The first in what I expect to be a good suspense series, All the Pretty Girls introduces two protagonists - Taylor Jackson, a detective lieutenant in Nashville and John Baldwin, her FBI profiler boyfriend. The story intertwines a serial killer spree and hunt that Baldwin focuses on primarily with the many different situations that Taylor finds herself investigating. The two have only been dating a few months but they have been intense, having started with an investigation that almost killed Taylor and that she is still recovering from.
The main characters are quite believable and real. The lesser characters not as much but still good for the story. I didn't know for sure who 'did it' until near the end and there were enough twists to keep me guessing when I got to thinking I did know.
This book was recommended by J. Kaye. Check out her review. And I'll be on the lookout for the next in the series, 14, due out this fall!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Book giveaway at Laura Williams' Musings
I found this great book giveaway at Laura Williams' Musings. She has reviewed Fatal Deduction by Gayle Roper. Sounds like a great book. Click here to go and register. You just have to leave a comment on her post to be entered. Very easy. And explore the rest of her blog as she has other contests and great reviews!
Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo
I found the latest book, Bridge of Sighs by award-winning author Richard Russo to be quite delightful. It is the story of Lou C. "Lucy" Lynch, his family and friends growing up in a little town in New York. There are three narrators in the story - all related to each other. It's what I would call a 'slice of life' book in that it tells alot about the characters, their lives, and the impacts of their decisions.
The book is quite lengthy and the author likes to use alot of words. There were a few too many words in the first part of the book so it was a little slow to start. However once I got past the beginning, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Either the amount of words got better or the story got so good I didn't notice. The characters were very real - I looked forward to see how each one reacted to the other.
The book is quite lengthy and the author likes to use alot of words. There were a few too many words in the first part of the book so it was a little slow to start. However once I got past the beginning, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Either the amount of words got better or the story got so good I didn't notice. The characters were very real - I looked forward to see how each one reacted to the other.
Stay by Nicola Griffith
I don't remember who recommended this book to me. If it was someone out there, please let me know and I'll be sure to note it here.
Stay by Nicola Griffith is the first book I've read from this author. After I read it, I found out it was the second in a series. Ack!
This book centers on Aud (rhymes with shroud) Torvington and her grief after her partner gets killed. At first I was confused as to what was going on (probably wouldn't have been if I had read the first one FIRST) but quickly got hooked into the book. Aud is rebuilding the cabin in North Carolina that her grandfather left her and has been in solitude for months. A good friend comes to the cabin asking for her help which she isn't inclined to do. But the memory of her partner pushes her to stay connected to her friends and she embarks on a unique journey. The book is not a mystery but is more of a thriller as you see the world from Aud's very hurt perspective. By the end of the book I had grown to love her flaws as well as her actions.
I believe Aud is a bodyguard who kills when needed but am not completely sure because it was just alluded to in this book. I definitely recommend this book if you like murder mysteries/thrillers but recommend you read the first one The Blue Place first. I plan on getting that into the pile to read.
Stay by Nicola Griffith is the first book I've read from this author. After I read it, I found out it was the second in a series. Ack!
This book centers on Aud (rhymes with shroud) Torvington and her grief after her partner gets killed. At first I was confused as to what was going on (probably wouldn't have been if I had read the first one FIRST) but quickly got hooked into the book. Aud is rebuilding the cabin in North Carolina that her grandfather left her and has been in solitude for months. A good friend comes to the cabin asking for her help which she isn't inclined to do. But the memory of her partner pushes her to stay connected to her friends and she embarks on a unique journey. The book is not a mystery but is more of a thriller as you see the world from Aud's very hurt perspective. By the end of the book I had grown to love her flaws as well as her actions.
I believe Aud is a bodyguard who kills when needed but am not completely sure because it was just alluded to in this book. I definitely recommend this book if you like murder mysteries/thrillers but recommend you read the first one The Blue Place first. I plan on getting that into the pile to read.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Sudoku Puzzle Murder: A Puzzle Lady Mystery by Parnell Hall
The Sudoku Puzzle Murder by Parnell Hall is the latest in his Puzzle Lady series. I very much enjoy the series and this one was no exception.
Cora, the Puzzle Lady, is the face of a daily crossword puzzle. However, she can't construct or complete a crossword to save her life. Her neice is the brains. Noone knows that Cora isn't able to do the puzzles except for her family. The one thing Cora is really good at is solving murders. And these murders always seem to have something to do with puzzles - either involving her initially or after she sticks her nose in. This particular story starts with a sudoku puzzle exhibition in which Cora wows the crowd. Turns out she's actually really good at Sudoku.
