Review - The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

Published 2012

Book Summary

What’s the point in solving murders if we’re all going to die? Detective Hank Palace has asked this question ever since asteroid 2011GV1 hovered into view. Several kilometers wide, it’s on a collision course with planet Earth, with just six precious months until impact.

Industry is grinding to a halt. Most people have abandoned their jobs. But not Hank Palace. As our story opens, he’s investigating the latest suicide in a city that’s full of suicides—only this one feels wrong. This one feels like homicide. And Palace is the only one who cares. What’s the point in solving murders if we’re all going to die?

My Review - 3

I read Bedbugs in 2012 and enjoyed the eccentric and weird story, great for horror fans.  I wanted to try Ben Winters again and have had this on my TBR list for awhile. I am not a fan of series so wasn't sure about this one but with the newest book out and the publisher reaching out, I went for it.

This wasn't my cup of tea, it was a good mystery but a little on the science fiction side and without a true ending due to it being a trilogy.  I love a standalone mystery, in order to have an outcome.  I don't enjoy cliffhangers, it annoys me instead of making me excited for the next.

The story did make you think if the world was coming to an end, an asteroid was coming and all would die, what would you do?  If it was 6 months away, would most people give up life, commit suicide or leave their jobs and travel the world, be with family etc, would that really happen.  I honestly don't know.  I am not sure I would believe the news but who knows.

Detective Hank was new in his role, a dream come true and so when a body was found and everything pointed to suicide, he was committed to proving it was a murder.  I enjoyed this but it felt a little drawn out.

Ben Winters is a good writer and I think he would have a great fan base that will love all his writing. This wasn't thrilling enough for me to continue on with the trilogy but unique story, just not for me.

My Bedbugs review

Review - Before you Die by Samantha Hayes

Book Summary - 

Oh God, please don't let me die.

It has taken nearly two years for the Warwickshire village of Radcote to put a spate of teenage suicides behind it.

Then a young man is killed in a freak motorbike accident, and a suicide note is found among his belongings. A second homeless boy takes his own life, this time on the railway tracks.

Is history about to repeat itself?

DI Lorraine Fisher has just arrived for a relaxing summer break with her sister. Soon she finds herself caught up in the resulting police enquiry. And when her nephew disappears she knows she must act quickly.

Are the recent deaths suicide - or murder?

And is the nightmare beginning again?

My Review - 4 

I love Samantha Hayes, she is a go to author for me.  Covers have an impact on readers so I was confused with the similar cover to Until You're Mine (see below), they are similar but not part of a series, possibly same DI but I'm not completely sure.  Now that I have read the book it also doesn't do anything for the story.

I enjoyed the family story line incorporated in the suspense investigation, well done, it kept you wondering what and who was really involved. I thought the characters could have been flushed out better but I think it was intentional at the end.

Gil, is a family member who is autistic and adds to the suspense of the story but is he a reliable character, great distraction.  I enjoyed his mumbling's and artistic way of communicating.  It was amazing how the family accepted him for who he was but they didn't respect him.

Lorraine goes to her sisters house for vacation and when questioning an incident meets up with a Detective that she has no respect for professionally from the past and begins questioning and looking into investigations that may have not been fully complete. Teenage suicides and homeless kids committed suicide and not fully investigated.  Does a suicide note immediately mean suicide? You are able to figure out something is going on but everyone you point your finger to, doesn't really make sense, it is a good challenge trying to piece it all together.

A very scary undercurrent was the bullying Lorraine's nephew was going through.  The family dynamics the teenagers were dealing with was intense, mind blowing at times.  I really judge when reading books and think parents are pretty damn bad, it is written on the wall and you're to scared to do anything, the most ridiculous parenting style in my opinion, just let your child die then, WTF is that, ok, enough venting.

The story was intense, had family drama, many clues that you will enjoy but misleading so it was entertaining to try and figure out.  There were a few, I can't believe it moments, but it was my own bias. The reason for the suicide and or murder, eye rolling.

This can be read as a stand alone. All of her books are solid reads, I have gave Tell Tale 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to read this one.

