"Dogged Pursuit", by David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter book #31

A Legal Mystery

I didn’t know at the time that this latest was a prequel to the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. Knowing this now, things become clear why I thought the story seemed to revert in time…why do this I stay puzzled.

The story in a few words:

Andy has left his job as a prosecutor to open his own defense practice. While visiting a shelter to adopt a dog he bonded with golden retriever named Tara. Not wanted to leave Sunny, a beagle and kennel-mate behind, Andy wanted to take him home also, but one hick: incarcerated Frank Tierney Sunny’s owner needed to give a written consent.

Thus began a new chapter in Andy’s life launching is new career by defending Frank Tierney and having two furry friends to share his home….

My thoughts:

Definitely a starting point for those not familiar with the series not only will you find it engaging but also filled with humour and suspense.

Bringing us back in time those who read other books will remember familiar names Sam, Pete, Laurie his wife, Edna and Marcus they all play an intricate part to make this mystery captivating. Andy’s client Frank accused of murdering his ex-boss and two ex-coworkers in a car bomb blast seemed a case hard to break but Andy uses all his wits and connections to win the game…..along the way we witness a realistic investigation to pin point the whodunit that will eventually bring us to a very well-done courtroom scene.

I stayed totally captivated with this story. Hard not to when a story is active, well written and has wonderful characters.

Well-said and well-done.

Thank you, St-Martin Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"The Shadow of Everest", by Mr. Frederick G. Yeager

The story in a few words:

Nepal, a nation on the brink of chaos, a civil war rages between Maoist rebels and the government. Catherine Durand, an advocate for women’s rights is on a mission determined to empower women and combat child trafficking. She finds herself into a perilous journey where she faces life threatening dangers. This story will tell how she survived the unforgiving elements….

My thoughts:

I have mixed feeling about this story. Although well said and quite active I had a hard time staying totally engaged, why? I knew little about the history and the struggles that country endured. Two sides fighting: the Maoists’ aim was to benefit the poor sectors of society by uprooting the monarchy and feudalism…of course the government wanted everything status quo….

Catherine is a very naïve woman with an unrealistic objective to find every child kidnapped sold into prostitution and empower women to reach their full potential….but how to do this where men had the power to beat and expel them at a whim. I found she is too gung-ho to think right and the decisions she makes questionable….I did like the story, the theme so deferent one that brings you to a country not for its beauty (Mont Everest and scenery) but for its ugliness…

We find many characters from Catherine’s colleagues, her boss, the army personal, the Maoists fighters, the impoverished, people who helped Catherine and many more taking parts in making this a good story to enjoy.

“The Shadow of Everest” piqued my interest in learning more about the history of Nepal.

I received a copy of this book from The Book Whisperer for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"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.