Rules of Prey by John Sanford is a 1989 publication.
One of my book hobbies is reading through older, long-running series. Usually, that turns out to Rules of Prey by John Sanford is a 1989 publication.
One of my book hobbies is reading through older, long-running series. Usually, that turns out to be cozy mysteries as some of them tend to go on for ages. But, instead of starting another cozy series, I decided to pick a different type of crime fiction series. This one has a whopping 34 installments- the latest sitting atop the NYT bestseller list, so I thought that made it a good pick.
Unfortunately, the jury is still out on this one…
This first installment seems basic, really, but that’s probably because I’ve read countless thrillers in which a serial killer is targeting women- and he has a type. It’s almost gotten to the point where I’m so desensitized to that type of reading material it very nearly elicits a yawn…
But… As though the author knew that this was an oversaturated trope- and would be for many decades to come- he shockingly begins the book with the voice of the killer- which grabs your attention immediately- and effectively– no matter how old or new the book is- or how many similar plotlines one has read. The inside of a killer’s mind is never a pleasant place to be.
From there, the novel slid down hill for a good while. Some of these problems might have been due to the age of the story. Davenport is not an easy character to love- or even like, for that matter, especially if you are a female reader who dislikes womanizers. Ugh- too much sleeping around for my taste.
But it was the juvenile locker-room banter between cops that was the most annoying and offensive-and the expletives were far too frequemt for my taste. Ugh… again.
But despite all that, Davenport is a good detective, and I could see, despite some incohesive execution, why this series became so popular. I’m hoping that as the series progresses, some of the language, banter, and promiscuity trails off and the writing tightens up a bit. I have the first few books- but won’t look at adding more until I see how the series progresses from here.
Overall, despite the issues I had- most of which were a matter of personal taste-
I ended up liking the crime fiction parts- with Davenport and the killer dueling it out- so the cause is not lost… yet. I'm going to give it my best open-minded effort and hope the series gets better as it goes along because I was really hoping this one would work out.
The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen is a 1929 publication.
A murder takes place in a packed theatre and Inspector Richard Queen is called in to inveThe Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen is a 1929 publication.
A murder takes place in a packed theatre and Inspector Richard Queen is called in to investigate. His son, Ellery, a crime novelist, has joined him and together they attempt to solve the most perplexing case the Inspector as ever encountered…
This is the first book of the Ellery Queen mystery series, which was originally published in 1929. The series has a quite a legacy, but I’d never thought of tackling it until I was gifted a copy of one the installments for Christmas one year. I have since acquired a stack of Ellery Queen paperbacks, but unfortunately, the print is so small I can’t read them in that format- which forced me to attempt to find them in digital format so I can adjust the font size.
I do believe that most of the series is digitized, but whew! They want a bit too much for books this old and this short! My local library only had a handful of them to check out… but Hoopla saved the day.
But, after going to all that trouble to track down digital copies- I found this first installment to be incredibly confusing. The bit about the hat droned on and on and on and on until my eyes glazed over.
I love, love, love old mysteries and had really high hopes for this series, but found that it was too slow for my taste and the Queens were not likeable or interesting enough to keep me invested when the plot spun in place for too long.
All that said, my understanding is that this first novel by the authors- who were cousins, if you didn’t already know- is not considered to be a very good representation of their work.
Unfortunately, we are so hardwired to start a series with the first installment, when possible, that this one may not make a strong enough impression to motivate the reader to continue on with the series. At this writing, I don't plan to read another installment for a good long while- but...
With of the books available on Hoopla, in both eBook and audio formats- I may give Queen another chance someday....more
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie is a 2005 William Morrow publication. (Originally published in 1937)
What a gem! It’s always fun to read an AgathaDeath on the Nile by Agatha Christie is a 2005 William Morrow publication. (Originally published in 1937)
What a gem! It’s always fun to read an Agatha Christie Mystery. I believe I read this one many, many years ago, and watched the old movie version starring Peter Ustinov- also many, many years ago. But the details have mostly vanished from my memory now. So, while the story is familiar, I was still riveted from start to finish!
