Tag: From the Archives Page 4 of 27

Dusted Off: The Drop by Michael Connelly

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On March 3, 2014

In Authors, Fiction, Harry Bosch, Michael Connelly, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

The DropThe Drop

by Michael Connelly
Series: Harry Bosch, #17

Paperback, 448 pg.
Grand Central Publishing, 2012
Read: Jun. 23-25, 2012

How does he do it? How does someone as accomplished as Connelly continually top himself? Equaling himself would be a tough act (and not one he always pulls off), but topping himself? Inhuman.

This was gripping (duh). This was harrowing (duh). The suspense was there, the intrigue was thick (duh). What was shown about the human condition should cause anyone to reflect (duh). All of that is par for the course for Connelly and Harry Bosch.

But this one…the depravity, Harry’s reaction to it–not just the bad guys, but the politics surrounding the cases…hit harder than normal. You can really feel for Bosch in this one, you can curse his mistakes (and even the right things he did that don’t feel so right), but the closing chapters carry a kind of emotional weight that Bosch novels normally don’t.

This is Connelly at his best. Looking forward to the next time he tops himself.

—–

5 Stars

Dusted Off: The Girl in the Steel Corset

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On February 24, 2014

In Fiction, Steampunk, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles, #1)The Girl in the Steel Corset

by Kady Cross
Hardcover, 473 pg.
Harlequin Teen, 2011
Read: June 26-27, 2012

When I started this, I kept thinking, “this is the steampunk version of Twilight.” A good, fun read, but nothing to get too excited about. But as I read on, I started thinking that less and less. Maybe because it was getting better, maybe because I just got into the story fully. Doesn’t matter.

Midly predictable plot, but entertainingly told. The characters are engaging and frustrating (in a way that serves to underline how much you like them). The steam-tech is fun and well thought out. The whole super-power thing? Very well executed. Super Powers and Steampunk? That’s some peanut butter you can get in my chocolate, anytime.

Fun, fun, read–with a good jump start to the sequel.

—–

3.5 Stars

Dusted Off: Doc by Mary Doria Russell

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On February 17, 2014

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Western

DocDoc

by Mary Doria Russell
Hardcover, 394 pg.
Random House, 2013
Read: June 9-13, 2012

I was almost 100 pages into this novel when the thought occurred to me how extraordinarily careful Russell was in the way she put this together. Not that I think most authors are sloppy or anything, but the effort to make sure every piece, every word, every event was placed juuuust so was very evident.

The result of all this care is a heckuva novel about the years and events leading up to Wyatt & Morgan Earp heading to Tombstone with their good buddy Doc Holliday. Warm, exciting, brutal–this novel reads like a fast-paced biography. Really, really well written–there are a couple of times that Russell overplays her hand and gets downright manipulative, and at least once she almost lost me while doing so.

I’m glad I stuck it out tho’, the climax was as heart-breaking as it was heart-warming, and the coda put a nice little bow on the whole thing. Well worth the time and effort.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale … by Mose Kasher

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On February 17, 2014

In (Auto)Biography

Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16

by Moshe Kasher
Hardcover, 303 pg.
Grand Central Publishing, 2012
Read: June 1-3, 2012

This book about the descent of a very young man into delinquency and addiction (and his eventual recovery) in just about any other hands could’ve been maudlin, sappy, trite or overly-sentimental. But Kasher’s skill shows itself in being honest and articulate while being able to joke about the tragic events described.

That doesn’t mean he’s making light of anything or glorifying in the problems. But it does seem to allow him some distance from the horror so he can talk about it.

This is a heartbreaking work, eye-opening, educational, incredibly relatable, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. Great, great book.

—–

5 Stars

Dusted Off: The Sleepy Hollow Family Almanac by Kris D’Agostino

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On February 10, 2014

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

The Sleepy Hollow Family AlmanacThe Sleepy Hollow Family Almanac

by Kris D’Agostino
Paperback, 352 g.
Algonquin Books, 2012
Read from May 13-14, 2012

blech. I feel like I’ve read this book 3 times this year (see also: Flatscreen: A Novel and The Fallback Plan). Each time I’ve been disappointed. What a waste of talent (the dude can write, sure).

Oh, and I think that people who write blurbs for un-funny books that promise “hilarity” or something along those lines should be excessively fined–maybe imprisoned.

—–

2 Stars

Dusted Off: Empire Falls by Richard Russo

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On February 3, 2014

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Empire FallsEmpire Falls by Richard Russo
Hardcover, 483 pg.
Knopf, 2011
Read: May 22-27, 2012

Wow. Just wow. Not sure what else to say.

I’d suspected/wondered that something like the big climactic event was going to happen–yet when it happened, I was on the edge of my seat, saying “No fraking way!” (and just about decapitated my son who interrupted me during the middle of it) But even before that, the book had grabbed me with its humor, tragedy and humanity.

This one’s going to haunt me (in good and bad ways) for a long time.

—–

5 Stars

Dusted Off: Wild Thing by Josh Bazell

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On January 27, 2014

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Wild Thing (Peter Brown #2)Wild Thing

by Josh Bazell
Hardcover, 388 pg.
Reagan Arthur Books, 2012
Read: May 3-4, 2012

A fun read, with a few caveats.

1. Not as good as Beat the Reaper (which I liked a whole lot)

2. Unnecessarily preachy — the screeds about global climate change and evolution/religion were a big turn-off. Too long, and were directed at straw-man opponents. It’s like Bazell asked WWDEKD? (“What Would David E. Kelley Do?”). Pfui.

3. Cheap pot-shots at Sarah Palin. Not my favorite politician by any means, but she (or any other person) shouldn’t be treated like that. Have a problem with her politics? Express that by all means. Invent nutty religious views and put ’em in her mouth? C’mon…you’re better than that. Don’t care what you put in the appendix, who reads that?

That said–the action was good, the voice was just as strong and entertaining (and occasionally educational) as Reaper. And Bazell’s footnotes are second only to Lisa Lutz. A fun read, but it would’ve been easy to make it better.

—–

3 Stars

Dusted Off: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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On January 7, 2014

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)Insurgent

by Veronica Roth
Hardcover, 525 pg.
Katherine Tegen Books, 2012

A solid follow-up to a great book–not as good as its predecessor, but close enough.

I thought the plot meandered a bit, and several scenes between Tris and Four seemed to just be a repetition from the earlier. But the rest of the book was so good, those minor gripes are completely forgivable.

Am not sure what to do with what we learn in the last 3 pages or so–but I’m pretty sure we’re not expected to know what to do with it, so I’m okay with that.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn

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On December 30, 2013

In Authors, Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, P-U, Spencer Quinn

A Fistful of Collars (A Chet and Bernie Mystery #5)A Fistful of Collars

by Spencer Quinn
Series: Chet and Bernie, #5

Hardcover, 320 pg.
Atria Books, 2012

Little makes me as happy as a good Chet & Bernie story — and this one fits the bill. Quinn avoids some of the pitfalls of his other books — certain scenes/plot points that are becoming more than threadbare are absent here.

The main storyline was pretty predictable, but it was well — and entertainingly — executed. The subplots are the key to this one, and most of those were handled deftly.

Good, solid entry in this series with one of the best narrative voices around — give this one a read!

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn

By

On December 30, 2013

In Authors, Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, P-U, Spencer Quinn

To Fetch a Thief (A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #3)To Fetch a Thief

by Spencer Quinn
Series: Chet and Bernie, #3

Hardcover, 307 pg.
Atria Books, 2010

What can I say about this? Read it. Love this series. At this point, I think the only “voice” I enjoy reading more in this world than Chet is Archie Goodwin, and Chet’s still with us, so he could pass Archie.

On my first read, I didn’t love it as much as the first — but slightly more than the second — in this series. I think Quinn did a bit more with Bernie’s character than he has in the past — Bernie could probably carry his own story w/o Chet now (Heaven Forbid). Less Suzie, more Charlie and the ex. Good subplot involving the latter two.

Good mystery, nice action, etc. like always. I just love these books, wish I could articulate it better and get more folks to read ’em.

—–

4 Stars

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