Deadly Kisses

Brenda Joyce

Rich-girl sleuth Francesca Cahill returns for another adventure in early twentieth-century New York, this time attempting to exonerate her fiance of murder. Much to the dismay of her parents and most of polite society, Francesca is engaged to a self-made, wealthy enigma of a man, Calder Hart. She alone can see the goodness and vulnerability in this former rogue, and her faith in him is severely tested when his former mistress is murdered and he becomes the number-one suspect. Francesca dedicates herself to finding the real killer, in spite of much opposition. Calder attempts to distance himself from her until he realizes that no matter what he has or hasn't done, and no matter what is said of him, Francesca will loyally stand by even as things go from bad to worse. 

My Take:

Very rarely do I dislike a book as much as this one.  I couldn't stand the man character AT ALL.  She is in love with an absolute, well, the only way I can think of to describe him is D-bag, to be quite blunt.  She is proclaimed to be super intelligent and have amazing judgement, yet, the reader is forced to swallow this romance.  Francesca spends over half of her dialogue defending her "true love" and at least 3/4 of her inner thoughts defending him to herself and the reader.  Yuck.  I skipped pages and pages and pages (something I oh so rarely do) because it was so repetitive and unenjoyable.  Now, aside from the romance that bugged me, I was completely unimpressed by Francesca's sleuthing skills.  It wouldn't be a big deal, except that her character is famous for her ability to solve crimes, but I saw absolutely no evidence of her crime solving prowess.  In fact, she was so blinded by her personal life that she missed out on a ton of important clues and she was totally off base in a bazillion of her assumptions.  She didn't even have the slightest inkling of who the killer was until said person was waving a gun in her face.  I know it is easier for the reader to figure out whodunnit than it is for the characters, but I had the killer pegged so early it wasn't even interesting.  Also, the final showdown, a scene I always look forward to in mysteries, was a zzzzzzz fest.

Not only did I find the storyline lackluster, but the writing as well.  My apologies to the author, but contraction removal alone does not authentic period dialogue make.  Period dialogue is tough, if the author doesn't know what they are doing, the reader will see right through you and your dialogue.  I, personally, am a super crappy historical dialogue writer, which is why I stay away from it.  All in all the book felt clunky, badly paced, and completely uninteresting.  There was a very distinct feel of been there done that-a total no no for a mystery.  There were a few side story lines that I really enjoyed but since they took up a total of probably 40 pages, they weren't nearly enough to save this book for me.  I absolutely hate assigning this rating, but I have no choice.  5-Don't Even Bother 

Tell me what you think!  Have you read this book, or any of the other Francesca Cahill mysteries?  Have you read anything by Brenda Joyce?  Do you think I am totally off base in my review?  Hit the comments and let me know!

If Deadly Kisses were a movie, it would likely be rated R for some strong language and brief but strong sexual content

***FTC Disclosure:  Deadly Kisses was provided free of charge by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  No other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

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The Dangerous Edge of Things

Tina Whittle

Tai Randolph thinks inheriting a Confederate-themed gun shop is her biggest headache — until she finds a murdered corpse in her brother's driveway. Even worse, her supposedly respectable brother begins behaving in decidedly non-innocent ways, like fleeing to the Bahamas and leaving her with both a homicide in her lap and the pointed suspicions of the Atlanta PD directed her way. Suddenly, she has to worry about clearing her own name, not just that of her wayward sibling.

Complicating her search for answers is Trey Seaver, field agent for Phoenix, an exclusive corporate security firm hired to investigate the crime. Trey is fearless, focused, and — much to Tai's dismay — utterly impervious to bribes, threats and clever deceptions. Still in recovery from the car accident that left him cognitively and emotionally damaged, Trey has constructed a world of certainty and routine. He has powerful people to answer to, and the last thing he wants is an unpredictable stranger "detecting" on Phoenix turf.

Tai's inquiry leads her from the cold-eyed glamour of Atlanta's adult entertainment scene to the gilded treachery of Tuxedo Road. Potential suspects abound, including violent stalkers, vengeful sisters, and a paparazzo with a taste for meth. But it takes another murder — and threats to her own life — to make Tai realize that to solve this crime, she has to trust the most dangerous man she's ever met.

