Friday, April 18, 2014

I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

Started: 4/13/14
Finished: 4/18/13
Pages: 303
Year: 2014
Genre: mystery
Grade: B-
Reason for reading: borrowed from library
Blurb (from book jacket): "When Laurie Moran's husband was brutally murdered, only three-year-old Timmy saw the face of his father's killer. Five years later his piercing blue eyes still haunt Timmy's dreams. Laurie is haunted by more-the killer's threat to her son as he fled the scene" 'Tell your mother she's next, then it's your turn...'
"Now Laurie is dealing with murder again, this time as the producer of a true-crime, cold-case television show. The series will launch with the twenty-year-old unsolved murder of Betsy Powell. Betsy, a socialite, was found suffocated in her bed after a gala celebrating the graduation of her daughter and three friends. The sensational murder was news nationwide. Reopening the case in its lavish setting and with the cooperation of the surviving guests that night, Laurie is sure to have a hit on her hands. But when the estranged friends begin filming, it becomes clear each is hiding secrets...small and large.
"And a pair of blue eyes is watching events unfold, too..."
Opinion: An average Higgins Clark book. Interesting twist at the end which was what caused me to continue to read-wanted to know how Blue Eyes tied in with everything. Strong set of individual characters.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Killer by Jonathan Kellerman

Started: 4/7/14
Finished: 4/11/14
Year: 2014
Pages: 335
Genre: mystery
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: borrowed from library
Blurb (from book jacket): "The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiatied by Connie agaisnt her sister and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle beween the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims. Alex knows he's been snared in a toxic web of pathology."
Opinion: This is one of the better Kellerman books that I've read in a while. Keep me entertained since page 1. Milo's relationship with Alex and Robin continues to crack me up.

Sunday, April 06, 2014

Brilliance by Marcus Sakey

Started: 4/6/14
Finished: 4/6/14
Year: 2013
Pages: 434
Genre: Suspense
Grade: B
Reason for reading: borrowed from the library
Blurb: none on back cover
Opinion: An interesting look at what happens when people who have supersensitivies are looked at and the possibility of another Civil War in America. Some science fiction references which make this reader question how likely since the time frame is 2013. Sad and scary thought of how close we could be to another Civil War again based on peoples' differences. Another well written and interesting book by Sakey.

Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight by M.E. Thomas

Started: 4/3/14
Finished: 4/5/14
Year: 2013
Pages: 300
Genre: memoir
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: borrowed from library
Blurb (from book jacket): "As M.E. Thomas says of her fellow sociopaths, 'we are your neighbors, your coworkers, and quite possibly the people closest to you: lovers, family, friends. Our risk-seeking behavior and general fearlessness are thrilling, our glibness and charm alluring. Our often quick wit and outside-the-box thinking make us appear intelligent-even brilliant. We climb the corporate ladder faster than the rest, and appear to have limitless self-confidence. Who are we? We are highly successful, noncriminal sociopaths and we comprise 4 percent of the American population (that's 1 in 25 people!).
"Confessions of a Sociopath takes readers on a journey into the mind of a sociopath, revealing what makes them tick and what that means for the rest of humanity. Written from the point of view of a diagnosed sociopath, the book unveils for the first time these men and women who are hiding in plain sight."
Opinion: This was an interesting memoir about a sociopath. The characteristics that are described can be used for several people and most would want more of some of the characteristics of a sociopath. I like the fact that it involves the psychological descriptions of sociopath and how the writer fits into the category. Well-written.