cambridgedon
Calgary Public Library
cambridgedon's Completed Shelf
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cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jul 22, 2019
Dark Sacred NightDark Sacred Night, BookA Ballad and Bosch Novel
by Connelly, MichaelBook - 2018Book, 2018
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jul 22, 2019
Comment:
Not one of Connelly's best efforts as he has a tough time delivering the story with any fluidity. He may just be stale or running low on ideas. A disappointing read from an usually strong author.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Apr 24, 2019
Comment:
This is just about as good as storytelling gets. Big action, thoughtful deduction, sinister betrayals and an explosive climax are just what the doctor ordered to induce insomnia.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Apr 07, 2019
Comment:
This is a tried and true trope with a brilliant serial killer who tries to prove how smart he is. It's standard Connelly fare though far from original. Bosch's closeness with Rachel seems a little forced and doesn't quite ring true.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Mar 08, 2019
Comment:
This book is a little out of sorts both thematically (Reacher is anchored and not fancy free) and stylistically (it reads more like a Jeffery Deaver novel where you get a peek into the mind of the killer). As such it's far from Lee Child's best but a solid read nonetheless.This book is a little out of sorts both thematically (Reacher is anchored and not fancy free) and stylistically (it reads more like a Jeffery Deaver novel where you get a peek into the mind of the killer). As such it's far from Lee Child's best but…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Mar 03, 2019
Comment:
This is as good as story-telling gets - a top notch spy thriller where the plot ticks along like a precision Swiss timepiece. Daniel Silva is not afraid to be innovative in taking on the big bad guys and writing the difficult mano a mano scenes with aplomb. Definitely one of my favourites in the Allon series.This is as good as story-telling gets - a top notch spy thriller where the plot ticks along like a precision Swiss timepiece. Daniel Silva is not afraid to be innovative in taking on the big bad guys and writing the difficult mano a mano scenes with…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2019
Comment:
This has all the hallmarks of an old-style noir thriller - an almost unbelievable premise leads to an entertaining yarn. Silva has it stately-paced with his well known characters and this novel is free from the usual sermonizing from the former good ole Catholic boy. Well worth reading.This has all the hallmarks of an old-style noir thriller - an almost unbelievable premise leads to an entertaining yarn. Silva has it stately-paced with his well known characters and this novel is free from the usual sermonizing from the former good…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Feb 09, 2019
Comment:
The amount of torture inflicted by Connelly on the psyche of his protagonist Bosch is painful to witness but it adds to the layers of complexity of the character like an intricately woven tapestry. This tale is much more in Bosch's mind than in the mystery in the past of LA and is a great character study in understanding the futility of the human condition. Connelly is firing on all cylinders and manages to include a number of twists you don't see coming.The amount of torture inflicted by Connelly on the psyche of his protagonist Bosch is painful to witness but it adds to the layers of complexity of the character like an intricately woven tapestry. This tale is much more in Bosch's mind than in the…
Mystery Writers of America Presents VengeanceMystery Writers of America Presents Vengeance, Book[stories]
Book - 2012Book, 2012
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 30, 2019
Comment:
As usual with an anthology, it's a mixed bag. 'River Secret' by Anne Swardson and 'Hot Sugar Blues' by Steve Liskow are two standouts and 'Even a Blind Man' by Darrell James wins points for sheer atmospherics. 'Silent Justice' by C.E. Lawrence is well constructed and motivated. But the unquestionable winner is 'Blood and Sunshine' by Adam Meyer which undoes the reader by a screwball or a googly depending upon your sport of reference and it's even more disquieting for its total dearth of humanity - you don't see the ending coming until you're hit on the head by a two by four. Michael Connelly and Lee Child provide sub-par efforts this time around.As usual with an anthology, it's a mixed bag. 'River Secret' by Anne Swardson and 'Hot Sugar Blues' by Steve Liskow are two standouts and 'Even a Blind Man' by Darrell James wins points for sheer atmospherics. 'Silent Justice' by C.E. Lawrence is…
Inherit the DeadInherit the Dead, BookA Novel
Book - 2013Book, 2013
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2019
Comment:
A nice gimmick using 20 writers to tell one highly formulaic story essentially crafted (and edited) by Jonathan Santlofer. It's above average and borrows a trope from Icelandic noir (yes, that is a thing) but the storyline is slow to develop, some stuff is repetitive and it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Also the title is a clue to the ending (Oh no, I've said too much, Mr. Stipe).A nice gimmick using 20 writers to tell one highly formulaic story essentially crafted (and edited) by Jonathan Santlofer. It's above average and borrows a trope from Icelandic noir (yes, that is a thing) but the storyline is slow to develop, some…
The Fifth WitnessThe Fifth Witness, Book[a Lincoln Lawyer] Novel [featuring Mickey Haller]
by Connelly, MichaelBook - 2011Book, 2011
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2019
Comment:
Although I much prefer the Harry Bosch novels, this is my favourite Mickey Haller novel to date and the first one I've given five stars. Connelly delivers a much finer first-person narrative than usual and provides a meandering menagerie of twists and turns. I also have to say the courtroom drama even matches or beats John Grisham on his best day. Highly recommended can't-put-down read.Although I much prefer the Harry Bosch novels, this is my favourite Mickey Haller novel to date and the first one I've given five stars. Connelly delivers a much finer first-person narrative than usual and provides a meandering menagerie of twists…
The Concrete BlondeThe Concrete Blonde, Book[a Harry Bosch Novel]
by Connelly, MichaelBook - 1994Book, 1994
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 18, 2019
Comment:
Finely crafted and elegantly polished, this is about as good as a procedural gets. You're in good hands with Michael Connelly and when he's sculpting Bosch, very few can do it better. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.
First ThrillsFirst Thrills, BookHigh-octane Stories From the Hottest Thriller Authors
Book - 2010Book, 2010
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2019
Comment:
A mixed bag of nuts given the number of authors and the different styles and topics. They range from the horribly bad munching zombies to the more eclectic well-written tales by Jeffery Deaver and Lee Child. A beach read and nothing much more.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2019
Comment:
I have commented before on not liking Haller as much as Bosch because Connelly seems a little boxed in when writing in the first person. But clearly this earlier effort is far better than some of his later ones. This one is taut and despite being mostly linear, there is enough background to keep two cases running parallel with enough intersections between the two (did I just write that oxymoron - just like military intelligence, I suppose) to keep the reader on his or her toes. Actually my favourite Haller story so far.I have commented before on not liking Haller as much as Bosch because Connelly seems a little boxed in when writing in the first person. But clearly this earlier effort is far better than some of his later ones. This one is taut and despite being…
MatchupMatchup, Book
Book - 2017Book, 2017
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 10, 2019
Comment:
Came here as a Lee Child fan and was glad he teamed up with Kathy Reichs in 'Faking a Murderer' so Jack Reacher and Temperance Brennan could intersect in one of the three best stories out of the eleven collaborations between a male and a female writer. One of the others was 'Rambo on Their Minds,' a collaboration of David Morrell and Gayle Linds. The other was 'Deserves to be Dead' by John Sandford and Lisa Jackson. Honourable mention goes to the paranormal effort from Diana Gabaldon and Steve Berry, 'Past Prologue' which clearly wins style points for its first person, present tense presentation. 'Taking the Veil' by Eric Van Lustbader and J. A. Jance is the poorest effort due to its dull narrative style.Came here as a Lee Child fan and was glad he teamed up with Kathy Reichs in 'Faking a Murderer' so Jack Reacher and Temperance Brennan could intersect in one of the three best stories out of the eleven collaborations between a male and a female…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 07, 2019
Comment:
Another terrific, near-perfect novel by Lee Child. The bodies pile up and the bad guys find justice Reacher-style but there are no loose ends and the plot is steeped in reality. And surprise, surprise Reacher can't bed either lead female interest.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 07, 2019
Comment:
This is not a book, novella or short story and really isn't worth a rating. The only problem is it's a guide to Jack Reacher which makes it readable for the fan, but just barely. True fans won't learn anything from this.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2019
