Book Review- Paul West- First Cause

Paul West- First Cause (2009) 1.5 Stars

Explosions rock the globe in spring 2008. A week later threats are issued to governments around the world and they must prepare for what is to come.

The introduction to this book was really good, I was settling in for a good read, but sadly wound up disappointed. It switched from past to present and was kind of hard to follow at times. It also contained a lot of fluff/useless information that slowed things down. The plot was okay, but I felt like it was missing something, maybe some action, or at least some kind of intensity booster. The ending was really good, but was left set up for a sequel. It did have a good underlying theme/message. The characters were also decent, but could have used a little work. It went back and forth from a variety of characters which was kind of distracting; it would have been better from one or two perspectives. Overall I did not see much of a point to this book. It kind of lacked a flow. I wish I could recommend this book, but I can’t.

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- Allan Folsom- The Hadrian Memorandum

Allan Folsom- The Hadrian Memorandum (Tor Books 2010) 4.5 Stars

Sent to a small African country in the midst of rebellion and massacres, Nicholas Marten must meet with a priest who has photos that could anger some very rich and prominent people. He has been sent in secretly by the President of the United States, John Henry Harris. The president wants to know what is going on there, and wants the killing stopped, but the people behind it don’t want the photos found and will stop at nothing to see that they end up on top.

This book took a little more to get into, but was quite fast-paced in many parts, including the whole last half. The introduction gets the reader right into the middle of things and makes the reader curious about what is going to happen. The plot was really good; action packed and full of twists and turns. It was kind of predictable at parts, but not so much so that you weren’t surprised at least in part. The characters once again were good, fairly strong with some background information included. The setting was interesting as it was always changing as they raced around the globe, running for their lives. I look forward to seeing what else this author will come up with in the future.

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- Sidney Sheldon- The Naked Face

Sidney Sheldon- The Naked Face (ebook 1970) 2.75 Stars

Dr. Judd Stevens, a psychiatrist, is comfortable with his practice and never would have imagined that one of his patients would be killed after borrowing his coat. Now the police are blaming him for the death and he must find a way to prove his innocence until it is too late. Things are heating up all around him and danger lurks around every corner.

I loved the introduction for this book. It grabbed my attention right away and made me think that this was going to be a great book, only to leave me disappointed. It held your interest somewhat, but really lacked that certain something that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was also weighed down by a lot of useless information, like the number of patient sessions included (they could have been summarised to move things along). I was impressed by the obvious research of psychology. I really was not sure if McGreavy would have been allowed to remain on the case, considering his history/grudge against Stevens (the author did cover this). The cops seemed to use the fact that Stevens would not give his patient information to them as an excuse for suspecting him, which is not realistic as everybody knows that doctors cannot give out that kind of information. That being said though, the plot was pretty good, but I felt like more could have been done with it, especially making better twists. The characters were decent, but could have used a little strengthening. The conclusion was really not great, kind of like a cheesy movie scene (if you read any part of this book, read that, it will give you a good laugh).

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- Tatiana De Rosnay- Sarah’s Key

Tatiana De Rosnay- Sarah’s Key (St. Martin’s Press 2007) 3.5 Stars

Sarah is a ten-year-old Jewish girl, living in Paris, France during the roundup of July 1942. French police are gathering up the Jews and Sarah looks to protect her brother by hiding him in a secret cupboard, keeping the only key for herself. Intending to return after she is released, she has no idea that it might take longer than she thinks.

Julia Jarmond is an American journalist living in Paris sixty years later. She is looking into the roundup for an article she is writing and has come upon Sarah’s story, which may have ties to her own family.

This book was quite intriguing, although at times it got hard to follow as it switched between the two people’s stories. It was interesting to see the roundup from a child’s perspective, although still a sad thing to read about. It was a touching story, and interesting to see how Julia is able to dig up information. The plot was good, but certainly could have used a little tweaking in some parts. The characters were really well done; it certainly added depth to the story. I did find that at times this novel was kind of slow, and was dragged down with too much useless information about the setting. Overall it was a decent read if you are into historical fiction.

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- J.M. Thompson and Fred Bean- Tombstone

J.M. Thompson and Fred Bean- Tombstone (Signet Books 2001) 3 Stars

We all know the story of Wyatt Earp and the OK Corral. This novel covers the fight, as well as the events following the historic battle. Leo LeMat wishes to paint a portrait of Wyatt Earp and he intends to keep Wyatt alive long enough to finish his work, even if it means he has to get his hands dirty in a fight that is not his.

I love this time in history, I especially love the story of Wyatt Earp; he is by far my favourite of the big western names. The introduction was good; it starts out minutes before the fight at the OK Corral and then covers the actual fight. It was interesting to see this from someone else’s perspective, as usually it is from Wyatt’s perspective, or it focuses mainly on him. The characters were really well done; at times a little too much focus was done on character work, as it slowed things down. I did find it hard to get into the book at times; it had just enough to keep me reading, and nothing more. The plot was good, but it contained few surprises as he had to stick to the historical points. Overall I thought it was a decent read, but not one I would pick up again.

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- Andrew Grant- Die Twice

Andrew Grant- Die Twice (St. Martin’s Press 2010) 3.25 Stars

David Trevellyan finds himself brought to Chicago by the British Consulate. He must locate and hunt down a man who has gotten his hands on a deadly toxin and intends to sell it to the highest bidder. This may sound easy, but right from the beginning things start to go haywire. Many lives are at stake, including his own, but that doesn’t faze him as he hunts down his target and tries to take the toxin from the wrong hands.

The introduction for this book was decent, if you eliminate the first page. It grabs your attention and makes you want to read on. The plot was a good one, with lots of twists and turns. It was pretty predictable, especially the main big twist at the end, which I saw coming from the first couple of chapters. I was kind of annoyed by the tidbits of useless information that took up a page at a time at many points throughout the book; they slowed down the intensity and left me wondering why they were included. I also was annoyed by the fact that Grant at several points that should have been action packed, left me wondering why they were cut. He would lead you on so that you ended up on the edge of your seat and then end the chapter and just leave it off at you finding out that the situation was handled, but you did not get to see how he handled it. The characters though were a redeeming factor for this book. They were very well done and showed that this author does have some skill.

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- Allan Folsom- The Machiavelli Covenant

Allan Folsom- The Machiavelli Covenant (Forge Books 2008) 5 Stars

Three lives going about their separate ways, all having run-ins with a mysterious secret society with powerful ties, are about to collide in desperate times. Nicholas Marten, who is hiding from his former employer, the LAPD, has just watched his ex-girlfriend die under puzzling circumstances. Now he is searching for the truth, no matter what the cost. President of the United States John Henry Harris has just found out that his own cabinet has been using him for their own agenda, and has decided to take off running in an attempt to bring to the public’s eye, this mysterious secret society. Demi Picard, a photojournalist who lost her mother when she was just a child, but wants to know the truth behind her disappearance. They must stop this society before they carry out a plan that will cost many their lives.

I loved this book. If I could say just one thing about it, it would have to be, intense. It was very fast-paced and action filled. My attention was snatched up on page one and I could not put this novel down. This was my first book by this author and I will certainly be reading more. The plot was well done, twisting and turning in every direction, so that you never knew what was going to happen next. The setting was also well chosen and assisted the plot wonderfully. The book jumped from character to character, which in some cases is annoying and confusing, but in this novel, it was done with expert precision, and added to the intensity of the novel. I loved the characters, they were done really well. I wish I had more negative things to say about the book, as I like a balanced review, but I honestly cannot think of one negative thing to say about it. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good thrill ride.

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/