Movie review, Uncut Gems

Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler

Rating: 5 stars must see. 

Summary: Degenerate gambler, lowlife Dad, and jeweler,  Howard Ratner played by Adam Sandler is looking for the big score in gambling. Things don’t go exactly as planned in a sudden a shocking ending.

Comments: I absolutely loved Sandler stepping out of character and playing this role. Great movie. Go enjoy a night out. 

https://www.fandango.com/uncutgems_220344/movieoverview?cmp=PDT_Copy_iPad

Burning Bright by Nick Petrie

Burning Bright by Nick Petrie

Rating 4 stars

Summary: In the second installment in the Peter Ash series, Peter finds himself surrounded by large Redwoods as he is looking to relieve himself from his awful friend the static, PTSD. Peter finds a rope in a tree as he is escaping from a bear in the woods and it leads to a women on the run.

Comments: Petrie is writing some timely conspiracy thrillers that are quite fun. I will make my way through the series. Fun reads. 

American Predator by Maureen Callahan

American Predator by Maureen Callahan

Rating: 5 Serial killing stars

Summary: Israel Keyes was one of America’s most dangerous man hunting humans from late 1990’s through early 2010 or so. Keyes was a hunter of humans and built a strategy like no other killer ever interviewed. A extremely well written narrative.

Comments: I am not a big fan of the serial killer books. Callahan certainly pens a winner. Must read.  

https://smile.amazon.com/American-Predator-Meticulous-Serial-Century-ebook/dp/B07L2GMT7J

Best of 2019 Reading List

This has been one of the greatest years to be a crime/thriller fan that I can remember. I have read 76 books so far in 2019. It’s been wonderful.

My 10 best books I have read. Some may have not been published in 2019, but I read this year. It is always difficult because of so many great books this year.

1, The Border by Don Winslow
2, The Chain by Adrian McKinity
3, The Quaker by Liam Mcilvanney
4,The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
5, Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia. April 2020 release
6, End of the Ocean by Matthew McBride
7, The Shameless by Ace Atkins
8, The Substitution Order by Martin Clark
9, Dignity by Chris Arnade
10, The Warehouse by Rob Hart
11, Like Lions by Brian Panowich

Yes, it’s a top 11 list!

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended!

Summary: 20 million in prize money is missing for a major fighting event to happen in the Twin Cities over the 4th of July holiday. The owners of Strike gyms higher a financial forensic investigators to recover the missing money in just a few days.

Comments: This is an amazing well written heist, suspense, and domestic noir novel. Fast paced page turner. I think this novel puts Mejia into the top layer of crime/suspense writers and clearly should place her in the major leagues of novelist. The tour of the Mill District of Minneapolis was fun as I have run several road races in these same locations. I absolutely loved the idea of financial investigators as a lead character. Very original.

Thank for the early read. Release is set for April 20.

Pre order here: https://smile.amazon.com/Strike-Me-Down-Mindy-Mejia-ebook/dp/B07THC111F

Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos

Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos

Rating: A highly recommended 5 stares

Summary: The second installment of the Strange and Quinn private detectives in-tangle themselves in the crime ridden drug culture of our nations capital, Washington DC.

Comments: As always Pelecanos is a cant miss read. I bought this novel when it was new on at an airport to read on a trip to Vegas. I missed how good it was then, and 20 years later I loved it. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Derek-Strange-Terry-Quinn-ebook/dp/B000QCS9G4

The Pell Heist by Norb Vonnegut

The Pell Heist by Norb Vonnegut

Rating: 5 stolen paintings!

Summary: Jack Legare’s a former Wall Street hotshot is retired, or fired, is asked by a friend from Pell’s women’s college to recover and raise ransom money for stolen paintings 25 years ago.

Comments: Vonnegut is a very much underrated crime/thriller writer that I’ve enjoyed for is fast paced writing style that keeps the pages turning. He develops great characters that grab you quickly. Read all his books, great entertainment.  

https://smile.amazon.com/Pell-Heist-Jack-Legare-Book-ebook/dp/B07GRH96PB

The Quaker by Liam Mcilvanney

The Quaker by Liam Mcilvanney

Rating: 5 stars highly recommend.

