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Review Date: 7/15/2012
"2 big cases stress Lindsay as she deals with her first pregnancy and Joe's increased trips away. The "girls" are all into the serial killer mystery when unearthed remains are discovered on the back porch of a well-known Hollywood star's San Francisco mansion. Acquitted years ago of his missing wife's murder, the star now resides with his new fiancé on a yacht, but refuses to sell the historic mansion in case Cecily ever reappears and comes looking for him. A search of the rear gardens leads to more gruesome discoveries and the SFPD can only suspect Harry Chandler whom they still believe got away with murder when Cecily disappeared.
While Lindsay and Rich interview potential serials, their boss, Lt Brady, insists they stay on top of another front-page case---that of the vigilante shooter who's been killing drug dealers using 22 caliber guns stolen from the police evidence locker. Brady fears a member of the force is behind this crime spree and Boxer and Conklin have to consider if someone they've worked closely with could be responsible.
Though 2 good cases are presented to solve, the unrealistic set-up of Lindsay dealing with so multiple personal issues at the same time just doesn't ring true."
While Lindsay and Rich interview potential serials, their boss, Lt Brady, insists they stay on top of another front-page case---that of the vigilante shooter who's been killing drug dealers using 22 caliber guns stolen from the police evidence locker. Brady fears a member of the force is behind this crime spree and Boxer and Conklin have to consider if someone they've worked closely with could be responsible.
Though 2 good cases are presented to solve, the unrealistic set-up of Lindsay dealing with so multiple personal issues at the same time just doesn't ring true."
Review Date: 5/27/2009
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I'd been reading a lot of historical fiction after a long period of only mysteries and thrillers, but had studied the Templars for a class so was fascinated to discover 2 series of mysteries from different authors that combined all these themes/genres. This was the first I've read, but will search out more by her and her compatriot, Michael Jenks. Loved the blending of my faves."
Review Date: 3/2/2011
"Another good historical detective novel by Carr in which the birth of "forensics" is again explored.
Placed in "sin city", the NY of the late 1890's, a team appointed by chief of police, Theodore Roosevelt (before he becomes President) is made up of 2 Jewish detectives who happen to be brothers, a gun-toting female police secretary, a playboy crime reporter, and the good doctor ( the alientist-- the old fashioned name for therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist) and his servants.
They track a serial killer whose victim profile and killing methodology helps them form a profile of the suspect they are looking for. As they deduce probable careers for the rooftop seeking monster, they discover how his unhappy childhood led him to kill the way he does.
A great read for anyone who enjoys the TV series "Criminal Minds"."
Placed in "sin city", the NY of the late 1890's, a team appointed by chief of police, Theodore Roosevelt (before he becomes President) is made up of 2 Jewish detectives who happen to be brothers, a gun-toting female police secretary, a playboy crime reporter, and the good doctor ( the alientist-- the old fashioned name for therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist) and his servants.
They track a serial killer whose victim profile and killing methodology helps them form a profile of the suspect they are looking for. As they deduce probable careers for the rooftop seeking monster, they discover how his unhappy childhood led him to kill the way he does.
A great read for anyone who enjoys the TV series "Criminal Minds"."
Review Date: 1/22/2010
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Enjoyable though Looooong (over 700 pages) story of historical crime fighting in late 1800's NYC. Team led by a psychologist (alienist) works to solve a kidnapping that soon leads them to the discovery that a serial killer of children is on the loose. An interesting look at how psychology was viewed by law enforcement, the courts, etc in the early days of the science. Introduces "forensics" as a way to help solve crime, though the courts did not consider it to prove "beyond reasonable doubt".
Though it bogged down in the middle, the last 3rd of the story had me reading faster to see if justice would be served."
Though it bogged down in the middle, the last 3rd of the story had me reading faster to see if justice would be served."
Another Monster at the End of This Book (Jellybean Books) (Sesame Street)
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
5
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
5
Review Date: 7/9/2012
"not as good as the original, but has the added treat of little Elmo joining Grover in the search for the monster at the end of the book. another great book for the reader to make the character voices come to life."
Review Date: 9/4/2009
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Couldn't believe over 700 pages for a non-serial fiction story, but it was needed to cover all the details of this haunted mystery. I didn't think eveything could be explained as I neared the end, but it all tied together neatly without giving the answer away early. I really liked it and quickly read it in 3 days. More ghostly doings than gore which I appreciated."
Review Date: 8/25/2010
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I re-read this due to increased interest in it again by other readers and just as I remembered, it was a great who done it and legal drama. It has everything-- romance, murder, police corruption, drug dealing, celebrities, and small town attitudes-- and it all takes place in the Hamptons and NYC where my sister lives and works so it gave me a personal tie-in to the locale described! A fast read with very short "chapters" from different characters' viewpoints."
Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
28
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
28
Review Date: 3/13/2013
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Good non-fiction book that reads like a fiction mystery/thriller. Fans of the TV shows CSI and Bones will enjoy this book where each chapter is like a lesson in a different forensic technique or tool (such as DNA, using sonar to search for a body underwater, etc) Yet it's not like a tech manual for scientists, very easy reading."
Review Date: 9/19/2009
"Not up to Cornwell's usual standards. Good detective story throws in an unneeded romp between the sheets that contributes nothing to the story.
Marino's slovenly ways and unprofessional behavior are getting old and tiresome--too much just to have a "colorful character" helping Kay solve crime. Would have been nice to see him take the rookie detective under his wing and guide her.
And again, Lucy's abuse of force in reaction to crisis is unrealistic and her juvenile disappearing acts and refusal to communicate with those who care about her would disqualify her from the security clearance needed to do the jobs she's assigned, whether undercover or to carry weapons-- any law enforcement officer who did what she does over and over again would be out on paid medical leave for psych treatment.
Sadly, I'm taking a break from the "Dr Kay" series."
Marino's slovenly ways and unprofessional behavior are getting old and tiresome--too much just to have a "colorful character" helping Kay solve crime. Would have been nice to see him take the rookie detective under his wing and guide her.
And again, Lucy's abuse of force in reaction to crisis is unrealistic and her juvenile disappearing acts and refusal to communicate with those who care about her would disqualify her from the security clearance needed to do the jobs she's assigned, whether undercover or to carry weapons-- any law enforcement officer who did what she does over and over again would be out on paid medical leave for psych treatment.
Sadly, I'm taking a break from the "Dr Kay" series."
Review Date: 11/9/2010
"A good start to researching the Blair Witch story after seeing the film. Book involves primary players surrounding the disappearance of 8 children, 7 of whom are discovered murdered and buried, the confessor the accused murderer tells the truth to the night before his execution, and the novelist who has penned books on the subject. Partly told thru journal entries that lead up to the confessor's death ( a former priest who marries, but whose interest in the evil doings in the Maryland hills continues).
The end of the book is somewhat disappointing as the mystery of the serial killings remains, leaving only hints as to who really tortured and killed the Burkittsville 7."
The end of the book is somewhat disappointing as the mystery of the serial killings remains, leaving only hints as to who really tortured and killed the Burkittsville 7."
Review Date: 5/8/2009
"Fans of the Twilight vampire series should like this too! Read the book and avoid the movie."
Review Date: 5/7/2009
"Interesting format with the 3 girls taking turns telling the story. Not as gripping as The Other Boleyn Girl, but a nice one to read after it."
Review Date: 5/11/2010
"Another "Bones" story set in Canada, but tied to Tempe's fond childhood memories of summers with grandma at Pawley's Island in the Carolinas. Less forensics and more good ole' detective work without too much of the relationship garbage that ruins some of Reichs' other books for me. Tempe's sister Harry plays a major role in this who-done-it and she's an interesting character. Poetry analysis adds a new twist. But I could do with less French (or MORE translation)!"
Review Date: 6/1/2010
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"A dead teen tennis star. A jealous, vengeful TV talk show host. A trans-atlantic murder case. Familial DNA. A veteran of the Iraqi war gone "postal"?
More indepth character analysis than seen in some other "Dr Kay" books made it much more likeable for me. But some disjoint jumping around had me confused in multiple places, reflecting poorer story writing than usual.
A surprise towards the end tied up the loose ends, but I hadn't been able to figure it out ahead of time though ample clues were provided."
More indepth character analysis than seen in some other "Dr Kay" books made it much more likeable for me. But some disjoint jumping around had me confused in multiple places, reflecting poorer story writing than usual.
