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Owen McKenna #16
Tahoe Skydrop
A Computer Genius Created A Startup Worth A Billion Dollars Tahoe tech guru Yardley LaMotte had a vision for future robots that could transform the world. He started a company called Tahoe Robotics. A Murderous Gang Wanted The Software Twisted killers with ties to a Swedish prison gang figured out how to steal the software. All they needed was the key to unlock the computer code. The Killers Kidnap A Child Who May Know The Password A brilliant kid was in the classroom when the Tahoe Robotics founder visited a local school and talked about encryption. When that kid goes missing, the father contacts Tahoe Detective Owen McKenna. McKenna Plans To Attack The Gang From The Sky When McKenna learns that the kidnappers are hiding the kid at a mountaintop compound protected by armed guards, he plans to rescue the child by using a paraglider to drop out of the sky at night. But the plan goes horribly wrong. Unless McKenna and his Great Dane Spot can find the child, the child will die...
- GenresMystery
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2018
262 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Todd Borg
29 books145 followersTodd Borg and his wife moved from Minnesota to Lake Tahoe in 1990. After his fourth Tahoe novel, he sold his business to write full time.
In addition to winning the Ben Franklin Award for Best Mystery of the Year, Todd Borg's Owen McKenna mysteries have been chosen for Top 5 Mystery lists by the prestigious Library Journal, and by Mystery News Reviewer G. Wedgwood. He's won Best Mystery and Best Thriller honors from the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and received Best New Fiction accolades from libraries. His novels have also received starred reviews and raves in major trade journals and newspapers across the country.
Todd Borg and his wife live on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
Series:
* Owen McKenna Mystery
In addition to winning the Ben Franklin Award for Best Mystery of the Year, Todd Borg's Owen McKenna mysteries have been chosen for Top 5 Mystery lists by the prestigious Library Journal, and by Mystery News Reviewer G. Wedgwood. He's won Best Mystery and Best Thriller honors from the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and received Best New Fiction accolades from libraries. His novels have also received starred reviews and raves in major trade journals and newspapers across the country.
Todd Borg and his wife live on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
Series:
* Owen McKenna Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 31, 2018
Technology definitely can be dangerous at times.
Jon, a 10-year-old computer genius, found that out when he was kidnapped and Yardley LaMotte, the owner of Tahoe Robotics, found that out when he was killed for files on a flash drive.
We follow Owen McKenna as he investigates the death of Mr. LaMotte and the kidnapping of Jon. As always his Largeness is with him, and we learn about Tahoe’s landscape, hiking on ice-covered slopes, and paragliding.
Fans of Mr. Borg will again be treated to tension, mystery solving, and marvelous detail as Owen climbs mountains, hides out in the woods, gets his own way, secretly sneaks up on killers, and uses every clue to come to solving yet another intriguing mystery.
Mr. Borg also gave some details about social and personal topics.
McKenna always has unique ways of rescuing characters as well as keeping the reader in suspense.
Mr. Borg hopes that after reading about his attempted unique rescue, you will want to try paragliding. I will pass on that sport. :) 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 5, 2018
Author Todd Borg has come through with the goods once again-- this time by paraglider. Tahoe Skydrop is another fast-paced story with plenty of great action sequences, but-- as usual-- this isn't a run-of-the-mill thriller. While you're trying to figure out how in the world Owen McKenna is going to save the day this time, you're also effortlessly learning fascinating facts about the software business, venture capitalists, and bitcoin. If that's not enough for you, there's the breathtaking beauty of Lake Tahoe that Borg describes so well. And if that's not enough for you, I saved the best for last.
Todd Borg has created one of the best casts of characters in crime fiction. Owen McKenna is a former San Francisco homicide detective who has an excellent working relationship with the various law enforcement jurisdictions in and around Lake Tahoe. In each book of this series, you learn more and more about what a good guy he is. (If he were real, I'd be tempted to fight his girlfriend Street for him.) You can see he's a good guy by the way he treats everyone, but in particular Street, an intelligent, fiercely independent woman who has definite ideas about how she wants to live her life. In this book, you can see what a good guy he is by the way he treats a dog that's trying its best to tear him limb from limb.
