No Human Involved by Barbara Seranella
As far as the Venice PD is concerned, the murder of lowlife dealer "Flower George'' Mancini is a clear case of AVA, NHI- - "asshole versus asshole, no human involved.'' So it's no big deal when Mancini's daughter Munch, the chief suspect in his killing, gives Sgt. Mace St. John the slip and disappears into the San Fernando Valley. But when the gun that shot Mancini is linked to a grisly series of dismemberments, Mace wishes he'd paid closer attention to Munch's moves while he had the chance. Even though he squeezes some personal details of her horrible life (her father got her hooked and repeatedly sold her for drugs) out of her attractive probation officer, he has no way of tracing her. As she has reinvented herself as Daisy now working at Happy Jack's Auto Repair, as a lippy mechanic and assiduously building the new paper trail that will bury her old identity for good. While Mace is wrestling with his own father's problems--a series of strokes have left Digger St. John sadly addled--another break in the case links the killings to a deadly, penicillin-resistant strain of gonorrhea, and puts Mace on Munch's trail once again. But does he really want to catch this gamine druggie when she's finding Jesus, going to NA meetings, and trying to make good and old wrongs?
Interesting story, set in the late 1970's in Los Angeles, we see the darker side of free love and drugs era. Munch short for Munchkin as she used to work for the Wiz as an auto mechanic. I enjoyed how the story switched from Munch to Mace until at the end the story overlapped you had a hard time seeing who was saving whom. Munch's character is not someone to feel sorry for as she is a survivor and finding her way out of a life that has no regard to human or animal life. Mace on the other hand is working as a police detective and finding his path filled with roadblocks from work to personal with his dad's declining health. I love at the end how he ends up adopting 2 dogs when he doesn't even want one. Seranella really shows a person's depth by the small details. Definitely worth reading more of her books.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Heroines by Eileen Favorite
On a picturesque acreage near Prairie Bluff, Ill., 13-year-old Penny Entwistle, and her mother, Anne Marie, run a retreat where literary heroines seek temporary refuge from their tragic destinies. Franny Glass, Madame Bovary, Scarlett O'Hara, Catherine Linton and others find respite from their varied crises, but must return to their books eventually and suffer the fate that awaits. Penny, in the first throes of teenage rebellion, has little patience for her mother and the heartbroken or otherwise distraught women Anne Marie refuses to counsel (lest she change the course of their stories). But when a mythical Celtic knight arrives, searching for his lost heroine Deirdre, Penny gets caught up in a web of deception that lands her in the loony bin. While the staff diagnoses her fabulous story as an attempt to deal with the long-ago death of her father, her mother commits Penny as a means of protecting her from peculiar goings-on at the house, and Penny must rely on the very fictional characters her mother favors to help her.
I liked the original premise of the story, heroines who need a break from their story come to a country bed and breakfast. The story takes place in the 1970s and you can see how naive people were back then. We get most of the Anne Marie's & Penny's back story while Penny is is institutionalized. It is heartbreaking as Anne-Marie does nothing to save her daughter and appears so frustratingly passive throughout the story. She seems more like the pothead than her daughter with her inability to deal with situations constructively. Penny, like most confused early adolescent girls, pushes her mother away while craving her attention, while Anne-Marie seems incapable of taking care of anyone but her heroines.
This book almost felt like two books put together so the story just didn't flow well. I'd like to see the author re-write it into two or three books as I think it would be much more satisfying read.
On a picturesque acreage near Prairie Bluff, Ill., 13-year-old Penny Entwistle, and her mother, Anne Marie, run a retreat where literary heroines seek temporary refuge from their tragic destinies. Franny Glass, Madame Bovary, Scarlett O'Hara, Catherine Linton and others find respite from their varied crises, but must return to their books eventually and suffer the fate that awaits. Penny, in the first throes of teenage rebellion, has little patience for her mother and the heartbroken or otherwise distraught women Anne Marie refuses to counsel (lest she change the course of their stories). But when a mythical Celtic knight arrives, searching for his lost heroine Deirdre, Penny gets caught up in a web of deception that lands her in the loony bin. While the staff diagnoses her fabulous story as an attempt to deal with the long-ago death of her father, her mother commits Penny as a means of protecting her from peculiar goings-on at the house, and Penny must rely on the very fictional characters her mother favors to help her.
