Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - January 2015

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and shares "This is the beginning of the Veronica Mars franchise living on in books."

Carstairs Considers reviewed The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Booking Mama reviewed To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie

Kings River Life Magazine reviewed Die Again by Tess Gerritsen



Booking Mama reviewed Asylum City by Liad Shoham and shares "It is classified as a murder mystery and is fast paced with several engaging characters; but it is much more."

 
Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Carstairs Considers reviewed Ghost in the Guacamole by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed You Cannoli Die Once by Shelley Costa sharing "wit and humor take center stage"

Carstairs Considers reviewed Feta Attraction by Susannah Hardy

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Basil Instinct by Shelley Costa

Carstairs Considers reviewed For Whom the Bluebell Tolls by Beverly Allen


Kings River Life Magazine reviewed The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian


Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Death with All the Trimmings by Lucy Burdette

Carstairs Considers reviewed Scene of the Climb by Kate Dyer-Seeley


Thriller/Suspense /Intrigue Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed XO by Jeffery Deaver and shares "Deaver's take on a celebrity stalker produces a devious villain pitted against a dogged CBI agent."

Booking Mama reviewed I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Mystery Author Carmen Amato reviewed Smokescreen by Khales Talib

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Slow Horses by Mick Herron and shares it "delivers spies who are neither slick nor sauve."

Booking Mama reviewed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and shares "I know this book will be one of my favorite reads for 2015!"

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal and shares "the reader is drawn into the drama of the approaching Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor."


Author Interview

Cozy Chicks has a guest post by Duffy Brown, cozy author "Who's Got Your Back?"

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A huge "THANK YOU" to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and let's keep this carnival going. 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

Spread the word far and wide!!!

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Review - The Hit

Although I was holding out hope for another Camel Club release from Mr. Baldacci, I was enticed by the blurb on this book.  I did not read the first book that debuted the character Will Robie, but this second in the series is on par to best the Camel Club (hard to imagine, I know.)

Author: David Baldacci

Copyright: April 2013 (Grand Central Publishing) 400 pgs

Series: 2nd in Will Robie-Assassin Thriller series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Thriller

Main Characters: Wiliam Robie, a U.S. sanctioned elite assassin

Setting: Modern day, Washington DC

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

The book opens with Doug Jacobs, a handler, watching a live feed of a planned assassination.  From everything that he observes, including a shot of the assassin's sniper position, the hit will take place as planned.  What he didn't know was that it was smoke and mirrors, the assassin was actually in Washington D.C. targeting him.  The shot hits its Doug Jacobs instead of some Middle East wannabe to the shock of the intelligence community.  Will Robie is called in and given the assignment to track down and kill the person believed behind the killing of Doug Jacobs -- Jessica Reel, another elite U.S. assassin who seems to have gone rogue.  Jessica and Will know each other, and they know each others strengths and training.  But Will starts to uncover that there is something more going on, the information he has been given to track Jessica down is redacted and the crime scene was cleaned before he could see it.  What is the government hiding, and is Jessica Reel a traitor or a patriot?  Will Robie has suspicions that all is not as it appears, so what does he do about tracking down and killing Jessica Reel? 

Will Robbie is a smart character and a very deadly opponent.  He makes a great anti-hero in that his job and ingrained training dictates he should just follow orders.  But, he can't ignore all the clues that there is something deeply wrong in his own agency.  Jessica Reel is a dynamite character.  She is hardened and jaded, and every bit as lethal as Will Robie.  I loved her character and look forward to her in future Robie books.  FBI agent Nicole Vance, who made her appearance in the first book "The Innocent" is back.  She proves herself to be a critical player in key parts of the book, due to her working with Robie in the last book.  Julie, a teenage girl also from the prior book, is present in this story as Robie struggles with being in her life.  A standout character in this book is known only as "Blue Man".  Blue Man is Robie's immediate superior and displays a political acuman as he advises Robie.  Blue Man is somewhat an unsung hero in the tale because he works in the background, but I appreciated him so much.

