Harris, C.S.
What Angels Fear
8/14/11
1 of St.Cyr series
Misquote of Where angels fear to go. Regency murder with bad history and bad romance.
Canavan, Trudi
Ambassador's Mission
1 of Traitor Spy series
8/17/11
Two stories, Lorkin and his mother Sonea. Korkin is assistant to the Ambassador to Sachaka, which was defeated by Kyralia recently. Sonea is looking for rogue magician.
Dragoni, Robert
Bodily Harm
8/19/11
Legal thriller. Good representation of legal procedure. The good guys win.
Weber, David
Mission of Honor
8/23/11
Wordy, sets up next book. New phase of the Honor universe alignment. Haven and Manticore unite against new enemy.
Hyzy, Julie
Grace Interrupted
8/25/11
2nd in Manor House series
Civil war reenactors and murder. Love interrupted.
Jance, J.A.
Rattlesnake Crossing
8/26/11
Brady series
Early/middle of series. Serial killer. Corrupt deputy. Sheriff Brady is not remarried.
Benson, Amber
Serpent's Storm
8/28/11
3rd in Calliope Reaper Jones series
Death's Daughter becomes Death, and decides that is ok. But she loses her guy who becomes the Devil -- her rival. Demands and recieves an audience with God.
James, Steven
Pawn
1 of Bowers series
Special Agent Patrick Bowers is a geographic profiler for FBI. Works with team to derail serial killers. Makes friends with his stepdaughter and another agent.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
OK - I'm really catching up now
Only 18 more books to go after this.
Taylor, K.J.
Dark Griffin
1st in series
7/27/11
Very dark. DarkHeart is a black Griffin, his mother is killed shortly after his birth and he grows up without training. Arren is a griffin keeper who gets into trouble and thrown into the arena to fight rogue griffins. The two form an alliance and escape the arena. More in the next book.
Jance, J.A.
Hour of the Hunter
Walker family series
7/30/11
Diana Ladd's husband, Gary, and a psychopath, Andrew Carlisle, killed a girl 6 years ago. Gary kills himself and Carlisle goes to prison for 6 years. When he gets out he comes after Diana. Intermix of Indian culture. Diana teaches at the Indian school and lives with an Indian housekeeper.
Jecks, Michael
The Oath
Knights Templar series
8/3/11
1326 English civil war. Simon Puttock and Sir Baldwin are with different sides of the conflict, investigating the same murders.
King, Laurie
Folly
8/8/11
Kindle ebook
Woman goes to live on island in Washington state, inherited from her great-uncle. Learns about herself and about her family.
Rothfuss, Patrick
Name of the Wind
8/9/11
1st in series
Kote has retired to be a barkeeper, when he is found by the Chronicler who persuades him to tell his story. Kote says it will take three days to tell the tale, and this book is the first day of the story.
Kellerman, Jonathon
Deception
Alex Delaware series
8/12/11
Murder victim is not what she first seems. Psychologist Alex Delaware and police detective Milo Sturgis investigate.
Taylor, K.J.
Dark Griffin
1st in series
7/27/11
Very dark. DarkHeart is a black Griffin, his mother is killed shortly after his birth and he grows up without training. Arren is a griffin keeper who gets into trouble and thrown into the arena to fight rogue griffins. The two form an alliance and escape the arena. More in the next book.
Jance, J.A.
Hour of the Hunter
Walker family series
7/30/11
Diana Ladd's husband, Gary, and a psychopath, Andrew Carlisle, killed a girl 6 years ago. Gary kills himself and Carlisle goes to prison for 6 years. When he gets out he comes after Diana. Intermix of Indian culture. Diana teaches at the Indian school and lives with an Indian housekeeper.
Jecks, Michael
The Oath
Knights Templar series
8/3/11
1326 English civil war. Simon Puttock and Sir Baldwin are with different sides of the conflict, investigating the same murders.
King, Laurie
Folly
8/8/11
Kindle ebook
Woman goes to live on island in Washington state, inherited from her great-uncle. Learns about herself and about her family.
Rothfuss, Patrick
Name of the Wind
8/9/11
1st in series
Kote has retired to be a barkeeper, when he is found by the Chronicler who persuades him to tell his story. Kote says it will take three days to tell the tale, and this book is the first day of the story.
