Red War (Mitch Rapp #17), by Kyle Mills

Seven stars

Kyle Mills is back with another of Vince Flynn’s classic novels of espionage, where Mitch Rapp finds himself in the middle of yet another international skirmish. After an attack on a prominent Russian in Central America, Rapp and those high-up in the CIA take notice, sure the Russian Government is involved. While they ponder how to handle this, Rapp is left to wonder what else Moscow might be plotting. Little known to most, the current Russian President is ill, terminally so. In what might be his last act of aggression, the president is convinced of an attack on some of his former satellite states, those in the Baltic that have since joined NATO. Sure that this will bring the Americans into yet another bloody war, the Russians begin to maneuver. Rapp and his team posit what might be going on, though many of the military forces of those countries that are potential targets remain unconvinced. It is a race against time and the two re-emerging superpowers may have one last stand-off. For one, it’s all in with nothing to lose. For the other, the world watches, as strategic force serves as a restraining deterrent. Mills does well to continue this series and takes readers on another spellbinding ride through international politics and espionage. Recommended for those who love the work Vince Flynn did before his premature death.

Since taking over the Mitch Rapp series, Mills has done well to promote a strong continuity when it comes to storylines, characters, and overall plot. That is rare, as I have come to see in other series taken over by new authors, who always like to establish their own control and usually leave the series reader deflated. Mitch Rapp remains a highly intriguing character, with his penchant for off-hand jokes, while offering a strong focus when work requires it. He is gritty, but also compassionate and keeps the reader liking this mix, for the most part. I cannot help but wonder if it is almost time for Rapp to switch to another role, thinking his body has taken enough beatings. That said, Bond is still around all these years later, right? The other characters, regulars and new faces, prove to push the story in interesting directions, with a focus on Russia and a political push towards supremacy again. The story is one that I have actually seen recently in another espionage series I read, where Russia is trying to erode the power of NATO through some of its former satellite countries. Funny enough, this may prove to be the new theme in this genre, which is nice after too many years of ISIS battles have surely drawn the ire of the genre reader. I am curious to see what else Mills has in store for this series, as there is surely much that could be developed, though I am also sure Rapp could retire and live a peaceful life once and for all. However, we all know Rapp is not the kind of guy to sit on the porch, sipping sweet tea!

Kudos, Mr. Mills, for another strong book. While not my favourite of your books in this series, it is sure to get others talking and wondering.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

Eight stars

An annual re-read, worth posting the review once again:

Mary Shelley’s story of Frankenstein poses less the spooky and bone-chilling tale that it has received in subsequent permutations, but rather serves more as a warning in regards to scientific exploration. The novel opens with a set of letters by Captain Robert Walton to his sister back in England. Captain Walton is travelling through the Arctic to further his scientific appetite. The captain and crew notice a large creature travelling over the ice and eventually stumble upon a nearly frozen Victor Frankenstein, who tells the story of his scientific struggles and tries to dissuade Walton from any such pursuits. From there, the narrative shifts to Frankenstein’s story, who was encouraged by his parents to explore the world of science and nature. Armed with the knowledge of the ancient natural philosophers, he takes this passion with him to university in Germany, where he is introduced to more modern ways of thinking. Grief befalls Frankenstein after his mother’s death and he turns to science to assuage him, discovering how to bring the electricity of life to that lacking its spark. Creating a being in secret, Frankenstein soon sees that it has gone horribly wrong, both the physical appearance of this eight-foot behemoth (tempered with translucent skin and pulsing veins) and the decision to play God. Frankenstein rages against his creation and flees for the city, only to return and see that the being has fled the confines of his flat. Frankenstein becomes ill and recuperates over a four-month period before returning to his native Geneva. Upon his arrival, he discovers that his younger brother has been killed. Frankenstein sees the tell-tale signs of his creation having strangled the young boy, though the crime is saddled upon a nanny and she is executed by hanging. Full of guilt, Frankenstein chases his creature and learns of the personal journey ‘he’ had over their time apart. The creature tells of how he learned the nuances of language and speech, the complexities of emotion as well as discovering of his hideous appearance. The creature vows to ruin the life of his creator unless he is gifted with a female companion. Frankenstein ponders this and promises to make one, having been threatened with more personal anguish if he fails. Frankenstein travels to the far reaches of Scotland to begin his work, eyed by the creature from afar. When Frankenstein has a final epiphany that his hands can create nothing but increased terror, he disposes with his experiment, knowing the consequences. More agony befalls Frankenstein, who seeks to destroy his creation once and for all. By the end, the story returns to Captain Walton’s ship and a dramatic set of events which solidifies the story’s underlying thread once and for all. A brilliant piece that is full of social commentary and much foreboding as it relates to science. Shelley’s original is less spooky than it is chilling for her thematic messaging. A wonderful read for those who like a good challenge.

Deemed the first ever piece of science fiction, Shelley’s story tell of the downsides of playing God with human life and creation. The themes that emanate from the story at hand are numerous and thought provoking. The reader can easily get lost in the narrative and its linguistic nuances, but it is the characters and their messages that permeate the text. Victor Frankenstein and his creature prove to be two very interesting and yet contrasting characters, developed primarily through their individual narratives. Frankenstein is the bright-eyed scientific mind who seeks to alter the path of events by imbuing something of his own making with life, only to discover that thought and reality do not mesh. On the other hand, the creature tells of a struggle to find ‘himself’ and suffers through the reality beset upon him, forced to learn to adapt under the most problematic circumstances. The plethora of other characters develop and support these two, with Captain Walton playing an interesting, yet seemingly background, role in the entire narrative. The attentive reader will see that this original piece lacks the ‘Hollywood’ flavour that has been placed upon it, where crowds with torches chase the protagonists and lightning is used to jolt the creature to life from his metal bolts in the neck. Instead, it is a piece of social commentary that prefers to scare in its foreboding and provides a much more academic approach than might be suspected by the unknowing reader. I was pleased with the novel and all it had to offer. I am sure it will provide a wonderful soapbox for those who wish to open a discussion on the matter. I would welcome it.

Kudos, Madam Shelley, for this wonderful piece. That you started it at the ripe age of eighteen baffles and impresses me. I will be adding this to my annual late October reading list!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Juror #3, By James Patterson and Nancy Allen

Eight stars

James Patterson collaborates with Nancy Allen to bring readers an exciting legal piece that will keep the questions coming until the final pages. Ruby Bozarth is a recent grad of Ole Miss Law School and has a desire to save the world. Hanging her shingle in a small town, she is used to defending misdemeanours and the like, most of which are simple cases. However, when a judge earmarks her to become the attorney of a local murder suspect, Ruby discovers that the law can be quite the beast. Darrien Summers is a waiter at the local country club and is summoned to a back room by text. When he arrives, he discovers the dead body of the woman he has secretly been seeing. What makes this scandalous in Mississippi is not that she is married, but that Summers is black and the victim is white. Cutting her teeth on all that is a murder defence, Ruby ends up working alongside the aunt of her former fiancé, a man she still cannot stomach having loved. While picking a jury, Ruby comes across a potential juror who seems to be acting very oddly. However, he makes it onto the panel and soon is captivated by the evidence in the Darrien Summers trial. Working her magic, Ruby inserts some doubt and hopes that she can win. However, something odd happens in the middle of the trial, involving that same Juror #3, which turns the case on its head. While Ruby tries to come to terms with the outcome, her aforementioned former flame finds himself in his own legal hot water and Ruby is thrust into her second major case in a year. Will she find a passion for the work of a criminal defence attorney or is this just one hell of a ride? Recommended for those who enjoy some of Patterson’s better collaborations and need a quick read to pass the time.

I quite enjoyed this one-off by Patterson and Allen, which worked well and seemed to get better with each passing chapter. Ruby Bozarth is that young lawyer who is as wet behind the ears as they come. However, her gumption and determination to do what is right seems to open a path towards a successful legal strategy. She trips and stumbles, but is always looking to better herself, rather than be the pompous woman that feels she can do no wrong. With a little backstory and much development throughout, the reader will likely grow to admire this Mississippi girl and all her quirks. The secondary characters work well, no matter their role in the piece, to pave the way towards an entertaining legal thriller that has a few twists few would expect. While not entirely traditional Patterson—super short chapters with a cliffhanger at each page turn—the story works well and the reader can remain engaged. Allen is to be applauded for keeping the story from turning into anything tepid, as I have found Patterson collaborations usually hinge on the second author to make or break the piece. What I did find interesting, though I debated keeping it out and allowing others to decide for themselves, is that this book almost acts as two BookShots in one—that clever Patterson project of short story writing—as the first case is completely divorced from the second, with that mystery juror firmly rooted in the early case. I waited and pondered why these two stories were pressed together, though I suppose others can chime in and offer their insights, after they have read the piece.

Kudos, Mr. Patterson and Madam Allen, for an entertaining read. I hope you will work together again soon.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Corrupt Practices (Parker Stern #1), by Robert Rotstein

Nine stars

Robert Rotstein storms onto the scene with this sensational legal and courtroom thriller that is sure to keep the reader hooked until the final page turn. Parker Stern was once a successful lawyer working in a mid-sized firm. When his mentor—who happened to be the senior partner—committed suicide, everything fell apart and the lawyers scattered. Now, one of his former colleagues has been charged with embezzlement from a major L.A. church, one that some would call a powerful cult. While Stern has not set foot in a courtroom for quite some time, he agrees to take the case, only to have his client commit suicide while awaiting trial. If this were not enough, Stern has taken on teaching a law seminar at one of the local colleges, where he meets one of the keenest legal minds he’s come across for some time, with the curious name of Lovely Diamond. With the embezzlement case soon becoming a legal battle with the deceased’s estate, Stern will need all the help that he can get and turns to his students to cobble together aspects of the case, as Lovely takes the lead. Holding onto an inner hatred for this cult, Stern will do everything in his power to find the loopholes to show that the embezzlement is coming from within the hierarchy of the organization and that these deaths are anything but self-inflicted. He will have to turn to someone he vowed never to contact in order to learn some of the inner workings of the church, but even that might not be enough. Juggling a highly controversial First Amendment case as well, Stern forges ahead, blindly, into the courtroom and refuses to stand down until justice is served. Rotstein has so much to offer and stuns readers with his ability to weave such a strong legal tale. Highly recommended for those who enjoy novels that take the law and put it through its paces!

I recently discovered Rotstein when reading another of his standalone legal pieces, which pulled me right in. I found that his writing was not only believable, but took me on that journey inside the courtroom where few writers have been able to effectively sell a legal thriller. The story is full of complexities as well as nuances that keep the reader coming back to learn more, while providing a handful of strong characters to guide the way. Parker Stern is so much more than a great legal mind in this piece. From his early years as a child film actor to his debilitating stage fright in the courtroom, he shapes the novel in so many ways. Fuelled by his hatred for not only the lawyers on the opposite side of the courtroom, but also the organization that saw his childhood destroyed, Stern will stop at nothing to use the law to enact revenge, however he can. His legal maneuvers are surely something that will keep the reader entertained, while they marvel at his passion for the law. There are a handful of other characters who shape the story, none more than Lovely Diamond, the third-year law student whose passion for the underdog cannot be downplayed. With an interesting backstory of her own, it was only a matter of time before she and Stern would find themselves working alongside one another, in ways no one could have expected. Her passion for helping and determination to get to the root of the legal argument propels the narrative forward and keeps the reader intrigued throughout. The story of this book is anything but simple, yet Rotstein makes it easily palatable without watering down the arguments. The reader is in for quite the ride and will surely find something that suits their fancy, with a number of legal and personal issues coming to a head simultaneously. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second novel to continue this wonderful journey through the law and how the courtroom is the unpredictable battlefield.

Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for a sensational start to this series. I will have to continue exploring the life of Parker Stern and how you shape him through the three novels you have written.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Wolfgang (Wolfgang Chronicles Book 1), by F.D. Gross

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to F. D Gross for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having been asked by the writer to read through this book, I gladly took the opportunity to do so, waiting for the ‘ghoulish’ time to approach, when I would inundate myself with other tales of a similar nature. Lord Tenor Alvadine Wolfgang is a heroic vampire hunter like no other. Armed with all the tools of the trade, Wolfgang sets out to slay Lord Egleaseon, a powerful vampire. Completing the task, Wolfgang can only hope that peace has finally been established in the area. Fast-forward sixteen years and Wolfgang has started a family, including his lovely wife, Diana, and son, Dorian. When he returns from one of his missions, Wolfgang is stunned to see his house in flames and Diana clinging to life. Worst of all, Dorian is nowhere to be found, presumably kidnapped. Wolfgang sets out to locate his son, crossing paths with many ghoulish beings. With nothing to live for if Dorian cannot be saved, Wolfgang will stop at nothing and shed copious amounts of blood to track down the fiendish individual who captured his son. As he follows the path that may lead him towards Dorian, Wolfgang discovers a plot to deceive him that has been years in the making. With this knowledge, there are even fewer he can trust during his time of need. Gross does well to lay the groundwork for this series, sure to pique the interest of readers who enjoy vampires and their associated slayers.

I agreed to take the gamble and try this book, in hopes that it would prepare me for the season. While I admit that this is not a genre I read regularly, or really find a passionate connection to, Gross has done well painting a literary picture that is sure to keep those who love vampires keenly interested. Wolfgang appears to be one of those men who have the brains and brawn, particularly when it comes to slaying bloodsucking monsters. His love of killing seems only to be eclipsed by his passion for family, though that foundation is all but gone now. Using numerous tools at his disposal, Wolfgang sets out to rid the world of evil, one creature at a time, but his motivation is quite specific. How he will evolve in the novels to come remains to be seen, but Gross has much that he can do, given the time to develop this character. The other secondary characters serve a decent purpose, including the creatures he encounters on his mission, though I admit they held little interest for me. The plot is decent and the narrative pushes forward at a decent pace, even if I was not fully enthralled by the content. While the book was not up my alley, I can recognize great work and Gross surely has much to offer those who love a good vampire hunter. While no Stoker, he is surely an author to be noticed with a series worth the curious reader’s time.