The setting is mostly Washington D.C. with additional scenes in the Middle East, and New York.  These settings are related through an assassin's eyes, evaluating aspects that are not usually portrayed.

The plot is spot on and continues to grow in magnitude the further you read.  Some sections are written from Jessica's viewpoint, which heightens the tension significantly. This maintains a thriller's sense of urgency and seems rocket fueled. 

The climax is gripping and meets expectations fully.  The wrap-up is dramatic yet nuanced, lingering on the mind long after the book is closed.

"Page-turner" does not even begin to describe this gripping race through a governmental conspiracy at the highest levels.  I devoured this book.  It is a rush, yet the voice is so finely developed that it encompasses wisdom regarding damaged souls as well.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Here is a short interview with David Baldacci on this book.

Review - The Last Spymaster

I am returning to my current yen for spy novels with this book.  The author, Gayle Lynds, is a member of the U.S. Association for Intelligence Officers, and is a bestseller in a male dominated genre.  She wrote three of the books in the Covert-One series with Robert Ludlum.  She also co-founded the International Thriller Writers, Inc.  This particular novel was awarded the 2006 Novel of the Year prize from the Military Writers Society of America.

Author:  Gayle Lynds

Copyright:  2007 (St. Martin's Press) 304 pgs

Series:  Stand alone novel

Sensuality:  mild

Mystery Sub-genre:  Thriller, intrigue

Main Character:  CIA Agent Elaine Cunningham

Setting:  Modern Day,Washington DC

Obtained Through:  Library

The story opens with a young skier in Switzerland being shot, then two days later the spymaster, Jay Tice, breaks out of a U.S. prison where he was held for treason.  How are the two incidents related is quite the story.

From the book:

"Charles Jay Tice was a spy's spy--a legendary figure in the CIA, and the intelligence world in general, towards the end of the Cold War. But he was also a traitor, having sold secrets that seriously compromised the U.S. for years to come. Since his conviction, he's been kept in the tightest maximum security prison under the tightest security. Until one morning, his cell is discovered empty--Tice has disappeared without even the hint of trace.

Agent Elaine Cunningham is a 'hunter', assigned to find Tice quickly, before the rest of the world knows he's gone. But she soon finds out that something is very wrong. This is more than just an impossible escape by a master spy--lurking in the shadows is a much bigger, deeper, and more dangerous conspiracy than an old spy's last run for freedom."

The viewpoint shifts between Jay on the run or Elaine chasing him.  Sometimes that can be annoying or confusing, but in this case I think it works well for creating more suspense. 

Jay remains a bit of a mystery, although the reader knows there is more to him and his story than what is initially revealed.  Elaine was an unlikely choice for hunting Jay, she is considered emotionally damaged and had been left on desk duty, seemingly forgotten, until Jay escapes.  Elaine is a solid character, not perfect in the spy world, but she has great instincts and is able to quickly assess a situation and understand the implications.  I really liked Elaine.  As the story develops a few key supporting characters are introduced who all bring something to the story.  It is hard to discuss without giving too much away.  There are a few villains, some that are visible, and one that remains a mystery until the end, which is particularly well done.

The setting is mostly in D.C. or the surrounding Virginia countryside, with a few European scenes.  The setting is used effectively, one minute serene and the next ominous. 

The overall plot is believable and builds as the story unfolds.  It utilizes many of our fears regarding terrorism and cutting edge technology to push the stakes higher and higher.  It felt realistic, not a lot of flash.  I kept thinking, it could really be like this.

The climax is a nail bitter and gets the adrenaline pumping.  The wrap up was perfect and sold me on this author.  If you like a good spy novel or a plot that takes you by surprise a time or two, give this book a try.  I am getting another of hers from the library!

Here is a teaser about the book from the author herself.

 

Review - Blood Oath

When I read the blurb for Blood Oath, I thought it was a fresh idea and fit nicely for a Halloween read under the Suspense/Thriller category.  It was a bit more than I anticipated as you will see in the review.  With no further introduction, meet the President's special agent - his vampire.

