Archives
January 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
11:52:00 AM EST
To me the world is a giant book shop. I feel the world opens to those who open books. And, I am convinced that books, if not furniture---are at least furnishing accessories.
Books open wide many a vista and become life long friends.
So a year that starts off with new novels from two of my favorite Florida crime novel authors, James W. Hall and P.J. Parrish and includes two from Michael Connelly is certain to be a banner year for reading.
In 2005, the mystery/thriller/crime novel category produced a bumper crop of first-rate reading.
Dr. Hall's "Forests of the Night" (2005) set the bar exceedingly high on opening day. In P.J. Parrish's "Killing Rain" (2005) lead character Louis Kincaid continues to grow and Florida comes alive.
Other Florida writers gave us outstanding reading as well.
Les Standiford's nonfiction "Meet You in Hell" about Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick read like a novel and was impossible to put down.
"Dead Men Rise Up Never" (2004) by Ron Faust was a new discovery for me and I am glad I found him. Jonathan King continued his string of exceptional Florida novels going with the most intriguing "A Killing Night." Not only a super story, but we learn quite a bit more about Max Freeman's past.
It is great to have Paul Levine back writing novels once again. This time it is two lawyers who appear as different as night and day. The pages of "Soloman vs Lord" (2005) fly by. Some of the most crackling dialogue this side of "His Girl Friday" infuses the book with a sense brilliant repartee. The start of a great new series.
Randy Wayne White's 12th Doc Ford adventure ("Dead of Night") (2005) featured bioterrorists at Disney and man eating worms. Florida's delicate ecosystem is a major character in the Ford series. Potent stuff!
"Walking Money" (2004) the initial novel from seventeen year veteran of the DEA, FDLE and the U.S. Marshall's service, Jim Born, is loaded with authenticity and a fertile cast of characters involved in a most engaging caper. Looking forward to "Shock Wave" (2005) and 2006's "Escape Clause." Jim Born is the real deal.
Jim Swain's Tony Valentine series produces some of the fastest reads I pick up. All the characters are vibrant and all the gambling scams actually happened---lending a bona fide aura to the narrative. The schemes, ruses, cons, dodges and swindles are totally captivating---and you could not make them up. "Mr. Lucky" (2005) shows off a master at work.
John D. MacDonald initiated the Florida-set crime novel and this year I enjoyed a couple of his 1970's Travis McGee novels, "Tan and Sandy Silence" and "The Turquoise Lament." They age well and remain absorbing reads.
This year I also "discovered" Ross Thomas, prompting me to ask, "under what rock was I living between 1966 and 1994" when he wrote perhaps the wittiest, most amusing, cynical and incisive novels involving spies, diplomats, lobbyists and politicians---when spooks and spymasters could keep a secret and complex plots actually were the norm. I read all nine of his books currently in print and haunt the used bookstores for the other. My favorite so far? "Chinaman's Chance" (1978)---or maybe "Briarpatch" (1984)---perhaps "The Fourth Durango" (1989)---or was it "The Cold War Swap" (1966).
Rupert Holmes was another discovery. "Swing" (2005) with its super CD was perhaps my most pleasant surprise of the year. The multi-talented Mr. Holmes is quite a writer. Extremely entertaining and highly recommended.
His novels are peopled with a host of Runyonesque eccentrics and the pleasure per page ratio is as high as anyone I can think of. It is never too late to uncover a rare gem.
Additionally from the past, I found great pleasure in Ross MacDondald's "The Moving Target" (1949) and "Underground Man" (1971). Crisp, concise, succinct and brimming with snappy dialogue, his Lew Archer series remains fresh, original and creative. Another master.
Sort of writing against type Elmore Leonard ("The Hot Kid"-2005) and Robert Parker ("Appaloosa"-2005) delivered mesmerizing reads.
"The Hot Kid" is depression era law man Carl Webster who shoots to kill and becomes larger than life as he chases after Jack Belmont (whose goal is to become the most famous outlaw ever). Big fun!
"Appaloosa" stars lawman Virgil Cole and his deputy (and narrator) Everette Hitch in a classic western. Remarkable entertainment. Parker's latest Spenser ("School Days") was a wonderful read as it entered the Susan-free zone---eliminating one of fiction's most tedious characters. Nifty plot as well.
George Pelecanos supplied us with another outstanding DC based unputdownable read in "Drama City." What spectacular characters, settings and convincing plot lines. And, finally I caught up on his seven works from 1992 thru 2000. Consistently high standards…none are to be missed.
Just up I-95 in a Baltimore suburb, Laura Lippman provided us with a most insightful look into what can go wrong in a "perfect" teenaged world. "To the Power of Three" (2005) is a powerful work of fiction that resonates in your brain long after the final page. I am not sure, but I think it may be against the law to write as well as Laura does.
Two of our most prolific authors gave us new characters that give high marks to. John Grisham's (if it is February, it must be Grisham time) "The Broker" was fascinating to me. Seemed less legal oriented and more thriller to me. Nice treat.
And, Stuart Woods has created a new character in Billy Bob Barnstormer to invade the world of Stone Barrington. BBB refreshes the Barrington series.
Ed McBain's "Hark" (2004) and "Alice in Jeopardy" (2005) both grabbed me. His passing leaves a void. His works were always pithy and he got you involved with all his characters.
A number of authors on my "must read" list seem underrated to me.
Once again this year Daniel Silva presented nail biting suspense with "Prince of Fire" (2005). Every one of his books is first-rate. Most feature art restorer and former Mossad op Gabriel Allon is tales of assassins and undercover agents is situations where what went before resounds in the present.
In Michael McGarrity's "Slow Kill" (2004) New Mexico lawman Kevin Kerney discovers a murder while in California on a horse buying trip. Terrific police procedural, colorful settings and a growing cast of solid supporting character keep this series convincing and compelling.
"The Color of Law," a debut from Mark Gimenez lived up to all its advance raves. A fast paced novel that follows lawyer Scott Feeney's perfect life falls apart when he refuses to back off a pro bono defense of a drug addicted hooker. Filled with twists and turns and no lack of suspense.
David Baldacci's "Camel Club" (2005) moves at warp speed as four unconventional and unlikely men devote their latter years to exposing the truth in government. When they witness a murder, they become the hunted. Putting this one down is not an option.
I truly hope our government employs agent like Mitch Rapp. He returns in Vince Flynn's "Consent to Kill" (2005) and this time he is the one being sought by an extremely skilled pair of assassins. Tension is at a high pitch in this intense series. Great pacing and unforgettable villains.
Elvis Cole returns in "The Forgotten Man" by Robert Crais. Great back story fill in and worth waiting for. This continues to be a marvelous series and Elvis a terrific protagonist.
Lee Child ratchets up the trepidation in the latest Jack Reacher novel, "One Shot" (2005). Well researched and carefully plotted, this one grips you from the opening scene and keeps your undivided attention all the way. Spectacular series.
Scott Turow mesmerized me with "Ordinary Heroes." What an emotional, expressive and affecting story---engrossing beyond belief.
Liked "The Wake Up" (2004) by Robert Ferrigno a lot. Unusual premise that works and keeps your interest from start to finish. His "Scavenger Hunt" (2003) was also a treat. An author to investigate.
C.J. Box is another writer who I feel in under appreciated. I read both "Trophy Hunt" (2004) and "Out of Range" (2005) in no time at all. His books always keep me up much too late. Very seductive writing in an incredible Wyoming setting.
Harry Bosch back with the LAPD in "The Closers" and new character Mickey Haller in "The Lincoln Lawyer" were the two major highlights in an excellent year of reading. Michael Connelly maintains an incredible standard in his writing. Perhaps the best at hiding clues in plain sight, his books always require a second read as I invariably miss an obvious sign and fall for a noticeable red herring.
Quite possibly the finest crime novelist extant, a Michael Connelly novel is always something to look forward to. To get two in one year made 2005 a bountiful year.
And---even better--- I still have a stack of super books to open including: "Fiddlers" from Ed McBain, "American Gunfight" by Stephen Hunter, Christopher Whitcomb's "White," "No Man's Land" by G.M. Ford, Jack Kerley's "Death Collectors," "Blonde Lightning" by Terrill Lankford, "Shock Wave" from James Born and Jeff Abbott's "Panic."
Not to mention the outstanding "Turning Angel" by Greg Iles that am about to finish. His last two disappointed me, but this one is most outstanding.
My thanks to all the writers who provide so much pleasure. Please keep them coming!
Written by latna4u2love Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
11:52:00 AM EST
To me the world is a giant book shop. I feel the world opens to those who open books. And, I am convinced that books, if not furniture---are at least furnishing accessories.
Books open wide many a vista and become life long friends.
So a year that starts off with new novels from two of my favorite Florida crime novel authors, James W. Hall and P.J. Parrish and includes two from Michael Connelly is certain to be a banner year for reading.
In 2005, the mystery/thriller/crime novel category produced a bumper crop of first-rate reading.
Dr. Hall's "Forests of the Night" (2005) set the bar exceedingly high on opening day. In P.J. Parrish's "Killing Rain" (2005) lead character Louis Kincaid continues to grow and Florida comes alive.
Other Florida writers gave us outstanding reading as well.
Les Standiford's nonfiction "Meet You in Hell" about Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick read like a novel and was impossible to put down.
"Dead Men Rise Up Never" (2004) by Ron Faust was a new discovery for me and I am glad I found him. Jonathan King continued his string of exceptional Florida novels going with the most intriguing "A Killing Night." Not only a super story, but we learn quite a bit more about Max Freeman's past.
It is great to have Paul Levine back writing novels once again. This time it is two lawyers who appear as different as night and day. The pages of "Soloman vs Lord" (2005) fly by. Some of the most crackling dialogue this side of "His Girl Friday" infuses the book with a sense brilliant repartee. The start of a great new series.
Randy Wayne White's 12th Doc Ford adventure ("Dead of Night") (2005) featured bioterrorists at Disney and man eating worms. Florida's delicate ecosystem is a major character in the Ford series. Potent stuff!
"Walking Money" (2004) the initial novel from seventeen year veteran of the DEA, FDLE and the U.S. Marshall's service, Jim Born, is loaded with authenticity and a fertile cast of characters involved in a most engaging caper. Looking forward to "Shock Wave" (2005) and 2006's "Escape Clause." Jim Born is the real deal.
Jim Swain's Tony Valentine series produces some of the fastest reads I pick up. All the characters are vibrant and all the gambling scams actually happened---lending a bona fide aura to the narrative. The schemes, ruses, cons, dodges and swindles are totally captivating---and you could not make them up. "Mr. Lucky" (2005) shows off a master at work.
John D. MacDonald initiated the Florida-set crime novel and this year I enjoyed a couple of his 1970's Travis McGee novels, "Tan and Sandy Silence" and "The Turquoise Lament." They age well and remain absorbing reads.
This year I also "discovered" Ross Thomas, prompting me to ask, "under what rock was I living between 1966 and 1994" when he wrote perhaps the wittiest, most amusing, cynical and incisive novels involving spies, diplomats, lobbyists and politicians---when spooks and spymasters could keep a secret and complex plots actually were the norm. I read all nine of his books currently in print and haunt the used bookstores for the other. My favorite so far? "Chinaman's Chance" (1978)---or maybe "Briarpatch" (1984)---perhaps "The Fourth Durango" (1989)---or was it "The Cold War Swap" (1966).
Rupert Holmes was another discovery. "Swing" (2005) with its super CD was perhaps my most pleasant surprise of the year. The multi-talented Mr. Holmes is quite a writer. Extremely entertaining and highly recommended.
His novels are peopled with a host of Runyonesque eccentrics and the pleasure per page ratio is as high as anyone I can think of. It is never too late to uncover a rare gem.
Additionally from the past, I found great pleasure in Ross MacDondald's "The Moving Target" (1949) and "Underground Man" (1971). Crisp, concise, succinct and brimming with snappy dialogue, his Lew Archer series remains fresh, original and creative. Another master.
Sort of writing against type Elmore Leonard ("The Hot Kid"-2005) and Robert Parker ("Appaloosa"-2005) delivered mesmerizing reads.
"The Hot Kid" is depression era law man Carl Webster who shoots to kill and becomes larger than life as he chases after Jack Belmont (whose goal is to become the most famous outlaw ever). Big fun!
"Appaloosa" stars lawman Virgil Cole and his deputy (and narrator) Everette Hitch in a classic western. Remarkable entertainment. Parker's latest Spenser ("School Days") was a wonderful read as it entered the Susan-free zone---eliminating one of fiction's most tedious characters. Nifty plot as well.
