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Shannon J. (surlygirl) - , - Reviews

1 to 18 of 18
Blind Fear (Cold Case, Bk 2)
Blind Fear (Cold Case, Bk 2)
Author: Lynn Abercrombie
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 20
Review Date: 6/6/2007
Helpful Score: 2


Mechelle Deakes, a police officer in Atlanta, Georgia, wakes to find herself alone and blind.
A retired officer, Hank Gooch, is contacted regarding Mechelle's disappearance when a rookie notices some odd coincidences.
And a recorded voice tells Mechelle that she has 13 hours to solve a cold case, a woman raped and murdered 18 years previous and gather enough information to convict the killer or she will die.
A good, fast paced story.


The Colorado Kid
The Colorado Kid
Author: Stephen King
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 315
Review Date: 12/12/2005


Two old newspaper writers tell the story to their young female intern of The Colorado Kid, an unsolved mystery from back in the 1980's and as the clues pile up it leads to an intersting discussion and revelation.

This book is definitely typical of Stephen King as I've read most of his books. There is very little gore or supernatural activity which is indicative of his writing. King himself states in the afterword that people will either love it or hate it.


Glory in Death (In Death, Bk 2)
Glory in Death (In Death, Bk 2)
Author: J. D. Robb
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 719
Review Date: 5/31/2006


2nd Book in the Eve Dallas IN DEATH series.
Great addition following NAKED IN DEATH. You can read my full review on my blog at:
http://surlygirl19.blogspot.com/2006/05/glory-be.html


Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Bk 1)
Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Bk 1)
Author: Rachel Caine
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 526
Review Date: 3/29/2007
Helpful Score: 3


First book in the series about Joanne Baldwin, a weather warden on the run across country, trying to avoid corruption and murder while at the same trying, trying to avoid falling in love with the mysterious man she meets along the side of the road.

The first sentence:
Well, thank God this is about to be over, I thought as I drove - well, blew - past the sign that marked the Westchester, Connecticut, city limits.


Immortal in Death (In Death, Bk 3)
Immortal in Death (In Death, Bk 3)
Author: J. D. Robb
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 659
Review Date: 3/29/2007


This is the third book in the IN DEATH series. In this book, when a top fashion model is find murdered, Eve must clear a friend of the crime and the killings continue to pile up. All the while, Eve is trying to plan her wedding to Rourke and the dying people all around her are not helping.

The first sentence:
Getting married was murder.

See my blog:
http://surlygirl19.blogspot.com/


The Jigsaw Man
The Jigsaw Man
Author: Deanie Francis Mills
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 12/3/2005


Protags: Gypsy and John Halden
Setting: Dallas, TX and Rockport, TX
First sentence: "From childhood on, she has always referred to him as the "Jigsaw Man." "

A fast, thrilling read about Gypsy Halden, a deaf woman, who must face the terror of her youth, a man known only to her as the "Jigsaw Man." When Gypsy's husband, John disappears and is accused of murder, Gypsy must find out what happened and come up against her worst nightmare while trying to protect her young child at the same time.


The Keeper (Keeper, Bk 1)
The Keeper (Keeper, Bk 1)
Author: Sarah Langan
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 113
Review Date: 1/10/2007
Helpful Score: 1


A strange book, definitely in the horror category.

Not really my cuppa, but that's just me.


Last Witness (C. J. Townsend, Bk 2)
Last Witness (C. J. Townsend, Bk 2)
Author: Jilliane Hoffman
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 84
Review Date: 1/5/2006


Protags: CJ Townsend
Setting: Miami, Florida
First Sentence: "The heavy wooden doors to courtroom 4-8 swung open again, tapping the back of the chair where a corrections officer sat fiddling with the bottom snap on his department-issued green windbreaker."
Comments: 2nd book in series. A nice follow-up to her first book RETRIBUTION which was my favorite book of 2004.


Mary, Mary (Alex Cross, Bk 11)
Mary, Mary (Alex Cross, Bk 11)
Author: James Patterson
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 579
Review Date: 2/2/2006


Protags: Alex Cross
Setting: Los Angeles, Hollywood, Washington D.C.
First sentence: "Act One, Scene One, the Storyteller thought to himself, and couldn't hold back the dizzying rush of anticipation."

I thought this book was typical Patterson fashion. There are some important side stories that happen that will change the course of future books. I kept waiting for the "A-ha!" moment where the storyline and killer was clarified for me but it never came. It was a quick read however so not too much of my life was lost to it.


