Cold vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

This is a FBI agent Pendergast novel. In this novel Pendergast is looking for his dead wife. His brother in law claims to be helpi

This book jumped all over the place I usually really enjoy a Preston and Child novel, this felt disjointed and in spite of the action I found I really couldn't get into the story .

This book was too obviously set up to make you want to read the next one, there was little or no closure there were too many ends that were left loose, it discourages me from reading another one of their books.

 Although well written and I did enjoy the action I really can't remember 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.

Pale horse coming by Stephen Hunter

This story is about Earl Swagger father of the famous Bob Lee Swagger. Bob Lee is in the book but as a child and really plays no part in the plot. Sam Vincent known as Mr Sam and later as Bob Lee got older as a pseudo father is an attorney hired to find the recipient of a financial legacy.  In the process, Mr Sam finds himself embroiled in a treacherous prison system that nearly  kills him

Earl a stalwart friend of Mr Sam finds himself helping Mr Sam and then ending up in trouble himself. Mississippi is not painted as a very pleasant place in the late 40s. Racial equality is not even on the horizon.

The book has plenty of action and in places is very gruesome. The author brings together a cast of characters that would otherwise not even know each other except by reputation.

It was a good book And I enjoyed 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.

Fire and Vengeance by Robert McCaw

This is the third of the Koa Kane Hawaiian mysteries. I think that Robert McCall is going to go far in the publishing arena.  This book had a very complex plot and plenty of action.  A volcanic event as opposed to an eruption causes death and devastation in an elementary school.  Who was responsible and was it criminal neglect?

As side plots Koa is dealing with his own secret and with the incarceration of his brother who is enormously antisocial. The cast of characters is diverse and venal. The author makes you despair over the extent that greed can overwhelm ethics and common sense.

I really enjoyed the book 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.

Split Image by Robert B. Parker

This is a Jesse Stone mystery. Paradise is rocked by a double murder and Jesse Stone has to find out who did it and why.

The story is further Complicated by a pear twins who are married to a pair of gangsters

Jesse is still struggling with alcohol and the dissolution of his marriage. Sunny, the private detective, finds herself with a case in Paradise as well.

Once again Jessie and the dialogue remind me of Spencer and hawk. The mystery is good there is some entertaining sexual innuendo and bang bang finds a new meaning. I enjoyed 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.

Altar of Eden by James Rollins

James Rollins can be depended on, provide a good read. This book takes place in New Orleans and involves genetic manipulation and smuggling. It also touches on bio-warfare.

Lorna a PhD veterinarian and Jack a Special Response Team border patrol agent are the two main characters. The two have a complicated history the dates back decades.

The mystery starts with a shipwreck in the Mississippi Delta and involves all kinds of frightening creatures. Plot is complex and colorful with a wide variety of interesting characters. 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.

The Old Bridge by Andrew Turpin

Joe Johnson is a private eye but also a war crimes investigator.   His mother’s experiences in a concentration camp is his motivation.  This book deals with the war in the former Yugoslavia.   The long lasting consequences of discrimination and hatred color the book.  Look at our own issues with Union and Confederacy which has been over for more than 150 years for clarity in understanding.

Joe has assistance from Jayne, a former lover, adroit operative and just retired British intelligence.  

There is lots of action set in interesting locales.   Joe, as a former CIA agent, makes  some truly bone head mistakes that are hard to reconcile with his background and training. Otherwise, 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.