Monday, February 20, 2017

Review: Dance Hall of the Dead

Dance Hall of the Dead Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hillerman never disappoints. Leaphorn is such a good egg. I love those western lawmen.

Joe is investigating another murder, but this time in Zuni territory. He's steady, smart, and reliable, as alwasy. And he lets his moral compass guide him to do the right thing, even if he has to blur the lines of the letter of the law. Such a great series, in a beautiful setting, with interesting cultural details and rich characters. Makes me miss living there.



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Sunday, February 19, 2017

Review: One Minute to Love

One Minute to Love One Minute to Love by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Dame Barbara, you have outdone yourself on this one. A new low.

Take a girl who can see the future, but somehow keeps running into trouble. Take a dashing prince who is in danger of being dethroned. Enter them into a deceptive fake relationship, have them stumble blindly into true love always. Add in a healthy dose of editing typos and you will want to throw this book in the trash.

Rife with the stuttering, ridiculous heroine you would expect. Classic Cartland.

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Review: Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, Venice. City of canals. City of murder. But Commissario Brunetti will get his man in the end.

I like stand-up, moral guys who do the right thing, and Brunetti is the Italian version of my favorite lawman, Walt Longmire. Lawful good is my jam, folks. He solves the crime despite his superiors, red herrings, and roadblocks. I was way off on my assumptions, and I liked the resolution. Well plotted and I enjoyed the details.

New series for me. I like Commissario Brunetti and will definitely continue solving crimes with him.

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Sunday, February 5, 2017

Review: The Seven Dials Mystery

The Seven Dials Mystery The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Christie I haven't read. What a delight! Secret societies, social mores, and intrigue. Good stuff.

We get not nearly enough Superintendent Battle, but we get plenty of Bundle, which is fun. I have to admit, I was completely shocked by the end but as I look back, I guess I shouldn't be. That classic Christie twist will get you every time.

A very different feel than Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. Superintendent Battle may be my favorite, or at least a close second to Poirot. 3.5 stars.

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Friday, February 3, 2017

Review: The Unheards: Memories never die

The Unheards: Memories never die The Unheards: Memories never die by Akash Bansal
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. Poor plot, high-school level writing. Exposition and purple prose spilling off the page. Do not read this book. Just don't. It's simply awful.

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Review: Dead Frozen: A Necrose Series Story

Dead Frozen: A Necrose Series Story Dead Frozen: A Necrose Series Story by Tim Moon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Needed something short for a challenge, and dropped into a zombie world apocalypse. That's a Thursday night for you!

Nothing spectacular here. Some awkward dialogue. An couple of unlikeable characters, but if it launches more about surviving a zombie apocalypse in Alaska, I'll be back. Sounds like book one is different characters, different location (Hawaii, I believe) but same world disaster. I might be back if it fits a challenge.

2.5 stars.

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