As if I didn't have enough series to follow, I started another one a few weeks ago. A co-worker recommended the new Amazon produced show Bosch and said it was based on a book series. I can't bring myself to watch a movie or television show that's been based on a book without reading the books first. So that led me to my local library and luckily the first 15 (yes fifteen!) books were available immediately! I checked them out three at a time and am now up to Echo Park, book 12 in the series. I found out later that I only needed to read as far as City of Bones, the 9th book, to not lose anything by watching the series. But I was hooked and am now reading now only all of the Harry Bosch books, but I've been hooked into reading a couple of books by Michael Connelly that don't have Harry as the main character, but he's there. I had to read The Poet before I could read The Narrows.
I'm not actually going to review all of the books, that would take too long! But I am going to recommend them to anyone who likes a good mystery and a good detective novel. In Detective Hieronymus (rhymes with anonymous) Bosch you have a character who is flawed but likable. His mother named him after a 15th century painter who was famous for his portrayal of earthly sins and his visions of hell. This sometimes parallels Det. Bosch and his own struggles. He was orphaned at an early age, spent time in Vietnam as a tunnel rat and seems to be constantly at odds with those in charge. But he has an undeniable need and desire to do good, to make everyone count. Every case matters, every victim counts no matter who they are or where they came from. It didn't matter if they were the homeless man on the sidewalk or a Beverly Hills millionaire. To Detective Harry Bosch, they all count, they all matter and he will do everything in his power to bring justice.
Even after reading 11 books in the series, I keep going back for more and am more than willing to branch out and get involved in other series by Connelly just to keep up with Harry Bosch. And now that Bosch has been picked up for another season on Amazon, I'll have even more to look forward to once I get the rest of the series finished!
I will list the Harry Bosch books in order, but I'm also going to include some of the "offshoots" because I did find that I was a little lost when I first started The Narrows because they were talking about people and events that started in another book called the Poet that starred some of the supporting characters from the Bosch books. I'll put those books in italics and it's also the order that I'm reading the books.
Happy Reading!!
The Black Echo (1992)
The Black Ice (1993)
The Concrete Blonde (1994)
The Last Coyote (1995)
The Poet (1996) Does not feature Harry Bosch but is the prequel to The Narrows
Trunk Music (1997)
Angels Flight (1999)
A Darkness More Than Night (2001)
City of Bones (2002)
Lost Light (2003)
The Narrows (2004)
The Lincoln Lawyer (2005) Part of the Mickey Haller series
The Closers (2005)
Echo Park (2006)
The Overlook (2007)
The Brass Verdict (2008) Part of the Mickey Haller Series
9 Dragons (2009)
The Reversal (2010) Part of the Mickey Haller Series
The Drop (2011)
The Fifth Witness (2011) Part of the Mickey Haller Series
The Black Box (2012)
The Gods of Guilt (2013) Part of the Mickey Haller Series
The Burning Room (2014)
The Crossing (2015) will be released in November 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Review for Docket No. 76 by Arita M. L. Bohannan
Docket No. 76 is a legal thriller that is surprisingly packed with vivid details, suspense, action and drama, all in a package of less than 200 pages. Most stories don't reach this level of completeness even after twice and sometimes three times as many pages.
Little Dori has been brutally attacked in the home of her godfather, a well to do architect in New Orleans. He is quickly cleared as a suspect and the hunt goes on for the attacker. Once found, it's the job of ADA Sandy Morgan to bring him to justice.
Docket No. 76 is this case. It's just a number, just one file in the many that come across her desk every day. It's supposed to be an open and shut case. They have fingerprints, DNA and the eyewitness testimony of little 5 year old Dori. Little does Sandy know that her worst nightmare is going to walk into that courtroom. One way or another, she has vowed to get justice for Dori. But will it be justice or vengeance?
The details are striking and vivid, you get a clear picture of every character and the setting. The action is fast paced and while you already know who did it, it's the how will he be brought to justice that has you racing through the pages. The courtroom scenes are gut-wrenching and nearly brought tears to my eyes.
There were a few loose ends that never got tied up, but even that really didn't detract from the story. An engaging story and one that I'm definitely glad that I picked up. I typically don't go for shorter books, but in this case, I'm very happy that I did.
Little Dori has been brutally attacked in the home of her godfather, a well to do architect in New Orleans. He is quickly cleared as a suspect and the hunt goes on for the attacker. Once found, it's the job of ADA Sandy Morgan to bring him to justice.
