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Heat Lightning (Virgil Flowers)

John Sandford

Heat Lightning (Virgil Flowers) John Sandford Amazon Price: $17.79
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By: Putnam Adult
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fresh from his “spectacular” (Cleveland Plain Dealer) debut in Dark of the Moon, investigator Virgil Flowers takes on a puzzling—and most alarming—case, in the new book from the #1 bestselling author.

John Sandford’s introduction of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers was an immediate critical and popular success: “laser-sharp characters and a plot that’s fast and surprising” (Cleveland Plain Dealer); “an idiosyncratic, thoroughly ingratiating hero” (Booklist). Flowers is only in his late thirties, but he’s been around the block a few times, and he doesn’t think much can surprise him anymore. He’s wrong.

It’s a hot, humid summer night in Minnesota, and Flowers is in bed with one of his ex-wives (the second one, if you’re keeping count), when the phone rings. It’s Lucas Davenport. There’s a body in Stillwater—two shots to the head, found near a veteran’s memorial. And the victim has a lemon in his mouth.

Exactly like the body they found last week.

The more Flowers works the murders, the more convinced he is that someone’s keeping a list, and that the list could have a lot more names on it. If he could only find out what connects them all . . . and then he does, and he’s almost sorry he did.

Because if it’s true, then this whole thing leads down a lot more trails than he thought—and every one of them is booby-trapped.

Filled with the audacious plotting, rich characters, and brilliant suspense that have always made his books “compulsively readable” (Los Angeles Times), this is vintage Sandford.

The Devil in the White City

Erik Larson

The Devil in the White City Erik Larson By: Doubleday UK
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 775 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Devil in the White City 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great historical prosective of a wonderful city everyone claims to know..but doesn't know that much history about!

this book was a bestseller for good reason 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent book which stands out amongst true crime books as one of the best. The author handles a gruesome topic without making the reader feel depressed. Every aspect of the crime is examined while the writer illuminates an historical perspective which is fascinating.

Many interesting bits, but bogs down at times 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

For a native Chicagoan, I found the descriptions of the city in the late 1800's fascinating. The grit and crime juxtaposed with wealth and luxury was especially compelling. The narrative style was very enjoyable, but I was rather disappointed that the murder-mystery element (the "Devil" from the title) went relatively undeveloped until the closing chapters. As a result, the story seemed to drag at times, spending a bit too much time on less interesting details.

Worth the read, fascinating non-fiction, uneven storytelling 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an engrossing non-fiction book that tells two stories in parallel - the development of Chicago's World Fair and the criminal life of Dr. Holmes (aka Mudgett). If you're interested in history, architecture, project management, or Chicago, this book is full of fascinating tid-bits & facts. If you're interested in serial killers and crime details, this book will leave you looking for more. What I like is that it's a non-fiction book with a great author writing as though it's fiction. Larson includes descriptions of the "characters'" appearances and mannerisms and ends chapters with cliff hangers and foreshadowing.

It's probably unfair to criticize a non-fiction writer for the outcome of the story, but I was disappointed with conclusion of Holmes' tale. The story of the World Fair is interesting and very detailed, and having Holmes' story told in parallel did make the book more worthwhile and nicely broke up monotony of one subject. The World Fair's development was built up quite thoroughly, and as a reward, the details of the Fair in motion and the life of its stakeholders after the fact were satisfying. But Holmes' side of the story was lacking. While his life during the Fair was strange and interesting, the book seemed to be building up to a climax that never occurs. The conclusion of Holmes' story seemed hasty compared to the thoroughness of the first three quarters of the book, especially when it appears there are more details and accounts of his criminal activities during this period of his life than any other.

Again, it's a true story, but the build up and pay off of each story is uneven. In the end, although I was not totally satisfied, it was a worthwhile and enjoyable read and I took away several interesting facts about Chicago and the 1893 World Fair that are meaningful even 115 years later.

The Hollow

Nora Roberts

The Hollow Nora Roberts By: Piatkus Books
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 114 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Nora Roberts is the best! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a very good book. It keeps you interested from the first page to the last. I couldn't put it down!!

The Hollow 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Nora Roberts "The Hollow" was EXCELLENT! I thought I might not be comfortable with the "evil" in it; but her writing is SO good, I couldn't put it down

Enjoyed 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading book 3 in the series. I am not a Nora Roberts fan but this trilogy is very good. I recommend it.

The Hollow 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a series that I would highly recommend to new and old readers of Nora Roberts. It has romance and the supernatural tied together in an intriguing tale. I can't wait for the finale!!!

