Wicked Appetite Janet Evanovich   A tiptoe into the occult that didn't work for me.  1 STAR
 

I've been a fan of Janet Evanovich for a long time and loved all but the last Stephanie Plum books. When my Silver Sisters Mysteries books are compared to her writing, I consider it an extreme compliment.

Last week at the airport in Sydney, Australia I had to make a quick selection of a book to read on a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and spied Wicked Appetites. "Oh, good," I thought, "she's writing a new series." I bought the book without a second thought, looking forward to more of her entertaining wit. Unfortunately, I have to agree with the majority of the reviews. In my opinion, the story was silly, the characters were over-the-top, almost intolerable, and it seemed to be an attempt to hop on the commercial appeal of occult and ??? whatever! For me, it didn't work.

I read to the end, but found myself shaking my head and saying out loud, "This is really dumb." I expected more from an author of Janet Evanovich's calibre. She is a very talented writer who, in the past, has created compelling characters and page turning books. I want that author back.

I won't rehash what many of the reviews say, but will add that I found Carl the monkey really to be a stretch of author's creative license. Why was he in the book at all? His human-like antics (that of a very bad or unruly child) appeared to have the sole purpose of filling some pages between cries of "Enough of Carl, already!" He literally does nothing to propel the story forward unless you consider skipping over his stupid moves as moving forward.

I could deal with Cat, because he was the alternate protector and not as ridiculous as Carl. Okay, Diesel was hot. We got that. I would have liked Lizzy to give into her temptations a bit, but not enough to actually get it on with Diesel. Lizzy's friend Glo is a total ditz, but not a very believable or likeable one. She buys a book of spells "off the shelf" and is suddenly casting spells on people and objects that consistantly backfire. Yeah. Right.

Wulf could have been a really good character, but falls short and I will stop at that. For me, the whole book and most of the characters just didn't cut it. That might not be everyone's opinion since there are some 5 Star reviews, but it is my honest evaluation. With the amount of negative reviews on this book, I sincerely hope Janet Evanovich will react to what is being said. She is simply a much better author than this book showcases.

Sometimes an excellent author makes the mistake of stepping into something that is purely aimed at commercial trends and I think that might have happened here. I look forward to Janet Evanovich returning to what she does best and giving up silliness like this. Yes, I will read future books, but won't force myself through another one like this. Sorry, Janet. (Review 9/26/2011)

 

SURVIVING THE MOB: A Street Soldier's Life in the Gambino Crime Family

DENNIS GRIFFIN and ANDREW DI DONATO A gripping true story of life in the Mafia. 

Reading a book written by people you know is an entirely different experience than picking something off the shelf that was either recommended or caught your eye. I've known Denny Griffin for a few years now, and through him know Andrew DiDonato. Besides being friends, I've interviewed both of them for my column on examiner.com, so while awaiting the release of this book I truly wasn't sure what it would be like.

The Andrew I know is a charismatic, funny guy and is a delight to talk to. The Andrew you meet in the book is someone else--a dangerous guy born into a family where being part of the mob was a normal thing. Loyalties were skewed, because although the top guys expected complete allegiance from you, when the chips were down it didn't work the same way in reverse. I had a hard time picturing Andrew as that guy, and yet I know it was his life for so many years. From being an "up and coming" street soldier on the track to becoming a made man, to someone betrayed by his friends and on the run. Damned if he did, and damned if he didn't.

At the age of fourteen, a time when kids lucky enough to be born into a different environment were totally wrapped up in sports and family outings, Andrew had already set foot on the path to a life of crime. His hero was his uncle who was heavily involved in the mob, and later killed. By the time he was twenty he was fully immersed in the life, and so were his friends. In his world of crime, Andrew says you knew you could be asked to kill your friend someday or they could be asked to kill you, no questions asked. That's what happened some years later.

One of Andrew's good friends was killed by another mob member who was kind of an off-and-on friend. At that time Andrew was helpless to do anything but grieve the loss, because his own life was or could be on the line. Still, he plotted and planned for a way to avenge his friend's death.

Griffin has a knack for combining his position as a narrator with Andrew's heartfelt dialogue to create a compelling book you don't want to put down until the last word on the last page. You feel his ups and downs during those years of his life--shock, joy, humor--it's all there. Forget what you see in the movies. Just like movie sets are often just a building's false front with nothing behind it, such is the myth that Andrew held as truth until it began to collapse around him.

You feel his terror and confusion, and more, the yank at your heart when he realized his mother would kill to protect him. You ache for the loss of contact with his son and his remorse at some of the things he did in his earlier life. Even today, reconciliation with his son is foremost in his mind. People can change. You applaud him for turning his life around and doing what's in his power now to help others and to discourage boys and young men from following in his early footsteps. He's become what we would call a "stand-up guy."

