Genre: Thriller
Setting: Present day Macau and Hong Kong.
First sentence: No, it can't begin that way.
This novel is the fourth in Jake Needham's Jack Shepherd series.
Jake is a lawyer who specializes in solving legal and financial problems that no one else wants to touch. In this novel, Jack has two problems to solve.
To begin with, the chief of security at a Macau casino has asked Jack to investigate a cash flow problem at the casino. It seems that there has been an unusual amount of cash coming into the casino. It's possible that the local gangs in Macau have been laundering money through the casino. For years, many have believed that the owner of the casino has been cooperating with the gangs.
At first, Jack is reluctant to take the case. But when the casino owner's beautiful and extremely wealthy daughter asks for his help, Jack decides to get involved. The casino owner is very elderly and the daughter wants to solve the case in a way that clears her father of any connection to the gangs.
In addition, Jack has been asked to do a favor for an acquaintance. The acquaintance has a mysterious friend named Freddy who would like to get political asylum in Hawaii. Although Jack usually does not handle asylum cases, he promises his friend that he'll see what he can do.
As Jack begins investigating both cases, things become a little more interesting when people start sending bullets in his direction. Apparently, Jack's activities have attracted someone's attention.
Will Jack discover the source of the cash flow spike at the casino?
Will Freddy get his asylum in Hawaii?
And, what about the casino owner's beautiful daughter?
I am a big fan of Jake Needham and I really enjoyed this book. Jack is a unique hero. He uses information and investigation, rather than firearms and violence to solve his cases. Don't look for a fairy tale happy ending. Needham ends this book in a realistic, believable, and unexpected way.
Another great read from Jake Needham.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Free Magic Secrets Revealed by Mark Leiren-Young
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Guest Review
The review for this novel comes from a guest reviewer: Dick Kraus (AKA the Printz of Magic)
Dick is a retired professional magician. He read a review of this book in his magicians' union's newsletter. He asked me to order the book for him on Amazon. I did , with the caveat that he would have to give me his review of the book.
Dick said that he really enjoyed the book. It brought back memories of his early days trying to break into professional magic. He said that it was a great read. It was very funny. And, he gives the book five stars.
The review for this novel comes from a guest reviewer: Dick Kraus (AKA the Printz of Magic)
Dick is a retired professional magician. He read a review of this book in his magicians' union's newsletter. He asked me to order the book for him on Amazon. I did , with the caveat that he would have to give me his review of the book.
Dick said that he really enjoyed the book. It brought back memories of his early days trying to break into professional magic. He said that it was a great read. It was very funny. And, he gives the book five stars.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Pirates of Savannah by Tarrin P. Lupo
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: England, and the Georgia Colony in the early 1700's.
First Sentence: Like a religious experience, the sun flooded the prison cell blinding the young man.
FYI: Some adult material.
This novel is the story of Patrick Willis; his journey from a squalid debtor's prison to the ultimate freedom of sailing the seven seas as a pirate.
Patrick's father had died leaving his family in debt. While trying to pay his father's debts, Patrick loses the last of his family's wealth.
At this time in history, James Oglethorpe, a British reformer, has founded the Georgia colony as an alternative for imprisoning debtors.
As luck would have it, Patrick is selected to travel to Georgia as an indentured servant.
In Georgia, Patrick's contract is purchased by Archibald Freeman. Freeman is a member of a clandestine group of individuals who are fighting the tyranny of the British.
As the story progresses, Patrick learns more about freedom. He comes to learn that pirates at sea possess the ultimate in individual freedom. Patrick, along with others, form a free society known as the Pirates of Savannah.
I advise readers of this novel to peruse the front matter and preface of the book. this will inform the reader of the author's political beliefs. This will enhance the reader's understanding of the novel and the motivations of the characters.
I was somewhat disappointed in this novel. I was expecting a novel of pirates. There were pirates, but they entered the plot late in the story. I found it interesting that Lupo's pirates supported their freedom with criminal acts such as piracy and prostitution.
Additionally, I did not like the author's narrative style.
For me, not a bad book, but it could have been better.
Setting: England, and the Georgia Colony in the early 1700's.
First Sentence: Like a religious experience, the sun flooded the prison cell blinding the young man.
FYI: Some adult material.
This novel is the story of Patrick Willis; his journey from a squalid debtor's prison to the ultimate freedom of sailing the seven seas as a pirate.
Patrick's father had died leaving his family in debt. While trying to pay his father's debts, Patrick loses the last of his family's wealth.
