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| Toronto Blue Jays |
So now about books. I've finished one book since my last update. It's been a slowish month as it's only my third book of July. I've started two books. I'll update these and start my new Book / Author theme.
Just Finished
"The Informationist by Taylor Stevens is the first book in her thriller series featuring Vanessa Munroe. Vanessa is a combination Modesty Blaise and Lisbeth Salander, a strong, intelligent, independent woman. Vanessa is a contract for hire, she deals in information and is an expert at assimilating data. She is hired by companies to go to a country and provide them information necessary so they an determine if they should invest money and resources there.
Vanessa has a team back in the States who negotiate contracts for her, Kate, a powerful lawyer and Logan, her equipment guy. Vanessa who is sort of androgynous and often works under the name of Michael (I found this aspect especially interesting) has a dark past that she tries to keep under control. You will find out more about it as you progress in the story. (It's fascinating)
Returning from Turkey, she is asked to work for Richard Burbank, a Texas oil billionaire, who wants Vanessa to find his long lost daughter. Vanessa is hesitant as this is not her normal line of work. Emily Burbank, a young woman, disappeared along with two friends 4 years ago in Africa. Burbank had searched for her unsuccessfully and while he suspects she is dead, he wants Vanessa to look for her. Persuaded against her better instincts (Vanessa has a past in Africa that she would rather not resurrect), Vanessa goes to Africa (after side trips to gather more info) and is accompanied by Burbank's, let's say another contractor). Bradford had recommended Vanessa and although she prefers to work alone, she is forced to let him come along.
The story ultimately leads to Equatorial Guinea, between Gabon and Cameroon, a fascinating, sometimes terrifying place. There the story will ultimately lead to a dangerous, exciting climax. Vanessa will have to deal with past demons, her life will be constantly in danger and she will have to discover who she can trust. All the while trying to discover if Emily is alive and if so, where?
It's a unique, different type of thriller. Vanessa has many issues and has definite trust issues, but as you discover more about her, you will want to discover more. The story is excellent, with enough action and tension to satisfy any lover of thrillers. Is it far-fetched? Of course, but no more than any Jack Reacher story or any Lisbeth Salander story. That's the purpose of a thriller. Great first book an I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd. (4 stars)"
New Books
"Baking is an alchemical process for Corinna Chapman. At four am she starts work at Earthly Delights, her bakery in Calico Alley.
But one morning Corinna receives a threatening note saying "The wages of sin is death" and finds a syringe in her cat's paw. A blue-faced junkie has collapsed in the dark alley and a mysterious man with beautiful eyes appears with a plan for Corinna and her bread. Then it is Goths, dead drug addicts, witchcraft, a homeless boy and a missing girl and it seems she will never get those muffins cooked in time.
With flair, chutzpah and a talent for kneading, Corinna Chapman will find out who exactly is threatening her life and bake some beautiful bread."
"Hindsight 20/20 every obstacle was a blessing in disguise while growing up as an only child in a single parent home riddled with bad luck. From domestic violence and loneliness to hardships and heartbreak, it is a miracle that I stand here today successful and sane. What's beautiful is that I didn't do it alone. The words in between these pages are some gritty poems and short stories that tell the truth about the light and dark aspects of my life and beliefs, regardless of how embarrassing or who they might offend."
My Favorite Authors
I've been thinking about what my next theme should be. I've looked at the mystery genre from the perspective of my limited book shelves on Goodreads. I've looked at the Fantasy / Sci-Fi genre. I've also looked at the Spy / Thriller genre (from same perspective). So next what I'm going to do is go through my Goodreads bookshelves and look at my favorite authors. I've decided that the authors who make this list are those I've read since 2001 (my arrival in the Comox Valley) and who I've read at least five books. They might be series authors, standalone authors or authors who write a bit of both. There will be repeats of course because since 2001I've tended to favor Mysteries. But if you are interested, let's see how it goes. I'm going to try to look at them alphabetically, starting with the letter A. So without further ado, here we go.
Rennie Airth
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| Rennie Airth |
"Bloodied bodies of Fletcher, his wife and two of their staff have been discovered. The victims have all been stabbed. The Surrey police force seem ready to put the murders down to robbery with violence, but Detective Inspector Madden sees things differently. He is certain this crime has been perpetrated by a psychopath who will strike again."
My review (Note this was in 2011 and I was just new to Goodreads) - "Very satisfying mystery. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and I enjoyed the characters very much. Very highly recommended. (5 star)"
"I liked Rennie Airth's second book in his Inspector Madden series very much. He seems to have found a nice style and pacing. The mystery was interesting and kept me reading. The final resolution was also well-thought out. The characters, especially Inspector Sinclair and Sgt. Styles and, of course, Madden are all easy to picture. My only criticism of the story was that there wasn't enough of Madden, that the story revolved more around Sinclair, which isn't a problem, just a point.
As well, I don't think that Airth got into the psyche of the suspect enough, that at the end, you still haven't really seen him. My final point is that the jacket of the book says, 'And soon significant links are discovered in Germany, where the Nazis are on the brink of power'. I had expected this to be more developed, but this plot line remained more on the periphery. All in all, I still find this series interesting and worth reading. (3 stars)"
"This is the third in the John Madden series of mysteries. The stories get better and better. I enjoyed this very much. It's more than just a mystery featuring one detective. In fact, in this story, John Madden has been retired from Scotland Yard for a number of years, now happily married and living in the country with lovely country doctor, Helen.
The story is set during the final throes of WWII, during the Battle of the Bulge as Hitler's army tries a last desperate attempt to throw back the Allies. Mind you, this story is basically set in England, with a warm up from France, when a Jewish businessman is murdered. We move to England and another murder, that of a Polish girl who has been working on Madden's farm. This brings Madden into the story as he feels an obligation to help solve the murder.
But the story also focuses on Deputy Inspector Angus Sinclair, Madden's old boss, and a team of police led by Billy Sykes and others. The investigation is handled nicely as they try to find a mystery man, a possible serial killer. It's such a nicely paced and choreographed story and all of the characters are well-presented. I kind of had some things figured out by the end, but it didn't matter, the story was excellent, the tension nicely built and it was an all-in-all enjoyable mystery. One more in this series, unless Mr. Airth decides to write another. Enjoy! (4 stars)"
"The Reckoning is the 4th and, at the moment, final book in the John Madden mystery series. Madden is a police inspector with Scotland Yard and in the later books has retired to the country south of London.
However he is often called in to assist with investigations, either because of his own involvement with the suspects/ cases, or because the cases occur in his home county. In this book, a man is murdered and it comes to light that he had written a letter asking for contact information for Madden.
Why would he do that? The case becomes linked with another murder in Scotland and the search is on to find out how the cases are related. Billy Sykes, Madden's ex-partner, and newly promoted DC Lily Poole, conduct most of the investigation, with Madden assisting and providing counsel. It's in intriguing case, relating back to events which took place during WWI, and with which Madden had an involvement.
I enjoy Airth's writing style, his characterizations, his development of the plot and the investigation and his story telling. I like the main characters; Madden, Sykes and Poole, but even the minor characters; Helen (Madden's lovely wife), Sinclair (Madden's ex-boss) and the others. All in all in interesting mystery and an enjoyable story. It appears that a new Madden mystery is coming out in 2017. Looking forward to it. (4 stars)"
"The Death of Kings is the 5th (and I thought final) book in English author, Rennie Airth's, John Madden historical mystery series. It seems that there will now be a new book in the series out in 2020. Oh well.
John Madden is a retired Scotland Yard inspector living an idyllic life in the English countryside with his beautiful wife, Helen, the local doctor. Madden is brought out of retirement (sort of) by his old boss, Angus Sinclair, also retired and living next door, and suffering from a bad case of gout. In his past, Sinclair had investigated the murder of a young woman attending a house party of a wealthy businessman at his estate. A potential suspect had confessed to the murder and been executed. Ten years later, possible evidence is sent to the local cop who had investigated the murder as well, that might exonerate the accused.
Scotland Yard is reluctant to re-open the investigation but are prepared to let Madden do some initial investigation to see if there is further evidence to do so. Inspector Billy Styles, who had worked on a previous case with Madden, is assigned as a liaison and to help as well. As Madden begins to look into the old case, further evidence will appear that forces the Yard to expand its investigation. Detective Inspector Lily Poole and DS Jack Cross join the investigation.
The investigation revolves around the party and the people who either attended it or worked there. Madden develops a close relationship with the son of Jack Jessup, the wealthy businessman, Richard, who took over the business when his father resigned. As the investigation progresses, we are teased with an intro to a Chinese Triad who are heading to London for some reason. There are two main suspects; a friend of Richard Jessup, a rich gadabout, and a Chinese criminal, who had attended the party with the young woman who was murdered.
The journey we follow during the investigation is nicely constructed. We also get to spend time with Madden's daughter who is helping him close down the home of an aunt who had passed away and also is used as a sounding point during the investigation. The characters are all interesting; it's getting back together with Styles and Lily Poole and Angus. It's an enjoyable story but I have to say that I figured it out before the end. I was going to say that it's satisfying to scrub another series off my growing list of series but I guess I'll have to enjoy the next one too. (3.5 stars)"
"On a trip into Winchester, former chief inspector Angus Sinclair learns of a tragedy that has taken place in the village he is staying in. Beloved church organist Greta Hartmann has slipped and fallen to her death in a shallow creek, and while investigations conclude it to be an accident, her friend and housemate, Vera, remains unconvinced. After learning that Greta was the widow of a prominent anti-Nazi German preacher, Sinclair meets with the distraught Vera, and he resolves to dig deeper into the story. His investigations lead him to the stately manor of Julia Lesage, where she lives with her devoted staff that includes her secretary, cook, and driver. Though confined to a wheelchair, Julia is an electrifying spirit with a sharp wit, and those who know her adore her. Among those who do, a gentleman with dubious business dealings is also staying at the house--and Julia appears to be in love with him. A blizzard hits, keeping Sinclair, and later Madden, on the grounds with little to do but analyze the case of Greta's death, until a murder takes place, and everyone becomes a suspect." Sounds interesting. Guess I'll have to get it.
So there you go. I hope you like my new theme?
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