Cool Bookshelves

The randomly picked winner of the Thrill Week book giveaway is....<> Amanda Ray.  Amanda, you should have received an email asking for your physical mailing address. Thank you everyone for participating.  

Many people don't like the digital book wave, and still love the physical book.  I love unusual bookcases for those physical books.  Here are a few for your enjoyment...or your next spending splurge.

For the person who always wanted a concealed room.  

Bwaaa Haaa Haaa.

Artwork and yet functional.

Enjoy the week.

Review - The Burning Wire

This week I review a Jeffery Deaver thriller featuring his beloved character Lincoln Rhymes for Thrill Week.  I will warn you upfront that I am a fan of Mr. Deaver.  I was so very fortunate to have dinner, at a writer's conference, with him and he was willing to answer the many questions the ten of us threw at him.  I don't know when he ate!  That was when I purchased this book.  If you haven't read Mr. Deaver, let me introduce you to his work.

Author: Jeffrey Deaver

Copyright: June 2010 (Simon &; Schuster) 432 pgs

Series: 9th in Lincoln Rhymes Investigations

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Suspense thriller

Main Characters: Lincoln Rhymes, quadriplegic criminalist

Setting: Modern day, New York city

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

There is somebody in New York City who accesses the Manhattan electrical power substation and tampers with it to create an arc flash that destroys a city bus - full of people.  This person soon starts sending demands to Algonquin Consolidated Power and Light or he will strike again. Forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme and his partner Amelia Sachs are brought into the case along with FBI and Homeland Security's special terrorist task force who believe the attack may be from a terrorist group.  The demands or outrageous and Lincoln and Amelia race to save lives from an invisible weapon that can strike in public or private without warning.

A subplot has Lincoln working on catching the Watchmaker long distance with the Mexican authorities.  The reader also follows Lincoln as his health deteriorates from the stress of the two cases.  Emotionally Lincoln's health challenges open old emotional wounds.

I love the characterization in this series. Lincoln is a difficult and demanding forensic expert and his health makes him even more testy as this tale advances.  Lincoln is complex, in some ways his being a quadriplegic adds to that complexity.  Amelia is a counter-weight to Lincoln's intensity with her personal touch she brings to police work. Despite her witnessing the worst of human pain and debauchery, she is able to empathize with people and their pain.  The combination is effective. I would have liked more Sachs though, she mostly ran and did what Lincoln directed.  Her sections could have revealed more of her personally, besides just the arthritis.  An unexpected standout character is undercover Detective Delray on the street trying to get a lead on who is behind this. The reader is routing for him.

This book, like Deaver's other Rhyme novels, captures NY city and makes it real to people like me who have never been there.  Everything from the exciting Big Apple side to the seedier aspects are in technicolor.

I felt this book caught me from the first paragraph and didn't let go. I was riveted throughout the twists and turns.  Deaver is known for providing good twists and I thought this was definitely on par.

The climax had surprises and suspense, played out (IMO) masterfully.  The wrap-up concludes all the various storylines and you feel a part of these characters lives until the next book.

I felt this was a great, strong thriller with Deaver's characteristic suspense and pacing. 

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

Now for a short video with Jeffrey Deaver talking about this book.

Giveaway - And When She Was Good

Thrill Week GIVEAWAY PRIZE:   1 copy of the new Laura Lippman book AND WHEN SHE WAS GOOD

Entry Deadline for giveaway lasts until September 8, 11:59 p.m. (MST).

US and Canada entries only please

How to enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***
 
Second, leave a comment with your email address and why you would like to win this book.
 
All entries are to be in the comments for this post. 

I will accept entries for this giveaway Wednesday September 5 beginning immediately through to 11:59 p.m.(MST) on Saturday, September 8.    
 

I shall notify the winner via the email address you provide to get your physical 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 and why you would like to win this book.

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

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival -September 2012

It is the first Monday of the month - time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers.  If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews.  I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival.  Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.  Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review

Booking Mama reviwed Shunning Sarah by Julie Kramer

Thoughts in Progress reviewed The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny

Rivers I Have Known reviewed The House of Silk By Anthony Horowitz and shares: A review of Anthony Horowitz's Sherlock Holmes novel, which is every bit as good as the originals.

Booking Mama reviewed Broken Harbor by Tana French

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Judgment Call by J.A. Jance

Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Sketch a Falling Star by Sharon Pape

Stuff and Nonsense reviewed  Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg

Booking Mama reviewed Size 12 And Ready To Rock by Meg Cabot

A Date with a Book reviewed Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

Thoughts in Progress reviewed A Witch Before Dying by Heather Blake

Booking Mama reviewed  Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams

A Date with a Book reviewed In Deep Voodoo by Stephanie Bond

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Dying To Read by Lorena McCourtney


Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Whiplash by Lou Berney

Joanne Guidoccio reviewed Spilled Blood by Brian Freeman

Booking Mama reviewed Dare Me by Megan Abbot

Tea Time with Marce reviewed Dead End Deal by Allen Wyler

Jim's Got Web reviewed Under the Dome by Stepehn King and shares: When an invisible barrier suddenly surrounds the town of Chester’s Mill, Maine, the people are imprisoned there and become involved in a scheme that includes drugs and murder.

