The Escape by David Baldacci

John Puller, an Army CID investigator, despairs over his father's dementia and his brother's imprisonment. Father a renown three star, fighting General and Robert a fast track Air Force Major who allegedly committed treason are both a disappointment to straight arrow, John Puller.

Not really a spoiler if I mention that Robert Puller escapes from prison, considering the title of the book.  National security is threatened, genius Robert Puller is known to have a wealth of marketable secrets.   Surprisingly against all regulations, brother John is one of many tasked to track down his elusive brother.

John Puller finds himself teamed up with Veronica Knox, who he knows belongs to some intelligence agency but he really isn't sure which one as Knox appears to be unable to avoid lying.  John Puller does not trust easily and Knox does not provide him with any reason to trust her. 

There is a wealth of action, a very involved plot, nobility and honor, in other words a typical Baldacci book.

I highly recommend it.

Web Site: http://www.davidbaldacci.com/web/

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

Church of Spilled Blood by Jesse Miles

This is a Jack Salvo book.  That didn't  mean anything to me prior to reading this book however now I will be looking for more Jack Salvo's books.  This story took place in L.A and involved Jack, a PI, and a kidnapping of a Russian ballerina.

This was a story with a good plot and enough twists to make it interesting but not confusing.   Jack is a likeable character and that description appears to annoy some who read my reviews.  A character can be likeable due to the care in which the author portrays them.  That doesn't mean it is someone you want to have a beer or a glass of wine with but it may.  It may also be someone who is despicably dark but that portray fits the plot. I digress.

Jack has an innate sense of honor that serves him well.   The depiction of the ballerinas as the current Russian aristocracy was very interesting.

The plot move well, there was the requisite tension and good resolution.

I recommend the book.

Web: http://jessemilesbooks.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.

Foreign Agent by Brad Thor

Thor has read the headlines and formed a sadly believable scenario.  The U.S. is still plagued by ISIS and has suffered some sort of national disaster in the previous book.  The Russians are also under siege by Islamic extremists.  Enter the off the books secret assassin, Scot Harvath.

Thor's plot is deviously clever and disturbingly diabolic.  He does a ton of action and has sufficient plot twists to maintain interest.   There was mention of Aleppo which really drives home the current nature of the book.   Thor also shows that all Islamic people are not extremists and that many of them are suffering greatly when under extremist control.

This was a rousing and fast paced book.

I recommend it.

Web: http://bradthor.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.

Nina the Neighborhood Ninja by Sonia Panigrahy

Nina the Neighborhood Ninja by Sonia Panigrahy

This is a well illustrated story about a little girl who goes out of her way to help others.  The story encourages other children to be speedy, smart and strong and help others by being a super hero.  Super hero is defined as someone who goes out of their way to help others.

I like that a girl is defined as a super hero.   I think more kid's books should feature girls as strong protagonists.   The author did a nice job and I liked the book.

Web: http://www.soniapanigrahy.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.

Happy New Year 2017