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.

Third Annual Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

We are celebrating Midsummer here at Mysteries and My Musings with a giveaway for the third year!  Shakespeare even wrote about it - when we have the longest daylight hours and shortest night.  I love summer, don't you?

If you are joining us as part of the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Blog hop, look around and stay for awhile.  We celebrate everything mystery and suspense here - no doubt you can find something of interest!

GIVEAWAY PRIZES:

$10,000 in Small, Unmarked Puzzles by Parnell Hall

 

Death Without Company (Walt Longmire mystery) by Craig Johnson

The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire mystery) by Craig Johnson

A Serpent's Tooth (Walt Longmire mystery) by Craig Johnson

The Shadow Tracer by Meg Gardiner

Entry for giveaway lasts until June 30 6:00 p.m. (MST).  U.S.  entries only please.
I will be shipping the books to the winners.

How to enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post.

I will accept entries for this giveaway until 6:00 p.m (MST) on  June 30.    I shall notify the winner via the email address you provide to get your mailing address and have the prize sent directly to you.

IF you are a member of this blog, you only need to leave a comment with your correct email.

BECOME a member of this blog if you aren't already and enjoy the celebration of all things mystery and suspense.

 

Other participating blogs:

Review - The Christie Curse

We have the first book in a new cozy mystery series written by the mother/daughter team of Victoria and Mary Jane Maffini as Victoria Abbot.  Mary Jane Maffini is most recently known for her Professional organizer Charlotte Adams mysteries.  Let's see how well this collaboration worked.
 

Author: Victoria Abbott

Copyright: March 2013 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 1st in Book Collector Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy

Main Characters: Jordan Bingham, needing a job and place to live

Setting: Modern day, Harrison Falls NY

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Jordan loves the uncles who raised her (shady business dealings aside), but she would like to live on her own now and pay off her student loans.  She answers an ad for a research assistant to an  eccentric book collector that includes room and board. It sounds like the ideal job for her.  She is hired on the spot and adores her own rooms that she refers to as her garret apartment.  But Jordan soon discovers that the man she is replacing had suspiciously been pushed onto the subway tracks while doing the very research project Jordan is hired to do.  

Her assignment is to locate and acquire a never before mentioned Agatha Christie play (supposedly written during her eleven-day disappearance) that may have gotten the last researcher killed.  Her new employer is not just eccentric, but cranky, surly, and hated by everyone in town.  Then there is the ever present Harrison Falls cop popping up regularly as if he is following Jordan.  It takes all the street smarts her uncles taught her to do her research while investigating the murder of her predecessor.  She may even have to call upon her uncle's unique skill sets to help her out.

Jordan is a refreshing cozy heroine.  She is street savvy plus has a masters degree.  Her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her uncles.  She has taken an unconventional upbringing and sees the positives in it.  Uncles Lucky and Mick are the two primary uncles who raised her and she currently lives with.  They are shady in non-specific ways, but the local crime boss, Salvatore Tascone, attended her first communion and owes Mick a favor if that tells you anything.  Other uncles are introduced, but these two are great characters that I will relish getting to know better.  Vera Van Alst is a curmudgeon that just may have more feelings than she likes to admit to.  The combination of Jordan and Vera is a great mix and I think will continue to work as the series progresses.  Tyler Dekker, the enigmatic policeman nicknamed "Officer Smiley" added interest throughout.  The reader is never quite sure what his agenda is until the end. The handsome librarian, Lance DeWitt, gives librarians everywhere a new persona as the flirtatious romantic interest.  I love the change-up of the hunky library dude for a potential romantic interest rather than the now over-used cop boyfriend.

The setting was the aged Van Alst mansion mixed up with small town Harrison Falls and neighboring towns.  The mansion is a good setting, but I hope it is used as more than a backdrop as we move forward with the series because it has tremendous potential.

The plot of a potential new play by Agatha Christie and what people might do for such a valuable collectable piece of literary history was nicely constructed and played out.  The role of this possible play with the overall mystery was dead on.  The pacing kept a steady level of interest with danger lurking and a few good twists.  The voice of Jordan is not as chatty as some, but follows her smart and savvy makeup.  I found the voice to be engaging.

The climax was a one-two punch.  Just when you thought things were wrapped up, the other shoe drops.  Kudos on that.  The wrap-up was just priceless as well. 

This is a fantastic debut of a new cozy series with a refreshing heroine and sparkling cast of characters with smart plotting. 

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

Tami Hoag Book Giveaway

Tami Hoag began her writing career at the age of nine with the self-published, self-illustrated third-grade hit Black Pony.  The school project—a tale of two children sharing a pony named Smoky—sparked Hoag’s love for storytelling, and set her on a collision course with destiny, which would be reached in 1988 with Bantam Books’ publication of Hoag’s first novel, The Trouble With J.J.

A favorite of readers and critics alike, Hoag began her career writing for Bantam’s Loveswept line of romance novels, penning sixteen titles in five years.  Never wanting to be pigeonholed, the novels ranged from romantic comedy to romantic suspense, with richly drawn characters and sharply written dialogue the hallmarks of Hoag’s style.  These traits carry through to her thrillers, along with fast-paced plots and dead-on police procedure.

Born in Iowa, raised in Minnesota, Tami Hoag left the frigid north for warmer climes in 1998.  An avid competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage, Tami currently lives in Palm Beach County, Florida, where she competes her horses on the prestigious winter show circuit.

Here is a publisher provided interview:
Kovac and Liska, the homicide detectives in THE 9th GIRL have previously appeared in ASHES TO ASHES,  DUST TO DUST, and PRIOR BAD ACTS.  What made you decide to return to these characters?
I missed Sam and Nikki. I first met them in ASHES TO ASHES, where they were only intended to be secondary characters.  But they were so strong and vivid and funny that they came right back with a book of their own in DUST TO DUST. They’re like old friends now.  I’ve had many reader requests to bring them back, and I wanted to go see what they were up to. It’s safe to say this won’t be the last we see of them, either.

Your primary victim in this case is a very conflicted and complex 16-year-old girl. Her friends and enemies have key roles. This is the first time teenage characters have played such a large role in one of your novels. What was that like? How did you get in their heads?
It was an interesting experience that was a little intimidating in the beginning. It’s been a long time since I was a teenager. But I became very attached to my kids, particularly Brittany, who feels like she’s in a tug of war. She wants to be accepted by the popular clique, but also feels loyalty to friends who are considered outcasts. And I’m absolutely in love with Liska’s son, Kyle. He’s sweet and loyal, and working hard at growing up to be a good man. He really stole my heart. I talk about him like he’s a real kid and I’m his proud auntie!

Kyle is a 15 year old who is experiencing bullying at school. Why did you feel it was important to discuss this issue in the story?
Bullying is such a prevalent and pernicious blight on our society, particularly with all the social media outlets kids have access to today. So many kids suffer because of bullies, and so many adults carry the scars of bullying they experienced growing up. It’s a terrible injustice that serves no one. Bullies ultimately don’t benefit from being bullies. The world doesn’t benefit from having bullies. We all have to wise-up to the fact that we can influence the world in a positive way through positive actions and by accepting one another. Being kind and generous of spirit is so much more rewarding.

Kyle’s favorite sport—and yours—is mixed martial arts. How did you come to that sport, and what about it speaks to you?
I started working out with a trainer who has fought professionally and competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I knew nothing about either. After I’d been working with him for a few weeks, he said to me, “You should watch a fight. I think you might like it.” What an understatement that turned out to be! I fell in love with it immediately, and am a hardcore fan.

Kyle’s mom, Nikki Liska, is struggling to balance her roles as single mother and homicide detective. How does she represent the American woman today? If you were to meet her in real life, is she someone you would have as a friend?
Nikki and I would get on famously! She’s sassy and smart-mouthed with a quick wit. We would be hell on heels together. She’s tough as nails on the job, but also vulnerable, and fiercely devoted to her boys. I think a lot of women can identify with her struggle between career and her role as a mother. She’s basically working two full-time jobs that aren’t very compatible. She has to earn a living to support her sons, but her job takes her away from them far more than she would like. She loves her career, but she loves her boys, too. It’s the conundrum of the modern woman.

A tattoo plays an important role in The 9th Girl. Tattoos have become almost mainstream in our society, particularly among younger people. What did you learn about the tattoo culture while you were researching the subject? Do you have any tattoos yourself?
Before writing The 9th Girl I had no interest in having a tattoo, but as I researched the subject, my opinion changed 180 degrees. I came into contact with many people who had multiple tattoos, and learned the reasons behind their choices. From twenty-something young men to sixty-something grandmas, all shared the same basic belief that their tattoos told a story about their life. They had something to say and felt committed enough to have it inked ’t care what anybody else thinks about it. That kind of passion speaks to me.

I now have two tattoos. One that says “Stronger,” which means something to me and says something about me, and the tattoo from THE 9TH GIRL: Chinese characters that express tolerance and acceptance of people as they are. “Be who you are” is a sentiment I believe in strongly—unless you’re a jerk. Don’t be a jerk!

In THE 9TH GIRL, the police are trying to figure out if the victim knew her killer or if she was the target of a stranger. Which do think is scarier: the devil you know or the devil you don’t?
I think we all fear the unknown, the random act of violence, but in my personal experience there is nothing more frightening than finding out someone close to you has a side you never imagined possible. In that terrible moment of revelation we realize that we can never truly know anyone. Both kinds of evil are present in THE 9TH GIRL. We’ll see which scares readers the most!

Now for some fun questions! Writers always joke about wearing pajamas to work. What do you wear to the office?
Either baggy old jeans or sweatpants and a fight t-shirt. Function over fashion. Comfort keeps the words flowing.

