Audiobook Review: The Whistler, by John Grisham

I haven't read a Grisham for quite a while, and I must say I'm a little disappointed in The Whistler.

Lacy isn't a police officer or even a detective. She investigates corruption in judges. She is approached by a man with an unbelievable story of corruption by a sitting judge that is extensive in its scope. This judge is apparently being paid massive amounts of money by a casino run by an Indian tribe in Florida. This is in return for her favorable judgments on all things related to the construction and running of this massive project.

This has been going on for years and involves a previously unknown crime organization run by a man who has lived for years without an identity. No social security number, no address, and not many people even know what he looks like.

An intriguing story that becomes quite dangerous for Lacy and her partner. The FBI eventually gets involved. The investigation and entrapment of these criminals is interesting. But my disappointment stems from the fact that The Whistler isn't at all "a high-stakes thrill ride" as advertised in the blurb. It isn't without some violence, but I expected all this tension and danger at the end, and it never materialized. The last 20 minutes of The Whistler is a listing of who was indicted and on what charges. Then an account of the sentences handed down.

The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, does a great job. I totally don't remember anything about her voice, and as I write this, I couldn't even remember if it was a male or female narrator. That's a good thing. I don't like to be distracted by the audio.

The Whistler reads like a true-crime exposé, and that isn't what I expect from Grisham. He writes well, and I won't give up on him. Hopefully, The Whistler was a fluke.

Published by Doubleday, 2016
Audiobook obtained from the library
384 pages

Rating: 3.5

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Book Review: The Warriors by Paul Batista

The Warriors is billed as a John Grisham-like legal thriller.  And it is, but a bit gorier.

Raquel Rematti is a high profile New York attorney involved in an astounding case.  Senator Angelina Baldesteri, former first lady and current presidential candidate, has been indicted for tax evasion, money laundering, and election fraud. As the trial progresses, Raquel realizes that this cold, calculating client will do anything to be acquitted, including lying...and possibly even more serious actions. It comes to the attention of the prosecutor that a witness is being bribed.  And Raquel herself is being accused of being involved in the bribery.

Not only is Raquel in danger of losing her career, but even her life. It takes a while for the action to get going, but once it does, it is relentless.  Many major players are losing their lives, and it isn’t quite clear until the very end if Raquel will escape.

Those fans of legal thrillers involving corruption at the highest level, and wanton violence, will enjoy The Warriors.

Published by Oceanview, December 18. 2018
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
336 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Strike by Delilah S. Dawson

Strike is the sequel to Hit and continues the relentless pace that the first book started.

Patsy and Wyatt are on the run. They think they have escaped the clutches of Valor Savings, who have taken over the country. They encounter another rag-tag group of kids trying to survive just like them and decide to check out a meeting of a group called The Citizens for Freedom. This group is supposedly organizing to fight Valor. It turns out they end up selling their souls to a crazy man, Leon Crane, and it's kind of an "out of the frying pan, into the fire" situation. To earn their keep they are required to go on dangerous missions to disrupt Valor's takeover. Life at the Crane compound is like the Wild West. Disputes are settled with guns.

Strike is tense and action packed. The whole premise is way over the top, but I still found myself getting invested in these characters. I liked Patsy a lot more in Strike. She is having bad dreams, panic attacks, and other symptoms of PTSD. Finally. One of my complaints in Hit was that it all seemed to easy for her. She seemed much more genuine in Strike.

As in Hit, Strike is very violent, so be warned. This is an action-packed series that is easy to read and keeps your interest. Great for reluctant readers, although a bit long. You should definitely read Hit first. And if you enjoy that one, Strike will make you feel more hopeful since in this one, the kids are fighting back.

Published by Simon Pulse, April 12, 2016
ARC obtained from School Library Connection Magazine
470 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

Flawed has an interesting premise in which the government has gone a bit mad. It seems there are criminals, but there is a whole other category of people called Flawed -- those who have committed some moral indiscretion. It was a bit too much for me to believe.

There is a separate court that determines if you are Flawed, and let's just say, if you appear before that court, you are certain to be deemed Flawed. There are "whistle blowers" who turn people in. And if you are Flawed, you must be branded, wear a red arm band with an "F" on it, and your rights in society are severely limited. This is for your entire life. You are never freed, and your family suffers because of it.

