Reviews (11)

A pedestrian effort from an otherwise engaging author.
Flynn, with his latest novel, "Act of Treason" manages to punch his time card and, I would imagine, collect on his Mitch Rapp annuity.But this book is on balance a great disappointment.My wife and I have both eagerly awaited each of Flynn's new novels and have yet to be disappointed.But this book disappoints.Not so much so that I wouldn't recommend buying it and reading it but it ends up being a mundane and ordinary effort particularly in comparison to his early Mitch Rapp books.My wife, father, and both in-laws will all end up reading this book but it will only be with a lukewarm recommendation from me.
Good but not Great
If this is your first introduction to Mitch Rapp, then this is a 5 star book.But for those of us who have read the first seven, this one is a little thin on plot (wasn't difficult to see where it was going) and character development (nothing new).
Too short.
I loved the book.Thought the ending was great.As always, it's a rush and then a letdown to finish a Vince Flynn book.I'm always left wanting more.Go Vince!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Literary    4. Political    5. Thrillers    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (26)

Good Old Harry
I just finished reading Echo Park and really enjoyed it.I like the way Michael Connelly keeps the action moving and keeps the reader wondering what is going to happen next.I usually have some of the villians identified but in this case I did not see Abel Pratt involved in the plot.I too feel it would have been good to see what happened to those corrupt people.However, I used my imagination which perhaps is what the author intended.

What a disappointment!
Having read several of Connelly's books, I expected this one to be a cut above the usual crime thriller genre.I was sorely disappointed.Although the plot is somewhat interesting, the characterizations are weak and there is just too much tough cop talk and unbelievable heroics.The narration is weak, especially the personification of the FBI agent girlfriend, which is absolutely grating.I did finish it, but wish I could get my money back.

Harry Bosch remains one of the best cop characters in fiction
Settling in with a new Harry Bosch book by Michael Connelly is like getting together with an old, close friend you haven't seen in a long while.Harry is still with LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit along with his partner, Kiz Ridder. Returning to the police force after a short, unsatisfying retirement, Harry still looks at cases from long ago, cases that he had a hand in, but were never solved.
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Subjects:  1. Bosch, Harry (Fictitious character)    2. California    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Los Angeles    6. Missing persons    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. Police    11. Suspense    12. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (197)

Undecided
I finished reading this more than a week ago and have hesitated to comment because I'm not sure, even yet, exactly what I think of it.This is unusual for me.My first inclination was that this was nothing more than a soap opera saga.Secondly, I had little patience for the wife whose twin died at birth, so far as she knew, but who pined for the "deceased" daughter and let it affect her happiness, let it lead her to drink and extramarital affairs.As I was reading the book I wanted to shake her.In real life, people lose known children to disease, murder kidnapping--all sorts of tragedies.Losing one twin in childbirth is not that disastrous by comparison.
Not Great
Why didn't they just get divorced????Great beginning and premises - but lost the momentum by mid-way through.Writing was only slight better than a Danielle Steel novel.Characters poorly developed and annoying.Disappointed because I had heard so many great this about this book. Didn't finish this book.

Ken Boire author of Inherit The Tide
I was drawn to the book by the Best Seller list and then by the diversity of reviews posted on Amazon.There were nearly two hundred of them which indicates seomebody either has a very popular book or a very good system for getting reviews posted.Then after paging through a few of them I noted they were polarized.Some were flowing 5 star reviews that could have been written by the author's mother.Others could have been by her worst enemy using the review to send her 1-2 stars in front of God and everybody.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Psychological    7. Suspense    8. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (2)

Baldacci's best
I'm quite sure, and I've read almost all of his books, this is his best yet. Brilliant plot, very believable characters. Best book this year since I read Bob Collins' "Ambassador Strikes."

Perhaps Baldacci's Best Yet. Sit Back and Enjoy This One!
David Baldacci's ensemble of fascinating and brilliantly created characters in `The Collectors' coupled with two intertwining plots of murder and a clever financial con make for a completely enjoyable and page-turning read.Following his best selling hit `The Camel Club' with some familiar faces and the addition of the sultry yet incorrigibly scandalous Annabelle Conroy, readers will be continually amused and entertained as Baldacci, as if a grand maestro, intertwines and blends the character action and movement with such ease and storyline pleasure.As usual and expected in Baldacci's novels, readers will be left turning the pages, in this case as the plot moves to a very interesting conclusion when the World of Washington politics and those involved with a long-term swindle are forced to collide. Folks, sit back and enjoy `The Collectors', it very well may be David Baldacci's best yet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baldwin, James - Prose & Criticism    2. Conspiracies    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Legislators    6. Secret societies    7. Thrillers    8. United States    9. Fiction / Thrillers   

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Corey, John (Fictitious character)    3. Ex-police officers    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Nuclear terrorism    8. Thrillers    9. Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. African American psychologists    2. Cross, Alex (Fictitious character)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)    8. Rapists    9. Thrillers    10. Fiction / General   

Reviews (166)

Absolutely Fascinating!
I was hooked after reading only the first line!What a wonderful picture of Life in 19th Century China.Gloriously written.I've not read anything by Ms. Lee before, but I'm definitely going to explore some of her other books!

Touching and informative
The setting of this book is 19th. century China, a time when men's and women's roles are rigidly defined by age-old customs and rules.The two main characters are Lily, the narrator, and Snow Flower, her "laotong", who are bound together by contract and by love developed through many shared experiences.They are closer than husband and wife, or parent and child and they give one another much-needed love and support in a society where they are women and therefore useless for anything other than producing sons.Lisa See reveals details about many practices of the day, including foot-binding and nu shu, a specialized "women's writing" which is used by Lily and Snow Flower to communicate.They write hearfelt messages to one another on a fan, which becomes a chronicle of their intertwined lives and their most priceless possession.This is a fascinating look at what life was like for Chinese women in the 19th. century, and on another level it is a timeless lesson on the necessary components for a successful friendship between women.I highly recommend this book.

Intriguing Look into A Different World
What I thoroughly enjoyed about Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was becoming engrossed in the time period of the novel, learning about a culture I knew little about, and coming to understand the role of women in the Chinese society of the day. The friendship between Snow Flower and Lily was very well drawn, but the relationships between all of the female characters in the book was intriguing. This novel proved to be an excellent choice for my women's book club! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian American Novel And Short Story    2. China    3. Female friendship    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. Fiction - Historical    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. Popular American Fiction    10. Psychological    11. Reminiscing in old age    12. Women    13. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

If your pulse flutters at the thought of castle ruins and descents into crypts by moonlight, you will savor every creepy page of Elizabeth Kostova's long but beautifully structured thriller Read more

Reviews (1105)

This historian is a good read
Okay, this is an enjoyable book, but far less enjoyable than any Harry Potter novel. I have yet to read the end, but I am disappointed that Dracula, himself, shows up only in the last 100 or so pages. That's lame.
I suddenly wish I were a Historian... Wonderful*****
I found The Historian to be a wonderful & easy read from beginning to the end.Very well written.VERY Dracula-esque.If you loved Bram Stoker's original masterpiece, you will love this as well.
Lovely!
The story begins with our heroine finding a bunch of old letters, all addressed, quite melodramatically, to "My Dear and Unfortunate Successor". Shortly afterwards, her father goes missing and she uses the letters to try and track him down. Her quest takes to monasteries and libraries all over Europe, and she finds herself being hunted down by a sinister figure - the same being that has haunted both her grandfather and father's letters, and who may be the cause of her mother's mysterious death. As she delves deeper, she finds out more about her family history and begins to understand just how truly terrible her adversary is.
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Subjects:  1. American First Novelists    2. American Horror Fiction    3. Fantasy - Dark/Horror    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Fantasy    6. Fiction - General    7. General    8. Horror    9. Horror - General    10. Horror fiction    11. Occult fiction    12. Suspense    13. Vampires    14. Fiction / General   

Reviews (22)

Weak and disappointing..
I never miss an Evanovich book.She is the only author I actually buy in harcover.I want my money back !!!This is a pale shadow of her usual writing.Maybe her publisher was pressuring her for a book so she tossed this one off.I don't know but I do know I was very disappointed.

