Re: Book Thread number ?
My Recent reads
No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington by Condoleezza Rice An excellent biography by Rice of her years in the Bush White House as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. A nice inside story of the Bush years, the Secretary of State portion to me was the most interesting. Listening to her stories of dealing with the Israeli’s, Palestinians, Lebanese, Saudi’s and other Middle Eastern countries along with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah when trying to bring about anything to do with the Middle East makes you think that peace there is going to take a lot of work. Herr tales of dealing with the Pakistani’s, Iraqi’s and Afghani’s when dealing with the war on Terror are good as well.
Night and day by Robert Parker This Jesse Stone novel follows the tale of a Peeping Tom who escalates into attacking women in their homes during the day. Jesse utilizes his unique brand of police investigative methods to try and track down the perpetrator. A typical Stone novel.
Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe This book is a continuation of Master of the Game by Sydney Sheldon. This book follows the adventures of Eve and Alexandra’s children as they battle for control of Kruger-Brent. Eve is still around and as bitter and evil as ever trying to help her son Max catapult himself to the Chairmanship of Kruger Brent above Alexandra’s daughter Lexi. Lexi’s brother Robbie while in the book is a little more than a bit player. Did a pretty good job of keeping up with Sheldon’s storyline with some nice plot twists and twists and turns.
The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs by Tyler Hamilton This book by Tyler Hamilton gives the inside “dope” on the peleton of cycling. In it he describes his career and all the tricks and tips used by professional cyclists to cheat. He describes the systemwide measures that are in place to cheat and the lengths that cyclists will go to beat and game the system. A very good read.
The Black Echo by Michael Connelly This first Harry Bosch novel by Connelly follows Bosch investigating the murder of an old comrade from Vietnam. The case takes a major twist when Bosch finds out that he was involved in a major bank robbery and is assigned to work with the FBI. Being dogged by internal affairs investigators who think he is in on the robberies and a mistrustful FBI Bosch has to try to solve the crimes to clear his name. Good non-stop action and some nice twists and turns.
The Classic Mantle by Buzz Bissinger, Marvin E. Newman This book took me roughly an hour to read. A very brief biograpjhy of Mickey Mantle there are certainly better done and more in depth books on the Mick. The book does have a lot of nice photo’s which is it’s one saving grace.
Sandstorm (Sigma Force #1) by James Rollins A pretty good book about Sigma Force an ultra-secret strike force run by the NSA. When there is a huge explosion in the British Museum, Painter Crow and his Sigma team partner are sent in to determine if the explosion is connected to anti-matter. Joining an archaeological expedition to Oman to see the ruins of a loss city they are beset by kidnapping attempts and attempts to kill them by Painter’s ex-partner working for “The Guild”. Ok effort a bit unbelievable but not too bad.
The Vigilantes By W.E.B. Griffin This 10th book in the Badge of Honor series follows Matt Payne as he attempts to find a vigilante who is killing felons wanted for sexual crimes who have jumped bail. Despite doing a public service this vigilante justice spurred by reward money cannot be tolerated. An okay book but pretty short and sweet.
Private by James Patterson This book follows the adventures of Jack Morgan the CEO of Private one of the world’s top security firms. This book follows several cases the murder of one of his friend’s wives, a serial killer killing schoolgirls in the LA area and a bid to rig NFL games. This book has the same flaw as many of Patterson’s novels, it’s short and the multiple plot lines means that they are not given time to develop.
NYPD Red by James Patterson It’s Hollywood week in New York City and the NYPD Red unit responsible for high profile celebrities is on the case. A killer is killing various high profile film industry people across the city. Can Detective Zach Jordan partnered with his ex-girlfriend Kylie Macdonald, who happens to be married to a screenwriter stop the killer before it’s too late. This story and plot reminded me a lot of Double Cross and the Audience Killer so so read.
The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silva This latest Gabriel Allon book finds the “retired” Mossad agent in the Vatican restoring a masterpiece by Caravaggio. He is summoned to St Peter’s to find a member of the museum staff lying dead seemingly a suicide. Summoned by the Pope to investigate Gabriel gets involved in the underground international antiquities market with ties to Hezbollah. He is once again forced to assemble his team to stop an assault on Jerusalem. Not the best Allon book but okay.
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly This second Lincoln Lawyer book finds Mickey Haller recovering from drug addiction and planning to “ease” back into the law after a long hiatus. Unfortunately he receives a call from the Presiding judge and finds that a colleague has been murdered and he has been given his cases including a high profile murder case of a head of a Hollywood studio. Working off the rust Haller immerses himself in the case trying to keep his client out of jail. Lots of nice twists and turns and Connelly’s detective Harry Bosch appears throughout the book with a shocker at the end.
Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen The latest Rizzoli and Isles novel follows the tales of 3 children who have been saved from the massacres of their families and their foster families twice. They are now at the Evensong school run by the Mephisto society in Maine. As Maura is on vacation at the school Jane tries to figure out who is trying to murder these children. Okay read some nice twists and turns.
Flight of Eagles by Jack Higgins This book by Higgins follows the exploits of two German American twins separated when they were boys one who went back to Germany with his mother flies for the Luftwaffe the other who stayed in Boston with his grandfather flies for the RAF. It follows their exploits throughout the war until a twist of fate finds the allied brother captured in France. The Nazi’s opt to use his twin to attempt to assassinate General Eisenhower. Very similar plot to Cold Harbor okay read
about halfway done. 
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