Mini Reviews

A quick look at what I've been reading lately, with an excerpt from the publisher's synopsis (in black) and my thoughts (in purple).

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans 

In the wake of personal tragedy, Christine and Paul meet on a humanitarian mission in Peru. They must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust and love again.

Above average love story.  Particularly enjoyed the detail of life in the Peruvian jungle.  

Sharp Objects by Jillian Flynn

Camille’s assignment from the newspaper where she works takes her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.  As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. 

Every bit as disturbing and unsettling as Gone Girl.  Won't quite mess you up for life, but it will sure stick with you.

An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham 

Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family.  In the midst of a sibling shouting match, a stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman, or something far more unexpected. The MacDougals take a leap of faith, but when another stranger arrives, they don't know which of them to believe. One of these men can't be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.

Not as fast-paced as it could be, but I love the slightly un-resolved ending.  A twist on the typical feel-good Christmas story. 

Live by Night by Dennis Lahane  

The '20s are roaring, liquor is flowing, bullets are flying, and one man sets out to make his mark on the world.  Joe Coughlin has graduated from a childhood of petty theft to a career in the pay of the city's most fearsome mobsters.  Joe's climb up the ladder of organized crime takes him from Jazz Age Boston to Tampa's Latin Quarter to the streets of Cuba. 

Not up to what I expect from Lehane.  Ho-hum plot moves agonizingly slow at times.  2 stars for story, bonus star because he's usually one of my favorite authors.

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, Lula and all the cast of crazies . . . yada yada yada.  Decent story, no progress.

Silent Night by Deanna Rayborne 

Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together.  Amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories. 

Novella that I really didn't care for but I'm blaming myself.  The story was more about the characters, with whom you need to be familiar, than the mystery.  Poor choice of places to jump into a series.

The Boddy in the Snowbank by Jenna Bennett  

A short story based around the classic game of Clue.  Published on
Smashwords.

It had complete sentences and paragraphs and stuff.

The Golden Spiders by Rex Stout

Why has the brilliant sleuth, Nero Wolfe, taken a case for $4.30?  And  why were his last two clients murdered? Archie Goodwin goes undercover as a mortician to find out. And Wolfe ponders the cryptic clues: a gray Cadillac, a mysterious woman, a pair of earrings -- shaped like spiders and dipped in gold.

Classic.  Best sleuth ever written. 

Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler

An attack submarine capable of incredible underwater speeds. Nothing else in any other nation’s naval arsenal even comes close. One problem: A key element of the prototype is missing—and the man who developed it is dead.  It is up to NUMA director Dirk Pitt and his team to go on a desperate international chase to find the truth, from Washington to Mexico, Idaho to Panama. What they discover at the end of it is a much, much greater threat than even they imagined.

Dave and I read this together.  He ranked it a 3 on the scale of all Cussler's books.  I've only read one other, so couldn't really judge.  Plot was good, quick pace, unique story.  But I couldn't get past the narrative changing perspective mid-paragraph.  One sentence calls the hero, Dirk Pitt, by name (as in "Dirk ran up the gangplank." - only, you know, better than that) The next sentence of the same paragraph refers to "he" ("He grabbed the binoculars.") But "he" isn't Dirk - it's a totally different guy on a totally different ship.  Very disconcerting - not to mention confusing.  So it gets 2 stars from me.

Murder, Monsters & Mayhem - Week 1

Fridays in October will be devoted to update posts for Murder, Monsters and Mayhem (hereafter referrred to as Mx3).  Mx3, hosted by Jenn @ Jenns Bookshelves, is a month-long celebration of all things spooky or scary.  My plan is to review one book and one movie each week - along with whatever recipes, crafts, etc might pop up.

First up:  Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn -- Genre: Thriller

     On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary.  Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River.  Passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge.  Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 
   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife?  And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
   
Another reviewer commented on how hard it is to review this book without including spoilers, and I agree.  It's a complicated, twisting plot - so I'm just going to leave you with the publisher's blurb above, and my endorsement that this book will keep you turning pages and leave you wondering -- even after you've finished reading.  I gave it 4 of 5 stars and recommend it for all fans of psychological thrillers - especially those, like myself, with no stomach for blood and guts. 

Movie #1: Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, starring James Stewart (1948)

Hitchcock's movies have long been some of my favorites - especially Rear Window - so I was excited to find one I hadn't seen yet.  Unfortunately, I was considering finding my own rope about half-way through this one.  Only Jimmy Stewart's presence kept me from giving up completely.  

Rope is the story of two college buddies who murder another college friend just to prove their mental superiority, then continue to flaunt their supposed intelligence by hosting a dinner party for the victim's parents and girlfriend while the body is stowed in an antique chest in the same room.  Jimmy Stewart plays a former college mentor who had unwittingly encouraged the two murderers with theoretical discussions of the perfect crime.  

The only interesting things about the film were a couple of behind-the-scenes tidbits.  The movie was adapted by Hume Cronyn from the play by Patrick Hamilton, and is shot with long takes and edited to appear as one continuous shot - much like watching a one-act play.  Beyond these two oddities, the movie has little to recommend it.  The action is slow and relies heavily on the dialog - a style I usually enjoy - but the dialog is stilted (even for upper class 1948 society).  The plot is interesting on the surface, but it couldn't hold up for 80 minutes.  Overall, a disappointment that I wouldn't recommend.

And, finally, on the "fun" side of horror - The Munsters and the Great Camera Caper - a mid-elementary level book from 1965, based on the television show.  This was one of five pop-culture books I nabbed at a second-hand store recently. 

This is a fun story with cute illustrations.  It stays true to the characters from the TV show and their slap-stick style black humor.  Sadly, it wouldn't translate well to a new generation.  The characters are barely described, assuming that the reader is already familiar with them. It would leave today's 4th grader confused.  But, as a fan of the show, and of the correct reading age not long after this was published, I got a kick out of the trip down memory lane.  

Stop by Jenn's Bookshelves for reviews of all types Halloween-related genres of books and movies, author interviews, guest posts, and prizes.