"Winter Prey" is John Sandford's fifth mystery in his Lucas Davenport series. Sandford agrees with his readers that this might be one of the better books in this series. It certainly kept me guessing till the end!
Davenport has been staying away from his new state of the art office hiding out at his cabin up north and it's one of the coldest winters in Wisconsin history. When a couple and their daughter are brutally murdered and their home burned to the ground, Sheriff Shelly Carr asks for Davenport's assistance. In fact, he deputizes him to make it official.
These deaths are just the tip of the iceberg and there is more than murder involved. Davenport is part of the Sheriff's local team which includes Dr. Weather Karkinnen, a local surgeon, who, as a matter of regular rotation, acts as coroner on this case. When she becomes a target, Davenport moves into her guest bedroom at night to act as a bodyguard and has someone routinely assigned to be with her at all times for protection.
Neither Davenport nor Weather have been in a relationship for some time and there is a mutual attraction that they eventually act on. However, solving the murders and preventing additional ones takes precedence.
How many more "innocents" will die before they find their murderer? pazt
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
"Judgment and Wrath"
"Judgment and Wrath" is the second book by Matt Hilton in the Joe Hunter series. Joe has settled into what he expects to be a quiet life working in his friend Rink's private detective agency in Florida. However, when he is hired to find a man's daughter (Marianne) and get her away from her millionaire boyfriend, Bradley Jorgenson, he may not have been given all the facts pertinent to the situation.
In the meantime there is a contract killer out there by the name of Dantalion who may complicate Joe's job. As Joe is watching Marianne and her boyfriend, he recognizes someone whose intentions may not be the best for Marianne and Bradley. When he intervenes, he almost gets himself killed and life gets a lot more complicated for Marianne, Bradley, Joe, and Rink and a lot of people end up dead. Will he be able to complete his job without getting himself or anyone else killed? This is another action packed, fast-paced novel from beginning to end and it took me until the end to find out why some "innocents" also ended up dead. I'm already looking forward to the next Joe Hunter book in the series! pazt
In the meantime there is a contract killer out there by the name of Dantalion who may complicate Joe's job. As Joe is watching Marianne and her boyfriend, he recognizes someone whose intentions may not be the best for Marianne and Bradley. When he intervenes, he almost gets himself killed and life gets a lot more complicated for Marianne, Bradley, Joe, and Rink and a lot of people end up dead. Will he be able to complete his job without getting himself or anyone else killed? This is another action packed, fast-paced novel from beginning to end and it took me until the end to find out why some "innocents" also ended up dead. I'm already looking forward to the next Joe Hunter book in the series! pazt
Saturday, July 12, 2014
"The Librarian - Curse of the Judas Chalice"
The third (and unfortunately what I understand is the last) Librarian movie, "The Librarian Curse of the Judas Chalice" again stars Noah Wyle as the Librarian, Flynn. His beautiful costar in this movie is Simone, played by Stana Katic who also stars as Detective Kate Beckett in the "Castle" TV series. Jane Curtin and Bob Newhart again play pivotal roles as Flynn's supporting staff (or is it his employers?) at the Library.
Flynn is having a hard time maintaining any kind of romance past about 6 months due to his duties as a Librarian (which he can't explain to his family or his girlfriends). When his latest girlfriend storms out because he's taken her to London but isn't spending any time with her, Flynn has a meltdown and gets sent on a vacation. His vacation turns into moping at home in his apartment till he's urged to get out and do something. A dream leads him to New Orleans and a new romance and an adventure with Simone as his partner this time. However, Simone has her own secrets that could either help or destroy their mission.
A gang of Russians have decided to bring back Dracula so they can rule the world although it doesn't appear they've actually thought through the consequences of that action! If they can find the Judas Chalice, they can get what they're seeking so Flynn and Simone are out to find the Chalice first and stop them.