Kudos, Mr. Gross, for an excellent effort. I may not rush out to continue the series, but I hope many will, enjoying each twist along the way!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty

Nine stars

WIlliam Peter Blatty’s groundbreaking novel caused many waves at the time of its publication, though it is thought that the accompanying movie might have been even more controversial. I chose to embark on this journey, more out of curiosity than anything else. Knowing the premise, I thought I would indulge before the season of ghouls and other spine-tingling things is fully upon us. Chris MacNeil is a screen actress and lives in Georgetown with her daughter, Regan. Quite the typical twelve, Regan enjoys some independence, but is happy to engage with her mother on a regular basis. When Regan begins to exhibit strange behaviours, Chris cannot help but seek out some medical advice, none of which yields firm answers. When the oddities begin to manifest themselves into verbal and physical attacks on others, Chris is left to grasp at straws and is pushed in the direction of a psychiatrist. The name she is given, interestingly enough, is Father Damien Karras. A Jesuit, Karras works in the parish just on the other side of the MacNeil home. When Karras agrees to come visit Regan, he is fearful, yet baffled as well, though will not jump to the idea of possession, even as Chris pushes for an exorcism. With no religious ties, the MacNeils seem highly unlikely to have a demon in their lives, but nothing else seems plausible. Karras takes an academic approach to the situation and, after numerous encounters with Regan and her alternate personality, he wonders if there might be something to this talk of demonic possession. Regan appears to have all the signs and exhibits numerous tendencies that Karras has found in scholarly articles over the centuries. With a desecration in the local parish church and the gruesome death of Chris’ friend, a local homicide detective is poking around, engaging with Karras at every turn, though no one freely shares the goings-on in the MacNeil home, which might explain at least part of these occurrences. After making his argument to the Church about the needs for some form of Catholic intervention, Karras proceeds to arm himself to enter Regan’s domain, ready to do battle with whatever is inside her. It is then that things take a turn for the worse and Karras’ entire being is tested. Blatty penned this sensational piece that, even close to a half-century later, will still send chills chills up the reader’s spine. Highly recommended for those who love a great thrill ride and can stomach some graphic descriptions and language.

In one of my previous reading challenges, I pushed members to compare a book to its screen adaptation, hoping to see the parallels and great differences. Having recently indulged in the cinematic production of this book, it is difficult for me to divorce the two, as they complement one another so well. I thoroughly enjoy watching this movie and have done so on multiple occasions. While it was produced in 1973 and some of the technology is understandably outdated, it packs a punch and was surely quite thrilling at the time. Damien Karras is a central character in the book and his presence is felt throughout, both through his personal struggles with his faith and the dedication he had when thrust into the middle of the demonic possession of a young girl. Karras begins as a distant figure, who struggles to come to terms with his mother’s illness and, upon her death, seeks to leave the umbrella of the Catholic Church. However, his character grows as he becomes a well-grounded scholar and seeks to understand what is going on with Regan MacNeil and her obvious struggles with mental stability. Chris MacNeil is also a key member of the story and her struggle to understand her daughter proves to be an ongoing theme the reader will discover. The angst and utter helplessness is something that any parent would struggle to accept, forcing Chris to turn to the experts, none of whom have the answers she wants. One cannot review this book effectively without mentioning Regan and the demon that appears to be embedded within her, as it is this that proves to offer the ultimate spine tingling. The struggles the young girl has and the demon displays push the book out of the realm of simple defiance and into an area not seen by many books of the time. The raw and unedited language proves useful—needed, even—to fulfil that complete sentiment of possession. Many readers may not like it, as I am sure scores found it problematic when the book was published, but it serves to take the book to a level that makes it all the more believed. A handful of other characters and a few interesting sub-plots keep the reader engaged and ready to see where Blatty is taking things. The story itself is quite well done and has been able to stand the test of time. While exorcisms are no longer commonplace, their allure has not diminished, be it in the published work or cinematic presentation. Blatty slowly develops the demonic aspect in such a way that the reader can see it creeping up and spiking at just the right moment. Layering the narrative with some key research, revealed by Father Karras, proves to substantiate the larger theme and keeps things from getting too fanciful. Those with a strong constitution and who can handle some strong language will surely find something in this book to keep them up late at night. I know I’ll likely put this on a list of books to read when I want a real chill, though will have to make sure the audio is not streaming when Neo’s around!

Kudos, Mr. Blatty, for keeping me enthralled throughout. I may have to check out some more of your work in the coming months, as you sure know how to tell a story!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Disaster Inc., by Caimh McDonnell

Six stars

My choice of Caimh McDonnell’s book was made in a somewhat blind manner. Choosing the book entirely based on its cover, I had no idea what to expect or how I would enjoy the piece. To say that the book was a surprise is an understatement, though it is perhaps this lack of knowledge that made the reading all the more adventurous. When Bunny McGarry walks into a rural diner, he has little idea what to expect. Besides being without tea—a shock that resonates throughout the piece—this small eatery is filled with an interesting cross-section of folks. The peaceful nature is shattered when two masked men enter and begin waving around their guns. While Bunny tries to diffuse the situation, these men are on a mission, which is derailed when Bunny takes things into his own hands. Fleeing before the cops can make their way to the scene, he is approached by one of the diners who is willing to aid in his escape. Amy Daniels admits that she was the one those men sought, having become tangled in their web not too long before. Amy holds a secret about them that could cause many issues and her life is likely in jeopardy in order to protect the men. While Bunny and Amy try to stay off the radar, there is fallout from the botched attack at the diner. The two men are part of an investment firm that has been helping a number of former government bureaucrats pad their retirement nest eggs in some less than savoury ways. Dubbing themselves Disaster Inc. they are being controlled by a woman who seeks to keep her secret from making it to the authorities, willing to expose and exterminate anyone in her way. In order to stay away from her potential captors, Amy agrees to help Bunny trace his whereabouts leading up to arriving at the diner, on one of his benders that saw his traipsing all across New York City. Amy’s eyes are opened to all the antics that Bunny McGarry can undertake in a single night, which serves only to distract her from her larger issues. An interesting story for some, but I could not find myself latching on, no matter what McDonnell had to offer. There are apparently other branch-off books in a parallel series, which may interest fans, but I think this is one surprise that is not sitting well with me.

The trouble with walking into a story blindly is that you never know what you’ll get. I have found some winners and a couple of real hot messes in my reading gambles. This one veers closer to the latter category for me, though I am sure others will lap it up and laud McDonnell’s work. I found that the Bunny McGarry character had some interesting Irish tendencies and his humour was top-notch, but I could not see myself overly drawn to what he did while meandering from A to B within the chapters of this book. His full backstory and development is likely better understood by latching onto the series McDonnell has written, but in this case, a drunk Irishman who has muscles and a decent brain did little for me. Amy Daniels was also one of those characters you either loved or hated. I suppose I can sit on the fence and feel tepid about her, though she’s one that made little impact on me. The others found their way into the story and served a purpose, but did little for me, as I begged for a strong narrative to capture my attention. I was not driven to utter literary frustration with the book, but just could not find anything exciting or stimulating to keep me attracted. I skimmed at times, seeking something, but found little that kept me wanting to thoroughly examine the plot as it developed. McDonnell can surely write and keep the story moving, but I found little of interest. Aptly titled, it was a disaster and one that I’ll remember. Blind reading can be troublesome, especially for someone who has such strong sentiments about the books I place before me. Still, it was an excellent way to push me out of my rigid reading rules. I’d do it again, though I am not sure I want to spend more time with Bunny McGarry and his band of merry drinkers.

Kudos, Mr. McDonnell, for what is surely a wonderful addition to your writing repertoire. I just could not find my niche in it.

This book fulfills Topic #2: Reading Blind in the Equinox #5 Reading Challenge. Thank you, Adrea Pierce, for the topic choice.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Solomon’s Song (Australia Trilogy #3), by Bryce Courtenay

Nine stars

Bryce Courtenay concludes his epic trilogy on the early times of Australia, using his powerful way with words and a multi-generational exploration of the Solomons. Filled with themes and key characters in early Australian history, the story finally pushes past the date of federation, when Australia stood on its own, while still under the auspices of the British Commonwealth. Picking up soon after the last novel ended, news comes that a body has been discovered in the harbour and the identification makes it seem to be Tommo Solomon. Mary and Hawk make their way to the coroner’s to identify the body and make the needed arrangements. As she is getting on in age, Mary requests—demands—that Tommo’s daughter be sent for, having moved to New Zealand to become a nurse. Hawk agrees to go find her, following the rumours that Hinetitama has fallen onto hard times. A ‘half-caste’, Hinetitama has her Maori roots, but is scorned in a country that still wishes to subjugate those they have colonised. When Hawk brings her back, he is able to convince Hinetitama to live and spend time with her grandmother, who wants nothing else than great-grandchildren before she dies. In an effort to ensure this happens, Mary works her wiles on the one man who has held Hinetitama’s heart, the Dutchman Slabbert Teekleman, though he is anything but an upstanding gentleman. Bearing two children, Ben and Victoria, Hinetitama soon falls into the bottle once more and disappears, leaving Hawk to act as surrogate parent. Mary’s death also shakes the family to the core, but her choices ensure that the brewery is left in good hands. It is around this time that the other branch of the Solomon clan reemerge, headed by David, who kept a life-long hatred of Mary for what she did in ruining his mother’s marriage to Ikey Solomon, head of this entire family. A business conglomeration does little to settle the score, though the Solomons are joined together in business, alternating power of the massive Solomon-Teekleman company, depending who is in possession of a majority of the shares. Fast-forwarding out of the nineteenth century, Australia has been able to stand on its own and emerges ready to play a significant role on the world stage. When the winds of war begin to blow, and with David Solomon ready to die, his grandson, Joshua, emerges on the scene to serve in the military. Alongside him, his cousin, Ben, is also ready for the military commitment, sent to battle under the auspices of fighting for King and country. Courtenay uses this decision—Australia’s Commonwealth commitment to the War—to serve as the major theme of the book. Ben leads a company of soldiers into training and eventually onto the European front, where they meet many an adventure and brutal bloodshed. So many young men, the premier stock of future Australians, leave to fight for Britain’s interests and end up strewn across the battlefield. Ben served his country well and the story turns into a war novel, exploring the key battles of the Great War. Bitter that he is watching those around him die, Ben is vilified by senior military officials, while Joshua is kept safe in England. All this comes to a head when they meet on the battlefield; two men serving the same country, but whose lives could not have been more different. It is here that Courtenay injects his most powerful storyline, as the Solomons must either bury their past, or use the animosity to fuel yet another skirmish, while Europe is torn apart. A brilliant end to the trilogy, Courtenay does things in this novel that I cannot begin to elucidate clearly. A master storyteller with a passion for his adopted Australia, it is a novel—and series—that should not be missed by any with a passion for inter-generational tomes.

I have long been a fan of Bryce Courtenay and have a great love of novels that explore inter-generational development within a family. The writing throughout the series is outstanding and places the characters in key situations against the backdrop of history to shape the narrative in many ways. There are a handful of key characters that shape the story at different points, perhaps none more so than Hawk and Hinetitama in the early portions and Ben in the latter segment of this massive tome. The struggle to shape the Solomon name is a task that neither Hawk nor Hinetitama could have expected would rest on their shoulders, but they do it so well. No one is perfect and no family is free from fault, but these two exemplify the pains of being minorities in a land that is still trying to find its feet, using horrible racism to fuel their individuality. As I have said in the reviews of the other pieces, racism is rampant, though I think it serves to explore the pig-headedness of a new country and these two characters have faced a significant amount of the physical and verbal abuse. Ben Teekleman is a Solomon like no other, who chooses to rise above it all and serve his country without reservation. Courtenay depicts him as a strong young man who does not get involved in the politics—familial, national, or racial—of those around him, but prefers to make a difference in the lives of those in his sphere. What Ben sees, especially when he is shipped to Europe, cannot be described with ease in this review, but readers who enjoy war history or depictions of the daily situations of soldiers will lap up much of the narrative. There are a handful of other key characters throughout, fuelling key aspects of the Solomon family feuds and the struggles to shape Australia in their own image. Courtenay is known for his powerful themes and this book does not differentiate from that, though anyone looking for a novel about the niceties of people or their interactions with others should look elsewhere. There is little that leaves the reader feeling warm and fuzzy, but the narrative is so full of passionate storytelling that it should not be dismissed. All three novels have been stellar in their delivery and Courtenay’s best works that I have ever read. While I deplore racist language or actions, one cannot divorce the way characters speak or how society treated certain groups from the time in which they lived, even as this novel pushes through to 1916. It is a part of Australia’s history and any reader that is not scared off by the size of all three books may want to think twice if they are unable to digest the rawness presented here. Those who can, revel in the themes and the stellar feeling of getting lost in the writing! The world lost one of its best storytellers when Bryce Courtenay died, but his novels live on and I would easily call them classics that generations will enjoy.

Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for a powerful novel and dominant trilogy as you explore the rougher side of life in and around Australia.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Evidence of the Affair: A Short Story, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Nine stars

I stumbled upon this piece by Taylor Jenkins Reid completely by accident—thank you Goodreads and the daily digest—as I noticed a number of my fellow readers were offering their praise. A fan of short stories and having come off a horrid few days of bad reading, I thought I would take a look, and am pleased I did. In a story that took under an hour to read, I was pulled into a collection of letters between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer. Carrie and David appear to be the unwilling victims of an affair their spouses are having, which has been discovered in a series of written letters. This being the 1970s, these letters are the primary evidence of the affair, though there are some hushed phone calls at times as well. The reader is pulled into the communication Carrie and David have about the actions of of their spouses and the friendship that develops between them, as though they create their own spurned spouses club. There are also occasions when text of the ‘love letters’ are revealed to the reader, which only goes to fuel the narrative and provides some of the fodder to see how the amorous encounters are progressing over time. What started as an ‘FYI’ letter soon has David and Carrie agreeing to meet in person to discuss matters and share a meal as friends, but there is more to talk about that whispered telephone calls and mysteries found stuck in recipe books. Reid does a masterful job in this piece, comprised entirely of letters, conveying just how powerful the written word can be. Recommended for those who need a quick read over coffee, particularly those who have access to Amazon’s thorough digital library.

