The Inquisitor by Mark Allen Smith

I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it but before I knew it, I was hooked. The main character, Geiger, is one of the types of characters that you hate to admit you like and want to know more about him. I love the opposite personalities of Geiger and his worker Harry. The author did a wonderful job developing the characters but keeping you guessing and wanting to know more. The book really picks up speed as you continue reading it. I will definitely look into more Mark Allen Smith books in the future.

Force of Nature by C.J. Box

This is another great book by C.J. Box. I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous Joe Pickett novels and this one does not disappoint. (This book can be read without reading the previous books but I would recommend reading at least one other previous Joe Pickett book because it would help the reader understand the gravity of the situation between Joe and Nate.)


After a triple murder, Nate is suspected of committing the crime and is back on the run. Joe has to make the decision about if he wants to know what Nate is keeping secret and what is bringing people after him. Everyone who has ever known Nate is in danger and he has to get things figured out before the people he loves the most are killed.


After reading all the previous Joe Pickett novels, I was anxious to know what makes Nate the mysterious character he has been throughout the series. Nate's story did not disappoint. Nate's story was not just handed to you. You had to patiently wait till Nate was read to tell it. It kept the suspense up until the very end.


Box did a great job describing the characters that Nate was up against. I know nothing about falconry but Box did a wonderful job explaining the art and giving the reader the desire to know more about it. There were parts in the story that I felt a little lost about falconry but by the end, I learned how it all tied in to the story line.


This is a great book. I would recommend any C.J. Box book to anyone who likes a good mystery and would like to learn a little something about living out west. I find I always learn something new from his books.

The Dunn Deal by Catherine Leggitt

This is the first Catherine Leggitt book I have read. I'm not a huge fan of the cozy mysteries because I get frustrated with the main characters (standard citizens) becoming sleuths. I find myself wanting the character to use common logic and not go into weird and dangerous situations. That being said, I really enjoyed this book.


The book opens with the death of Christine Sterling's friend (and neighbor's son-in-law), Officer Dunn. Christine knows something more has gone on and that Office Dunn did not jump off the cliff. She starts nosing into the investigation and soon finds herself around some unsavory characters. Her life and her dog's life may soon be in jeopardy.


Although Christine is an older lady who kind of butts into a murder investigation, I found her endearing. I love that she is not perfect. She questions God and she gets annoyed when her best friend Zora Jane wants to pray at every moment. Christine seems so real. She tries to keep her faith strong but comes across very human.


I love that the author brings many aspects to life. She is able to write about Jesse's hearing loss in such an accurate way. The author did well bringing in Christian faith throughout the book. There are people in life who constantly want to pray or talk about salvation and other around them get uncomfortable but they know they should be open about faith as well. The author did a great job writing with this conflict included.


As I mention above, I am not a big fan of cozy mysteries but this one was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely look into finding more of her books.

Trail of Blood by Lisa Black

I enjoyed the way Lisa Black wrote this book. The transition between the 1930's case and the present day case was written well. Although I had an idea who the guilty person was early on in the book, it was challenging to put all the pieces together to "make a case" against that person. It is fascinating that part of the book was based on a real case. I am interested in using the bibliography information in the back of the book to research the case more.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I wasn't sure how this book would be but it was recommended to me by a friend. I started it on Saturday and finished it by lunch on Sunday. It was a great book!

Beatrice (aka Tris) has reached her 16th birthday and now has to make the decision as to which faction she will join for the rest of her life. There is no going back on her choice...she will stay with her parents or she will leave them and hurt them. In the process, Tris finds out that she doesn't test the same as most people and this brings attention to her...and it could lead to serious trouble. The only thing keeping her going is to make her family proud and her new friends. As times progresses, Tris soon finds out what strength she really has within her.

I enjoyed the character building of the people as well as the factions. I found myself thinking about what faction I would want to choose to live within.

The author has a vivid imagination and describes the areas she has in her mind so well that the reader can definitely put themselves within the scenes of the story.

I found myself on edge because of the conflict that Tris has to face when she enters her new faction. I also find myself angry at the "bullies" within the story. I feel it goes to the author's ability to write good characters when you are feeling emotions towards those characters.

I knew this book was the start of a trilogy and I was nervous that the end would leave me hanging too much. I was pleasantly surprised. The author was able to leave the reader hanging without making the reader frustrated. There was some resolution at the end of the story that allows you to be patient while you wait for the next book...but you still want that next book to come out sooner than later.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to other fans of YA dystopian stories. In fact, I have already sent the book to a family member.

77 Shadow Street by Deen Koontz

I was initially intrigued with this book. I started reading and was sucked into the story line. But after a bit, I was disenchanted with the story. I found myself not caring if I finished the book. I continued to try to fight through it and finish the book. I did get it finished but I felt let down and I kind of regretted reading it. Dean Koontz has definitely written better books in the past and I hope he comes out with a better book in the near future.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I have a friend who has talked about the Mortal Instruments Series for awhile now. I thought I would get into it as well.

I found the first half of this book captivating. It took me no time to get through the first 200 pages. I loved all the conflict between the characters. I was captivated by how Clary was transforming herself through the challenges she was facing.

As I passed the half-way point, I didn't find myself as hooked on the story. I enjoyed the action but it eventually seemed like the book has just gone on a little too long. It felt as though the author was trying to add more and more when the story didn't need that much. I found myself slightly disappointed in how the relationship between Jace and Clary changed. I guess I felt it was too predictable and I would have liked their relationship to have stayed the same. I did like how Luke's involvement changed and how his character developed in the second half of the story.

Overall, this was a good book. It wasn't one of the best I have read but I did enjoy it. I am planning on reading the second book in the series to see how the story line develops in that book. I will know more if this is a series that I will finish after reading the second book.