A review of A Heartbeat Away, by Michael Palmer. @@@ (3 out of 5). So, here I am, reading a book that’s written without any special flair for language, about characters who are at best two-dimensional, in circumstances that are about as true to life as a James Bond adventure, and I’m loving the experience! Why is that?
Read More
A review of The Reversal, by Michael Connelly. @@@@ (4 out of 5). In Connelly’s latest novel, defense attorney Mickey Haller is in the spotlight, with his half-brother, Harry Bosch, a veteran Los Angeles homicide inspector, and Haller’s ex-wife, Maggie McPherson (“Maggie McFierce”), in key supporting roles.
Read More
A review of Village of the Ghost Bears, by Stan Jones. @@@@ (4out of 5). If you’ve never traveled to Alaska, you’ll feel you’ve been there anyway once you pick up the Stan Jones habit, as I have. Village of the Ghost Bears is a thoroughly satisfying mystery story, but it stands out more for its stark snowbound setting, its depiction of Eskimo culture, and the author’s obviously deep love for the land, than for its excellence as an example of genre fiction. Read it for either reason. You’ll enjoy it.
Read More
A review of Damage by John Lescroart. @@@@ (4 out of 5). Abe Glitsky, head of San Francisco homicide, confronts the awesome power of one of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent families and the evil of their psychopathic son. While everything turns out just fine in the end (of course!), with Glitsky winning the day, the damage created along the way has made it clear that a crime is not an isolated act but just one pivotal point in a long chain of events.
Read More
A review of The Longest War: Inside the Enduring Conflict Between America and Al-Qaeda, by Peter L. Bergen. @@@@ (4 out of 5). An able, one-volume history of the fateful two-decade interaction between Osama bin Laden and his followers with three successive U.S. Administrations.
Read More
Mysteries & Thrillers Tuesday includes my latest mystery and thriller book review,
with links to other science fiction content.
Nonfiction Wednesday includes my latest nonfiction book review,
with links to other nonfiction content.
The Weekly includes summaries and links to all the previous week’s three to five book reviews, including some that don’t appear in any of the other newsletters.
Mysteries & Thrillers Tuesday includes my latest mystery and thriller book review, with links to other science fiction content.
Nonfiction Wednesday includes my latest nonfiction book review, with links to other nonfiction content.
The Weekly includes summaries and links to all the previous week’s three to five book reviews, including some that don’t appear in any of the other newsletters.