Cult Crazy

Last Days by Adam Nevill

I have to say, not in a very long time have I picked up a book like Last Days and not put it down until I finished it. I think it was very well written, very well researched, and the author did his job. He got my attention in the first chapter and he kept it. I love a good horror story and I got it. Not to mention, I’m fascinated with cults, which is why I think he did a good job with his research. He created one that was believable enough to exist during that time, and have the beliefs that they did. I loved the idea of trying to do a documentary on a former cult, and all of the crazy paranormal obstacles that seemed to get in the director, Kyle’s, way, and I kept wondering, how much of that French History is true? Maybe the book was starting to get into my head too…

Crime History...but keep your personal politics out!

Popular Crime: Reflections on the Celebration of Violence… by Bill James

I enjoyed the book. I think he did a good job highlighting many of the cases and made his point how the media drives the popularity of a case and can in some cases taint it in the criminal justice system. My only problem with James is he should keep his personal view on politics to himself.

Please let me join the Vidocq Society!!!!

The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases… by Michael Capuzzo

I actually liked this book. I have always been very interested in the Vidocq Society and found the history of how the organization was formed very interesting. I was familiar with most of the cases presented in the book, through other reading I had done in the past, the the macabre details were not shocking to me but might be to some. I read the book, not to focus on the cases, but on the people in the organization. I found it an interesting point of view by the author and I thought that the life stories of the three original members (Walter, Fleisher, and Bender) were fascinating. They have always been portrayed very differently in the media and it was great that they offered to participate in having the stories of their life made public. There are many books that contradict the work of the Vidocq Society, but I am glad that this book was written and portrays them as an organization that does help families and law enforcement organization, and that their work should not go unrecognized.

I am a Kip Yarber Fan!

Corpses and Canyons by Don Yarber

Corpses and Canyons was an exciting page turner by Don Yarber. Rarely, do I have the time to sit down and read a book from cover to cover in one evening. This book was the second in the “Kip Yardley Mystery” series. I was a bit nervous about reading a second book in a series, because I had not read the first, but as soon as I had started to read it, it did not matter. Kip Yardley, P.I., is a likeable character, helping out an old friend Jeremy, as they try to solve the murder of Jeremy’s friend. The book has lots of plot twists and turns, much like driving through a canyon road, and I enjoyed the unpredictability of the story up until the very end. The characters were interesting, and you never knew who to trust. It had all of the makings of a good mystery.

Cold Cold Sea

I had a love/hate relationship with this book.  It was a thriller and and and like a bad addiction, I could not stop reading until I finished the book. As sick and twisted as some of the characters were, I wanted more and the author delivered!  I read this book over the weekend with my three year old at my beach house...I will be keeping a closer eye on my kids now!

You Got Me!!!

Very rarely do I read a book where an author captures my attention.  In this case,  right off Ms. Cooke had my full attention, because the subject matter dealt with a therapist working with a severely emotionally disturbed child, who came from an unstable home.  Since this was my job for many years, I was fascinated to read about the dynamics and issues that went on between the therapist, social worker, and the boy, and as geeky as this sounds, how policy worked in Northern Ireland.  I was immediately sucked in, and could not put it down.  I was impressed at how realistic it seemed, even when sometimes the lines between therapist and patient seemed to be crossed, maybe I was getting a little too  into the story, but in the end...Carolyn Jess-Cooke, You got me!

"Bones" meet Ruth Galloway

The Janus Stone -by Elly Griffiths

This book caught my attention because there seemed something familiar about it. A woman who digs up bones for a living and has a “thing” for her police-officer/co-worker. It had a very familiar sound to it...Oh yeah! It sounded like the show I love to watch every week “Bones!” But this was by a Brittish author, not Kathy Reichs, so could it be better? To be honest, I'm a huge “Bones” TV show fan, but the books I have found boring and predictable. This is one of those rare occasions I thank screenwriters for working with authors. So could this Elly Griffiths keep my interest?

Well, I must say, I have found my “British Bones,” Ruth Galloway. She is bright, savvy, and the cast of characters that join her in The Janus Stone, are all very colorful bunch! The book is extremely well written and covers a variety of areas from Roman archeology to Druid rituals. It wasn't overly predictable, and it was overall, very interesting. This is the second Galloway book by Griffiths, and hopefully the series will continue.

I think I have found a new calling...