The people involved in the investigation also come to life. Yardley LaMotte, the man who thought he had the world by the tail until he came face to face with Job's Sister. Yardley's wife, who knew her husband didn't have a good grip on anything. He-Man Vince Cooper is the kidnapped child's father, and there's nothing he won't do to save Jonni. Jonni is the kidnap victim and is yet more proof that Todd Borg has a knack for portraying smart children. Then... there are the characters you assume you can take at face value... but don't. More than one of these characters have surprises up their sleeves.
And I haven't even extolled the virtues of my favorite Harlequin Great Dane, Spot. Spot isn't written as Super Dog. He's not faster than a speeding bullet, and he's not going to come racing into the kitchen to spell h-e-l-p in the mashed potatoes. He's just a very large dog that's very well trained and has an unbreakable bond with a good guy named Owen McKenna. Never underestimate what these two can accomplish.
If I still haven't persuaded any of you new-to-Borg readers to give Owen and Spot a try, I'm just going to have to keep at it because if you haven't read Todd Borg, you're missing out on some wonderful books. You have been warned!
Todd Borg has created one of the best casts of characters in crime fiction. Owen McKenna is a former San Francisco homicide detective who has an excellent working relationship with the various law enforcement jurisdictions in and around Lake Tahoe. In each book of this series, you learn more and more about what a good guy he is. (If he were real, I'd be tempted to fight his girlfriend Street for him.) You can see he's a good guy by the way he treats everyone, but in particular Street, an intelligent, fiercely independent woman who has definite ideas about how she wants to live her life. In this book, you can see what a good guy he is by the way he treats a dog that's trying its best to tear him limb from limb.
The people involved in the investigation also come to life. Yardley LaMotte, the man who thought he had the world by the tail until he came face to face with Job's Sister. Yardley's wife, who knew her husband didn't have a good grip on anything. He-Man Vince Cooper is the kidnapped child's father, and there's nothing he won't do to save Jonni. Jonni is the kidnap victim and is yet more proof that Todd Borg has a knack for portraying smart children. Then... there are the characters you assume you can take at face value... but don't. More than one of these characters have surprises up their sleeves.
And I haven't even extolled the virtues of my favorite Harlequin Great Dane, Spot. Spot isn't written as Super Dog. He's not faster than a speeding bullet, and he's not going to come racing into the kitchen to spell h-e-l-p in the mashed potatoes. He's just a very large dog that's very well trained and has an unbreakable bond with a good guy named Owen McKenna. Never underestimate what these two can accomplish.
If I still haven't persuaded any of you new-to-Borg readers to give Owen and Spot a try, I'm just going to have to keep at it because if you haven't read Todd Borg, you're missing out on some wonderful books. You have been warned!
August 16, 2018
These appealing mysteries feature Spot, aka "largeness," the wonder harlequin great dane who always manages to nab the bad guy and save the day, and Owen McKenna, retired San Francisco homicide detective, who has just the right amount of intelligence, sensitivity, and manly man toughness to keep us female readers captivated. But the real star of the series (and the major reason I read them) is the totally authentic setting of Lake Tahoe, specifically the south shore area. I've been visiting the area for years and I learn something new about the area every time I read a title from this series. Borg is perfect at capturing the actual place names, history, and businesses in the story.
In his 16th entry, after an action-packed and chilling scene that would be right at home in a James Bond movie (or Mission Impossible), Borg again showcases McKenna’s brains and brawn in solving the kidnapping of a child and during the story manages to inform readers about topics such as ice climbing, paragliding, bitcoin (I never could figure out what that is and now I at least have a general idea), and even some psychology of transgender people. [As a former readers’ advisory librarian, I would receive requests for fiction that would “teach” the reader about some topic, and this would perfectly fill the bill.]
One can't go wrong with reading any of these as they are always filled with lots of action and a dang good mystery plot. This one was a bit better than most and I was pretty gob-smacked by the final revelation.
Readers of a good solid whodunit such as ones by Sue Grafton, JA Jance, and Marcia Muller will enjoy these, as will readers of C. J. Box and Craig Larson (Walt Longmire).
I would have purchased it anyway, but thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book.