A very clever set up- a guessing game of the highest order. So many ways the story could have gone, and the attention to detail was simply fabulous! Sure, crime fiction readers today are far savvier and more jaded, but still, Christie could still trick anyone unfamiliar with this story, and even if you do know how it ends, it’s still fun to see how she carefully constructed the story, the red herrings, and twists- all ahead of their time.
Overall, just the book I needed right now! Highly engrossing and entertaining!
*I watched the new HBO version after I finished reading the book- yes-despite the disgraced cast member. I was curious to see how it was presented. Not impressed, though. Stick with the book- and the old film version- which, if memory serves was not half bad....more
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine is a 2020 Avon publication.
When a dangerous criminal is released from prison, who happens to carry a grudge againstThe Christmas Killer by Alex Pine is a 2020 Avon publication.
When a dangerous criminal is released from prison, who happens to carry a grudge against DI James Walker, his wife insists they move away from the city. Just as they begin to settle into the small Cumbrian village, and a much slower, and hopefully less dangerous life, an ominous package arrives on their doorstep with a note attached which threatens a twelve-day reign of terror ala the Twelve Days of Christmas.
In blizzard like conditions a body is found in the snow – the potential first victim with eleven more to follow if the killer isn’t stopped…
This debut thriller is pretty rough around the edges. This is not an ARC copy, so I was surprised to find several glaring grammatical errors in the book, early on- especially as the book has a seasoned publisher.
I could overlook that if the story was descent- but there isn’t much here for me to recommend. The characters and dialogue are wooden and stiff, and I guessed, not only who the killer was, very early on- but the motive was also apparent, which didn’t give me much incentive to hang around to see how DI Walker would connect the dots.
But I did stick around, despite all that. The flow of the book did smooth out after a while, and honestly, the bare bones of a good crime novel are here- but the delivery needed a lot of work. That said, I think the author has some potential. The issues here can be worked out with some experience- and so I’m going to try the second installment in this series to see if things improve.
Overall, this debut got off to a rocky start- but it might be a diamond in the rough. Hopefully, the next installment is a bit more polished!
Jessica Jones: Alias # 1 by Brian Michael Bendis is a 2015 MAX publication.
When I first started looking into Graphic novels, everyone said I should trJessica Jones: Alias # 1 by Brian Michael Bendis is a 2015 MAX publication.
When I first started looking into Graphic novels, everyone said I should try this series. Knowing I like detective stories and crime novels, this one did seem like it would be a good fit for me. Not only that, my husband liked ‘The Defenders’ and now he has used my new curiosity in this genre to rope me into watching the Jessica Jones Netflix series.
I was a little surprised to learn this series has been around for a lot longer than I thought. This issue of Alias was released in 2015 by MAX but was originally published in 2002.
Jessica has opened her own detective agency and is no longer a part of The Defenders. However, this not your typical detective story as Jessica specializes in superhuman cases. In this first installment, Jessica is hired to investigate a missing persons case.
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Sounds like a typical case for a detective agency, but Jessica is soon in over her head. Along the way, she uncovers a conspiracy and the true identity of a superhero. Attempting to contact her client, she discovers the woman has been murdered and Jessica could be the prime suspect.
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At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the graphics, finding the artwork grainy and ill defined compared the few other graphic novels, comics and manga I have experimented with thus far. By the time I got sucked into the story, I began to understand the illustrations matched the grittiness and the atmosphere of the story.
I see why this series is so popular and yes, this was a great starting point for me and my newly found interest in Graphic novels.
Necessary as Blood by Deborah Crombie is a 2009 William Morrow publication.
Time to check in with Duncan and Gemma!
This thirteenth installment in theNecessary as Blood by Deborah Crombie is a 2009 William Morrow publication.
Time to check in with Duncan and Gemma!
This thirteenth installment in the Kincaid and James mystery series begins by reuniting Gemma with her old friends, Hazel and Tim.
When Tim’s friend, Naz, goes missing, he calls Gemma in a panic. Naz’s wife, Sandra also disappeared a short time ago, which makes the situation even more puzzling. Worse still, now that both Naz and Sandra are missing, their adorable three -year daughter, Charlotte, is left all alone.
