Review: "A Wanted Man" by Lee Child

For Jack Reacher, the car that finally stopped that Nebraska night meant that Reacher was finally going to be able to move along on his quest to see a woman in Virginia. Wintertime in Nebraska does not mean warm weather. Reacher was glad to get out of the cold. Especially as it had already been a long day and his busted nose was still bothering him pretty good.

When he climbed into the backseat of the car next to the woman it didn’t take long for him to realize something was off about the group. All three were dressed identically in black pants and blue denim shirts. What they say they are doing and what they are doing are clearly two different things. The men identify themselves as Alan King and Don McQueen. They do the majority of the talking while the woman, Karen Delfuenso, keeps her mouth shut.

The guys continue to talk too much and start making minor slipups. Things that might not be obvious to others, but errors the former Army Military Policeman notices. Before long, Reacher figures out that nearly everything they have said is a lie. What he has yet to figure out is what they do, the role of the woman, and why the group keeps hitting police roadblocks set up on the interstate.

The latest in the series finds Reacher in the middle of a mess that moves across Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. Stuck in the center of the country he isn’t going further towards his goal of getting to Virginia if things don’t get cleared up. Worse yet, as a suspect or a material witness depending on which person from what agency is talking, he might just vanish by way of the Patriot Act if some have their way.

Another good one in the series this novel features a more analytical and distant Reacher than the last several books. This is depicted through the use of internal monologue as well as in his dialogue with others. The wide distance between him and others is always there as is his often stated main goal of getting to Virginia.

Shifting in point of view from Reacher to many other characters involved in this drama, the focus is building suspense. Since readers know beforehand that Reacher won’t die, otherwise the series would end, it becomes obvious that others will die. They do and in two cases it is rather disappointing that things were resolved in that way.

Ultimately, A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel is another good one in the series. Relying on his intellect and his physical abilities/skills along with a little help from temporary companions, Reacher achieves a sort of justice. He again manages to survive events only a little worse for wear. After all, he has a woman waiting on him in Virginia.

A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel

Lee Child

http://www.leechild.com

http://www.facebook.com/LeeChild

Delacorte Press (imprint of Random House)

http://www.randomhouse.com

September 11, 2012

ISBN# 978-0-385-34433-3

Hardback

416 Pages

$28.00

ARC provided by Shelf Awareness in exchange for my objective review. Shelf Awareness is offering readers a chance to win a copy of the book via their latest contest widget at left. Shelf Awareness is solely responsible for their contest.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012

FFB Review: "THE INNOCENT MRS. DUFF" (1946) by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

This week for Friday’s Forgotten Books it is Barry’s turn front and center. The complete list of books is over on Patti Abbott’s blog at http://pattinase.blogspot.com/ While you are there, check out what is going on with Pulp Ink 2 and other things of note.

THE INNOCENT MRS. DUFF (1946) by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

reviewed by Barry Ergang

Discussions about mystery/suspense fiction often debate whether certain stories are plot-driven or character-driven. I take the first to signify a tale in which plot is something extraneous that happens to the characters, imposed from without; the second to signify a tale in which the plot develops from the characters populating it, who themselves create the situations they become entangled in. I don't find one type necessarily better than the other. The result, for better or worse, depends on any given author's integration of the multitude of elements that make up the storytelling process. That said, let me highly recommend as a first-rate example of the character-driven story The Innocent Mrs. Duff by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding.

The story is told from the point of view of the priggish, class-conscious Jacob Duff, a man in his forties who has recently remarried following the death of his first wife Helen, the mother of his young son Jay. Regina (“Reggie”) Duff, née Riordan, is twenty-one, beautiful, caring, outgoing and, in Jacob's view, shallow and stupid. A year into the marriage, he has lost interest in her and ponders divorce. It becomes apparent to the reader early on that Duff himself, with his narrow snobbery, his selfish insistence on the way things ought to be, and his unwillingness to communicate with his wife to effect understanding and compromise, is the shallow one. Fourteen pounds overweight, he vows to lose the excess poundage by exercising and dieting—but he begins to drink heavily, frequently getting sick. After each drinking bout, he swears he’s going to cut down or quit, but finds himself unable to, rationalizing the need for alcohol every time.

