Tag Archives: Little Brown

Guilt by Degrees – Marcia Clark

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Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight—someone who’s Rachel’s equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel’s lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice.

She’s got back-up: tenacious Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they’re shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier.

Rachel suspects someone knows the truth, someone who’d kill to keep it secret. Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of Los Angeles courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight. – Publishers Website

I am really liking Rachel !  In Marcia’s 2nd fiction book, Rachel is becoming more and more one of those literary characters that won’t be soon forgotten.  With her steely determination to find out who did what, when, where and make them pay has me almost cheering ( in a non fangirl squealing mess). I have to save that for a Canadian Fictional Character, sorry Marcia !!

I’m liking the action, the information Marcia effortlessly passes on as Rachel follows this case to the bitter end…literally.  Bailey her 2nd hand person, definitely gives the bad guys a run for their money.  I wonder if there are really tough female detectives like this in real life.  More than likely!

I have to say, Marcia has definitely hit the genre running and probably won’t give up the fight anytime soon.  The Mass Market comes out in March, but you can still get a hardcover more than likely.  If you liked her first book Guilt by Association, you will definitely like this one.  I’m looking forward to her next installment.

I have had a few instances where I have chatted with Marcia on twitter and on Facebook, she is really quite personable so don’t be shy and say hi.  Just be nice and respectful…

Marcia’s Website – Facebook – Twitter -

 

 

#36 – The Complaints – Ian Rankin

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Nobody likes The Complaints–they’re the cops who investigate other cops. It’s a department known within the force as “The Dark Side,” and it’s where Malcolm Fox works.

He’s a serious man with a father in a nursing home and a sister who persists in an abusive relationship, frustrating problems about which he cannot seem to do anything.

Then the reluctant Fox is given a new case. There’s a cop named Jamie Breck, and he’s dirty. The problem is, no one can prove it. As Fox takes on the job, he learns that there’s more to Breck than anyone thinks–dangerous knowledge, especially when a vicious murder takes place far too close to home. - Publishers Website

I liked this book.  It wasn’t all death and excitement.  It was the story of a man who has many stakes in different places trying to eek out an existence.  His father bugs him about visiting more, he tells his sister to leave the man she is with because of the abuse she suffers from him, until he’s found dead.  Then all of a sudden, he is being investigated by the same unit he works for and becomes friends with the guy he is investigating.  It may sound a bit confusing, but really it isn’t.  Masterfully plotted, you will be able to follow all of the goings on in the book.  Ian takes you on a ride you won’t soon forget.

Fun fact – Did you know that Ian only took 5 months to write this book but yet, this was this was the hardest one in regards to research…

Reading Group Guide

#11 – The Cypress House – Michael Koryta

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Arlen Wagner has seen it in men before–a trace of smoke in their eyes that promises imminent death. He is never wrong.

When Arlen awakens on a train one hot Florida night and sees death’s telltale sign in the eyes of his fellow passengers, he tries to warn them. Only 19-year-old Paul Brickhill believes him, and the two abandon the train, hoping to escape certain death. They continue south, but soon are stranded at the Cypress House–an isolated Gulf Coast boarding house run by the beautiful Rebecca Cady–directly in the path of an approaching hurricane.

The storm isn’t the only approaching danger, though. A much deadlier force controls the county and everyone living in it, and Arlen wants out–fast. But Paul refuses to abandon Rebecca to face the threats alone, even though Arlen’s eerie gift warns that if they stay too long they may never leave. From its chilling beginning to terrifying end. – Publishers Website

I really liked this book.  From the beginning to the end, the plot was evolving into the storm that was depicted – small at first, then ever growing in size until you were left thinking, wow!  what was that. Although, this is the first work from Michael I have read, but, it certainly won’t be the last for sure, looking forward to more of his work.

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The Reversal – Michael Connelly

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I have to say, Michael Connelly’s  latest doesn’t disappoint!

Harry Bosch is back from Hong Kong.

This time, he is investigating an old case for which someone has already been tried and convicted of, but in the day and age of DNA testing has been granted a retrial based upon these new findings.

Mickey Haller is one who usually defends the accused.  This time however, he is representing the prosecution.

