Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse, Book 1)

Last Bus to Woodstock is the first book in the Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter. The book opens with two young women waiting at the bus stop planning to catch the last bus to Woodstock. However, after they are told that there are no more buses to Woodstock that night, they decide to hitch a ride. Within hours, one of the young women is found dead in the parking lot of a pub in Woodstock.

While the story was generally interesting and proved to be a challenge to solve, I was less than happy with the lead character of the book, Inspector Morse. He seemed to be a lazy, irascible, bully.
Although ultimately solving the crime, he seemed to have bumbled his way into it. He decides on an initial motive and suspect and attempts to make the crime fit. When that doesn’t work, he moves onto yet another theory (that just – by luck – pays some dividends) and then yet another. In the end, it seems that some of the reasoning that lead to Morse’s solving of the mystery is only introduced in the final pages of the book. (reinforcing the bumbling detective feeling)

I read this book as a group read on LibraryThing and we had a very lively discussion – much of it centered on Morse. While I would most likely read the next book in the series if we read it as a group (there must be something there for this to be such a favorite character!), I would not be likely to read it on my own any time soon.

Rating: 3 Stars

Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder, Book 3)

Breaking Silence is the third book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder awakens to her office calling to notify her of an emergency at the Slabaugh farm. Kate and emergency personnel rush to the scene only to find that they are too late. What at first seems to be a tragic accident is soon determined to be murder.

In addition to the incident at the Slabaugh farm, Painter’s Mill and the rest of the County are experiencing a rash of crimes against the local Amish community involving beatings, fires and attacks on their farm animals. The County Sheriff contacts the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist with the hate crimes and John Tomasetti of the BCI – and Kate’s occasional lover – comes to town.

Interesting storylines and a bit of a twist ending make for a good read. In addition, the reader is seeming the changes in both Kate and Tomasetti and in them together. Kate still struggles regularly with her Amish upbringing and her current life as an “Englischer”. Definitely a series that I will continue.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Escape by David Baldacci (John Puller, Book 3)

The Escape, the third book in the John Puller series by David Baldacci, opens with Puller’s older brother, Robert, escaping from the US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth KS. Robert Puller was a fast rising Major in the Air Force before he was tried and convicted of treason two years previously.

John Puller, a combat veteran and highly regarded investigator for the Army’s Criminal Investigative Division is asked to assist in tracking down and recapturing Bobby. Even knowing that there’s no good outcome for him in this scenario, Puller agrees. On the way, Puller is teamed up with Veronica Knox, an investigator from INSCOM (a branch of the NSA).

Both the method and the timing of the escape are a mystery. USDB is a maximum security prison on the grounds of a military base. Bobby had been in prison for two year and, other than his initial mandatory appeal, had not attempted to challenge the conviction. How had Robert Puller managed the escape, and more importantly, why now?

As Puller and Knox investigate the escape and attempt to locate Bobby, they will uncover a treachery that goes deep into the intelligence agencies of the US and puts the safety of the country at risk.

I listened to this book on audio, narrated by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy. I enjoy their portrayal of the various characters in the book. I will be listening to the fourth book in the series, No Man's Land, as well and am somewhat concerned that the narrator for the series has changed to Kyf Brewer.

Rating:  4 Stars

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci (King and Maxwell, Book 5)

The Sixth Man, the fifth book in the King and Mawell series by David Baldacci, opens with Sean and Michelle travelling to Maine to work with Sean’s law professor and friend, Ted Bergin. On the several hour drive from the airport to the remote town where they will be staying, they come across a car alongside a deserted stretch of highway. Inside, is Ted Bergin with a bullet in his brain. Sean believes this to be murder and an attempt to stop the defense of Edgar Roy.

Edgar Roy is an off-the-charts genius that is being held at Cutter’s Bay, a maximum security prison in remote Maine. Roy is accused of killing 6 people and burying them on his family farm. Sean and Michelle decide to continue with the case in the hopes of finding Bergin’s murderer. What initially seemed to be a simple murder defense soon becomes a tangled and twisted intrigue involving national security, a struggle between government agencies and an assassination plot.

