The World Beneath by Rebecca Cantrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great book! Good story, well developed characters and just enough reality to make it seem possible. The bad guys are very bad and the good guy is... well, a dog. Seriously, I loved it, its a fun read. I'll get to the second one later. I like the fact that a programmer is the hero. Programmers have a way of thinking and he uses facts, intuition and logic fully to solve his predicament. Well played. Nicely written too.

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Odessa Sea by Clive Cussler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clive Cussler never disappoints. The book is fast paced the characters are realistic yet iconic. The villains are awful and the heroes are beautiful, witty, handsome and strong. The story is essentially ripped from the headlines with just enough reality to keep you reading. Want to relax with a book? This one is fun, fast and a pleasure to read.

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Night School by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a real mystery masterpiece. The story is complex, readable and entertaining. Just enough realism to make it a bit scary. Set early in Reacher's career, it hints at some of his later behaviors and quirks. I just love it. I wish Lee Child would write three books a year. This book can stand alone. One needs not know anything about the other books in the series to enjoy it.
Child's use of language and writing style really shines in this book. So many interesting and provocative story lines that converge in a few seconds of utter realism.

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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great book. Erik Larson gets me anxious even though I know the ending. He brings the characters to life and the reader wonders what will become of them. I am so glad that he has shone a light on this episode of history. We tend to forget what transportation and communication was like in that era. He also shows us how utterly human and sometimes small minded even some of our greatest leaders have been. Human frailty and championing of ignorance is not a new condition of mankind, it is a chronic condition.

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This Was a Man by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fitting end to the Clifton Chronicles. At times hard to read because, knowing that it was the final episode, I didn't want it to end. Taking all the characters and weaving them into a final few inches of fabric, knowing that there would be no more was masterful. What a storyteller. This is a brilliant book and was a brilliant series. I do now know more about cricket than I ever wanted to.

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Sex, Lies, and Serious Money by Stuart Woods
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stuart Woods never fails to provide a delightful read. Imagine yourself with all the money in the world and a rich friend to tell you how to spend it appropriately. That's the main plot of this story. The underlying story is a minor, but interesting, crime conspiracy with Stone and his new friend involved. A lot of delightful sex, mischief and great meal descriptions. In addition jet setting around the the country in private jets.... These books are a joy to read.

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Escape Clause by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Between John Sandford books I forget how good he is. The story is wonderfully presented. The characters have depth and realism, even though they are incredibly weird and almost unbelievable. Virgil is so real and his emotions are portrayed beautifully. The plot is complex and yet I bought the whole thing. Can't wait for the next one. If you've never read John Sandford, this might be a good introduction... I loved it.

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Machinations by Hayley Stone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess this book was pretty much fluff for me. A bit end of the world, machines fight humans. The terminator without time travel. Interesting characters. I think my grandchildren will like this book. The story was too predictable and I don't just mean the ending. I sort of knew the storyline as it unfolded.

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Old Filth by Jane Gardam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection. It is very readable and I had trouble putting it down. The problem was that there was very little plot and a ton of character development. I guess I had figured out the "secret" and was not too surprised at the ending. I think I many have learned a lot about the British Empire that I did not know. Maybe I have a better idea of why England is so different from the States.

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Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another episode in the Clifton Chronicles. I love these books. The stories and characters are quite memorable. They seem to have a depth and realism that is wonderful. Reading these stories has given me a whole new look at English society and politics. I look forward to the next episode.

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Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The saga continues but got a little plodding in the middle of the book. Thought for a minute or two I was done with the Clifton's but he ending left me hanging enough to go on with the story. On to book five. This must be a tribute to the writing of Archer. His characters are rich with realism and emotion. One can almost feel they have met them. Even minor characters seem to have three dimensions. Worth reading.

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Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The master of surprise endings. Great to know there is another of these, in fact several more. Archer develops characters and story lines that are intriguing and eminently believable. His characters don't seem to get old, they seem to mature and become multi-faceted. I am totally enjoying the series.

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