catwoman
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Posts posted by catwoman
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Don't let this review be your guide. Rollins is a very capable writer. Just read.
SIGMA series goes in this order:
Sandstorm
Map of Bones
Black Order
The Judas Strain
The Last Oracle
The Doomsday Key
And you have to read them in this order because things happen in latter books that reference the earlier ones. The rest of his stand alone books can be read in any order.
NWN
I have read SANDSTORM anf MAP OF BONES and I found them good reads. I found the characters a lot better than Browns and in general the writing was better. The only difference between the two authors was that I like the history behind 'The Da Vinci code' better than some of the other books around.
If you like that Thrillers with the historical twist and codex puzzles I would recommend these. I am not the biggest Dan Brown fan but I do love this genre.
CW
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Finally had the time to finish Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay and I am now starting to read 'Dead Witch Walking' by Kim Harrison. It has been given a good review by Kelley Armstrong and was a ibrarian's top pick of the month so I thought I would give it a go. I don't normally give things like this a go, but since being on this Forum and hearing the good reviews about these books, I thought I would have a try.
Also picked up some reservations at the library including 1st to Die by James Patterson, and a copy of Twilight. I have had enough of not being able to have a view on the debate so thought I would give it a shot. I still have The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to read from the library and of course all my TBR pile. Which I bought more books for yesterday including a couple Deaver books.
I hope everyone's mojos are intact and enjoying the books you are reading.
CW.
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I'm so glad I bought the newer Linwood Barclay book, Too Close To Home, as it's BRILLIANT! The tagline is the best thing I've ever read, I actually laughed in the shop when I read it - 'What's more frightening than your next-door neighbours being murdered? Finding out the killers went to the wrong house....' I don't think it's meant to be funny, but various lines by Jim Cutter (the story's narrator) really made me crack up. It's very well written, so much so that I'm still up at nearly 5am, nearly 200 pages into the book!
HaHa! Thats Hillarious! I have not read any of his books even though Linwood Barclay rings a bell. I will have to write it in a little book.
Don't you just love it when you get a book that makes you want to stay up till the early hours of the morning just to finish it. Can't wait to hear your review at the end.
CW
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One I would recommended is 'The coming of the Third Reich' by Richard Evans though its not specifically about WW2, it does provide good background into the climate surrounding the establishment of the the Third Reich. It is the first volume of 3 that cover the establishment, events of and demise of the Third Reich. It is written for a general audience, so is accesible. I'm definitely going to get the other 2 volumes
I saw that at the Charity at the charity shop for 50p I might get that now.
I do have a lot of Non fiction. Some for my job and for furthering my knowledge and understanding of my work. Psycholo including psychology books and Human right books.
I have a lot of Human rights books. A lot of Political books especially books about Democracy etc.
My Chomsky books are very precious to me and I refer to them on a nearly daily basis.
I also have History books including a lot about Ancient Eygpt, the World Wars.
I like to pick up random referance books and read them. There is nothing better than to learn something new.
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This is certainly the genre that I fall back to, a fast paced thriller, which keeps you guessing until the last pages. The Tony Hill Series is the one which I prefer of Val McDermit's books - and I think this is a great example. There are lots of sub-plots going on, the strange relationship between Carol and Tony (I do wish they'd give it a try! ) a possible act of terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11, (today is the 8th anniversary, may they rest in peace), greed, beauty and money. One of the murder weapons is certainly different - poison. ( It has been a while since I read a book where poison was used as a weapon.) A selection of motives which Val McDermit brought together into a whopping good read. I also loved that we got to know a little bit more of Tony's secret past]
I found this book good even though I was a littel worried that I would not like the crimes. I was a bit worried about the 'terrorism' issue being brought up and the stereotype of the Islamic community. But I was really surprised. It is nothing like I thought and I loved the twists and turns. Like always with McDermid it is fast paced and easy dialogue. Even the last paragraph is making you want more. I can't wait to read the next one that came out this week.
