Nothing really surprising these past two months, just my usual supply of thrillers, crime and scifi.
- The Inside Ring, Mike Lawson. Interesting thriller about an assassination attempt on the US President, the coverup and how the hero discovers the truth. The big ‘twist’ was a little too obvious, but good a good ‘travel’ read.
- Lifeless, Mark Billingham. Another in the Thorn series, I like Billingham’s writing and characterisation. The structure of the first part was a little offputting, with its backwards and forwards but the story really got going once it returned to a linear fashion. Another good thriller/police story from him.
- The Faithful Spy, Alex Berenson A story of a sleeper spy, who works undercover, takes on many of the attributes of those he is working with – the Teleban – and then ‘comes home’ where he’s not believed and he has to work against the odds. An easy read, although nothing memorable.
- Relentless, Simon KernickWhat would you do if a phone call meant that a bunch of not very nice people were out trying to kill you to get something you hadn’t got? This is the story of Tom, who has that happen to him and how he manages to avoid getting killed.
- Devil Bones, Kathy Riechs I watch Bones on TV and I’m never fully convinced of the connection to the books, apart from the names. However, A brilliant thriller from Riechs, as she delves into voodoo and witchcraft as the background for the murder hunt.
- Something for the Weekend, Pauline McLynnWritten by a comedy actress, I had great fun with the PI book set in Ireland. It made me laugh enough whilst still wanting to work out the mystery.
- Cityboy, Geraint AndersonReading this, a ‘fictional’ story of life in banking in the City, it’s no wonder the financial markets are in a mess, they seem to be all run by idiots who never really grew up. It’s a car-crash of a tale that keeps you involved just to find out what stunt would happen next.
- The Bourne Sanction, Eric van Lustbader. This franchise won’t die for a while, with the super agent doing what he does best, hunting down people. Still prefer the films though.
- Doors Open, Ian Rankin,. With his Rebus books, Rankin has loing been one of my hardback authors, but with this new set of characters, I waited for the paperback. I needn’t have waited, as I enjoyed this story as much as the previous ones, with its unlikely heist and double crosses.
- Every Breath You Take, Sheila QuigleyMurder mystery with stalkers, serial killers, a female protagonist and a look into the personal lives of the characters. It’s not Jane Tennyson but it’s in the same vein if you like those stories.
- Dead Heat, Dick Francis/Felix Francis The expected well-written thriller/whodunnit from Francis, set in the world he know best, the racing world. Good tory here, with food-poisonings and bombings and all sorts of goings-on
- Fractured, Karin Slaughter. Murder story set in Georgia, with a the new partnership that does not get on assigned to the case. Slaughter writes strong characters and plots, so enjoyed this as much as her others.
- The Last English King, Julian Rathbone Historical novel, set not long after the Conqueror killed Harold, this tells the story of Edward the Confessor, Harold and those last English battles.
- Until it’s Over, Nicci French A women seems to be surrounded by murder, is it her or one of the flat mates. I love the French books and this is another great tale
- In the Dark, Mark Billingham,This thriller kept throwing twists at me that kept me engrossed to finish it all in a day. I was never 100% sure what was going on, loved it.
- This Charming Man, Marian Keyes. I have a soft spot for Keyes, one of the stronger writers of ‘chick-lit’. It’s a light break in amongst all the muder mysteries and they pull me in with strong stories and characters. Another classic from her.
- The Innocent, Harlan Coben. A US thriller, good story, although it blends in with the others.
- The Caller, Alex Barclay, Another US book this time set in NY. More serial killers, gruesome murders and a race against time to find out who did it.
- Flint, Paul Eddy For an undercover cop, it all goes wrong. This is as much a psychological study of a driven women as much as a thriller which wants to be a spy novel. Loved the characters, even when the story as a little less believable.
- The Perk, mark Gimenez.Small town boy who left to go to the big city, goes back home and makes a splash as he tries to solve an old case for his friend. This time it’s from a lawyer angle.
- This is Not a Game, Walter Jon Williams A near future story, where ARGs are big business and the game mechanics are used to solve problems and murders. Loved this.
- Gone Tomorrow, Lee ChildYet another brilliant installment of Jack Reacher and the trouble he gets into.
I’m pretty sure I’ve read more over the last few months, but I’ve put them away before writing them down. No matter, onto June, where I’ve got a whole load of books unpacked from storage to re-read.