A Date with a Book reviewed Threat of Darkness by Valerie Hansen

Mysteries and My Mysteries reviewed The Resistance by Peter Steiner

Joanne Guidoccio reviewed Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Tea Time with Marce reviewed The Hollow City by Dan Wells

A Date with a Book reviewed Free Fall by Susan Rae

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman

Booking Mama reviewed Heartbroken by Lisa Unger

Tea Time with Marce reviewed White Lies by Jeremy Bates


Author Interview

Mysteries and my Musings interviewed Susan Elia MacNeal

Mysteries and my Musings interviewed Lou Berney

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A huge "Thank You" to all the wonderful bloggers out there who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming.

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.

  Submit your blog entry for next month's Carnival here: (http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8796.html)
  Spread the word far and wide!!!
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Thrill Week

What is Thrill Week

It is all about Networking with Bloggers and Authors who love to read and write Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense and/or Horrors. The goal is to find new blogs and bloggers with similar interest in those genres and of course add to our huge TBR and Wishlists.

The Thrill Ride Questionnaire  

all responses relating to Genres: Mystery, Thriller and Suspense              

1)  Introduce yourself
Hey, I am a Colorado native who has always been a bookworm.  I never know what to share about myself.  I am forty-something suburbanite with an aloof cat running the house.  I love the mountains, but have found I also love to visit the beach.

2) What has been your top 3 reads this year? Link your reviews
Endangered by Pamela Beason
Wilderness suspense: Wildlife biologist racing against the clock

The Last Spymaster by Gayle Linds 
Thriller - intrigue: CIA Agent Elaine Cunningham is hunting a legendary double agent who has escaped custody, but nothing is as it seems.

The Resistance by Peter Steiner 

Nazi occupied France with villagers mounting a underground resistance.  Danger truly lurks in every corner.

3) What are you currently reading during Thrill Week?My autographed copy of Jeffery Deaver's The Burning Wire.  Lincoln Rhyme is back, on the trail of a killer whose weapon of choice cripples New York City with fear.

The weapon is invisible and omnipresent. Without it, modern society grinds to a halt. It is electricity. The killer harnesses and steers huge arc flashes with voltage so high and heat so searing that steel melts and his victims are set afire.

4) Do you have an all time favorite cover in the genres above?  After checking out some of the other blogs, I too like most of the covers to cozy mysteries.  I would love to feature some of the artists, but so far haven't gotten far getting in touch with them.  


I usually love the covers to C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr  mysteries. 

5) What debut author(s) or new to you author(s) have you read within the last 12 months that have impressed you?
Now that you mention it, last year I discovered Victor Ostrovsky (Black Ghosts by Victor Ostrovsky).  Your question made me think of him and how I wanted to read more of him.  Thank you for reminding me.  Victor Ostrovsky was a Lieutenant Commander in the Israeli military as well as a member of the elite Mossad.  He utilizes his experience and knowledge to great advantage. 


Also, I just read and reviewed my first Laura Lippman.  She is great.

6) Favorite trilogy or series you recommend to others to read in the genres above? 
Oh my goodness - that is tough.  It depends on the specific genre: cozy mystery, paranormal mystery, amateur sleuth,  historical mystery, suspense, thriller.  There are so many.  Take a look through the books I have reviewed.  I follow the Seaside Knitters mysteries, The Divine Circle mysteries, the Bibliophile mysteries, the Sebastian St. Cyr  mysteries, Lady Arianna Regency mysteries,

7) What popular author(s) have you NOT read but is on your Wishlist?Tess Gerritisen, John Sandford, Lee Child

8) Other than blogs, share with us what other tools you use or subscribe to in order to keep up with the latest news on authors, new releases, book tours, etc? Shelf Awareness newsletter through my local indy store's website and Omni Mystery News, Stop Your Killing Me newsletter, The Big Thrill newsletter, Friends on Goodreads, and LibraryThing, TLC book tours.


9) What current book is hyped among the blogosphere that you want to read or are not interested in? Why or why not or link your review if you have read it.Anything James Patterson - he just seems to crank them out.
David Baldacci's Zero Day - mostly I am disappointed he didn't write another Camel Club and can't get past that.  BUT I have put his newest The Innocent on my TBR list.

10) What is most important in these genres to you? Plot, characters, location, dialogue, red herrings, narrator or what mix of them?I would have to say a mix of all.  Plot and character first, a location that is so well developed it is like a character in its own right is a plus.  Sometimes I just need a lighter tone, so some humor is nice - when it is appropriate. 


11) Recommend a book made into movie you thought both were good? I have to say the most recent movie of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was a great portrayal of the book.  I liked it much better than the first movie.
Also, The Bone Collector movie was a good movie from an amazing book.


12) Recommend a book you would like to discuss with others and possibly the author? Note – I will do a poll with participant’s choices at the end of Thrill Week and then we can agree on a date for Q&A. I will try and arrange the chosen author to participate.
 I am open to any author, but Laura Lippman or David Baldacci spring to mind.  I would have said Jeffrey Deaver - but I got to eat dinner with him and ply him with questions already at a writer's conference.

1. Felicia @ The Geeky Blogger	2. Clarissa Draper	3. Mysteries and My Musings
4. MYSTERIES in PARADISE	5. Nicola @ Back to Books	6. Shelleyrae @ Bookd Out
7. Red Headed Book Child	8. Charlie @ Bitsy Bling Books	9. Quirky Bibliophile @ On Page & Screen
10. Carols Notebook (on sidebar)	11. Paula - Tomes Devotee, on my side bar!	12. Cheryl~CMash Reads (on sidebar)
13. Stacys Books