The Escape by David Baldacci (John Puller #3)

The Escape by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have long been a fan of David Baldacci liking some of his series more than others. The character of John Puller was introduced in Zero Day and followed by The Forgotten. When I first heard about John Puller it appeared that Baldacci was trying to ride the Jack Reacher wave. Boy, was I mistaken. Even though Puller has many of Reacher's similarities, the differences are stark. Puller, no offense intended, is a smarter, better Reacher. John Puller is still in the military as an investigator with CID, he come from royal military blood with a legend for a father, and a brother who is in prison for life for treason at Leavenworth. Intrigued yet?

The Escape is the one of Baldacci's best books yet, and the best book in the Puller series. Suffice it to say, Puller's brother escapes from prison, and is a genius in his own right who was being groomed for big things before his fall from grace. But, what if everything wasn't as it seemed and there is more at play than one man's guilt or innocence. This is the framework of The Escape and without giving away any spoilers, this is a book that you will enjoy. Intelligent, and well written with twists and turns and a fascinating look at the inner workings of the nation's intelligence apparatus.

You cannot go wrong with the John Puller series or the Will Robie series from Baldacci. You will not be disappointed.

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Five Star)

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing book. One of the best I read this year. Very original, very well written and the characters are engaging and make you care about them and the world they inhabit. Very different in a very good way. Not your typical dystopian young adult novel. There are great things in store for Leigh Bardugo.

You can also feel comfortable with your teen son or daughter reading this. There is no language and there is a touch of romance, but nothing that is out of bounds for the 12-18 crowd. Adults will love this as well and will be ready for the next adventure. I am just glad that it's sequel, Siege and Storm and the final book in the trilogy, Ruin and Rising are out and ready to enjoy.

Word has it that Ms. Bardugo is working on a new series based in this same fantasy world.

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Dark Spies by Matthew Dunn

Dark Spies by Matthew Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is Matthew Dunn's 4th book featuring Will Cochrane. It took awhile for me to discover Dunn. I would always look at Spycatcher (the 1st in the series) and pick it up and mentally add it to the "to be read" shelf in my head. This is what happens, after a while the dominant thought will be to read said book. I was blown away. Dunn is a good writer, but it is his humanity with the character of Will Cochrane that impresses. I thoroughly recommend that you read the series in order. Each book builds on the story that is this incredible character. It doesn't hurt that Dunn has "been there and done that". Authenticity reads true.
As for Dark Spies. By far this is the best book of the series. Intelligent, brilliantly plotted and a real pleasure from first page to last. Will Cochrane does not disappoint and we begin to see his influence on those around him. People who recognize his humanity and goodness on an intimate level and respond with help and kindness when needed when others would turn and run the other direction.
There are a handful of thriller authors that are making outstanding contributions to the genre currently, Marc Cameron's Jericho Quinn series, Ben Coe's Dewey Andreas series, newcomer Mike Maden and his fine book, Drone as well as an old favorite, Daniel Silva with his masterful Gabriel Allon. What's even more impressive is that even though these authors write about dangerous people and enemies of the people, they are very clean writers who have the skill necessary to write compelling, action filled thrillers without resorting to profanity to get their story across. Refreshing to say the least.
Well done Mr. Dunn and company. Well done. You will not be disappointed with this book.

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Drone by Mark Maden

Drone by Mike Maden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great first book from a very promising author. Troy Pearce is a great character and his team one of the most engaging in thriller fiction. As part of the new wave of thriller writers which include, Terry Hayes, Ben Coes, Marc Cameron and Matthew Dunn. This genre is in good hands and makes for a very happy reader here.

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I Am Pilgrim By Terry Hayes

I read a lot of books. So I have gotten a little picky over the years. So when I find a book that is pretty remarkable, I have to say something about it. Especially when it is a first novel.
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes is such a book. Oh My Gosh! I remember seeing this book in an airport bookstore in Denver a couple months ago. The cover wasn't spectacular but for some reason I picked it up and read the blurbs and the synopsis and filed it away in the "to be read" box in my head.
Fast forward to a week ago. I am in my little local library just seeing if there is anything new that would keep me busy and I noticed in the large print new releases, I Am Pilgrim. My memory kicked in and I remembered that I had wanted to give it a try. Large print didn't bother me, my eyes probably need it.
So, I took it home. I was in the middle of reading another favorite author, Terry Brooks, but right before bed I picked up Pilgrim and read the first page. And the second, and the third and realized very quickly that I had found something special.

It is a rare thing for this to happen. For me, only a handful of times. The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva, Hyperion by Dan Simmons, a very little known book by Martin Davies titled, The Conjurer's Bird, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Now, I add Mr. Hayes to the list. There is a depth to this book that rises it above most thrillers. A book I will actually remember as opposed to many that are just so much fluff. James Patterson comes to mind. There are some great thriller authors out there, Ben Coes, Marc Cameron, the late Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Matthew Dunn, Daniel Silva, Richard Doetsch, Greg Rucka. I read everything that is produced by these fine authors, but the only one that comes close to Hayes is Silva.

