Review-Carbon Copy

Terri Talley Venters wrote the e-book Carbon Copy. Wild Child Publishing released the e-book in June, 2012; the novel has 199 pages.

From New York to the Keys, the world can be a very sinister place. Child abductions and heart attacks for prominent citizens are the news of the day for newscaster Lilly Allen. Today, the prominent citizen is also her boyfriend’s father and the founder of a very prosperous cloning research facility. He is sick enough to require a new heart and is worried enough about his company he may not make it until one becomes available. His son, Grier Garrison, will have to take control of the company while he is incapacitated. During all of this Lilly’s career is soaring and she is ready for her vacation with her twin brother. While preparing for her trip, Lilly is frequently finds people telling her she somewhere has a doppelganger, a bit unsettling but nothing to worry about. The Garrison company, Create Life Technologies is also having business setbacks and is moving its base operation from the Keys. As all of this occurs, Lilly accesses computer files Grier has placed on her computer and discovers a whole alphabet of names for cloned specimens; they have to be animals, right? In addition, when she scrolls to find her and her brother’s names on the lists, she wonders what animal was named after her. Little does she know how her world is about to change.

Terri Talley Venters is a local writer in Julington Creek and it was a pleasure to read this e-book. The main character is strong and has just enough southern charm to keep her enjoyable, though some of the other character could be a bit further developed. There is drama and intrigue as well as an interesting view on what could be happening in the cloning industry. Exactly who is…standing next to you? I look forward to future works from this writer. 

Book Review--Past Reading

Review—Bad Blood

John Sandford wrote the novel Bad Blood.  Putnam Adult published the book in September 2010; the novel has 388 pages.

            Could Warren County, Minnesota be the next crime capital? Newly elected Sheriff Lee Coakley has a murder on her hands; drunken driving tickets are common, murder not so much. In addition, wonder of wonders; soon, the suspected murderer is dead in his cell. Lee needs help, and as Warren County’s first female sheriff, she wants someone reliable. Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Virgil Flowers is on his way to do just that.

            One murder leads to a suicide, or is it? When Virgil starts to investigate, a cold case murder becomes known that seems to affect the current cases. The recent deaths and the murder of a young girl lead to the investigation of many of the local farm families. What they find amazes Lee and Virgil, and further investigation uncovers even more scandal for this small community. Many of the local farmers come from German immigration, they have lived life the way their ancestors instructed and followed a religion of unknown origins. Between home schooling and intermarrying, this group has stayed isolated and secretive, but with technology the way it is today, it is often harder to keep a secret. Virgil and Lee not only have to travel around Minnesota for clues but as two single consenting adults; a relationship for them seems a natural course of events. Added worries in dangerous situations are all part of a day’s work as this investigation is led down some very tricky paths. As the heat rises for the farmers, Lee and Virgil call in further backup to maintain and control the coming storm.

            John Sandford has written many crime and thriller novels involving Lucas Davenport in his Prey series. Virgil Flowers is his new creation and this is the fourth book in this series. The characters and drama were intriguing and well paced; I may need to try to fit in the past books. The underworld of religion and cults may disturb some but the topic is well handled by Sandford.

Book Review--Past Reading

Review—Indulgence in Death

J.D. Robb wrote the novel Indulgence in Death. G.P. Putnam’s Sons published the book November 2010; the novel has 373 pages.

            From Ireland to New York and various areas around the universe, murder finds Eve Dallas just about anywhere. Even in a tranquil family visit to Ireland, she and her husband Roarke, end up in the middle of murder. Upon returning home, the hits just keep on coming. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is back in New York and back to work as notice of the murder of a limousine driver comes across her link, the future of communication in the mid 21^st century. The NYPSD provides fair gear to their officers but Roarke provides better gadgets for his cop.

