Author: ekkarn

Reading Challenges Update for Mid- April 2018

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So far this month, I have finished two books. The first one was Dark Sky the second book in the Keiko series from Mike Brooks. The second was I’ll Keep You Safe from one of my favorite authors Peter May. By finishing those two books I have upped my total books read to 19 books. I am also slightly over halfway through Building the Great Society:Inside Lyndon Johnson’s White House by Joshua Zeitz.

 

18. Dark Sky – Mike Brooks ( Keiko #2)  

This is the second book in the series featuring Captain Ichabod Drift and the crew of the Keiko And after reading the first Keiko book I knew that the easy data extraction from the mining planet of Unagan would not be easy.So I was not surprised when the Captain and crew ended up in the middle of a revolution on the planet. Now the fact that they ended of on opposite sides was surprising!!

I don’t know if I liked the story as much as the plot of the first book Dark Run but I did like the development of the characters including both Captain Drift and his crew. In addition, Brooks introduced a rival captain and crew, which Drift and Company may encountered again in the future!

Bottom line is that I am looking forward to another adventure from these guys. Hopefully in Dark Deeds I will find a great story and more character development of characters, who are starting to grow on me!!

I'll Keep You Safe Peter May19. I’ll Keep You Safe – Peter May

Over the last several years, the books of Peter May have been some of my favorite books. Particularly the one’s set in the Outer Hebrides i.e. the Lewis trilogy. May’s descriptions both the tough land and its people are amazing.

 Typically after finishing one of his books  and especially one set in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, I am ready to write a post telling everyone they have to read this book! And while I enjoyed 95 % of this book, that last five percent was enough to put a big damper on the book!!

About I’ll Keep You Safe

Niamh and Ruairidh MacFarlane are owners of a small company located on an island in the Outer Hebrides Island in Scotland. The company though small has created a name for itself in the fashion world because the weave a fabric called Ranish Tweed. It is their special version of Harris Tweed.
While in Paris Premier Vision Fabric Fair , Niamh receives an email intimating that her husband is having an affair with Russian fashion designer Irina with whom they work. After accusing him of the affair an angry Ruaridh leaves their hotel with said Irina. Niamh feeling guilty chases after them before she catches them see watches as the car explodes killing both passengers.
Initially Niamh is a suspect. However, she is quickly cleared and allowed to go home and pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Through the remainder of the book we learn the story of Naimh and Ruaridh’s life. From the time Ruaridh saved Naimh’s life when as a little girl she jumped in a bog puddle that was too deep and she almost drowned, through their early years when Seonag try her best to drive a wedge between the two . We learn about the early years of Ranish Tweed and the volatile fashion designer Lee Blunt, whose life was altered negatively  by Ruaridh. And the reason that Niamh’s family hated Ruaridh.
The back story provides motives for several people to want to see Ruaridh dead. However, the main suspect remains Irina’s missing husband. Until the closing pages, when a local detective and French detective came to the islands to try to find the killer!

My Thoughts

And then when the final solution to the crime was discovered, and finally resolved I was incredibly disappointed. I just didn’t think it was right. But that’s just me I am sure that there were others who were thrilled by the resolution.  I do hope Peter May will continue to write novels set in the Outer Hebrides. And if he does, I know that I will be reading them. And I may not be disappointed next time so I CAN write – You have to read this book!!

2018 Reading Challenges

2018 Reading Challenges Total

Proposed

 Total

Read
Contemporary Literature – New Authors 6 1
Nonfiction Challenge 7 4
Science Fiction Challenge
Classic SCI-Fi Authors I have not read 5 0
General Sci Fi 5 1
2018 Bookshelf Challenge
Old Thrillers on Bookshelves 8 0
Old Mysteries on Shelves
Authors I from 1990-2005 6 3
Authors I read from 2005-2015 4 0
Nonfiction on Bookshelves 8 0
Science Fiction on my Bookshelves 2 0
Total Reading Challenges Books 51 9
Current Authors –  Mysteries & Thrillers 7 7
New Authors – Mysteries or Thrillers 7 3
Total Reading Challenge 65 19

Final Thoughts

So the above table shows where I stand on my various Reading Challenges. Hmm, looks like I have to start reading more books that are not current mysteries and thrillers!! Ok so I have checked out several  books from the library I plan to read in April and May. Additionally, I have some books that I have set aside that are on my bookshelves to read. So I think I will combine the two groups of books.  Then I’ll create a list of books to read over the next four weeks or so. I will share what I come up with in the next post!!

