Review: Murder In the 11th House

Murder In the 11th House

By Mitchell Scott Lewis

First published: September 2011 by Poisoned Pen Press

Series: Starlight Detective Agency #1

Read: 3 – 27 October 2011

Challenges: Mystery & Suspense Challenge #9

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

From the publisher

Astrological detective David Lowell must use his charts and knowledge to solve the murder of a federal judge in a New York City parking garage. Joined by his daughter, Melinda, a young defense attorney; his hacker sidekick Mort; vivacious assistant Sarah; and bodyguard Andy, Lowell is racing against time to prove the innocence of Johnny Colbert, a loud mouthed bartender wrongly accused of the crime.

Birth charts and street smarts help Lowell sort out the misdirections of a cast of characters, from the judge's clerk and her lawyer boyfriend to the judge herself, to trace the real reason of the crime back to a surprising source.

Murder in the 11th House begins a new series that introduces a unique character to the annals of detective fiction.

My thoughts

I have always been interested in astrology and find it a very fascinating subject. Using astrology as a tool for solving murders sounded like a great concept, so I was excited to read this book. While the story itself was good, there were a few things that bugged me enough to make this a less enjoyable reading experience than I had hoped it would be.

The biggest problem for me was that I didn't connected with the main character David Lowell. From the very first page he came across as pretentious and arrogant and even though he mellowed a little during the course of the story, I never warmed to him. It felt a little like Lewis was trying too hard to make him a new quirky Sherlock Holmes and it just didn't work for me. My enjoyment of what I'm reading is always character-driven, so if I don't like the main character, chances are I won't enjoy the book as much. I did however like the rest of the cast, from Lowell's attorney daughter Melinda and the client Johnny to Lowell's secretary Sarah and assistant Mort. 

My other complaint, and people who aren't interested in astrology will probably disagree with me, is that I don't think astrology was used enough in the solving of the case. I think most of the information Lowell found by consulting charts could have been revealed by other means and sometimes I even forgot about the entire astrological element until Lowell pulled out another chart.

I also missed a little more story and less dialogue. Sometimes long dialogues consisting only of direct quotes got a little confusing. In addition there were some rants, for lack of a better word, on social issues like gambling that bordered on preaching in my eyes.

All that being said, the plot in itself was intriguing; a good murder mystery where the clues are slowly revealed and you can make your own guesses as to who the real murderer is.

My rating:

The Starlight Detective Agency Series

1. Murder In the 11th House (2011)
2. Death In the 12th House: Where Neptune Rules (2012) 

Review: The Devil Colony

The Devil Colony
By James Rollins

Published: 1 July 2011
Series: Sigma Force #7

Read: 14 July - 1 August 2011
Challenges: Mystery & Suspense Challenge #7

Review copy provided by HarperCollins / NetGalley

From the publisher
Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery—hundreds of mummified bodies—stir international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts to the bodies’ origins, a local Native American group lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script.

During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly: burned to ash in a fiery explosion in plain view of television cameras. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator, a teenage firebrand who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help: her uncle, Painter Crowe, director of Sigma Force.

To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war across the nation’s most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet, an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a frightening chain reaction, a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S.

From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies.

But can he discover the truth—one that could topple governments—before it destroys all he holds dear?

My thoughts

I have mentioned earlier that James Rollins is my go-to guy when it comes to scientific thrillers. His stories, while action-packed and over-the-top, are always based on facts and the plots are always relevant to today's world. This is also the case with The Devil Colony.

I have to admit that the science bit went a little over my head this time, but then again you don't need to understand the exact science to enjoy the story – which I did. I particularly liked the historical element, involving Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and an early draft of The Great Seal of the United States. I love these kinds of things; National Treasure is one of my favourite movies and this part of the book gave me that same feeling.

Although the Sigma Force books revolve around a whole team of characters, I personally wouldn't have minded seeing more of Grey and Seichan this time, especially considering the unexpected turn of events at the very end of the book. The character of Grey Pierce is much more three-dimensional than a lot of other action heroes around, and I always enjoy reading about him. I'm also wondering what is going to happen with Monk in the future, but I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Bottom line: The Devil Colony is another strong thriller from James Rollins that will take you on a roller coaster ride and maybe teach you a thing or two at the same time.

