Book Review- Marcus Wynne- Warrior in the Shadows

Marcus Wynne- Warrior in the Shadows (Forge 2002) 4.25 Stars

Alfie Woodard is a serial killer for hire with a weird way of doing his job. He uses his Australian Aboriginal spirituality to steal from his victims, eating a part of his victims and using their blood to paint pictures, which sends a clear warning message to his boss’ enemies. Charley Payne, ex-CIA, has begun taking photos for the police instead of using his gun, but when he becomes involved with Alfie’s murders he must hunt down the man responsible and put an end to it all, even if it means dying as well.

Having never heard of this author I wasn’t sure about this book when I picked it up, but boy was I surprised. Right page one I liked the main character Charlie Payne, he seemed fun, smart, and you find out later that he is also very tough. Once the mystery starts it will grip the reader and make putting it down very difficult. I loved the flow of the plot, you know that Alfie and Charlie have to meet in a deadly battle and you wonder just how it will happen. I also found it nice to see Australia, even if it was just a small glimpse.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, or adventure books.

For more of my reviews, check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Ralph W. Cotton- Justice

Ralph W. Cotton- Justice (Signet 1999) 3.75 Stars

Ranger Sam Burrack is hunting down Doss Edding and his Half Moon Gang, a group of young and drunken bandits. They have been getting away with bending the law to get free and Sam Burrack plans to put an end to that, even if it has to be done with his guns. Doss Edding’s father has power though and he sends a man after Burrack, now Burrack must watch his back while hunting down this group of thugs.

Ralph Cotton writes a fast-paced western that keeps the reader entertained throughout. The plot could have used a little strengthening I though, but the storyline was amazing. I loved how Burrack was not just facing the criminals, he also had a man hunting him, and he had to deal with the corruption within the law itself. It was a very good western. The characters were amusing, even if a little weak at points. I love this time in history though, and I thought that Cotton did a wonderful job of recreating the period in our history.

I recommend Justice, to western lovers and fans of Ralph Cotton.

For more of my reviews, check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Sue Grafton- “Q” is for Quarry

Sue Grafton- “Q” is for Quarry (G. P. Putnam's Sons 2002) 3.75 Stars

Hired to assist the police in a cold case investigation, Kinsey must first figure out who the Jane Doe was. She works with a couple of cops looking to retire, both of them with health problems, leaving her babysitting while trying to gather whatever clues she can.

As usual her plot elements are strong. Grafton has put together a great storyline based on an actual murder involving a yet to be identified Jane Doe. I did find that her characters were a little bit weak and the clues just came a little bit too easily. The ending was pretty good, as I only saw part of it coming. I did like the fact that it was based on an actual murder and yet she did not try to do a non-fiction work, as I find non-fiction investigations a little tedious at times.

I would recommend this novel to mystery fans and Sue Grafton fans.

For more of my reviews, check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Michael Crichton- Jurassic Park

Michael Crichton- Jurassic Park (Ballantine Books 1991) 3.5 Stars

Hammond and his team of scientists have discovered a method of creating dinosaurs, by cloning dino DNA captured from ancient sap that has trapped insects that feasted on dinosaurs. The plan is to make them a zoo display on an secluded island, but something goes wrong and they all find themselves trapped on an island with the most deadly creatures the world has ever known.

I have to say that I actually liked the movies better than the books, and I rarely ever say that. I did not like how it switched perspective constantly and there was no real main character. The plot was a little bit slow at first, although still interesting and it kind of helped the movie make a little more sense. The idea for this book was a great one as there are many dinosaur fanatics out there. The science was interesting to look at considering all the cloning attempts happening now, although so far cloning has not been too successful, which makes this book seem even more far fetched.

I recommend this novel to fans of the Jurassic Park movies, Michael Crichton fans, or lovers of sci-fi books.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Eric Wilson- Murder on the Canadian

Eric Wilson- Murder on the Canadian (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

Murder on the Canadian is the first of Tom Austen’s mysteries. He is on a trip to visit his grandparents and finds a mysterious man with a case handcuffed to his wrist. While investigating this man, a murder takes place on board the train and he must figure out who is guilty.