Author:  Christopher Farnsworth


Copyright:  May 2010 (Putnam Adult) 400 pgs


Series:  1st in President's Vampire


Sensuality:  Adult content and language


Mystery Sub-genre:  Paranormal Suspense/Thriller


Main Character:  Zach Barrows, newly appointed "handler" of the president's vampire, Nathaniel Cade.


Setting:  Modern day, Primarily Washington DC


Obtained Through:  Library Thing




The story is told from the point of view of Zach Barrows, a very ambitious White House staffer who doesn't appreciate being stuck in the shadows with the President's vampire.  He has been working himself into the ground hoping for a more visible and "important" position.  Zack is a kiss-up of the first degree, slick.  The real story is about Nathaniel Cade who has been bound by voodoo magic to the President of the U.S. ever since President Andrew Johnson.
 
Cade specializes in those enemies who are of a supernatural nature that only he can battle.  Zach gets his first real taste of what Cade has been battling when they realize that a former Nazi doctor has perfected piecing human parts together and creating a super-soldier for some Iraq extremists.  These super-soldiers are unstoppable (a cross between Frankenstein's monster and a zombie).


This story is gritty, not campy.  Summary of story elements: standard strong brooding hero, veteran older agent, young know-it-all new agent, typical Muslim bad guy, crazed Nazi doctor, obligatory sex scene, "f" bombs, car chase, and an impressive explosion.  But, I appreciated how the vampire is delved into with a more scientific mind as to what it would take for them to exist.  These tidbits were at the beginning of each chapter as snippets from "nightmare pet" manual or doctor's notes.  

Cade seems a bit more realistic for a vampire.  For instance, the whole "vampire is alluring" bit is dismissed when Cade says "Do you play with your food?".  This cuts through so much of the romanticizing and myth-icising around what Bram Stoker's original monster was supposed to be - evil.  The reader gets glimpses of a more complex Cade occasionally such as how he made a choice not to drink human blood ever again but he feels no compassion for humans.  He has found a way to vent his violent tendencies through his job and may even take a little pride in his prowess.


The characters of Zack and Cade grow on you in the novel.  Zack manages to grow-up a bit and Cade has more layers yet to peel back.  But otherwise I didn't think the rest of the characters will stand out in my mind.  Of course, with a Thriller novel characters aren't meant to be the primary focus, rather it is all about the action.  Time is taken on Cade's back-story which slowed the action in places but added to the idea of Cade as a real possibility.


It may have vampires, but the real monster is the former Nazi doctor creating these zombie-ish creatures. Dr. Johann Konrad is evil personified (supposedly the inspiration for Frankenstein) with absolutely no glimmer of human emotion nor compassion.  So several of the scenes with Dr. Konrad exhibit more violent content - be warned readers.  This character is developed as a total psychopath with no real humanity in him.  Dr. Konrad could easily be a cardboard cutout but instead manages to be truly frightening. 


It is a thriller novel through and through.  There is an urgent need to find out about and stop the zombie-like creatures because they represent a clear danger to the nation - and even the White House.  I thought Blood Oath took the over-done vampire and somehow managed to bring a fresh perspective to it.  The plot was enough to keep me reading.  But the true strength is how Frankenstein and Vampires have been given modernized makeovers in this work. 


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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for April 2010

We have reached 100 followers!  I am so tickled, please, overjoyed.  "Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music." 

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

 

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for April 2010

It is the first Monday of April and time for our fifth blog Carnival. It is another chocked full directory of mystery and crime fiction reviews across the blogosphere.

Police Procedural Book Review

 KerrieS reviews A CARRION DEATH by Michael Stanley.  She tells us it is "one of my best reads for 2010. an impressive debut novel structured in a way that gets the reader thinking. For example, the events are layered in time rather than sequential, so you are forced to take notice of chapter headings. There are little puzzles to solve and as one is resolved, the next presents. It is also populated with engaging characters such as Kubu Bengu, his wife Joy, and his boss Mabake."