Summary: DI Duncan McCormack is asked to look over the case and settle the results of an ongoing case with the suspect called The Quaker. With the investigators stymied and frustrations high will McCormack fit in and succeed or will top brass squash the investigation? There is a secondary character Paton that is involved in the outcome of the novel. If Liam decides to branch out to a heist novel he’d make a great choice and storyline.

Comments: This is a savoring slow burn that I was extremely impressed with. After 70 books read this year The Quaker goes to the top slots for 2019. Read it. I look forward to more soon.

https://smile.amazon.com/Quaker-Liam-McIlvanney-ebook/dp/B07P9XB5KH

The Irishman by Martin Scorsese

The Irishman by Martin Scorsese.

Rating 5 stars, must watch movie.

Summary: Frank  “The Irishman” Sheeran recounts his life working for and along side Jimmy Hoffa. Based on the great book I Heard you Paint Houses. Scorsese makes a brilliant but long tale that is must watch.

Comments: There is nothing better then watching these guys perfect their craft. Not many actors can do what these guys do.

https://smile.amazon.com/Heard-You-Paint-Houses-Irishman-ebook/dp/B01GMSYSOW

The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen

The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: The bombing of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the search for the bomber leads to an unlikely suspect and the narrative created to sway investigators they have the right person. Is he a hero or the suspect?

Comments: Richard Jewell was an aggressive wanna be police officer looking for acceptance from his peers.  The tactics used to frame and innocent man from a horrific bombing lead to police and journalism incompetence at its highest levels. Many people paid a large price. Recommended reading.

https://smile.amazon.com/Suspect-Olympic-Bombing-Richard-Jewell-ebook/dp/B07H1HXBPF

Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

Rating: 5 stars highly recommend 

Summary: A teenage boy in small town Jessup Missouri becomes involved in a tangled web of deceit and deep racism after he stops a minor assault on a fellow student. Many aspects of life and hatred are explored throughout the novel and add a layer tension to the already hefty subject matter.

Comments: No doubt Eskens navigates a hard subject in writing a novel you will have a difficult time putting down. Add Nothing More Dangerous to must read list now. 

https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-More-Dangerous-Allen-Eskens-ebook/dp/B07PCMRBCQ

The Other People by C.J. Tudor

The Other People by C.J. Tudor

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Gabe is obsessed, looked at like he’s crazy,  to locate his daughter who he cannot believe was murdered even though all the evidence suggest she was. The layers are peeled back slowly making this novel difficult to put down.

Comments: A page turning suspense filled peal back the onion thrilling novel. Recommended! Thank you Netgalley or early look.

https://www.amazon.com/Other-People-C-J-Tudor-ebook/dp/B07R6J4N96

Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Bloody Genius by John Sandford

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: BCA Agent Virgil “F’ing” Flowers is called off his farm projects to search for a crafty killer of a U of Minnesota “elite” professor. The tour of the Twin Cities brings us very close to my own home, scary!

Comments: Sandford much like the Reacher books is a treat to read with its continuous rapid clip. Sandford continues to “Row the Boat” with another “elite” writing.

https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Genius-Virgil-Flowers-Novel-ebook/dp/B07N5GV9YL

The Do Right by Lisa Sandlin

The Do-Right by Lisa Sandlin

Rating: 1 uninteresting star

Summary: A 30 something women is released from prison for manslaughter and her parole officer sends her to a start up private investigator for a secretary job.

Comments: The novel missed several opportunities to be really good, instead it bogged down and became uninteresting back and forth between characters. Some back story would have helped.

Blue Moon by Lee Child

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Reacher wonders into another American city of moderate size and is quickly in tangled with opposing organized crime factions. Revenge and doing what’s right are common themes throughout the novel.

Comments: Say what you want about the Reacher novels but Child writes with a quick clip and moves an entertaining novel along with precision.

https://smile.amazon.com/Blue-Moon-Jack-Reacher-Novel-ebook/dp/B07NCNVZ5P

The Night Fire by Michael Connelly

The Night Fire by Michael Connelly

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended.