My Take:

I seem to be in the minority on this one, I didn't really find this book all that great.  It was competently written, I can't say there was really anything bad about it specifically, it just lacked a certain pizazz.  I didn't love Tai, I wasn't all that intrigued about the mystery and the dialogue didn't wow me.  The one bright shining light of the book was Tai's partner, Trey.  After a head injury, he is left with a severe lack of social skills, which combined with his deadly training makes him a very volatile, and interesting, character.  Of course, he was hot, he is the love interest after all, he's quirky and downright off, which I love.  Probably due to the fact that I myself am more than a little bit off, normal characters just don't do it for me.  I'd love to see him as the main character of series.  Like I said before, the book isn't bad, and neither is Tai. I'm just not interested in finding out what makes her tick.  I definitely appreciated the fact that she wasn't a wimpy southern bell, and the fact that she owned a gun shop, but didn't ascribe herself to any particular stereotype.  Growing up in rural Nevada certainly left me with a healthy appreciation for the second amendment, so I always love some good firepower in an action book :)  The book is worth a read, but didn't rock my world, give it a try and let me know what you think! 3, Find a Used Book Store

I'd love to hear your opinion!  Did you enjoy this book?  If you've read the book, who was your favorite character?  Do you enjoy reading about people that are a little off, or do you like more straight-edge characters?  Hit the comments!

If The Dangerous Edge of Things was a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for some sexual content and violence

***FTC Disclosure: The Dangerous Edge of Things was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own*** 

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The Mysterious Lady Law

Robert Appleton

In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducing? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted? 

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...

My Take:

"Eh." "S'Okay."  Such were my considerably underwhelmed reactions at the conclusion of this little steam punk novella. Parts of the book I thought were totally random and downright weird (and not in a fun way, but in a huh? way) and the ending was just so so.  But there were aspects I really enjoyed.  I thought the main character (not the titular character Lady Law, she, I didn't care for) Julia, was interesting and her love interest, while nothing to write home about, was engaging.  The whodunit mystery at the center of the book was not all that mysterious, but the means by which  Lady Law solves mysterious (and whether or not she is a good guy) proves to be the far more interesting question.  Now, while I didn't find the novella to be all that gratifying overall, to be fair, I must say that I didn't expect the twist at the end and overall the story was quite a page turner (or clicker, since I read it on my Kindle:)  It is a fun and quick read, if you like steam punk, or light mysteries, you will probably enjoy this book, I'm just saying don't expect it to rock your world. 4, Borrow from a friend

I'd love to hear your opinion!  Have you read this book?  If so, what did you think of it?  Do you enjoy the steam punk genre?  What do you think the twist ending is (if you've read the book don't spoil it!)?  Hit the comments!

If The Mysterious Lady Law was a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for some violence and brief strong sexual content 

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

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The Paris Secret

Angela Henry

Less than twenty-four hours after fleeing to Paris, Maya Sinclair is the prime suspect in a brutal murder—and targeted by the real killer. When she's viciously attacked in the gardens of Versailles, Maya barely escapes with her life thanks to sexy French journalist Simon Girard.

Simon has been investigating the mysterious death of his brother, an art forger with ties to the woman Maya is suspected of killing. Still healing from heartbreak of his own, Simon reluctantly joins forces with Maya, who has awakened feelings within him he thought long dead.

Their search for answers uncovers the existence of a secret society, and puts them on a quest to find a missing crucifix rumored to hold the key to everlasting life. Together, Maya and Simon race through Paris one step ahead of a killer who will do anything to ensure some secrets remain buried forever...

My Take:  

What started out as a "my fiance cheated on/dumped me and now I'm off to find myself in an exotic city" chiclit turned seamlessly into an Indiana Jones/DaVinci Code hybrid with just a pinch of Sister Act tossed in.  Odd combo, yes, but it works.  A lot of stuff is thrown at you in this book, but it is all introduced in a way that you aren't lost at all.  It is easy to follow and very exciting.  I am really really good at predicting twist endings, and I didn't totally predict how this book played out, so kudos to Angela Henry.  I also think Angela Henry did a great job of creating a wonderful setting and mood.  I have to say, Paris has never been a place I've ever really been interested in visiting.  I don't know why, but it just doesn't float my boat like say maybe London or Venice.  But the sights, sounds and smells of Paris in The Paris Secret have most definitely piqued my interest in The City of Love.  I'd recommend this book to just about anyone who likes a good mystery/thriller.  It is fast paced, there's a touch of romance and history, the characters are solid and there are not a few twists.  Really, the only thing the book lacked was resonance.  That intangible something that keeps you thinking about it long after you've finished, but it was definitely a page turner (or clicker since I read it on my Kindle :).  I really enjoyed The Paris Secret, and am therefore giving it a rating of a good solid 3, Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Paris Secret was a movie it would likely be rated R for violence, sexual content, and language

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

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Don't Die, Dragonfly

Linda Joy Singleton

After getting kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother, Sabine Rose is determined to become a "normal" teenage girl. She hides her psychic powers from everyone, even from her grandmother Nona, who also has "the gift." Having a job at the school newspaper and friends like Penny-Love, a popular cheerleader, have helped Sabine fit in at her new school. She has even managed to catch the eye of the adorable Josh DeMarco. Yet, Sabine can't seem to get the bossy voice of Opal, her spirit guide, out of her head . . . or the disturbing images of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo. Suspected of a crime she didn't commit, Sabine must find the strength to defend herself and, later, save a friend from certain danger.

