Well done, but depressing. Harry usually is, though. I'm really impressed that Connelly has kept up his standards. He's aged Harry very well & that reWell done, but depressing. Harry usually is, though. I'm really impressed that Connelly has kept up his standards. He's aged Harry very well & that really helped keep up the tension at the end. Renee Ballard's part was well done & I liked the way her POV often matched my own, especially at the end. (view spoiler)[The breadcrumbs Harry left led me to the conclusion that Connelly was going to kill him off, the same fear she had. He didn't, but his time is very limited now. Unfortunately, that also led to the one really discordant note - the way Harry kept his final pills, loose in a drawer. I just can't see that. (hide spoiler)]
The narration was particularly good with 3 different narrators. One was Titus who does Harry so well & the other was a gal who voiced Ballard's part as well. The third was another guy with a smaller part, but he was just as good. ...more
I liked this better than the last team up, but it wasn't as good as most of his earlier ones. He's gone a little too Hollywood for me. At least the plI liked this better than the last team up, but it wasn't as good as most of his earlier ones. He's gone a little too Hollywood for me. At least the plot didn't have the huge plot holes of the last. Lettie makes an annoying cameo appearance which didn't help. Good narrator....more
Another disappointment. There's a new narrator who does an excellent job & an interesting plot, but it's just ridiculous. Lettie, the youngest & leastAnother disappointment. There's a new narrator who does an excellent job & an interesting plot, but it's just ridiculous. Lettie, the youngest & least experienced agent is given control of an operation & far more experienced agents in a ridiculous series of gun fights & detective work that would make even a Hollywood thriller writer groan.
Sandford has had a great run. Over 30 novels in a series that regularly got 3 & 4 stars from me, but he's apparently run the series out & hasn't quit while ahead. That's a shame. I see he has another book in the Prey series out with another planned after that. I'm not sure if I'll bother to read them....more
I haven't posted any books read this year, but I've been rereading the entire Prey & Virgil Flowers series in chronologicaI was terribly disappointed.
I haven't posted any books read this year, but I've been rereading the entire Prey & Virgil Flowers series in chronological order. I was excited to find this & almost jumped on it immediately, but waited until I'd caught up; the better to savor it.
It follows the typical formula, included many great recurring characters, & it was narrated by Richard Ferrone - all great. The action & all were top notch with touches of dry humor sprinkled in. Excellent! Should have been another 3 or 4 star read! BUT... The plot had some huge holes that were like a case of poison ivy. (I'll put them under a spoiler tag below.) A lot of people can ignore them judging by the high star reviews. I don't know how. They were an immediate false note & just got worse throughout the book which ultimately left me feeling really let down since it's the twisty plot that makes each book unique & allowed me to enjoy almost 3 dozen in a row. When the plot makes no sense, it just falls apart.
(view spoiler)[These people were so methodical about everything & yet no one addressed the financial disparity between Joa (sp?) & the 5. They're billionaires & she's flat broke. Apparently she set all this up from the goodness of her heart. I can't believe it.
Everyone of them has made plans to bug out in case they get caught except her. Our noses are rubbed in this every time one of them gives her cash from their bug-out kit. She set up a false identity, moved out of her house, & yet made no provisions for running. I can't believe it.
She then drives around the country to collect cash from each. Why?!!! Bit Coin is an anonymous, electronic payment & they're giving a Bit Coin per hit away, but none is paid to her. She has to collect cash? I can't believe it. It bugged me more each time she was in danger or the hardships of her trek were described. I could deal with the first cash payment, but once she had that, she should have been in hiding collecting the rest electronically. (hide spoiler)]
Sandford delivered his typical, good story with the heart ripped out of it. I'm very disappointed. ...more
Another fun entry in the series, but pretty much the same. Fun, a cozy mystery well narrated by Grover Gardner. The book is very self-contained, so giAnother fun entry in the series, but pretty much the same. Fun, a cozy mystery well narrated by Grover Gardner. The book is very self-contained, so give it a shot if you want something that has no other redeeming qualities than being an enjoyable, relaxing read.
Merged review:
Another fun entry in the series, but pretty much the same. Fun, a cozy mystery well narrated by Grover Gardner. The book is very self-contained, so give it a shot if you want something that has no other redeeming qualities than being an enjoyable, relaxing read....more
This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & excellent attention to the realities of war, although the hyperbole factor was quite high. The best fighters were also the rulers, so they tended to continually put themselves in harm's way. Kind of silly, like Kirk & the command crew of the Enterprise, but fun.