Wilson has a way of writing that I think kids love. His characters are easy for kids to relate to and the mystery is always entertaining, Murder on the Canadian is no exception. The plot was quite interesting when it got to the main storyline. I did think that there was a little bit too much pre-mystery writing. Wilson should have gotten into the murder sooner to keep his reader’s interest. Kids have short attention spans, like many of us adults, and the writer needs to keep that in mind at all times.

I recommend Murder on the Canadian to mystery readers and kids of all ages.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Maggie Stevens- Parent Fix

Maggie Stevens- Parent Fix (Anomaly Publishing 2008) 4.25 Stars

Maggie Stevens teaches parents what they need to do to change their own behaviours and attitudes to positively affect their children. When parents become the good role models it will change how their children behave, usually in a positive way. In the end the relationship between parent and child will improve.

I found the advice in this self-help book to be solid and would imagine that it would be helpful for parents. Having worked in group homes myself, I can see that much of this advice is useful. I especially think that the first section, creating a safe haven, was important for parents, along with the section on living with teenagers, which all parents can use a little help with. Maggie’s advice seemed like a new and refreshing perspective on parenting, when there are so many self-help parenting books in the market.

I recommend this book to parents of all ages.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Michael Connelly- The Last Coyote

Michael Connelly- The Last Coyote (Little, Brown and Company 2007) 3.75 Stars

Harry Bosch is on suspension for assaulting his Lieutenant and is in mandatory counselling sessions. Not one to sit still he has decided to do something he should have done long ago, look into his mother’s murder. Things spiral out of control quickly as he unearths secrets long forgotten.

This book has a really slow beginning that I wish Connelly had found a way to avoid. When the action started happening though, it really started happening, gripping your attention and making it hard to stop reading. We learn a little bit more about Bosch’s past in The Last Coyote, explaining why he decided to become a police officer to begin with, and maybe helping understand where his anger issues come from. I always love the investigative portions of Connelly’s books and this one was no different.

I recommend this book to Connelly fans, mystery/thriller lovers, and anyone looking for a good book.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- James W. Huston- Secret Justice

James W. Huston- Secret Justice (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

Lieutenant Kent “Rat” Rathman is after one of the world’s most wanted terrorists who is threatening to attack the U.S. Meanwhile he is also on trial as a political scapegoat for being suspected in torturing a man to find out information. If convicted his career will be over and he will be serving time in jail. Distarcted by the trial he still must work for those who are setting him up for disaster, just to save a country who doesn’t even know he exists.

I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying this book. It had action and courtroom drama going on at the same time. I found myself thinking that Rat actually deserved to be convicted, but kept wondering how his lawyer would get him off. I would have liked it better if there had not been so many things going on at one time, it got to be a little irritating at times. The plot though, was strong and well put together.

I recommend this to courtroom drama fans, and war book fans.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Laurence Klavan- The Cutting Room

Laurence Klavan- The Cutting Room (Ballantine Books 2004) 3.25 Stars

Roy Milano is a movie trivia buff, he knows everything there is to know about movies and there actors. After his fellow movie buff calls him up and tells him he has the Holy Grail of movies, The Magnificent Ambersons, he finds the man dead. Now he is on the hunt for who stole the movie, not caring so much about the murder.

I enjoyed reading this mystery. It was interesting to see a main character investigating, who is not a professional in any manner. His clumsy methods make for an entertaining read, and it is nice that the man wasn’t trying to investigate the murders, he just wanted the movie. This book covers politics, murder, theft, and intrigue, it’s got it all. I would have liked to see a better beginning and maybe some of the clues being harder to get, sometimes it felt like they just fell into place too easily. Overall I did enjoy this novel though.

I recommend The Cutting Room novel to mystery fans.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Beverly Cleary- Ramona’s World

Beverly Cleary- Ramona’s World (HarperCollins 1999) 3.25 Stars

Ramona Quimby is now in the fourth grade and is finding out what it’s like to be a big sister. She has found a new best friend and is enjoying her life as a fourth grader, despite not being sure about her teacher and spelling. Beezus, her sister, is growing up and is taking interest in boys and fitting in.