Kellerman, Jonathon
Deception
Alex Delaware series
8/12/11
Murder victim is not what she first seems. Psychologist Alex Delaware and police detective Milo Sturgis investigate.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Lee, Sharon and Steve Miller
Ghost Ship
3rd in Fledgling series, Liaden universe
Baen ebook
7/18/11
Nothing much gets accomplished in this book, except ensuring that there will be another book. At least in mysteries, the murder usually gets solved.
Sandford, John
Storm Prey
Lucas Davenport "Prey" series
7/20/11
It's been a while since I've read any of the "Prey" books. For that matter, it's been a while since I read this one. Lucas is married, and working with, not for, the police. His wife is involved as a witness.
McIntosh, Fiona
King's Wrath
3rd in series
7/23/11
The userper King and the King-in-Exile are joined by two more pretenders to the throne. All are tested and most proved unworthy of the throne. The ones most worthy want it the least. The right prevails. Most of the threads get tied off.
Newman, Sharan
Heresy
Catherine LeVendeur series
7/25/11
Catherine and family go to Reims for the Council of Reims, to try to protect Astrolabe, Heloise and Abelard's son from an accusation of heresy. Very good historical detail, as always.
Ghost Ship
3rd in Fledgling series, Liaden universe
Baen ebook
7/18/11
Nothing much gets accomplished in this book, except ensuring that there will be another book. At least in mysteries, the murder usually gets solved.
Sandford, John
Storm Prey
Lucas Davenport "Prey" series
7/20/11
It's been a while since I've read any of the "Prey" books. For that matter, it's been a while since I read this one. Lucas is married, and working with, not for, the police. His wife is involved as a witness.
McIntosh, Fiona
King's Wrath
3rd in series
7/23/11
The userper King and the King-in-Exile are joined by two more pretenders to the throne. All are tested and most proved unworthy of the throne. The ones most worthy want it the least. The right prevails. Most of the threads get tied off.
Newman, Sharan
Heresy
Catherine LeVendeur series
7/25/11
Catherine and family go to Reims for the Council of Reims, to try to protect Astrolabe, Heloise and Abelard's son from an accusation of heresy. Very good historical detail, as always.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
early July -- Almost caught up!!
Weber, David
A Mighty Fortress
4th in Safehold/Charis series
7/10/11 -- Yes, it really took that long to read.
This book is 1100 pages long, and I cut it in half this time (literally). Much easier to hold. Weber has a tendency to over-explain, resulting in very long books, but there is not too much of that this time. I really enjoy the characters in this series, Cayleb and Sharleyan make a good ruling couple for the good guys, and Vicar Clyntahn is a villainous (thank you Google "spell check") a villain as you could want. Couple of complaints -- Names are usually almost recognizable but always twisted with alternate spellings (Clinton anyone?) (Hauwerd, Wylsynn,...). And lots of action, but not much progress. I guess that means I get to enjoy more of them.
Kellerman, Faye
Hangman
Decker/Lazarus series
7/12/11
Decker chases two bad guys, and he and Rina take in a stray 14 year old boy. Interesting police/crime investigation and family dynamics that are real and healthy.
Carey, Jacqueline
Namah's Curse
2nd book of Namah series. 2nd book of third trilogy of D'Angeline world.
7/14/11
Moirin chases her soulmate Bao across Ch'in (China), Tartar territory, Vralia (Russia?, German empire?), and Bhodistan (India). They are finally reunited, but learn her quest has one more book to go.
King, Laurie
The Art of Detection
Martinelli series, with Holmesian overtones
A Sherlock Holmes fan (or fanatic) is murdered, with a unpublished manuscript narrated by Holmes set in San Francisco as the probable motive. Story within a story.
A Mighty Fortress
4th in Safehold/Charis series
7/10/11 -- Yes, it really took that long to read.
This book is 1100 pages long, and I cut it in half this time (literally). Much easier to hold. Weber has a tendency to over-explain, resulting in very long books, but there is not too much of that this time. I really enjoy the characters in this series, Cayleb and Sharleyan make a good ruling couple for the good guys, and Vicar Clyntahn is a villainous (thank you Google "spell check") a villain as you could want. Couple of complaints -- Names are usually almost recognizable but always twisted with alternate spellings (Clinton anyone?) (Hauwerd, Wylsynn,...). And lots of action, but not much progress. I guess that means I get to enjoy more of them.
Kellerman, Faye
Hangman
Decker/Lazarus series
7/12/11
Decker chases two bad guys, and he and Rina take in a stray 14 year old boy. Interesting police/crime investigation and family dynamics that are real and healthy.