While the world is one with magic, there are other dimensions of which ours is one, so a few characters, 2 of the main ones, are from our world. That added a lot to the story. Not everyone was good or bad, either. While Good & Evil were forces in the world, some people were occasionally jerks & got put in their place. Very well done.
I can't say I was in love with the reader, but he didn't ruin it either. It was a bit more of a production than I like. Different voices for each character & some were hard to hear, the voice was low. The Hightowers were great. They sounded like Sean Connery & made me think of Highlander, which fit perfectly.
This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & excellent attention to the realities of war, although the hyperbole factor was quite high. The best fighters were also the rulers, so they tended to continually put themselves in harm's way. Kind of silly, like Kirk & the command crew of the Enterprise, but fun.
While the world is one with magic, there are other dimensions of which ours is one, so a few characters, 2 of the main ones, are from our world. That added a lot to the story. Not everyone was good or bad, either. While Good & Evil were forces in the world, some people were occasionally jerks & got put in their place. Very well done.
I can't say I was in love with the reader, but he didn't ruin it either. It was a bit more of a production than I like. Different voices for each character & some were hard to hear, the voice was low. The Hightowers were great. They sounded like Sean Connery & made me think of Highlander, which fit perfectly.
I vaguely recall reading some short Ellery Queen stories many years ago & seeing a few episodes of a TV series that was kind of fun, so when I saw my I vaguely recall reading some short Ellery Queen stories many years ago & seeing a few episodes of a TV series that was kind of fun, so when I saw my library had these as audio books, I thought I'd give them a try. I listened to a bit of the narration & really liked it, but I was ultimately terribly disappointed. 1.5 stars is the best I can do. I'm giving it 2 stars simply so I'll give another a try in the future.
To sum it up in a word - misogynistic. Coming from me, that's damning. It's not a word I use often since I don't think it is used properly most of the time. This book was published in 1967, but it's #31 in the series. The first was published in 1929, so I don't expect women to be treated equally. That's the times, but this story went out of its way to denigrate women. Boob size, pretty faces, & riches were their measure & the core of the story line. It was taken for granted that they were otherwise too stupid to tie their shoe laces, save for one ugly old lady who was quite savvy & kept very secondary.
Also (I will not say worse, although it should be, so that gives you an idea how bad the misogyny was.) the big mystery was obvious about 2/3 of the way through. The last third dragged while Ellery brooded about it & then brings it to light at the very end at the worst possible moment. If I was the Scot, I'd have broken his nose.
I have #7 The Siamese Twin Mystery & might try that at a future date, but it had better be a lot better or I won't finish it. I barely made it through this one as I kept waiting for some sort of great ending. I didn't get it. My recommendation is to skip it.
Merged review:
I vaguely recall reading some short Ellery Queen stories many years ago & seeing a few episodes of a TV series that was kind of fun, so when I saw my library had these as audio books, I thought I'd give them a try. I listened to a bit of the narration & really liked it, but I was ultimately terribly disappointed. 1.5 stars is the best I can do. I'm giving it 2 stars simply so I'll give another a try in the future.
To sum it up in a word - misogynistic. Coming from me, that's damning. It's not a word I use often since I don't think it is used properly most of the time. This book was published in 1967, but it's #31 in the series. The first was published in 1929, so I don't expect women to be treated equally. That's the times, but this story went out of its way to denigrate women. Boob size, pretty faces, & riches were their measure & the core of the story line. It was taken for granted that they were otherwise too stupid to tie their shoe laces, save for one ugly old lady who was quite savvy & kept very secondary.
Also (I will not say worse, although it should be, so that gives you an idea how bad the misogyny was.) the big mystery was obvious about 2/3 of the way through. The last third dragged while Ellery brooded about it & then brings it to light at the very end at the worst possible moment. If I was the Scot, I'd have broken his nose.
I have #7 The Siamese Twin Mystery & might try that at a future date, but it had better be a lot better or I won't finish it. I barely made it through this one as I kept waiting for some sort of great ending. I didn't get it. My recommendation is to skip it....more
Very much like the previous 2, just a continuation that's self-contained enough to stand on its own. While the story comes to a satisfying end, there'Very much like the previous 2, just a continuation that's self-contained enough to stand on its own. While the story comes to a satisfying end, there's certainly room for more books. ...more
It's a pretty good continuation of the first book, but definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Must be read in order, of course. I enjoyed it, bIt's a pretty good continuation of the first book, but definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Must be read in order, of course. I enjoyed it, but it didn't wow me. On to the third & final book of the trilogy....more
A hands on colonel at the end of his career is sent into a war zone to solve a mystery & winds up needing to clean up a much bigger mess. That's clearA hands on colonel at the end of his career is sent into a war zone to solve a mystery & winds up needing to clean up a much bigger mess. That's clearly going to happen from the first chapter, if you know anything about the military & it should be even if you don't. The setting is one of the US failed wars (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, leaning toward the last) that's been ported to a planet with a lot of similarities. For instance, it's a long journey away from HQ, but communications between the two are fairly quick if limited. The main base is in orbit, a few hour hop to the planet, & naval support are spaceships. It's all well done & the narrator did a fantastic job from the point of view of the main character.