My rating:

The Sigma Force Series

1. Sandstorm (2004)
2. Map of Bones (2005)
3. Black Order (2006)
4. The Judas Strain (2007)
5. The Last Oracle (2008)
6. The Doomsday Key (2009)
6.5 The Skeleton Key (short story exclusive) (2011)
7. The Devil Colony (2011)

Review: The Doomsday Key

The Doomsday Key
By James Rollins

First published: 2009
Series: Sigma Force #6

Read: 4 - 12 June 2011
Pages: 526
Challenges: Mystery & Suspense Challenge #6

From the cover

At Princeton University, a famed geneticist dies inside a biohazard lab. In Rome, a Vatican archaeologist is found dead in St. Peter's Basilica. In Africa, a U.S. senator's son is slain outside a Red Cross camp.

Three murder victims on three continents, linked by a pagan Druidic cross burned into their flesh.

Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force have only days to solve an apocalyptic puzzle dating back centuries. Aided by two women from his past—one his ex-lover, the other his new partner—Gray must uncover a horrifying secret that threatens America and the world, even if it means sacrificing the life of one of the women at his side. The race is on—from the Roman Coliseum to the icy peaks of Norway to the lost tombs of Celtic kings—and the future hangs in the balance. For humankind's ultimate nightmare is locked within a talisman buried by a dead saint—an ancient artifact known as . . . The Doomsday Key.

My thoughts

Ever since I read Map of Bones a few years back, James Rollins has been my go-to guy for scientific thrillers. His books are always current, well-researched and suspenseful, and the sixth installment of the Sigma Force series is no exception.

I won't say too much about the story because I don't want to spoil anything for you, but like a proper thriller should, it includes explosions, gun fights, burning peat bogs, stormy weather, and ponies. And of course many of the elements are based on facts. "Everything in this book is true, except for what's not," Rollins appropriately states in a note at the end of the book. The notion that at least some of the events described could happen in real life is more than a little unsettling. I do like an action thriller that actually makes you think.

I have been a fan of the series' main character, Commander Grey Pierce, since the first book I read. Grey is a good guy, smart and capable, although a little wooden in this particular book. Another character who has become a favourite of mine is Joe Kowalski. His main purpose is obviously to serve as comic relief (which he does well), but it turns out he can be quite endearing when he wants to be. I couldn't help picturing Adam Baldwin delivering his deadpan lines every time Kowalski spoke. If ever this series make it to the big screen, Baldwin would be the perfect choice.

There is a sort of love triangle involving Grey and two prominent women in his life (one of whom is really intriguing, the other not so much), but it didn't really lead to anything with either of them except a minor cliffhanger (hillhanger?) at the end of the book which I frankly could take or leave.

Being Norwegian I was especially excited to see that parts of the book took place in Norway; Oslo and Svalbard respectively. Now, I've never been to Svalbard so I can't comment on that (I remember the Seed Vault being a big deal on the news here when it was opened), but the bits from Oslo were accurately described; from the cruise ship anchored by Akershus Castle to the main street and the dreary October weather (and they blow up the Grand Hotel! Hilarious!). It's not often Norway is a setting in a thriller not written by a Norwegian author (and there aren't that many of those around either), so that was fun to see.

One word of warning: If you're new to the Sigma Force series, you should probably start with one of the earlier books to fully understand some important story arcs and character background, unless you don't mind spoilers.

My rating:

The Sigma Force Series

1. Sandstorm (2004)
2. Map of Bones (2005)
3. Black Order (2006)
4. The Judas Strain (2007)
5. The Last Oracle (2008)
6. The Doomsday Key (2009)
7. The Skeleton Key (short story exclusive) (2011)
8. The Devil Colony (2011)

Review: Curse of the Spellmans

Curse of the Spellmans
By Lisa Lutz

First published: 2008
Series: Spellman Files #2

Read: 29 April - 28 May 2011
Pages: 500
Challenges: 2nds Challenge #2
Mystery and Suspense Challenge #5

From the cover
THEY'RE BAAAAACK.

