THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh

A bug exterminator is mistaken for a hitman in this comic novel. Very funny. 3.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cane and Abe by James Grippando

A Florida State Prosecutor who's pursuing a serial killer becomes a suspect when a copycat murder occurs. Good psychological thriller. 3 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm now reading "The Balloon Buster" by Norman Shannon Hall. It's a slender book about the life of Frank Luke - aka 'The Arizona Cowboy' - who was a top-ranking fighter ace on the Western Front with the United States Army Air Service (USAS) in 1918.

The book was originally published in 1928, 10 years after Luke's death.

Luke AFB, a fighter base in Phoenix, is named for him...Brinn

Finished a slight change-of-pace Tony Hillerman: Sacred Clowns

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hi Craig, I enjoyed your review...I live in New Mexico where the late Tony Hillerman is revered...I've read all his novels and watched the TV movies on his characters...great man, great writer...his daughter, Anne, has picked up the thread of his stories, choosing to emphasize the female characters who are quite interesting in themselves...One of our local NM authors, Joesph Badal, winner of the Tony Hillerman Award and endorsed by Tony himself, has just released a new novel which I am reading now, Sins of the Fathers...I recommend his books...

Nice review Craig.

Brinn wrote: "Hi Craig, I enjoyed your review...I live in New Mexico where the late Tony Hillerman is revered...I've read all his novels and watched the TV movies on his characters...great man, great writer...hi..."

Barbara had mentioned Hillerman's daughter's efforts to continue the legacy, which was news to me--I still need to track down her books. I've also read all her dad's and just re-read this one. I don't know Joseph Badal. (Sounds like maybe I should). Haadee nanina? (Where do you live [in NM]?)

Barbara wrote: "Nice review Craig."

Thanks, Barbara. (I do tend to run on about what interests me.)

Hi Craig, I live in the northern New Mexico mountains, east of Taos...Anne Hillerman's first book was a photo book along with her photographer husband..."Tony Hillerman's Landscape," along with a series...I think "Spider Man's Daughter." I went head-to-head with her in the NM-Arizona book awards one year...she won in Thriller, I won in Action-suspense...she is a lovely woman...very bright and articulate. Try Joe's books...my new book will be about environmental terrorism in New Mexico if you crave a visual tour of the state...I consider New Mexico an exotic locale for most Americans...it is really different!

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Beartown is a Swedish village that's down on its luck but sees possible redemption with the success of it's junior ice hockey team. When the squad's star player is accused of assault, Beartown becomes a 'house divided.' Good story, well-written - but the premise is disturbing to me.....so 3 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Brinn wrote: "Hi Craig, I live in the northern New Mexico mountains, east of Taos...Anne Hillerman's first book was a photo book along with her photographer husband..."Tony Hillerman's Landscape," along with a s..."
East of Taos--too cold for me in the winter (and I don't ski). I was at the pueblo for the Turtle Dance on Jan. 1 two decades ago and have camped at the July pow-wow a couple times. I think I may own "Tony Hillerman's Landscape," unless he wrote something similar himself once. I love the drives from Taos to Farmington, Bernalillo to Bloomfield, and Cuba to Crown Point (on the back roads). I'll have to check out your suggestions--thanks!

The Private Patient by P.D. James

A gossip columnist gets murdered at the private clinic of a plastic surgeon and there are plenty of suspects on hand for Detective Adam Dalgliesh to question. Old fashioned mystery.....but not James' greatest book. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


The Ophelia Cut by John Lescroart

Attorney Dismas Hardy's brother-in-law is accused of murdering his daughter's abusive ex-lover. Plenty of courtroom scenes in this mystery. 3 stars

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barbara was the one who sent me in search of Tony Hillerman's daughter. I'm done with the first one Spider Woman's Daughter. I liked it much better than anticipated.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré

Some favorite Le Carre characters make an appearance in this 'update.' Peter Guillam - spy-master George Smiley's former right-hand-man - relates a decades old cold war espionage operation. The mission went wrong, resulting in the death of a British agent and his girlfriend. Good spy thriller. 3.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished reading The War Within, the Story of Josef, by Patricia Walkow...a true story of a young Polish man captured by the Nazis and sent to Germany as a slave laborer. He is "adopted" by a German family after undergoing amputation of a leg...they shelter him through the war. All survive and Josef is able to help the German family through the terrible early days of Allied occupation. Eventually he marries a German woman and they emigrate to the United States to raise their family.
It is an amazing story of courage, inner strength, and determination. An Indie Excellence Book Award Winner...Highly recommended!

Sounds like a very good story Brinn.