In his 16th entry, after an action-packed and chilling scene that would be right at home in a James Bond movie (or Mission Impossible), Borg again showcases McKenna’s brains and brawn in solving the kidnapping of a child and during the story manages to inform readers about topics such as ice climbing, paragliding, bitcoin (I never could figure out what that is and now I at least have a general idea), and even some psychology of transgender people. [As a former readers’ advisory librarian, I would receive requests for fiction that would “teach” the reader about some topic, and this would perfectly fill the bill.]
One can't go wrong with reading any of these as they are always filled with lots of action and a dang good mystery plot. This one was a bit better than most and I was pretty gob-smacked by the final revelation.
Readers of a good solid whodunit such as ones by Sue Grafton, JA Jance, and Marcia Muller will enjoy these, as will readers of C. J. Box and Craig Larson (Walt Longmire).
I would have purchased it anyway, but thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book.
October 3, 2018
It is time for the new Owen McKenna story and I was overjoyed to get into this one.
Yardley LaMotte is a tech guru working on robotics and software mapping mountains. But to get funding he had to borrow some money from some unsavory characters. He just learned that the guy he borrowed the money from has died and that his brother has come to collect. Yardley comes up with a desperate plan to try to off the brother but things back fire on him. We then learn that the guy Yardley borrowed the money from is very alive and doesn’t have a brother.
Owen McKenna is called in when a local outdoorsman, Vince’s son, John has been kidnapped. It seems someone needs Vince’s expertise to recover something from the mountain. But they are not done with John. It seems John has a little computer knowledge and might be able to crack a thumb drive with information about Yardley’s research and company. It’s up to Owen to save John and figure out what is going on with Yardley and his company.
Yardley has gotten himself mixed up with some serious bad guys. Of course I was hooked when I read that the man Yardley borrowed the money from was alive with not brother. I was chewing on my fingernails impatiently trying to figure out what was going on there. The more the learned about Yardley from his wife the more I was curious about what was really going on.
Of course I felt for Vince and Brie, I hoped that they could get John back quickly and in one piece. But he is in a tough place and Owen is going to have to learn about how to use a paraglider to save him. I love all of the information to goes into little things like that when you read these books.
I am a diehard Owen McKenna fans and thing Tahoe Skydrop is a great addition to the series. Owen and Spot are some tough characters that find themselves in some tough situations but will have you cheering for them the whole while. Thank goodness Street and Blonde are there when they need support. There is the trademark twist ending that you won’t see coming so don’t get too confident that you think you know what is going on. This is all around an amazing story and series. You could read the story as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in order. There are little bits of information that you will appreciate from former stories. Make sure to get you copy today, I can’t wait until the next book comes out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Yardley LaMotte is a tech guru working on robotics and software mapping mountains. But to get funding he had to borrow some money from some unsavory characters. He just learned that the guy he borrowed the money from has died and that his brother has come to collect. Yardley comes up with a desperate plan to try to off the brother but things back fire on him. We then learn that the guy Yardley borrowed the money from is very alive and doesn’t have a brother.
Owen McKenna is called in when a local outdoorsman, Vince’s son, John has been kidnapped. It seems someone needs Vince’s expertise to recover something from the mountain. But they are not done with John. It seems John has a little computer knowledge and might be able to crack a thumb drive with information about Yardley’s research and company. It’s up to Owen to save John and figure out what is going on with Yardley and his company.
Yardley has gotten himself mixed up with some serious bad guys. Of course I was hooked when I read that the man Yardley borrowed the money from was alive with not brother. I was chewing on my fingernails impatiently trying to figure out what was going on there. The more the learned about Yardley from his wife the more I was curious about what was really going on.
Of course I felt for Vince and Brie, I hoped that they could get John back quickly and in one piece. But he is in a tough place and Owen is going to have to learn about how to use a paraglider to save him. I love all of the information to goes into little things like that when you read these books.
