A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

Hi, I am a bit behind with being on holiday so this is a double entry hope you don’t mind. The first book is A Place of Execution by my favourite Val McDermid. I have been hurrying this week to get it finished as it is on ITV in a new three part drama starting on Monday coming.

What a great book this is a very moving story and well worth a read or a watch (I hope) on Monday night. I won’t spoil it for you as it is a complicated story and I don’t want to spoil it for you. Am looking forward to seeing it next week and just hoping ITV have done the story proud. The book deserves 10/10.

The other book I have just finish was a Lynda La Plante story. ‘Cold Shoulder‘, is the first of three books all with ‘Cold’ in the title. They take place in the US about an ex policewoman in loads of trouble it was very readable and I have the other two ready to go when I am. Just in case you think I read all this on holiday I was nearly finished the La Plante when we went away and I started Val on Skye so I did not spend all my holiday reading. Score for Cold shoulder is 8/10.

Now I will be a while between entries this time as I have just started ‘The Quest’ by Wilbur Smith. This is the fourth book of his Egyptian series, I have read the other three so am looking forward to this one. You are a bit longer with these books as they are written in a completely different style from the norm and you have to take your time reading them but they are usually worth it in the end. Will write more about the series in my next entry. Till then. Love

Joan.

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Wild Fire

                            

Good Evening, I just finished Nelson Demille’s Wild Fire the other night. It is a good story post 9 /11 in the USA. It was a well worked out plot good characters it was 600 odd pages but it would have been better in my humble opinion if it had been a bit shorter. I felt there was far to much padding out of the book. The main character in the book John Corey has taken to joking far too mush he never used to be like this and I felt it was overdone a bit as it was a very serious story. It was one of those books when you were not sorry to see the end. I will not recommend this book and will only give it 6/10 Sorry Mr Demille.

    Till next time   Love     Joan.

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Beneath the Bleeding.

                                 

Today I finished the latest Tony Hill /Carol Jordan by my favourite author at the moment Val McDermid. I feel it a sad as I will have to wait for quite some time before I get another so it's goodbye to Tony and Carol for the time being. It was a great story as all Val’s books are this one in particular was fabulous. There was not wasted words it just kept going all the way through. In the authors notes at the beginning of the book Miss McDermid tell of being in hospital having two knee surgeries and this she uses in the book to great effect. I think she must have had a hard time.

The good news is a stand alone novel comes out in next month call ‘A Darker Domain’ so will have to be on the look out for that. Can’t recommend this book enough or in fact any of her books they are all great reads if you like a good thriller.

Bought the latest Nelson De Mille today just to change authors for a bit as I have not read any of his for some time and he does write different stories this one sounds great but it is a big read so it may take me a bit longer. 10/10 for ‘Beneath the Bleeding‘. by Val McDermid.

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Cold Shoulder by Lynda La Plante

Clean Cut is the third book of the Anna Travis series it was good I really enjoyed it but I think it was a book too far I found it a bit long drawn out with a very complicated plot with far too many bodies lying about and a awful lot of characters. I did enjoy the other two Red Dahlia and Above Suspicion much more maybe it was just me it was a good read as I said, it was just not as good as I thought it was going to be and I was a bit disappointed.I give this one 6/10. Till next time Happy Reading, Love,

Just noticed this journal is one year old today. Happy Birthday to My Book Journal.

The Last Temptation.

                                    

What a great book, really enjoyed this of course I am prejudice I love all of Val’s books. This is the third in the Tony Hill /Carol Jordon books and just as good as the rest. A lot happens to the two intrepid crime fighters that carries on into the next book which of course being me I have already read but still it was a great read. The book takes place in Holland and Germany and just by chance I did a tour of most of the places in the book for our 30th anniversary many years ago it is a beautiful area. I have the fifth book in the series sitting waiting in my big pile but will read a few more books before I start it. I noticed on fantastic fiction website that there is a new McDermid stand alone coming out at the end of the year. Will look forward to that too. 9/10 A great read.

Till next time Love Joan.

