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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Running Wilde (Immortal Vegas, #9) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
Hmm...
I've enjoyed this series a lot and as I'm currently on holiday in Vegas I thought it would be great to read this while I was here, imagining the Councils residences above the hotels of the Strip, but most of this book isn't even set in Vegas and I kinda lost interest about half way through for a while.
Eventually I picked it back up and finished it. The war on magic is almost here now and everything is intensifying.
Off to start book 10
I've enjoyed this series a lot and as I'm currently on holiday in Vegas I thought it would be great to read this while I was here, imagining the Councils residences above the hotels of the Strip, but most of this book isn't even set in Vegas and I kinda lost interest about half way through for a while.
Eventually I picked it back up and finished it. The war on magic is almost here now and everything is intensifying.
Off to start book 10
Talia Jackson recommended Trashed in Books (curated)
Butterfly child (6 KP) rated Killing Floor: (Jack Reacher 1) in Books
Feb 26, 2018
OK characterisation (1 more)
Good mystery build up
Intriguiging lead character.
I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it. I had heard great things about it, but I like to make my own mind up. Although it had some action from the start, it was still quite slow but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. A really good read, I passed onto my mum to read too! We quite like reading the same books sometimes so we can discuss it after reading. Its quite a nice mum/daughter activity.
I know the Jack Reacher series is quite old, and now has to movies but I guess I was quite late to the party. I have managed to avoid hearing much about the series, other than lots of positive comments about the books. So I was quite excited to get started.
The debut Jack Reacher novel kicks off with a good mystery and an intriguing character. I did find it was quite slow, and even though Jack is meant to be a bit of a mystery, I finished the book still not really feeling connected to the character, and for me, when reading its about feeling connected to the characters and the books which makes me carry on reading a series.
Although, I didn't fully connected with Jack Reacher, I did like the story and some of the background characters.
I like fiction, and I am a fan of Harry Potter and sci-fi and lots of things that dispel belief, but I like it in that context when you are expecting magic and some things to not make sense. The idea of why Jack was in Margate, Georgia and his connection the dead body felt a little strange. It added a level of something to the story but I am not sure why. This was my only issue with it, and I have only read the first book, so maybe more will be explained as the series goes on. I am giving it the benefit of the doubt, as overall I did really enjoy the book.
It's an 'ok' start to a series, and Jack Reachers mysterious life kept me intrigued enough to want to carry on with the series and pass it onto my mum. I am excited to move onto book 2.
I know the Jack Reacher series is quite old, and now has to movies but I guess I was quite late to the party. I have managed to avoid hearing much about the series, other than lots of positive comments about the books. So I was quite excited to get started.
The debut Jack Reacher novel kicks off with a good mystery and an intriguing character. I did find it was quite slow, and even though Jack is meant to be a bit of a mystery, I finished the book still not really feeling connected to the character, and for me, when reading its about feeling connected to the characters and the books which makes me carry on reading a series.
Although, I didn't fully connected with Jack Reacher, I did like the story and some of the background characters.
I like fiction, and I am a fan of Harry Potter and sci-fi and lots of things that dispel belief, but I like it in that context when you are expecting magic and some things to not make sense. The idea of why Jack was in Margate, Georgia and his connection the dead body felt a little strange. It added a level of something to the story but I am not sure why. This was my only issue with it, and I have only read the first book, so maybe more will be explained as the series goes on. I am giving it the benefit of the doubt, as overall I did really enjoy the book.
It's an 'ok' start to a series, and Jack Reachers mysterious life kept me intrigued enough to want to carry on with the series and pass it onto my mum. I am excited to move onto book 2.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Whole Truth (DI Adam Fawley #5) in Books
Aug 14, 2022
I have had this book on my 'to-be-read' pile for ages only realising (because my pile is so big!) when book 6 came along. I am so disappointed with myself that I didn't read it earlier because this is yet another cracker from Cara Hunter and a great addition to the series. I don't think you have to read the others in the series to enjoy this as it works pretty well as a standalone.
Once again, we are treated to an up to date story line of alleged abuse by a female in a powerful position against a male student and an old case that is coming back to haunt DI Fawley, his team and his wife. Ms Hunter uses different types of media, including podcasts and transcripts from interviews, to enhance the story and make it feel current and relevant and definitely enhances the reading experience.
