Puzzles Presents: Ultimate Reading Challenge 2015 discussion

Post the title, description, and your opinion of the mystery or thriller you read.

Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

This being a popular book, I'm sure we all know what this book is about. If not, here is a brief description copied and pasted from my library's website, it's too confusing to try and write my own. "Obsessively watching a breakfasting couple every day to escape the pain of her losses, Rachel witnesses a shocking event that inextricably entangles her in the lives of strangers."

The excitement I had to read this book was beyond words. Being hailed as better than Gone Girl, one of my absolute personal favorites, having twists and turns no reader could imagine, having to wait for over 1,000 holds to clear to get it from the library, etc. I was beyond stoked to get my hands on a copy of this bad boy. That being said, I hated this book. From the whiny, drippy and overall dull protagoinist to the terrible idea for a plot to the unbelievable ending, this book was NOT what I was expecting. I felt like it could not end soon enough, it was about 100 pages too long and it was boring. Luckily, a lot of the other librarians I work with felt the same way, so I knew it wasn't only me.

If you are obsessed with Gone Girl, stay away from this book!

There are 978 holds on 169 copies in Rhode Island right now.

Also it sort of sounds like Source Code in the description, sans explosions.

I smell trouble, I'm also on that forementioned holds list.

The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir was a great read and I can see why they are making it into a movie. The premise of the novel is one based on survival, on Mars, so the plot is tight and fast-paced as the main character and NASA fight against dwindling supplies and the elements. Although the novel is steeped in scientific jargon, the author does a great job with the description and I learned quite a lot. It is amazing the amount of knowledge astronauts have to know. In addition, the voice of the main character, astronaut Mark Watney, was quite humorous and compelling so it kept the novel light while the situation was dire.

Die Again by Tess Gerritsen

The latest entry in the Rizzoli & Iles series finds two connected stories running parallel from start to finish. In Boston, Rizzoli & Iles find a horrendously slaughtered man whose death may or may not be connected with other similar deaths across the country. Meanwhile, on a wild safari in South Africa, a group of tourists find themselves with a killer.

This entry into the Rizzoli & Iles series is less enticing and engaging then the previous entries. I found there to be less focus on forensics and more on "TV show" style. I hoped Gerritsen would stay away from what Patterson's Women's Murder Club series has become, however, if this novel is any indication, she has succumbed to dumbing down her impressive instinct and vast knowledge in forensic science. She was a step below Cornwell and Reichs, yet now seems to be sliding with this entry. The intrigue and the mystery and the suspense were still present, so I was enjoying the ride. However, I felt cheated by the lack of in-depth science. She seems to be catering to fans of the show and less to fans of the novels. All in all, this entry felt more like a summer beach read: enjoyable but forgettable.