Edge

Sorry to tell you, this is not another Lincoln Rhyme or Katherine Dance installment in Deaver's other famous series, but it was quite interesting anyway.  The main character, Corte, is a member of a special government agency that protects certain citizens from murderers sent to get information in anyway possible.

I wonder if there is such a division in our government.  Deaver never actually names the group, but it was scary to think that there would be a need for such a force.  These people needing protection are in danger because of information they may have that someone is paying to learn any way possible, even by torture.  I thought I had the answer figured out in the beginning, but was managed to be proven wrong, which was actually a good thing because that was the main reason I kept reading.  While it kept me on the "edge" of my seat at times (like how I threw that in there?) I really didn't like most of the characters.  I just felt like they were there to help the story along, not having the story about them. 

I did learn something interesting:  did you know that the tops of your toes are the most sensitive part of your body?  Want to know how I can tell you this?  The guy trying to get information would carry two things with him to get people to talk:  fine sandpaper and a small bottle of rubbing alchohol.  I'll let you imagine what he would do with that.

Murder on the Leviathan

Erast Fandorin, the sleuth first introduced in the Winter Queen, is back in fine form again.  (Sidenote:  this is the best name for any detective I have ever read about)  I had started reading the series by Boris Akunin after reading about a current publication, and because I have to read the series in order, started at the beginning.

This installment is a good, old fashioned who done it with the murder suspects all together in the same place, a ship sailing across the ocean.  The setting is in the early 1900's, so they are truely stranded without much for outside communication, and basic instints are used by Fandorin to discover who is the guilty subject.

I have never read any Agatha Christie, but this series would be similar to her stories, I suppose.  Basic who done its with good characters are a nice break from the "deep thoughts" some recent books have given me.  I look forward to the next one in the series.

Freedom

This novel by Jonathan Franzen was the talk of the blogs at the end of 2010.  It received alot of mention that it was a favorite read and their choice for best of the year, and I think Oprah even mentioned it.  I finally got a chance to sit down and give it a try.

It started out very well, the characters developing in to someone I would want to know about, but the story line was a little confusing for me.  It was about a young woman growing up, with her voice mainly being heard.  The problem is I am done with the book and it is returned to the library, and I can't remember her name.  Maybe I hated her so much I don't want to remember her at all.  She was whiny and needy, but not in a diva kind of way.  I'm not sure if she was supposed to have a mental problem, but it does bring up the fact that she goes through a depression through some point in her life.

We do get to follow other characters:  her husband Walter and his best friend, Richard, are two main ones, and I remember their names, so they must have been easier to like.  Walter's love for his wife is unconditional, even before she realizes he feels that way about her, and she only wants Richard. 

The main character and Walter have 2 children, and we really only follow the son the most, simply because the mother is smothering him as he's growing up.  The middle of the book took me a very long time but when I finally got to the last chapters things moved quicker.  I felt that it was too full of complaints about their pitiful lives that the characters created for themselves to be an enjoyable read.  I follow alot of different blogs to get the chance to experience new types of stories, but this time I feel it lead me in the wrong direction.

Ice Ice Baby

I had to post about this, in addition to my Twitter feed, because I am sure that some family members don't follow me (Kristen, now with the fancy phone, search for me:  blaschkekm and follow too!).

It was a beautiful day today, a little windy, but a taste of spring is in the air.  Driving home by myself, I open the moon roof (what is the difference between a moon roof and a sun roof anyway???) and turn up the radio because the Eagel's "Seven Bridges Road" is playing---a great song.  Guess what comes on next???  A little bit of original Vanilla Ice so I crank it even louder.  "Stop, collaborate and listen....".

I don't think I was any more of a nerd than the guy I drove by who had his windows down and NPR cranked.  He must have been hard of hearing, who in their right mind would crank up talk radio in there car with the windows rolled down?

Calvin's Suit

Play Dead

I've mentioned before how I like to read an author's publications in order, even if they are not a series.  I enjoy seeing the writer's journey.  "Play Dead" was republished by Harlan Coben recently, and he put a disclaimer at the front of the book.  He mentioned to the reader to not feel bad if they don't get through the entire story, it was his first book and below his current standards.

I really like Harlan Coben's books, so I delved in.  The story is a basic one, newlywed famous couple on their honeymoon and the husband dies mysteriously.  I usually can't figure out where Coben goes with his story, and never figure out the ending.  I love how he blows me away with where the story ends up.  Unfortunately, this was the typical first book.  The plot line has been done before, and I couldn't really get into the character's lives.  It was okay, and I only finished it because I felt I owed the author that respect, because I have enjoyed all of his other books.

In summary, it is a basic story with basic characters, and probably a good read to take on vacation.  The paperback is easy to carry around and interruptions are not a problem because the story is simple to follow.  I am glad I did get to read it, because it was a good start to his other stories.  Without this book we would not have anything else he has written to enjoy.

Goodreads Trivia

After messing around on the computer, I stumbled across a book trivia game on Goodreads.  I am currently at 60%, which isn't bad because there were alot of questions about novels I have not read.  I could choose to skip questions, thus improving my score, but just use the process of elimination and seem to get some of them right!  You can try it out for yourself here.  Good Luck!  And while you are there, "friend" me and I can see what you are reading.  I'm tempted to try out some of the book clubs, but we'll see.

Port Mortuary

I was excited to see a new edition of Kay Scarpetta published.  The last book I read in the series was finally back to the original versions, full of crime scenes and crime solving.  This current book delved into the past of the main character, Dr. Scarpetta.

I don't remember much from the beginning of the series, but wasn't aware that after medical school, Kay served in the military to pay off her massive school loans.  During this time, she was sent overseas to investigate the strange death of two young American girls.  She keeps flashing back, because the current case she is working on keeps reminding her of the past.  We are also introduced (or reintroduced if he had appeared early in the series) of Kay's mentor.

When I finished the book, I realized that it actually took place over just under 36 hours.  There were many points in the novel that the story drug on, but I understand it was only to let us know another intimate part of what makes Dr. Scarpetta tick.  Benton, Lucy and Marino all make an appearance, and once again I am frustrated in the dialogue between the characters.  It seems that Kay "skirts" around the issues that Lucy has, never really wanting her to actually say what her problems are out loud, not that Lucy would ever do that.  And her communication with Benton is annoying because they both have to keep priveledged information from each other due to their respective jobs.  It's like they are both talking in circles sometimes, and it did get confusing.

Kay does finally resolve her issues with her on again/off again assistant medical chief, Jack Fielding.  Unfortunately I did not remember much of the conflicts from previous stories, so this did get a little confusing.  If you want to read more about how the mind of Dr. Scarpetta works, this would be a great book to read (as long as you have read and remembered everything published before).  If you want a simple crime solving novel, this would not be the book for you.