BookOpinion

BOOKOPINION REVIEW: I have read many Dean Koontz books, and none have left me feeling as tormented as the author’s latest novel, “The Darkest Evening of the Year“. Koontz offers up an array of hideous antagonists, the worst of which made me literally sick to my stomach. Part of the torment comes from his graphic descriptions of dog abuse and child abuse. Koontz’s beloved dog, Trixie, passed away recently, and that sorrow is obvious throughout the book. Having lost my own beloved dog recently, I thoroughly empathize.

Dogs, specifically Golden Retrievers, are some of the most vivid characters of the novel, which centers mainly on the life of Amy Redwing, whose life revolves around rescuing dogs. The novel opens as Amy and her boyfriend, Brian, are in rescue mode, attempting to save a dog from a wife/child beater who doubles as the killer of the family pets. After saving both the family and the dog, Amy takes the dog in to live with her other beloved Goldens, but Nickie, this new dog, is special, forming unusual bonds and connections with both people and other dogs.

The novel flips back and forth between the protaganists’ (Amy and Brian) story and the villains, an unsavory cast of lowlife private detectivies, hitmen, and two others who will make your skin crawl. I enjoyed getting to know Amy, but I never felt like Brian became a full character. I didn’t feel the sympathy for him that Amy and several others garnered. Some of the book felt a little rushed, unusual for a Koontz book, which can sometimes be a bit overburdened with detail.

This is a dark book, darker still if you are a true dog lover. Anyone who can read this book and not want to rush down to the nearest animal shelter and bring home a couple dogs (or a cat) to love, has a heart of stone. The thing to love about Dean Koontz is that he has no illusion that the world is not a dark and evil place, yet he always offers to the reader protagonists that defy the darkness and manage to find hope and peace. “The Darkest Evening of the Year” is no exception.

I still say “Life Expectancy” (which I just reread for the fourth time) is his greatest work, but any true Koontz fan should enjoy this latest book. Now that I have devoured this latest, I will try to patiently await the release of the next Odd Thomas book, which is scheduled for April, 2008. In the meantime, I will try to convince my husband that we need to make a trip to the local animal shelter in the near future.

– Jane Leisteiner

BOOKOPINION REVIEW: What is the thing that terrifies you the most? Another terrorist attack? An invasion by UFO’s? Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes? Losing your job? Cancer? How about the kidnapping of one of your children? I think that must be one of the most agonizing, terrifying situations that could ever confront us. Imagine the day-in, day-out horror of the “not knowing” whether your child was alive, whether they were being tortured, if you would ever see them again.

Mark Gimenez has used this scenario in “The Abduction” and did it with a chilling plot that is baffling, frightening and will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page. Frankly, this story has so many twists and turns that I was constantly astonished by the brilliant imagination of the author.

Gracie Ann Brice, age 10 years, and an ace soccer player, disappears at the end of winning a tight game against a rival team. Her father, John R. Brice and a brilliant computer geek about to make a billion dollars on a business venture, is on his cell phone at the end of the game when his daughter goes missing. Elizabeth, a tough, controlling attorney and Gracie’s mother, arrives just minutes after her daughter is kidnapped. Bedlam follows as the alert goes out and the frantic search for Gracie begins.

When Ben Brice, Vietnam Vet and Gracie’s grandfather hears the news, he immediately flies from his isolated retreat in New Mexico to the family’s home in Briarwyck Farms, an exclusive conclave in Dallas, Texas. Upon arrival, he encounters not only the FBI but his son, John, who is practically catatonic. And Elizabeth is dealing with the situation in the only way she knows how…forcefully, angrily and outwardly, in complete control.