When Izzy Spellman, PI, is arrested for the fourth time in three months, she writes it off as a job hazard. She's been (obsessively) surveilling a suspicious neighbor and attempting to apprehend the copycat vandal whose attacks on Mrs. Chandler's holiday tableaux eerily match the 1991-92 crime spree when Izzy and her best friend Petra, were at their most delinquent. After the displeased management (i.e., Mom and Dad) at Spellman Investigations refuses to bail Izzy out, her octogenarian lawyer comes to her rescue. But first Izzy must unveil the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as only a thirty-year-old licensed professional can...

Fast, fun and fresh

I read the first book in the Isabel Spellman series last year and absolutely loved it. This sequel does not disappoint.

Isabel Spellman, licenced PI, is in trouble. Again. A new guy has moved in next door, and after dating John Brown (that can't possibly be his real name) for a short time, Izzy is sure he is hiding something. She just doesn't know what. And she can't rest until she finds out.

Izzy is one of my fictional BFFs. She's clever, funny and just the right amount of crazy. (Random fact: Her preferred method of entry is through windows.) I was afraid her obsession with the suspicios neighbour would be too much after a while, but it never got to the point of annoying. Instead I was just as curious as Isabel to figure out what he was really up to.

I love the way the novel is built up. It begins in the middle of the story, after Isabel has been arrested for the fourth time and goes back to the beginning as she is trying to explain her actions to her elderly lawyer. Izzy's story catches up to the present towards the end of the book and then we move forward to the solution. Like in the first book, the chapters are short and full of footnotes, lists and transcripts, and with Izzy as the narrator, we also get lots of digressions and distractions. This may sound confusing, but it really isn't. I find it very refreshing, not to mention frequently hilarious (there's even a curling reference in there!).

Curse of the Spellmans is just as witty and smart as it sounds, and if you haven't made the acquaintance of the Spellmans yet, I urge you to do so immediately. You won't regret it.

My rating:

The Spellman Files

1. The Spellman Files (2007)
2. Curse of the Spellmans (2008)
3. Revenge of the Spellmans (2009)
4. The Spellmans Strike Again (2010)

Review: The Survivor

Publishing date: 3 March 2011 by Simon & Shuster UK

Read: 21 - 28 February 2011
Challenges: Mystery & Suspence Reading Challenge #3

ARC provided by the publisher through Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011.

From the publisher
Columbine. Dunblane. Virginia Tech. Winnenden. But Saint Patrick's High?

In his first hour back from a six-month leave of absence, Detective Jacob Striker's day quickly turns into a nightmare. He is barely on scene five minutes at his daughter's high school when he encounters an Active Shooter situation. Three men wearing hockey masks - Black, White, and Red - have stormed the school with firearms and are killing indiscriminately.

Striker takes immediate action. Within minutes, two of the gunmen are dead and Striker is close to ending the violence.

But the last gunman, Red Mask, does something unexpected. He runs up to his fallen comrade, racks the shotgun, and unloads five rounds into the man, obliterating his face and hands. Before Striker can react, Red Mask flees - and escapes.

Against the clock, Striker investigates the killings for which there is no known motive and no known suspect. Soon his investigation takes him to darker places, and he realizes that everything at Saint Patrick's High is not as it appears. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his world becomes. Until Striker himself is in the line of fire.

And the violence follows him home.

In an interview Sean Slater reveals that Lee Child and James Patterson are some of his favourite authors, and after reading The Survivor, this does not surprise me. The book is a gritty, fast-paced thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat from the first page.

This is a book I probably would not have picked up had I not received an ARC of it, but I am glad I got the chance to read it. The setting (Vancouver) was completely new to me, as was the subject matter (Asian underground gangs). According to the cover, Slater is a "real-life Vancouver cop" and it is obvious that he knows his way around both the city and its police force.

