Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

At an early morning job fair, a stolen Mercedes rips through the crowd, killing several. The driver is never found, much to Detective Bill Hodges' chagrin. Several months after the attack, the now-retired detective receives a letter from someone identifying themselves as the "perk" and threatening another massacre. Unhappy in retirement, Hodges is instantly alert and ready to put his considerable sleuthing skills back to use. 

Book #1 in the Bill Hodges Trilogy. 437 pages.

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall, I found this adult mystery/thriller fascinating, and it went in all sorts of unexpected directions. I was able to predict a lot of the outcomes ahead of time, but there was one thing that caught me off guard and surprised me.

There are some things that happen at the end that are a bit ridiculous, though they definitely make the story more dramatic and intense. I just occasionally wanted to shake a few characters for making such poor choices in such a serious situation, but such is humanity.

Overall, this is a captivating read, and I'm glad I picked it up on Audible, as the audiobook narration is excellent.

Pages: 303

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Everyone loves this, so what is wrong with me? This is my first Cormac McCarthy book, and I’m completely underwhelmed.

At first, I thought this was interesting and maybe even strangely charming. I liked the simple/sparse style. Then it shifted to boring and confusing with a lot of description. I never could get a handle on any of the characters. They are introduced rapidly and make no real impression before disappearing again. Everyone and everything just blended together.

There is literally no character growth or development. Also, 75% of the time, I couldn’t even figure out who was speaking, and there is a lot of telling through the dialog. The story jumps around constantly, so good luck trying to follow along and make sense of it. You are just along for a weird, confusing, less than satisfying ride.

There’s blood and violence, which should have caught my attention, but somehow even that manages to be boring or feel unnecessary.

A lot of reviewers who liked this book seem to have watched the movie first. Maybe you have to do that to be able to understand the book? If that’s the case, then Cormac McCarthy is a hard pass for me.

2nd star for interesting stylistic choices, even though they aren’t that effective. Let’s consider it a “good effort” star, rather than a good end result star.

Pages: 309

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

 The Pillowman
by Martin McDonagh
Pages: 104
Rating: 3 out of 5

This script is not for the faint of heart. There is darkness present from the very beginning in the interrogation room of the police station, but the psychological twists and turns only get deeper as the suspect reveals the inspiration for his writing and discovers how his writing is tied to a number of child-murders in his town.

Artemis by Andy Weir

 Artemis
by Andy Weir
Pages: 305
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

From the author of The Martian comes a totally different science fiction adventure. Besides being set on a planet in space this novel is quite different from The Martian, much more adventure and less science. Artemis is a settlement on the moon owned by a corporation.

The main character Jazz Bashara was born on the moon and is just as tough as the atmosphere. While being smart and talented Jazz is often her own worst enemy and is still paying for some mistakes she made as a teen. Jazz is trying to make a fast buck but ends up in the middle of a conspiracy to take over the control of Artemis. But Jazz will need more than her brains and daring to commit the perfect crime, she's going to have to learn how to deal with her past and forgive herself and others to succeed.

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

The Corleones are considered the First Family of the American branch of the mafia, and Don Vito rules it with an iron fist. Their legacy is rooted deep in Sicilian tradition, as well as blood and honor. But when greed and power threaten to unravel the Family and their closest alliances, the true violence that lurks behind every corner of the mafia is unveiled.

448 pages.

FBI/US Attorney Series by Julie James

A Lot like Love by Julie James (Book 20
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a second book in a series, the author did a good job of bringing new and unique characters and different issues to the story (money laundering, prison fights, etc), while still dragging in the past characters for short cameos.

The female lead owns a wine store, and I enjoyed the discussions about wine, which made drinking wine seem so much more exciting than I remember it being. The male lead, an undercover agent, had a rough around the edges vibe which was a nice contrast. This is definitely an opposites attract situation.

Book 56 in 2018

Pages: 274

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About That Night by Julie James  (Book 3)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm still enjoying this series, though this book is lighter on the criminal justice elements and heavier on the romance. Luckily, it has a very charming and amusing love interest, so I didn't mind at all.

Book 57 read in 2018

Pages: 284

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Love Irresistibly by Julie James (Book 4)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The most adorable thing in this book is the MC's bestie. He's amusing on so many levels, and they have a charming friendship.

This one is also shy on drama, crime, suspense, and mystery, but it's a sweet romance with smart characters. I like that they don't do stupid stuff just to suit the storyline, which happens so often in romance novels.

Book 60 read in 2018

Pages: 274

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It Happened One Wedding by Julie James  (Book 5)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is definitely an opposites attract story, with again, less criminal elements, despite the undercover jobs of the male MC, but again, I didn't mind one bit. Each new novel seemed to lean further away from the suspense/mystery/crime drama side and closer to the romance side, which I didn't mind one bit, considering Julie James is a captivating author. She draws you in quick, and once you invest in her characters, you'd watch them paint bedrooms, fold laundry, and blow dry their hair (all things I don't enjoy), just because you can't stand to look away.

Book 62 read in 2018

Pages: 304

Something About You by Julie James

Something About You by Julie James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wouldn't have picked this book up if Nicole hadn't recommended it to me. Based on how obsessed she was by everything written by this author, I knew I should give it a try.

While this isn't my typical read, I absolutely enjoyed every second of this--I'm not even sure how to genre it--criminal romance? That doesn't sound quite right. Romantic Crime Drama? It's in the Janet Evanovich realm of crime meets romance, but it's a bit more serious and emotional, where Evanovich leans harder towards zany and hilarious.

I immediately started book 2, which is what's important. This was such an easy, delightful read after some of the heavy and lengthy books I've read lately. It follows the formula I would expect for a criminal justice romance, which I like, because let's face it, it's a good formula. If you need proof, then I refer you back to the 80 billion seasons of CSI, Bones, Law & Order, Castle, etc.

I imagine I will likely devour everything by Julie James before proceeding back to my TBR, because she's has captured my attention. She makes everything about the story seem so smooth and easy, but the reality is writing a story is never those things. I like authors that have you so caught up in the story that you never stop to over-analyze anything, in terms of the writing or story structure. It means they've done their job well.

For those reasons, it gets 5 stars, even though I confess I'd be unlikely to reread this book, despite really enjoying it. The reality is that I can't reread them all anyway, and when it's a book I don't want to put down from start to finish, then it deserves all 5 stars.

Book 55 read in 2018

Pages: 307

Say You'll Remember Me

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As far as I'm concerned, Katie McGarry can do no wrong. Everything she writes is emotional, with well-developed characters who change and grow, and her pacing is always spot on. It's very difficult for me not to read her books straight through, no matter how long they are.

She understands people, and especially teenagers, and what makes them tick, and she doesn't stray away from writing difficult and complex characters.

Plus swoon! She's a romance goddess.

Book 47 read in 2018

Pages; 400

Robert B. Parker's Debt to Pay by Reed Farrel Coleman

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

He's been killing for two decades and loves what he does; Jesse Stone and others are in danger.

352 pages

Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn by Ace Atkins

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Fire at a boarded up Catholic church is an unsolved case but Spenser is now on it.

Audio:  6 hours 25 minutes
Print:  320 pages

Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Nothing but a wonderful hospital director who will do anything because of her power.  This book contains murders and conclusions that answer almost everything.

Audio:  11 hrs. 50 min.

Print:  528 pages

NYPD Red 4 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Manhattan movie premiere, heist gone wrong, and murder.  All together another good book.

Audio:  6 hrs. 58 min.

Print:  332 pages

The Gangster by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

The Italian American gang the Black Hand will attempt to kill President Teddy Roosevelt in 1905 and almost succeed.  387 pages.

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

PI Bernie Little and his partner and dog, Chet, solve another mystery in Washington, D.C., helping his girlfriend. Bernie is not nearly as funny as Chet.

Audio:  9 hrs. 30 min.

Print:  306 pages

The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

A cold case murder is brought back as a television crime program after 20 years to find the murderer.

Audio:  9 hours, 10 minutes
Print:  352 pages

Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

They met in Oklahoma and killed over twenty people on their way to and in New York City, but crime never wins.

Audio:  12 hrs. 25 min.
Print:  352 pages

The Hanging Girl: A Department Q Novel, By Jussi Adler-Olsen

In the midst of his morning nap, Carl Mørck, head of Department Q, receives a call from a colleague working on the Danish island of Bornholm with information about a local policeman's suicide, which is somehow connected to a cold case.  Some years ago, a young woman was found dead, her body hanging high in a tree.  This unusual case sends Carl, Assad, and Rose from the remote island of Bornholm to a strange sun worshiping cult.  

512 pages, translated from Danish

You Know Who Killed Me by Loren D. Estleman

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

She had an affair, he was murdered.  There are foreign bad guys and local suspects.  Amos Walker was hired to find out who the killer was.

Audio:  5 hrs. 36 min.

Print:  240 pages