The Secret Place by Tana French

This is the 5th OUTSTANDING book in the Dublin Murder Squad series (as mentioned previously you do NOT have to read them all to understand a single bit of the book).

Tana French is fast becoming one of my personal favorites.  With her knack for taking previous minor characters and bringing them back, she is a writing genius!  Just enough of the former books to keep you page turning, but not enough to turn off a new reader.

Alternating between cold case detective Stephen Moran (YES, he's back) and flashbacks courtesy of Holly Mackey (yes, THAT Holly Mackey) and her crew, Secret Place sets itself apart from the other four novels.  The book will burst the bubble of innocence surrounding teenage girls.  Shrouding them instead in mystery and shame.

This story didn't delve into Moran's personal background and life as much as I was expecting.  In the previous books we get intense background on our detectives.  That being said I must defend her on this decision.  I have praised French since the beginning for writing about detectives in a REALISTIC way.  This holds up here.  What are the odds that all detectives are eventually given a screamingly personal case?  Let's hope the odds aren't good.  This story is about a murder that is over a year old.  It begins when they have no leads.  As personal as it gets for Moran is that Mackey is involved and Moran really wants to break into the Murder Squad.  That's pretty realistic, I'd say.

Ms. French is getting slammed by amateur reviewers all over the internet for varying reasons.  The negative reviews seem to alternate between complaints of "adolescent dribble" and "complex language".  How can both of those be correct?  Simple answer...they're not.  This book is an adult fiction mystery novel.  Yet the mystery surrounds two groups of adolescent girls (16 years old, roughly).  So yes, there is adolescence...but in my opinion it is handled masterfully.  4 smiles and a wink for this one!

One more quick thing...I received an email survey indicating that Fox is considering a Tana French TV show.  WHAT?!  My excitement is boiling over!

Untamed by PC and Kristin Cast

Book 4 in the "House of Night" Series

Previously I rated book 1 a basic 3 smiles for good characters.  Book 2 I rated 4 smiles and a wink.  I am not sure why I didn't review (although I read) the 3rd book.  I recall liking it.

As with the previous three books I found I really like Zoey as a main character.  This new and somewhat refreshing take on the whole vampire genre is interesting, which is why I keep reading the books.  I liked the book, overall.

More interesting, I think, is the fact that Zoey is reading a book I just finished reviewing; Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr.  This sparked a whole conversation with my husband about putting another author's book into your work.  Does it date your work; making it so that your book can never be considered timeless?  Or does it help people find something else to read?  Feel free to join the conversation in the comments section.

Regardless I give this one three smiles and I'm not giving up the series!

Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

"But Jill didn't know what she was in for."

My immediate reaction to Jill Farrow, widower and divorcee, is that she makes terrible life choices.  Reading about the way she handles her ex-stepdaughter's drama solidifies that snap judgement. This book gave me the same reaction as watching a horror movie with a stupid heroine.  I kept yelling at the book hoping to make Jill realize her awful decisions. Even though things work themselves out in the end you can't really give that credit to Jill.

This is a great mystery book and it even takes me by surprise, which readers of the blog will know doesn't happen often.  Despite the fact that I may not have always liked Jill's choices I FELT something when I read about her.  This is the mark of a great book from an outstanding writer.


3 smiles and a wink for this one.

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Book 2 in the Wicked Lovely Series

I must admit I was a bit stressed about the fact that I didn't really remember the plot to Wicked Lovely, the predecessor of this book.  I did some research, hoping to bring the memories flooding back.  I was hoping to recall why I may have put this on my wish list...which I usually do when I love the first book.  The research evoked only tiny details.  As it turns out, they two stories are different enough that it was okay.

The story line follows Leslie as she enters into the word of faeries. This time around, unlike with Aislinn's story, the way she enters it is entirely different.  I vaguely recall liking Keenan in the first story.  This time I positively hated him.  He seemed like he was hiding something, which made me distrust him.  Naill, on the other hand, I adored.  This character would make me read more of these stories.  He is dark and dangerous, but hiding some personal strengths below the surface.  I want to find out more about him.

Leslie, however, who is our main character, was weak. I kept waiting for her to break out of her weak shell and have me cheering.  She demonstrated small boughs of bravery at the end, but I wasn't impressed.

Overall, 2 smiles.  I'll probably put the next one on my list but I may forget why it was there by the time I get around to it.

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

"For the first time in his life, he didn't have a plan."

The situation Jake Buckman and his teenage son, Ryan, find themselves in late on night is heart wrenching.  Anyone can have something happen, a single moment that changes your life into a Before and an After (as Scottoline eloquently explains).  From early in this book you'll find yourself questioning their decisions, wondering what you would've done.  You then take a front row seat to watch as the decision takes on a life of its own, dragging their lives through hell.  It's a hard ride to watch, but you can't peel your eyes from it.

Scottoline's writing is impeccable.  The characters and storyline are real; making the book almost painful in its turns.  It's easy to see how one decision can make a good person go so wrong.  I loved this story and I was surprised by the ending.  Highly recommended for anyone who reads for characters but can stomach tough situations.

5 smiles and a wink

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins

Book 3 in the Underland Chronicles

"Don't worry, he's a lot more competent than he seems."

Gregor has already solved 2 prophecies for the strange city, Regalia, which lies underneath New York.  Now they will call upon him again, and this time the mission comes a little too close to home.

