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I'm taking tomorrow off
May. 7th, 2015 03:49 pmto see the WW2 flyover in DC. It should be spectacular!
Mysteries, we read them:
Naked Greed by Stuart Woods. I read an ARC for this book. A perfect beach book, with popcorn or potato chips alongside. The book is filled with double-crosses and fine meals. I always like reading his books. Occasionally he gets off gems like this: "[t]he party had upshifted from cordiality to conviviality, though nobody was wearing a lampshade yet."
Rock With Wings by Anne Hillerman. I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book. Tony Hillerman's daughter Anne continues the stories of Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito, as well as other familiar characters. She's an extremely good writer. She captures the original voices very well and adds her own touches. She works in Stagecoach references, details of life on the reservation, and even zombies. Now I have to go back and read Spider Woman's Daughter. I missed it when it came out.
Robert Parker's Kickback by Ace Atkins. I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed Cheap Shot so was looking forward to it. I'm sorry to say it was a disappointment. I hope that since it's an ARC, the prose will be tightened up before the final version comes out. Without spoiling it, I've encountered the basic plot before (Leverage 3.01 and elsewhere). There are interpolated scenes involving different (nameless) characters in a different location that are just annoying. He wasn't as good at capturing the essence of Spenser and Hawk this time.
And in nonfiction
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime by Val McDermid. My "run right out and get it" book of the month. Do you watch CSI or Criminal Minds? Do you read true crime or mysteries? Do you enjoy reading about the development of technology? This book spans all those topics and more and does it brilliantly. Val McDermid covers every branch of forensics including history, procedures, and she includes examples, mostly from Great Britain. Her writing style is accessible and engaging. This book would also be a great gift for any mystery writer.
Mysteries, we read them:
Naked Greed by Stuart Woods. I read an ARC for this book. A perfect beach book, with popcorn or potato chips alongside. The book is filled with double-crosses and fine meals. I always like reading his books. Occasionally he gets off gems like this: "[t]he party had upshifted from cordiality to conviviality, though nobody was wearing a lampshade yet."
Rock With Wings by Anne Hillerman. I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book. Tony Hillerman's daughter Anne continues the stories of Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito, as well as other familiar characters. She's an extremely good writer. She captures the original voices very well and adds her own touches. She works in Stagecoach references, details of life on the reservation, and even zombies. Now I have to go back and read Spider Woman's Daughter. I missed it when it came out.
Robert Parker's Kickback by Ace Atkins. I received an ARC of this book. I enjoyed Cheap Shot so was looking forward to it. I'm sorry to say it was a disappointment. I hope that since it's an ARC, the prose will be tightened up before the final version comes out. Without spoiling it, I've encountered the basic plot before (Leverage 3.01 and elsewhere). There are interpolated scenes involving different (nameless) characters in a different location that are just annoying. He wasn't as good at capturing the essence of Spenser and Hawk this time.
And in nonfiction
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime by Val McDermid. My "run right out and get it" book of the month. Do you watch CSI or Criminal Minds? Do you read true crime or mysteries? Do you enjoy reading about the development of technology? This book spans all those topics and more and does it brilliantly. Val McDermid covers every branch of forensics including history, procedures, and she includes examples, mostly from Great Britain. Her writing style is accessible and engaging. This book would also be a great gift for any mystery writer.