I am a diehard Owen McKenna fans and thing Tahoe Skydrop is a great addition to the series. Owen and Spot are some tough characters that find themselves in some tough situations but will have you cheering for them the whole while. Thank goodness Street and Blonde are there when they need support. There is the trademark twist ending that you won’t see coming so don’t get too confident that you think you know what is going on. This is all around an amazing story and series. You could read the story as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in order. There are little bits of information that you will appreciate from former stories. Make sure to get you copy today, I can’t wait until the next book comes out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
August 24, 2018
I just finished Todd Borg's"Tahoe Skydrop." The reading is so effortless and engaging, that the only disappointment was realizing that there was no more of the story to read. This book, #16 in the Tahoe series, takes place in a spectacular landscape, with local history lessons sprinkled throughout, and with a core of familiar characters, each so well developed that you accept them as long-time friends.
Every book introduces a variety of peripheral characters that pop up occasionally after they've play their starring role. Reading the entire series, start to finish, will take you, not only to Lake Tahoe and the surrounding vacation wonderland, but into the social and natural history circles that intersect in this world of year 'round extremes.
You'll be involved in high tech electronics and para-sailing, rescue dog training and avalanche control, forest fires, flying at night without lights (you follow the car lights on the highway!), glascading at break-neck speeds from high altitude, from swimming in the coldest reaches of "The Lake" to the geology of the basin. The physical locations contribute to the plot as much a human character would. And for me, each arc seemed to tweek personal memories that added to the senses I employed during the read.
Todd Borg doesn't hesitate to create unusual turns of events, some of which are painful for the people that we care about. He also includes a huge harliquin great dane with the finest of both human and doggy senses. If you've ever walked in the woods on a moonless night in the company of a well-known dog, you'll have a special affection for this animal friend. And the love interest in the series is uniquely crafted, and tainted with the same reality that we've all experienced, for better or worse.
The series schedule has one book being released in August each year. I finished book #15 and wrote to Todd in April to please "Write Faster!" Now, I don't know what to do with myself until next August.
Every book introduces a variety of peripheral characters that pop up occasionally after they've play their starring role. Reading the entire series, start to finish, will take you, not only to Lake Tahoe and the surrounding vacation wonderland, but into the social and natural history circles that intersect in this world of year 'round extremes.
You'll be involved in high tech electronics and para-sailing, rescue dog training and avalanche control, forest fires, flying at night without lights (you follow the car lights on the highway!), glascading at break-neck speeds from high altitude, from swimming in the coldest reaches of "The Lake" to the geology of the basin. The physical locations contribute to the plot as much a human character would. And for me, each arc seemed to tweek personal memories that added to the senses I employed during the read.
Todd Borg doesn't hesitate to create unusual turns of events, some of which are painful for the people that we care about. He also includes a huge harliquin great dane with the finest of both human and doggy senses. If you've ever walked in the woods on a moonless night in the company of a well-known dog, you'll have a special affection for this animal friend. And the love interest in the series is uniquely crafted, and tainted with the same reality that we've all experienced, for better or worse.
The series schedule has one book being released in August each year. I finished book #15 and wrote to Todd in April to please "Write Faster!" Now, I don't know what to do with myself until next August.
October 9, 2018
I recently was not able to read books for a while, but when I was I reached for the first book on my pile. It was a book sent to me by a friend. That book was Tahoe Skydrop. Usually when I read an Owen Mckenna mystery I immediately like the client...not so in this book. He was a boorish man not at all accepting of some aspects of todays life but I have to say by the end of the book I had high hopes of his enlightenment and acceptance of things in his life. As usual in these books you have the joy of spending time with Owen, Spot, Street and Diamond. With a few other familiar characters and new ones thrown in. The book starts out with a bang and you get to go along as the case progresses guessing how each new character will aid in solving the latest mystery..and you learn something new. In this case you learn all about paragliding. I read this book in one long sitting because once I was hooked I could not stop until the case was resolved.
Todd Borgs book are always fun and interesting to read with characters that become part of your literary family. I highly recommend the book and I hope you enjoy it, as well as the rest of the series as much as I did.
Now I just have to wait for the next book to catch up on my friends, who I miss when not reading about them.
Todd Borgs book are always fun and interesting to read with characters that become part of your literary family. I highly recommend the book and I hope you enjoy it, as well as the rest of the series as much as I did.