If you are a fan of Slaughter and Patterson then it is a recommended read. There is no necessity to read the previous Hill books, but I would recommend it so you can understand the complex relationship between Hill and Carol.
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I'm not ashamed, just wondered if I should be
That's a lot to cut out!
Janet - Shame about Dorian, I think I;ll give it a miss.
I will be honest. I google it this morning as I could not believe that there could have been so many sex scenes to cut out and IT'S TRUE! Cor Blimey! No wonder some people wanted it banned
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My wonderful OH offered .... I repeat offered.... of his own free will I might add, to take me to the city to the large Waterstone's and wait, with no complaints, while I browsed! He then bought me The Sookie Stackhouse Series (except the last one, its hardback and doesn't match
, but will get it in paperback when it's out), Broken Skin by Stuart MacBride and Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I'm one happy bunny today
Wow you lucky lady!
Yep I've been to raid the charity shops again,and I skipped home with:Lisa Gardner-The Perfect Husband
Peter Robinson-A Necessary End
Beverly Barton-Cold Hearted
Adam Thorpe-The Standing Pool
I also have won a copy of Nick Hornby-High Fidelity.
How did you win it?? Congratulations.
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and the prize goes to catwoman! Yes it was Caligula.
I remember there was a campaign to get it withdrawn - locally at least.
Should I be ashamed?
No no need to be ashamed. If I am right it was banned becuase it contained scenes of real sex. some type of playboy magazine owner who helped fund it said there was not enough sex and if the story is right added porn into it. I remember Helen saying that the new version was 1 hour short due to all the take outs. CRIKEY!!!!
I might be totally and utter wrong though.
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I don't really have any sort of comfort books but I do find that if I am feeling down a quick easy fast pace crime book like Patterson does the trick.
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Good guesses, especially Life of Brian by honestfi, but nobody has it yet.
Helen Mirren is in it
Oh ummmm.... Calagula? The Roman film?? Or amI totally wrong? I think heard her talk about it in a interview.
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The only ones I can think of are cannibal Holocaust ( which I think might have been the early 80's and I don't think it was shown inthe Uk. The only other one that I can think of that caused that much uproar was Deepthroat. I am sure there are others though. I thought of the Exorcist also.
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I am still reading Dexter as I have not had much time to read. But I am hoping for a big session tonight.
I bought Patricia Cormwell's Predator for 25p and a Non- fiction book about the body farm called Deaths Acre. it has been forwarded by Patricia Cornwell, again for 25p.
I have also been informed that my reservation for 1st to Die by James Patterson has arrived and waiting for collection.
AAAAAHHH I have so many books to read.
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Firstly, I'm surprised no one is discussing the lottery 'prediction' from last night. I didn't see it, but I've just been watching it online. The key, I think, is that he couldn't show us before the draw. His legal comment didn't make sense.. he wasn't showing the results, just predicting them.
So, any ideas as to the details? And do you think he'll really tell all on Friday?
Moving on from that, what else has he done, and does he often offer explanations?
It was on last night? Urgh. I missed it. I only knew about it because of the rather annoying advertisement on my hotmail account.
I don't like him but I was hoping to get my winning lottery number for Saturday
.I will give it a watch tonight if it is on 'OnDemand'. You have made me want to watch it even more now Michelle.
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I can't remember what my first McDermid book was but I do remember I got it free with a magazine about 12 years ago. Since then I've read everything she's written! My favourite series is of course Tony Hill & Carol Jordan but I've never watched the tv version as I think Robson Green would ruin the Tony Hill I have in my head
He kind of does. He plays Tony really well that I now think of him when reading books. Even though I had my own picture of Tony before the TV show.
But there are other characters where I don't think of them. Like Morgan freeman? I think he played Alex Cross in Along came a spider. I have kept to my own ideal of Alex.
Sorry slightly off Topic.
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Oh, I am subscribing to this thread since catwoman introduced me to this author yesterday. Thanks hun
No worries. If you look on FantasticFiction you will get the list of all her books.