Detective Jacob Striker is a nice guy who has been through some tough times. He is trying to come to terms with the death of his wife and being a good father to his 15-year-old daughter Courtney. She, on the other hand, is behaving like any other teenager; skipping school, trying to catch the eye of her crush, and being angry with her father. Their father-daughter relationship rang true, and I also liked Striker's relationship with his partner Felicia, who is a smart and feisty cop. Striker is good at his job and follows his hunches, even if it lands him in trouble with his superiors. We also get a bit of insight into the main antagonist's mind, with some chapters written from his point of view. This worked very well and made him more human to me. I almost felt sorry for him, rather against my will.

At times there were a lot of different plot points and clues to keep track of, but Slater does a good job of connecting all the dots in the end. The book does contain some violence and a couple of torture scenes, but they are not overly graphic. The ending took me by surprise, and felt a little more realistic than in many other books of the same genre.

Best: The authenticity. I'm not a cop nor have I ever been to Vancouver so obviously I don't know what either is really like, but it felt real while reading.

Worst: The rather silly nicknames, like Noodles, Shipwreck and Meathead. And the name Pinkerton Morningstar. I could not take that man seriously.

Bottom line: The Survivor is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

My rating:

The next installment of the Jacob Striker series will be out in 2012.

Review: Heat Wave

Heat Wave
By Richard Castle

First published: 2009
Series: Nikki Heat #1

Read: 17 - 21 February 2011
Pages: 198
Challenges: 1st in a Series Challenge #3
Mystery & Suspence Reading Challenge #2

From the cover
Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly bestselling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. Pulitzer Prize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of a murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between her and Rook. The one called heat.

Fans of Castle Will Love This Book

If you have, like me, been watching and enjoying the police drama Castle on ABC, you know all about Richard Castle and Heat Wave. If you haven't, well, what has been stopping you?

Okay, okay, here is a quick summary: Castle is about the famous mystery writer Richard Castle who, thanks to his friendship with the mayor, gets to tag along with NYPD Homicide Detective Kate Beckett as research for his new series about famous journalist Jameson Rook who gets to tag along with NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat as research on an article he is writing about the NYPD.

I will give you a moment to think that through.

*whistles*

Got your head around it yet? Good! Then let us carry on with this review.

I don't know if the real author or authors of Heat Wave (should I call them ghost writers?) work on the television show, but the book certainly reads like a regular episode. I almost expected there to be commercial breaks between each chapter.

I love how Richard Castle is presented as a real, living author. There is a short bio of him inside the back cover, and at the end of the book there is a 4-page interview with him. The book even has blurbs by James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell on the cover (these two have also appeared on the show as themselves).

The murder mystery itself is presented like in an episode; the reader gets the same information as the detectives and at the same time, so it is not easy to guess the murderer early on. In fact, I only realised who it was just before it was revealed in the book, and even then I was not sure.

I adore the dialogue between the characters (again, just like in the tv show). The banter between Heat and detectives Raley and Ochoa (affectionately known as Roach) reflects people who are comfortable with each other and used to thinking in unison. Rook's wise-cracking is very funny, and the sexual tension between Heat and Rook is (excuse the pun) hot.

Because I am so familiar with the tv show, it is impossible for me to think about Heat Wave without thinking about Castle. When I read it, I was seeing Stana Katic as Kate Beckett and Nathan Fillion as Rick Castle in my head instead of picturing Heat and Rook. Would I have enjoyed Heat Wave as much if I had not seen a single episode of Castle? I have no idea. Chances are it would have made me want to watch the show.

Best: The murder mystery, the banter, the sexual tension and being able to get inside the head of Kate Beckett – eh, Nikki Heat.

Worst: My biggest problem with this book was actually the binding. I have the mass market paperback, and the font was very small and the inner margins too thin, so I had to use force to hold the book open enough so that I could read the words closest to the spine. I wish I had bought the Kindle version instead; it would have been much easier to read.

Bottom line: A must-read for Castle fans, a clever mystery novel for everyone else.

My rating:

The Nikki Heat series

1. Heat Wave
2. Naked Heat
3. Heat Rises (coming autumn 2011)

Come back tomorrow for a giveaway of Heat Wave!