            This murder is unique in many ways, the choice of weapon, a crossbow, is only the first element. Further investigation leads to prominent companies and prominent executives. Are there leaks in these security companies or hackers out there that just want to kill? Eve and her partner Peabody find the circumstances very circumstantial in this murder, then again in the second, third and so on. Each death is a different type of victim, with a different type of weapon, and in this century, some weapons do not come easy to come by. In addition, after more searching, the next crime, murder by bayonet, leads to the owners of companies implicated in the deaths. From golden limousines to world famous chefs, these murders take those in the top of their professions and put an end to their careers. However, where-oh-where, is the connection? Professionals who provide for those used to living lives of indulgence are being murdered in very different manners.

J.D. Robb has written many Dallas and Roarke novels, and this one provides the same genuine characters and a multitude of twists and turns. Since her marriage, Eve is much more used to some indulgences, but murder still gets to her and she fights for those that have been killed and can no longer fight for themselves. In this as in many other novels, Roarke is nearby; he aids the investigation, and aids in keeping his cop safe. 

Recent Readings--Iris Johansen

• Eve and Quinn, Books 1&2 by Iris Johansen
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Date: EVE: April 2011, Quinn: July, 2011
• Page Count: 384

This review includes the first two books of a trilogy. Iris Johansen has written many past novels revolving around Eve Duncan, a forensic artist who helps in finding lost and murdered children. As one whose own child was abducted she has a special affinity and drive in discovering the identity of others. The first novel, Eve, provides readers with her past up until the time of Bonnie's initial disappearance and her meeting with agent Quinn. The book continues with their search for clues and dangerous plans to seek out any who may be involved including possible killers. Eve and Quinn share a unique and immediate attraction, one that essentially makes them a team from the beginning. The tragedy and drama include the discovery that Bonnie's father, John Gallo, a special forces man thought dead for many years, may have been involved in her death. Other discoveries lead government agents into the mix of  the cover-ups some are involved in to protect particular assets. Paul Black is such an asset though other clues indicate he could also be involved. The first novel ends with agent Quinn, being wounded, and leads into the second novel, Quinn, where even from the hospital the search for answers about Bonnie continue. Quinn and Eve continue to grow in their relationship and friends and family help in the search for answers and those possibly involved. Other forces are playing roles in finding answers few want uncovered. Both John Gallo and Paul Black are dangerous men used to being hidden and hiding with ease. John's past as a prisoner of war leads him to believe that his mental stability is and has often been in question. This brings him deeper into the search for Bonnie's killer and into the middle of Eve and Quinn's relationship. Another unique aspect of these and the past novels is the presence of Bonnie in their lives and the times she appears, aiding in the search for her killer and the mystery surrounding the circumstances. This novel ends with more questions and leading into the recently released third and last novel, Bonnie. 
As noted previously, Iris Johansen has written many novels involving Eve and Quinn. These novels provide the back story of so many of the past books and  the hope that the last novel will answer the many questions that have always been present about Bonnie. The characters are well written being well known to the author. The past issues leading to new questions are also well-done. If you have enjoyed the previous novels this trilogy will also entertain and keep the readers interest. 

Book Review--Past Reading

Review—Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Objective

Eric Van Lustbader wrote the novel Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Objective. Grand Central Publishing published the book May 2010; the novel has 437 pages.

            From Washington D.C. to London, Russia, and Morocco, international intrigue abounds. The world of Jason Bourne is filled with gaps in his memory and people in his life that confuse and incite flashes of his past. He has had many names in his life as an agent and since his memory loss, he comes across people who knew him before, this presents new challenges. Leonid Arkadin is his polar opposite and a man who has had similar training, yet has taken a very different pathway. Over time, they have each tried to terminate the other and continue with similar goals. A secret society, the Severus Domna, is searching for items in their possession that hold the key to the mythical process of turning lead into gold. Such a process could lead to wars of great proportions. This society will manipulate different players into situations that involve both the American government and leaders of other countries.

