Tag: Book Reviews

The Murder House – James Patterson/ David Ellis

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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.

The Target – David Baldacci

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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.

Clive Cussler – The Gangster

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gangsterThe Gangster (Isaac Bell, #9) 
by Clive Cussler, Justin 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

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howeNine Lessons I Learned from My Father 
by Murray Howe

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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

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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

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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.