Welcome to EK’s Life Challenges

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Why EKs Life Challenges

 

While I may not know what I’m going to do with the rest of my life, I do know there is one goal that I have set. That main goal is to live as long as I can and stay, as healthy as I can both mentally and physically.

Now to achieve that main goal I just can’t say I’m going to live in to my 90s and have that come true. I have to take positive action to help make it happen. Even with that it still may not happen! But at least I’ll have some fun along the way.

About EKs Life Challenges

Now let’s get to the crux of this blog – my chellenges. Now, I know that we all face a lot of difficult challenges throughout our lives and there are certainly challenges that are far more difficult and graver than the ones that I am tackling. My challenges are more like challenging yourself to run a marathon or climbing a mountain, rather than the challenge of overcoming an addiction or moving on after the lose of a loved one.

Reading Challenges

Several years ago I participated in several reading challenges. These challenges were for reading mysteries and historical fiction and a couple of other genres. What I discovered was that these challenges helped me stay focused on what I was reading and helped me read more! For the last several years I have created my own reading challenges. These challenges have included both the number and type of books that I read during the year. The challenges have helped me read a large variety of genres, as well as, tackling new authors. In addition, each year the number of books I’ve read has increased.

This year my goal for the number of books I want to read is sixty-five. As for the individual challenges, you can read about them here.

21-Day Yoga Challenge

so last week I decided to create another challenge. That challenge is a simple 21-day challenge to do yoga every day. When I created the challenge I just wanted to do the three routines outlined in Richard Hittleman’s Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan. I have done these routines on and off since the 70s. Most recently I typically do the second routine twice a week or more. The challenge is to reintegrate the other two routines into my workouts. I have done those three routines for eight days (one per day) now and I have found that they are having a positive effect on both my mental outlook and how my body feels.

I have been doing those routines in the morning. Yesterday in addition to the my morning yoga, I did a Kundalini Kriya in the afternoon. Additionally I did another Kriya which focused on breathing before bed. Finally, this morning I did a morning wake up Kundalini set before my morning Hittleman routine. The bottom line is that so far the challenge is going well!!

Overall the bottom line is that I am going to be creating a number of these challenges. They will be desinged to help me on my overall quest to live a longer and more healthy life. And also to enjoy life along the way. My hope is that you the reader will be inspired to create some challenges to help create a better you!!!

Don’t Look For Me – Mason Cross (Carter Blake #4)

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Carter Blake finds people who don’t want anyone to find them. For the last six years he  has  been one of those people. The reason why, revolves around Blake’s last days in the secret organization  known as Winterlong. During those last days an American Senator was assassinated and Blake became the prime suspect. In those final days the  Blake contacted his girlfriend Carol Langford and told her that for her safety she needed to go into hiding, too. When she finally decided on that course of action, she sent Blake a four-word note – “ Don’t Look for Me” and for six years he hasn’t!

That ends though when a young husband and wife abruptly leaves their Las Vegas home. Their neighbor who had befriended the wife worries that the wife is in danger. After searching their house,she finds a journal left behind by the wife. She discovers an email address to be contacted in case of an emergency in the journal. The email belongs to Carter Blake!

Soon Blake is off to Las Vegas to find and rescue Carol. However, Blake is not the only on looking for Carol. Trenton Gage is a hitman.  Like Blake, Gage  is very good at finding  people who don’t want to be found. Gage is also on Carol’s trail. The ultimate question is – Who will find her first?? The secondary question is – “Will Blake like what he finds?”

