Tag: Reviews

The Black Widow – Daniel Silva

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WidowThe Black Widow (Gabriel Allon, #16) 
by Daniel Silva

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jan 26, 2018  

 

Rarely do I rate a book with five stars, but there was nothing wrong with this novel and I enjoyed its 515 pages so much that I read it in about three days. I was a bit intimidated because it was the size of a telephone book, but the story moved quickly and kept my interest throughout.

The story is about terrorism throughout the world, and how different countries use different approaches to combat the problem with Islamic Jihadists. The story revolves around Israeli Intelligence operatives and one of their agents who infiltrates a terrorist cell.

If you like spy novels where the story jumps from one country to another, this book is for you. I highly recommend it.

The Burning Wire – Jeffrey Deaver

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burning wireThe Burning Wire (Lincoln Rhyme, #9) 
by Jeffery Deaver (Goodreads Author)

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jan 20, 2018  

 

This book was a disappointment in comparison to the couple other Jeffrey Deaver/Lincoln Rhyme stories I’ve read. I found the pace a bit slow most of the time and some of the repetition had me flipping pages just to get on with it.
The author puts an interesting new spin on terrorism, but draws out the double ending way too long.
Personally, I expected more from a “bestseller.”

Churchill’s Secret Agent – Max Ciampoli

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churchillChurchill’s Secret Agent: A Novel Based on a True Story 
by Max Ciampoli, Linda Ciampoli

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jan 12, 2018

 

Oh, sorry, I was sleeping. This is easily the most boring spy book I’ve ever tried to read. I say ‘tried’ because I gave up after 150 pages. I assumed the missions would get more exciting as the agent gained more experience, but it is not the case.
This book should be called, Churchill’s French Chef. The protagonist shares more about his daily meals than he does the dangers or intricacies of his missions. I guess that should be expected since he went on to become a chef after the war.
Not to take away from the important work that Max Ciampoli may have done during the war, I was totally disappointed in his book.

The Whistler – John Grisham

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whistlerThe Whistler 
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jan 09, 2018  

 

This book was a great read and a nice surprise, from John Grisham. No usual courtroom drama, just a steady pace of crime investigation by an unknown agency who investigates corrupt or crooked judges. The story is full of suspense, with some good action and strong characters who are portrayed as real people. The plot revolves around a criminal enterprise and skimming operation at an Indian casino. I recommend this book to any crime fiction or thriller fan.

Stick – Elmore Leonard

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Stick

Stick 
by Elmore Leonard

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Jan 05, 2018  · 

 

I’ve seen more movies made from Elmore Leonard’s books than I’ve read his novels. I think Stick is the second or third novel. It’s a bit of a slow starter, but builds a good momentum, gathering your interest along the way. The story is kind of a rags to riches tale of a simple, but smart guy who tries to get back on his feet after a stint in federal penitentiary.
Stick also became a movie, starring Burt Reynolds. If I recall correctly it was a bit slow too, but a likable flick.

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.

Peppered Justice

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pepperPeppered Justice (Cambodia Trilogy Book 2) 
by Mark Bibby Jackson, Joe Slater (Illustrator), Kate Burbidge (Editor), Jonny Edbroke (Photographer)

 

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Nov 24, 2017  

 

I took too long to read this book, and forgot a few details along the way so maybe I would have enjoyed it more in other circumstances. It is a good book and the setting is familiar to me, having visited that part of Cambodia.
What I did take from the plot is that politics and policing travel hand in hand, no matter what country you’re in. I liked that the protagonist was no hero, but and honest cop who believed in getting the job done.
The story itself is a descent who-done-it, with enough clues and misdirection to keep you guessing until the end.

Murder on the Orient Express

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Orient

I for one, can’t believe that Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express took forty years to bring back to the big screen. The scenery, costumes, and characters in this movie are as colorful as the actors who portray a list of suspects that reminded me of the game “Clue.”

The mustache on the Belgian Detective who investigates a murder on-board is almost as long as the train itself. His powers of observation and deduction take him from passenger to passenger, while he uncovers clues and lies.

The movie moved a bit slow in the middle, but the classic whodunit kept me guessing until the end. I’d seen the movie when I was a kid, but didn’t remember much of it. As entertaining as the flick was, Cathryn and I both give it a 7 out of 10.

Victoria & Abdul

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victoriaVictoria & Abdul is a (mostly) true story about the unusual friendship of Queen Victoria of England, and an Indian servant named Abdul, who becomes her teacher. It’s a good flick for the big screen, it captures the grandeur of places like Windsor Castle and the Taj Mahal.

The story is set at the turn of the century when India is part of the British Empire. The plot gives us a look at English pomp and pretentiousness first hand. Even the aging Queen admits that all the ridiculous celebrations are killing her. From bowel movements to boredom, Judy Dench gives us an inside look at what it’s like to be at the top of a monarchy.

Unlike other movies that focus on body counts or comic book superheros, Victoria & Abdul is mostly fun and good entertainment. Cathryn rates it an 8 and I a 7 out of 10.

Only The Brave

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Brave

If you see this movie you’ll never think of wildfires in the same way again. Ever. We hear about these disasters all the time, but I’m sure most of us have no idea what the firefighters or hotshots who deal with these raging infernos do for a living.

Only The Brave gives us a firsthand look at the job these men do and how it affects their personal lives at home. Like Navy Seals, Hotshots are elite specialty units with the expertise that allows them to be dropped into the middle of out-of-control wildfires in the hope they can save thousands of acres of forest or in some cases, whole towns full of private homes.

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