Haunting, distributing, atmospheric and educational - Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition is this and more.
From detailed source accouHaunting, distributing, atmospheric and educational - Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition is this and more.
From detailed source accounts comprising a bevy of topics (the nutritional value tinned cans as food aboard the ships, letters to the sailors from loved ones, and more), this chilling tale of the doomed Franklin Expedition to the Arctic to chart the North Passage is a historians and general interest readers' delight - despite the macabre and detailed exhumation of frozen corpses some 130years since being encased in ice.
Written in bite sized chunks, the authors maintain a constant and easy flowing narrative that takes the reader on a journey pre dating that of the 1845-48 expedition to provide context and depth to the troubles Franklin and co. faced during that ill-fated voyage to their icy graves. The later stages of the book detail the dangerous conditions of the Arctic in the 1980's, recreating that same bone chilling atmosphere that was prevalent throughout the 1840's and beyond.
While comprising a good amount of scientific terminology, Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition is easy to read and doesn't come across as heavy or cumbersome, that said - I did feel the need to read something lighter afterwards (the images of the frozen corpses on King William Island are graphic and could be quite confronting to the squeamish).
Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition has left me wanting to delve deeper into this solemn event and other expeditions like it.
he third installment in the Intrepid series (following DEFENDER and HUNTER) pits the black ops specialist Alex Morgan against an international people he third installment in the Intrepid series (following DEFENDER and HUNTER) pits the black ops specialist Alex Morgan against an international people trafficking ring who peddle unsuspecting young women as sex slaves to the wealthy.
AVENGER is a truer rendition of the crime genre as opposed to the previous installments which predominately focused on the thriller and action elements of international spy capers akin to big budget Hollywood-type blockbusters. That said, the action is still plentiful, it just doesn't take center stage.
The emphasis is clearly placed on the antagonist and her crafty deception as the front woman to a heinous criminal underworld movement. I liked the approach author Chris Allen took with this, flipping the script on its head and indulging in the unexpected to define her back-story and subsequent business methodology. The mantra is consistent; cruelty for cash, catering to any dangerously perverted desire.
Series protagonist Alex Morgan once again finds his 'Intrepid girl' - the theme playing out like that of the Bond books (which is a good thing by the way) while also finding a deeper sense of survival and calm among conflict.
The Intrepid series, and the latest installment AVENGER will appeal equally to readers of Ian Fleming's Bond books and Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series.
DRIVEN, the sequel to the highly entertaining DRIVE starts with a bang as Driver's partner is brutally gunned down and Driver himself attacked by a coDRIVEN, the sequel to the highly entertaining DRIVE starts with a bang as Driver's partner is brutally gunned down and Driver himself attacked by a couple of hired thugs. That sort of blistering opening really set the scene for what should have been a bloody story of revenge filled with heartache and pain - and ultimately, satisfying revenge; a form of judge, jury and executioner rolled into one big pile of cordite smelling vendetta. Unfortunately, things didn't quite turn out how I had hoped.
For me, the audio book was greatly hindered by James Sallis's writing style. DRIVEN doesn't have chapters, making it difficult to find a definitive change of perspective and/or place setting. Narrator Paul Michael Garcia also didn't handle the different characters well making it hard to distinguish between who was who and what was dialog verse internal thought verses narrative. However, the narration did improve towards the later stages of the book - either that or I got used it...
Narrator aside, DRIVEN didn't work for me due to the repetitive nature of the plot; Driver survives an attempted murder, beats-up some bad guys, drives around, reminisces on the past - repeat until ending.
I had such high hopes for DRIVEN given the way it started. Unfortunately the beginning is where it ended for me. ...more
DOLL FACE encapsulates all that is horror in a short, sharp-paced novel that never fails to raise goose bumps and shorten the breath using pulse poundDOLL FACE encapsulates all that is horror in a short, sharp-paced novel that never fails to raise goose bumps and shorten the breath using pulse pounding scare tactics and in-you-face gruesome and gore.
What DOLL FACE lacks, however, is editing. Whilst the novel itself is comparably short when measured up against its modern day horror genre counterparts, the repetitive teen-type horror antics seemingly more prevalent in the late 1990's and early 2000's horror-as-a-pop-culture boom do grow tiresome. After all, there are only so many 'turn a corner and see something horrible and run away' scenes you can fit into a single flowing narrative.
That said, those scenes were very well written and really did capture that shock and awe/scare moment perfectly. I can't help but think their impact would've been more had there been less of them.
As far as the story itself, the horror aspects did tend to lean towards a combination of Silent Hill (the movie) and generic survival horror. The blend was there, the mix of characters, however, didn't do all that much for me as I struggled to feel any emotion towards them.
