Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Highway by C.J. Box

Title: The Highway
Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: library box
When did I finish?: Sep 20, 2013
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Cody Hoyt, new partner Cassie Dewell, psycho trucker Lizard King, state cop Legerski, Gracie and Danielle Sullivan, who were in the last Hoyt novel about Yellowstone, police chief Tubman
What happens? The Lizard King is regularly abducting torturing and murdering hookers who work the truck stops on the interstate.  Cassie is forced by Tubman to follow Cody and catch him planting evidence.  Danielle is driving Gracie for Thanksgiving at their father's place, but decides to detour to Helena to see Justin, Cody's son.  Hoyt goes to investigate when the girls go missing on the way.
How long was this?  382 pages
Did I like this? Box is a great writer.  This was a bit dark and violent and awful, but I zipped through it in 4 days, very exciting.
Overall grade: A-

Priest by Ken Bruen

Title: Priest
Author: Ken Bruen
Did I listen or read?: read a paperback from Sabine
When did I finish?: Sep 14, 2013
When was the book published:  2006
Main Characters: Jack Taylor, ex-cop, Ridge, lesbian ex-partner, bunch of priests and nuns, his late mother's priest, Malachy, lots of abused children
What happens? Father Joyce is decapitated, Taylor gets out of a mental institution, where he was because his best friends three year old girl fell out a window while he was watching her.  Ridge is threatened by a stalker, so Taylor gets it together and goes back to work, starts working with a young kid, Cody who wants to be a detective.  Malachy asks him to find out what happened to Father Joyce
How long was this? 290 pages
Did I like this? good but tough reading, not a pleasant subject.  Just a depressing Irish style dark novel
Overall grade: B

Sunday, September 8, 2013

With No One as Witness by Elizabeth George

Title:  With No One as Witness
Author: Elizabeth George
Did I listen or read?: library book, paperback
When did I finish?: Sep 6, 2013
When was the book published:  2005
Main Characters: Thomas Lynley, Barb Havers, Winston Nkata, Lynley's boss Malcolm Weatherby is injured, so he is acting Supe reporting to Hillier, Lynley's wife, Helen, friend Simon St. James
What happens? A serial killer is killing young men, mixed race, burning their hands.  They don't realize it is the same guy until the 4th or 5th one, bring concerns that the press will blow it up.  They seem to be related to Colussus house, which helps young troubled men in the Elephant and Castle district.  Haves is recently demoted and struggling to get her rank back.  Lynley's wife is pregnant and close to the end.
How long was this? 772 pages
Did I like this? Great story and great sub stories, great plot and characters.  I didn't set the pages on fire turning them, but as it went along, I was hooked.
Overall grade: A-