A Reading Update and the Spy Novel Continued

Actually accomplished a couple of things the past few days; mowed the lawn yesterday, did some vacuuming today and Jo and I have been binge watching Downton Abbey. I went to Quality Foods last night to pick up some milk and things and thought I'd get Chinese food. Surprised at how many people were there and how few were wearing masks. They only let so many people in at a time but there was a point where the Chinese food line and the exit line kind of ran together. Not really complaining as, like I said, everyone was trying to keep their distance, just found it interesting. First time I have noticed a big line.

I have finished two more books this weekend. I'll provide my reviews and also the synopses of the two new books I'm starting next. I'll also continue with my look at the Spy / Thriller genre.

Just Finished

1. The Winter Thief by Jenny White (Kamil Pasha #3).











"The Winter Thief by Jenny White is the third and so-far, the last book in her historical mystery series featuring Turkish Special Prosecutor Kamil Pasha. I do hope that at some point, she decides to continue the series but this third book was published in 2010 so it's not looking good.

This book is a rich. exciting mystery and historical adventure. It starts off with the robbery of the Imperial Ottoman Bank of a haul of gold and gems by purported Armenian nationalists. At the end of the robbery, there is an explosion that also destroys a near-by café, causing a major fire. It seems that Kamil's brother-in-law, Huseyin, may have been hurt severely by the fire as he meets in the café with another woman.

The investigation conducted by Kamil, at the direction of the Minister of Justice, Nisam Pasha, will lead him into conflict with the head of the secret police, Vahid, a terrifying, evil man. This conflict will endanger, Kamil, his sister, Feride and his friend, Elif, and all of his close friends and acquaintances.. Besides himself of course.

The investigation will ultimately lead him to a conflict in Eastern Turkey, where a group of idealistic Socialists are trying to form a Utopian community (with the help of arms bought in America and also the stolen gold.. but let's not think on that too much). That is the gist of this fantastic story.

The story, itself, will move from character to character; Kamil, Vahid, Armenian woman Vera, held and tortured by the secret police, Feride (searching for her missing husband), Omar, Kamil's friend and police chief, and so many others. There is intrigue, danger, love and so much more. It's a fascinating story, offering a historic perspective of the time and a great picture of such an exotic country as it struggles with the past and the future. There is a constant menace from the secret police, especially Vahid, who will give you the creeps. Great story and excellent, satisfying conclusion, leaving a teaser of future stories. I definitely hope there will be more. (5 stars)"

2. Kat's Cradle by Karen Kijewski (Kat Colorado #3).

"Kat's Cradle by Karen Kijewski is the third book in her Kat Colorado mystery series. If you haven't yet tried the series, 9 books in total, Kat is basically Kinsey Milhone, a private eye working out of California. Kijewski wrote the nine books between 1989 and 1998 and then seemed to disappear. I've read the first 3 books so far and enjoyed them all.

Kat is hired by Paige Morrell to find out about her family, especially her mother and father. She grew up with her grandmother, since deceased, an evil woman, who told Paige nothing about her past. Paige stands to inherit the estate but only if no other relative (her mother specifically) turns up to claim the estate. There is much anger and frustration in Paige's soul and Kat is hesitant to take the case. Can Paige actually handle the truth?

So Kat begins the investigation and there will be more deaths and threats to Kat. As well, Kat is dealing with her own life, her strange family and group of friends and whether she wants to move her relationship along with Las Vegas cop, Hank. It's a well-paced and at times exciting story, the best of the ones I've read so far. There is love, romance, tension, danger, all of the good things. Kat is not perfect by any means but still a character with whom you can empathize. Now to find the fourth book (4 stars)"

Now Reading

1. Unconditional Surrender by Evelyn Waugh (Sword of Honour #3).


"Guy Crouchback has lost his Halberdier idealism. A desk job in London gives him the chance of reconciliation with his former wife. Then, in Yugoslavia, as a liaison officer with the Partisans, he finally becomes aware of the futility of a war he once saw in terms of honour."

2. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (Jane Marple #2).


"The body of a beautiful blonde is found in the library of Gossington Hall. What the young woman was doing in the quiet village of St. Mary Mead is precisely what Jane Marple means to find out. Amid rumors of scandal, Miss Marple baits a clever trap to catch a ruthless killer."






The Spy / Thriller Novel - Taylor Stevens

Taylor Stevens

American author Taylor Stevens is a new one for me. Born in New York, her family was part of an infamous cult, the Children of God. She broke away from the cult and ultimately began a writing career. since 2011, she has written 6 books in her Vanessa Michael Munroe thriller series. I have the first book awaiting my attention.

a. The Informationist (2011)

"Vanessa Munroe deals in information - covert information. With an extraordinary intellect, a physique that allows her to pass as either male or female, and ruthless martial arts skills, she offers a unique service to anyone - government or individual - who'll pay her.

Now a Texas oil billionaire has hired her to find his daughter, who vanished in Africa four years earlier. Where international investigators have tried and failed, Munroe follows a cold trail far into the lawless lands of central Africa.

And then things spin out of control.

Pulled deep into the mystery of the missing girl, Munroe finds herself cut off from civilisation and left for dead. Her only hope of discovering the truth - and of getting out of Africa alive - is to face up to the violent past that she's fought so hard to forget."

The complete list of Stevens' books can be found at this link. 

Enjoy your week! Stay safe.