DOLL FACE has flashes of brilliance marred by stretches of monotonous horror.
PLUNDER OF THE SUN (first published 1949) is good old fashioned pulp with substance. It takes the reader on a cross continent journey full of mystery,PLUNDER OF THE SUN (first published 1949) is good old fashioned pulp with substance. It takes the reader on a cross continent journey full of mystery, intrigue, broads and bullets - and some murder to liven (or deaden) things a little.
I've been reading books about smugglers recently (see The Hong Kong Caper) and wanted to delve back into the dangerous world of Al Corby; a grifter with penchant for private detecting (on the wrong side of the law in most cases). As far as re-reads go, this one still felt fresh and was even better the second time around (granted I did read this 5yrs ago).
The plot is pretty simple and that's part of the attraction, allowing the characters to develop and assume roles in a more fleshed out and realistic capacity. Given the page count (a tick over 200) this is sign of a well written book.
I won't give much away as it's easy to spoil the mystery to prospective readers but I will say, PLUNDER THE SUN has loads of twists and turns - everyone isn't necessarily who they seem. ...more
Comprising a gentle dose of humor deftly mixed in the world of professional thievery, Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series is a lighter shade of Comprising a gentle dose of humor deftly mixed in the world of professional thievery, Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series is a lighter shade of crime fiction which also caters to those readers who like tension and a constant threat of violence on the horizon.
Bernie owns a bookstore and has seemingly given up the life of crime. However, when presented with a nice payday to retrieve a valuable book from a semi-serious collector, he can't refuse.
From that point forward, THE BURGLAR WHO LIKED TO QUOTE KIPLING is very much a classic whodunit as suspects fall and others emerge. It's a buyers market for death, little alone the item in question.
I've been reading some heavy crime fiction and some rather bleak non-fiction and found this book to be a light read, just at the time when I was needing one.
Additionally, THE BURGLAR WHO LIKED TO QUOTE KIPLING is the third book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series and is new-reader-friendly, another tick in my book.
The Troubles series featuring Detective Inspector Sean Duffy, a Catholic cop in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland continues to be one of the best reads The Troubles series featuring Detective Inspector Sean Duffy, a Catholic cop in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland continues to be one of the best reads in crime fiction. Not only does the plotting run deep, it's a series that envelopes the reader in period brimming with danger and death.
I HEAR SIRENS IN THE STREET starts off in similar fashion to the standard crime novel before morphing into something much more involved with Duffy stumbling upon the murder of a male - his remains found in a suitcase. From there it's a matter of Q&A and good old fashion detective work until the case is either solved or the peelers draw a blank.
What makes this series so good is the plot threads that formulate from this murder investigation and the glimpse into the lives of the peelers themselves; from suicide, marital problems, promotion, and demotion - Duffy's comrades in arms are as lively as the main character himself.
Like THE COLD COLD GROUND, the audio experience has brought a new feeling of continuity and familiarity with these characters that I think may not be as prevalent in print. Narrator Gerard Doyle once again proves he's the perfect fit for this series putting in another flawless performance. Doyle both compliments and enhances the novel.
Jo, a single mother held captive in her own home by a deranged admirer, Claudio - a former high school acquaintance with delusions of love is forced tJo, a single mother held captive in her own home by a deranged admirer, Claudio - a former high school acquaintance with delusions of love is forced to reevaluate her sense of self, taking a hard look in the proverbial mirror in order to stay alive and come to terms with the decisions that have left her vulnerable.
With twists that turn the stomach, Jo's trials and tribulations of twenty years ago are revisited, her pain a pleasure for her captor. A conceptually well executed form of localised survival horror made real by the easiness of the household confinement and uncertainty of finding love in strange places.
The occasionally repetitive nature of the novel is broken by way of flashback sequences via rediscovered diaries. Being trapped in a room and provoked into violent acts by a madman over the course of a number of days doesn't give the author much room to write diversity into the plot, yet author Louise Voss manages to keep Jo's plight interesting and entertaining.
THE VENUS TRAP is good without being great. Initially I thought it would follow a similar path to the plot in KILLING CUPID, yet THE VENUS TRAP focuses more in providing the reader with a fully formed three dimensional view of Jo; her past, present and future all lay bare along a journey of survival and perseverance. She's a character readers will grow to like despite her flaws.
he second book in the Schattenreich series, SHAKY GROUND further explores the unique and unpredictable character dynamics established in its predecesshe second book in the Schattenreich series, SHAKY GROUND further explores the unique and unpredictable character dynamics established in its predecessor, PRIMARY FAULT (review link below). Caitlin, her love interest Hagan, her brother Gus, and many more are the epicenter of SHAKY GROUND and the glue that binds the fantastical within this fictitious reality.
