Book Review- A Ralph Compton novel by Joseph A. West- Vengeance Rider

A Ralph Compton novel by Joseph A. West- Vengeance Rider (Signet 2004) 4 Stars

Buck Fletcher’s daughter is ill and in need of treatment. The cost of the treatment is $10,000 and he knows just how he is going to get this money. He plans to race his horse for a purse of $10,000, but suddenly his horse is stolen and one of his hand sis murdered. Now he must race against the clock as he tries to catch the killers/thieves before the race begins and his daughter’s last hope fades away. The thieves are deadly with their guns and Buck will rely on the help of some friends in order to succeed in his mission of vengeance, one dear friend includes Doc Holliday.

I enjoyed the introduction as it kind of throws the reader into the start of Buck Fletcher’s problem, but after the theft has been committed. I found it easy to get into this novel and loved the characters that we meet along the way (always love to hear about Doc Holliday). Joseph A. West did a great job of creating the characters and making them as real as possible. The plot was very well created and I loved the fact that Buck wasn’t doing any of it for himself, but for his daughter, although this is a little overused at times, but what isn’t nowadays? There was enough action to keep the reader into the novel, although at times it did feel like west was trying a little too hard to find reasons for action. I loved this book right up until the ending, and then I read the ending and I am still not sure how I feel about it. I will try to explain without ruining the book. It is a sad ending, certainly not what any reader really expected, which is a good thing to shoot for, but I also like to have a good feeling at the end of a book, and this shocking ending did not do that for me. You should read the book in order to make your judgement call 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- Ralph Cotton- Jackpot Ridge

Ralph Cotton- Jackpot Ridge (Signet 2003) 3.5 Stars

When Jack Bell won seven hundred dollars in a poker game he had no idea the events it would set in motion. The owner who lost the money wanted it back and so he sent his men after him to collect it. He did not count on his men dying and one returning back with a lie that will haunt Jack Bell and any of his friends who try to protect him. Delbert Hanks, the survivor, has been embarrassed and he wants revenge at any cost. He’s hunting Jack Bell and only one will be returning home.

I loved the introduction to this novel. It started off with action, but not quite on you would expect. This beginning scene comes with a mix of just enough background knowledge to help the reader know what is going on, and the rest we find out later. The characters in Jackpot Ridge were wonderfully created, easy for the reader to feel that they know them and it is easy to decide who you like or dislike. I did find that I was not always interested, but I did keep reading to find out what would be the end result. I also found that at times I was extremely frustrated with how spineless some of the citizens were that they would just cower in fear and let the events transpire. I would like to think that with how tough western pioneers had to be that they would have a little more backbone. I did enjoy the ending as it wasn’t quite what you would expect and it made me smile. That being said I am not sure how I feel about this western, so I encourage you to read it for yourself to make your own decision.

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

Book Review- Stuart Woods- Fresh Disasters

Stuart Woods- Fresh Disasters (Signet 2007) 3.25 Stars

When Herbie Fisher can’t pay the twenty-four thousand dollars that he owes the mafia, and they rough him up, he turns to Stone Barrington for assistance in suing the mafia. Barrington wants nothing to do with the case, but after having his arm twisted, he reluctantly agrees to be the lawyer who sues the mafia leader Carmine Datilla. Now Barrington must work to keep his client alive and will see the brutal underbelly of the city he loves.

The introduction was interesting and Barrington’s sarcasm made me chuckle. From that first impression I thought that I would love this book/series, sadly though this was not the case. The book was just alright to me. It had a good plot, with two storylines twisting together with great skill, Stone Barrington being the focal point of both. However as I got to know Barrington more I got to like him less, he is the kind of character that is shallow, self-centered, and not really caring about his client’s life. He also is a player who does not mind sleeping with every woman who flirts with him. I nearly gagged at how lame it was that every woman he came into contact with loved him and would sleep with him for no reason at all. From reading this novel I must wonder if Woods thinks women are so shallow as to fall for this sex-crazed player. I would like to think that women are much smarter than this. Rant over. It was a good book plot-wise, but when you don’t like the characters in a book it is hard to enjoy it. As a result of this I must say that I do not recommend the Stone Barrington series.

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- William W. Johnstone- Trek of the Mountain Man

William W. Johnstone- Trek of the Mountain Man (Pinnacle Books 2002) 3.5 Stars

When Bill Pike discovered the wanted poster for Smoke Jensen, offering ten thousand dollars, he thought that he had struck it rich. Getting together a gang of ruthless men he came for Smoke Jensen, only he wasn’t home. Instead they stole his wife and killed two of his hands. When word of this reaches Jensen he goes after this gang. This takes him back into the mountains that he knows well, and he aims to not let even one of them survive his wrath.

The introductory pages in this western did not grab me like Johnstone’s have in the past, but it did make me wonder what was going to happen as a result, so I kept reading. It did improve true to Johnstone’s style. I was not disappointed in reading this as I got the action I love from westerns. The great thing about Johnstone is that his books have great characters that you get to know and love throughout this series. The reader cannot possibly help but laugh at some of things they say to each other. The plot is not overly deep, but not too bad for something so short.

I recommend Trek of the Mountain Man to western readers and Johnstone 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- Ted Dekker- BoneMan’s Daughters

Ted Dekker- BoneMan’s Daughters (Hachette 2010) 4 Stars

A killer is on the loose and they call him BoneMan. He has captured and killed six girls, and now he has taken another victim after years of silence. He thinks of himself as a father to the girls he kidnaps, and when they do not behave the way that he thinks that they should he kills them by breaking their bones, never damaging the skin. Ryan Evans has just come back from Iraq and his dangerous capture there has changed him, now he wants back into his wife and daughter’s lives, but they want nothing to do with him. When his daughter is taken by BoneMan, he becomes the only suspect in the case. Now the FBI is hunting him while he is hunting BoneMan. Which father will survive?

The introduction for this book was alright, not thrilling, but enough to keep me reading until it picked up, which did not take long. I was beginning to wonder exactly what the beginning had to do with the story, but again it did not take long to start connecting the dots in my head to figure out just how they would be connected. The family situation was a little frustrating, but I could see where each of them were coming from as there would have been a lot of tension and bitterness from the way that they left off last time that they saw Ryan Evans. Their reactions toward him seemed realistic and I like it when books seem realistic. I loved how this novel kept me on the edge of my seat never knowing just what was coming up next. You just knew that the book shad to end the way that it did, but Dekker still managed to throw in some very good twists to surprise the reader. Thankfully this was not only the case with the ending; it was also the case throughout the whole book. Dekker has another great thriller under his belt.

I recommend BoneMan’s Daughters to thriller lovers.

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- The Unmasking of ‘Ksan

Eric Wilson- The Unmasking of ‘Ksan (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

When a famous and valuable mask is stolen from Dawn, her people are devastated. The mask is an integral part of there people’s history, making the theft a personal slight against her people. Dawn is being blamed for the theft and she is turning to the one friend who seems to be standing by her side, Graham. Together they must dig for clues and go up against the criminals responsible. Taking place in the mountains of British Columbia there are many places to hide and even more to investigate.

I found this novel to be a refreshing breather from Wilson’s Tom and Liz Austen series. It was nice to see that he can write about someone other than his main two characters. I love British Columbia as it is where I was born. As a result I loved the setting of this novel and found it interesting to learn about the culture of this Native American group. I also enjoyed learning about Graham as he is new to Eric Wilson novels. The plot was an interesting one, although the amount of teaching once again kind of slowed things down. The ending was fairly good and even a little surprising, although most of it I had seen coming, still he did throw in a twist that I did not expect.

I recommend The Unmasking of ‘Ksan to kids who fall into that middle reader group.

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

ww.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Max Brand- The Smiling Desperado

Max Brand- The Smiling Desperado (Warner 1974) 3.5 Stars

Bill Lancaster was a dangerous man that no one dared mess with. He was fast with a gun, deadly with his fists, and a bully who never let you forget who was tougher. Young Dan Cadigan however refused to be pushed. Mistaken for a quiet weakling, no one expected him to stand up to Bill Lancaster. Fighting him with his fists he made Lancaster realize that someone was tougher than he was. Desperate he used his gun on Cadigan while they were fighting. Now Cadigan wants to teach Lancaster a lesson and he intended to use what he had just discovered, that he did not know fear. Danger made a smile touch his lips.

I used to read Max Brand’s novels years ago and found that I could still enjoy his writing. For such a short book I was surprised at the depth of the characters, as I was kind of expecting them to be weak. The plot was not overly deep, but it was enough to make the story interesting and keep me reading. Max Brand started this one off in an interesting way. He started with a scene from Cadigan’s childhood, which was a different way of beginning a book, and kind of drew me in. The ending of The Smiling Desperado was alright, not great, but not terrible, just average. I of course loved the setting as it still gets my imagination going to think of the old western era, but I will not bore you with carrying on with that line of thought.

I recommend The Smiling Desperado to western readers of all ages.

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

Book Review- Roald Dahl- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Puffin Books 1997) 4.5 Stars

When the Golden Ticket contest was announced Charlie Bucket, a poor boy whose family is barely surviving, does not think that he stands a chance in the world of winning. Much to his shock and amazement he finds money on the ground, after buying chocolate bars he discovers that he has found a Golden Ticket. Now he shall get to see inside Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Little does he know the crazy wonderment he will find inside!

I loved this timeless classic growing up and I have enjoyed it immensely as an adult now too. Charlie is a wonderful character with a lot for children to learn from, and Willy Wonka is so crazy that children have to love him. The storyline is simple and fun, drawing kids into the crazy world of imagination and wonder. What child doesn’t want to go inside a chocolate factory, let alone one so amazing? This book is a lot of fun, if any child has not read this they should definitely pick it up. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a very well written book from a very talented author. I have heard many a child say that they love Roald Dahl and his books.

I would like to wish all of my readers a happy Easter.

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- Stieg Larsson- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Stieg Larsson- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Penguin Books 2008) 3 Stars

Mikael Blomkvist, a once famous journalist, has just been sentenced to one month in prison when an enemy sets him up. Now Henrik Vanger would like to hire him to look into the disappearance of his younger sister Harriet Vanger, who has been missing for forty years. Henrik suspects that a member of his family is guilty and he wants Mikael to find out who is responsible. As Mikael digs he turns up evidence that had been overlooked in the original investigation and he must bring in someone else, Lisbeth Salander. Working as a team they face danger and dig deep for evidence that will crack this case wide open.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo came highly recommended, so I picked this up with high hopes. Sadly I found it extremely boring for a few hundred pages, I was told to press on for it got much better, and they were right, it did, more on that later. I found the author to be very wordy and was dismayed by all the extra information that could have been summed up in a couple of paragraphs rather than a couple of pages. I feel that this book could have been cut down from being over eight hundred pages to about four-five hundred. This would have made it much more exciting and it may have gripped me more. Instead I ended up with 350 pages of bore, 300 of interesting enough to keep me reading, and about 200 pages of gripping. The gripping section was really good and the only thing that saved this book, although it was way too short and I fear that many will not make it through to that section awake. I know there are many who enjoy this book, but alas I am not one of them. I guess you will just have to read it yourself and make your own judgement.

I would like to wish all of my readers a great Good Friday.

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