There are some problems with the case as it stands.  There are political issues along with the rest of the prejudicial ones, as well as the case was tried so long ago that some of the witnesses are dead, and the trail of leads has been dry for many decades since the accused has been serving his sentence.

The accused new attorney is only defending him for just the celebrity of it, not because he is sure his client is innocent.

As the accused is back on the streets ( can you believe that) back to a life he long left when he was behind bars.  But as time goes by as the trial is starting, he maybe back to his old haunts, old ways, even if he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

I am a bit divided on how the book ended.  It had me going from the first page to the last in a feverish pace, even though I had another book on the go when I received the review copy, I had to start reading it right away. I was just a bit disappointed.  That is the way I felt, but maybe you will feel different after you finish it.  Please let me know!

Hachette / Little Brown

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Room – Emma Donoghue

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Room is Jack’s and his Mom’s whole world – he was born in room, he sleeps in room, he eats in room, he plays in room.

To his mom, sure it may hold precious memories of her and Jack learning and growing together, but it also holds a deep dark secret.

Through fierce determination, spunk and sheer will she has raised Jack as best she could.  When the day arrives that she realizes that Jack needs more than just room she constructs a plan, something, anything, everything that it takes.

This book will have you crying your heart out.  Bearing your feelings on the outside as you would on your sleeve.  It WILL be the most talked about book this fall, or for maybe longer.  That decision is up to you.

I could not tear myself away for even a second.  This book took me on a journey that should only be taken – in a book, a fictional account for sure.  It chilled me to the bone, it ebbed and flowed, it grew into a dream that at first you didn’t think was real, but, once you realized that you were in the middle of this particular dream, it was too late.  It sucked you in, the characters your heart bled for, your soul cried tears of the sheer bravery of Jack and his Mother on their harrowing journey.

Quite unique in the narration you will find in Room.  Emma must have lived inside the character Jack for quite a while.  Her ingenuity of Jack and his character was flawless and complete.  It could be the little boy down the street, it could be any little boy, anywhere.

Room was long-listed for the 2010 Man Booker Prize as it states on the sticker on my hardback copy I purchased, it was just recently shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

HarperCollins Canada – Canadian Publisher

Hachette – Little Brown – American Publisher

Reading Group Guide

Enter ROOM by Emma Donoghue


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Black Hills – Dan Simmons

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In 1876 on the fields of the Little Big Horn battlefield, native Indians and General Custer’s army are battling it out between one another.

As Custer breathes his last breath, a young Indian approaches him, lays a hand on him.  Little does he know that Custer’s ghost has entered his body.  Not only scaring him, Paha Sapa will have him talking inside his mind for decades to come as he grows into a man while the events and his way of life shapes him and his outlook on life.

I was really looking forward to this book after reading Dan’s previous book Drood.  I was quickly entranced by the seamless narration, the action, the adventure, the storyline as delicate and fierce as it could be to solve the mystery of Dickens and Wilkie Collins’ experiences.

I have to admit, I was quickly becoming this way again, until I got further into the book.  There were a few things that turned me off.

Firstly, the names of the native people that he portrayed in the book.  Some of the names he used in the book we really quite ridiculous.  As a person that lives in Canada where we have quite a large population of Native people, as well as knowing a bit about their culture and practices, I found the names to be ridiculous as they take such pride in their culture and the names they are given.  Not only pride but feel blessed that they have been named what they have been.  The culture is one of awe, and graciousness.

The 2nd issue was that the letters that Custer writes to his wife as he is a ghost and doesn’t realize that he is dead and living in someone else’s body was quite sexually explicit for my liking.  What also added to the distaste, was the continual use of italics throughout the book when something was happening, or when these letters were being written.

Although I wasn’t a fan of this book, I will be looking forward to his future work.

Hachette / Reagan Arthur

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Chocolate: A Love Story – Max Brenner

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With a vintage 60′s flare in the artwork, this book of 65 of Max’s favorite recipes will have your addiction to chocolate on OVERBOARD as you are flipping through the pages.  I mean these recipes are not only decadent, but also unique in their own right.  I swear, I went into a chocolate coma when I was looking at the recipes.