Eventually, Duncan and Scotland Yard are called in to investigate what has turned into a complicated and complex murder investigation.
Meanwhile, Gemma is worried sick about her mother and feels as though she must follow through with a ‘big wedding’ ceremony although her heart really isn’t in it. She is also extremely worried about Charlotte when it becomes obvious her nearest relatives aren’t fit to care for her.
This is another very solid installment in the series. I enjoyed reading about London’s East End and the Bengali population. The mystery is layered, interesting, and very absorbing. It kept me guessing right up to the end and was topped off with a shocking conclusion.
But, as with all series, the personal lives of the recurring characters, is a very important part of why we enjoy reading series in the first place. I can’t stress my utter surprise at the deeply romantic turn this story took, at one point. Truly wonderful, solidifying my secret crush on Duncan forever.
But, most of all, I was proud of Gemma and her character growth in this chapter of the series. Good for you, Gemma!! You go girl!
While it took a while to grow on me, this series has become one of my favorites. It has taken me over two years to get this far. I pressured myself to hurry up and get caught up with the series, mainly so I could focus on some of the many other series I have started, but now I’m glad I stretched it out. I like the idea of having a ‘Kincaid and James’ mystery at the ready when the mood strikes, so I’m a going to be a little sad when I finally do get caught up. But, until then, I’m going to savor every installment I have left.
Water Like Stone by Deborah Crombie is a 2007 William Morrow publication.
My first Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid installment of 2019! It has taken meWater Like Stone by Deborah Crombie is a 2007 William Morrow publication.
My first Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid installment of 2019! It has taken me three years to get this far in the series, as I am not much of a binge reader. But, barring some unforeseen circumstances, I will finish it this year!
I’m up to the eleventh chapter in the series, which finds Gemma and Duncan traveling to spend the Christmas holidays with Duncan’s parents. This will be Gemma’s first official visit and she is understandably nervous.
However, things get off to an unsettling start when Duncan’s sister, Juliet, discovers the body of a deceased baby while doing work on a renovation project. Duncan is just dying to get involved in the case, but of course, he must allow the local authorities to handle it.
To add more tension to the situation, Juliet is experiencing marital woes, which become very public and vocal making everyone uncomfortable, and more than a little concerned for Juliet.
This may be the most absorbing installment in the series so far. The family drama, however, was the most compelling part of the story. However, Crombie has several plot lines moving at once, which may or may not be interconnected. The story has a distinct element of dread which steadily increased, causing me genuine distress and concern for the characters. The conclusion was riveting and quite chilling.
Overall, it took me a good while to really get a good solid handle on this series. But, I think I’ve finally gotten into the groove and think it is starting to live up to my full expectations of it....more
The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie is a 1923 publication.
Poirot has been frantically summoned to France by Monsieur Paul Renauld. Unfortunat The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie is a 1923 publication.
Poirot has been frantically summoned to France by Monsieur Paul Renauld. Unfortunately, upon arrival, Hastings and Poirot are informed they have arrived too late and Renauld is dead… murdered as it so happens. Pitted against a younger and equally confident detective, Poirot is determined to meet his competition head on, utilizing his advantage of experience to solve the crime.
This is the second Poirot by Agatha Christie and is one I have not read. Christie obviously found inspiration with Holmes and Watson, and one can debate whether this is a homage or a parody, but either way, she did a masterful job with this twisty, complex whodunit.
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic mystery. I was never able to sit back, smugly confident that I had it all figured out. Christie was always at least two steps ahead of me. This is a stunning guessing game, narrated by Hastings, who provides his own unique observations along with his amusing commentary.
Despite its age, and our current desensitization and demand for more shock and awe, I think this story stands on its own merits quite well. (With the exception of a bit of cringe-worthy insta-love)
Christie is very clever, and it is obvious she put much thought into the plot, dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s. I was enthralled by her skill, and it is easy to see why she had such an enormous impact on the mystery genre.
As pure mysteries are few and far between right now, I’m looking to read more classics. Having read Poirot mysteries off and on over the years, I know this one might not rank up there with some of the later installments, but this a smart and impressive gem!!