At this time in history, James Oglethorpe, a British reformer, has founded the Georgia colony as an alternative for imprisoning debtors.
As luck would have it, Patrick is selected to travel to Georgia as an indentured servant.
In Georgia, Patrick's contract is purchased by Archibald Freeman. Freeman is a member of a clandestine group of individuals who are fighting the tyranny of the British.
As the story progresses, Patrick learns more about freedom. He comes to learn that pirates at sea possess the ultimate in individual freedom. Patrick, along with others, form a free society known as the Pirates of Savannah.
I advise readers of this novel to peruse the front matter and preface of the book. this will inform the reader of the author's political beliefs. This will enhance the reader's understanding of the novel and the motivations of the characters.
I was somewhat disappointed in this novel. I was expecting a novel of pirates. There were pirates, but they entered the plot late in the story. I found it interesting that Lupo's pirates supported their freedom with criminal acts such as piracy and prostitution.
Additionally, I did not like the author's narrative style.
For me, not a bad book, but it could have been better.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Oathbreaker by Martin Jensen
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1018 AD
First sentence: Uhtred shivered in the morning fog.
This novel is the second in Martin Jensen's King's Hounds series.
Halfdan and his employer, Winston the illuminator, are the King's hounds. They have made themselves useful to King Cnut by asking questions and using their wits.
In this installment of the series, the king wants Halfdan and Winston to go north to Mercia. There they are to keep their eyes and ears open. The king wants to learn of any possible unrest in the area. There are some in Mercia who might cause the king problems.
So, Halfdan and Winston travel north with a caravan of monks, peddlers, and assorted riffraff. On the way north, the caravan stops for the night at a monastery at Brixworth. As luck would have it there is a terrible murder in the monastery's church. A monk, who had once been a warrior, has been killed. His severed hand placed over his heart, is a sign that the monk was an oath breaker.
Halfdan and Winston are asked to investigate due to their recent inquiries for the king.
As they investigate, they discover that there are many possible suspects. And since no one has left the monastery, the murderer is still within the monastery's walls.
Will Halfdan and Winston unravel the tangled web of clues to discover who murdered the monk, and why?
I enjoyed this book. I was stumped by the mystery until the reveal. Once I learned the identity of the killer, the clues seemed obvious.
I also enjoy Jensen's description of life in 11th century England. These side trips off the the main plot make the novel fun to read.
Setting: England, 1018 AD
First sentence: Uhtred shivered in the morning fog.
This novel is the second in Martin Jensen's King's Hounds series.
Halfdan and his employer, Winston the illuminator, are the King's hounds. They have made themselves useful to King Cnut by asking questions and using their wits.
In this installment of the series, the king wants Halfdan and Winston to go north to Mercia. There they are to keep their eyes and ears open. The king wants to learn of any possible unrest in the area. There are some in Mercia who might cause the king problems.
So, Halfdan and Winston travel north with a caravan of monks, peddlers, and assorted riffraff. On the way north, the caravan stops for the night at a monastery at Brixworth. As luck would have it there is a terrible murder in the monastery's church. A monk, who had once been a warrior, has been killed. His severed hand placed over his heart, is a sign that the monk was an oath breaker.
Halfdan and Winston are asked to investigate due to their recent inquiries for the king.
As they investigate, they discover that there are many possible suspects. And since no one has left the monastery, the murderer is still within the monastery's walls.
Will Halfdan and Winston unravel the tangled web of clues to discover who murdered the monk, and why?
I enjoyed this book. I was stumped by the mystery until the reveal. Once I learned the identity of the killer, the clues seemed obvious.
I also enjoy Jensen's description of life in 11th century England. These side trips off the the main plot make the novel fun to read.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Coeur D'Alene Waters by Ned Hayes
Genre: Mystery
Setting: Coeur D'Alene, Idaho 1988
First sentence: The girl felt hope leave her as the road went dark.
There is no shortage of dysfunctional people in Ned Hayes's novel. It seems that everyone is hiding secrets. Everyone has a skeleton in the closet. And, no one wants to admit to the truth.
Matt Worthson, the main character of the novel, is no exception. He is a flawed hero. Matt is a lieutenant in the Bitterroot county sheriff''s office. He is a recovering alcoholic. He blames himself for the automobile accident which took the life of a young woman. Matt has relationship problems with his wife, his son, and his father. To make matters worse, he gets little respect from his fellow officers.
There has been a horrible murder. The victim was a popular local minister. His dismembered body was found in a restroom of an upscale resort hotel. The hotel is owned by the richest family in town. Matt wants to investigate the crime, but the political leaders of the town want him to give the case to the FBI.
As Matt investigates, he discovers that the murder is somehow connected to a mine accident which took the lives of ninety-one miners several years ago. Matt's father is considered a hero by many for saving so many miners' lives during that accident.
Intertwined with the main plot are the thoughts of a five year old girl.
Who is the girl, and what does she know?
Why was the minister's body found at the resort?
Who caused the mine disaster?
For me, this was a frustrating read. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion. Moving from character to character, and back and forth in time made the story difficult to follow.
Additionally, Matt is a frustrating character. Just when he was close to learning the truth, or discovering a clue he balked. Matt was so afraid of the emotional pain the truth would cause that he preferred living in denial.
In the end, when Matt finally faces his fears, he learns the truth, and solves the mystery.
Setting: Coeur D'Alene, Idaho 1988
First sentence: The girl felt hope leave her as the road went dark.
There is no shortage of dysfunctional people in Ned Hayes's novel. It seems that everyone is hiding secrets. Everyone has a skeleton in the closet. And, no one wants to admit to the truth.
Matt Worthson, the main character of the novel, is no exception. He is a flawed hero. Matt is a lieutenant in the Bitterroot county sheriff''s office. He is a recovering alcoholic. He blames himself for the automobile accident which took the life of a young woman. Matt has relationship problems with his wife, his son, and his father. To make matters worse, he gets little respect from his fellow officers.
There has been a horrible murder. The victim was a popular local minister. His dismembered body was found in a restroom of an upscale resort hotel. The hotel is owned by the richest family in town. Matt wants to investigate the crime, but the political leaders of the town want him to give the case to the FBI.
As Matt investigates, he discovers that the murder is somehow connected to a mine accident which took the lives of ninety-one miners several years ago. Matt's father is considered a hero by many for saving so many miners' lives during that accident.
Intertwined with the main plot are the thoughts of a five year old girl.
Who is the girl, and what does she know?
Why was the minister's body found at the resort?
Who caused the mine disaster?
For me, this was a frustrating read. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion. Moving from character to character, and back and forth in time made the story difficult to follow.
Additionally, Matt is a frustrating character. Just when he was close to learning the truth, or discovering a clue he balked. Matt was so afraid of the emotional pain the truth would cause that he preferred living in denial.
In the end, when Matt finally faces his fears, he learns the truth, and solves the mystery.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Sharpe's Rifles by Bernard Cornwell
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Spain, 1809
First Sentence: The prize was a strong box.
As of March 2014 there are 23 books in Cornwell's Sharpe series. By publication date, this is the ninth book of the series. In chronological order of Sharpe's life, this is the sixth novel. Each installment of the series is a stand-alone novel so they can be read in any order.
Lieutenant Richard Sharpe gets little respect. He earned his commission through an act of bravery. Unlike his fellow officers, who despise him, he was not born into wealth. The soldiers under him do not respect him because they know he was once a common soldier.
In this novel, Sharpe commands a detachment of the 95th Rifles. They are fighting the French in Spain. When the British troops are ambushed by the France, Sharpe and his men are cut off from the main body of the British. Sharpe must find a way to get his squad back to British held territory.
This is Sharpe's first command position. Previously, superior officers had placed Sharpe in non-command positions. Sharpe was a good sergeant, but now he needs to learn how to command men.
Sharpe finds an unexpected ally in Major Blas Vivar. Vivar is a Spanish officer. He and his soldiers are protecting a valuable Spanish treasure. Major Vivar enlists Sharpe's aid in delivering the treasure to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, Vivar helps Sharpe earn the respect of the soldiers in his command.
This novel is an action-packed military adventure. There are rousing scenes of battle. There are gritty descriptions of army life in the early nineteenth century. And , of course, there is the mighty Richard Sharpe.
For me, this novel was a great page turning adventure tale.
Some of the books in the Sharpe Series:
Setting: Spain, 1809
First Sentence: The prize was a strong box.
As of March 2014 there are 23 books in Cornwell's Sharpe series. By publication date, this is the ninth book of the series. In chronological order of Sharpe's life, this is the sixth novel. Each installment of the series is a stand-alone novel so they can be read in any order.
Lieutenant Richard Sharpe gets little respect. He earned his commission through an act of bravery. Unlike his fellow officers, who despise him, he was not born into wealth. The soldiers under him do not respect him because they know he was once a common soldier.