I choose not to spend a great deal of time writing about the structure of the story or the characters, as I tend to do with most of my reviews. Doing so will, unfortunately, tip my hand too much and spill too much of what Reid seeks to have the reader discover. What I can say is that Reid allows the reader to see just how troubling things can be in marital strain, even through the seemingly innocent collection of letters. In an era of digital communication, trysts take on a new level of secrecy—though I would say the text message is just as problematic as a written letter—while still stinging both the offender and victim in different ways. Small holes in a relationship can soon be massive craters and those who seek consolation in being the harmed party can be known to shed their victimhood unknowingly. Let Reid take you on this adventure, though worry not about being pulled into a massive undertaking. As I said, a quick coffee break read!

Kudos, Madam Reid, for a sensational piece that will surely have many flocking to Amazon to find it.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Vatican Children (World of Shadows #2), by Lincoln Cole

Five stars

The premise of this series by Lincoln Cole left me quite curious, as I enjoy all things related to exorcisms. Those who read my review of the opening book will know that things started off quite well, then took a turn for the worse. With an interesting cliffhanger, I vowed to give the series a little more rope, in hopes that it would tie me in and not hang itself. With the revelation that Bishop Glasser has been summoning demons to inhabit innocent folk, Father Niccolo Paladina is back with sufficient supplies to go to battle, though has not yet received formal direction from the Vatican. Working alongside him is Arthur Vangeest, a Hunter for the Council of Chaldea, a group charged with investigating all things supernatural. After forcefully securing one of the bishop’s followers, Arthur and Paladina try to ascertain where he might have gone and what plans he has. It is soon thereafter that Paladina reveals his knowledge of the Vatican Children, a group of youths who showed much power when it came to sensing the demon life forms and even a degree of mind control. With a list having been taken from the Vatican, it is only a matter of time before Bishop Glasser gets his hands on it, which would allow him to convert them for his own good. While Arthur is forced to come clean with other members of the Council that he has gone rogue, he is determined to capture this evil doer, whom he is sure helped have his family murdered. When Father Paladina and Arthur come face to face with Glasser and his minions, they are forced to use the only weapons at their disposal to protect the Vatican Children. Only one side can survive this spiritual apocalypse, but there is much to do thereafter. Holy water and a few rosaries will not be enough, though the climax of the story only creates a new cliffhanger for readers to ponder before locating the final novel in the trilogy. A unique middle piece that helped to build on much of the information provided in the series debut. I promised myself a second try, but am not feeling enamoured enough to want to tie off all the loose ends! Take it or leave it, I won’t lead you down any proverbial garden path. [There you go, Pat. A book that you can leave off your tipping TBR list!]

I was hoping that things would resurrect themselves in this second book, as the chase towards catching Bishop Glasser was on. However, things ended up just being a hot mess of writing and odd plot twists. Sure, the reader learns a little more about the Vatican Children and their importance in the plot, but I could not find myself connected to the chase or the stand-off that appears to be the climax of this middle book. Father Paladina and Arthur are just as they were in the previous piece, which does not say much for the curious reader. There are many names dropped and batted around throughout this short piece, but none of whom really caught my attention. I felt as though Cole could have done so much more to better develop this story, which left me feeling cheated and unimpressed. There was such potential here, even in the short amount of time on offer with this book, but much was wasted with trivial discussion and cheesy factoids. I did give the series two books and wished I had the inclination to finish things off, but I cannot see why I would invest even the single day it will take to speed read through it. There are so many books out there I need to tackle, I’ll let others go to Amazon and locate this one for themselves.

Sorry, Mr. Cole, but you don’t have a committed fan in me. Ratings seem to show me others are hooked and I wish them well!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Everett Exorcism (World of Shadows #1), by Lincoln Cole

Six stars

Drawn to the premise of this novel by Lincoln Cole, I could not wait to see if it was as chilling as the blurb made it appear to be. In the town of Everett, Washington, something is going on. The priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral is certain that one of his parishioners is under the influence of something demonic. However, the bishop is not convinced and shuts down any further exploration. Not satisfied, a call is made directly to the Vatican, who send Father Niccolo Paladina to see what might be taking place in this bucolic community in America’s Pacific Northwest. A trained exorcist, Father Paladina speaks to all parties involved and chastises the local priest for leaping overtop of his bishop, as well as trying to create something out of nothing. Father Paladina is not convinced that this is anything other than some mental health concerns with the elderly woman in question. During a more formal a detailed discussion with the aforementioned parishioner, Father Paladina senses something off about the house, which is only further exacerbated when he hears something calling him in a mocking tone. Could there be more to this than meets the eye? When others around Everett begin exhibiting odd behaviours, Father Paladina cannot help but wonder if his first suppositions might have been wrong. Father Paladina soon comes face to face with a man blacklisted by the Vatican for his outlandish claims, one Arthur Vangeest. While Arthur claims that his entire family was murdered by a cult, perhaps possessed themselves, Father Paladina cannot help but wonder if this is all a rouse by a man whose conscience is full of guilt. The reader soon learns that Arthur Vangeest is known as a Hunter, a soldier for the Council of Chaldea, an organization that works at arm’s-length from the Vatican. The Council is tasked with investigating supernatural events around the world without pulling the Church into the middle of them. With events in Everett becoming more troublesome, Father Paladina cannot help but wonder if his expertise in exorcisms might prove useful and whether there is a larger secret yet to be revealed. A unique story that takes many a turn, going from intensely captivating to tepid and back in short order. Those who enjoy something a little different might enjoy this piece. The jury is still out for me.

I was completely sold by Cole’s premise as the story began, finding myself curious about the premise of the exorcism in a small town. The collection of characters proved to be engaging, particularly Father Paladina. This well-established priest presents not only as a professional, but also one who follows the rules and hierarchy as they are laid out for him. He chooses to lecture those who stray from the well-defined rules and will not abide ignorance. However, while he seems to know his job well, Paladina is highly sceptical of the demonic presence in the world, thereby making his role more obsolete. Cole develops him well, though the character takes a nosedive halfway through the novel, with the introduction of the Council. Many of the other characters in their supporting roles have some potential, but I found myself to lose interest and a connection to those who serve to propel the story forward at this point. It was as though there was such potential with the characters and the premise of the Council, but it was lost in some tepid narrative and plot delivery. It was as though Cole needed a two-pronged plot to keep the story moving—at least to him—and it did not work for me. Surely, there is something useful to know about this Council, as this is a trilogy, but I could not, for the life of me, connect to it or its larger purpose. As these are short novels and I find myself between reading commitments, I will likely give the second book a try to see if I can win myself over, but I will not subject myself to something if I cannot latch on in short order. My reading life is too short to spend time on a book that does not make an impact.

Kudos, Mr. Cole for the interesting premise. We’ll see if you can resurrect things in the second piece!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Rules of Engagement (Blake Jordan #4), by Ken Fite

Nine stars

Ken Fite continues to impress with a political thriller that hooks the reader in the early chapters. I discovered Fite by accident earlier this week and was blown away by his writing, which made reading the entire Blake Jordan series a must. Having decided to isolate himself from those closest to him, Blake Jordan is all but off the radar. However, a series of cyberattacks that come in the form of ransomware has Jordan making his way to the Washington Field Office for the Department of Domestic Counterterrorism (DDC), his former place of work. Awkwardly facing his former partner and love interest, Agent Jami Davis, Jordan tries to prove that he can help, having many of the skills to track down these hackers. When a bomb blast rocks the Field Office, Jordan is fingered as a potential suspect, though his contacts within the intelligence community soon prove that to be a false lead. It would appear someone is trying to target him, as he is tied to many of the events taking place across Washington and back in his native Chicago. When a New York Times reporter begins digging around and making some strong allegations, Jordan goes to his boss, President Keller, to diffuse the situation. It is then that he learns that he’s been deceived and that a high-ranking terror suspect, presumed dead in an attack from months ago, is actually still alive and being held covertly. It is then that the pieces begin to fall into place, Jordan’s being targeted by the Russians for his actions six months earlier and nothing but the return of the prisoner will end the ongoing attacks. There appears to be a mole within the Administration or the Intelligence community, feeding both the media and these Russian terrorists key pieces of information that could vilify Jordan and even end President Keller’s career prematurely. With Jordan on the run and Agent Davis trying to help, it will take nothing short of all they have to bring down the Russian cell and discover the mole. The president’s future depends on Jordan’s abilities, but sometimes the present is more important than what is to come! Fite does a masterful job yet again pulling together this novel and offers up a wonderful cliffhanger on which series fans can ponder. Easily read as a standalone—as is said in dust jacket blurbs, though I am beginning to doubt this assumption—but a wonderful complement to the previous novels in the series, should the reader wish to embark on a larger adventure. Highly recommended to those who love a good thriller, particularly the reader who has read the previous three books.

Ken Fite has an intensity to his writing that I have not seen in years! His mix of thrill writing and knowledge of the inner workings of American politics makes for the perfect recipe to appease those who enjoy political thrillers. Fite’s ongoing exploration of Blake Jordan provides the reader with something on which to latch, even without further backstory revelations. Blake Jordan may have isolated himself from others after feeling he is ‘cursed’, but his drive to solve those missions before him proves to be his greatest asset. While his amorphous position within the Administration could cause blowback, Jordan handles it with ease. Jordan and Agent Jami Davis pair up nicely, even though their strain has led to an ongoing theme in the novels. Their professional work is second to none, getting to the core of yet another terror threat. The other characters who grace the pages of the novel are a mix of returning vets and new faces, all of whom add flavour to the plot. Fite writes in such a way that each story can stand on its own, though I am beginning to doubt the ‘standalone’ theory that is peddled on the dust jacket. By this, the fourth novel, there are too many threads that connect the series to be able to recommend anyone dive into the middle of the series and try to find their way. I can only suggest that the new reader stop, take a breath, and begin with the first novel, which reads as smoothly as the others. Thereafter, all the side comments will make much sense. The pace of the novel helps make it stand out and will surely grab the reader’s attention from the outset, particularly with short chapters that use well-placed cliffhangers to propel the reader to ‘try a little more before stopping’. I’ve binge-read the series in four days, which speaks to how easily they can be tackled, should time permit!

Kudos, Mr. Fite, for a great series that has not lost its momentum. Now, the crash, as I wait for the fifth book to be published!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Tommo and Hawk (Australian Trilogy #2), by Bryce Courtenay

Nine stars

Bryce Courtenay continues his literary journey in the second of his novels dedicated to Australia, in which he continues the history lesson of its founding and what made it so great. Those who read the opening tome—The Potato Factory—will be familiar with Tommo and Hawk, as well as the importance they play in the Solomon family. Twin boys born of the gargantuan dockside whore—Spermwhale Sally—Tommo and Hawk could not be more different. While the former is a small white boy whose intellect was drowned after his extended capture at the hands of a madman, the latter is a giant of a child, whose skin is as dark as the midnight sky. Living with their adoptive mother, the boys grow under Mary Abacus’ tutelage. Both have suffered greatly and wish not speak of the horrors while kidnapped, but are trying to make the best of it while back at home. A skirmish there sends them off to explore the world, feeling the sense of adventure flowing through their veins. Both are hired to work aboard a whaling ship—like their biological fathers—and learn the ways of the seas, though it is anything but joyous. With alcohol being the only outlet after a hard day’s labour, they turn to it, though it is forbidden by the Quaker captain. Punitive action follows in the form of the whip, which leaves Hawk scarred for life, though he is to make another acquaintance with this form of punishment down the road, when a Maori sailor is injured. Forced to stand trial, the boys are locked away in New Zealand, where the Maori storm the barracks and take them back to their tribe, Rather than instil their own form of justice, the Maori adopt them into their ways and both soon become honourary members. When the Maori face the British colonial soldiers in the region, Tommo and Hawk fight alongside their brethren, whose ancient and somewhat primitive style of fighting, prove no match for muskets and other guns. These are the Maori Wars, where ancient lands were lost and taken by the British before formal colonision of what is now Australia and New Zealand. Agreeing to make their way to the Australian mainland—for both had settled with Mary in what is now Tasmania—the young men see the city life in Sydney before them, where an old compatriot of their adoptive father, Ikey Solomon, appears and has plans for them both. This is but the beginning of their adventures as men! While their lives diverge on numerous occasions, the brotherhood Tommo and Hawk share can never be broken and their love will surely withstand any challenge, including one embedded in the cliffhanger ending. Those who know and love Bryce Courtenay will likely enjoy this middle book in the Australian Trilogy. Its length ought not deter the reader, as the storytelling found within makes the pages melt away and will transport anyone on an adventure like no other. Highly recommended to one and all, as we continue the thorough discovery of Australia and the people who dwell there!

