Title: Worth Dying For
Author: Lee Child
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: May 30, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Reacher, the Duncans in a small Nebraska town
What happens? Reacher gets dropped off in a small town in Nebraska, overhears a drunk doctor refusing to help a woman with a nosebleed, gets involved in a loony town where the Duncans control everything and everyone (except for the cops in this case) through their shipping company, which they are definitely using for illegal purposes. He gets to the bottom of what they are up to, and the truth about the disappearance of an 8 year old girl 25 years ago.
How long was this? 400 pages.
Did I like this? Great Reacher - read it in two days
Overall grade: A-, a little obvious about what was going on, but great reading.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Storm Prey by John Sandford
Title: Storm Prey
Author: John Sandford
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 27, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Lucas Davenport, some kinda detective, his wife Weather, a doctor, two siamese twin babies, two dumb criminals, Joe and Lucas Mack, their girlfriend Honey Bee, Lucas's buddies Virgil and some other guy
What happens? 4 guys conspire with a drug addicted doctor in the middle of winter in Minnesota to break into a hospital pharmacy and steal the good stuff. One of the attendants tries to make a cell phone 911 call, and one of the burglars kicks him and he dies. Weather is driving in to the hospital as they are leaving and sees them. Very similar to Spenser and Hawk with protecting Weather and solving the crime with the sort-of cooperation of the police.
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Yes, it was darn good. The guy writes a good story, and it was a page turner. I think I should go back to the beginning of the "Prey" series, as I don't know the recurring characters very well. It was set in Minnesota, but what are you gonna do?
Overall grade: A-
Author: John Sandford
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 27, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Lucas Davenport, some kinda detective, his wife Weather, a doctor, two siamese twin babies, two dumb criminals, Joe and Lucas Mack, their girlfriend Honey Bee, Lucas's buddies Virgil and some other guy
What happens? 4 guys conspire with a drug addicted doctor in the middle of winter in Minnesota to break into a hospital pharmacy and steal the good stuff. One of the attendants tries to make a cell phone 911 call, and one of the burglars kicks him and he dies. Weather is driving in to the hospital as they are leaving and sees them. Very similar to Spenser and Hawk with protecting Weather and solving the crime with the sort-of cooperation of the police.
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Yes, it was darn good. The guy writes a good story, and it was a page turner. I think I should go back to the beginning of the "Prey" series, as I don't know the recurring characters very well. It was set in Minnesota, but what are you gonna do?
Overall grade: A-
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Sentry by Robert Crais
Title: The Sentry
Author: Robert Crais
Did I listen or read?: Read the library book
When did I finish?: May 21, 2011
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Joe Pike is the main man, Elvis Cole has his bit. A really bad guy named Daniel. A woman named Dru Rayne, who is not named Dru Rayne. Assorted cops and others.
What happens? Joe Pike, a la Jack Reacher, happens to interrupt some trouble, and decides he has to kick ass especially since he falls for the lovely Dru Rayne, who is helping a guy supposedly running a New Orleans style sandwich shop in LA. A tangled plot ensues with gang warfare and cartels from Columbia and Mexico. Joe stays with it and kicks ass.
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? Damn straight, Robert Crais writes a great page turner, and Joe Pike is very Reacher-like, with just enough Elvis Cole for some humor.
Overall grade: A
Author: Robert Crais
Did I listen or read?: Read the library book
When did I finish?: May 21, 2011
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Joe Pike is the main man, Elvis Cole has his bit. A really bad guy named Daniel. A woman named Dru Rayne, who is not named Dru Rayne. Assorted cops and others.
What happens? Joe Pike, a la Jack Reacher, happens to interrupt some trouble, and decides he has to kick ass especially since he falls for the lovely Dru Rayne, who is helping a guy supposedly running a New Orleans style sandwich shop in LA. A tangled plot ensues with gang warfare and cartels from Columbia and Mexico. Joe stays with it and kicks ass.
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? Damn straight, Robert Crais writes a great page turner, and Joe Pike is very Reacher-like, with just enough Elvis Cole for some humor.
Overall grade: A
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Title: Bossypants
Author: Tina Fey
Did I listen or read?: Listened to the audible.com book
When did I finish?: May 16, 2011
When was the book published: 2011, I think
Main Characters: TIna Fey and her family and Alec Baldwin
What happens? She tells a lot of funny stories.
How long was this? About 5 hours long
Did I like this? Some funny stuff, and a bunch of stuff that women would like. At one point, about putting in contact lenses, she says, "For women, this is as painful as a pelvic exam. For men, it's as painful as putting in a contact lens, and thanks for buying this book."
Overall grade: B-, not painful but whatever
Author: Tina Fey
Did I listen or read?: Listened to the audible.com book
When did I finish?: May 16, 2011
When was the book published: 2011, I think
Main Characters: TIna Fey and her family and Alec Baldwin
What happens? She tells a lot of funny stories.
