I decided to read Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs mysteries back to back and compare.
Cornwell, Patricia
Port Mortuary
9/18/11
Kaye Scarpetti is working at Dover AFB on bodies returned from Afghanistan. She returns to her regular job to get involved in a murder involving military technology, theft thereof, and malfeasance by her second at the lab she is in charge of but has been away from for 6 months. Very tight time frame - the first half of the book covers about 24 hours, and the rest not much longer. What is a Port Mortuary and what is its significance to the plot -- never explained.
Reichs, Kathy
Spider Bones
9/20/11
Tempe Brennan is called in to investigate a body found under water in Canada. Fingerprints identify the body as a soldier reported KIA in Vietnam. Investigating takes her to NC then to Hawaii where she untangles the lives and deaths of three or four young men tangled up in the Vietnam war and misidentified bodies. Throw in gang members and a medical mystery.
Reichs vs. Cornwell
9/20/11
Both Tempe and Kaye are mixed up with the military - Kaye is a reserve Col. activated to work at Dover, and Tempe is consultant to and former employee of JPAC, commission to recover and identify remains from Asia/Pacific military operations. Kaye is concerned with her 20 something daughter, Tempe with her 20 something niece whom she raised. Kaye is married to exFBI and the marriage is happy but requires lots of patience. Tempe is involved with Ryan who is either FBI or exFBI. Kaye is very self-absorbed, Tempe less so. Both books are strictly first person, Cornwell present tense, Reichs past tense.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Barr, Nevada
Burn
Anna Pigeon series
9/9/11
Anna is on leave from the Park Service and staying with a friend in the New Orleans Frence Quarter. Investigates kidnapping, murder, child trafficing and prostitution.
Card, Orson Scott
Empire
9/10/11
Political thriller not scifi. Somebody kills the President, Vice President, and SecDef using a plan developed by Major Malik as a threat scenario. The narrator is Captain Coleman who has just started to work for Malik in the Pentagon. The two of them chase right and left wing extremists trying to split the US. The Winner is ostensibly a middle of the road professor who is plotting empire.
Harris, Charlaine
The Julius House
9/12/11
Aurora Teagarden #4
Ro and Martin get married. She buys him his childhood home as a wedding present. He buys her the Julius house. This house has been unoccupied for 6 years since all the occupants disappeared. She finds the bodies and discovers the killers.
Francis, Dick and Felix Francis
Crossfire
9/13/11
Typical Francis - fast paced, horses, mayhem, and murder. Our hero is an Afghanistan vet who lost a foot in combat. He ends up at home with his mother who trains horses.
Burn
Anna Pigeon series
9/9/11
Anna is on leave from the Park Service and staying with a friend in the New Orleans Frence Quarter. Investigates kidnapping, murder, child trafficing and prostitution.
Card, Orson Scott
Empire
9/10/11
Political thriller not scifi. Somebody kills the President, Vice President, and SecDef using a plan developed by Major Malik as a threat scenario. The narrator is Captain Coleman who has just started to work for Malik in the Pentagon. The two of them chase right and left wing extremists trying to split the US. The Winner is ostensibly a middle of the road professor who is plotting empire.
Harris, Charlaine
The Julius House
9/12/11
Aurora Teagarden #4
Ro and Martin get married. She buys him his childhood home as a wedding present. He buys her the Julius house. This house has been unoccupied for 6 years since all the occupants disappeared. She finds the bodies and discovers the killers.
Francis, Dick and Felix Francis
Crossfire
9/13/11
Typical Francis - fast paced, horses, mayhem, and murder. Our hero is an Afghanistan vet who lost a foot in combat. He ends up at home with his mother who trains horses.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
next installment - Early September
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.
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.
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.
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