No comments about Victims: The Kari Swenson Story.

5 comments about The Abduction.

1. I'm in the middle of reading all of his books. They are all page turners. Bob in Virginia



2. The Abduction involves the kidnapping of the granddaughter of one of the two candidates for President and its investigation by the Attorney General, who is also the other candidate. The plot grabs hold of your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. The characters are interesting and pretty well-developed, although some aspects in their development requires you to suspend belief a bit. While The Abduction is not great literature, it is a very good choice for when you have a plane ride or a vacation coming up, or whem you just want to escape in a good book. Enjoy!



3. I listened to this book on tape and although the story was fairly entertaining, Mr. Grippando used the word "grimaced," so many times I was truly distracted. However, the reader pronounced the word, grim aced with a long "a," rather than grim uhsed. The word was used probably 40 times in the book and became such a distraction that I cringed every time I heard it. As well the major theme of the book was never answered in the end. Frustrating!



4. I began with his first two books, however The Abduction has caused me to think about the book all day, especially when I can't read it. Its a page turner, and I may say it doesn't contain any graphic descriptions the first two contained. Excellent writer, I will read on....



5. Allison Leahy is the Democrat's nominee for president - and the current U.S. Attorney General. She's in a tight race with the Republican nominee, African American Lincoln Howe, a retired four-star general and a war hero.
   
   Things heat up when Kristen Howe, the General's 12-year-old granddaughter is kidnapped. As the U.S. chief law enforcement officer, Leahy has ultimate responsibility for the nationwide manhunt to rescue the granddaughter. And the kidnapping opens old wounds of her own daughter being abducted from her home nearly ten years before.
   
   A situation that should be focused on finding a frightened little girl suddenly becomes the focus of the campaign as Allison's motives are questioned by her opponent and dark secrets begin to emerge on both sides. Leads are followed up and discarded as the Mob gets involved.
   
   Grippando does a wonderful job of painting pictures of both Leahy and Howe as flawed human beings struggling with past mistakes, even as they try to appear perfect in seeking the nation's highest office. You will feel compassion for both-as well as some anger, as political motivation outweighs the safety of a child and the healing of a family.
   
   This is a great read anytime, but especially with this year's political landscape.

5 comments about The Spinning Man.

1. I wasn't looking for a mystery-suspense who-dunnit when I read _The Spinning Man_, which is why I wasn't disappointed not to find a mystery genre piece. What I found, and was delighted by, was a novel full of character, smarts, philosophy (written so that I could understand it easily--no philosopher I!) and also deep, real-seeming suspense. _The Spinning Man_, for me, is P.D. James meets Henry James: human mystery woven like a tapestry.
   
   Scenes that have seemed to bother some readers--the bridge sequence, for instance--did not bother me at ALL! Instead, I found the bridge sequence chilling and real, and I was fully involved in Evan Birch's escalating psychic melt-down that occurred there. I'm still thinking about that scene, and crossing bridges has become a different experience for me since reading it.
   
   I also loved the way I as a reader lost faith progressively in Evan's point of view. George Harrar has done amazing things with the trope of "unreliable narrator," in my opinion, and I found myself "spinning" along with Evan as more and more character details were revealed that made me doubt his credibility as much as his wife did. . . and as much as he did himself.
   
   I know a few philosophy professors. They can be amazingly interesting and thoughtful folks, full of charisma, and, as the old adage goes, they can also be folks who "have a hard time finding the lips of their coffee cups." They're a different breed. Add outstanding physical attractiveness to their philosophical mix, and voila: Evan Birch, a narcissist too smart for his own good in many ways. . . JUST they type of guy who might well get into the deep, deep trouble that Harrar brews up for him.
   
   I'm always on the look-out for well-crafted novels, ones that don't JUST satisfy the yen for excitement and entertainment we all bring to reading fiction. Thanks, George Harrar, for writing a book I could sink my teeth into, that was richly satisfying, and that I'm still digesting today, long after reading it.



2. This is not your conventional whodunit. I think that is a good thing, judging by some of the other Amazon reviews others disagree. The plot has been summarized by many others so I will not be repetitive.
   
   I found a lot in this book to like, the dialogue was crisp, there were numerous interesting concepts to chew on, and I found the plot compelling and suspenseful. If you are looking for everything to be wrapped up in a neat package at the end you will be disappointed. If you can appreciate ambiquity and thought provocation, you will be richly rewarded.



3. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Definitely not your typical mystery, THE SPINNING MAN is about a Philosophy Professor who becomes a suspect in the disappearance of a teenage cheerleader, and the suspicion that surrounds him from the detective on the case, his son, his colleagues, students and most importantly, his wife.
   
   The author does an excellent job of using philosophy as a means to trying to understand Evan Birch and how he is trying to reconcile what's happening to him. I found the relationship between Evan and his wife quite interesting. There is a great deal of talking between the two of them, and yet nothing really seems to be said that holds and significance. They don't argue, they verbally spar. Ellen wants desperately to believe in her husband, but a past incident with a student only helps to heighten her suspicion of him.
   