Unlike PRIMARY FAULT, the plot devise is largely one comprising of constant drama rather than a definitive mystery. Caitlin, a strong character in PRIMARY FAULT requires mollycoddling and a lot of attention from the other characters throughout proceedings which was at times to the detriment of the concept behind the series.
I got the impression that SHAKY GROUND was moving into the YA-ish supernatural/other worldly romance and suspense genres - whilst this was hinted in the earlier installment, it's more pronounced here; which is fine, but not really my thing.
I enjoyed elements of SHAKY GROUND but really struggled to get past Caitlin's needy nature. She's critical to the series and aptly portrayed in that vein, however the constant need for someone to care for her be it Gus, Hagan, Heinrich, or Sebastian was a distraction from the otherworldly side of the equation which wasn't given enough page time.
Readers who enjoy supernatural suspense and romance will no doubt enjoy this book. ...more
OF BLONDES AND BULLETS is the classic wrong-man noir written with a touch of pulp that is a readers delight for the genre junkies. Author Michael YounOF BLONDES AND BULLETS is the classic wrong-man noir written with a touch of pulp that is a readers delight for the genre junkies. Author Michael Young exemplifies the hallmarks of the dark and disturbingly devilish Goodis-themed plot elements to formulate a swift ever-changing tale that takes readers from the depths of icy water rescues to bullet ridden bloodied bodies.
Henry is a man in the right place, at the right time - or wrong as it turns out. Having seemingly saved a young woman from drowning he's quickly pulled into the escapades of the underworld. When a couple of thugs brutalize him and threaten his partner - Henry's life is turned upside down with death a cold reality. Despite his dire predicament, Henry chooses to keep fighting, given an inch as well as taking it; perseverance in the face of adversity personified.
Author Michael Young never misses a beat, as this fast moving plot and deadly characters come to life as they attempt to end each others. Henry is cleverly displaced from normalcy into a world of pain - the transition from hero to self sustaining soldier is seamless.
Easily read in a single sitting, OF BULLETS AND BLONDES is the perfect read for a short, sharp dose of noir.
MATESHIP cleverly and concisely chronicles the colorful Australian colloquialism from it's early iteration and kindred-spirit like inception in early MATESHIP cleverly and concisely chronicles the colorful Australian colloquialism from it's early iteration and kindred-spirit like inception in early settler outback folklore through to the patriotism-inspired political wordplay commonplace in the Hawke and Howard Governments.
Author Nick Dtrenfurth goes to great lengths, extensively researching and unearthing propaganda material from WWI, poetry, literature, and film references to mateship - what it means, how it's perceived, how it segregates and units gender/races.
I found a lot of the material interesting and insightful. Mateship is ambiguous and can hold differing meaning for individuals all varying by their independent association of the word largely driven by their predicament and/or walk(s) of life.
MATESHIP details the broad and at times over-inflated use of the term for both the honest (support a mate who is down on his luck) and slightly skewed (war time propaganda or as a mechanism to dredge early Union membership drives) purpose though maintaining a neutral stance.
Clocking in at a tick over 200pgs, MATESHIP is easily readable, coming across more like a series of essays with linked themes segued from chapter to chapter. Readers curious about the history and Australian adaptation of mateship should pick this up.
Despite being set on Christmas eve there is nothing festive about this noir from Daniel Boyd. In true-to-genre fashion, EASY DEATH pits criminals agaiDespite being set on Christmas eve there is nothing festive about this noir from Daniel Boyd. In true-to-genre fashion, EASY DEATH pits criminals against each other just as much as the law.
Yet, it's not all blood and violence - there are cleverly written scenes that show the bad guys in good light while moving away from the 'no honor among thieves' mentality. Contrary to the above, I know, but there is a nice balance between the expected and the not-so.
The plot revolves around a heist involving an armored truck on Christmas eve and spins off into smaller sub plots as we learn about the characters on both sides of the equation. The multiple POV chapters make each character come to life and provide an interesting perspective to the events that play pre, post and during the heist itself.
I couldn't put this book down and churned through the pages as I eagerly anticipated the outcome; Would they get away with it? Would the thieves survive or turn on each other? Read the book to find out.