From October to Now here the books i read. My computer was down in October for about 2 weeks


The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter Very good book but her other book from last year IMO was better but still this is a good read

The French Girl by Lexie Elliott Hard to believe this is a debut work of fiction--it is that well done. I am looking forward to reading much more from this excellent writer to come. Highly recommend This to everyone whom love a good mystery book! And I will be reading more fromt his person! I am glad i won it as a giveaway

Watch Me by Jody Gehrman Another book i won as a giveaway It was okay of a book but its not one of my favs I though both Kate and Sam was so damn stupid. If You like stalker books this one for you.

Before This Is Over by Amanda Hickie It was okay of a book it make you think what you will do if this ever happen to you but the mother was a compelete bitch!

Crime Scene by Jonathan Kellerman & Jesse Kellerman Very good book from father/son writing team! I have love Jonthan Kllerman books and now I am gonna love his sons book too

Jury Of One by David Ellis A New Author for me and his writing its like John Grisham whom I just love. I will be reading more from this person

Terminal City by Linda Fairstein Another great Alex Cooper and Mike Chapman series! I am really loving her Series it remind me so much as Law & order SUV

Lightning by Dean Koontz Its one of his older books and I never read it before finally had time and i love it!

Bloody Mary by J.A. Konrath 2nd book of his Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels series. Gonna try to get the rest of them read ASAP. I really liked this book he writing reminds me of Janet Evanovich

The Chosen by Sharon Sala I been meaning to read this one a long time. It wasnt bad but i read better from her

Life Sentence by David Ellis If You like John Grisham writing you will love this one too. This is 2nd book i read from him and i love both books

The Woman Who Couldn't Scream by Christina Dodd I won this book as a giveaway in August but they where late getting it to me and it finally come in October 30. I really loved the book. IMO its the best of her series

The Deepest Cut by Dianne Emley I really didnt care for this at all

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Found this at walmart last week and i had to buy i love AC books and I am gonna try to read all in this series

Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison What a fabulous thriller. Secrets, lies and betrayal You cant go wrong with a book from J.T. Ellison!

Shannon wrote: "From October to Now here the books i read. My computer was down in October for about 2 weeks


The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter Very good book but her other book ..."

Nice batch of books Shannon. I might have to check into David Ellis....as I'm a big Grisham fan (usually).

Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany

Amateur sleuth Gemma Doyle runs the "Sherlock Holmes Bookstore and Emporium." When someone hides a VERY valuable collectible in Gemma's store - then gets murdered - Gemma uses her Sherlockian skills to find the killer. Good story but somewhat of an unlikely plot. However, I loved the homages to Holmes. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks

In this book neurologist Oliver Sacks discusses visual problems related to illness and brain disorders. Things like: losing the ability to read, being unable to recognize people's faces, the loss of stereoscopic vision, and his own brain tumor. Sounds heavy but it's understandable and even humorous. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent

Turtle is a 14-year-old girl being raised by a VERY abusive father who calls her 'my absolute darling' and wants to control every inch of her life. An intense coming-of-age story, but the scenes of rape and violence are hard to take. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker

In this picturesque mystery, Bruno, Chief of Police of St. Denis has to look into arson, peculiar deaths, and a suspicious wine syndicate. 3.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Vanessa is reeling after her divorce from her handsome, rich husband Richard. Now Richard is planning to re-marry, and Vanessa is hell bent on preventing the nuptials. Good thriller with lots of surprises. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Broken Ones by Stephen M. Irwin

When every person on Earth gets their own 'ghost' haunting them chaos ensues. In the midst of this Detective Mariani has to run down a serial killer with a bizarre M.O. Interesting mystery. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Stephen King mentioned he was inspired as a child by this author....
The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales

The October List by Jeffery Deaver

This mystery is written backwards, starting with the last chapter and working back to the first chapter - which takes a bit of getting used to. In the plot a child is kidnapped and the abductor wants a ransom of $500,000 and a secret document called the 'October List.' It's entertaining and fun. 3 stars

My complete reiew: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Baker/amateur sleuth Hannah Swenson has to track down a killer when a 'prop gun' kills someone on a movie set. Entertaining cozy mystery with good cookie recipes. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Mistake by K.L. Slater

Rose Tinsley is riddled with anxiety and still reeling from the murder of her little brother Billy 16 years ago. Now Rose thinks the wrong culprit may have been convicted for the crime.
Pretty good psychological thriller. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I haven't posted much for awhile, but I am really enjoying this read, Renegades. Strong writing, great storytelling.

