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Justice Denied by J. A. Vance

I love this series by Vance starring my hometown detective J.P. Beaumont.  Unfortunately this one is not one of her best.  Beaumont is sent on a hush-hush assignment to investigate the shooting of an ex-con while his lover, Mel, is assigned to cold cases involving abuse and people of influence.  Coincidentally, this two cases meld together and take Beaumont and Mel on a complicated ride into a long-hidden conspiracy.  I felt disappointed with this plot!  There were just too many clues ignored, too many red herrings, and too much coincidence.  Vance can, and usually has, done much better. By Staff ***

 

 

Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs

She's back... This is the 10th bone-sleuthing novel about Ms. Reich's alter ego, Temperance Brennan.  (This is the inspiration for the TV series "Bones" as well.)  In this novel, Temperance and her detective boyfriend have hit a rough spot.  She tried to lose herself in her work, but when a cold case squad unearths a teen skeleton, Temperance becomes convinced that it belongs to her friend Évangéline Landry.  Evangeline disappeared when she was fifteen, and as Temperance digs deeper she learns that there is a whole string of disappearances linked together.  Reichs always does a good job of treading light and dark, and this book is no different. As she moves through her series though, a certain amount of soap opera seems to be sudsing up the mystery.  Personally, I like the romance and the tension between Ryan and Temperance, but many long time fans complained that this wasn't her best work. By C.C. Moore ****

 

 

 

 

Animal Hour by Andrew Klavan



A young woman wakes up on Halloween morning to find the whole world has changed around
her. Her co-workers do not recognize her and her family threatens to call the police when she approaches.

No wonder: she’s dead.

And this is only the prelude to true horror, because somehow she knows that another is marked for death. At 8 p.m. – the animal hour – the bell will toll murder.

So opens a thriller with a lightning-fast pace and a plot that twists like an electric eel. The reader is kept in constant suspense until the stunning conclusion. On a lazy
afternoon, the reader will buzz through it in a matter of hours.

Recommended for fans of crime fiction, thrillers and psychological dramas.  By Bob DeFrank *****

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

Loaded with fabulous characters who we can embrace and root for, this is a hard to put down thriller with the real hero being the "watcher" in the tent across from the White House who has named himself Oliver Stone and is the  President of the intrepid group of shadow people who keep their finger on the pulse of our government.  When this group of four, the Camel Club, witness a murder of a secret government agent the race is on.  Their pursuit of truth takes them to the scene of a presidential kidnapping, a massive conspiracy centered at the top of the Administration and it's agencies.  Secret Service Agent Alex Ford gets involved with these society rejects and in a matter of weeks, the entire story is completed with original characters, an exciting plot with twists that hold the reader to the dramatic and exciting close. 

 Baldacci is by far one of the very best political action thriller writers today and we can only hope to read a sequel to the fascinating group of characters.  Absolutely terrific!  By Pat Moore **** 

The Traitor by Stephen Coonts
 

I enjoyed this book with it's very believable plots of Mideast terrorists and their attempt to destroy world leaders at a huge G8 Conference held in Versailles, France.  The story is well done and the characters are all interesting and have apparently had some adventures in the past as Carmellini is called to Paris by his old friend Grafton.  The plot is intricate and abounds with action scenes along with a massive game of wits between two of the top minds in France and the United States.  There is the hint of romance and the finality of executions and who are the bad guys and who are the good guys is always a mystery.  Carmellini narrates in his own humorous personality which can be a little glib considering the life or death situation, but he is loveable and never fails to come out the un-proclaimed champion of the right side of each situation.  By Pat Moore****

 

 

 
 

