The Last Nazi by Andrew Turpin

Joe Johnson is a private eye but also a war crimes investigator.   His mother’s experiences in a concentration camp have motivated him to track down the last of the hidden Nazis as a Nazi hunter. Joe’s experience as a CIA agent has prepared him for what he faces.

This book pits Joe against the CIA, the Mossad, former victims and unrepentant Nazis.   

Joe has assistance from Fiona, an investigative reporter and former lover, and Jayne, another former lover and currently working in British intelligence.  

In addition to hidden Nazi gold there is a political race that is in jeopardy due to Johnson’s investigation.

This is a good mystery with a lot of twists and turns.  I enjoyed it and 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.

One Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci

Atlee Pine is back and still a tough cookie.  This book provides the back story for Atlee Pine.   She returns to her native Georgia to see the truth about her twin sister’s childhood disappearance.

Baldacci shows a more fragile and sensitive side to Atlee.   She is still not to be messed with but you get a greater sense of what factors formulated her personality.

Blum becomes an even greater mother figure in this book.

There are some startling revelations that will provide fodder for the next installment.

I really 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.

David Lazar by Robert Kalich

This is a stream of conscious themed book.  David Lazar, the fictional protagonist,  talks about his life.

The jacket of this book suggests this story incorporates factors of reality in the life of the author.

He apparently reveled in his bad decisions and the people of questionable character that he associated with throughout his life.   He focuses on collage photos to trigger memories of his life.   He is an octogenarian looking back and indulging in self-analysis.   He regrets many, many of his life’s decisions.

The book seemed disjointed.   There never seemed to be a smooth flow but perhaps that is due to life not flowing smoothly.

If you like a memoir type book, this may be your cup of tea.  

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

A Hundred Million Years And A Day by Jean-Baptiste Andrea

This is a soul-searching book.  The protagonist is looking at his life.  He is a career frustrated paleontologist searching for a holy grail, any holy grail.

Stan, the paleontologist, draws his friend Umberto into his obsession.   Stan has a clue to a huge discovery in the mountains.   He accompanies Stan into the mountains to look for an unlikely fossil. 

The Alps are erratic and unforgiving.  Stan is no longer young and is the hold back for the trek.   Peter is an ancillary character that seems to have little to add to the plot except for his puppet.  

Stan spend some flashback time looking at his troubled childhood.

The details on the glacier are well done, you feel a chill as you read. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Hannah has successfully portrayed the horrific occupation of France by Germany in WWII.   She does this through the use of a dysfunctional family and their experiences in the war.  

Isabelle was a self-centered teen who would fit right in with the Valley Girls.   She through herself into situations with little or no fore thought.   She was constantly striving to be loved by her father.

Vianne was Isabelle’s older sister.  The difference in age of several years when young seems unbridgeable and inconsequential later in life.  Vianne, too, sought her father’s love.

The book primarily shows the growth and depredation the two girls experience through the war.  

The overview of history and how France was self-deluded into ignoring the Germans is often seen but Hannah makes you live if through the experiences of her characters.

The depths of soul that Isabelle and Vianne plumb are awe inspiring.

This was a thought-provoking 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.

Enigma by Catherine Coulter

Two mysteries intertwined with no connection.   The title is based on a mysterious stranger who claims he is an enigma who attempts to kidnap a pregnant woman.   The other mystery is the escape of a manipulatively charming rogue who murders his way to freedom.

This is a Savich and Sherlock mystery.   The two are a married duo of FBI agents who are supported by a rudimentary AI laptop named Max.  They are somewhat ambivalent about the rule of law and tend to utilize whatever method will solve the crime or save the victim.

This had plenty of action, some violence, Russians, genetic manipulations, psychological aberrations and heroism.  

I enjoyed it and 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.

Dirty White Boys by Stephen Hunter

Violence, mayhem, more violence, this book is just over flowing with violence.   The interaction between Bud, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper, and Lamar, an escaped psychopathic convict, is the main plot of the book.

Lamar has equally depraved sidekicks.   Bud is a very flawed lawman.   The author does a great job in showing how someone can be stellar in one area of their life and spectacularly flawed in the personal life.  

There is never ending action and lots of violence.

It was entertaining but sometimes difficult to read due to amoral aspects of the characters. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.