My Take:  

Describe this book in one word, you ask?  Lackluster.  Nothing particularly special or memorable about this book, but nothing absolutely horrible either.  Pretty much all the characters were flat, except for one, Dominic, a boy the main character is none too fond of.  I found him interesting, but his character was completely unexplored.  I was really annoyed with all the typos (this was not an ARC, when I get an advanced copy I don't mention typos, but this was a final version on Amazon) and overall I just couldn't get into the book.  The book had a ton of questions and potentially interesting plot lines to follow, but the conclusion of the book was abrupt and only gave closure to what seemed to me to be the most boring subplot.  There were about half a billion questions left unanswered at the end of the book.  There is a very fine line an author must tread to achieve the perfect balance of answered/unanswered questions at the end of the first book in a series.  You have to give the reader a little so they feel fulfilled but leave them wanting more.  This book left me unfulfilled and not interested in reading the other books, just annoyed.  Because I hate being a negative Debbie Downer, I will say that the book had some interesting ideas, the cover is great (I'm a sucker for purple) and the pacing wasn't bad but overall I've got to give it a rating of 4 Borrow from a Friend

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Don't Die, Dragonfly was a movie, it would likely be rated PG for some mild language and some violence

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The Cutting Edge

Darcia Helle

My name is Skye Summers. I'm a hairstylist and I can't stop fantasizing about killing my clients. Not all of them, of course. I only want to kill the ones who irritate me, which, if I'm being honest, is most of them. My occasional fantasies have turned into chronic daydreams. They're bloody and vivid, like watching a slice-and-dice movie on IMAX. I also want to kill my husband's ex-girlfriend. She's not a client but she tops my list. Eighteen years ago, she gave birth to his daughter and she has tormented him ever since. I should be troubled by this growing desire to use my surgically sharpened shears for more than a haircut. Instead, I wonder how I can get away with it.

My Take:

This book took a while for me to get into.  At first, all it really seemed like was a hair dresser whining and whining and whining about how much she hates whiners!  After a while, you get used to her complaining and the mystery aspect of the book picks up and the whole thing becomes quite engrossing.  Speaking of engrossing, more specifically the "gross" in engrossing, the serial killer in this book really grossed me out.  It honestly wasn't too gory, but icky.  I don't really have an iron stomach for violence and overall yucky stuff in books.  In real life I can handle anything, I went to school to be a EMT, and I've seen a lot of sickening stuff, which doesn't bother me, but put it in a book or  movie and I don't do so well.  Anyway, back to the book at hand, it rotates between two perspectives:  that of a hairdresser who hates her clients, fantasises about killing them (which leads her to wonder if she needs help) and the perspective of an actual serial killer who latches onto said hairdresser.  The final confrontation was more tame than I was expecting (thankfully) and though I wasn't sure throughout, by the end I felt I enjoyed the book, but my enjoyment was underwhelming.  From the description, I was hoping the book would have a bit more bite and substance than it did.  I felt like half the book could have been cut out and I wouldn't have missed much. Overall the book was not bad, not great.  With this in mind, I rate it a 4, Borrow from a Friend

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base? Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Cutting Edge was a movie, it would likely be rated R for some violence, sexuality and frightening adult situations

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

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If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

Sugar Tower

Jessica Dee Rohm

Set in today's Manhattan, Sugar Tower is a sharp and funny tale of a woman forced to reinvent herself as the platforms she built her life upon are dissolving beneath her feet. With uncanny perceptiveness, this novel delves into societal shifts that impact us all - the real estate bubble, the decline of feminism, the obsolescence of print journalism - in the context of a murder mystery that titillates and dazzles from beginning to end. 

My Take:  

First off, my compliments to the author.  I generally find just about anything to do with real estate akin to a sleeping pill.  I understand it is important to have a basic knowledge of how it all works, which I do, but I find it all to be a fast track ticket to snoozeville.  I did however keep my mind open to the possibility of enjoying this book, and I'm glad I was open to it, because I found it very interesting indeed.  I actually learned a lot about the business, but it was intermingled so well with the intriguing storyline and characters that I found myself excitedly moving from one page to another.  One thing I was bummed about was that I pegged the killer, motive and method basically right away.  I think that is due to the fact that I have a million cops in my family and I have watched (WAAAAAAY too many) hours of CSI (Vegas only, I'm a native Las Vegan so I'm a purist that way), Law and Order SVU, Castle, Bones, Mentalist, you name it.  I have a freaky talent for picking the bad guy the second he or she is introduced before they even say a word.  Though I had it pegged right away, I still enjoyed seeing it all unfold.  I really enjoyed the characters in this book, except I don't think I loved the protagonist as much as I was supposed to, but oh well, to each his own, right?  Overall I thought this book was a fascinating real estate/murder mystery hybrid and I will absolutely be reading more by this author.  The writing style was smart and funny pulling together an extremely entertaining read.  For me personally, it isn't a keep on your bookshelf forever type of book, but still pretty dang good and rate it a 3 Find a Used Book Store.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Sugar Tower was a movie, it would be rated R for sporadic but strong language

 

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

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If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

The Spurned Viscountess

Shelley Munro

Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind's only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn't expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.

Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.

 Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife . . .

My Take:

I read this book right smack dab in the middle of two very heavy and depressing books that I didn't really love, so The Spurned Viscountess was a very welcome relief.  Sometimes, do you just want to read a fun romance that may not be the most prolific book you ever read, but just gives you a break from your stressful life?  This is just the book.  The was some mystery and murder, but not emotionally heart wrenching.  The mystery element was more cozy mystery that heart pumping thriller, which was good, since the book was mostly about the romance, you didn't want the mystery to drown it out.  I loved the overall creepy atmosphere of the castle in the book, with the secret passageways and spy holes everywhere.  This set a nice contrast for the sweet and innocent main character to fall in love with her gruff widower of a husband.  I really liked the love interest, Lucien, I totally dig that gruff and manly vibe.  Imagine, if Mr Darcy from (my favorite book ever) Pride and Prejudice had a big huge imposing scar down the front of his face and was bitter because his beloved Elizabeth Bennett had been murdered and died in his arms, this will give you a hint as to Lucien's personality.  I love Mr Darcy, so if a love interest is mentioned to be tall dark and handsome, I always find some way to relate him to my beloved Mr D, which I admit, I have up waaaay too high on a pedestal.  Anyway, if you are in the mood for a fun romance, this is a great one.  Is this book going to be the greatest romance you ever read?  Nope.  But it has all the earmarks of a fun story, well paced plot, good characters and an exciting ending. 3 Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Spurned Viscountess were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for sexual content and a little violence

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Spurned Viscountess, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed the review, feel free to leave a "tip" in  Kate's Tip Jar found on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect my reviews, thanks!

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Death in Amber

Dean Fetzer

The Amber Room.  A wondrous room made from panels of carved amber - a gift in the 18th Century to Peter the Great, Czar of Russia. Once part of a palace outside St Petersberg, this priceless treasure has been missing since the end of World War II. Removed from the palace by a Nazi art collection squad at the height of the war, the Amber Room was last seen in Königsbourg in late 1944 - it vanished without a trace. Now, someone knows where it has come to rest and will do anything to get it. Ninety years on and beautiful young women are being found dead with no evidence of why they died. Forensics has no clues and fewer answers. Haunted by a mysterious benefactress, Jaared Sen is hired by an old friend to find his missing niece. A Contractor for The Company, Jaared is the only one who can find her - and the Amber Room - before the killer strikes again. 

My Take:

Sometimes I think the whole "epic quest to find the missing historical artifact which was stolen by Nazis and disappeared after WWII, whilst being continually thwarted by a seemingly unrelated, yet totally connected to the main plot, villain" storyline should have its own genre, preferably with a name a bit more concise than the one I just gave.  Well, that is the basic plot line of Death in Amber, but the fun part is that the artifact isn't a done to death artifact like the Holy Grail, but rather a room carved in Amber as a gift to Peter the Great of Russia.  So bonus points were assigned to this book for not centering the plot around The Holy Grail, the Knights Templar or anything with the words DaVinci or Code (don't get me wrong, I love all of those things, especially The DaVinci Code, but so many copycats are driving me crazy!)  Anyway, aside from the novel storyline, I really enjoyed the very awesome main character.  He was definitely someone you can get behind and really root for.  As for the negatives of the book, for a while the storyline felt very scattered and jumpy, and I was more than a bit confused.  It took some time for the book to come into its own, but eventually it did and delivered an exciting tale.  I think for a rating, I'm going to give this one a 3, Find a Used Book Store.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for violence, language and sexuality

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Death in Amber, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Sounds of Murder

Patricia Rockwell

When Psychology Professor Pamela Barnes discovers her department's star researcher strangled to death in the computer lab, she's determined to find out who did it. Will an accidental recording of the murder allow Pamela to use her expertise in acoustics to identify the killer? A unique cozy mystery--set in the world of academia and high-stakes research--full of excitement, humor, and romance.

