Zeb Carter book #6
As in all the books in this series fans know that they will be into an explosive read from start to finish, “Zero Dark” is no exception. This thriller is action packed, a little over the top but it is one of those captivating and enjoyable read hard to put down…of course if you don’t take what is happening too seriously…
In this latest installment, influential intelligence heads of three nations, Iran, China, and Russia come together in a plot to take out the U.S. President on the anniversary of 9/11 in NYC and Zeb Carter with his team in their N.Y city office. What follows is never ending suspense with as many twists and turns we can swallow. Take a breather, we need to, so many unexpected events come our ways. It is really hard to believe what we read but it surely makes for a very exciting read. What an imagination Mr. Patterson has. As we follow Zeb and his group on their hunt to thwart the plans of the foreign kill teams, they in turn, place all their attention on their goal…kill the president and Carter.
All the climatic scenes are played out intensely throughout the streets of N.Y.: gunfire, fights, explosions, you name it we have it. We have new characters in the foreign operatives and recurring ones in Meaghan and Beth with cameo appearance from the guys. All players are well-dawn and have terrific roles. Of course this story is fast paced and easy to read; no vulgar language, no sex scenes or mushy romance just action, action and more action. But, yes a but, this is the first time I come across editing omissions: such typos, missing words in any of Mr. Patterson’s books I have read in the past I presume since my version is an ARC the final version has been refined….
In my books this is another winner for the fans and for Mr. Patterson
Mercy Harbor Thriller book #4
“Girls Who Lie” is another excellent story that can be read on its own even if it is part of a series we have enough background information to fit right in and not wonder if we missed something. This series is definitely gripping and highly addictive.
Who Will Be the Next Girl to Die?
A brutal killer stalks the women of Willow Bay and when a young reporter uncovers disturbing clues to the killer’s identity she becomes one of his subjects….more women are being attacked: some hiding in their home, others taking refuge at Mercy Harbor (Eden Winthrop shelter) and some never made it home. The women in this town are scared stiff and urge Detective Nessa Ainsley to track down the sadistic “Willow Bay Stalker” before he strikes again. The hunt is on…and be prepare to flip pages rapidly…high intensity throughout.
Once more Melinda Woodhall brought us a very suspenseful ride from the opening pages we are kept guessing trying to discover who the killer may be. We have multiple “whodunits” to pick from but are attention is slowly directed towards a dating app. Who is lurking and may be luring these women…. The author pulls one red herring after the other to derail us and to keep us engrossed all through. Indeed I was totally in left field with my choice and had the wrong killer all along….a sure sign the author knows how to pen an exciting mystery.
As well as new players we have our beloved recurring characters to captivate us and wedding bells to wrap up everything beautifully. Awe.
Awesome story
I received a free digital copy of this crime fiction. This is a voluntarily review, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Hunter Rayne Highway Mystery book #2
“Ice on the Grapeline” is a tense murder mystery featuring a tough-minded ex-homicide detective turned eighteen-wheel truck driver. Hunter Rayne will do his best to try to find the truth and see that justice is done.
Rayne is persuaded by his irascible dispatcher, Elspeth Watson, to help clear two fellow truck drivers who are arrested for murder. The frozen body of a man was discovered in their trailer while they were crossing borders between Canada and the USA .Dispatched to the scene and put in charge of the investigation is a rookie detective from L.A. that is very eager to score a win….Rayne butts head with more than one officer of the law…… on both side of the borders. Of course, from then on is a good and suspenseful mystery to keep us flipping pages to see what will come next.
This is a traditional “whodunits” story with a complex plots, multiple suspects and a surprise ending. In realistic subplots that mesh beautifully both the crime and the victim we have recurring characters we came to love in the past. The writing style reflects the deep knowledge of the trucking world the author was once part of and Ms. Donald has penned a solid and captivating storyline with many plot twists for our pleasure. Some may notice the lack of logical break between some threads, I agree this can be annoying to some but simply take a pause and move on. (Editing errors happen). All through till we turn the final page, the tempo keeps a steady pace and never wavers.
I enjoyed passing time with “Ice on the Grapeline” and I am looking forward to book #3 “Sea to Sky”
This book is a pitch to promote the potential impact of focused ultrasound: today’s medical story could become tomorrow’s lifesaving reality.
A free book although small 67 pages from John Grisham I couldn’t resist although I admit to have skipped the synopsis and the size of the book after all Grisham’s books are excellent…non.
We have in this story two scenarios:
The first starts with a fictional Paul receiving a diagnosis of a lethal brain tumour and the painful battle he and his family go through till his death.
Spring ahead 10 years in the second story is on focused ultrasound technology and its potential to change lives. Paul undergoes the treatment and his life is spared for many years.
This is not a thriller but rather a pamphlet and a promotion for a foundation looking into focused ultrasound. Great cause but advertising is advertising….
Growing Up Under Third Reich book #1
“Children to a Degree”, a prequel to “Loyal to a Degree”, is based on a true story, its 191 pages recounts how young boys by the time they were old enough to start school were fed a steady diet of propaganda under the Third Reich and often encouraged to turn on family, friends and neighbours.
The author has created a captivating fiction taken from his experiences while living in Germany during the 30’sand 40’s. His simple prose and dialogue are very down to earth and tell us what happened to boys during that time. Where he excels is in the strong descriptions of events he gives us. His soft words are so effective that we can easily have the feeling being transported in time and place.
Following Karl and Howard, two young boys, is an fascinating journey where we also see the roles of men and women in the Third Reich, the draconian system imposed on the population, the disappearance into camps, the punishment on those who stepped the wrong way, I will not elaborate further since many books recount this terrible time. I had many opportunities to question myself: why was this allowed to happen.
This novel is more than an interesting insight into the indoctrination of the children in Germany during the war years, it also highlights how scared the parents were and how strongly they wanted to protect their children by submitting to the regime desire. (Actually they had little choice).
This is definitely a story said from the heart.
“Homefront” tells the story of a young woman whose life changed for ever when Britain declared war on Germany in 1939. This wartime romance is about families pulling together and the struggles their loved ones were risking on the front line.
The synopsis sounded right up my alley, I love this time in history and never get tired of reading WW11 wartime stories, not knowing this author I thought it was an opportunity to do so and gave “Homefront” a go.
This novel is definitely an undemanding read that dilly-dally a lot. But if you love a homey type of story this may tickle your fancy. The story is smooth, the language is restrained and we find a pleasant ending. I think most readers will give the novel a pass.
But on the other if you are an avid reader you will be quite disappointed in the lack of depth and substance in the plot. Nothing exciting happens: no conflicts, no fights, no one gets hurt, the people get along just fine and romance lacks imagination. This is one boring novel for anyone who loves a story with lots of movement, twists and turns , in “Homefront”, we have none, every move is predictable, action where is it? Suspense, yep, you guessed it: none. “Homefront” is penned in a straightforward style, using a stilted dialogue, a bunch of cookie-cutter characters.
In all, not a bad read but not my cup of tea. I think this novel would be more suited for novice readers than a mature audience.
