Review: Sleeping Dog by Dick Lochte

Summary

SLEEPING DOG is ONE OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED CRIME NOVELS EVER.
A New York Times Book of the Year, A Nero Wolfe Award Winner

An Edgar Award Finalist, A Shamus Award Finalist and an Anthony Award Finalist

Named by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century.

This beloved, comedy-noir thriller teams up Leo Bloodworth, a hard-drinking, middle-aged Los Angeles PI with hypertension and a low tolerance for precious teenagers, with Serendipity Dahlquist, a bright and strong-willed roller-blading 14-year-old searching for her lost dog. But things quickly escalate, plunging the oddest of odd couples into the dark underworld of sunny Southern California and pitting them against one of the biggest, and most brutal, organized crime families in Mexico.

Review

Sleeping Dog by Dick Lochte, originally published in the mid 80s, is a testament of the timeless crime fiction noir that we don’t experience any longer. Details interchanged with minimal updates, it’s so hard to believe that considering the time it takes novelists today to complete a manuscript, this was originally only written in four months. 

Sarah, who you forget is a teen as you read, is definitely way beyond her years. Her quick wit, independence and youthful perspective blends well with the middle aged, PI Leo Bloodworth who is slightly impatient, beats to his own drum and relies on his instinct to give you moments that make you laugh out loud.

There is something about this book that has a nostalgic quality to it. Well crafted, subtle in the overt details, you get a good mystery that allows the reader to experience the story for itself. Alternating chapters, told from the perspective of two of the most incompatible people, you get a good novel with sophisticated plot twists and witty banter that will have you thoroughly entertained. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Publisher: Brash Books (September 2, 2014)

Review: The Stolen Dragon of Quanx: The Eyes Trilogy by Becca Mann

Summary

In Quanx, there is no hiding who you are.... In a land of tribes where people are defined by the color of their eyes, disaster is ready to strike. With peace barely hanging by a thread, the King of Vitchreonyo makes a risky decision. What he doesn't know is that his plan may not end how he thinks.... Then Kale, a fisherman's daughter, is trapped in a tunnel where she makes a shocking discovery. And that discovery may very well lead to the destruction of her entire world. Kale takes up a challenge of following a path forbidden to her in a race to save Quanx from a tribe of conniving dragons. With the help of three uncooperative companions, Kale must steal a dragon egg or die trying. The Stolen Dragon of Quanx is the first novel in The Eyes Trilogy, a compelling new series that will pull you into a fascinating world...and leave you breathlessly waiting for the sequel!

Review

The Stole Dragon of Quanx was an extremely creative story that obviously the author Becca Mann put a lot of time into. The plot was exceptionally strong and entertaining, there was never a dull moment while reading this lengthy novel. 

The plot is what drove the novel. I believe that the characters may have been meant to be the focus but The Stolen Dragon of Quanx was more heavily focused on the plot due to the fact that it was more interesting. 

I believe that there are a few changes that could have been made to make this story really excel as a young readers novel. I found that throughout reading there were too many characters introduced that were simply unnecessary and given their very unusual and difficult names, it made it very hard as a reader to comprehend. It took more time trying to figure out who was important versus which characters were just being briefly introduced than to read the 322 page novel. 

I also found that another round of proof reading would have really benefitted the book. There were a few occasions where characters were being referred to by different pronouns, leaving an added layer of confusion with the characters and their gender. Specifically in one passage, the character Paka was “he” in one sentence then followed by “she.” 

I believe that The Stole Dragon of Quanx was a strong book in regards to the plot, which really was the driving force to push the reader through the book. With minor changes, it could be much more accessible and widely read with younger readers. 

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Pages: 397 pages
Publisher: Shark Tooth Publishing (October 26, 2014)

Review: The Rise of the Queen by Aoife Marie Sheridan

The Rise of the Queen, the third novel of Aoife Marie Sheridan’s Saskia Trilogy is an action packed ending to the explicitly unique and thrilling adventure of Sarajane and Tristan. Sarajane, we see, is growing used to living in Saskia and even better with her new found powers, as the book opens up with Sarajane as, well, not Sarajane. We see her journey across Saskia to reach Lucian because she is fated to save their world. As the relationship flourishes with Tristan, others seem to fall apart. She developments enemies she never knew existed as well as friends in, high places. 

I didn’t want to give too much away there, but as this book is newly written, wonderfully, and not released yet, there isn’t really a summary to get hyped about. Anyway, I am so thankful to have been given a really early copy, before the editing process, to satisfy my Sarajane craving. I was so excited to start this book and had super high expectations, and it did not disappoint. 

