THE ADVENTURES OF JUAN PLANCHARD by Jonathan Jakubowicz.

 

The initial preoccupation with sexual encounters with far too much detail initially turned me off this book. If that is your jam, you will love the fact that it occurs throughout the book. Juan is an opportunist who successfully games the Venezuelan political climate. In his mind, he is a revolutionary; in actuality, he is the capitalist of the worst kind.

Personally, I recommend reading the author’s notes at the end first. When I discovered that the author was chased from Venezuela due to his controversial movie, his credibility soared.  His explanation as to what I saw, as gratuitous sex, was calculated to capture readers in a society that has little love for reading.

Juan considers himself a man of the world while demonstrating self-defeating naivety.  His relationship with Scarlet is a harbinger of his future difficulties.

The description of Venezuelan corruption is daunting.

The book has a wealth of eye-opening vignettes. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

PENDERGAST the Begining by Preston & Child

 

This is an origin story for Pendergast.  Note, I said, “an origin” story. This goes back to Pendergast’s beginings in the FBI. It does not delve deeper into how he ended up in the FBI.  The story takes place in New Orleans. A serial killer is running amok under the radar of local law enforcement. Pendergast identifies the crime and eventually the killer.

 

In a typical Preston and Child book, one comes to expect nuances, abundant misdirection, and intricate plots.  This book admirably continues those practices. 

 

I’ve read books written individually by the authors, but I feel that when they work collaboratively, their work is superior.

 

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Death at the End Zone by Lynn Slaughter

Two outstanding scholar athletes end up dead in the end zone of the football field they dominated.  Detective Caitlin O’Connor, and partner Stan catch the case. Things in the two detectives' lives complicate solving the case.

Slaughter addresses a lot of different issues in her book.  Relationship issues for both Caitlin and Stan, mutually exclusive relationships, add stress to an already stressful case.  A major problem with the case is an excess of persons of interest. 

 

Slaughter addresses alcoholism and the inherent dangers that accompany an occasionally dangerous career.  Homophobic reactions to otherwise “normal” crimes contribute to the complexity of the case.

 

Pedophiles, drug dealers, gun dealers, small needy boys, big needy boys, and needy men are all factors in the case.

 

It was a good book and a good story. I recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Dead Weight by Hildur Knutsdottir

This is an interesting little book, little is an accurate description, not in any way a demeaning description.  Knutsdottir explores the myriad ways men demean women, intentionally or through cultural indifference. It seems that Iceland, like many areas in our own nation, has a rather large supply of misogynists.

 The initial chapter is indicative of a possible personality disorder, but then the book turns into an exploration of the relationship of two women and their mutual love for a cat.  Not the normal love triangle, but Knutsdottir makes it work.  

 Both women are deeply embedded in dysfunctional relationships with male predators.  The plot rapidly devolves into a threatening situation for one of the women.  Their solution is creative.

 A great deal of this book hit home for me as I have written children’s books on depression, bullying, and abuse.  You can not research those topics without a measurable impact on your own psyche.

 I liked the book.  BTW I also like strong women and am inordinately proud of the fact that my boys and I have all wed strong women. 

 

I recommend the book.This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Hunted by Steven Max Russo

The Hunted by Steven Max Russo

Action abounds in Russo’s latest book.  You can depend on Russo to give you plenty of action in his books, the kind of action that makes you hate putting down the book.  The lives of an intelligence analyst and an Army Ranger, unbeknownst to them, are dramatically changed by shared experience in Afghanistan. A chance encounter subsequent to their return to the States launches a deadly chase. 

Ophelia Harris is misidentified as a target due to a coincidental circumstance beyond her control.  Austin Medford, a former Army Ranger, becomes enmeshed in her tumultuous world as a result of a friendly wave years before.  

Russo sets a fast pace and then puts the pedal to the metal for this high-octane adventure. 

I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned