Category: Leaves Books

My August Reads Start in Spain with Peter May’s A Silent Death

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While on many days in August it was too hot to run, I did get a lot of books read! I read six books in August and while that’s not a lot for many readers it’s a good amount for me.

One of the questions I like to ask, when I’m summarizing the books I’ve read is: “where did my reading take me?”. Well in August it was to a variety of locales, including outer space. My first stop was southern Spain!

A Silent Death - Peter May

A Silent Death – Peter May

Goodreads   Amazon

I requested this book from my library in January of 2020. Thanks to Covid 19 and the subsequent closing of the library, the book didn’t become available  until July. Which is why it is an August read.

About A Silent Death

In A Silent Death Peter May took me to Spain. The book opens with John Mackenzie – an ingenious yet irascible Glaswegian investigator being sent to Spain to transport a known ex-pat fugitive Jack Cleland back to the U.K.

Cleland had been living in Spain under an assumed name. He was captured when police arrived at his home, they thought someone had broken in. When the police arrive and  they enter the house the Cleland accidentally kills his pregnant wife. He then blames the young female arresting officer and vows revenge!

Prior to MacKenzie’s arrival Cleland escapes while being transported and vows to destroy the young officer Cristina Sanchez Pradell and her family.

An important member of Cristina’s family is her Aunt Ana. Anna has been deaf-blind for the entirety of her adult life: the victim of a rare condition named Usher Syndrome. Ana is the centre of Cristina’s world therefore  a key paw  in Cleland’s cruel plan.

Mackenzies quest becomes thwarting Cleland’s plan before he destroys Christina life and that of her beloved Aunt.

Thoughts About Peter May and A Silent Death

Peter May is one of my favorite authors. I particularly liked his Lewis Trilogy set in the Outer Hebrides Islands of Scotland. As well as, his more recent stand alone novels. His writing is always terrific and his stories original and exciting. Additionally his characters always memorable. John Mackenzie, Ana and to a certain extent Cleland join that group.

I enjoyed A Silent Death a lot. However, I would say it ranks below a few of his other stand-alones like Runaway, Entry Island and Coffin Road in my opinion. Of course, if I think about it longer, I’ll probably change my mind!

The bottom line any book by Peter May is well worth reading. So  Check it Out!

Next stop the Mediterranean Sea and Greenland as James Rollins’ and his Sigma Force take me on  The Last Odyssey. Ok

Links for Further Exploration of the Books of Peter May

Author’s Website
Wikipedidia
Amazon

 

Loner by Hildur Sif Thorarensen. Everything You’d Want in a Nordic Mystery!

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NSo over the last several days,, after finishing Steve Hamilton’s Dead Man Running, I have finished two more books. The first was Loner by Hildur Sif Thorarensen. It is her debut novel and will be book #1 in the Oslo Mysteries series.

About Hildur Sif Thorarensen.

Hildur was born in Iceland but is currently living in Norway. Although, spending most of her adult years at the University, she’s been writing ever since she was a little girl and alongside Medical studies and a Master’s in Engineering, has also taken a year in Creative Writing.

Loner was written in Iceland and published in 2016. The English version of the book was published this year. Currently, she is writing the sequel. The sequel is to be concurrently published in both Icelandic and English. The anticipated release date is to be in early 2019. I for one can not wait.

About Loner

 

Loner, a police procedural finds  Oslo police detectives searching for a gruesome serial killer. From Amazon

Which is worse, trying to catch a cunning killer leaving decapitated women in the woods, or trying to tame an unconventional forensic psychiatrist that seems determined to go his own way?

The Oslo autumn is creeping in with its cold spells and Homicide Detective Julia Ryland is feeling pretty content with her team of three, but when the FBI behavioral analyst, Alexander Smith, is thrust upon her, the crisp autumn air doesn’t feel as refreshing anymore. A young Icelander is found dead, an arrow piercing his heart and the extensive list of his former lovers suggests that many long nights are ahead. The murdered lothario suddenly becomes the least of their problems as headless corpses start appearing in the woods, positioned in terrifying ways and on their bodies they find messages that don’t seem to have any meaning at all.