Who are the top five artists on your iPod?
Maroon 5, Train, Matchbox 20, Tristan Prettyman, and Jason Mraz.

American Idol or The Voice?
The Voice. I love the mentorship aspect of the show.

Football or baseball?
Neither. I don’t follow team sports. I can’t stand to have that many people disappoint me all at the same time.

What would we find in your magazine rack?
Fighters Only, Inked, Psychology Today, Dressage Today, and Architectural Digest.

What’s the screen saver on your phone?
Shirtless Channing Tatum. That boy is mighty fine to look at!

If you could live abroad for a year, where would go?
Italy. I’ve always been obsessed with ancient Rome. I would go there and soak up as much as I could.

Your secret crush is . . . ?
Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel









~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  Book Giveaway ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We are running a special giveaway of Tami Hoag's most recent book, "The 9th Girl" to one lucky winner as well.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag brings back her fan-favorite Minneapolis investigators Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska in the haunting new thriller The 9th Girl.

On a frigid New Year's Eve in Minneapolis a young woman’s brutalized body falls from the trunk of a car into the path of oncoming traffic. Questions as to whether she was alive or dead when she hit the icy pavement result in her macabre nickname, Zombie Doe. Unidentified and unidentifiable, she is the ninth nameless female victim of the year, and homicide detectives Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska are charged with the task of not only finding out who Zombie Doe is, but who in her life hated her enough to destroy her. Was it personal, or could it just have been a crime of opportunity? Their greatest fear is that not only is she their ninth Jane Doe of the year, but that she may be the ninth victim of a vicious transient serial killer they have come to call Doc Holiday.

 


Single book giveaway

Entry for giveaway lasts until Wed. June 5 8:00 p.m. (MST).

The publisher will ship the book to the winner.

How to enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post.

I will accept entries for this giveaway Tuesday June 18 beginning at posting time through to 8:00 p.m (MST) on Friday June 21.  United States only please.

I shall notify the winner via the email address you provide to get your mailing address and have the prize sent directly to you.

IF you are a member of this blog, you only need to leave a comment with your correct email.

BECOME a member of this blog if you aren't already, and enjoy the celebration of all things mystery and suspense. 

Review - Peril in Paperback

I reviewed the third book in the series, The Lies that Bind (click here), and the fourth, One Book in the Grave (click here.)  This is the sixth book in the series, let's see how this addition to the series stacks up.

Author: Kate Carlisle

Copyright: August 2012 (Signet) 304 pgs

Series: 6th in Bibliophile Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy, Amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Brooklyn Wainwright, book binder and restorer

Setting: modern day, San Francisco and countryside

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Brooklyn is invited to the fiftieth birthday party of her neighbor Suzie’s aunt Grace for a week of festivities. Grace, now retired, was the founder of a major video game corporation.  The party is at Grace's Lake Tahoe Mansion that she has enhanced with everything from pinball machines and giant props to secret passageways and trap doors. Brooklyn is excited to discover Grace’s extensive collection of rare paperback pulp fiction.

Early on Grace, who doesn't have a psychic bone in her body, leads a séance that turns deadly.  A cocktail intended for Grace was poisoned and took the life of another guest. Immediatly suspicion turns to the auto-biography that Grace had finished and was about to publish. This sets up a classic manor mystery with a cast of strange guests to investigate.

Brooklyn is not her usual loving and enlightened self in this edition.  There are two guests that she can not stand, really can't stand.  It doesn't help that Derek has been in France...or is it Belgium, working a case and when Brooklyn called, a women made it clear Derek was unavailable. So she is under a little stress with her imagination running wild.  Derek doesn't make an appearance until later in the book so not much to add there.  Gabriel pops up at the Lake Tahoe mansion, somehow personally knowing Grace (I suspect auntie helped Gabriel with some high tech gadgetry in the past.)  Gabriel has really grown on me and in this book he lets slip a few words that make it seem he cares more for Brooklyn than anyone thought possible.  Grace may be turning fifty, but she is a hoot. She springs the biggest surprise on everyone that provides a great twist in the plot.  I enjoyed her character and look forward to reading more about her.  We get to know Susie and Vinnie, neighbors in San Francisco, a little better.  The pair gets quite a surprise during the week with Aunt Grace. Their lives are forever changed, in a good way. 

The mansion is primarily the setting and not so much Lake Tahoe.  The mansion sounds fascinating and provides a great setting for this mystery to play out.  The plot is solid cozy mystery fare with being stranded by snow until the murderer can be caught.  The pace kept up well with sub plots developing and several twists and excitement.

The climax was a good romp complete with revelations and a few surprises.  The wrap-up had some heartwarming moments and leaves the reader feeling good, looking forward to another outing with Brooklyn. 

This addition to the series is a solid cozy mystery with plenty of interesting characters and excitement. If you aren't a fan already, this could make one.

Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list