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Review Date: 12/10/2012
This is Greanias' fifth book, and equal to his fourth, though I enjoyed fourth more. In this saga of Sam Deker, Greanias tells a great WWII story, "forcing" the present-day Deker into the storyline, which was not needed, as the story could have easily stood on its own as a WWII "period" thriller. Ditto with Geanias' fourth book, "The Promised War", but I digress.
In this story, we find a Nazi with a royal lineage who wants to place himself on a revised "throne" of a revitalized Germany, once he finds a way to eliminate Hitler. He actually develops a means to do so, except those pesky Allies have to send in a spy to mess with him! Our spy, Chris Andros, escapes more sure death situations than James Bond and Indiana Jones combined! Much like Dan Brown's "Deception Point", this book would make an amazing action movie. Overall, it's a fun read, if a bit unrealistic and fanciful.
In this story, we find a Nazi with a royal lineage who wants to place himself on a revised "throne" of a revitalized Germany, once he finds a way to eliminate Hitler. He actually develops a means to do so, except those pesky Allies have to send in a spy to mess with him! Our spy, Chris Andros, escapes more sure death situations than James Bond and Indiana Jones combined! Much like Dan Brown's "Deception Point", this book would make an amazing action movie. Overall, it's a fun read, if a bit unrealistic and fanciful.
Review Date: 11/15/2011
Reads very much like a Ken Follett novel. Like Follett, Cook knows aviation and what he's talking about. The story is pretty straightforward, other than a little twist at the end that you might actually see coming. It seems that a couple of renegade Russian generals were thinking just like George Patton was thinking. "We're already here, and we've got the army here, and we're going to wind up fighting these guys eventually anyway, so why don't we just do it now?" Only, the allies find out about the plot, but they can't be seen fighting against, what was at the time, our own allies! I was motivated to read Cooks two novels (Aggressor is the other one) after reading his absolutely amazing non-fiction book, "The Hunt for Zero Point"
Review Date: 3/24/2012
Helpful Score: 1
Another typical Stone Barrington story. Mildly interesting, but nothing of consequence. Maybe if Stone ever got to Elaine's "early"....... A decent "guilty pleasure", like the average James Patterson book.
Review Date: 6/21/2012
Somewhat typical Lucas Davenport, which means, if you're a fan of Lucas, you'll want to read it. If you're not already a fan, it's still a decent read. This one doesn't have some of the depth of some of the others, but the plot concept makes it an interesting read.
Review Date: 10/28/2014
Typical Stone Barrington story, though in this case, there was little to figure out. It was pretty clear from the very beginning what the story was going to be about and pretty much how it would end. There were no plot twists or "wrong directions" for the reader. Stone eats at an expensive restaurant, Stone gets laid, Stone rubs noses with the rich & powerful, Stone gets robbed, Stone gets laid by someone else, Stone catches the robbers, then Stone eats at another expensive restaurant. Really, Mr. Woods?
Review Date: 10/30/2013
Helpful Score: 1
Although I'm pretty much addicted to Doc Ford, I found this one a bit boring and predictable, almost like RWW had to fulfill a writing quota to his publisher and this was the result. If you love the Doc Ford character, as I do, you'll read it and enjoy it, even if it's only a little. If you're not familiar with Doc Ford, pick one of the previous 19 books to read.
Review Date: 10/30/2013
I read this in order to review it for my wife, who teaches 5th grade. Although the story is geared for adolescent readers, I believe most adults would find it very entertaining, especially if you're already a cynical person when it comes to celebrities! I won't go into the storyline because I'm sure others will do that, but the story is right on the hysterical edge of believability. I found this book quite superior to it's predecessor, "Scat". I think that this one is the best of Hiassen's young adult series so far. If you're not laughing your kiester off reading parts of this book, then you must have had your sense of humor surgically removed.
Review Date: 6/6/2013
As much as I love Burke's writing, I still sometimes wish he weren't quite so verbose. Sometimes, I just don't need to read three paragraphs on how the mist hangs over the bayou in the morning, know what I mean? As to this particular story, I've read all the Robicheaux books up to this one, and I found this one to be one of the best so far. He started off good in his career and he just keeps getting better! One critic called Burke, "the rightful heir to Raymond Chandler", but I'd go further and say Burke has passed Chandler in talent.
Review Date: 10/30/2013
What's to review? If you like the Dexter storyline, then this one will not disappoint. If your exposure to Dexter is only the TV show, then you also will not be disappointed. If anything, you get a clearer idea of the Dexter character in the books. I've read the first three, and they're quick, entertaining reads. James Patterson could learn a few things from Jeff Lindsay.