I liked the original premise of the story, heroines who need a break from their story come to a country bed and breakfast. The story takes place in the 1970s and you can see how naive people were back then. We get most of the Anne Marie's & Penny's back story while Penny is is institutionalized. It is heartbreaking as Anne-Marie does nothing to save her daughter and appears so frustratingly passive throughout the story. She seems more like the pothead than her daughter with her inability to deal with situations constructively. Penny, like most confused early adolescent girls, pushes her mother away while craving her attention, while Anne-Marie seems incapable of taking care of anyone but her heroines.
This book almost felt like two books put together so the story just didn't flow well. I'd like to see the author re-write it into two or three books as I think it would be much more satisfying read.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Twilight by Stephanie Meyers
Headstrong, sun-loving, 17-year-old Bella declines her mom's invitation to move to Florida, and instead reluctantly opts to move to her dad's cabin in the dreary, rainy town of Forks, WA. She becomes intrigued with Edward Cullen, a distant, stylish, and disarmingly handsome senior, who is also a vampire. When he reveals that his specific clan hunts wildlife instead of humans, Bella deduces that she is safe from his blood-sucking instincts and therefore free to fall hopelessly in love with him. The feeling is mutual, and the resulting volatile romance smolders as they attempt to hide Edward's identity from her family and the rest of the school.
There is a lot of buzz about this intense vampire teen series in libraries and bookstores. So I finally decided to give book 1 a try. Meyers does a great job with the dialog and creating the erotic tension between Bella & Edward. This book reads fast and leaves you feeling satisifed at the end, but open to sequels if any appear. Of course we know that there are 2 so far with book 4 coming out in August and the movie coming out later this year. So I'll check out book 2 soon. I'm a big fan of vampire books and found this book satisifing and am interested in seeing how she developes the series.
Headstrong, sun-loving, 17-year-old Bella declines her mom's invitation to move to Florida, and instead reluctantly opts to move to her dad's cabin in the dreary, rainy town of Forks, WA. She becomes intrigued with Edward Cullen, a distant, stylish, and disarmingly handsome senior, who is also a vampire. When he reveals that his specific clan hunts wildlife instead of humans, Bella deduces that she is safe from his blood-sucking instincts and therefore free to fall hopelessly in love with him. The feeling is mutual, and the resulting volatile romance smolders as they attempt to hide Edward's identity from her family and the rest of the school.
There is a lot of buzz about this intense vampire teen series in libraries and bookstores. So I finally decided to give book 1 a try. Meyers does a great job with the dialog and creating the erotic tension between Bella & Edward. This book reads fast and leaves you feeling satisifed at the end, but open to sequels if any appear. Of course we know that there are 2 so far with book 4 coming out in August and the movie coming out later this year. So I'll check out book 2 soon. I'm a big fan of vampire books and found this book satisifing and am interested in seeing how she developes the series.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Snatch by Bill Pronzini
First in the Nameless Detective series
Written in 1971 this series is one of the longest running mystery series out there. I had heard about it but never read one so thought I would start at the beginning as is my nature.
Wealthy real estate developer Louis Martinetti contacts the Nameless Detective when Martinetti's nine-year-old son is kidnapped and held for a $300,000 ransom that Martinetti doesn't have the money to pay. The kidnapper has insisted that the money be delivered by a third party, and Nameless has been recommended as being reliable. Nameless knows that Martinetti should get the police involved, but reluctantly agrees to deliver the money (after Martinetti raises it by borrowing from a friend).
That decision leads him into a dangerous path full of danger, betrayal and righting wrongs. The main character is never named and it does not feel forced as you are seeing everything from his point of view. He is a former police officer in San Francisco who collects pulp fiction about tough private detectives. Drawn to the complex imagery of the strong, silent hero who rights wrongs, Nameless tries to live that role. But he has trouble getting clients, and operating as a one-man shop causes him to lead a lonely existence. In his personal life, his career keeps women at a distance. He believes in doing the right thing, even when it doesn't pay. He is there until the end of the ride or the case is solved. Consequently his girlfriend doesn't understand him and leaves him for reasons he can't understand.