Summary: Ballard and Bosch are back together with multiple cases intersecting throughout the novel. We begin to see less of Harry and more of Renee as we find Harry a bit roughed up we knee surgery and another health issue. Harry has no badge and working him into the narrative seems to become more difficult.

Comments: Connelly is a great American storyteller not to be missed. Although we see less of Harry we get solid storytelling with Renee a very powerful and likable character. If you haven’t heard the Connelly podcast or seen the Amazon series Bosch you should catch up fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Ren%C3%A9e-Ballard-Harry-Bosch-ebook/dp/B07NL757ZF

The Guardians by John Grisham

The Guardians, by John Grisham

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: A group of highly skilled attorneys working for a innocence project help a man convicted of murder prove he was innocent after 22 years locked in prison.

Comments: I haven’t read a Grisham novel in a long while. My regrets. I missed some of the suspense we got in his earlier works but he can keep a reader turning the pages. Somewhat predictable and lacks a big reveal. If you haven’t seen the Grisham Netflix documentary concerning a similar subject I would recommend watching The Innocent Man also a great book written by Grisham.

https://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Novel-John-Grisham-ebook/dp/B07MYLK9FP

Inhuman Resources by Pierre LeMaitre

Inhuman Resources by Pierre LeMaitre

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Father of 3 beautiful daughters and a beautiful wife has aged himself out of a quality employment after a merger left him laid off and unable to find a job in his qualified field. Alain takes matters into his hands after he advances into the finals of a unbelievable job. 

Comments: LeMaitree is a fine crime writer with a great take on being unemployed. Loved it! 

https://www.amazon.com/Inhuman-Resources-Pierre-Lemaitre-ebook/dp/B07TT4WXGD

El Camino by Vince Gilligan a Breaking Bad Movie

El Camino by Vince Gilligan 

Rating: 5 must see Netflix.

Summary: Jesse is on the run right after the final scene of the TV series finale of Breaking Bad. Will he find his freedom?

Comments: The final 17 minutes are must see Breaking Bad moments. Must see for Breaking Bad fans.  

The Deserter by Nelson and Alex DeMille

The Deserter-by Nelson and Alex DeMille

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended!

Summary: Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor both Army CID investigators are assigned to find Delta Force Captain who deserted his company in Afghanistan and is spotted in Venezuela.

Comments: Those familiar with DeMilles style will be pleased with the tour of Venezuela and its current politics. Also the sarcastic writing style flips the pages with comic relief. Great story telling. The addition of his writing partner (son) is a sure treat.

https://smile.amazon.com/Deserter-Novel-Nelson-DeMille-ebook/dp/B07P5JG4H3

The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup

The Chestnut man by Soren Sveistrup
Rating: 3 very generous stars.

Summary: Two somewhat damaged Copenhagen homicide detectives are tasked with figuring out the identity of the Chestnut Man.

Comments: Unlike The Killing, The Chestnut man is a slow burn overly long police procedural without a likable character to grasp onto.

https://smile.amazon.com/Chestnut-Man-Novel-Soren-Sveistrup-ebook/dp/B07DNCC3CD

Robert B Parker’s The Bitterest Pill, by Reed Farrell Coleman

Robert B Parker’s The Bitterest Pill, by Reed Farrell Colman

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Chief Jesse Stone town of Paradise is being overrun with opiates and high schoolers are overdosing. Who is behind the overdose of a high school girl and what ends will Jesse go to to stop it. 

Comments: Coleman is a quality writer and I need to explore more of his work. These are fun reads! 

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Parkers-Bitterest-Jesse-Stone-ebook/dp/B07M9HGV4Y

The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living. By Martin Clark

The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living by Martin Clark

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Judge Evers is a drunk pot smoking mess of a judge. When an attractive young lady approaches him with an offer of easy money the judge doesn’t even need, things spiral even more out of control for Evers. 