My Thoughts

 

Loner reminds me of several of the police procedural that I read. It’s like Bosch where Bosch is kind of the lone wolf and there are other detectives working on the case. In this case the odd man Alexander Smith is not a detective. He instead is a forensic psychologist. That makes him even more of an outsider, who needs to prove himself. He also has just moved to Norway. His mother is Norwegian and his father American. When his parents divorced his mom mother back to Norway.Alexander often visited but now has moved back to help her with her illness

.Alexander’s boss is Julia Ryland the head detective trying to hold the team together. Other team members are Hercules and Eric each with their own problems. Together they are an interesting cast of characters. Additionally, you can add the  serial killer to the cast of interesting characters. He was a stuttering member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Loner’s plot was consistently interesting and the pace of its unfolding kept me turning the pages rapidly. The ending of the book was satisfying and left me ready for the next installment! I think Tara Sariban of Bloody Murder Podcast sums up Loner nicely…

An atmospheric thriller with a heavy dose of humour that will have you laughing and full of suspense at the same time. The surprising plot developments made it impossible to put down!

Michael Koryta – How It Happened is a Winner!

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How It Happened - Michael Koryta

Originally posted June 2018 Revised Updated April 2026

A Goodreads friend always opens her reviews with the first sentence of the book being reviewed. I thought of her, when I started Michael Koryta’s latest book.

First Sentence: I’d never seen him before the day we killed him.

The Story

That statement comes from the confession of. Kimberly Crepeaux to the double murder of Jackie Pelletier and Ian Kelly in the Maine town of Port Hope. Kimberly gave her confession to FBI special agent Rob Barrett. Barrett had been assigned the case because of his interview skills. Additionally, he has past connections to Post Hope. Barrett spent his summers with his grandfather in the town and his former girlfriend reporter Liz Smith lives nearby.

In her confession Kimberly told Barrett how the murders happened. According to Kimberly, the  murders happened on a night when she was cruising with Cass Odom and Mathias Burke. The trio is drunk and high when they kill Jackie accidentally. They then murdered Ian, the only witness to the crime. 

Because Burke was hard-working owner of a lawn and house care service and Kimberly a druggie, no one in town except Barrett, believed Kimberly’s story.  All Barrett needs to close the case are the bodies.

At this point I don’t want to give away more of the plot but two questions arise.

First, Will finding the bodies confirm Kimberly’s story?  

Secondly, Will not finding the bodies destroy Barrett’s career? All BECAUSE he still believes her story?

Bottom Line:  

I have read many of Koryta’s books both his stand alone novels like The Program and Those Who Wish Me Dead. along with several of his Lincoln Perry series books. And they are all good reads.

However, I think I like this one the most. I just loved the way the story flowed. When I first started the book which begins with Kimberly’s confession, I thought where does he go from here. Well, from there he spun a wonderful tale. A tale that proved you may think you have it all figured out,but in reality you don’t know jack!!

The bottom line Is that Michael Koryta’s books keep getting better and better. And  in my opinion How It Happened may be his best work yet! Additionally, I think he may have created in Rob Barrett and Liz Smith characters that we may see again. At least I hope so. Actually, I hope we will see Lincoln Perry and Mark Novak (Rise the Dark and Last words) again!

Here’s what author Nelson DeMille writes about How It Happened.…

“Michael Koryta is one hell of a writer, and HOW IT HAPPENED is one hell of a murder mystery. It’s a tribute to Koryta’s craftsmanship and skill that the reader…can’t put the book down until the last layer of the onion is peeled away to reveal the truth at the core of this gripping tale…. A remarkable achievement that rises high above the genre.”

Author’s Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon

 

Michael Koryta

About Michael Koryta

Michael Koryta is a New York Times-bestselling author whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages and has won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They’ve been selected as “best books of the year” by numerous publications.

 

Visit the Michael Koryta Page

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

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

The Lazarus War::Artefact by Jamie Sawyer-A Fantastic Ride!

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The Lazarus War Artefact - Jamie Sawyer

Originally posted on January 18, 2017. Updated October 2025 with new links, images, and reflections.

The Background

Reading the Lazarus War :Atefact was a return to the years when I read a lot of Science Fiction. Here’s how I tried to get back……

Back in the 70s and early 80s I read a fair amount of science fiction. I read several books by Robert Heinlein, some Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, James P Hogan, Orson Scott Card and others.

Since then I’ve read the odd science fiction book here and there.  Among my favorites were the books of John Scalzi,, particularly the Old Man’s War series! In 2015  I added a Science Fiction Challenge to my other Reading Challenges. My goal was to read 12 science fiction books. I made it 3/4 of the way there, reading 9 books. Last year I reduced the number of sci-fi books to 6 i guess I figured I could make that goal easily! Wrong! I only read 1 book!

Anyway, this year I raised the goal back to 12 books. I know I already have several sci-fi books on the Kindle that I want to read! The whole point of the opening is that I have already matched last years total of sci-fi books read! The fourth book read for 2017 is The Lazarus War: Artefact  by Jamie Sawyer. And I know I  will surpass my 2017 sci-fi reads because I can’t wait to read The Lazarus War:Legion book two in the series!!

The Lazarus War: Artefact

The Lazarus War:Artefact  is just what  Jack Campbell, author of the Lost Fleet novels calls it

“a gripping read that moves at warp speed.”  

The lead character in the story is Captain Conrad Harris who leads a four-person team of simulants into battle against The Krell a fearsome and deadly alien race.

After returning from another mission where their simulant bodies die, Harris and his crew are sent on a deadly mission into the maelstrom, home of the Krell. Their mission is to find and rescue a research team that the Alliance has not had contact with for over a year! The research team was sent to the planet Helios to study a strange Artefact. The Artefact is huge monolithic structure on the planet’s surface that seems to have a strange effect on the Krell. It draws them to it like a month to a flame. But yet seems to drive them crazy!

The mission turns deadly when the Krell destroy the ship transporting Harris’ and his crew. Harris and his crew  survive, making it to the planet.Now they face the long odds of saving the research team and getting off of the planet without being killed by the Krell! In addition, the Artefact may provide Harris a key to finding the love of his life, who was lost in the Maelstrom!!

Bottom-Line 

The Lazarus War: Artefact was a five-star book for me!! It has everything I love in a science fiction book. Artefact is fast-paced action-packed story, with deadly aliens and lots of questions to be answered.  What is the purpose of the Artefact?  Why did the research center lose touch with the Alliance? And most importantly how the hell will they get off of Helios alive?

I also enjoyed the simulant technology. Captain Harris and his crew transfer from their real bodies to their enhanced bigger and more powerful simulant bodies to fight the Krell. Their real bodies remain suspended in a liquid on their ship.The squad members feel themselves die when their simulants are killed. But they are then extracted back into their real bodies and live to fight again.Because he has died and been resurrected so many times, Conrad Harris has earned the nickname Lazarus .

In an interview included in the back of the novel Sawyer describes the simulants as an extension of our current drone warfare.  Sawyer is intrigues by the fact that by day pilots located in Colorado are fighting wars in countries that they may have never set foot in. Then they return to their home at night  and lead a normal life.

So summarizing I enjoyed everything about Artefact. The fast paced action packed story, the main characters and the interplay between Harris and his squad. Additionally, the story left you wanting more!

I’ll leave you with the words of Neil Asher another Sci-Fi writer whose work I have enjoyed over the last couple of years….

“Alien biomechs… terrorism, subterfuge and traitors…starshipssporting particle beam weapons,  railguns the size of skyscapers. laser batteries, missles. This dear readers is good stuff!

Update: I confess The Lazarus War Book : Two:Legion has been on my TBR shelves since around the time I wrote this post. Maybe it’s time to read it and other books by Jamie Sawyer Ya’Think!

 

Links
Hachette Book Group
Goodreads
Amazon

Fantastic Fiction

About – Jamie Sawyer

Jamie Sawyer was born in 1979 in Newbury, Berkshire. He studied law at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, acquiring a master’s degree in human rights and surveillance law. Jamie is a full-time barrister, practising in criminal law. When he isn’t working in law or writing, Jamie enjoys spending time with his family in Essex. He is an enthusiastic reader of all types of SF, especially classic authors such as Heinlein and Haldeman.More

 

 

Amanda Kyle Williams’ The Stranger You Seek’s strong ending leads to Book 2 of the series!

