Wrongful Death by LJ Sellers

Wrongful Death by L.J. Sellers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This my second LJ Sellers book and got a little less than I expected on the excitement side, however as a regular cop murder mystery it was fairly good. Detective Wade Jackson is given the task of solving the murder of a cop, who in his spare time worked to help the homeless. During the first cold night in Eugene, Officer Dan Thomson is murdered immediately after handing out blankets he had collected to the residents of a homeless camp. The investigation is difficult enough due lack of witnesses, but with the complication of his partner being related to the victim nothing is easy. He is given a sex attack case to keep him out of the way to keep emotions in check. The investigation follows the normal steps you would imagine, obvious clues are red herrings and the press are involved. It takes a while but don't give up the story does take some unexpected turns and livens up towards the end of the investigation and identification of the murderer. A good story but my preference is the Agent Dallas series.

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Relentless Savage by Dave Edlund

Relentless Savage by Dave Edlund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The synopsis says fast paced, action driven adventure and that's exactly what you get. Peter Savage's son volunteering in Sudan, is kidnapped with his friends by the Janjaweed for no apparent reason. As the story progresses we find what the real horrors are surrounding the kidnappings and other local dissapearances. The Chinese have set up a lab to conduct experiments on the locals, but what and why? Peter with his friends and assistance from a special forces team attempt a rescue unaware of the real purpose of the lab. This is a really exciting book, with great action and a fantastic story line.

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Blood of a Stone by Jeanne Lyet Gassman

Blood of a Stone by Jeanne Lyet Gassman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Demetrios the lead character, a young man violently abused by his father, is sold into slavery in Palestine during the time of Jesus and his movement. Initiated by a horrific assault by his Roman master, Demetrois escapes slavery with his friend and companion Elazar to start a new life as a trader and caravan driver. It is during this time that he struggles with his past life and is tormented by nightmares and visions. This journey is main theme of the book and is more of a moral lesson than a thriller/ mystery. It is not really my type of book and purely coincidental that I read it just before Easter. I would like to award it half marks at two and half stars but unfortunately that is not possible. It covers quite a range of moral issues from the slavery to religion but in the end there are no miracles only an okay book.

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The Dead Key by DM Pulley

The Dead Key by D.M. Pulley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Newly qualified engineer Iris Latch is assigned a job working in an old disused tower block, the old home of a now defunct bank. Intrigued by the abandoned items in the bank, Iris begins to discover interesting and compelling history of the bank. This history is detailed in alternating storylines past and present, and introduces the main character from the past, Beatrice. The deeper Iris digs the deeper she falls into trouble as does Beatrice in the past. It is an interesting story of greed power and corruption which ends in a fairly predictable outcome, but this does not spoil your enjoyment as you read on to confirm your predictions. It is not a big thriller but does provide most of the element of a good mystery story, not bad.

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Follow the Leader by Mel Sherratt

Follow The Leader by Mel Sherratt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not a murder mystery but a police procedural story following the solving of the murders you have already been witness to. Patrick Morgan is the murderer, who as a young child was beaten and abused by his father, but also always the target of school bullying. Tasked as part of the team investigating the murders DS Allie Shenton was at the same school as Patrick but a few years younger, her sister Karen though was in that year but cannot help Allie, as she was left invalided after a viscious rape attack. If you think you are a good amateur sleuth then and you like guessing who dunnit, I would steer away from this story as there are no mysteries. The story is is purely the police investigation however it is a interesting read but not thrilling.

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The Demeter Code by Russell Brooks

The Demeter Code by Russell Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a farming spook story, it may sound unappealing as a regular spy story, but add in the all the normal elements you expect like car chases, gun fights, big business corruption and national emergencies then it takes on a whole new look. CIA Agent Doctor Nita Parris working with Ridley Fox to run down an arms smuggling operation, uncover a plot with the potential to exceed 9/11 destruction by a factor of ten. It is a race against time and internal politics to save the nation from disaster. As with all 007 style adventures there is tech - in the shape of analyst Dewan Douglas who appears to have access to any system worldwide in an instant, all relayed to the agents in real time through their tiny ear buds. It sounds a little stretched, but like 007 it is entertaining and keeps the pace going. A good read but a little slow to get underway.

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The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly

The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lot of readers seem to miss the point of this book, it is one hundred percent entertainment. If you ponder to much on whether or not it could be true you are wasting energy, it is fiction. The author has written a fantastic story all senses of the word but it is fast moving, lots of action and a credible plot. We all know the Chinese want to proud of their nation and will go to extremes to demonstrate it. It is a bit like the Great Wall of China, we know it is real but your mind struggles to get around how they built it. This story is a bit like this, they have kept a secret for forty years, how could no one know? Matthew Reilly cleverly exploits all the advancement in technology and wealth that China has made in recent years to turn out one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently.

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