Although I do enjoy this series, this will likely be the last of the series that I will read as it gets to be the same after a while. Beverly Cleary took this series a little bit farther than I think she should have, with a series you must know when to stop. As always I love the characters and the childlike viewing on things, it is very amusing.

I recommend this book to middle readers and anyone who loves Beverly Cleary’s writing.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review: David Thompson- Wolf Pack

David Thompson- Wilderness: Iron Warrior/Wolf Pack (Leisure Books 2000) 3 Stars

Although there are two books in this package, I will only review Wolf Pack as they are both very similar plot lines and will get the same rating. Trapper Nathaniel King stumbles upon a group of killers, who are robbing trappers and settlers of their possessions and murdering them. He must track them down, with the help of his family, and put an end to the tyranny.

The plot was very predictable and although I got a slight enjoyment from it, it wasn’t intense in the least bit. The characters are very well done, which really is the author’s saving grace in my eyes. Thompson built up the end battle throughout, only to have it really be quite short and altogether too easy. The books did have some interesting trivia knowledge for the average city slicker, like me. I think that Thompson could have done a lot more with these novels and he missed the mark.

I recommend this to those who are die hard western fans, not a good starting point for western reading.

For more of my reviews, check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Andrew Pepper- The Last Days of Newgate

Andrew Pepper- The Last Days of Newgate (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2006) 3.75 Stars

This is the first book in the Pyke mystery series and it is a great starter. Pyke is a Bow Street Runner, or basically a plainclothes policeman. He is not exactly the most honest individual, but when he stumbles upon the bodies of three brutally murdered people he is determined to find the guilty party. Quickly he discovers that it may not be just as it seems, there may be a political agenda involved that could end his life.

The Last Days of Newgate is not a book for the weak stomached reader, it has some gore that some may not wish to read about. I enjoyed all the different concepts involved in this book, intrigue, politics, murder, theft, conspiracy, and the fact that it was in the pre-Victorian London/England in general. It had some explosive action scenes, and it was believable in the fact that not everything Pyke tried succeeded, in fact some of it ended in disaster. The plot was very well-done and involved a lot of surprises. The end was kind of predictable though. Although I do not like Pyke’s character, he is not designed to be likable, and Pepper did a good job of creating Pyke.

I would recommend this book to strong-stomached mystery fans, thriller enthusiasts, or people who enjoy politics.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html

Book Review- Thomas H. Cook- Red Leaves

Thomas H. Cook- Red Leaves (Harcourt Books 2005) 4 Stars

This book was recommended to me and I thank whoever did, it was a good read. I apologize for not remembering the recommender. Eric Moore’s life is going good, until one day a neighbour’s daughter disappears and his son becomes a suspect in the investigation. Suddenly he discovers family secrets and his perfect life falls apart. He begins questioning everyone in his life, wondering if they are who they say they are. He discovers that everyone has secrets and that he cannot take anyone at face value.

I enjoyed reading Red Leaves as it grabbed my attention early on, making me wonder just how his problem would be solved, if it was going to be solved. It had many flips that I did not see coming, only to bring the reader to a point of wondering if Eric Moore has guessed right or if he is jumping to conclusions. The characters were very well done, and the writing was great. I loved how the end was kind of unexpected. I would have loved to see more of the end instead of the cut scene that explained part of it, just keep the story going, don’t do the cut scene explanation.

I would recommend this book to mystery lovers, although it’s not really a mystery, also drama lovers, and Thomas Cook fans.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Robert Crais- The Watchman

Robert Crais- The Watchman (Simon & Schuster 2007) 3.25 Stars

Joe Pike, an ex-cop, must protect Larkin Conner Barkley, a rich and spoiled young woman. She is to be a witness in a federal case and everywhere she goes the killer hunts her down. Everything is not as it should be though and Joe Pike must figure out who he can trust and what exactly is the truth.

