Review of Rigged for Murder by Jenifer LeClair (2011) (Windjammer Mysteries)
Bottom line: An enjoyable book, as much for the ambience as the mystery itself. Rating: Recommended Blurb: High seas adventure turns to high stakes sleuthing when a beautiful but troubled homicide detective and a New England sea captain join forces in this award-winning mystery set on the coast of Maine. On leave from the Minneapolis […]
Review of the Chronological Man Adventure Series by Andrew Mayne
Bottom line: A fun, historical, science-y, steampunk-y, adventure-y series of short stories. Rating: Strongly Recommended Review: I really like this series. It consists (so far) of two short stories, telling the tale of Smith, time traveler extraordinaire, who shows up to save the day whenever he is needed. The books are short enough to be […]
Review of “Nineteen Eighty Four” or “1984” by George Orwell (1949)
Bottom line: Definitely worth a read, as it explores timeless topics such as power, inequality, and control. Rating: Strongly Recommended Blurb: 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell’s prophetic, nightmarish vision in 1948 of the world we were becoming is timelier than ever. 1984 is still the great modern classic of “Negative Utopia” – […]
Review of Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick (2012)
Bottom line: A very fun read with a good mystery, an interesting main character (despite describing every single hat she puts on), and a clever roasting of the indie scene. Rating: Recommended Blurb: A writer’s retreat seemed the perfect chance for Dee Whittaker to take her mind off her marital difficulties. However, she meets five […]
Review of No Time To Run by J.D. Trafford (2011) (Legal Thriller Featuring Michael Collins, Book 1)
Bottom line: A fun, fast paced story that is well worth reading, especially if you can get it for free. Update: As of July 16, 2013 this book is no longer free. Rating: Recommended Blurb: Michael Collins burned his suits and ties in a beautiful bonfire before leaving New York and taking up residence at […]
Review of Murder on the Cote d’Azur by Susan Kiernan-Lewis (2012) (Maggie Newberry Mysteries)
Bottom line: I didn’t enjoy it very much, but it would be a good book if you were looking for a free book to read on a plane to France. Rating: Not Recommended Blurb: The first in the Maggie Newberry mystery series takes Atlanta Copywriter Maggie Newberry to the south of France and Paris in […]
Review of Timekeeper by Heather Albano (2012)
Bottom line: A very strong sequel to Timepiece, and a very fun read. Rating: Strongly Recommended Blurb: An alternate history adventure featuring time travelers, freedom fighters, Frankenstein’s monster, the Battle of Waterloo, and Napoleon invading Britain by dirigible. — In Timepiece, young adventurer Elizabeth Barton and her suitor William Carrington used a mysterious pocket watch […]
Zombie Twofer
First, let me preface this by saying that I’m not really into zombies. Most zombie movies are reviewed enthusiastically for me by my husband, followed by a “and you should never watch it”. What can I say? I’m a wimp about violence. However, I thoroughly enjoyed these two books, and they continue to make the […]
Review of the Lord Peter & Harriet Vane mysteries by Dorothy Sayers
Bottom line: Great mysteries, great characters, great writing. I cannot recommend these highly enough. Rating: Strongly Recommended Review: Gaudy Night is my all-time favorite book. Not just mystery, but book. The other three books in this series are all very, very good (though I’d rate Have His Carcase a bit below the other three – […]