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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Stalker (Joona Linna #5) in Books
Mar 21, 2019
5th novel in the Joona Linna series. Can stand-alone
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Stalker by Lars Kepler is the 5th novel in the Swedish police series involving the main character, Joona Linna. Linna is a detective who is on the hunt of an obsessive, stalking serial killer who secretly video records his victims before brutally murdering them. He taunts police by sending them videos showing the victim alive and clearly unaware they are being recorded.
This novel can stand-alone but, according to reviews on Goodreads, the earlier novels provide information and background stories on characters in the series. I have never read the previous books but have had several of them on my "want to read" list since the 4th book, Sandman, could be found all over social media last year.
I was hesitant to start the series because, I have found when a book has that much hype surrounding it, it feels like a disappointment when reading. I did not feel that when reading Stalker. The novel started off slowly. This may be because I was not familiar with the characters. Familiar or not, after the slow start, I was sucked into the story and will be moving the rest of the series to the top of my "want to read" list.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/21/19.
Stalker by Lars Kepler is the 5th novel in the Swedish police series involving the main character, Joona Linna. Linna is a detective who is on the hunt of an obsessive, stalking serial killer who secretly video records his victims before brutally murdering them. He taunts police by sending them videos showing the victim alive and clearly unaware they are being recorded.
This novel can stand-alone but, according to reviews on Goodreads, the earlier novels provide information and background stories on characters in the series. I have never read the previous books but have had several of them on my "want to read" list since the 4th book, Sandman, could be found all over social media last year.
I was hesitant to start the series because, I have found when a book has that much hype surrounding it, it feels like a disappointment when reading. I did not feel that when reading Stalker. The novel started off slowly. This may be because I was not familiar with the characters. Familiar or not, after the slow start, I was sucked into the story and will be moving the rest of the series to the top of my "want to read" list.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/21/19.
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Genesis Fleet - Ascendant (Book 2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Second entry in John Hemry's (Jack Campbell is his pen-name) 'Genesis Fleet' series, which acts as a precursor to his 'Lost Fleet' series or its sequels in 'Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier' and in the 'Shattered Stars' series.
As a precursor, this takes place centuries before the 'Lost Fleet' series, when humanity has really only just taken to the stars, centuries before The Alliance and The Syndicate struggle for control of the stars and before 'Black Jack' Geary is born (however, his ancestor Rob Geary has a central role in these novels).
The bulk of this book - the vast majority, even - actually deals with an attack on the colony world of Kosatka, with the action taking place (and described) in both space and on the ground. Although Rob Geary is tasked with protecting his own colony world of Glenlyon, his investigations into an attack on a ship passing into that system leads him to an allied system, where he learns that another allied system (the afore-mentioned Kosatka) is in imminent danger of invasion. Reasoning that those attackers would move on to attack Glenlyon after Kostaka falls, Geary makes the decision to aid in the defence, somewhat stretching his own orders …
In short (like any other work in any of the 'Lost Fleet', 'Beyond the Frontier' or 'Shattered Stars' series) a relatively straight-forward plot that only really exists to provide an excuse for the (admittedly, well-told) action!
As a precursor, this takes place centuries before the 'Lost Fleet' series, when humanity has really only just taken to the stars, centuries before The Alliance and The Syndicate struggle for control of the stars and before 'Black Jack' Geary is born (however, his ancestor Rob Geary has a central role in these novels).
The bulk of this book - the vast majority, even - actually deals with an attack on the colony world of Kosatka, with the action taking place (and described) in both space and on the ground. Although Rob Geary is tasked with protecting his own colony world of Glenlyon, his investigations into an attack on a ship passing into that system leads him to an allied system, where he learns that another allied system (the afore-mentioned Kosatka) is in imminent danger of invasion. Reasoning that those attackers would move on to attack Glenlyon after Kostaka falls, Geary makes the decision to aid in the defence, somewhat stretching his own orders …
In short (like any other work in any of the 'Lost Fleet', 'Beyond the Frontier' or 'Shattered Stars' series) a relatively straight-forward plot that only really exists to provide an excuse for the (admittedly, well-told) action!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4) in Books
Feb 10, 2020
4th book in the Stillhouse Lake series
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Bitter Falls is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series. To give a fair review, I read the earlier books and I am so glad I did. I will publish reviews on those, but this one will concern only Bitter Falls.
Gwen Proctor, working as a P.I., is tasked with investigating a cold case missing person. As usual with Gwen, things with this case, are not as simple as they seem. The entire family is pulled into the case while trying to stay away from the Hillbilly Mafia who wants Gwen and her family gone. Of course, you can not forget about the internet trolls and the Lost Angels.
As with the other books in the series, this book was difficult to put down. The story is fast-paced and, after Wolfhunter, the family is not able to pretend to "be normal" for long. By making Gwen a P.I, Rachel Caine has ensured this series will be able to continue with new and different cases in each book. I know I look forward to the next adventure of Gwen, the kids, Sam, and their friends/supporters.
Heartbreak Bay, the 5th book in Stillhouse Lake series is available to pre-order.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/9/20.
Bitter Falls is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series. To give a fair review, I read the earlier books and I am so glad I did. I will publish reviews on those, but this one will concern only Bitter Falls.
Gwen Proctor, working as a P.I., is tasked with investigating a cold case missing person. As usual with Gwen, things with this case, are not as simple as they seem. The entire family is pulled into the case while trying to stay away from the Hillbilly Mafia who wants Gwen and her family gone. Of course, you can not forget about the internet trolls and the Lost Angels.
As with the other books in the series, this book was difficult to put down. The story is fast-paced and, after Wolfhunter, the family is not able to pretend to "be normal" for long. By making Gwen a P.I, Rachel Caine has ensured this series will be able to continue with new and different cases in each book. I know I look forward to the next adventure of Gwen, the kids, Sam, and their friends/supporters.