Review Date: 2/24/2015
Helpful Score: 1
One thing I've started doing is, looking up the websites of authors whose book I REALLY enjoyed, and reading who THEY consider THEIR favorite authors. Having just finished an excellent book by Christopher Reich (The Prince of Risk), I looked up HIS favorite authors, and it was there I found James Twining. So, I ordered Double Eagle and I was NOT disappointed! I won't cover the plot or storyline, but the gist of it is, a reformed art thief turns "straight" and helps an FBI agent (pretty female, of course) solve a crime. There are plenty of twists along the way and it all made for a very enjoyable read. FAR better than your typical Patterson, et al. More akin to Daniel Silva's books. I highly recommend it.
Review Date: 10/30/2013
In the mystery genre', only a few can call themselves peers to Daniel Silva. I never go through the storyline in a review because that's available everywhere. In Fallen Angel, Silva is at his usual best, as I have yet to read one of the Gabriel Allon stories that wasn't superior to most everything else out there.
The Allon stories are part mystery, part covert agent, part travel guide and part history lesson. Like a superior teacher, Silva weaves in the geography of the story, along with some history, and some great tour guide information into a completely engrossing story that keeps you guessing - and reading. There's always too much detail to be a quick read, but it's the detail that makes the locations come alive for the reader, much like Wilbur Smith, though Smith often goes a little overboard on details!
If you're familiar with Silva, you'll have to read it, and if you're not, then you owe it to yourself to read The Kill Artist (the first Allon adventure) and then you'll be hooked. Read them in order for full effect.
The Allon stories are part mystery, part covert agent, part travel guide and part history lesson. Like a superior teacher, Silva weaves in the geography of the story, along with some history, and some great tour guide information into a completely engrossing story that keeps you guessing - and reading. There's always too much detail to be a quick read, but it's the detail that makes the locations come alive for the reader, much like Wilbur Smith, though Smith often goes a little overboard on details!
If you're familiar with Silva, you'll have to read it, and if you're not, then you owe it to yourself to read The Kill Artist (the first Allon adventure) and then you'll be hooked. Read them in order for full effect.
Review Date: 1/9/2015
I thought it might just be me, but after reading the reviews of some others, I now feel justified in saying that I was VERY disappointed in this book. Without being a spoiler, let me say that the book starts out veerrryyy slow for at least 100 pages, which almost caused me to stop and toss it. Then, it starts to pick up and the characters and the plot are better revealed, and I had some new interest in continuing. I kept waiting for an interesting plot twist or a gratifying ending. Yeah, neither came, and the ending was like waiting in great anticipation for your honeymoon night and your bride reveals that she's actually gay and just needs you for window dressing. About the only thing positive I could say about the ending is, the male character stayed true to the characterization the author gave him. If I had it to do over again, I would have read something else.
Overall, I think Gillian Flynn could (will?) become a talented author, because this book was fairly well-written, and the middle of the book will keep your interest, but the extremely poor ending tends to overshadow the good stuff.
Overall, I think Gillian Flynn could (will?) become a talented author, because this book was fairly well-written, and the middle of the book will keep your interest, but the extremely poor ending tends to overshadow the good stuff.
Review Date: 6/6/2013
I won't bother with reviewing the story line as so many others have already done so. I have read 72 James Patterson books. Some are very good, like The Jester, Kiss The Girls and Private, while others are DOGS, like Toys and some others. Guilty Wives is one of the good ones. I can usually figure out the end game of most mysteries, and I had figured out most of the this one, but Ellis did an exceptional job with Patterson's outline and delivered a great read. You won't regret picking this one up, and you may have trouble putting it down!
Review Date: 10/30/2014
I'm starting to repeat myself when I seem to open all reviews of Daniel Silva's books with, "Typical Daniel Silva, which is to say, GREAT!" I've read all his books to date, and they are all excellent thrillers. A combination of thriller, history lesson, travel guide, covert espionage and a little mystery that unfolds as well. There are two missions to be accomplished in this story, one involving a long-lost Caravaggio painting, but that's the secondary story. The first involves bringing down the corrupt family of the president of Syria, definitely a timely story, based on current world affairs. If you like Silva's books, you'll like this one. If you haven't read one, then definitely give it a shot, cause Silva's way above the norm of Patterson, Woods, Cornwell, et al.
The Hunt for Zero Point : Inside the Classified World of Antigravity Technology
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
2
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
2
Review Date: 10/30/2013
All I can say is, "wow!" This is NOT a novel, but actual research into a subject that's almost always considered science fiction, that being anti-gravity.
