Book Review- Jeffery Deaver- The Vanished Man

Jeffery Deaver- The Vanished Man (Pocket Books 2004) 4.25 Stars

Police consultant Lincoln Rhyme and his police contact Amelia Sachs are called in to assist in the investigation of an illusionist who is committing murders and vanishing before the eyes of witnesses. Each victim is posed in a different illusionist’s trick. Just when they think they have the killer figured out, everything changes. The pair must unravel the illusionist’s tricks in order to find out the true meaning behind each piece of evidence. Can they trust anything or anyone? Can they solve the case before the killer succeeds in his master plan?

Jeffery Deaver has outdone himself with The Vanished Man. The villain is a brilliant illusionist who makes the case a very interesting one. There are so many twists that you are just never sure what is what, at times there appear to be almost too many twists. The investigative details are really well done and you can tell that Deaver did his research. I loved the characters in this one, including the villain. They were all very well put together and I even felt that I got to know the villain, although in the end I discovered that I really did not, which worked well into the book. I did find that Lincoln Rhyme figured out some of the details out of the blue, I would have liked to see a little bit more reasoning behind why he came to these conclusions, and how he figured things out, the explanations given at times seemed a little bit flaky. Overall I was very impressed and enjoyed reading this book, making it a difficult one to put down.

I recommend The Vanished Man to anyone who loves thrillers, mysteries, and Deaver novels.

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- James Patterson- Four Blind Mice

James Patterson- Four Blind Mice (Warner Books 2003) 3.25 Stars

Alex Cross has decided to leave the police force, but he is presented with one last case that he simply can’t resist. When John Sampson, his partner, finds out that a good friend of his has been framed for murder and is now on death row, he pulls Alex Cross in to save his friend. The United States Army wants the case to be done and over with, but Cross and Sampson don’t intend to let it drop. Three killers will stop at nothing to succeed at their mission, to kill anyone their controller commands them to. Cross and Sampson just happen to be in the way, can they solve the case before it costs them their lives?

At first Four Blind Mice stuck to the case and I was impressed by it, but then I got to a long section of Alex Cross and his new girlfriend Jamilla. This time Patterson even got into Sampson personal life; don’t get me wrong I enjoyed seeing Sampson finally find someone I just wish that Patterson could learn to focus more on the case at hand. I was happy to learn a little bit more about Cross and Sampson’s pasts, as it gave each of them a little bit more depth. The actual case in Four Blind Mice was a good one, as it contained some nail-biting scenes and some good action sequences. I was impressed to see Sampson taking a lead role in this particular case. He seemed to do a pretty good job at it. The plot was quite impressive, minus the personal dating/sex sections (long sections that distracted you from the mystery of the case), it was very detailed and included a few good twists. Some of the details in the book seemed a little too pat for me though, they just kind of fell into place and suddenly everything just clicked for Cross. I was looking for something a little bit more and was kind of disappointed.

I would recommend Four Blind Mice only to people who are fans of James Patterson.

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- Louis L’Amour- Callaghen

Louis L’Amour- Callaghen (Bantam Books 1972) 3.5 Stars

Callaghen is an Irish veteran of twenty years. He has seen it all, but now he must face a gold-hungry enemy. A group of men who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a tunnel filled with gold. Legend has it that the gold is located near where they are posted and they intend to find out if it is true. Callaghen just happens to be in the way and he does not intend to go down without a fight.

Only a true writer could make the desert sound so beautiful. Louis L’Amour definitely does that. He makes the endless sand sound wonderful. I did find that the characters were lacking depth in this book, even with Callaghen, the main character, the reader does not find out a lot about him. The plot was quite well done though, as well as the actual storyline. Although I felt that some parts were a little bit pointless, these scenes did manage to keep the book flowing. The ending was good, although predictable, I would have liked to see a little bit more from such a talented western writer.

