Heat Lightning by John Sandford

I enjoyed this book a lot. Virgil Flowers is a casual detective in Minnesota. A group of Vietnamese come to pay revenge on Nam vets.

Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell

An author to watch. To graphic for my tastes but the crude style was engaging. I enjoyed this book. Guy in the witness protection program becomes a doctor and one of his patients recognizes him.

Metzger's Dog by Thomas Perry

Funny, engaging characters and clever plot. Took a while to warm to it, but then I was hooked. Featuring a new Introduction by bestselling author Carl Hiaasen.When Leroy “Chinese” Gordon breaks into a professor’s lab at the University of Los Angeles, he’s after some pharmaceutical cocaine, worth plenty of money. Instead, he finds the papers the professor has compiled for the CIA, which include a blueprint for throwing a large city into chaos. But how is the CIA to be persuaded to pay a suitable ransom, unless of course someone actually uses the plan to throw a large city into chaos—Los Angeles, for instance? Assigned to cope with the crisis and restore the peace, veteran agent Ben Porterfield steps onto the scene to remind us that the CIA’s middle name is, after all, Intelligence. Enlivening the mix are Gordon’s beautiful girlfriend, Margaret, his temperamental cat, Dr. Henry Metzger, and Metzger’s friend, an enormous half-wild dog with huge teeth.

The Danger by Dick Francis

Solid Fancis. Second time reading and still fun. Advisor to kidnap families helps them navigate demands.

Silence by Thomas Perry

Long, disjointed but enjoyable. Six years ago, Jack Till helped Wendy Harper disappear. But now her ex boyfriend and former business partner, Eric Fuller, is being framed for her presumed murder in an effort to smoke her out.

Final Seconds by John Lutz and David August

Story tellers but not writers the authors put together an interesting mystery. After Will Harper, a bomb-squad officer for the NYPD, is injured in the field, he retires early. But when his former partner is blown up, along with a paranoid best-selling author and his Florida estate, Harper's idle days are over.

The Black Ice by Michael Connelly

Another enjoyable Harry Bosch mystery. Pretty far fetched plot but still was a ride. Narcotics officer Cal Moore's orders were to look into the city's latest drug killing. Instead, he ends up in a motel room with his head in several pieces and a suicide note stuffed in his back pocket.

Chosen Prey by John Sandford

Re-read September 2014. Based on the comment below, I wonder if this was the first John Sandford book I read. Since then I've read at least 20 others and what a source of pleasure. This, book 12 (out of a current 24), is where Lucas and Weather heat up.

Original comment from November 2009:
Enjoyed this book, I would read the author again. Cops looking for a fashionable serial killer in Minneapolis.

Mind Scrambler by Chris Grabenstein

This may be the best of the 3 or 4 Grabenstein's John Ceepak series I've read. They're all pretty similar and the tone is upbeat and light humored. Easy light read/listen.

Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen

Good but not epic Hiaasen. My last of his novel's, this was somewhere in the middle. No Skink (Clinton Tyree) and belly laughs, but consistent good humor and story.

The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans

Interesting inside Hollywood autobiography of Robert Evans.

Up Till Now by William Shatner and David Fisher

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It's an autobiography of William Shatner and it was a light fun read.

9 Dragons by Michael Connelly

I enjoyed this book. Bosch was Bosch and that was good. The normally entertaining Elanore Wish was one dimensional and annoying - waste of a good character. One of the things I like most about Connelly books is the LA backdrop and the trip outside the US was not as interesting as the inside skinny on LA.

Pursuit Of Honor by Vince Flynn

Standard fare for Vince Flynn. He takes off right where he left off in the last book, but not quite as good.

Marine One by James Huston

I wouldn't recommend it unless you like mindless macho mysteries. I do, and the narrator, Joe Barrett, did a great job. I'll be looking for more from Huston soon.