Bottom line

Don’t Look for Me, like the books before it in this wonderful series, was a page turner for me. There were lots of twists and turn throughout the books. They kept the final outcome in doubt to the final pages of the book.

I enjoy a series where the plots are not just the main character chasing a new criminal, or solving a new case, but are based on something that occurred in a previous book. In this case the story revolves around Carol’s going off the grid, which happened six years ago.

The best example of the above are the best of C.J . Box where have their roots in previous books.

Another thing I like is the character development of characters over time. Mason Cross certainly develops Carter Blake in Don’t Look for Me. Cross writes this in a Note to Readers at the beginning of the book

… in the past, Blake has been a coldly efficient professional, doing what he does and no getting invested in his targets, in this book he’s emotionally involved, big time. The myster in Don’t Look for Me isn’t a whodunnit. It’s the characters themselves – Blake learns more than he bargained for about his former love , Carol and even about himself. I had a lot of fun taking Blake out of his comfort zone and putting him in situations he’s ill-equipped to handle.

And that’s just the way I like it!!! Keep’em coming Mr. Cross!!!

EKK Rating 4/5. Goodreads Rating: 4.04/5

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Mason Cross

Author’s Website
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon

Book 15 of 2018

Reading Update and Ward Larsen’s Cutting Edge

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So in my last post on Saturday (partially written Friday night) I outlined how I was going to tackle reading the eight books I have checked out of the library. At the time, I stated that I had already started two of the books: Cutting Edge from Ward Larsen and Dark Sky by Mike Brooks.

About Ward Larsen’s Books

Since then I have finished one of those Larsen’s Cutting Edge. Cutting Edge is a stand-alone book of which Larsen has written several. However, he may be best known for his two series books.

One series features former Israeli assassin David Salton and the other aircraft investigator Jammer Davis. Last year I read three out of the four books in the Slaton series. They were great. And I am looking forward to the next book in the series that will be release later in 2018. I started one of the Jammer Davis books but something happened and I abandoned the book but I do intend at some point to get back to it.

About Cutting Edge

In Cutting Edge,  the protagonist is not an intelligence agent or an investigator. Petty “Officer Trey DeBolt is a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. DeBolt is gravely injured during  a harrowing rescue, when his helicopter crashes. DeBolt awakes weeks later in a seaside cabin in Maine. Joan Chandler, the nurse who saved his life has been nursing him back to health.. She tells DeBolt he has been declared dead in the crash. Additionally, she  tells him he was operated on not only to make him well, but to make him different!

Then one night, while he is on the beach, he witnesses  a military assault on the cabin. His nurse is killed in the assault but DeBolt soon realizes that he is the target. He escapes to the sea, When a compass appears in his right eye after he asks the direction to shore, he discovers his new talent. He can tap into any database just by thinking about it. The result is he can learn anything about everything..

Trey is soon on the run. But how can you run when your dead and have no one to turn to.?

That’s where Shannon Lund, a Coast Guard investigator, comes in. During an investigation in Kodiak, Alaska Lund comes across some evidence that indicates DeBolt may be alive. Soon  a call comes from a Maine Sheriff investigating the explosion at a Maine cabin. He relates that investigators found DeBolt’s fingerprints in the cabin.  Lund is soon flying across the country in hopes of finding and helping DeBolt.

Trey and Shannon ultimately join forces. Trey only wants to know what was  done to him. While all the developer of the project wants to do is wipe out any trace of Shannon, Trey and the people who operated him.

Bottom Line

While I don’t know how close the science is behind Trey’s augmentation i.e. planting a chip in someone’s brain, I did find the story a page turner. Larsen did a good job developing  the two main characters. As well as,  the mastermind  behind Trey’s new found abilities.