   The ending is fantastic. The author leaves you with some unanswered questions that normally, in another lesser mystery, would be frustrating to the reader, but in this case works incredibly well.



4. The Spinning Man is one of the best books I've read this year. The author, George Harrar, masterfully weaves the elements of philosophy through the mystery of a missing teenager. There are great twists and turns that surprised me, a rather jaded reader who usually figures things out. The main character, Evan, a philosophy professor, is immensely likable and someone to cheer on. The minor characters are also well done. I also saw myself in this mystery, as the situation of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, is one that could conceivably happen to anyone. Interwoven into the plot is this ever-present question - is Evan guilty or not? The ending has a nice punch and you'll find details from the book tugging at you weeks after you've finished it.



5. This suspense filled story by Harrar is told in a straight forward manner from the protagonist's point of view. He has been put under suspicion for a crime he did not commit, however, circumstances begin to build a case and as each new discovery is made, he begins to appear more and more guilty. People, including his wife, start to wonder if he did this or not. You may wonder, as well. Tight psychological drama; very well written.

1 comments about Nabi The Prototype (Nabi the Prototype).

1. This book contains six short stories (in manga form). The first story is about a young girl who is held captive as a bargaining chip against her father. The second is about a woman who must marry another country's King to keep the peace. Every story after these two concern children who live in a peaceful orphanage and their interactions with one another as they grow up.
   
   This book can be confusing; for one, if you aren't paying attention to the transition between one story and another, you can get lost. It's also at times unclear who is speaking. However, the stories are beautiful and absorbing, and even if you have to read a part twice to understand what just happened, it's still worth doing so.
   
   The author hints that these are side stories from a series (which apparently would also be called Nabi) that she wishes to begin/release at some point. If this is the case, I would definitely be interested in such a series. Even though the stories are short, you grow to love the characters and it leaves you wanting more.
   
   Even if you're not interested in starting a series, this book is great on its own.

1 comments about The Lost Child.

1. I grew up in the area of Montana whereof this book is written. In fact, I was there at the campsite where Mrs. Jaeger's daughter was taken during the time period covered. I was one of the children that Mrs. Jaeger came to realize were saved by the loss of Her Child at the hands of a man who had murdered several children through the years.

   I read this book cover to cover in a couple of hours. What a tremendous struggle and glorious victory over evil in this world because of this one woman's willingness to not only bear the cross, but to search the scriptures, pray steadfastly for guidance, and be willing to move forward in that process. A wonderful, wonderful book of love, spiritual growth, true Christlike compassion and forgiveness. I'll never forget it!

No comments about The Instant Enemy.

4 comments about 12 Bliss Street: A Novel.

1. I was pleasantly surprised how strong Martha Conway's first novel is. 12 Bliss Street is a true rarity -- a gripping, well-plotted crime novel that is taut, funny, and full of interesting, rich characters.

   Martha has an incredibly deft hand. She can go from a very delicate, sensitive first date, first kiss scene -- to a savage cruel snuff-film murder. The changes of pace are startling and intense, very filmic material.

   Her characters are a pleasure. Nicola, the heroine, is smart, funny, but not your typical hard-beaten crime novel type. She's just a regular web developer with a vivid imagination and a thing for wearing lingerie to work. She gets entangled with criminals, but proves smarter than them!

   With many pleasant surprises, laugh-out-loud criminal bumbling, and a stunningly gripping finale, I can't recommend this novel highly enough. Go out and read it right now!




2. One day after getting off the San Francisco Muni Train, Nicola thinks she sees her ex-husband who she hasn't laid eyes on for three years. From there her day goes downhill rapidly with a cranky boss and an irate customer. When she goes out to her usual restaurant for lunch, she meets the man she has been non-verbally flirting with for weeks and they finally talk. He asks her out on a date but though she is tempted, she chickens out.

   The next bad happening is when two college students kidnap her and by the time Nicola convinces them she has no idea what is going on, they become nervous and call the man who hired them. Just as she suspected, the man turns out to be Scooter who wants to borrow money from her to pay off a loan shark. She agrees to talk to the bookie's nephew who turns out to be a good looking and attractive man who wants to be a food critic. They start dating but the man who Nicola turned downed at the restaurant is looking for her because she's a loose end that needs tying up before he gets out of the snuff film business.

   12 BLISS STREET is a funny upbeat chick-lit mystery starring a feisty resolute woman determined not to lose control in any situation. The villain is vile in a funky kind of way but the funniest character is the ex-husband who is always trying to reach for the gold ring only to find it's made foolishly of brass. Martha Conway is writing for the thirty-something crowd who will adore this work.

   Harriet Klausner




3. Martha Conway makes an impressive debut with her first novel, 12 Bliss Street. It's a twenties/thirties-something noir thriller with a terrific heroine and a creepy crime. Very well written, suspenseful, and often funny. Nicola has it all -- looks, charm, brains and a great sense of humor. She outwits both the worst and the most foolish of bad guys.