I have long been a fan of Bryce Courtenay and have yet to find a book that did not surpass my expectations. The writing is outstanding and the adventures on which key characters go are so well explored that the reader can almost picture them as they read. The story does offer significant focus on the twins, Tommo and Hawk, as well it should. These two are very closely tied and yet so different. Tommo, seemingly born with his American Indian (I use the word as offered in the text, not its modern equivalence) father’s blood, though not his looks. Tommo would seem to be the more sensible one and who is always looking out for himself, as he is much smaller and seems to be taken for granted. He is the talker that takes the twins on their adventures and barters when it comes to deal making. That said, he is also the first to succumb to temptations that cannot be stopped by his status. Addiction comes knocking at his door and he readily accepts it, finding himself wrapped up in what will become the opium malady from the Chinese who make their way to Australia. On the other hand, Hawk is a giant and stands out wherever he goes. Mute for a time, he relied on non-verbal communication and knows how to relay his message with fists, which becomes a theme throughout. He is more willing to storm off and act as he sees fit rather than listen to the common sense approach that Tommo has to offer. There are a handful of other key characters throughout, though their presence is more isolated to the section of the book pertaining to that piece of the adventure. However, as Courtenay has done in most of his books—and proves here—the attentive reader will see minor characters reemerge at key points, bringing their backstories into the narrative and weaving new tales. All those who play some role in influencing the lives of the twins also push the story along in some way or another and I can only imagine that the final volume will be rich with additional vignettes as needed. Much continues to be made of some of the descriptions and language Courtenay uses throughout this piece. While the opening novel had the derogatory mention of certain races and the blatant anti-Semitic sentiment, this volume tackles some of the same areas, with a significant focus on Hawk’s race, as well as treatment of the Maori. Courtenay is not looking to write a novel about the niceties of the people or their interactions with others, but to reflect the language and sentiments of the times. Australia was by no means a stuffed-shirt society of high tea and polo. Racism and class systems were rampant—much like Mother England—and Courtenay seeks to portray this. In order to tell the story as truthfully as possible, Courtenay uses the honest, though negative, themes to develop his narrative and peppers the dialogue with derogatory sentiments on almost every page. While I deplore racist language or actions, one cannot divorce the way characters speak or how society treated certain groups from the time in which they lived. Some will call the book racist or pig-headed but it is that naiveté that surely drove Courtenay to be as blunt as he was throughout. The world lost one of its best storytellers when Bryce Courtenay died, but his novels live on and I would easily call them classics that generations can enjoy!

Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for another stellar read. I have recommended your books to any and all who want a deeper and more thought-provoking read. Few have ever returned to tell me I was wrong!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

In Plain Sight (Blake Jordan #3), by Ken Fite

Nine stars

Yet another strong political thriller by Ken Fite, with a story that finds its feet in the early chapters and never stops developing. I discovered Fite by accident and was blown away with his series debut, which forced me to locate the rest of the series—Amazon seems to have the exclusive market of these digital releases—and devour the novels in short order. In this third piece, Blake Jordan is settling into his position as a special advisor to the American president. While in Chicago visiting his former parter and apparent love interest, Jami Davis, Jordan realises that many of the situations in which he has found himself seem to go south, leaving him to wonder about a personal curse. Before they can begin a discussion on the matter, Jordan and Davis are made aware of a murder back in DC. What makes it all the more alarming is that the victim worked as a cyber analyst with powerful connections. Rushing back to Washington, Jordan learns of a cyberattack along the East Coast, one that paralysed the federal infrastructure for a time, which could only prove devastating in the future if the perpetrator can cripple communications indefinitely. After a show of might that includes a transportation disaster, the group responsible claims to have larger plans for the coming days. Jordan comes face to face with one of his past nemeses who appears to be connected to the upcoming terrorist act, but wants immunity before revealing anything. With little idea where and when regarding the terror strike, Jordan must team-up with various organisations in the intelligence community, including the Department of Domestic Counterintelligence (DDC), where he led the Chicago office until he was summarily dismissed. Much strong-arming finally provides intel that the act of terrorism is set for New Year’s Eve, though Jordan’s friend is being held at an unknown location as well. Information is being released at a trickle, with little time to spare, leaving Jordan, Davis, and the rest of the team in a panic. While Jordan and Davis try to crack the mystery wide open, they must also decide how they fit into one another’s lives. Either way, it will come to an explosive ending that will have series fans on the edge of their seats. Fite has done it again with a stellar novel that puts Blake Jordan in the middle of a nail-biting thrill ride. Easily read as a standalone, but a wonderful complement to the previous two novels in the series, should the reader wish to embark on a larger adventure. Highly recommended to those who love a good thriller, particularly the reader who has read the previous two books.

Ken Fite writes with much intensity and knows his politics, the perfect recipe for a successful political thriller. Fite continues to explore the world of Blake Jordan in his amorphous role within the West Wing. The backstory is minimal, but what the series fan will know helps propel Jordan to piece it all together while tackling the current issue. Blake Jordan is a man on a mission, no matter what it might be, putting America before his own safety. Jordan gets to the heart of the matter, discovering surprises bone-chilling information about the larger intelligence community that could shape the way in which America is governed. Jordan and Agent Jami Davis pair up nicely to get to the core of the terror threat, working as well on their personal connection, though time seems to be very limited on that front. The handful of other characters are a mix of returning vets and new faces, all of whom work to shape the plot in their own way. Fite is never short of political situations and uses his characters effectively to keep the reader connected to the larger narrative. The pace of the novel helps make it stand out and will surely grab the reader’s attention from the outset, particularly with short chapters that inject cliffhangers to propel the reader to read ‘just a little more’. I’ve binge-read the first three novels and will definitely be reaching for Book 4 to see what direction Blake Jordan takes, particularly with the revelation at the end of this book.

Kudos, Mr. Fite, for a great series that keeps getting better. Bring on more adventure for all!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Credible Threat (Blake Jordan #2), by Ken Fite

Nine stars

I love a good political thriller, particularly when the story gains momentum in the early chapters and keeps up that pace. I discovered Ken Fite’s first book by accident and was blown away, forcing me to rush to secure the rest of this series to date, four books at last count. I ended up steamrolling through each of the first two books, taking under a day apiece, and am waiting to get started on the next one. It’s almost Inauguration Day and Blake Jordan has made his way to Washington to be a part of the festivities, as well as join the West Wing team as a senior advisor to the new American president. Accompanying him is his former work colleague, Jami Davis, who is still working out of the Chicago office of the Department of Domestic Counterintelligence (DDC). Removed from his position there after a gaffe the previous summer, Jordan is pleased to start his new role, but enjoys the DDC updates. As they settle in the day before the event, Jordan and Davis are alerted to some chatter that a terror strike has been planned for the DC area on the day of the inauguration, though there is little else that has been revealed. All intel points to a cell of Somali terrorists who crossed the border, though even that has yet to be fully verified. As Jordan briefs his new boss, Agent Davis tries to liaise with other agencies to substantiate the threat. With a group working to bring down the Administration, someone targets Jordan to remove him from the mix, in hopes of neutralising the largest threat to a successful attack. Time is running out and it would seem no one is safe, nor can they be trusted! Stunning in its delivery, Fite stirs up the drama and pulls the reader in throughout this piece. Recommended for those who love a good thriller and particularly to the reader who thoroughly enjoyed the series debut novel. As some of the blurbs on the book report, this one can be read as a standalone, but complements the previous novel nicely.

Ken Fite is able to mix the intensity of a thriller novel with the ever-changing dynamic of American politics. Adding to some of the groundwork from the opening novel, Fite delves deeper into the world of Blake Jordan post-DDC and the amazing job he has before him. There remains little backstory on offer—but a few tidbits do emerge during a heated exchange in the latter portion of the novel— but it becomes readily apparent that Blake Jordan is a man on a mission, one who cannot stop until the job has been completed. Jordan is determined to get to the heart of the matter, full of surprises and with a need to leave no stone unturned. While no longer working together officially, Jordan and Agent Jami Davis pair up nicely to get to the core of the terror threat, leaving the reader to wonder if there is a future for these two away from work. Based on my quick reading of the first two novels, Jordan has much room to grow and develop as a character, though he continues to find ways to keep the reader interested. The handful of other characters who made their debut in the last novel and return here help to flavour the narrative, while a strong group of new faces shape the plot and keep the story unique. We shall see what other political and personal scenarios arise, based on how this novel ended, but Fite is sure to have some strong ideas and equally effective characters to help shape the series as it gets stronger. The pace of the novel helps make it stand out and will surely grab the reader’s attention from the outset. Short chapters leave little time to think on what is taking place, thrusting the reader forward and forcing them to ‘read late into the night’ as the dust jacket blurb hopes will happen. Either that, or a day-long binge as I undertook to finish, just so I that I could say I learned how things wrapped up. I will definitely be reaching for Book 3 to see what direction Blake Jordan takes as he moves forward.

Kudos, Mr. Fite, for a great continuation of the series. I cannot wait to see what else you have to come!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Senator (Blake Jordan #1), by Ken Fite

Nine stars

I will be the first to admit, I love a good political thriller, particularly one that gains momentum in the early chapters and never stops racing until the end. Finding Ken Fite’s book almost by accident, I vowed that I would give the series debut a try to see if it lived up to all the hype. Boy, did it ever, and then some, which is how I ended up steamrolling through it in a single day. Illinois Senator James Keller prepares to accept the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States. In his hometown of Chicago, he makes his way to the United Center for the convention, only to be kidnapped inside his suite. Blake Jordan is the Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Domestic Counterintelligence (DDC), tasked with protecting Senator Keller. When news leaks that the senator is not late for his speech because of traffic, Jordan pushes things into high gear, vowing to find Keller before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Keller’s captor has a plan, which is altered slightly when a nosy journalist learns more than he ought to in short order. As Keller is paraded before the world and an execution date is set, Jordan must dodge accusations and bullets to save Keller, who is not only his charge, but a personal friend. With the hours ticking by, Jordan will have to find a way, as he pieces together the larger plot and seeks a motive. Fite does a sensational job in this series debut, which will have fans of political thrillers gasping for breath as they try to keep up.

Ken Fite is surely an author to watch, as he is able to mix the art of the thriller novel with the nuances of American politics. There is surely more to come, as the series has four novels to date, all of which look equally enthralling. Introducing the world to Blake Jordan and the DDC lays the groundwork for a stellar protagonist. While there is little backstory on offer—save that he was a SEAL and recently lost his wife—Blake Jordan is a man with a mission and whose choices are usually based on the moment. Jordan is full of surprises and stays one step ahead of those around him, even when flirting with insubordination. He has a job and that appears to be all that he wants to do. Working alongside a partner whose story remains overshadowed by his own, Jordan has much room to grow in the coming novels. The handful of other characters will surely play roles in the upcoming novels and served the debut well, helping to solidify Jordan’s place in the narrative. We shall see what other political and personal scenarios arise, but Fite is sure to have some strong ideas and equally effective characters to help push the story along. While the story is not entirely unique—politician of importance is kidnapped and must be saved—it is the pace of the story that makes it stand alone. The short chapters leave little time to think on what is taking place, thrusting the reader forward and forcing them to ‘read late into the night’ as the dust jacket blurb hopes will happen. Either that, or a day-long binge as I undertook to finish, just so I that I could say I learned how things wrapped up. I will definitely be reaching for Book 2 now, as I cannot get enough of Fite, Blake Jordan, or the content.

Kudos, Mr. Fite, for a great opening salvo. I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for your readers!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Revenge, by James Patterson and Andrew Holmes

Eight stars

In a standalone thriller, James Patterson collaborates with Andrew Holmes to create a high-impact story that does not rest until the final sentence. David Shelley is ex-SAS with a penchant for always finishing what he starts. Years ago, he was working as personal security for a rich family when they were set upon by kidnappers. While the attempt was foiled, Shelley could not fathom how close they came and left the position in a cloud of shame. Fourteen years on, he fields a call that his former child protectee, Emma Drake, has committed suicide. Worse still, her life took a turn and she found heroin and starred in online pornography. While high and preparing for a ‘peep show’, she pulled out a gun and offed herself live. Now, her father, Guy Drake, wants to hunt down those who led his daughter down such a path and has asked Shelley to assist. While it looks to be a simple retribution strike, Shelley soon learns that there is more than meets the eye. The group behind Emma’s demise is not your typical rag-tag set of men trying to make a quid on vulnerable women, though there is no stopping Guy from getting his pound of flesh. In a story that goes from sorrow to cutthroat revenge, Shelley finds himself in the middle and must protect himself to stay one step ahead, as the bodies pile up! Patterson and Holmes have crafted a wonderful piece that will keep the reader wanting more and staying up to finish the piece in a single sitting. Recommended for those who like a well-plotted thriller that has all the elements of bloody revenge.

It’s always a hit and miss where Patterson’s name appears on the cover. Many will know my ‘Patterson Syndrome’ rant, and if you don’t, ask me personally. This book seems to break that tradition, as it utilises a one-off situation to craft a wonderful collection of characters, all of whom do well to fit themselves into place and develop a strong thriller. David Shelley proves to be a wonderful protagonist, with a rich backstory and connection to the victim, without being bogged down in excessive amounts of sympathy. He knows what has to be done and completes the task, injecting some conscience into the matter at hand to protect the larger group. His rough and tumble nature connects him to the reader, as does his sensible ways and ability to see the larger picture. The handful of other important characters serve as cogs in the wheel to push the story to new heights, keeping the action high and the twists coming. The banter, both in dialogue and flying bullets, allows the reader to find something they can take away from the piece, keeping them entertained throughout. The story is well developed and does not lose its momentum. A tale of revenge and the blinders a rich man puts on, not seeing the results of his actions, while dropping into a den of vipers. Patterson and Holmes keep the story moving, aided with the traditional shorter chapters that propel the narrative forward. While I cannot see this being anything but a single piece, there are crumbs left for the reader to wonder if David Shelley is set to make his return. Perhaps a BookShot would do well, as we have already seen Shelley in that capacity.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Holmes, for a great story. I enjoy your collaborative efforts and hope they will continue.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Potato Factory (Australian Trilogy #1), by Bryce Courtenay

Nine stars

Bryce Courtenay takes readers on the start of an amazing journey, as he commences a massive trilogy dedicated to his adopted homeland of Australia. Weaving through history while using his masterful ability to spin tales, Courtenay offers up his own perspective of how the Land Down Under developed while still under the auspices of the British, populated by their social and criminal outcasts in the early part of the nineteenth century. Isaac ‘Ikey’ Solomon is well-known on the streets of London as a forger and counterfeiter like no other. While the authorities have him on their radar, they are not yet able to catch him with anything concrete to make an arrest. Working alongside him is Ikey’s wife, Hannah, whose cutthroat way of thinking has earned her a reputation as well. While she enjoys the spoils, she is wary of Ikey, ever the crook, and has made sure to keep a close eye on his antics. Sensing this strain, Ikey has allowed his heart and mind be captivated by an unlikely source, the lowly Mary ‘Abacus’ Klerk, who sought to better herself by using her brains, only to face the wrath of the male population who had other ideas of what a woman should do. Mary’s determination to better herself, using brains and a sharp wit, earns her Ikey’s respect, but also finds her tossed into prison and sent aboard a ship to the far-off land of Australia and into a penal colony. It is there that Mary comes of age and learns to use her quick mind to help others while laying the groundwork for a sensational business idea. Ikey, meanwhile, finds himself in a sting operation and narrowly escapes the clutches of the authorities, while Hannah is two-timed and left to suffer at the hands of the constabulary. Dodging the noose, she is shipped off to Australia—her children coming too—which pulls at Ikey’s heartstrings, only to have him duped. With all three protagonists in Australia now, the story takes an interesting turn, leaving them to battle it out in a part of the world not yet fully rooted and still with a significant stigma. Hannah’s simmering hatred of both Ikey and Mary comes to the surface, especially after they adopt twin boys who were conceived and born in the oddest of circumstances. Now, it is a battle to the end for the Solomon name. Courtenay has much to say about these three and offers countless mini-tales to pique the curiosity of the attentive reader. Those who know and love Bryce Courtenay will likely enjoy this book. Its length should not deter the reader, as the storytelling found within will transport anyone on an adventure that could not have been predicted. Highly recommended to one and all, as we commence the thorough discovery of Australia and the people who dwell there!