The characters in this novel were very interesting and deep. The plot was somewhat predictable, although there were some very good twists involved. Some of the flashback sections were a tad bit annoying at times and although they provided you with information, they took away from the overall storyline, slowing it down. Would have liked to of seen a little bit more setting description as well, as I found it hard to picture the places involved.

I would recommend this to fans of the Joe Pike series.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- John Grisham- The Chamber

John Grisham- The Chamber (Island Books 1994) 3.25 Stars

Adam Hall’s family has a history that they are ashamed of. The family wants no one to know who they really are related to, the reason for their name change. When Adam decides to try to save his grandfather who is on death row the family’s secrets are sure to come into the public eye. Chances of success are small, but he must still try to save the life of his grandfather, whether he deserves it or not.

The Chamber has a lot of human rights issues tied up into it that really got my mind working, which I do enjoy. As usual for Grisham it did have some very tediously slow sections and got a little too wordy. I enjoyed the depth of characters. He showed their faults and their positives. Although I did not like his grandfather, I couldn’t help but wish for Adam Hall to succeed in his attempts at getting him off of death row. I like how I thought I knew how the book would end, but was shocked by the ending. Grisham does a great job at throwing in twists and turns the reader may not see coming.

I recommend this novel to people who enjoy human rights issues, or are Grisham fans.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html

Book Review- Jess C Scott- EyeLeash: a blog novel

Jess C Scott- EyeLeash: a blog novel (http://www.jesscscott.com/ 2009) 2 Stars

This review was upon request by author. Jade and Novan communicate via chat and are finding themselves, which is something many teens struggle with today. They will explore many issues, all of which are relevant for today and will be relevant tomorrow.

When I got the book in the mail my first thought was just how much I love the cover, it is unique, creative, and eye catching. I would have liked to see a little less sex, even though it is a major issue for teens. I thought that I could get past the blog/msn type of setup, but in the end I found it very distracting. I do think that the book covers a lot great teenage issues and I applaud the author for all that she managed to cover. Jess C Scott does have a writing talent it just isn’t my kind of thing.

This novel is not one that I will slap my personal recommendation on. You may like it if you love talking on msn, or are a teen in search of who you are.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Beverly Cleary- Ramona Forever

Beverly Cleary- Ramona Forever (William Morrow and Company 1984) 3.5 Stars

Ramona Quimby is almost done the third grade. She has just met Howie’s rich uncle and it turns out he may not be leaving as quickly as she might like him to. Ramona’s life just never seems to go the way she wants it, she just has a way of attracting disaster, as most kids think they do.

I enjoy the light-hearted nature of these books, considering that I usually read heavy subjects this is a nice change. As usual Beverly Cleary has put her heart into another beautiful book for kids. Kids can easily relate to the issues at hand, making it more enjoyable for them. I love the depth of the characters that are explored throughout the series. The plot is never really the main focus it is more about developing the character and giving the reader a humorous read.

I recommend this book to Cleary fans, middle readers, or anyone looking for a light, easy read.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html

Book Review- James Patterson- Cat & Mouse

James Patterson- Cat & Mouse (Warner Books 1998) 4 Stars

Gary Soneji is back and he is coming for Alex Cross’s blood. He does not intend to kill him outright instead he wants to play a deadly game of cat and mouse. At the same time another deadly serial killer is on the loose and he is killing people all over the globe. Mr. Smith and Soneji believe that Alex Cross is the only one who can take them on, but can Cross survive two deadly killers?

The intensity of this novel was great, although the two killers thing got to be a little annoying at times. I loved some of the twists that Patterson inserted and as usual I enjoyed another Cross novel. The depth of the characters never ceases to amaze me. Patterson creates some of the scariest/creepiest villains. I do not think that a better title could have been chosen for the book, Cat & Mouse suited it perfectly. I enjoyed the return of Soneji as he is my favourite villain so far in the series.

I would recommend this book to mystery and thriller lovers, as well as Patterson fans.

For more of my book reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html