Personally I would start with The Mermaids Singing and then The wire in the blood. Thats if you want to read the Tony Hill series. Which I think is far the best series.
Does anyone else agree?
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Hey!
My names Jessi, I am eighteen and live just outside of London. I have always loved reading, with a particular soft spot for historical fiction. I
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Really shouldn't have checked this thread...I'm sooooooo hungry.
Jacket spud with a nice big salad shortly
Same as me. Jacket potato with cheese and colslaw with loads salad. Just waiting for the jackets to be cooked.
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Mermaid Sings was my first McDermid read too about what 12 years ago the Telegraph were selling paperbacks off quite reasonably (Im not a Telegraph reader btw lol) but did for a while just to get the book offer.........I was hooked after that! I too read Wire in the Blood before they televised it though and as much as I like Robson Green the book was far better
Yeah I loved Robson as Tony. He does seem to capture Tony's quirks.
I am currently reading Beneath the Bleeding. It's really great!! I've started it on Monday, and I've already read more than half.It is a good book. I stopped reading her for a while and had Beneath the bleeding for ages on my TBR pile. I was not that interested after reading the Blurb. But it did not let me down. Loads of twists and turns. Awesome ending!
Oh and I love the Tony's Mother storyline.
Look forward to hearing what you think.
CW
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I am sure I have recommended this author before, but to my amazement we have never opened a thread for her yet.
Val McDermid is a Scottish writer, and all of her books I have read are based in the UK. (Which is cool, as at least I know where some of them are based
and it helps with the mental images )The first book I read was called 'A place of Execution' and it took me totally by surprise. It was a really good thriller, full of suspense and twists, which kept me guessing up to the final pages. I have since read more of her books, and liked them all. She has stand alones (including A place of execution), a series featuring Tony Hill - a clinical psychologist and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan, who have an ongoing 'special, but strange' relationship, a series featuring a Manchester PI, called Kate Brannigan, (Probably I prefer Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, if I had to choose), and another featuring Journalist Lindsay Gordon - which I have never read yet.
I'm sure a lot of people here will enjoy her books - I do.
wow I was sure there was a thread about her. One of my favourite authors. I love the Tony Hill series. I am actually going to by the new Hill Book at the weekend.
I first got into her by getting a half price book in WHSmith it was Wire in the blood and mermaid Sings. I was fortunate to read them before the series Came on TV.
I read beneath the bleeding about a month ago and really enjoyed it and got me ready for the new one.
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hey guys i am a fresh poster, i am reading at the mo a book called evolution for everyone by David Sloan Wilson, its a topic which is very interesting to me and i don't know much about it!!!
Yeah I have read about that book. It tries to show how Darwin's theory can be applied to everday life. It is used in some University courses as a core book if I'm right. THe book was breifly talked about in a psychology journal I was reading.
Will be interesting to hear your thoughts.
Enjoy.
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You must have a splendid library! Our one's rubbish and you have to wait for the dawn of the new millenium to be in with a sniff of a new title:lol: Mind that back!!!
No my library is tiny as it is a village/ town one. But it is linked to all the libraries across the area including the city ones. So I can reserve online and wait a while and I do get it. They are pretty quick in getting them in.
As for my back, I can still feel the twinges now! I think my mouth dropped when I saw the size of it, bearing in mind that it is a hardback edition. I could use it for a doorstop
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In The Blood by J A Kerley
TV evangelist Reverend Scaler made his fortune from firebrand attacks on the sins of modern America. But Scaler has preached his last sermon after being bound and beaten to death in an apparent S&M session.
Detective Carson Ryder has his own problems. He's edgy and unpredictable, seemingly unmoved by the discovery of an abandoned infant in a boat - nearby, a burnt-out shack, a body and signs of a struggle.
Scaler's tangled personal life reveals bizarre connections between the cases. And it seems the baby fighting for its life in hospital has powerful enemies. Ryder can't seem to save himself but can he save the life of an innocent child?
