The Mother by T. M. Logan

Mr. Logan's seventh thriller is a doozy - even I was surprised by the ending (the reveal). Well done. Not only that, but the characters and overall storyline are brilliant.

The story is about Heather, a mother who spent nine years in prison (half her sentence) for the murder of her husband. She claims she didn't do it. And once outside on parole, she decides to try and solve the mystery herself.

During her hunt, she is helped along by Judy, an ex-con who shares a room with her. A reporter lost everything because he believed in her and thought there was much more to the story and that she had been framed.  Her sister-in-law also joins her team to hunt for answers. 

The thing I like most about this book are the small things that seem inconsequential but are actually important to highlight points in the story. The wine glass knocked over in the bedroom, the dog not barking, and the gate to the stars unlocked and open. Tiny things that don't mean much, on their own, but add to the overall tale.

I've read everything Mr. Logan has written, and this is by far the best. As a writer, I'd love to see his outline.

Lies -- terrible (this was his break-out novel. Number one everywhere. I didn't like Lee Childs's break-out book either. I liked every book after that).

29 Seconds -- Excellent 

The Holiday -- terrible. Couldn't finish it.    

The Catch -- great      

Trust Me -- great

The Curfew ---Brilliant.

Now, I can add The Mother to my audio bookshelf.

Ryu Murakami - Audition

I've been a fan of Ryu Murakami since 2003 when I read the translated version of the award-winning novel, In The Miso Soup. I stumbled across the thin and translated version in a public library. Many in Japan have a very small English book section. I ran it through the self-checkout machine and off to work I went. 

Little did I know about the fun that was to happen. There is very little 'filler' in this 192-page book, tho I do think some scenes were too long. This is a story about a widower with a 15-year-old son. His wife died seven years ago and his son thinks it is time for him to get back on the horse again. He thinks so as well. But he doesn't know how to meet anyone these days, he has been out of the game for a long while. He confides in his friend who is a filmmaker and they decide to hold auditions for a fake movie in the hope one of the girls is of interest to Aoyama. And one is. Her name is AsamiYamasaki, a 24-year-old whose introduction letter was deep and seemed beyond her age. He is instantly smitten. 

Most of this novel is a slow-burn romance. However, throughout the novel, we get to see tiny tidbits of the person that Asami is really. The scene in the restaurant is exceptionally great. 

One thing I did not like was the dog abuse. But it is also a cultural difference that has changed over the past ten years. Thankfully. The book was written in 1997 in serialized form in a newspaper. Until a few years ago pets were not considered family (not everyone of course but by law) members and most dogs live outside and don't go for walks. Many are not trained and are used mostly as a thief determent. Not your best friend ever. Thankfully things have changed and the SPCA in Japan is strong and has some power. 

This comment distracted us away from the book. 

Overall, I enjoyed the story and just realized there is a cult favorite movie based on this book. I have heard it is different from the book as the movie version is better than the book. It happens. 

           

 

Extinct: Extracted, Book 3 by R. R. Haywood

What a fitting end to the trilogy. It follows the same formula that all of these books have followed—it's a fast-paced, action-filled book with plenty of drama and suspense. This one won't disappoint if you've already read the first two. 

Having read the first two books, the character development was already in place for the third book. So, having new characters added or previous characters expanded on was awesome. 

I never do spoiler reviews. 

Time travel can be a little weird and tricky to write and keep everything in the right place and in the right order (I have experienced this with my own time travel book, Scorched Earth), so I applaud Mr. Haywood on keeping things in line and his nifty trick of memories. 

This book, like all RR Haywood's books, is hard and fast. Filled with action, comedy, and a touch of romance.  

 

Executed (Extracted Trilogy book 2) by R. R. Haywood

If you haven't read the first book in this series, don't read this one. You will not understand what is going on. The characters in this book are well-developed (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta come across as real, the same as the heroes from the previous book.) except Mother--her reactions to the shit going down (in the first half) were unbelievable especially considering her position. 

This book acts like most middle books, it's a massive lead-up and setup for the final book. The sex scenes were dull and possibly page filler, one was a great lead-up to Delta being extracted.

