Cold Service is one of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. This is the first book that I have read of Robert B. Parker's so I was not up on the series. The novel worked okay as a stand alone, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous novels in the series.
Spenser is a private detective, who owns his own business. In this novel, his best friend, Hawk, is exacting revenge on some bad people who almost killed him, and did kill someone who was under his protection. Spenser always has his best friend's back, so they go about their investigation and revenge plot together. There is plenty of action, but the revenge plot is not well explained. It is a complicated plot, and rather than tell the reader about it, the details of the plan are glossed over and the novel is wrapped up quite quickly and succinctly. I kept thinking that maybe I had missed something, but I went back through the book and I hadn't missed anything. The author just chose not to include those details. Personally, I felt those details would have further the story a little more smoothly.
For action and suspense, the novel works. I just wish the author had given me a little more detail. The relationships between the characters work as well, although there is a language between Spenser and Hawk that is so personal, I felt left out. That being said, Parker is able to deliver a magnitude of feeling with just a few words and the reader is quite aware of the bond between these two men. Maybe long time readers of the series would understand their language better than I did. I would only recommend this one if you are a fan of Robert B. Parker, and have read the other novels in this series.
Happy Reading!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Dragonfly in Amber
Dragonfly in Amber is the second installment of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. What an epic adventure full of mystery, intrigue, romance, and violence, and rich in history! I am at a loss for a way to write about such an all encompassing tale.
I don't want to spoil anything with this series, so there is very little I can say. Many questions that the reader was left with after the first book are answered here. Once again the story is told from two different times. Jamie and Claire know what lies in the future. In this book, they have very difficult decisions to make about whether they can do anything to alter the course of history. They suffer personal setbacks and heartbreak, make amazing friends, and find courage where there is none to be found. And in the end, make the most difficult decision they have faced yet. But then the reader is left with even more questions. "What will happen next?" being the foremost question in our minds. But more than that, we are left with such detailed questions that another reader of the series assures me will all be answered with the next installment.
These books are each an incredible undertaking and each could easily be separated into three individual books. Because they are epic in scale, as desperately as I want to dive into the next, I must take a break and read some lighter material. I highly recommend this series. It has everything the reader could want and I eagerly await the moment when starting the next one feels right.
Happy Reading!
I don't want to spoil anything with this series, so there is very little I can say. Many questions that the reader was left with after the first book are answered here. Once again the story is told from two different times. Jamie and Claire know what lies in the future. In this book, they have very difficult decisions to make about whether they can do anything to alter the course of history. They suffer personal setbacks and heartbreak, make amazing friends, and find courage where there is none to be found. And in the end, make the most difficult decision they have faced yet. But then the reader is left with even more questions. "What will happen next?" being the foremost question in our minds. But more than that, we are left with such detailed questions that another reader of the series assures me will all be answered with the next installment.
These books are each an incredible undertaking and each could easily be separated into three individual books. Because they are epic in scale, as desperately as I want to dive into the next, I must take a break and read some lighter material. I highly recommend this series. It has everything the reader could want and I eagerly await the moment when starting the next one feels right.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Rage of Angels
Rage of Angels is a Sydney Sheldon classic. I read it over 20 years ago and enjoyed reading it recently just as much. Sydney Sheldon is truly the master of the game when it comes to suspense, mystery, plot twists and edge of your seat entertainment.
In Rage of Angels, a new lawyer tries to make her way in the competitive and often dangerous world of the District Attorney's office. She makes a horrible mistake that would seemingly end her career before it has even begun. But she is a fighter and she struggles back to make a name for herself. She falls in love with a powerful man, and enters into a relationship that can never be real. This book follows her life over several decades as she makes choices that affect so many other lives, as she is lied to and played, and as she plays right back. It has the stuff of an epic novel without being overly lengthy. In fact, I finished it in only a couple days.
The law, courtrooms, the mafia, exotic locations, love, murder, danger, tough choices - this book was full of all of the makings of a great story. Funny to read it now, where technology would have helped the main character, and remember that in the time of this novel there were no cell phones, GPS systems, etc. This is a good read for any Sydney Sheldon fan.
Happy Reading!
In Rage of Angels, a new lawyer tries to make her way in the competitive and often dangerous world of the District Attorney's office. She makes a horrible mistake that would seemingly end her career before it has even begun. But she is a fighter and she struggles back to make a name for herself. She falls in love with a powerful man, and enters into a relationship that can never be real. This book follows her life over several decades as she makes choices that affect so many other lives, as she is lied to and played, and as she plays right back. It has the stuff of an epic novel without being overly lengthy. In fact, I finished it in only a couple days.
