Solo – A Star Wars Story

On June 2, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn EntertainmentLeave a comment

I wouldn’t consider Cathryn or I Star Wars fanatics, but we usually get around to seeing the latest production. I was pleasantly surprised to see the film was directed by Ron Howard, and that Woody Harrelson was in it. The names of the leading actors didn’t ring any bells, but a couple looked familiar.

Solo is about Han Solo, not Hans Solo, the character made famous by Harrison Ford. The movie takes us back to destitute planet he grew up on, and eventually escaped. We get to see how me met Chewbacca, and how he came into possession of the Millenium Falcon – his supersonic spacecraft.

The movie is not part of the series, but gives us the usual dose of the familiar like rebellions and the empire. Its focus is on Solo and not The Force or the Jedi. As with past productions the creators have come up with exotic and creepy looking aliens who add color and a bit of humor to the film.

Alden Ehrenreich plays Solo, and although he’s no Ford, I thought he pulled it off well. Cathryn agreed when I mentioned he resembles a young DiCaprio. We both enjoyed the movie…she gave it a 9 and I a 7 out of 10.

The Murder House – James Patterson/ David Ellis

On May 24, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

23717678._SY475_ The Murder House by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), David Ellis

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

May 24, 2018

Every once in a while I pick up a James Patterson book somewhere, mostly to check out what he and his stable of writers are up to. It’s not hard to find one, according to the Washington Post his publisher says that Patterson’s name is on the cover of one in every twenty-one books sold in the U.S.
Gee, I’d be happy having my name on the cover of one in every hundred thousand.The Murder House is a good story. It’s characters are easy to love and hate. They play off each other well, giving the plot plenty of suspense. I made the mistake of putting the book down for a couple months, and I’d forgotten what was going on, but it was easy to get back into and I wasn’t disappointed that I picked it back up. It’s good read with a respectable pace.

Game Night

On April 8, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn EntertainmentLeave a comment

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play a competitive married couple, who along with a group of friends, take game night to a whole new level. It’s a comedy that seems a bit corny and stupid at times, but it’s also very funny. There’s twists and turns that will keep you guessing if and when the game is real or not, and if it’s actually over.

Continue reading “Game Night” →

The Target – David Baldacci

On March 27, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

target The Target (Will Robie, #3)
by David Baldacci (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 27, 2018 ·

I haven’t read a lot of Baldacci, but I can say this book was my least favorite so far. The two protagonists were cookie-cutter type American super spies who save the world with their every breath. I felt the story steered too far away from the main plot with the introduction of sub-plots that really didn’t add much depth to the overall story.
In my opinion the author went overboard in describing the miserable life the antagonist had in a North Korean prison. I’m not squeamish by any means, I just tired of the to-numerous descriptions of human torture and degradation.
The story moves along quickly and is not a bad read, if you’re into a mindless thriller.

Writing With Cold Feet – Kathrin Lake

On March 17, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

Writing with Cold Feet: The Secrets of How to Write When You Are NOT Writing
by Kathrin Lake (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 17, 2018

I had the pleasure of meeting this author at a her launch of another of her books, The Happy Hammock. My wife won a paperback copy of Writing With Cold Feet.
Being a fellow writer I read this book in which the author reveals her secrets of how to write when you are NOT writing.
I think the book was written more for beginners or those who are learning to write, but even as a seasoned author I picked up a few useful tips.
The book addresses various pitfalls aspiring writers run into such as judgement, feedback, muse, and simply telling your story.
The author has other teaching books and does writing retreats in two countries.

A Darkness More Than Night – Michael Connelly – Harry Bosch/Terry McCaleb

On March 14, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

A Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch, #7; Terry McCaleb, #2; Harry Bosch Universe, #9)
by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 14, 2018

I didn’t plan on reading two of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books back to back, but it was the next available title in the pile. I was surprised by this one and it took me a few chapters to realize it was another crossover book with one of the author’s other protagonists, Terry McCaleb, the FBI profiler. He was portrayed by Clint Eastwood in Bloodwork.
The story is mostly about McCaleb, who comes out of retirement to help police profile and track a new serial killer. Bosch appears later in the story, involved in a murder trial of his own where he says the killer confessed to him.
McCaleb and Bosch had worked together on a case in the past. Without giving away the story I can say their paths cross again in an unexpected way where one of them becomes subject of an investigation. There are a couple nice twists to keep you flipping pages.
My only disappointment was in how the ending left the two main characters, but in considering their individual personalities it was only fitting.

The Crossing – Michael Connelly

On March 10, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

The Crossing (Harry Bosch, #18; Mickey Haller, #6; Harry Bosch Universe, #27)
by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 10, 2018

I have to say Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch are two of my favorite men, the author and one of his characters. In “The Crossing” Connnelly writes a crossover novel with one of his other characters, The Lincoln Lawyer, bringing the two series’ together in one great story.
Connelly is a master at building up the momentum to the point where you’re flipping pages faster than burgers at McDonald’s.
The Crossing is about the newly retired Bosch helping his half brother, lawyer Mickey Haller, get a suspected murderer out of jail. It is crossing the line for Bosch, who spent his career putting killers in jail.

The Race – Clive Cussler – Isaac Bell Series

On March 7, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

The Race (Isaac Bell, #4)
by Clive Cussler, Justin Scott (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 07, 2018

This makes two Clive Cussler novels in a row that I’ve read, but this one was the last book left in the pile that was left here at the apartment in Mexico. I like the Isaac Bell Detective series, but found this book was a cookie cutter version of the last one I read. The good guy chases the bad guy, almost catches his two or three times, gets a little banged up on the way, then gets the girl and lives happily ever after. The names of the characters have been changed.
Need I say more? Okay, in fairness it is a good read and a bit different than all the other crime fiction stuff out there in that the story is about the birth of aviation and a race across America to see who has the best machine.

El Patio De Sebastian

On March 6, 2018March 6, 2018 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Entertainment, Food & DiningLeave a comment

fruit

One of our favorite breakfast spots in Melaque is El Patio, on the same side of the street and just west of the Bus Depot and Roosters. You can actually walk right by the place if you’re not looking for the restaurant, there are three tables out front on the sidewalk that give it away. Our first time there we didn’t even know there was a beautiful courtyard patio inside, past the kitchen.

Continue reading “El Patio De Sebastian” →

Clive Cussler – The Gangster

On February 28, 2018October 14, 2019 By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, EntertainmentLeave a comment

The Gangster (Isaac Bell, #9)
by Clive Cussler, Justin Scott (Goodreads Author)

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.