The author, an editor of Jane's Defense, the most respected encyclopedia of weaponry on earth, doesn't take any flights of fancy, but focuses on research from different areas and tries to put that puzzle together to show us that real work is being done on this subject by the government, and that, possibly, they've actually had some break-throughs that they're not sharing with the public that gets to pay for their work. Even a non-science person would find this book fascinating in the extreme, and a science geek would be in nirvana.
The author, an editor of Jane's Defense, the most respected encyclopedia of weaponry on earth, doesn't take any flights of fancy, but focuses on research from different areas and tries to put that puzzle together to show us that real work is being done on this subject by the government, and that, possibly, they've actually had some break-throughs that they're not sharing with the public that gets to pay for their work. Even a non-science person would find this book fascinating in the extreme, and a science geek would be in nirvana.
Review Date: 10/30/2013
Helpful Score: 1
After reading Gilmore's previous (and first) book, "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen", and thinking it was one of the best first-effort books I'd ever read, I eagerly awaiting "Improper Life". While I found it amusing and mildly entertaining, it did not live up to the very high bar set by "Dairy Queen".
The story attempts to take on many of the stereotypical characters of the deep South in the 1950's and 1960's. This literary trend seemed to start with "To Kill A Mockingbird" (to a lesser extent) and carries through to today with stories like "Improper Life". All the blacks are kind, understanding, loving and accepting, while nearly all the whites are unfeeling, callous racists.
Bezellia falls in love with the college-bound son of a local black man and, of course, not another white person in all of Nashville approves. While racial prejudice was alive & well in the South during this period (that I lived through - in the south), the stereotypes were just a little too cut and dried.
For example, my own mother was a native white Tennessean, lacking in education, but brimming with opinions based on little but her own prejudices. However, her best friend in the world was a black woman to whom she would have given the shirt off her back. Given what I lived through and saw, I tend to bristle a little at such stereotypes.
To sum up, if you like Fannie Flagg, you'll like this book. If you're expecting a book as good as "Dairy Queen", as I was, you'll be disappointed. However, given how good "Dairy Queen" was, I WILL be reading Gilmore's third book, "The Funeral Dress", in hopes her brilliance will once again surface!
The story attempts to take on many of the stereotypical characters of the deep South in the 1950's and 1960's. This literary trend seemed to start with "To Kill A Mockingbird" (to a lesser extent) and carries through to today with stories like "Improper Life". All the blacks are kind, understanding, loving and accepting, while nearly all the whites are unfeeling, callous racists.
Bezellia falls in love with the college-bound son of a local black man and, of course, not another white person in all of Nashville approves. While racial prejudice was alive & well in the South during this period (that I lived through - in the south), the stereotypes were just a little too cut and dried.
For example, my own mother was a native white Tennessean, lacking in education, but brimming with opinions based on little but her own prejudices. However, her best friend in the world was a black woman to whom she would have given the shirt off her back. Given what I lived through and saw, I tend to bristle a little at such stereotypes.
To sum up, if you like Fannie Flagg, you'll like this book. If you're expecting a book as good as "Dairy Queen", as I was, you'll be disappointed. However, given how good "Dairy Queen" was, I WILL be reading Gilmore's third book, "The Funeral Dress", in hopes her brilliance will once again surface!
Review Date: 10/20/2013
Helpful Score: 1
Was Ian Fleming (author of James Bond) really a covert agent during WWII? Well, Fleming told you all about it, in his own hand, when a safe deposit box had to be opened before scheduled in 2014. If you didn't know it was a novel, it very well could be a true story. While not as exciting a read as a James Bond/Mitch Rapp/Gabriel Allon thriller, the story seems real and completely plausible. I picked up the book for $2 on a whim and was glad I did.
Review Date: 6/6/2013
Typical Patterson fare, which is to say, entertaining and worth reading. Not one of his best, but well above his worst.
Review Date: 3/5/2014
I was born in Miami Beach in 1952, lived in various parts of Miami until 1970, and then again from 1977-1980. Much of the book was very good, and brought back many memories. The author was able to find old photographs and then took current photos of the same things, often from the very same vantage point. This made it very easy to see the changes and evolution of the area. However, it seemed that the authors totally ignored the entire Miami area north of 36th St. One might say that these areas aren't technically "Miami", but then neither are Coral Gables or Miami Beach, both of which were covered extensively. I was a bit disappointed to see the same areas covered by previous similar books and NO coverage of areas also not covered by previous similar books. The north Miami areas may not be as exotic and ritzy as others, but they have history and deserved to be covered.
Review Date: 1/25/2012
Simplistic philosophy that makes complete sense!
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