Book Review Hope to Die

I have been anxiously awaiting "Hope to Die" since I finished "Cross My Heart" last year and it was worth the wait. (By the way, I am not one of the people who was disappointed with the ending to "Cross My Heart." I just wanted Mr. Patterson to write faster!) This book starts where the other left off -- Alex Cross's family is missing and presumed dead.

It's hard to give a synopsis without giving away too much of the story, but I can say that the Cross's foster daughter Ava returns and plays a major role in figuring out who the murderer/kidnapper is.

If you're one of the people who usually finishes an Alex Cross book in one sitting, you will be doing that again. Even as Alex reaches the depths we never thought his spirit would reach, his character and perserverence shine through and he does what he needs to do to get the job done.

I have read some Goodreads reviews in which people are saying they are sad because this is the last Alex Cross book. I don't know where they got that idea. There is one paragraph where Alex says he'd give it all up if ... But the next paragraph talks about Nana Mama telling him you can't bargain with God. And let's face it, folks. Alex Cross is a goldmine for James Patterson. Why would he stop writing Alex Cross stories. I hope I'm right about that, and he never stops.

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Book Review Invisible by James Patterson & David Ellis

I literally got chills when the killer’s identity was revealed in this book. (And, I mean the literal meaning of literally.) I thought I had it figured out a few chapters before the big reveal but, oh no, was I ever wrong!

The premise of the book is that a criminal genius of a serial killer is murdering people and then setting fires that look accidental to cover up the killings. Because the arsons/murders are committed all over the country, in different jurisdictions, law enforcement doesn’t see a pattern. But when the twin sister of FBI research analyst Emmy Dockery dies in a fire Emmy thinks the circumstances surrounding the fatal blaze don’t add up and she launches her own investigation. She’s been suspended, so she’s on her own for a while on the investigation. Eventually, though, because of her persistence and a couple of other factors, the FBI devotes its full resources to catching the diabolical criminal.

The identity of the killer wasn’t the only “Oh my God” moment in the book, but I really can’t get into any of those moments without giving away too much of the story.

I can say, though, that the story is told not only from Emmy’s point of view but that of the serial killer as well, as the “subject” records everything concerning the crimes.

This is one of the most satisfying, thrilling, creepy and terrifying James Patterson books ever. “Invisible” was co-authored by David Ellis, and now I’m looking forward to reading his books.

5 of 5

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Book Review The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Any review I write for this delightful, insightful, poignant and oh-so-satisfying book will not do it justice. I love it so much that I might start carrying it around to show people and say, “This, my friend, is why I love books.”

Briefly, it’s about love, loving books and loving people who love books. It also has a couple of mysteries that we learn are actually tied together. It has two very different romances, a growing and ever-evolving relationship between an adopted daughter/father duo, a dastardly villain, a totally comedic interlude that turns out to be quite distressing, and so much more.

I’m not even going to try to introduce the characters to you because I could never do it as well as the author does. But I will say I love them all (except the dastardly villain) and they will be with me for a long time, if not forever.

Even before I finished the book (the last couple of dozen pages with tissue in hand and wiping tears from my eyes – both sad and happy tears) I knew it would go straight to the “favorites” section in my collection.

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Book Review: The Boy Who Drew Monsters

I’ll admit I was going to give this book a lower rating – until I got to the last few paragraphs. What a fantastic ending!

When I finished, I realized there was lots of foreshadowing in the book but, at least for me, it wasn’t enough to ruin the ending. It was just enough for me to say, “Ah! Now I get it!”

Anyway, the story is about Jack Peter, a 10-year-old boy with Asperger’s; his parents Tim and Holly Keenan; and his best friend Nick who, as the story progresses, wants less and less to do with Jack Peter.

One of Nick’s problems with Jack is that Jack is obsessed with drawing monsters, and Nick wants to move on to some other way to occupy their time, especially when he is spending a week at the Keenan’s house while his own parents are on a Caribbean cruise. During this time (and before it to some extent) strange things are happening: a “monster” is lurking around the house and when Tim goes to investigate he’s attacked; deformed “babies” are crawling and crying outside in the middle of the night; and salt water coming into Jack’s second floor bedroom and soaking the boys.

Holly, who is all about order and structure, gets more and more frustrated with all of the situations in her life and turns to a Catholic priest and his housekeeper for help. That’s when she learns about a long ago shipwreck off the Maine coast where they live, as well as ghosts that may be inhabiting the area.

Saying much more would give away some of the best parts, so I’ll stop now with the synopsis. But I will say I got this book through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review, and I’m so glad I did!

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