EBMRG discussion

THE DEVIL WALKS IN MATTINGLY (Super. Thriller-Jake/Kate/Taylor-Maddingly, VA-Contemp) - Standalone - Billy Coffey)
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive. It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since—Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . between truth and lies.

LJ – VG+ - I so enjoy books set in this part of the country, and Coffey's descriptions really brought it to life. I loved the author's voice. Each of the characters was, at time, irritating, but it made sense in the end. There was a hint of paranormal, which never really made any sense, but the story kept me engrossed. It was a wonderful read with a bit of everything; spirituality, suspense, and themes of the price of pride, but mostly about redemption.
Susan – Okay – The characterizations were well done, but she didn't care much for the characters. The dialect and speech were good. The story seemed drawn out and lacked tension.

GROUP RATING AVERAGE: G+


THE FIRST RULE OF TEN (PI-Tenzing Norbu-Los Angeles-Contemp) - 1st of series - Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay
"Don't ignore intuitive tickles lest they reappear as sledgehammers" That's the first rule of Ten. Tenzing Norbu ( "Ten" for short) -ex-monk and soon-to-be ex-cop-is a protagonist unique to our times. In The First Rule of Ten, the first installment in a three-book detective series, we meet this spiritual warrior who is singularly equipped, if not occasionally ill-equipped, as he takes on his first case as a private investigator in Los Angeles. Growing up in a Tibetan Monastery, Ten dreamed of becoming a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. So when he was sent to Los Angeles to teach meditation, he joined the LAPD instead. But as the Buddha says, change is inevitable; and ten years later, everything is about to change-big-time-for Ten. One resignation from the police force, two bullet-wounds, three suspicious deaths, and a beautiful woman later, he quickly learns that whenever he breaks his first rule, mayhem follows.

Christine – VG+ - This was just her cup of tea. Good characters. She liked the detectives and the older man. Felt it was well written even though it did go off the rails at one point.
Gabriel – Okay – It was somewhat enjoyable. Good enough that he has ordered the next book.
Linda F – DNF – Tried to read it but stopped as the information on Buddhism just didn't ring true.
LJ – Good – The story is well-plotted, and a bit painful for those of us who remember all too well Jim Jones and the People's Temple, but it had a very interesting twist. There was inaccuracies related to Buddhism and a rather TSTL move by the protagonist, but it had plenty of action and a good resolution. It's a good airplane book.
Susan – G+ - Liked this but kept forgetting the protagonist was supposed to be a former monk. The relationship with the girlfriend was a bit odd.

GROUP RATING AVERAGE: Good


GHOST TALKERS (Fantasy-Ginger Stuyvesant-England-WWI) - Standalone - Mary Robinette Kowal
Ginger Stuyvesant, an American heiress living in London during World War I, is engaged to Captain Benjamin Harford, an intelligence officer. Ginger is a medium for the Spirit Corps, a special Spiritualist force. Each soldier heading for the front is conditioned to report to the mediums of the Spirit Corps when they die so the Corps can pass instant information about troop movements to military intelligence. Ginger and her fellow mediums contribute a great deal to the war efforts, so long as they pass the information through appropriate channels. While Ben is away at the front, Ginger discovers the presence of a traitor. Without the presence of her fiance to validate her findings, the top brass thinks she's just imagining things. Even worse, it is clear that the Spirit Corps is now being directly targeted by the German war effort.

Gabriel – DNF – Stopped after a couple chapters. Didn't care for the characters.
Linda F – Ex – Loved it. It was an original premise. Liked that it was historical. She didn't like Ginger at first, but she warmed up to her. Appreciated the brief appearance of J.R. Tolkein.
LJ – DNF – The premise was interesting and, as long as one doesn't seek logic, it was a rather intriguing idea. Then it jumped the shark, and I bailed.

GROUP RATING AVERAGE: Okay

Okay! Now you've got a book that really interests me.

Oh good! A friend read, and loved it, so I thought we should try it.