I ended last months Post by mentioning that I had a couple of Biographies that I hoped to get through for this month. They could be considered as Part I and Part II because they are by and about the same person. I read 85 pages of the first one and just couldn't get interested in it. That happens sometimes. I put them away for now.
I did manage to read the following, however.
Miscellaneous
The Scarecrow - Michael Connelly ($9.99/$.50, copyright2008, 538 pages, Paperback)
I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of Connelly's Harry Bosch series but he's also created other characters in other novels (many of them, eventually, interact with Bosch). This one is a sequel to "The Poet" and is centered around newspaper reporter Jack McEvoy. (I did not list this as a "Series" because, as far as I know, there are only these two books.) As the book begins, Jack has been downsized from the Crime Beat at the Los Angeles Times and given two weeks to train his replacement. After taking a call on a seemingly innocuous crime story, Jack begins to look into things and decides to go out with a story to remember. It concerns a young man, arrested on suspicion of murder, though the young man swears his innocence. Jack finds some troubling details in the confession as well as a larger pattern that points to a potential serial killer. The twist to this scenario is that the reader already knows who the real killer is having been introduced to him early on. Connelly alternates perspectives between these two characters as Jack's deadline draws near and The Scarecrow, using technology, slowly cuts off Jack's contact with email, his bank account, etc. The story moves along at a good pace, the suspense builds, and the characters feel real. I enjoyed it.
I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of Connelly's Harry Bosch series but he's also created other characters in other novels (many of them, eventually, interact with Bosch). This one is a sequel to "The Poet" and is centered around newspaper reporter Jack McEvoy. (I did not list this as a "Series" because, as far as I know, there are only these two books.) As the book begins, Jack has been downsized from the Crime Beat at the Los Angeles Times and given two weeks to train his replacement. After taking a call on a seemingly innocuous crime story, Jack begins to look into things and decides to go out with a story to remember. It concerns a young man, arrested on suspicion of murder, though the young man swears his innocence. Jack finds some troubling details in the confession as well as a larger pattern that points to a potential serial killer. The twist to this scenario is that the reader already knows who the real killer is having been introduced to him early on. Connelly alternates perspectives between these two characters as Jack's deadline draws near and The Scarecrow, using technology, slowly cuts off Jack's contact with email, his bank account, etc. The story moves along at a good pace, the suspense builds, and the characters feel real. I enjoyed it.
A little explanation first. My Daughter took part in a Book Exchange on Facebook and invited me to participate. I did and wound up sending a copy of one of my favorite books to someone in Chicago. Anyway, as I decided on which book to send, I got the itch. You see, a book becomes a favorite because you enjoy reading it over and over again. So .... I did.
Tai-Pan - James Clavell ($7.99/$7.99, copyright 1966, 732 pages, Paperback)
I think that this is the fourth time that I've read this book and, maybe, the second time that I've posted about it. It's part of Clavell's "The Asian Saga" and - though not the longest or shortest - is, in my opinion, the best of the series. It is an engaging story about the European community in China just after the British have taken control of Hong Kong. It centers on Dirk Struan, referred to as The Tai-Pan by those around him and the most powerful trader in Asia. It is an epic story of how the British created and controlled their first stronghold in Asia. Clavell does an amazing job of creating realistic characters and incorporating facts about the time period and the culture. He gives us rival traders who will stop at nothing, plotting Russians, Pirates, Typhoons, and even a horse race.You'll find everything here - action, adventure, intrigue, violence, humor, tragedy, and even romance. I enjoy it every time I read it.
I think that this is the fourth time that I've read this book and, maybe, the second time that I've posted about it. It's part of Clavell's "The Asian Saga" and - though not the longest or shortest - is, in my opinion, the best of the series. It is an engaging story about the European community in China just after the British have taken control of Hong Kong. It centers on Dirk Struan, referred to as The Tai-Pan by those around him and the most powerful trader in Asia. It is an epic story of how the British created and controlled their first stronghold in Asia. Clavell does an amazing job of creating realistic characters and incorporating facts about the time period and the culture. He gives us rival traders who will stop at nothing, plotting Russians, Pirates, Typhoons, and even a horse race.You'll find everything here - action, adventure, intrigue, violence, humor, tragedy, and even romance. I enjoy it every time I read it.
Up next is July and, like I mentioned above, I'll have a lot more free time and I've got a lot of books in different genres backed up. Maybe I'll surprise you.
Keep Reading.