The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork

This was a rather creative idea put into writing, and turned into a fun and entertaining read! The book is about a scheme two precocious thirteen year old’s concoct to entertain, and spook the neighborhood children, by convincing them that the main character, Emily, can contact the dead. Like most childhood schemes, adults eventually find out, and Emily finds herself in predicaments deceiving adults and learning some of their deepest secrets. It is told from a thirteen year old's point of view, for the most part, with some historical flashbacks, as Emily begins to uncover some of her own family secrets.

The book was not exactly what I thought it would be about, instead it was more about family bonds, secrets, deceit, love, and lessons learned. Though, the title and description may have been a bit misleading, I will admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it in one afternoon. I love being surprised by books I normally would not read!

Does a Serial Killer Keep a Diary?

Duncan's Diary: Birth of a Serial Killer- by Christopher Payne

So I was VERY excited to read this book! I mean, with my background in forensic psychology, I was excited to see how this author could capture the transformation of a budding serial killer and the book sounded cool. Well, Payne did a good a good job in the beginning, but other than redundant gore and sex...not that it offended me in any way, but just bored me...I found the book hard to read because it seemed so repetitive and predictable. The main character Duncan, was a smooth operator, like most serial killers, and did an excellent job of eluding friends and family. I was also disappointed that it wasn't in “diary” format”. The author did a good job doing his research on serial killers, but the book wasn't that exciting. Although, it did teach a valuable lesson on internet dating!

The Anatomy Of Ghosts-Andrew Taylor...Must Read!!!

The Anatomy of Ghosts-by Andrew Taylor

Well usually it is a bit early to say this, but I am excited to say that I have started off the year reading a book that appears to have great promise! The book is about a man named Holdsworth, who has completely lost everything, wrote a book hypothesizing the theory that ghosts did not exist. During the late 1700s, this theory was extremely controversial and created much debate. He was then offered a once an a lifetime opportunity to prove this theory by a rich and powerful woman. Andrew Taylor's, The Anatomy of Ghosts, is one of those rare books that is able to capture historical fiction in such a way and combine it with so many other exciting features, such as scandals, secret societies, and even manage to through in a love story. The story was captivating until the last page, ...and can Mr. Holdsworth prove his theory?

Hater by David Moody

As great as some people's reviews were for this book, I found it very predictable and unoriginal. I liked the book, but it seemed like the author took ideas from other people's books and movies, and made them into his own story. As you read the book, I always felt like "this reminds me of something I've read, or seen, or heard about." I still enjoyed the book. It was fast paced and kept me interested, though no shocker. I am interested, since this is the first in a trilogy, how the next two will compare. Hopefully they will be more original.

The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham

I had never heard of this book or author before, so I jumped into book four of this series. It was nothing like I had predicted it would be! I expected your predictable detective chases serial killer, in this case over burning bodies, and then the detective becomes victim at the end and ends up a hero blah blah blah... that is so typical of detective series books. I was in for a treat. It did not matter if I had ever read a book in this series, the main detective was just one of many characters that this story revolved around. There were several sub-plots that went on in the story...were they linked? Or how many? And did this book have to do with serial killers burning girls at all? Thats what I probably liked best, I was completely proved wrong about so many things and kept guessing and coming up with new theories that I couldn't put the book down.

Ghost Trackers: The Unreal World of Ghosts, Ghost-Hunting, and the Paranormal… by Chris Gudgeon

This book is geared for children from ages 9-12. It is informative, well written, and covers a variety of topics, ranging from historical ghost stories to how to carry out your own “ghost-hunting” (even though no kid in the world would have the equipment to do this). I liked the fact that it gave both a scientific basis and other...possibility for what possibly may be a paranormal experience. It also gave excellent definitions and examples that were appropriate for a child between the ages of 9-12 to understand. It was engaging and quite fun to read. I actually had my 9 year old check it out around Halloween with her friends to see what they thought of it. I was a little nervous that it might be a little scary, but it the writing was humorous at times and interesting, that it took any “scare” out of ghosts and paranormal away. We were actually able to have some interesting conversations about haunted houses, possible ghost sightings (I grew up in Boston and lots of people's houses are “haunted”...or are they?), and visiting some of the places mentioned in the book that were nearby. She and her friends carried that book around for a good couple of weeks before I could get it back from her to actually review it myself. If a book can engage a nine year old girl in to science of any type (who has no interest in science what so ever), then there has to be something good about it. As a former teacher, I think these types of books are great. They are not to long, they are appealing to children, and they are not to complected to read so that a “non-science” person is bored. They also encourage conversation between parents and children about belief systems, experiences, and who knows, maybe exploring new places together.