EKK Rating 4/5 stars  Goodreads  Rating: 4.1/5     Book 14 of  2018

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Ward Larsen

Author’s Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon

Tackling The Six Books On My March – April “To Be Read” Pile

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The Six Books on My March – April “To Be Read” Pile

 

So my last post was Part 1 of  2 concerning my library “to be read” pile. Post 2 was to deal with the order I was going to read the eight books that I now  have out of the library. At the time I was already reading two books from the pile, Cutting Edge by Ward Larsen and Dark Sky from mike Brooks.

My plan was to read five or more books at a time and to list them according to the date I checked them out of the library. But like they say, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry“. So over the last several days I have spent most of my reading time with Ward Larsen’s Cutting Edge. As a result, I finished that book.  I will provide my thoughts on Cutting Edge soon  but the meantime, I want to get back to the books on my library TBR pile.  The last six books on my March-April “to be read” pile will be tackled as follows…

Don't Look For Me - Mason CrossDon’t Look for Me – Mason Cross

Don’t Look for Me is the fourth book in the Carter Blake series from Mason Cross. I didn’t discover Mason Cross’ Carter Blake series until last year. But when I found the series, I read all three of the books and have been eagerly awaiting book #4. From Goodreads:

Don’t look for me.
It was a simple instruction. And for six years Carter Blake has kept his word. He hasn’t looked for the woman he once loved and lost. But now her life is in danger and Blake is forced to break that promise.
Trenton Gage is a hitman with a talent for finding people – dead or alive. His latest job is to track down a woman who’s on the run, harbouring a secret many would kill for.
It turns out Blake and Gage are after the same person – but who will get to her first? Read More

Sounds good to me! I will be starting it tomorrow!!

Robicheaux - James Lee BurkeRobicheaux – James Lee Burke

So I have been reading James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series for just a wee bit longer than Mason Cross’ books. Robicheaux is the 21st book in the series and I think I the first book I read in the series was Black Cherry Blues (#3). I read it 1989, which was the year it came out and I have read almost every book since then. So Wow! I have been reading the books for almost 30 years!!  

Burke thought 2103’s Light of the World was going to be the last Robicheaux book in the Robicheaux series. Between then and now Burke penned a trilogy featuring the Holland family composed of: Wayfaring Stranger, House of the Rising Son,  and The Jealous Kind. Burke sees these three books as the best of his career. But people were always asking him. “When are Dave and Clete coming back?” So he broke down and wrote Robicheaux and he is working on a sequel Ball and Chain 

The Chalk Man – C.J. Tudor

I have seen this book listed in several places as one of the top mystery/thriller books to read this winter. It surprised me when I saw thar The Chalk Man  only had a 3.8 rating at goodreads.com .  From Goodreads…..

You can feel it in the woods, in the school and in the playground; you can feel it in the houses and at the fairground. You can feel it in most places in the small town of Anderbury . . . the fear that something or someone is watching you.

It began back in 1986, at the fair, on the day of the accident. That was when twelve-year-old Eddie met Mr Halloran – the Chalk Man.

Anyway I’ll choose to believe what Sarah Pinborough writes about The Chalk Man

“What a great book. A twisty thriller and downright crreepy ending. 5 stars”

Building the Great Society - Joshua ZeitzBuilding the Great Society: Inside Lyndon Johnson’s White House – Joshua Zeitz

Ah, if we can’t see government working for the betterment of the people, I can at least read about it. Read about a time when government actually worked at all!! From Goodreads….

The author of Lincoln’s Boys takes us inside Lyndon Johnson’s White House to show how the legendary Great Society programs were actually put into practice: Team of Rivals for LBJ. The personalities behind every burst of 1960s liberal reform – from civil rights and immigration reform, to Medicare and Head Start – and what we’ll lose if those programs are dismantled.

This book has a 4.25 rating on Goodreads. Watch I’ll like this one less than The Chalk Man. Nah, I don’t think so!

I'll Keep You Safe Peter MayI’ll Keep You Safe – Peter May

This is actually the book that I want to move to the top of the pile. However, maybe leaving it where it is will give me incentive to read the ones above it!! Over the last several years Peter May has become one of my favorite authors. While I have enjoyed several of his stand alone books, I really, really like The Lewis Trilogy! The setting for the Lewis Trilogy is the Outer Hebrides Islands off the northwest coast of Scotland. May returns to those islands in I’ll Keep You Safe. Can;t wait!! From Goodreads…….