The Whole Truth, and in fact the whole series so far, is full of excellent characters that are well developed but what I particularly like is that at the very beginning, there is a brief summary of the main characters in the series which gets you up to speed and jogs your memory which, for people who read a lot of books/series or for those, like me, who have memory lapses from time to time, is really useful. I would certainly recommend this to other authors who write series.
I have one small quibble in what is a really good book and that is the reproduction of Alex's written notes and some of the excepts from text conversations and social media didn't reproduce very well on the Kindle in that they were too small even when the font was set to maximum; I realise in a physical book this is likely not to be an issue but it might be worth thinking about this for future books.
Like I said, this is a cracker and one I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a really good police procedural with some great twists, turns and suspense.
Many thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my views of The Whole Truth.
Once again, we are treated to an up to date story line of alleged abuse by a female in a powerful position against a male student and an old case that is coming back to haunt DI Fawley, his team and his wife. Ms Hunter uses different types of media, including podcasts and transcripts from interviews, to enhance the story and make it feel current and relevant and definitely enhances the reading experience.
The Whole Truth, and in fact the whole series so far, is full of excellent characters that are well developed but what I particularly like is that at the very beginning, there is a brief summary of the main characters in the series which gets you up to speed and jogs your memory which, for people who read a lot of books/series or for those, like me, who have memory lapses from time to time, is really useful. I would certainly recommend this to other authors who write series.
I have one small quibble in what is a really good book and that is the reproduction of Alex's written notes and some of the excepts from text conversations and social media didn't reproduce very well on the Kindle in that they were too small even when the font was set to maximum; I realise in a physical book this is likely not to be an issue but it might be worth thinking about this for future books.
Like I said, this is a cracker and one I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a really good police procedural with some great twists, turns and suspense.
Many thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my views of The Whole Truth.
David McK (3495 KP) rated The Reckoning (Matthew Hawkwood #6) in Books
Jun 5, 2022
I first picked up and read the first couple of entries in James McGee's Matthew Hawkwood series (that would be Ratcatcher and Resurrectionist) round about 2010 or thereabouts when I came across them in a local branch of The Works.
I enjoyed those two enough to later pick up the next three is the series (Rapscallion, Rebellion and The Blooding). Unfortunately, however, I found the series to be drifting further and further from what it originally was, finding the last of those in particular to be quite hard to get through.
So much so, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about the series as a whole, and wasn't even aware of the fact when the latest one (this) was released in 2017.
Roll forward another five years or so, and I'm not sure how, but I came across this one somewhere on Kindle. Thoguht I would give it another chance.
I'm glad to say that this is back to what I remember the earlier book sin the series being like; back set in England, back with Matthew Hawkwood being a Bow Street Runner and back to, well, being an enjoyable read rather than a slog!
Faith restored ...
I enjoyed those two enough to later pick up the next three is the series (Rapscallion, Rebellion and The Blooding). Unfortunately, however, I found the series to be drifting further and further from what it originally was, finding the last of those in particular to be quite hard to get through.
So much so, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about the series as a whole, and wasn't even aware of the fact when the latest one (this) was released in 2017.
Roll forward another five years or so, and I'm not sure how, but I came across this one somewhere on Kindle. Thoguht I would give it another chance.
I'm glad to say that this is back to what I remember the earlier book sin the series being like; back set in England, back with Matthew Hawkwood being a Bow Street Runner and back to, well, being an enjoyable read rather than a slog!
Faith restored ...
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Every Kind of Wicked (Gardiner and Renner #6) in Books
Aug 25, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is the 6th book in her Gardiner and Renner series. I have not read any of the earlier books so, to give a fair review., I read the 1st book, That Darkness. While some novels allow you to pick up in the middle of the series, having a basic understanding of the main characters helped reading Every Kind of Wicked. I will include a description of them below this review.
Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner investigate a murder which occurred where they first met, in the Erie Street Cemetery. She is having difficulty dealing with the events of the last eight months, and Rick, her ex-husband, is suspicious of Jack. Rick wants to investigate Jack and his past.
Black's Gardiner and Renner are an interesting duo. If you have not read any of the Gardiner and Renner series, think Bones meets Dexter. They allow people to believe they are dating to throw off any suspicions they have of Jack. The event which brought them together continues to pull them closer.
Once I knew who the characters were, I enjoyed the book. I will continue reading the series and start Black's Theresa MacLean series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/25/20.