When Doctors Kill: Who, Why, and How- by Joshua Perper and Stephen J. Cina

I was very excited to read this book. From reading about the authors, I thought it was great to have a book about some of the well known reasons and theories of why doctors kill. Having a professional background in psychology, and post-graduate studies in forensic psychology and law, I am always looking for new material to recommend to friends who teach college courses, or to keep in mind, should I decide to teach a course in the future. This book had the potential to be informative and controversial, both assets to any classroom discussion.

I was impressed with about the first 100 pages. It was reader friendly, informative, and added a bit of humor on an otherwise dark subject. Many important subjects were covered, such as: doctors trying to make advancements in medicine, serial killers, doctors with a “God” complex-who liked to have the power of life and death, government medical trials on human subjects, and Nazi “medical experiments” during WWII. Several specific and important cases were cited, and overall, I thought that part was well written.

And then came part four, the authors included another approximately forty (which seemed like another 100) pages on terrorism and politics. Other than the fact that the politicians and terrorist who committed atrocious acts while in positions of power. Other than the fact that they had obtained a medical degree at some point in their lives was irrelevant. They were killing people, and training people to kill as their role as a leader (of a country, a terrorist organization, etc...), not as a medical doctor. Therefore, it should not have been included in the book because they were not “Doctors who Kill” technically. They were, as the title of the section in the book was titled “Politicians” or “Terrorists” that kill.

Part five of the book started of nicely, and I began to regain hope for this book. It discussed the issues of physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. Again, a great topic for debate, and a couple of noteworthy cases were presented. Cutting out section four, and ending with euthanasia, the book just should have ended. Or, could have included, a whole area not even mentioned, the statistics on doctors who kill their families and spouses, which is not that uncommon.

Instead, there is the real ending that I felt completely went off topic again, and was written based more on opinion. I agree with them, but it didn't seem like the appropriate place to bring up those medical dilemmas because once again, it does not stay on the topic of “Why Doctors Kill.” The book goes on about the public's view of TV doctors, once again, information that probably could have been left out. They gave definitions of different types of non-medical treatment options and some of the fatal outcomes. Once again, information I felt irrelevant because these were treatment choices that the patient made. They then brought up the issue of over-prescribing medication, and the dilemma doctors have to treat pain, and the savvyness of patients to make up symptoms to get medications and addiction. Which lead into “Doctors to the Stars” who over prescribe medication to -which the authors even state that killing them would be ridiculous because they make large sums of cash and do not have to deal with insurance companies. Ending with the evil issue of malpractice, and make a convincing defense of why most doctors don't want to kill.

Umm...now I am confused. I read this book because I wanted to know “Why Doctors Kill,” not how they are over stressed, over worked, and live in constant fear of malpractice suits...unless you are setting up a defense for why they kill. But that was not given as any motive.

Damaged...but Good!

Damaged- by Josephine Hart

This was a very well written book, capturing what greed, lust, and love, can drive even what may seem the most “normal” people to do. The writing style seemed almost like a play, taking place in the early twentieth century, but actually the story took place in modern times, and no play could capture the intense feelings and thoughts of the main character. The father of a prominent, upstanding, wealthy English family, has gotten himself into quite a predicament. Some may call it a mid-life crisis of sorts, but he has crossed the line over to the ultimate betrayal that will destroy his family. This father had everything going for him. He was a successful doctor, politician, husband, and father of two grown children, about to start new lives on their own. Although looks can be deceiving, and he was not truly satisfied with his life, all of this changed when he met Anna. The passion and lust he felt for Anna was so eloquently written, along with the anger and hatred he felt at times towards himself, and others who came between Anna. This erotic and dangerous affair that began with Anna consumed the father and his relationships with his family members because Anna was going to be his daughter-in-law. This story was full of emotion, the feelings of the characters were well captured and beautifully written, and the twists and turns of the story kept it interesting to read.