In this novel, Sharpe commands a detachment of the 95th Rifles. They are fighting the French in Spain. When the British troops are ambushed by the France, Sharpe and his men are cut off from the main body of the British. Sharpe must find a way to get his squad back to British held territory.
This is Sharpe's first command position. Previously, superior officers had placed Sharpe in non-command positions. Sharpe was a good sergeant, but now he needs to learn how to command men.
Sharpe finds an unexpected ally in Major Blas Vivar. Vivar is a Spanish officer. He and his soldiers are protecting a valuable Spanish treasure. Major Vivar enlists Sharpe's aid in delivering the treasure to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, Vivar helps Sharpe earn the respect of the soldiers in his command.
This novel is an action-packed military adventure. There are rousing scenes of battle. There are gritty descriptions of army life in the early nineteenth century. And , of course, there is the mighty Richard Sharpe.
For me, this novel was a great page turning adventure tale.
Some of the books in the Sharpe Series:
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Sinful Folk by Ned Hayes
Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction
Setting: England in the fourteenth century.
First Sentence: In the end, I listen to my fear.
Rarely does one come across a novel such as this. Most historical fiction novels, in my opinion, focus on the lives of knights and the nobility. This novel focuses on the poorest of the poor. It portrays the severe circumstances of their daily lives. For them each day was often a battle to stay alive.
It is the depths of winter. In the small village of Duns, people are slowly starving. There is a terrible disaster. The weaver's house burns down. Discovered in the smoldering ruins are the charred bodies of five of the village's young boys.
The people of Duns are uneducated and superstitious. They search for some reason to explain the deaths of there young sons. In their anger, they believe that the Jews must be to blame. They decide to bring the burned bodies to the king and demand justice.
Among the dead is old Mear's ten year old son. Mear is one of the villagers who decide to take the bodies to the king. Mear is a mute. In the ten years he has lived in Duns, no one has heard Mear utter more than a few grunts. But Mear harbors a secret. Mear is, in fact, a woman who has been living as a man ever since her arrival in Duns.
As Mear and the men leave the village, Mear learns another dark secret. One of the men who are taking the bodies to the king is the one who set the fire which killed the boys.
In fourteenth century England, peasants had no standing in law or in the church. If they are found on the high road with out their lord's permission, they they can be punished. If they are found with unburied bodies, they will be punished for not obeying ecclesiastical law.
The hardships and struggles the villagers endure form the main body of the novel. Along the way they suffer greatly. As they progress, the author reveals more of Mear's secret. Told from Mear's point of view we learn that much of her pain was caused by the sins of others.
Will the villagers get the justice they seek?
This is one of the best historical mystery novels I have read. From beginning to end it was a great read. I recommend it highly.
Sinful Folk
Setting: England in the fourteenth century.
First Sentence: In the end, I listen to my fear.
Rarely does one come across a novel such as this. Most historical fiction novels, in my opinion, focus on the lives of knights and the nobility. This novel focuses on the poorest of the poor. It portrays the severe circumstances of their daily lives. For them each day was often a battle to stay alive.
It is the depths of winter. In the small village of Duns, people are slowly starving. There is a terrible disaster. The weaver's house burns down. Discovered in the smoldering ruins are the charred bodies of five of the village's young boys.
The people of Duns are uneducated and superstitious. They search for some reason to explain the deaths of there young sons. In their anger, they believe that the Jews must be to blame. They decide to bring the burned bodies to the king and demand justice.
Among the dead is old Mear's ten year old son. Mear is one of the villagers who decide to take the bodies to the king. Mear is a mute. In the ten years he has lived in Duns, no one has heard Mear utter more than a few grunts. But Mear harbors a secret. Mear is, in fact, a woman who has been living as a man ever since her arrival in Duns.
As Mear and the men leave the village, Mear learns another dark secret. One of the men who are taking the bodies to the king is the one who set the fire which killed the boys.
In fourteenth century England, peasants had no standing in law or in the church. If they are found on the high road with out their lord's permission, they they can be punished. If they are found with unburied bodies, they will be punished for not obeying ecclesiastical law.
The hardships and struggles the villagers endure form the main body of the novel. Along the way they suffer greatly. As they progress, the author reveals more of Mear's secret. Told from Mear's point of view we learn that much of her pain was caused by the sins of others.
Will the villagers get the justice they seek?
This is one of the best historical mystery novels I have read. From beginning to end it was a great read. I recommend it highly.
Sinful Folk
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