Pete Adams (Author of Cause And Effect)

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing Pigsty to Papacy: The Life of Pope Pius II by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Pigsty to Papacy: The life of Pope Pius 11 - by John Broughton Breathtaking I admit right from the off that I am a great fan of John Broughton and especially his historic novels; I have read many and loved them. I have also to admit that I was both int ...more
Nov 13, 2025 02:06AM · like · see review
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing Ice Cold Steel (John Steel Book 7) by Stuart Field	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A rare talented and creative storyteller. I think I have read all of Field’s books and whereas I am not generally a fan of ‘Bond-type’ individual heroic protagonist novels, I find these books thoroughly engaging. I think it is because the plotting is ...more
Jun 24, 2025 12:34AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Ice Cold Steel by Stuart Field. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Ice Cold Steel by Stuart Field <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Peter Adams liked Joey Madia's review of Black Rose: A Midsummer Night's Chutzpah (Larkin's Barkin Book 1): "This is the third book I have reviewed from architect and author Pete Adams. The first two were Dead No More (Rhubarb Papers Book 1) in 2021 and Rite Judgement (DaDa Detective Agency Book 2) in 2022. Although all three books are situated in different" Read more of this review »
Dec 20, 2024 07:21AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Black Rose by Pete Adams. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Black Rose by Pete Adams <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Peter Adams is now following Joey Madia's reviews
Dec 20, 2024 07:21AM · like
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing The Wren Enigma (Vance And Shepherd Mysteries Book 6) by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
More than compelling, it is well-researched compulsive read. First up, I am a huge fan of Broughton’ many books, having reads many of his historically based novels, but this modern day Scotland yard detective series is a must read; I’ve read them all ...more
Dec 19, 2024 12:10AM · like · see review
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing Letting Go of September: A Thriller by Sandra J. Jackson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Exceptional – took me completely by surprise. It’s a while since I read a Jackson book but after a couple of pages, where I thought I was in for a schmaltzy romance novel, I was rocked back on my heels and equilibrium did not return until… well, I am ...more
Dec 05, 2024 06:55AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Letting Go of September by Sandra J. Jackson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Letting Go of September by Sandra J. Jackson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing Graveyard of Spies by James Quinn	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Exceptional, emotional, compulsive, a real-life spy story. I was captivated from the start by this book. I am not a fan of Bond-like clever and smooth spy stories, but this was the antithesis of that. There is action, of course there is, but the build ...more
Dec 05, 2024 03:12AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Graveyard of Spies by James Quinn. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Graveyard of Spies by James Quinn <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Peter Adams liked G. Miki's review of Dead No More: Rhubarb In The Mammon (Rhubarb Papers): "What makes this Pete Adams’ novel so engrossing is the author’s engagement with his characters, from a disfigured teen to the retired cop grandfather (who, sadly, survives his own officer daughter’s tragic death) to a policewoman now investigating th" Read more of this review »
Nov 20, 2024 09:38PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dead No More by Pete Adams. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dead No More by Pete Adams <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing Respiration (Rebirth Series Book 3) by G. Miki Hayden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A spiritual thriller… Rescued, Re-Live, and now Respiration--I’ve read and enjoyed them all. I recommend starting on Book 1, Rescued, and this is a progression, from survival to spiritual growth, to passing on knowledge (vibe) and, it ain’t easy. The ...more
Nov 02, 2024 09:59PM · like · see review
Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing London's Psycho Cyclist (Vance And Shepherd Mysteries Book 5) by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A terrifying sense of being sucked in… I’ve read many books by John Broughton and I came to these modern day crime thrillers after reading his historically plotted novels – he is a writer of immense ability to draw a reader in. These Vance and Shepherd ...more
Oct 28, 2024 01:15AM · like · see review

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

Pigsty to Papacy: The Life of Pope Pius II
by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)

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Pigsty to Papacy: The life of Pope Pius 11 - by John Broughton

Breathtaking

I admit right from the off that I am a great fan of John Broughton and especially his historic novels; I have read many and loved them. I have also to admit that I was both int Pigsty to Papacy: The life of Pope Pius 11 - by John Broughton

