Bower is GREAT again.
938373
The characters are fleshed out in ways Bower fans are accustomed to. The dialogue drives the story to a satisfying conclusion. A joy of a read!
1832394
The third volume of the Gentlemen Bastards finds the remaining Bastards still reeling from the conclusion of Red Seas Under Red Skies; indeed, as much as the first third of Thieves feels like nothing so much as the conclusion of the book before it. That being said, if all transition periods could be this gripping, involving, and charming, no one would mind them. But in the end, The Republic of Thieves is a very different book from its predecessors - it's a book in which the Bastards are working not on a heist, but on an election, and they're working against an old friend who knows all of their tricks as well as they do. As usual, Lynch cuts between his main story and a story of the Bastards in earlier years, when the troupe was forced to go work a grand scheme and assist a struggling players company. The throughline connecting the two stories? Locke's relationship with Sabetha, the love of his life whose specter has hung heavily over the first two novels in the series. For some, the fact that Lynch pushes the scheming to the background may be a demerit against the book; indeed, both stories are less interested in the tricks and deceptions employed, but in the characters and their relationship. For me, though, that was just another aspect of the book that I loved, as Lynch slows down for the first time in the series and explores what makes all of these people tick and lets them have a little fun. There's some definite stage-setting going on for later books, of course, and some glimpses into how all of the stories so far may be tying together more tightly than we've realized. But in general, this is a little lighter and looser than its predecessors, but it's no less charming, funny, engaging, and entertaining; if anything, it might be a little more so, just because we're finally getting the chance to watch this crew play instead of survive. I loved it every bit as much as the first two books in the series, and the instant book 4 is released, I'll be jumping right back in again without so much as a second thought.
4572149
Loved seeing the guys from Bleu Streak pop up again in this one, older and wiser (perhaps, although still up to their shenanigans). Interesting reading about a painfully shy character for a change, too. I fully expect to see the second generation of Bleu Streak in the future.
3457065
This is just as great as the previous two Benedictine novels.  Love love love these characters. Mr Buckner has a special way of screen's players, and always has an unexpected twist in the story. I highly recommend.
470036
Perhaps it is because it is the start of a spinoff trilogy but Independence felt more grounded than any of the previous books.  It also does not hurt that the story is not a slow build but takes off from the very first pages.  It was fun to see familiar faces brought back while also learning how the United Earth government and the rest of humanity faired after the war.  Proctor was my favorite character of the previous series. Being smart and strong-willed she matched very well with Captain Granger. Now that she stands alone it was interesting to see how the character had aged after 30 years . It was also fascinating to think that she was 40 years old and the previous series well in my minds eye I measure being closer to 30 -ish. That is one interesting aspect of this book and previous series in that the ages of any protagonist or antagonist never really comes into a factor. There are several new POV's  that do bring a younger perspective into the series which was quite enjoyable.
 Outside of the familiar aspects of space and fantasy there was something new to this book that the previous series lacked. In the previous series everything for the most part seemed to happen in space and mostly from the bridge, medical, fighter bay, or a fighter. All of that with a certain amount of detachment. For the start of this series many of the scenes happen in different places and the pacing is great.  There's also new characters that do not feel like fill ins or red shirts.
 Like many avid readers I do find some story plots and twist somewhat predictable, but it really did not matter with this story. There are many times in which I saw a death flag or a "this and this will eventually happen because they said this," moment. It was almost funny fact to see how the payoff for certain flag or moment would come.

 One thing is for sure I am certainly buying the original series and this series when I get some spare change . Until then I am thankful for my free month of Kindle Unlimited and I'm getting the most out of it.
2763387
I thought it refreshing to have the two protagonists speaking so honestly to each other so that the plot did not revolve around them keeping things from the other.  Also more physical implications than is normal for Heyer.  He is a rake (man of the town) and she knows what that means.  She is inexperienced but not coy or stupid with it.  At the first kiss he feels her 'quiver of response' in her body.  For Heyer that is as explicit as it gets.  But I like that.  Her plots are carried by the characters and the soft porn approach is not needed.  I prefer the tension created by not going into the bedroom.  It is all carried by the personalities of the characters.  This is as good as it gets.  Heyer is a much undervalued writer because her 'genre' is much despised by the literati.  I frankly think her one of the finest of English novelists.  Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte also wrote 'romances'.  Heyer equals their ability to create satirical caricatures.  Austen's were contemporary and Heyer's historical.  But I think Heyer's wit shines over both.  I read and reread when I need a mood lift.  She can be laugh out loud funny.  And there is plenty of that in Lady of Quality.
4256394
I have read all the Mike Bowditch mysteries and have never been disappointed. Paul Doiron holds your attention from page one to the last page.
484732
Sign of the Book has our author, John Dunning, hitting his stride again in the latest Cliff Janeway novel.  Although still not up to his earliest novels in this series, it is much better than Bookwoman's Last Fling.

