Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Finally finished the Obama book. It was worth the read, but LONG!

A Promised Land: Barak Obama
The first of his memoirs. I was continually impressed about his understanding of the world as it was, and even more so, as it would be. (A)

Year of the Locust: Terry Hayes
10 years of waiting for this book, but Hayes is a hack of a writer. I’ll credit this book with one of the most amazing twists I have ever seen, and note as well that this is one more author that writes about submarines with no idea at all about how one works. Sherry, Carol and I got to hear Hayes talk about the book, and get a copy a few days before publication. (A-)

Sunset Bluff: Laurence Shames
A romantic mystery, set, as always, in Key West Florida and featuring the 90+ year old Bert the Shirt, retired mobster. Maybe a bit more of a farce than usual as two ghost writers decide to swap jobs, one, a guy who writes memoirs for mob bosses, the other who took over a series when the author died. But the author did not die, he faked his death, comes back, and wants his old gig back. But he happens to owe the mobster 3 million dollars. So it starts…. (B+)

This Dark Road to Mercy: Wiley Cash
As the book started, I was figuring it for a broken family saga, which in some ways it was, but then the cash and murders and beatings started. (B+)

Virginia Class: H Jay Riker
Submarine warfare, and not as inaccurate as some. Great action even if the story required some parties to be a bit more belligerent than I would expect. (B+)

The Beach: Alex Garland
A very different type of adventure novel. A group of hippy like Europeans finds their island paradise, but the paradise has a drug plantation and a few other dangers that perhaps keeps it from being utopia. (B)

Dirty Thirty: Janet Evanovitch
30 books and she finally gets engaged! (B)

Blessing of the Lost Girls: JA Jance
A good blend of procedural with native American mysticism. A number of Jance’s characters come together to ferret out a serial killer. Some lack of nuance, characters are either very good, or pure evil. (B)

HellBurner: Cussler
This might come as a surprise to some, but a couple of megalomaniacs hatch a scheme to bring the world to destruction, and only the crew of the Oregon can stop them. (B)

Burned: Melissa Miller
Kind of like the TV show, Burn notice, but shorter. (B)

Boom Town: Ben Rehder
Another Blanco County farce, with a mystery behind all of the other goings on. A few laugh out loud moments (B)

The Rule of Threes: Jeffery Deaver
Stand alone, Missouri cop hunts serial killer. It’s a Deaver, so expect twists. (B)

Obsession: Jonathan Kellerman
Lots of serial killers this month, but at least each tale treated them differently. (B)

Come Get Me: Molly Black
1st read, shortish book establishing the special railroad investigation unit using 2 rogue cops nobody was sure what to do with. (B)

Come Find Me: Molly Black
Much like the previous book. Too much (B)

Retreat: Mike Krause
Book 3 of the Epochs End series, another one of those “you gotta be a prepper” tales. (B)

Survive: Mike Krause
Book 4 of Epoch’s End. Preppers in a world gone mad. (B)

Another 17 book month! Wow, you guys are setting a very high bar!

I hope Terry Hayes is a "heck" of a writer not a "hack" of a writer, lol. Haven't started it yet. Do I need to have read the first one--are there repeat characters?

And... Stephanie Plum gets engaged, but to whom? Morelli? Ranger? Somebody new? You're not going to make me read the 10 books I've missed to find out, are you?!?! ;-)

BarryP wrote: "Finally finished the Obama book. It was worth the read, but LONG! ... Dirty Thirty: Janet Evanovitch 30 books and she finally gets engaged! (B)..."

I have the Obama book (actually I have all the Obama books) but haven't read this yet. Must add on soon.

And Dirty Thirty - what is she, about 50 now? (I stopped reading at #15 I think.) But please yes, spill the spoiler!

Hayes
Locust" has nothing in common with the first book. In my opinion, the first book is much better, but it wold take a whole spoiler thread to discuss why.

As for Plum. How could I possibly give this away?

Lol, I also read Dirty Thirty and wouldn't dream of giving away the spoiler either. :) and Carol, this is one series you can skip forward. I did and probably didn't miss much.

BarryP wrote: "As for Plum. How could I possibly give this away..."

Thinking of 17 book months- much easier for me when the weather stinks. Soon half of what is now reading time will be spent in the garden, on my bike/Kayak/hiking trail, and all the great things spring brings.

Barry, Good looking month with two big fat books!
I haven't had time to get to The Year of the Locust ~yet~. I went for an audible credit. Looking forward to it!

BarryP wrote: "Finally finished the Obama book. It was worth the read, but LONG!
A Promised Land: Barak Obama
The first of his memoirs. I was continually impressed about his understanding of the world as it was,.

Year of the Locust: Terry Hayes
10 years of waiting for this book, but Hayes is a heck of a writer. I’ll credit this book with one of the most amazing twists I have ever seen, and note as well that this is one more author that writes about submarines with no idea at all about how one works.
.."

I was disappointed that Year of the Locust was yet another CIA book. I was hoping for a more original topic, but It’s on my list anyway.

nice month, barry. glad you enjoyed The Year of the Locust.
I'm a huge fan of wiley cash's books.
and I read Dirty Thirty and all i can say is, it's about freakin' time

Sherry wrote: "and I read Dirty Thirty and all i can say is, it's about freakin' time.."

Well, that's a clue right there. And Barry, excellent suggestion to skip ahead. I may just do that.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Sherry wrote: "and I read Dirty Thirty and all i can say is, it's about freakin' time.."

Well, that's a clue right there. And Barry, excellent suggestion to skip ahead. I may just do that."

lol- of course you know that once I read a book, I totally forget what it's about and/or how it ends. could this be fake news? probably lol

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Sherry wrote: "and I read Dirty Thirty and all i can say is, it's about freakin' time.."

Well, that's a clue right there. And Barry, excellent suggestion to skip ahead. I may just do that."

It was Ann's suggestion. But I have to agree that you would miss little in the Evanovitch world.

Carol: you know an UOOOR like me would advocate to skip ahead. :)

Ann wrote: "Carol: you know an UOOOR like me would advocate to skip ahead. :)"

Yes, and for once in my life I may follow your advice, LOL.

Carol: - wow! That will be a first! :) :)
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Yes, and for once in my life I may follow your advice, LOL."
Ann wrote: "Carol: you know an UOOOR like me would advocate to skip ahead. :)"

Ann wrote: "Carol: - wow! That will be a first! :) :)
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Yes, and for once in my life I may follow your advice, LOL."
Ann wrote: "Carol: you know an UOOOR like me would advocate to skip ahea..."

gasp!

Loved listening to Dirty Thirty while I was walking the track, and I won't tell either :)