Niamh and Ruairidh Macfarlane co-own the Hebridean company Ranish Tweed. On a business trip to Paris to promote their luxury brand, Niamh learns of Ruairidh’s affair, and then looks on as he and his lover are killed by a car bomb. She returns home to Lewis, bereft.

Niamh begins to look back on her life with Ruairidh, desperate to identify anyone who may have held a grudge against him. The French police, meanwhile, have ruled out terrorism, and ruled in murder – and sent Detective Sylvie Braque to shadow their prime suspect: Niamh.

The Ninth Grave - Stephan AhnhemThe Ninth Grave – Stefan Ahnhem

Speaking of books that I’d like to move up on the pile, The Ninth Grave is one of them.This is book #2 in the Fabian Risk series from Ahnhem. And because Victim Without a Face was one of my favorite books of the year, I can’t wait to delve into book 2. Again from Goodreads…..

The Stockholm and Copenhagen police investigate the death of a Danish TV star and the disappearance of the Swedish Minister for Justice.

TWO COUNTRIES IN THE GRIP OF WINTER.

On the coldest day of the year, Sweden’s Minister for Justice steps out of Parliament House and into a blizzard – and disappears. That same night, across the Baltic Sea, a Danish celebrity finds a stranger lurking in her snow-bound home.

So the question is – How fast can I get through the first four books to get to the last two?? I’ll let you know.

Tackling My March-April “to be read” Pile – Part 1

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How to Tackle My March-April  “to be read” pile – Part 1

So over the last several weeks new books have become available at my library. As a result I have been swapping out books, returning some books read, others have been returned unread. The unread ones were returned because I know I won’t get to them now. The bottom line is I now have eight books on my “to be read” pile from the library. Here is a rundown of the books starting with the books I’m currently reading.

Currently Reading

I am currently reading two of the books. They are Cutting Edge by Ward Larsen and Dark Sky from Mike Brooks. I have previously read books from both authors.

Cutting Edge- Ward Larsen

Cutting Edge

Ward Larsen is the author of the David Slaton series which I discovered last year. I read the first three books in the series last year. Book four is scheduled to be released August 18, 2018. It’s an exciting series.So I’ll be waiting for Assassin’s Run

Cutting Edge is a stand alone thriller featuring Trey DeBolt a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who is thought to have died in a failed rescue attempt in Alaska. He was rescued and taken to a secret facility where he was operated on “to make him better”, and once again thought to be dead. But he was saved and nursed back to health by a nurse who was to take him to the morgue.

Soon though there has been an order to an assault time to take him out! And now DeBolt is on the run and the only thing he has is what they did to make him better. He now can call up any bit of information he wants and sees it in his eye!!

So far so good!

Check Out Cutting Edge at Amazon or Goodreads

Dark Sky - Mike Brooks on my March-April to be read pile

Dark Sky

The second book is Dark Sky from Mike Brooks. This is the sequel to Dark Run. Publishers Weekly called Dark Run a “terrific debut”.

The series features Captain Ichabod Drift, his ship the Keiko, and his crew. In this installment Drift and his merry band of smugglers have signed on for a new smuggling job to a mining planet. Of course the seemingly easy job may not be as easy as it appears. Was there really any doubt?

SF Book Reviews writes the following about Dark Sky....

“Brook’s talent lies in his ability to create well-developed and likeable characters…Dark Sky is fantastic. It blends character and humour in an expansive and enjoyable space adventure that leaves you wanting more.”

Check Out Dark Sky at Amazon or  Goodreads

In part two of this post series I will review the other six books on my library “to be read”  pile and the order in which I may attack them!

Victim Without a Face – Stefan Ahnhem is a Winner!