Jack Kerley is very easy to read and quick to absorb one's attention. I began this novel almost immediately after finishing the Murakami, and started by thinking 'oh no, I'm not going to enjoy this one as much!' mainly because of the difference in style and prose - Kerley is more conversational, along the lines of Coben or Deaver. I've compared him before to Michael Marshall as well. He's a really good crime/thriller writer.
I persevered, remembering that I've really enjoyed all of his past novels, and wasn't disappointed. I soon became very happy to be reading about Carson and his partner Harry again, almost as if I were reading about chums of mine.
The subject matter deals with TV evangelism and white supremacists, a topic I particularly relish in reading the bad guys getting their just desserts. The story is well paced with snappy dialogue and further development of the recurring characters. I like to watch them grow!
All in all, a good book which I finished over three evenings - and I still work 12 hours a day!
9/10
Wow! that sounds like my sort of book. I like you are interested in subject matters about White supremacists and getting their 'payback' so to speak. I have just added this to my little black book and will keep an eye out in the future. I noticed you said that you read previous works by him. Should they be read in order?
CW
***Edit**** I have just gone on my library's website and reserved this book. They do not have any others by him so I hope not reading previous book will hinder the reading pleasure or storylines.
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Ahhh thank you very much!!
Hey no worries
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Once you get past the first 40 pages it is a thing of beauty- perfect crime writing. 'The Girl Who Played With Fire' is even better and will leave you gagging to read the third one...Promise!
Ok thanks. I have been holding back reading it and I still have a fair bit of time until I have to give it back to the library. But I will start it soon. I think it is also daunting because I have the hardback edition and it is HUUUUUUGGGGEEEE!!!!
I nearly broke my back carrying it home!
Catwoman's Reading List 2009
in Past Book Logs
Posted
Book #4 - Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay.
After finishing Genisis I was kind of stuck on what to read. Every book Geek has had that problem. I went to my library and there to my surprise was the next installment of the Dexter series. Because I knew they were a fantastic lught and quick read I decided to get it.
Taken from the Waterstones Website.
Synopsis
Miami's best-dressed serial killer is back and on the prowl, at least he would be if he could shake off his permanent shadow. Ever since their paths first crossed, Sergeant Doakes hasn't let Dexter Morgan out of his sight. Dexter may well be the Miami PD's blood-spatter analyst, but Sgt. Doakes has a pretty good idea of how Dex likes to spend his free time and he's determined to catch him in the act. Dex hasn't killed in months and is getting twitchy. To throw Doakes off his scent, he's spending more time with Rita, his girlfriend. But no matter how many cosy nights they spend in front of the TV, Doakes is still watching. Then a body turns up, horribly mutilated and barely alive. To trap the torturer, Doakes and Dexter will have to work together, if they can trust each other. It's a devil's pact and one of them will have to be the bait...
This was the book I needed to get me out of my 'What do I read next' problem.
I found the storyline better and I felt was a natural progression from theprevious book.
Dexter is the book he makes the book. His character are the good points of the book, his one liners are fantastic and Lindsay knows when to put them in the book. I did like the Doakes/ Dexter storyline and
I hope that they could have kept that going
I also love how Dexter's relationship with Rita and her kids is progressing. They are one of the few characters who I have a feel for. I love the gradual storyline about
Rita's kids and them having the same 'feelings and urges; that Dexter has, that is what makes me want to read the next books
The only bad thing about the book was that I kept thinking. Wow! What if Slaughter or Deaver had thought of the idea of the murders. Imagine how gruesome they could be. If you like you gorey, complex, indepth and jargon filled crime books. you may not like it. But what it is a quick laugh a minute murder book, there is not another one like it.
It did the job and was better than the first. Have ordered book number three.
9.5/10. Reason for not giving it a 10 was becuase for me personally I like a bit more detailing of the murders and little bit more of a guessing element. But I LOVE DEXTER!
I found it harder to review than what I thought.
My next book is Dead witch walking by Kim Harrision which is a total shift in genre. It was recommended by my Librarian and has a good review by Kelley Armstrong. so lets hope.