Book Review- Joseph Finder- High Crimes

Joseph Finder- High Crimes (Avon Books 2002) 4 Stars

Claire Heller Chapman, hotshot attorney, has her life shaken up one evening when FBI agents suddenly try to arrest her husband and he pulls moves she did not know he was capable of to escape. When they finally bring him in, she must defend him against charges only a maniac could be responsible for. Could it be that her husband is someone she doesn’t really know? Everything is at risk for her and someone unknown seems to be pulling the strings on this classified, high profile case. She begins to realize that she may have gotten herself in too deep, the question now is can she save both herself and her husband?

High Crimes is an exciting thrill ride through the courts of American military justice. I have ordered the movie version as well and am anxious to see how Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman portray this great novel. I enjoyed the twists and turns and although I saw a bit of the ending coming, I did not see all of it. The plot and storyline were very well done and held onto my attention all the way through. I also really liked Claire Heller Chapman’s character, although slightly naïve at times, she was still a great main character.

I recommend High Crimes to anyone looking for a good courtroom drama or an intriguing thriller.

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- Violets Are Blue

James Patterson- Violets Are Blue (Little, Brown and Company 2001) 3.5 Stars

Still haunted and taunted by the Mastermind, Alex Cross must hunt down a new serial killer. This serial killer believes he is a vampire and uses his fellow vampires to commit murder, allowing them to drink their blood (I hope you all thought of a Dracula like voice as you read that, because that is what was running through my mind). Meanwhile he must also try to figure out just who the Mastermind is.

I figured that Violets Are Blue was a suitable book for Halloween, what with vampires and all that. This Cross book was much better than the previous one, although still not one of his better books. I did like how his family was given much less attention, although once again they were in danger. Another big shocker in this book was the fact that he was assigned yet another female partner and she ends up in trouble! Wow, huge surprise right? As much as I like the Cross character, I have figured out his greatest flaw, he thinks with his wrong head, and by saying this I do not mean to be crude I only mean to speak the truth. The main case in this one was fairly well put together, although odd.

I would recommend Violets Are Blue to Patterson 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.elquentbooks.com/kidsacase.html

Michael Connelly- The Black Ice (St. Martin’s Press 1994) 4.25 Stars

Harry Bosch is hunting down the clues on a case that wasn’t his, but somehow is connected to his own cases. So far he has one dead cop and dangerous drug ties which lead to more deaths and the life of Bosch could be shortened greatly. Can Bosch stop the killer before the killer stops him?

Once again Connelly has done a great job. I enjoyed this mystery as Bosch was taken across borders for The Black Ice, which meant that I got to see a little bit of Mexico. Connelly has a way of creating a very interesting plot with complex details that lead to some great twists, and The Black Ice was no exception. I also like Bosch and how he always finds a way to rub his bosses the wrong way. Even with his authority problems he still manages to be a great detective, who manages to solve the most complex of cases, hence the reason why his superiors put up with him. The Black Ice is a great early addition to this popular series.

I recommend The Black Ice for mystery lovers and fans of Michael Connelly.

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- Harlan Coben- One False Move

Harlan Coben- One False Move (Dell Publishing 1999) 4.75 Stars

Myron Bolitar, a sports agent, has agreed to protect Brenda slaughter, the daughter of a man he used to revere, even if she does not want his protection. Brenda’s mom abandoned her twenty years ago and now her father has disappeared as well. Deception seems to be around every corner and Myron must wade through the sea of lies to find the truth, even if someone may be willing to kill to keep it a secret.

I was very impressed with One False Move. It was an action-packed thriller/mystery that kept your mind working to figure out every angle of the case. My attention was gripped right away and I could not put the book down. I loved the character of Myron Bolitar. He is a very brilliant and extremely sarcastic man, and I love sarcasm in books. The humour was How I Met Your Mother meets Big Bang Theory, aka very funny, witty, and all around enjoyable. The plot was intense and very-well done, only letting you know details when Myron knows them, which helps keep your attention.

I recommend One False Move to thriller/mystery lovers, and Coben 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- H.G. Wells- The Time Machine

H.G. Wells- The Time Machine (Moby Books 1983) 3.5 Stars

A young scientist creates the unbelievable, a time machine. Travelling into the future in the hopes of bringing back useful knowledge he finds only danger. Confused by these curious little people and their unusual fear of the dark, he finds that what lurks in the dark is a society of simple ape-like creatures and they may very well be worth being afraid.

This is one of those classics that are worth reading to your children. It gets your imagination flowing and stimulates the writing juices. H. G. Wells was a talented author with revolutionary ideas. The main character is very naïve and although brilliant, could be quite dumb at the same time. The futuristic world is very interesting to think of and he does a very good job of painting his very bleak imagining of the future. It is quite believable that his friends would not believe him, and yet I find it very curious as to why he decides to go back into the future after all that he saw.

I recommend this adapted version of The Time Machine to parents with young children who have good imaginations.

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- Robert Crais- L.A. Requiem

Robert Crais- L.A. Requiem (Ballantine Books 2000) 3.75 Stars

Private Investigator Joe Pike’s ex-girlfriend, Karen Garcia, has just turned up dead. Karen’s father, an important man on the city council, is calling on Pike and his partner Cole to work with the LAPD to find the killer. The pair suddenly finds themselves in a maze of conspiracy. This case could cost them more than just their jobs, or even their friendship, their lives are at stake.

This is a great thrill ride. L.A. Requiem has twists and turns that keep you guessing, and as a result it holds your attention. The storyline is very intriguing and I loved how it makes you wonder if you have the guilty party all figured out, only to discover that you only think you do. Joe Pike and Elvis Cole are both lovable characters. Pike is the dangerous, quiet sort, while Cole is the funny, quick-witted type. One thing I did find rather annoying is the flashbacks; I wish that Crais would find a different way of bringing these details into play, someway less distracting.

I would recommend L.A. Requiem to thriller/Robert Crais 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- Ralph Compton- The Goodnight Trail

Ralph Compton- The Goodnight Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1992) 4 Stars

Three former Texas Rangers band together with a good friend to round up thousands of cattle for a drive to Colorado. The trip will be a tough one involving run-ins with flooding rivers, Comanche, desert sands, and men who wish to take advantage of the group. The trip could either make them rich or dead.

The Goodnight Trail was a great western with very colourful characters that jump off the page. I love the tough skin of McCaleb, who seems like the most unlikely one to find a woman he can love, and yet he is the one who has a woman chasing after him. I of course love the time frame as it is a western. For the most part the action scenes were believable, although there are usually little bits that are not. I did enjoy the fact that it wasn’t the same villains all the way through; they changed with the parts of the country they were in, which is more realistic considering the amount of land they were covering in the cattle drive. The plot was well-put together and I enjoyed the execution.

I recommend The Goodnight Trail to anyone looking for a good western to read.

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- Louis L’Amour- Silver Canyon

Louis L’Amour- Silver Canyon (Bantam Books 1972) 4 Stars

Matt Brennan is a gun fighter whose gun is not for sale. When he discovers a man who lives alone on his ranch land and has two big operations wanting his land he decides to help the man out the only way that he knows how, with a gun. It all seemed so perfect except for the fact that the woman he loves is the daughter of an opposing ranch.

Silver Canyon is a great western with loads of action. I loved the main character, Matt Brennan, as he was the tough guy with a sense of right or wrong, and those who oppose him had better watch out. I did not feel that the rest of the characters were particularly strong. The storyline was fast-paced and action-filled, I enjoyed reading it. The plot could have been a little bit more filled out, but was pretty good for a western. I always love the old setting as it is my favourite time period.

I recommend Silver Canyon to anyone who loves a good western, or is a fan of Louis L’ Amour.

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- Judy Blume- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Judy Blume- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Yearling Books 1981) 4 Stars

Peter Hatcher is in the fourth grade and life is not going his way, at least not when his little brother Fudge is around, which is always. Two-year-old Fudge disrupts Peter’s life in every way, even ruining his homework project. Peter must do what he can to make life a little easier for everyone around Fudge, but a boy can only take so much.

I love this book. I remember reading it as a child. I have kind of read this series in a backwards order, but I am glad to have finally read this intro book. The characters are always great in Judy Blume’s books, and the storyline is usually good for a chuckle or two. It is interesting to see the kind of situations that Fudge can get the family into and just how Peter will save the day or his parents will make it up to him. A good read that all children should pick up.