One of the most popular reviews by a friend of mine only gave this 2 stars. (I HATE the new book page!!!) The reason given is that the motivations don't make sense nor does the mystery. I'm not sure how they missed either. They made perfect sense to me, especially given one of the scenes toward the end. It's not a very clean ending, but none of the wars it was modeled on were either. There are two more books in the trilogy, but they follow the main character of this book, Col. Butler. I suppose we'll never see all the bad guys rolled up with Truth & Justice prevailing, but that's just real life so I appreciated it in this novel. It was another mark of realism that raises this above the normal fare. I found it quite satisfying & am moving on to the next one....more
Lettie is basically Lucas with tits, which I expected, & there were enough nods to her sex to make her seem enough like a chip off the old block that Lettie is basically Lucas with tits, which I expected, & there were enough nods to her sex to make her seem enough like a chip off the old block that the resemblance didn't become a burden. In this, I think he did a better job than Connelly has done with Renee, a female version of Harry. (I really like & read Connelly's books as soon as they come out.)
The story was really good. I could certainly see the events depicted happening today. Hopefully we'll have a heroine & her trusty side kick available if they do. It's probably a question of when & I probably don't know about several attempts that have been stopped. It's that well done.
He also did a good job of working Letty's back story in. That's tough to do. He didn't bore me with it & I've read every book in the series in order, but there's enough meat in the flashbacks & explanations that you'll get a good picture of her even if this is the first book you've picked up. (If it is, I highly recommend reading the rest of his books in order. After book 17, start reading a Virgil Flowers book every other time. A lot of books, but worth it.)
Well narrated, as always, but Lettie is too good to be true. The story isn't 'just a little Hollywood', unfortunately. ...more
I tried to read this, but Jane is not my favorite character & this was just too much of the same thing that's been done in 8 previous books. I took a I tried to read this, but Jane is not my favorite character & this was just too much of the same thing that's been done in 8 previous books. I took a break, read a different book & came back to this one. Then i took another break & finally decided I'm not going to bother with it. Too many books, too little time left....more
Started off slow as Modesitt built a whole new world, but it came together fairly quickly. Full of politics & economics, both subjects that he excels Started off slow as Modesitt built a whole new world, but it came together fairly quickly. Full of politics & economics, both subjects that he excels at. He poses interesting issues that often parallel ours in some ways, but are just different enough that there's no way he's making this into a partisan debate of ours. I appreciate that since I'm sick of our politics.
His world is a steampunk one in some ways. It's fantasy due to a large minority of people having an empathic sense. There's nothing very magical about it & he clearly shows both its strengths & disadvantages as two bodyguards struggle to keep their councilor alive during a critical political period which lends some action to the story.
The politics revolve around a 3 party system where no individual councilor's vote is ever known. The reasoning behind that is really interesting. There are protesters demanding individual responsibility & they're quite effective. It will be interesting to see what they get up to in the next book.
The ending was predictable, but still well done. I'm not sure it was quite a 4 star read, but certainly more than 3 stars. Well narrated, as usual, too....more
I thought I read all the Quarry books narrated by Stephen Rudnicki, but somehow I missed this one. It was fun, but MAC took a few too many liberties wI thought I read all the Quarry books narrated by Stephen Rudnicki, but somehow I missed this one. It was fun, but MAC took a few too many liberties with reality for me. He starts out with a huge coincidence (view spoiler)[Quarry just happens to stake out the guy who is sent to kill him the exact time that the guy leaves to do so. (hide spoiler)] & then more mix things up like a bad conspiracy theory. (view spoiler)[We have Club Guy who bought the hit using the guy Quarry follows who happens to be working with an old flame of his. She is involved with another guy that just happened to be part of an exclusive group having a meeting at Club Guy's place. (hide spoiler)] It just got too unbelievable even with Rudnicki's wonderful narration & Quarry's snark.
It's no better than a 2.5 star read, but I'll round up to 3 stars. It's a fun series....more
Not a notable addition to the series for me, but still a pretty good start to the year's reading. The cases were good, but the details seemed like padNot a notable addition to the series for me, but still a pretty good start to the year's reading. The cases were good, but the details seemed like padding too often, especially that detailing the Covid masking. Harry showed up just enough & played some good parts, though. Well narrated with Titus Welliver doing Harry's dialogue while Christine Laskin did Renee's dialogue & the general narration. Unlike some others, I didn't find it too political.
