Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

I read The Two Minute Rule many years ago, but never followed up with any other Crais books. I'll put the Cole/Pike books in my to-read pile and check him out. Thanks for the thought Curmudgeon.

@Ctgt, you finished?!? I couldn't put it down either. I had to stop reading when my eyes closed. I did make it to page 260 before that happened. Yes the "coincidence" was questionable. So far that's the only flaw I can see so far.

@Tracy, Oh YES!

@Hugh, now a competition between Jack and Joe would be very interesting.

Eileen wrote: "@Ctgt, you finished?!?."

Yeah, but I'm on vacation...so I'm cheating.

Good for you and enjoy your vacation!

Thanks. Enjoy the rest of the book. I'll be interested to hear what you think.

Curmudgeon wrote: "They are very different in temperment and style, but it would be interesting to see a "competition" between Jack Reacher and Robert Crais's "Joe Pike.""

I agree, Curmudgeon, a Pike/Reacher matchup would have the makings of an action-packed thrill ride. I enjoy both characters for their vigilante approach to justice. (Pike might be at a slight disadvantage, though, given that in addition to waging war against villains, he has bills to pay, a stray cat to feed, and laundry and a house to clean and maintain).

Steve

@Ctgt, The Watchman is the first "Joe Pike" book, but it's also like the 11th or 12th Elvis Cole book. You don't need to read the Elvis Cole series to enjoy the Joe Pike books. You can start with "The Watchman."

@Eileen & Steve, Yea. Powers of percetpion vs. power of intuition. It would make a great Team-up feature. Marvel Comics used to do a "Team-up" Comic Book series where Spiderman teams up with different heroes. A Reacher-Pike team up would be a fun read.

@Lisa, I'm almost finished with "Bloodline" and, to me, it seems better than the last book. Maybe better than the others in the series.

The problem I have is the entire thing is getting to the end of a long ride and the horse is showing some signs of exhaustion. I'd like to see a Sigma Spin off, or maybe a mass retirement and new situations villains and predicaments.

This is a fun read and I'm glad to see it returning to the same "Glory" of past reads. I am also aware that there's a certain "cadence" to the way these books go and it makes them almost predictable when they shouldn't be. When learning to march in a military formation, once you get in step, you know where your foot will fall without thinking about it. If you know what I mean.

Unless something radical happens in the next 18% of the book, it'll probably wind up a 4 star read. That's rewarding some for writing this one better than the last one and a return to some things I felt worked well in the story that he seemed to move away from the last book.

even with my over sensitive anylization, it's still a fun read and I've no regrets. It may be the best writing yet from Rollins.

Curmudgeon wrote: "@Ctgt, The Watchman is the first "Joe Pike" book, but it's also like the 11th or 12th Elvis Cole book. You don't need to read the Elvis Cole series to enjoy the Joe Pike books.."

Thanks!

I started in the middle of the Joe Pike/Elvis Cole series. Didn't have any problems understanding what was going on. I think I've read half of the series so far.

Curmudgeon wrote: @Eileen & Steve, Yea. Powers of percetpion vs. power of intuition. It would make a great Team-up feature. Marvel Comics used to do a "Team-up" Comic Book series where Spiderman teams up with different heroes. A Reacher-Pike team up would be a fun read.

Now all we have to do is get Child and Crais on board with this great idea.

Ctgt wrote: "Thanks. Enjoy the rest of the book. I'll be interested to hear what you think."

I'll let you know when I finish.

Curmudgeon wrote: "Okay, I don't know where Lisa went, but, I'd like to know Lady D's whereabouts on the day in question?"

I've been on a wonderful week long vacation with no internet...but it is good to be home!

Hi.

I'm reading another Alan Lewrie books (a good bit of action) and another Miles Vorkosigan novel (this one a bit slow in places) and trying to finish up Magic Lost Trouble Found.

Goodreads just discovered they have my email, so I am getting inundated, and I am waaay behind.. I agree that Reacher is the all time hero. I haven't seen much of Joe Pike. Read one Elvis Cole story. Found it slow. I'll try again.

We do not use the term 'leftovers' in our house. Not allowed. It is 'already cooked food.'

Hope everyone is having a good week so far!

I finished . WOW...that was one fun, turn the page to see what's next book! Jack Reacher is one cool dude. I'm just so sorry I waited so long to start this series.

I do have a question about a weapon from the book. Jack said he could use a sap. I read the description in the book, I just couldn't get a visual in my head of what it was. Maybe you weapon's experts in A/A could help me, thanks.

Also finished listening to . I highly recommend if you're going to read this series do the audio version. Besides, each book is around a thousand pages, the woman who narrates the books does an amazing job.

Pattie wrote: We do not use the term 'leftovers' in our house. Not allowed. It is 'already cooked food.'

