Morganville Vampires Series Book 1: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

I haven't been much for Young Adult novels of this particular type for awhile now, but I thought what the heck it has to be better than the other mainstream vampire series that will go unnamed here. I devoured this book in one sitting while I was on the greyhound bus going from Indiana to California (the bus trip was multiple days the book however was finished in one day of that trip).

Caine, whose real name is Roxanne Longstreet Conrad, creates a new world of vampires that is engaging in a way that I haven't seen from the genre in awhile. She makes the vampires in charge of this singular town and creates a mystery as to why others cannot remember aspects of the town upon their exit. This made for a rather fun first read of the multiple book series.

We are introduced to the main characters relatively quickly in the book, which is always nice since sometimes it can feel like an author takes their sweet time to make you aware of the big names. Someone may get introduced in chapter twelve in another series book, but here it is like "these are the big names for at least a few books", which was nice. You could also tell that it was a series because there are several moments where you go "I bet that comes back later". It made it feel like I was part of an ongoing world instead of just reading a one and done novel. Often I don't like feeling like I have to read more books than the one currently in my hands, but here it felt natural and right. I reached the final page of this book WANTING there to be more instead of being thankful I reached the ending and that it was enjoyable. I was saying, "Okay more and what happens to such and such character next..." I don't normally say that. I didn't even say that in the Sookie Stackhouse book that I read.

This was engaging on an important fun level that many books have lost touch with. Often, as readers it appears we want to have really deep meaningful books to read. We want it to be literary masterpieces, but I state right now I find I enjoy the books that are not considered masterpieces so much better because they provide enjoyment over substance. I would rather leave a book feeling that I have went on a journey with characters I like and want to see again than to read a book where I feel like I am dragged through the coals to get to the ending. Glass Houses never felt like I was dragged along, but felt like an enjoyable ride! What if other writers understood that a book should be enjoyable like Caine does? I think we would all have better reading experiences.

All of her characters are richly layered with secrets. You can tell from the first moment any character is introduced that something is not being said about them regardless of their importance in the series. To naturally have that with each character is rare. While this is a multiple book series commitment it is one that I am going to be taking on over the next several months between other reading I am doing as well because I feel that it will be well worth it based on this first book of the series.

 

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Collins work is heralded as the beginning of the "Detective Mystery Genre" by many critics. This is because it is the first of its kind that involves heavily the uncovering of a great mystery as part of the plot. Here it is the gem called The Moonstone, which the book is obviously named for. The Moonstone is stolen and we are left wondering who in the tale took the precious gem.

We are taken on a journey toward discovering the culprit by various narrators that share their perspective or part of the greater mystery of what occurred. Each narrator has their own individual bias, such as the first narrator that is a servant that wishes to keep the family safe or the second narrator who has a deep seeded religious perspective. This makes each narrator feel somewhat flawed in their telling, but adds the needed human element that a work of fiction needs to keep it above the water of sinking into the ocean of utter crap or implausibility.  

For most of the story it feels like a great Victorian era book, but it is when the added element of the Indian characters are added that this story begins to feel forced or taken off course. It feels that at times that Collins himself was not sure of the direction that he would eventually take in some moments and then forced it to go in a particular direction. Each narrator is strong, but one wishes that the ultimate destiny of the Moonstone will be revealed a lot sooner than it is. There are numerous places that the story drags on and you wonder if you will reach the conclusion. When I personally reached the conclusion I felt that it was rather forced and that there had been no clear indication that it could have been the person it ends up being. I had wished there had been more little hints along the way towards the destination, but Collins didn't write it in this manner. He had us instead jump from person to person only receiving bits of information for way too many pages.

The largest redeeming quality of the work is the fact that we know that this book has had a great place in literary history due to it being one of the first books of its kind. If it wasn't for this simple fact I may have judged this particular book much harsher because it left much to be desired. I did have to  question though if I would have enjoyed it to a different caliber if I had never had previously read a mystery novel, which would have been the context for this book, which is another reason it was judged less harshly then I originally intended it to be. Overall though it left a lot to be desired from this reader and felt my time would have been better spent on a more enjoyable read, such as any other mystery novel like the next Sookie Stackhouse or Stephanie Plum books.