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The Stranger You SeekSo last week I wrote that I was struggling through The Stranger You Seek the first of the Keye Street novels from Amanda Kyle Williams. Tonight I went to the library to get book 2 in the series Stranger in the Room! It’s easy to explain the reason , stealing and editing a line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail “It Got Better!!

I guess that it took a while for the story to grab me, but once it did it didn’t let go until the last twist and turn in the plot! The protagonist of the book is Keye Street, an ex-FBI profiler who was a rising star in the agency, until her alcohol addiction brought her career crashing down. Now Keye is a working PI in Atlanta chasing down bail jumpers, catching adulterers, serving subpoenas, that is until her best friend Atlanta Police Detective Aaron Rauser calls her to help him out on a grisly murder case. The case’s profile quickly  rises soon turning into a hunt, for the “Wishbone” killer. As the killer taunts Rauser and Street, the hunt turns personal, with Keye and Rauser in the killer’s crosshairs.

Now, back to the problems that I see as minor and were overcome  by the storyline.  Elizabeth B. in her review at Goodreads didn’t see it that way though… she wrote……

… The main character was just the most annoying narrator ever. It was as if every problem a person could have was built in by the author. Flawed is one thing but you pretty easily degenerate into Mary Sue-ish and that’s exactly what happened here. Freakish name? Check. Bad family history? Check. Discrimination from childhood? Check. Drugs and/or alcohol abuse? Check. But I’m a survivor and will overcome everything all by my lonesome? Check.  Read More At…Goodreads

I really didn’t think it was that bad and by the end of the book, I liked Keye and Rauser, and saw them as a team that I could root for!

Bottom line: A strong twisting ending made the book a good read and a series that I will follow at least into the next book Stranger in the Room. so Check it Out!

Grade: B – over the first half of the book, A for the last so I guess that’s a B+!!

Book No 28 for 2014….

Here’s the trailer for the book!

Book 7 of 2013 – Deep Sky – Patrick Lee

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deep sky - patrick lee

-Ok so let me say this right at the beginning of the post. Book No. 7 of 2013 is the third book in the Travis Chase trilogy Deep Sky, by Patrick Lee. If you are going to read this book make sure that you read Books one, The Breech and two Ghost Country first!! Preferably you read them consecutively not like I did reading Book 2 first and then quickly going back and reading Book 1! With that said after finishing the book and having everything wrapped up and explained very nicely I feel like I want to go back and read the series again just so that I can understand everything and even then I might not understand it all! From Patrick Lee’s website:

The anomaly called the Breach is the government’s most carefully guarded secret.

But there is another secret even less known… and far more terrifying.

In the aftermath of a brutal attack on the White House, a cryptic message is discovered, left behind by the perpetrator: “See Scalar.”

Now Travis Chase of the covert agency Tangent—caretakers of the Breach and all its grim wonders—along with Paige Campbell and Bethany Stewart, has only twenty-four hours to unearth a decades-old mystery once spoken of in terrified whispers by the long since silenced. But their breakneck race cross-country—and back through time and malleable memory—is calling the total destructive might of a shadow government down upon them. For Travis Chase has a dark destiny he cannot be allowed to fulfill.

The pages of this book just flew by as Travis, Paige and Bethany tried to uncover what Scalar was and stop whatever was going to happen from happening? Makes sense right? Anyway The Breech is a wormhole connected to somewhere in the Universe. Through the Breech come strange entities with a variety of powers, sometimes made of materials unknown on earth. The entity that plays a big part in this story is The Tap. The Tap enters the mind of its holder and allows the person to travel to a particular time and place and relive a past memory. In the book Paige re-lives a time she came into her father’s office to see if she can find the address of a retired Tangent operative and Chase goes to Baltimore as a ten-year old to find the man who is at the root of Scalar.

I know it all sounds confusing and it is but it all comes together for a thrilling and satisfying ride. When I finished the book I thought that for sure there would be a book four, but maybe Book 2 was book 4 now that I think of it?? Any way go find The Breech, Ghost Country, and Deep Sky sit down, buckle up and enjoy and I know I can’t wait for the next book from the pen (computer) of Patrick Lee.

Now if you want to read some reviews that are better than mine, you can go the Deep Sky page at Goodreads.com!