I fell in love with Courtenay’s writing years ago when i discovered his literary exploration of South Africa. The writing is second to none and the adventures on which key characters go cannot be matched by many others who call themselves authors. Laying the groundwork for these three protagonists has surely helped catapult them into what will be a sensational trilogy. Ikey is the slimiest of crooks, though he finds a way to fill his heart will love at the most opportune times. The reader will learn much about the man and his business as the story progresses, finding a way to love and hate him in the same breath. Hannah has little but a duplicitous nature to offer anyone, but she is determined to make life better for her children and punish the man who put her into such legal turmoil. She plots throughout, hoping to outmaneuver her husband with each scheme and see him perish, no matter the cost. Mary takes the show in this book, which portrays her as downcast and perhaps the least rooted, though her passion to make something out of the little she has is a driving force in the narrative. The story itself is complex and takes many a turn, as one would expect of a Courtenay piece, though each tidbit finds its way into the larger narrative. This being the first of the trilogy, scraps and crumbs dropped here could have significance later, forcing the reader to pay close attention. Much has been made of some of the descriptions and language Courtenay uses throughout this piece, so much so that the author addresses it in the preface. Anti-Semitic acts and language was commonplace, paired with a strong push to isolate the Jews, even as far back as the 1820s in England. In order to tell the story as truthfully as possible, Courtenay uses these themes to develop his narrative and peppers the dialogue with derogatory sentiments. While I am the second (Courtenay being the first) to decry racist language, one cannot divorce the way characters speak from the time in which they are living. Some will call the book racist or pig-headed (no pun intended), but it is for those whose naiveté drives them that this book was penned. As Courtenay is no longer with us, let us take his writing and allow it to speak volumes for the passion he has for people, his homeland, and his Australia.

Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for making me proud to call myself a fan! While you have passed on, I feel your books will live on forever and could be called classics, as generations can learn of the world that was from the perspective you offer.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Posing Playwright (Esther and Jack Enright #5), by David Field

Eight stars

Victorian England’s criminal element comes to life in the writing of David Field. The reader can be assured of another strong Esther and Jack Enright tale, chock full of mystery and intrigue. Having served Scotland Yard for a few years, Jack Enright is transferred into a new position in the Political Division, alongside his uncle, Percy. Together, they are tasked with protecting some of England’s upper crust and helping in similar capacities. It is around this time that playwright Oscar Wilde has brought suit against the Marquess of Queensberry for calling him a sodomite. The Enrights have been tasked with trying to collect additional information to support the claim that Wilde is anything but a friendly artist. An additional case has come to light, one that has Percy scratching his head. A member of the British Government, hailing from Ireland, has gone missing. Known not to support Irish Home Rule, he was last seen in his private rail car travelling on a train. Now, both the car and his lordship have disappeared into thin air, while the Fenian population remains coy about any recent actions. While Jack has been rubbing elbows with the ‘riff-raff’ and finding it harder to stomach the investigation into WIlde’s background, Percy is off learning everything there is about rail lines and how train cars are swapped at various points along the journey. Both are coming up short, though with a little insight from dear Esther Enright, the cases take interesting turns. With all eyes on the Old Bailey and the reputation of Wilde in the balance, there may be more than simply a missing politician gumming up the railway mystery. Another interesting tale with Field at the helm, as he entertains his readers with another quick read. Recommended for those who enjoy this series and the newcomer in need of a wonderfully crafted mystery that can be devoured in short order.

I was introduced to David Field and his work a while ago and feel that these novels have found a decent niche in the genre. I rushed through the first few novels in the series when contacted by the publisher, and knew that I would return as soon as more novels appeared in publication. Field uses Victorian England as his setting, though the focus seems less to be on the eerie aspects and simply on the type of character one might have normally found, tossing out the odd Cockney phrase. The story mixes in a handful of strong characters to propel this story forward, adding entertainment with a great dose of education, particularly as it relates to the way homosexuality was adjudicated at the time. Esther Enright, married and a mother of three (!!), again plays a smaller role, but she is used effectively as a voice of reason. Her banter with both her husband and uncle proves useful to counteract the sporadic and ‘fly off the handle’ mentality of the male Enrights. Jack and Percy are strong protagonists in their own rights. The reader is able to learn a little more about the way in which Victorian England handled sexual freedom, particularly male homosexuality, at the time. One must always remember the setting and time period before judging the characters’ sentiments too harshly. Field effectively reflects the time through Jack’s views and the experiences he has while investigating the case. Percy, on the other hand, becomes educated in the art of railways and all that can be contained within that vast area of knowledge. He is pleasant enough, though gritty when it comes to getting to the bottom of a case. Still, both men remain quite pigheaded, something that has driven them throughout the series and works well for the reader who enjoys a little entertainment. The secondary characters prove entertaining within the pages of this story, using clipped speech and salty sayings to take the reader inside the less refined parts of London while also allowing a sense of being in the middle of the action. The story flows well and can be said to have a unique flavour, while keeping a decent pace. As always, there is a mix of quick and longer chapters that never hamper the narrative from moving forward. Field has little time to develop his plot, but injects a mix of drama and humour at the right moments, with dialogue banter to keep the reader feeling in the middle of the experience. The writing leaves the reader wanting more, surely the sign of a well-developed story. Field has done a masterful job with these novels and I await another book in the near future. I can only hope that Field will continue crafting these addictive stories for fans who find them so enthralling.

Kudos, Mr. Field, for this wonderful novel. I am eager to read more Esther and Jack stories and hope others will follow my lead.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

We, The Jury, by Robert Rotstein

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Rotstein, and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Robert Rotstein has developed this unique legal thriller, told from the perspective of the other side of the courtroom. Rather than putting the reader in the middle of a courtroom drama, the story unfolds as the legal banter is wrapping up and the case is sent to the jury. David Sullinger is accused of having murdered his wife, Amanda, the day before their 21st wedding anniversary. According to David, he was subjected to significant and ongoing spousal abuse, which led him to act in self-defence at the time he plunged a pickaxe into her skull. Told from multiple perspectives, the book opens with the judge offering jury instructions, which are bumbled, and proceeds to the deliberations in the case. In a narrative that offers the jury members’ own perspectives on the case, as well as other officers of the court (judge, bailiff, lawyers) and even some outsiders, the reader learns more about what supposedly happened through recollections of evidence presented. Additionally, Rotstein offers some outside information on the judge, who is showing signs of mental distress due to personal matters, trying to hold it all together. With tidbits of testimony added within various chapters, the reader becomes a juror themselves, as they see the arguments made in deliberation, before a decision is made. Quite the story and highly unique! Rotstein is sure to impress those who enjoy legal thrillers with a different perspective, especially the reader who likes to be the thick of a courtroom drama.

I thoroughly enjoy legal thrillers and courtroom dramas, as they are not only entertaining, but highly educational. Rotstein peppers a little of everything in this case, which sees a man’s freedom hang in the balance. Spousal abuse against men remains a new defence, though it is one that has been rolled out here. Taking the perspectives of the jurors provides the reader with a unique glimpse into what they know, how they feel, and what influences their voting. The banter between these individuals—the least legally trained but with the most legal power in a case—is amazing and Rotstein infers a great deal throughout. The characters are plentiful and each has their own perspective, which allows the reader to watch as development and flavour mix to create the most entertaining set of individuals. The story is quite well done, offering great insight into how the same set of facts can be interpreted so many ways by a group of eight (see an early explanation in the story about how eight can serve on a jury in California) common citizens. With short chapters and a variety of perspectives, the reader will not get bogged down in the legal or personal minutiae of the characters, but will seek to see how things end up when the foreperson presses the red button, indicating a decision has been reached.

Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for such a great book. I will recommend it to anyone who enjoys legal pieces, as you have a wonderful handle on the genre.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

House of Ashes, by Loretta Marion

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Loretta Marion, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Loretta Marion develops a story that straddles time and geography to bring the reader into the centre of numerous mysteries that come to a head in an energetic ending. The small Massachusetts community of Whale Rock has been home to the Mitchell family off and on for over eight decades. When one of the largest homes in the area caught fire eighty years ago, the fallout created a curse that permeates the region to this day. Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Mitchell’s great-grandparents perished in the fire that some believe was part of a larger curse they brought from England. At present, Cassie has an issue of her own, as her two tenants have recently disappeared into thin air. Could this be part of the ongoing curse or some other nefarious act? Leaving behind a few odd clues, including a piece of rope tied with unique knots, Cassie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. However, she also has a gallery showing booked and must finish a number of paintings, some of the bucolic community of Whale Rock. With the authorities turning up nothing and the FBI admitting that Cassie’s tenants never existed, at least by those names, the mystery only thickens. With a parallel storyline exploring events leading up to the aforementioned fire, additional backstory and knowledge about this Mitchell Curse come to light, which could explain some of the present-day anomalies. An interesting tale that will pique the interest of some, though I found myself less than committed throughout the reading experience.

This is my first experience with Marion’s writing, which left me curious to see what sentiments came to the surface. Her attention to detail and nuanced placement of clues is second to none, as is her seamless ability to write in both past and present while keeping both stories poignant. I remain baffled as to why I could not grasp the entirety of the story. I did not feel the connection to the characters or plot, though both seemed to be well grounded. Cassie Mitchell proves to be an interesting woman, who has struggled finding her niche as she seeks to rebuild a bridge with her older sister. Cassie’s determination to get to the bottom of the mystery while also living her life at present is something that Marion develops throughout with a strong narrative and decent dialogue. I’m left to wonder if I was just not in the proper mindset to tackle this book, as there are many characters who pop up and serve to push things in a forward direction. The premise was decent, using a past curse to explain away some of the issues taking place, without getting too supernatural with the entire plot. Still, I needed something more that shook me in my seat as I flipped the pages of this book. Perhaps others will find something stellar in this book or with the author and to them I offer my complete support. It just did not come together for me.

Kudos, Madam Marion, for a decent piece of writing. While I may not have been captivated, I do not feel that I will be in the majority.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

A Murder by Any Name: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery, by Suzanne M. Wolfe

Seven stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Suzanne M. Wolfe, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Suzanne M. Wolfe takes the reader into the darker sides of the Elizabethan Court with this murder mystery, using a great deal of detail to bring out the unique flavour of the time. Queen Elizabeth has been reigning over England for close to three decades and has earned the favour of many, both within her Court and in the general public. When the youngest of the ladies-in-waiting is murdered, the Court is abuzz with gossip and Her Majesty is enraged. Found on the high alter of a church, the killer must surely have been seeking to make a statement like no other. Elizabeth turns to the one man she feels is up for the task of locating the killer and bringing them to justice, Nicholas Holt. A spy in his own right, Holt will be able to use his deceptive ways to lure information out of many in order to quickly bring the case to a close. With his connections to Court and possessing a seedy background, Holt will stop at nothing to bring the killer before Elizabeth. However, this might be a more difficult task than first thought, as Her Majesty is far from regal in its traditional form and seeks immediate answers. When a second lady-in-waiting is slain, Holt knows that he is running out of time. If he cannot produce the killer soon, it will be his head on a platter before Elizabeth. Working every angle, Holt travels to ascertain not only clues but motive, remaining as covert as possible. Wolfe delivers an interesting mystery that is sure to pique the attention of some who enjoy their murder mysteries in a historic setting.

This is my first experience with Wolfe and her writing, which left me eager to see what sentiments came as I read this piece. She has a wonderful attention to detail and brings out that 16th century flavour in her story without leaving the reader too bogged down in references or phrasing. That being said, my mind could not grasp the entirety of the story, as I sought something a bit quicker and that would pull me in. Her character development is decent, as Nicholas Holt is painted to be a wonderfully dedicated man, even if he has a background that might be anything but pure. Using a handful of supporting characters, including Elizabeth I, proved useful, not only to advance the story, but also to add strength to the setting. While the story is one of mystery with a peppering of espionage, Wolfe dutifully uses some of the historical goings-on of the time to add to the potential motive. With England standing as a Protestant stronghold, might the Catholics have perpetrated this to poke at Elizabeth? Could the anti-Semitic sentiments of the time be the basis for these murders? All this, keenly woven into a narrative that flows with ease and keeps the reader guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical angle, even if the story did not pull me in as much as I would have liked. Wolfe is to be commended for her attention to detail, which will surely appease many of those who seek to read this book.

Kudos, Madam Wolfe, on an interesting tale. I trust that many will enjoy this piece, for it certainly has much to offer the curious reader.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

I Heard a Romantic Story, by Lee Child

Five stars

I stumbled across this short piece completely by accident, nothing like any Lee Child work I have read to date. Told in a single (rambling) paragraph, Child introduces a faceless narrator who speaks of a hit that he is asked to complete, in the heat of an Indian day. Through this ramble, the reader learns that the target is a prince, one of a large family, who has committed something that had led to his required extermination. What makes this a love story is that a woman has been sent in a honey pot type situation, to appease the prince and lull him away from having his defences up. All the while, the reader waits as the narrative builds until the moment arrives and a bomb’s detonation is required…Not too sure how I feel about this one, though if anyone could attempt such a feat, it would be Lee Child.