Here is what you need to know to get the most out of Lisa Black's Gardiner and Renner series before reading book #6.
Maggie Gardiner forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department and she is good at it. She works alongside the homicide detectives, including Rick, her ex-husband, and Jack Renner. Maggie and Jack met eight months prior while working a case involving a Jane Doe discovered in the local cemetery.
Jack has a mission. He needs to find the women he is hunting, and has been hunting, through several states.
Maggie follows all of the clues which keep pointing to one person - Jack. After confronting Jack, Maggie needs to decide if it is moral to kill someone that has harmed others and that will do harm again. She agrees to give Jack time to leave so as not to arouse suspicions that the serial killings stopped when he left Cleveland.
At some point after the first book, That Darkness, but before the 6th book, Every Kind of Wicked, Rick becomes suspicious of Jack. He is determined to show Maggie the kind of man Jack is.
Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is the 6th book in her Gardiner and Renner series. I have not read any of the earlier books so, to give a fair review., I read the 1st book, That Darkness. While some novels allow you to pick up in the middle of the series, having a basic understanding of the main characters helped reading Every Kind of Wicked. I will include a description of them below this review.
Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner investigate a murder which occurred where they first met, in the Erie Street Cemetery. She is having difficulty dealing with the events of the last eight months, and Rick, her ex-husband, is suspicious of Jack. Rick wants to investigate Jack and his past.
Black's Gardiner and Renner are an interesting duo. If you have not read any of the Gardiner and Renner series, think Bones meets Dexter. They allow people to believe they are dating to throw off any suspicions they have of Jack. The event which brought them together continues to pull them closer.
Once I knew who the characters were, I enjoyed the book. I will continue reading the series and start Black's Theresa MacLean series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/25/20.
Here is what you need to know to get the most out of Lisa Black's Gardiner and Renner series before reading book #6.
Maggie Gardiner forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department and she is good at it. She works alongside the homicide detectives, including Rick, her ex-husband, and Jack Renner. Maggie and Jack met eight months prior while working a case involving a Jane Doe discovered in the local cemetery.
Jack has a mission. He needs to find the women he is hunting, and has been hunting, through several states.
Maggie follows all of the clues which keep pointing to one person - Jack. After confronting Jack, Maggie needs to decide if it is moral to kill someone that has harmed others and that will do harm again. She agrees to give Jack time to leave so as not to arouse suspicions that the serial killings stopped when he left Cleveland.
At some point after the first book, That Darkness, but before the 6th book, Every Kind of Wicked, Rick becomes suspicious of Jack. He is determined to show Maggie the kind of man Jack is.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Tombs of Endearment (Pepper Martin, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Another fun Pepper Martin mystery that's as good as the first and better than the second in the series. Again, the ghost is the best character, this time a 60s rocker who possibly died of an overdose forty years ago. I couldn't help but think he was a Jim Morrison prototype, especially with some of the lyrics.
Pepper was thankfully brighter in this book and figured things out at a good pace. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to figure out whodunnit early on in this series, for lack of suspects, but I liked how the author had Pepper go about it anyway.
I could do without the constant who-wears-what, how Pepper's hair or nails are done, everything she wears at every given moment, and most of all, I get annoyed at her overactive libido every time a hot guy - dead or alive - comes into contact with her. Get it together girl! What's your problem. Luckily, it looks as if she might (finally) get her act together for the fourth book. Hopefully it is not Quinn, because he is a boring, cut-out character that adds nothing to this series. However, I still look forward to the next book and hope it continues to get better.
Pepper was thankfully brighter in this book and figured things out at a good pace. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to figure out whodunnit early on in this series, for lack of suspects, but I liked how the author had Pepper go about it anyway.
I could do without the constant who-wears-what, how Pepper's hair or nails are done, everything she wears at every given moment, and most of all, I get annoyed at her overactive libido every time a hot guy - dead or alive - comes into contact with her. Get it together girl! What's your problem. Luckily, it looks as if she might (finally) get her act together for the fourth book. Hopefully it is not Quinn, because he is a boring, cut-out character that adds nothing to this series. However, I still look forward to the next book and hope it continues to get better.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This review is really hard to write mainly because I did not have any feelings about this book after I read it. It was a quick read, only taking me two hours; yet it was hard to stay focused. I felt so unmotivated to read this book, which I sometimes had to force myself to keep going.