   Ms. Conway also knows how to paint a scene, from teen life outside school walls to the back-biting, bickering world of high tech office politics. This book is a fun read.




4. Luckily for me, I bought this with plans of unwinding on a beach vacation because it was pretty cheesy. I don't think any of the characters were likeable and I don't think the whole plot was particularly plausible. To be honest, I left the book in my hotel rather than pack it back up to bring home. I didn't plan on rereading it...ever.

5 comments about A Mankind Witch.

1. After reading _Shadow_ and _Rough_, I was terribly excited to continue the saga of the Heirs of Alexandria.
   
   Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. The writing plodded at the speed of a glacier, and yet slammed rough-shod over the more interesting scenes. Perhaps by removing it from the glistening waters of the Mediterranean, the sparkle of the writing went with it.
   
   Character point of view slipped sloppily, making it difficult to understand through whose non-wry mental commentary the tale was coming. I couldn't muster concern for the characters, even the over-sized and rakish Manfred.
   
   I hoped for shimmer, but saw only lackluster.



2. One of the few of these never-ending series now in vogue amongst authors that is holding my attention. Excellent book, well written, different enough from the rest that it's not just more of the same drivel.



3. I thought this David Freer book was very good, but was definately different from the first two books in the trilogy. It used the main characters from the first two books, but the focus was far more on working small magics than the others were. Overall I would suggest it as an interesting continuation of the characters



4. Dave Freer's A MANKIND WITCH tells of one Manfred and his Icelandic bodyguard who journey into a world of trolls and ice to find a magic pagan relic. Add a stubborn princess believed to be a witch and murderess and a captured pirate and you have solid, fast-paced adventure.



5. I did not know that this was part of a series when I picked it up. A Mankind Witch does a relatively good job of standing alone.
   
   The book did start out very slowly, perhaps because it was giving readers of the series a glimpse of the characters that they know, and getting them involved in the new plot. It took a number of scenes for this story to get started.
   
   The basic plot is the protagonist is enslaved, earns the respect of his master/mistress, saves the day. The protagonist, in this case, is more of an anti-hero. His relationship with his mistress is not developed well, and some of it is weakly explained by magic, but it is necessary to the furtherance of the plot.
   
   The background is an alternate history of the Holy Roman Period, actually dated at 1538, magic works, and the Barbary Pirates are just getting organized. Christianity has been spreading, but the old gods are still worshiped and have power, and the world of Norse beliefs, particularly the realm of Jotunheimen. The story takes place in an alternate Scandinavia.
   
   Cair, our protagonist and a corsair captain, is enslaved and becomes somewhat enamored of Signy, a "princess" of Scandinavia. He is small, and older than many, and thus is picked on, until he takes on the guise of a worker of magic using his knowledge of science and native intelligence. He personally does not believe in magic. After a while, he begins to serve Signy as best he can, using his reputation.
   
   Signy's half brother, Vortenbras, has designs on the Empire, and takes advantage of the theft of an artifact to start planning attacks, which must wait until Yule so he won't break a treaty with the said empire.
   
   In order to head off hostilities, Charles Fredrik (possibly analogous to Charles V) sends his nephew Manfred and his niece Francesca to deal with the Danes, and eventually to deal with Vortenbras. Manfred is accompanied by his bodyguard, Erik Hakkonsen.
   
   From there a tale of magic, mistrust, and mayhem takes off. It took me three attempts to start reading the story, and when I got started I enjoyed it. There was enough of a mystery, and enough twists throughout the tale, that it held my attention. The end was almost predictable though the path to arrive was convoluted.
   
   There are elements of mystery, adventure, innovation, and light horror in this tale.
   
   I enjoyed the book, well in this case the eBook, and would recommend it as light reading for those interested in Norse mythology and the possible interaction of Christianity (after the reformation) with the Scandinavian beliefs.

5 comments about Finders Keepers.

1. I am normally an avid fan of fern michaels work but this book was a disappointment!! i felt like there was not enough insight into jessie roland's life as a child when being raised by her kidnapper parents and that also it tended to ramble on at times! There are some parts of the book that i enjoyed but this will not be a book i would choose to read again!



2. I hated it, It was a fast read but too many plot changes. I never really got to know the characters. It made me depressed that Jessie never found love, its supposed to be a romance novel right????



3. This book was so interesting from the beginning and sad from the start. It has a terrific story line and slyly plotted. While your reading this you'll feel sadness along with happiness. Definitely a novel with a lot of mixed emotions and an excellent must buy must read !!



4. This is the 3rd book I have read by Fern Michaels. I liked it a lot. I had a hard time putting it down.



5. I loved this book, so much so that I've read it more than once. My only problem with it is the ending. So as to not give it away, I won't be specific. There is a lot of meat to this story which makes it very believable, but the ending isn't what I expected it to be and I was disappointed.

No comments about A Prince Among Them (Shadow of Liberty Series, Book 3).