I am sad to say that the Tristan action was lacking slightly for me, but it is not horrible. I, of course, want to see as much of their romance as possible, but I also appreciate the fact that this book was less about the romance and more about family and saving the world. 

The action was at the perfect amount throughout the story, I was never overwhelmed or wishing for more. I actually found this book to be more entertaining than the last, and at equal level with the first. The amount of weird and odd and unexpected kept me wondering what was around the next corner. I couldn't get enough and finished it in pretty much one sitting. Once again, Sheridan has done it. A great novel with a thrilling plot and characters you can’t help but adore, the full package!

Review by Rachel Keane

Review: Want You Dead by Peter James

Book Summary

Single girl, 33, redhead and smouldering, love life that’s crashed and burned. Seeks new flame to rekindle her fire. Fun, friendship and—who knows—more maybe?

In Peter James' Want You Dead, thirty-year old Red Cameron meets handsome, charming and rich thirty-five year old Bryce Laurent through an online dating agency, and is instantly attracted to him. But as their love blossoms, the truth about his past begins to emerge, and with it his dark side. Everything he has told Red about himself turns out to be a tissue of lies, and her infatuation with him gradually turns to terror.

Within a year, and under police protection, she evicts him from her flat and her life. But far from being over, her nightmare is only just beginning. For Bryce is obsessed and besotted with her. He intends to destroy, by fire, everything and everyone she has ever known and loved—and then her, too. It's up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to stop him before it's too late...

Review

Going into this book, I had high expectations. After reading James’s novel, Dead Simple, I went into this expecting nothing but the best in terms of a suspense thriller that was going to knock my socks off. Not to put any pressure out there but man he really didn’t disappoint me with this one. James brings Roy Grace back for one of his most intense cases to date. Want You Dead, takes the reader on a intense thrilling ride that will have you clinging to the pages for a book that has more fireworks than the Fourth of July.

Have you ever watched or read a suspense thriller where the characters rile up your emotions to the point that you find yourself yelling things at them? Well, I definitely found myself doing that reading this book, unlike his other novels. I found myself constantly wanting to reach in the book and shake some sense into the characters, especially Red. I don’t think a character got to my core as much as she did. On one hand, I think her character as victim who chooses not to be a victim is admirable but her choices in the face of dealing with that crazy ex stalker boyfriend which leads to her life being on the line, made some very interesting moments in the book. I bet us ladies will think twice about online dating after reading this character.

There was something different about the tone of the book. Besides the usual crime solving of Roy Grace and his staff that we love, there was an edge to some of the characters in the book, in particular “Bryce” who had a more dark psychological profile to him. It made the plot intriguing but some may feel this may have overshadowed the novel but I think the intensity of that darkness gave another dimension to the book that added authenticity to the getting into the head of this character. 

There were definite moments that I found myself on the edge of my seat gripping the pages wandering why they did this or that but nearly jumped out of my skin when a major revelation was made regarding Roy Grace and his life that I’m sure will leave your mouth open in shock. I’m on the fence on my thoughts about this because in the context of what had happened, I expected it to go one way but it went another. It was definitely left open, so we’ll see what happens down the road. I’m not going to be the one to spoil it, so you have to read for yourself to find out.

Want You Dead, overall was a good book. James knows how to deliver on a book that gives you a great plot, interesting characters and a fulfilling reading experience. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the next case that comes across the desk of Roy Grace. If you are a Roy Grace fan, you will definitely be surprised with the huge twist but if this is your first, I’d read back to catch up. This is definitely a series worth getting into. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Pages: 416 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (November 18, 2014)

Review: The Academy - House of Korba by C. L. Stone

Summary

It's homecoming week at Ashley Waters, but Sang Sorenson has a lot more on her mind than dresses and crowns. Silas's troubled past—full of secrets he and his team thought they'd buried—comes back to haunt him, threatening to ruin everything.

Silas tries to deal, but guilt weighs heavily on him and Sang realizes she might be the only one who can help him keep it together. 

Bomb threats have increased. They are followed at every turn. The principal is resorting to drastic measures to make sure they're all going to be kicked out. Pushed to their limits, Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Gabriel, Luke and North, along with other members of the Academy, have finally had enough. This time, more Academy members are brought in to help hunt down the culprit, and keep everyone safe. It'll cost the boys, but in the end, even a bittersweet victory is better than disaster.

This time, they're getting what they need. All it takes is learning the line of when to let go, and when to never give up

The Academy, Together

Review

We just need to start by addressing the basics, C.L. Stone reeled her longtime fans of the Ghost Bird Series back in with another fantastic installment, House of Korba. Specifically in this amazing book seven, Silas is the main male focus and it was completely exciting to see him officially join the “Sang club.” 