Docket No. 76 is this case. It's just a number, just one file in the many that come across her desk every day. It's supposed to be an open and shut case. They have fingerprints, DNA and the eyewitness testimony of little 5 year old Dori. Little does Sandy know that her worst nightmare is going to walk into that courtroom. One way or another, she has vowed to get justice for Dori. But will it be justice or vengeance?
The details are striking and vivid, you get a clear picture of every character and the setting. The action is fast paced and while you already know who did it, it's the how will he be brought to justice that has you racing through the pages. The courtroom scenes are gut-wrenching and nearly brought tears to my eyes.
There were a few loose ends that never got tied up, but even that really didn't detract from the story. An engaging story and one that I'm definitely glad that I picked up. I typically don't go for shorter books, but in this case, I'm very happy that I did.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Review for 50 Halfs from First to Last by Brian Baleno
50 Halfs from First to Last follows the author through his first half marathon and his decision to run one race in each of the 50 states. He had a little tale or story for many of the races.
I wish he would have included a story for each of the 50 states, there were many gaps between the races. I also wish they could have been a little longer and went into more detail about the races, how he chose them, the terrain, the race itself, the participants and the points of interest along the route. Many of the stories were little more than when he arrived, what his timing was and a very little detail about where he was. Each one left me wanting just a little more.
Many of the pictures were beautiful, but had little to no contextual clues along with them.
There were several pictures that seemed to have been cropped or attacked with the eraser function in MS Paint which led to the pictures being more of a distraction than a compliment to the story. I'm sure this was done either due to copyright issues or because they did not have permission to publish the likeness of someone else who happened to be in the picture.
I don't want to take anything away from this amazing accomplishment, because it is absolutely amazing. He had an opportunity that very few people will ever have in their lifetime and he also recognized that he may never again have the opportunity to see most of those states in his lifetime. With that in mind, I guess I wished for a more vivid picture of what he went through during that two and a half year journey.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Review for Every Town Needs a Russian Tea Room by Anne Steinberg
Every Town Needs a Russian Tea Room by Anne Steinberg is an emotional tale of two very different people who come together against all odds to find love and happiness in a world that doesn't believe they can have that love and happiness. It's not your typical romance novel and doesn't have the typical romance novel ending and I think that's what made this book so enjoyable for me. It was very real. The emotions were raw and most of the circumstances were very believable.
Hallie Remington was a wife and mother. After the recent loss of her son, she retreats from her loveless marriage and lives the life of a hermit in an apartment in New York City. She's our poor little rich girl. She comes from money but is the very picture of the adage that money doesn't buy happiness. She is withdrawn, depressed and very close to losing her mind until the day she lets someone in. That someone happens to be Nicholas, the houseboy that came with the apartment.
Nicholas is a Russian immigrant who has come to America to become a Master Chef and realize his dream of opening a Russian Tea Room, he believes every town needs one and is willing to travel the blue highways to find the perfect spot for his dream. Slowly a friendship forms between Hallie and Nicholas, they both fill a spot in each other's heart and slowly that friendship develops into something more. This isn't just a torrid affair. They have seemed to find something that seems to be elusive for many people...true love.
Can love overcome the vast differences between Hallie's and Nicholas' worlds? Can they truly find happiness together in a world that is so concerned with money and superficial standards? Take the journey with Hallie and Nicholas and find out if they do find that happiness. The characters are vivid and complete. You find yourself going through a whole range of emotions toward them as the book goes on. You want to yell at them, comfort them and encourage them and most of all, you really want them to succeed.
Every Town Needs a Russian Tea Room on Amazon
Hallie Remington was a wife and mother. After the recent loss of her son, she retreats from her loveless marriage and lives the life of a hermit in an apartment in New York City. She's our poor little rich girl. She comes from money but is the very picture of the adage that money doesn't buy happiness. She is withdrawn, depressed and very close to losing her mind until the day she lets someone in. That someone happens to be Nicholas, the houseboy that came with the apartment.
Nicholas is a Russian immigrant who has come to America to become a Master Chef and realize his dream of opening a Russian Tea Room, he believes every town needs one and is willing to travel the blue highways to find the perfect spot for his dream. Slowly a friendship forms between Hallie and Nicholas, they both fill a spot in each other's heart and slowly that friendship develops into something more. This isn't just a torrid affair. They have seemed to find something that seems to be elusive for many people...true love.
