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Hazel (2934 KP) rated One Eye Open in Books

Jul 12, 2020  
One Eye Open
One Eye Open
Paul Finch | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have made it no secret that I am a fan of Paul Finch ... how could you not be with characters from his previous books like DS Mark "Heck" Heckenburg and PC Lucy Clayborn? Well here we have another memorable character ... DS Lynda Hagan.

This is a stand-alone book which follows the investigation into a seemingly straight forward car crash involving an ex-Formula 1 driver (Wade) and his wife Harriet (Harri) but it is anything but and we are soon taken on a non-stop ride full of action, suspense and intrigue involving gangs, grasses/snitches and one relentless and determined copper.

Told from Lynda's perspective in the present and Wade's timeline from the weeks leading up to the crash, with a great plot and a break-neck pace with twists and breath-holding moments, this is a great crime thriller. I wonder if there are going to more books featuring DS Hagan, I would quite like to get to know her a bit more because I think we only scratched the surface in this and I think there is more to her than meets the eye! If so, I will be the first in the queue.

Thank you to Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide
Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide
Tony Horwitz | 2019 | History & Politics
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Like many people I was stunned and saddened when the world lost Tony Horwitz. I had met Tony and his wife, Geraldine Brooks, at several book functions over the years, and I marveled at his comingling of journalism and storytelling, as he traveled the world in search of knowledge. I was introduced to Horwitz, as many were, with Confederates in the Attic. In this, unfortunately his last book, Horwitz travels the south again as he traces the footsteps of Frederick Law Olmsted, who would find fame and fortune as a landscape architect, with perhaps his crowning glory being Central Park in New York. Horwitz travels throughout the south and talks to people from all walks of life in an effort to figure out what has changed in America, or if it’s always been so divided. And if there is a pathway forward to forge a national consensus on anything. Like Bill Bryson has done in his travels, and Mark Twain did well over a century before, Horwitz has not simply written a book chronicling his journey, he has opened the heart of America, its majesty and its darkness for all to see. We all will miss Tony Horwitz and what he has brought to our collective conscience. If you’ve never read him, this would be an ideal place to start."

Source
  
Black Widow Vol. 1: S.H.I.E.L.D.'S Most Wanted: Volume 1
Black Widow Vol. 1: S.H.I.E.L.D.'S Most Wanted: Volume 1
Mark Waid, Chris Samnee | 2016 | Comics & Graphic Novels
4
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Man, I so wanted to be bowled over this one! But, in the end? Not so much!

Let's see.. Natasha Romanoff is still BW? Check! Mark Waid is writing? Check! Chris Samnee is handling the art? And, check! Seriously, sounds like a recipe for "Win!", but I didn't think so. And, I am know I am in the minority (along w/hating "emo" Robert Pattison-as-Batman), but that is what makes GoodReads so great: freedom to express your opinion on books read!

I quite liked Samnee's art! I thought his (in my opinion) very Steve McQueen/1970s "spy flick"-influenced style worked PERFECT for this! I know he worked on DD (w/Waid), but I did not check it out as I <i>like</i> DAREDEVIL, but I don't <i>love</i> it! Going forward, I can't wait too more work coming Chris' way!

Now, Waid's writing? It never gelled for me! I normally gravitate towards his scripting, but for I dunno. The writing overall felt "off" and at times, the flashbacks didn't always fit as seemlessly as they should have! Even his dialogue for Natasha just didn't "Wow!" me in any way!

At the end of the day, I don't there is much else I can say that hasn't already been said! It seems like mostly everyone liked/loved, while I didn't! That said, read it, and make up your own opinion! Just like I did...!
  
All She Wrote (Holmes &amp; Moriarity, #2)
All She Wrote (Holmes & Moriarity, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars.

I enjoyed this one more than the first, though I think that can be put down to the progression in the relationship between Kit and J.X.
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At the start my warm and fuzzies over how the last one ended quickly dissolved as this started with them decided to take a break. I was like WTF?! And then Kit was off across the country to go and see his mentor after her fall down some icy stairs meaning she couldn&#039;t run her Writer&#039;s Workshop. Of course, it wasn&#039;t as straight forward as that and we were thrown into yet another murder mystery.
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I have to say I was kinda disheartened when J.X. wasn&#039;t in the first third (or so)&nbsp;of the story as I really liked him and Kit as a couple but he reappeared and the warm and fuzzies returned. The progression of their relationship in this one was so sweet. J.X. is willing to anything to keep Kit in his life and I find that lovely.
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As for the murder mystery, I was once again stumped until the 90% mark when someone wasn&#039;t quite upset enough and it clicked (about the same time as Kit figured it out, too).
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I love Josh Lanyon books like this and can&#039;t wait to read more from him! I also can&#039;t wait for the next Holmes and Moriarity book!
  
The Mark of Fate ( The Marked book 3)
The Mark of Fate ( The Marked book 3)
Rinna Ford | 2021 | Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
210 of 250
Kindle
The Mark of Fate (The Marked series book 3)
By Rinna Ford

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

War will be waged, lives will be lost…

One step forward and two steps back.
That’s what it feels like for Emelia since nearly dying at the hands of the Council. No matter what, they always seem to have the upper hand, and to make matters worse, her triple hybrid nature is working against her. However, her ability to blow up things by accident is the least of her problems.
Friends will become enemies, and enemies will become something more as Emelia and her mates search for the ones they’ve lost and try to fulfill the prophecy before time runs out. Emelia is the cursed child foretold to rule them all, but will she be able to succeed where others have failed?

Only fate knows the answer.


I absolutely loved it! Best one so far I love how she is finally getting her self together and kicking ass! Ok so I may have cried a little I won’t put why as it’s a spoiler and I wouldn’t want to take that from anyone else enjoying this series. It didn’t take long to read as I just couldn’t put it down and it’s now almost 3am! Definitely recommend to any reverse harem or fantasy fan!