Clive Cussler – The Gangster

gangsterThe Gangster (Isaac Bell, #9) 
by Clive CusslerJustin Scott (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 28, 2018  

 

I’d lost interest in author Clive Cussler’s work some time ago, and can’t remember why, maybe it’s because he’s another of those successful authors who has underlings writing for him, using his name to sell books.
Regardless, I truly enjoyed The Gangster, an Isaac Bell Adventure. The plot was fresh, although the story is set just after the turn of the century, in and around New York City. Irish and Italian gangs were responsible for much of the city’s crime, but also for building its infrastructure, like the giant aqueduct that is being built to bring a thirsty city fresh water from two hundred miles away, in the Catskills.
Isaac Bell is a Van Horn Detective, a private investigation company in the east, like the Pinkerton’s were to the west. The book is a good read and I’m sure I’ll pick up another in the series if I see one.

Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father – Murray Howe

howeNine Lessons I Learned from My Father 
by Murray Howe

15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 23, 2018

 

I’ve read books about Darren McCarty, Bob Probert, and Bobby Orr so it was only natural to read about the King himself, Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe. This book is different from his biography in that it’s written by his youngest son, Murray Howe.
It is well written story, told from the heart, more about the man than the hockey player. Trying to explain one without the other would be impossible in the case of Gordie Howe. Hockey and family were equally important to him, but even more than that Murray explains how the respect Mr. Hockey earned was a result of how he treated everyone else in the same way.
Don’t worry sports fans, there’s enough hockey action to keep you interested.

The Messenger – Daniel Silva

messengerThe Messenger (Gabriel Allon, #6) 
by Daniel Silva

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 16, 2018  

 

I’d read The Black Widow before this book, but it actually follows the Messenger. That wasn’t a problem because the story stands well on its own and some of the names are familiar adding more to the story.
Gabriel Allon is supposed to be the Israeli intelligence officer who assassinated the terrorists known as Black September for their killing of Jewish Olympians during the Munich Olympics. The character is also a world renown art restorer.
The story is a good old fashioned spy thriller where the good guys chase the bad guys through various exotic locations around the world.
I’m now a Daniel Silva convert.

The Eighth Day – John Case

8th day

The Eighth Day 
by John Case

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 10, 2018  
This was the first John Case book for me. It was a good read so I can’t say I was disappointed with the story, but maybe the protagonist – he’s no super hero with special powers, but an almost normal person – an artist who does P.I. work on the side? He makes some pretty dumb moves as far as I’m concerned, but stumbles his way from country to country trying to take in the sites while killers are in pursuit.
The story is predictable, but fun, you almost can’t wait to see what predicament he’s going to fall into next. When he finally discovers the root of the plot the story gets a bit too technical for me. The reviews are all over the map on this novel, but I’d definitely give one of the author’s other books a go.