Burnt House by Faye Kellerman

This the first time that I have read Faye Kellerman, and it was pretty good. I enjoyed it.
At 8:15 in the morning, a small commuter plane crashes into a apartment building. Rosanne Dresden's husband is trying to get compensation from her life insurance and from the airline. There isn't any proof that she was ever on this flight. Rosanne's body doesn't seem to be at the crash site, but another body as been found and it's been there for 30 years. It's interesting how they blend both cases.
PatM

Protect and Defend

By Vince Flynn

Mitch Rapp returns as America's top counterterrorism operative. Reading this all too real narrative about an international kidnapping makes me want to cheer Mitch on. I'm sure a lot of Americans would agree with the sentiments expressed regarding the treatment of our enemies.

This book is not for the squeamish. I liked it!

Skylight Confessions

By Alice Hoffman

This is a love story. Ms. Hoffman takes character, Arlyn Singer, and creates 3 generations of love lost, love found and love rejected in a most imaginative way.

If you believe that people can be drawn toward each other, then you will truly enjoy reading this book. Check it out today.

The Night Gardener

By George Pelecanos

The recent homicide of a teenager reminds cop Gus Ramone of a series of three deaths of young people 20 years ago.

Pelecanos does an excellent job of weaving this story of policemen and their jobs in a large city in this hard to put down mystery.

I believe there is also a film out by the same title which would be good to see as a lot of background info is provided in the book and helps the viewer to understand where the characters are coming from.

Another good one.

When Darkness Falls

By James Grippando

Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck is called to defend a homeless man who goes by the name Falcon. When the man comes up with $ 10,000 cash for bail and a murdered woman is found in his "home," an abandoned car, enter Miami-Dade police hostage negotiator Vince Paulo, police woman Alicia Mendoza, and Jack's friend Theo in a fast-paced mystery. Grippando does a terrific job of filling in the blanks to catch the reader up on prior events to explain what is happening now.

A good read and would make a good movie, I think. I liked it.

Lawman

By Diana Palmer

Secrets bring together FBI agent Garon Grier and next door neighbor Grace Carver. Mix in a serial child killer and the small protective community or Jacobsville and Diana Palmer weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue and romance.

This was a good story. I would probably read her again.

Proof Positive

By Phillip Margolin

A cast of characters including lawyer Doug Weaver, Vincent Ballard in a tale of riches to rags, forensic scientist Bernard Cashman, mobster/drug dealer Martin Breach and many others together making an intriguing tale of forensic science gone bad.

Margolin had me hooked from the Prologue, wanting to know "What's next?" and "Where can this go from here?" A good mystery/thriller. I recommend it.

Darkness Falls

By Kyle Mills

Erin Neal, 37 year old recluse, an expert in analyzing and preventing oil field disasters, is contacted by the government to solve a bacteria puzzle. The plot thickens as Erin struggles with past history to try to make sense of something he considered impossible.

The author keeps his story moving with lots of action, intrigue and surprises. I recommend it.

Queen of the Underworld

By Gail Godwin

Fresh out of college, Emma Gant travels to Miami to begin a journalism career as a reporter for the Miami Star. Godwin introduces many interesting characters throughout the narrative but they don't seem to go anywhere. this novel is a bit of fluff, not for the reader who likes "meat" in their pages.

I was disappointed.

The Bluest Eye

By Toni Morrison

Published in 1994, Ms Morrison's first novel, and recommended by Oprah's Book Club, Bluest Eye is a convoluted tale of angst, prejudice, and pain, the story of Pecola Breedlove, black and eleven years old.

Be sure to read the Afterword by the author as she explains and clarifies her writing.

I can't say I enjoyed reading Pecola's tale but it certainly made me think and feel, not a bad thing.

12/2007

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

By Dai Sijie

Translated from the french in 2001 - this little novel is delightful. Two "educated" city boys are sent to the country to live with peasants to be "re-educated." The reader gets a clear, concise and very sympathetic view of "those" times for these Chinese lads, still in their teens, their formative, clever years.

Would make a good book discussion group topic. I really liked it and was disappointed to reach the end.

12/2007

Power Play

By Joseph Finder

Mild-mannered Jake Landry, a junior executive with Hammond Aerospace, is drawn into a maelstrom of corporate intrigue. Jake goes from his ho-hum existence when he is thrown into this unlikely mix of CEO, Vice Presidents, Financial Executives, and an old flame who he misses a lot. Lots of intrigue, trust issues, excitement in nearly every chapter.

I really enjoyed reading Power Play. I had to stay up past my bed-time to finish this one.

12/2007

The Bone Garden

By Tess Gerritsen

Julia Hamill, recently divorced, tries to get on with her life by restoring a 130 year-old house and garden. when she digs up human remains in the flower garden, her life takes off on a tangent she never expected, involving the relatives of the former home-owner. Reconstruction of the previous owner's history leads to mystery, murder and intrigue with all the twists and turns of a good story.

Tess Gerristen is not an author I normally read, but this book is a good one.

12/2007

The Race

By Richard North Patterson

With an election year coming up, Richard Patterson appropriately sends Senator Corey Grace into the race for the Presidency. He has created a candidate who stands for everything an American would like to see in their choice for President of the United States. He also gives us an insider's view of the manipulation, the dirty tricks, and the power plays that one assumes takes place in reality. The reader wonders if Corey can remain true to his ideals.

This is the best political novel I have read to date, moving right along, keeping me interested. A real page turner. Check it out today.

12/2007

The Watchman

By Robert Crais

Fans of Lee Child - this is one I think you will like. Joe Pike, an ex-cop, ex-Marine, ex-mercenary, is driven, focused and won't back down from this new challenge. Pike's encounter with socialite Larkin Barkley, a sole witness in a federal investigation, leads the reader on a merry chase through the streets of Los Angeles, at speeds of 80 miles an hour through red lights. Add to this a mix of lies and betrayal.

Can't tell you too much - don't want to give the plot away.

Enjoy

12/2007

Cold Fire

By Dean Koontz

Published in 1991, Cold fire is still an intense thriller. Jim Ironheart finds himself inexplicably motivated to travel at a moments notice to answer a call from "life line," an inner voice telling him he is needed to rescue someone. Holly Thorne, a reporter for the Portland Express, witnesses one of these lifesaving events, and is attracted to this mild-mannered, blue-eyed, solitary mystery man.

What reader is not bound to Dean Koontz' spellbinding, suspenseful plots and this will not disappoint. If you have not read Cold Fire, then put it on your list to check out as soon as possible. If you have read it, it probably has been long enough that you would enjoy the re-reading of this mystery.

Settle down for a good night's read and enjoy.

12/2007

Blue River

By Michael Frederick

Michael Frederick has developed and polished his style of story telling since publishing "Ledges" (my first read of his). Eddie Dense is believable as a confused young man from Council Bluffs, searching for his life's meaning. Eddie and the characters around him are representative of middle class friends and family in the 21st century. Frederick ends with a twist that leaves you thinking "Oh no!"

A good read - the "Power of Positive Thinking" revisited.

12/2007

Digging to America

By Anne Tyler

This is a thought provoking novel by the author of "Breathing Lessons." What most Americans might consider a typical American couple, Bitsy and Doug Donaldson and Zedi and Sami Yazdan of Iranian descent but American citizens, adopt two little girls from Korea.

I couldn't put this book down. I had to consider aspects of parenting and adoption from new perspectives. the cliche' "We are a product of our environment" is disected and examined from members of each families generational experience with thoughts, feelings, actions and their insight into their personal lives exposed for the reader to consider.

A must read.

12/2007