Three Drops of Blood and a Cloud of Cocaine by Quentin Mouron

This book is translated from French.  I don’t know if that is why it has a disjointed feel or if it is the nature of the author’s style.   The story is a mystery or crime novel.  The characters have depth. The plot is about murder.

The chief villain  is Franck and the good guy is Sherriff McCarthy.   I would describe Franck as a sociopath.  He feels no remorse for his ill deeds.  He maintains a façade of urbane sophistication while pursuing his own troubling agenda. 

I did not find the story captivating.

Web: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.quentinmouron.com/&prev=search

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

Every Dead Thing by John Connolly

Charlie Parker, Angel and Louis are good guys who are "bad".    Charlie has suffered horrifically by the death of his wife and child.  He sets up to both prove his innocence and to find the serial killer who destroyed his life.

The story ends up in New Orleans and Connolly’s picturesque descriptions actually made me sweat in sympathy.   Connolly does not hesitate to kill off characters so be careful who you identify with as they may disappear.

Connolly spends some time pontificating on evil and it’s renditions.  His character doesn’t seem to have a very high opinion of mankind in general.  There are some very intense scenes and some really difficult things to read.

I repeat, there are some pretty graphic references in the book so if you are faint of heart, you may want to skip it. 

It was still a good read.

Web: http://www.johnconnollybooks.com/

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

Bring Me The Head of Willy the Mailboy by Scott Adams

Sometimes every life needs a ray of sunshine.   That is what Dilbert brings to the table.   It is so satisfying to get an unexpected belly laugh when reading Dilbert.  This is early Dilbert, the boss isn’t even pointy headed  yet.   Regardless, the book is worth reading, enjoying and then reading again.   Scott Adams nails many of society, particularly working societies foibles.  Seeing the humor in all of us is his great talent.

I really enjoyed this book.

Web: http://dilbert.com/

This book was not received free of charge.  

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Richard is living a mundane, average life until he does a good deed.  The good deed lands him in a place that stretches and then shatters his imagination.  Richard ends up in an unlikely adventure under London.

Apparently this is a reprint with changes by the author of an older book.  Gaiman states that this is the book as he originally planned it.   The book clearly showcases the limitless imagination of a very popular author. 

The underground is a distorted reflection of the ills of society.  Richard faces those ills, grows to be a different person and suddenly finds himself home.  

The cast of characters is broad with the Marquis as one of my favorites.  The book has a short story at the end featuring the Marquis that I really enjoyed.

Gaiman writes an interesting and frequently strange book and yet it is captivating.   There aren’t car chases and explosions.  It is a more thoughtful book. 

I enjoyed it.

I recommend the book.

Web: http://www.neilgaiman.com/

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