The law, courtrooms, the mafia, exotic locations, love, murder, danger, tough choices - this book was full of all of the makings of a great story. Funny to read it now, where technology would have helped the main character, and remember that in the time of this novel there were no cell phones, GPS systems, etc. This is a good read for any Sydney Sheldon fan.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Dead Reckoning
Dead Reckoning is the next installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. In this next adventure, the telepathic barmaid once again faces danger, mystical intrigue, vampire politics and secrets. Someone is out to get her, someone is out to get her lover, Eric, and her fae cousins are keeping something from her.
This novel moves the story line along for Sookie, but it lacked some of the adventure and suspense that the previous novels have held. For anyone looking for lots of Sookie/Eric action, it just isn't in here, although their relationship is changed dramatically. There is more insight into the fae world and quite a bit of family history covered, but I didn't feel that all of the family history stayed true to the characters as they were originally written.
If you are going to stay with the series, you need to read this book but I did not enjoy it as much as previous novels in this series. It felt like this was a time filler until the next adventure. I hate to say this, but Charlaine Harris needs to step it up again and soon. The last two books have been a bit disappointing and she is going to lose readers if the next one falls short.
Happy Reading!
This novel moves the story line along for Sookie, but it lacked some of the adventure and suspense that the previous novels have held. For anyone looking for lots of Sookie/Eric action, it just isn't in here, although their relationship is changed dramatically. There is more insight into the fae world and quite a bit of family history covered, but I didn't feel that all of the family history stayed true to the characters as they were originally written.
If you are going to stay with the series, you need to read this book but I did not enjoy it as much as previous novels in this series. It felt like this was a time filler until the next adventure. I hate to say this, but Charlaine Harris needs to step it up again and soon. The last two books have been a bit disappointing and she is going to lose readers if the next one falls short.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Just Revenge
Just Revenge is a suspenseful legal thriller by Alan Dershowitz. The novel takes an emotional look at the feelings survivors of the Holocaust have related to the perpetrators of that horror, and asks a very difficult question: Are survivors of the Holocaust entitled to revenge on the people who killed their families so long ago?
This is the second novel of Mr. Dershowitz's with Abe Ringel as the main character. However, you don't need to have read the first to read this one. In this novel, Max Menuchen, a friend and fellow scholar of Abe's discovers that the man responsible for killing his entire family is still alive and is living very close by. This man has had a full life, with children and now grandchildren. An opportunity Max's family never got. This enrages Max. At first he tries to enact some semblance of revenge on this man legally, but when the legal channels fail him, Max has to decide if he needs to take things into his own hands. Abe is left with defending Max's actions in the court of law.
Not really being an "eye for an eye" kind of gal, it was hard for me to get behind Max on his crusade for justice. However, this novel really made the reader think. It asked hard questions, and delivered difficult answers. It was a fast, page turner, that was written well. While not a fan of Mr. Dershowitz particularly, I have to give credit to his abilities as a writer. This novel was a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and at the same time, made me philosophical. Quite an interesting pair. Not wanting to give anything away, I will say that there will be those unsatisfied with the ending. I believe that the ending did serve up the only justice possible, and left the reader with maybe a little hope. I would highly recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
This is the second novel of Mr. Dershowitz's with Abe Ringel as the main character. However, you don't need to have read the first to read this one. In this novel, Max Menuchen, a friend and fellow scholar of Abe's discovers that the man responsible for killing his entire family is still alive and is living very close by. This man has had a full life, with children and now grandchildren. An opportunity Max's family never got. This enrages Max. At first he tries to enact some semblance of revenge on this man legally, but when the legal channels fail him, Max has to decide if he needs to take things into his own hands. Abe is left with defending Max's actions in the court of law.
Not really being an "eye for an eye" kind of gal, it was hard for me to get behind Max on his crusade for justice. However, this novel really made the reader think. It asked hard questions, and delivered difficult answers. It was a fast, page turner, that was written well. While not a fan of Mr. Dershowitz particularly, I have to give credit to his abilities as a writer. This novel was a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and at the same time, made me philosophical. Quite an interesting pair. Not wanting to give anything away, I will say that there will be those unsatisfied with the ending. I believe that the ending did serve up the only justice possible, and left the reader with maybe a little hope. I would highly recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Artichoke's Heart
Suzanne Supplee writes a sweet, delectable, touching novel in Artichoke's Heart. The novel is centered around a young girl who is battling a weight issue. But so much more than that, she is trying to learn to love herself and see that others love her, too.