Body of Lies by David Ignatius

An ambitious, page-turner, Body of Lies takes the reader not only on an in-depth tour of the Middle East, but also into a gripping and complicated mystery with a catch-your-breath ending.  CIA agent Roger Ferris has a plan to not only end the killing of Al Qaeda mastermind, Suleiman, but to cripple the various cells that he is in contact with.  His plan is based on the British deceptions used against the Nazis in WWII.  He will attempt to turn the cells and factions against one another with misdirection and clever plants.  Despite the fact that his mission puts his marriage and his professional relationships at risk, Ferris will put everything on the line.  Ignatius has been accused of heavy-handedness by some critics in his novel’s outlook on American policies in the Middle East, but even those who complained (Wall Street Journal, Washington Post), complimented the book’s intricate plot, memorable characters and excellent writing.   By Staff ****

  

Havana by Stephen Hunter

Havana is fun book to read as the depictions of Cuba, before Fidel Castro, are very well understood.  The stranglehold of the American mob which ran the best Casinos and hotels is brought skillfully into the story and the corruption of the United States involvement there, via Earl Swagger's old "friend" from Hot Springs, Frenchy Short, let us know instantly the kind of game that will be played. 

Our Hero, Earl Swagger, once more goes on a mission to protect the honor of his country.  He does not learn of his true purpose, to assassinate the young upstart Fidel Castro, until well into the story, and then the action begins.  I enjoyed the timeline, and of course we all know the outcome of a "plot to kill Fidel", but the intertwining plots, and fabulous characters, as well as the political forces which are building to create the overthrow of a corrupt and domineering dictator are well illustrated.  History buffs will enjoy this story, as well as Earl Swagger fans.  This book is a departure from some of the normal themes of Stephen Hunter but as usual his wonderful writing skills and ability to bring his characters alive make it excellent reading with superb plot twists throughout.  By Pat Moore ****

New Bob Lee Swagger Book coming in Sept- Look for the 47th Samurai!  Want to pre-order? Click on this link!

 **The 47th Samurai: A Bob Lee Swagger Novel**

Couldn't put this book down....when Earl Swagger goes into the heart of darkness to find his good friend being held  captive in a deep, hidden, southern penitentiary where African Americans are being subjected to hidden medical experiments, there is no stopping.  After seeing his friend safely on a railcar he is captured and only his strength of will and angry focus can keep him alive.  The former Marine, and WWII Medal of Honor Winner, survives to wage the ultimate battle with the country's finest old gunfighters at his side....and at last there is some justice.  Amazingly, Stephen Hunter always keeps his bases covered and completes his multiple stories within the stories.  His heroes are tried and true Americans first of all and he doesn't spare the men in power and their corruption of a system that goes out of control.  His stories are based on some facts which have occurred in the history of our county, including medical experiments on prisoners and of course the persecution, particularly in the Deep South, of minorities.  Certainly the NRA and those who love their guns will enjoy this, but so will those who oppose the violence and the evil that comes from the atrocity of war....  Good reading, but takes a strong stomach...  By Pat Moore

*****

 

  

Couldn't put this book down....when Earl Swagger goes into the heart of darkness to find his good friend being held  captive in a deep, hidden, southern penitentiary where African Americans are being subjected to hidden medical experiments, there is no stopping.  After seeing his friend safely on a railcar he is captured and only his strength of will and angry focus can keep him alive.  The former Marine, and WWII Medal of Honor Winner, survives to wage the ultimate battle with the country's finest old gunfighters at his side....and at last there is some justice.  Amazingly, Stephen Hunter always keeps his bases covered and completes his multiple stories within the stories.  His heroes are tried and true Americans first of all and he doesn't spare the men in power and their corruption of a system that goes out of control.  His stories are based on some facts which have occurred in the history of our county, including medical experiments on prisoners and of course the persecution, particularly in the Deep South, of minorities.  Certainly the NRA and those who love their guns will enjoy this, but so will those who oppose the violence and the evil that comes from the atrocity of war....  Good reading, but takes a strong stomach...  By Pat Moore

*****

 
Second Saladin by Stephen Hunter

 