Comment:
Another very entertaining novel though the plot is slightly below Child's vaunted standards. And even when Child isn't at his very best, he's still better than 99.9% of the writers out there as his research, wry humour and depth of knowledge takes your breath away.Another very entertaining novel though the plot is slightly below Child's vaunted standards. And even when Child isn't at his very best, he's still better than 99.9% of the writers out there as his research, wry humour and depth of knowledge takes…
Bad Luck and TroubleBad Luck and Trouble, BookA Jack Reacher Novel
by Child, LeeBook - 2007Book, 2007
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2019
Comment:
This is as good as it gets and it is, indeed, difficult to find any holes in the plot. Another excellent, driving, against-all-odds narrative makes this novel impossible to put down. Neagley is an amazing fictional character and it's wonderful when she teams up with Reacher.This is as good as it gets and it is, indeed, difficult to find any holes in the plot. Another excellent, driving, against-all-odds narrative makes this novel impossible to put down. Neagley is an amazing fictional character and it's wonderful when…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 26, 2018
Comment:
Another excellent, highly readable Jack Reacher novel from the very talented Lee Child. Child seamlessly weaves two narratives: one past and one present dealing with the same villain while maintaining chilling suspense and revealing the problems of inter-departmental conflicts within the U.S. government. The plot is eminently plausible and does not go over the top as is the case in some of his other novels.Another excellent, highly readable Jack Reacher novel from the very talented Lee Child. Child seamlessly weaves two narratives: one past and one present dealing with the same villain while maintaining chilling suspense and revealing the problems of…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 25, 2018
Comment:
Another solid, entertaining effort from Lee Child. It goes a little over the top with the ending and some extraneous political commentary. Not his best but doesn't stray too far from it.
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2018
Comment:
Let's face it: Child can write short chapters or novella length chapters without sacrificing suspense; he can write in the third person or in the first person with equal narrative aplomb; and he can deal with ugly and despicable human atrocities without glorifying or sugar-coating them. In other words, he knows how to wear his big-boy pants with pizazz.Let's face it: Child can write short chapters or novella length chapters without sacrificing suspense; he can write in the third person or in the first person with equal narrative aplomb; and he can deal with ugly and despicable human atrocities…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 20, 2018
Comment:
The only problem with novels like these is that they are insomnia inducing. You can't get a good night's sleep because you can't put the book down. It's horrible that Child is so talented to conjure up a story out of whole cloth. Even when you've discovered the MacGuffin it doesn't detract from driving deliriously to the denouement.The only problem with novels like these is that they are insomnia inducing. You can't get a good night's sleep because you can't put the book down. It's horrible that Child is so talented to conjure up a story out of whole cloth. Even when you've…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 17, 2018
Comment:
Another ballsy plot that does not strain credulity. It also covers a significant time in Reacher's life. It is pinpoint precise, tantalizingly taut and ruggedly ruthless when it needs to be, just like Reacher. Another master class in suspense narrative by Lee Child.Another ballsy plot that does not strain credulity. It also covers a significant time in Reacher's life. It is pinpoint precise, tantalizingly taut and ruggedly ruthless when it needs to be, just like Reacher. Another master class in suspense…
cambridgedon's rating:
Added Dec 13, 2018
Comment:
This is the diamond standard in story-telling as Lee Child delivers a can't put down thriller written in the first person no less - a task he performs with sublime brilliance unlike any plodding first-person narrative in Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer series. Child deals with issues of morality as his characters must do either what is right or expedient - hence the true heroism of Jack Reacher is manifest.This is the diamond standard in story-telling as Lee Child delivers a can't put down thriller written in the first person no less - a task he performs with sublime brilliance unlike any plodding first-person narrative in Michael Connelly's Lincoln…
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