The Blood-Dimmed Tide - by Rennie Airth Andrea - Okay - She didn't like it but wasn't certain why. She didn't like the serial killer or all the foreshadowing. The solving of the crime was unrealistic and the characters seemed wooden. She did like parts of the character of Madden. LJ - VG - (Review from Nov 2004) - It’s been four years since Airth's first book, but worth the wait. Although the story is more an assemble cast than focusing solely on Madden, you have an excellent sense of the characters in a well-plotted story. Set in a time of political tension, it’s interesting to see how the situation in Germany impacts the people and investigation. The suspense builds through the story to a dramatic climax. I only hope there is not another four years until the next book, as I really enjoy Mr. Airth's writing. Marcy G - VG - She read both this and the 1st book in the series. She liked this book very much. There was a good sense of place and historical perspective. She liked John Maddon as a character and the way the book was written, even though the mystery itself was a bit weak. Marcy S - VG - She enjoyed it quite a bit; liked the description of places. The subplot of the fellow WWI soldier draw her in. It did but her that Airth would have Maddon refer back to events in the past that didn't seem germane to this book.
Wife of the Gods - by Kwei Quartey Andrea - Good - I thought it was quite good, but also disappointing. I really though I'd get a flavor of Africa and of the characters, but I didn't. The character of the main detective was interestingly flawed but the family stuff seemed like a gratuitous add-on. The story of his son's injury could and should have been dropped. The resolution to the mystery was also annoying in that there was too much confession and not enough true detecting. Linda F - Poor - Didn't like it. She thought the character was a bad cop, unsympathetic and his dysfunction caused him to not solve the case. She didn't like the way the author handled his culture. To her, and from an interview she read, it was clear the author doesn't like his culture. Linda S - VG - The point Linda F. make about the author being conflicted does show in the book, but Linda S. felt it was gently handled. She wished Dawson had adopted more the philosophy of integrating both the old ideas and new. She liked the sense of Ghana she got; she did feel she could see it. She also liked that Dawson was flawed and that the unresolved family issue does get resolved somewhat. Linda would read another by this author. LJ - VG - I very much enjoyed this book. On one hand, it is look and education into life in Ghana, which was fascinating; on the other hand it’s a good, solid mystery. Quartey creates a very strong sense of place whether it be in the town or the small village. We see the customs, even down to the manner of salutations, and superstition, as well as the contrast between lives in the two environments. Dawson is well-crafted character. He comes from a family history that is less than ideal, smokes marijuana, although it is illegal, a critically ill son and a difficult relationship with his mother-in-law. Although it wasn’t focused upon, I did wonder whether Dawson has a form of synesthesia from there being a couple mentions of his being able to feel voices. I appreciated the contrast between Dawson, who uses standard investigative techniques, and Fiti who believe in superstition and forcing a confession to prove his belief. However, I also appreciated there being repercussions for Dawson’s actions, which is unusual. The story is well plotted and I certainly did not figure out the killer prior to it being revealed. It is wonderful to see more new authors appearing from other countries. I look forward to reading Mr. Quartey’s next book. Marcy G - VG - Liked it. She thought the author gave a good picture of the clash of cultures which were rational about some things and irrational about others. She liked Dawson for his flaws and conflicted relationships. The mystery was not that dazzling but she thought the story overall was good. Marcy S - - She is about half-way though and is loving it. Dawson is very human. It is interesting to see the differences in perspective between people in the city and in the country. She likes that it doesn't focus on the cultures but captures the way life is, and that even those in the city don't cross the gods.
New Tricks - by David Rosenfelt LJ - VG - (Review from December, 2009) It’s an odd situation where the protagonist of the book is someone I don’t particularly care for. He is a little too wise-cracking, and except when in the courtroom, Andy often comes off as a bit of a dork and not always very bright. He has relationship issues, of which I am getting bored. Happily, in this book, Andy emotionally grows up. While I enjoy the song-chat dialogue between Andy and his friend Sam, “Town Without Pity” was written and made famous by Gene Pitney. However, the supporting characters, including the dogs, even out the tone of the book and make it very enjoyable. What I really did like was the plot. Whenever I thought I knew where the story was going or what the motive for the killings was, the story went somewhere else; the twists were very good, unexpected and I never saw the villain coming. I did have a couple issues; portents—but there was only one so I could forgive it; and Laurie’s recovery seemed way too fast for me. I also appreciated being able to read it while having a 7-year-old reading it aloud next to me and I didn’t have to switch books because of expletive language, sex or violence that his father, in the row ahead of me on the plane, would not have appreciated my sharing with his child. The book is very current but didn’t overwhelm the pace of the story, and Rosenfelt’s book does have a great pace. Some criticize the idea of a book being an airplane read. I view it as a compliment as it’s something that can completely distract and engross me and that I want to finish in one read. New Tricks was a very good airplane read. I’ve already ordered his next book. Marcy G- VG - It was very enjoyable, entertaining, lighthearted, and witty. She liked the dogs. It's a good summer read.