Carey, Jacqueline
Namah's Curse
2nd book of Namah series. 2nd book of third trilogy of D'Angeline world.
7/14/11
Moirin chases her soulmate Bao across Ch'in (China), Tartar territory, Vralia (Russia?, German empire?), and Bhodistan (India). They are finally reunited, but learn her quest has one more book to go.
King, Laurie
The Art of Detection
Martinelli series, with Holmesian overtones
A Sherlock Holmes fan (or fanatic) is murdered, with a unpublished manuscript narrated by Holmes set in San Francisco as the probable motive. Story within a story.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Cook, Dawn
Princess at Sea
2nd in Princess/Players series
6/10/11
Child, Lee
Worth Dying For
6/11/11
Reacher novel, follows 61 hours
Sometimes these novels make me wonder how someone so survival oriented can be so stupid. Picks a fight with local bully. Cleans up the county.
Moon, Elizabeth
Oath of Fealty
Paksenarrion world, first of new series
Follows the Paksenarrion series with several of the other characters from the first series. Ends in the middle, the sequel is Kings of the North, scheduled for release Spring 2011.
Gordon, Alan
Thirteenth Night
6/16/11
First in Fools Guild series
This was published in the 90's, but I just discovered the series. While set in historical period, is not historically accurate. The characters are from Shakespeare's Twelvth Night.
Lackey, Mercedes
Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall
6/17/11
reread, see JayZee blog.
Had a quiet day in Clovis, NM, needed a comfort read.
Jance, J.A.
Queen of the Night
6/20/11
4th in Walker Family series
This series involves the TLC Foundation -- The Last Chance -- who work on cold cases. There are many interconnections of the characters which at times make the story hard to follow. There are two cases being solved, a cold case, and a current case.
Stross, Charles
The Clan Corporation
3rd in Merchant Princes series
6/22/11
Miriam discovers secrets about the Clan and attempts to use them to her advantage. Instead she is caught and set up to marry the younger (and brain damaged) heir to the Kingdom. She escapes to the second world when his older brother stages a coup.
Peters, Elizabeth
A River in the Sky
Amelia Peabody series
6/24/11
Set between some of the earlier books, it is just before WWI and the Emersons are working in Palestine. Ramses and Emerson are on separate sites, and uncover a German spy.
Reeve, Laura
Pathfinder
3rd in Ariane Kedros series
6/26/11
Having saved the world, Ariane now has to deal with the fallout.
Newman, Sharan
To Wear the White Cloak
Catherine LeVendeur series
6/29/11
Catherine and family have returned to Paris from Germany, to find someone has left a body in their house. They continue to be haunted by Jehan.
Stross, Charles
The Merchant's War
4th in Merchant Princes series
7/1/11
Miriam has escaped to the second Clan world. The Americans are trying to duplicate the Clan's abilities. Story ends on another cliff hanger.
Princess at Sea
2nd in Princess/Players series
6/10/11
Child, Lee
Worth Dying For
6/11/11
Reacher novel, follows 61 hours
Sometimes these novels make me wonder how someone so survival oriented can be so stupid. Picks a fight with local bully. Cleans up the county.
Moon, Elizabeth
Oath of Fealty
Paksenarrion world, first of new series
Follows the Paksenarrion series with several of the other characters from the first series. Ends in the middle, the sequel is Kings of the North, scheduled for release Spring 2011.
Gordon, Alan
Thirteenth Night
6/16/11
First in Fools Guild series
This was published in the 90's, but I just discovered the series. While set in historical period, is not historically accurate. The characters are from Shakespeare's Twelvth Night.
Lackey, Mercedes
Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall
6/17/11
reread, see JayZee blog.
Had a quiet day in Clovis, NM, needed a comfort read.
Jance, J.A.
Queen of the Night
6/20/11
4th in Walker Family series
This series involves the TLC Foundation -- The Last Chance -- who work on cold cases. There are many interconnections of the characters which at times make the story hard to follow. There are two cases being solved, a cold case, and a current case.
Stross, Charles
The Clan Corporation
3rd in Merchant Princes series
6/22/11
Miriam discovers secrets about the Clan and attempts to use them to her advantage. Instead she is caught and set up to marry the younger (and brain damaged) heir to the Kingdom. She escapes to the second world when his older brother stages a coup.
Peters, Elizabeth
A River in the Sky
Amelia Peabody series
6/24/11
Set between some of the earlier books, it is just before WWI and the Emersons are working in Palestine. Ramses and Emerson are on separate sites, and uncover a German spy.