Mr. Haywood's humor is spot on. 

In this book, the plot is simple, save Roland's son, who is the inventor of The Blue (the time travel device). They succeed but the British special forces managed to get their hands on a blueprint for the time machine and build their own. The US needs the UK to get its hands on the machine itself and as it is a danger they show they are willing to drop nuclear weapons on the UK. Then a host of other countries all point nuclear weapons are each other.  

The second part of the mission (plot) is to stop the world ending in 2111.  

The group's new leader, introduced at the end of book 1, devises a plan to save the world. 

I enjoyed the Rocky training montage. That was fun. The running, shooting, weapons, and holographic simulations were great. 

I enjoyed this book so much, I went straight into book three.

I'll Catch You by Jesse Kellerman

I have never read a Jesse Kellerman book before. I picked up this book in a secondhand bookstore. I read the rear cover (see below) how could I, a simple human, resist such a premise? I couldn't, so I purchased the book thinking I might have found another author to follow. 

The book starts off very dull but sets up the back story well. The short chapters keep you turning the pages wondering what's coming. It takes quite a while to start. It's a good idea and the twist about his best friend is good. The ending was as expected and drawn out. 

Although interesting, as a thriller it wasn't very good. And I liked the blurbs at the front of the book for the fake author, especially one from Lee Child. Brilliant. 

This book is about a failed writer, Pfefferkon, whose best friend, Bill, 'made it' in the publishing field, and married the woman Pfefferkon loved. They haven't spoken or been friends for a long time. Bill has gone missing and is considered dead. His wife has made funeral arrangements. She offers him a place to stay and they shag. In Bill's writing room, he finds the last novel Bill completed. 

Everything that happens to Pfefferkon seems to have been planned by others. 

This book has everything for an excellent thriller. But it fails. It's long-winded, drawn-out, and dull. The all-important fight scenes are cut out. Usually, a chapter ends, and then you turn the page 'cause that is a tense moment and ... nothing. It's all over with a throw-away comment, "That was brutal." 

  

Perfect People by Peter James

I first discovered Peter James in 1993 with his book Host, which came in a whopping 625 pages. It was brilliant all the way through. I can safely say the same for Perfect People, even though it is 200 pages shorter LOL. 

The story is about a couple who share the same genetic disorder and their first child dies of the same disorder. Distraught, they eventually run into Dr. Dettore, a scientist, and doctor who claims he can genetically change the children and remove all defects and enhance them. John and Naomi Klaesson decide to take the chance. They wanted a son. They got a lot more than they bargained for. 

Pros: The story is a rip-roaring page-turner. The plot and sub-plot are excellent. The made-up language the children spoke, was brilliant. The steady progression of the children and their abilities. Understanding the threat against them and arranging protection 'cause they didn't think their parents could handle it. And they are right. 

Cons: The character of Naomi. What a bitch. And John must be pussy-whipped as he took everything she threw at him and agreed with her or didn't push the issue. The police response at the pivotal point. 

All in all, a great read and pure fun. And it is also a possible future. Like the book, Host -- this technology could really become reality. 

The twist at the end is excellent. It's not explained or the result of other enhanced children. 

     

Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk

This is one interesting read. It starts off with a bang and even when flying into the events before the book started are weird, in an interesting way. A lot of stuff happens to Tender Branson and it all kicks off with a misdialed call.

As the last surviving member of a cult, he has been assigned a psychologist who is more interested in herself. Then we have mass murderers, Super Bowl halftime riots, psychics (via a girlfriend kind of), and a goldfish (the only thing he cares for in this life). This shy, weird man is thrust into the limelight of a superstar when a media agent turns Tender into a pre-packaged, made-for-TV messiah, by first making him the image they need. He trains hard, takes supplements, and is into tanning beds. 

He's also not the last surviving member of the cult.  

It's challenging to write a review about this book. The story is twisted and a little far-fetched, but it is also engrossing and fun. There is a message coming through this story loud and clear but I'll leave that for you to figure out. 

Also as he is telling his story, the chapters and page numbers go down. The last page is page 1.