Comments: A tad long and meandering Clark delivers a debut that is extremely fun to read. Clark is a great story teller and his writing is crisp. One left to read, so get busy Mr. Clark.

https://smile.amazon.com/Many-Aspects-Mobile-Home-Living-ebook/dp/B002NXORC4

Dominic by Mark Pryor

Dominic by Mark Pryor

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: The second installment of the “Hollow Man” series we find Dominic deep in his psychosis  when he has to uncover a murder of a police officer by his girlfriends brother.

Comments: I sure hope the author and Dominic don’t have to much in common in Austin Texas.

https://smile.amazon.com/Dominic-Hollow-Novel-Mark-Pryor-ebook/dp/B06Y4W2HBT

A Philosophy of Ruin

A Philosophy of Ruin by Nicolas Mancusi

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Oscar a philosophy professor learns of his mother’s sudden death after a vacation. Things go sideways fast as Oscar learns his father is flat broke afterwards.

Comments: Somewhere between Breaking Bad and The Mule Mancusi creates a great suspense tale of family lose and revenge with money and drugs mixed in nicely. Great debut novel. Looking for more soon.

https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Ruin-Novel-Nicholas-Mancusi-ebook/dp/B07CS29XT3

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

Rating: 5 Stars, highly recommended. 

Summary: Set during the early years of the depression a group of pre teen orphans must escape the orphanage they are living. They set off in a very Huck Finn style adventure looking for a close family member. 

Comments: Kent Krueger is one of those authors that you can’t miss with. His two novels away from his series are some fine writing. Thank you to his publisher for letting me preview this fine novel. 

https://www.amazon.com/This-Tender-Land-William-Krueger-ebook/dp/B010MHAEGA

Sarah Jane by James Sallis

Sarah Jane by James Salis

Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Sarah Jane leads a obscure life after dealing with PTSD in Iraq. She is hired as a deputy sheriff and quickly given the job as the sheriff after the real sheriff goes missing.

Comments: Salis packs a lot of moving parts into a compact crime noir like only he can. Wonderful reading.

https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Jane-James-Sallis-ebook/dp/B07N5HX56T

Fear Inculum by Tool

Fear Inculum by Tool

Rating: Stared Review, 5 stars 

Summary: 8 songs and almost 90 minutes of classic Tool. Unlike any music played today. Simply fine stuff. 

Comments: It’s been decades since I’ve  been this taken with a new album release. Sit back, work out, wander the lawn. Listen. 

Fear Inoculum by TOOL

https://music.apple.com/us/album/fear-inoculum/1475686696

Thirteen by Steve Cavenaugh

Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh

Rating: 3 stars

Summary: Lawyer Eddie Flynn teams with a new law firm to defend a movie star from a murder charge. Serial killer Kane has other plans.

Comments: I struggled connecting with the characters and plotting. If you enjoy court room dialogue it’s pretty good.

https://smile.amazon.com/Thirteen-Serial-Killer-Trial-Jury-ebook/dp/B07MYX1572

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

The Warehouse by Rob Hart

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended

Summary: In the not to distant future, maybe sooner then thought, giant tech has taken over jobs and modern life. A scary look into our possible soon to be future.

Comments: There has been some great novels this year. Rob Hart’s The Warehouse tops them. Must read page turner. Hard to label dystopian when it all seems very possible.

https://smile.amazon.com/Warehouse-Novel-Rob-Hart-ebook/dp/B07KNV1Z5B

This Side of Midnight by J Todd Scott

This Side of Night by J Todd Scott

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Sheriff Chris Cherry is up for re-election in Big Bend Texas. Events from South of the border creep into his jurisdiction Cherry must confront powerful drug cartels.

Comments: As always J Todd Scott brings first hand knowledge to his work. If you are a fan of the Don Winslow border trilogy then J Todd Scott compliments well. Keep comparisons separate though because Scott is his own tour de force in modern crime writing. Great stuff, pick up all three of his Sheriff Cherry novels.

https://www.amazon.com/This-Side-Night-Todd-Scott-ebook/dp/B07JL4B8WN

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sadie and Henley lead the narrative of a small town Missouri family crime. Deep family roots and secrets lead to a explosive rural noir filled with suspense that keeps the pages turning.