Breathtaking

I admit right from the off that I am a great fan of John Broughton and especially his historic novels; I have read many and loved them. I have also to admit that I was both intrigued and equally nervous of the title, ‘Pigsty’? However, this is a breathtaking read:
It is breathtaking in its expanse of time from C1426 in Cosignano, Italy, to Siena, Florence, Pisa, Genoa, and Milan and across the Alps to Basel. Then to Scotland, Stirling and Dunbar. Newcastle in England. Vienna, Frankfurt and Strasburg and then back to Italy, Pienza, Siena and Rome.
Breathtaking in that we follow the growth of Aeneus Piccolomini a young man of noble birth with a remarkable ability as a scholar and orator who grew into a strong youth, following his father’s devastating defeat in battle reducing the means of the family and their estates that now required Aeneas to labour on the land.
Breathtaking as Aeneas, his reputation for his knowledge and ability to speak publicly, as well as showing skills in the shadier arts, manages to seek to improve his education and is recruited by the banker, Medici who funds Aeneas and his friend Franco to travel to Florence and to study there, provided Aeneas agrees to spy for him, to see who is trying to topple the great banking dynasty.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneus become adept in these dark arts and equally able to defend himself, especially as he proves equally adept at wooing the ladies.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneas retained by various nobles, princes and kings who value his growing diplomatic skills that drive his life to travel far and wide, culture to culture, woman to woman.
Breathtaking as the Broughton shows how well this book is researched and the ability to set scenes, to describe the life, not only in those times but how life varied from State to State.
Breathtaking, as far as I was concerned, in such a huge story is told but in the pace of the time. Intrigue, ‘Machiavellian’ plotting faced and dealt with sometimes over months in one place and we get a feel for the life of nobles and working classes wherever the story lands. I love this pace and how adept Broughton was in putting the brakes on what begins to reveal an adventure that in our modern times would fly along; wonderful writing.
Breathtaking in how, life takes its toll, not so much physically, but how we see in Aeneas the growth of self-interest and how he could use his skills to advance himself, which he does, and sometime brutally.
Breathtaking how we see a man evolve from rake to piety, albeit modified to suit a steady transfer from personalities, after all, Churchmen were known to be not so at ease with abstinence.
I was left breathless after this read as I loved it so much and although not a novel of daring-do, per se, it certainly had its moments, but I fail to see how anyone could not be engaged by this narrative on the real Pius 11.
Absolutely 5 stars – a book I will return to. ...more

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

Ice Cold Steel (John Steel Book 7)
by Stuart Field

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1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A rare talented and creative storyteller.

I think I have read all of Field’s books and whereas I am not generally a fan of ‘Bond-type’ individual heroic protagonist novels, I find these books thoroughly engaging. I think it is because the plotting is ...more

Peter Adams liked Joey Madia's review of Black Rose: A Midsummer Night's Chutzpah (Larkin's Barkin Book 1):

"This is the third book I have reviewed from architect and author Pete Adams. The first two were Dead No More (Rhubarb Papers Book 1) in 2021 and Rite Judgement (DaDa Detective Agency Book 2) in 2022. Although all three books are situated in different" Read more of this review »

Peter Adams is now following Joey Madia's reviews

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

The Wren Enigma (Vance And Shepherd Mysteries Book 6)
by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)

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More than compelling, it is well-researched compulsive read.

First up, I am a huge fan of Broughton’ many books, having reads many of his historically based novels, but this modern day Scotland yard detective series is a must read; I’ve read them all ...more

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

Letting Go of September by Sandra J. Jackson

Letting Go of September: A Thriller
by Sandra J. Jackson (Goodreads Author)

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Exceptional – took me completely by surprise.
It’s a while since I read a Jackson book but after a couple of pages, where I thought I was in for a schmaltzy romance novel, I was rocked back on my heels and equilibrium did not return until… well, I am ...more

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

Graveyard of Spies
by James Quinn

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Exceptional, emotional, compulsive, a real-life spy story.
I was captivated from the start by this book. I am not a fan of Bond-like clever and smooth spy stories, but this was the antithesis of that. There is action, of course there is, but the build Exceptional, emotional, compulsive, a real-life spy story.
I was captivated from the start by this book. I am not a fan of Bond-like clever and smooth spy stories, but this was the antithesis of that. There is action, of course there is, but the buildup is not just tense but has so many emotions, I think I read the whole novel with a knot in my stomach.
Set in two time periods. The father, David Harkness, was a spy in Iran in the 70’s and in that time, as the Shah was overthrown and the theological regime took over. The background is in itself thrilling, in a dark sense, the sense of danger, the need to get out of the country but not with the Iranian woman he loved, a woman he had been running as an agent. So relief? No, they have a child but the wife is killed and he raises his stubborn and head-strong daughter himself.
The daughter follows in her father’s footsteps with MI6 and is in Tehran undercover, a natural Farsi speaker, because of her mum and dad, and with her looks, she fitted in well. That is until he receives a coded message that could only mean she is in trouble. The tension is already high, as I could empathise as any father would, but the frustration becomes intoxicating when he discovers his old contacts in MI6 consider her lost and offers no help, in fact seem almost to discourage him.
Already this is a scintillating story but it just electrifies when he uses many of his old skills and contacts to get into Tehran and find her. Quinn writes this superbly, captivating not just the atmosphere in Tehran, not just the fear he has, but the fear of the populace and what it must be like to go ‘undercover.
No plot spoilers because I have to say I did not see any of it coming and it is explosive. The knot in my stomach will take some time to untangle; this is how I imagine spies live, or die – not shaken or stirred, unless you are the reader of this book.
Highly recommended, a well-crafted story and compulsive reading; I defy you to put the book down – 5 stars. ...more

