Started: 11/27/08
Finished: 11/29/08
Year: 2004
Pages: 288
Genre: Suspense
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: library book
Blurb (from book jacket): "Dexter Morgan isn't exactly the kind of man you'd bring home to Mom. Though he's playful and has a wonderfully ironic sense of humor. Dexter's one character flaw (his proclivity for murder) can be off-putting. But at heart Dexter is the perfect gentleman, supportive of his sister, Deb, a Miami cop, and interested only in doing away with people who really deserve his special visit. Dex is quite good-looking but totally indifferent to (and, frankly, a bit puzzled by) the attentions paid to him by women. Despite the fact that he can't stand the sight of blood, he works as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police department, a job that allows him to keep tabs on the latest crimes and keep an eye open for his next quarry.
"Dexter's well-organized life is suddenly disrupted when a second, much more visible serial killer appears in Miami. Dex is intrigued, even delighted, by the fact that the other killer appears to have a style reminiscent of his own. Yet he can't help but feel that the mysterious new arrival is not merely invading his turf but reaching out to him as well. This new killer seems to be doing more than copying Dexter-he seems to be saying, 'Come out and play.' Dexter's secret life makes for alonely existance...even a lovable monster can be intrigued by the prospect of finding a friend."
Opinion: A very good debut novel and bringing Dexter to the masses. The television series is very similar to this novel but with enough plot differences to make it its own
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass
Started: 11/16/08
Finished: 11/27/08
Year: 2007
Pages: 337
Genre: Mystery/suspense
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: grabbed off the TBR pile
Blurb (from back cover): "Anthropologost Dr. Bill Brockton founded Tennessee's world famous Body Farm-a small piece of land where corpses are left to decay in order to gain important forensic information. Now, in the wake of a shocking crime in nearby Chattanooga, he's called upon by Jess Carter-the rising star of the state's medical examiners-to help her unravel a murderous puzzle. But after re-creating the death scene at the Body Farm, Brockton discovers his career, reputation, and life are in dire jeopardy when a second, unexplained corpse appears in the grisly setting.
"Accused of a horrific crime-transformed overnight from a respected profesor to a hated and feared pariah-Bill Brockton will need every ounce of his formidable forensic skills to escape the ingeniously woven net that's tightening around him...and to prove the seemingly impossible: his own innocence."
Opinion: This is one of the better books in the Body Farm series that I've read. Even though I had guessed the murderer, it was still entertaining and I wasn't sure until the last chapter. I will be continuing to read the series.
Finished: 11/27/08
Year: 2007
Pages: 337
Genre: Mystery/suspense
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: grabbed off the TBR pile
Blurb (from back cover): "Anthropologost Dr. Bill Brockton founded Tennessee's world famous Body Farm-a small piece of land where corpses are left to decay in order to gain important forensic information. Now, in the wake of a shocking crime in nearby Chattanooga, he's called upon by Jess Carter-the rising star of the state's medical examiners-to help her unravel a murderous puzzle. But after re-creating the death scene at the Body Farm, Brockton discovers his career, reputation, and life are in dire jeopardy when a second, unexplained corpse appears in the grisly setting.
"Accused of a horrific crime-transformed overnight from a respected profesor to a hated and feared pariah-Bill Brockton will need every ounce of his formidable forensic skills to escape the ingeniously woven net that's tightening around him...and to prove the seemingly impossible: his own innocence."
Opinion: This is one of the better books in the Body Farm series that I've read. Even though I had guessed the murderer, it was still entertaining and I wasn't sure until the last chapter. I will be continuing to read the series.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Dying for Daddy: The True Story of Family Killer Jack Barron by Carlton Smith
Started: 11/10/08
Finished: 11/16/08
Year: 1998
Pages: 261
Genre: True Crime
Grade: C
Reason for reading: Booksfree.com, fan of the genre
Blurb (from back cover): "On a picturesque street in Sacramento County, California, three healthy saplings stand side by side. But what they symbolize are the deaths of three innocent people-two of them children. And the man who took their lives, then eerily planted trees in their honor...was their own husband and father.
"Hearts went out to Jack Barron when his wife, Irene, died mysteriously in her sleep. Soon after, when his two young children were also found dead in the their beds, suspicions were aroused about Barron. Then, when his fifty-two-year-old mother died, also of asphyxiation in her sleep, the four deaths seemed too coincidental to ignore.
"Was this 'devoted' husband and father really a cold-blooded murderer who smothered his loved ones while they slept? Was he the victim of a bizarre syndrome, whereby a parent kills a child to gain sympathy and attention? With first-hand interviews and exclusive inside information, bestselling author Carlton Smith paints a chilling and compelling portrait of a man driven beyond his control to commit the most unspeakable of acts."
Opinion: Not one of the best true crime novels that I've read. It seems that it was rushly written in order to get the book out. No lengthy court involvement and barely any police involvement. Mostly the story of what happened to the victims. It is still an interesting story.
Finished: 11/16/08
Year: 1998
Pages: 261
Genre: True Crime
Grade: C
Reason for reading: Booksfree.com, fan of the genre
Blurb (from back cover): "On a picturesque street in Sacramento County, California, three healthy saplings stand side by side. But what they symbolize are the deaths of three innocent people-two of them children. And the man who took their lives, then eerily planted trees in their honor...was their own husband and father.
"Hearts went out to Jack Barron when his wife, Irene, died mysteriously in her sleep. Soon after, when his two young children were also found dead in the their beds, suspicions were aroused about Barron. Then, when his fifty-two-year-old mother died, also of asphyxiation in her sleep, the four deaths seemed too coincidental to ignore.
"Was this 'devoted' husband and father really a cold-blooded murderer who smothered his loved ones while they slept? Was he the victim of a bizarre syndrome, whereby a parent kills a child to gain sympathy and attention? With first-hand interviews and exclusive inside information, bestselling author Carlton Smith paints a chilling and compelling portrait of a man driven beyond his control to commit the most unspeakable of acts."
Opinion: Not one of the best true crime novels that I've read. It seems that it was rushly written in order to get the book out. No lengthy court involvement and barely any police involvement. Mostly the story of what happened to the victims. It is still an interesting story.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Love Begins with Truth by Marsha Jones
Started: 11/4/08
Finished: 11/10/08
Year: 2008
Pages: 203
Genre: romance
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: the author is a friend of mine, review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "Guyanese-American Meredith Johnson is on the career fast track and believes she has achieved the American dream-two adorable daughters, a loving husband, Michael, and a high profile job a public relations professional for Partners in Parenting in Rochester, New York. Her life is comfortable, but hectic. As a working mother, she has made some sacrifices to reach her dreams, but at what price?
"On her way to a business meeting, she learns of the 9/11 tragedies and Meredith decides it's time to re-examine her life and priorities. Meredith discovers that some changes need to be made.
"Meredith's childhood friend, Phillip Rampersaud has a near fatal accident, while driving on the Atlanta highway. Phillip, who also is Guyanese, decides to reveal his love for Meredith that he has kept secret from her for more than 16 years. Phillip hasn't seen Meredith in years; he has two children and a wife, but his love for Meredith has deepened over the years despite the distance between them.
"Now Meredith and Phillip must learn to cope with their feelings and 'new truths,' which may destroy their friendship or cement their love forever. Through months of poignant and heartbreaking e-mails, Meredith and Phillip realize everything isn't always what it seems.
"On the eve of her 40th birthday, Meredith brings her family to Atlanta for Guyana's Berbice Reunion where things really 'heat up' as more scerts are revealed. Now Meredith and Phillip must make tough choices. Can they keep their promise of friendship to each other?"
Opinion: Overall, the story is good. There are some glaring editorial mistakes in the book. Marsha Jones definitely has a story to tell and it's a good story. For a more complete review, please check out MyShelf.com
Finished: 11/10/08
Year: 2008
Pages: 203
Genre: romance
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: the author is a friend of mine, review for MyShelf.com
Blurb (from back cover): "Guyanese-American Meredith Johnson is on the career fast track and believes she has achieved the American dream-two adorable daughters, a loving husband, Michael, and a high profile job a public relations professional for Partners in Parenting in Rochester, New York. Her life is comfortable, but hectic. As a working mother, she has made some sacrifices to reach her dreams, but at what price?
"On her way to a business meeting, she learns of the 9/11 tragedies and Meredith decides it's time to re-examine her life and priorities. Meredith discovers that some changes need to be made.
"Meredith's childhood friend, Phillip Rampersaud has a near fatal accident, while driving on the Atlanta highway. Phillip, who also is Guyanese, decides to reveal his love for Meredith that he has kept secret from her for more than 16 years. Phillip hasn't seen Meredith in years; he has two children and a wife, but his love for Meredith has deepened over the years despite the distance between them.
"Now Meredith and Phillip must learn to cope with their feelings and 'new truths,' which may destroy their friendship or cement their love forever. Through months of poignant and heartbreaking e-mails, Meredith and Phillip realize everything isn't always what it seems.
"On the eve of her 40th birthday, Meredith brings her family to Atlanta for Guyana's Berbice Reunion where things really 'heat up' as more scerts are revealed. Now Meredith and Phillip must make tough choices. Can they keep their promise of friendship to each other?"
Opinion: Overall, the story is good. There are some glaring editorial mistakes in the book. Marsha Jones definitely has a story to tell and it's a good story. For a more complete review, please check out MyShelf.com
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
Started: 10/29/08
Finished: 11/4/08
Year: 2006
Pages: 294
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR pile
Blurb (from book jacket): "In Dark Harbor, Maine, Stone Barrington discovers a picturesque town where the shocking deaths of three people have cast a long shadow over this island haven-a locale as mysterious as it is exclusive.
"Stone Barrington hasn't heard from his cousin, Dick Stone, in years-though he has fond memories of a teenage summer spent at his house in Maine. But then the CIA's Lance Cabot interrupts an otherwise pleasant meal at Elaine's with news of Dick's death-apparently by his own hand. It seems that Dick Stone, a quiet family man who doubled as a CIA agent, methodically executed his wife, daughter, and then himself-or did he?
"With the help of his ex-partner, Dino, and his friend Holly Barker, Stone must piece together the elusive facts of his cousin's life and death as a CIA operative. Dark Harbor offers us the perfect mix of sexy intrique and swift suspense that legions of fans have come to expect from master storyteller Stuart Woods."
Opinion: This was a very quick read. Overall smoothly done but I had guessed the suspect from the beginning. No real surprises.
Finished: 11/4/08
Year: 2006
Pages: 294
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: grabbed it off the TBR pile
Blurb (from book jacket): "In Dark Harbor, Maine, Stone Barrington discovers a picturesque town where the shocking deaths of three people have cast a long shadow over this island haven-a locale as mysterious as it is exclusive.
"Stone Barrington hasn't heard from his cousin, Dick Stone, in years-though he has fond memories of a teenage summer spent at his house in Maine. But then the CIA's Lance Cabot interrupts an otherwise pleasant meal at Elaine's with news of Dick's death-apparently by his own hand. It seems that Dick Stone, a quiet family man who doubled as a CIA agent, methodically executed his wife, daughter, and then himself-or did he?
"With the help of his ex-partner, Dino, and his friend Holly Barker, Stone must piece together the elusive facts of his cousin's life and death as a CIA operative. Dark Harbor offers us the perfect mix of sexy intrique and swift suspense that legions of fans have come to expect from master storyteller Stuart Woods."
Opinion: This was a very quick read. Overall smoothly done but I had guessed the suspect from the beginning. No real surprises.
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