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence is a classic novel by Edith Wharton. Set in the late 1800s, in New York, the characters are all of the higher society. Those from money, whether inherited or earned, who mainly socialize. It is a romantic novel, but the love shared between the two main characters is thwarted at every turn.
Newland Archer is ready to settle down and has found the perfect specimen to be his wife. She is athletic, not to smart (so he can feel that he is teaching her and giving her culture), pretty, comes from a respectable family and trainable. And he likes her. In 1870s American society, I guess that was enough. She is also willing to enter into the marriage, because he is handsome, wealthy, and from a good family. The arrangement will look good and further both of their families socially. (Can you imagine living like this?) But when her cousin come back into town after being away for a long time, Newland realizes that maybe there should be more. Maybe he could marry for love. Unfortunately, events lead him right up to his impending nuptials. After getting married, but never forgetting about his true love, Newland has settled down to his life but is not happy. Seeing his love on the sly, discussing whether or not they have a future, finally it seems that he is willing to make the incredible social blunder of asking for a divorce, when his wife announces her pregnancy. Certainly now he cannot leave her. (I believe that all along his wife knew of his dealings with her cousin and planned her announcement precisely.) The lovers (although technically they have only ever kissed) are thwarted again and life goes on. Newland makes the best of his years with his wife and raises his children. Years later, Newland's wife has died, his children are all grown. His son comes across Newland's old love during his travels. It looks like finally, at the very end of this story they will be able to be together. Both of them in their 50s, it isn't too late to share their love. But alas, Newland walks away, never to face his old love.
This novel is critically said to be one of satire regarding New York society and class during the 1870s. Written 50 years later, the author has the advantage of knowing what is about to befall these characters, both financially and from a technology standpoint. She uses her knowledge to take a sometimes comedic look and gives her characters some foresight into the future. As for the novels, political and social statements, I cannot speak to that, not knowing anything about New York society in the 1870s.
As for entertainment value, this novel offered me very little. It was difficult to read, and I was frustrated at the obstacles that kept coming between the characters. I didn't like the main characters for what they were doing to Newland's wife. Although, I suppose in their defense, one of the reasons they never did get together was because her cousin couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Anyway, I read this one to be able to say that I did. I don't know that I would recommend reading this classic to those whose time is limited. I am sure there are others out there that would be more worthy of that time.
Happy Reading!
Newland Archer is ready to settle down and has found the perfect specimen to be his wife. She is athletic, not to smart (so he can feel that he is teaching her and giving her culture), pretty, comes from a respectable family and trainable. And he likes her. In 1870s American society, I guess that was enough. She is also willing to enter into the marriage, because he is handsome, wealthy, and from a good family. The arrangement will look good and further both of their families socially. (Can you imagine living like this?) But when her cousin come back into town after being away for a long time, Newland realizes that maybe there should be more. Maybe he could marry for love. Unfortunately, events lead him right up to his impending nuptials. After getting married, but never forgetting about his true love, Newland has settled down to his life but is not happy. Seeing his love on the sly, discussing whether or not they have a future, finally it seems that he is willing to make the incredible social blunder of asking for a divorce, when his wife announces her pregnancy. Certainly now he cannot leave her. (I believe that all along his wife knew of his dealings with her cousin and planned her announcement precisely.) The lovers (although technically they have only ever kissed) are thwarted again and life goes on. Newland makes the best of his years with his wife and raises his children. Years later, Newland's wife has died, his children are all grown. His son comes across Newland's old love during his travels. It looks like finally, at the very end of this story they will be able to be together. Both of them in their 50s, it isn't too late to share their love. But alas, Newland walks away, never to face his old love.
This novel is critically said to be one of satire regarding New York society and class during the 1870s. Written 50 years later, the author has the advantage of knowing what is about to befall these characters, both financially and from a technology standpoint. She uses her knowledge to take a sometimes comedic look and gives her characters some foresight into the future. As for the novels, political and social statements, I cannot speak to that, not knowing anything about New York society in the 1870s.
As for entertainment value, this novel offered me very little. It was difficult to read, and I was frustrated at the obstacles that kept coming between the characters. I didn't like the main characters for what they were doing to Newland's wife. Although, I suppose in their defense, one of the reasons they never did get together was because her cousin couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Anyway, I read this one to be able to say that I did. I don't know that I would recommend reading this classic to those whose time is limited. I am sure there are others out there that would be more worthy of that time.
Happy Reading!
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