THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do by Michael Brandman

In this addition to the "Jesse Stone" series, Jesse investigates the murder of a prostitute and alleged elder abuse in a retirement home. The book is okay, but not up to Parker's standards (IMO). 3 stars

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

Today, I began reading "We" by Charles A. Lindbergh.



Originally published in 1927, shortly after his daring transatlantic solo flight from New York to Paris, Lindbergh shares with readers some of his early life experiences; his initial flight training with an aeronautics school in Nebraska in 1922 after leaving the University of Wisconsin, his subsequent experiences working with barnstorming pilots in Nebraska and Montana; his purchase in Georgia of a U.S. Army surplus Curtiss Jenny with which a pilot-friend gave him more extensive flight training which led to Lindbergh soloing in 1923; Lindbergh's experiences as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Service followed by his work as an air mail pilot - culminating with his association with Ryan Airline Company and 'The Spirit of St. Louis'.

So far, it's a HIGHLY FASCINATING book.

I wonder how many people knew that Charles Lindbergh had written a book which touched upon his transatlantic flight at least 2 decades before he penned The Spirit of St. Louis .

Hearts of Sand by Jane Haddam

The perpetrator of a 30-year-old bank robbery returns to town and is almost immediately murdered. Detective Gregor Demarkian is called to investigate.....and ends up looking into more than one killing. Okay mystery. 3 stars

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

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff

This book (as most everyone now knows) is a tell-all about President Trump's first 9 months in office. It's a sensational story about incompetence, back-biting, opportunism, and general craziness....but it's hard to look away. 3.5 stars

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

I'm not sure this turns me into a Faye Kellerman fan: Bone Box
But the characters are attractive & interesting enough to tempt me to dip into the previous 23 installments.

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

***

Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

On graduation night in Nantucket a teenage girl purposely crashes a jeep carrying her brother and two friends. The book explores why she did it and how the town reacts to the tragedy.
Pretty good story. 3 stars

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

Red 1-2-3 by John Katzenbach

A serial killer who calls himself the 'Big Bad Wolf' sets out to kill three redheads....and warns them in advance. Good premise but it doesn't entirely pan out in a logical fashion. 2.5 stars

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

My introduction to Maisie Dobbs: In This Grave Hour
A happy discovery.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Einstein's Dice and Schrödinger's Cat: How Two Great Minds Battled Quantum Randomness to Create a Unified Theory of Physics by Paul Halpern

Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrödinger both tried to meld the theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics into a 'unified theory of everything.' They didn't succeed....but each man made phenomenal discoveries during his lifetime. Good book.....with some interesting gossip. :) 3.5 stars

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

Cold Service by Robert B. Parker

After Hawke is unable to prevent the killing of a client he's guarding, the tough guy is out for revenge.....with the help of Spenser. Thin plot but the book is enjoyable, and it's fun to visit with favorite characters. 3 stars

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

Fortunate Son by Walter Mosley

Mosley is well-known for his 'Easy Rawlins' mysteries, but this literary novel is about two boys who have very different lives.
Tommy is a frail black boy born with a lung defect and Eric is a robust blonde, blue-eyed white boy. The two lads are raised as brothers until they become separated at age six.....and their lives take different paths. Good book, presumably a parable....but I'm not sure what the lesson is. 3.5 stars.

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

The Lost Witness by Robert Ellis

Los Angeles robbery-homicide detective Lena Gamble investigates when the chopped up body of a woman is found in a dumpster. But Lena's bosses seem to be trying to get rid of her for embarrassing them. Pretty good mystery. 3 stars

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

Light of the World by James Lee Burke

Dave Robicheaux and his family are vacationing in Montana when they come up against the very evil Asa Surete. As usual, Dave and his best friend Clete Purcel have to battle a devilish greedy family at the same time they're trying to hunt down a major criminal. Good book but not one of Burke's best. 3 stars

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

I am reading a book on aging, and one in fifth dimensional ascension. I go through spurts with fiction only and nonfiction only.