Cop Hater by Ed McBain is a 2012 Thomas & Mercer publication.
This book was originally published way back in 1956 and is the first in the 87th precincCop Hater by Ed McBain is a 2012 Thomas & Mercer publication.
This book was originally published way back in 1956 and is the first in the 87th precinct series, one of the longest running crime series in history, with a whopping fifty-five installments.
I’m not one hundred percent positive, but as far as I can tell, the entire series of books is available in the Amazon Kindle store, the digital format published by Thomas & Mercer, I believe. I also noticed that some of the books are part of the Kindle Unlimited program, (though, not all), which is nice if you are a subscriber.
As a vintage paperback collector, I have a healthy collection of Ed McBain novels, but not all of them are from this series. I keep my eyes peeled for them here and there and hope to someday own the entire collection, without breaking the bank.
But now that the books have been reissued in digital format, I am entertaining the idea of reading through the entire series, in order, if possible.
This first installment introduces us to the 87th precinct, set in the fictional location of Isola, which is obviously based on the city of Manhattan.
The series is a straightforward police procedural, which no doubt, was a real trailblazing novel back in 1956. The plot and dialogue would have been cutting edge, filled with ‘street’ vernacular that the ordinary person might not have been familiar with.
Now, however, the story is a little dry, and may even put you in mind of the old “Dragnet” series. The dialogue is hilariously outdated, at times, and the plot was easy to figure out. But, it’s an easy read, with a scant 224 pages, and despite being outdated, there is a Noir feel to the story, though that is rarely mentioned, which gave it a touch of style. The series is dark, gritty, and its realism paved the way for many influential novelists, books, television shows, and movies.
If you haven’t read any of the books in this series, try thinking of ‘Hill Street Blues’ as an example of how the series is constructed. There is an ensemble cast, with recurring characters, which I think is a very good idea.
Although the novel is a bit past its prime, I still enjoyed reading it, and appreciated the author’s approach. I can see why the series was so popular and why it continued for as long as it did.
I think it’s going to be fun and entertaining to work my way through these classic crime novels!!
A Deadly Thaw by Sarah Ward is a 2016 Minotaur publication.
What an interesting set up. Sadler, Palmer and Connie have their hands full with this one,A Deadly Thaw by Sarah Ward is a 2016 Minotaur publication.
What an interesting set up. Sadler, Palmer and Connie have their hands full with this one, as the case loops back to 2004 and back again to 2016 in alternate turns.
I love British mysteries, and so have certain criteria I’ve come to expect from them. Ward does an amazing job at creating that atmosphere I love so much about the genre, but adds a very fresh and modern twist to it, which is nice to see.
H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton is a 1991 Ballantine Books publication.
To me, this story was a little strange. I understood the insurance fraud storH is for Homicide by Sue Grafton is a 1991 Ballantine Books publication.
To me, this story was a little strange. I understood the insurance fraud storyline, and the scam was one used a lot in the 1980’s, so it’s believable, but the characters and the dialogue were odd, and Kinsey did not behave in the way she ordinarily does.
Not my favorite in this series. I hope the next book gets back on track.
Summer Rain – an Inspector Banks short story by Peter Robinson is a 2015 William Morrow Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by theSummer Rain – an Inspector Banks short story by Peter Robinson is a 2015 William Morrow Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This super short Inspector Banks story centers around a man's claim that in a former life he believes he may have been murdered. When he takes this theory to the police, Banks looks into the situation mainly out of shear boredom. However, it looks as though there may be something to the man's claims after all.
This book offers up an interesting theory about Deja Vu and reincarnation, which fits the crime in this case perfectly, plus I learned something new in the process. However, as far as the mystery goes, it was pretty lightweight and ultimately anti-climatic in the end. Still, it shouldn't take the average reader more than thirty minutes to read this story, so it makes a nice “lunch break” diversion. Of course, there is a sneak peek into Mr. Robinson's next book, due out in August of 2015, which is nearly as lengthy as the story was. Overall, this gets 3 stars. ...more
Cold Sacrifice by Leigh Russell – A Detective Ian Peterson Mystery- is a 2014 William Morrow – Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of tCold Sacrifice by Leigh Russell – A Detective Ian Peterson Mystery- is a 2014 William Morrow – Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Ian Peterson gets his own series and this first installment is a good beginning for the detective.