Comments: Laura McHugh previous book The Weight of Blood ha moved up to the soon to be read list. Great stuff!

https://smile.amazon.com/Wolf-Wants-Novel-Laura-McHugh/dp/0399590285

The Nickel Boys by Colton Whitehead

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead 

Rating: Starred review. Must read!

Summary: A fictional account of a boys reformatory school in Florida where boys with minor crimes are sent for reform. What happens inside this facility is made for TV horror but is all to real. What happens to a young man with college aspirations and mistakenly gets into a stolen car for a easy ride to classes will justly make you beyond angry.

Comments: If you are looking for a east read this isn’t the book for you, though the pages fly. It might be fiction but sadly it’s all to real. Must read.   

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

Rating: 3 stars

Summary: Joe Pike witnesses a young lady kidnapped from a bank he just visited. Pike and Elvis are quickly on the case. 

Comments: Pike and Elvis make a good team and the pages will fly by. 

 

End of the Ocean by Matthew McBride

End of the Ocean by Matthew McBride

Rating 5 stars, highly recommended.

Summary: Sage is recently divorced, and searching for a break from life in Bali. He meets a Aussie on his plain trip and makes a friend. Sage quickly becomes comfortable with the Bali people and way of life. After falling in love with a Bali girl he must make a decision that will extend his money and time in Bali. 

 Comments: McBride is an outstanding writer who should be read. This novel is unlike his others and equally outstanding. It’s a crime story mixed in with a travel guide and a little romance mixed in.

Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark

Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark 

Rating: 5 stars, highly recommended.

Synopsis: Preacher Joel did some bad things that ruined his life, his marriage and his career. Joel does some praying and matters get worse because Joel makes compounding bad decisions. 

Comments: Martin Clark is a must read. He creates great characters. Don’t read them to fast, Clark is slow in production but high in quality. 

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Lock Every Door, by Riley Sager

Rating: 3 stars

Summary: After Julus has a horrible break up with her boyfriend she takes a Craig’s list offer to move into a gothic upper west side apartment and be paid to a sitter with many odd rules. With the pay so good it’s impossible to say no. 

Comments: Sager is a must read if you enjoy fast page turning action. His third installment doesn’t disappoint. 

Current read: Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark 

The Shameless by Ace Atkins

The Shameless by Ace Atkins

Rating: Starred Review 5 Stars

Summary: Famous true crime podcasters show up in town after a anonymous tip about a cold case murder in Jericho Mississippi. After they get another tip that Quinn might be involved, Quinn and his family set forth to solve the murder.

Comments: It’s hard to put down Ace Atkins novel. Quinn Colson has a great family and Ace writes it well. Read the series now. 

Deep State by Chris Hauty

Deep State: by Chris Hauty

Rating: Starred Review 5 stars

Summary: Army Veteran Haley Chill takes a intern position inside the West wing. As she shows her skills and knowledge she quickly earns the eye of the president.

Comments: Hauty brings the thrill to thrillers, Chill makes a great character. Written with wit and plenty of today’s insights Hauty makes a page turner somewhere between David Baldacci’s Absolute Power and Vince Flynn’s  Term Limits. Thank you Atria for the preview.

The Substitution Order by Martin Clark

The Substitution Order by Martin Clark

Rating: 5 stars 

Summary: Lawyer Kevin gets an offer to possibly return to practicing law if he does just a small favor for a unknown group. Kevin takes a different path.

Comments: Clark delivers another great suspense novel. Lawyer Kevin is a great character.

Game of Snipers by Stephen Hunter

Game of Snipers by Stephen Hunter

Rating: 3 stars.

Summary: Bob chases Juba a very skilled Syrian sniper across the Middle East and the US to stop Juba’s plans for a mile long shot.

Comments: I miss the days of Bob the Nailer ie: Time to Hunt.

The Current by Tim Johnston

The Current, by Tim Johnston
4 stars.


Summary:

After two girls are run off the road resulting in a death of one of the girls a small Southern Minnesota town thrown into a past crime that was similar in circumstances.

Comments:

Tim Johnston is reminding me of Dennis Lehanne more and more. Highly recommended. Read The Decent also.