The author Max Brenner has been making chocolate for the last 10 years and with each year culminating exponentially.  His creations get more lavish and unique.  This is what this book is all about – his love of chocolate.

The recipes are for every occasion, meal…yes, I said meal.  Along with the recipes, there are stories to go along with them.  Then there is the artwork.

While browsing, I think my favorites would have to be

  • Anonymous White Chocolate Cosmopolitans
  • Therapeutic Chocolate Pot Pie with a rich filling of soul-refreshing strawberries
  • Guilt – Free Fried Chocolate Truffles

Take a Look Inside and see for yourself

Hachette/ Little Brown

Max’s Website

Hollywood Moon – Joseph Wambaugh

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When it is getting close or very near to a full moon, do you notice things that wouldn’t usually happen?

Well in the Hollywood, things sure do happen.  The Hollywood station says it happens more and more.  The population being transgendered, aspiring actors, addicts, and other forms of life is to say that the earth really isn’t round.  The hollywood area always has a thing for being in the news as well, not all of the time good news either.

From the inhabitants of the area to the police officers who are just as quirky and interesting themselves, they talk about all of their expericences as they encounter the people of their district as they take calls from the public – a prowler who is attacking women, which will bring them a more sinister plot of one trying to thrown each other under the bus, to be able to get what they want, before the others realize what has happened.

I really enjoyed this book, from the eccentric characters, the stories behind the stories, to the theory of the wackiest that happens in Hollywood Division on a full moon.

Joseph Wambaugh is surely a master of combining the odd, the violent, and the stories that make it all a well-rounded and sometimes laugh out loud funny theories from the characters themselves as if it is just another day on the beat while the bad guys are meeting their demise in the midst of carrying out their bad deeds.

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I, Alex Cross – James Patterson

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Alex is at home one night celebrating his birthday with his family when he receives a call from work, and it isn’t a good one either.

His niece Caroline has been murdered.

This sets off a Washington wide search for who killed her, and why they did it in the first place.  Alex is surprised to find out that his niece has some hidden skeletons in her closet, not in his mind that he could have ever imagined, since he hasn’t seen her in years after they moved away from the Washington area.

A high-priced escort…

As the investigation continues with all of its plot twists and turns, there have been similar murders happening not only in the past, but continue to happen as well.  That and the high society Alex goes into investigate the murders, where people have more to lose then being caught in a compromising situation – their lives and social status.

But until a cryptic call from a person that Alex doesn’t know in another state with some surprising information, they may not have revealed the killer; trust me it is a BIG one, someone you would have never imagined.

With all of the protection this killer has, you would think that they may not have ever found the killer responsible, but then again Alex Cross is on the case.

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Listen to audio excerpt 2

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9 Dragons – Michael Connelly

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Nine DargonsHarry Bosch is on the job again.  Once again he doesn’t disappoint.

Assigned to a suspected robbery homicide that involves an Asian family business in an area they don’t  usually cover, they arrive to discover the owner was shot dead behind the counter.  Could it have been personal? Who could have done it, Gangs? Thinking about this there is only one gang that would have done this – The triads.

While doing surveillance, Bosch receives a video message from his daughter who lives with her mother in Hong Kong.  She has been abducted, presently is nowhere to be found. He had contacted his ex wife, and found out that she doesn’t know where she is either.

Bosch has a question in his mind; could the two incidents be connected??

In Michael Connelly’s latest thriller he shows that he hasn’t lost his touch.  Keeping you on the edge of your seat until the absolute last moment till the cases are solved; unless something else happens in this book, it is no exception, Bosch is on the case until the last clue is solved, and the bad guys are behind bars.

Going from Los Angeles to Hong Kong and back again in a matter of hours, Bosch navigates the crude slums, poorer areas of Hong Kong gives the novel not only the authenticity,

but the necessity of having to get there right away.  Time is being the ultimate barrier to both cases being solved in a very short matter of time being the ultimate demon; will Bosch be able to solve both cases at once simultaneously?

You will only know if you go out and read it.

Author Q and A

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A Change in Altitude – Anita Shreve

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change in altitudePatrick and Margaret who were recently married move to Kenya for Patrick to continue his research as a Doctor.