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Victim Without a Face – Stefan Ahnhem

Victim Without a Face is the first book in the Fabian Risk series from Swedish writer Stefan Ahnhem. I stumbled across this series when I was in the library last week.I found it when I was looking through the new releases, and the book , The 9th Grave caught my eye.

Once I saw the book was a Swedish mystery novel I figured it would be something I would like. However,  I saw  it was the second book in the series. Since there are only book two in the series, I figured I should go back and start with book one. Checking  the library catalog I discovered book one , Victim Without a Face was checked  in at the branch of the library I was in. So I checked it out!

Guess what I was correct, not only did I like it,  it may be the favorite book I’ve read this year! The only bad thing is I didn’t check out The 9th Grave. So I’ll have to get it on my next trip to the library.

About Victim Without a Face

In Victim Without a Face Detective Fabian Risk and his family have moved back to Risk’s hometown and into a firestorm.  Risk is scheduled to start his new job in a month, but upon his arrival in town, his new boss  asks him to help on a new murder case. He’s  asked to help is because the victims were  in Fisk’s class at school.

Soon there’s a second murder and once again the victim is one of Fisk’s classmates. Since both victims had bullied the same student, were their murders revenge? But when the killings continue the question becomes: Has the motive, changed to  the elimination  of all of the class? Catching the killer becomes frustrating as he appears to always be one step ahead of the police! So, can Risk stop the killer before he reaches his goal?

Bottom Line

In my opinion, Victim Without a Face is awesome.. Therefore, I give it a 5-star Rating. I liked everything about the book. While the book is fairly long, close to 600 pages, Ahnhem’s storytelling kept me turning the pages at a rapid clip. Hell,I just didn’t want to put the book down.

I also thought the character development throughout the entire book was top-notch, not only Fabian Risk, but all of the minor characters such as,  Dunja Hougaard a member of the Copenhagen police force, and others as well.

So I’ll leave you with the words of Tony Parson,Author of The Murder Man….

”As good as any thriller to come out of Scandinavia over the last ten years. Stefan Ahnhem is more gripping than Jo Nesbo, blacker than Stieg Larson, and more bleakly human than Henning Mankiller. This is high-octane Scandinavian crime that knows where all the bodies are buried”

So Check it Out! As for me I just checked out The 9th Grave from my library and can’t wait to return to the world of Fabian Risk!!

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Stefan Ahnhem

Author Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon

The Sinister Pig – Tony Hillerman -Visiting an Old Favorite

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The Sinister Pig -Tony Hillerman

The Sinister Pig – Tony Hillerman

I’ve read almost all of the books in Tony Hillerman’s Jim Chee – Joe Leaphorn series. But the last one I picked up before this was way back in 2000, when I read Hunting Badger (Book #14)!

The Sinister Pig (Book #16) has been sitting on my shelves unread for at least five years. One of my 2018 reading challenges was to read 25 books from my TBR shelves—especially books from series I haven’t visited in years—so choosing The Sinister Pig was a no-brainer.

In The Sinister Pig, former Navajo Tribal Police officer Bernadette Manuelito has left the Navajo Police and joined the Border Patrol. Jim Chee misses his former subordinate, but he’s busy investigating a nameless corpse found at the edge of the Jicarilla Apache natural gas field. His frustration grows when the FBI swoops in and takes control of the case.

Meanwhile, Bernie follows a suspicious trailer onto the Tuttle property, where mysterious construction is underway. She may have just made dangerous enemies—and uncovered a link between both cases involving an old abandoned pipeline. That’s the theory retired police legend Joe Leaphorn proposes.

Jim and Bernie each face big challenges: Jim is determined to prove a murder where the FBI claims there’s only a hunting accident, while Bernie is unknowingly up against the ruthless and greedy Rawley Windsor. Can Jim solve the case and save Bernie, or will help have to come from somewhere else? And will Jim and Bernie admit they miss each other and want to be together?

Bottom Line

While The Sinister Pig was an okay read, it didn’t feel like the Tony Hillerman I remember. One of the things I always enjoyed about his novels was how Navajo culture was woven into the story, and how Jim Chee struggled to balance his heritage with modern life. That element was largely missing here, making the book feel more like a standard crime novel rather than a special glimpse into a different culture.