How long was this? About 5 hours long
Did I like this? Some funny stuff, and a bunch of stuff that women would like. At one point, about putting in contact lenses, she says, "For women, this is as painful as a pelvic exam. For men, it's as painful as putting in a contact lens, and thanks for buying this book."
Overall grade: B-, not painful but whatever
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Dead Detective by William Heffernan
Title: The Dead Detective
Author: WIlliam Heffernan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 13, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Harry Santos Doyle, his murdering mother Lucy Santos, Darlene Beckett, the teenage molester and sex addict, Pete Rourke, his boss, partner Vicki Stanopolis and young cop Jim Morgan
What happens? Harry's mom tries to kill him (when he is 10) and his brother so they can visit Heaven; only Harry survives. He is a cop now, with a special skill at listening to the murder victims. Someone has killed Darlene Roberts, and the suspects range from cop Nick to son of the pastor Bobby Joe Wade to father of the molested boy Joe Hall.
How long was this? 319 pages
Did I like this? Very good book, great story, interesting characters. He has written 15 others, I should definitely try them - I liked his style.
Overall grade: A-
Author: WIlliam Heffernan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 13, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Harry Santos Doyle, his murdering mother Lucy Santos, Darlene Beckett, the teenage molester and sex addict, Pete Rourke, his boss, partner Vicki Stanopolis and young cop Jim Morgan
What happens? Harry's mom tries to kill him (when he is 10) and his brother so they can visit Heaven; only Harry survives. He is a cop now, with a special skill at listening to the murder victims. Someone has killed Darlene Roberts, and the suspects range from cop Nick to son of the pastor Bobby Joe Wade to father of the molested boy Joe Hall.
How long was this? 319 pages
Did I like this? Very good book, great story, interesting characters. He has written 15 others, I should definitely try them - I liked his style.
Overall grade: A-
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Title: Sizzling Sixteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 29, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: The usual crew, Stephanie Plum, Morelli, Lula, Ranger, Grandma Plum, Uncle Vinnie and Connie from the bail bond office
What happens? Uncle VInnie gets kidnapped because he owes beaucoup bucks from gambling, and Stephanie, Lula and Connie decide to raise the ransom or find him because otherwise they would have to find real jobs. The usual Ranger/Morelli tension ensues, and the 3 women take unbelievable (really) risks to get him back. Warring gangs and a shell company who has bought the Bail Bonds business to commit fraud add variety.
How long was this? 307 pages
Did I like this? It was OK. I read it in 4 days, and enjoyed it overall, but either she is bored and just mailing it in, or I am bored with the usual plot and twists, so it didn't really catch me the way the older books in the series did.
Overall grade: B-
Author: Janet Evanovich
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 29, 2011
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: The usual crew, Stephanie Plum, Morelli, Lula, Ranger, Grandma Plum, Uncle Vinnie and Connie from the bail bond office
What happens? Uncle VInnie gets kidnapped because he owes beaucoup bucks from gambling, and Stephanie, Lula and Connie decide to raise the ransom or find him because otherwise they would have to find real jobs. The usual Ranger/Morelli tension ensues, and the 3 women take unbelievable (really) risks to get him back. Warring gangs and a shell company who has bought the Bail Bonds business to commit fraud add variety.
How long was this? 307 pages
Did I like this? It was OK. I read it in 4 days, and enjoyed it overall, but either she is bored and just mailing it in, or I am bored with the usual plot and twists, so it didn't really catch me the way the older books in the series did.
Overall grade: B-
A Hard Death by Jonathan Hayes
Title: A Hard Death
Author: Jonathan Hayes
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 22, 2011
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Edward Jenner, the pathologist / coroner banished to Florida after the events in NY of Precious Blood.
What happens? Jenner goes to Florida to cover for a friend (coroner in Douglas County) who is going on vacation. His first case turns out to be his friend and friend's wife who turn up dead, as he stumbles into a thicket of drug trade and trafficking and murder.
How long was this? 416 pages
Did I like this? It was pretty good. I would probably read Precious Blood, except he gave away some of the key elements. But it is well written, moves fast, was generally believable. The closing "war" scene was a bit unbelievable, not my favorite, but still a page turner.
Overall grade: B+
Author: Jonathan Hayes
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 22, 2011
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Edward Jenner, the pathologist / coroner banished to Florida after the events in NY of Precious Blood.
What happens? Jenner goes to Florida to cover for a friend (coroner in Douglas County) who is going on vacation. His first case turns out to be his friend and friend's wife who turn up dead, as he stumbles into a thicket of drug trade and trafficking and murder.
How long was this? 416 pages
Did I like this? It was pretty good. I would probably read Precious Blood, except he gave away some of the key elements. But it is well written, moves fast, was generally believable. The closing "war" scene was a bit unbelievable, not my favorite, but still a page turner.
Overall grade: B+
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