These novels were written for a younger audience than Suzanne's other work (Hunger Games...maybe you've heard of it).  The Gregor series doesn't include a romance angle at all and it's main character is 11 during this series.  That makes it a great choice for kiddos to read.  The good news, it's a GREAT book!  Grab two copies and read it with your kids; you won't regret it!

Like the first two books, this one delivers on action and excitement.  I was also completely surprised by a few of the reveals, which is great considering it's been awhile since I've been surprised.  Overall, I loved this one.  Perhaps even more than the last because Gregor's mother plays a bigger role and it turns out I really like her.

All in all, 4 smiles and a wink.

NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson

Obviously the second in the NYPD Red series.

Do you believe the elite deserve their own police force?  NYPD Red follows the members of such a force, detectives Jordan and MacDonald.  In addition to having a wonderful working relationship filled with give-and-take yet hilarious dialogue, Jordan and MacDonald are former lovers with sexual tension.  It adds another level to the story that makes it personal as well as professional.

NYPD Red 2 begins with the death of a mob boss' son and doesn't slow down at all.  I read the entire book in a few hours, I simply could not put it down!  Another great work by Mr. Patterson and another highly recommended book.

If you like crime dramas, give this one a read.  You certainly do not need the background of the first book, it works fine as a stand alone.

4 smiles

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Book One of the Lunar Chronicles

Marissa Meyer's admits on her website (FAQ section, www.marissameyer.com) that the idea for this story was born when she entered a writing contest.  What a fun way to start!

This book was purchased for me by a great little reader I had the pleasure of teaching.  This science fiction book is set in the future and follows Cinder, a cyborg.  I love the way Marissa brings this story to life and yet shocks me with the twists.  I loved the independent and strong main character.  I love the wickedly evil antagonist.  I was heartbroken for some of the twists and invested in the ending of the story.

I will avidly search for the rest of this series, which promises to be further adaptations of fairy tales you thought you knew.

4 smiles

Passion (and Rapture) by Lauren Kate

First and foremost I'd like to point out that the mistake has been fixed!  In my review of the 2nd book in the Fallen series, Torment, I somehow reversed the author's name.  As I said, it's been fixed.  Sorry to Lauren (should you happen to stumble upon this review).  I sincerely hope you weren't offended!

This review will encompass both Passion (book 3) and Rapture (book 4) which I read one right after the other.

Fallen is a series about two star-crossed lovers, Lucinda and Daniel.  In Torment we learned more about their curse and Daniel's background.  In Passion we were able to explore more of Lucinda and it was inspired.  There was a time travel element in this one which I enjoyed more than I thought I would.  Lauren Kate did her research and it shows.  I learned to love Daniel, I grew my respect for Lucinda, and I started to believe in their history.

Immediately I ran to the library and checked out Rapture (oddly Rapture is labeled as horror by my local library where the rest were labeled as mysteries or romance).  The series finale did not disappoint at all.  The religious element, which was needed the second you found out Daniel was an angel, was tastefully done.  I loved the moment when Luce fully unlocks the truth of her past all the way to my soul.  I was fully connected to these characters, which is a great compliment.

My only issue was that I wanted more of Cam.  I felt myself physically hurting to know what happened to him.  THEN I went on Ms. Kate's website and learned something amazing...she's writing Cam's story!  Expect me to look for and review Unforgiven soon!

4 smiles for the books that rounded out this series, they were the best ones in it!

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

I'm a serious Jodi Picoult fan.  I stalk her on Facebook (I can't help it...she's just so REAL on her page).  I devour everything she writes and I quickly recommend all of it to friends, relatives, and total strangers who look like they could use a good book. Picoult gets under your skin.  Her writing completely messes with your head in a way that is refreshing.  You simply cannot be stupid or hold tight to your previous convictions about grey areas of life when you read Picoult's work.

That being said, this one went in a direction I didn't love. True to her style, this one brought up something dark and sinister and took it for a deep analysis.  She brings you into the minds and lives of your characters and they come alive.  My only problem was with how Cassie (our protagonist) handles her situation (actively trying not to ruin the twist here, forgive me for being cryptic).  I wanted Cassie's inner strengths to translate to her exterior.  I wanted her bravery to show outwardly.  Arguably this mirrors real life, but I still felt disappointed.

Nevertheless, 4 smiles for this one.  Regardless of your opinion on the ending...you will have strong feelings and strong opinions.  That, after all, is what Jodi does best.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

This is the debut novel from the author of Gone Girl, which I previously rated 5 smiles and a wink.

Camille, the leading lady of this dark tale, has issues she slowly is forced to confront as she travels back home to write a story about missing girls in her hometown.  The story is twisted, scary, and I loved it.  As with Gone Girl, I was constantly impressed with the language and plot choices made by Miss. Flynn.  The characters were positively real, even the twisted ones!

I did figure out the who-done-it aspect a bit early and spent some time waiting for Camille to catch up with it, but it didn't ruin the book at all!  It does keep me from giving a wink to this book of twists since it kept me from being surprised.

4 hearty smiles

Hope to Die by James Patterson

The 22nd exciting novel in the Alex Cross series (my all time favorite)

"In situations where the sane flee from danger, law enforcement officers sprint to engage it..."

Alex Cross books always deliver on action, but this one makes the others feel like a walk in the park.  My heart raced, my fingers tried in vain to keep up with the pace I devoured the words, and my throat constricted to hold back tears.  This book is a masterpiece, reminding all who doubted (NEVER me) that Patterson deserves every accolade and award he has received.  Other authors should read this one and take notes.

5 large smiles
1 tear (whoa, emotions)