Now I just have to wait for the next book to catch up on my friends, who I miss when not reading about them.
August 20, 2018
I love this series and this book does not disappoint.
Owen is hired by a climbing expert to help find his kidnapped son. He tells Owen that he has been "hired" to take three men up on the mountain or his son will be killed. He takes them up while Owen watches. He sees one man repel down to a body. Then another one falls off the mountain. In the meantime, the men still have not let Jonni go. Owen digs around and finds clues to a robotics expert who went missing just before the kidnapping. As he finds out more about this missing man, he connects Jonni to his company. He does find the house where they are keeping the boy. He plans with the father and Diamond to sneak into this compound and save the boy but it backfires. They get all of them but the main guy and the boy. Owen does find them again however the boy takes off on rollerblades and the bad guy on a bike. Owen chases them in his Jeep, beats up and subdues the bad guy. He also finds the boy in very bad shape after a crash and rushes him to the hospital.
Owen is hired by a climbing expert to help find his kidnapped son. He tells Owen that he has been "hired" to take three men up on the mountain or his son will be killed. He takes them up while Owen watches. He sees one man repel down to a body. Then another one falls off the mountain. In the meantime, the men still have not let Jonni go. Owen digs around and finds clues to a robotics expert who went missing just before the kidnapping. As he finds out more about this missing man, he connects Jonni to his company. He does find the house where they are keeping the boy. He plans with the father and Diamond to sneak into this compound and save the boy but it backfires. They get all of them but the main guy and the boy. Owen does find them again however the boy takes off on rollerblades and the bad guy on a bike. Owen chases them in his Jeep, beats up and subdues the bad guy. He also finds the boy in very bad shape after a crash and rushes him to the hospital.
October 22, 2018
I've read all of this authors books. I am able to normally finish them in a day or two, because the author really doesn't hasn't really rambled on about thins that weren't really germane to the storyline. He also includes a lot of history of the Tahoe area which I enjoy reading and learning about. He also bridges something scientific, another learning experience. Couple those things with the action/mystery part of the book and you get a good story line, and everything melds together.
This book veered way off the course from his usual writings. I felt he spent way too much time on the gender identification issues of one character learning about it from a psychologist friend of his entomologist girl friend. I felt that the action and mystery part of this book suffered greatly so that the author could push his agenda to try and make people more aware of what it to me a very personal and sensitive issue. Bottom line was I feel that this novel is not on par with the authors' previous works.
This book veered way off the course from his usual writings. I felt he spent way too much time on the gender identification issues of one character learning about it from a psychologist friend of his entomologist girl friend. I felt that the action and mystery part of this book suffered greatly so that the author could push his agenda to try and make people more aware of what it to me a very personal and sensitive issue. Bottom line was I feel that this novel is not on par with the authors' previous works.
August 5, 2018
I received an Advanced Reading Copy from the author.
In this adventure, Owen McKenna must rescue a kidnapped child from a gang that is trying to get their hands on some high-tech robotic software.
I have read all the books in this series, and I especially treasure the bond between Owen and his faithful, Great Dane "Spot." Frequently humorous, and yet Spot shows his special canine skills when these skills are needed.
This time, Owen is assisted by his friend, Sgt. Diamond Martinez. They banter back and forth, with the kind of good-natured ribbing that only old friends can employ; and yet, they are always there when there are dangerous situations.
There is lots of action in this edition and also some surprising turns in the storyline. I found it well-worth the experience.
In this adventure, Owen McKenna must rescue a kidnapped child from a gang that is trying to get their hands on some high-tech robotic software.
I have read all the books in this series, and I especially treasure the bond between Owen and his faithful, Great Dane "Spot." Frequently humorous, and yet Spot shows his special canine skills when these skills are needed.
This time, Owen is assisted by his friend, Sgt. Diamond Martinez. They banter back and forth, with the kind of good-natured ribbing that only old friends can employ; and yet, they are always there when there are dangerous situations.
There is lots of action in this edition and also some surprising turns in the storyline. I found it well-worth the experience.