The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva

Introduced to Silva with Moscow Rules over a year ago, I was interested in reading another of his books. I enjoyed The Secret Servant and the main character for both books Gabriel Allon. Looking forward to the next.

Takedown by Brad Thor

So so thriller, kind of disjointed but a fun read.

Darkness Falls by Kyle Mills

Enjoyed it but it was pretty mediocre. Environmental wackos create bacteria to halt global oil supply.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

So I thought this book would end up being dubbed The Lost Editor because it is so long. Indeed it does ramble and there are times I was thinking enough already, but I enjoyed the book. In all of Brown's books you get the sense that this guy can do something great yet his books come together as very good but not the masterpiece that appears at hand. I guess the bottom line is I'll read his next book, I hope his editor does too.

Killshot by Elmore Leonard

Killshot has lots of good parts, even for Leonard, but the story is unnecessarily dragged out. Good read, with editing it would be really good.

Even Money by Dick and Felix Francis

So the book is OK, mediocre. I've read over 30 Dick Francis books of and save the ones I haven't to read on my birthday. These new books, however, co-authored with his son Felix, lack the old magic. Too bad.

21 by Patrick O'Brain

Half full this glass was extended with 63 pages of what would have been the 21st novel had not Patrick O'Brain passed. Half empty, I can't shake this feeling that there will not again be another reading experience as this. What an extra ordinary journey it has been. When the last of it ended mid-sentence this morning I felt like something was lost. How fortunate to have stumbled upon this witty author and it's narrator, Patrick Tull, who has also since passed, who have become unwavering companions. Not once in the twenty books was there a misstep, each building on the other, describing the careers and lives at sea of two dear friends Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin.

Guardian of Lies: A Paul Madriani Novel by Steve Martini

Martini can be very hit and miss and this is closer to a hit.

Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

Interesting, maybe some false premises. Questions our assumptions about what makes people really good at something.

Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon

Interesting style and the story kept me interested. Odd and quirky, I'd read another of the author's books.

Capital Crimes by Jonathan & Faye Kellerman

It's weird even for Berkeley. Gay gals and guys hooking up you knew someone would have to get hurt and our two cops would have to clean up. Think this will be my last time around with these authors.

Brain Rules by John J. Medina

Interesting books with simple rules to help your brain function optimally. Probably would have been better if it was 1/3 as long, but content kept interest.

Blue At The Mizzen by Patrick O'Brian

The last full book of the series lives up to the excellence of its predecessors and the end of this journey is indeed sad for the reader but not for the captain and crew.

Blood Work by Michael Connelly

This is good Connelly from about 10 years ago. He takes a long time to cover very little, but the tale is well woven and despite some holes enjoyable to read. Retired FBI agent Terry McCaleb is asked by the sister of the woman whose heart Terry received from the donor program to investigate the donor's murder.

The Associate by John Grisham

Starts slow and picks up and then ends with no resolution. Yale graduate blackmailed into working for the largest law firm. The life as a first year lawyer in high stress firm was an interesting backstory that was more interesting than the plot.

First To Kill by Andrew Peterson

Total Lee Child knock off even read by Dick Hill. Retired army buddies and FBI take on american terrorists. Entertaining but nothing more.

Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard

Re-read March 2017 - very enjoyable. Real interesting start, fizzled out at the end but solid dialog all the way through. Sounds, as usual, like Elmo sat down and just started writing. Thin plot with interesting characters - I enjoyed it.

Dune by Frank Hurbert

Dune is the best written book I've ever read even after the 4th or 5th reading. I'm not a Sci Fi guy but this 1965 favorite deserves its reputation.

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

TCB came out in 1994 and exposes Harry Bosch's earlier life. The characters are the same ones from earlier and later novels and its a nice web of continuity. This is the 3rd of some dozen or more Basch novels and it is an interesting story but not exceptional. The plot takes Harry in search of the Doll Murderer a guy he shot a killed some four years ago and now is on trial for. But there's a twist the comes up in the middle of the trial...

