A couple days ago I finished reading Lisa Scottoline’s newest thriller, Most Wanted. This book’s fascinating premise reeled me in from the start, but did it keep me compelled from the first page to the last? Watch my book review below to find out:
I recently finished reading Harlan Coben’s newest thriller, Fool Me Once. As many of you know, Harlan is my favorite author. However, does his latest novel live up to his tremendous reputation? Watch my book review below to find out whether or not you should pick up a copy of Fool Me Once:
Last night I stayed up late to finish Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline; I’m glad I did because it was the best legal thriller I’ve ever read and one of her finest books.
What made this novel so compelling? Well, for starters, it featured excellent character development. From the protagonist to the client she represented, nearly all of the key players in the book faced realistic internal and external struggles that made them relatable, mature and human.
I also enjoyed the romantic subplot and how it intersected with and influenced the main storyline. It was tastefully written and heartfelt, and I’m eager to see how it evolves in future novels in this series.
Corrupted has an interesting structure as well, with portions of the book taking place in the past and others in the present. Scottoline wisely doesn’t jump back and forth more than necessary, and events that take place in both time periods are seamlessly woven together as Corrupted escalates toward a thrilling climax that is unpredictable, plausible and immensely satisfying.
If you need a new book for the new year, pick up a copy of Corrupted. It’s a finely crafted tale that makes one thing clear: Lisa Scottoline is at the top of her game.
To celebrate the past 25 years of pop culture, Entertainment Weekly released a new book entitled The Must List. Is this compact hardback book worthy of sitting on your coffee table? Watch my video review to find out:
I recently finished reading The Stranger by Harlan Coben, and I really enjoyed it. As always, Harlan pens a tightly-woven, unpredictable thriller better than anyone. But that also means the reader goes into his books with very high expectations. I found this standalone novel to be superior to his previous one, Missing You, and I highly recommend it. And don’t forget to check out my interview with Harlan, where he talks about his inspiration for this book.
20 autographed copies of Gene Simmons’ new book: Me, Inc.
I recently finished Steven James’ latest novel, Singularity, the sequel to a book I enjoyed quite a bit, Placebo. So, how does this measure up to the last one in the Jevin Banks series? I’d say it’s just as good, if not a little better, than Placebo.
Having already become acquainted with these characters, I was happy to see them grow and mature in Singularity. As a matter of fact, I’d say character interaction and development is what James does best. While the sometimes-too-long scientific descriptions took me out of the story, the terrific dialogue, humor and dash of romance made up for it. Similar to Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar and his sidekick Win, James has an equally compelling dynamic duo with Jevin and Xavier. And the supporting cast is wonderfully nuanced and intriguing, especially Fiona and her brilliant children.
Other than the copious amount of scientific information, the only other detractor for me from the story was the amount of sub-plots. Several times in every chapter there are breaks and the reader is transported to a different storyline. I understand that this was done because the storylines eventually overlap, but if you don’t plan on finishing the book in a sitting or two, or if you stop in mid-chapter, it might take you several pages to remember what happened last and what’s happening at that given moment. To me, I really only cared about the main cast of characters, not the tertiary ones, so I think keeping only one subplot would have made for a cleaner read.
Regardless of my stylistic quibbles, Singularity is a solid novel that tells a compelling story featuring charming characters whom I’ve grown to like even more than I did after reading Placebo. If you’re not sure what to read next, give this book a shot. It’ll keep you engaged from start to finish and whet your appetite for the next installment in this promising series.
Below is the book’s synopsis, and make sure to check out my interview with Steven James too.
Synopsis
When his friend is murdered, illusionist Jevin Banks is determined to find out what really happened. Drawn into a web of conspiracy and top-secret research on human consciousness, Jevin won’t stop digging until the truth is revealed. Soon he uncovers a dark secret–one that could change the very fabric of human life on the planet.
Kristin Henson, famous for her Dirty Words with Kristin blog and YouTube channel, is coming out with her first book Tuesday, October 8: Super Smutty Sign Language. Below is my video review of the book and a couple of Kristin’s most popular Dirty Signs videos. Enjoy!
Taylor Stevens is a gifted writer and I enjoyed her first two books, The Informationist and The Innocent, but I was disappointed by her latest novel, The Doll. For some reason, it failed to grab me from the start and unlike her first two books, I wasn’t emotionally invested in the protagonist’s plight. That said, the action scenes in The Doll were well done and Stevens’ creative metaphors continue to impress me. While it’s my least favorite installment in the series, you should check out The Doll if you’ve read Stevens’ other novels. If you’re new to this author, start with her debut novel and then work your way up to this one. Just don’t expect to be blown away.
Synopsis
Haunted by a life of violence and as proficient with languages as she is with knives, Vanessa Michael Munroe, chameleon and hunter, has built her life on a reputation for getting things done—dangerous and often not-quite-legal things. Born to missionary parents in lawless Africa, taken under the tutelage of gunrunners, and tortured by one of the jungle’s most brutal men, Munroe was forced to do whatever it took to stay alive.
The ability to survive, fight, adapt, and blend has since taken her across the globe on behalf of corporations, heads of state, and the few private clients who can afford her unique brand of expertise, and these abilities have made her enemies.
On a busy Dallas street, Munroe is kidnapped by an unseen opponent and thrust into an underground world where women and girls are merchandise and a shadowy figure known as The Doll Maker controls her every move. While trusted friends race to unravel where she is and why she was taken, everything pivots on one simple choice: Munroe must use her unique set of skills to deliver a high-profile young woman into the same nightmare that she once endured, or condemn to torture and certain death the one person she loves above all else.
Driven by the violence that has made her what she is, cut off from help, and with attempts to escape predicted and prevented, Munroe will hunt for openings, for solutions, and a way to strike back at a man who holds all the cards. Because only one thing is certain: she cannot save everyone.