Moving for anyone even to a new country or across the country for that matter is one of the most stressful things that anyone can experience.  Everything is new and unfamiliar, at times scary.  But their landlords have invited them to climb Mt. Kenya with another couple, so how can they really refuse.  As the trip starts, it is all great, but shortly after it turns tragic.

The tragedy is always at the back of Margaret’s mind, as she goes through her days.  She thinks it will always affect their marriage.  She is also at a crossroads of her career as well, and ventures out and lands a job as a newspaper photographer at a somewhat rebellious newspaper that has her going on all sorts of assignments, where she meets a reporter that she realizes that she has feelings for and grapples with.

Margaret and Patrick are at somewhat of a crossroads of sorts, she is feeling vulnerable about what had happened, and Patrick sloughs it off as being not so important.  Will they continue the marriage or work through the hard times ahead and make a go of it.

In Anita’s latest book, I really wasn’t feeling Margaret’s character as much as I thought I would.  From the start she seemed off, and disconnected from not only her husband, and the other characters other then the servant who was raped in the book.  The characters Margaret and Patrick were more connected to the outer characters in the book then they were to each other even being newly married.

It was well written in Anita’s usual style of writing, with me however, it was a miss from her previous book Testimony, which was far better.

Hachette / Little Brown

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Reading Group Guide

The Murder of King Tut – James Patterson with Martin Dugard

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murder of king tutThis latest debut of James Patterson’s latest non fiction thriller is nothing short of pure gold.

As James came up with the idea, pitched it to his agent, editor, and then started researching it thinking would it be believable or plausible to somehow piece the death of King Tut.  Rumours and speculation have been circulating for as long as his death has been made public, and the most important answer of all would be, who and what would they gain by killing him.

King Tut was only 9 years old when he became King of Egypt.  There were people in his inner circle that were his own trusted advisors, but yet, some of these people were rivals and jealous of what he had, achieved at such a young age.

10 years later once he married his step sister and could not produce an heir, he was dead, and buried in what was considered a paupers tomb gone and forgotten when these same people erased or attempted to erase every last known trace of him.

Howard Carter was intrigued with the stories coming out of Egypt when he was a teen living in England.  Sent to be an assistant, he eventually became one of the better known lay Egyptologists and unlocks the 3,000 yr old mystery of what may have happened to King Tut.

For as long as I can remember, anything that had anything to do with Egypt, or the mysteries that surrounded all of the kings, their tombs, and the lore associated with it has had me intrigued as I am sure that you have been as well.  When I come across a documentary, or a program that shows Egypt, I am always yearning to go and visit this mysterious place to get a glimpse into the tombs, the ruins and just image being back in that time.

This book for sure has heightened that desire with James’ non fiction thriller account of what may have happened to the young king.

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The Boy Next Door – Irene Sabatini

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Boy Next DoorIn the early 1980’s Lindwie Bishop is growing up in Rhodesia now called Zimbabwe amid growing unrest of a country trying to realize what it is like without communism, war and upheaval.

Next door, a terrible and almost impossible thing happens.  A fire erupts in the house and a woman is burned to death, where the police suspect that it was the step son Ian who did it.  After a while since they cannot find enough evidence against him, he is released and has the imposition of him being guilty that hangs off of him for a very long while.

When Lindwie notices him out and about, she doesn’t know if she should be afraid of him or not. The curiosity is there, as well as  some fear, uneasiness of Lindwie at least, but as she gets to know him, she cannot get him out of her mind, and they stick together more and more as the upheaval of the country is happening more and more and most likely inevitable.

They both travel away from their small town and meet up again years later when Lindwie is in university, and Ian is somewhat of a rogue photographer.  They start to go out, as the feelings they both share for one another, which they don’t talk about it is palpable, it is in the air.  Ian takes Lindwie out for a birthday dinner and a weekend away; this is when she tells him how she feels about him, and about the child they had that he doesn’t know about.

The Issues of race, class, war, and upheaval surround these two people in as much as their love for one another envelopes them in a security blanket, trying as it may to separate them when they need each other the most.