The Increment by David Ignatius

Interesting story, a little slow, but worth the time. An Iranian scientist tries to inform the USA on their progress creating a nuclear bomb. The CIA works with the British secret service to resolve the escalating problem.

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

Connelly stays with his native LA as a backdrop and brings back some enjoyable characters from the past. The Poet was one of Connelly's best, and the reporter and FBI agent who took down The Poet return in The Scarecrow. This story is not as interesting but it is an enjoyable read.

Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

The 13th installment in the Jack Reacher series is one of the best. The break from the love interest taken hostage formula is welcome and keeps the book light. Probably would be well served with about 40 pages edited out, but it kept my interest and was a fun read. In this soon to be forgotten story, Reacher is on a train with a troubled woman - the rest of the story follows the ramifications.

Secret Justice by James W. Huston

Another macho right wing novel, this one extolling the virtues of torture. I enjoyed it. Rat water boards a terrorist and is brought to trial. In a case of mistaken identity the actual terrorist is out to do bad things to the US of A.

The Hundred Days by Patrick O'Brian

Another great episode. Napoleon is making a push - interesting history and story. Wish this series would never end.

Yellow Admiral by Patrick O'Brian

Very enjoyable. Only thing bad to say is that it is the 18th in the series and there are only two and a half books remaining. O'Brian is terrific.

First Family by David Baldacci

Fun book, using some characters from the Camel Club trilogy. Parts of the plot were questionable but all in all an enjoyable listen.

A Letter Of Mary by Laurie R. King

This is one of those books that I can't figure out why I like it. The idea of someone continuing on the Sherlock Holmes series is almost offensive. The writing style is the slow and meandering. The net effect is a very enjoyable series and A Letter Of Mary is another pleasurable peek into the latter years of Sherlock Holmes and his young wife Mary.

Mad Mouse: A John Ceepak Mystery by Chris Grabenstein

I like this series. It's very light and not a very good plot, but still enjoyable.

First Degree by David Rosenfelt

Starts pretty slow, old story - lawyer needs to investigate to clear innocent client, but I'd read Rosenfelt again. Story was entertaining and I like the formula.

Divine Justice By David Baldacci

Forgot to add this one, read it a couple of months ago and I think I liked it. Not the best in the Oliver Stone series but a fun read.

Persuader by Lee Child

Reacher goes under cover to track a bad dude who killed one of his officers 10 years prior. Good story.

The Rainmaker by John Grisham

Read this yet again in August of 2021 and it is excellent.

Shortly into this book I realized I had read it many years ago. It is  a very good story and kept me riveted through the second reading. It's easy to see why Grisham became so popular. Young kid out of law school takes on a huge company with a huge law firm. A solid retelling of David and Goliath.

Dauntless: The Lost Fleet, Book 1 by Jack Cambell

Futuristic tale of galaxy battles with an old but enjoyable premiss. Problem is from the first few minutes of the book you know where it's going. Enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'd return for book 2.

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

The 10th of 12 Reacher stories I've read and I like them, but they are too detailed on silly things and they do all kind of sound the same, but they're fun.

Lost Light (Harry Bosch) by Michael Connelly

Connelly is in form and the characters and plot are very enjoyable. Bosch is retired and returns to an unsolved case. Good stuff.

Hell Hole by Chris Grabenstein

These John Ceepak and Danny Boyle mysteries have an excellent narrator and they're light and fun.  Hell Hole is a lot like Tilt A Whirl and I'd probably listen to one of the other two books in the series.

One Shot by Lee Child

This is the 8th of a series of 12 Jack Reacher stories I've read in the last year. Easy reading, fast and fun. Reacher helps a sharp shooter accused of randomly slaying 5 people - premise and ending are weak, but the book is still fun.

The Enemy by Lee Child

Goes back to when Reacher was younger and is a good read but the end is weak.  Lots of background info on the Reachers.