A surprise towards the end tied up the loose ends, but I hadn't been able to figure it out ahead of time though ample clues were provided."
Review Date: 1/21/2011
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Interesting young adult read with a different look at the Holocaust. Good one to read out loud or as a class because young readers will need to discuss due to main character's naivete about what is happening in the world.
9 year old Bruno is the son of an up and coming Nazi officer, but really doesn't know what his father's job entails-- just that he gets to wear handsome uniforms! Their move from their beloved home in Berlin to the commandant's home at a concentration camp confuses Bruno who has no idea about the war, the "Jewish" problem, or who the" Fury" (Hitler) is! He just knows he is lonely, missing his 3 "best friends for life" and the 5 story house with a sliding bannister-- the only home he's known. To top it off, there is no town nearby, no neighbors, and only his adolescent sister to play with--but she's a total pain!
He eventually goes "exploring" in the woods behind the house and discovers more about the people who live on the other side of the fence--hundreds of them he can see from his bedroom window--- and who all wear the same "striped pajamas" every day."
9 year old Bruno is the son of an up and coming Nazi officer, but really doesn't know what his father's job entails-- just that he gets to wear handsome uniforms! Their move from their beloved home in Berlin to the commandant's home at a concentration camp confuses Bruno who has no idea about the war, the "Jewish" problem, or who the" Fury" (Hitler) is! He just knows he is lonely, missing his 3 "best friends for life" and the 5 story house with a sliding bannister-- the only home he's known. To top it off, there is no town nearby, no neighbors, and only his adolescent sister to play with--but she's a total pain!
He eventually goes "exploring" in the woods behind the house and discovers more about the people who live on the other side of the fence--hundreds of them he can see from his bedroom window--- and who all wear the same "striped pajamas" every day."
Review Date: 2/6/2010
"My first read of the "Bones" series by Kathy Reichs. I really like the TV show and forensics stories in general so wanted to read the books by the anthropologist who started the frenzy!
If you love Dr. Brennan on the TV series, be ready-- the name and occupation are the same, but the personality is nothing like the Temperance in the book!
"Break No Bones" is the 9th novel in the series-- it's a good solid mystery with a love triangle thrown in! Nice setting in Charleston area.
Includes a great afterword that explains where her stories come from as well as the definitions that distinguish pathologist from anthropologist. Will keep reading, but will go back and read in order."
If you love Dr. Brennan on the TV series, be ready-- the name and occupation are the same, but the personality is nothing like the Temperance in the book!
"Break No Bones" is the 9th novel in the series-- it's a good solid mystery with a love triangle thrown in! Nice setting in Charleston area.
Includes a great afterword that explains where her stories come from as well as the definitions that distinguish pathologist from anthropologist. Will keep reading, but will go back and read in order."
Review Date: 11/7/2010
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Hilderbrand has written a wonderful light mystery in the voices of 6 of the 8 main adult characters. Easy to track despite each "chapter" being voiced by a different person and bouncing back and forth in time. Serious subject matter involves affairs between members of this group of 4 married couples, a suspected teacher/student affair, prescription drug and alcohol abuse, and the care of orphaned children. I will definitely look for more of Hilderbrand's island novels!"
Review Date: 5/27/2009
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Loved this book. Have read most of Stephen King's books. This was more sci-fi to me with the technology theme and without the supernatural theme or gory unnatural creatures that some people expect of a horror book writer. I'm always telling my family to not get so attached to the phone and computer--will they ever learn?????????"
Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
15
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
15
Review Date: 12/19/2012
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"A wishy-washy attempt at a serious pseudo-psychology parenting book. The author states her views but is unable to follow-through with many of her beliefs about raising her daughter with limited media and commercial influence. Fortunately, she does include the results of some "real" research so you will at least hear what the experts are discovering. Raises interesting issues about permissive parenting, especially our dependence on "convenience" guiding what we choose to entertain and feed our children. This is a fun read, but far from the true scientific summary I expected."
Review Date: 11/2/2009
"Great thriller with forensics & kinesics (study of body language). Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhyme together again to track down a serial killer, the Watchmaker. A police corruption case too! A solid story with lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending made me give it 5 stars."
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