Andrea - Okay - She didn't like it but wasn't certain why. She didn't like the serial killer or all the foreshadowing. The solving of the crime was unrealistic and the characters seemed wooden. She did like parts of the character of Madden.
LJ - VG - (Review from Nov 2004) - It’s been four years since Airth's first book, but worth the wait. Although the story is more an assemble cast than focusing solely on Madden, you have an excellent sense of the characters in a well-plotted story. Set in a time of political tension, it’s interesting to see how the situation in Germany impacts the people and investigation. The suspense builds through the story to a dramatic climax. I only hope there is not another four years until the next book, as I really enjoy Mr. Airth's writing.
Marcy G - VG - She read both this and the 1st book in the series. She liked this book very much. There was a good sense of place and historical perspective. She liked John Maddon as a character and the way the book was written, even though the mystery itself was a bit weak.
Marcy S - VG - She enjoyed it quite a bit; liked the description of places. The subplot of the fellow WWI soldier draw her in. It did but her that Airth would have Maddon refer back to events in the past that didn't seem germane to this book.
Wife of the Gods - by Kwei Quartey
Andrea - Good - I thought it was quite good, but also disappointing. I really though I'd get a flavor of Africa and of the characters, but I didn't. The character of the main detective was interestingly flawed but the family stuff seemed like a gratuitous add-on. The story of his son's injury could and should have been dropped. The resolution to the mystery was also annoying in that there was too much confession and not enough true detecting.
Linda F - Poor - Didn't like it. She thought the character was a bad cop, unsympathetic and his dysfunction caused him to not solve the case. She didn't like the way the author handled his culture. To her, and from an interview she read, it was clear the author doesn't like his culture.
Linda S - VG - The point Linda F. make about the author being conflicted does show in the book, but Linda S. felt it was gently handled. She wished Dawson had adopted more the philosophy of integrating both the old ideas and new. She liked the sense of Ghana she got; she did feel she could see it. She also liked that Dawson was flawed and that the unresolved family issue does get resolved somewhat. Linda would read another by this author.
LJ - VG - I very much enjoyed this book. On one hand, it is look and education into life in Ghana, which was fascinating; on the other hand it’s a good, solid mystery. Quartey creates a very strong sense of place whether it be in the town or the small village. We see the customs, even down to the manner of salutations, and superstition, as well as the contrast between lives in the two environments. Dawson is well-crafted character. He comes from a family history that is less than ideal, smokes marijuana, although it is illegal, a critically ill son and a difficult relationship with his mother-in-law. Although it wasn’t focused upon, I did wonder whether Dawson has a form of synesthesia from there being a couple mentions of his being able to feel voices. I appreciated the contrast between Dawson, who uses standard investigative techniques, and Fiti who believe in superstition and forcing a confession to prove his belief. However, I also appreciated there being repercussions for Dawson’s actions, which is unusual. The story is well plotted and I certainly did not figure out the killer prior to it being revealed. It is wonderful to see more new authors appearing from other countries. I look forward to reading Mr. Quartey’s next book.
Marcy G - VG - Liked it. She thought the author gave a good picture of the clash of cultures which were rational about some things and irrational about others. She liked Dawson for his flaws and conflicted relationships. The mystery was not that dazzling but she thought the story overall was good.
Marcy S - - She is about half-way though and is loving it. Dawson is very human. It is interesting to see the differences in perspective between people in the city and in the country. She likes that it doesn't focus on the cultures but captures the way life is, and that even those in the city don't cross the gods.
New Tricks - by David Rosenfelt
LJ - VG - (Review from December, 2009) It’s an odd situation where the protagonist of the book is someone I don’t particularly care for. He is a little too wise-cracking, and except when in the courtroom, Andy often comes off as a bit of a dork and not always very bright. He has relationship issues, of which I am getting bored. Happily, in this book, Andy emotionally grows up. While I enjoy the song-chat dialogue between Andy and his friend Sam, “Town Without Pity” was written and made famous by Gene Pitney. However, the supporting characters, including the dogs, even out the tone of the book and make it very enjoyable. What I really did like was the plot. Whenever I thought I knew where the story was going or what the motive for the killings was, the story went somewhere else; the twists were very good, unexpected and I never saw the villain coming. I did have a couple issues; portents—but there was only one so I could forgive it; and Laurie’s recovery seemed way too fast for me. I also appreciated being able to read it while having a 7-year-old reading it aloud next to me and I didn’t have to switch books because of expletive language, sex or violence that his father, in the row ahead of me on the plane, would not have appreciated my sharing with his child. The book is very current but didn’t overwhelm the pace of the story, and Rosenfelt’s book does have a great pace. Some criticize the idea of a book being an airplane read. I view it as a compliment as it’s something that can completely distract and engross me and that I want to finish in one read. New Tricks was a very good airplane read. I’ve already ordered his next book.
Marcy G- VG - It was very enjoyable, entertaining, lighthearted, and witty. She liked the dogs. It's a good summer read.