This first book in series has been on my bookshelf for and I finally thought it was time to try out this author. Overall I really enjoyed this book, tThis first book in series has been on my bookshelf for and I finally thought it was time to try out this author. Overall I really enjoyed this book, the story was not that complex, the characters were not that deep but putting it all together really worked for me and I zipped through it in a couple of days. I will be continuing this series. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ....more
In this edition of his 'Disaster' series, Collins puts Agatha Christie in the middle of the Blackout Murders that happened during the WW2 Blitz. As wiIn this edition of his 'Disaster' series, Collins puts Agatha Christie in the middle of the Blackout Murders that happened during the WW2 Blitz. As with others in this series, Collins has taken some liberties with the dates but for the most part this is a good account of a True Crime story. He uses the real names of the people involved in the investigation but just adds Christie more into the mix.
A pretty good story and there's a detailed explanation of the whole factual circumstances at the end by Collins. ...more
This was one of those mystery books that sucked me in from the very first chapter. The story, pacing and characters maintained my level of interest thThis was one of those mystery books that sucked me in from the very first chapter. The story, pacing and characters maintained my level of interest the whole way through. Opposite to many books of this genre, there were not a multitude of suspects and I was wondering if the most obvious answer was the correct one. Not going to put a spoiler here so you will have to read it for yourself. There was one reference to a cell phone that I felt was very artificial and forced, hence 4 stars instead of 5. Going to continue this series for sure. ...more
I have been watching the TV show Bosch, so I though this a good time to catch up with some of the books. Only the second book in the series and I'm suI have been watching the TV show Bosch, so I though this a good time to catch up with some of the books. Only the second book in the series and I'm sure they get better as Connelly gets more experienced as a writer. This one didn't seem to be anything special to me but the characters are intriguing and I will continue on with the series....more
I enjoyed the first part of this book but not the second part. Everything therel happened in Albania and for my tastes had more in common with an actiI enjoyed the first part of this book but not the second part. Everything therel happened in Albania and for my tastes had more in common with an action movie than a police procedural. The two parts never really came together for me, otherwise it was okay....more
Somehow this book came across as just trying to hard to be 'hard boiled'. The dialogue mostly came across as totally over the top and was full of odd Somehow this book came across as just trying to hard to be 'hard boiled'. The dialogue mostly came across as totally over the top and was full of odd phrases and metaphors. For me this works in smaller doses, either as a short story, or part of a longer one, but got tiring here. ...more
A dozen short stories of Dortmunder's misadventures. All of these were pretty entertaining but I missed the rest of his crew. Andy appears in several A dozen short stories of Dortmunder's misadventures. All of these were pretty entertaining but I missed the rest of his crew. Andy appears in several of the stories but only in a supporting role. If you haven't read any of the books and don't know the character then you will miss a lot here....more
Another book in the DI Tanner, Norfolk Broads police procedurals. As with the others this is a real page turner that I blew through in a couple of dayAnother book in the DI Tanner, Norfolk Broads police procedurals. As with the others this is a real page turner that I blew through in a couple of days. Lot's of locations which I'm familiar with in real life gives this an additional note of realism. More character development of the main players and a significant event at the end. I will be interested to see how things progress in the rest of the series....more
A new location, a police procedural/mystery set in South Wales. Retired DCI Warlow comes back in an advisory role when a cold case he worked on comes A new location, a police procedural/mystery set in South Wales. Retired DCI Warlow comes back in an advisory role when a cold case he worked on comes back to life. The usual small team investigating the case but there are a differences because the main character is not an active police officer. Decent story and enough tidbits about the characters to keep the reader engaged. There is obviously lots more to these people and I'm sure that is explored in subsequent books. The author lives in the area is writing about so that gives an extra bit of authenticity. Liked it enough to continue with the series. ...more
The first book in this series had a lot about Whisky distilling and for me was a great background with a lot of atmosphere. This one was more of a traThe first book in this series had a lot about Whisky distilling and for me was a great background with a lot of atmosphere. This one was more of a traditional murder mystery revolving around an ageing rock star that just happened to take place next the the distillery. As such I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. ...more
An unusual case for DC Smith. He gets called out to a North Sea gas platform to investigate the disappearance of a worker. At first glance it seems heAn unusual case for DC Smith. He gets called out to a North Sea gas platform to investigate the disappearance of a worker. At first glance it seems he may have just fallen but, as you would expect, things are not as simple as they first appear. Decent premise and overall a good tale that became more complex as the case progressed. ...more
When I read 'Cop Hater' back in 2015 I had no idea how many books were in the 87th Precinct series and certainly had no intention of reading all of thWhen I read 'Cop Hater' back in 2015 I had no idea how many books were in the 87th Precinct series and certainly had no intention of reading all of them. As it turned out, there was a 99cents kindle deal on many of these books shortly after and then they kept appearing in front of me at bargain book stores. After enjoying the first few I made the commitment to read them all in order. Now, 9 years later, I'm finally finished.
This series is best likened to episodes of a TV cop show. Each episode (book) has a different story but is set against the same background with the same main characters. Not all of the characters are featured in each book and over the years there are some slight changes in the 'cast'. There are also snippets of the characters private lives that gradually evolve throughout the series.
If your a fan of easy, and quick, to read police procedurals the this is probably a series that you should look into. They were written between 1956 and 2005 so it's interesting to watch how technology evolved and the police adapted to them. There is some odd time things going on here as the characters do not age 50 years throughout the series, maybe only 20 or 30.
These characters became close friends over the years and I'm sad that their journey is now over. McBain never closed the series, and I am not sure if he ever intended to. The last book closes the open cases but leaves a few open ends regarding the main characters personal live. We will never know where McBain intended them to go.
This one worked for me and kept me riveted up until the end. Lot's of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I had a number of suspects at the back oThis one worked for me and kept me riveted up until the end. Lot's of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I had a number of suspects at the back of my mind but the final motive was something that I never considered. Great characters and geographical locations. One of the best in the series so far. ...more
This book is set in a coastal town that I'm very familiar with and everything rang true about the location. As with the first book in this series, theThis book is set in a coastal town that I'm very familiar with and everything rang true about the location. As with the first book in this series, the author left all the place names the same. Most of the places you can use Google maps/street view to get an exact picture of the scene. Starting out as relatively simple murder, the case gradually expands into a much bigger plot. For me I think things got a little to complicated and sort of stretched the truth of what might happen in a small Norfolk seaside town. The plot and the location were both good, it's just that I found it hard to relate one to the other. ...more
Steph and Andy take a vacation on a narrowboat, they have only been gone a day or so when they stumble upon a murder. As the local constabulary is shoSteph and Andy take a vacation on a narrowboat, they have only been gone a day or so when they stumble upon a murder. As the local constabulary is short of manpower they are happy to have DCI Oldroyd step in to investigate. Another semi cozy police procedural set in Yorkshire. Nothing really wrong with the story, but I found part of the plot was almost an exact repeat of one of the previous books. ...more
The second book in this mystery series featuring DCI Ryan of the Northumbria police department. A nice enough mystery on it's own but there's a biggerThe second book in this mystery series featuring DCI Ryan of the Northumbria police department. A nice enough mystery on it's own but there's a bigger overall story arc here following on from the first book. Things are slowly being revealed and I'm wondering how many books this story will take. On to the next one sometime a bit later this year.
Also of note are the marvelous covers of this book series. Someone with actual artistic talent and not just someone who has barely completed 'Photoshop fonts and patterns 101'. ...more
Another solid book in the DI Galena and DS Easter series. There is a major crime as usual, but this book also pulls together and concludes a couple ofAnother solid book in the DI Galena and DS Easter series. There is a major crime as usual, but this book also pulls together and concludes a couple of threads that had been running though the series so far. One or two twists and turns and I'm sure I will continue these crime mysteries set in the Linconshire fens. ...more
The title of this book references a line in the Lewis Carroll poem Jabberwocky and in this case is the title track of an upcoming singers debut album.The title of this book references a line in the Lewis Carroll poem Jabberwocky and in this case is the title track of an upcoming singers debut album. At the big release party the singer is kidnapped and the detectives of the 87th become involved with the feds in solving the case and getting her back. A bit of a departure from the usual crimes in the 87th and I really enjoyed this one. I figured out a couple of clues but the ending was somewhat unexpected. There is also more character development in several of the detectives personal lives....more
Another solid entry in the 87th Precinct series. There is one main crime to be solved but several peripheral events that serve more as background charAnother solid entry in the 87th Precinct series. There is one main crime to be solved but several peripheral events that serve more as background character development. As the title suggests, Fat Ollie Weeks is one of the main characters in this book and it seems that McBain is filling in his background, making him less objectionable than when he first appeared in the books. Only a couple more books to go in this series. ...more
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