LOL! That's perfect! Now when my family asks, what's for dinner? I won't have to say leftovers ever again.

Eileen wrote: "I do have a question about a weapon from the book. Jack said he could use a sap. I read the description in the book, I just couldn't get a visual in my head of what it was. Maybe you weapon's experts in A/A could help me, thanks."

I think of a sap as a flexible billy club. I have seen a leather sap that was about 8-10 inches long with what I assume was lead in one end and some sort of spring action in the handle that gave it a slight whip action. It was about 2-3 inches across at the lead end and fairly flat. Years ago, I remember reading about somebody making a homemade sap out of a piece of rubber hose. They capped one end and I think they poured concrete about halfway into the length of the hose.

http://www.badguystuff.com/article_po...

The SAP.

I also thought it counts as a SAP when you put a bar of soap in a sock and use it to clock somebody.

The bar of soap thing was used because soap is "softer" than lead or BBs. Someone can be beaten very badly and the bruising doesn't show up for much longer as there is more deep tissue damage. It "was" a favorite way for people in "authority" to beat someone up and get away with it.

Thanks guys! Now I have a perfect visual and description of what a SAP is.

I just started The Devil Colony by James Rollins. I'm only 1 chapter in so far, but it's promising so far. I'm trying to get caught up with his books, so I can read Bloodline.

I just started Edge of Evil by J.A. Jance

Just finished and have to say I was somewhat disappointed. Not one of the best of the series for me.

Just started which had a bit of a slow start but is turning into quite a page turner.

Currently reading not really sure if I like it yet. Interesting concept just not sure where the book is headed.

A SAP is a weighted leather weapon. Basically two strips of leather sewn around pellets. Flexible but packa a wallop. I believe they were supposed to be used to knock people out quietly.

A SAP is a close relative of a SCHMUCK!

Jim wrote: "A SAP is a close relative of a SCHMUCK!"
Ah, yes, the wisdom of Yiddish.

Almost done with Monster Hunter Alpha and this one is as Buttkickin' Ten can's of Ass-whoopin' in one book as the last two! Even with the twists and slow start... well, slow is a relative term here I guess.

Good read too.

LOL

I should have moved on to Monster Hunter Alpha after I finished Monster Hunter Vendetta. But, no, I started Gone Girl a little disappointed. Halfway done and I'm not getting all the positive reviews for this book.

It's the Earle Harbinger Adventure. It was just really good. I don't know what to read next. (I've pampered myself doing audiobooks of the MHI sereis and the next one isn't available at Audiobile.com yet.

I should probably go with something in the crime novel or espionage framework for my next read.

MHI audiobooks have been one of my favorites. I've been holding off listening to the next one because of that exact reason, it's not available yet at audible.

Yeah...third book and this one hasn't disappointed me. It started differently (but good) but by the time you got to be halfway, it was full blown MHI Chaos! (and intrigue). Super fun, I liked it better than Vendetta, but that's a narrow margin, both are really good reads. (don't forget tissues for this one.)

Finished reading Gone Girl and I didn't like it. It had some good reviews and I thought It was a book I would enjoy, didn't happen. Oh well moving on.

Started The Rook only a few pages in and I can already tell I'm going to like this one.

Then I'll be starting Congo.The Rook

Darn GR girl, she got me again!!! I had this whole thing typed out and only two sentences posted.

I know that's has happened a lot lately. I need to remember to save every time I try to post. Then the post can just be pasted when GR loses it.

I get pulled into this false sense of security because it hasn't happened in awhile. Then she sneaks up on me and does it again.

Does anyone else she her and it reads, over capacity come back later?

Yes. I got that a lot the other night.

Just started American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Audio Book. Work and back reading.

I read that last year and really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see what you think.


Really enjoying the

I am listening to Eleventh Hour and I'm reading Odd Apocalypse and really enjoying them both.

I just started So far so good!

Lisa, it sure looks good to me!

I'm only about 10% in so hard to tell at this point...but I'm liking it so far. It was a free Kindle book from Amazon.

Free BOOK! I'm. on it! be right back.

Lisa wrote: "I just started So far so good!"

That does look good. I just checked and it's also available at Audible.

I am currently listening to The Reversal by Michael Connelly and of course I love Harry although he isn't in this one as much as usual.

Just started and so far it's going well. Archaelogy and vulcanology based in a rather different setting (Iceland) with a large cast of characters. A bit different from the majority of archaelogy/thrillers I've read.

I'm halfway through The Watchman and really enjoying the ride. Finished The Monkey's Raincoat earlier in the week and was pleasantly surprised at the style of writing. It really reminded me of an modern Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler.

P.S. Thanks Curmudgeon

I'm a Joe Pike fan too.

I've just started by Patrick Lee and really enjoying it so far.