"One Split Second", by Robert Dugoni

Tracy Crosswhite book #12

I simply love this author again he has provided a story filled with suspense, action, intrigue and of course some exiting courtroom scenes. This latest involves the shooting of an unarmed veteran, Anthony Alvarez, by Sheriff Jenny Almond who was later charged with first-degree murder. Jenny is Tracy best friend and along with her husband a lawyer they set out to prove her innocence. Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Digging into both the past and present cases they need to find the truth before it is too late for Jenny.

Robert Dugoni excels as a storyteller one that know how to pull you in from the start and keep you engaged till you flip the last page. He draws well- developed characters and propels them into a compelling plot filled with tense scenes that keeps us on the edge of our seat, even biting our nails. The tempo is kept at a high level as he lets the mystery builds up in both his stories till the timelines intersect and the focus switch to the legal strategy. This story is well balance to give us police procedural and a realistic courtroom shenanigan.

Well said and well done

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the chance to review this ARC

"A Journey of Insights", by James G. Ellis

Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

I stepped out of my usual genre to plunge into a book I would not normally read and surely would have passed over at a book store. I am grateful that Fauzia Burke form FSB Associates offered me the chance to open my mind by sending me this inspirational memoir written by Mr. Ellis former dean of USC’s business school who also had a long and distinguished career in business.

Synopsis:

“In trying to plot the roadmap for a successful business life, Ellis stories show illustratively the secrets or ingredients of how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is the central theme that listening to voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices.”

In a few words:

Straightforward and conversational the book centers on career values including mentorship, preparation and risk taking. Most of all this journey of many insights and lessons will hopefully help us to become better partners, parents, siblings, children, bosses and employees…

Whether you are starting in life or at the twilight of it there is always a lesson to be learn.

I like how the book tempo flows: the sentences are not too long and explanatory with snippets of dialogue, sometime funny and at times serious all said in a warm tone of a person that loves people and wants them to be happy and succeed. He definitely doesn’t come across a person with a big ego.

A final note from the author:

“Every dark day is a learning experience for the next bright day, and we must look at it like that. Always look on the positive side and you will get through the dark days much faster. Devote yourself to your family, friends, and faith, and you will overcome most obstacles.”

Thank you, Mr. Ellis

"One Wish", by Laura Krieger Emack

A Tale of Reckoning After 9-11

This short read of 97 pages or so which I received via the first reviewer program was not what I expected. The story is mostly centered post 911 on 3 lives Sandra, a lawyer, who reluctantly agreed to spend ten days caring for her critical ill sister-in-law Janine, while her husband, Greg, is on an oversea clandestine assignment. Greg had assiduously studied Arabic…Sandra surmises that her brother investigation involved 9-11….

A great part of this book describes what happened on the home front, Sandra caring for Janine bringing her to doctors and eventually to her final days in palliative care till the day Greg came back home and shared confidential information about a certain foreign student. Then the book picked up speed and became far more interesting.

In a few words: 7/8 of the story is very slow and mundane till we reached the end by then it was too late to win my attention. I had no affinity or even cared for any of the characters even poor Janine fighting an unbeatable illness. Sandra and Greg are bland players; I didn’t care at all for them.

In a few words this book was not my cup of tea but it may be yours. I let you judge for yourselves…..