Hobby Stash » Mysteries & Thrillers

Killer View by Ridley Pearson

Linda — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:14:46 +0000

This second novel in Pearson’s new Walt Fleming series leaves me feeling about the same as I did with the first novel…unsure I want to continue with this series. Domestic terrorism, which seems to be on the rise in our country these days, is the basis for the plot. Unfortunately, there were points where I was so squeemish with the graphic descriptions of violence, I was tempted to stop reading. And the characters are still flat. In summary, I miss Lou Boldt.

My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

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Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Linda — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:39:31 +0000

Cemetery Dance was a ripping good, escape-from-realism yarn. I loved how it all came together in the end with semi-plausible explanations for totally implausible events. Once you get past the total lack of professionalism on the part of the police force as well as the FBI, it’s quite enjoyable. But if you can’t make that leap, this book might not be one for you. I, for one, was clueless until almost the end on the culprit responsible.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

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In The Dark by Brian Freeman

Linda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:42:52 +0000

Interestingly Freeman’s fourth novel has two titles: In The Dark for the U.S version and The Watcher for the U.K. version. Personally I prefer the U.S. title…more mysterious. This fourth novel in the Jonathan Stride series continues intertwining an unsolved mystery from his high school years with a current peeping Tom case he is trying to solve. I actually managed to figure out the older murder before the killer was revealed but still surprised by some of the various details that unfolded. Enjoyable as always but I couldn’t help thinking Stride sure has a lot secrets in his closet as well as his friends and just about anyone he meets. Not sure I’d want to live in the same town with him.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

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First Family by David Baldacci

Linda — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:59:41 +0000

I purchased this book before I realized it was the part of the Michelle/Sean series…automatic to purchase Baldacci whenever a new release is out. The book started off slowly but kept me interested as it intertwined its way through two plots: first, finding and rescuing the kidnapped niece of the president’s wife and second, solving Michelle’s mother’s murder. I enjoyed the second plot as it unfolded and revealed more of Michelle’s past demons. Although implausible, it was not nearly as outlandish as the main plot of the book involving the president and his wife. The “ya gotta be kidding me” parts of the plot kicked in when the first kidnapper note was received and continued to become more outlandish as the novel progressed. But I did keep reading and I did finish it. I vow to read the description on the book cover before buying anymore of Baldacci’s books. I really don’t want anymore of this series.

My Rating: ★★½☆☆

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Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

Linda — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:06:58 +0000

Ellen begins searching for more details about her adopted son’s background when she receives a “Have you seen this child” card in the mail with a picture resembling her son. Although parts of the book were not realistic to the point of “ya gotta be kidding“, it was nevertheless a “can’t put it down” read for me.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

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Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

Linda — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:01:53 +0000

There were several seemingly unrelated story lines in the plot that intertwined as the novel progressed and came together in the end. It reminded me somewhat of Jodi Picoult with a mystery thriller twist to it. I enjoyed the intricacy of the story lines as they intertwined and joined to make sense in the end.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

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The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

Linda — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:52:23 +0000

Being an avid Nelson DeMille fan, I was looking forward to reading The Gate House, his sequel to The Gold Coast. I finally finished reading it yesterday. This book rambles ad nauseam with John Sutter’s over the top sarcasm–what an unlikeable character he’s become. I plodded along hoping to eventually determine some point to this novel besides the bemoaning of Sutter’s divorce. There is a plot hidden in all that verbiage but not much of one…and certainly not worth the pages and pages and pages (you get the point) you have to muddle through to find it. His editor needs to be fired for allowing this to be published in its current form. What a disappointment.

My Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

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The Chopin Manuscript by Jeffery Deaver (et al)

Linda — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:19:01 +0000

This suspense thriller was written by 15 different authors with each author taking a different chapter. Deaver introduced the characters in the first chapter and then passed it on to the next. Deaver brought it all back home in the last chapter.Frankly, it meandered all over the place as one would expect it to given that many authors. This concept was developed for Audible and was serialized with a new chapter published each week. I’m not sure I would have had the patience to finish the novel over that extended period of time. Suffice it to say, not one of your better thrillers. I felt like okay all the authors have contributed…time to finish…bye. I suspect each author’s chapter was written in an afternoon then passed on. Not bad, not good, and doubt I’ll try another one of these collaborations again.

My Rating: ★★½☆☆

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Nothing To Lose by Lee Child

Linda — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:30:18 +0000

I debated picking up Nothing to Lose after reading Bad Luck and Trouble. But I decided to give this series one more shot. I’m sorry I did.

The plot of is so ridiculously unrealistic and Jack Reacher has become so unlikeable, this is it (after purchasing all 12 hardback versions of this series)!

My Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

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Divine Justice by David Baldacci

Linda — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:00:19 +0000

Okay, I loved Stone Cold. There was no way, in my opinion, that David Baldacci could top that ending and continue this series. Well darn if he didn’t do just that. At this rate, I’ll have have to rework my rating system. But seriously…

What a great follow on to Stone Cold. This sequel delves more into Oliver Stone’s past and the Camel Club takes a background seat for the first half of this book. But that doesn’t hurt the story in the least and I really enjoyed the rounding out of Stone’s character and history. As over the top unbelievable as the entire prison storyline was (in addition to the total inaction on the part of the town sheriff), the plot had me turning the pages as fast as I could trying to figure it out.

I suppose there’s a possibility for a sequel but I hope not. I liked the ending…finally some justice and the hint of a future for Stone.

My Rating: ★★★★★

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