                        

 

 

Tags: Val McDermid, The Last Temptation

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Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben

Hi this is the latest book I have read and the first one by Harlan Coben I have read. I loved the plot but found the book a bit bland, its maybe with the sort of books I normally read or maybe I just picked the wrong one to start off with will try another in time. Sorry to his fans but Just 6/10 for this as I really did not enjoy it all that much. Love Joan

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The Take.

                                 

                                

Good afternoon, just finished Martina Cole’s ‘The Take’ yesterday it was a great story really enjoyed it very strong characters as usual it is not the kind of book you forget when you finish it the story stays with you as do her other books the only thing I can fault is her very very very colourful language which is even worse that usual in the story still it was a great read 8/10 and worth every point.  Till next time Love Joan.

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Above Suspicion.Lynda la Plante.

                                

Oh dear, I really must start reading books in the order they were written in this is the umpteenth time I have done this it’s because it depends so much on the way I acquire the books. Above Suspicion is the first Anna Travis book Red Dahlia being second and Clean Cut is the third one, will have to be on the look out for that one. I have not read any of the Lorraine Page series that’s the ones that have Cold in the title but I have them all sitting ready so I will read them in order, promise. Right back to Above Suspicion this is a great story and starts the association between Anna and Langton they are great together and sparks usually fly. Have read this book in under a week found it hard to put it down but if you get the chance read these books in order it will enhance you enjoyment. I feel Anna is like a Jane Tennison from Prime Suspect trying to prove herself in a man’s world. Read this trilogy, sure you will enjoy them. Am looking forward to the third one as soon as I get a copy. Till next time, Love Joan. 10/10.

 

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Black Notice by Patricia Cornwell

Hi, well that’s me back from my holidays I did not do too much reading as by the time evening came and bedtime I was deadbeat and could not keep my eyes open for very long but I did manage one book. In Braken Cottage there is a big bookcase full of books most are not to my taste but some of them are. This year I spotted a Patricia Cornwell book I had not read I don’t know how I missed this one it is the tenth of the Scarpetta series. The last Scarpetta I read was very disappointing but this being a older one it was great in fact I had to bring it home with me as I still had about 50 pages to read when it was time to come home so I owe the cottage one book. A great book but a bit old for all you fan of Patricia Cornwell you no doubt read it ages ago. A new scarpetta is due out in October and believe it or not it's the sixteenth and will be called 'Scarpetta'. 8/10. for Black Notice.

The Ladykiller

                                   

Good afternoon, have had a busy week reading, laptop connection has been bad and so has the desktop think we managed to fix it yesterday I get so annoyed with it and have little patience so I usually just leave it alone for a while. Sorry I diverse I am supposed to be writing a book review. ‘The Ladykiller’ by Martina Cole is not for the faint hearted in fact it was a bit too much for me a times but I do not like to give up on a book and the story itself was compelling enough for you to want to find out how it was going to end. I of course knew roughly how it was going to end as I had read ‘Broken’ which is the sequel to this book first and that more or less told you what was going to happen I hope this will teach me to try harder to read books in the proper sequence. The characters are great in this book I just about fancied Patrick Kelly myself reading this book he is very fanciable even for an oldie like me. It is a very graphic violent book but there is not as much bad language in it as there is in some of her other books. It is over 625 pages long so it is a big read but very compelling I got through it quickly because of internet problems or it would have taken me quite a bit longer to get to the end.

After the last three books I have read I must read something a bit more gentle so I am going to start Sam Bourne’s ‘ The Last Testament’ Stu says it is very good so I will give it a try. Martina Cole’s The Ladykiller gets a 7/10 worth reading. Till next time, Love

Joan.

 

Tags: Martina Cole, The Ladykiller Book review

The Mermaids Singing.

                                    

Good Afternoon, I always seem to update this journal on a Saturday afternoon maybe because Stu usually watches the sport and I am at a loose end for a couple of hours. This weeks book was ‘The Mermaids Singing’ by my favourite author (Thanks to Jan for pointing me in this direction) Val McDermid. This book is the first of the Tony Hill stories which lead to the TV series ‘Wire in the Blood’ which is very successful and I enjoy it too. This book told a very gruesome story and had me cringing at times it was so graphic. With this being the first book of the series it tell you a lot about Tony Hill that you do not get from the TV programs and for that alone is well worth reading. I found it difficult to put down and read it in just a few days which is the best way to read something like this. I would recommend this book to all thriller lovers but you do need a bit of a strong stomach for it. This deserves a 9/10

 Till next time  Love Joan.   Happy reading.

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Clean Break Val McDermid.

                                        

Good afternoon, well that’s another great book finished. With the weather being so kind this week we have managed to sit in the garden for a few hours each day with the exception of Tuesday when we had heavy showers. I love Kate Brannigan books they always have a good plot and are full of humour too, I laugh out loud when I am reading about her exploits they are very funny. I think this is McDermid’s light side where as the Tony Hill and her stand alone novels are all very serious stuff. I love the way in nearly all her stories she manages to get a visit to Scotland included into the web. It was lovely being back in my favourite garden chair sitting in the sun with a good book, looking forward to many more days like this soon that is after the hail and snow clears again. Clean Break gets 8/10 great book. Till next time Love .

                                  Joan.

 

Tags: Val McDermid, Kate Brannigan

The Killing Hour.

                                  

Good Evening, boy have I found a new author her name is Lisa Gardner. Maybe I have been sleeping and you may have discovered the lady before me what have I been missing. I have read this book very quickly as I just could not put it down. If the rest of her books are anything like this one I will be a very happy bunny. As usual it is another thriller but you know that by now that’s the kind of books I like. You will not believe this but this is another book within a series this was no 4 it did not say anything about this on the cover and I did not discover it I looked up the author on Fantastic Fiction but fortunately did not matter. She has written plenty of books so will have to keep a lookout for more of her work. Don’t want to say too much if you want to know about her have a look on the website Fantastic Fiction. As I have said before it is a great sight for readers. Will have to give this great thriller 9/10. Till next time Love

Joan.

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Broken. by Martina Cole.

                                        

Good Afternoon, have just finished Broken by Martina Cole to say you enjoyed such horrific story would not be right but I did find it unputdowndable if there is such a word. It is a big book and I read it in just under a week which is quick for me in the wintertime, sounds strange but I read more in the summer sitting in the garden. It is a very disturbing story but the characters are very strong, it is well written although the language is a bit colourful to say the least but it something you come expect from Miss Cole. In this book I did not find the language as gratuitous as in some of the other books of hers I have read. Made my usual mistake in reading the second book of a series first but I had read about 100 pages before I noticed I had the first one sitting on the shelf. The first one is called ‘The Ladykiller’. Am looking forward to reading that one but not just yet as I like to chop and change a bit. Will give this 8/10. Till next time Love,

                                                                                                           Joan.

Tags: Martina Cole.

Snow Blind. P.J. Tracy.

                                  

Good Evening, have been sitting curled up with my book this afternoon as it has been a cold windy day not as bad as it was in the book that I have just finished. Snow Blind was a great thriller a real page turner and the title was spot on. It snowed all the way through the story and by the end it was six feet deep. I have heard some of our j-land friends speak of very deep snow worse than we ever get here nowadays and this book really brings it home how bad it can be. If you have read any of P.J.’s books you will know her characters, this is their forth book and it’s the same format at before. The Monkeewrench team are not in this one so much but there is a new lady sheriff that’s has a big roll. Its one of those books that has you reaching for the thermostat and a blanket it makes you feel so cold. What next don’t know……………………. 8/10

 

                                                                                Love Joan.

 

 

Tags: P. J. Tracy. Monkeewrench

Sleeping Cruelty

                          

Here we are again another book finished. This is not an atypical book for Lynda la Plante it is not what I would call a murder mystery as you know who done what all the way through it is a story of revenge. It is a big departure for her but I did enjoy it is a bit of a top shelf book if you get my meaning but enjoyable just the same but don’t say I did not warn you.

I have just started Snow Blind by P J Tracy Jasmine says it is very good so am looking forward to reading it as it has been sitting on the shelf for a few months and it’s a hard back copy which I love. Till next time. Love Joan.  7/10

Tags: Lynda La Plante

The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne

Good Evening, this is the first book this author has written he normally writes for the Guardian newspaper. He has now written two books and his third one is due later this year.

This was a great story very very unusual and it kept you interested and guessing right to the very end. I did learn an awful lot about Judaism which I new very little but don’t get me wrong its not a text book. All the information in it is very well explained and is all part of the story. I have the second book which is totally different according to Stuart who I have to thank for introducing me to Sam Bourne‘s books. If you get the chance to buy or borrow this book and want to read something a little different fast moving and very interesting this is the book for you.

So tonight the joy of a new book have not decided yet just what. Sam Bourne’s The Righteous Men gets 9/10.

Tags: The Righteous Men. Sam Bourne.

Th Red Dahlia.

Good Afternoon, earlier this week I finished reading Lynda La Plante’s THE RED DAHLIA. I really enjoyed this book it moved along at a great pace never a wasted word. This is the middle one of three that she has written about Anna Travis. Anna is a great character I am sure you will like her she seems to get herself in a right trachle at times. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller.

I don’t know about you but when I finish a book and go to start a new one I feel a bit like a child in a sweetie shop choosing what to read next. Stuart always thinks it strange as I can finish one book and within minutes start the new one. So after all that what will I be reading next ………I have found a new author or rather Stuart has (he read the first chapter of one of this authors books in Waterstones on Monday) and thought it was very good. I had a look around the book shops and found both of his books. His name is Sam Bourne and the book I am reading is called The Righteous Men. I have read the first one hundred pages and it is a very unusual story. I was needing a bit of a change from the usual thriller so we shall see. That’s it for now hope you are enjoying whatever you are reading. Red Dahlia gets 8/10.

Love Joan.

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At Risk.

                          

Good Evening, have just finished ‘At Risk’ by Patricia Cornwell. This must be the smallest book she ever written it was a good enough story and the male lead was a great character I really liked him but the story was very thin and fizzled out before the end. I was a bit disappointed as the book had a good review. This is about the third book of Patricia’s I have been a bit disappointed with lately maybe its me getting a bit fussy in my old age but there you have it. I noticed on Fantastic Fiction . Com that book 2 of At Risk is due out this year. During this bad weather I am really enjoying reading a Linda La Plante book called ‘Red Dahlia. I noticed it in W. H. Smith yesterday it is being given away free in a one of the monthly glossy magazines sorry can’t remember which but I think it was a good deal as it is a great story I thought it was sod law after me buying it. Till next time keep reading.

                                                          Love Joan.

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A Torment of Others,by Val McDermid

Wow, what a book, this Val McDermid has it all. It's a brilliant thriller, well written and researched, it is a great read. It is not for the squeamish, it’s a bit gory at times but it is necessary to the story.

This is the first Tony Hill book (Wire in the Blood) I have read unfortunately it is not the first it’s the fourth in the series I do wish I would read books in order but this one came to hand first.

Watching the TV series I always thought that Robson Green did not ring true as a character but having read The Torment of Others he is perfect with the exception of the carrier bag it should be a battered briefcase even the eyes are the right colour. I have another Tony Hill ready to read but am going to draw breath before starting another McDermid tale.

I am going to read a Patricia Cornwell (At Risk) I have sitting so I think I will start that today its quite a small book with big print so I should whiz through it in no time at all.

Its certainly reading weather just now with all the rain snow and cold glad I have plenty in my bookcase. What are you all reading just now? Till next time.

Love

Joan.

Tags: Val McDermid.

Cross by James Patterson.

Cross.

By

James Patterson.

Sorry no picture tonight AOL not co-operating at all.

Stayed in bed this morning to finish ‘Cross’ was not all that impressed with this offering, think Alex Cross has just about had his day in my opinion that is. I know he has a big following but I think enough is enough and I don’t think I will read any more of Cross books. It moved along quickly enough but it was much the same as any other I have read.

Moving on I have had a great year reading wonderful books, discovered new authors discarded authors I have tired of and hope 2008 will bring piles of new reading to my bookshelves.

Have started another Val McDermid this time it’s a Tony Hill novel this is the first one of this series I have read so am looking forward to it its called ‘Torment of Others’ its quite a big book so it may take some time. I am not getting through so many books just now as I am not in the garden sitting in the sunshine with my feet up it’s a wee bit cold for that just now ha ha. With all the winter sport I love to watch that on the telly. So till next time and I finish this book bye for now.

Love Joan

Tags: Val McDermid, James Patterson.