I have read a lot of unique pieces over the years, but this has got to be one of the oddest. Literally a multi-page narrative blob of facts, as if the Return key were broken on a computer keyboard, Child tosses a great deal of information at the reader, forcing them to process it without a ‘literary breath’. While I am used to the Jack Reacher rambling type of story, this was an entirely different experience and not one I hope to repeat. I am left sitting here, trying to think what to say. I chose not to subject others to the Child style and type without paragraphs, but maybe there was something intuitive about the entire writing project that I missed. I might as well end here, before I sour anyone to Child in general and call this a miss after many hits in his writing career.

Umm, Mr. Child, not your finest hour.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Us Against You (Beartown #2), by Fredrik Backman

Eight stars

I admit to being late for the Fredrik Backman love-in, but readily accepted the challenge to try Beartown. In doing so, I determined that the piece is much more than a story about hockey, but the way small towns take their sporting teams as seriously as a rise in taxes. Backman takes the reader back to Beartown in this sequel, as the town seeks to dig itself out of the quandary that all but decimated the junior hockey team. Buried in the forested part of Sweden, Beartown is isolated enough, but the fallout of Maya Andersson’s rape has deeply divided the locals. Many players and fans have turned to Hed, the next community over, where hockey is also a religion and whose team can surely vie for victory with greater ease. Yet, there are those who remain firmly rooted in Beartown and will do all they can to resurrect the team and its reputation. With new sponsors and a local politician injecting some new life into the team, Beartown hires a somewhat controversial coach to take the reins and work with those left to send a decent team onto the ice. In a novel that creates a competition out of most every aspect of small towns and their love of sports, Backman fuels the inner passion each person has to win when faced with adversity. He touches on so many social issues, from abuse victimhood to sexual orientation and even the politics of competing small towns, all in hopes of showing just how easily we seek to divide ourselves, rather than come together. With so much baggage from the opening novel, there is little chance for the reader to find anything uplifting and humorous in this piece, though there are sure to be moments of pride peppered amongst emotional angst and harsh realities. Fans of Beartown will likely want to get their hands on this piece, which serves as an elongated epilogue to the tragedies of the series opener, if not to enjoy more wonderful writing by Fredrik Backman. Recommended for all who love more character exploration and the presentation of a societal microcosm of many controversial topics.

I received a few private comments from people who felt that would not like this series—even though they loved some of Backman’s other work—because of its focus on hockey. I must say that I, too, was worried that the book would be hockey-centric and only really pique the interest of a small group of readers. After reading both books, I can assure those who sit on the fence that the story is one that transcends Backman’s native Sweden and could easily be supplanted here to small-town Canada, or anywhere for that matter. Any community that relies on a single sport to create its fabric is sure to see the parallels, as well as how its stars are more than people, perhaps even time-limited gods. The deification begins in Beartown, but continues throughout the narrative here, as the fallout of the rape and its quashing remains a stain on the community. Backman offers up a slew of new and interesting characters, alongside many names that return in this second novel. All these characters bring their own perspectives to the many struggles that face Beartown. Just as in the opening novel, there are so many characters who work together to create a clash of ideas, the central premise of the novel. The story transcends the ‘puck in the net’ mentality of a hockey novel, but creates strong divides for the reader to choose a side, as many of the characters navigate through the clashes inherent with trying to bring Beartown out of the ashes. Backman offers up more social commentary on sports, small towns, and the blinders people put on when things go wrong. He also seeks to add new areas of contention to show that polarised opinions can destroy the central fabric of a community, or make it stronger by a great deal of self-reflection. I hope a larger cross-section of the population can enjoy this book as they look past hockey and explore the social issues embedded within the narrative. There is so much going on within the pages of this novel, though much is spoiled if I say any more. An eventful story, Backman forces the reader to think outside the rink and turn inside themselves to find their personal labels.

Kudos, Mr. Backman, for another interesting exploration of society. You pull on heartstrings while pushing a strong message we all need to hear!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Hangman (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #6.5), by Louise Penny

Eight stars

After a strong recommendation from a friend, I decided that I would soon embark Louise Penny’s series involving Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Before taking on the large commitment, I felt it key to test the waters with the only short story in the series, which appears in the middle of the collection. Hoping that I could enjoy the piece without having read the previous six novels, I sought to get a feel for things and Penny’s writing style, allowing me to make more of a confident decision before a reading binge. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is the head of Homicide with the Sûreté du Québec (or ‘Quebec Provincial Police’, as Penny terms it for her readers) and has been called to Three Pines, a small Quebec community, where a man has been found hanging by a tree. The jogger who found him has been quite distant and uncooperative, leaving Gamache to wonder if he might be involved. After discovering the victim’s name, Arthur Ellis, the team finds that he’s been staying at a local bed and breakfast. Ellis left a fairly clear suicide note in his room, though Gamache is not entirely sold that this was how the act played out. While engaging with some of the locals, Gamache realises that the victim may have additional secrets that are only now coming to the surface. When the medical examiner notices odd ligature marks not attributable to a rope, it becomes apparent that there is a killer in Three Pines, but what motive might they have. Additionally, how could Ellis, a visitor himself, have pushed someone to kill him in such a public manner? Penny pulls the reader in with this stunning short story, easily finished in a single sitting. I will definitely be exploring the entire series and am sure that those who have done so already will enjoy this piece. Fans of police procedurals and Canadian mysteries will also find something worthwhile.

I am happy to have found yet another Canadian author whose work falls within one of the genres I enjoy so much. Set in rural Quebec, the series is sure to have a lovely Canadian flavour, something that will enrich the reading experience and have it stand out in the genre. With this short introduction to Gamache, Penny provides the reader with some interesting hints at a backstory that will likely develop more thoroughly as I delve deeper into the series. Gamache has a curious way about him, highly intelligent but also down to earth as he investigates the crime before him. He does not come across as condescending, but also gets to the root of the matter in short order and does not appear to suffer fools. Penny’s descriptive nature has me highly interested in learning much more about the entire homicide team, all of whom will surely play important roles as the full series develops. The story moves quickly, as it must with its brevity, and the reader must follow the movements of both the characters and the plot. Penny keeps the reader in the middle of the investigation, dropping hints throughout as she pushes towards the reveal, which ties the entire experience together. With this ‘short case’ done, I wonder how Penny handles a slower and more thorough plot as full-length novels will require. With a new novel set to come out later this autumn, I will have to binge soon to catch up in time to enjoy the latest release alongside series fans. I cannot wait!

Kudos, Madam Penny, for intriguing me greatly. I am ready to take the challenge and will shuffle a few things around in the coming month to get started soon.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

The Accused: A Play, by Jeffrey Archer

Eight stars

Lord Jeffery Archer has long been called a master storyteller, no matter what he chooses to write. While I have devoured many of his novels and short stories, this was the first of his stage plays that I have read, which ended up being quite entertaining. Dr. Patrick Sherwood stands accused of killing his wife, Elizabeth. There is much evidence that is presented by the prosecution, including an alleged affair with one of his nurses. However, while the evidence seems strong, the defence is not prepared to let it stand without being refuted. Dr. Sherwood is a respected cardio surgeon and has access to many medications, including the one that may have caused his wife’s death. Additionally, one cannot discount that the potassium chloride might have come from a household item. As both sides present their evidence, the jury must wait to deliver a verdict. By Act Three, it’s time for a verdict to be rendered, which offers the audience a chance to participate in the proceedings. Based on their vote, a verdict is delivered and the fallout ensues. A wonderful play that will keep the reader (or, one could suppose, the audience member) enthralled to the very end. Guilty or Innocent, YOU decide!

Archer is a master with words and is able to pull the reader in from the early stages. While the story is best told as a stage play, even reading this script does not dampen the action and the well-developed story that comes to pass over three acts. Archer uses not only some key asides to open each day of the trial, as seen between the legal minds, but also a wonderful to and fro in the direct testimony and cross-examination. Archer develops his characters through their delivery of evidence and the narrative embedded in their descriptive words. The play is wonderfully entertaining and the format forces the reader/audience member to pay close attention so that they might choose the fate of Dr. Sherwood in the latter stages. It reminds me of a play m y father wrote and had published years ago, though his had more of a humorous mockery of a certain fairy tale. Still, the ‘two-pronged ending’ leaves the audience entertained, no matter what happens and permits an interesting alternate ending, dependent only on the gut feeling of those watching. I’ll have to find more of Archer’s stage work and enjoy it soon.

Kudos, Lord Archer, for such a great play. Yet another form of writing at which you excel!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Blood of my Blood (Jasper Dent #3), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

In this final novel in the ‘I Hunt Killers’ trilogy, Barry Lyga brings it all together with the ultimate reveal in a handful of key revelations that reverberate throughout the narrative. As Jasper Dent awakens in a locked storage container, he knows that he’s in trouble. Blood all around him and a few bodies scattered about, he must not only make sense of things, but also flee before he’s collared for the crimes he witnessed. Meanwhile, across town, Connie has been sleuthing around in New York City, only to be captured by Jasper’s father, serial killer Billy Dent. Locked away in a room, Connie comes across a fellow prisoner that she soon learns is none other than Jasper’s mother, long presumed dead. While Howie remains back in Lobo’s Nod, he is not free from the action, with a body of his own on the ground and the authorities trying to piece together what might have happened. These three may be dealing with their own crises, but nothing is as important as bringing Billy Dent to justice once and for all. As the lightning-quick narrative progresses, Connie is able to make her way back to Lobo’s Nod and discovers some family secrets buried in town, things that may force Jasper to rethink who he is and the path he’s lived. All this comes to the climatic meeting of Jasper and Billy Dent in a battle for ultimate supremacy, where Jasper learns more about the Crow King, a leader of a select group of serial killers. Will Jasper succumb to the King’s power and be eliminated or join the Crows with hopes of one day rising to the top? By the time the last of the blood is shed, there can be only one winner and no one is ready to stand aside. A brilliant end to the series that has been full of twists and momentous events. Lyga does a wonderful job and this trilogy comes highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a well-paced thriller with murderous undertones.

Lyga has developed a strong trilogy with several key plot lines that flow throughout the novels, all of which are complemented by a collection of wonderful short stories to hash out additional backstory. The action throughout this novel is non-stop, particularly as Lyga left readers hanging before, with plots and character development snaring the reader throughout. Jasper develops significantly throughout this book, as he has in the entire series, while trying to gather up the threads of his life and bind them into something with which he can live. There have been so many instances of horror and desperation that one can only hope Jasper finds solace in some of the happier things that he learns. However, Lyga offers more dark and twisted revelations, which can only jade the series protagonist more than help him become a young man who rises above. While Connie and Howie are still strong characters within this book, they serve as vessels to bring Jasper what he needs to know, rather than serve to develop themselves significantly. I found that Lyga intentionally used these two to support their friend and to help highlight some of the aforementioned revelations without adding much to their own character development. The other characters find themselves offering needed flavours to propel the narrative and keep the story strong, especially the appearance of Janice Dent as Jasper’s mother. Long thought dead, she has a story all her own that will leave Jasper wanting to know more when finally they come face to face. I found the plot to be quite strong, which is to be expected in a final novel, as Lyga seeks to push through as much action and information to tie off many of the topics. This series has captivated me, which might explain how I was able to steamroll through it in under a week. I was expecting something with a little less pizzazz and more catered to a YA audience, but was pleasantly surprised to see just how complex some of the storylines became and how much of a connection I had with the characters. Older teen and adults alike will enjoy this book, which explores not only coming of age, but the struggles of personal relationships and the role that one’s upbringing has on adult choices. I certainly was able to do some self-reflection and would hope others take the time to do the same, as they push through this series.

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another stellar piece. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and will surely keep an eye open for more of your work!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Beartown (Beartown #1), by Fredrik Backman

Eight stars

Fredrik Backman has made quite a name for himself with a number of his novels, though I chose to watch their success from the sidelines. When this book was recommended to me, I thought I would give it a try, since my favourite sport plays a central role. Beartown defines itself by the success of the local hockey team. Buried in the forested part of Sweden, Beartown is usually the butt end of jokes around the country, though some still remember when its junior team rose to second best in a national tournament. Now, two decades on, the team finds itself in the semi-finals, hoping to beat the odds and vie for the coveted championship. While the town waits for game day, the reader learns more about the locals and how hockey influences their daily choices. From teenage girls looking to become more popular to a general manager whose past glories are all but shelved as he makes the tough calls, through to the players themselves who seek fame and fortune. That buzz all changes when one of the star players is accused of a serious criminal act. Backman explores how hockey runs so deep through the veins of some locals that choosing to knock someone down a peg is a greater crime than anything a player could have done. Faced with this division, Beartown must come to grips with all that takes place during the fallout and choose who ought to be vilified, and which lives deserve protection. An insightful book that explores how a small town deals with its one uniting force, even when it becomes tarnished. Recommended for all who love character exploration and the examination of society through small-town microcosms.

While I am no hockey player, I can see how many can relate to this book. The story is one that transcends Backman’s native Sweden and could easily be supplanted here to small-town Canada. Any community that relies on a single sport to create its fabric is sure to see the parallels, as well as how its stars are more than people, perhaps even time-limited gods. Backman offers up a slew of interesting characters who bring their own perspectives to the hockey persona that pervades Beartown. It is not worth trying to list them all, but the attentive reader will see so many personalities woven into the larger fabric of the town and how each plays an important role. Backman does deify the hockey players, but there is a reason for this, as he explores the role they play with the everyday citizen. Many may shy away from the novel because of their lack of interest in hockey, but I would warn those folks not to do so. The story transcends the puck in the net mentality that seems so strong with those who love hockey like myself. Backman offers up a wonderfully powerful social commentary on sports, small towns, and the blinders people put on when things go wrong. I can see a large cross-section of the population enjoying this book because of that, even as the town’s fabric is frayed and torn apart because of a certain action. There is so much going on within the pages of this novel, though much is spoiled if I say any more. An eventful story, Backman forces the reader to think outside the rink and see just how loyal small towns can be to those who create unifying moments that create water cooler fodder. Bring on the sequel!