Most Wanted (Melanie Vargas, Bk 1)
Most Wanted (Melanie Vargas, Bk 1)
Author: Michele Martinez
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 42
Review Date: 12/20/2005


Protags: Melanie Vargas, Dan O'Reilly
Setting: New York City
Comments: Melanie, a federal prosecutor, stumbles across an arson/murder of a former co-worker. She jumps at the chance to take the case but dirty pool abounds and it could destroy her case, or her life. Great love interest, neat backstory, quick paced. A great debut, set up to have a sequel or series.
First sentence: "Melanie Vargas would normally never have dreamed of pushing her baby stroller into the middle of a crime scene."


Naked in Death (In Death, Bk 1)
Naked in Death (In Death, Bk 1)
Author: J. D. Robb
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 850
Review Date: 3/16/2006


Protags: Eve Dallas, Rourke
Setting: New York City, year 2058
1st Sentence: "She woke in the dark."

Comments: Politics, legal prostitution, blackmail and murder. This book had it all. Great first book in a series. Looking for the next twenty-two!


Panic
Panic
Author: Jeff Abbott
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 56
Review Date: 12/27/2006


This book is like a fast, fun, thrill-seeking adventure ride.

It has very little down-time in the action department. If you're looking for something sedate, this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for non-stop rollercoaster action, check this book out.


Panic
Panic
Author: Echo Heron
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 12/31/2005
Helpful Score: 1


Protags: Adele Monsorrat
Setting: Ellis Hospital, Ward Eight, around San Francisco
1st Sentence: "The freckle-faced teen tapped her fingers against the crystals hanging from the antique lamp."

Echo Heron writes a knowledgeable medical thriller, a critical-care nurse herself. They're fun and quick paced with a likeable protag, Adele and her vegitarian dog Nelson. There is a cast of likeable and quite dislikeable characters in this book along with a nasty substance that I'm glad was made up because I'd hate to think of it ending up in my applesauce. Great reading for a winter blah day.


The Perfect Family
The Perfect Family
Author: Carla Cassidy
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 33
Review Date: 10/11/2006


This is a very exciting read.

Marissa is trying to move on with her life after the death of her husband as a single mother when her highschool sweetheart comes back into her life in her town of Cass Creek, Missouri (a suburb of Kansas City).

Shortly thereafter, strange things begin to happen and murders are occuring in her little town with notes directed towards her.

Someone is looking to create the 'perfect family' and they have their sights on her and her children.

Gripping!

The first sentence is:
It was a perfect evening.


Sand in My Bra and Other Misadventures: Funny Women Write from the Road (Travelers' Tales)
Review Date: 2/25/2006
Helpful Score: 1


Cute short stories about travel across the world from the Colorado River in Utah to Santiago, Chile. From Black Rock Desert, Nevada to Paris to Zambia and back via Kuwait or Bandanaira.

I especially liked the dedication:
For all the women who sit at home or behind their desks bitching that they never get to go anywhere.


Strip City : A Stripper's Farewell Journey Across America
Strip City : A Stripper's Farewell Journey Across America
Author: Lily Burana
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 46
Review Date: 12/24/2005


Non-fiction account of a woman's journey across country working in strip clubs. An interesting account of how things work in the adult dance industry and how the women interact and live with each other, their customers and their significant others.

First sentence: "It takes me several tries to get the bunny head thing just right."


Velocity
Velocity
Author: Dean Koontz
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 499
Review Date: 6/29/2006


One of Dean Koontz's better recent books.

From the cover:
If you don't take this note to the police...I will kill a lovely blond schoolteacher...If you do...I will instead kill an elderly woman active in charity work. You have six hours to decide. The choice is yours.

Billy Wiles gets sucked into this madman's game with a note and when one of the above dies, he gets another note. And another deadline.

Chillingly wonderful.


Wild Justice (Amanda Jaffe, Bk 1)
Wild Justice (Amanda Jaffe, Bk 1)
Author: Phillip Margolin
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 191
Review Date: 12/3/2005


Protags: Amanda Jaffe and Bobby Vasquez
Setting: Portland, OR
1st Sentence: "A lightning flash illuminated the Learjet that waited on the runway of the private airstrip moments before a thunderclap startled Dr. Clifford Grant."

This was a very suspenseful book but gory in some parts. There were a lot of characters to keep track of but an even number of good guys and bad guys. Margolin writes a thrilling book and I always look forward to his next one.


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