Great Read!
This book is really funny and a quick read.This would be a good book to take on vacation or lounge by the pool because it is light and funny.I like all of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books and also Metro Girl, so I felt this book was comparable to those.If you want a laugh, this book is for you!

Another great book by Evanovich!
I LOVED Motor Mouth!It was such a fun read and I greatly enjoyed the characters.Being a NASCAR fan, I love the theme of these books even more.I greatly enjoyed Metro Girl, but have to say that I loved this one even more!I can't wait for the next Evanovich to come out!!I look forward to each of her releases and have yet to be disappointed!I highly recommend this one for a fun read full of laughs! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Fiction - Romance    4. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    5. Romance - General    6. Thrillers    7. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (18)

A fading voice
Unfortunately the Sid Halley of old did not appear on a single page of Under Orders.The edgy, brilliant jockey-turned-investigator has turned into a boring, spectacularly non-verbal character who tells us things the Sid Halley of the earlier books would have ridiculed.For example, he describes for us his evening meal in long-winded, elementary school level prose.This may just be the natural end foretold in the previous books: over time the books became blander and sometimes boring.
Great to have Francis back
It is great to have Dick Francis (and Sid Halley) back. Unlike other reviewers, I think it is obvious that the person who wrote this DID write the other Francis (and Halley) books.

Sadly disapointing
I was so looking forward to a new Sid Halley story.What a disapointment.Who wrote this mess?It doesn't have the tone of the author's previous books.The same characters are back but with totally different personalities. Their behaviours and dialogs just do not mesh with the earlier Sid Halley stories.Is Mr. Francis past his writing prime or did his late wife write the earlier books?I suggest taking this out of the library instead of purchasing it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. England    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    4. Francis, Dick - Prose & Criticism    5. Halley, Sid (Fictitious character)    6. Horse racing    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Private investigators    9. Suspense    10. Thrillers    11. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (15)

Superior LeCarre and a superior novel
For most long-time LeCarre fans, the question is not "should I buy this one" but rather how does it rate with his other works.Happily, this continues his strong recent showing and return to form in "The Constant Gardener" and "Absolute Friends."While "The Constant Gardener" had a compelling plot and "Absolute Friends" was perhaps stronger on characterization, "The Mission Song" manages to do well in both categories.Although both "Gardener" and "Friends" had their critics, I found LeCarre's new-found political commitments providing a logical and compelling direction for his fiction in the post-Cold-War era. Not all readers will agree, of course, depending probably largely on their own political views, but there seemed to be a loss of direction in the middle works such as "The Little Drummer Girl" and "Russia House." But it seems as if the current rancid state of world affairs, brought about largely by the lunatics in charge of this country and their UK facilitators, has energized LeCarre and prompted some of his best novels since the early classics.
Naive hero fails to convince
The orphaned love child of a Catholic missionary priest and a Congolese woman, the narrator of Le Carre's 20th book, Bruno Salvador (Salvo), grew up resourceful and compliant in Congo's Catholic missions. Rejected by both white and black classmates, sexually abused by the priests, he seeks refuge in the servants' quarters where he listens spellbound to their tales and absorbs their tribal languages.
Bravo! Le Carre
Not since The Tailor of Panama has Mr. Le Carre depicted his characters with such bravura!A timely piece of work with all, and I mean all, of Le Carre's trademark intrigue and humour.Loved it and recommend it highly to anyone that enjoys an excellent read.Boy, does he use the language in a superior way.A joy to behold! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage/Intrigue    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    4. Intelligence officers    5. Le Carre, John - Prose & Criticism    6. Thrillers    7. World politics    8. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (1561)

The classic classic... that I still don't get why it's one.
This is another of those books that everyone tells you how wonderful and incredible it is. I read it, and... okay. It's a book. And a not-bad one at that. But is it amazing? Is it the greatest, most thought-provoking book of all times? Is it truly just overrated?
"It's a great book....."