I'm sad that there aren't any more Librarian movies in the making because they're full of action and comedy. pazt
Flynn is having a hard time maintaining any kind of romance past about 6 months due to his duties as a Librarian (which he can't explain to his family or his girlfriends). When his latest girlfriend storms out because he's taken her to London but isn't spending any time with her, Flynn has a meltdown and gets sent on a vacation. His vacation turns into moping at home in his apartment till he's urged to get out and do something. A dream leads him to New Orleans and a new romance and an adventure with Simone as his partner this time. However, Simone has her own secrets that could either help or destroy their mission.
A gang of Russians have decided to bring back Dracula so they can rule the world although it doesn't appear they've actually thought through the consequences of that action! If they can find the Judas Chalice, they can get what they're seeking so Flynn and Simone are out to find the Chalice first and stop them.
I'm sad that there aren't any more Librarian movies in the making because they're full of action and comedy. pazt
"Nobody Lives Forever"
"Nobody Lives Forever" is Edna Buchanan's first novel and third book. She was a crime reporter for the Miami Herald and has used her career covering violent deaths to write a very interesting mystery. From the beginning we pretty much know who the killer is so the mystery is how three close-knit detectives working as a team are going to uncover this killer.
Homicide Detective Rich Barrish has two partners - Jim Ransom is a veteran cop who is embittered by his wife divorcing him before he can retire and run off into the sunset with her. He thought he had time to win her back until his married daughter informs him his ex-wife has remarried.
Their junior partner is Patrol Office Mary Ellen "Dusty" Dustin who was previously Rick's lover until he fell for Laura, a young woman he stopped for speeding who then captured his heart, his home, and his bed. This is not Dusty's first ill-fated romance but she's managed to keep her past life a mystery from her partners.
When the novel begins, Rick has asked Rob Thorne, a young high school neighbor of his (who wants to be a cop), to keep an eye on Laura while Rick works his usual night shift. Laura is fearful of what might happen when she's alone at night. When Rob sees what he believes is a prowler outside Rick's house, he goes to investigate and is shot to death. This is the first of a series of murders all committed with the same gun.
When the investigation ends with a satisfactory arrest, it is not without its cost in lives and friendships. I'm hooked -- I'm looking for another Edna Buchanan book! pazt
Homicide Detective Rich Barrish has two partners - Jim Ransom is a veteran cop who is embittered by his wife divorcing him before he can retire and run off into the sunset with her. He thought he had time to win her back until his married daughter informs him his ex-wife has remarried.
Their junior partner is Patrol Office Mary Ellen "Dusty" Dustin who was previously Rick's lover until he fell for Laura, a young woman he stopped for speeding who then captured his heart, his home, and his bed. This is not Dusty's first ill-fated romance but she's managed to keep her past life a mystery from her partners.
When the novel begins, Rick has asked Rob Thorne, a young high school neighbor of his (who wants to be a cop), to keep an eye on Laura while Rick works his usual night shift. Laura is fearful of what might happen when she's alone at night. When Rob sees what he believes is a prowler outside Rick's house, he goes to investigate and is shot to death. This is the first of a series of murders all committed with the same gun.
When the investigation ends with a satisfactory arrest, it is not without its cost in lives and friendships. I'm hooked -- I'm looking for another Edna Buchanan book! pazt
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
"The Empress File"
"The Empress File" is John Sandford's second book in his Kidd series featuring an artist known only by his last name, Kidd, and a thief named LuEllen. Kidd and LuEllen met when he observed her burglarizing one of his neighbor's apartments and they have an on-again, off-again working relationship when the need for their unique talents are called for. They also have an on-again, off-again personal relationship complicated by other relationships or their personal needs for solitude.
Kidd also has a friend, Bobby, who he's never met face-to-face but they know each other through the computer. In addition to his painting, Kidd has some serious computer skills and Bobby has unique computer abilities that Kidd is willing to pay for when they are needed.
When Kidd is contacted by Bobby requesting help in the town of Longstreet (located along the Mississippi River), Kidd is reluctant but Bobby is persuasive. A very young black kid with computer talents that Bobby was helping him develop has been murdered by the local police when he is mistaken for someone who snatched an elderly woman's purse. The corrupt local political machine has covered up the murder. Bobby doesn't want them to revenge the murder but he asks that they help a local black woman and her team take down the political machine so they can replace it with a more racially balanced administration to rid the city of its corruption.
