This is one of the newest installments in the Eve Dallas series under the pen name J.D. Robb. The last couple of books in the series were in danger of taking it to formulaic territory and becoming boring but this one kicks it back up a notch.
The book opens with Eve and Peabody at the scene of a murder which leads us to the investigation that they end up undertaking. An investigation into dirty cops. Unlike the last couple of books, this one has more depth and shows a real layering of the characters in their development. Detective Peabody is pushed forward more, and the usual cast of supporting characters appear. It is of note that this author creates complementary characters that stand out and are in no way cookie cutter pieces. They have form, function and fluidity. All very important in books that make up a long running series.
The dialogue is tight, pithy and sometimes a bit over the top. The investigation plays out well and is not overly preachy about how cops can and do abuse power. All in all, a good read.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Quick Note
Just a quick note to let you know I am on deadline, once I am done, there will be more reviews, promise
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
Have you ever looked at your smartphone or computer with suspicion when it does something out of the ordinary? I have. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have always thought that one day we are going to have to pay a hefty price for the utilization of all of this technology. That brings us to the Robopocalypse.
Daniel H. Wilson has crafted a book that should be considered unrealistic and fantastical. It isn't. Everything he talks about in his books is completely plausible if humans continue on the path they are on with AI. While we are certainly not at the stage where androids perform all of the functions talked about in the book, we are not far from it either.
Mr. Wilson's characters are well written, nicely fleshed out and arrogant without being cocky. I particularly like how long it takes for most of them to believe what is happening is real. That tiny little details adds a very hefty dose of realism to this book. After all, would you believe your smartphone is up for attacking you or leading attackers too you?
On to the "Robs" as they are called in the book. This is where I thought things might get dicey with a lot more sci-fi and a lot less apocolyspse. I was happily proved wrong. Again, Mr. Wilson takes the track of something we have and just moving the technology up a few years. Without completely ruining the book for you, I can say that the scenarios played out in this book are so well done that I eyed my Iphone with suspicion for at least two days afterwards.
Make sure that when you pick this book up, you have time to read because it is one that will have you saying "just one more page and then I will go to sleep".
Daniel H. Wilson has crafted a book that should be considered unrealistic and fantastical. It isn't. Everything he talks about in his books is completely plausible if humans continue on the path they are on with AI. While we are certainly not at the stage where androids perform all of the functions talked about in the book, we are not far from it either.
Mr. Wilson's characters are well written, nicely fleshed out and arrogant without being cocky. I particularly like how long it takes for most of them to believe what is happening is real. That tiny little details adds a very hefty dose of realism to this book. After all, would you believe your smartphone is up for attacking you or leading attackers too you?
On to the "Robs" as they are called in the book. This is where I thought things might get dicey with a lot more sci-fi and a lot less apocolyspse. I was happily proved wrong. Again, Mr. Wilson takes the track of something we have and just moving the technology up a few years. Without completely ruining the book for you, I can say that the scenarios played out in this book are so well done that I eyed my Iphone with suspicion for at least two days afterwards.
Make sure that when you pick this book up, you have time to read because it is one that will have you saying "just one more page and then I will go to sleep".
Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
I love a good mystery. I especially like the theme mysteries for a nice light read. Theme mysteries are a hot ticket item for people who want a good light hearted read with a bit of a kick.
This is my first book by Livia J. Washburn and it was ok, not fantastic, not bad. Just mediocre.
The plot line had some real potential that was squandered by an ending and motive for murder that made very little if any sense. The culprit was identifiable from the beginning and some of the characters were very cookie cutter / stereotypical. The plot was convoluted and at times, even our crime-solving heroine seemed lost. The author just tried too hard to fit to many plot strings into too short of a space.
The best part of this book is the description of the gulf coast town it is placed in. It comes off with such an authentic manner that you can almost smell the sea air.
This is my first book by Livia J. Washburn and it was ok, not fantastic, not bad. Just mediocre.
The plot line had some real potential that was squandered by an ending and motive for murder that made very little if any sense. The culprit was identifiable from the beginning and some of the characters were very cookie cutter / stereotypical. The plot was convoluted and at times, even our crime-solving heroine seemed lost. The author just tried too hard to fit to many plot strings into too short of a space.
The best part of this book is the description of the gulf coast town it is placed in. It comes off with such an authentic manner that you can almost smell the sea air.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
On The Farm by Stevie Cameron
I wish I could say that I enjoyed this book in the way you enjoy all good books. I can't.
This book was amazing, well written, meticulously detailed and very very hard to read. Hard because as a Canadian, I am at a loss for words to describe how disgusted, appalled and horrified I am at the marginalization of the Missing Women. The criminal negligence (yes, I am calling it criminal) of the VPD is literally stunning. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it anywhere. To simply ignore that all of these women were going missing and say it was because they were addicts and whores is one thing. To continue to stonewall even after it was well known that the VPD bungled the case beyond recognition is absolutely unconscionable. There are no words, no excuses and no reasons that all of those in the VPD involved in the marginalization of these women should not lose their pensions and possibly face charges.
I call them the missing women, I refuse to call them the Pickton Women because he is a non-entity to me. He is hideous, evil, crafty, cunning, and knew exactly what he was doing. He knew that no one would care about these women. He knew the police would look the other way and ignore the desperation of the families and friends. The volunteers who ran WISH and the Health Vans.
People who look for a happy ending in stories should not read this book. There is no happy ending here. Pickton is alive, these women are dead and the worst of it is, he could have been stopped had it not been for the VPD.
All of that being said, I highly recommend this book. Stevie Cameron did a superb job and wrote details that must have horrified her. She wrote them unflinchingly and gave a bird's eye view.
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