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!!!

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!!!

Blog content update...

I, the review of the site, have a busy life just like every other person. This is why I have decided to make new content available on the following days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is when new reviews will be posted of books that have been read. This keeps the site going with new content, since postings can be scheduled in advance and allows for me to still have a life when school starts next month. This is a win-win situation for everyone.

Also I have decided that each of the days will have a predominate theme. What this means is that each update will serve a particular purpose or fill a particular genre that I am interested in. These themes will be as followed:

Monday- Random read:  These will be an eclectic mix of books that do not fit into any one particular genre that I am reviewing on the other two days. As I am a reader that tends to be a little all over the map this permits me to review those books that may simply not fit anywhere else.

Wednesday- Mystery Reads: Within the last year I have discovered one of my favorite passions is reading a good mystery book and trying to discover just whodunit. This is why this feels like a natural extension of what I currently read and a nice addition to the site.

Friday- Series Book Reads: I tend to read a lot of series books. I will be reviewing a particular series until it is finished and then I will move onto another. This doesn't mean that the Monday or Wednesday reviews may not be part of a different series. I am sticking with the "Fear Street Seniors" series to begin with and will decide on the next series upon its completion.

At some point there will also be additional content added for Tuesday and Thursday as well but it will be focused on some other aspect of writing outside of book reviews. If a reader has a suggestion feel free to e-mail me at optimisticreader@gmail.com. You may also contact me via twitter @ Optimistic_Read or on facebook where I am also Optimistic Reader.