Can love overcome the vast differences between Hallie's and Nicholas' worlds? Can they truly find happiness together in a world that is so concerned with money and superficial standards? Take the journey with Hallie and Nicholas and find out if they do find that happiness. The characters are vivid and complete. You find yourself going through a whole range of emotions toward them as the book goes on. You want to yell at them, comfort them and encourage them and most of all, you really want them to succeed.
Every Town Needs a Russian Tea Room on Amazon
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Review for Buried Threads by Kaylin McFarren
Buried Threads picks up pretty much where Severed Threads left off. Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen are treasure hunting partners and lovers. They are offered a job finding buried treasure in Japan. The Heart of Darkness, a katana with a very large emerald embedded in the scabbard. There is a curse that goes along with the katana and will drag Rachel and Chase into a world of mobsters, intrigue, human trafficking and a touch of the supernatural.
I enjoyed the book, though not nearly as much as I did the first novel. The characters were well drawn but I think this time there were just too many characters to try and keep straight. It seems that the author really wanted to keep you in suspense as to who can be trusted, who is on the side of good and who is on the side of evil. It was far to easy to get lost in the web that was being cast that unfortunately, it was hard to keep the thread of the story straight. Instead of adding to the suspense and intrigue, it tended to take away from it.
The addition of Japanese words and phrases would have been easier for many to read if there was actually a reference to what the terms meant. Sometimes it was made clear and sometimes there were just phrases put in with no reference whatsoever as to what they meant.
Ghosts, spirits, souls, reincarnation and the afterlife are represented here and for the most part it's done really well. A light touch was used through most of the scenes where the supernatural was present and it seemed to flow with the story. But there were a few times where it just seemed to be thrown in for the sake of being able to explain something away.
All in all, it was still a good read and went by fairly quickly. There were a few sluggish areas and there were simply too many twists and turns involved that the main story seemed to get lost sometimes in the web of intrigue. But all that aside, I'm interested in seeing what happens to Rachel and Chase next. I hope that the author isn't quite done with them yet. A note of warning, this book really isn't a stand alone novel, to understand some of the context, you should read Severed Threads first.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Review for Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren
Who doesn't like a good mystery with a little sexual tension thrown in? That's why I picked up this book and I wasn't disappointed at all. This was a well written story of who done it and the main protagonists are a couple with a past who are thrown together out of necessity and in the process of solving the mystery they are drawn together once again.
Rachel Lyons is the daughter of a treasure hunter. Her father died doing what he loved most, searching for the ever elusive Heart of the Dragon. She blames herself for his death because of the harsh words they had before he left for his final dive. Shes plagued by nightmares and the ever destructive what if? She runs from her grief and hides away in the safe world of a museum foundation.
Chase Cohen is the owner of Trident Ventures, the company that has asked the foundation for funding to explore and bring up a Chinese merchant ship. Chase was Sams dive partner and Rachel's lover. He blames himself for Sams death and turns his back on Rachel and her family just when they need him most. She believes him to be a coward and a jerk, just like her brother warned.
Chase wants her to fund his search for the Wanli II, a Chinese ship that went down with a fortune in gold and the Heart of the Dragon, the wedding gift from a concubine of the emperor for the Spanish captain she loves. 400 years later Chase believes hes found the lost ship, the one that Sam died trying to find, the ship that's been part of Rachel's nightmares for years.
But they're not the only ones looking for the sunken treasure. Some very unsavory characters come into play and do everything they can to make sure that Chase and Rachel not only never find what they are seeking but that they don't live to tell the tale. Mob bosses, crooked cops, pirates and a creepy stalker come into play. Rachel has no intention of helping Chase in any way until her brother is kidnapped and the ransom is two million dollars. She becomes a reluctant partner in the search for the Wanli II.
The story is full of twists, turns, plot twists and surprises at every turn. You don't know who to trust and it takes you to the very end before you get your big Ah ha! moment. Its not perfect and there are a few places that leave you scratching your head and going what? but for the most part, this is a very well written story that keeps you guessing until the end.
Severed Threads on Amazon
Rachel Lyons is the daughter of a treasure hunter. Her father died doing what he loved most, searching for the ever elusive Heart of the Dragon. She blames herself for his death because of the harsh words they had before he left for his final dive. Shes plagued by nightmares and the ever destructive what if? She runs from her grief and hides away in the safe world of a museum foundation.