Kudos, Mr. Backman, for an interesting exploration of society. I am eager to see if you continue in your sequel, which I have in hand and will begin now!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Game (Jasper Dent #2), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

After making my way through the entire collection of prequel short stories in this series, I continue on the path with this middle novel in the full-length trilogy. Jasper ‘Jazz’ Dent is still coming to terms with a serial killer in town, one who is the apparent protégé of his own father, Billy. After a harrowing escape from prison, Billy is somewhere and killing again. An NYPD Homicide detective arrives in Lobo’s Nod, looking for Jasper’s help on a new and stunning series of murders in the Big Apple. Based on the items carved into the bodies, this new killer is being given the moniker ‘The Hat and Dog Killer’. Interestingly enough, it bears some of the brutality Billy Dent used to show in his early kills. While Jasper is able to make some headway, from his past experience and teachings that Billy offered, he is soon chased out of town by the NYPD brass who cannot handle the press coverage they are getting with a teenager on the task force. Back in Lobo’s Nod, Jasper enlists the help of his best friend, Howie, and girlfriend, Connie, to piece some things together. However, the locals are less than happy to have the buzz and Jasper must watch his every move. When the killings ramp up again, Jasper’s knowledge cannot be ignored, though he is surely in the middle of a very dangerous situation. This game has surely become a lot more real and the pieces move without apparent rhyme or reason. All three teens are looped in to find this killer, though their roles are completely unique. Will all this end in a stalemate, or will blood sully the game board again? Lyga does well to develop much of the drama and leaves the reader begging for some closure, as the final novel in the trilogy looms. Perfect for those who are familiar with this series, which packs quite a punch!

Lyga spins a wonderful tale to keep the series going. While I appreciated the backstory offered in the prequel short stories, these novels can be read on their own (and were published before the prequels, if memory serves). The action throughout is non-stop and the character development, though focussed on three teens, is anything but cheesy. Jasper continues to have great backstory development throughout the piece, remembering his youth and using it to build on how he can help catch the killer while inching closer to his father for a final showdown. Lyga offers up some intense character development in the present as well, which offers a mature individual who has been subjected to much in his young life alongside a teenager trying to find out how he fits into a hormone-driven life with a beautiful girlfriend. Enter, Connie, who is also in the middle of trying to define herself, both to Jasper and herself. She struggles with her role as a teenager and one who wants things to progress physically alongside the supportive and mature woman who is able to see things that others might miss. Howie remains his horn-dog self, but is always trying to find his place, while carrying his hemophilia around as a black mark. The other characters find themselves offering needed flavours to propel the narrative and keep the story strong, leaving me to wonder if we will see more of them in the final novel. The plot is strong, even if the reader must divorce themselves from thoughts of a teenager acting as a key liaison to both the NYPC and FBI. There is little loss of momentum as Lyga offers up a vast array of plot development and character enhancement through his jam-packed chapters. Using an interesting ‘game’ twist as it relates to the murders will surely pull the reader in, particularly when the pattern becomes more apparent, which only goes to show that Lyga’s writing has great layering for the attentive and patient reader. With a few wonderful cliffhangers in the closing pages of the book, I am eager to see how things finish in the next novel. That said, one can never be sure there is a finality to this series, as Lyga is prone to add a twist here and there.

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another stellar piece. I cannot wait to see what’s next and how you will pull the reader in.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

In Bloom (Sweetpea #2), by C. J. Skuse

Eight stars

C.J. Skuse is back with the sequel to her twist serial killer novel with more first-person narrative in a world where murder seems to be the easiest way to deal with scumbags. After her successful run of killing a number of sexual offenders, Rhiannon Lewis has been able to push the crimes off on her fiancé, Craig, who was recently picked-up by the authorities. Rhiannon’s drama does not end there, for a workplace tryst left her pregnant and required that she dispose of the baby daddy in short order, though has decided to do so on the sly. Now, with the news breaking that she’s been living alongside a serial killer, Rhiannon is not working, but has moved into her presumptive in-laws’ home, who are led to believe that this baby is their grandchild. Plotting her pregnancy through a first-person narrative, Rhiannon has immersed herself into the life of an expectant mother, though she cannot shake the urge to kill, particularly those who are on the prowl to harm others. Enter the wee one in her belly, which acts as a sort of conscience to steer Rhiannon on the right path. As the urges continue to grow and the authorities start poking around ahead of Craig’s trial, Rhiannon must use her willpower to stay clean and prepare to be the best mother possible. Still, one little murder couldn’t hurt anyone, right? A wonderfully sarcastic and dark story that is sure to entertain the reader throughout. Recommended for those who like a little British humour alongside the insights of a serial killer.

A friend recommended the debut novel in this series, which I found to be decent and definitely a quick read. Returning to see how the pregnancy might add to the flavour of the plot and narrative, I was quite impressed with what Skuse created, so much so that I pushed through the piece in short order. Rhiannon ‘Sweetpea’ Lewis is quite the character, particularly with impending motherhood looming over her. Not only does the reader get to see a little more of her insight into ridding the world of sexual offenders, but also the struggle to regulate her urges in order to prepare for a baby. Rhiannon’s banter, with baby and moms-to-be alike, is a mix of humour and downright struggles to find a balance, which permits the reader to see much of her inner angst. The to and fro with the wee one is quite amusing and does provide an interesting subplot throughout the piece. A handful of others cross paths with Rhiannon, creating an interesting dynamic as she seeks to show little sign of panic or concern, while things are almost out of control below the surface. The story takes some interesting plot twists and provides the reader with some interesting perspectives, from trips with her pregnancy group to life living with in-laws and even some luring of paedophiles through internet websites. The reader can see, through a first-person narrative, what makes Rhiannon tick, which includes some of her ‘list of things I hate’ that appear to open specific chapters. Of note, Skuse has chosen to plot the pregnancy with gestation dates rather than the traditional chapter numbers, allowing the reader to see the ongoing progression of things, with helps also to explain Rhiannon’s struggles as her pregnancy progresses. Fast-paced and told with blunt honesty, the book is one that complements the first novel quite well, though surely could be read as a standalone.

Kudos, Madam Skuse, for a wonderful piece. I am eager to see where to take things from here, should you decide to build on the series.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

After making my way through the entire collection of prequel short stories in this series, I was ready to commence the novel trilogy, armed with enough background information. Barry Lyga’s writing makes it quite easy to delve in and want to push forward until the final page, in hopes of catching all the action. Jasper ‘Jazz’ Dent has lived an odd sort of life. His father, Billy, is one of the most notorious serial killers of all times, captured by fluke a few years ago. His mother disappeared when he was just a child, though there are hints that she might have been one of Billy’s victims. Forced to live with his senile grandmother, Child Protection Services have Jasper on their radar, as he all but raises himself. His father’s actions have made him a pariah in the small community of Lobo’s Nod, with only two friends his own age—Howie, his best friend, and Connie, his girlfriend—to help him make it through high school. When the body of a young woman turns up, the authorities are baffled, having had few deaths in the area since the last 1970s. Jasper cannot help but explore the crime scene for clues, thinking that his ‘killer mind’ could see things that the sheriff might miss. As he learns a little more about the crime and victim, Jasper continues to have horrible flashbacks to the ‘training’ his father offered him about killing and dismembering. Discovering the body of the victim has had fingers removed, Jasper knows that this is a serial killer on the loose, though no one is ready to believe him, at least until another body shows up. It is then that Jasper thinks back to all he knows about killing and victim selection. These victims ring a bell for Jasper, one that comes to him in another of his flashbacks. They follow the list of early kills by Billy Dent, which may allow Jasper to forewarn the authorities. Rather than waiting for more bodies to pile up, Jasper makes the risky decision to visit his father in prison, in hopes of learning something new. Meanwhile, in the shadows, the Impressionist lurks, looking for the next victim. Lyga spins a wonderful tale to get this series going. There is a great deal for the attentive reader to learn within these pages and this is sure to help create a real buzz for the rest of the trilogy and handful of short pieces on offer.

A friend of mine got me interested in the I Hunt Killers series and I have not been able to put it down. The prequel short stories laid all the needed groundwork before I dove into this piece and have not been able to put it down. Exploring the life of a teenager who was raised to kill poses an interesting premise, one in which Lyga has begun a deeper exploration. Jasper Dent is surely a young man whose past is coming back to haunt him. His flashbacks and knowledge of death open the discussion of nature versus nurture when it comes to personality traits, something the reader can discover by keeping a close eye on the character development found within. Lyga has laid the groundwork for Jasper in this novel, as well as the prequel pieces, all of which comes to the surface at various points. Jasper seeks to shed the persona that has been attributed to him while also seeking to use that knowledge for good. His determination not to sit on the sidelines can be applauded, though he does flirt with danger throughout. The handful of secondary characters surely complement Jasper, particularly his closest friends. The three teenagers may have tendencies to act their age, but the story is not told in such a way as to make it seem corny or even teen-geared. There is a certain grit to the narrative, one that cannot be easily explained, though it works well to propel the story forward. The scenes are gory at times, but not explored in an overly-graphic nature, allowing a larger cross-section of the population to enjoy the book. Lyga has developed his story and characters very well and keeps the plot moving forward, including some twists near the end that will push readers to get their hands on the next novel, if only to learn more about what is going on.

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on an outstanding series debut novel. I am glad I read the prequel pieces first, as it enriched my reading experience, but you have done so well that I could have started here without issue.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Blood Boy (Jasper Dent #0.8), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

Before commencing the ‘I Hunt Killers’ series, I wanted to round-out my reading experience with this final short story of character development and insight. Lyga has penned a number of them, all of which have proven to be highly useful to wet my feet before taking the plunge. This piece turns the focus on Howie Gersten, best friend to Jasper Dent and an interesting teenager in his own right. Plagued with hemophilia, Howie has been kept in a protective cocoon by his parents, which might explain his forward nature with others, particularly girls at school. However, the constant reminder of his situation while walking around Lobo’s Nod has become tiresome, so he has organized an invitation to attend a Hallowe’en party with Connie and Jasper in another community. While his sarcastic comments have come along with him, Howie seeks to explore those at the party free from his companions. He meets a young girl who is curious to know more about him, particularly as he is from the Nod, where the stories of Billy Dent’s killings still serve as the town’s greatest draw. Howie dares to impress and does all he can to lure this young woman into the web of his teenage mind while not forgetting that he has his own carnal needs. As with much in his life, Howie must come to terms with the fact that not everything goes as planned. Another great Lyga short piece that has given me all I need to better understand the vast array of characters within the series. Recommended for series fans and those who want to enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.

I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation of my friend, who asked that I give this collection my attention. When a read a short blurb from Lyga about his creation of these pieces as a means of filling in the gaps of backstory, I knew I was right to have taken the time to read them first. Now, I am ready to begin the journey of longer pieces and explore the teenage perspectives of those in Lobo’s Nod. Howie proves to be the typical teenager, whose raging hormones are not satisfied simply by talking. That being said, as with his two other friends—Jasper and Connie—he has his own individualising characteristic that pushes him apart from others. He wants nothing more than to have a ‘normal’ evening, whatever that might entail. The struggle to shed his daily life at the door is overpowering and Howie is able to do that in his own sarcastic manner. He seeks to better understand himself and those around him in this piece, without inundating the reader with too much information. Lyga has armed his series reader with much and left them to draw some of their own conclusions, which are sure to be interesting in regards to Howie. The story works here and provides the curious reader with something on which to build. Some will surely have read the pieces in chronological (published date) order and already know much about Howie Gersten, while others are only really meeting him in depth for the first time here (as I have, choosing to explore the books as they are marketed by numbers in the series). Either way will likely work, though I will have to reserve final judgment until I finish the entire trilogy that awaits. Now, I am ready for those books and will gladly offer up my insights before too long, as I need to get my teeth into some of the more substantive pieces.

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another great piece. I have come to enjoy your short pieces and hope I can find the same pleasure in the novels to come.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Neutral Mask (Jasper Dent #0.6), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

Before taking the plunge into the trilogy Barry Lyga created around the ‘I Hunt Killers’ theme, I wanted to take the time to better understand the characters who appear on the page by exploring the collection of prequel short stories on offer. Those who have read my previous reviews on said stories will see that Lyga has developed some of the characters and the setting of the series in them, providing me, the new reader, something on which to grasp. This story turns the focus on Connie Hall, the new girl in town and seemingly part of the only black family. While she remains coy with everyone about her dating Jasper ‘Jazz’ Dent, she is oblivious as to why keeping it a secret might have been the best idea. It is only when curiosity reachers its limit that Connie seeks information about her boyfriend and learns that he is the son of the notorious Billy Dent, a serial killer who was arrested a few years before. Lobo’s Nod cannot stop talking about him and branding Jasper for the sins of his father. Connie seeks to digest this news but will not react as the others have. Rather, she takes Jasper along to her drama group meeting and has him participate in a neutral mask activity, where he cannot use facial expressions to represent him. Jasper presents a scene to the group, opening their eyes but also Connie’s mind as she makes the all-important lasting decision about the boy she’s been dating and thinking about so much. Lyga does well to provide the reader with a great understanding of the confused Connie and struggling Jasper while also keeping a number of questions on the table for the full-length novels to come. Recommended for series fans and those who want to enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.