Saladin II is the code name for a secret mission in which Paul Chardy is prepared to give his life to assist the Kurds in their battles with Iraq.  He and the Kurd Ulu Beg, the leading Freedom Fighter of his time, are bonded and become close friends.  Chardy is captured, Ulu is betrayed and the political climate shifts, setting in motion a continuing story seven years later.  A vast conspiracy which involves both of these men has been set in motion, and Ulu is determined to assassinate a top American figure to avenge the fatal betrayal to his people.  Chardy, long out of the Company, is lured back in order to stop his previous comrade in arms.  More political intrigue and lust for power as well as greed becomes exposed as the story continues and you never know who pulling the strings until the very end.  Creating wonderful characters as well as unique and exciting plots is Stephen Hunter's great gift to all of us.  His stories are filled with action and suspense and are equal to any Tom Clancy I have read.  This is one of his best books and should not be missed... by Pat Moore ****
 

 
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter

Stephen Hunter outdid himself with an extraordinary novel this time!  I am a fan, but I liked TIME TO HUNT better than all his others so far.  Maybe his characters grow on you.  In this action packed adventure we learn the story of Donny Fenn, the Sniper's spotter in Vietnam and we are enriched with many views of this unpopular war, as well as the Peaceniks point of view.  With his usual irony he always has his well placed Government officials who are his friends as well as the treachery of his enemies, or certainly the "moles" and the political players as their role in the making of history.  There are really many stories in one in this book, with Bob Swagger our hero as always, over a twenty span of his life.  The characters from other books are interwoven cleverly throughout his fictional view of history as seen through the eyes of his amazing characters who we may love or hate but always we can understand them.  He mixes irony with his usual finesse and introduces us to Julie, Donny's widow and Bob's helper in Point of Impact . We are of course educated in guns and weaponry which should interest those gun enthusiasts who enjoy that part of his writing.   This book is a "Must Read" for fans of Hunter.  I could not put it down...  by Pat Moore

 

Up Country by Nelson DeMille

This author never lets me down, but he surpassed himself with this amazing tour of modern day Vietnam, intertwined with a fantastic story.  Nelson DeMille always has something to say about the politics, corruption, the good and evil of human nature and he illustrates this with wonderful characters who become as real as friends we have known forever.  When Paul Brenner (also in The General's Daughter), retired Army Intelligence, is asked to return to Vietnam where he served two tours, to solve a thirty year old murder which may have been committed by one of the U.S. most prominent politicians, he is hooked.  Meeting up with a beautiful expatriate living in Saigon they begin the long journey to Hanoi, behaving as tourists.  At every turn the government official who suspects there is more to their visit, and the unlimited restrictions placed on tourists, is conducting his own investigation of these two and the hazards mount.  When Paul discovers he has not been told essential information by his own government and the CIA. has also sent their people to control his actions he uses all his resourcefulness to make sure justice is carried out. Along the journey the reader is treated to a wonderful current overview of the war devastated country and the recollections of a Veteran who served there in 1968 and 1972.  For those too young to remember and those who do remember the locations are familiar and poignant. 

Published in 2002, probably one of his best books ever!  This is a wonderful book, although it is 850 pages long, you won't want to miss a single page. By Pat Moore ****1/2


 

 

Kill Me by Stephen White

 

Death's Angels are the newest luxury for those who have the money to buy anything in this world... and it is the new insurance policy against prolonged illness or having one's ability to make the choice in a comatose, or otherwise devastating condition.  The protagonist finds out he has an inoperable, untreatable, fatal condition which will leave him unable to function in a short amount of time.  Being young, rich, with a family he does not want to go through the hell of watching his demise, he contracts with the Death Angels to end his life a the point where he will no longer be able to control it.  Then he becomes aware of an illegitimate son who is in great distress and needs his help and time is running short.  He faces many dilemmas in trying to outwit the Angels while accomplishing all the new challenges of his troubled son who is a brilliant young man and has no use for him. This is a very thought provoking story of choices we make, rich or poor, and how well intended ones motives might be, sometimes all the control can sometimes be more difficult than allowing destiny to take it's course.  Very rich in human emotions and a thriller in the sense of the unlimited lengths this very expensive service will go to fulfill it's contract, causing the deaths of innocent bystanders along the way.  Original and a good read. By Pat Moore ****