Compared to other books in the Ghost Bird Series, House of Korba had a dramatic lack of the action typical to Stone’s writing.  While there was some school drama, the bomb threat and evil principle plot was starting to get boring in the last book and really just took a nose dive this time. The Ghost Bird series does mainly focus on relationships with one another and the ever present mystery: What is the academy? But that is not to say a little new action would only spice the plot up. 

The whole sharing Sang concept really grew on the audience in this book, similarly the way it appears to be going on each of the academy boys. This is not an admission on a deep want of five husbands being uprooted from within, but the entire situation is starting to make sense. That is the talent of Stone, through the expressive writing we have begun to believe that this would be the best, if not only choice for Sang. The group exists based on team work, and Sang only dating one of them would ruin this dynamic. 

Somehow, the dynamic of the academy—whatever the academy is—makes all the mysterious puzzles of the relationships between the boys and Sang make sense. Once again I am left speechless and wondering by the captivating writing of Stone, and waiting utterly impatiently for the next installment. 

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Pages: 317 pages
Publisher: Arcato Publishing (October 26, 2014)

Review: Save Us a Seat by Fletcher McHale

Book Summary

In the small country town of Bon Dieu Falls, Louisiana, Carrigan Whitfield leads a life many would love to have. But this young wife of the much-sought-after and wealthy Jack Whitfield feels uneasy in her marriage. Things have gotten complicated during the last two years, and Carrigan wonders if they still love each other. They seem more like strangers who share a residence.

Her days revolve around having fun with her lifelong best friends, the two anchors in her life, Ella Rae Weeks and Laine Landry, playing sandlot softball and juggling an affair ... or two. Laine is constantly trying to save Carrigan from self-destruction.

But on an idyllic summer day, a shocking and unexpected discovery turns Carrigan's "perfect" life into a tumultuous storm and transforms a girl into a woman. As the journey comes to an end, Carrigan discovers hope can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.

Save Us a Seat provides a glimpse into both the joys and challenges of friendship.

Review

Save Us A Seat, was one of those books that you knew from the beginning was going to be a really good read. Not to sound cliché or anything but you literally feel like a seat was saved for you, inviting you into a book where you get pulled into the characters, not wanting to stop reading. Not that I am saying this book can’t be for men, but I feel this is one of those books that women would love more. There is something special about the way McHale effortlessly weaves their story where it just makes your heart smile. The women in the book are definitely ones that you can relate to on so many levels, not just because of who they are but their experiences as well. These are real women, with identifiable voices and experiences that will resonate and move you. Once you start reading, there is this instant connection as if you are hanging out with your girlfriends.

For me, the best part of the book was the beautiful friendship between Carrigan, Ella Rae and Laine. You just want to be their friend. They have the kind of friendship that we can only dream of and make you appreciate how important it is to have friends that genuinely love and care about you. Carrigan and Ella Rae are more similar in personalities but Laine is the anchor of the friendship. She is the one that if they are going over the ledge, she is there to protect and save them. The beauty in their friendship told through their story makes you fall in love with them from the first page. You feel a warm embrace into their lives that just makes you want to naturally connect with them. Through all of these good times in the book, there will come a moment that will change everything and leave you a little heartbroken but it is the lesson that you will learn from that moment on that will stay with you after you finish.

Then we have Carrigan and Jack. Living in a small town can be rough when everyone knows your business. They have an interesting back story of how they came together but undoubtedly he knew Carrigan was the one for him. Unfortunately, when you are the kind of guy that it seems like whom all the women want, it doesn’t make things any easier when there are rumors about you, the town betting against the longevity your marriage, it can take a toll on anyone. These two had me conflicted with my feelings toward them in the beginning because of what they individually do but as you get into the book, and get to know them, you fall in love with their journey and with their struggle you root for resolution. Their experience is such a great example of a real relationship who on the surface to everyone appears to be perfect but has it flaws. With those flaws and her insecurities, suspicions, assumptions and secrets, it had led to their love being questionable. Then a moment presents itself that changes the course of their relationship and it’s that journey that leads them to a place that becomes introspective and embraces the possibilities of second chances.

This is the kind of book that giving away too much will ruin your experience. I’m telling you that you will love this book because it is one of the genuine stories that are sincere, honest and speak directly to you. Her characters are engaging and their story will grab your emotions sending you through laughter and tears. If you are lucky to have a best friend that you truly love, after reading this, not only will you want to hug them forever but you will appreciate their true value in your life. I would highly recommend this book to read and I think it presents topics in the book that would be a great discussion for a book club. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services (September 3, 2013)