Chase Cohen is the owner of Trident Ventures, the company that has asked the foundation for funding to explore and bring up a Chinese merchant ship. Chase was Sams dive partner and Rachel's lover. He blames himself for Sams death and turns his back on Rachel and her family just when they need him most. She believes him to be a coward and a jerk, just like her brother warned.
Chase wants her to fund his search for the Wanli II, a Chinese ship that went down with a fortune in gold and the Heart of the Dragon, the wedding gift from a concubine of the emperor for the Spanish captain she loves. 400 years later Chase believes hes found the lost ship, the one that Sam died trying to find, the ship that's been part of Rachel's nightmares for years.
But they're not the only ones looking for the sunken treasure. Some very unsavory characters come into play and do everything they can to make sure that Chase and Rachel not only never find what they are seeking but that they don't live to tell the tale. Mob bosses, crooked cops, pirates and a creepy stalker come into play. Rachel has no intention of helping Chase in any way until her brother is kidnapped and the ransom is two million dollars. She becomes a reluctant partner in the search for the Wanli II.
The story is full of twists, turns, plot twists and surprises at every turn. You don't know who to trust and it takes you to the very end before you get your big Ah ha! moment. Its not perfect and there are a few places that leave you scratching your head and going what? but for the most part, this is a very well written story that keeps you guessing until the end.
Severed Threads on Amazon
Monday, April 14, 2014
Review for Elias's Fence by Anne Steinberg and Nicholas Tolkien
This is my review for Elias's Fence and the opinions expressed are my own and were in no way influenced by anyone or anything.
I was interested in this story because of the premise of an inanimate object being infused with evil and then spreading that evil outward. It started out promising enough. Elias is a blacksmith who is asked by the local convent to create a fence. One of the nuns has been asked to be the model for the angels that will adorn the top of the fence. But once the casting is done, the blacksmith decides that he wants more than just an image of the young nun. He takes her in the most evil way possible and ends up killing her next to the fence that he'd just completed and stacked up.
The fence is erected and evil seems to breed and flourish within its confines. Its then forgotten for about 100 years before being purchased by Christine Thorpe for her home. The world of 2032 has become a scary place and shes wanting to keep the terror out and keep her family safe never known that shes actually keeping the danger inside.
The America of 2032 has been shaped by a man with a golden tongue and people have come to the conclusion that God is dead and have outlawed religion along with nearly everything else that hasnt been approved by Anderson Thorpe, a man who even has the ear of the President. Drugs, chemicals, murder and mayhem are all present.
The story jumped around a lot and became hard to follow at times. The characters were very one dimensional and it was impossible to really get to know any of them in any real sense. It was almost like reading a graphic novel without the graphics. You can picture the landscape and the action pretty handily, but you cant really get a handle on the characters and who they really are.
This book will probably appeal to a wider audience, especially those who are interested in dystopian fiction and the incarnation of evil. Unfortunately this one wasn't for me, but I cant really say that the book was bad, more of a matter of taste.
Elias's Fence on Amazon
I was interested in this story because of the premise of an inanimate object being infused with evil and then spreading that evil outward. It started out promising enough. Elias is a blacksmith who is asked by the local convent to create a fence. One of the nuns has been asked to be the model for the angels that will adorn the top of the fence. But once the casting is done, the blacksmith decides that he wants more than just an image of the young nun. He takes her in the most evil way possible and ends up killing her next to the fence that he'd just completed and stacked up.
The fence is erected and evil seems to breed and flourish within its confines. Its then forgotten for about 100 years before being purchased by Christine Thorpe for her home. The world of 2032 has become a scary place and shes wanting to keep the terror out and keep her family safe never known that shes actually keeping the danger inside.
The America of 2032 has been shaped by a man with a golden tongue and people have come to the conclusion that God is dead and have outlawed religion along with nearly everything else that hasnt been approved by Anderson Thorpe, a man who even has the ear of the President. Drugs, chemicals, murder and mayhem are all present.
The story jumped around a lot and became hard to follow at times. The characters were very one dimensional and it was impossible to really get to know any of them in any real sense. It was almost like reading a graphic novel without the graphics. You can picture the landscape and the action pretty handily, but you cant really get a handle on the characters and who they really are.
This book will probably appeal to a wider audience, especially those who are interested in dystopian fiction and the incarnation of evil. Unfortunately this one wasn't for me, but I cant really say that the book was bad, more of a matter of taste.
Elias's Fence on Amazon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)