The Watchers - Jon Steel

one sentence summary
An unlikely group team up to fight against evil...

review
I really wanted to like this book, I loved the style of the writing, I loved the descriptors of the setting but I HATED all of the characters. I know I was supposed to feel sympathetic and relate to them but I didn't. I tried to, but they were such crap I couldn't get over it. The plot was interesting but Steele let the details get in the way, the story could have been better told at half the length (much like my opinion on LotR). The pacing we terrible, 100 pages of descriptors followed by 5 pages of moving the plot forward, rinse repeat. It was so frustrating because I wanted to enjoy it but just couldn't

4/10

First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones

one sentence summary:
Charley is a sexy keep no prisoner grim reaper who in addition to helping the dead cross over helps her uncle, a police officer, solve crimes.

review:
This had a great premise but the writing was not so good. It relied on tropes and cliches to the point of a prime time television show. It would be ok for a day at the beach but there are thousands of better authors out there, some who even write for Harlequin. I will not be continuing to read this series, which is disappointing because of how intriguing the premise was. It did have its moments of great humour though, perhaps Jones should consider a career in stand up or television writing.

5/10

Grim Reaper: End of Days - Steve Alten

one sentence summary:
Injured war vet has to save the world, or at least his family.

review:
Fast paced this novel starts of fast and gains momentum as it goes along. With the right mix of point of view characters you get to see everyone perspective, from the crazy person who starts the end to the people trying to stop it from different angles. The writing is well executed and the plot is well thought out. All in all for a suspenseful thriller I would call this one a success.

7/10

Under the Dome - Stephen King

one sentence summary:
A dome encases a small town cutting them off from the rest of the world.

review:
in true Steven King style this thriller looks more at the horrors man can do onto themselves that that of any outside force. By putting people in a stressful situation and seeing how they would react to the situation and each other is a far more spellbinding and terrifying read than any monsters in the closet could create. A look at this small town functions as a representation of the world at large with characters representing every mindset. The novel has parts that are really badly edited but for the most part it is enjoyable.

7/10

Last Known Victim - Erica Spindler

one sentence summary:
in the years since hurricane Katrina Patti O'Shay has wondered what exactly happened to her husband during the storm, she is about to find a clue.

review:
A well written romantic suspense, it has all the twist and turns and pacing you would expect from a best selling romantic suspense author. The characters are recycled from earlier books but the focal point has shifted. The supporting "damsel in distress" character was by far my favourite, a tough talking stripper who helps the cops out. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys the category.

6/10

Sins of the Flesh - Caridad Pineiro

one sentence summary
genetic experiment gone wrong finds love when a mercenary is sent to clean up the scientists mess (with her being the most volatile mess left behind)

review
a strong start to a new series, it has everything, action, adventure, romance and science fiction all well executed and combined to make a great story. The characters are all really well developed and as Cat and Mick's relationship unfolds you will be drawn in to their world. This novel has ups and downs that keep you guessing and interested from beginning to end. A definite page turner.

6/10

Notorious Nineteen - Janet Evanovich

one sentence summary:
Stephanie Plum is up to her old shenanigans, catching bad guys and accidentally getting her cars blown up.

review:
This is beach reading, or plane reading, or what ever reading you do that requires no attention at all. Written to the lowest denominator this is a highly entertaining (but not at all intellectual) read. A good smattering of romance, a great use of dialogue and characters that are unforgettable. I recommend reading this only if you are still reading this series 19 books (plus holiday/novellas) in.

6/10

Pagan Babies - Elmore Leonard

one sentence summary:
after witnessing the genocide in Rwanda a conman turned priest returns to Detroit to raise money for the orphans...

review:
this is a highly entertaining novel. The characters are all really well written and the story moves like a race horse. Leonard's writing is darkly humorous and the language he uses flows from the characters mouths with colloquialisms that not only give them a regional accent but date them as well. The characters and their eccentricities are always the high point of his novels and this is no different. I highly recommend this to anyone who doesn't like a bit of naughty language in their reading. Great for reading on a plane or at the beach as it does not require your full focus but is an easy story to get into, even part way through.