My Take:

I have to say first off, that I am quite picky about my cozy mysteries.  I believe there to be a verrrrry fine line between cozy and boring.  I think Sounds of Murder found itself teetering for a minute or two, but ultimately came out pretty dang good.  I enjoyed the novel approach to a murder mystery, which was that so many things were based on sound in general.  The reader learns a lot about sound and acoustics, a bit too technical in parts for my taste, but that is just me.  The pacing and the dialogue I found to be lacking, but what I did find to be very well done in this story were the characters.  The protagonist was really a woman you could get behind.  She was intelligent (but not pretentiously so), funny, likable and most importantly, she had common sense.  This book was a little tough to get into, but once it gets going it is pretty good, and the killer was a big surprise.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I'd go ahead and give this book a 3, Find a Used Book Store, if you are more the James Patterson breakneck speed mystery type of reader, go ahead a skip this one.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

As with most cozies, this one is pretty darn tame, I would say it is in the PG range

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Sounds of Murder, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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The Wedding Gift

Kathleen McKenna

Kathleen McKenna's explosive third novel The Wedding Gift excels in so many categories, it defies them all.

It is a spine-electrifying supernatural tale where a huge Southern States mansion contains one of the most terrifying, violent and indeed psychopathic ghosts to haunt any town.

It is also a murder mystery--why did Robina Willets apparently kill all five of her young children, and her husband, before stabbing herself to death?

And, if you are in the camp of believing that "justice...just is not," then this will have you frothing at the mouth with righteous social fury.

Add to that the vision of two exceptionally beautiful girls lying on a landing stage in the middle of a secluded lake, sleeping naked in the sun...

...and then see if you fan find any consecutive ten minutes in this book when you don't at least snicker at the herio0ne Leeann;s sly, caustic, sometimes knowing, sometimes "too stupid to live" commentary.

My Take:

The Wedding Gift was an interesting read, to say the least.  I found myself riveted despite the almost total lack of likable characters.  However, I think the rather annoying narrator was written that way intentionally, and I actually found her to be quite funny.  The pacing of the story was really one of its strengths.  There weren't really any lulls to speak of, and the final twists and turns, while disturbing,  definitely did the overall story a favor.  I enjoyed the humor throughout the book, but I definitely think it was a polarizing, slightly off-kilter sort of humor.  You either get it and love it, or you don't get it and hate it.  Overall I very much enjoyed the story, it wasn't perfect, but I honestly can't put my finger on how to make it better, specifically.  Therefore, I rate it a 3, Find a Used Book Store.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel.

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated R due to strong language throughout, sexual content, some violence (though the violence was more PG-13) and drug use

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Wedding Gift, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Don't Blink

James Patterson and Howard Roughan

THE GOOD

Lombardo's Steakhouse in New York is famous for three reasons: the menu, the clientele. and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer.  Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

THE BAD

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad boy/  In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian Mafia forces.  NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas--on both sides of the law.

AND THE DEAD

Back off--or die--is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own,  Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson can achieve.

My Take:  

I have read a lot of James Patterson's books, and I feel like they are becoming less and less dynamic.  That being said however, his books (even the weaker ones) are more explosive than many out there.  Don't Blink was not the fastest paced book ever produced by Patterson, but I have the say the dynamic ending, and it's many twists and turns, gave the book a much needed oomf!  Just when you thought the story had been resolved BAM! Another twist! Then of course BAM!  Another twist! and for good measure BAM!  One last (and powerful) gut punch.  I enjoyed the main character, he was a snarky journalist (which doesn't usually appeal to me) but he also had heart and courage, though it may be argued that the courage was actually equal parts luck and stupidity.  I very much enjoyed Don't Blink, like I said before, the middle was less than stellar, but those trademark Patterson plot twists sure redeemed it.  I think I will assign the rating 3, Find a Used Book Store

Audiobook Review:  I was fortunate to have received this book in audio format, but I am sorry to say I didn't love the voice actor's performance.  Everyone had an uber scratchy voice ranging in intensity from common cold/sore throat scratchy, to Godfather scratchy.  The accents assigned to the various Italians, Russians, and others all sounded the same.  I dunno, maybe I'm overly picky and the accents drove me crazy because I have an Italian speaker for a father and Russian speaker for a husband. Overall it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would be rated R for violence, strong language and sexual situations

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Don't Blink, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

  

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

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Death at Hull House

Frances McNamara

In the late nineteenth century, after Emily Cabot is expelled from the University of Chicago for actions occurring while clearing a man unjustly accused of murder, she obtains a position at Hull House, assisting Jane Addams in the operation of the famous settlement house for immigrants on the West Side of Chicago. Soon after she moves in, a man who had come to see her is found bludgeoned to death. Concerned that her younger brother may be involved, Emily launches her own investigation. Meanwhile, her brother, convinced that the man who murdered their father has fled to Chicago, does some sleuthing of his own. Details concerning the operation and the people of Hull House, along with an overview of the deplorable living conditions faced by immigrants (and the lack of concern for the poor expressed by the city’s businessmen and politicians), give this novel a rich historical framework, made all the more poignant by the portrayal of the smallpox epidemic of 1893.

My Take:

Death at Hull House is a great historical mystery that really takes its time and feels very authentic.  If you are looking for a million miles a minute fast paced thriller a la James Patterson, this book isn't for you.  It is full of historical information which can give the book a bit of a slow feel at first, but when it gets going, it is very intriguing.  I really love this particular time and place in history--late 1800s Chicago.  I love the backdrop of the Colombian Exposition, the social change of the time (women really fighting for the vote and beginnings of labor laws) and the way the mindset of the people in general was really shifting into modern times.  The setting of this mystery is, of course, Hull House and the impoverished neighborhoods of Chicago.  Getting this really detailed glimpse of the hard work these women put in to change society is really a treat.  The dialogue is perfect, it felt natural for the time period and makes it clear the author knows what she is doing.  There were some things about the book I didn't love, sometimes it was difficult to keep up with all of the characters, to remember their names and such.  This was my biggest problem, at times I'd have to stop and think, "Now who was this person again?"  Overall though, the book was fascinating and very well researched. 3 Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Death at Hull House, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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And the Beat Goes On

Tracy Krauss

Archaeologist Mark Graham unearths a remarkable discovery while at a dig site in the mountains of Zimbabwe. Fossilized remains of a pterodactyl are found carefully buried alongside those of gigantic human bones. Speculation leads to the possible existence of a mythical race known as Nephilim, a pre-flood people alleged to have descended from both gods and men.

But skepticism and sabotage delay Mark and his fellow archaeologists as the dig site is compromised, putting their discovery – as well as his very life – in grave danger. Deceived and framed by trusted friends and colleagues, Mark struggles to safeguard his findings and protect his reputation in order to unearth the mystery behind the Nephilim.

My Take:

I am a very visual person, so I always have a first impression of a book in mind from what I see on the cover.  I shouldn't let this happen, but I can't help it.  To be perfectly honest, I was a little turned off by this cover, it isn't my cup of tea.  I don't know how many times I need to be reminded of this, but you can't judge a book by its cover!  I was immediately drawn into this book, and I was able to easily concentrate on it even though I was on my 30th rigorous minute on the ARC at the gym with two ladies on either side of me talking very loudly to each other in another language :)  And the Beat Goes On is exciting, well paced, extremely entertaining and interestingly discusses scientific basis for Intelligent Design.  The characters are fabulous, the romance is wonderful, all in all, And the Beat Goes On is just an awesome book.  I finished it in about a day and a half, and couldn't even put it down toward the end if I tried.  I review a lot of books, and I don't care to reread or even keep many of them, but this book is one I will keep on my bookshelf and read several times over.  2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for adult situations

***FTC Disclosure:  I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing And the Beat Goes On, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Grounds for Murder

John Russo

Someone had tainted the sugar at the newly opened Café Caffé coffeehouse in the village of Eastport. A dozen locals got seriously ill and one died. Nora Huggins— mother, wife, mystery buff and want-to-be sleuth—couldn't help but to get involved. Her delving into the crime led her to believe that it had been a nasty youthful prank. Two of the village's old spinster sisters, Winnie and Ginnie Miller, were among those who fell victim to the tainted sugar. However, when Winnie suddenly died, surviving Ginnie chose not to hold the coffeehouse responsible. Because of the Miller sister‟s reputation for being uncharitable, Nora became suspicious and probed deeper into their affairs ultimately discovering that Winnie may have in fact been murdered. Proving it became a delicate matter for Nora and the local police chief.

My Take:  

I'm picky about my cozy mysteries.  Many times, "cozy" is synonymous with "boring".  I can't say that Grounds for Murder was the worst mystery short story I ever read (that spot is reserved for When Night Falls) but I didn't think it was that great either.  There were a few very glaring issues with this story.  First off I know that not every person who writes a mystery is a former detective and knows every in and out of police work, but that is where a bit of research comes in.  This story needed that research...badly.  Law enforcement protocol was breached several times, and it made me shudder because I knew the guilty party would have gotten off in a heartbeat, which sort of defeats the whole point of the book--which is of course to catch a killer.  I'm not saying everything needs to be 100% accurate, it's just that the book didn't feel like a credible murder mystery.  My last issue with the book was that some of the writing felt a bit dated.  For example the main character's teenage son made a Columbo reference.  I honestly think I am one of very few people under the age of 30 that would even recognize that name, but hey, I guess it is just the author playing to his intended audience, which is fine.  There were some positive things going on though, for one, I didn't totally see the ending coming, so that was a good thing.  Also, the main character wasn't too bad either, I wouldn't mind seeing her pop up in a full length novel and be given a little more depth.    Anyway, Grounds for Murder wasn't terrible, it just didn't have much zing to it, I'm going to rate it a 4, Borrow from a Friend.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG because it contains a murder, but there is no violence

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Grounds for Murder, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purschaing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Private

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Former Marine and CIA agent Jack Morgan inherits his father's renowned security and detective business—along with a case load that tests him to the breaking point. Getting to the bottom of an NFL gambling scandal and an unsolved LAPD investigation into 18 school girl slayings would be enough. On top of all that, Morgan takes on solving the horrific murder of his best friend's wife.