Ian and his team are working the case where a woman was found stabbed to death, and the husband, who is hardly the grieving widower, is the primary suspect.
Ian is also struggling mightily with his personal life, since his marriage to Bev is already on the rocks. But, Ian is determined to make the marriage work, so he continues to work this case as hard as he can so he can get a promotion, which would relocate him and Bev to York, where perhaps the distance from her disapproving family could help strengthen the marriage.
The further Ian delves into the case, the stranger the situation gets. The prime suspect begins to look more and more guilty, but finding the proof is elusive. Meanwhile, the suspect, is quite aware he is a person of interest, which has him trying to cover all his bases, but is he really the killer? Or was there another more sinister plot afoot?
Sending Ian off with a series of his own was a bit of a risky move. I loved him when he was paired up with Geraldine and was curious how this would play out in both series. The plot of this one was almost darkly comical as paranoia took hold causing a series of events to unfold that never would have otherwise. However the crime solving aspects were not as strong as it needed to be. For me the personal drama in Ian's life was more in focus than the mystery, and I believe this was most likely done in order to get Ian placed in York and with his new title and promotion. I'm not sure if this part of his life will continue to be a big part of future installments or if the stories will become more focused on the crime solving. I do hope the next book will have a bit more of a balance between the two, or that the murder mystery will have a strong enough plot line in order to compete adequately with Ian's personal dramas and demons. Having said that, I often feel the first book in a series has a weaker storyline due to the time spent getting everything set up for the future, and hopefully more meaty, releases. I think the series will even out as time goes on. Leigh Russell is a gifted author and Ian is a character you already know if you have been reading the Geraldine Steel series, so you should be able to just jump right in. Ian is a very different character from Geraldine making his style unique, but also this series will give his character a chance to develop more and I am certainly curious to see what direction Ian's career and personal life will take once he assumes his role as Inspector and moves to York. This book gives us the insight we need into Ian's life both from a personal and work perspective and is a solid enough beginning to this series. Over all I give this one 3.5 stars rounded to 4. ...more
The Fourth Secret by – An Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri is a 2014 Open Road Media Publications. I was provided a copy of this book The Fourth Secret by – An Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri is a 2014 Open Road Media Publications. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was invited to review this one and since I love mysteries I agreed to read and review. So, as I went to put the book in my “to read” shelf I noticed there many titles in this series and this book was translated into English from Spanish. I believe I it right that this book was originally published in 2002. This does explain a lot of things the reader might wonder about such as the mention of VCR players and only one small reference to a cell phone. I thought it was kind of funny and it didn't have an effect on the story. This is a short tale involving a string of deaths at construction companies. “Six dead in the workplace in one month in the province of Montelusa is quite a number.” Once the inspector is notified, a bit too late to prevent another death, he begins to wonder what is going on and why. The death rate did seem really high. “Was anyone keeping track? Yes, every now and then , somebody did, and then some contrite face of a newscaster would announce to the entire world how that was certainly a high number, however, it was within the average of the European Union. And now on to sports. Thank you and come again.”