But Ben Brice has a unique relationship with Gracie…there is a mutual affection, understanding and comradery between them and he is determined to find Gracie and destroy those responsible for her disappearance. A long-shot for an alcoholic grandfather, haunted by memories of torture and murder? Ben Brice has a classified military file with a list of medals as long as your arm. No ordinary grandfather, this.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth has taken matters into her own hands and schedules an interview on national television. She offers to pay the kidnappers $25 million to release her daughter, unharmed. And then, “Because if you don’t take this deal, if you don’t release my daughter by the deadline, if you can’t release my daughter because you’ve already killed her, know this and know it well: you’re a dead man. I’m putting a bounty on your head same as the government put on Osama bin Laden’s head: commencing one minute after midnight Friday, we will pay the twenty-five million to anyone who hunts you down and kills you like the disgusting perverted animal you are. And know this: you’re not going back to prison to serve a few years then get released only to violate another little girl – that is not going to happen! You’re either going to release my daughter or you’re going to die. It’s your choice.”

In spite of this, the only information that arises is from Idaho Falls, Idaho…remote and unlikely. But Ben is convinced that this is the lead he has been waiting for. And surprisingly, John is determined to accompany his father on the search.

Is Gracie still alive? And if so, what kind of hell is she living in? And will they find her in time? And, is this the tip of the iceberg? Is there more to the plot then the kidnapping of a little girl?

Well, actually there is…and the unraveling of this entire plot will have you gasping with shock. “The Abduction” is riveting, the characters are revealed not only by their actions but by their past…and you never know how you feel about any of the players until all is revealed. The construction of this novel is suspense well defined and will appeal to anyone who loves a good thriller. I highly recommend this book!

– Elizabeth Channery

Amazon has released a 10-minute podcast from the audiobook for Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. Publishers Weekly says, “A vivid literary style lifts this well above the usual run of suspense novels.”

Amazon writes: “Narrated by Carolyn McCormick (of Law & Order fame), Heartsick turns typical serial-killer fare on its head by introducing one of the most tense, titillating relationships between cop and killer since Thomas Harris introduced Clarice Starling to Hannibal Lecter. This time, it’s a woman–the devastatingly beautiful, heart-stoppingly evil Gretchen Lowell–who, in the midst of a seemingly neverending bloodbath, takes lead investigator Archie Sheridan captive, subjects him to unthinkable torture, yet allows him to live and turns herself in. Fast forward two years, when Sheridan is coaxed out of a grim, drug-addled semi-retirement to hunt down another killer…and there’s only one person who can help him. Heartsick is a huge in-house favorite at Amazon.com and one of our favorite new releases for September. Take a listen and prepare to be hooked!”

Listen to Amazon’s free podcast here.

Much to the delight of millions of readers, prolific author Nora Roberts releases her latest work on Tuesday. The novel, “High Noon,” already is listed in the top 20 of Amazon’s new releases and is poised to become another of her more than 140 New York Times bestsellers. Check out our link below to peruse the first chapter of Roberts’ latest suspense/romance.

BookOpinion has pulled together some reviews and the opening chapter.

Publishers Weekly summarizes the plot of High Noon: “At the start of this scintillating slice of romantic suspense from prolific bestseller Roberts (Sweet Revenge), Lt. Phoebe MacNamara, the chief hostage negotiator for the Savannah, Ga., PD, meets Duncan Swift, a sports bar owner, as they both try to prevent a suicidal bartender Duncan fired from jumping off a roof on St. Patrick’s Day. In the aftermath, a romance develops between Phoebe and Duncan, though in typical Roberts style the enigmatic Phoebe’s devotion to career and family, who include a young daughter and an agoraphobic mother, creates tension in their relationship. After Phoebe survives a vicious attack within her own precinct house by an unknown assailant, it becomes clear that someone is intent on harming Phoebe and those close to her.”

TheState.com describes “High Noon” as a perfect summer beach read, “well-written” and “with an intriguing plot and unforgettable characters.” Here is part of the review:

…Roberts does a masterful job of entwining Phoebe and Duncan’s romance while spinning a suspenseful story of an evil man’s plot to destroy Phoebe. This book is actually more of a suspense novel than a romance story, but romance readers won’t feel cheated.

