900. "Mr. Nobody" by Catherine Steadman –2 Stars

Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman –2 Stars

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 9781524797683

If Net Galley had not given me this book for an honest review, I would not have finished reading it. I did not enjoy it.

The description of medical tests and psychiatric disorders, while accurate, did not make Mr. Nobody’s condition anymore believable.

Dr. Emma Lewis put her chance of career advancement over not only her own, but also her family’s safety. I couldn’t get past her selfishness in rationalizing that she was the only person who could help Mr. Nobody.

Finally, the plot was driven by contrived and completely unbelievable scheming.

Reviewer: Nancy

899. "Deadly Deception" by Paula J. Mann -- 4 Stars

Deadly Deception by Paula J. Mann  --  4 Stars 

Publisher: BooksGoSocial    

ISBN: 9781984990686    

When someone often stretched the truth or outright lied, my mother labeled him a pathological liar. Now I know there really is a psychological condition with that name. Ethan, the main character, is just that, a liar, and he wants to get over it. 

This is a short book, 111 pages. It is just long enough to read in a day. It fills a few hours with entertainment and though short has a well developed plot and good characters. It is a bit heavy on the travelogue, but that doesn’t slow the action too much.

 The story of how Ethan sets out on a world tour in an attempt to be cured of lying and finds love and more adventure than he expected is unique.

It is good to know that Mom could have been right about those liars. They couldn’t help it.

Reviewer: Nancy

898. "Lock Me In" by Kate Simants -- 3 stars

Lock Me In  by Kate Simants -- 3 stars

HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780008353292   

The description of this book and reviews by readers saying it had a complex fast moving plot made me excited to read it. I was somewhat disappointed. I didn’t hate it but sometimes I struggled to continue reading. While the plot was unique and intriguing, it became so complex that it was cumbersome and this slowed the action unnecessarily.

The personal issues Detective Mae had with his ex-wife and daughter added nothing to the story and was one reason it often dragged.

The conclusion was interesting, but some explanations of occurrences and actions by the characters were unrealistic making it forced. I realize this is fiction but in mystery books I have to believe that things could actually happen. This wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t as enjoyable as I’d hoped.

  

Reviewer: Nancy

897 "Justice" by Joseph Badal – 5 Stars

Justice by Joseph Badal – 5 Stars

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

ISBN: 9780578559285

I hesitated reading this third book in the series before reading the previous two, but I never sought any more information than within. All characters were fully developed and the story didn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, not only did I get what was expected, an exciting adventure about Matt and Renee Curtis, but also other exciting events involving a CIA cover-up involving a corrupt Bulgarian informant still participating in human trafficking, senators with their own agendas and using the cover-up to their advantage, a CIA agent Parnell thrust into a suicide mission, a hit man, really a women, under contract with the informant on a kill mission, a General Moreland capable of directing missile launches on targets, and a band of retired military special force personnel supporting Matt deep in the forests of Nicaragua . In other words, the action never slows down and who’s out to get who is surprising. Matt’s arch enemy Jackson, aka Lorca, who hunts Matt and Renee becomes the main focus and his hideaway a target of destruction. Mr. Badal’s book was superbly written.

I also enjoyed the summary’s of the author’s other books at the end and convinced to now add Joseph Badal to one of my favorite authors. I shall be pulling his list and begin the reading.

Reviewer: Rich

896. "A Small Town" by Thomas Perry -- 5 Stars

A Small Town by Thomas Perry  --  5 Stars

Mystery Press

9780802148063

It started with a complexly orchestrated prison break releasing 1200 inmates who murdered the entire prison staff. They went on to raid a small town nearly destroying it and the lives of its citizens. Then there was a take-no-prisoners manhunt for the twelve who masterminded the escape. All this created a story full of action and entertainment.

Leah Hawkins, the central character who single-handed pursued the twelve men was well crafted. She carried out the task assigned to her by the city council with intelligence and skill. It appears that this is a stand-alone novel. I was hoping that it was the beginning of a series. Leah was such a strong and engaging woman that I hoped it was the beginning of a series with her as the lead.

I’ve read and enjoyed other novels by Thomas Perry. This one encourages me to read the ones I have missed. I thank the author for the entertaining hours I spent with A Small Town.  

Reviewer: Nancy