I like Renee, even though she's pretty much just Bosch with breasts, but Connelly weighed her down too much for my liking. I just can't understand why she went so far above & beyond. I'm sure the problems he describes within the police department are all real ones for all officers & female ones especially. Still, it was just too much & I didn't care for the ending. (view spoiler)[The Chief of Police not only stopping by, but waiting patiently for her to ask her to take her badge back was just over the top. (hide spoiler)]
I've read this both in paperback & audiobook, too. This time I read it on my computer, something I almost never do. I'll skim an ebook, usually of a nI've read this both in paperback & audiobook, too. This time I read it on my computer, something I almost never do. I'll skim an ebook, usually of a nonfiction book to nail down some points, or read articles, but reading an entire fiction novel? It has to be short & incredibly good. This is both & yet I don't even like Parker, the main character. In fact, I rarely like any of the characters nor the way they make their living. I despise it. So how come I'm always rooting for Parker? I have no idea. He shows few hints of humanity, but those are fascinating.
"Payback" (1999) starring Mel Gibson is based on this novel & the first part follows it well. It set Porter's character up well early on pretty much the same way as the book. I really liked the humor added to it. James Coburn complaining that Porter was just mean for shooting his alligator luggage makes me LOL every time. Even Kris Kristopherson did well & he's not my favorite actor.
I'd seen the original release at least a couple of times when I got a chance to watch the Director's Cut. That really surprised me by changing quite a bit of the ending - the last 1/4 or maybe 1/3 of the movie. Very different, but every bit as good, maybe better.
There were 2 other movies made based on Parker that I've seen. "Point Blank" (1967) starring Lee Marvin is also based on this book & was really good. "Parker" (2013) starring Jason Statham is based on Flashfire (Parker #19). He just did his normal thing, so it was a fun action flick, but that's it. He's not really a 'Parker' type. Too much emotion. ...more
No rating since it could well be my mood. I'm not much for novels that expand on TV shows. For instance, I've never cared for the Star Trek or Star WaNo rating since it could well be my mood. I'm not much for novels that expand on TV shows. For instance, I've never cared for the Star Trek or Star Wars novels. I have read a Firefly novel & liked it, but this one just isn't blowing any wind up my skirt. I'm impatient with the constant backstory/explanations of the characters. I KNOW THEM. I don't need to be reminded 6 times in the first chapter why Mal takes the dodgy contracts....more
Gear has an interesting premise using quantum entanglement to create parallel universes & time travel which is told through a group of military psychiGear has an interesting premise using quantum entanglement to create parallel universes & time travel which is told through a group of military psychiatric patients barely managed by their shrink. As several others put it, they were a group of misfits, but high caliber ones, the best in their lines of work. I guess it's not surprising that he jumped the shark at times, but I expect better from him. Still the caricatures rested on a solid foundation, so it was fun, just a bit more like an action comic book than anything else of Gear's that I've read.
I see several reviewers objected to the displayed male chauvinism. IMO, that's part of the armed services & was true to life, somewhat understated if anything. The boys were typical of the breed, somewhat over-sexed & cocky as hell. The girls gave as good as they got, though. Golf tees & penises. Shudder! Maybe it's more of a guy book.
Well narrated & a fun break from the nonfiction I've been reading, but not one of Gear's best. ...more
An interesting Urban Fantasy (UF) world that starts off slowly, but gathered steam as it went. Likeable, quirky characters. Reminds me a lot of the eaAn interesting Urban Fantasy (UF) world that starts off slowly, but gathered steam as it went. Likeable, quirky characters. Reminds me a lot of the early Sookie Stackhouse books. Well narrated, too. I might read another at some point....more
Family is down & I escaped to do some mowing. Finished The Last Quarry & went on to the next, which is this one. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me eitherFamily is down & I escaped to do some mowing. Finished The Last Quarry & went on to the next, which is this one. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either since this really is about his first job for the Broker. Oh well, it's all in mindless fun, a snarky hitman who doesn't kill for pleasure, just for money.
The people he kills are already dead by the time he is contacted. Someone big wants them dead, so all that remains is the detail of who does it & how. He takes care of that detail & it's never as simple as he thinks it will be.
I really like the snarky references. He despises collateral damage, but he contemplates killing one guy since he was obviously trying to kill himself by driving a Corvair one of the cars featured in Unsafe at Any Speed. It was groundbreaking at the time & adds some fun to the story....more
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