Reeve, Laura
Pathfinder
3rd in Ariane Kedros series
6/26/11
Having saved the world, Ariane now has to deal with the fallout.
Newman, Sharan
To Wear the White Cloak
Catherine LeVendeur series
6/29/11
Catherine and family have returned to Paris from Germany, to find someone has left a body in their house. They continue to be haunted by Jehan.
Stross, Charles
The Merchant's War
4th in Merchant Princes series
7/1/11
Miriam has escaped to the second Clan world. The Americans are trying to duplicate the Clan's abilities. Story ends on another cliff hanger.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
May and early June
Card, Orson Scott
Hidden Empire
sequel to Empire
5/29/11
Political sci fi. Plague in Africa allows American President to redraw the political lines in Africa. I have not read the first in the series. This is not related to the Ender series for a change.
Bowen, Rhys
Her Royal Spyness
first in Royal Spy series
5/31/11
Victoria is 34th in line for the throne of England. Spies on Bertie and Mrs. Spencer for HM Queen Mary. Makes her living as a high class charlady (in disguise).
Stross, Charles
The Hidden Family
2nd in Merchant Princes series
6/3/11
Miriam discovers a second locket that allows her to travel to a second world, technology early 20th century. The American colonies are still ruled by England. She sets about making a fortune by importing technology to this world.
King, Laurie R.
Night Work
4th in Kate Martinelli series
Kate and Al tangle with the Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement and a killer taking out rapists and wife beaters.
Reeve, Laura E.
Vigilante
2nd in Major Ariane Kedros series
6/6/11
Ariane is a partner in a space exploration business and a reserve Major in Intelligence. Terrorists capture a Time Distortion weapon and attempt to destroy a sun with it. Ariane and her partner discovered this sun and have leased out exploration rights to several competing empires.
Robb, J.D.
Fantasy in Death
Eve Dallas series
6/8/11
One of my guilty pleasures. Eve is investigating the locked room murder of a e-gaming mogul.
Hidden Empire
sequel to Empire
5/29/11
Political sci fi. Plague in Africa allows American President to redraw the political lines in Africa. I have not read the first in the series. This is not related to the Ender series for a change.
Bowen, Rhys
Her Royal Spyness
first in Royal Spy series
5/31/11
Victoria is 34th in line for the throne of England. Spies on Bertie and Mrs. Spencer for HM Queen Mary. Makes her living as a high class charlady (in disguise).
Stross, Charles
The Hidden Family
2nd in Merchant Princes series
6/3/11
Miriam discovers a second locket that allows her to travel to a second world, technology early 20th century. The American colonies are still ruled by England. She sets about making a fortune by importing technology to this world.
King, Laurie R.
Night Work
4th in Kate Martinelli series
Kate and Al tangle with the Ladies of Perpetual Disgruntlement and a killer taking out rapists and wife beaters.
Reeve, Laura E.
Vigilante
2nd in Major Ariane Kedros series
6/6/11
Ariane is a partner in a space exploration business and a reserve Major in Intelligence. Terrorists capture a Time Distortion weapon and attempt to destroy a sun with it. Ariane and her partner discovered this sun and have leased out exploration rights to several competing empires.
Robb, J.D.
Fantasy in Death
Eve Dallas series
6/8/11
One of my guilty pleasures. Eve is investigating the locked room murder of a e-gaming mogul.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
April and May
Realized I had read 6 more books since starting the post on the last seven.
Hodgell, P.C.
Seeker's Bane
2nd in Kencyrath series
Baen ebook
5/12/11
This series is enjoyable, but somewhat confusing as there are time sequence changes, and location changes unpredictably. The Kencyrath are not native to the world of Rathskellian, they are world travelers who move from world to world at the direction of their gods. They don't interact much with the natives, they have staked out their own territory. The primary character is Jame, sister to the High Lord of the Kencyrath. She is the personification of one segment of the triune god, that of Nemesis. Her brother represents another segment -- the Creator. The world of Rathskellian has its own elemental beings, Earth Mother, Fire, Water, and Air.
It's complicated, but fun.
Cook, Dawn
The Decoy Princess
1st in Princess series
5/14/11
Tess discoveres she is not the princess she thought she was. Instead, she was adopted at birth to be risen by the King and Queen while their real daughter is being raised in a convent to avoid assassins. The prince who has come to marry the princess is really a evil and ambitious second son who kills the king and queen and tries to take over the country. Tess escapes with her bodyguard and becomes his apprentice, to save the kingdom.