 

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!

Past Shelfari Reviews: All For One by Ryne Douglas Pearson

*Note*- Past Shelfari Reviews may not be written similarly to regular postings on the site due to being originally written for a different audience. 

All For One

by Ryne Douglas Pearson

available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. (Not available at Half Price Books)

This wasn't one of those "OH THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ" type of books, but it was entertaining. Sometimes a book doesn't have to be a high-brow read. Sometimes it is a book that you just want to read for a bit of downtime between something more serious. The main issue I had with this book was that the writer made it fairly obvious from almost the beginning what was going on. I predicted what had happened almost 5% into the book and even told my partner so that someone would know I wasn't making up that I figured it out that early on.

The steps to get to understanding why the individual did what they did in the book though is interesting and part of what makes this a fun read. It isn't ever going to be a classic by any means, but who needs every single book they read to be a classic. Sometimes I just want to read pure mystery drivel. A book that you are on the edge of your seat wondering "WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?" and this book does that. You want to know what is going to happen and where the story is going to ultimately lead to.

I would not recommend this book to everyone, but anyone that wants to read a mystery that is easily solvable, but has interesting characters should definitely give this book a shot. I was going to see what else this author has written, but it appears that they have primarily wrote a lot of government thrillers, which is simply not my cup of tea, but this one is anything but that.

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!

Mystery Reads: When Dark Secrets Get Darker by Thomas N. Pointer, JR

"Death by the best of intentions"

When Dark Secrets Get Darker

by Thomas N. Pointer, JR

Free Giveaway Book from Goodreads

Available for the Nook @BN.com  and for the Kindle @Amazon.com

Sometimes in a murder mystery you can't guess exactly what is going on because you can't focus on the main story. That is true with "When Dark Secrets Get Darker". It is a hard read mainly because of the chosen content by Pointer. He delves into the world of sex, drugs, and other depravities of life.  My issue is primarily that this isn't a world that I would normally want to find myself walking in. It is important to know about this content before going into this book, so you don't feel obligated to read it if you are uncomfortable with the subject matter.

Pointer talks way too much about sexual escapades and attributes way too much sex to the male characters. His character of Detective Anthony Malone is the strongest example of this. He is a sexist character that showcases what is wrong with this book. I understand that males think about this topic a lot, but a book does not need to focus on this aspect to be enjoyable.  Pointer characterizes his men way too heavily here in this fashion and as a result it makes it a lesser read than what it could have been. This is the main reason for the reduction in my rating of the the book. Speaking of characterization, Pointer does his main character no favors by making him appear to be a "bad ass". He runs up on characters with his guns blazing, but as a result he comes off as a boy that doesn't know how to play in the sandbox with others. Benjamin Bishop comes across as someone that can only use force to obtain answers to his questions in an investigation, which weakens him as a likable character. That is one of the biggest flaws; there are no likable characters in the entire book.

He should have focused instead on the mystery aspect of his book. His mystery is the redeeming quality of what he has written. He could have kept the sexual aspect to the mystery because here it adds, but again in the matter of characters the sexual aspects take away greatly; weakening every single character. The mystery is interesting because you are sure what is going on until you find out you are wrong. He does a nice about face on what is going on with the killing of a seedy man. 

If Pointer writes another novel I would want him to add characters that have a humorous nature to them and also a less-sexualized personality. Try to round out the characters a little bit more. Make them enjoyable and try to add elements to the female personalities. Make the women appear to be more than just welfare moms, strippers, and just all around bad people. You need to have at least one redeeming female character to make a book enjoyable, especially when you create numerous ones that are rude and crude. There needs to be balance and Pointer has no balance with his characters.

While I may sound highly negative in my review I have to remind the reader that this is a first novel. He is able to do a lot more than other authors in their first novels. He creates a gripping mystery, which takes talent to create just the right layers. His ability to create a mystery shows that in future books he will have honed his craft. His mysteries will only get better and better. Reading this first book will show you how he will get to that place of excellence. He shows promise, but he has to take advice on improving his character set. If he does this he will be one of the masters of the genre.

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!