Review of Audio CD 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

See my review of "Blood Brothers", the first part of this trilogy. I am a fan of Nora Roberts and have enjoyed all the books I've read or listened to, especially her more recent works over the past 5-8 years. This is another good one.
That said, this is read by a different narrator than Blood Brothers. I found this woman so annoying I wanted to rip the CD out of the car, throw it out the window, and go get the written book. Thankfully I see the third book of the trilogy is read by someone else.

The Thirteenth Tale

Diane Setterfield

The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield By: Atria Books
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 587 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Modern Gothic Romance 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If I were to attempt a plot summary here, my guess is that many readers would be (not unjustifiably) put off by what seems to be a sensationalist, V.C. Andrews-ish, melodramatic series of coincidences, assumed identities, secret twins, incest, ghosts, and murder. I don't know if there's any way that a mere summary can do this book justice. Diane Setterfield's genius is that when you're reading "The Thirteenth Tale," you become so wholly engrossed with the characters and the stories they tell that improbable events - which would make you laugh scornfully in the hands of any other author - instead seem to make perfect sense. Each new lurid detail only pulls you deeper into the story, eliciting very real sympathy for the characters living out this tragedy.

The framing device is rather straightforward - a famous author, whose life story has until now remained a mystery, has chosen on her deathbed to assign her biography to an amateur author, the daughter of a bookshop owner. We learn about Vida Winter's life as young Margaret Lea does - beginning, then middle, then end, we're informed firmly. As an unrepentant page-flipper who always peeks ahead to the end, this was enormously frustrating - but ultimately rewarding. Setterfield knows how to drop just enough clues and hints to keep us hooked, making the plot twist both a complete surprise and - upon reflection - perfectly obvious.

The pace does lag a bit about 2/3 of the way through. A subplot involving an orphan abandoned 60 years ago who befriends Margaret isn't fleshed out quite fully enough; I never cared about Aurelius quite as much as I did the other characters. All minor quibbles in the face of a book that grabbed me fully, leaving me bereft and adrift when I was done. What to read next that can possibly compare? I will eagerly await future writings from Diane Setterfield.

Dark City: A Novel (Dark City)

Frank Lauria (Adapter), Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer, Alex Proyas

Dark City: A Novel (Dark City) Frank Lauria (Adapter), Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer, Alex Proyas List Price: $5.99
By: St. Martin's Press
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 492 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

No more spoiler narration! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This movie is my favorite of all time; however Keifer Sutherland's spilling of the beans within the first two minutes was always devastating to me. So, if you are a fan of the movie, then your number one question regarding the director's cut should be, "it there a voice over?" and the answer is, thank goodness, "No!!"

Dark City [Director's Cut] 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

At last! A director's cut that actually improves on the original!

The 1998 version of Dark City was a fantastic film (apart from the studio enforced opening narration), very inventive plot with lots of good 'reveals' throughout, also, the cuts were very fast (I don't think a single 'shot' lasted longer than five seconds) which propelled the story along at a blistering pace.

The new edit has an improved 5.1 soundtrack and the re-cut has slowed the film down - which actually improves it. There are extensions to lots of scenes that round off each character's involvement in the plot, and the opening narration has been removed (hurrah!). The picture has also had a major clean up that reveals plot as well as detail.
The new extras are also very interesting and a welcome change from the usual, boring, "This is how we did the effects" documentaries.

All in all, a better version of an already outstanding film. 10/10.

Editorial Review:

John Murdoch is accused of murder and believed to be mentally disturbed, but he is the only salvation from the violent killings that are happening, as long as he can remain alive. Original. Movie tie-in."

The Gold Coast

Nelson DeMille

The Gold Coast Nelson DeMille Amazon Price: $7.99
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By: Grand Central Publishing
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 203 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Keep Your Friends Close, But Your Enemies Closer. Capisce? 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is another great piece of writng by DeMille. At first I found myself a little disappointed because the story line seemed to drag with the rich history of the Gold Coast described in detail.

But the story got much better and DeMille's words flowed easily through my mind and created a wonderful story. This story was based in the rich Gold Coast of Long Island, but the heart of the story was not about The Gold Coast. It was about a Mafia Don, Frank Bellarosa who bought a huge mansion next to John Sutter, a Wall Street Tax lawyer. The heart of the story was not the Mafia Don, but it was about John Sutter as told by him and how all of this came to intertwine. John Sutter was bored with his life, just as any of us could be and he got involved with his new exciting neighbor and it changed his life forever.

I really got into this story and it was a very good read. It also had insights into the Italian culture in America.

Editorial Review:

A compelling bestseller set on the elite North Shore of Long Island, where a conventional socialite couple are unwittingly drawn into a shocking world of Mafia violence.

Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 14)

Janet Evanovich

Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 14) Janet Evanovich Amazon Price: $18.45
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By: St. Martin's Press
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 431 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Personal vendettas, hidden treasure, and a monkey named Carl will send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most explosive adventure yet.

The Crime:  Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars

Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn’t be more proud. He always was the smart one. 

The Cousin:  Joe Morelli

Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom’s sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli is a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting tables at the firehouse. The all-American family.

The Complications:  Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal property, and acid reflux

Less than a week after Dom’s release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He’s getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.

The Catastrophe:  Moonman

Morelli hires Walter “Mooner” Dunphy, stoner and “inventor” turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli can’t afford a lot on a cop’s salary, and Mooner will work for potatoes.

The Cupcake:  Stephanie Plum

Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She’s a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she’s involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.

The Crisis:  A favor for Ranger

Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie’s evening activities.

The Conclusion:  Only the fearless should read Fourteen.

Thrills, chills, and incontinence may result.

 

 

Plum Spooky (A Between-the-Numbers Novel)

Janet Evanovich

Plum Spooky (A Between-the-Numbers Novel) Janet Evanovich Amazon Price: $18.45
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By: St. Martin's Press

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Editorial Review:

The First Full Length Stephanie Plum Between-the-Numbers Novel from #1 Bestselling Author Janet Evanovich.
Turn on all the lights and check under your bed. Things are about to get spooky in Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys. Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke. He’s chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he’s chosen the Barrens as his new playground. Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He’s now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn’t made it out of the boys’ department at Macy’s. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn’t met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court. Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel.  Diesel pops in and out of Plum’s life like birthday cake – delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He’s an über bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He’s after Grimoire, and now he’s also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn’t mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs. Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.

Nineteen Minutes (Platinum Fiction Series)

Jodi Picoult

Nineteen Minutes (Platinum Fiction Series) Jodi Picoult Amazon Price: $26.36
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By: Center Point Large Print
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 457 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five....In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who -- if anyone -- has the right to judge someone else?

Unforgiven

Alan Lemay

Unforgiven Alan Lemay List Price: $3.50
By: Jove
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 270 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

There is nothing to forgive; everything is pitch-perfect... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

It's really no wonder it's taken me this long to finally see `Unforgiven'. I've stated before that westerns were never really my thing, and it's not like Eastwood has a huge draw on me either. He's serviceable at best in my opinion, only on rare occasions having his overly gruff mannerisms pay off with brilliance. After the amazing year westerns in general had last year (`3:10 to Yuma', `No Country for Old Men' and `...Jesse James...' all making my top ten of the year) I figured that maybe I should research this Oscar winning classic to see if the films iconic status was justified.

Watching `Unforgiven' has really made me realize that you should never judge a film before you see it, because you never truly know what's in store for you.

`Unforgiven' opens with a sharp pain of brutality as two men victimize a woman. When the sheriff doesn't do anything more than slap the men's wrists the women of the community put out a reward for the men's head. William Munny, a former murderer turned caring father and widower, hears of the reward and, hesitantly, decides to pursue it in order to better take care of his two children. Along with his former sidekick Ned Logan and an overly confident young gunslinger going by the name of The Schofield Kid, Munny makes his way into town with his horse and his gun and the smell of blood.

Eastwood really went all out with this production. The overall feel of the film is very gritty and dark and adds weight to the moral that is brought to the full as the curtains close so-to-speak. The film is violent, but in a repressed sort of way, allowing the majority of the film to ride on the anticipation of bloodshed and only truly rearing its head in short explosions of brutality. This allows `Unforgiven' to become more than just an action film or a bloodbath but creates a film that is as deep and poignant as it is entertaining.

The acting is also golden here. Morgan Freeman seems to just coast through his scenes, but his companionship with Eastwood is unmatchable. He just has such a natural talent that even when he isn't doing anything exceptional he is still amazing. Clint has never really sold it for me. I was impressed with him in `Million Dollar Baby' because I felt as though he made his harshness work to his advantage. He does that here as well. Next to `Million Dollar Baby' this has got to be his finest performance. Gene Hackman steals the whole show though as Bill Daggett, the ruthless sheriff. His savagery is embellished by his sick sense of justification and that makes Hackman's character development nothing short of extraordinary.

In the end I'm pleased to say that `Unforgiven' stands up as worthy of the praise and attention it has received. I can't say if it was the best film of the year (92 was such a fantastic year for film) but it most definitely ranks in my top ten and surely will stand the tests of time as one of the most effective westerns of all time, defining everything that makes the genre what it is. I may not be an avid supporter of the genre as a whole, but when a western is done right it can be nothing short of amazing. `Unforgiven' is done very, very right.

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