On the romantic end, Duncan meets Phoebe on page five, and is enthralled on sight. It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, and Phoebe — the police department’s negotiator — has been summoned to convince a man not to kill himself.

Duncan knows the man threatening suicide, and was trying to help him until Phoebe got there.

Phoebe figures she has too much going on in her life to start a relationship, even when the guy is as hunky as Duncan. She’s a divorced mother of a seven-year-old, and head-of-household for her mother and a family friend. Her mother’s agoraphobia and a malicious cousin’s bequest forces Phoebe to live in an old family house.

And then, there is the matter of an unknown man’s intent to terrorize her.

That would be the suspense part.

The man’s harassment of Phoebe starts small, but quickly escalates to malicious and evil. There are two scenes in the book that may be very disturbing to many readers, and may need to be skipped due to the graphically violent nature.

In the first, Phoebe gets attacked in the stairwell of her precinct. You’ll see it coming, and just skip ahead.

Much later, Phoebe’s ex-husband gets kidnapped and chained to a grave. Skip ahead.

Roberts seems to be developing a bit of a penchant for these violently gross scenes, if you remember “Blue Smoke.” As expected, the characters in “High Noon” are well-developed and come alive right away. The dialog is quick and witty in times, insightful and emotional at others.

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Nora Roberts has put the entire first chapter online at her site.

Jumping to your death was a crappy way to spend St. Patrick’s Day. Being called in on your day off to talk someone out of jumping to his death on St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t exactly green beer and bagpipes.

Phoebe weaved and dodged her way through the crowds of Savannahians and tourists thronging streets and sidewalks in celebration. Captain David McVee thought ahead, she noted. Even with a badge, it would’ve taken precious time and miserable effort to get through the barricades and mobs of people in her car. But a couple blocks east of Jones, the revelry thinned, and the booming music was only a throb and echo.

The uniformed officer waited as ordered. His gaze skimmed over her face, down to the badge she’d hooked on the pocket of her khakis. Cropped pants, sandals, shamrock-green T-shirt under a linen jacket, Phoebe thought. Not the professional look she worked to foster on the job.

But what could you do? She was supposed to be standing on the terrace of MacNamara House, with her family, drinking lemonade and watching the parade.

“Lieutenant MacNamara?”

“That’s right. Let’s move.” She slid in, flipping out her phone with one hand, dragging the seat belt on with the other. “Captain, I’m en route. Fill me in.”

The siren screamed as the driver punched the gas.

Phoebe yanked out her notebook, taking cursory notes.
Joseph (Joe) Ryder, suicidal. Jumper with gun. Twenty-seven, white, married/separated. Bartender/fired. No known religious affiliation. No family on scene.

WHY? Wife left, fired from job (sports bar), gambling debts.
No criminal, no previous suicide attempt on record.

Subject alternately weepy/belligerent. No shots fired.

“Okay.” Phoebe let out a breath. She’d get to know Joe much better very soon. “Who’s talking to him?”

“He’s got his cell phone on him. The first on scene wasn’t able to engage. Guy just kept clicking off. We’ve got his employer here—former employer, who’s also his landlord. The subject’s been talking to him off and on, but there’s no progress.”

“You?”

“I’d barely gotten here when I pulled you in. I didn’t want to throw too many people at him.”

“All right. My ETA’s five minutes.” She glanced at the driver, got a nod of affirmation. “Keep him alive for me.”…

Continue Reading Full Chapter

The Wall Street Journal chimes in on this summer’s book releases, highlighting the number of thrillers on the horizon. They interviewed Amazon and Barnes & Noble to help come up with a list of their best picks for this summer’s reading. Here’s an excerpt:

Just in time for vacation, publishers are launching a raft of thrillers

After years of being stuck in a post-Cold War funk, the literary thriller is back. Some two dozen will be published in time for summer vacations, incorporating the news in ways not seen since the heyday of John le Carre.