7/10

Next - Michael Chricton

One Sentence Summary:
 in an era of genetic manipulation what happens to the "miraculously" cured?

review:
I thought this was a hilarious, over the top look at a genre I enjoy, near-future sci-fi. An eccentric wealthy evil scientist sends a bounty hunter matching all the stereotypes after a humble scientist you cured his own disease by testing on himself, there is also an intelligent talking parrot.  And the list or over the top tropes goes on and on. That said there is truth in stereotypes and the corporations portrayed in the novel make you think and become a bit paranoid. If you enjoy sci-fi and have the ability to see the humour in over the top characterizations I recommend this for you. This received mixed reviews both from the bloggers and the pros.

7/10

The Lovers - John Connolly

One Sentence Summary:
Former private eye Charlie Parker has been discredited and is now working as a bar tender.

review:
When I started this I didn't know that it was book 8 in a series, but it became apparent rather quickly that there was back story I was missing. That said it was fine that I was missing the back story, the writing was good for the thriller genre and the story telling was among the best. There is an obvious reason why Connolly has been on the New York Times Bestsellers list so often. He tells a fast paced story with interesting plot points and well written characters. I recommend this to people who enjoy the genres of crime fiction and thrillers. I do intend to go back and read the rest of the Charlie Parker series at some point.

6/10

Catherine Ling Series - Iris Johansen

one sentence summary:
In a spin off from the Eve Duncan Series we are introduced to Catherine Ling, she is a trained assassin, raised on the streets and recruited by the CIA.

review:
Johansen has created another strong female protagonist that you can't help but enjoy reading about. The first novel is a true cross over, counting as both book one in this new series and a book in the Eve Duncan series as well. easy to get into action adventure stories with just a dash of mystery and family drama. I recommend these for beach/plane reading.

6/10

Krewe of Hunters Series - Heather Graham

one sentence summary:
The government has allowed the leading expert in paranormal investigations to pull together his own rag tag crew of agents, all of whom see the world a little differently.

review:
Heather Graham will never win a Pulitzer but she will make a ton of money if she keeps writing like this. All easy reads full of adventure, intrigue and romance. Great beach reading. You could read one as a stand alone or the series in order, the back story from each previous book isn't necessary but it is neat to see characters reappear occasionally. I enjoyed this series.

6/10
8/10

 

Eve Duncan Series - Iris Johansen

one sentence summary:
Eve Duncan is a forensic sculptor she gives faces to forgotten bones.
review:
This is a decently written entertaining series. Eve Duncan, the protagonist is a very strong character but there are many other notable ones as well. Some of the books Even takes centre stage and in others she doesn't and that is what makes the series so interesting. The writing and settings are pretty standard for the genre, the plot of each novel is interesting as a stand alone with an over arching mystery covering much of the series. Well worth the read if you like that sort of thing.
6/10

Check out: Tami Hoag, J A Jance, Lisa Gardner 

Lincoln Rhyme Series - Jeffery Deaver

one sentence summary:
an interesting take on the cop drama, one partner a paraplegic the other on the trail of the criminals

Review:
Well written (for this genre) with an interesting idea at the core of it all. Strong characters create really rather interesting situations and interpersonal issues that add a lot to the typical crime solving suspense. Each novel seems to have a plot twist that is actually a twist. You relate to the protagonists and really worry for them in dangerous situations. I recommend these to anyone who really enjoys suspense type stories.

6/10
*i have only read the first 5 books in this series, in fact i didn't know there were more.*

if you enjoyed this series check out James Patterson, Lisa Gardner, Michael Connelly and the like

The Stephanie Plum Series - Janet Evanovitch

one sentence summary:

Stephanie Plum is sort of incompetent and a bounty hunter, it is highly entertaining to read about her misadventures.

Review:

Evanovitch writes in a fast passed hard hitting style full of pun and innuendo. Her characters are unforgettable and the misadventures she comes up with are laugh out loud hilarious. They do get repetitive but these are not novels read for furthering the intellect  they are read with the knowledge that they are brain candy, real cotton candy reads. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for some no-brainer type reading. 

6/10

7/10

If you enjoy this series check out Stephanie Bond, Sue Grafton, and Lisa Lutz