I recommend Callaghen to western readers and Louis L’Amour 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- Eric Wilson- Code Red at the Supermall

Eric Wilson- Code Red at the Supermall (Collins Publishers 1994) 3.5 Stars

When a bomber strikes at the West Edmonton Mall the Austen family is on the case. In search of the bomber they come across events that draw them into the mall’s various sections, making friends with many of the employees, and also making enemies. They must also find the culprit of a racial destruction of a store, which will make them a wonderful ally who can show them the mall, but will also make them a deadly enemy who seems willing to stop at nothing to end their investigation.

Having been to the West Edmonton Mall I was impressed by all that Eric Wilson managed to include in his novel. The investigation took them from one part of the mall to the opposite end. It involved many of the biggest attractions which I have no doubt would interest readers. The characters were very interesting and well-put-together. It was interesting to see how the different personalities clashed. The plot was intriguing although I may have included a little bit more for the storyline. I wish I had more to say about this great children’s novel, but words seem to be escaping me.

I recommend Code Red at the Supermall to young readers of mystery.

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- John Grisham- The Partner

John Grisham- The Partner (Island Books 1998) 3.5 Stars

After stealing ninety million dollars from his law firm Patrick Lanigan has been running for four years. He has been traveling around the world hiding from those who wish to hunt him down and get their money back. In Brazil they finally track him down. Now he is being hauled back to the States to face the trial of a lifetime. His lawyer is trying to come up with a defence, but he gets the feeling that he is not being presented with all the facts. Meanwhile Patrick’s lover and partner in crime, is working to set him free. Only one thing can possibly keep him from jail…the truth.

John Grisham has done a great job with this one. The Partner keeps you guessing all the way through, you never know all of the facts until the very last page. The reader finds out the facts as Lanigan’s lawyer finds them out, each and every detail is a shocker. You cannot possibly guess all of the twists involved in this novel. The characters in this novel are well-done, although I would have liked a little bit more depth. The plot was very intriguing and it was interesting to see how Lanigan could twist the system to work for his needs. I loved the introduction as it set the stage for everything in your mind. It grabbed your attention and made you want to know more, so you read on and you don’t want to stop. There is so much information and so many details to watch for that you need to pay attention while reading it. As much as I loved this book, I had one major complaint, the ending! The end of the book was disappointing, all that build up for that! I am still glad I read it though.

I recommend The Partner to Grisham fans and those who enjoy lawyer dramas.

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- Tess Gerritsen- Bloodstream

Tess Gerritsen- Bloodstream (Pocket Books 1999) 3.25 Stars

Dr. Claire Elliot is trying to move beyond her families past. Moving to Tranquility, Maine was supposed to solve her problems; little did she know the sorrow that was lurking in Locust Lake, Tranquility’s tourist attraction. As teenagers start acting out in rage, one disaster after another hits Tranquility. She soon discovers that this has happened before, with much the same weather conditions. Now she must search for answers in a town where things stay hidden. Her search will end with answers that shock her; a conspiracy much deeper than she could have ever imagined.

I found Bloodstream hard to get into, and I am not exactly sure why. The plot and storyline were great, very deep and intriguing, and yet there was something that just did not grab my attention. The characters were wonderfully crafted, and some of them were very deep, with secrets that you found out about at just the right times. The setting was also very well done, Gerritsen paints a wonderful picture. The prologue was one that should have caught my eye right away, but again I say it did not. The ending was great, unexpected and not in the least bit predictable, except for the fact that you knew Dr. Elliot had to make the discovery. The rating that I gave it was based on the fact that I just couldn’t get into it, others may find themselves drawn in, aside form that factor I would have given it a higher rating.

I recommend that readers of suspense/thriller at least check out Bloodstream to form their own opinions on the matter.

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- Dusty Richards- Servant of the Law

Dusty Richards- Servant of the Law (St. Martin’s Press 2000) 3 Stars

Bobby Budd fled Colorado after murdering a man who was beating his mother. Now he is a killer for hire, taking payments from ranchers to rid them of rustlers. Now he is known as the Coyote Kid. Things take a turn for the worse when he kills an innocent boy and Territorial Marshal John Michaels is sent to hunt him down, joined by the deceased child’s mother. Michaels wants to bring the Coyote Kid in to meet justice, and she wants to deliver justice at the end of a gun.

I found Servant of the Law to be a fast-paced, action-packed novel. Guns were blasting away at every turn. I did not find though that I could connect with any of the characters in this book, none of them were given a lot of depth. I had been confused most of the book about this book’s timeline, only to discover three-quarters of the way through that most of the book had been flashback that was building up to the present. When the author switched to these flashbacks there was no indication that it was happening, I would have liked to have known that much earlier so that I could follow what was going on. The plot was not bad though, if it had been written differently it would have made a great novel rather than an average novel. The ending was decent, not exactly unpredictable, but not bad.

I would not slap my personal recommendation on this one.

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- Don Pendleton- The Executioner: Death Warrant

First off I would like to wish everyone a good Rememberance Day, or Veterans Day to all of my American friends. A moment of silence is in order for all those who gave us our freedom.

Don Pendleton- The Executioner: Death Warrant (Worldwide Library 1994) 2.25 Stars

After a DEA operation goes wrong and they are ambushed, many are left dead. Rocha, the merciless drug lord does not care who dies as long as he gets what he wants, power. Mack Bolan has been given the task of finding out who the informant was and discovers a plot for Rocha to join forces with an even more ruthless enemy. He knows that it must be stopped. Now he is off to Green Hell to put an end to this mess once and for all.

I do not usually read this type of novel and now I know why. Death Warrant was exactly as I expected it, a book with very little plot. Basically Mack Bolan has no depth to his character, he just comes in shoots everyone to pieces and somehow finds out all the details he needs to rush into the next scene and repeat the process. Somewhere in the mess is a beautiful woman who is willing to sleep with any and all. A total guy book, which I do not tend to enjoy; books need plot, depth of character, and something other than women/death to draw my attention in. I think that if maybe the killing sprees were spread out more and diluted with more plot/page counts it might have been more believable/enjoyable to read about. As it was though Mack Bolan’s missions go a little bit too smoothly, and he never once gets injured in these amazing shootouts with machine guns.

I do not recommend Death Warrant.

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- Tony Earley- The Blue Star

Tony Earley- The Blue Star (Little, Brown and Company 2009) 4 Stars

Jim Glass is learning what it is like to grow up. He has found a girl that he loves with just one problem, she has a fiancé overseas. Jim must now learn what it is like to not have what he wants most, to be just friends with the girl of his dreams. With World War II just starting he must consider doing his duty and signing up. Meanwhile his best friend seems to have problems of his own and Jim must try to keep him from getting himself killed.

I was surprised to find myself enjoying The Blue Star as it is not my usual reading. Tony Early writes a captivating tale of Jim Glass and his adventures while he is learning to grow up. The storyline is slow moving and yet it still managed to hold my attention all the way through. The characters were amazingly real; it was like they all jumped off of every page. It was a fairly serious book, but I still found myself laughing at some of the situations Jim and his best friend, Dennis Deane, found themselves in. It was also interesting to see the cultural differences between their time period and ours. As for plot there was not a lot going on plot-wise, but I do not believe that it really needed a lot. The book read more like a campfire tale that your grandparents would tell you.

I recommend The Blue Star to anyone looking for a beautiful tale of times past.

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- Gordon Korman- On The Run: The Fugitive Factor

Gordon Korman- On The Run: The Fugitive Factor (Scholastic Inc. 2005) 3.5 Stars

Aiden and Meg Falconer have lost their parents to the FBI. The charges that took their parents are wrong and these two must find the evidence to prove what no one else seems willing to believe. Breaking laws across the states they fight to stay out of the grasps of the law. Meanwhile Hairless Joe, a hit man, is trying to hunt them down and end their search for the truth.

Being the second book in a series, it took me a bit to figure out what was going on. The storyline though is very interesting and if I could get my hands on the rest of the series I would. Meg and Aiden are great characters who have one goal in mind, to free their parents. This noble cause gets them into some very odd and fun situations, I enjoyed seeing them squeeze out of tough situations and I think that kids would love it. The ending kind of sucked though, as it left you needing to read the next book to find out what happened. This is one major complaint in reading a series, when all the books only make sense when you read the other books, it can be difficult to find the whole series, so getting into it may prove a challenge.

I recommend this series to young kids.

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- Jeffery Deaver- Death of a Blue Movie Star

Jeffery Deaver- Death of a Blue Movie Star (Bantam Books 2000) 3.25 Stars

Rune almost gets blown up as a bomb destroys a porn theatre that she was walking by. Now she wants to make a film about it through the eyes of porn star Shelly Lowe. When a second bomb kills her star it leaves her questioning the true motives behind the bombings. Her investigation into the truth could be a lot more than she signed up for, as someone tries to put a stop to her hunt for the truth and her film. Can Rune find the answers before the truth destroys her?

I did not find Death of a Blue Movie Star to be as good as the last Rune book I read, although I still enjoyed it. Rune is a very interesting character as she is so different from your usual book characters. Her curiosity always seems to lead her into tough jams that make for good storylines and different kinds of investigations that you don’t see in your typical mystery novel. I did find myself wishing that the plot would pick up the pace a little bit and maybe have a little bit more depth to the case than what there was. The ending came as a bit of a surprise, although I was looking for something more shocking, with a little more ‘wow!’ to it.

As you can see I kind of have mixed feelings about this one so I won’t say recommend or not recommend, you can read the review and make up your own minds.

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 James Glider- Golden Conspiracy

Robert James Glider- Golden Conspiracy (Book Surge 2009) 3.5 Stars

Jacsen Kidd is searching for the location of Spanish gold that has been missing for centuries. However, knowledge of his quest is not as secret as he may believe. Death seems to follow him wherever he goes and he must figure out who is trying to use him to find his gold. Treasure hunting is a dangerous game, a game Jacsen Kidd loves to play.

I do not usually read adventure type books, so this was an interesting choice for me. Golden Conspiracy reminds me of an Indiana Jones style of book. Although it got off to a really slow start with a lot of background knowledge and very interesting facts, it did pick up about a quarter of the way in. I enjoyed learning all the little fun facts, but would have liked to see it grab my attention a little bit sooner. Once the storyline picked up in its pace it was a lot more enjoyable to read, as a lot seemed to be happening and yet it was still easy enough to follow. Jacsen Kidd and his fellow explorer Pericles Schmoond are both great characters, which I loved reading about. I was a little bit annoyed at the last few dates given in the book, as in two cases they were still in 2010 when they were supposed to be in 2011, and in the third the date went back ten days from what it had previously been, but it wasn’t supposed to go back as the storyline kept going. I was also annoyed at how many quotation marks were missing around people’s speech. I counted dozens of occurrences. That being said, I would be interested in seeing what kind of movie they could make out of this book. I would also be curious to see what Robert Glider could come up with in the next book.

I recommend Golden Conspiracy to people who love adventure books.

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

Tony Peters

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

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

James David Jordan- Double Cross

James David Jordan- Double Cross (B&H Publishing 2009) 3.25 Stars

Taylor Pasbury is looking into the death of Elise, the assistant to the famous televangelist Simon Mason. The evidence seems to point towards suicide and embezzlement of church funds, but Taylor doesn’t think it has been looked into enough, something isn’t right. Suddenly bullets start flying and Taylor appears to be the target. At the same time her estranged mother appears and wants to be back in her life, can Taylor deal with the case and the emotional rollercoaster her mother is sure to put her through?

Double Cross starts off really slow, but picks up as it goes on. I wouldn’t call it gripping, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading. The case was different from most cases you see in mysteries, which was good to see as the same-old-same-old can get boring. Taylor Pasbury is a great character with an unusual depth. She has a tough exterior and a gentle, sensitive inside. The plot was good, but I would have liked to have seen the storyline carry on at a faster pace, keeping the reader in suspense is very important. I loved the ending as I wasn’t sure just how it was going to play out, so it came as a bit of a surprise. The setting was nicely painted so that I could actually picture it in my head. Overall Double Cross was well-written and I would be interested in seeing what else James David Jordan can come up with.

I recommend Double Cross to mystery 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