I am not saying it is a bad book. In fact, I think quite the opposite. While it was not anything to heavy or thought provoking, Brewer did a good job at creating a practical storyline with realistic characters and an in-depth vampire society I felt that she teased us with all the glimpses into the vampire society. It was obvious this novel was the first in the series. We are introduced to Vlad and the people important to the storyline. I wish she had shown us more because I am not interested in reading the rest of the series to find out.
The only thing that truly annoyed me, however, was Brewers lack of subtly. She brings up subjects that are supposed to be revealed later in novel/series, but she makes it so obvious that you are supposed to be interested.
I am not saying it is a bad book. In fact, I think quite the opposite. While it was not anything to heavy or thought provoking, Brewer did a good job at creating a practical storyline with realistic characters and an in-depth vampire society I felt that she teased us with all the glimpses into the vampire society. It was obvious this novel was the first in the series. We are introduced to Vlad and the people important to the storyline. I wish she had shown us more because I am not interested in reading the rest of the series to find out.
The only thing that truly annoyed me, however, was Brewers lack of subtly. She brings up subjects that are supposed to be revealed later in novel/series, but she makes it so obvious that you are supposed to be interested.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Just a Bit Unhealthy (Straight Guys #3) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
So as you'll know if you've followed my last few reviews, that I've been pretty obsessed with this series over the past couple of days. I don't know what it is with these questionable straight guys and the gay/bisexual guys they end up with but I've pretty much devoured them.
This one was all just a bit too strange for me. For these guys to be so obsessed with each other--well Gabriel anyway. Jared was trying to move on but one request from Gabe and he was running back to him like the man in love he was. It was rather unhealthy and maybe a little twisted. I didn't understand it much.
I kinda wanted them to get together but at the same time it didn't seem right. Gabe had a girlfriend and a baby from pretty much the start of the book and...just no. I like my M/M stories to not have children attached unless they're grown up (Or a certain book that I loved by M.J. O'Shea and Piper Vaughn :D)
This has been my least favourite of the series so far but I will read the next book in the series to see what it's like.
This one was all just a bit too strange for me. For these guys to be so obsessed with each other--well Gabriel anyway. Jared was trying to move on but one request from Gabe and he was running back to him like the man in love he was. It was rather unhealthy and maybe a little twisted. I didn't understand it much.
I kinda wanted them to get together but at the same time it didn't seem right. Gabe had a girlfriend and a baby from pretty much the start of the book and...just no. I like my M/M stories to not have children attached unless they're grown up (Or a certain book that I loved by M.J. O'Shea and Piper Vaughn :D)
This has been my least favourite of the series so far but I will read the next book in the series to see what it's like.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Ivory Guard (The Guard Duet, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
4.5 stars.
I've been Natalie's plot tester/beta reader with this, as well as it's proof reader, from early on and I really enjoyed it, now I've finally gotten to read it's ending.
The thing with Natalie is she always come up with something original. This is the first time I've read a book, or even heard of a book, about a team of half angels/half humans who are trained by angels to takeout demons. The same could be said about her Patroness series; once again, I've never read anything like it. That's what I like about her books: they're different.
I don't want to give too much away but this is a story of good (angels) versus evil (demons) to put it simply. The struggle of eighteen year old Lillian as she realises her life is about to change whether she wants it to or not and her journey from bookworm to fearless leader with the help of her Ivory Guard and Raz, the angel of secrets.
I really enjoyed it, like I did her Patroness series and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Ebony Fight, to see how everything works out for her and her team.
I've been Natalie's plot tester/beta reader with this, as well as it's proof reader, from early on and I really enjoyed it, now I've finally gotten to read it's ending.
The thing with Natalie is she always come up with something original. This is the first time I've read a book, or even heard of a book, about a team of half angels/half humans who are trained by angels to takeout demons. The same could be said about her Patroness series; once again, I've never read anything like it. That's what I like about her books: they're different.
I don't want to give too much away but this is a story of good (angels) versus evil (demons) to put it simply. The struggle of eighteen year old Lillian as she realises her life is about to change whether she wants it to or not and her journey from bookworm to fearless leader with the help of her Ivory Guard and Raz, the angel of secrets.
I really enjoyed it, like I did her Patroness series and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Ebony Fight, to see how everything works out for her and her team.