The Viper by Brad Meltzer

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a great day.

I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving, if you are in the US, a joyous Christmas, if you celebrate it, and happy New Year.  I feel like I need to put a lot of "ifs" in.  I guess because the world is such a varied place with so many beliefs and customs.  Seems like a good thing, keeps us interesting, especially when we all want the same things. Happiness, health, family, love, those things remain constant no matter where you are or what you believe.  So....Merry....Happy...everything! 

The book today comes out on January 6th.  I don't want you to miss it.  I have the standard "review" below but want to tell you about Brad Meltzer in case you are unfamiliar with him.  First of all, he is nice, always a plus.  Next, he is not only a great writer but a fantastic teacher with a flair for history.  He writes children's books that begin "I am" "Abraham Lincoln" or "Martin Luther King" or "Sally Ride" and more.  Teaching kids about history, even books about kindness.  Then he writes history books.  If he had been my history teacher in school, I would have learned a lot more.  He writes books for adults about Lincoln, Washington, and JFK.  I remember reading the book about JFK.  It was told like a thriller but was factual.  It was about the secret service agent Clint Hill, who was Jackie Kennedy's agent.  In that terrible home movie where you see the actual assassination, Clint Hill is the man that runs up to the Presidents car and jumps on the back.  I was learning but it had obscure facts and an actual storyline.  I could not flip the pages fast enough.  Now that is a history lesson I can love.  Then Mr. Meltzer writes thrillers.  They usually have some historic base, again all well researched, but now the story is pure fiction.  Still the pages flip quickly.  If you are a history lover, his books are heaven.  If you don't like history, "You will"...read with Yoda's voice. He has even made a reader out of my husband!

The current books have been a series based on characters Zig and Nola.  Zig works on bodies of dead soldiers that come into Dover Airforce base.  Naturally, the information in the books came right from the author's extensive research.  Sounds like a gross job, but it doesn't really go into gory details but is more about respect.  Nola, is a younger girl, often troubled, who was Zig's daughter's friend. All is explained in the first book in the series, The Escape Artist.  The second is The Lightning Rod.

I recently read The Viper by Brad Meltzer. I have read many of his books including history, standalone, and the Nola Series. While The Viper is book three in the Zig and Nola series, it can easily be read and enjoyed without ever having read any other books featuring these characters. For those that are fans of the series, it is like catching up with old friends, familiar and comfortable. In this story, we begin by following an ill man, Andrew Fechmeier, known as Fetch. Fetch has been living a hidden life because he knows a secret and has proof, something others would kill to recover. Realizing his time may be limited, Fetch comes out of hiding to plan his funeral. He takes his suit to be buried in, to the funeral home, to be held until needed. It is the perfect place to conceal his proof of the secret he discovered sewn into the lining in his suit coat. Fetch doesn't get time to deal with his illness as he is murdered shortly after his funeral parlor visit. Zig, who has just returned work at Dover Air Force Base, is contacted by Roddy for help in investigating the homicide. The story becomes an intense thriller, with characters old and new being introduced, as we try to solve the mystery.

This story, like all by Brad Meltzer, is well written. It is smooth writing with shorter chapters, most ending with a revelation, pushing the reader forward. The characters are well defined, sincerely flawed yet beloved by fans of the series. The story gives you just enough information without spending time on things that don't matter or repeating itself. I suspect this pacing is thanks to both great writing and perhaps careful editing. It works, giving you just enough to fly through the story and leaving you wanting more. This is the best yet of the Zig and Nola books.

By the way, the writing isn't just pleasant because of the smooth, easy reading, but it is funny and often sarcastic. It left me singing "Conjunction Junction" until I tried to clear it from my head with "I'm Just a Bill." When that song didn't work, I resorted to "Gilligan's Island", although I am now calling everyone "little buddy" and blaming Brad Meltzer!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing. Not only is William Morrow generous but their books never disappoint.

Again, The Viper will be released on January 6th and is available for pre-order.

Heat of Hydration by Dwight Morgan Jr.

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

I must have a slow mental clock. Yeah, you can hold the comments, I'm gonna get lots of phone calls from my sisters saying my mental clock is so old it is a Timex.  ("It takes a licking and keeps on ticking."  No, don't make something dirty out of that, it was their real slogan.  It must have been a good one as I still remember it.)  Anyway, before y'all were insulting me, I was going to say it feels like we should be approaching the 4th of July.  I just don't understand how it got to be Christmas time already, despite that we have had SNOW in coastal NC twice already.  Most years we have none.  I have a point, I promise.  The holidays are coming, and I want to tell you about a book I have not read.  I should have, morally, not to mention it is a thriller, which are my favorites.  To be honest, I was so fortunate to receive an autographed copy in the mail from the author, months ago.  I had already agreed with various publishers to read (within a specific time) several books to be released early next year. Hubby saw today's book, sitting, waiting, deserving to be read.  He jumped in with both feet, as the storyline fascinated him.  I still will be reading this book myself.  However, since the holidays are coming, I wanted to make sure you knew about this book for gifting to your reader pals.  So, to avoid additional delay, the review below is what hubby had to say.