August 9, 2018
Another thrill a minute from the amazing Todd Borg and his cast of characters: Owen, Street, Diamond and the ever trusty Spot. These books are a roller coaster ride through mystery and suspense, and keep you guessing until the car stops at the end. Skydrop is no exception, and along the way Borg enlightens us about paragliding, ice climbing, bitcoin, the Hellman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point, and even roller blading in the dark. Borg is a master at describing everything in detail and it makes you feel as if you are riding along. From the descriptions of the magnificent scenery at Lake Tahoe to the flight across the treetops in a glider, this book has it all. Skydrop even contains two characters named after real people! (You have to read the book to find out!) I am a confirmed fan of all of Todd Borg's books and can't wait until the next one. Highly recommended!
September 29, 2018
As with the past 15 Tahoe thrillers I knew I was in for another non-stop reading mystery when I read the first sentence in the Prologue of “Tahoe Skydrop.”
The infrastructure is balanced between dialogue, descriptive, and the internal processing of McKenna’s thoughts and his actions.
There is also the interesting component of bringing to the reader a variety of information to the plot line. Information that is fascinating, thought provoking and enlightening. All of which is relevant to the plot and also provide the tools for McKenna to use in “How is McKenna getting out of this”?
And, of course there is the wonderful, Great Dane sidekick, Spot; Street Casey and Sergeant Diamond Martinez who all have his back to aid and support McKenna no matter how bleak it may seem.
-karie-
The infrastructure is balanced between dialogue, descriptive, and the internal processing of McKenna’s thoughts and his actions.
There is also the interesting component of bringing to the reader a variety of information to the plot line. Information that is fascinating, thought provoking and enlightening. All of which is relevant to the plot and also provide the tools for McKenna to use in “How is McKenna getting out of this”?
And, of course there is the wonderful, Great Dane sidekick, Spot; Street Casey and Sergeant Diamond Martinez who all have his back to aid and support McKenna no matter how bleak it may seem.
-karie-
October 29, 2018
I would probably give this 3-1/2 stars, if I could. I have read several other Owen McKenna mysteries, and while this had some positive similarities to previous stories, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. There was a little too much time spent on details about bitcoin, software, password encryption, paragliding, and gender identity. In my opinion, it took away from the pace of the story. There is a young kidnap victim, and the story begins with the victim’s father trying to hire Owen. The father’s personality and some of his actions were annoying. I can’t really explain it without spoilers, so I’ll leave it up to other readers to make up their own minds. The descriptions of the Lake Tahoe area are still enjoyable, as are Owen, Street, Spot, and Diamond. I appreciate and admire Todd Borg’s writing skills, but I hope the next McKenna mystery is a little more fast-paced.
November 20, 2018
Each summer I eagerly await the next Todd Borg Tahoe Mystery. The mysteries are great, as is the location. What I also enjoy is his network of friends, how the characters have grown over the years, memorable dog moments, and most important -- the new characters (often those who need rescuing) who have special skills, needs, issues. Todd lets private investigator Owen McKenna and his readers learn about issues TOGETHER.
Can't wait until next year's story!
Thinking of special groups/issues in Placer County such as
- CASA of Placer County (volunteers trained and matched with foster care youth), https://casaplacer.org/
- Senior Peer Counselors (volunteers trained to be good listeners, resources for isolated seniors), https://www.placer.ca.gov/sp
- Police Athletic Leagues such as South Lake Tahoe PAL, https://californiapal.org/home/member...
Can't wait until next year's story!
Thinking of special groups/issues in Placer County such as
- CASA of Placer County (volunteers trained and matched with foster care youth), https://casaplacer.org/
- Senior Peer Counselors (volunteers trained to be good listeners, resources for isolated seniors), https://www.placer.ca.gov/sp
- Police Athletic Leagues such as South Lake Tahoe PAL, https://californiapal.org/home/member...
August 8, 2018
Great book
When I first fell across this series, I read them one after another. After this one I have a couple complaints! The character Diamond has always battered with Owen about his race. In this book he goes into the I love tacos mode on speaker phone with new clients. The banter now seems to be the primary contribution to his character rather than the savvy cop from earlier books. It's just too much for me and has become irritating. Owen sure is getting a bit full of himself. That is a change in the character from previous books. All in all I still love these books and will keep reading!
