Collecting the Dead by Spencer Kope (Magnus Craig #1)

Oh my gosh! This book was one of the best, most entertaining, that I have read in a long time. Wholly original, with humor, heart and thrills that will keep the reader turning the pages late into the night. The creation of Magnus Craig, "Steps" to those who know and love him best, is one of the most original characters to join the ranks of thriller fiction in years. His "gift", of being able to distinguish all people by their "shine", literally seeing their touch on objects and people, in colors that are varied and distinct as DNA is both a blessing and a curse, his partner Jimmy and the rest of the team at Hanger 7, I am hoping will be around for a long run.. Where have you been Spencer Kope. From the book.... Magnus "Steps" Craig is part of the elite three-man Special Tracking Unit of the FBI. Called in on special cases where his skills are particularly needed, he works as a tracker. The media dubs him "The Human Bloodhound," since Steps is renowned for his incredible ability to find and follow trails over any surface better than anyone else. But there's a secret to his success. Steps has a special ability---a kind of synesthesia---where he can see the 'essence' of a person, something he calls 'shine,' on everything they've touched. His ability is known to only a few people---his father, the director of the FBI, and his partner, Special Agent Jimmy Donovan. When the remains of a murdered woman are found, Steps recognizes the shine left by the murderer from another crime scene with a physically similar victim. And he uncovers the signature at both scenes---the mark of a sad face. At the same time, another killer, one Steps has dubbed Leonardo and has been trying to track for over ten years, appears again, taunting Steps. But while Steps tries to find a clue that will lead him to Leonardo, the case of the Sad Face Killer heats up. The team uncovers eleven possible victims: missing women who fit the same pattern. Using his skill and the resources of the Bureau, it is a race against time to find the killer before it's too late.

Saint Odd by Dean Koontz ( The Last Odd Thomas novel)

Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All good things must eventually come to an end. This is the eighth and final volume about my favorite fry cook and all around good guy. This series has been a joy to read, as are many of Dean Koontz's novels. But, Odd Thomas was special. In Odd Thomas we discovered the guy we longed to be,caring, brave, virtuous, and innocent. There is so much to say, but it is my feeling that spoiler free reviews are best. Suffice it to say, that in this book, Odd comes full circle. Back to Pico Mundo in order to save the town and the people from great evil.
If you have never enjoyed a Dean Koontz novel, pick up book one, Odd Thomas and be prepared for a wonderful journey.



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Men of Covenant by Robert Millett (LDS)

Men of Covenant by Robert L. Millet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the wonderful trilogy that began with "Men of Valor" and continued in "Men of Influence" I had the opportunity to talk with Brother Millett in April of 2014 and he told me he was working on this book. I am so glad it is here now to learn from and enjoy.

Like everyone, I have opinions. One of those is that every Melchizedek priesthood holder should read this book and the two others. It should be mandatory. We know from prophetic counsel that we need to be reading from the "best books" in order to strengthen ourselves and our faith. I firmly believe this. These books are well worth the time involved.

Brother Millett goes into great depth about just what a covenant is, why we have them and how do we honor them. He also illustrates many examples from the scriptures and the prophets and apostles to further bring enlightenment to the humble seeker of truth. If you are an LDS woman out there please, buy Men of Valor for your husband, then after he reads it, read it yourself. I believe that the Sisters need to help hold us accountable. Because when we get right down to it, we need each other to reach exaltation. Let's make the journey happy and memorable.

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Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz (Evan Smoak #1) !!!

Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read from Gregg Hurwitz and wow! I am so glad that I have discovered the next great character in thriller fiction. Orphan X is the real deal. I had the same feeling reading this book and getting to know Evan Smoak as I did many years go discovering Jack Reacher in Killing Floor. Run, do not walk to get this book. You will not be sorry.
The beginning of this series has set the bar high in what I hope is a long, successful run. so, looking forward to book two!

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The Spy House by Matthew Dunn ( Spycatcher #5)

The Spy House by Matthew Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have said this before but, it needs to be said again. There is a handful of thriller writers writing today that tell a dang good story, entertain us and also are good writers. Matthew Dunn is one of them. His Spycatcher series is a wonderful series that deserves wider attention. It will happen. As long as readers keep telling people about Dunn and his wonderful character Will Cochrane.

The Spy House is no different. Except this time, Dunn pushes Cochrane to his limits emotionally. There is much death to people important to Will in this book and it serves to make the Cochrane character even richer.

In TSH, Cochrane, now on his own after the events of Dark Spies, is recruited to solve a mystery that seemingly has no answer and unless it is solved will lead to war between Israel and Hamas. How do four men die violently in a secure and locked room with no apparent breach of the structure? One of these men was very close to Will and is being cast as the villain who killed the others and was killed himself in the process. A scenario that Cochrane refuses to believe.

Add to the mix a Palestinian boy, an assassin for hire and an Israeli agent looking for revenge along with the mysterious Thales who is intent on destroying Cochrane and fomenting War in the process and you have a book that is very hard to put down.

Do yourself a favor. Pick up Spycatcher and get started with this series. If you can find a first edition hardcover, do so. In 1998, a first book came out from an author named Lee Child,Killing Floor, which blew me away. That hardcover sold only a few thousand. It's worth quite a bit today! It took years for people to discover Jack Reacher. I think that Matthew Dunn will be in Child's league before too long.

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Deadline by John Sandford (Virgil Flowers #8)

Deadline by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Virgil Flowers is one of John Sandford's best creations. With this 8th outing, Virgil is in full Virgil mode. When he comes in contact with dog nappers, meth manufacturers, and a crazy, embezzling school board that has no qualms on killing people it can get pretty crazy. But, Virgil takes it all in stride. The Flowers character is not a superman but gets things done his own way. He is like his superior, Lucas Davenport in that he gets results, but in a very unconventional way. As with the Prey books, Minnesota is on full display. Having lived there for a time, it is very enjoyable to read about places you have been and recognize.
If you haven't read the Flowers series, pick up "Dark of the Moon", and start right now. Go!

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Gathering Prey by John Sandford (Lucas Davenport #25)

Gathering Prey by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading John Sandford in 1989 when I picked up a book called Rules of Prey. It sounded fascinating and it was and I was instantly a fan of Lucas Davenport. It has been a fun 26 years and awesome to watch Davenport grow and mature and rise to his current status as a bigwig in the BCA in Minnesota.
Gathering Prey is awesome. It seems that Sandford and Davenport are getting better and better. In this the 25th outing, Davenport and his adopted daughter Letty are involved with Travelers (people with no ties or jobs who randomly travel the country), Juggalos ( followers of the Insane Clown Posse) and some very bad men and women who travel between the two groups.
Everything that Sandford writes is addictive. His stellar Virgil Flowers series is also a winner. Somehow he keeps it fresh. This book is no exception. It also appears that with Letty, a new series might not be far off.
The best thing about the Prey novels is that Davenport is not perfect, and that evil sometimes wins, just as in real life. And the character of the state of Minnesota is on full display. Along with William Kent Krueger, Sandford makes full use of the people and places of the rugged beauty that becomes part of the story as well.
If you have read Sandford, you don't need any other urging. If you haven't I am jealous. Pick up Rules of Prey and begin the ride of your life. You HAVE to read them in order.

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