I'm proud to call Denny and Andrew friends, and highly recommend this book. It offers a skillful and well told peek inside what mob life is really like---without the theatrical window dressing. (Review 2/21/2011) 



A PRISONER OF BIRTH – JEFFREY ARCHER   This spin on the classic “The Count of Monte Cristo” scenario is a book you simply can’t put down! 5 STARS

I actually listened to the audio version, which was extremely well done. It's unabridged, thirteen cassettes, and I couldn't wait to get in my car to listen to the next installment. Think a modern day Count of Monte Cristo, with many added twists. I liked it so much, that I'll read the print version, as well. Two men share a jail cell--one convicted for a murder he didn't commit and the other an aristocrat jailed for a dereliction of duty in the military. Ironically, they look enough alike to be brothers. During confinement, they become close friends. The aristocrat takes it upon himself to teach Danny, an uneducated laborer from the wrong part of London, to read and schools him in the manners of a gentleman. When something unprecedented happens, Danny takes over the identity, assets and freedom via parole, of his friend Nicholas. What happens from that time on, is a tapestry of events, challenges, joys and much more woven so expertly by Sir Jeffrey Archer. I've always been a fan of his writing, and this is no exception. Be prepared to become addicted to this story and keenly interested in what happens to the characters. An excellent read!  (Review 12/16/2010)

THE BOOK OF THE DEAD by PATRICIA CORNWALL     Not one of my favorite Kay Scarpetta books. There was too much gore for me an some of the situations were rather unbelievable. 3 STARS

Forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta has embarked upon a new career in this book--starting over in the city of Charleston, South Carolina with a unique private practice. There are many bizarre scenes, not the least of them involving a pompous radio psychologist and gruesome murders. I've been a fan of this series for quite a while, and although I don't always like lots of gory detail, this author knows her way around the morgue. This time, maybe a little too much detail. For followers of the series, there is a point where her boyfriend, Wesley Benton, and the sometimes emotionless doctor seriously consider what the future holds for them as a couple.

Sometimes Kay Scarpetta reminds me of Bones--surrounded by so much death that her own emotions are hard to get in touch with. Her niece Lucy is involved in a series of somewhat unbelievable incidents and her old standby Pete Moreno appears to be headed into a complete meltdown. I had somewhat mixed emotions, so I decided to check out the Amazon reviews on this book, and in the process post this one. What I found was very interesting. Either you loved it or you hated it. Relatively little in-between. When I looked at and read many of the reviews I was surprised to find that there were 300 five stars and 216 one stars with a minor amount of 2, 3, and 4. Generally the ratings are weighted in the middle, so that tells me that while there were more favorable than hate it reviews, the middle of the road crowd appeared to strongly take one side or the other. It was an interesting read, certainly not her best and several things did bother me, but it's still a decent read.


THE WATCHMAN by ROBERT CRAIS  Protecting a spoiled heiress was more than Joe Pike bargained for!  5 STARS

Heiress Larkin Barkley has always had it her own way. If she feels like tearing up the street in her fast sports car, she does it. She clubs like Paris Hilton, lives a life unlike most her age and never has to deal with the reality of danger. Until it hits her in the face after she's involved in an auto accident.

All of a sudden, she's fleeing for her life and her only hope of staying alive is Joe Pike. Since she doesn't march with reality, she minimizes the fact that she could wind up dead, and gives Joe one of his biggest challenges yet--babysitting a spoiled brat with a target on her back.

Someone inside her father's realm is tracking her every move. Safe houses aren't safe. Enter loveable detective Elvis Cole, Joe Pike's partner. Between the two of them they are determined to save Larkin in spite of herself.

I listened to this on audio tape, and as with all Robert Crais books thoroughly enjoyed it. He has become one of my favorite writers. And when it comes to placing the reader right in the L.A. scene he does it to perfection. In one of his other books, he took the reader on a trip down the street where I lived in Marina Del Rey, describing it in such a way that I absolutely knew he'd been there. 

 
WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING (Annie O'Hara and Claudius Mystery) by ANN CAMPBELL.  Claudius needs some obedience training! 3 STARS 
 
This is the first book in this series that I've read. I would have liked to give it a higher rating because it was a fun chase, but there were elements that kept whispering in my ear, "No higher than a three."

Annie O'Hara is in a real fix. She is just about making ends meet, dealing with Claudius, the dog her soon to be ex sister-in-law dumped on her, and now on the slippery slope of being accused of murder, and of one of her roomers no less. What in the devil is Annie going to do? The dog is destroying everything and eating her out of house and home, he's chasing away customers of the antique shop on the first floor of her house and now the victim's nasty brother is bossing her around like he owns the place. Like I said, lots of fun elements.

Here's where I had some problems. First of all, as an author of funny mysteries myself, some basic elements that will cause agents and publishers to go into cardiac arrest are painfully present. The point of view is very muddled. Ann Campbell jumps from one head to another fast enough to make your own head spin. Sometimes even in the same paragraph. That's a no no. Also we are constantly put into the dog's inner monologue. I would rather have had his expression causing Annie to ponder about what he's thinking.

Next, per my title, that dog would have either been in the hands of a trainer or back to his real owner, willing or not, if I had one that acted like that. My god. The animal is a destruction derby and Annie lets him constantly get away with it. But then she does that with almost everyone she comes in contact with. They run all over her and she lets them. By the end of the book it seems like she's finally finding a bit of her backbone, and I hope it materializes in the next book.

The other thing I noticed is that occasionally it seems like Claudius is trying to warn Annie about something, but she never pays any attention to him and puts him in the bathroom. Okay, he's a pain in the you know what, but if I was as on edge as Annie and my temporary dog was barking at the door or some other typical doggie warning behaviour, I think I would check it out. But then, I'm me and Annie is Annie.

Despite all of this, the twist at the end is a pretty good one although I'd already figured out part of it about half way into the book. Still, the rest of it rounded out the plot. I give it three stars for a fun, quick cozy read by the fireplace. You want to find out what finally happens and hope Annie will survive to star in another novel in the series. Think I'll read the next one.