I had read about this series but never tried one before. I found that I really enjoyed it and it did not feel as dated as I feared. I was able to literally read it in one setting as it is quite the suspenseful read. While the ending was not a surprise it was well done and you wanted to get to the end. I'll have to keep this series on my list of good detective books. Give it a try.
First in the Nameless Detective series
Written in 1971 this series is one of the longest running mystery series out there. I had heard about it but never read one so thought I would start at the beginning as is my nature.
Wealthy real estate developer Louis Martinetti contacts the Nameless Detective when Martinetti's nine-year-old son is kidnapped and held for a $300,000 ransom that Martinetti doesn't have the money to pay. The kidnapper has insisted that the money be delivered by a third party, and Nameless has been recommended as being reliable. Nameless knows that Martinetti should get the police involved, but reluctantly agrees to deliver the money (after Martinetti raises it by borrowing from a friend).
That decision leads him into a dangerous path full of danger, betrayal and righting wrongs. The main character is never named and it does not feel forced as you are seeing everything from his point of view. He is a former police officer in San Francisco who collects pulp fiction about tough private detectives. Drawn to the complex imagery of the strong, silent hero who rights wrongs, Nameless tries to live that role. But he has trouble getting clients, and operating as a one-man shop causes him to lead a lonely existence. In his personal life, his career keeps women at a distance. He believes in doing the right thing, even when it doesn't pay. He is there until the end of the ride or the case is solved. Consequently his girlfriend doesn't understand him and leaves him for reasons he can't understand.
I had read about this series but never tried one before. I found that I really enjoyed it and it did not feel as dated as I feared. I was able to literally read it in one setting as it is quite the suspenseful read. While the ending was not a surprise it was well done and you wanted to get to the end. I'll have to keep this series on my list of good detective books. Give it a try.
Friday, July 04, 2008
What's so Funny by Donald E. Westlake
The plot of the story revolves around an ex-cop private detective blackmailing Dortmunder into stealing a bejeweled, golden chess set meant for Czar Nicolas II. But it's hidden away in the vault of a bank, and it never comes up for air. The heirs to the chess set are locked in a legal struggle to see who inherits and it's Dortmunder's job to bring the chess set out into the open to have experts check it out, and that's when Dortmunder and crew will pounce.
The blackmail effort is for an elderly retired inventor, Mr. Hemlow, who wants to recover a stolen chess set worth millions that had once been intended for the last czar, but the Russian Revolution countered that option before the chess set was delivered. Hemlow's father and some fellow army and navy personnel sneaked the set out of the USSR during the anti-Soviet battles just after World War I. Their sergeant retrieved the set from his squad after they returned to the U.S. and disappeared with the chess set. Now, Hemlow's granddaughter, an apprentice lawyer who fancies herself an amateur historian, has located the set. Hemlow wants Dortmunder to liberate the valuable prize.
He brings the old gang together and it's a hoot to watch how nervous they all are because of the ex-cop/now detective in the picture. Lots of laugh out loud moments and the usual surprise ending.
The plot of the story revolves around an ex-cop private detective blackmailing Dortmunder into stealing a bejeweled, golden chess set meant for Czar Nicolas II. But it's hidden away in the vault of a bank, and it never comes up for air. The heirs to the chess set are locked in a legal struggle to see who inherits and it's Dortmunder's job to bring the chess set out into the open to have experts check it out, and that's when Dortmunder and crew will pounce.
The blackmail effort is for an elderly retired inventor, Mr. Hemlow, who wants to recover a stolen chess set worth millions that had once been intended for the last czar, but the Russian Revolution countered that option before the chess set was delivered. Hemlow's father and some fellow army and navy personnel sneaked the set out of the USSR during the anti-Soviet battles just after World War I. Their sergeant retrieved the set from his squad after they returned to the U.S. and disappeared with the chess set. Now, Hemlow's granddaughter, an apprentice lawyer who fancies herself an amateur historian, has located the set. Hemlow wants Dortmunder to liberate the valuable prize.
He brings the old gang together and it's a hoot to watch how nervous they all are because of the ex-cop/now detective in the picture. Lots of laugh out loud moments and the usual surprise ending.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore
What is a teen with huge aspirations to do while living in a small town in the early '70s. Catherine Grace Cline's highlight every week is licking her Dilly Bar at the local Dairy Queen as she longs for the big-city life of Atlanta. As she dreams of leaving Ringgold, GA, population 1932, Catherine deals with her single father, who is a Baptist preacher; younger sister, Martha Ann; doting family friend, Gloria Jean; nosy neighbors; high school gossip; and a boyfriend, Hank. Eventually with high hopes, Catherine Grace boards the Greyhound, where she tries to find her place in Atlanta.