Kidd knows there are dangers involved but he's also in need of money to pay off the IRS because he unwisely spent a lot of the cash he got in a previous operation without giving them their share. He contacts LuEllen and convinces her to work with him on this caper. Unfortunately, there was some killing involved in their first job -- not that they wanted to do it but it became the only way to protect their own lives. The killing didn't set well with LuEllen but she reluctantly agrees to help him.
Along the way they meet some nice and some not so nice people and figure out a way to make some money for themselves while helping Bobby's friends accomplish their goals. However, they put themselves at risk again -- physically when some really mean people go after them -- and personally when it appears Kidd has fallen in love with LuEllen and she's not sure what to do with that. This is another Sandford book that it's hard to put down once you start it so be prepared! pazt
Kidd also has a friend, Bobby, who he's never met face-to-face but they know each other through the computer. In addition to his painting, Kidd has some serious computer skills and Bobby has unique computer abilities that Kidd is willing to pay for when they are needed.
When Kidd is contacted by Bobby requesting help in the town of Longstreet (located along the Mississippi River), Kidd is reluctant but Bobby is persuasive. A very young black kid with computer talents that Bobby was helping him develop has been murdered by the local police when he is mistaken for someone who snatched an elderly woman's purse. The corrupt local political machine has covered up the murder. Bobby doesn't want them to revenge the murder but he asks that they help a local black woman and her team take down the political machine so they can replace it with a more racially balanced administration to rid the city of its corruption.
Kidd knows there are dangers involved but he's also in need of money to pay off the IRS because he unwisely spent a lot of the cash he got in a previous operation without giving them their share. He contacts LuEllen and convinces her to work with him on this caper. Unfortunately, there was some killing involved in their first job -- not that they wanted to do it but it became the only way to protect their own lives. The killing didn't set well with LuEllen but she reluctantly agrees to help him.
Along the way they meet some nice and some not so nice people and figure out a way to make some money for themselves while helping Bobby's friends accomplish their goals. However, they put themselves at risk again -- physically when some really mean people go after them -- and personally when it appears Kidd has fallen in love with LuEllen and she's not sure what to do with that. This is another Sandford book that it's hard to put down once you start it so be prepared! pazt
Monday, July 7, 2014
"Before I Fall"
It is hard to believe that "Before I Fall" is Lauren Oliver's first novel -- I hope it is the first of many. I'm not sure where the idea for this story came from but it is certainly intriguing.
This book focuses on the life of Samantha (Sam) Kingston who is part of the "in-crowd" at her high school and, as a senior, she's living the life and dating a very popular boy and tonight she has plans to lose her virginity. Those plans are delayed by a party one of her childhood friends is giving while his parents are out of town and she, her friends, and her boyfriend will all be there. What Sam doesn't expect is that she'll be killed in a car accident leaving the party but even more unexpected will be waking up to her alarm clock going off and reliving that same day over again for seven days -- a version of the movie, "Groundhog Day!"
This time Sam already knows what is going to happen and she has the opportunity to do it all over again or make some changes along the way -- changes that impact other people and other lives. In the beginning Sam is focused on her life and her popularity but she begins to see how Elody, Ally, and she blindly follow their friend Lindsay without question. She learns how even one small action on their part can have a huge reaction in someone else's life and how bullying/tormenting a classmate can have consequences beyond what any of them might have predicted.
Sam also learns how much she loves her parents and her eight-year-old sister, Izzy, and she gets a chance to make a lot of things right in those 7 "re-lived" days. Does she really die or is this all a dream? You'll have to read the book yourself to discover your own answers to those questions. pazt
This book focuses on the life of Samantha (Sam) Kingston who is part of the "in-crowd" at her high school and, as a senior, she's living the life and dating a very popular boy and tonight she has plans to lose her virginity. Those plans are delayed by a party one of her childhood friends is giving while his parents are out of town and she, her friends, and her boyfriend will all be there. What Sam doesn't expect is that she'll be killed in a car accident leaving the party but even more unexpected will be waking up to her alarm clock going off and reliving that same day over again for seven days -- a version of the movie, "Groundhog Day!"