The Vengeance of Mothers: The Journals of Margaret Kelly & Molly McGill: A Novel by Jim Fergus

This sequel to One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd continues the fictitious story about the U.S. program to send 1000 white women to marry Cheyenne braves in exchange for 1000 horses - to advance peace. In this novel, an attack by the Cavalry has left the tribe in tatters, and surviving mothers want revenge.
Interesting peek into Indian culture. 3.5 stars

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

Low Pressure by Sandra Brown

Bellamy's sister Susan was murdered at their father's company picnic in Austin, Texas 18 years ago and a teenage boy was convicted of the crime. Now Bellamy has written a book based on the old homicide, and it ruffles a LOT of feathers. Good mystery with a bit of romance. 3 stars

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

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

When a woman in South Korea gives up eating meat, there are drastic repercussions. Her father tries to force her, she has a breakdown, and things take an odd turn from there. The book has drawn many interpretations but I think it's partly about the place of women in South Korean culture. 3.5 stars

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

Yesterday (March 10), I began reading the novel "Anatomy of a Scandal" by Sarah Vaughan.



Its setting is in contemporary Britain and is centered around a courtroom case in London filled with potentially explosive political repercussions. I'm enjoying it so far, and the fact that it's well-written keeps me even more engaged.

KOMET wrote: "Yesterday (March 10), I began reading the novel "Anatomy of a Scandal" by Sarah Vaughan.



Its setting is in contemporary ..."

I thought this was a pretty good book. Very much in step with what's going on these days.

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis

Florrie Fox, manager of the 'Color Me Read' bookstore in Georgetown has to solve a murder when her boss gets wrongly accused of killing his good-for-nothing/scam artist nephew. Amusing cozy mystery. 3 stars

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

The Theory of Death by Faye Kellerman

Detective Peter Decker and his protégé - Harvard Law Student Tyler McAdams - investigate when a math graduate student is found dead from an apparent suicide. Thing is, the math student was working on a formula to predict stock market trends that everybody wants to get their hands on. Okay mystery. 3 stars

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

Vertigo 42 by Martha Grimes

In this 23rd book in the series Detective Superintendent Richard Jury has to solve two old homicides and two new homicides. All the usual amusing characters make an appearance. Okay mystery. 3 stars

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

Righteous by Joe Ide

In this second book in the 'IQ' series, brilliant twentysomething Los Angeles 'detective' Isaiah Quintabe is working on two cases: trying to discover who killed his brother in a hit and run and attempting to help a Las Vegas gambling addict who's in deep with loan sharks. Good thriller, but not quite as good as the first book in the series. 3 stars

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

Okay i got these finish I just havent had time to come on and post about them

Egg Drop Dead by Laura Childs First book i ever read from her and I become hook i am so gonna be reading more from her ASAP!

Sleep Like a Baby by Charlaine Harris I really didnt care for it to much

The Middleman by Olen Steinhauer Won it on a giveaway Great thrills, wonderful flow, however political thrillers But still very good book I will have to check out more from him!

The New Neighbors by Simon Lelic Won it on giveaway This is a wonderfully dark and twisted psychological thriller by Simon Lelic I like this book more then his other book read in January! Very Good!

Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown I really loved this book i am so gonna get more book in this series

Gotta run to to library this weekend I havent been in almost 4 weeks i been sick

Hope you feel better Shannon. :)

Exclusive by Sandra Brown

When First Lady Vanessa Merritt loses a baby to SIDS, reporter Barrie Travis decides the baby was murdered and is determined to prove it. This leads to BIG trouble as President David Merritt doesn't like bad publicity, has a murder squad, and will literally kill anyone who he feels is a threat. This story is way too over the top for me. 2 stars

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

The Fix by David Baldacci

In this third book in the "Amos Decker" series, Decker and his FBI team investigate a murder-suicide that turns out to have very serious implications. Pretty good thriller. 3 stars

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

The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Beth travels from Wisconsin to Chicago for her high school reunion toting her three kids. Almost as soon as Beth gets to her hotel her 3-year-old son disappears. This devastates the family. (The story was made into a movie a while back.) Pretty good book. 3 stars

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

Death of a Chef by Alexander Campion

In this addition to the series, Commissaire Capucine Le Tellier of the Paris police investigates two murders and an abduction in between fine dining all over the city with her restaurant critic husband. Fun cozy. 3 stars

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

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by Alexander McCall Smith

in this 16th book in the series Mma Ramotswe deals with a boy who's being abused, a political scandal, and a jumped up secretarial school graduate. I always enjoy these quiet mysteries and the colorful characters. 4 stars

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

The Cyanide Canary: A True Story of Injustice by Robert Dugoni and Joseph Hilldorfer

This book tells the true story of the EPA's efforts to prosecute Allen Elias - a man who ordered his employee to clean a cyanide contaminated tank without safety equipment. The worker was severely brain-damaged, and the government took Elias to trial. Reads like suspenseful fiction.....complete with lots of courtroom scenes. Good story. 3.5 stars

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

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

This is Agatha Christie's first published book and it's not as sophisticated as her later work. However it's a good place to start if you're new to the famous writer.....or doing a re-read.