The story is a bit convoluted and the bad guys over-the-top bad but it’s an easy and entertaining read. Even better, the personal demons that Michelle has struggled with for the first four books finally seem to have been vanquished and she has become an asset to the team rather than a liability. Sean seems more trusting and open now that the relationship has improved and Michelle is less volatile.

At this point, there is one more book in the series. I will definitely continue with this story.

4 Stars

No Man's Land by David Baldacci (John Puller, Book 4)

No Man's Land is the fourth book in the John Puller series by David Baldacci. The central storyline in this book involves Puller’s search for answers to his mother’s mysterious disappearance 30 years ago.

Puller is visiting his father, Fighting John Puller, a highly regarded 3-star general, in his VA care center where he is suffering from dementia. As Puller is about to leave, he is approached by an Army officer and another agent in the CID (Army Criminal Investigative Division). These men inform Puller that they’ve been contacted by someone who knew the Pullers 30 years ago and that now, based on this new information, his father is considered a suspect in the disappearance of his wife. Puller is also informed that this notification was a courtesy only and that he is to have absolutely no involvement in the investigation. (yeah, like that is going to happen)

As Puller attempts to solve the mystery of his mother’s disappearance, he is joined by Veronica Knox of INSCOM, an investigative division in the NSA. Also assisting Puller is his brother, Robert, recently reinstated to his rank in the Air Force following his incarceration at the United States Detention Barracks after his manufactured conviction for traitorous activities.

While this book has the typical black and white hero and heroine, it also includes a bad guy who the reader sympathizes with and will actually cheer on. In addition, there is a good guy so loathsome that the reader will be continually hoping that they will get what they deserve. This made for a very interesting reading experience.

I listened to this book on audio, narrated by Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy. I enjoyed the narration in general (after getting used to a change from Ron Mclarty in the first 3 books in the series to Kyf Brewer) although I definitely did not like the why the narrator did Puller’s voice. Puller always sounded like he was speaking in a raspy stage whisper. Brewer’s voice was very good for the bad guy.

I am current in this series and if this was the last of the books, it would be a good end to the series. If more are published, I will definitely continue.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry (Cotton Malone, Book 5)

In this fifth book in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry, we find Cotton pressed into service yet again when Sam Collins, an American Secret Service Agent, breaks into his home in the middle of the nights with assassins on his heels. Cotton discovers that Sam was sent to him by his old friend and ally, Henrik Thorvaldsen who needs his help to stop the Paris Club.

The Paris Club is a cabal of multimillionaires that are on using their connections and influence to manipulate the global financial markets. In attempting to stop the destruction that is planned by the cabal, Cotton must match wits with not only a terrorist-for-hire but also an unscrupulous treasure hunter as they hunt for Napoleon Bonapart’s lost treasure.

This was not one of the better Cotton Malone books, but neither was it the worst (see review of book 4). It’s an interesting story and has the usual thrills and action that we’ve come to expect from Berry. I will assume that this was a blip in the series and continue with Cotton’s various adventures.

Rating: 3.25

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (The Maze Runner, Book 2)

This is the second book in the Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner. The first book, The Maze Runner, was interesting with a unique concept and generally likable characters. This second book….not so much. Maybe it’s because of the different storylines and the way the Gladers kept getting separated, but I never got the same sense of cohesiveness. I found Thomas to be whiny and annoying. Teresa was a total bitch and seemed to be drinking the W.I.C.K.E.D. koolaid. Both Minho and Newt were treated like afterthoughts. And, I absolutely did not like the new characters that were added to the storyline, Jorge and Brenda.

Despite how much I disliked this book, I will continue with the third, Death Cure. At this point, after having gone through all these crazy, dangerous, unnecessary trials with the kids, I find myself wanting to finally get the answers I am sure will be at the end.

Rating: 1.75

April Morning: A Novel by Howard Fast

In this coming of age story, fifteen year-old Adam Cooper has to grow up overnight. Adam lives in Lexington, MA and it’s April 18, 1775. It’s the eve of the Revolutionary War and the British Army is on the march to Concord to seize the munition stores of the colonists.