Peter Adams liked G. Miki's review of Dead No More: Rhubarb In The Mammon (Rhubarb Papers):

"What makes this Pete Adams’ novel so engrossing is the author’s engagement with his characters, from a disfigured teen to the retired cop grandfather (who, sadly, survives his own officer daughter’s tragic death) to a policewoman now investigating th" Read more of this review »

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

Respiration (Rebirth Series Book 3)
by G. Miki Hayden (Goodreads Author)

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A spiritual thriller…

Rescued, Re-Live, and now Respiration--I’ve read and enjoyed them all. I recommend starting on Book 1, Rescued, and this is a progression, from survival to spiritual growth, to passing on knowledge (vibe) and, it ain’t easy.
The A spiritual thriller…

Rescued, Re-Live, and now Respiration--I’ve read and enjoyed them all. I recommend starting on Book 1, Rescued, and this is a progression, from survival to spiritual growth, to passing on knowledge (vibe) and, it ain’t easy.
The obstacles are clear in Book 1, as is the learning journey and surviving. In Book 2 more focus is on the spiritual growth in helping, but like most positive things in this life we lead, the naysayers are there blocking and not in a nice way.
In Book 3, Respiration, I saw this more in the character Jay, the grandmaster of the Heavenly Clan, as in the widespread of growth and how to live it, how to protect it and his family, and how to see others, especially his young daughter, Kimi, in whom he sees a future leader.
The narrative is a dangerous adventure spanning from New York to Tokyo and to the mountainous region outside Japan’s capital, back to Europe.
I was on the edge of my seat and read this book almost in one sitting. I was fearful. I was sad. Loved the joyous moments – I was in danger of hero worship but also in awe of the emotional frailty of the Heavenly Grandmaster. The power of the leader is coveted, not least by the gangs (the Yakuza) in Tokyo; attempting to steal power from the grandmaster, seeing it as giving them an advantage over their rivals and the authorities. Power is not something that can be stolen but only lived; not acceptable for the power hungry—and the danger mounts.
It would be fair to say that these three books are not an easy read, but then, the reader is learning about another culture and there is a lot to absorb, a richness that is so alien to my own culture; references to Shogun are not easy to make out, but sequences suggest the historical references to the ‘clan’ are not without merit.
This third book was for me, enlightening, and brought to life Books 1 and 2; I was ‘re-living’ them as I read Book 3. The samurai way is a difficult path, and these books reveal so much of the Japanese culture and how it has developed in modern day, but also within western society; New York especially.
Loved it; 5 Stars. ...more

Peter Adams rated a book it was amazing

London's Psycho Cyclist by John Broughton

London's Psycho Cyclist (Vance And Shepherd Mysteries Book 5)
by John Broughton (Goodreads Author)

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A terrifying sense of being sucked in…

I’ve read many books by John Broughton and I came to these modern day crime thrillers after reading his historically plotted novels – he is a writer of immense ability to draw a reader in.
These Vance and Shepherd ...more

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	Cause And Effect: Vice Plagues The City (Kind Hearts And Martinets #1) 4.39 avg rating — 46 ratings — published 2013 — 20 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Barrow Boy's Cadenza (Kind Hearts and Martinets, #3) 4.45 avg rating — 44 ratings — published 2015 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ghost and Ragman Roll (Kind Hearts and Martinets #4) 4.50 avg rating — 30 ratings — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Irony In The Soul: Nobody Listens Like The Dying (Kind Hearts And Martinets #2) 4.43 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2013 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Merde And Mandarins (Kind Hearts And Martinets #5) 4.75 avg rating — 12 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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