            Tracy dies in Jason’s arms leading him back into Arkadin’s orbit and the societies orchestrated plans. He brings danger and mayhem into the lives of Tracy’s family. Other players from his past are working towards finding him and his nemesis and this leads them into the world of drug lords and Russian agents. Past lovers are instructed to bring Bourne and Arkadin to the home of the Severus Domna.  However, along the way to this meeting, death and betrayal is the norm and Bourne is just trying to survive to integrate his past with his present, while following new directions from the few he still trusts.

            Many Bourne novels have been written, some by Robert Ludlum and others by Eric Van Lustbader. This novel, though it tied up some past issues, was slow reading. The emotions Bourne has shown in the past regarding the frustrations of his memory loss in dealing with new people was limited though there were many characters from previous books. The biggest part of the problem with this book is there were too many players and plans in play leading to the conclusion. It was often confusing and disjointed. I have enjoyed the Bourne series and will read others, this one just missed the mark.

Book Review-Recent Readings-Dean Koontz

• Publisher: Bantam
• Date: December 2010
• Page Count: 442
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• What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz
• Murder and Ruin follow John Calvino. From the time he was fourteen to now, when he is a local homicide detective, there seems to be a pattern emerging that may mean danger to his family. Two decades ago and many states away, Alton Turner Blackwood went on a murdering rampage, only finishing when he was killed by a teenage boy, after murdering his whole family. Now similar murders are taking place. A young boy who has just killed his family sits in a mental institute, saying the same things to John that Blackwood said twenty years ago. This may be more than coincidence, as the murders are just too much like the past occurrences. John begins to fear for his family as the pattern of murders continue. The anniversary of his family's death is coming soon and the faces of the evil coming after him and his are changing faster than he can keep up with. His job and home-life are affected and he now shares the secret of his past to try and save his future. His wife and children are also feeling the changes that have come into their lives. Mystical and frightening things have been happening and they are isolated more than they know. As the anniversary nears, John seeks an exorcist, but the spirit Ruin, in the form of Alton Blackwood finds many more hosts than John can find to help save his family. It may be up to him and his family to fight the curse haunting them.
• Dean Koontz has written novels for many years, and though frequently past novels have left me disappointed, this book reminds me of why Koontz has been so enjoyable in the past. This novel has characters of good and evil, that interest and entertain. Drama, mystery and intrigue keep you wondering what is going to happen next and what trial will be placed in John's path to further endanger his family and will they overcome it together.
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Book Review-Recent Readings-James Patterson

• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Date: June 2011
• Page Count: 383
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• Now You See Her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
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• From Key West  to New York City, Nina Bloom's life take many turns. A young woman, known as Jeanine, goes to Key West for holiday with friends during college, where tragedy seemingly turns into a magic existence. Her husband Peter is her savior in desperate times and soon she finds herself pregnant. Does she really know this man who came from no where to make such change in her life?  As a local policeman, Peter is shot and his partner killed, leading to a quick unraveling of a blissful existence. In the middle of all of this, Jeanine decides life may be safer elsewhere for her and her unborn child. As she makes such a momentous decision and runs, she comes across a serial killer, and barely escapes.
• Soon danger seems very far away as she raises her child and becomes a respected attorney. Her firm has decided to collaborate with a group of attorneys fighting for those whose cases need review based on the possibility that DNA testing may change the results. Now danger may be back in the cards. Does Nina risk her current existence to defend the man who was convicted as Florida's serial killer? A man she knows is not the man she escaped from many years ago. There is risk and danger involved in a return to the sunshine state and new facts will be revealed about a life she ran from.
• James Patterson has written many, many novels and now frequently collaborated with other writers. Though many of the collaborations really do not work if you are looking for a James Patterson novel, this book with Michael Ledwidge is a good choice. The characters are well-defined and mysterious when needed. The action and danger take interesting twists and turns and the relationships are enjoyable to watch endure or develop. This may be a new writer to watch for.