Posts from ‘December, 2007’

Kathy Reichs has written a tight, scientifically based, edge of your seat novel which kept me up late into the night reading. This was my fourth Reich’s book (others were: Grave Secrets; Monday Mourning; and Deja Dead – also gripping thrillers) and it didn’t disappoint me.

Tempe Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who is called out as part of the emergency response team when an airplane crashes. As she combs through the wreckage and begins cataloging the remains of the passengers, she discovers a severed leg that doesn’t seem to belong to any passenger on board. Her desire to uncover the mystery gets the wrong kind of attention from the state’s lieutenant governor and Brennan finds herself on the other side of the investigation and fighting for her professional life.

For those readers who have read Reich’s previous novels, you won’t be surprised to see some characters return to this one – most notably the handsome Andrew Ryan and Brennan’s ex-husband, Pete, along with a new, endearing addition – Pete’s chow-mix, Boyd.

Reichs has amazing attention to detail – explaining the science and technology behind airplane investigations, soil analysis and body identification. The plot in Fatal Voyage is fast paced and spellbinding. Reichs’ ability to create tension is wonderful. As one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Reichs knows her stuff and it shows.

For those readers who love thrillers and suspense, I can highly recommend Fatal Voyage. I will be adding the rest of Reich’s novels to my reading list soon.

When nine year old Trish McFarland, a rabid Red Sox fan, goes on a hike with her mother and brother, the farthest thing from her mind is getting lost. But when she steps off the path, a nightmare begins.

Stephen King has crafted a story of terror that recalls our most basic fear: the dark and the boogey monster. As Trisha wanders further and further into the woods, forced to use her cleverness to find food and shelter, she begins to sense she is being followed. The being that follows her is not beast or human, but something far more sinister and it circles near especially as night falls. Trisha looks to her Walkman – where the fading signal out of Boston broadcasts the Red Sox games – and to her favorite player, closer Tom Gordon to prepare herself for the inevitable showdown between herself and ‘the God of the Lost’ – her name for the monster.

King tells the story from young Trisha’s POV, and keeps it interesting from beginning to end with palm sweating descriptions and suspense. A quick read, this is one an average reader can knock off in a day.

Recommended..

Christmas came early this year! I’ve snagged two free early releases in the last week.

The first I requested from Ecco – Harper Collins and was very pleased when the Fed Ex man  arrived on my doorstep with a copy of The Outlander, by Gil Adamson. This is Adamson’s debut novel set in 1903 about a nineteen year old woman fleeing from the law. The book is set for release in April 2008. I plan to read it well before that!

The second book I snagged came through Library Thing’s Early Reviewer program which debuted earlier this year. This will be my third book from them:  The Winter Rose, by Jennifer Donnelly. Published by Hyperion Books, it is set for release in early January. To read their blurb on the book, go here.