I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation of my friend, who asked that I give this collection my attention. When a read a short blurb from Lyga about his creation of these pieces as a means of filling in the gaps of backstory, I knew I was right to have taken the time to read them first. Now, with this information in my reading quiver, I am armed to better understand the characters as they cross my path and can provide a thorough analysis of their interactions with less of a need to speculate. Connie’s character comes to life on the page, allowing the reader a better understanding of her plight as a child who has moved around so much, but also being the one person in Lobo’s Nod who is unaware of the gossip that has pervaded the town and branded Jasper Dent. She seeks to carve out her own choices with regards to this boy and this will surely help explain some of her future actions when I get to the stories. Jasper is also given some spotlight time as he seeks to explore himself, particularly in the drama exercise, though the reader is left to wonder what’s going on in his head, something that I am sure few have taken the time to ponder. Whatever it might be, there is much to be said about him and the development of a strong relationship backstory here. The narrative flowed really well and I was pleased to see such a connection to the two central characters, as well as some of the peripheral ones, including Dent’s best friend, Howie. I am ready to tackle the final short story piece and then jump headlong into the stories myself, for I am sure they tell quite a tale themselves. Armed and ready for action, I think it will be quite the ride!

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another great piece. Your writing seems to transcend the YA genre it has been given, straddling the line between teenage issues and writing adults can appreciate.

\A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Career Day (Jasper Dent #0.5), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

In my ongoing binge of Barry Lyga’s ‘I Hunt Killers’ series, I am turning my attention to the prequel short stories so that I can better understand the characters who will grace the pages of the full-length novels. Having a little background on Billy Dent in the first piece and a better understanding of Lobo’s Nod, the setting of the series that is explored in the second story, it is time to explore Jasper, the protagonist for the larger series. Jasper is a struggling teen with both parents away from home, his mother having left years ago and with a father incarcerated for murder. It is no wonder that Jasper is living life with little semblance of direction, though he is trying his best. His friend, Howie, tries to guide him, but Jasper needs to find himself so that he can forge his own pathway. Jasper finds himself drawn to the new girl in town, Connie Hall, perhaps the only person who has no real knowledge of the Dent situation and therefore will not turn her back on him. As Jasper makes his way through a day of school, he is forced to attend a presentation on Career Day, looking to help high school students decide what they want to do with their lives. With all this emotional baggage, it’s no wonder that Jasper is confused, but the assignment before him cannot go unfinished. So, grinning and peering down at the paper before him, Jasper must decide where he sees himself in the future and if he wants to follow in his parents’ footsteps. Lyga does well to provide the reader with a great understanding of the struggling Jasper while also keeping a number of questions on the table for the full-length novels to come. Recommended for series fans and those who want to enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.

I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation of my friend, who asked that I give this collection my attention. This was less a piece that sought to dazzle with its dramatic narrative, but more to tell Jasper’s story from the teen’s perspective. Jasper is a teenager who has little guidance, forced to make his own way. While his parents have instilled some key characteristics in the young man, they are gone. Jasper fends for himself, but seems not to have blocked himself away from the world, which is admirable. The reader can see some of his thoughts in this short piece, but there is so much more to come. He will surely struggle under the pall of his father’s arrest and the mother who abandoned him, but will not allow himself to be defined in that matter, at least that is the perspective I get from Lyga. The story is less one of true development and more a character snapshot, hinting at things to come. I enjoyed it and felt I have a grip on who Jasper Dent has become, which will surely make my diving into full novels with him at the centre a great deal easier. I cannot wait to see what Lyga has in store for those who are ready for the journey.

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on a nice background piece. I find myself getting more excited for the novels as I sift through these short stories you have penned after the fact.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

White River Burning (Dave Gurney #6), by John Verdon

Nine stars

Fans of John Verdon’s work are in for a treat with this one, which pulls the series protagonist into the middle of an investigation of a social issue plaguing America yet again. While enjoying his retirement, former NYPD Detective Dave Gurney is approached by the local district attorney to help with an investigation in White River. After a protest by the black community intensifies, a white police officer is shot by a sniper, killed where he stood. Media outlets are going wild and the local authorities are scrambling to get a handle on things before they escalate. Gurney agrees to help investigate and joins the team, but wishes to keep an open mind as he seeks to better understand what’s been going on in this community. Two men are fingered for the shooting, but their bodies turn up, naked and beaten to death in a playground. This only adds fuel to an already volatile fire. When Gurney is approached by the slain officer’s wife with some new information, his narrative changes, even though many have already decided what they will do. It is a racial divide that has no chance to heal, particularly when those in positions of power continue to create walls rather than seek truth. While Gurney seeks answers, questions remain as to whether these deaths were part of a larger plan by a group hoping to create added unrest in White River, or if people in authority could have orchestrated this to rid themselves of weak links. Gurney’s wife sobers him to the realization that this is more than a racial matter, but one in which police officers and their families can never be sure of the degree of safety in the line of duty. As Gurney inches his investigation along, he must realise that he’s stepped on a few toes and crossed a line with his analytical perspective. Will he be able to finger the perpetrators before taking a bullet in the back of his own head? Verdon does a masterful job of illustrating some of the issues splashed across the headlines and ticker tapes today, while entertaining his readers. Strongly recommended for fans of Verdon’s work and those who enjoyed poignant novels that pull no punches!

I have long admired John Verdon and his work, both for its entertainment value and the ability to get me thinking throughout the entire reading process. I find myself wanting more, both because Verdon is able to craft a mystery worth reading and how he is able to make the story more than a simple mystery that needs solving. This story hit home on many levels, as it is more than a psychological thriller. It takes the social issue of the American racial divide and puts it front and centre throughout this piece. Using his well-grounded protagonist, Dave Gurney, Verdon thrusts the former cop into the middle of the issue that has been tearing at the fabric of America long since before its apparent need to ‘be great again’. Gurney uses his methodical way of thinking to posit all the potential avenues of the crime before him, which angers those in his closest proximity. He has always taken this approach, which permits the reader to all but hear the gears turning inside his head. His love for his wife buoys him, particularly when she draws parallels between the officers shot while on duty and how she might have been one of those grieving widows in the past. Sobered by this, Gurney stops at nothing to bring justice home in his chilling story. With a handful of strong secondary characters, Verdon weaves a story together that pokes at all sides of the racial divide, offering insight into the argument that is sure to keep the reader thinking. The story is strong and pulls on the current unrest while also issuing a strong warning of how things have been handled. Be it through the apparent white entitlement, calls of injustice by the black population, the media’s ability to fan the flames, and even those who seek to stir the pot for no reason other than to cause trouble. All these play a role in ripping the societal fabric. Whatever variable the reader uses for ‘x lives matter’, this book will hit home and cause them to think more deeply about what is going on around them and how the news is reported. At least it did for me!

Kudos, Mr. Verdon, for another stellar piece of writing. I could not ask for more, though I am always eager to see when you have something new in the publishing queue.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Members Only: A Year of Short Stories, by Jeffrey Archer

Eight stars

Master storyteller Lord Jeffrey Archer has chosen to please his fans with a new venture; a short story released each month. Those familiar with Archer’s work will know that he can not only spin long and involved pieces, but also the short story that compacts adventure into a handful of pages. I just received my September story and could not wait to get started. Robin Chapman receives a golf ball in his Christmas cracker one year, which begins a life-long love of golf. While he can barely hit the small white sphere when he begins, Robin studies the sport and soon is representing his local club at competitions around Britain. After falling in love, Robin makes the surprising move to Jersey, where he joins the prestigious Royal Jersey Golf Club, or at least puts in an application. After meeting the committee, he is put on a fifteen-year waiting list. Robin reluctantly accepts this delay and undertakes building up his family’s dry cleaning business and serving as an emergency sailor when the need arises. With the German invasion of Jersey during World War II, Robin is forced to bow down to his captors, but finds himself on the right side of a decision to save his life. At the end of the War and with two children of his own, Robin receives word from the Royal Jersey Golf Club. Might this be the news he has wanted for so long? Archer is brilliant in his monthly story delivery. I am always eager to share my sentiments on this author’s classic writing that seems able to stand the test of time. Recommended for those who love a good Archer short story or any reader who needs something to fill a little time in their day!

Lord Jeffrey Archer’s work is always full of unique perspectives, be they complete novels or shorter story such as this one. I am so pleased to have come across this collection and have reviewed each story based on its own merits. Now I await each instalment on a monthly basis, I can hope to find gems amidst all the reading I undertake each year. This was another winner, taking the reader back into that inter-war period in England. Robin Chapman serves as a highly entertaining protagonist, whose life takes him into many roles, all of which he masters. Even with a short piece, Chapman is able to capture the reader’s attention from the early going and interest in him does not wane. Surrounded by a number of secondary character who complement him in his various endeavours, Chapman helps elevate those around him for just long enough to push the narrative in a great direction. The story utilises these characters effectively and keeps the reader enthralled until the final sentence. The story is on par with some of Archer’s other great stories, following a recipe that has brought much success. Archer appears to enjoy thrusting his characters into a ‘forward-moving through history’ formula, which serves to have them influence events while making decisions that shape their own lives. This has been well-developed and keeps the reader enthralled as they try to guess the direction the narrative will take. A wonderful standalone piece that will entertain readers just long enough to finish a warm mug of something (or some such beverage), Archer proves himself as the master.

Kudos, Lord Archer, for a masterful new story collection. How you find so many effective ideas that produce high quality publications I will never know.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Lucky Day (Jasper Dent #0.2) by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

My friend’s recommendation of the Jasper Dent series has been a success to date, though I am only two short stories into the collection. Still, they read so easily and have gripped my attention, I cannot wait to continue. In the small community of Lobo’s Nod, the local sheriff has been balancing work while trying to keep his personal issues at bay. Sheriff G. William Tanner is shocked to learn that a local girl has gone missing, seemingly without a trace. As he tries to keep the family calm, news soon arrives of a second crime, a girl the same age has been murdered. After a forensic examination, Sheriff Tanner is trying to see these as two separate cases, but a key piece of evidence all but unites them conclusively. How can this community, that has not seen a murder since 1977, be rocked by two drastic crimes in such short order? Scrambling for answers, Tanner begins talking to the locals, including Billy Dent, who is a strong supporter of the police. One of those conversations points him in the oddest direction and forces him to look at a suspect he would not have thought possible. Could something have been going on under his nose in Lobo’s Nod for this long? With a killer on the loose, Sheriff Tanner will have to make the tough choices to save his community. Lyga pens another great short piece that introduces readers to more of the characters who are sure to make their mark in the upcoming novel trilogy. Recommended for fans of this series and those who need a little something to entertain them over their coffee or tea.

I am pleased to have heeded the recommendation to sink my teeth into this series, at least up to now. I am intrigued to see where things will go and how each name mentioned in the stories I have tackled to date might relate to a larger picture. Here, the reader learns a little more about Lobo’s Nod, though I am unsure if this is a blip on the map or the central focus of some of the future stories. There is also the focus on Sheriff G. William Tanner, who is still coming to terms with the loss of his wife while keeping law and order a top priority for all. With the pending election, he must do all he can to appease the locals, while not turning a blind eye to the crimes occurring. Where will this take him in the long-term is anyone’s guess, but I am interested to see if he returns and what role he might play, knowing the premise of this series is serial murder and the focus is with the Dent family. The other characters, though receiving little time or space, save the Dents, help to enrich the narrative, which is quick and to the point. A short story has little time to slowly generate momentum, so Lyga has been forced to forge ahead quickly. The story was decent and it kept my attention throughout, coming to terms with a killer and the potential that a larger crime spree might have been taking place in this bucolic community. The narrative proved to be to the point and the pages melted away as the story progressed. Another easy to comprehend short story, I will gladly continue with this series and allow fans to see where my head is at with these pieces. Bring them on and let’s see what Barry Lyga has to come!

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on another great piece. I am on a roll and like that I need not put on the brakes.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Down Time: An I Hunt Killers Prequel (Jasper Dent #0.1), by Barry Lyga

Eight stars

When a friend told me about the Jasper Dent series, I was intrigued. Now, with a little time on my hands, I thought that I would binge the collection to see what I think for myself. It all starts with a slew of short stories, which will seemingly lay the groundwork for the full-novel trilogy. Being the chronological fiend that I am, I thought beginning with the earliest piece (time period, not published) made the most sense. In this short story, Lyga provides the reader with a tale whose focus is solely on that of Billy Dent, father to Jasper. Needing a little time away, Billy leaves his son in the capable hands of a relative and makes his way on an airplane to a hotel getaway. Minding his own business, a young woman almost literally falls into Billy’s lap. What follows is the story of hotel getaways and carnal desire, which leads Billy to find solace in one of the things he has missed. While his murderous sentiments have been rising to the surface, he does not go through with it, but chooses instead to slink out of the room. However, when he makes it back to his own private room, he learns that he left the keycard behind. Able to make his way back, his recent conquest remains on the bed, but upon further inspection, she’s dead. Panicked that he will be fingered for a murder he (actually) did not commit, Billy rushes to find the real killer and tie this up in a bow, without arousing any suspicion. All this while on vacation! Someone surely has a sick sense of humour with him as the punchline. Lyga has me intrigued and I think I will continue to see where this series goes! Great for those who like a quick read to get their feet wet for a series sure to have many twists. I cannot offer a full recommendation, as I do not have enough context to do so yet.

After struggling with a few books of late, this was a refreshing short piece that held my attention as I drank my morning coffee. I am intrigued to see where things will go and how Billy fits into the larger series, as well as Jasper’s role. I know there will be serial killings and I know the Crows plays some role, like a gang or organization, but I am still on the outside with regards to much of it. For now, I can say that Lyga offered a great insight into Billy for the series newbie, keeping me interesting as he thought about Jasper, his own life, and the decisions he had to make when parenthood was thrust at him. In short order, Lyga develops Billy and makes him interesting enough for the reader to want to know more and see how things will progress. I am eager to get my hands on the rest of the series and have a better handle on the entire collection of characters. The story was decent and it kept my attention throughout. The narrative flowed well and the pages almost melted away as things progressed. Easy to comprehend with some decent editorializing, I will gladly continue with this series and allow fans to see where my head is at with these pieces. Bring them on and let’s see what Barry Lyga has to come!

Kudos, Mr. Lyga, on a great start to a reading binge. Keep up the great work!

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons