Title: Never Go Back
Author: Lee Child
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Nov 1, 2013
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Reacher, Susan Turner
What happens? Reacher gets to Virginia to his old command to see the voice on the phone, Susan Turner, who has taken his job. When he gets there, he is informed that he is being accused of murder for beating a witness, Big Dog, 15 years ago. He is told that he is being recalled into service to be tried, and also that he is being sued for paternity by a woman with a 15 year old daughter. Susan Turner has been arrested for accepting a bribe.
How long was this? 398 pages
Did I like this? Not the best Reacher ever, the first half was better than the second half. But I read it in 6 days, great stuff as always.
Overall grade: A-
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon
Title: Telegraph Avenue
Author: Michael Chabon
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Oct 22, 2013 while on an SD SN full week trip
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: Aviva and Nat Jaffe, Archy and Gwen Stallings.
What happens? Archy and Nat own Brokeland Records in 2004 on the Berkeley Oakland border, and Aviva and Gwen have a mid wife operation. Many stories about family, culture, change, growth, zeppelins, race.
How long was this? 465 pages
Did I like this? Great stories but sometimes difficult to follow. And every page has 2 - 5 words or metaphors that are a complete mystery. But wonderful to read about the bay area.
Overall grade: A-/B+
Author: Michael Chabon
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Oct 22, 2013 while on an SD SN full week trip
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: Aviva and Nat Jaffe, Archy and Gwen Stallings.
What happens? Archy and Nat own Brokeland Records in 2004 on the Berkeley Oakland border, and Aviva and Gwen have a mid wife operation. Many stories about family, culture, change, growth, zeppelins, race.
How long was this? 465 pages
Did I like this? Great stories but sometimes difficult to follow. And every page has 2 - 5 words or metaphors that are a complete mystery. But wonderful to read about the bay area.
Overall grade: A-/B+
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Title: Sharp Objects
Author: Gillian Flynn
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Oct 4, 2013
When was the book published: 2006
Main Characters: Our main character is Camille, editor Frank Curry, Camille's mother Adora, stepfather Alan, step sister Amma, late sister Marian, police detective Richard Wright
What happens? Curry sends Camille back home to live with her mother and investigate the murder of two teenage girls strangled and found toothless in her hometown of Wind Gap.
How long was this? 254 pages
Did I like this? Not as great as gone girl, hard to read about the cutting and the bleeding, but very imaginative and suprising
Overall grade: B+
Author: Gillian Flynn
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Oct 4, 2013
When was the book published: 2006
Main Characters: Our main character is Camille, editor Frank Curry, Camille's mother Adora, stepfather Alan, step sister Amma, late sister Marian, police detective Richard Wright
What happens? Curry sends Camille back home to live with her mother and investigate the murder of two teenage girls strangled and found toothless in her hometown of Wind Gap.
How long was this? 254 pages
Did I like this? Not as great as gone girl, hard to read about the cutting and the bleeding, but very imaginative and suprising
Overall grade: B+
Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller
Title: Vanishing Point
Author: Marcia Muller
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Sep 27, 2013
When was the book published: 2006
Main Characters: One of the Sharon McCone mysteries, set in SF and all around California, central coast, her new husband, a whole bunch of people in her agency.
What happens? She investigates the 20 year old disappearance of Laurel Greenwood, hired by her daughter to find out what happened to her. Her husband burned all of her paintings and forbid talk of her after she disappeared, and we find out why as the plot unfolds.
How long was this? 322 pages
Did I like this? OK, she throws 4,018 characters out in the first 10 pages, probably would be better to start earlier in the series, but once she gets the story rolling it is pretty interesting. I will likely try another Sharon McCone.
Overall grade: B
Author: Marcia Muller
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Sep 27, 2013
When was the book published: 2006
Main Characters: One of the Sharon McCone mysteries, set in SF and all around California, central coast, her new husband, a whole bunch of people in her agency.
What happens? She investigates the 20 year old disappearance of Laurel Greenwood, hired by her daughter to find out what happened to her. Her husband burned all of her paintings and forbid talk of her after she disappeared, and we find out why as the plot unfolds.
How long was this? 322 pages
Did I like this? OK, she throws 4,018 characters out in the first 10 pages, probably would be better to start earlier in the series, but once she gets the story rolling it is pretty interesting. I will likely try another Sharon McCone.
Overall grade: B
Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara by Alan Vaneman and Simon Vance
Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara
Author: Alan Vaneman and Simon Vance
Did I listen or read?: audio book, free from library
When did I finish?: Sep 25, 2013
When was the book published: don't know
Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, his adopted daughter Jenny, Winston Churchill, the Archduke guy from Vienna
What happens? Winston Churchill brings in Holmes to work a case, then sends him away immediately. Holmes stays on the case and tracks down stolen diamonds and a diabolical murderer who is a member of the aristocracy, the Archduke dued.
How long was this? 9 hours
Did I like this? Ok in points, dragged on forever in points
Overall grade: C+
Author: Alan Vaneman and Simon Vance
Did I listen or read?: audio book, free from library
When did I finish?: Sep 25, 2013
When was the book published: don't know
Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, his adopted daughter Jenny, Winston Churchill, the Archduke guy from Vienna
What happens? Winston Churchill brings in Holmes to work a case, then sends him away immediately. Holmes stays on the case and tracks down stolen diamonds and a diabolical murderer who is a member of the aristocracy, the Archduke dued.
How long was this? 9 hours
Did I like this? Ok in points, dragged on forever in points
Overall grade: C+
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-
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
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