Mystery/Crime

Background

Published in 2018, the Atlee Pine book of “Long Road to Mercy” spins the tale of an ex-olympic hopeful turned FBI agent in a small town in the West. She is goaded forth by the trauma of her sister “Mercy” being killed in front of her as a child. The story takes a turn when she stumbles on to something much bigger than her usual small town problems.

My Thoughts

I listened to this in audio format so the memory I have was the terrible pronunciation of the city of Tuscon. I don’t know if the reader thought it was French or what but it was pretty epic.

I really enjoy a David Baldacci novel. However, I didn’t like this one so much. The female Rambo was a little too over the top this time. (Odd as I only have a slight issue with his male characters.) It likely says more about me than anything else.

Recommendation

I would skip this one.

Background

The 20th novel in the Kinsey Minhone Series, T is for Trespass was published in 2007 but is still set in the 1980s. This time Kinsey’s grouchy neighbor becomes the victim of a sociopathic nurse who isn’t use to a nosy neighbor.

My Thoughts

This was a little darker than the traditional Sue Grafton novel. She exposes just how easy it is to take advantage of trusting folks and makes the reader think a little bit about the people around them.

Recommendation

If you liked the others, you’ll like this one

Background

Published in 2005, S is for Silence is all about our now favorite female gumshoe, Kinsey Millhone. This time around the story jumps back and forth from the present to the past and works it’s way to the resolution of the mystery.

My Thoughts

I don’t know how accurate the depictions were but I found the comparisons of our people treated a “loose” woman in both the 50s and the 80s to be pretty interesting. It’s even more so to look back with the historical revisionism of today.

Recommendation

It wasn’t a bad story and kept me entertained.

Background

Published in 1998, The Simple Truth is a good ole conspiracy story of men going too far and having the ability and connections to get away with it. Almost…

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book but found it to be a little more simplistic than some of his other work. I didn’t know it was over 20 years old until after I finished it so I guess it makes sense.

Recommendation

I enjoy his writing and this was no exception.

Background

Published in 2015, the Guilty is the fourth book in the Will Robie series. A modern day James Bond, Will Robie teams up with his female equivalent to find their boss.

My Thoughts

Turn about is fair play I guess. We heart about Jessica Reel’s life then we heard about Will Robie’s. I guess it is only fair we now here about Blue Man’s. Still, I was engaged and enjoyed the read.

Recommendation

A good read but be sure to read the series in order.

Background

Published in 2017, End Game gives us Will Robie and Jessica Reel coming to the rescue of their old boss “Blue Man”. He’s gone missing and the intelligence he has could cause our country untold harm. We have to get him back but who has him?

My Thoughts

This was a fun commentary on the doom’s day prepping groups. The story itself was a fun shoot ’em up but it was fun that it took place in our country. I thought Jessica’s reaction to it all was a little over the top but, on the whole, I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

A fun read.

Background

Published in 2014, “The Target” is the third book featuring hitman Will Robie. This time, he has to protect the interests of our country both domestically and abroad by doing the impossible and supporting another while doing it.

My Thoughts

The same as last time, I enjoyed a good shoot ’em up book of the nearly invincible Will Robie. He is joined by his female equivalent and we are treated to see their North Korean superior.

Recommendation

A good book. Start the series at the first book or some of it won’t make any sense.

Background

Published in 2013, The Hit is the next installment following the hitman Will Robie. He is asked to track down a fellow operative and eliminate her. However, when he comes to understand her perspective, will he be able to follow his orders?

My Thoughts

A fun book, The Hit was another enjoyable shoot ’em up from the near invincible alpha male with a moral code. Ah, living vicariously…

Recommendation

If you like the action, read this book. However, make sure to read the first book “The Innocent” first.

Background

Published in 1989, F is for Fugitive is the sixth novel from Sue Grafton in her alphabet series. Kinsey Millhone is yet again thrust in the middle of a mystery with some nods to previous books.

My Thoughts

This book went by pretty fast and I enjoyed the 80s references and the general feel of the book. However, the plot is feeling a little formulaic.

Recommendation

Not bad.