As Morgan fights the urge to exact brutal revenge on that killer, he has to navigate a workplace imbroglio that could blow the roof off his elite agency. And it's an especially explosive situation . . . because the love affair is his own.

My Take:

I am a big Patterson fan, but I can't say this was my favorite.  It was definitely exciting and fast paced (just about a guarantee with a Patterson) but didn't have that extra oomph that most of his thrillers have.  There were three different mysteries going on, which helped with the pace of the book, but some of them ended a bit anticlimactically.  One of the mysteries ended exactly as I thought it would, which, for a Patterson, was odd because ordinarily the readers is thrown completely for a loop.  While I didn't find the events in this book especially thrilling, I really enjoyed the new characters we were introduced to.  They were complex and flawed but extremely likable and the sort of hard core good guys a person can really root for.  With great characters, and the fact that they run the most powerful investigation firm in the world, the stage is set of a great series, and Private was a pretty good jumping off point.  As far as the book goes, I'm torn between a 2 and 3 rating, but I think because it wasn't as explosive as I'd hoped, I'm going to have to rate it a 3, Find a Used Book Store, Private is a must read, just don't spend over 20 bucks on it :)

The review copy I was given by the publisher was in audio format.  I love a good audio book, and for the most part, the narrator was pretty great.  He was a little over dramatic at times, but overall very entertaining and worth the money.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would be rated R for strong language throughout, some sexual content and violence.

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own*** 

If you are interested in purchasing Private, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Merryll Manning Series

John Howard Reid

Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island

The first of a series of mystery thrillers, featuring Police Sergeant Merryll Manning of the Paradise Police Department. (Paradise is the author's fictional capital city of Florida, and is not based on Miami). The action takes place on an otherwise deserted island in the Florida Keys, where a number of guests assemble in an old Dominican Priory for a "mystery weekend". 

 

My Take: 

Trapped on Mystery Island took a while to get going, but once the story got rolling, it wasn't bad.  If you've ever seen the movie Clue with Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd and Madeline Khan, you will have an idea of the vibe of this book, it's sort of a Clue meets And Then There Were None.  There are a lot of characters, none of which are honest, and it was a bit tough to keep them all straight between their aliases and who are in cahoots, etc.  At the beginning, I didn't find the main characters, Merryll and Susan, to be very engaging or likable, but I think by the end, Merryll Manning was a character that you root for, even if you don't particularly like him.  The action was slow to start, as I said before, and it was dry for about 100 pages.  After the first real murder on the island, the action really picked up and was quite a page turner until the end.  Trapped on Mystery Island was not the most original whodunit I've ever read, but it is definitely worth a peek.  It had a very retro vibe to it, as it seemed to take it's time, rather than hitting you over the head with mystery on the first page, sort of like old black and white movies, but it didn't quite have that snappy dialogue that usually accompanies such a movie.  Overall, I rate Trapped on Mystery Island a 4, Borrow from a Friend.  If you are in the mood for a relaxing mystery, this is a book for you.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for strong language, some sexuality, and violence

A few words with the author, John Howard Reid:

The Book Buff: Why did you begin writing?

John Howard Reid: I was the Chief Editor for...Rastar Press. The firm had signed a well-known British author to write a series of mystery novels. The author reneged on his contract...[and] I told the directors that I could fill the void myself. They gave me the go-ahead and I did just that with "Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island", followed by "Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders".

TBB: How did you come up with the title, Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island?

JHR: So-called "Mystery Weekends" were all the rage at the time. These were usually held at remote locations, such as islands and mountain resorts.

TBB: What books have most influenced your life?

JHR: Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, And Then There Were None and Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

TBB: Do you have any advice for other writers?

JHR: Read! The sad fact is that most writers don't read books. They write in a vacuum, and usually they produce something that has already been done to death by authors ten times as skilled.

TBB: What is the interview question you always dread being asked?  

JHR: How did I choose the name, Merryll Manning, for my hero? It's a unique name, I'll agree. There's only one Merryll Manning in the world. But how did I choose it? I don't know. It just suddenly occurred to me. That seems like a stupid answer for a very reasonable question, but that's it.

If you are interested in learning more about John Howard Reid, The Merryll Manning Series, or his upcoming projects, check out his page on Author's Den: http://www.authorsden.com/johnhowardreid

***FTC Disclosure:  These books were provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Coming Soon:  The Reviews of...

  

 Merryll Manning: The Heath Farm Murders

  

 Merryll Manning: Beachfront "Holiday"

Cut Short

Leigh Russell

When D.I. Geraldine Steel relocates to a quiet village near Woolsmarsh, she expects to find her new home to be a place where nothing mcuh happens; a space where she can battle her demons in private.  When she finds herself pitted against a twisted killer preying on local young women she quickly discovers how wrong she was.  

By day, the park in Woolsmarsh is a place for children's games, for people walking their dogs or taking a short cut to avoid the streets.  But in the shadows a predator prowls, hunting for fresh victims.  When an unwitting bystander comes forward as a witness to an attack she quickly becomes the next object of his murderous obsessions - and someone whom the killer must stop at all costs.

Steel is locked into a race against time, determined to find the killer before they discover yet another corpse.  Can she save the lives of the town's young women - or will Geraldine become the killer's ultimate trophy?

My Take: 

To me, Cut Short did not get off on the greatest foot, I found the beginning to be a bit drab as we followed the detectives investigating slightly dull, dead end leads.  But the book picked right up a ways in and it absolutely made up for the initial dullness one hundred fold.  Before I get in to how much I loved this book, I'll tell you about the one other thing I didn't care for, then it will be on to the gushing portion of the review.  I am from America, this book is set in England, there are bound to be little differences in the speech, commonly used words, etc.  Ordinarily, not only do I not mind, but I LOVE reading stuff like this, in fact, as an avid Harry Potter fan, I have adopted using words like "snog" (not a word you here very often in Las Vegas).  However, I am at a loss and I don't love it in the crime world, let me explain:  I watch a lot of police procedural shows like Law and Order.  In America, we use initials and acronyms like A.D.A (assistant district attorney) and CSU (Crime Scene Unit) to name a few, and I know what these mean off the top of my head.  Now, in Cut Short, I was introduced to DI, DS, MIT, DCI, SOCO, DC, PM and CID, which would not have been a big deal except for some of these acronyms were not always or immediately expounded upon.  I literally had to write out a list and fill in the blanks as I went, and it was a bit frustrating.   So if you are unfamiliar with English crime acronyms, get some post-its and make yourself a list!  Thank you for momentarily indulging my little tangent :)  Now for the gushing:  I loved Cut Short.  I loved getting inside the killer's twisted mind  The main character, Geraldine was a solid, complex and relatable character, and I look very forward to seeing her again in the next books.  Leigh Russell did a great job of making the ending satisfying, while leaving some teasers here or there to further explore later in the series.   Finding that fine line between satisfaction and teasing can be tough, but she pulled it off magnificently!  I am giving Cut Short a rating of a good solid 2, Borders with a Coupon, as it was a very excellent book!

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated R for strong language throughout, violence, and depictions of death and violence

A few words with the author, Leigh Russell:

The Book Buff: When did you begin writing?

Leigh Russell: In my fifties I’ve reinvented myself as a successful author of crime fiction, but there was no Grand Plan. I wrote somewhere that I fell into this like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole.

TBB: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

LR: When I received my first royalty statement!

TBB: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Cut Short?

LR: Someone asked me how I know when my books are finished. I replied: When the production manager says “The manuscript is going to the printers tomorrow.” I’m sure many authors complete their books and feel every word is perfect, but I can tinker and tweak indefinitely.

TBB: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

LR: In some ways my killer is as much a victim as the people he kills, so the book raises a serious concern about how we manage certain people in our society.

TBB: If you had to choose one book to read the rest of your life, and nothing else, what book would it be and why?

LR: Hamlet.  I would never get bored of reading and interpreting it.

TBB: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

LR: The answer to that question changes constantly. I’ve met so many authors since I was published, it would be invidious to single one out, so I’ll say Shakespeare. That can’t offend anyone, can it?

TBB: What is the interview question you always dread being asked? Can you give us the answer?

LR: This is definitely one of the most difficult questions I’ve been asked, and I don’t know the answer…

TBB: What is your favorite interview question, and what is the answer?

LR: Question: How do you account for the runaway success of CUT SHORT, reprinted three times in under a year?
Answer: I think this is due to great reviews and word of mouth recommendation. Interviews like this one also help to tell readers about my writing, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

If you are interested in learning more about Leigh Russell, Cut Short, or any of her upcoming projects, visit http://www.noexit.co.uk/titles.php/itemcode/488 or her blog http://leighrussell.blogspot.com/

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Cut Short, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!