Jack Morgan's ex-assistant and ex-girlfriend is dead, shot in his bedroom and he is the #1 suspect. Some of the police for are happy to take Morgan and Private down a notch or two. Jack is on the case of his life, for his life, and he has little to go on.
As if that wasn't enough, Jack's mob "friend" has a job for Jack that he shouldn't refuse. A truck load of drugs was carjacked from Noccia's men and stored somewhere in L.A. Noccia wants Private to get it back for him.
Finally, there have been a rash of murders in hotels in which the victim has been garroted. Private is hired to be on the case.
I like this series so far. There is enough action to keep you interested. There is enough, but not too much, personal sides and there is no figuring out "who did it" because that person may or may not have been introduced yet.
If you are a fan of the Patterson/Paetro duo, this book won't disappoint.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie
The Labours of Hercules is a collection of short stories that are supposed to depict the last cases of the famous detective Hercule Poirot (since I have not read any other Hercule Poirot novels, I do not know if this is the case). Just before embarking on the labours, Hercule had begun to read about his namesake, the Greek god Hercules. Learning of the twelve labours that Hercules completed, Poirot resolves to take just twelve more cases before he retires and decrees they must connect, in order, to the labours of Hercules.
As with most collection of short stories, the reader will have favorites and some that aren't as well liked. There were some that I figured out a few pages in and some, like The Stymphalean Birds that were a complete surprise to me.
The stories are short and well managed. They wrap up before the reader gets bored. Mystery, literature, and of course Agatha Christie fans may like this book.
The 12 labours are:
The Nemean Lion: Poirot accepts a case of a kidnapped dog
The Lernaean Hydra: Poirot is employed to help dispel rumors that a man killed his wife.
The Arcadian Deer: After his car breaks down, a man asked Poirot for his help locating a beautiful woman who seems to have dropped off the face of the planet.
The Erymanthian Boar: Poirot embarks on a trip to the top of a mountain in order to catch an elusive fugitive who is rumored to be at the hotel. When the only form of communication and travel is broken, Poirot must solve the mystery and stay alive.
The Augean Stables: A not-corrupt current political head is threatened by the misdeeds of his predecessor. Poirot is asked to try and clean up the potential political pitfall.
The Stymphalean Birds: A scared young wife, a protective old mother, a would be knight-shining-armour, two old ladies and a jealous, vengeful husband and murder.
and more...
The Cretan Bull
As with most collection of short stories, the reader will have favorites and some that aren't as well liked. There were some that I figured out a few pages in and some, like The Stymphalean Birds that were a complete surprise to me.
The stories are short and well managed. They wrap up before the reader gets bored. Mystery, literature, and of course Agatha Christie fans may like this book.
The 12 labours are:
The Nemean Lion: Poirot accepts a case of a kidnapped dog
The Lernaean Hydra: Poirot is employed to help dispel rumors that a man killed his wife.
The Arcadian Deer: After his car breaks down, a man asked Poirot for his help locating a beautiful woman who seems to have dropped off the face of the planet.
The Erymanthian Boar: Poirot embarks on a trip to the top of a mountain in order to catch an elusive fugitive who is rumored to be at the hotel. When the only form of communication and travel is broken, Poirot must solve the mystery and stay alive.
The Augean Stables: A not-corrupt current political head is threatened by the misdeeds of his predecessor. Poirot is asked to try and clean up the potential political pitfall.
The Stymphalean Birds: A scared young wife, a protective old mother, a would be knight-shining-armour, two old ladies and a jealous, vengeful husband and murder.
and more...
The Cretan Bull
The Horses of Diomedes
The Girdle of Hyppolita
The Flock of Geryon
The Apples of Hesperides
The Capture of Cerberus
Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
I actually listened to this book on CD while commuting to work. It is read by President Obama so if you don't like his voice, you won't like listening to it.
Since I enjoy his voice, I found it to be enjoyable. The book seems to be Obama's views on anything from politics to family to faith to the economic market. He writes how he sees things, what is currently working and not, and what his vision is to change the status quo.
I like that he doesn't paint himself to be infallible or omniscience. He doesn't pretend that his ideas are the only fix or that they will fix everything that is currently wrong or broken.
