Review of Murder in the Marais: An Aimeé Leduc Investigation, Vol. 1 by Cara Black (1998)
Bottom line: There were elements that I didn’t think were done as well as they could have been, but still an entertaining ride for the most part. Rating: Recommended if: You’re interested in a mystery series set in Paris, are looking for a new series to get behind, or you can get it for free […]
Review of The Hunger Games Movie
Bottom line: One of the best book to movie adaptations I’ve seen. A great movie of a great book (see my review of the book here). Rating: Strongly Recommended Review: I am normally one of those people – the ones who come out of a movie adaptation of a book moaning and whining about all […]
Review of The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
Bottom line: Fast paced action, compelling characters, unexpected twists and turns in the plot and an all around great read for all three books. Rating: Strongly Recommended Review: The Hunger Games books are intense. I read all three books in one night, racing from one to the next to see how it was all going […]
A Handful of Agatha Christie Mystery Recommendations
Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors. That being said, most of her books are of the “read it and forget it” type of mystery. I think her talents tend more towards great storytelling/clever murder ideas (which she does better than just about anybody) than exceptional literary skill. You can go into just about […]
Review of Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (1996) (A Song of Fire and Ice Book 1)
Bottom line: This book has graphic sex and violence, and I didn’t enjoy the story or characters enough to balance out the disturbing elements. Rating: Not Recommended Blurb: Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, […]
Review of The Hidden Institute by Brand Gamblin (2011) Free Audiobook
Bottom line: Great story, great characters, great narration, and it’s available as a free audiobook! Rating: Strongly Recommended Blurb: Rising above your station can be deadly. Cliffy is a child born on the streets of a Neo-Victorian world. Witnesses to a murder, he blackmails a nobleman, receiving a unique bribe. In exchange for his silence, […]
Review of Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (1920) (Hercule Poirot Book 1) Free Kindle E-Book
Bottom line: A classic Golden Age mystery, by the Queen of mystery, although not her greatest work. The first time the world was introduced to the Hercule Poirot – the funny little man with the egg shaped head and impressive mustache. Update: As of 7/1/2013 this book is no longer free. Rating: Recommended IF – […]
Harry Potter Series Now Available in E-book Formats…
…but they’re not going to make it easy for you. If you want to get the e-books ($7.99 for the first three, $9.99 for the last four) you can find them on most sites that sell e-books (including Amazon and B&N), but to complete the purchase, you get routed to the “Pottermore” shop where you […]
Review of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (1987) (Dirk Gently Book 1)
Bottom line: Not up to Douglas Adams’s usual standard. Worth a try if you’re a big fan of his other work. Rating: Recommended IF – you are a Douglas Adams fan Blurb: There is a long tradition of Great Detectives, and Dirk Gently does not belong to it. But his search for a missing cat […]
Review of Cover Her Face by P.D. James (1962) (Adam Dalgliesh Book 1)
Bottom line: I liked this story, although I would have preferred to get to know the detective better. A traditional murder mystery set in an English country house, it was a fun introduction to P.D. James. Rating: Recommended Blurb: On the same day as the St Cedd’s church fete in the grounds of her home, […]
