THE 17th SUSPECT by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

THE 17^th SUSPECT

by

James Patterson

& Maxine Paetro

            In The 17^th Suspect, the latest installment in Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series, Lindsay Boxer is approached by a woman who tells her about the serial murders of homeless people, the slow response time of the police, and how the shootings are not being actively investigated by the police. Although most of the deaths are outside Boxer’s jurisdiction, she begins to look into the allegations. Meanwhile, ADA Yuki Castellano is trying an interesting sexual assault case, a man who alleges that he was raped by his boss, a woman. Can she convince the jury that a woman can rape a man?

            Both plot lines are interesting, but it feels as if there are two separate books in one. There does not seem to be any ties between the main plot with Lindsay and the secondary plot with Yuki. And, there is not much mention of Claire and Cindy, the other members of the Women’s Murder Club. Although Joe is included, it feels as if his role in the book disregards the upheaval we lived through in the last few books. The writing reminds me of Patterson’s BookShots series – it is adequate, but wanting. Instead of painting a picture, enabling the reader to experience the book, there is a bit too much just relating of the story (e.g., this happened, then that happened, etc.).

            I do enjoy the Women’s Murder Club characters, and I will read an 18^th book; however, in my opinion, The 17^th Suspect is a mediocre experience.

MARCH by Geraldine Brooks

MARCH

by

Geraldine Brooks

            March, by Geraldine Brooks, is the 2006 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Fiction. It is a work of historical fiction, examining the civil war and slavery in America. The vehicle for this examination is Mr. March, the absent father from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

            Although the subject matter renders this book troubling to read in parts, it is well written and very interesting. In some ways, my experience reading this book was similar to my experience reading The Secret Chord, Brooks’ recent book (see review dated May 11, 2018): after a somewhat slow start, the pace picked up, with my admiration for the book growing the more I read.

            I felt a little ambivalent while reading March; unlike King David in The Secret Chord, March is a fictional character. But, then I read the wonderful “Afterword” in which Brooks explains how she looked to Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott’s father, in her portrayal of March. Not only did this resolve any uncertainty I may have been feeling, but it was a poignant reminder of just how very clever Brooks is. March is very well done.

THE BOMBER by Liza Marklund

THE BOMBER

by

Liza Marklund

            The Bomber is a work of Swedish crime fiction written by Liza Marklund. Victoria Stadium, the main Olympic arena in Stockholm for the upcoming games, has been bombed. Annika Bengtzon, a crime reporter who is head of the crime team for the Evening Post, is covering the story. Bengtzon has wonderful instincts. But what happens when she gets too close to the bomber?

            The Bomber provides an interesting look at journalism and police work in Sweden. For the most part, the writing is adequate; there are times when it feels stilted, but it is difficult to tell if that is the writing or the translation. The plot is engaging and suspenseful.

            I look forward to reading more of Marklund’s Annika Bengtzon series – as well as The Postcard Killers, which Marklund co-wrote with James Patterson.

THE TRIALS OF APOLLO The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

THE TRIALS OF APOLLO

The Burning Maze

by

Rick Riordan

            The Burning Maze is book three in Rick Riordan’s The Trials of Apollo series. In book one, The Hidden Oracle, Apollo fell to earth in the form of Lester Papadopoulos, a mortal teenager with acne, and began to investigate why the oracles have fallen silent (see review dated October 22, 2017, http://imobookreviews.blogspot.com/). In book two, The Dark Prophecy, Apollo headed west to Indianapolis and continued his investigation of the oracles (see review dated November 4, 2017, http://imobookreviews.blogspot.com/).

            Now, in book three, Apollo continues his journey even farther west. In The Burning Maze, we join Apollo, as Lester, in California as he faces the third of the evil triumvirate of immortal former Roman emperors and rescues another oracle. Parts of the labyrinth are on fire, and the destruction from these fires is extensive. As in the prior books, Apollo is assisted by some of our old friends, demigods and others. But, with each subsequent book in the series, the evil is increasing, and the odds are worsening.

            I love Rick Riordan’s books, and The Burning Maze does not disappoint. It is quintessential Riordan. As much as I enjoyed the book, however, one of the best things, in my opinion, was my discovery at the end of this book. For some reason, I thought The Burning Maze was book three of a trilogy. I was a bit surprised, therefore, to reach the end of the book and to be left hanging. But, then I turned the page and found that book four is coming in the fall of 2019!

THE SECRET CHORD by Geraldine Brooks

THE SECRET CHORD

by

Geraldine Brooks

            The Secret Chord is the most recent book by Geraldine Brooks, the 2006 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In this historical novel, Brooks tells the story of David, King of Israel. She traces David’s life from shepherd to warrior to king.

            Brooks tells David’s story through his prophet/loyal servant, Natan. Because of this, the picture of David that emerges in The Secret Chord is not just that of a successful, powerful king. Natan knows all, and we see the entire David: we see the parent who is blind to the shortcomings of his sons; we witness the transformation to the wise king; we learn of the music that is pervasive throughout his life.

            The Secret Chord is well written. At the beginning, it moved slowly, but before long, the pace picked up. Also, I found it a little difficult at first to sort out all the wives and sons and other family members. But, the entirety of the book is cohesive, well-presented, and informative. This was my first experience reading Geraldine Brooks, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.