Review: Burglars Can't Be Choosers

Burglars Can't Be Choosers
By Lawrence Block

First published: 1977
Series: Bernie Rhodenbarr #1

Read: 14 - 21 January 2011
Pages: 293
Challenges: 1st in a Series Challenge #2
Mystery & Suspence Reading Challenge #1

From the cover
Bernie Rhodenbarr is a personable chap, a good neightbor, a passable poker player. His chosen profession, however, might not sit well with some. Bernie is a burglar, a good one, effortlessly lifting valuables from the not-so-well-protected abodes of well-to-do New Yorkers like a modern-day Robin Hood. (The poor, as Bernie would be the first to tell you, alas, have nothing worth stealing.)

He's not perfect, however; he occasionally makes mistakes. Like accepting a paid assignment from a total stranger to retrieve a particular item from a rich man's apartment. Like still being there when the cops arrive. Like having a freshly slain corpse lying in the next room, and no proof that Bernie isn't the killer.

Now he's really got his hands full, having to locate the true perpetrator while somehow eluding the police - a dirty job indeed, but if Bernie doesn't do it, who will?

It is no secret that I love stories about con artists and gentlemen thieves, so my expectations of this book were perhaps a little high. Luckily they were mostly met.

We come into the story just as Bernie is about to go on a job. He has been hired to steal a blue leather box from an apartment, which sounds easy enough. And it is easy - until it turns out he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Suddenly Bernie is on the run from the police, wanted for murder.

The book is not particularly fast-paced, but the plot is full of twists and turns. I did not even come close to solving the mystery myself, which made Bernie seem all the more clever. Block also has a sense of humour, and I was chuckling throught the book. Consider this little exchange:

"I'll give you the location, the aparment, everything, and for you it's like picking up candy in the street."
"I never pick up candy in the street."
"Huh?"
"Germs."

Bernie is a likeable fellow. His career choice may not be the most ethical (or legal), but he is a nice person who would never dream of hurting anyone. He is smart and quick-witted, and the ladies are drawn to him. Speaking of ladies; I did wonder about Ruth's motives for helping Bernie, but I need not have worried, because Block is a good enough writer to have asked himself the same question.

There were a couple of times when I had to remind myself that this was written 34 years ago, because it generally did not have an "old" feel to it. When Bernie and Ruth spent 10 pages (and 5 phone calls and 1 directory) trying to find the name of an actor who was in a movie on TV, I kept thinking "Just look it up on IMDB!". It made me appreciate the wonders of the Internet even more.

Best: The humour and intricate plot.
Worst: The cover. Seriously, this picture does not do it justice. My copy is bright orange; so bright that I could use it to signal with in the dark.

Rating: 4 – Good

The Bernie Rhodenbarr series

1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers
2. The Burglar in the Closet
3. The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling 
4. The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza 
5. The Burglar Who Painted like Mondrian 
6. The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams 
7. The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart 
8. The Burglar in the Library 
9. The Burglar in the Rye 
10. The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis 
11. The Burglar on the Prowl

Lawrence Block's website: www.lawrenceblock.com

Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011

I usually read quite a few thrillers and mystery books in a year, and I have a lot of books from this genre on my shelves (some which have been there forever). So I have decided to join Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Challenge for 2011. The challenge is to read at least 12 mystery and suspense books during 2011, which sounds like a reasonable number.

As an added incentive, Simon & Schuster UK is providing a free ARC of The Survivor by Sean Slater for all participants in the challenge. Be sure to stop by BCC's challenge post to read the rules and sign up. You can also check out her list of sub-genres to help you decide which books to read.

This is a tentative list of books I would like to read, but I do reserve the right to change it at any time (and chances are I will). :)

1. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
2. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
3. The Thieves of Heaven by Richard Doetsch
4. Tripwire by Lee Child
5. The Doomsday Key by James Rollins
6. Pulse by Jeremy Robinson
7. The Shadow Project by Scott Mariani
8. The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor
9. Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn
10. 2nd Chance by James Patterson
11. Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
12. Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle