REVIEW: The Spire

THE SPIRE

By Richard North Patterson

Read by Holter Graham

4 STARS 

Lawyer Mark Darrow is asked by his mentor to return to Caldwell College to be the new President as the current one is suspected of embezzling from their funds.  With mixed feelings he returns to Wayne where the past has not moved on.  Darrow a high school football star was scouted by Farr (Professor at Caldwell) to play ball with a full scholarship.  He agrees if his good friend Steve Tillman is also scouted.  One night after a college party a black college student is found by Mark and the last person to be see with her is was his friend, Steve. A fellow student – who is a mean drunk – states he saw Tillman out during the time of death.  Tillman is sent to prison for life. Race relations in Wayne has gone from bad to worse.

Mark has never been able to let go of his doubt over Steve’s conviction.  Once he arrives at Caldwell he continues his visit to Steve.  As he asks questions about the former President’s embezzling he finds himself wondering about Tillman’s case.  Also from his past is Taylor Farr – the daughter of his mentor – who is now all grown up and Darrow finds himself drawn to her.

I listened to this novel on audio and it was enjoyable!  The reader is Holter Graham (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0334077/) and he is not bad (his girl voices are a bit too breathy).  Even though I figured out who the killer was way too early I was still enthralled with the story and how it unravels.  I liked Darrow and seeing the case through his eyes.

REVIEW: Montana Sky

     MONTANA SKY

     Written By NORA ROBERTS

      4 STARS

       Jack Mercy – a gruff mean old SOB – has died and leaves to   his three daughters (by three different wives) a third of the ranch. There is one minor hitch – they must live on the ranch together for a year.

Willa is devastated as she has lived with her father and worked alongside him. The ranch means everything to her as does her father’s approval. The salt to her wounds is that Ben McKinnon (fellow ranch owner) and Nate Torrence (lawyer and rancher) are to supervise the running of the ranch. Tess is a writer from LA and Montana may as well be Mars to her. She has no feels towards her father except abandonment so she will stay on the ranch spite him. Now she must deal with Montana’s harsh weather, ranch life and sisters she has never met. Lily is the only one who does not mind the terms as she is on the run from her abusive ex-husband.

To make things worse their seems to be a murderer loose…this only makes the Mercy women stronger with the men beside them.

I loved this novel – it has everything you wish for in a good read – adventure, romance, mystery and well written. All I can say is READ!

Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder III

Last year (2011) I discovered 3 mystery/suspense authors who write about death in Seattle (Washington).  I live in Vancouver, BC so Seattle is not so far away making the killer quite literally next door.

Kevin O’Brien started writing at night while he worked in the day as a railroad inspector.  After his novel ONLY SON won an award, and was optioned for a film he quit his day job.  From then on he turned to writing full-time.

I discovered Keven O’Brien’s novels when I was looking up up Gregg Olsen’s books.  I love that like Olsen’s his novels are stand alone and are a bit grittier than some other novels.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/o/kevin-obrien/

WATCH THEM DIE

3 STARS

 Single women in Seattle are being brutally murdered by a man who sees them and then must possess them.

A great suspense thriller that has you reading until the murderer is caught.

FINAL BREATH

3 STARS

People have been dying in the most bizarre manners…what becomes clear is the pattern of the victims appearing on Sydney Jordan’s television program.  Sydney has moved out of her home and taken her son to Seattle where her brother is living.  Sydney feels like someone is watching her and when she finds out all the victims are connected to her show – she knows she maybe next unless she finds out his motivation for their murder.

SPOILER: It was really good BUT the killer was easy to guess as he provided a little too much about the story and the murder themselves were such a big clue.

VICIOUS

2 STARS

For two years in Seattle – young mothers are being killed right in front of their young sons – execution style.  Then the murders stop.  Susan is looking forward to a weekend away with her fiancee and her young son.  Things start off on the wrong foot when a strange man comes on strong, her car is tampered with, the lake house feels odd, there was a murder a year ago and now Allen seems to be missing.

This novel felt forced right from the beginning.  Susan’s character did not seem fleshed out and there seemed to be too many “suspects”.   I felt like it was more of B-Movie.

DISTURBED

3 STARS

Molly is newly married to a divorced man with two children still living in the home his ex decorated.  When her stepson’s guidance counsellor is murdered things start to come apart for everyone living in the cul-de-scac.  Secrets, lies and revenge are all in play while there is also a serial killer loose killing families who live in cul-de-sacs.

First of I liked this novel but found much wrong with it at the same time.  After finishing the novel I still have no clue what the prologue was supposed to explain to me.  After a few chapters I figured out the murderer but the author was clever enough to keep me intrigued and reading. Molly was a but annoying as she always seemed steps behind everything in her life, but I liked her stepson, Chris as a character.

I am on the hunt for Make Them Cry.

http://www.kevinobrienbooks.com/

Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder II

Last year (2011) I discovered 3 mystery/suspense authors who write about death in Seattle (Washington).  I live in Vancouver, BC so Seattle is not so far away making the killer quite literally next door.

Gregg Olsen writes both fiction (Suspense/Mystery and now Young Adult) and non-fiction (True Crime).  He has appeared on many radio shows and television shows – including 2 of my favourite 48 Hours and Dateline.

Okay I lied about this one…I thought I read Gregg Olsen this year, but it appears I read him in 2010.  I discovered him as I was looking up authors who wrote suspense thrillers and I recognized his photo from an episode on 48 Hours.  I decided to try one of his suspense novels as he seemed to be an acclaimed writer of True Crime.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/o/gregg-olsen/

A COLD DARK PLACE

3 STARS

 A family is brutally murder and their son has disappeared…Emily Kenyon – a police officer and mother – is in charge of finding the boy and see if he is the murderer.  Jenna, Emily’s daughter, also becomes involved and is in fact ahead of the police but soon is in danger herself. There is another family murdered in Iowa and then in Salt Lake City…and Emily is soon on a race to find a killer who may come after daughter.

This was a great suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest and it had me from the first page.  Emily is a great heroine and very realistic as a cop and a mother.  It is gritty but not overdone.

HEART OF ICE

3 STARS

There is a killer loose  – 3 murdered victims each taking place somewhere different – and he is cunning.  The only clues the have are the victims common background- sorority sisters who are very privileged women.  What the police do not know is that this will not end until he kills one very particular sorority sister.

I was on pins and needles throughout the novel.  It was well-written and the suspense is crazy to the point I cannot stop reading!

I am now on the hunt for his first novel A Wicked Snow.

http://www.greggolsen.com/

NEXT: Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder III (Kevin O’Brien)

Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder I

Last year (2011) I discovered 3 mystery/suspense authors who write about death in Seattle (Washington).  I live in Vancouver, BC so Seattle is not so far away making the killer quite literally next door.

Rick Mofina was a journalist for the Toronto Star (Canadian newspaper) as a crime reporter and many of his articles appear in many other publications around the world.  He grew up in Ontario and now resides in Ottawa with his family.

This is the first time I have read Rick Mofina and I started with his Jason Wade trilogy (I did contact the author and he does not think that there will be anymore novels in the series) which takes place in Seattle.

Jason Wade
1. THE DYING HOUR (2005)
2. EVERY FEAR (2006)
3. A PERFECT GRAVE (2007)

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/rick-mofina/

I had picked up The Dying Hour as a freebie from my former job at a bookstore.  While shopping at Costco I saw book 2 and 3 as a book bundle and could not resist.   After visiting Seattle this year I decided to try this series and loved not only his description of Seattle but the life of a lowly crime reporter was realistic and grabs you from the beginning.

THE DYING HOUR 

(Book 1)

3 STARS

 

Jason Wade is an intern in the running for a permanent position at the Mirror but stakes are high as his background is not as impressive as the other interns.  He had been working at the local brewery with his alcoholic father and then put himself through community college.  Hs mother left them when he was young and recently his own girlfriend left him.  He has to win this position as he needs it to survive and keep his sanity.  Then on the police scanner he hears about a car is found abandoned on the side of the highway with the driver missing.  The competition begins….

I was intrigued with the case as much as Jason was – a woman just vanishing into thin air – there has to be more behind it.  Jason is not only the underdog in this race for a permanent position but has everything – everyone –  going against him.  This was a great suspense/mystery novel.

EVERY FEAR

(Book 2)

3.5 STARS

SPOILER: This review may contain spoilers from THE DYING HOUR.

 Jason Wade has been given the position at the Mirror but this does not mean he is accepted as he is still being shunned for his antics on the last case.  Maria Colson and her baby son, Dylan stop at the corner store – while she runs inside she leaves her son with the young girl outside the store.  Seconds later her son is being shoved into a van and Maria runs and jumps inside only to be thrown out and is now fighting for her life.  Jason is put on the case  only to discover that the couple have no troubles and no enemies.  Jason’s dad, now a PI, comes across another murder that may be tied into Jason’s case.  Grace Garner is the homicide detective in charge of the case and Jason’s new frenemy…all are running out of time.

I liked this novel better the previous book but felt like there was something missing.  I cannot put my finger on it but I was not as satisfied in the end.  The case of missing baby Dylan was great and the characters were realistic.

A PERFECT GRAVE

(Book 3)

3 STARS

SPOILER: This review may contain spoilers from THE DYING HOUR and EVERY FEAR.

Jason Wade is back and is still not friendly with the Editor and finds himself alone, yet again.  A nun is brutally murdered but they cannot find anyone who disliked her.  This case not only digs into the nun’s mysterious past but Jason’s father’s past comes back to haunt him.  Jason and Grace who only went out for a short time are now unsure of how to be around one another.  This leads them to keep secrets from one another which does not help with their case.

This is the concluding book in the Jason Wade series and it does tie up loose ends but I still want more – ha.  Another great  suspense mystery from Mofina.

I next want to tackle his Jack Gannon series!

Jack Gannon
1. Vengeance Road (2009)
2. The Panic Zone (2010)
3. In Desperation (2011)
4. The Burning Edge (2011)

Author’s Website: http://www.rickmofina.com/

NEXT: Coffee Shops, Grunge Music and Murder II (Gregg Olsen)

Get Ready to Read Through the Night…

and you may want to keep the lights on (no judgement).

I have been lucky this month and had a chance  to read Advanced Copies of two brilliant suspense/mystery authors: Tami Hoag and Lisa Gardner.  Both had their start in the romance genre before they went into the suspense genre for which they are now known for.

TAMI HOAG

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/tami-hoag/

Oak Knoll
1. Deeper than the Dead (2010) 4 STARS
2. Secrets to the Grave (2011) 4 STARS
3. Down the Darkest Road (2011) 4 STARS

The Oak Knoll series is named for the town these novels take place in (California, USA) and are set from mid-80s to 1990.  What I love about this series is that this is pre-CSI era where it is more detective work and instinct versus DNA and profiling.  Former FBI agent Vince Leone is in fact one of the pioneers of profiling so we get the beginning of this new tool.  The characters are all realistic and could fit in the present day but the setting around them reminds you that this a few decades back.  Though you could potentially read these novels as a standalone or out of order – I would advise against it.  Many of the characters run through all of the novels and unfortunately the third book does reveal some spoilers for the first.  I think that this series is so wonderful just read book one and I dare you not to continue.

DOWN THE DARKEST ROAD

(BOOK 3) 

TAMI HAOG

COMING: December 27, 2011

4 STARS

Lauren’s perfect family has fallen apart – her eldest daughter has been missing for years and her husband has left her a widow.  She is angry and wanting justice she takes her daughter, Leah and moves to Oak Knoll to start anew – except the man she suspects of her daughter’s disappearance has also moved to the neighbourhood.  Det. Tony Mendez of Oak Knoll has been put in the middle to discover the truth.

I really like this series and this novel was no disappointment.  I hope Hoag continues with the series.  I love the late 80s/early 90s setting and the characters are wonderful and has wonderful suspense keeping you flipping the pages.  

LISA GARDNER

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/lisa-gardner/

D.D. Warren
1. Alone (2005) 4 STARS
2. Hide (2007) 3 STARS
3. The Neighbor (2009) 3 STARS
4. Live to Tell (2010) 4 STARS
5. Love You More (2011) 2.5 STARS
6. Catch Me(2012) 3 STARS
The 7th Month (2012)

D.D. Warren is a female homicide detective in the Boston PD and tough as nail in and out her job.  She likes her freedom but is strongly attracted to fellow BPD detective, Bobby Dodge.  I like this character because is not a damsel in distress or cold unfeeling bitch – she is the perfect blend of strength and compassion.  These books can be read on there on own but there is a story that goes through the novels.

The first 2 books Alone and Hide are more of Bobby Dodge’s story than D.D.’s but gives you a great introduction to her character.  The 3-6 book feature her as the main character.  The novella The 7th Month should be read before Catch me and after Love You More. The 7th Month will be released January 10, 2012.

CATCH ME

(Book 6)

Lisa Gardner

COMING: February 7, 2012

3 STARS

Charlie cannot remember exact details of her childhood with her mother only that her mother was not entirely sane and hurt her and her siblings.  After a fire she is sent to live with her Aunt and starts to rebuild her life as best she can.  Then the nightmare has started again – 2 years ago her best friend was murdered and the case was never solved.  Then the following year to the date her other best friend is murdered and again the case goes unsolved.  Now it is another year and Charlie is prepping for the fight of her life.  

D.D. Warren is now the mother of baby Jack and is back on the force.  She feels something is not quite right with Charlie, but also has another case of young pedophiles being murdered.  Like Charlie’s best friends, there was no forced entry or much disturbed.  

I am a big fan of the D.D. Warren series – she is a realistic portrayal of a female detective in Boston PD.  She is ballsy and yet vulnerable.  I was not overly joyed with Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant as a main character.  I just did not care for her as a character and to be honest hoped she would exit left.  I have given this novel 3 starts mainly for the great writing, twists and suspense and because of the realistic nature of the novel.