tfpjr492's reviews
25 reviews

Black Widow by Randy Wayne White

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The bride and three bridesmaids have a bachelorette party before the wedding. It’s a ladies’ time for fun and laughs at a luxurious cabin in the east Caribbean. Several local young men join the festivities, and then things go wrong. The locals slip a date rape drug into the drinks, and they sexually assault the unwitting ladies. Worse, the events are videotaped. The  ladies return home to learn that they are victims of a sextortion scheme, and if they don’t pay up quickly, the videos will be released publicly. They panic and pay up, only to find that the sextortionists make additional demands for money. 
 
The bride happens to be the goddaughter of marine biologist Doc Ford, who has experience in government-sanctioned intelligence gathering and subterfuge. He occasionally uses his skills as a fixer to help crime victims achieve justice outside the law enforcement system. This should be a simple matter to resolve, but Doc Ford has an incident that forebodes the dangers he will face. He jumps into the water to save a friend from a threatening group of hammerhead sharks. Doc Ford describes the events. “I threw my hands out to fend off as two submarine shapes surfaced within reach, both dorsals higher than my head. Their skin was an armor-work of denticles. I banged one with my fist, kicked at the other.” He and friend escape from the sharks, but will he be so lucky when he confronts the sextortionists? 
 
After he goes to the island and reconnoiters the scene of the crime, he meets a retired colonel of the British Royal Marines, who also is motivated to disrupt the continuing sextortion plots. Doc Ford comes to understand that this is a larger criminal enterprise, headed by a “Black Widow.” He collaborates with the colonel as he makes his next moves. 
 
One curious interest is shared by both the colonel and the Black Widow - they are dedicated cultivators of orchids. Website Justaddiceorchids.com provides a good explanation why orchids appeal to so many people. The colonel covets the Black Widow’s orchids, and the Black Widow goes to extreme lengths to stop the locals from pilfering orchids. 
 
Anyway the plot moves at a quick pace to a fitting conclusion, yet there are unfortunate consequences for some of the  innocent characters. The ending is cause for reflection on our imperfect world.
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The Rescue by T. Jefferson Parker, T. Jefferson Parker

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adventurous inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Journalist Bettina Blazak rescues what she thinks is a street dog from an animal shelter in Tijuana, and she brings dog Felix to her home in California. She writes about this dog in an article, which attracts a wide audience including some criminal elements. As the story develops, Bettina bravely unravels the history of this talented drug and currency detection dog. 
 
In some ways Bettina and dog Felix have led parallel lives, and it seems fateful that they would cross paths. Both characters have experienced the untimely loss of family members. Both characters are driven individuals. Dog Felix lives to make his human happy. Bettina habitually faces fear in her physical pursuits of surfing and biking. 
 
Both characters are unwitting victims of violence. Bettina carries her trauma with pluck, but she knows that she must free herself from its grip on her life. Dog Felix suffers a gunshot wound during a violent confrontation between rival criminal cartels. He heals, but he doesn’t forget. 
 
Both characters live with purpose. Dog Felix wants to make the team. Journalist Bettina wants to write stories that matter. 
 
The author has created just the right number of characters. When the book is finished, the reader can remember them all. This is an action packed story of loyalty, fearlessness, and the vagaries of romance. It is an inspiring tale that shows when life is tough, we can be steadfast
The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This mystery begins with a routine renovation of a retail shop in the East of England region. The renovation comes to a distressing halt, when a basement wall is knocked down to reveal a human skeleton. The police call renowned archaeologist Ruth Galloway (the main character who is experienced in these types of investigations) to assist in dating the remains. 
 
The investigation quickly develops into a 20 year-old cold case disappearance of a university student.  The characters of the story are intertwined in an elaborate web: police investigators, professional archaeologists, students, romantic partners, former romantic partners, family members, friends, antagonists and peripheral participants. The coincidences and relationship bonds are dizzying. 
 
While Ruth participates in the investigation, she also contends with the closing of her academic department, the renewed romantic interest of her ex-husband, and the daily challenges of single parenthood - a very busy lady indeed. 
 
The solution to the mystery brings with it a feeling of sadness. The murder was senseless for several reasons. The story ending made me reflect on the unintended consequences of human behaviors.
All That Is Hidden by Clare Broyles, Rhys Bowen

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This novel is a story of two mysteries set in NYC during the early 1900’s. Protagonist Molly Murphy no longer works  as a private investigator. She enjoys a life of contentment  as a devoted wife and mother in a modest home in NYC. Her police captain husband abruptly thrusts his family into a high society life that no one really wants. The husband’s decision is uncharacteristic and worse, he cannot explain his sudden decision.  He can only ask Molly to trust him. The mystery of his decision is resolved eventually as the story unfolds, but meanwhile Molly is left to deal with unfamiliar domestic challenges and her angst. 
 
That first mystery is overtaken by a second mystery - the murder of her husband’s  benefactor at home during a party in a private office behind a locked door.  This second mystery is better suited to Molly’s sleuthing skills, which complement her husband’s secretive investigation of the crime . Well, all of this is confusing enough, but the authors’ presentation of the many details is easy to follow. The characters and dialogue provide a glimpse into the daily life of New Yorkers during a turbulent time in the city’s history, making this novel a fun read on several levels.
Every Man a King by Walter Mosley, Walter Mosley

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

In this action mystery novel the main character’s (private investigator Joe King Oliver) mettle is tested with two cases that he really doesn’t want. “King” is a former NYC police detective, who was forced out of the police department, but not before he is falsely accused and brutalized in a three month incarceration. 
 
In the first case he is retained to confirm or disprove charges against a white nationalist thought leader. As King is black, this assignment is especially reprehensible. Over the course of that investigation, King comes to surprising realizations about the life story of the white nationalist. 
 
In the second case he tries to help the imprisoned romantic partner of his embittered ex-wife. His contempt for that man grows during the investigation, but he comes to an new understanding of his past marriage. 
 
King works a wide network of unusual characters to get to the truth. His quest pits him against ruthless government agents and secret societies, as he ranges within and beyond the confines of NYC to various meeting places, work spaces and hideaways. 
 
Although events become increasingly incredible, the author does a good job of presenting the main character as a principled man, who must be pragmatic to survive and to protect his family.