When I first fell across this series, I read them one after another. After this one I have a couple complaints! The character Diamond has always battered with Owen about his race. In this book he goes into the I love tacos mode on speaker phone with new clients. The banter now seems to be the primary contribution to his character rather than the savvy cop from earlier books. It's just too much for me and has become irritating. Owen sure is getting a bit full of himself. That is a change in the character from previous books. All in all I still love these books and will keep reading!
August 31, 2018
As I finish each Todd Borg mystery, I eagerly look forward to the next. Every mystery is very well-written and the reader never suspects who "done-it" until the surprise ending. Each is actually also educational because it introduces a different and well-researched subject (ex: avalanches, forest fires, autism). There are many moments of humor, usually involving my favorite character, Spot, Owen McKenna's (main character, retired cop, now private investigator) humongous harlequin Great Dane. Skydrop, Todd Borg's latest mystery includes all of his best and is a great read. I strongly suggest, however, that this Tahoe mystery series be read in order as later stories reference previous ones.
June 8, 2019
A fun,light read that ends with an exciting finale. Having spent time at Lake Tahoe, I get a kick out of the familiar places. The private detective hero, his wisecracking Latino cop buddy, his gentle giant Great Dane and introverted entomologist girlfriend with the odd name (Street) are entertaining company, even with the didactic quality of some of their conversations. This book had a mission to educate us about gender issues and hammered in its points perhaps more than necessary. This is the fourth of this series that I have read.
June 10, 2019
3.5.... I have read all of Todd Borg’s books and have enjoyed each one for its mixture of murder, characters, setting and plot explanations. In every book Mr. Borg has some plot device that warrants an explanation & is woven throughout the book.
In this installment there are at least three subjects- bitcoin, gender fluidity, and how to fly a paraglider that are addressed and detailed. Too many for me. I like it better when the plot is interwoven with Owen’s relationships with Street & Diamond. But all & all an satisfying read.
In this installment there are at least three subjects- bitcoin, gender fluidity, and how to fly a paraglider that are addressed and detailed. Too many for me. I like it better when the plot is interwoven with Owen’s relationships with Street & Diamond. But all & all an satisfying read.
September 12, 2018
Skydrop
Another good novel by Todd Borg featuring hero Owen McKenna, a PI enjoying life in Tahoe after his days at Sfpd are over. Again, I'll take McKenna to any hero in an action packed crime novel.
In this adventure, McKenna learns a thing or two about hang gliding and rescues a kidnapped child.
Good book for anyone who loves Tahoe or loves a good old fashion mystery thriller.
Another good novel by Todd Borg featuring hero Owen McKenna, a PI enjoying life in Tahoe after his days at Sfpd are over. Again, I'll take McKenna to any hero in an action packed crime novel.
In this adventure, McKenna learns a thing or two about hang gliding and rescues a kidnapped child.
Good book for anyone who loves Tahoe or loves a good old fashion mystery thriller.
September 20, 2018
Anyone who has not read a Todd Borg mystery is missing out. I learned a lot from this book about sky dropping as well as being terrified! The last 100 pages of Todd's books always has me holding on to my seat waiting for what will happen next. Thank you Todd for keeping Spot, Owen McKenna's dog in the book to save the day. But isn't that what dogs do! I am always sad when Todd's book is over in having to wait for the next episode next year.
September 8, 2021
I love the McKenna series. Leaving this review hurts. Easily the worst of the series and was borderline painful when reading and one of the biggest chores recently faced in trying to finish it. Usually I love going on the adventures of Owen, Spot, Diamond and co. but there wasn't anything fun about this one. A lot of cringe exchanges and unrealistic dialogue. Hopefully Todd Borg found his way back for #17 but it might be a while before I attempt to start it after #16 hurt so much.
August 24, 2024
Owen, a private investigator, is looking into a kidnapping case. It turns out that the child’s father is a nature guide and is forced to take some sketchy clients up a mountain. He does that but doesn’t get his child back. Owen and the dad, Vince, need to paraglide into a walled estate at night doing a Skydrop.