A Classic Can Be Interesting
Scout Finch is a girl that wants to be just like her father, even though the rest of the world wants to see her as a young lady. She worries that when she's away, Calpurnia, her cook and friend, will not have anything to do. She is also very protective of her family, especially her father Atticus.
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fathers and daughters    3. Fiction    4. Girls    5. Legal    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Race relations    9. Trials (Rape)    10. Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

Yann Martel's imaginative and unforgettable Read more

Reviews (1619)

Great for discussion!
Although I had a bit of trouble getting into the first 3rd of this remarkable novel, my persistence was rewarded with an incredible book, which leaves so much open to interpretation and discussion.The story of a boy who is shipwrecked, and forced to live on a lifeboat with a tiger for months, it is also the story of our world, our lives and our families.One can't help but wonder about the nature of truth and meaning of our coexistence.In short, it's an impressively rich and meaningful literary journey.Well worth your time.

SPIRITUALLY INSPIRING AND AN INTRIGUING JOURNEY
The Life of Pi is actually a book in two parts. The first half is based primarily on Piscine (Pi) Patel's exploration of three very different religions - Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, as well as his family's ownership of a zoo. The second half of the book is the story of Pi's journey by barge to Canada. The boat sinks leaving Pi, a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra and Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, adrift at sea in a life boat.
Life of Pi Book Review
The Life of PI was a very interesting book about a very religious boy named Pi. By very religious I mean he took up Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Just for the record Pi lives in India where these are common religions. In india Pi lives with his mother, father and brother.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Psychological    6. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure    7. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (5)

Did not work for me.
I have been a big fan of Mr. Woods since "White Cargo."His books are not great literature, but fun reads with interesting characters and the outcomes are never obvious.This book fail in that I was not able to relate to the characters, too much sex with nothing to do with the story (I am not against sex but it should be relevant, not sensationalistic).Well, you cant hit one out of the park every time.If you Like Woods still of writing and storytelling you need to check out the cult favorite "Tourist in the Yucatan" cool thriller!

Short Straw
Although Stuart Woods is one of my favorites reads, this book wasn't up to snuff. It's hard to believe Ed Eagle would have ever been married to such as low life woman and not know it, especially after her sister had already [...]his best friend. I knows it's fiction but I like to believe it could have at happened.

Mr Woods, please.....
I love to read his books! This was a disappointment to me. The basic story is ok and I like Ed Eagle as a character but at every turn this was about men thinking with their organ. Mr.Woods you can do better than this stupidity and have over and over and over again. Skip this one, save your money, read anything else! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attorney and client    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Legal    6. Mystery & Detective - General    7. Mystery fiction    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. Santa Fe (N.M.)    10. Suspense    11. Woods, Stuart - Prose & Criticism    12. Fiction / Suspense   

Reviews (285)

Back On Her Game
After a disappointing 11th book, Janet seems back on her game, maybe taking it to another level with TWELVE SHARP. This one is about Ranger, who it turns out has been married and has a daughter. The daughter has been kidnapped, and it appears she was kidnapped by Ranger. But looks can be deceiving, and it's Stephanie to the rescue.
The Love Triangle HAS to go.
I read all of the Stephanie Plum novels in a month and cannot wait book 13 (which I would love to be named Lucky 13)!The Ranger, Stephanie, Morelli trianlge is KILLING me!
Twelve Sharp
I really, really, really love the Stephanie Plum series. And I love Janet's other series as well. I really disliked this book. I felt the whole time I was reading it that Janet is just pushing out another book because we fans are waiting for more.
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Subjects:  1. Bail bond agents    2. Bounty hunters    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. New Jersey    8. Plum, Stephanie (Fictitious character)    9. Trenton    10. Fiction / General   

Reviews (62)

Patterson is great
James Patterson and Andrew Gross have another great novel in Judge and Jury, along with a previous combined effort, Lifeguard.