Having been warned of the impending arrival of the Redcoats, the town committeemen call all able-bodied men to town to make a stand. No one in Lexington believes that there will be a battle as they have 75 men, at most, vs 1,000+ Redcoats. They just want to show the British Army that they are not to be trifled with and that Lexington is their home and they will protect it. However, all those rational thoughts are thrown away, when the British open fire. From there, the reader follows Adam as he joins the rest of the men in harassing the British column as it marches from Concord back to Boston.

This story gives puts you in the thoughts of a young man who until this day had a quiet life where his biggest problems were trying not to disappoint his father and dealing with his annoying little brother. That all changes in an instant when the first shot rings out…

Very well-written, a quick and easy read but interesting as the reader learns of the initial hours of the Revolutionary War. I recommend this to anyone interested in the Revolutionary War or even simply as a coming of age story.

Rating: 3.75 stars

The Death Cure by James Dashner (The Maze Runner, Book 3)

This is the third book in the Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner. The author redeemed himself a bit in this book after the mess that was The Scorch Trials (book 2). I decided to read the third book so that I could get answers to all those questions that were still outstanding from the first 2 books.


Who/what is W.I.C.K.E.D.?
What part did Thomas and Theresa have in designing the various trials encountered in these books?
What caused The Flare and how close is W.I.C.K.E.D. to finding a cure? Have all these trials and death resulted in a cure?
What is going to happen to Newt?

Unfortunately, almost none of these questions are answered and even more crop up in the third book despite a very definite end to the story which leaves the reader unsatisfied.

I listened to both The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure on audio, narrated by Mark Deakins. Mr. Deakins did a fine job with the book and the characters (even the stereotypical accent/cadence of Jorge) and it was through no fault of the narrator that these books were such a letdown to me – especially book 2. There’s still the fourth book in the trilogy (lol), the Kill Order, to read but I might wait to give that a try.

Rating: 2.75

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Girl on the Train is a debut psychological thriller by Paula Hawkins. Ms. Hawkins gave us a great book on her first time out. So much so that I will put Ms. Hawkins on my list of authors to check out further.

Rachel rides the train every day on her way into London. Having been a longtime passenger, she knows when the train will be stopping at various signals. The longest signal on the route is next to a modest neighborhood of cute little 2-story homes. In one of those homes, live Jason and Jess, a couple about whom Rachel has woven an elaborate story and whom Rachel feels that she knows. Every day, Rachel watches Jess as she sits in the garden drinking her tea and Jason as he moves about the house, eventually coming out to kiss Jess goodbye as he leaves for work. Then, Rachel’s illusions of a happy couple are shattered when she sees Jess kissing another man.

As the story unfolds, the reader finds out that Jason and Jess only live in Rachel’s imagination. The real-life couple, Scott and Megan, have what seems to be a typical marriage with its ups and downs…typical, that is, until Megan goes missing. Rachel tries to tell the police what she saw but she’s considered an unrealiable witness and dismissed. As the investigation into Megan’s disappears intensifies, Rachel inserts herself in to the search and the lives of those involved more and more forcefully.

This story is interesting and well-plotted. The characters are generally all train wrecks, and in some cases, very hard to like. The timeline in the story alternates between Rachel every day and Megan up until she goes missing as well as another woman’s viewpoint which I found to be a very interesting technique – it definitely kept the reader guessing as the storylines unfold.

I listened to this story on audio as narrated by Clare Corbitt, India Fisher and Louise Brealey – all of whom did a great job with the story and bringing their characters (and their issues) to life.

Rating: 4

The Prisoner's Gold by Chris Kuzneski (The Hunters, Book 3)

In Prisoner’s Gold, we join our treasure hunters several months after the last mission…each recovering in their own way from the traumatic events in Alexandria. Chris Kuzneski is sending the team on a hunt for Marco Polo’s lost treasure.

As the team follows first-hand accounts of Polo’s travels, they are attacked and hunted by hostile forces that are intent on keeping the national treasures in China. Often it seems that the hostile forces are one step ahead of the team – is there a mole?

This is the third book in The Hunters series by Chris Kuzneski. The first book was rough; the second was better and this third one is the best so far. Kuzneski now has the team working as the professionals they are. There is a better sense of camaraderie and the team has begun to gel. One problem with this book is that it seems to have been written with the intention of turning it into a film (Kuzneski apparently is working with the studio to cast and produce these books) so there is a lot of “visual” action vs deduction and consideration. (more Indiana Jones than National Treasure).

Rating: 4.25

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Lo Blacklock is about to get her chance. She’s a journalist that has worked at a travel magazine for the past 10 years. To date, her duties mostly involve research and assembling articles since her boss is usually the one travelling to exotic locales. Her boss is indisposed and Lo is offered the opportunity of a week on a small, intimate luxury cruise ship.

On Lo’s first night on board, she is awoken by noises in the next cabin (cabin 10) followed by a splash. Lo is convinced that someone was thrown overboard. Lo alerts security to her concern but all passengers and staff are accounted for and the ship sails on. Everyone assumes it was a hallucination in response to a recent traumatic event.

The plot is filled with surprising twists and turns. Everyone seems to be a suspect at one time or another. One of Lo’s fellow passengers may be a cold-blooded killer and she is trapped on a small, and very claustrophobic, ship. If nothing else, this has convinced me that I never want to be on an “intimate” cruise like this.

Rating: 4

A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain (Kendra Donovan, Book 2)

A Twist in Time is the second book in the Kendra Donovan series by Julie McElwain. Kendra is a 21st century FBI agent who is stuck in 1815. This book opens with Kendra’s plan to return to her time having failed. When word comes to the Duke of Aldridge that his nephew has been accused of murdering his former mistress, Lady Dover, he believes that the reason Kendra was unable to return to her time is because she needs to help clear Alec’s name and they set off to London to do just that.

Upon arriving in London, Kendra, the Duke and Alec again team up with Bow Street Runner, Sam Kelly, and Lady Rebecca. In between fittings for an all-new wardrobe, routs and parties, Kendra begins her investigation into the death of Lady Dover. Lady Dover was stabbed repeatedly and then her face was mutilated leading Kendra to believe this crime was personal. While looking into Lady Dover’s life, Kendra uncovers more than she expected including a false past, a crime boss with revenge on his mind and a string of current and past lovers.

This was another enjoyable read in the Kendra Donovan series. It combines many genres and sub-genres to make for an interesting storyline. Kendra Donovan, the hard as nails FBI agent, is forced to assume the role that is expected of genteel ladies in the early 19th century after travelling through time. You’ve got romance, mystery, regency, and historical fiction all in one story.

Rating: 4

The Book of Souls by James Oswald (Inspector McLean, Book 2)

In Book of Souls, Detective Inspector Tony McLean must revisit the most disturbing case of his career so far.

Twelve years ago, McLean was able to apprehend the serial killer known as The Christmas Killer. Until that time, the killer had been killing a young woman once a year for the past ten years and leaving her naked and throat slit, in/near water. However twelve years ago, the Christmas Killer’s victim was Tony McLean’s fiancée, Kirsty Summers.

Tony has just gotten word that the Christmas Killer has been killed in prison. He is on his way back from the burial only to be called to the site of a murder victim – naked, throat slit and in a drainage area. Was the wrong man convicted of the earlier crimes? Do they have a copycat on their hands? Or, is it something more sinister?

The first book, Natural Causes, gave me a bit of trouble as it had a supernatural base to the story. Going into this one, I expected it so I was not surprised. Also, even though there is a supernatural part of this story, it does not overtake the mystery, it only enhances it. I really enjoyed this book and Tony McLean has quickly become a favorite character of mine – along with several other regulars, such as Grumpy Bob, MacBride and Emma.

Rating: 4

[sic] by Scott Kelly

This was a really interesting book. Six teens are involved in a real-life game of one-ups-man-ship. The premise is simple – if a player is tagged, they must change their life within the next 15 minutes. The better the player, and those with the most to lose, make the biggest changes…sometimes with disastrous consequences.

The creator of this game has been killed and it appears that it was one of the other five. The narrator is being framed for the crime and it’s a race to clear his name and determine which of the other players is the culprit.

Part of the allure of this book is the uniqueness of the story. Another draw is to see how these 5 seemingly normal kids are able to fall under the spell of the sixth and how this affects their lives and those around them.

This is a quick read (approx 200 pages). The book is well-written with interesting plot twists and nicely developed characters.