That said, I’ve already downloaded The Wailing Wind (Book #15) from my library. I want to find out what happened to drive Jim and Bernie apart—and I’m hoping it will feel more like the Hillerman I remember.

EKK Rating: 3.0  |  Goodreads Rating: 3.85

Post Update: According to both my memory and my Goodreads shelves, I haven’t read The Wailing Wind yet. The good news is I picked up a free copy—so maybe this time I’ll actually read it. And if the plot of The Sinister Pig sounds familiar, it’s because elements of it were used in Season Three of Dark Winds!

The Shadow District Begins a New Series from Arnaldur Indridason

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The Shadow District – Reykjavik Wartime Mystery #1

The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason is book one in his new Reykjavik Wartime Mystery series.

Indridason is the author of the excellent Detective Erlender series. However, I must admit that while I have loved the series books I have read, I have fallen behind in the series. As a result, I often forget about the series. Can out say once again “too many books too little time”.

Anyway, when I saw The Shadow District in the library and discovered it was book one in a new series It was a no brainer to check it out.

The Shadow District: Plot

The story unravels in two tine periods. The first is the present. Where the police have discovered a ninety year-old man killed in his own bed, smothered by his own pillow. In the room former police Detective Konrad finds two newspaper clippings. The clippings are about a murder that occurred in wartime Reykjavik. The murder occurred in a rough part of town known as “ the shadow district” A place Konrad knows well because it’s where he grew up!

The second time period is wartime Reykjavik.  In that time period, the body of a murdered young woman is stumbled upon by a young Icelandic girl and her US Army boyfriend.  Soon the murder is being investigated by an American Military Police inspector and an Icelandic Detective.

In order to solve the murder of the old man in the present day Reykjavik , Konrad must solve the unsolved wartime murder.

The book’s chapters alternate between present day Reykjavik and Konrad’s investigation and wartime Reykjavik and the two detective’s investigation.

Bottom Line

Typically, I read several books at one time. However, I must say that once I started The Shadow District I didn’t want to leave Reykjavik until I knew the solutions two both murders.

As always, I thought  Indridason created a great story populated with some great characters.  It is however hard for me to see who will be the lead character going forward. If it is the Wartime Reykjavik series. I assume it will be either Thorson the Army military police officer or Flovent his Icelandic counterpart. If  though the stories are told in flashbacks Konrad could be the lead character, supported by the current police detective Marta.

Either way, I am certain it will be a tight well-written story. A story  populated by believable and interesting characters. I am looking forward to The Shadow District’s sequel!!

EKK Rating 4.00. Goodreads Rating: 3.69

Links for the Further Exploration of the Books of Arnaldur Indridason

Wikipedia</a
Goodreads
Amazon

Book # 10 for 2018

P.S. Note to self – start reading the Erlender series again!!

Descent – Tim Johnston – A Parent’s Nightmare Visited!

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Descent is the debut adult novel from author/teacher Tim Johnston and a decent debut it is. This novel explores complex themes of loss and family dynamics, engaging readers with its emotional depth.

The Story

It is the story of the Courtland family. Father Grant, mother Angela, and children Caitlin and Sean who are on vacation in the Colorado Rockies, when the unthinkable happens. Caitlin, 18, a high school track star, goes for a morning run in the mountains with her brother Sean. There is an accident, and only an injured Sean returns, leaving the family shattered.

Caitlin was not found after police and volunteers searched the area where Sean was discovered. As time passes, each of the Courtland family members deals differently with the loss. Grant can’t leave the mountains and waits patiently for any glimmer of hope that his daughter is alive. This desperate hope creates a tension that permeates the narrative.

Angela and Sean return to their home in Wisconsin, hoping to move on. However, neither can escape the haunting memories. Angela is especially tormented by the loss of her twin sister in a tragic accident. This backstory adds layers to her character, revealing her struggle with guilt and grief. Meanwhile, Sean feels the same burden regarding Caitlin’s disappearance.