I recommend this to all children.

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 Client

John Grisham- The Client (Island Books 1994) 4.75 Stars

Mark Sway was just an eleven-year-old boy taking his younger brother out for a smoke when they stumbled onto something that would change their lives forever. A mob lawyer reveals a secret Mark wishes he did not know; the location to a dead senator. Now Mark is a target of the mob as well as desperate FBI officials who want the information he holds. The only person between Mark and the two sides is his lawyer Reggie Love and they are about to find out that the two make a deadly duo.

The Client is a great novel, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The introduction was one that caught me up immediately. I couldn’t help but feel bad for the two boys, and still love the honourable actions of Mark Sway. Mark was a great character, smart, and tough, yet he still had his childlike tenderness. Reggie Love was another amazing character; full of a deep love for the children she calls her clients. The plot was twisting and turning making it so that you hated to put the book down. The setting was rich and well-painted for the reader. I seem to be forgetting my favourite part; it was a Grisham book without all the wordiness!

I recommend The Client to Grisham fans, thriller lovers, and people who enjoy books with young lead characters.

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- Phillip L. Davidson- Dreamer

Phillip L. Davidson- Dreamer (iUniverse 2009) 3 Stars

War between Britain and Argentina is inevitable and when an American officer and former Green Beret discovers his wife, Sunny, has been taken hostage by Argentine secret service (The Group) he vows to save her. God brings David’s former Green Beret members to him and they have a plan to rescue God’s servant from the hands of the enemy.

Dreamer is a bit of an odd book, but I guess when I read the back of the book I should have clued into that, sadly I didn’t. At parts it got a little too odd for my liking, but others may feel differently. Dreamer had a very good introductory section, it kind of caught your attention right away and made you want to keep reading, however I did begin to loose interest in parts mainly due to the fact that it jumped around between characters a lot in the first half of the book. The characters were very deep and well-crafted, which impressed me. The setting and storyline were also very well done. I would have rated the book a little bit higher if it had not been so weird in parts, it went from being religious to being a kind of sci-fi.

I would not slap my personal recommendation on Dreamer, but if you like the odd you may enjoy this one.

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 Patterson- Roses Are Red

James Patterson- Roses Are Red (Little, Brown and Company 2000) 3 Stars

Alex Cross has just broken with his fiancé and when she takes off he is left with his baby son. As if the breakup were not enough he is drawn into a tangled web of deception and betrayal. The Mastermind is robbing banks using pawns and then killing off the pawns as well as any others that he chooses to die. For him Cross is the perfect adversary.

This is actually the villain I have been waiting for having read a later book in the series before this one, even so it was not how I expected it. Roses Are Red has been my least favourite of the Cross series yet. There was way too much focus on his family life, about half of the book. Even though he broke up with his fiancé, he only mourned her for a short time and then he moved on to another woman rather quickly. The actual work involved in finding the Mastermind was not all that great, he would just suddenly know exactly where to look and pow! his hunch would only be half right. The ending however was great, a wonderful lead-in for the next book.

I do not recommend Roses Are Red to anyone.

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- Fred Grove- Man on a Horse

Fred Grove- Man On a Horse (Leisure Books 2000) 2.75 Stars

Captain Jesse Wilder had fought in the Army of Tennessee against the Union, before moving on down to Mexico to fight against Emperor Maximilian. Mexico cost him his wife and unborn child and all he wanted now was peace and quiet. He is offered a job as a scout for a suicide mission down into Mexico to rescue a governor’s daughter. He was going to refuse until he found out that his wife’s murderer was the leader of the bandits.

Man on a Horse was a rather slow book, it had its interesting sections, mainly the action scenes, but overall I found it difficult to get into. Jesse Wilder is the only character we really get to know and we don’t get to know him as well as I would have liked from a main character. The plot was a good one with a good storyline, theoretically anyway, the execution of it was not really there though. I also found it odd that the man’s whole reason for accepting the mission was to go after the killer of his wife, and yet we do not hear of it too much after the original mentioning of it.

I do not recommend Man on a Horse.

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
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/