I've been driving (STL to Rochester and back), not reading, but managed to finish Anne Hillerman's second mystery: Rock with Wings. Another worthy successor to her father's 18 mysteries.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman

In this 31st book in the series, child psychologist Alex Delaware evaluates a 5-year-old boy.....then helps invesigate when the child's mother is murdered. All the usual characters make an appearance, Mediocre mystery. 2.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Another Anne Hillerman Song of the Lion. A little less appealing than her last one, but I'll still be waiting for the next.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein

Actress/musician Carrie Brownstein's memoir talks abour her childhood and the creation of her grunge-rock band Sleater Kinney. The book can almost serve as a primer about the business end of creating a rock band. Very good book. 4 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Craig wrote: "Another Anne Hillerman Song of the Lion. A little less appealing than her last one, but I'll still be waiting for the next.

My review: https://..."

Nice to see you've become a fan of Anne Hillerman :)

For the past several days, I've been reading "The Diary of Sonny Ormrod DFC: Malta Fighter Ace", which covers the time he spent as a fighter pilot on the Mediterranean island of Malta (November 1941 - April 1942), helping to defend it against the Axis Powers, who enjoyed overwhelming air superiority during that time.

Ormrod and his fellow pilots bravely fight on, though the aircraft they fly against the Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica is inferior to the best fighters the enemy has (i.e., the Me 109F and the Macchi 202).

As someone who has long been fascinated with historical aviation stories, this particular book brings home the hope, desperation, and terror those people faced at a time in the Second World War when it seemed that the Axis Powers would prevail.

Barbara wrote: "Craig wrote: "Another Anne Hillerman Song of the Lion. A little less appealing than her last one, but I'll still be waiting for the next.

My re..."

I think you were the one who clued me in that she'd stepped into dad's shoes. Usually I don't go for keep-the-franchise-going writing strategies.

Just got done reading these
Lies She Told by Cate Holahan A New Author for me and I really loved it

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor A New Author and a book i won as a giveawy I will be reading more from him

Life After by Katie Ganshert I just couldnt get into it. I finish reading it and all but dont know if i read anything else from this person

Triple Witch by Sarah Graves It was okay of a book but not very good one IMO

Rusty Nail by J.A. Konrath Another great Jack Daniels Mystery! I am so glad I decide to give this series a reread!

French Pressed by Cleo Coyle A Good Little Cozy mystery

Hope You all Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well Shannon ....and to all the other group members. Don’t go nuts on Black Friday :)

Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History by Ben Mezrich

In this 'creative non-fiction' book, the author tells the true(ish)story of Thad Roberts, an intern at NASA who decided it was a good idea to steal a bunch of moon rocks to impress his girlfriend. In any case it's an interesting story that held my attention. (I'm constantly amazed about what people get up to.)
3 stars

My complete reveiw: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Last Alibi by David Ellis

Criminal defense lawyer Jason Kolarich has become addicted to oxycodone, and isn't thinking as clearly as he should. Bad decisions and bad luck lead to him being accused of first degree murder. Good mystery/legal thriller. 3.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Two young girls in 19th century China become laogong (lifelong friends) just before they have their feet bound. They keep in touch throughout their lives by writing to each other; one girl seems to have a charmed life while the other suffers greatly.....but all Chinese women had restricted lives in those times. The historical parts of the book are interesting but the characters are hard to like. 3 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This one can go back to the library: Asta's Book. Three generations of a family, solving an ancient crime and various family mysteries. 3.5 *

my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cold Blood by Robert Bryndza

In this 5th book in the series, DCI Erika Foster is after a serial killer who likes to beat each victim to a pulp, cut them up, and stuff them into a suitcase. This investigation turns out to be very hard on Erika.
Once again, the story has an abusive man who hits and intimates a woman (This seems to be trend lately, one I'm not fond of.)

Cold Blood is a good mystery/thriller. 3.5 stars

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore

In this comic novel, Charlie Asher's death resulted in his soul being transferred to a body made of animal parts and luncheon meats. Now Charlie and his cohorts have to fight off underworld creatures that threaten to destroy the Earth. Lots of crazy fun in this story. 3.5 stars
(I love the cover of this book.)

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

An alternative to Wolf Hall or The Tudors: Dissolution

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The 6th Extinction by James Rollins

After a lab in California explodes - freeing a deadly virus that could destroy all life on the planet - Sigma Force has to go to Brazil and Antarctica to carry out missions that might save the world.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Craig wrote: "An alternative to Wolf Hall or The Tudors:Dissolution

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I like when historical novels have a good feel for the time period.

Nothing was handy, so I went back to Tony Hillerman's beginnings: The Blessing Way

my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Craig wrote: "Nothing was handy, so I went back to Tony Hillerman's beginnings: The Blessing Way

my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I have to got back and re-read some Tony Hillerman books. Always so good.