Review: Life, Death and Cellos

Life, Death and Cellos by Isabel Rogers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I actually thought this was a murder mystery in the English style. Not.

However, it was enjoyable up to a point. I adore anything written across the pone. Well almost anything. This was a LOT like a soap opera, even though there was a stolen cello -- and what a cello!

The characters are very British, quite deliciously staid and a little stiff -- but not all of them. If you like character driven stories that are well written, you'll like this book.



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Review: Chain Reaction

Chain Reaction by Rebecca York
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great book. Great story flow. Fast-paced suspense. As many twists and turns as your heart desires. Great character development.

There was a little drawback when Lily Darnell believed a person over the phone over her husband of years. That felt very contrived, but as the story unfolded I guess it was necessary. That said, the characters are believable and the premise is very believable.

If you like suspense/action/one-man-wars (actually it is man+woman-war against the mega corporate giant with top secret government contract, then you'll love this book.

Five of five stars.

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Review: The Night Window

The Night Window by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore anything written by Dean Koontz. This is no exception.

The last in his series with Jane Hawk with all kinds of frightening and chilling little brain invaders. What a climax!!

Dean has a special way of writing that ignites the imagination. After reading this book I was ready to quit going out in public but join a self-defense class.

The book is packed with suspense, and quite terrifying because it really is plausible. Anyway. the plot winds up all the plot strings ties them up and fills in all the plot holes where Dean left you hanging. You really do need to read at least one of the previous book -- recommend at least the first one -- to completely understand everything going on. He brings back a few characters and gets rid of the bad guys in a very satisfying way. All the characters have tremendous development, and it seems like they like to come visit you in the dark of night. It's like you can't stop thinking of the story, even when it's over. Sigh.

Most excellent and satisfying read. Highly recommend.

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Review: The Heiress Comes to Town

The Heiress Comes to Town by Janet Syas Nitsick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book from the author, and I am happy to review it.

This is an excellent premise for a historical romance. The characters are distinct and believable, and I can feel Nina's desperation to get away from her controlling father.

The book is well-written, although as an editor there are lots of things I could suggest such as removing a couple of modernisms (which it has been a few weeks since I read it and now can't remember them). Modernisms are things the characters say that are from modern language. And there is some wordiness that seems to dam up the story flow at times.

However, that said, the story is a good one, and fairly fast-paced. You get a good feel for Victorian small town America, but there is a lack of nosy-ness of neighbors that always goes with small-town life.

The main characters are well-developed. The supporting cast could use a little fine tuning. Mrs. Green seems kindly at first, then rather dictatorial, then fiercely loyal...

I recommend this book, and give it 4 stars out of 5.

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Review: The Cleaner

The Cleaner by Paul Cleave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very good story, but some of the foul words detract from the story. They don't add anything to move the story along... and it's a lazy way of depicting character flaws/degeneration.

However, it reads believable at what an aging, wanting-to-get-out-of-the-business assassin might do/feel. Fast action, but there are some holes left in the story -- possibly to be filled in in the next in the series.

I'll have to think hard to see if I want to read the rest of the series, though.

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