Dirty Little Angles-Chris Tusa

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa This was a book about a dysfunctional family from New Orleans, based on the point of view from Hailey, the fifteen year-old daughter. I have to admit, I had higher expectations for this book. I was expecting something something more gritty, violent, raw...Maybe because I have worked with so many kids who are considered “high-risk,” as Hailey would definitely be considered in that category, nothing in the book seemed at all shocking. That is the way of life for many kids like “Hailey.” Don't get me wrong, I liked the story and thought it was interesting, but it was like reading a case file or meeting with a client. Everyone has their story.

Children in the BORING

Children in the Morning-Anne Emery

Well, I had some difficulty reading this book for a couple of different reasons. First, it did not convert well over to my e-reader and I had to read it in very small print and it was very straining on my eyes or on my lap-top, which also gave me similar issues. It also took me some timeto get used to the writing style. It was written in narritive form from the perspective of a father and his nine year old daughter. Once, I was able to adjust to reading small font and the “back and forth” between father and daughter, I was able to focus on the actual story itself. Unfortunatly it took about five or six chapters for this to happen. Basically this book is a legal drama, where one high profile defense attorney (Monty) is defending another high profile defense attorney (Beau) for the murder of his wife. Monty's daughter Normie befirends two of Beau's ten children and begins to have nightmares that Monty feels may be relevant to his client's case. Nothing in this story was overly surprising, lets just leave it at that. It is probably a lot easier to read in print, but that would not change the need to acclimate to the writing style, which would have been cool and could have worked if the story had not been so predictable, and if Monty and Normie had been a more exciting characters.

20th Century Dud

20^th Century Ghost-Joe Hill

I'm not quite sure what to say here. Well,I take that back, there is a lot I want to say about this book. First of all, Joe Hill, what happened? I expected a book full of “ghost” stories, or at least “scary” stories, but what I ended up reading was a few good scary stories, and a bunch of stuff to fill pages in a book. I tried to give you some credit, being a Boston author, and throwing in some Boston humor, but even that couldn't componsate for the majority of the stories that, I'm not quite sure,had anything to do with a ghost story.

I will give credit to the truly scary “ghost” stories as being really good. Unfortunatly, they were outnumbered by stories that could have been written by fifth graders given a creative writing assignment. A couple of stories could have been written by college freshman who have not learned that it is quality that makes a story, not quanitiy of pages. I was bored out of my mind at stories that wouldn't end, and left scratching my head, wondering why some of the stories were even in the book. Overall, it was pretty dissapointing, because there was some good stuff in it...buried.  

I predict...best-seller?

The Diviner's Tale-by Bradford Morrow

Let me first start off by saying, this review is unlike most of my reviews. It is more, for lack of better words, “mushy,” maybe. This is because, very rarely do I come across a book I read that I see a great future for. When I chose this book, a mystery-suspense novel, I thought that was exactly what I was going to get. Maybe a story about a woman who helps solves crimes or something with her psychic abilities, not exactly original material, but could be a good read. But, I was in for quite a shocker. Since I rarely use words of this type to describe a book, I am feeling a bit out of my realm. OK so I guess this is where I start to get mushy. Yes this book was about some paranormal talents held by the main character Cassandra. And it had mystery and suspense, but what this book was really about what is the bonds between family and friends. It's about how tragedy effects a families and how a families cope with greif and loss and how one particular family is able to form amazing relationships between one another, and pass on traditions, through generations. It is also about love and friendship. The main charachter, Cassandra, is such a talented, wise "divine" person, who has been so well created, I could not help but be intriqued and facinated with her. This book has all of the elements of what a best-seller is made of.  

I Suspect...

The Inheritance- by Simon Tolkien

This was another history-mystery book, with the addition of courtroom drama. I have to say, I liked the book, it was faced paced, and well written. I learned about how the English Court system worked in the 1950s during death penalty cases. I actually find that very interesting. I found out what a “barrister” was. It's “English” for lawyer! I was actually quite curious what a “barrister” was when reading the authors bio before starting to read the book, because that was his former profession. Though the history-mystery storyline is starting to get a “unoriginal,” to me...or maybe that I have just ended up reading a bunch of them over the past couple of months and I'm looking for something that stands out, the courtroom aspect added something extra. The story itself was a fun, fast read and kept reminding me of playing Parker Brother's “Clue.” There was a body in a room of a manor, and the more you read, the more clues you figured out to eliminate people who were in the home that night. I just kept picturing a big giant game of “Clue,” and it turns out “I suspected” right. I guess it was like “History-Mystery Clue” for those interested in also the Criminal Justice System.