Newman, Sharan
The Difficult Saint
6th or so in Catherine LeVenduer series
5/17/11
I read this several years ago. Hadn't seen any in this series for several years and found them on Amazon. Catherine's sister marries a German lord, sight unseen. When he is poisoned shortly after their marriage, she is accused of his murder. Catherine and her family travel to her to solve the mystery. This is set against the backdrop of the beginning of the second Crusade, and Jews are in a precarious position. Catherine and her family are Christian, but her father was born Jewish and they have many Jewish friends. The historic detail is very interesting, and the mystery is intriging.
Bishop, Anne
Shalador's Lady
Black Jewels series, sequel to The Shadow Queen
5/19/11
Persons with magic have jewels, color of jewel determines strength of magic. Queens rule the land, aided by their court. Lady Cassidy has been hired to be the queen for a region that is in need of a change. One member of her court is attracted to a different queen and splits the land. All's well that ends well.
Hodgell, P.C
Bound in Blood
3rd in Kencyrath series
5/19/11
Continues to be confusing and fun. The trinity is still not complete at the end of this book, so presumably there is one more.
Stephenson, Neal
Cryptonomicon
5/24/11
Many books start slow, then get moving as you get into it. This was rather the reverse. It would have been vastly improved by paring its 1100+ pages by at least 600. It has two parallel time tracks, the present (in 1999) and World War 2. There is generally one set of characters in the present -- a small high tech firm involved in data encryption. In the World War 2 time frame there are several parallel sets of characters, including a collegue of Alan Turing. The first part of the book is very interesting, especially the discussions of the early computer development. But it really drags on much longer than needed.
Hodgell, P.C.
Seeker's Bane
2nd in Kencyrath series
Baen ebook
5/12/11
This series is enjoyable, but somewhat confusing as there are time sequence changes, and location changes unpredictably. The Kencyrath are not native to the world of Rathskellian, they are world travelers who move from world to world at the direction of their gods. They don't interact much with the natives, they have staked out their own territory. The primary character is Jame, sister to the High Lord of the Kencyrath. She is the personification of one segment of the triune god, that of Nemesis. Her brother represents another segment -- the Creator. The world of Rathskellian has its own elemental beings, Earth Mother, Fire, Water, and Air.
It's complicated, but fun.
Cook, Dawn
The Decoy Princess
1st in Princess series
5/14/11
Tess discoveres she is not the princess she thought she was. Instead, she was adopted at birth to be risen by the King and Queen while their real daughter is being raised in a convent to avoid assassins. The prince who has come to marry the princess is really a evil and ambitious second son who kills the king and queen and tries to take over the country. Tess escapes with her bodyguard and becomes his apprentice, to save the kingdom.
Newman, Sharan
The Difficult Saint
6th or so in Catherine LeVenduer series
5/17/11
I read this several years ago. Hadn't seen any in this series for several years and found them on Amazon. Catherine's sister marries a German lord, sight unseen. When he is poisoned shortly after their marriage, she is accused of his murder. Catherine and her family travel to her to solve the mystery. This is set against the backdrop of the beginning of the second Crusade, and Jews are in a precarious position. Catherine and her family are Christian, but her father was born Jewish and they have many Jewish friends. The historic detail is very interesting, and the mystery is intriging.
Bishop, Anne
Shalador's Lady
Black Jewels series, sequel to The Shadow Queen
5/19/11
Persons with magic have jewels, color of jewel determines strength of magic. Queens rule the land, aided by their court. Lady Cassidy has been hired to be the queen for a region that is in need of a change. One member of her court is attracted to a different queen and splits the land. All's well that ends well.
Hodgell, P.C
Bound in Blood
3rd in Kencyrath series
5/19/11
Continues to be confusing and fun. The trinity is still not complete at the end of this book, so presumably there is one more.
Stephenson, Neal
Cryptonomicon
5/24/11
Many books start slow, then get moving as you get into it. This was rather the reverse. It would have been vastly improved by paring its 1100+ pages by at least 600. It has two parallel time tracks, the present (in 1999) and World War 2. There is generally one set of characters in the present -- a small high tech firm involved in data encryption. In the World War 2 time frame there are several parallel sets of characters, including a collegue of Alan Turing. The first part of the book is very interesting, especially the discussions of the early computer development. But it really drags on much longer than needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)