Dead Run

Dead Run by P.J. Tracy is book three in the Monkeewrench series. I started the book late Saturday night and finished it early in the afternoon Sunday. I couldn't stop. I couldn't read fast enough. What a wild ride. It was just fabulous. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have fallen in love with the characters. The story is fast paced and exciting. You won't be able to put it down. My mother in law tells me that #4 - Snow Blind is even better. How can it get even better? I'm almost afraid to find out. I had promised myself that I would space these books out, that I didn't want to run out of them so quickly. But dang it, like a heroin addict I couldn't' stay away. I just couldn't. The book called to me. It called...................

The Memory Keepers Daughter

The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards was a really good read. It is beautifully written and has wonderful character development. I think I most enjoyed the twins - the two children the story focuses around. For me their story was the most interesting and important. I almost wish the story had focused more on them and less on the parents.

I also found some plot changes to be a bit abrupt. Momentous things happened to main characters and it is just sort of thrown at you. I'm not sure how the author could have done any better but I just felt a little cheated for lack of a better way to describe it.

Kind of like coming home one day and haing our mom yell from the laundry room that the dog died. Just a little too abrupt and matter of fact. You would think you would get a little more "feed in" before the actual news is dropped into your lap.

But aside from some abrupt plot turns I really did enjoy this story. Part of me hopes that she writes a follow-up novel. I would love to spend more time with the twins.

Electric Michelangelo

Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall tells the story of Cy from his youth and through the rest of his life. Cy is a talented artist who is befriended by a tattoo artist. The artist takes Cy on as an apprentice and this story follows Cy's career. From the shores of England to Coney Island and back. This story spans from the turn of the century through 2 world wars. It's a good read. I don't regret it, but it was slow and some what repetitive. The author has some beautiful prose in this book. And that made it well worth the read.

Live Bait

Live Bait by PJ Tracy is book two in their Monkeewrench mysteries. PJ Tracy is a mother and daughter writing team. I loved this book as much as the first. And I was on the edge of my seat till the very last page. This was a stupendous story. And it poses the most interesting moral questions.

I loved it. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It REALLY made me cry. I wasn't expecting to get so emotionally involved in the characters. But I'm in it for the long run. I can't wait to read the next one.

Monkeewrench

Monkeewrench by PJ Tracy is mystery writing at it's best. This was absolutely a wonderful read. I fell in love with the characters, the story, everything. It was just marvelous. And it was everything we hope for when we read a mystery. Actually it was everything we hope for in a book period. I recommend this to everyone!

You are Not a Stranger Here

You are not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett is a marvelous collection of short stories. I loved every single story in this book and found myself wishing to hear more about each character.

I thought I could pick a favorite story or two in the book but I can't. I found each and every one of them fascinating.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is a remarkable book set in 19th century China. Told through the eyes of Lily we learn what life was like for women in the remote villages. From foot binding, to 10 day wedding fasts, mother-in-laws, to sacred friendships, this is an amazing and very educational story.

I loved every word in this book. The story is beautifully told. And I was enthralled by the characters and their lives.

Shadows Fall

Shadows Fall by Simon R. Green is another fabulous story from a wonderfully creative author. I loved this story. Absolutely loved it. But I have loved everything he has written. The ONLY thing that surprised me a tad in this book is how much more graphic his violence was. Normally he leaves a great deal to your imagination. But in this book he spells it out for you in black and white. There was no guessing how gruesome a scene was.

This story is about the town where legends and hero's go once people stop believing in them. The town is magical and amazing. Green mentions Shadow's Fall several times in his Nightside series and this story goes into detail about life within it's ever changing boundaries.