The questions abound: Is Caitlin alive? Is there hope? Should they just move on? Can they become a whole family again? These questions serve as a poignant backdrop to the family’s unfolding tragedy, highlighting the emotional turmoil that drives the narrative forward.

Thoughts About Descent

Descent is best described as a psychological thriller that delves deeply into the emotional disintegration of the Courtland family. As I read the reviews on Goodreads, I find myself leaning more towards “Oh, well, that was okay” rather than “Wow, what a great ride.” The pacing and emotional weight of the story can often feel uneven.

While the focus of the book centers on the disintegration of the Courtland family rather than Caitlin’s fate, I found the characters lacking in relatability and depth. Constantly referring to Sean as “the boy” did little to foster compassion towards him. This choice feels alienating, detracting from the emotional connection.

Angela, on the other hand, may elicit a bit more sympathy, as she grapples with the compounded grief of both her sister and her daughter. Yet, even with her struggles laid bare, I didn’t feel the emotional connection I anticipated.

I understand that engaging with the discussion questions provided at the end of the book might enhance my experience, potentially offering deeper insights. However, that kind of analysis isn’t my usual approach. By the time I finished reading, I was eager to move on to another book, possibly even by the middle of Descent!

Bottom Line

Descent holds a 3.69 rating on Goodreads out of 5. This rating suggests that readers fell somewhere between “liked it” and “really liked it,” which is likely where I land with my assessment of Descent. Initially, I awarded it 4 stars. However, considering my feelings during the book’s slower middle sections while anticipating something significant, I would adjust my rating to 3 stars. Averaging it out gives a score of 3.5, aligning closely with the 3.69 rating from Goodreads readers. Thus, I will settle on a rating of EKK Rating 3.69.

If you’re drawn to character studies and emotional depth, you may find Descent resonates with you. Conversely, if you’re seeking thrills and chilling suspense, this book might leave you wanting more.

Conclusions on Descent

Ultimately, Descent presents a thought-provoking narrative that explores the intricacies of family relationships in the face of tragedy. While it may not deliver the thrills some readers seek, its emotional core provides a rich landscape for reflection. Tim Johnston’s debut novel opens discussions on how loss shapes us, making it a significant piece of contemporary literature.

In conclusion, Descent is not just a story of a missing girl; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of a family unraveling at the seams. Readers seeking a profound look at grief intertwined with human relationships will find value in this work.

The Setting: A Character of Its Own

The Colorado Rockies are not just a backdrop in Descent; they play a crucial role in the storytelling. The majestic yet perilous landscape mirrors the family’s emotional journey. The isolation of the mountains enhances the feeling of despair and longing.

The setting also provides a stark contrast to the family’s home in Wisconsin, illustrating the shift from safety to danger. Johnston’s vivid descriptions make the reader feel the oppressive weight of the mountains, adding depth to the narrative.

Themes of Loss and Resilience

A significant theme in Descent is the exploration of resilience in the face of overwhelming loss. The characters’ journeys depict various coping mechanisms, from denial to acceptance. The stark contrast between Grant’s fixation on hope and Angela’s descent into despair deepens the narrative.

This theme resonates with many readers, as it mirrors real-life experiences of grief and recovery. Johnston effectively captures the complexity of navigating through personal and collective trauma.

In-Depth Character Analysis

The characters in Descent serve as a lens through which we examine grief. Grant embodies the archetype of the father clinging to hope, while Angela represents the complex interplay of past trauma and present loss. Sean’s status as ‘the boy’ can be re-evaluated as a narrative choice that may limit depth but also reflects his youth and vulnerability.

Their journeys through grief are compelling yet flawed, pushing the reader to confront their understanding of loss. Johnston’s portrayal invites reflection on how tragedy reshapes family dynamics and individual identities.

Links

Author’s Website
Amazon
Review: Publisher’s Weekly
Goodreads
Book Journey Discussion Questions