Mystery Read: Whiskey Sour by J.A. Konroth

"Death... on the rocks"

Whiskey Sour: A Jack Daniels Mystery

by J.A. Konrath

Published by Hyperion

available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books

"Whiskey Sour" is the first novel in the Jack Daniels Mystery series. Konrath creates an engaging novel  that takes you on a roller-coaster. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels has given her entire life over to her job and as a result she has worked her way up to a Lieutenant in her local precinct.  It has caused her to sacrifice most of her relationships, including romantic ones. The girl is a mess. Then enters the "The Gingerbread Man", who has an unhealthy appetite for Jack. Will she survive his wicked games? Only one way to find out... Read the book.

Konrath is able to foreshadow the aspects of the mystery without revealing to the reader that they are the pieces that they should be looking for, which is only something a true mystery genius would be capable of doing. When you reach the end of the novel you slap your forehead and go, "Duh, all the pieces fit together. He told us everything that we needed to know." We just don't realize he gave us all the components for understanding why "The Gingerbread Man" is killing the women he chooses. This makes it an exciting read. 

One complaint about Konrath is that he sometimes tries to be too technical in his writing. He wants to explain out things for the reader, but he fails to recognize that in most instances the reader isn't looking for this. Most mystery readers are not looking for high-brow explanations, so trying to explain procedures is lost on the intended audience. Most mystery enthusiasts are simply seeking a thrill, which this book does do. Konrath is very graphic about what the killer does to his victims and you will squirm in places, but it just adds to the fun of the book overall. This makes up for his over-explanations. 

The other interesting component of this book is the chapter that you would think that it would end with isn't the ending. I thought as Jack read the Ed McBain novel would have been a rather clever ending to the first book, but Konrath pulls us for a loop. He sets up nicely for a continuing series of books, which I had forgotten that most mystery writers want to do with a title character, especially one as awesome as Jack Daniels. 

I want to reiterated before closing that there is some rather graphic content contained within this book. Most mystery lovers will be able to handle these scenes, since they will be used to them. The typical reader may find themselves uncomfortable with these descriptions though, so go into this book knowing that there may be content that is upsetting. Do not go into it thinking that it is a fluffy little piece of literature that you will walk away from feeling happy about, instead go into it expecting your pulse to race and your heart to reach critical mass. If you go in with this you will LOVE Whiskey Sour.

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!

Mystery Books: Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman

Dance Hall of the Dead

by Tony Hillerman

available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Half Price Books

"Learning about culture has never been so deadly..."

This is the second book I have read in the "Joe Leaphorn" book series. The first being The Blessing Way. Neither book was all that exciting for me to read (they were group reads on a facebook group I partake in). I do have to say that Hillerman develops though from his first book. He grasps how to make a plot a little more interesting on the mystery angle, but it takes away from the thing that was enjoyable from the first book. In the first book his description of the various areas is richer than what is contained within this volume.

Hillerman's ability to write the mystery aspect of a book felt a bit stilted in "The Blessing Way". He gave you all the pieces of the puzzle far too early and as a result you were left wondering why you were even reading the book, but the same cannot be said for Dance Hall of the Dead. You are left questioning up until almost the final ten pages who killed the victim and why. There have been plenty of hints along the way so you have an idea of who it may have been, but you can't be fully sure until it is revealed. (Just so you know I pretty much had guessed it by the end of the book, but it was more of an OH MY GOODNESS I was right moment instead of knowing in the first chapter) This added a nice layer that wasn't available in that first book. 

The gripe about this book is that Hillerman painted a very vivid picture of the area in The Blessing Way.He can't seem to recapture that description and beauty that was present there here. It may simply be because he is learning how to write an engaging mystery book, but he hasn't found the proper balance between his individualistic style and the genre he is in. I recognize that an author can progress as they find who they are as an author and what charms they bring to the table of a genre. I hope that in subsequent novels that he is able to pull that out of himself because it just isn't apparent here. 

Is the book worth reading? If you want to know more about Native American culture than it is. If you want an engaging mystery novel I would state find another one that might be a little more modern in nature and also more engaging. This will be educational though for those interested in understanding a vastly different culture other than your own. This is one of the truly redeeming qualities of the book series thus far. You will walk away from it knowing something you didn't know. That is always something worthwhile in reading. 

Until next time... Stay Optimistic!!!