I recently read Heat of Hydration by Dwight Morgan Jr.  This intricate story involves a terrorist attack at the United Nations.  The world is in the capable hands of ex-special forces Colton Gray.  After discovering a disturbing plot to raise funds and a construction design in the new United Nations building set to blow up on its inaugural day, the race is on.

Hubby loved the book.  He won't tell me what happens so as not to spoil it for me, but I can report that he was highly entertained.  He said the chapters change with each character's narration, which he enjoyed.  Well written, the pacing was true thriller.  The military tie was especially intriguing for him as we live in a huge military area, in fact, the home of Seal Team Six.  He said this would make a great gift, especially for men who want lots of action.  However, as a thriller lover, he insists I will really like it too.  

Again, I will be reading this and will report back.  I didn't want you to miss out on a great gift idea because I am so pokey.

Huge thanks to Dwight Morgan Jr., not only for the story hubby insists is right up my alley, but for successfully keeping him out of my hair!  

 

The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a great day.

Do you get books from your local library?  I usually buy mine.  We have a new library with a beautiful open second floor.  I don't like it.  I'm scared.  Despite being a new building with steel floor joists, etc., the second floor feels.... bouncy.  Anybody out there have an old house?  Sometimes you will encounter a bit of a bouncy floor in an old house, not usually dangerous, usually due to settling and wood shrinking and expanding.  It can be easily braced to make it feel sturdier.  But our library isn't an old house, it is brand new commercial construction.  I'm scared to be on the second floor and terrified to be under it, on the first.  I know, it is inspected and surely safe.  All I can think of is my parents watching all the disaster movies when I was little.  Poseidon Adventure is one of the most frightening movies ever, you can "the call is coming from inside the house" all you want but stuck in an overturned ship.... nope...not me.  Then there was Earthquake and Towering Inferno (which made my dad always request a low floor at every hotel).  Then there were the Airport movies.  Don't get me wrong, you should see all these movies, they have great casts with people like Steve McQueen, Charlton Heston, Helen Hayes and even Gloria Swanson...even Linda Blair without the head spinning. The music is great too, perfect for trying to avoid a plane crash.  Terrifying, all of these.  So, the new movie "Book Apocalypse" is something I don't want to be part of, and I'll continue to be freaked out by the bouncy floor.

I recently read The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan. This is the story of a young woman, Anya. She is in love with her boyfriend, Sid, and academically is at the top of her game. Dr. Anya Brown is an expert in ancient texts. In fact, she recently was able to translate the baffling Folio 9. Now she is in high demand, being offered positions at various Universities. Sadly, Anya's mom is ill, and she hates to leave her, but fortunately she has a trusted caregiver. After much deliberation Anya accepts a role at the Institute of Manuscript Studies at St. Andrew in picturesque Scotland. The offer is just too good to turn down. They are offering her renovated cottage housing, lots of time for research, even a job for Sid. Soon, things start to unravel. The manuscripts involve an ancient feud by controlling women's groups. The women's reach is wide, silent, and deadly. You never know who is a member of one of these groups or which side they are on. Anya, now put in the middle, must discover the truth about these secrets and ancient rivalry before it destroys everything she holds dear.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the fabulous, William Morrow publishing, for the advanced copy.

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Watching the news is painful, isn't it?  There is a lot of madness going on all over the world, with plenty in the good ole' US of A.  Some days I have to turn off the news and watch streaming.  I have seen every thriller on every streaming service out there.  I have watched a few spooky movies for the upcoming Halloween. Naturally many of the best are based on books.  There are a gracious plenty of books that would make great movies, spooky or not.  I cannot be the only person to read seasonally otherwise publishers wouldn't put out books for Halloween, Christmas, etc.  I remember doing a review several years ago for the book The Death of Mrs. Westaway.  While not seasonal, that book begged to be read during a thunderstorm with a bone chilling rain.  A romantic comedy seems to be the perfect choice for a vacation, especially at the beach.  Luckily for me, turning off the often-depressing news has led me to read more books for fall and I am faintly hearing Jingle Bells in the distance.

I recently read Play Nice by Rachel Harrison. This is about a family in turmoil.  After the death of their mother, sisters inherit her home; a house they detest and want nothing to do with.  Clio takes on the burden for them all, confronting the demons of the past and preparing the house for sale.  While there she finds that those demons are literal. The house is haunted by an evil entity that made their childhoods a nightmare. 

This book is fun.  Spooky but it won't scare you too much and definitely isn't gory.  Fast paced we follow the whole family and learn of lies in the past and face hidden memories in this constantly changing family dynamic.  A fast read, the author ends many chapters on a cliff hanger, which I enjoyed.  While this was my first book from this author I will be investigating her others.  

Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Have you ever seen the ghost shows where they run tape recorders, or video cameras then review what was captured?  What about when a photo is taken with a digital camera, they get floating orbs which are supposed to be spirits?  We have a huge attic in this house, but it doesn't seem spooky.  It is finished and has a full bathroom.  The attic in the Victorian house we restored, well that was a different story.  Also very large, we did a lot of work to it.  We took down the walls and ceiling to install heating ducts behind.  The amount of mess, plaster and general debris was up to my husband's armpits, and he is about six feet tall.  How we ever managed to get it all down three flights of stairs and out of the house...well, frankly I think I blocked it out.  I have told you before that we found all kinds of things behind the wall, photos, drawings by a National Gallery Artist, button up shoes, love letters, and more.  After seeing one of those ghost shows I contemplated taking a few quick pictures up there.  We took film photos but not digital.  I didn't have the nerve to do it. What if there were a bunch of orbs and all those ghost people are right and they are dead people? Every little creak in the wind and I am going to think about all those people in the attic and are they coming to scare me...or worse.  

I recently read Someone in the Attic by Adrea Mara.  This is the story about a group of friends.  The book begins with Anya. Her husband is out of town, so she is enjoying a little pampering.  She is taking a relaxing bath and having a glass of wine.  She hears movement coming from the attic.  Could she be imagining it or maybe had a bit too much wine? Those points are answered when the attic scuttle opens and a dark figure emerges.  A few seconds later, Anya is dead.  Drowned in her bath.  Anya's friends are shocked by what happened but know nothing about the person in the attic, but of course the reader does.  Now Anya's friend Julia is hearing scratching in their family attic.  It is nothing, right?  Things become much more intense when someone starts posting videos of the inside of Julia's home.  There are no signs of entry, except for maybe...the attic.

This book is lots of fun.  The story unfolds slowly as we wrestle to figure out who is responsible and why this is happening.  The suspense is palpable as the author points to multiple people as the possible culprit. As fall approaches and wood in your house cools it contracts, sometimes making a popping sound.  This is the perfect book to read when you are wondering what that noise is in your own house.

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Well, my laptop screen still isn't fixed. If I don't make sense or you can't understand something, maybe tilt your head or do a handstand to read...because that is how I'm having to write this.  You know, I don't understand how my laptop hinge got damaged.  I don't understand a lot of things, like why I am cold when it is 68 degrees in the house with the air conditioning on or when it is off, but when the heat is on and it is 68, I am toasty.  It makes no sense. I think I broke my internal thermostat.  I don't understand why humans can have been on this planet for so long and still not have figured out how to get along, why I can cook anything except chocolate mousse, and all of 11th grade chemistry.  Thankfully, I understood the following book.

I recently read The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North.  If he sounds familiar, I've reviewed several of his books.  In fact, I will never forget the package I received from the publisher when they sent me an early copy of The Whisper Man.  When opening the package, it immediately started singing a spooky song. Yes, singing.  I actually posted the song when I did the review.  Needless to say, I am excited when I get to read one of his books, The Man Made of Smoke was no different.  

In this book we are following Dan Garvie, he is a doctor helping people in the prison system through trauma and learning why the behaved the way they did.  Dan is driven by a childhood experience where he sees a young boy with an odd man in a rest stop restroom.  Now Dan finds out that his father has disappeared and is presumed dead, likely due to suicide.  Dan travels home to attend to his father's estate and try to discover what happened.  John, Dan's father and retired policeman, leaves clues about something he was investigating, something dangerous.  As Dan traces his father's footsteps, he discovers his father's disappearance may be related to the disturbing scene he saw when he was a child and a prolific serial killer.

This book was intriguing.  It imparts a nervous feeling in your stomach.  The reader is filled with dread for the facts that are feared coming yet can't stop reading.  That anxious feeling imparted through words on a page is amazing and storytelling at its best.  A true thriller, don't miss this one.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

Well, I might not be posting for a bit.  Seems I have broken my laptop hinge.  My laptop won't close or open all the way, and when I try, it pulls the frame off my screen.  In fact, I am typing this trying to see in a partially closed, stuck lid. So, I hope you really appreciate this as my neck looks like a twisted giraffe playing Twister upside down, while watching a dirty movie wondering how the heck the actors got in that position.  Now there is an image for you!  Oh well, at least it leaves more time for reading.

I recently read The Mirror by Nora Roberts.  This is the follow-up to the book Inheritance.  These are part of the Lost Bride Trilogy, the last installment, The Seven Rings, is being released in November.  In this volume we continue to follow Sonya and her best friend, Cleo. Sonya finds a mirror with strange properties. As she steps through the mirror Sonya is transported to the manor's past. She becomes a witness to the horrific deeds of the evil Hobbs. This gives the reader not only some new characters, but also insight as to why the curse on the Poole family was ever placed.

Despite Hobbs, this was a very pleasant story, with the revelations slowly unfolding. Rich in details, developing our caring for the characters, this is typical Nora Roberts. The series would make a great summer read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the always generous St. Martin's Press, for the review copy.