My rating: 5/5 stars. I recently reread this book and loved it. The plotting is spot-on despite the constant switching of time-frames in and around the heist itself and the characters directly impacted/affected by the events. Highly recommend. ...more
The beauty in this book lies in its ambiguity. There is a clouded quality to THE ROOM's intended purpose that envelops the protagonist's plight in a sThe beauty in this book lies in its ambiguity. There is a clouded quality to THE ROOM's intended purpose that envelops the protagonist's plight in a shroud of mystery.
The stereotypical office environment with all the requisite accouterments and menial busybody duties are accounted within the anonymous agency setting. The dalliances doggedly executed by the office employees are easily transferable to any white collar environment. The buzz words, coffee breaks, subtle and overt politicking are realistic with a twist - Bjorn, an anomaly from reality that breads a strange form of undefined fiction.
Author Jonas Karlsson really captures the essence of the fishbowl-like setting and expands it to incorporate something that creates more questions than what it answers. Personally, it worked for me on all levels. From Bjorn's obsession with the 'room' to his co-workers reaction, to the fatalistic ending that can be interpreted in many forms - I couldn't stop reading and lapped up the story in a near single sitting.
QUARRY'S CHOICE is pure pulp fiction that holds true to the golden era of dime store paperbacks where murder, mayhem, sex and violence populated the pQUARRY'S CHOICE is pure pulp fiction that holds true to the golden era of dime store paperbacks where murder, mayhem, sex and violence populated the popular fiction of the time. Max Allan Collins doesn't sacrifice plot for cheap thrills or for the sake of exploitation though, rather, delicately weaving all those pulp elements into a single narrative that results in a finished and polished product of typical Quarry quality. ...more
AFTER I'M GONE is a crime mystery intertwined with a deep seeded family drama rotting at its core. Bambi married young; love at first sight. As soon aAFTER I'M GONE is a crime mystery intertwined with a deep seeded family drama rotting at its core. Bambi married young; love at first sight. As soon as Felix swept her off her feet there was no way she's was going to stand on solid ground again - how true that turned out to be.
Felix, one day, left abruptly, shattering Bambi's happily ever after fairy tale and leaving his young family to fend on a sum of money he'd progressively gathered through criminal enterprise. As hard as it was to loose Felix, Bambi was further broken by news of an affair Felix had been having with a dancer at his strip club. With Felix gone and the money dried up, the 'other woman' plays on Bambi mind, so much so, that her daughters become involved to the extent that things turn deadly.
Adopting a style not dissimilar to Megan Abbott, author Laura Lippman portrays a family riddled with bad luck and near fractured by damaging secrets while maintaining the classical whodunit theme in the background.
Using a present day setting to recount the murder of 'other woman' Julie Saxton years after her disappearance, ex policeman Sandy's calculated investigative skills bring the ghosts in the closets to the light of day as the cold case heats up. The time hoping is a great way to establish linkages between the crime and family drama plot elements while ensuring the pace keeps ticking along.
There's also a little easter egg for fans Laura Lippman's long standing PI series.
Crime is on the peripheral in BUTTERFLY SKIN as the author, Sergey Kuznetsov instead draws attention to his core group of characters and their subtly Crime is on the peripheral in BUTTERFLY SKIN as the author, Sergey Kuznetsov instead draws attention to his core group of characters and their subtly deliberate fusion with the darker elements of the novel - the Moscow serial killer.
I found this approach both refreshing and believable. Ksenia is a career driven young woman looking to further her professional aspirations in the journalistic and information technology fields in Russia. Running an online newspaper that regularly sits outside the top ranking, she concocts a plan to draw new readers by capitalizing on the fear associated with Moscow's yet to be captured serial killer. Aided by her co-worker Alexei and close friend Olya her venture brings instant fame and the unwanted attention of the killer.
Graphic, evocative, blatantly sexualised - BUTTERFLY SKIN is not for those easily put off by descriptive dissection, and explicit sexual acts (though this isn't overtly so, and is well within context). The novel, as I mentioned earlier isn't all about the heinous crime that binds the characters and drives their motives but it does loom omnipresent. This is a dark novel that should be read as such to fully appreciate how good it is.
This is the first book by Russian author Sergey Kuznetsov I've read and the only one I believe (though I could be wrong) that has been translated into English. Personally, I hope to read more.
Reading ASYLUM CITY provides the reader with a new perspective on crime. Not only does it expose the reader to new lawful processes (even within the fReading ASYLUM CITY provides the reader with a new perspective on crime. Not only does it expose the reader to new lawful processes (even within the fictitious landscape) but it introduces new rationale behind the crimes committed. In ASYLUM CITY the criminal elements are complex and are largely based on greed - a common enough element, yet when immigration, refugees, and other political factors come into play, ASYLUM CITY distances itself from the norm.
