Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 2
Technically I'd have to say that Todd Borg's Owen McKenna novels are thrillers. Not only are they thrillers, they're the best sort of Formula 1 thrillers with pedal-to-the-medal chase scenes on hairpin curves, a series of switchback plot twists, and a driver who will risk it all to cross the finish line first. Tahoe Ghost Boat is the type of book you stay up late into the night to finish, and it's not just because it's a high-class thriller; it's because Todd Borg also knows how to create characters with depth and substance. The type of characters that get under your skin, make you care about them, and stay in your memory long after you've finished reading the book.
Owen is a former cop who never became too cynical to care. Owen's entomologist girlfriend is smart, funny, level-headed, and just the sort of person you want to come home to after a long day of being chased by psychotic killers. She's so good she even makes bugs sexy. Owen's friends on the local police force provide more support and levity, but if you're looking for the best partner you could ever hope to have, look no further than His Largeness-- Spot, a harlequin Great Dane. Owen without Spot would be like... Butch without Sundance... unthinkable. Spot isn't Super Dog either. He's just a huge, lovable, well-trained canine.
Borg doesn't stop with the fantastic cast of regulars either. Young Gertie is another winner in a long line of this author's characters. She's been given the short end of the stick, but she refuses to give in, and you just love her for it. Even a reclusive and slightly batty woman gets sympathetic yet honest treatment from her creator.
An underwater scene in Lake Tahoe did strain the limits of my credulity, but in no way did it come close to ruining my enjoyment of the book. By now Owen feels like an old friend, so I'll allow him to be Superman this time-- as long as he doesn't start making a habit of it.
These books are for readers who love action and plot twists as well as characters with depth and intelligence and humor and compassion. When you finish reading an Owen McKenna book, you're left with two feelings: that the world actually is a pretty good place, and... how long until the next one?
Owen is a former cop who never became too cynical to care. Owen's entomologist girlfriend is smart, funny, level-headed, and just the sort of person you want to come home to after a long day of being chased by psychotic killers. She's so good she even makes bugs sexy. Owen's friends on the local police force provide more support and levity, but if you're looking for the best partner you could ever hope to have, look no further than His Largeness-- Spot, a harlequin Great Dane. Owen without Spot would be like... Butch without Sundance... unthinkable. Spot isn't Super Dog either. He's just a huge, lovable, well-trained canine.
Borg doesn't stop with the fantastic cast of regulars either. Young Gertie is another winner in a long line of this author's characters. She's been given the short end of the stick, but she refuses to give in, and you just love her for it. Even a reclusive and slightly batty woman gets sympathetic yet honest treatment from her creator.
An underwater scene in Lake Tahoe did strain the limits of my credulity, but in no way did it come close to ruining my enjoyment of the book. By now Owen feels like an old friend, so I'll allow him to be Superman this time-- as long as he doesn't start making a habit of it.
These books are for readers who love action and plot twists as well as characters with depth and intelligence and humor and compassion. When you finish reading an Owen McKenna book, you're left with two feelings: that the world actually is a pretty good place, and... how long until the next one?
I have greatly enjoyed the entire Owen McKenna/Spot/Street Casey series from the beginning. I greatly liked this most recent installment, and consider it to be Borg's best to date. McKenna is a man's man, can be counted on to rescue the damsel in distress and to take care of the bad guys. This recipe continues to be a success in this book.
Having been to Tahoe a number of times, I'd offer that the locations used in this book are true to current state and take me to a place I know and love.
Borg takes on some unique characters in this novel, which make it (from my perspective) the best story yet. In this story, McKenna rescues (on more than one occasion), Gertie, a young girl who was born with a cleft lip (and who as the cover says, is an aspiring film director and softball pitcher). Borg takes on the definition of beauty:
Gertie - "You said that there are lots of kinds of beauty and that physical beauty is the one kind that doesn't matter. What are the kinds that do matter?"
McKenna - "Well I haven't thought about it much, but there are many. Passion, desire, interest, hunger for ideas, charity, attention, focus and skills that you acquire through practice and hard work."
Without comment on the plot a whole lot, which is strong, McKenna's philosophy is one that can always be appreciated...a hero that has a strong moral code.
A five star book to me is one that is life changing -- and I have a really hard time moving away from that definition to give a thriller/mystery that kind of a rating, although I considered that here. I strongly recommend this book if you like the thriller/mystery genre.
Having been to Tahoe a number of times, I'd offer that the locations used in this book are true to current state and take me to a place I know and love.
Borg takes on some unique characters in this novel, which make it (from my perspective) the best story yet. In this story, McKenna rescues (on more than one occasion), Gertie, a young girl who was born with a cleft lip (and who as the cover says, is an aspiring film director and softball pitcher). Borg takes on the definition of beauty:
Gertie - "You said that there are lots of kinds of beauty and that physical beauty is the one kind that doesn't matter. What are the kinds that do matter?"
McKenna - "Well I haven't thought about it much, but there are many. Passion, desire, interest, hunger for ideas, charity, attention, focus and skills that you acquire through practice and hard work."
Without comment on the plot a whole lot, which is strong, McKenna's philosophy is one that can always be appreciated...a hero that has a strong moral code.
A five star book to me is one that is life changing -- and I have a really hard time moving away from that definition to give a thriller/mystery that kind of a rating, although I considered that here. I strongly recommend this book if you like the thriller/mystery genre.