In this book we have our hero helping an old "friend" of Erin's prove her innocence in the murder of her husband.  Again, the author gives us a good twist at the end, and this time it is believable.

The author is superb at "setting the scene" for the locals referenced in the book and he makes you feel like you are right there along with Janeway as he stumbles forward in his search for the truth.  The characters that Dunning creates are realistic and believable in their actions, unlike many authors that have their characters acting in ways that are not appropriate for them.

An example from this novel would be the actions of the judge in the small Colorado town of Paradise - a well thought our set of actions that closely resemble those actions that a small town judge would actually take.  His character Lenny, the deputy, also is well thought out and his actions certainly ring true.

This is an enjoyable book and I look forward to the next book in this interesting series.
3634913
The Anchor-Ferrers return to "The Turrets" for some peace and recovery time as patriarch Oliver has recently undergone heart surgery.  Having bravely kept the house on despite the horrific events of years ago, Oliver and Matilda hope that some quiet family time will help them all to heal their wounds and put some more of the unpleasant past firmly behind them.  The grisly murder of Lucia's ex boyfriend (along with his quickly acquired new girlfriend) on the grounds of the estate will never however be forgotten by Lucia or those that live in the surrounding village .  Lucia is older now, though her parents are very aware that the weight of their fragile daughter's loss is still present and considerable.  The killer did confess to his crimes shortly after the murders but the stain on the family history remains.

As the weary Anchor-Ferrers settle in to rediscover their cold and beautiful home,  two unwelcome visitors arrive to remind them that the past is never really that far behind. Their gorgeous home on the outskirts becomes a prison.

As with most Mo Hayder novels so far, WOLF has a few uneasy scenes that will test your reading mettle and perhaps give you pause to reconsider if you actually want to complete your read.  Hayder fortunately knows her audience well and reigns it back in where necessary from veering into farcical gore.

From the first chapter of WOLF you will find yourself having a second guess about who the bad guy is and this'll happen a few times throughout; always satisfying to those who like to be kept dangling until the end. Hayder's brave and mysterious Detective Inspector Jack Caffery has been through a  heck of a lot in the previous six Caffery novels and WOLF only adds to the load on his shoulders.  As Caffery  is investigating off the cuff here WOLF is less of a police procedural than previous series entries.  Regular Hayder readers will be pleased to know that the Walking Man plays an integral part in WOLF and the interactions between the two men continue to be fascinating.  Whilst not a closed room mystery by any means, the drama mostly being played out in the same house does heighten the intensity of the interplay between characters.

Jack Caffery has lives to save in WOLF and this growing 'ticking clock' awareness ramps up the tension on the home stretch. WOLF perhaps though does not play entirely fair with our expectations. The big reveal on reflection, yes, has been alluded to repeatedly throughout the book.  What may cause its dismissal though could be the belief that the hostage scenario was over thought and is unnecessary for what we (eventually) know of the killer's motives.

Punchy dialogue and violin strings tension effectively serves to seesaw the reader between hope and dismay as WOLF creeps to its horrifying, visceral climax .  After, a little wind down for Caffery fans who have been following his story since Hayder's bestselling debut novel, BIRDMAN.

Another clever read in one of the best British crime series still being written.

