Linda

Not as Good As Some Earlier Books—Keep Reading

Reviewed: 02-28-24

This book was not up to par. It went on too long with too much drama. By the end of the book I didn’t care who had poisoned the drink. I love this series but it is just surprising to have it be so flat, The A-list party turned out to be not very exciting in spite of the death. I do not recommend this book.

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Love This Series—Have read and/or listened to all

Reviewed: 01-27-24

#57 Payback in Death wasn’t the best of the series but it was still 4 stars. I love the narrator and the fact that she reads all of these books. I recommend this series to anyone who likes police procedurals set in the future where you can hit a lever and make a vertical lift and go over the traffic jams. If you are sensitive to swearing, you may want to pick another series. This is definitely for adults. Eve Dallas and Roark are a married couple. She’s the cop. He’s one of the richest men on planet and off for that matter. It is a great adventure and she always solves the crime. Read Book #1 before you get into the series. While every book is a standalone, you need the background to understand the connections.

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Another Mystery in Venice

Reviewed: 11-04-22

Love this series. A woman who Brunetti knew growing up comes to him with a concern about a charity set up by her husband. He agrees to look into it even though he has no probable issue other than her concern. He involves the usual characters from the police. They investigate and find questionable actions by her husband’s investors but nothing by the husband. It comes to light that the woman was always a jealous and vindictive person. Brunetti’s older brother reminded Guido that she always had to be the favorite in everything or she would find ways to cause trouble for the person she perceived ‘wronged her.’ It is not a fast action edition but it has lots of concerns by Brunetti that he took it on without proper police procedures. The woman is accused of vandalizing her daughter’s vet clinic but there is no proof. And as Brunetti tells Paola, ‘there must be proof of a crime before anyone can be punished.’ These are very good stories written by an excellent author. Book 31 and still going strong. Venice, Italy, is the setting and the descriptions are sublime. You should begin with Book 1 to get the lay of the characters.

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Another Adventure with Stephanie and Lula

Reviewed: 11-04-22

This was book 29 in this series. I am glad that it is as fresh as earlier books. A coin is taken as collateral on a bail bond and it disappears. Turns out it was worth $11 million. The original owner wants it back but it has disappeared from the office. Most of the book is about kidnapping to force the return of the coin, including kidnapping Connie, Vinnie, and Stephanie. She has another car provided by Ranger destroyed but this time by Bella (Morelli’s grandmother who gives everyone the evil eye). There are laugh out loud episodes as when Lula has her way too tight and way too short spandex dress ripped by a dog exposing her thong. This was a fun read.

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1 person found this helpful

Very Pedictable-Not As Good as Earlier Books

Reviewed: 05-14-22

Okay. I was afraid this would happen—Nora Roberts would get bored and let someone else finish her plots. This book had no interaction of Roark & Eve as other books. He didn’t even kiss her but once and that was on the cheek. What’s going on??? There was so much dialog about what might happen and who the killer might be that it was boring. You always know that Dallas and Peabody will prevail but this book was just boring. No snarky comments by Eve. It just didn’t seem like it was written by the same author. I have read every book in this series and loved everyone. This makes me question if #55 will be back to the way they used to be or if perhaps Roark and Dallas should depart to one of his off planet resorts and enjoy their money. I know that will never happen but Ms. Roberts needs to get her mojo back.

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Bosch and Ballard Make A Good Team—More Bosch

Reviewed: 12-03-21

Sometimes it seemed that Detective Rene Ballard was trying to push the envelope to the very edge beyond what a LAPD officer could do. Then she finally did. This is an interesting storyline with several paths going in different directions. The main one is trying to find the rapists who have now struck 3 times. Ballard is sure there is a pattern but she can’t see it. She calls Bosch to help her set a trap. He doesn’t like it. It’s too dangerous for Ballard but she insists. So, he backs her but no one can know he is involved because he is retired. It seems Connelly isn’t sure what to do with Bosch now that he has retired. The last few books have him helping Ballard with some difficult investigations but even these are off book. As long as Connelly writes the book, I’ll read it. The narrator for Bosch, Titus Welliver, has become Bosch in every way, even playing the character in the Prime Video. Christine Lakin is newer to the narration game but she is an excellent narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable But Not Great

Reviewed: 11-24-21

Book 28 is a good book in the series. I’m thinking the plot is beginning to be repetitive with not much new material added. Without Lula it would be a real bore but her comic relief is appreciated. The books are entertaining but like all long running series, it is hard to come up with new material. Still a fun read.

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6 people found this helpful

Cold Cases Are Not As Exciting

Reviewed: 10-25-21

This started off with a storm, then the call about a barrel washing ashore very similar to one that washed ashore in Canada years ago. She remembers. She and Bird (her cat) fly to Montreal for her investigation there with Ryan. Then she gets wrapped up with the investigation in Nashville where the grandfather of the youngest victim lives. It is interesting but I never did really get into it like her earlier books. I expect the next book will be better. The narrator was okay.

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Another Terrific Story — Corrupt Government Men

Reviewed: 10-16-21

I love Barry Eisler’s writing and his narration makes his books come to life. I am so glad he re-recorded all of his earlier books. He knows the characters better than anyone and his voice makes the characters live. This story is about video tapes that are going to expose some high government officials raping children. They will do anything to keep these tapes secret. Of course, there are numerous individuals trying to gain access of the tapes. Whoever gets them can expose or threaten to expose the players. But, what about the girls? If the tapes are exposed, they will always be known as ‘those girls on the tape.’ So, the good guys come together to ensure the tapes do not get exposed. Even John Raines and Delilah are asked to participate. It is an exciting story. The author’s narration made it better.

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Memories Can Be Replaced or Can They

Reviewed: 09-08-21

A well written and interesting psychological thriller. A psychiatrist has figured out how to use hypnosis to change how one remembers events. Her patients come to her with memories that they want to forget. For example, a fear that prevents them from living a full life. One patient is afraid of bridges and lives in San Francisco where there is a bridge connecting everything. She would like to be free of this phobia so she visits the psychiatrist. Someone is getting information about this technique and using it against the patients. Three of the doctor’s patients have wound up dead. Frost Easton is a police detective working to solve the cases. It is an interesting theme and there are lots of places in San Francisco described. I listened to the audible version and enjoyed Joe Barrett, the narrator. I liked it enough that I just got the 2nd and 3rd book in the series.

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1 person found this helpful