I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much as I did had I read it instead of listening. There was just something about hearing the man who wrote the words and who would just a couple of years later become the President of the United States that made it that much more enjoyable.
Since I enjoy his voice, I found it to be enjoyable. The book seems to be Obama's views on anything from politics to family to faith to the economic market. He writes how he sees things, what is currently working and not, and what his vision is to change the status quo.
I like that he doesn't paint himself to be infallible or omniscience. He doesn't pretend that his ideas are the only fix or that they will fix everything that is currently wrong or broken.
I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much as I did had I read it instead of listening. There was just something about hearing the man who wrote the words and who would just a couple of years later become the President of the United States that made it that much more enjoyable.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
I wasn't sure about reading this book as I really haven't read too many autobiographies, but this was recommended by some different people who have read it. Since those recommending it came from all walks of life with different reading interests, I thought what the hell. I love me some Sam Seaborn...let's read it.
I wasn't disappointed. His story telling ability made me feel like I was reading a novel. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The amount of chance encounters and just being in the right place at the right time...I can't fathom it. It sounds almost made up the way he's met all these people even before his big break.
Rob Lowe: Brat pack member, heart-throb, success, disgrace, alcoholic, party boy, husband, friend... the list goes on and on. In this autobiography the reader gets to know Lowe. His life is an interesting read. The chance encounters, the struggles, and the triumphs make "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" a must read. I almost felt like I was reading a well written novel.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I rarely give 5 stars, but this book deserves it and more. I am in awe by the experiences of his life.
I wasn't disappointed. His story telling ability made me feel like I was reading a novel. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The amount of chance encounters and just being in the right place at the right time...I can't fathom it. It sounds almost made up the way he's met all these people even before his big break.
Rob Lowe: Brat pack member, heart-throb, success, disgrace, alcoholic, party boy, husband, friend... the list goes on and on. In this autobiography the reader gets to know Lowe. His life is an interesting read. The chance encounters, the struggles, and the triumphs make "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" a must read. I almost felt like I was reading a well written novel.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I rarely give 5 stars, but this book deserves it and more. I am in awe by the experiences of his life.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass
The Bone Thief was the first book I read for the "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" challenge. This one should count under the Outside the Law category.
This book was okay. It centers on Bill Brockton, professor and Body Farm founder. Bill is recruited to help with an undercover sting by the FBI something he has a hard time stomaching. Bill's relationships are tested and his credibility may be ruined. In the background of the FBI case, Dr. Brockton is also helping greasy lawyer Devies exhume bodies and sue people.
I found it a little dry in parts; almost like Bass was just filling space. Another note, which may have led to the dryness but not the author's fault was this copy of the book was written in very small type and the book itself was small and dense.
This book was okay. It centers on Bill Brockton, professor and Body Farm founder. Bill is recruited to help with an undercover sting by the FBI something he has a hard time stomaching. Bill's relationships are tested and his credibility may be ruined. In the background of the FBI case, Dr. Brockton is also helping greasy lawyer Devies exhume bodies and sue people.
I found it a little dry in parts; almost like Bass was just filling space. Another note, which may have led to the dryness but not the author's fault was this copy of the book was written in very small type and the book itself was small and dense.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
10th Anniversary by James Patterson
In this 10th instalment of the Woman's Murder Club, Lindsay Boxer is a newly married woman trying to adjust to being a wife, but, as usual, the book focuses on a couple of cases. First case is a missing child, a bleeding teenager, and a question about what happened to her. Then our fearless reporter Cindy becomes involved in a bizarre string of sexual assaults in which the victim doesn't remember anything and is dropped near her home. The final case in 10th Anniversary is one Yuki is trying. She believes she has an open and shut case agings Dr. Marin, but the defense attorney asks Lindsey to poke around. Friendships are tested, but prevail.
As with all of the books in this series, I liked it. I like that the author has you focus on more than one case to keep your mind sharp. If you do not like Patterson's style of writing, you won't like this book. Otherwise, grab a chair by the fire or a lounge on the beach and dig in.
3.5 out of 5
As with all of the books in this series, I liked it. I like that the author has you focus on more than one case to keep your mind sharp. If you do not like Patterson's style of writing, you won't like this book. Otherwise, grab a chair by the fire or a lounge on the beach and dig in.
3.5 out of 5
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