A.T.
1499319
As a long time Jury fan, this book definitely delivers. All my favorite characters are part of the story, the eccentric Melrose Plant and his his buddies from his village (every conversation between Jury and Plant is laugh out loud funny), Jury's friend Harry (who he still wants to arrest for murder and who plays devil's advocate more than once), the beautiful Carol-Anne, who helps out with fashion advice and turns the investigation in a totally unexpected direction, and of course Sergeant Wiggins, who while drinking tea with suspects brings up new leads. Plant also visits his old friends Ash the Flash and White Ellie and their kids, which helps solve part of the mystery.
The story is at times a little confusing because it involves two deaths from 20 years ago (a child and the wife of the man who asks Jury to investigate), the death of a woman who falls off a tower (and its references to the movie Vertigo, which made me wonder if I should watch it again to understand all the references), and the death of a man in an alley. Mixed in with that is the appearance of yet another dog and an investigation into dog fights and a shady dog adoption agency.
The dialogues between the characters are funny and perfectly executed, and the quirks of all the characters are so charming that you can't get enough of them and their interactions. I think this is one of the very few mystery series that make me laugh all the time, ever since the first book I picked up (which was The Anodyne Necklace). This book is in fact more like the earlier books in the series, which were more funny than later ones. I am glad that in this book there are no talking dogs or cats though, as I did not enjoy Mungo the dog from the last book that much.

Copy provided through NetGalley.
2188433
I really enjoyed Hour of the Wolf and have become a great fan of Hakan Nesser. His plotting is flawless, his characters are solid and you still get to feel that 'anticipation' that is too often missing in some crime books
2060704
Finn and Kayleigh was great and Ms. Bowers is an excellent writer!!! I like the way the story stayed on track and it made you think. Ms Bowers did a lot of research but the characters are fun and you must this novel!!
4887340
Good to see Jeffrey Archer back, The first book in the Clifton Cronicles was a great read and I am looking forward to the follow up book due out in 2015.

He sure knows how to spin a great story and this one kept me reading long into the night.
2830328
I can only agree with the reviewer who noted the ten-year time jump between the setting of the first novel (An Eye...) and this one.  Lots of material lost there, perhaps.

But, this is a notably better book than the first:  sharper in focus on both character and plot.  In addition, the secondary characters have more life to them and in this remind one in the best ways of the lesser figures in the Hornblower series.  Drinkwater, himself, is a broader fellow (undoubtedly because he is older), and in his maturity we see a maturing action and plot.  The second book is as much about character as  about the naval technicalities and detail that another reviewer so bemoaned.  This is all to the good, and the balance continues into the coming books.
3884495
I love Mrs. Pargeter and was thrilled when Simon Brett started, after a long absence, to write about her again.  He has brought her up to modern times - she emails and carries a cell phone - but her sensibilities and personality haven't changed a bit.  Her close crowd of her husband's past associates appear - no Mrs. Pargeter could be written without Truffler Mason - but Simon Brett has cleverly added new characters to this and the book last year, Mrs. Pargeter's Principle, who fit right in.  If the old Mrs. Pargeter appealed to you, you'll be quite comfortable with the new books.
3293974
I'm glad Coben has brought back Myron and Win and Esperanza. His last book was disappointing but this one struck exactly the right chords. All of the characters have developed since the last installment (nothing stays the same) but the same depth is there. And the sardonic narrator was spot on. I especially liked the Win chapters. It's always fun (and a little scary) to get into his head.
3892162
It was fun to return to the Rogue's World. I didn't pay that much attention to David in the Beverly book about his sister Susan, but here he makes a good hero, a really sensitive guy who cares about his beloved's happiness. Lucy Potter is intelligent, ambitious and pretty, but she comes across as a bit more self-centered than David. Of course that probably is due to their different positions in life. He's responsible for the survival of a lot of people, and she's trying to find a new purpose in life when her father remarries.
I can understand that people who have not read the previous Rogue books would feel a little lost by all the name-dropping. For those who have read and loved them, it's like revisiting with old friends, we get to see Nicholas and Eleanor, Maria and Van, Beth and Arden, and there are mentions of others. So to get the full benefit out of this book, I suggest you go back to the start and read "An Arranged Marriage" and "An Unwilling Bride" and go forward from there. Beverly always provides genuine and difficult real life conflicts for her H&h. In this book. the main conflict was perhaps a bit too easily resolved, and there was not a lot of adventure and action, except for one incident towards the end. Nevertheless, I am a faithful Jo Beverly reader, the quality of her writing is excellent.