These stories are light mysteries that are fun to read. I usually chuckle at Cora's antics. I am anal and have to read series in order. And with this series, I think it would be best (course I would...that's how I think! LOL) The first one is A Clue for the Puzzle Lady. Enjoy!
Cora, the Puzzle Lady, is the face of a daily crossword puzzle. However, she can't construct or complete a crossword to save her life. Her neice is the brains. Noone knows that Cora isn't able to do the puzzles except for her family. The one thing Cora is really good at is solving murders. And these murders always seem to have something to do with puzzles - either involving her initially or after she sticks her nose in. This particular story starts with a sudoku puzzle exhibition in which Cora wows the crowd. Turns out she's actually really good at Sudoku.
These stories are light mysteries that are fun to read. I usually chuckle at Cora's antics. I am anal and have to read series in order. And with this series, I think it would be best (course I would...that's how I think! LOL) The first one is A Clue for the Puzzle Lady. Enjoy!
Monday, June 9, 2008
No One You Know by Michelle Redmond
I had read her first book The Year of Fog last year and rated it 4 stars. So I was very excited to get an advance copy of her next book, No One you Know, from the Early Reviewers at Library Thing. I brought it with me on vacation and it was the first book I read.
The story centers on Ellie and her sister, Lila. Or, rather, Ellie’s life before and after her sister’s death. 20 years after her sister’s murder, Ellie is looking back at her sister’s life, finally facing who might have killed Lila and working through her own personal issues.
I was not fond of this book. Ellie’s sister, Lila, was a mathematician and was working to prove a famous theory. A lot of the language in the book was very ‘mathy’, meaning only a small group of folks have every heard of these terms and theories before. I am not fond of reading detailed descriptive information in any book as my book club can attest. I am more of a ‘just give me the plot information’ and not all the flowery descriptions of the location or the people. So all this information about the high level math, the theories and proofs, was too much for me.
The characters were believable and likable. I liked the plot and the fact that Ellie had to reconsider the 'truths' of her life. The story had lots of potential
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, especially with math and technical items. But I felt dumb reading this book when she talked math. And it was too much for me to get over and enjoy the rest of the book.
The story centers on Ellie and her sister, Lila. Or, rather, Ellie’s life before and after her sister’s death. 20 years after her sister’s murder, Ellie is looking back at her sister’s life, finally facing who might have killed Lila and working through her own personal issues.
I was not fond of this book. Ellie’s sister, Lila, was a mathematician and was working to prove a famous theory. A lot of the language in the book was very ‘mathy’, meaning only a small group of folks have every heard of these terms and theories before. I am not fond of reading detailed descriptive information in any book as my book club can attest. I am more of a ‘just give me the plot information’ and not all the flowery descriptions of the location or the people. So all this information about the high level math, the theories and proofs, was too much for me.
The characters were believable and likable. I liked the plot and the fact that Ellie had to reconsider the 'truths' of her life. The story had lots of potential
I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, especially with math and technical items. But I felt dumb reading this book when she talked math. And it was too much for me to get over and enjoy the rest of the book.
Capon Springs, WV
I am back! We started out the trip at my in-laws house for the weekend. I took some time to take some pictures of two of my neices and their family. You can see that the older one was enjoying not having her picture taken. She's quite ornery! But still is a cutie! All this did was make me laugh - exactly her plan!We left their house on Sunday and went to Capon Springs, WV. The resort there is wonderful! It was so peaceful, quiet and relaxing. They have plenty of activities for us to do - golf, tennis, ping pong and many others. The people who run it - all are family, so nice, and fun to talk with. And the folks who go there all have been going for years, usually the same week so that they know others going each year.
Their pool is spring fed so it was a bit chilly! But we were in it a number of times - me too! I was able to get my torso and legs used to the water after getting hot and jumping in three times (the first time I just did deep breathing from the deep end to the steps and got right out!). My arms never did get used to the cold but the kids had a blast in the water. And the food! Oh, my! They fed us three meals that were quite delicious. Lots of food, all homemade, so good. Even my very picky kids loved the food!
We hiked a couple of days - even a 3.5 mile 'gentle sloping' hike (if that's gentle, decided not to do the 'occasionally steep' one!). I finished 3 books and started a fourth. We played plenty of board and card games and did a large puzzle. We enjoyed each others company overall. I highly recommend taking your family and going!
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