The Switch
Sandra Brown
Grand Central Publishing
www.HachetteBookGroupUSA.com
Sandra Brown’s thriller “The Switch is one of her most complicated plots. It begins with Gillian and Melina, identical twin sisters who meet for lunch. Gillian tells Melina she has been trying to conceive a child by artificial insemination at the Waters Clinic. The talk is light and later in the meal Melina proposes an idea that the two sisters switch like they did when they were children. At first Gillian is not interested but later decides to do it just for the fun of it. She impersonates Melina while Melina is Gillian. Simple enough all Melina has to do is escort a Colonel Christopher Hart also known as “Chief,” a former astronaut, to a NASA. Banquet. Everything is fine until Hart and his escort go to a Taco Bell where the two encounter Dale Gordon who calls her Gillian. Gillian as Melina plays along and tells Hart that Gordon has her confused for her twin sister Gillian. It happens that Gordon works for the Waters Center and knows Gillian is one of the patients. He follows them and realizes that Gillian is going to Hart’s hotel room. Gordon is obsessed with Gillian. After the sisters have switched back Gordon breaks into Gillian’s home and ends up killing her. Melina is called by police and told her sister is dead. With the help of Colonel Hart they track down information. As they piece the data together they find that other women who have gone to the Waters Center have had children kidnapped or turned up dead. They are also able to track down Gordon because he had introduced himself when they had encountered him at the taco restaurant. Gordon, a disciple of Brother Gabriel a religious spiritual leader, asks for forgiveness for killing Gillian. Later Gordon is found dead. The police conclude their investigation but Melina and Hart have just begun theirs. Brother Gabriel at first is a backdrop character until later in the book when Brown ties all of her puzzles together in a nice neat package. Gillian and Hart are attacked several times while they piece together the pieces of the mystery. Brown has written a tight plot with believable characters. The story unfolds in waves until the final shocking revelation of Brother Gabriel’s real purpose. “The Switch is an evil tale at its best.
Dirt
Stuart Woods
Harper Fiction
www.harpercollins.com
Stuart Woods, is always high on the must read list, “Dirt” is novel that is sure to please. Part of the reason is Stone Barrington is one of the most likable characters Woods has ever created. Amanda Dart, who writes gossip on anyone she can, now has the tables turned. She is the victim of someone who is anonymously faxing to press people vicious things about her. She has hired Stone Barrington to find out who is sending the transmission and stop them. “Dirt” is a bit slower than some of Woods other works but it is a very satisfying read
Guilty Pleasures
Lawrence Sanders
Berkley Books
www.penguiin.com
Sanders novels are usually fast paced exciting reading. His books are filled with interesting likable characters involved in fascinating situations. That sadly, is not the case here. “Guilty Pleasures is the story of the wealthy Folsby family from the ‘70s to the ‘90s. Emmet Richard Folsby, founder of a huge publishing firm is the patriarch of the family. He has a wife, Constance Louise, and two children. Barbara Ann and Brett Sherwood. The book centers around the Barbara and Brett relationship. Barbara is an aggressive ambitious businesswoman while Brett is a lazy dashing playboy with strong sexual needs. He is also Barbara’s worst enemy. A more interesting part of the book is the relationship between Judge Seth Parnell his housekeeper and her son Noah. He takes care of them and becomes somewhat a father figure to Noah. He also seems to know many secrets of the Folsby family. With this mix of characters one expects the novel to be an exhilarating thriller that the author is known for. But something is wrong here. The characters are flat, boring and unlikable while the writing is slow and very uneven. Nothing really exciting ever happens. The author plays on a relationship between Barbra and Noah that goes nowhere. Brett is wearisome as he has wild sexual escapades and the book would have been a lot more interesting if it had been about the Judge. There is no mystery or humor like the author’s “Deadly Sins” or “McNally” series that are so much fun to read. What is also lacking here is the wit Sanders usually provides in his novels. “Guilty Pleasures doesn’t even have the class of his novel “Capital Crimes” in which an evangelist advised the President of the United States on policy. Sanders, who is no longer with us, should have gone out with a bang instead he left with a whimper.
The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume 1 Fine Feathered Friends
S.D Moore illustrations by Bobb Switzer
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
“The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends is the first of a series of books for young kids. P J is a little boy who for so long has been laughed at by other kids. He and his parents go to the pet store to buy an animal for him to pal around with. They pick Split Pea a talking green parrot. Together they work to solve problems. What I liked abut this book is how the two characters become great friends. What’s nice is that all ages can read this book and enjoy. No one is ever too old to like “The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends”
Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America
Lisa C. Phillips
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
“Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America” takes the reader on a journey of the town of Gettysburg. She talks about the role it played in the Civil War and she shows that there is more to the area than the War between the States. She shows how close it is to other big cities in several bordering states and ones in Pennsylvania. She talks about famous people who have lived there and there are so many colorful pictures that add to the feel of the book. The writer has done a great job in “Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America showcasing the area as an attraction that makes you want to go and visit.
Swimming to Catalina
Stuart Woods
Harper Fiction
www.harpercollins.com
With a walloping beginning in which Stone is almost killed by two thugs, “Swimming to Catalina” then picks up where “Dead in the Water” ended and moves along to a dashing finish. In this narrative Woods does some things that don’t really add up with the situation he has created. For instance Stone, who many think is dead does not keep a low profile and he even takes some time out for some very graphic sexual activity with a woman who could run back to some other characters and reveal that he is not dead. Even so, “Swimming to Catalina” is exciting with great writing and fascinating characters that move the tale along.
Where’s My LD? Little Dinosaur
Donnell Robinsom illustrated by Irene Michel
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
Malcolm is having a very bad day. He can’t find his dinosaur. He looks everywhere he can think of, but he can’t locate him. His parents take him to camp where he meets and plays with lots of other kids. Only readers will find out if he finds his best friend. The best kid’s books always have little messages for youngsters to learn. This one has several good ones. “Where’s My LD? Little Dinosaur” is another fun little gem that is very interesting reading.
Pajamas and the Days of the Week
Higina Da Guia illustrated by John da Guia
Outskirts Press Inc
www.outskirtspress.com
“Pajamas and the Days of the Week is for all ages. The story is all about pajamas. I loved how the author compared snuggling under the covers to a snail. He also tells a nice little joke at the end. What’s unique though, is the work is told in two languages, English and Portuguese. The bright happy colors of the artwork also convey the cheerful feel. “Pajamas and the Days of the Week” is a witty story about why we wear pajamas.
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