Loved the ending
I read all of Patterson's books--even those he co-writes which perhaps means he's not the writer. But I enjoy most of them for what they are--fun to read. And in this one, I loved the ending. It made me smile. And to me, that helps to make it a good book and a fun story.
buy it at a garage sale
James patterson aka whoever he is writing with at the moment has totally lost it... shallow plot, no in depth characters, really not much of a story. i didnt want to buy it but my neighbor insisted. it was her first patterson novel.. anyway, he is laughing all the way to the bank.. bad book.i didnt even finish the first 100 pages, thank goodness Target takes back books or i would be out 20.00. thank you . lisa baker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Legal    4. Mafia    5. Mafia trials    6. New York    7. New York (State)    8. Organized crime    9. Thrillers    10. Fiction / General    11. Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural    12. Psychological    13. Suspense    14. African American police    15. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction   

Reviews (9)

Legal thriller set in Rome
Imperium tells the story of the adult life of Cicero as seen through the eyes of his faithful slave Tiro. At first I found this story pretty boring. Cicero is sort of a dull character, and for a story set in Ancient rome there wasn't a lot of 'color.' After a while though, the book really began to hook me. The narrator does an excellent job of pulling you into the story, especially the legal details.
Good for the history, but a little flat on the story
I enjoy Harris's work and looked forward to this one, though with a slight hesitation that came from my disappointment with his last Roman novel, Pompeii. The book is interesting in terms of the history; it places Cicero in the political context of Pompey that precedes the era of Julius Caesar. It gives Cicero presence and depth.
Great tale
This is a very engaging tale - quite an enjoyable read and very relevant to today's political climate.Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Marcus Tullius),    2. Cicero, Marcus Tullius    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Historical    5. Historical - General    6. History    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Political    9. Republic, 265-30 B.C.    10. Rome    11. Tiro, M. Tullius    12. ca. 104-4 B.C.    13. Fiction / Historical   

Reviews (7)

Other than Kenyon, awful compilation
I didn't like one story in this book other than Kenyon's, and even that wasn't her best.The book was actually so bad that I resent the money I paid for it.And to add insult to injury, the other book I bought that was a compilation including Kenyon was even WORSE.Just a total waste of money.Two of the stories are written in the first person -- and come on, are you a 12 year old writing a story for composition class? -- and all of them are hokey and, to be blunt, lame.

severely disappointed
Severely disappointed is the only way to describe my reaction to this anthology.I ran right out to buy this book because of all the positive reviews.Save your money and buy it used.

Some are silver and the others gold, but all GREAT!
To say that I was looking forward to this book for the authors that I already know and love is an understatement.I couldn't wait to read L.A. Banks' story and Sherilyn Kenyon's.However, I have to say that I not only enjoyed the stories from the authors that I am already familiar with and love, but I enjoyed the stories from the authors who were previously unknown to me as well.What a great introduction to something new!I am definitely going to be broadening my book collection with some new authors and of course will continue on with the ones I love and know already.This was a book filled with interesting, romantic and exciting tales and I would recommend it to anyone.KUDOS to these writers for a capital accomplishment.
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Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Fantasy - General    3. Fantasy - Short Stories    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Fantasy    6. Horror tales, American    7. Occult    8. Weddings    9. Fiction / Fantasy / General   

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Cussler, Clive - Prose & Criticism    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Oceanographers    6. Oil industry    7. Pitt, Dirk (Fictitious character)    8. Thrillers    9. Fiction / Thrillers   

Reviews (36)

Okay While On Pain Killers
I had a few days at home recovering from minor surgery. I was slugging my way through the latest Woodward book on Bush and decided I needed a lighter read so I picked up Book of Fate. I read it in 2 days and it kept my interest.In thinking about it afterwards neither the premise or the execution made any sense.The whole issue concerning Jefferson and the Code was never part of the story.Characters were introduced and never followed through.
Waste of Time and Money
Previous Meltzer books were good reads.This one sucks. Don't waste your money buying a book that has no business anywhere near the bestsellers list.Even one of those formulaic books from Patterson and whoever would be a better use of your time and money.

garbage
I have read all of Meltzers books and have to say that I am shocked at just how bad Book Of Fate is. Meltzer has a lot of talent. Its apparent if you read his earlier books. Sadly it is greatly mis-spent here.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Political    4. Political fiction    5. Suspense fiction    6. Thrillers    7. Fiction / Thrillers