other competent but crosswise-with-higher-ups agents from the FBI, CIA, and Treasury Dept., he is pulled to D.C. for a special task force to find out who is killing scientists formerly connected with a disastrous project that caused a lethal accident....more
Foreign quasi-military/espionage agents try to attack French and allied computer entrepreneurs, which Bruno has a big part in foiling. However, he alsForeign quasi-military/espionage agents try to attack French and allied computer entrepreneurs, which Bruno has a big part in foiling. However, he also learns about the climate crisis heading for Asia as the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau melt....more
Frank and touching. He had not just a "year of magical thinking" but almost a decade of believing that his mother, Princess Diana, might be alive and Frank and touching. He had not just a "year of magical thinking" but almost a decade of believing that his mother, Princess Diana, might be alive and in hiding from the paparazzi who caused her car crash. He also suffered from PTSD after his service in Afghanistan. His father and brother and especially their staffs behaved rather poorly....more
Quick-read thriller in which Stone Barrington is again in the crosshairs of the Russian mob. High body count and the usual male fantasy. Deja vu to thQuick-read thriller in which Stone Barrington is again in the crosshairs of the Russian mob. High body count and the usual male fantasy. Deja vu to the nth....more
An inventive, twisty plot carried out by interesting characters made this a pretty fast read. I downgraded the rating because they were somehow able tAn inventive, twisty plot carried out by interesting characters made this a pretty fast read. I downgraded the rating because they were somehow able to find time for polyamorous foreplay while they were on a time limit to strategize about countering a deadly attack. Ridiculous, as well as unsavory!...more
A fast, fun read. 1930s California is the setting for this paranormal romance about a "dream reader" whose wealthy clients draw her into a deadly struA fast, fun read. 1930s California is the setting for this paranormal romance about a "dream reader" whose wealthy clients draw her into a deadly struggle for control of a manufacturing empire. The good news is that Prudence Ryland's peril leads her to contact Luther Pell, who assigns her case to the scarred but interesting Jack Wingate....more
Letty Davenport worked for a senator but was loosely seconded to Homeland Security and/or NSA, which is how she ended up shepherding a computer hackerLetty Davenport worked for a senator but was loosely seconded to Homeland Security and/or NSA, which is how she ended up shepherding a computer hacker on a trip to Pasadena to make contact with a group that had successfully hacked into the controls of Russian rail traffic. The U. S. government wants them to do it again, as a Russian attack against Ukraine appears imminent. Very exciting, and sometimes funny....more
The cover picture should have warned me, but I was still surprised when an attack occurred during Toby and Tybalt's wedding ceremony. I thought they The cover picture should have warned me, but I was still surprised when an attack occurred during Toby and Tybalt's wedding ceremony. I thought they had already put down the coup against Quentin's father, the High King in Toronto. What is called "an all-new novella" is actually just the denouement of the principal story, the description of the wedding reception after the wedding. I was glad to see the wedding finally accomplished but found that Toby spent too much time protesting about things. That's starting to get a little old....more
Memorable first sentence: "There were angel feathers in the dead woman's bed,"
This is a fascinating start to what promises to be an impressive fantasyMemorable first sentence: "There were angel feathers in the dead woman's bed,"
This is a fascinating start to what promises to be an impressive fantasy series. Detective Zaniel "Havoc" Havelock is in the Metaphysical Coordination Unit of the city police department, which deals with situations in which angels, demons, etc. interface with humans in ways that cause serious problems. He also has a very interesting backstory, plus some unique friends and co-workers....more
Internet billionaire Ryan Perry is busy surfing and trying to convince his love Samantha, a budding author, to marry him. Then his life is changed by Internet billionaire Ryan Perry is busy surfing and trying to convince his love Samantha, a budding author, to marry him. Then his life is changed by a diagnosis of incurable cardiomyopathy. By changing doctors, he is able to get a heart transplant, but his troubles are only beginning. Too dark for me....more
This contains way too much gratuitous sex, but as it was the author's last Stone Barrington book (#63!) before his death in July 2022, I can't begrudgThis contains way too much gratuitous sex, but as it was the author's last Stone Barrington book (#63!) before his death in July 2022, I can't begrudge him his enjoyment at writing that, even though it has become quite tedious and rather ridiculous. He did balance that with lots of action and a couple of twists....more
Loading...
