Simply Lies by David Baldacci

This book has a marvelously complex plot.   Baldacci leads us through a labyrinth of treachery and deceit.  An asset retrieval specialist or cyber-sleuth ex-cop now a single mom, is dragged into the jealousy-motivated plot of a psychopath.

Gibson, an adrenaline junkie on a diet of mundane mommy tasks, finds her former love of excitement doesn’t compare to her love for her kids.   Forced down another’s path she fights the allure of the chase with overwhelming fear for her children.  

Populated with international criminal kingpins, abused children now adults, crooked cops, and vigilantes the book keeps the tension alive until the very last page.

Another hit from Baldacci that I highly recommend.  

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Say My Name by Joe Clifford

This was a strange book.  It may be strange because I am an author and it was a book about an author talking to himself.  I do that a lot too.   He was telling a story but also talking about being an author.   This purports to be a true crime story about a crime that never happened.  Returning home after a decades-long hiatus reminiscing about the Rodgers twins and their disappearance, the author does a wealth of soul-searching.

Again, part of the strangeness, I, too, had a heartthrob on a set of twins as a preteen.  Since the story has the author being very strange, personality disorder strange, you can imagine why I struggled not to find parallels with my own life.  Of course, the author in the story sold far more books than I have so the parallels aren’t one hundred percent. 

The book has arrogance, nostalgia, some action, and lots of treachery with bounteous confusion.

 

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

Fast Cash by J. Gregory Smith

Smith writes a story that is real.  You can see the characters and even know some of them.  The locale is one aspect of that, although I’m certainly not a Philadelphian, I know the places where the book takes place.   There is a gritty reality to the characters and the book that makes it difficult to put down.   In addition, the protagonists tackle issues that many readers can not doubt identify within their own lives.

Scam artists taking advantage of the elderly and con-artist attacking public funds top the list of the protagonist’s targets. 

The book grabs your attention and doesn’t leave it go.

I highly recommend this and all of  J. Gregory Smith’s books.

 

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 Truth Against The World by David Corbett

This is a strange book.  It seems to be based on Irish folklore.   The second book in two weeks to have an Irish protagonist self-described as “wet as grass”.   The hard part of this book isn’t its possibility but dismayingly the probability unless things change.   The friction between haves and have-nots, red and blue, suburban-city-rural, gender identification, LGBTQ+,  racism, book banning, and disrespect for anyone who isn’t the same as you is featured in the book and in the news.   The impact of the discord is fired by a computer game based on a book authored and illustrated by Georgie.   Shane, her unofficial bodyguard, tries to help her free her soul from its prison.

Sounds confusing and it is a bit confusing.   Reincarnation plays a part as well as a peek at our possible future.  Georgie’s goal is to make amends for how her work has been perverted by monied interests.   Shane’s goal is to keep her alive to do it.

This was a difficult story to read due to my concern about our present intolerance towards others.   I was told by a twenty-four-year-old today that planning is useless as the world will be over in five years.   That is a shockingly depressing look at our shared future.   Unless things change, I can see this future coming to fruition. 

The book is a thought-provoking 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Deadlock by James Byrne

Dewey Andreas and Jack Reacher are sissies compared to Desmond Aloysius Limerick or Dez as known to his admirers, detractors, and friends.   Dez is retired from special operations.   Living in the States he is asked by a bandmate to protect her sister.   From this simple request, extraordinary mayhem ensues.

Byrne is a master of action.  He also creates a character in Dez who is simultaneously fearsome and lovable.   I normally read three books simultaneously, Dez forced me to concentrate on one book, I liked it that much.   The qualities of loyalty, camaraderie, and indomitable fortitude in defense of friends capture your attention.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and heartily 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