As the story deepens, his own idiosyncrasies create worsening problems for him which he blames on Regina and others, ultimately leading to a tragedy of his own making. Holding skillfully and subtly develops her drama and its personae in a clear prose style—without resorting to the kind of analysis and psycho-babble one is more likely to find in current “psychological suspense” stories. Instead, the reader observes Duff in action and interaction, is privy to his thoughts, and can thus indulge in his own analysis if he wishes to.

In a letter to Hamish Hamilton, his British publisher, Raymond Chandler wrote: “Does anybody in England publish Elisabeth Sanxay Holding? For my money she's the top suspense writer of them all. She doesn't pour it on and make you feel irritated. Her characters are wonderful; and she has a sort of inner calm which I find very attractive. I recommend for your attention, if you have not read them, Net of Cobwebs, The Innocent Mrs. Duff, The Blank Wall.” The edition I have, which also contains The Blank Wall, is published by Academy Chicago and contains a cover blurb from Anthony Boucher: “For subtlety, realistic conviction, incredible economy, she's in a class by herself.”

Can I get an “Amen”?

For more on this book or The Golden Age of Detection surf over to The Golden Age of Detection Wiki found at http://tinyurl.com/2pbs2d

Barry Ergang © 2007, 2012

Winner of the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s 2007 Derringer Award in the Flash Fiction category, Barry Ergang’s written work has appeared in numerous publications, print and electronic. Some of Barry’s fiction is available at Smashwords and Amazon.com, and Amazon also has available a couple of his poetry collections. His personal collection of books for sale are at  http://www.barryergangbooksforsale.yolasite.com/.

Results

The results are in and the Pet Scan says Sandi remains clear of cancer! No sign of any of the two forms of Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas anywhere in her body at any level. This means she is still in remission.

There is a slight uptick in thyroid activity and this means her thyroid is trying to come back to life. This has to be closely monitored as it is believed by all that is where her cancers started. To do this, she will have to undergo another painful neck biopsy at some point later this fall so that can be checked.

Her next full body Pet Scan will be in early December.

So, for now, she is still cancer free and needless to say very happy to have gotten the all clear.We all are---the waiting has been the hardest part.

Thank you one and all for your prayers, best wishes, thoughts of support, etc. Not just today, but throughout this long ordeal. I am convinced it played a huge role in her recovery.


Kevin

Today-- Sandi's Test Results

Late this morning we should finally get the test results  for Sandi's Pet Scan she did a week ago Monday. Hopefully, she will pass with flying colors and there will be no sign at all of the cancers. She beat the odds before and hopefully she has continued to beat them. If the worst is true and they are back...it means there is another round of chemotherapy and maybe something else in store.

I will update everyone as soon as we get back from the hospital. Considering the time of the appointment later this morning and his very busy shcedule, it easily may be this afternoon before I can.

Please keep your fingers crossed, a prayer in mind, and a hope in your heart that the scan is clear.


Kevin

Children's Book Review: " Adorable Dogs: Bulldogs" by Scott Gordon

Using simple pictures of various bulldogs and short captions, the book tells the tale of Marvin and his bulldog family. Momma is a tough task master and has definite expectations for her bulldog children. Finally, Marvin figures out that Mom is being hard on them because they never thank her for all she does. Mom and Marvin share a Christmas bonding moment of family love before she barks at him about getting his new shirt dirty.

The short story winds up with fun facts about bulldogs and links to three sites about bulldogs. The remaining more than half of the book is devoted to ads for the numerous other books by the author.

Aimed at the three to six year old crowd, the lesson here is that mom is tough because she is not thanked enough by her kids. All she wants is the best for them and wants them to understand that. A thought that may or may not have completely resonated with Marvin, who has the last word with his comment, “Oh momma, you’re impossible.”

The photographic illustrations are simple with the dogs either sitting, lying down, or standing. The dogs are occasionally posed with a prop of some type such as ac birthday hat, Christmas stocking, etc. Readers of the age group targeted may have some difficulties with words such as “impossible, instructions, diabetes,” etc., in this otherwise well done book.