I thought some of the dialogue was pretty funny, I don't know if that was intentional or not. I had no trouble following along with the story, but while I am no expert on translations, I did have to wonder at some of the dialogue. Did this character actually speak this way or was it a bad translation? I really do think the translation was a little off . Overall, for being unfamiliar with the series, and with this one being a really short read, I don't know if I picked up on all I should have but I caught enough of the character developments to pique my interest in reading a longer novel in the series somewhere down the road. This is certainly not the story you want to start out with. I was on the fence with this one but to be fair I am going to sit down in the middle of the road and go with a 3....more
Staring at the Light by Francis Fyfield is an April 2014 William Morrow/HarperCollins publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisherStaring at the Light by Francis Fyfield is an April 2014 William Morrow/HarperCollins publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Sarah Fortune is involved in the case of Cannon and Julie a couple trying to keep themselves out of trouble which means keeping Cannon away from his deranged brother, Johnny. Cannon spent time in prison, but he is out now and married trying to live a normal life. He is an artist that escapes his demons by immersing himself in his work. But, his brother needs him, not only to help him continue his evil deeds, but because of his strong bond with Cannon. Johnny is not pleased that Cannon has removed himself from his life and the reason Cannon is so eager to avoid Johnny is not just his fear of prison, but his love for his wife, so Julie could be a prime target for Johnny's version of kicks and giggles. So, Sarah's aunt comes to the rescue by sheltering Julie and Cannon. But, no one could guess at the depths Johnny would go to destroy Julie and be reunited with his brother so he can have him all to himself again. Even Sarah's lover, William, a dentist, gets pulled into the plot ( no pun intended). Trust me, this is a really tense situation. Most of us have at least a little bit of a nervous feeling when we must go to the dentist. So, you just imagine what is going to happen. As it turns out Johnny boy has terrible teeth and a paralyzing fear of dentist. Johnny is one of the most twisted villians I've read about in some time. Whew! This one is a knee knocker, a white knuckler, and a break out in a cold sweat type thriller. Sarah's character is hard to figure out . She is very independent, and quite confident despite her inabilty to really settle down. William just another one of her quirky lovers that may or may not be around for long. Her relationship with her boss is a bit strained too , but Sarah doesn't really seemed too moved by his anger. Some part of you will wonder at the clients Sarah seems to always become involved with and her going above and beyond in her role as attorney. For those who have previously read Francis Fyfield you will have an idea as to what to expect, but for those who are new to this author beware that these novels can depict extreme violence against women. This novel was originally published in 2012 I think but William Morrow is releasing it in digital format in April. I always like to see this happen. Any book released in Hardcover or paperback only, that gets new life in digital format is always a good thing. Frances Fyfield has another series as well and it too is being released in digital format. If you like dark, tense, psychological thrillers you don't want to miss this one!! You'll dread what's on the next page while compulsively turning them as fast as you can. Overall this one is an A....more
The Red Hot Fix- A Justice Novel by T. E. Woods is a 2014 Random House Ablibi Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and NetThe Red Hot Fix- A Justice Novel by T. E. Woods is a 2014 Random House Ablibi Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in the Justice series. I did not read the first book and I think it would be a good idea to read it before you start this one, but it's not absolutely necessary. The story picks up about a year after "The Fixer" killings. Mort is back in his element in the Seattle PD. Mort's son, Robbie, is hitting the big time after his true crime book hit the bestseller list and Hollywood has expressed interest in doing a movie based on his book. Mort still hasn't heard from his daughter and he is still grieving the death of his beloved wife, Edie.
"The Fixer" has had to start life over and just happens to run into a child pornography situation when she meets a young girl in the library. She and Mort are in communication with one another from time to time, each dealing with the fallout of what they went through previously and the guilt that comes with it, no matter how justified their actions were. Now, Seattle is dealing with a female serial killer who is killing the prostitute's customers. But, when a prominent professional sports owner is murdered and the scene is staged to look like the "Trxie" murders, Mort has his hands full. On a personal note, Mort finds himself attracted to a woman named Charlotte and while one part of him wished to pursue his feelings, the other part of him can't let go of Edie's memory.
This crime novel has a lot going on all at once. A serial killer, a ruthless business man that has made lots of enemies, and a child porn investigation. Although there are many plotlines and the story of Trixie was really creepy and tense, I felt that too much time was spent on the professional sports team story. Much of this could have been cut down and we still could have gotten the big reveal that shocks Mort to the core. The set up for this part of the story dragged on for too long and then the outcome was little too predictable. The child porn investigation is carried out by "The Fixer" ( Lydia) and a young girl's life is a stake making the option for legitimate law enforcement and social services impossible. This part of the book is very disturbing and all too close to the truth. It will turn your stomach and infuriate you all at the same time. I enjoyed this thriller and plan to go back and see how all this got started with Mort and "The Fixer". Overall this one is a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars....more
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