The characters aren't all they seem to be with hidden motives and personal agendas dictating their every move and lie.
When a likable Michal Poleg is found murdered in her apartment, a suspect is quickly determined yet, is quickly distanced from the investigation by virtue of a young African man stepping forward claiming to be the murderer.
Going in I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleased with the overall flow and pacing of the novel. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing while also dropping hints about the killers' true identity.
Overall, ASYLUM CITY is a great read if you're looking to diversity your crime fiction pallet. Whilst Liad Shoham does follow the stereotypical police procedural formula, I think the place setting and parallel plots give it enough depth to separate it from generic mainstream crime. ...more
A pairing of double murders, a vengeful killer on the loose, and a quiet town riddled with secrets and sin is the foundation for this 1943's period piA pairing of double murders, a vengeful killer on the loose, and a quiet town riddled with secrets and sin is the foundation for this 1943's period piece of crime fiction set in Port Fairy, a small coastal town in country Victoria, Australia.
THE PORT FAIRY MURDERS is the direct sequel to THE HOLIDAY MURDERS, however, as someone who hasn't read the first book, I'm glad to say it didn't hinder the reading experience. Author Robert Gott provides a brief summary of THE HOLIDAY MURDERS prior to delving into his latest installment centered around a small Melbourne Homicide Division which, while not comprehensive, does provide enough context to the characters and past events to form a broad understanding of where things are at, and, more importantly, why Detective Joe Sable is the crosshairs of a killer.
The plot comprises two distinct and independent threads which at first don't seem to have any reason to be incorporated in the same book, rest assured, they do converge and culminate in a criminally good fashion.
What really impressed me about THE PORT FAIRY MURDERS was the whodunit murder mystery that didnt give anything away accompanied by great characters who read 'real'. I enjoy books that keep me guessing and this did just that. I also loved the non conventional ending which hopefully leads to more stories of this interesting band of Melbourne Homicide police officers.
"I feel the guilt and recriminations still. The line of the dead who accuse me at every turn of sleep, they come in silent dread, the eyes fixed on me"I feel the guilt and recriminations still. The line of the dead who accuse me at every turn of sleep, they come in silent dread, the eyes fixed on me as I twist and moan in vain hope of escape. So I drink."
If there is one author I turn to when I want to read a readers book, it's got to be Ken Bruen. His Jack Taylor series is poetic poison in a purely positive way. His perennial drunk and drug addled private investigator is a book junkies binge of choice. Not only are the Jack Taylor books laced with evocative quotes such as the above, but they absorb the imagination, drowning it in whisky to lull the senses before smacking it in the face with heart racing coke - kind of like Jack himself.
The third installment THE MAGDALEN MARTYRS continues Jack's downfall while still providing glimpses of goodness. The two distinct cases he investigates includes the search of the sadistic 'Angel of the Magdalen' for a local hardman who was introduced in the previous book - second to this quest for belated vengeance is a murder investigation - or rather, a presumed murder, with a young man questioning his fathers death and pointing the finger at his own estranged mother. Two different cases which get the same ad-hoc PI treatment Jack's known for.
Ken Bruen is a master at putting his most renowned character through the blender and, as you'd come to expect, Jack gets the same treatment here; a lover with a touch of crazy, a friend with a touch of death, a recovery undone by temptation. THE MAGDALEN MARTYRS is pitch perfect Bruen.
Continuing on from THE GUARDS, my rereading of Ken Bruen's penultimate series continues to bare fruit with THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS being another toContinuing on from THE GUARDS, my rereading of Ken Bruen's penultimate series continues to bare fruit with THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS being another top read.
Jack progresses from mere alcoholic with a good natured if somewhat destructive personality to a full blown drug addict - coke the poison which pumps it's devilishly smooth disguised death in his very veins. It adds another affliction to the already well afflicted - and that's part of the charm isn't it? Jack's not meant to be a nice man, he's not meant to be the copper you run to. No. He's the bloke at the bar you go to when the bottom of the barrel has turned you down. Yet, he gets results - and in THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS he does just that.
Of course, this wouldn't be a Bruen novel if some claret didn't get spilled along the way. Enter a serial killer hell bent on murdering tinkers (oh there's a nice wee twist to this one) and a deranged maniac taking heads off swans and Jack's got a bit on his plate - plus the drinking and drugging, as well as the odd relationship with a lass and befriending a cop from London. Despite Jack being pulled in so many directions, Ken Bruen keeps it all on point, allowing each thread to overlap and merge with no another to form a greater narrative.
THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS is a fantastic sophomore outing for Jack Taylor.
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