George Pelecanos supplied us with another outstanding DC based unputdownable read in "Drama City." What spectacular characters, settings and convincing plot lines. And, finally I caught up on his seven works from 1992 thru 2000. Consistently high standards…none are to be missed.
Just up I-95 in a Baltimore suburb, Laura Lippman provided us with a most insightful look into what can go wrong in a "perfect" teenaged world. "To the Power of Three" (2005) is a powerful work of fiction that resonates in your brain long after the final page. I am not sure, but I think it may be against the law to write as well as Laura does.
Two of our most prolific authors gave us new characters that give high marks to. John Grisham's (if it is February, it must be Grisham time) "The Broker" was fascinating to me. Seemed less legal oriented and more thriller to me. Nice treat.
And, Stuart Woods has created a new character in Billy Bob Barnstormer to invade the world of Stone Barrington. BBB refreshes the Barrington series.
Ed McBain's "Hark" (2004) and "Alice in Jeopardy" (2005) both grabbed me. His passing leaves a void. His works were always pithy and he got you involved with all his characters.
A number of authors on my "must read" list seem underrated to me.
Once again this year Daniel Silva presented nail biting suspense with "Prince of Fire" (2005). Every one of his books is first-rate. Most feature art restorer and former Mossad op Gabriel Allon is tales of assassins and undercover agents is situations where what went before resounds in the present.
In Michael McGarrity's "Slow Kill" (2004) New Mexico lawman Kevin Kerney discovers a murder while in California on a horse buying trip. Terrific police procedural, colorful settings and a growing cast of solid supporting character keep this series convincing and compelling.
"The Color of Law," a debut from Mark Gimenez lived up to all its advance raves. A fast paced novel that follows lawyer Scott Feeney's perfect life falls apart when he refuses to back off a pro bono defense of a drug addicted hooker. Filled with twists and turns and no lack of suspense.
David Baldacci's "Camel Club" (2005) moves at warp speed as four unconventional and unlikely men devote their latter years to exposing the truth in government. When they witness a murder, they become the hunted. Putting this one down is not an option.
I truly hope our government employs agent like Mitch Rapp. He returns in Vince Flynn's "Consent to Kill" (2005) and this time he is the one being sought by an extremely skilled pair of assassins. Tension is at a high pitch in this intense series. Great pacing and unforgettable villains.
Elvis Cole returns in "The Forgotten Man" by Robert Crais. Great back story fill in and worth waiting for. This continues to be a marvelous series and Elvis a terrific protagonist.
Lee Child ratchets up the trepidation in the latest Jack Reacher novel, "One Shot" (2005). Well researched and carefully plotted, this one grips you from the opening scene and keeps your undivided attention all the way. Spectacular series.
Scott Turow mesmerized me with "Ordinary Heroes." What an emotional, expressive and affecting story---engrossing beyond belief.
Liked "The Wake Up" (2004) by Robert Ferrigno a lot. Unusual premise that works and keeps your interest from start to finish. His "Scavenger Hunt" (2003) was also a treat. An author to investigate.
C.J. Box is another writer who I feel in under appreciated. I read both "Trophy Hunt" (2004) and "Out of Range" (2005) in no time at all. His books always keep me up much too late. Very seductive writing in an incredible Wyoming setting.
Harry Bosch back with the LAPD in "The Closers" and new character Mickey Haller in "The Lincoln Lawyer" were the two major highlights in an excellent year of reading. Michael Connelly maintains an incredible standard in his writing. Perhaps the best at hiding clues in plain sight, his books always require a second read as I invariably miss an obvious sign and fall for a noticeable red herring.
Quite possibly the finest crime novelist extant, a Michael Connelly novel is always something to look forward to. To get two in one year made 2005 a bountiful year.
And---even better--- I still have a stack of super books to open including: "Fiddlers" from Ed McBain, "American Gunfight" by Stephen Hunter, Christopher Whitcomb's "White," "No Man's Land" by G.M. Ford, Jack Kerley's "Death Collectors," "Blonde Lightning" by Terrill Lankford, "Shock Wave" from James Born and Jeff Abbott's "Panic."
Not to mention the outstanding "Turning Angel" by Greg Iles that am about to finish. His last two disappointed me, but this one is most outstanding.
My thanks to all the writers who provide so much pleasure. Please keep them coming!
Written by latna4u2love Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | digg this