  Adorable Dogs: Bulldogs

  Scott Gordon

               http://segordon.blogspot.com

               July 2012

               Kindle E-Book

               Estimated print length--42 pages

               $.99

Material picked up during the author’s recent free book promotion for my objective review. Adorable Dogs: Bulldogs was read via the free “Kindle for PC” program.



Kevin R. Tipple ©2012

Children's Book Review: "If I Were A Robot" by Scott Gordon

Being a robot with a suit of armor means our hero would be protected from the evil Overlord’s army. Thanks to the titanium shell the robot would be safe from their lasers and could deal with any and all threats. Of course, a robot needs a companion – preferably a robotic dog.

But, after learning a lesson in the daydream, the young boy is glad he isn’t a robot and is human after all. Because that means he can spend time with his dad who is also very happy to be home with him.

Once the simple and charming story ends more than half of the remaining book is devoted to other books by the author.

A cute tale that reinforces the idea that being with your parent is so much better than being something else. Like other books by this author, the illustrations are simple and colorful with accompanying small snippets of text. Aimed at children aged three to six, those on the younger end of the range may need reading assistance with this fun book.

If I Were A Robot

Scott Gordon

http://segordon.blogspot.com

March 2012

Kindle E-Book

Estimated print length--53 pages

$2.99

Material picked up during the author’s recent free book promotion for my objective review. If I Were A Robot was read via the free “Kindle for PC” program.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012

Review: "Stolen Prey: A Novel" by John Sandford

After 23 novels in the series there isn’t much Lucas Davenport has not seen before. This scene is a new one and very disturbing. The Brooks family home has been turned into a scene that screams of terror and desperation. The dogs were just killed. The family, a dad, wife, and two kids were tortured and eventually killed. Left behind written on a wall, most likely using the blood and one of the dad’s cut off fingers, is a chilling message-- “Were Coming.”

What the missing apostrophe means and who is coming are just two of the many questions the brutal crime scene raises for Lucas Davenport and others in various law enforcement agencies. Considering the carnage and the likely assumption that the family was tortured for information it has all the appearances of the work of Mexican Drug Traffickers. However, the family does not appear the type to be involved with that sort of thing. The husband, Patrick Brooks, ran a software company while the mom, Candice Brooks, was potentially a state senate candidate. There certainly isn’t anything at all to explain the massacre. A massacre that becomes major news, not just in Minneapolis/St Paul, but across the nation in this day and age of cable news that eats this kind of story up.

A story that quickly comes to the attention to all of those who started this murder ball rolling.  While the killers are happy to see word of their ongoing exploits on TV, those who orchestrated the plan and unknowingly triggered events now know they have a huge problem.

This latest in the series continues the recent trend of heavy action, short scenes, constant changes in pov, and a relentless pace that moves rapidly things forward for over 400 pages. There isn’t any new character development for Lucas Davenport and his home family. None is expected after so many books. As for his law enforcement family, all the regulars such as his Del, Shaffer, Rose Marie, Sandy and other make their usual appearances. Even Virgil Flowers makes an appearance in a secondary story line that eventually provides several chuckles towards the end.

Some “reviewers” have publicly speculated that this novel was not written by John Sandford. Beyond the fact that they have provided zero evidence of such a dubious claim, this novel is exactly the tone and style of the recent books. Clearly this reviewer was not present to watch the master at work (would have been a wonderful experience), but the idea that it is not his work is laughable after reading the novel.

Stolen Prey: A Novel is another hard hitting action read in this enjoyable series. Much like the Porsche Lucas drives, the story roars wide open providing readers yet another high octane mystery ride.

Stolen Prey: A Novel

John Sandford

http://www.johnsandford.org

G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Group-USA)

http://www.penguin.com

May 2012

ISBN# 978-0-399-15768-4

Hardback

402 Pages

$27.95

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas Public Library System. Again this year the summer reading challenge for adults and kids is now underway. For more information go to

http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/Pages/default.aspx

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012