1004. "A Fatal Affair" by Faith Martin – 5 Stars

 

A Fatal Affair by Faith Martin – 5 Stars

Publisher: HQ Digital

ISBN: 9780008410483

 

The plot is twisty and intelligently complex. The characters are well crafted. The setting is a village where rumors abound and secrets are hidden. There are many more words I can write to praise this novel, but most important of them is I absolutely enjoyed it

This is the third book I have read in the Ryder and Loveday series. The characters bring me back to read more. Trudy has completed her probationary period but is still not being recognized as a capable professional police officer. Dr. Ryder continues to struggle to keep his illness from being noticed. He is a brilliant mentor to Trudy. They work together to lead the story through an investigation that ends in a surprising conclusion, proving that the most obvious facts do not always lead to the correct answer.

I look forward to getting another of Faith Martin’s books, settling into a comfortable chair, and enjoying a great story.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1003. "A Matter of Life and Death" by Phillip Margolin -- 5 Stars

 

A Matter of Life and Death by Phillip Margolin  -- 5 Stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

ISBN:  9781250258427

 

 The note at the start of the book from the author, Phillip Margolin, lets one know he understands what it means to an attorney to be responsible for defending an innocent person, holding one’s future and very life in his hands. Through his main character Robin Lockwood, a strong woman and passionate attorney, we learn the toll it takes to defend the innocent. She gets it right. I do admire her.

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The plot is intelligently complex. However, the author keeps it flowing well so it never gets confusing. The easy answers can be wrong and everything may not be as it seems. There are some pages of trial proceedings, but,  rather than slowing the action, are informative and add to it. I absolutely enjoyed this novel.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

999. "Hour Game" by David Baldacci – 5 Stars

 

Hour Game by David Baldacci – 5 Stars

Publisher: Warner Vision Books

ISBN: 0446616494

 

Why am I reading a Copright@2004 book? Somehow, I missed this Baldacci mystery and my wife just happened to be the right place at the right time when an individual cleaning out a father’s home had no place to take the scores of books from his library because the libraries were not accepting any books during COVID-19 days.

 

I was astounded once again by the perfectly planned plot and the writing of Mr. Baldacci. This novel was focused on a serial killer whose thunder was then side-tracked by the burglary and killings of individuals of the Battle families. Throw in even more murders that had some importance killer(s) and we have several multi-threaded investigations thrown at the team of Michelle and King. They begin formulating theories that sound right on, until they discover they are “one tick” off! Almost everybody has reason to kill.

 

The suspects pile up and you are left with nothing by question and suspicions until the end, or near the end when a killer finally get captures. But, are there more than one killer? And who robbed Remmy Battle and why? After a few false turns, the burglar finally gets revealed, but the answer as to why doesn’t. Well, it sort-of does at the end, but who is left up to you.

 

It was hard to put this book down; there was always something important happening. This is the way mysteries should be written. So glad I had the opportunity to return to an old book and a favorite author.

 

 

Reviewer: Rich

1002. "The Winner" by David Baldacci – 5 Stars

 

The Winner by David Baldacci – 5 Stars

Publisher: Warner Books

ISBN: 0446522597

 

I don’t know how I missed all Baldacci’s early books, but this 1997 copyrighted one was one of the most pleasing books I’ve read in quite a while.

 

What would you do if you won the big lottery? It’s hard enough to come up with a specific plan even if you did it legally. Now, suppose it wasn’t legal and the person who pulled if off was simply capitalizing on your involvement? Obviously, he has a lot in stake to keep it secret, to the point of killing you to keep it quiet. Along comes Jackson who dupes LuAnn into being his patsy. Over 10 year “contract” with her, Jackson manipulates her, yet makes millions more for her and himself. Throw in a self-defense murder complicating LuAnn’s life and they successfully work in harmony until … ; it’s then when the crap hits the fan and many others get involved, threatened, killed, etc. There’s Riggs, a contractor who becomes intimidate, Charlie, her companion, Donovan, a reporter investigating fixed lotteries, the FBI, the IRS, two of Jackson’s family, etc., Will the disguise-master Jackson, LuAnn, and her daughter Lisa all survive? Will the government catch up with them? Will LuAnn and her friends get to see a future of happiness?

 

I applaud you if you can put this book down without a craving to pick it right up again. Its plot is innovative and its action is nonstop. You’ll be surprised throughout. Absolute one of Baldacci’s best.

 

Reviewer: Rich

1001. Thunderbird ICON gets corrupted on Task Bar Periodically

 For about a year I had a frequent problem in that the Task Bar Pinned Thunderbird ICON  was replaced by a simple default note ICON. Sounds harmless which it was, but you could no longer bring Thunderbird up from this changed/corrupted ICON. Instead, I had to remove it and go back to either one on the Start Menu or the .exe file itself, Right-Click it and PIN it again to the Task Bar.

I finally (I hope after 2 weeks) discovered a remedy that fixes it permanently.  (1) I found the ICON in the Thunderbird folder and copied it from my working system (Lenovo processor) onto the failing one (Dell system). Both files looked the same, but apparently not. This alone may not have resolved the issue, but gave me the option of starting from scratch. (2) I then eliminated setting up the Pinning onto the Task Bar from a SHORTCUT of Thunderbird. I can't remember if I ever did PIN directly from the .exe file or whether I did but only to the Start Menu and then from there Pinned to Task Bar. So, I deleted all Shortcuts and pinned ICONS from START and Task Bar. Then I PINNED from .exe file the START MENU and again from the .exe PINNED to Task Bar. 

Since I did (1) and (2) I have NOT encountered the disrupting corrupted ICON and back to a happy wife (it was her machine. Always want to keep the wife happy). Hope this remedy works for you.

1000. "The Simple Truth" by David Baldacci -- 5 Stars

 

The Simple Truth by David Baldacci – 5 Stars

Publisher: Warner Books

ISBN: 0446523321

 

Another old (Copyright@1997) but excellent novel by Baldacci.

 It starts with a good summary of how the Supreme Court functions and how it’s Justices tussle, yet cooperate, in the outcomes of cases. Sara and Michael Fiske are key clerks who begin the tale of suspense and intrigue involving a Federal prisoner, Rufus Harms, who attempts to appeal to the court for vindication after serving 25 years for murder. His basis is a recently received letter from the Army requesting a review of a program he was in at the time of the murder of a child.

 Several Army personnel have been covering up his involuntary enrollment into the controversial program and have been monitoring him during his lockup. It is now time to kill him! Along comes Michael Fiske, a Supreme Court clerk, who comes across his appeal letter and decides to take action before it is approved by any Justice. You’ll learn his action didn’t exist too long. But then, Sara and his brother John Fiske, also a lawyer, take over and are caught in the almost improbable task of proving Rufus’ claim while fending off the devious Army personnel now in positions including the Supreme Court, the Army’s prison facility, and other law agencies. They obvious have the upper hand and target Rufus, and later his brother, in addition to John and Sara for immediate disposal.

 Never is there a dull moment in this novel while the investigation takes constant twists and casts changing theories and suspicions until the Army personnel are discovered, associated, and enraged to keep the upper hand.Expect to not put this thriller down -- A most unique plot and captivating characters. Mr. Baldacci never disappoints.

 Reviewer: Rich