Harris

Although written over forty years ago this semi sci-fi still rings true today. While it tells the story of an earthling born on Mars who returns to Earth, it is really a parable on many of our social mores. The author has a sharp knife. He doesn't spare government, religion, the media, sexual proclivities or law enforcement. Our Martian sic earthing is the reluctant "deus ex machina" using his extra terrestrial powers to right wrongs and showing us "Gods" way. While similar plots have been use in numerous Hollywood movies over the last several decades, the book is still interesting and worth listening to.

Charlie Wilson is one of the wierd characters in our Congress who through sheer will-power twists the arms of key government agencies to do his bidding. In this case the cause seemed right, extracting the USSR from Afghanistan. However, one is left with the distinct impression that the checks and balances between branches that our Constitutional mandates don't always work.

The book is well written and the story concisely presented. Don't pass this one up.

If your looking for a whodunit, look elsewhere. On the other hand If you want a fast moving and exciting detective novel, look no further! Harry Bosch is a thinking man's investigator. He doesn't take kindly to FBI politics but manages to work with them in his own way to catch the criminal.

This is one of Connelly's best. Don't miss it.

Perhaps there is something about this novel that I haven't discovered. I wish I knew what is was. This is a simple story about some of the less fortunate folks living in a small Colorado town. While their trials and tribulations hold your interest initially, nothing ever happens. There is little plot and no climax. When it ends you're not sure why. Skip this one unless your in to soapoperas.

German atrocities during WWII are never a pleasant subject to deal with. This novel makes a salient point. You can destroy a people but you will never destroy their need to seek revenge against those that committed these deeds. Silva handles this in a fast paced exciting manner that hits all the right buttons. Gabriel Alon is an agent for Israel whose family was wiped out during the Holocaust. Over fifty years later a friend is murdered in Vienna under suspicious circumstances. This sets into motion an exciting investigation that turns up all of the old hatred.

If you enjoy a vast pace action novel, this should be your cup of tea.

If you like stories in the Southern genre there is nobody better at writing them than John Grisham. Grisham has a way of weaving a story that is riveted in hometown lure and full of the characters that inhabit most small towns. His plots develop smoothly and keep us impatiently awaiting the next turn of events. If you like a well written and excellently narrated novel this is Grisham at his absolute best. There are also side issues in this story. It is obvious that Grisham had a real problem with our involvement in Vietnam and had no patience with Mississippi's reluctance to accept integration. All told a great novel on many levels.

Talk about boring! This story involves a chase scene that goes on for over three quarters of the book, without a clue as to why. By the time you find out in the last couple of chapters you couldn't care less. The story has no redeeming qualities. Try not to listen to it in your car, you may fall asleep!

"The Alienist" is a wonderful portrayal of late nineteenth century New York City. New York was in a state of flux with immigrants coming in by the boat load with many of them living in dire circumstances. Corruption abounded with the police force and hoodlums acting in concert. In the midst of this a serial killer was on the loose and the powers that be only too willing to overlook it, because young immigrant male prostitutes were the ones being slaughtered. A foreign born psychiatrist with an interest in abused children takes up the cudgels and with the help of some friends attempts to solve the mystery.

My only quibble with the story is its length and repetitiveness. It goes on way too long to reach a conclusion. However, this is just a quibble, for the most part it works and makes for interesting listening.

For those of you that remember the old Agatha Christie mysteries this one will bring back memories of those bygone eras. However, the Adam Dagliesh mysteries are as up to date as can be. While this novel is very British by nature it is definitely a 21 century work, with current sexual mores playing an important role. The reader adds an essential element to the story with perfectly depicted British accents that are molded to the strata of society that the character belongs to. Try this one I'm sure that you'll like it.

In this continuation of the Kilcannon presidency, we find ourselves facing some of the moral dilemmas that we read about in the newspapers on an almost daily basis. While the second amendment gives us the the right to bear arms, we are forced to choose between a person's right to hunt and a criminal's right to blow people away with impunity, using handguns made strictly for that purpose. This novel shows how special interests can intrude on the legislative process to accomplish their ends. Kilcannon torn by personal tragedy, is forced to fight tooth and nail with a recalcitrant Senate. All told an exciting political novel that delves into some important issues that we face daily. If you like political intrigue this might just be your cup of tea, if not stay away.

Where did your fast moving action filled style go to? This novel is slow and tedious. The reader is also very annoying with the ability to move from one scene to another without a pause or a breath so that you're not quite sure where your at. He also has not developed the ability to use distinguishing voices, so that as he moves from character to character you're not quite sure who's talking. The book ends suddenly! You almost expect to hear a "to be continued in the sequel", but you know something, you're glad that it's over.