In the story, Emily Inglethorpe is poisoned, and her entire extended family.....as well as a few other people......are suspects. The book introduces Hercule Poirot, Captain Hastings, and Inspector Japp. 3 stars

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

After weeks of critiquing submissions to determinedly scholarly, academic journals, I can get back to "recreational reading": The Painted Queen

My nitpickery perhaps carried over. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

A brilliant American secret agent called Pilgrim goes up against a brilliant Saudi Arabian terrorist called Saracen....who has a long term plan to destroy America. Very good book. 4.5 stars

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

Black Heart by Anna-Lou Weatherley

A sociopathic woman who sometimes calls herself 'Goldilocks' sets out to kill three people who represent Daddy Bear, Mommy Bear, and Baby Bear. The detective on her trail is Dan Riley, who has personal issues of his own. Okay first book in this new series. 3 stars

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

Not my favorite Tracy Chevalier: At the Edge of the Orchard

(Too many hours slogging thru my landlady's garden, in lieu of rent, during graduate student days in Berkeley) My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Craig wrote: "Not my favorite Tracy Chevalier: At the Edge of the Orchard

"

Pomology.....I like that word. :)

Barbara wrote: "Craig wrote: "Not my favorite Tracy Chevalier: At the Edge of the Orchard

"

Pomology.....I like that word. :)"

I had to look it up, having assumed it referred only to apples!

I usually avoid serial killers (though I'm currently writing about a woman often labeled one), but stumbled upon this fictional one, deftly handled: Light of the World

****.5 (rounded up): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Killer by Jonathan Kellerman

In this 29th book in the series, child psychologist Alex Delaware consults on a child custody case.....and never dreams of the trouble he's buying into. Not one of Kellerman's best books 2 stars

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

Barbara wrote: "Killer by Jonathan Kellerman

In this 29th book in the series, child psychologist Alex Delaware consults on a child custody case.....and n..."

Thanks for the warning, Barbara. I've long been a fan of the sensitive Delaware, Milo (who seems to resemble a bag of dirty laundry), and of course, Blanche the Bulldog, but sounds as if I can pass on this one.

Thanks for the warning, Barbara. I've long been a fan of the sensitive Delaware, Milo (who seems to resemble a bag of dirty laundry), and of course, Blanche the Bulldog, but sounds as if I can pass on this one. ."

You're welcome Craig. I keep hoping Kellerman's books return to their old quality.

Thank you, Patty MacD for pointing me in this direction: Real Tigers

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

The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag

In this 4th book in the series Detectives Kovak and Liska are chasing a sadistic serial killer. The investigation gets more complicated because Liska's son knew the latest victim, a teenage girl called Gray. Okay mystery. 3 stars

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

The Harder They Come by T.C. Boyle

This is essentially a character study of 3 main protagonists; Adam Stensen, a mentally ill young man who yearns to emulate the life of 'mountain man' John Colter (from the Lewis and Clark expedition); Sten Stensen - Adam's father, a former Marine and school principal who doesn't know how to deal with his son; and Sara Jennings - an extreme 'libertarian' who doesn't think laws apply to her. The plot addresses violence, drugs, troubled people, etc. Good book. 4 stars

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

Began reading today (April 2nd) "With Hitler and Mussolini: Memoirs of a Nazi Interpreter" by Eugen Dollmann.



Dollmann, holder of a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Munich, had set himself upon a career as a scholar. But he then went on a different path that led to him joining the SS and serving as an interpreter (Dollmann spoke fluent Italian) for several of the top Nazi leaders.

Currently reading Aftermath by Chuck Wendig because it's Star Wars. (And I need to catch up on my Star Wars reading)

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny

'Retired' police detective Armand Gamache helps search for a missing husband in this 10th book in the series. The book falls flat as a mystery story. 2 stars.

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

This one is a little-bit-of-everything: history, mystery, romance, fantasy: The Museum of Extraordinary Things by an author new to me.

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

When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz

Charlotte Sawyer, who's the activities director at a retirement community, is reeling from (almost) being left at the altar by her former fiance. So when an acquaintance dies mysteriously, and Charlotte meets an appealing private investigator on the case, it's all good. :)
Fans of romantic suspense would probably like this story. 3 stars

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