This time Sam already knows what is going to happen and she has the opportunity to do it all over again or make some changes along the way -- changes that impact other people and other lives. In the beginning Sam is focused on her life and her popularity but she begins to see how Elody, Ally, and she blindly follow their friend Lindsay without question. She learns how even one small action on their part can have a huge reaction in someone else's life and how bullying/tormenting a classmate can have consequences beyond what any of them might have predicted.
Sam also learns how much she loves her parents and her eight-year-old sister, Izzy, and she gets a chance to make a lot of things right in those 7 "re-lived" days. Does she really die or is this all a dream? You'll have to read the book yourself to discover your own answers to those questions. pazt
Sunday, July 6, 2014
"Rizzoli & Isles" - Season 2
My hubby and I just finished watching the second season of "Rizzoli & Isles" ---- again! We didn't realize until we started watching it that we'd already seen it but this time we're ready for the season finale cliff hanger because we've already picked up the third season of "Rizzoli & Isles" from our library! I'm so glad because I couldn't wait months again to see what happens next!
Detective Jane Rizzoli and forensic pathologist Dr. Maura Isles are based on characters from best-selling novelist Tess Gerritsen's series. Isles and Rizzoli are close friends at home and at work -- although they don't always see eye to eye at work. Jane is often frustrated by Maura's refusal to hazard a guess about something like cause of death because Maura, after all, is a forensic "detective" who deals in facts not guesses.
Jane is experiencing a lot of change in her personal life as her brother Tommy comes home from prison. Her cop brother, Frankie, wants to move up to Detective so he keeps showing up to help with her murder cases -- with the encouragement of her fellow detectives. Jane's parents are experiencing marital difficulties so her mother is living in Maura's guest cottage and working in the precinct deli. As if that weren't enough, two romantic interests from her past show up almost simultaneously wanting to take up where they left off.
Maura has her own family issues -- an adopted mom, Constance, who rarely has time for her as her wealthy parents are always jetsetting off alone or together around the world. When she discovers her biological father is Paddy Doyle, a Boston mob boss, she begins to be curious about who her biological mom is and experiences mixed feelings about Paddy himself when he pops up in her life periodically. What better guy to have in your corner, though, when you need a little protection?
The season finale leaves us wondering if Jane and Maura's friendship can survive working together and the choices they both must make as a result of their jobs and their personal lives. Love this series! pazt
Detective Jane Rizzoli and forensic pathologist Dr. Maura Isles are based on characters from best-selling novelist Tess Gerritsen's series. Isles and Rizzoli are close friends at home and at work -- although they don't always see eye to eye at work. Jane is often frustrated by Maura's refusal to hazard a guess about something like cause of death because Maura, after all, is a forensic "detective" who deals in facts not guesses.
Jane is experiencing a lot of change in her personal life as her brother Tommy comes home from prison. Her cop brother, Frankie, wants to move up to Detective so he keeps showing up to help with her murder cases -- with the encouragement of her fellow detectives. Jane's parents are experiencing marital difficulties so her mother is living in Maura's guest cottage and working in the precinct deli. As if that weren't enough, two romantic interests from her past show up almost simultaneously wanting to take up where they left off.
Maura has her own family issues -- an adopted mom, Constance, who rarely has time for her as her wealthy parents are always jetsetting off alone or together around the world. When she discovers her biological father is Paddy Doyle, a Boston mob boss, she begins to be curious about who her biological mom is and experiences mixed feelings about Paddy himself when he pops up in her life periodically. What better guy to have in your corner, though, when you need a little protection?
The season finale leaves us wondering if Jane and Maura's friendship can survive working together and the choices they both must make as a result of their jobs and their personal lives. Love this series! pazt
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