15 Seconds
Andrew Gross
William Morrow
10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York
10022
9780061655975, $25.99 www.amazon.com
In “15 Seconds” Henry Steadman is pulled over for a minor
traffic offense as he is driving from the airport to his hotel in Jacksonville
Florida. As he is dealing with the officer someone comes and shoots
the officer dead and leaves in a matter of seconds. Steadman tries
to give chase but the vehicle gets away. In the meantime Steadman is
the prime suspect in the murder of the officer. So begins the
tightly written novel of suspense that builds until the final revealing
ending. Gross once again takes the reader along a roller coaster
ride of thrilling situations with interesting characters and he shows why he is
one of the best in the genre. “15 Seconds” is a nail biting page
turner that would make a great movie.
I Michael Bennett
James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9780316097468, $27.99 www.amazon.com
As “I Michael Bennett” opens he is on vacation with his
family and housekeeper. The leisure time is cut short as he is
called back into service. He and a team of cops have a chance to
arrest a major drug kingpin who is in New York for the graduation of his
daughter from law school. But the arrest goes bad, he gets
away. He also puts out a hit contract on Bennett and his
family. Ledwidge and Patterson thrill readers once again with a
tightly drawn novel that races along to its final blow away ending. “I
Michael Bennett” is the best in the series so far that will have readers racing
along to the final page wondering what’s next for Michael Bennett and his
family
Unnatural Acts
Stuart Woods
Putnam
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780399158865, $26.95, www, amazon.com
When the real restaurant Elaine’s closed, I wondered what
Stuart Woods would do with his Stone Barrington series because so many of the
stories take place there. In “Unnatural Acts” he opens with a final
closing night for the establishment. Now the question is where do
Stone and company go for their meals? So begins another chapter in
the Stone Barrington legacy. Woods has filled the work with many
interesting characters, complicated conflicts and a rapid pace that moves the
tale along to the end. “Unnatural Acts” is an enjoyable addition to
the world of Stone Barrington.
Guilty Wives
James Patterson and David Ellis
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9780316097567, $27.99 www.amazon.com
I was disappointed in “Guilty Wives” because the events in
the story unfold so slowly. The premise is a very good one in which
four female best friends are on vacation in Europe. While together
they are accused and tried of a major crime. So far so good, but the
novel takes a nose dive and is boring the rest of the way. I was
surprised at the sluggish pacing of the story “Guilty Wives” is a ho hum novel
at best.
Son of Stone
Stuart Woods
Signet
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451236357, $9.99, www, amazon.com
Just when I thought the Stone Barrington series was looking
run down Woods has added new life with “Son of Stone.” Stone finds out Peter is
his son and Arrington. his mother wants them to get to know each other. Peter
comes to stay with Stone while Arrington builds a house in Virginia. Woods
masterfully tells the story with events that unfold at a very suspenseful
pace. Stuart Woods and Stone Barrington are better than ever in “Son
of Stone.”
Middle School Get Me Out of Here
James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9780316206716, $16.99 www.amazon.com
“Middle School Get Me Out of Here” opens with Rafe enrolling
in a new school while his family has to move because his mother’s
job has come to an end. Now he has to deal with all the problems a
person has being the new student. Patterson and Tebbetts unfold the
story with amusing situations and a rapid pace to a surprising ending. “Middle
Schools Get Me Out of Here” is another great Patterson novel that
all ages can enjoy.
The Donors
Jeffrey Wilson
JournalStone
199 State Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
9781936564460, $16.95, www.amazon.com
Don’t be fooled by the amateurish looking cover. Jeffrey
Wilson’s “The Donors” is a very professionally written tale of nail biting
chilling horror. Demons are attacking patients at a hospital. Only
a small boy named Nathan and his doctor Jason Gelman can save them from the
terrifying menace. Wilson begins the story with the admittance of Nathan
for a broken bone in his arm and major burns. He was abused by his
mother’s boyfriend Steve who didn’t like that Nathan spilled Spaghetti-Os on
the floor of their kitchen. Something strange happens to Nathan and
the only person who believes him is Dr. Jason Gelman. “The Donors”
is sure to please any reader who is looking for a memorable yarn of
horror.
Going Organic Can Kill You
Staci McLaughlin
Kensington Publishing Corp
119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018
9780758275004, $7.99, www.amazon.com
“Going Organic Can Kill You” is a fun opening novel in a new
mystery series. O’Connell Organic Farm and Spa has just opened
its doors for business when a guest is murdered. Dana Lewis, head of
PR for the complex, becomes an amateur sleuth on the trail of the killer. McLaughlin
fills the story with entertaining characters and some laugh out loud situations
that move the story along at a very nice pace to the very end. Fans
of organic foods may not like the title but that’s too bad because “Going
Organic Can Kill You” is good mystery fare for any fan of the genre.
Edge of Midnight
Leslie Tentler
Mira
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9
970778313137, $7.99 www.amazon.com
“Edge of Midnight” begins when a reporter for a local paper
in Jacksonville Florida is found on the beach in her car, disoriented and
bloody. She has no clue why she is there. Leslie Tentler
takes readers on a wild ride of suspense in the Florida city until the
shattering conclusion. “Edge of Midnight” is the type of novel
readers have come to expect for page turning suspense
The Streets of San Francisco A Quinn Martin TV Series
James Rosin
The Autumn Road Company, Philadelphia PA
9781450790109, $21.95, www, amazon.com, www.classictvseriesbooks.com
“The Streets of San Francisco A Quinn Martin TV Series” is another
great look at an older TV show that reveals many here to for unknown facts
about the show. Rosin reveals many things about the series like how
Karl Malden and Michael Douglas were chosen to play their roles, how it came to
television, guest stars, episode guides and interviews with many of the people
involved with the making of many of the episodes and how and why Richard Hatch
replaced Michael Douglas. With the recent release on DVD of
“Streets,” “The Streets of San Francisco A Quinn Martin TV Series” is for
anyone who wants to know more of the behind the scenes information that will
make watching it even more enjoyable.