Through a series of letters from Martha Ann, readers learn about Catherine Grace's Atlanta happenings and missed events back home. When she returns to Ringgold because of a tragedy, startling, personal events change her perspective and her heart for this small town.
I read this book because of the title, who doesn't love Dairy Queen? I always loved books like Fried Green Tomatos at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg and Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, books that show us small town life. And while this was an enjoyable to read, it probably won't stick in my head as a favorite, can't wait to read it again book. I found the main character a bit contrived and the ending just fizzled out for me.
What is a teen with huge aspirations to do while living in a small town in the early '70s. Catherine Grace Cline's highlight every week is licking her Dilly Bar at the local Dairy Queen as she longs for the big-city life of Atlanta. As she dreams of leaving Ringgold, GA, population 1932, Catherine deals with her single father, who is a Baptist preacher; younger sister, Martha Ann; doting family friend, Gloria Jean; nosy neighbors; high school gossip; and a boyfriend, Hank. Eventually with high hopes, Catherine Grace boards the Greyhound, where she tries to find her place in Atlanta.
Through a series of letters from Martha Ann, readers learn about Catherine Grace's Atlanta happenings and missed events back home. When she returns to Ringgold because of a tragedy, startling, personal events change her perspective and her heart for this small town.
I read this book because of the title, who doesn't love Dairy Queen? I always loved books like Fried Green Tomatos at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg and Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, books that show us small town life. And while this was an enjoyable to read, it probably won't stick in my head as a favorite, can't wait to read it again book. I found the main character a bit contrived and the ending just fizzled out for me.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Weekend Warriors by Fern Michaels
This is like no other Fern Michael book I've ever read. There is no happily ever after here; it is full of rage and anger. Anger leads wealthy Myra Rutledge, who lost her daughter to a hit-and-run driver with diplomatic immunity, to found the Sisterhood, a secret vigilante group of women who have been unable to seek justice through lawful means. She turns to her adopted daughter, lawyer Nikki Quinn, who witnessed the fatal accident, to help find other women who need justice. Assisting Myra in this effort are former MI6 agent Charles Martin. Driven by revenge and hate, the women bond together as they pinpoint their first target—the Weekend Warriors, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who brutally raped Kathryn Lucas, a member recruited to the sisterhood. The women decide on a Lorena Bobbitt–style punishment and carry it out with very few misgivings.
I know that this series has at least 7 books in the series now and I'm guessing each book focuses on one characters revenge. I am curious to see if each book is as hard feeling as this one. Each character is so focused on the revenge and anger part of their lives that it was difficult to really like any of them. Of course it helps that Myra is super rich so can pay for anything including a new identity for another woman who takes justice into her own hands and kills the man who killed her daughter. So I'm leaving this series open to future reads before I decide whether I like it or not.
This is like no other Fern Michael book I've ever read. There is no happily ever after here; it is full of rage and anger. Anger leads wealthy Myra Rutledge, who lost her daughter to a hit-and-run driver with diplomatic immunity, to found the Sisterhood, a secret vigilante group of women who have been unable to seek justice through lawful means. She turns to her adopted daughter, lawyer Nikki Quinn, who witnessed the fatal accident, to help find other women who need justice. Assisting Myra in this effort are former MI6 agent Charles Martin. Driven by revenge and hate, the women bond together as they pinpoint their first target—the Weekend Warriors, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who brutally raped Kathryn Lucas, a member recruited to the sisterhood. The women decide on a Lorena Bobbitt–style punishment and carry it out with very few misgivings.
I know that this series has at least 7 books in the series now and I'm guessing each book focuses on one characters revenge. I am curious to see if each book is as hard feeling as this one. Each character is so focused on the revenge and anger part of their lives that it was difficult to really like any of them. Of course it helps that Myra is super rich so can pay for anything including a new identity for another woman who takes justice into her own hands and kills the man who killed her daughter. So I'm leaving this series open to future reads before I decide whether I like it or not.
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