On top of the usual big historical tomes and popular fiction - this summer’s releases include everything from a 1,600-page deconstruction of John F. Kennedy’s assassination to a new novel by “The Kite Runner” author, Khaled Hosseini - publishers are pushing books that tackle themes ranging from Russian bad guys and contract killings to environmental terrorists and corrupt businessmen. “Some of the smartest and most interesting writing is being done in this (thriller) form,” says Michael Pietsch, publisher of Little, Brown, which publishes James Patterson and Michael Connelly…

…For our annual summer reading roundup, we spoke with publishers, authors, independent booksellers, online retailer Amazon and chain-store giants Barnes & Noble and Borders, asking what titles they are most excited about. We narrowed our list after reading their recommendations. Here are our picks…

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James Patterson’s newest Women’s Murder Club novel is scheduled for release on May 8. The novel, The 6th Target, finds one of the members of the club struggling for her life after being attacked while the other members fight to keep the attacker behind bars. Lindsey Boxer tries to stop a series of kidnappings involving not only children, but their nannies.

Patterson has also released excerpts of the book, including the first five chapters in audio. Below is the first chapter:

Chapter 1

A KILLER IN WAITING, Fred Brinkley slumps in the blueupholstered banquette on the top deck of the ferry. The November sun glares down like a big white eye as the catamaran plows the San Francisco Bay, and Fred Brinkley glares right back at the sun.

A shadow falls across him, a kid’s voice asking, “Mister, could you take our picture?”

Fred shakes his head – no, no, no – anger winding him up like a watch spring, like a wire tightening around his head.

He wants to smash the kid like a bug.

Fred averts his eyes, sings inside his head, Ay, ay, ay, ay, Sau-sa-lito-lindo, trying to shut down the voices. He puts his hand on Bucky to comfort himself, feeling him through his blue nylon Windbreaker, but still the voices pound in his brain like a jackhammer.

Loser. Dog shit.

Gulls call out, screaming like children. Overhead, the sun burns through the overcast sky and turns him as transparent as glass. They know what he’s done.

Passengers in shorts and visors line the rails, taking pictures of Angel Island, of Alcatraz, of the Golden Gate Bridge.

A sailboat flies by, mainsail double-reefed, foam flecking the rails, and Fred doubles over as the bad thing whips into his mind. He sees the boom swing. Hears the loud crack. Oh, God! The sailboat!

Someone has to pay for this!

Startling him, the ferry’s engines grind into reverse and the deck vibrates as the ferry comes into dock.

Fred stands, works his way through the crowd, passing eight white tables, lines of scuffed blue chairs, his fellow ferry riders giving him the eye.

He enters the open compartment at the bow, sees a mother berating her son, a boy of nine or ten with light-brown hair. “You’re driving me crazy!” the woman shouts.

Fred feels the wire snap. Someone has to pay.

His right hand slips into his jacket pocket – finds Bucky.

He slips his finger into the trigger loop.

The ferry lurches as it bumps the mooring. People grab on to one another, laughing. Lines snake out from the boat, bow and aft.

Fred’s eyes shoot to the woman who is still belittling her son. She’s small, wearing tan clam diggers, her breasts outlined in the soft skin of her white blouse, nipples pointing straight out.

“What’s wrong with you, anyway?” she yells over the engines’ roar. “You really piss me off, buster.”

Bucky is in Fred’s hand, the Smith & Wesson Model 10, pulsing with a life of its own.

The voice booms, Kill her. Kill her. She’s out of control!

Bucky points between the woman’s breasts.

BLAM.

Fred feels the jolt of the gun’s recoil, sees the woman jump back with a little hurt yelp, a red stain blooming on her white blouse.

Good!

The little boy follows his mother’s fall to the deck with his big round eyes, strawberry ice cream plopping out of his cone, pee spreading across the front of his pants.

The boy did a bad thing, too.

BLAM.

Patterson has also released audio excerpts of the first five chapters of The 6th Target. Click here to listen.

The full audio version of this book and an ebook version is also available for instant download at these sites: