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Just finished THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTER, a stand-alone by famed mystery writer, Jonathan Kellerman. I'm a psychologist and mystery writer. I was drawn to the book by the premise; a deeply damaged, yet dedicated trauma psychologist with a secret life is pursued by a psychopathic killer from her past. There are plenty of reasons to feel compassion for Dr. Grace Blades' suffering, but I never did. She and most of the other characters in the book felt flat, like cardboard cut-outs of trauma victims. Kellerman's writing was nearly all "tell" and very little "show." Too much description, too little character development. I was surprised and disappointed.

Ellen wrote: "Just finished THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTER, a stand-alone by famed mystery writer, Jonathan Kellerman. I'm a psychologist and mystery writer. I was drawn to the book by the premise; a deeply damaged, ye..."

Ellen, I've read a lot of Jonathan Kellerman books and (imo) his most recent books are much less well-written than his earlier works. He seems to have run out of steam.

Nancy wrote: "I've just finished Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith. I'm wondering how far I can make it through her novels without wanting to jump off of a bridge.

Next up (in publication order): [..."

Ya I made it half way through The Talented Mr. Ripley when my /slash wrist alarm went off.
Highsmith writes quite beautifully and draws me in to what to me feels like a sick dream.
The film with Matt Damon was fun though! The earlier one (French with Alain Delon) feels too much like the novel though and I couldn't finish it either.
Mental hygiene ftl! :(

I won't say a thing Tom!

Margaret wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I've just finished Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith. I'm wondering how far I can make it through her novels without wanting to jump off of a bridge.

Next up (in publica..."

The film with Matt Damon -- well, they made quite a few changes there and took a few liberties. Next time Mr. Film Critic is away I'll watch the Delon version.

I'm probably a little late to the party, but I'm loving the Myron Bolitar series. He writes with real personality, Harlan Coben. His work is full of wisecracks

Just started the first book in a new series for me, Don't Point That Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli, the first Charlie Mortdecai book. Looks sort of humorous and intersting.
.

Bill wrote: "Just started the first book in a new series for me, Don't Point That Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli, the first Charlie Mortdecai book. Looks sort of humorous and in..."

I found this to be a witty and engaging read. Bit highfalutin at times, for me, but then again I'm a John Locke fan, what do I know?

Am currently reading Philip Pullmans Grimm Tales for young and old.

I'm starting the audiobook The Power of the Dog

just finished and liked very much.
now I'm listening to , it's fast-paced and suspenseful.

I just finished Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson. This is a very thought-provoking novel. My review is here.

I've finished The Alloy of Law, a new adventure in the Mistborn world. I loved it! Now I'm reading God Emperor of Dune. Not bad, but there are more reports that story.

Dan wrote: "Bill wrote: "Just started the first book in a new series for me, Don't Point That Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli, the first Charlie Mortdecai book. Looks sort of hu..."

I hope I enjoy it. I bought the next book as well.. :)

I finished Killer Cuts by Elaine Viets. In this volume of the cozy series amateur detective Helen Hawthorne is working in a beauty shop owned by high-profile stylist Miguel Angel. When the odious new husband of Miguel Angel's client is killed, the stylist becomes a suspect. 3 stars.

My complete review:
/review/show...

Thank you to the Publishers, the author and Net Galley for this great book !

Let's start off with one fact, this is my favourite type of book, but boy did this add more.

A killer of a concept, a riveting rollercoaster of an action, with a huge body count that keeps you guessing all the way, who will make it to the end, how many more dead bodies !

My first book by this author, but I also believe one of his first thrillers, as this authors previous work is fantasy books, a "no no" from me. But his move into action thriller is a great success.

The central character of The Killing Kind is Hendricks, who doesn't collect the souls he sends to - wherever they go - but simply bumps off their owners. Hendricks is a very particular sort of hitman, focussing exclusively on other hitmen. Somehow he's got a line on who the organised crime gangs want killed, and, amazingly, it turns out the intended victims will pay to live.

There are Reasons for Hendricks' taking up this particular line in crime: guilt after surviving when the rest of his US Army unit died, guilt at what they'd done before that, a desire to atone - but to be honest, for me, that didn't really matter, what matters in this book is the relentless action, Hendricks' ingenuity at doing what he does, and above all, the dramatic hunt that ensues when the Mob discover someone is messing with their plans. Of course they buy in another legendary assassin and of course we end up with a full-blooded duel - and of course there is plenty of carnage along the way, add to this a FBI agent who is on the tail of the would be good assassin, and a collection of great supporting characters including Wesley.

This concept has my heart pounding and just could not stop reading and just had to know what was happening next, who would survive throughout all these twists and turns.

A fantastically fast paced, action packed action thriller, I know a book is good, when I think this would be a great action film.

An easy five stars for me.

I finally started Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick deWitt. Very different than his The Sisters Brothers, but so far so good.

I just finished Our Souls at Night, the final book by the late Kent Haruf. My review is here.

The Wurst Is Yet to Come by Mary Daheim

I'm starting Four Blind Mice as an ebook

&

The Drawing of the Three as an audiobook.

Just finished Back Again . Here is my review: /review/show...

�� Crystal �� wrote: "I'm starting Four Blind Mice as an ebook

&

The Drawing of the Three as an audiobook."

Crystal I read both of these. They are soooo gooood!

Thanks Mary... I saw on your review of The Drawing of the Three that you thought it was one of the best audiobooks... so of course, I had to get it on audiobook.

Lol! I thought it was one of the best that I listened to. I just love the narrator, and thought he did a really great job.

Resistant by Michael Palmer

I finished The Fall by John Lescroat. In this addition to the Dismas Hardy series, Hardy's daughter Rebecca is lead attorney when a middle school teacher is on trial for killing a 17-year-old girl. Engaging courtroom drama. 3.5 stars.

My complete review:
/review/show...

I finished Don't Point That Thing At Me, the fist Charlie Mortdecai adventure, this morning. Not exactly sure what to make of it. Definitely quirky and with a fair bit of action. I liked the writing and the humour. It definitely left me wondering what happened to Mortdecai as there are at least 4 more books. (3.5 stars) Starting The Ice Princess next, a book I've had my eye on for quite awhile.

Currently reading

I'm starting Conspiracy in Death

Bill wrote: "I finished Don't Point That Thing At Me, the fist Charlie Mortdecai adventure, this morning. Not exactly sure what to make of it. Definitely quirky and with a fair bit of action. I ..."

Sounds entertaining.

Mary wrote: "Lol! I thought it was one of the best that I listened to. I just love the narrator, and thought he did a really great job."

My daughter and I listened to these books on CD and partway through the series,the original narrator had been in an accident so they switched. It wasn't the same afterward.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author for a preview copy for an honest review.

It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.

Vicki Peterson's first thriller book after a series of fantasy books.

Well this is no fairy tale book for bedtime reading, be ready for a brutal no-holds-barred gorefest, folks, as Kristine does all she can to get the Daniel back. And she only has been given 24 hours to save him!

Clues, horrific incentive, and a game of cat and mouse quickly ensue. The tasks begin simple enough but we quickly come to realize we are dealing with a complete sociopath.

As if things aren’t twisted enough we slowly learn about Kristine’s childhood and *shivers*
If you crave dark, twisted cringe worthy scenes, Swerve will surely satisfy your cravings. Seriously, that horror sound track was running through my head the entire time and just when I thought it could not get any darker the author went there, and then a little too much.

So you ask why only three stars, the last third of the book just went a little too far, very far fetched, it reminded me of a very low budget horror film where the killer/villain is stabbed, shot but keeps coming back from the dead.

The villain is the book is no shock to me, the potential is there, and it could have been great, but the second half just lost it for me.

Three stars for me

I was relieved to finish the girl who kicked the hornets nest last night I was struggling in the middle but rated 4�� and thanks to insomnia I got straight into untouchable by Ava Marsh

Sean wrote: "

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author for a preview copy for an honest review.

It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé..."

Nice review. I don't like when things get too far fetched to be believable either.

Live to Tell ebook * I'm giving this another go. I started it before but couldn't get into it. Try # 2.

The Winter of Frankie Machine I'm already a few chapters into this as an audiobook and It's really good. Enjoying for sure.

I've finished God Emperor of Dune: I didn't liked it, it's too discursive, full of philosophical reasoning and confused, but I would like to finish the series. I hope the next will be better. Now I'm reading Past Master. I've only read the first chapter, but it seems interesting.

Andrew wrote: "I've finished God Emperor of Dune: I didn't liked it, it's too discursive, full of philosophical reasoning and confused, but I would like to finish the series. I hope the next will be ..."

I've always felt that the first three were the best, although I have read all of them.

Andrew wrote: " but I would like to finish the series."

Why? Just because someone has written a series doesn't mean you have to read the entire thing. If his books aren't engaging you anymore, find something that does.

Tom wrote: "Andrew wrote: " but I would like to finish the series."

Why? Just because someone has written a series doesn't mean you have to read the entire thing. If his books aren't engaging you anymore, fin..."

I agree 100% with Tom.

I was the same way with Fifty Shades because I felt like I should just finish it, however painful. I recently made an abandoned shelf and it's my first offering. I guess I always just felt like I should finish what I started.

I use to feel that way as well but I read for enjoyment and if a book is dull and a struggle it goes on my abandoned shelf. Fortunately I think I only have 4 books on that shelf.

Amy wrote: "I guess I always just felt like I should finish what I started. "

You aren't a kid anymore and we aren't talking about peas.

Starting Shadow Play by Iris Johansen

I finished Resistant by Michael Palmer. A diabolical group has created a deadly, antibiotic-resistant, flesh-eating germ so they can blackmail the government into dismantling entitlement programs. When Dr. Lou Welcome's best friend is infected with the bacteria Lou is determined to help find a cure. Violent, fast-moving thriller. 3.5 stars.

My complete review:
/review/show...

I finished The Wurst Is Yet to Come by Mary Daheim. A lot of bodies seem to turn up around Bed and Breakfast owner - and amateur sleuth - Judith Flynn. So Judith isn't too shocked when an elderly gent is killed at an Oktoberfest celebration she attends with her cousin Renie. Not a great cozy mystery. 2 stars.

My complete review:
/review/show...

Last night I finished Before It's Too Late, by Jane Isaac. It's a British police procedural on the lighter side; I was more than halfway through when I realized there was no romance, no gratuitous sex or violence, and no swearing.

Nancy wrote: "Last night I finished Before It's Too Late, by Jane Isaac. It's a British police procedural on the lighter side; I was more than halfway through when I realized there was no romanc..."

And you kept reading??

Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Last night I finished Before It's Too Late, by Jane Isaac. It's a British police procedural on the lighter side; I was more than halfway through when I realized there..."

Surprising, right? LOL. I was so amazed.

I've started Signal as an audiobook

Am starting the Maltese falcon by dashiell Hammett, noir novels are not really my thing but this is a book club read and it does sound intriguing