Tag: Montana

Murder in Montana – Anna Schilke

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23767009Murder in Montana
by Anna Schilke (Goodreads Author)

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Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Mar 01, 2020


I didn’t finish reading this book and struggled to give it three stars, but it was a descent story that touched on some serious issues with regard to the abuse of women. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a former police detective, but I thought the investigative and police procedural parts of the book fell flat.
The author came up with a truly unique MO for her serial killer and that peaked my curiosity, but even that wasn’t enough to coax me into finishing the book. I think overall, it lacked the polish that a good editor could have brought into the mix.
I met this author at a book fair and swapped one of my own for hers. She’d told me there was a story to go along with the novel but I never got to hear it. In what I did read, I think that she had some personal experiences in her past that inspired her to put her thoughts to paper.
In all, the book was a good effort but it think it fell short of its mark.

Die Trying – Lee Child

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die tryingDie Trying (Jack Reacher, #2) 
by

Lee Child (Goodreads Author)

15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Feb 23, 2019  

 

I’ve read several of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels now and I can easily say this was my least favorite. It wasn’t anything in particular that stopped me from a better review and adding a star to the rating. I guess it comes down to personal taste and this story didn’t have the right flavor for me. It’s only the 2nd book in the Reacher series so perhaps it didn’t contain the ingredients I usually find palatable in Child’s writing.
The story is descent, with good characters, but the plot seemed too familiar, maybe lacking enough spice to make a great dish. It was an entertaining read that I ripped through quickly, but only because I had nothing better to do.

Swan Peak – James Lee Burke

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Swan peakSwan Peak (Dave Robicheaux, #17) 
by James Lee Burke

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Dec 24, 2017  
Dave Robicheaux is one of my favorite characters, perhaps because I can relate to him so easily. James Lee Burke is master of metaphors and he can offer descriptions of the sky like no other. His story-telling is enjoyable and almost philosophical at times.
In this book Burke’s first hand knowledge of the pristine scenery in Northern Montana shines above his usual inside look at Louisiana bayou country. Robicheaux’s sidekick Clete Purcel is also a colorful and easily likable character.
The only reason I didn’t give this book a fifth star is that it wasn’t as exciting as other Burke novels I’ve read.

The Two Bill’s – Part 1

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book Reviews, Entertainment, Travel1 Comment

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This story appears in my first book, A Casual Traveler

 Westward Ho

Cathryn’s big question was, “How do I pack for a whole month?” She was faced with the dilemma of how to get her clothes, shoes, and toiletries into one small suitcase, that fit into the trunk portion of our Harley Davidson motorcycle. I had laid out a plan to ride all the way to Vancouver, and back, within a month…or so.

“You only need to pack for five to seven days,” I offered, “We can do our laundry along the way when we stop for more than a day.” I broke the trip into segments, staying in a few different places for more than one night at a time, so we could take a rest from the bike, and not have to be on it every day of the trip.

We met with our friends Greg and Brenda, to discuss the first leg of the trip. They changed their final destination, deciding to only ride as far as Milwaukee with us. It didn’t matter, we were going on with or without them. Figuring traffic would be lighter, and a hotel in downtown Milwaukee cheaper, we left at 9 am on Sunday, July 3rd.

Continue reading “The Two Bill’s – Part 1” →