Books and books and DVDs

ANOTHER LIFE: Andrew Vachss

After a nicely gritty opening ("Revenge is like any other religion: There's always a lot more preaching than there is practicing"), Vachss's 18th Burke thriller (after Terminal) goes off in disparate directions that never quite coalesce into a satisfying whole. When a sniper shoots Burke's father, the Prof, the Prof's uneasy relationship with the law means that his life-threatening wounds can't be treated at a hospital. While his father's fate remains uncertain, a shadowy figure connected with U.S. intelligence draws Burke, an ex-con turned avenging angel for hire, into a kidnapping case. Early one morning, somebody removed the infant son of a Saudi prince from his father's custom Rolls, parked near an abandoned pier near the Hudson River, after the prince was serviced by a prostitute, who didn't realize the child was in the back seat. Burke visits his usual seamy corners of New York City in the ensuing investigation. Those who enjoyed previous books in the series will find more of the same.

I usually enjoy Vachss' novels gritty as they can be but I gave up on this one very early on feeling that I was being lectured at. I did a flip-read to the end so I got the full story line but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.




TRIPOINT : CJ Cherryh

In a psychologically compelling coming-of-age novel, Cherryh continues her tales of a human-dominated space attempting to find equilibrium in the aftermath of war. Tom Bowe-Hawkins, young crew member of the family ship Sprite, was conceived in rape and is growing up with a chip on his shoulder. He is caught up in the revenge planned by his mother, Marie Kirgov Hawkins, against his father, Austin Bowe, captain of the Corinthian, a vessel suspected to be engaged in smuggling and piracy. When the two vessels find themselves docked at the same space station, Tom tries to keep his mother from getting the ship into trouble with station authorities. After Marie eludes him, Tom starts looking in likely places, including the Corinthian's mysterious warehouse, where he is found by his half-brother Christian Bowe, who shanghais him aboard their father's vessel. Ensuing events bring the divided clan into conflict and Sprite and Corinthian into a deadly confrontation. Cherryh's satisfying novel delves deeply into the relations between families and crew members tied closely together in long and intimate voyages among the stars.

There is a theme developing in some of the books I've read so far of young men searching for themselves/freedom/understanding. She handles growing up crisis well in my mind and delivers a satisfying finish. In some lists this book follows Finity's End although order isn't a major issue for me.





IN A DRY SEASON: Peter Robinson

During a blistering summer, drought has depleted Thornfield Reservoir, uncovering the remains of a small village called Hobb's End, hidden from view for over 40 years. A young boy finds a human skeleton, and DCI Alan Banks sets out to uncover the murky past.

I also read 3 of the short stories involving Inspector Banks in NOT SAFE AFTER DARK AND OTHER STORIES. With books and movies piling up I decided to leave the unrelated stories for another time. I can happily report I'm not growing tired of these stories or the main characters.



FINITY'S END: CJ Cherryh

It's the story of Fletcher Neihart, an orphan and unwanted foster child who, against his will, joins the crew of the legendary merchanter ship Finity's End. As Neihart struggles to find his place both on the ship and in the world, the ship undertakes a mission critical to the continuing peace between the Earth, Alliance, and Union factions.

Lots of background to this world/space I've discovered as well as an interesting look at how a simple alien race can mean so many different things. I find the author puts her finger on many human traits and uses them well.




BONE BY BONE: Carol O'Connell

In the northern California town of Coventry, two teenage brothers go into the woods one day, but only one comes back. No one knows what happened to the younger brother, Josh, until twenty years later, when the older brother, Oren, now an ex-investigator for the Army CID, returns to Coventry for the first time in many years. His first morning back, he hears a thump on the front porch. Lying in front of the door is a human jawbone, the teeth still intact. And it is not the first such object, his father tells him. Other remains have been left there as well. Josh is coming home . . . bone by bone.

Using all his investigative skills, Oren sets out to solve the mystery of his brother's murder, but Coventry is a town full of secrets and secret-keepers: the housekeeper with the fugitive past, the deputy with the old grudge, the reclusive ex-cop from L.A., the woman with the title of town monster, and, not least of all, Oren himself. But the greatest secret of all belonged to his brother, and it is only by unraveling it that Oren can begin to discover the truth that has haunted them all for twenty years.

Written with the rich prose, resonant characters, and knife-edge suspense that have won the author so many fans, Bone by Bone is further proof that 'O'Connell is one of the most poetic yet tough-minded writers of the genre' (San Francisco Chronicle).

I have followed this author since her very first book and she has never let me down. If you like a good read I suggest you check her out. Her Mallory series should be read in order for full understanding of the main characters.

books of Carol O'Connell

Latest DVDs

GET SMART : it was OK

BLUE MURDER set 1: another one of those great Brit Detective series.

DOC MARTIN set1: my niece suggested this one when we got to talking about Brit shows. She says the scenery alone is worth it having just visited Cornwall. Loved it but now I have to wait for the library to get set 2.

THE MUMMY, TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR: as bad as most people said it was but we did watch it to the end so we must have been found it somewhat amusing.

MAMMA MIA: I was worried when this one started because it felt so forced but it settled into a decent enough movie for a snowy evening.