"Those Who Dare" by Phil Ward

Raiding Force book #1

First published in 2010

This series begins with the birth of special operations that lead to hit and run raids against Hitler’s war machine by the British Forces under the command of Lieutenant John Randal of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment. He had never been placed in charge of people that he didn’t know and had no idea what obstacles and challenges he had to overcome. What unfolds is a blend of military tactics, suspense and war buddy comradery…and a little romance and much more….

I almost drop this around chapter 4; I simply couldn’t get into all the rigorous military training the men had to endure. Chapter 5 brought an interesting twist when Lady Jane Seaborn came into play and her presence spiked things little bit and what came next became clear and “Those Who Dare” finally had my full attention.

This story bounces with humour, light romantic intrigue and British speech, slang and all. Not surprising the author male fantasy depicted all the women as pin-up girls but gave them high-ranking officers status…hum. Ok..

Once the Commando was deployed to France, their mission was highly risky and the author’s knowledge in war fair tactics were at its best. The details war extremely visual even you can hear the rat-ta-ta, pap pap, boom boom, bang bang, the whizzing, humming or hissing of the artillery and the yells of dying men.

Of course, the mission came to an end and the “Raiding Force” out preparing for another mission….

This historical fiction based on real events is well-researched, well said and well-done.

"Dead Wrong", by Leighann Dobbs

Blackmore Sisters book #1

First published in 2013

This is a clean cozy mystery that most will enjoy

What happens in this mystery:

Morgan and Fiona Blackmoore enjoy their simple life in the sleepy ocean-side town of Noquitt Maine where they offer herbal remedies and crystal healing for locals and tourists alike.

...Until Morgan is accused of killing the town shrew, Prudence Littlefield.

Then the mystery starts…….

My thoughts:

Although the plot makes questionable sense it still provides an interesting read. It takes us at a quaint town where shops are so appealing you wants to step in and sample their herbs or crystals, we have the most amazing cat that is cunning and seems to read your mind and you will step into an attic filled with mystery, so what it not to like.

The main characters are sisters Morgan, Fiona, Jolene Blackmore and a dashing police officer Jake Cooper.

The narrative is simple and switches between one sister to the other following this back and forth can be confusing at times but I managed to place which one took center stage eventually. The language is clean and clear so is the narrative. The plot moves at a slow pace and keeps this way till the very end.

Solving a murder as described here is illogical in my view: I don’t think, police would give suspect access to a murder scene to trample on the evidence but doing so may have been the solution here. You will see….

Belladonna, the cat, antics are so spooky I was wondering when it would change into a witch…quite intriguing, I think this cat won my heart.

In whole the simpleness and how everything smoothly falls into place without an itch makes reading this mystery a relaxing read: no challenge and no words seeking clarification. clear and simple from start to finish.

"Winston Churchill", by Kurt Thomas

The political career of the greatest Briton

This book was published in 2016 and stood idle in my library since then, it was time to get to it.

Not being a huge book, 144 pages or so, highlights briefly the life of Britain most controversial politician who is known over the world for the speeches he gave, his sharp wit, his observations and his ability to make strategic political decisions. This book brings forward interesting facts that I didn’t know; he once was a prisoner of war, a talented painter, won the Noble prize for literature and was subject of various controversies.

What I think about this book

If you want some quick information about Winston Churchill other what Wikipedia gives you get this book. For in depth knowledge stay with books written by historians. I like the succinct and informative narrative without getting bogged down with too much politics et made for easy and restful reading. The version I have is airy with lots of short paragraphs and no nonsense verbalize. This book is short and to the point and start with his family history and ends with Mr. Churchill death.

In all an enjoyable book

"Them Bones", by David Housewright

McKenzie Novel #22

This is my first experience reading Mr. Housewright and reading this book way into the series was not a challenge but it did pique my curiosity to see what events brought us to this point.

Rushmore McKenzie, the main character, is a former law enforcement that became PI after he was bestowed with a massive amount of wealth. He retains a multitude of formal and informal contacts to help him. He operates out of Minneapolis.

The story in a few words:

It starts with the discovery and theft of a dinosaur skull uncovered at a digging site. This mystery laid at the feet of our PI. Two things McKenzie hates, to turn down a request from a friend and a challenge. The request came from Angela Bjor, a doctoral candidate, who was at the dig site in Montana. When the group she was with was attacked and the skeleton of an Ankylosaurus worth millions was stolen, time to take action and McKenzie was called……and the excitement began sending McKenzie eventually out of state and into Canada.

Is there no honor among thieves? Evidently, not when dinosaur skulls are involved.

My thoughts

After a slow start and a lot of Paleontology talk, the plot finally keeps a decent pace when McKenzie shows up and the narrative becomes active and keeps the story smooth sailing till the end. Yes, McKenzie brought the dinosaur home and we find out who the thefts are…all ends well.

They are multiple characters some from previous stories but the lack of details on them was unnecessary to enjoy the plot, they blended in without a hitch. One hick, omitting references to sport teams and their stadiums which took too much pace and didn’t bring any thing could have been skipped. But well done is how the author is adroit in introducing red herrings to keep us guessing and teasing us to figure out who could be complicit in the theft. I especially loved the vivid sense of place: dusty sites and all.

My thanks to St-Martin Press for this ARC which I received via Netgalley

"Fifty-Fifty", by Steve Cavanagh

Eddie Flynn, book #5

A legal Thriller:

This is the second book I had the pleasure to read and I assure you that Mr. Cavanagh has won my heart: I simply love his style, I am totally addicted. Although this latest is part of a series, it stands well by itself. We have enough background to satisfy us and move forward without being lost.

“Fifty-Fifty” is a straightforward drama featuring Eddie Flynn, a maverick lawyer who is out to help people. He can tell when someone is lying and he concentrates on those he thinks are innocent, he doesn’t defend the guilty ones.

This brings me to the plot in few words:

A murder was committed. The victim’s daughters are the prime suspects: which one is the murderer and why is the other being framed….Alexandra and Sofia’s reputation preceded them. Yet not only one of them is a murderer but also a serial killer, a psychopath, utterly cold with one thing in minds framing her sister……At trial, the evidence could either way…..and the courtroom scenes are exciting and well-done.

Our job as reader is to find out which sister is guilty. The story told from the point of view of the two lawyers defending the sisters and “She” the sister who is the killer. “She, the killer is a calculating and very determined individual. Did I ever spent time trying to pin point which one did it. Mid way I though I had identified her. Then, this story threw in so many double bluffs and false leads, back and forth it went everything lead to one then the other but why would a daughter commit patricide?

I like the characters; Kate the other defending lawyer is a bit formulaic and the supporting cast quite cliché but these minor flaws doesn’t remove anything from this story. It is well-said and well-done.

Many thanks to Atria Books for this ARC