Monkeewrench is a mystery/thriller by P.J. Tracy. It is a fast paced, suspenseful mystery that takes place in Minneapolis and a partially in a small town in Wisconsin. The novel is about a series of murders that takes place in the city that are based on a computer game. The homicide detectives assigned to the case have to work through a daunting list of suspects that include the employees of the company that designed the game.
The characters are likable. The book has enough character development in it to make it about more than just solving the murders. The plot is original and well thought through. There are twists and turns that have the reader wondering about the characters lives, not just about the "who done it" part of the mystery.
It is an enjoyable book that keeps the reader guessing until the last pages. The characters are ones that the reader wants to continue to follow, even after reading the last page. So, it's a good thing that there are other books centered around them (Live Bait & Dead Run). Can't wait to read those!
Happy Reading!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Paint It Black
Paint It Black is a novel by Janet Fitch (White Oleander). It is a dark, depressing novel set in the 80s about a young woman whose boyfriend commits suicide. After his death, she learns about secrets that he kept from her, and forms a strange relationship with his mother. The two of them together, try to make sense out of the senseless act and forge forward with all they have left, each other.
This novel was artful, but gloomy. The main character, Josie, is deeply in love with her boyfriend. She is from the wrong side of town. He is from a rich family, but has written them off. He is trying to make his way as a struggling artist, trying to live a "real" life. When the depression gets the best of him, and he takes his life, Josie must go through the process of saying goodbye. His mother, who hated Josie, now clings to her as a last memento of her son's other life. And Josie clings right back, as his mother represents a last scrap of who her boyfriend was. The two woman form a very co-dependent relationship, each simply using the other for different reasons. Through the process, Josie learns of lies that her boyfriend told her and secrets that he kept from her, some of them very disturbing. As Josie moves through her process of grieving - laying blame, feeling anger and guilt - she has to decide whether she will move on, remain in this current state of mourning, or join her boyfriend. Through an unlikely source, she finally figures out which path to take.
This novel took some time to read, because I could only take so much at once. While it was a good book that delivered a message about living and dying, and I am glad that I read it, I don't know that I would recommend it. It was just too depressing. The novel's view on life was just too dismal. I really couldn't wait to be finished and move on to something lighter. This is a novel that makes it hard to even say...
Happy Reading!
This novel was artful, but gloomy. The main character, Josie, is deeply in love with her boyfriend. She is from the wrong side of town. He is from a rich family, but has written them off. He is trying to make his way as a struggling artist, trying to live a "real" life. When the depression gets the best of him, and he takes his life, Josie must go through the process of saying goodbye. His mother, who hated Josie, now clings to her as a last memento of her son's other life. And Josie clings right back, as his mother represents a last scrap of who her boyfriend was. The two woman form a very co-dependent relationship, each simply using the other for different reasons. Through the process, Josie learns of lies that her boyfriend told her and secrets that he kept from her, some of them very disturbing. As Josie moves through her process of grieving - laying blame, feeling anger and guilt - she has to decide whether she will move on, remain in this current state of mourning, or join her boyfriend. Through an unlikely source, she finally figures out which path to take.
This novel took some time to read, because I could only take so much at once. While it was a good book that delivered a message about living and dying, and I am glad that I read it, I don't know that I would recommend it. It was just too depressing. The novel's view on life was just too dismal. I really couldn't wait to be finished and move on to something lighter. This is a novel that makes it hard to even say...
Happy Reading!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Murder in the Chateau
Murder in the Chateau is an Eleanor Roosevelt novel by Elliot Roosevelt, her son. This is the first of these novels I have read. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who like mystery mixed with history.
The novel is set in 1941. France has been occupied by Germany and everyone wonders when the United States will get involved in the war. The president's wife is summoned to the oval office. Her husband has a mission for her. There is a covert operation underway to assassinate Hitler. The French and the Germans are looking for commitment to the mission. The first lady is supposed to attend secretive meetings in Nazi occupied France with high ranking military officials from France and Germany, to establish the commitment of the United States. It is a very dangerous mission, but no one realizes how dangerous until people in the chateau where the meetings are taking place start ending up dead. Now Mrs. Roosevelt, with the aid of her U.S. intelligence assistants, must figure out why these murders are happening and who is committing them, while also remaining hidden from the Nazi troops that are patrolling the area.
There was a lot of military strategy in this book. In addition, there are some more touching moments where characters reveal exactly what living in Nazi occupied areas was like. Normally, this kind of book might not be my cup of tea, but because there were the more tender moments and because Mrs. Roosevelt's character was so intriguing and likable, I did enjoy this book. I also find it so interesting that it was written by the Roosevelt's son. To write a book about his mother, where she was portrayed with such elegance and intelligence, he must have truly loved and respected his mother. There is even a scene where one of the men involved in this mission makes mild advances toward the First Lady. It was quite an interesting and enjoyable, albeit fictional, look into her life.
If you like historical fiction, and military strategy, mixed in with some good old fashioned murder mystery then Murder in the Chateau would be a good choice for you.
Happy Reading!
The novel is set in 1941. France has been occupied by Germany and everyone wonders when the United States will get involved in the war. The president's wife is summoned to the oval office. Her husband has a mission for her. There is a covert operation underway to assassinate Hitler. The French and the Germans are looking for commitment to the mission. The first lady is supposed to attend secretive meetings in Nazi occupied France with high ranking military officials from France and Germany, to establish the commitment of the United States. It is a very dangerous mission, but no one realizes how dangerous until people in the chateau where the meetings are taking place start ending up dead. Now Mrs. Roosevelt, with the aid of her U.S. intelligence assistants, must figure out why these murders are happening and who is committing them, while also remaining hidden from the Nazi troops that are patrolling the area.
There was a lot of military strategy in this book. In addition, there are some more touching moments where characters reveal exactly what living in Nazi occupied areas was like. Normally, this kind of book might not be my cup of tea, but because there were the more tender moments and because Mrs. Roosevelt's character was so intriguing and likable, I did enjoy this book. I also find it so interesting that it was written by the Roosevelt's son. To write a book about his mother, where she was portrayed with such elegance and intelligence, he must have truly loved and respected his mother. There is even a scene where one of the men involved in this mission makes mild advances toward the First Lady. It was quite an interesting and enjoyable, albeit fictional, look into her life.
If you like historical fiction, and military strategy, mixed in with some good old fashioned murder mystery then Murder in the Chateau would be a good choice for you.
Happy Reading!
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