Russian Hill

Russian Hill by Ty Hutchinson

Ty Hutchinson has done it again.

FBI Agent Abby Kane is on another case trying to solve another murder in San Francisco.  But when it seems this case may be part of a serial spree, the plot thickens.

Not only does Abby and her colleagues from the San Francisco Police Department have  few leads, but it seems the more they dig, the more confusing it becomes.  This is not someone looking for glory from these gruesome murders.  In fact, it appears the killer does not want to be acknowledged.  Tiny clues to the puzzle are what keep Abby going to determine not only who, but why.

Set in San Francisco with references to the great features of the city, Abby continues her search.  But what will she find?

Fast paced, page turning murder story.  Great characters to keep you interested.  Another great read from Ty.

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P is for Prince

P is for Prince by Stu Gratton

Kenzia had one job, to protect the Royal Family, specifically, Prince William.  With the Olympic games in various areas around England, keeping the family safe and protected required quite a bit of coordination, and secrecy.

A tear gas released at a football game, a bomb exploding on the railroad tracks, what was next?  Who, or what, what was the target, and the point of it all.  Was it just one person/group, or were there multiple persons with numerous reasons.  And how is it that no matter how secret the plans are, or how quickly they change, the terrorist always knows the path to be taken or any of the other details?  Who in the Prince’s closest of guards is a spy?

As much as Kenzia knows the importance of guarding the Prince, she can’t help but notice his charm.  The Prince is well aware of his importance in trying to lure out the terrorist, and still keep himself and others out of harm’s way.

Loaded with twists and turns, action, adventure and plotting, you will keep reading to discover who the spy is, and what becomes of everyone involved.  Quite the cast of characters from the Royals to the security to the “Yanks” to the terrorists, someone for everyone’s taste.

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The Cancer Code

The Cancer Code by Andrew Findlay

Jim MacWaide loved research and the quest for knowledge in microbiology and quantum physics.  In his spare time working at the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world, he finally had discovered the cure for cancer.  He was proud of his accomplishment, as he should be, but his thoughts for the future of this cure and his companies ideas were two completely different things.

He never thought his life would be in danger, and what was once a simple easy-going man became a man on the run for his life, doing things he never thought possible.  Realizing his lack of real friends, it seemed his help came from total strangers in an effort to help him prove to the world he did not steal the formula, he created it, no matter what his employer, Gluck Schmidt Little claimed.

Travel with Jim as he tries to convince a few choice people his cure should be available to everyone for a reasonable price, not just for the elite who could afford it.  Had it not been for a warning note slipped under his door, he would have been dead.

Travel with Jim and see who wins the battle for the rights to cure cancer, Jim or the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world, affordable or for the elite only.

Select choice of characters, from Jim’s family to his employer to his co-workers to mere acquaintances, someone for everyone’s type of personality.  Easy to follow and page turning to see if Jim survives.

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The Betrayals of Grim's Peak

The Betrayals of Grim's Peak by Sean J. Quirk

Augie, adopted by Earl and Marge after a hurricane hit the waters, was always afraid of the water.  Earl and Marge had even given up using their boat to stay away from the water.  But Augie realized it was not fair to Earl and Marge, so they went for a vacation at their old Florida Keys home.

While on vacation, Augie see something he has never seen before and is forced to go into the water in order to learn the truth about what he saw.  What he learned was that there is a magical world beneath the surface of the water.  While feeling like an outsider, he is befriended by a few select people, and the more he learns, the more he has questions.  Even the elders of the underwater world are baffled by what is happening.

Who could ever imagine the world Augie discovers, and who is really telling the truth.  Travel with Augie every step of his journey and meet so many characters who don’t always appear to be what they seem.

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Assassin's Rose

Assassin's Rose by Kasonndra Leigh

The warrior’s who pledge to the Caducean clan to protect their land can only be boys.  What if someone is not who they believe him to be?

Desmond Tarrenton, or Desi, in in training.  Desi’s boyfriend, Seth, seems to have a plan in mind.  But Desi’s best friend Kate does not like what Seth has convinced Desi of.  

The more Desi learns, the less she knows what, or who, to believe.  Who would you believe?

This may be a quick read, but Kasonndra Leigh has done it again.  You won’t be able to put it down once you start.  If you have not read her works before, you will want to start.  Kasonndra has a talent for creating characters with such personality, and her style of writing leaves you turning the pages to keep going.  The more you read, the more interested you become, twists and turns along the way keep your attention.

Although Kansonndra has written numerous young adult books, this is an adult read.

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Jim Henson The Biography

Jim Henson The Biography by Brian Jay Jones

Jim Henson created the Muppets, but he did so much more, and Brian Jay Jones has done an excellent job in letting everyone see Jim Henson for the man he was.

Beginning with his childhood, Jim knew that once he saw what television was, he knew that was where he would be when he got older, but he never dreamed or intended it to be as a puppeteer, Muppets or not.  He was such a creative and talented man, every new piece of technology was like a toy, and his vision was usually before his time.

While others may describe him as a “workaholic”, Jim never saw it as work, it was just playing to him.  He worked long days and traveled extensively to try to create as many projects as his mind could envision.

He left us far too soon, but his opinion is something you need to read for yourself.  Brian has done such a wonderful job, and those who helped him should be thanked for allowing the public to be able to view his private life as well as his public life.

For anyone who grew up with Sesame Street, The Muppets or any of Jim’s other creations, you will not want to put this book down.

While I consider it an honor and a privilege to be lucky for have an Advanced Reader’s copy of a book, I am saddened by the fact that my copy does not have the photo on the cover, or any of the photos inside.  I grew up watching Jim Henson’s Muppets and have loved them all my life, having my kids grow up with them as well.  I was deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely death of Jim Henson, but I will treasure this book always.

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The Maya Papyrus

The Maya Papyrus by Richard Coady

Always curious how a story starts, when the first thing you see is a list of the cast of characters alphabetically, it gives you warning how many characters are involved, and how it might be confusing, needing a reference point.  As such, you can only imagine how involved the story is with a list like this.

Set in Egypt, this is the story of the continuing struggle for the reign of King, and their heirs.  The story is told by Maya, the royal courtier and historian, and what he has written.  In addition, Maya’s story is interspersed with what is happening at the same time.  Sometimes making it a bit confusing, sometimes leading you to believe what you think is coming next.

While the story begins with one king taking his young son into his first battle.  After that battle, the child does not want to be king, but being heir to the throne, the boy who did not want to be king became king.  Continuing tradition for generations, the first born son is to become heir, and when you add in an intervening mother-in-law, it is amazing how the turn the events can change things.  Murder for the good of the people and the kingdom, beliefs in one God instead of another, the story goes through numerous generations and people.

While it is a very interesting read in Egyptian history, a bit too much time is spent on one king.  The story is written in great detail and is very in depth, but while each of the kings needs to have their glory and to show their strengths, weaknesses and beliefs, and no piece of history should be ignored, even if it has a few fillers for the parts that may never be knows, it could have had a bit less on Amenophis.

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