Heartbreak Bay, the 5th book in Stillhouse Lake series is available to pre-order.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/9/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Rabbit Hunter (Joona Linna #6) in Books
Mar 26, 2020 (Updated Mar 26, 2020)
6th book in the series. Can stand-alone but read the earlier ones first.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Secret Admirer (Detective Natalie Ward Book 6) in Books
Apr 2, 2020
6th book in the series. Read the other 1st. Worth it.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Secret Admirer is the 6th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. I enjoyed books 1 - 4 and was surprised to learn I had missed the 5th, The Blossom Twins. I read it before beginning this and I am so glad I did.
Detective Natalie Ward is immediately thrust into a case after she returns to work. A student is found dead from an acid attack. As Ward has learned, everyone has secrets. Now, she has to uncover the secrets surrounding Gemma and her murder.
All of the books in the series focus on a crime and the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. This book continues the storyline well. Ward's family, the team and their families continue to be a large presence in the story.
Often, I will say you could start the series with the current book but you would not understand the characters as well. This is true here but Wyer brings the characters to life in such a way it feels she is writing about real people. I strongly encourage you to read the whole series and start at the beginning. You will be in for a great read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 4/2/2020.
The Secret Admirer is the 6th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. I enjoyed books 1 - 4 and was surprised to learn I had missed the 5th, The Blossom Twins. I read it before beginning this and I am so glad I did.
Detective Natalie Ward is immediately thrust into a case after she returns to work. A student is found dead from an acid attack. As Ward has learned, everyone has secrets. Now, she has to uncover the secrets surrounding Gemma and her murder.
All of the books in the series focus on a crime and the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. This book continues the storyline well. Ward's family, the team and their families continue to be a large presence in the story.
Often, I will say you could start the series with the current book but you would not understand the characters as well. This is true here but Wyer brings the characters to life in such a way it feels she is writing about real people. I strongly encourage you to read the whole series and start at the beginning. You will be in for a great read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 4/2/2020.
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Silent Victims (Hanlon Series #4) in Books
Apr 18, 2021
Once again, I am not disappointed with this, the final book in the series featuring the unconventional DCI Hanlon.
I have now read all 4 books in this series and have enjoyed each and every one of them. I rarely say this about a series but I really do think you need to have read at least the first one (The Stolen Child) if you want to understand the main characters in the book; if you don't, I really think you will be flailing a little with the relationships they have and their motivations and this will, I think, detract from the overall story.
Hanlon is a very strong female character and one tough cookie. I admit that she is quite difficult to like but she has definitely grown on me over the series. In this, we see the odd glimpse of the softer side to Hanlon which makes her more "human" but don't let these snippets fool you - she will stop at nothing and nothing will stand in her way.
With a cast of excellent characters wrapped up in an intriguing plot, lots of action, tension and violent scenes, this is a great story well written which is gripping and exciting and makes it difficult to stop reading.
Highly recommended series and my thanks go to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I have now read all 4 books in this series and have enjoyed each and every one of them. I rarely say this about a series but I really do think you need to have read at least the first one (The Stolen Child) if you want to understand the main characters in the book; if you don't, I really think you will be flailing a little with the relationships they have and their motivations and this will, I think, detract from the overall story.
Hanlon is a very strong female character and one tough cookie. I admit that she is quite difficult to like but she has definitely grown on me over the series. In this, we see the odd glimpse of the softer side to Hanlon which makes her more "human" but don't let these snippets fool you - she will stop at nothing and nothing will stand in her way.
With a cast of excellent characters wrapped up in an intriguing plot, lots of action, tension and violent scenes, this is a great story well written which is gripping and exciting and makes it difficult to stop reading.
Highly recommended series and my thanks go to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Riconoscimento: Recognition (New Blood Rising #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2021 (Updated Aug 3, 2023)
RICONOSCIMENTO: RECOGNITION is the third and final book so far in the New Blood Rising series, and brings this trilogy to a dramatic conclusion. April, Marcus, and Sebastian are mourning the loss of Andrei, whilst still hunting down Sara and the other mages who hurt them so badly.
It was great jumping back into this series as April certainly knows how to handle herself, even when she's feeling slightly 'off'. The relationship between her and Marcus is as wonderful as ever, and Sebastian nearly melted my Kindle.
The one thing I will say, and it's what kept this from being a 5-star read, is the ending felt a bit rushed to me. All the build-up, and then, wham, bam, thank you, ma'am, it's all over. I know Maya Daniels writes things at a fast pace, but this was just a bit too fast.
On the whole, though, this was an amazing ending to the series, and I really hope Maya Daniels does indeed return to this series, as hinted as being possible in the afterword. It is a series though, so you really must read it from book one for it to make any sense, and for you to get the full enjoyment from it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 15, 2021
It was great jumping back into this series as April certainly knows how to handle herself, even when she's feeling slightly 'off'. The relationship between her and Marcus is as wonderful as ever, and Sebastian nearly melted my Kindle.
The one thing I will say, and it's what kept this from being a 5-star read, is the ending felt a bit rushed to me. All the build-up, and then, wham, bam, thank you, ma'am, it's all over. I know Maya Daniels writes things at a fast pace, but this was just a bit too fast.
On the whole, though, this was an amazing ending to the series, and I really hope Maya Daniels does indeed return to this series, as hinted as being possible in the afterword. It is a series though, so you really must read it from book one for it to make any sense, and for you to get the full enjoyment from it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 15, 2021
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Nov 2, 2017
Starts brilliantly, but now starting to drag...
I love zombie films, so a zombie (or walker as the "z" word is never mentioned) tv show really appealed. And to begin with, The Walking Dead really impresses.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.