This is Irene’s debut novel.  All I can say about it that she makes the topic and background sizzle with raw emotion and intrigue as not only her and Ian fight for what want, but the other characters, the steps they take to right what was wrong in their lives amidst such chaos, the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, war and death that surrounds them.

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Reading Group Guide

Alex Cross’ Trial – James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

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Alex Cross's TrialLately, I have been reading quite a bit from James Patterson.  He is famous for being a bestseller ( he has been certified by Guinness),  some have scoffed at his 2 page chapters.  But really getting down to it  he is a good writer, some may like him or not for various reasons but he is fast becoming one of my favorites.

This book takes place in the early 1900’s where slavery was recently abolished, but in the south gruesome things like lynchings was still taking place.  The white people are afraid that the coloured people are going to take away their jobs, and other violent things are happening as well, it just isn’t talked about.

Ben Corbett is an attorney in Washington.  He is known for defending racism as well as some  tough cases. Ben’s wife is becoming increasingly more vocal about what he is doing, and not earning money from it, so she has given him an ultimatum.

Then something exciting happens.  Ben gets summoned to the President’s office for a meeting.  After this meeting he isn’t sure how his wife is going to take it, but he is going to go back to where he was raised to find out exactly what is going on.  Alex Cross’s great uncle Abraham has also  been given the job and to report back.

When Ben returns under the guise that he is interviewing potential candidates for Judgeships, he is welcomed back with open arms for a time.  Later on however, he isn’t as welcome as he was.  He uncovers grisly acts from some of the people that he has considered lifelong friends and colleagues. Lynching trees and other places far into the bush of Louisiana have hidden from the normal folk.

Ben and Alex really want to stop all of this violence, but will it take more than the 2 men have, or will it just take time?

I enjoyed the historical facts of the novel.  It was the history aspect of the novel that I wanted to read about, which, for me was a huge eye opener.  The fact of what one thought of another during this time of change and upheaval.  It wasn’t just here in Canada or in the United States it was all over the world even today it is still like that in places.

It certainly was a grisly time in history, violence, love, bravery, and friendship rolled all into one.  You just can’t get any better than that.

Watch and Listen to James Patterson talk about the book

Listen to Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2

Daniel X: Watch The Skies – James Patterson & Ned Rust

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DanielXHave you ever wanted to go back into time and relive parts of your childhood, or wanted to relive the daydreams that you once had?

Daniel who is known to his imaginary family is one of the good guys, who goes after the bad guys in a universe of good and bad aliens.  He has super powers  he uses along with his imagination, and trust me his imagination is pretty imaginative.

In the town of Hollisworth, everything that is normal isn’t as normal as you would think.  Sure there are TVs, and radios, and cell phones, people hanging out at the local diner getting a bite to eat and just chit chatting, but take a closer look….a real closer look.

There is a certain alien that Daniel has been after for a long time – #5, this time isn’t any different.  #5 is being really sneaky using some simple everyday items to be able to take control over the people of this small sleepy town. He  knows where Daniel is at a moments notice, which is getting Daniel aggravated that he is having a hard time finding him to be able to take him down and save the town.

I loved this story.  I read it within a few hours,  it was really hard to put down at first until I finished it.  The book is full of lessons for the young adult, as well as for us all (and may have forgotten), such as – being a friend, being able to concentrate further to see the finer details,  thinking about decisions, being honest,  just an overall good message book for kids.  It is also comical and funny enough for smaller children to be able to get a few good oohs and ahhhh’s and ewe’s in there.

I noticed on the back cover that there was a kind of warning and it stated – ” In the spirit of the most endearing hit movies and books, James Patterson has written this story for readers from 10 – 110.  Special care has been taken with the language and content of this book”.

I have to admit, this is the first time that I have seen such a warning of this nature, and it is about time.  Parents need to be able to discern what the difference is when it comes to the books that their children are wanting or are reading at the time, so that if it is unacceptable, or inappropriate, then they will be able to take appropriate action.

I have to say, it was the exact opposite of work from his usual adult fiction titles, and it was refreshing to see that an author of James Patterson’s magnitude can switch back and forth like this.

Listen to an audio excerpt

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