After living in Tahoe for many years, I’ve read many of this author’s books. I absolutely love being able to follow the story around parts of Lake Tahoe that I’m familiar with.
After living in Tahoe for many years, I’ve read many of this author’s books. I absolutely love being able to follow the story around parts of Lake Tahoe that I’m familiar with.
December 26, 2018
Really enjoy reading his books!
Love this series! The author really does his research on the subject of each novel. In this book, he is very informative about wind and paragliding. I enjoy learning something new with each of his books along with the suspense of the plot and the wit of the characters.
Love this series! The author really does his research on the subject of each novel. In this book, he is very informative about wind and paragliding. I enjoy learning something new with each of his books along with the suspense of the plot and the wit of the characters.
January 5, 2019
A rollicking good adventure, with significant pauses for some timely consciousness raising. I've never tried paragliding, so who am I to say, but that part of the adventure did strain credulity from time to time. As are all of Todd Borg's books, reading this one was an excellent way to spend a rainy day.
January 17, 2019
ANOTHER TAHOE ADVENTURE WITH SPOT AND OWEN
Borg's Tahoe Skydrop will certainly entertain fans of Owen, Spot, and the rest of the Tahoe characters with another adventure in the Lake Tahoe setting. The suspense will keep you reading late into the night as the team rescues a kidnapped teen. Lots of twists to the plot along the way in typical Todd Borg fashion. Enjoy
Borg's Tahoe Skydrop will certainly entertain fans of Owen, Spot, and the rest of the Tahoe characters with another adventure in the Lake Tahoe setting. The suspense will keep you reading late into the night as the team rescues a kidnapped teen. Lots of twists to the plot along the way in typical Todd Borg fashion. Enjoy
March 21, 2019
Very exciting! Owen is nothing short of real-life super hero! I'm always amazed how he gets himself into such dire things but they always seem to work out, and me learning a lot along the way.
Love the fact that the books always include a map. For those to whom such things matter, there is no bad language in the book although I think at one time they said "the bad guy swore."
Love the fact that the books always include a map. For those to whom such things matter, there is no bad language in the book although I think at one time they said "the bad guy swore."
April 9, 2019
Owen McKenna strikes again!
I have read all of Todd Borg's Tahoe books. And thoroughly enjoyed them. I live in northern California so know the Tahoe area. Love the way the crimes are solved. Very different from the ordinary whodunits. And Spot will steal your heart. I look forward to December every year!!
I have read all of Todd Borg's Tahoe books. And thoroughly enjoyed them. I live in northern California so know the Tahoe area. Love the way the crimes are solved. Very different from the ordinary whodunits. And Spot will steal your heart. I look forward to December every year!!
July 26, 2024
Tahoe Slidell by Todd Borg
As always, this book did not disappoint me and is an excellent book. I was introduced to his Tahoe book series by my sister, and will be ever grateful that she did. I can never seen to put the books down once I start reading. This book kept me on my toes trying to figure out who done it!
A great read as well as his others!! Excellent series!
As always, this book did not disappoint me and is an excellent book. I was introduced to his Tahoe book series by my sister, and will be ever grateful that she did. I can never seen to put the books down once I start reading. This book kept me on my toes trying to figure out who done it!
A great read as well as his others!! Excellent series!
August 10, 2018
I'm such a fan of Todd's books but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. Way too many in-depth details on a variety of subjects. I needed more story and less info. One out of 16 books isn't bad !!!
August 18, 2018
What a disappointment. More about tech manuals and societal statements than a good book. Maybe this series has run its course
Terrible disappointment. Filled pages with tech manuals and societal statements. Time to stop the series? Nothing like other great books
Terrible disappointment. Filled pages with tech manuals and societal statements. Time to stop the series? Nothing like other great books
September 25, 2018
Great Todd Borg Mystery
I enjoy all of the Owen McKenna mysteries. This time Todd uses a paraglider to rescue a kidnapped victim I also thoroughly enjoy how he uses Spot, his huge Dalmatian dog, to rescue people.
I enjoy all of the Owen McKenna mysteries. This time Todd uses a paraglider to rescue a kidnapped victim I also thoroughly enjoy how he uses Spot, his huge Dalmatian dog, to rescue people.
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