Pilgrim begins with a brutal murder scene in New York City, a emotionally and physically wounded homicide detective and a brilliant investigator who has no name. From this beginning we learn all about this man, what he has done and where he has been. The action ranges from the dark days of 9/11 to the corridors of power in Washington DC, a farmhouse in North Dakota and to the mountains of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan as well as a city square and a beheading in Saudi Arabia which leads to a birth of a new kind of terrorist that will be hunted to prevent the deaths of millions of people.

Hayes brilliantly weaves the histories and locales of all of these disparate entities into a novel that at times you long to put down, but can't. Watching the matching of wits between the Pilgrim and the Saracen is a thing to behold.

This book and Mr. Hayes are the real deal. I am ready for the next one.

The English Girl by Daniel Silva

The English Girl by Daniel Silva




The English Girl (Gabriel Allon Series #13)


There are very few authors who consistently put out books that are unputdownable. Daniel Silva is one of the few. The English Girl is just another example of this. Gabriel Allon is one of the greatest creations in thriller fiction in the last 20 years. When reading his exploits, it feels as if you are reading about actual living breathing people. You care about these characters. For the unitiated, Gabriel Allon is a member of the Israeli Secret Service. But, even more interesting is his talent as a restorer of great art.
As with the other Allon books, all is not what it seems. The story revolves around the British PM and the blackmail scheme surrounding him regarding his mistress who has been kidnapped and given 5 days to live if the ransom demand not met. With secrecy needed. Gabriel is asked to track down the kidnappers and save the girl. For long time Silva readers, the reemergence of Christopher Keller from The English Assassin is a welcome addition. (Mr. Silva, Keller needs his own series, please)
Throw in the old favorites, Chiara, Eli, Mikail, Dina, Rimona and the rest of Gabriel's crew and The English Girl is thoroughly entertaining and one of the best books of the year. Shamron would be pleased. 

The series begins with The Kill Artist, but the second book in the series explains much of the first and is one of the best of the series. That would be the aforementioned English Assassin. Try it and you will be hooked. These are classy well written books.

It has been too long! I am bad blogger!

Hello all. I am so sorry that it has been so long since my last post. I have read many books and found some cool new authors that I think that you all would love. I am also very willing to answer any questions relating to books I have read this year so far. Here is the list..
In order of being read..

The Thieves of Heaven - Richard Doetsch (St. Pierre #1) Really good start to a series.
The Thieves of Faith - Richard Doetsch ( St. Pierre #2) 4 stars
The 13th Hour - Richard Doetsch (Stand Alone) 5 stars.. Really innovative. I will write a review..
Half Past Dawn - Richard Doetsch (stand Alone) 5 stars Can you see a pattern here? I was captivated by this author
Appaloosa - Robert B Parker (Cole and Hitch #1) Fun western as only Parker could write it.
Resolution - Robert B Parker (Cole and Hitch #2) Ditto
Brimstone - Robert B Parker (Cole and Hitch #3) Double Ditto
Blue Eyed Devil - Robert B Parker (Cole and Hitch #4) Triple Ditto
A Memory of Light - Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time #14) The end of one of the greatest fantasy series ever written.
Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion - Brandon Mull  (#2 in a series, YA fantasy, very well done)
The Fallen Angel - Daniel Silva ( Allon #12) One of the greatest thriller series currently being written, smart and interesting
Assassin's Code - Jonathon Maberry ( Joe Ledger #4) AA really awesome and mind blowing series. Very original and awesome. The first book is Patient Zero. Highly Recommended!
The Paladin Prophecy - Mark Frost (Paladin #1) YA Fantasy for boys. Very cool and well done. Has the WOW! factor.
The Key - Simon Toyne (Ruin #2) Good thriller
The Innocent - David Baldacci (Robie #1) Start of anew series about an assassin with a heart. Good book.
Abandon - Blake Crouch (Stand Alone) A very good horror novel from a talented writer. Takes place in the 1800's and today, involves an old ghost time.
The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey ( First book of a series, a VERY good YA book, dystopian future.
The Hit - David Baldacci (Robie #2)
The Last Refuge - Ben Coes ( Dewey Andreas #3) One of the best thriller writers around at the moment. A very good writer, Start the series with Power Down.
Extinction Machine - Jonathon Maberry ( Joe Ledger #5) Again what can I say. Extremely cool series with some very cool ideas.
Silken Prey - John Sandford ( Davenport #23) I have been reading this series for 20 years. Ever since being blown away by Rules of Prey way back when. This series must be read in order to get the full flavor of his character, Lucas Davenport and his life.
Inferno - Dan Brown (Langdon #3) I want to go to Italy so bad after reading this book. If you like puzzles, history and art, you can't miss with this book, likewise with Silva.
The English Girl - Daniel Silva (Allon #13) I can't say enough about this guy. Everyting he has ever written has been stellar.
Hounded - Kevin Hearne (Atticus #1) Extremely fun and cool series about the last Druid, alive for 2100 years he now resides in Phoenix, looks 21 and his life is far from boring Along with his Irish Wolfhound Oberon, I doubt there is a cooler human / canine duo in speculative fiction. If you are fans of Butcher or Hamilton, this is right up you alley. VERY CLEVER and FUN!! I will be reviewing.
Hexed - Kevin Hearne (Atticus #2) Ditto

So there you have it through July of this year. Currently I am reading Hammered the next Aticus/Oberon book and The Thieves of Darkness by Doetsch. Both outstanding.

Stay tuned for reviews..

The BookGod