What are you reading? World Cup is over.......

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

My last meme post was on June 1st, wow.  I have been happily distracted with World Cup, I loved it. I am for France and they made it to the Top 8, good job.  Congrats to Germany, they played consistently throughout the World Cup, very much deserved.

I mainly have been reading Netgalley reads and have been pleased with them.

Currently Reading - I love the movie adaptations, but this is my first Bourne read.

I read and reviewed this debut - Good Girl, my review 3 1/2

I am considering between 2 reads as my next, I have read a book by both authors before. Bad Moon is a hardback which I used to love by Dead Wrong is an ebook which is my new love.  

Also, my furniture arrived for my new house, happy dance :-)  We now have to put it together, sigh. That is not my strength, I am visual, so fabric, furniture and hardware choices then design, not the put together, lol.

I hope you have an amazing week.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Review - The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Publication - July 29, 2014

Book Summary from NetGalley

Born to a prominent Chicago judge and his stifled socialite wife, Mia Dennett moves against the grain as a young inner-city art teacher. One night, Mia enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. With his smooth moves and modest wit, at first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. 

Colin's job was to abduct Mia as part of a wild extortion plot and deliver her to his employers. But the plan takes an unexpected turn when Colin suddenly decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota, evading the police and his deadly superiors. Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them, but no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter. 

My Review - 3 1/2 star

I enjoyed this psychological thriller debut by Mary Kubica.  My concern is when debuts are labeled as similar to other books, in this case Gone Girl.  I'm tired of it, I wasn't a fan of Gone Girl, which for one, may actually keep readers away from the book.  I also think it sets debut authors up for failure.

I thought this was a great debut, I felt like there was inspiration of authors throughout the novel and so I look forward to MaryK finding her own voice. I thoroughly enjoy when multiple points of view are used and I think it was executed well.  The netgalley version was hard to read as there were no chapters, just continuous writing but that is one of the down faults of an ARC.

The beginning sucked you in and the ending was great with an amazing bonus at the end, brilliant I thought, not shocking as I had the thought but still great unique spin. My concern was in the middle. An abduction plan is set and then Colin decides to keep Mia, I wished I understood more of why.  This is where I think MaryK could have had a hit especially with the unique ending, but it did seem to drag on a bit.

My take was that MaryK couldn't decide if she wanted to focus on the investigation, the lives of those grieving the loss of Mia or the suspense of Colin and Mia victim/abductor relationship and so no area was fleshed out enough, some details came across as unnecessary instead of building on the suspense. This was my main complaint, I thought this book could have been sit on the edge of your seat worthy and it just missed the wow factor.

There was a lot going on in this book but either editing was needed or just further writing experience which she will get in time.  I would give Mary Kubica another try, it piqued my attention and overall I enjoyed it.

Apologies for being Missing - WORLD CUP

Blogging Friends,

Please accept my apology for not posting and networking.  World Cup only comes every 4 years and for a whole month. It is the ultimate delight.  I have always been a football fan, no English team but I have been for France in World Cup since 1998 when we beat Brazil 3-0.  Well France has made it to the Top 4, they play tomorrow against Germany.  I have had to take extra time from work to watch my games :-)

I can go on and on but I won't bore you, eeek.  Oh one more for the USA fans.  Your goal keeper Howard IS THE MAN.  He saved the most goals in a World Cup since 1966, amazing.  He was total super hero worthy even though they lost at the end.

I have been reading though......... 

I am currently reading a NetGalley, reminds me of Still Missing, similar but different.

I also finished the June Goodreads Group - A Good Thriller read - my first by Karin Slaughter, I enjoyed it but will go with her new books now, she just released a new one Cop Town.

I also finished another by Marcus Sakey.  So I am officially behind 2 reviews which is not good for me, very hard to go back and review, sigh

So friends, if I have missed a post or review you would like me to check out, let me know.  I do think about you :-) 

World Cup will all be over next Sunday, HOPEFULLY FRANCE AS WINNERS :-)