Rating: 4 stars

The Ocean Between Us by Delisa Lynn

Well, that's 3 hours of my life I'm not getting back...If I wasn't reading this book for a specific reading challenge, I probably would have DNF'd about half way through.

The story had promise but the characters are so annoying and the dialogue so bad, that it can't overcome the shortcomings of the book. The main character, Hendlee, is a twit. She's decided - the night before, Quaid, her best friend and the guy she's loved for years leaves for the Navy - that she wants him to be her "first." Quaid, for his part, tries to keep things in check, but since he's loved her for years as well, Hendlee eventually overcomes all of his reasons why this is a bad idea.

Then, only a few months after Quaid has left town for boot camp, one of his friends convinces him that Hendlee has moved on and he cuts off all communication with her (can we say, asshat?) despite her continued letters. Five years later Quaid returns to his hometown for a funeral. The sparks fly between him and Hendlee as both address the pain caused by the other's actions.

As I said, the story itself had promise so I increased my rating by half a star for that but the rest of the book was a mess.

Rating: 1.5

Long Lost by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder, Book 4.5)

Long Lost is a novella (#4.5) in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. There are several of these and serve as filler or to provide a little more background to life in Painter’s Mill or to Kate’s life among the Amish.

In this story, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and BCI Agent John Tomasetti are taking a much needed vacation and getting away for the weekend. However, the bed-and-breakfast where they are staying is rumored to be haunted by a young girl that went missing 20 years ago. John and Kate start looking into the mystery, eventually uncovering secrets best left buried and finding answers.

The story was interesting but nothing exceptional. This was mostly filler though it did serve to move Kate’s and John’s relationship forward…a bit. This is not a significant factor in the overall series but is a little side adventure.

Rating: 3 Stars

Sunny Side Up by Sonia Parin

I had high hopes for this book. The premise was interesting – Eve Lloyd, a newly divorced woman, decides to visit her aunt for a month-long visit while contemplating the next phase of her life. However, upon arriving at her aunt’s home on Rock-Maine Island, she finds that her aunt has gone missing and that there is a murderer on the loose.

Being the outsider on the island, Eve is regarded with suspicion and people want her gone. Though Detective Jack Bradford has things well in hand, Eve is unwilling to sit idly by and, with the help of her new friend and fellow suspect, undertakes the task of finding the killer herself.

I wanted something lighthearted and entertaining. What I got was a story that was silly and annoying at turns with occasional bits of actual sleuthing thrown in.

Rating: 2 stars

Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo (Kate Burkholder, Book 5)

Her Last Breath is the 5th book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. Kate Burkholder is Chief of Police of Painter’s Mill, Ohio and is formerly Amish.
On a dark, rainy night, an Amish man and his 3 children are returning home when a car comes out of nowhere and destroys the buggy killing the man and 2 of the 3 children. At first, this appears as a tragic accident but soon evidence is uncovered that points to a possible murder. The man that was killed is married to Abby, Kate’s childhood best friend. As Kate attempts to find answers for her friend she puts herself in danger.

Yet another great read from Linda Castillo. The suspense continued throughout and the end came as a surprise that makes the reader say “wow…” This is an excellent series.

Rating: 4 stars

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

Meet Guy Haines and Charles Anthony Bruno - two strangers on the same train. Guy Haines is a successful architect in the midst of a nasty divorce and Charles is a spoiled mama’s boy who wants nothing more than to be out from under his father’s control.

The two men share a compartment on a train and over the course of a meal, discuss their sad situations. Charles, a sadistic psychopath, decides that they could be rid of their problems by each killing the other’s nemesis. Guy, of course, realizes that this is crazy and believes that it was all bluster on Charles’ part…until Guy’s wife ends up murdered. When Guy balks at killing Charles’ father, Charles torments Guy by insinuating himself into Guy’s life and business.

For me, this is one of the rare instances where I liked the movie better than the book. Patricia Highsmith’s style of writing is descriptive and suspenseful but in some cases, the details overwhelm the plot. In addition, I didn’t like any of the main characters – Charles was whiny, petulant and obnoxious. Guy was a coward and a fool. Anne (Guy’s fiancée) was a doormat. I listened to this book on unabridged audio, narrated by Bronson Pinchot who did a great job.

Rating: 3 stars

Take No Farewell by Robert Goddard

Take No Farewell by Robert Goddard is one of those books that causes strong feelings in the reader. The writing is masterful, the story intricate and the tone suspenseful. For me, this was a difficult read as I disliked most of main the characters from the start. For me, if I connect with the character, I can overlook many shortcomings in a story but, conversely, if I despise most of the characters, it often overshadows the best features of the book.

Geoffrey Staddon is a London architect. He’s commissioned to build a country estate for Victor Caswell who left England decades earlier for South America and made his fortune prior to returning. Now, Victor wants Staddon to design and build him a home befitting his wealth and to showcase his beautiful wife, Consuela.

During the design and construction of the home – Clouds Frome – Staddon works closely with Victor’s wife, eventually falling in love with her and beginning an affair. Consuela is unhappy in her marriage and the couple makes plans to run away together. However, Staddon ends up turning his back on Consuela and leaving her to her loveless marriage.

Now, twelve years later, Staddon reads that Consuela is on trial for murder and attempted murder. Knowing that the woman he once loved and betrayed cannot be guilty of such a crime, he sets out to prove her innocence.

Rating: 3.5

Let It Snow by Yvonne Lehman

This book has a 3.77 star rating on Goodreads but I found it to be just okay. There was really no depth to the characters, the dialogue was stilted and the story itself was not very interesting overall. It's only 147 pages so it didn't take more than a couple hours to read but the entire time I kept waiting for something interesting to happen.

Christian romance, clean, no sex or swearing.

Rating: 2 stars

Galdoni by Cherie Alsop (Galdoni, Book 1)

This book had promise. The plot was interesting and different but it never got very deep. Everything seemed too easy, too simplistic and there was no tension. In addition, there was my pet peeve...insta-love. I get the idea of insta-lust, but insta-love is always an issue for me, especially in YA books. I still gave it a 3 due to the premise and that the characters were generally likable, if a little shallow. I might try something else by this author and see if it was just this story that was an issue.

Rating: 3 Stars

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

This was an easy read and funny. Overall, I liked the story and the characters. Maddie has become a very independent young woman in the time that she has spent in Alaska but is also a young teenage girl in many ways (she bejeweled her 2nd favorite ax!). Logan chafes at the restrictions he lives under as the "first son" and often escapes his Secret Service Detail. I really liked Maddie's father in the small parts her was in and wished he would have played a larger role.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was very well done by Brittany Pressley. I'm definitely going to look for other books that have been narrated by her.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Anthem by Ayn Rand

This has been on my list forever to read but never got around to it. Had I known that it was less than 100 pages and only an hour or so read, I might have gotten there sooner.

Anthem is the story of Equality 7-2521, who is growing to manhood after a period called "the Unmentionable Times". He has reached his 15th year and is about to be assigned to his life's work by the Council of Vocations. However, Equality 7-2521 feels that there is something wrong with him as he does not always thinks the same as the collective or want to follow the path chosen for him by others.

A very interesting look at a very scary future.

Rating: 3 stars

Fake Out by Rebecca Janet

I was provided an Advance Reader Copy by BookSprouts and Rebecca Janet in exchange for an honest review.

Because it was an ARC, I felt that I needed to finish the book in order to provide the review otherwise it may have been a dnf. This is not the type of "romance" book that I enjoy as it is more sex than romance. There was little character development and the "love" story was rushed.

It just wasn't my thing.
Rating: 1.5 stars

The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul (The Oregon Files, Book 7)

The Silent Sea is the 7th book in The Oregon Files series by Clive Cussler. This is the 5th book in which the co-author is Jack Du Brul.

Juan Cabrillo and his crew are asked by the CIA to retrieve a piece of NASA technology that has been lost over Argentina. While searching for the crashed satellite, the crew makes an astonishing discovery that leads back to a small island in the US and a long-ago Chinese expedition. What ensues is a race to prevent territorial thievery, avoid ecological disaster and find answers to a mystery that is decades old. Oh, and doing that all in direct opposition to the wishes of the US…

This plot was interesting but convoluted and took some time to all come together. As usual, Cabrillo and his crew manage near-impossible feats of derring-do and are able to bring the mission and then some to a successful conclusion. The only sour note was that the ending fell kind of flat after all the intrigue and explosive action. That won’t stop me from continuing the series, however, and I look forward to future adventures with The Oregon and its crew.

Rating: 4 stars

The Meg by Steve Alten (Meg, Book 1)

I read this book in anticipation of seeing the movie as I was concerned about spoilers but I needn’t have worried. The movie is so LOOSELY based on this book that it almost seemed like 2 different stories. However, that said, the book was a good read. It was fun and campy – just as you’d expect of this type of book….the movie was bad.

Steve Alten did a great job of creating a situation where this just might be possible. The Megalodon is a type of shark that has survived since the Jurassic period – unseen and unaffected by man – and therefore thought to be extinct. Today’s Megalodon lives in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean and generally, inaccessible by humans due to the distance and water pressure. However, due to a series of actions by manned submersibles, the Megalodon is able to leave its dark, cold and inhospitable home to explore the warmer and more inviting ocean above.

Jonas Taylor was once a well-respected naval officer who was the best at navigating submersibles. Due to a freak accident, he was discharged from the Navy with a Less than Honorable Discharge. The accident occurred when Taylor was deep in the ocean off the Mariana Trench and thought he saw a large shark coming at his watercraft. In an evasive maneuver, he rose too quickly to the surface resulting in the death of his two crewmembers (and best friends) and put himself in the hospital for a month followed by therapy. Following that incident, the Megalodon became Taylor’s obsession. He studied ways in which this creature could have survived all these years and wrote books, lectured at university and generally became known as a crackpot.

Then, an old friend comes to Taylor with a request. He needs someone to pilot a submersible into the trench to salvage equipment. Taylor initially refuses but when the situation is explained and he sees a way to help his friend while overcoming his PTSD, he finally agrees. Thus begins a tale of terror and suspense.

Rating: 3.5 stars

The September Society by Charles Finch (Charles Lenox, Book 2)

The September Society is the 2nd book in the Charles Lenox Mysteries series by Charles Finch. Charles Lenox, a Victorian gentleman and avid would-be traveler, is known in his circles for his detective skills and is often called on by friends to help solve mysteries.

It is because of this reputation that Lady Annabelle requests Lenox’s assistance when her beloved son, George, goes missing from his rooms at Oxford. Lenox travels to Oxford, his alma mater, and finds a strange scene upon entering George’s rooms. In addition to a dead cat impaled to the floor with a letter opener, there are other odd bits and pieces strewn about the floor – thread, a tomato, a fountain pen and a card with the name of a club – “The September Society”.

Not long after Lenox begins his investigation, the body of a student is found. Lenox, along with his friends from London – including Thomas, Edmund, Graham and a potential apprentice, must unravel the meaning of these bizarre clues and find out what the September Society’s involvement may be before another student dies.

I listened to this book on audio and the narrator, James Langton, did a great job with the various characters. While the story was interesting and the personalities of the various characters was entertaining (especially Thomas and Graham), this 2nd book was much slower and, I have to say it, boring. compared to the first. There were also a couple of reveals that seemed to come out of nowhere as there wasn’t adequate foreshadowing or build-up. This is a series that I will continue as it is entertaining and keeps the reader guessing…I’m going to assume this was just the “sophomore slump”.

Rating: 3 stars

The Emperor's Revenge by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison (The Oregon Files, Book 11)

The Emperor's Revenge is the 11th book in The Oregon Files series by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison. This is the second collaboration between Cussler and Morrison. The first, was Piranha, which was a definite letdown after the fun writing of co-author Jack Du Brul. However, the partnership appears to have found its footing with this story and it was, in fact, one of my favorites of the series.

The story opens with a clandestine attempt to rescue Napolean from his prison on St Helena then moves to a violent bank robbery. You’ll have to read the book to find out how these two events come together but be assured that it has the usual level of suspense, action and lots of weaponry.

The bank heist results in the theft of a large portion of The Corporation’s funds and Juan and his crew are hot on the trail of the thief. However, as they begin unraveling various clues, it becomes obvious that the bank robber is only the beginning of a must larger and far more dangerous plot. It’s a race against time to stop the implosion of the financial system – not to mention the very existence – of the European contingent.

Rating: 4.5 stars