The Book Mole presents an oldie but goodie Gallows View by Peter Robinson

Mason Canyon reviews An Axe To Grind by F.M. Meredith

Private Investigator Book Review


Ms. SP...as in Smarty Pants presents The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
 
Marie Burton reviewed 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan  and says it was an unforgettably nostalgic journey through 31 Bond Street in New York City that I would not hesitate to recommend to fellow mystery lovers.
 
Amateur Sleuth book Review

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading reviews Borderline by Nevada Barr

Beth Fish reviews Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Mayhem and Magic reviewed It Happened One Knife by Jeff Cohen

Jennifer reviewed Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich

Tiny lIttle Reading Room reviewed The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Violet at The Mystery Bookshelf reviews Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Child

Mark  gives us a mini review of The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen

Pudgy Penguin reviewed Devil's Food Cake by Josi S. Kilpack

hristina reviewed Death in Kashmir by M.M. Kaye and says it is an entertaining mystery, in the tradition of Agatha Christie

Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Matt Fullerty presents his book The Murderess and the Hangman

Missy Frye reviewed Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

Elena reviews the classic Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Douglas Cobb reviews Drood by Dan Simmons

Author Interview


 You can hear the Bookhabit PodCast (a 23-minute interview) with British Author Matt Fullerty by clicking here.


Mysteries and My Musings inteviewed Wendy Roberts
 
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Diane Stuckart 
 
Writing Tips and Advice
 
Author2Author gives us Mystery Stucture

For research Angela Martin gives us The 100 Best Crime Books Ever Written

Rowena Hebert gives us 37 Lectures Every Writer Should Listen To

More research aids Isabella Smith gives us 50 Fascinating Documentaries for Forensics Science Junkies

Rowena Hebert presents 100 Twitter Feeds That Will Improve Your Writing

For research and perhaps a plot idea Mia Taylor presents The Top 10 Art Heists of All Time



*******I hope you got some ideas for new books or authors to read and even some tips and insights for writing.*******


For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.

And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post to be included.



 

  

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - March 2010

-  This blog has been nominated in the Blogger's Choice Awards in two categories, so PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog.  Thank you most sincerely.  There are voting buttons on the sidebar.

-  This marks the end ot the Fall Winter Mystery Reading Challenge I hosted, so please go to the original sign-up page to see the winners list posted and get your website badge.

-  The winner for The Fleet Street Murders book is Darcy Bishop.  She was the only one who attempted the treasure hunt and she got all five answers correct.  I shall be giving the other book away to a mystery fan I know.

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It is the first Monday of March and time for our fourth blog Carnival.  It is another chocked full directory of mystery and crime fiction reviews across the blogosphere.

Police Procedural Book Review

Blogger News Network reviewed Murders At Crooked Creek by William Francis Burke. Set in 1959 Pennsylvania with a serial killer.

Booksmith reviews The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly.

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise presents Review: THE KILLING HANDS, P.D. Martin and says it is #4 in the Sophie Anderson series by an Australin crime fiction author whose popularity is growing all the time. Should be a hot with readers who know anything about martial arts.


One Person's Journey Through a World of Books reviewed I, Alex by James Patterson

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading presents Review: The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill and says "if a tale that unfolds in intricate, captivating layers and provokes much thought about what you would do in the face of modern moral dilemmas sounds like your kind of thing then read The Pure in Heart."

Laura at Booking It reviewed Knots and Croses by Ian Rankin

KerrieS presents THE SUFFOCATING SEA by Pauline Rowson and shares it is "set in Portsmouth, 3rd in Rowson's Andy Horton series. A very intricate level of plot complexity means there is never a slack moment in the building tension."

Joy at Joy's Blog reviewed The Raphael Affair by Iain Pears if you love art history and art crime.  I have this one in my bookshelf and just haven't gotten to it yet.

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading presents Review: Singing to the Dead by Caro Ramsay and shares "a follow-up novel that's interestingly different from the author's debut that cements my belief that Ramsay has superior skills in character development."

You're History! Reviewed the book Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon


Private Investigator Book Review

Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf reviewed Hoodoo Money by Sharon Cupp Pennington

Beth Yarnall reviewed Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag

Sherrie at Just Books reviewed "Dino Vicelli Private Eye" by Lori Weiner

Book Chick City reviewed The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

Julia at  Book News and Reviews gives us a brand new series review Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines

Yvonne at Socrates's Book Reviews gives us Dino Vicelli Private Eye: In A World of Evils By Lori Weiner

Amateur Sleuth book Review

The Red Room reviewed the novel Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner

Word Lily reviewed I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason by Susan Kandel

Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews reviewed Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

Shhh I'm Reading reviewed the novel Tears of Pearl by Tasha Alexander

Sara over at The Hiding Spot reviews the YA mystery Heist Society by Ally Carter

Mysteries and My Musings reviews the historical intrigue book A Bolt From the Blue by Diane Stuckart

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed the historical novel The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed the novel Wild Penance by Sandi Ault

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Mason Canyon over at Thoughts in Progress reviewed The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs

Anastasia over at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog reviewed Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs

Julie at Booking Moma reviewed the paranormal cozy Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Pamela and Terri at Mayhem and Magic reviewed Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss 

Anastasia over at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog reviewed Crewel World by Monica Ferris


Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Harvee over at Book Dilettante presents The Trudeau Vector: A Novel by Juris Jurjevics

Mason Canyon over at Thoughts in Progress reviews Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young

KerieS at Mysteries in Paradise presents THE SURGEON by Tess Gerritsen and shares "This is the first in Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli series, set in Boston. Highly recommended."

Sherrie at Just Books reviewed "The Rook" by Steven James

Laurie at In Laurie's Mind reviewed The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh.

Thoughts About Books reviewed Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

The Literary Omnivore gives us two mini-reviews: The Sultan's Seal by Jenny White and also Napoleon's Pyramid by William Dietrich.

Mark Baker over at at Random Ramblings from Sunny Southern CA presents 8th Confession by James Patterson

Jill at Frugal Plus reviewed The Khan Dilemma by Ron Goodreau

Missy Frye over at Incurable Disease of Writing presents Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer and tells us this suspense novel takes us back to 1945 Germany where the war is officially over but danger still lurks.

Hip Mama's Place reviewed Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon

The Novel Bookworm reviewed The Dragon Factory by Jonathan Maberry


Author Interview

Murderati interviews J Sydney Jones, author of Requiem in Vienna

Deanna over at Writerly So interviews Kate Carlisle, author of If Books Could Kill

Beth Groundwater interviews Agatha Award winner G. M. Malliet

Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Sandi Ault, author of Wild Penance


Writing Tips and Advice

Blood Red Pencil presents Writing as an Art Form — Continuity

Livia Blackburne at The Book Deal presents Lighting up your reader’s brain: Can neuroscience teach you to be a better writer?

Eldon Sarte presents Interview Authorities.  Here's just one idea in a growing and on-going series of posts on Wordpreneur featuring "easier and faster ways to pump out useful, sellable ebooks."

Livia Blackburne at The Book Deal presents 7 Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter

The Blood Red Pencil gives us Easy Self Edits
Write Fresh, Write Bold, Write It Sideways gives us 23 Websites That Make Your Writing Stronger

Peta Jinnath Andersen presents Finding Your Voice: Dialogue and says "Writing natural dialogue is hard - these 3 tips might smooth the process."

Livia Blackburne at The Book Deal presents Strong and Memorable Characterization in The Graveyard Book

Anne Valens gives us Top 50 Freelance Writing Blogs at the site "Journalism Degree".

Livia Blackburne at The Book Deal presents How to Pull Off an Amazing Plot Twist


~ ~ ~ ~ ~WOW - what a great carnival this month ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Until Thursday and another book review, I wish you many mysterious moments.