Celestine is our main character. She's always been the good girl and tries not to draw attention to herself. But when she assists an old man who is having trouble breathing, her entire life changes, because that man was Flawed and you are not allowed to aid or assist a Flawed person.

So not only is this system strange and unbelievable, it turns out there is corruption and Celestine  suffers because of it. She unwillingly becomes the poster child against the Flawed system. People are pushing her in different directions, and she can trust no one. But she also is kind of indecisive and doesn't always make good decisions. She is young, so I can get over that.

Flawed moves at a quick pace and kept me engaged. I did want to know what was going to happen, even as my eyes were rolling because I just couldn't buy this absurd premise. So I have mixed feelings. The book was entertaining, but just went a bit beyond my capabilities to really accept this system of government. Flawed ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm not sure how I feel about spending time in this world for the rest of the series.

I think teens might buy into Flawed more than I did. It is a bit political, but for the right reader, this might be part of the appeal. It's easy to read and may elicit some emotion.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, April 5, 2016
eARC obtained from NetGalley
336 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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Book Review: The Doubt Factory, by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Doubt Factory is an exciting page turner, that also gets you thinking about our legal system and how it can be manipulated.

Alix leads a pretty normal life, for a rich teenager. She attends a private school, has some friends, and her home life is pretty normal even though her father is a work-a-holic.

Things fall apart when Alix realizes she is the target of a stalker. Strange things happen at school, but the same kid keeps appearing, and Alix is confused. All he says is, "ask your dad -- he knows what this is about." So, she asks her dad. But he doesn't know anything.

As things come to a head, the stalker tries to convince Alix that her dad is the president of a public relations company that has caused hundreds of people's deaths, because they keep the truth about dangerous products from the public He tries to get Alix to help them expose her father for what he truly is. He and his rag-tag crew have all been hurt by something her father has made millions of dollars on by covering up the dangers.

So, should she believe him? Does she believe all these horrible things about her dad? Alix begins to do some investigating herself, and what she finds puts her in a lot of danger.

I really loved this story. Bacigalupi really makes you feel for these characters. The gang of misfits who are highly intelligent come up with some creative ways to elude the authorities. I also loved Alix's brother, who is the trouble maker in the family, but ends up being an OK kid.

There's some romance, and I won't go into detail, but it's OK. I feel like since this is YA, it is a requirement, but I didn't feel it necessary.

The story is well paced and interesting. Although you think you may know what is going to happen, I think you will be surprised.

Recommend The Doubt Factory to those who like adventure, suspense, and survival stories, with a little spying mixed in.

Published by Little, Brown BFYR, October 14, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
496 pages

Rating: 4.5/5

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Book Review: Run by Andrew Grant

Run is an exciting, fast-paced crime thriller, but I had a little trouble with the tone in which it is written.

Marc has just been relieved of his contract as a computer consultant at a high tech firm. He's been removed from the building without any of his belongings, including his computer. But what he does have are two flash drives containing a lot of data. He simply wants to use the data to test a new product he is developing that will make him a lot of money.

Marc's wife works at the company also. She returns home and begs Marc to give her the data. The company knows he stole it. Marc refuses, and his wife, acting very strangely, ends up leaving. His house is burglarized that night, and his computer is erased. He calls the police, but they aren't much help.

Then Homeland Security arrives. Or is it Homeland Security? Marc is visited by two different supposed agents, and he doesn't know who to believe. They don't believe Marc either. They think he is responsible for a virus that is on the company's computers and also in the data he stole.

Things just keep getting worse for Marc. He's trying to clear himself and find out what the virus does and who is responsible for it. In the process he ends up running for his life -- a couple of times.

Run has several entertaining twists and turns and definitely keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed the plot. What I had difficulty with is the tone of the writing, and maybe more specifically, the characters.

I didn't buy either Homeland Security agent. I hated McKenna. He's too flippant and cutesy. I never believed he was for real.  However, I really didn't like the other agent either. Neither of these characters, as well as several other minor characters, rang true to me. I didn't think their reactions and attitudes were natural. It was like watching a movie with really bad, over the top actors.

There were also a few "no way that would happen" moments, but they didn't cause Run to lose all credibility.

I feel like my complaints about Run are pretty personal and may not apply to all readers. It's just the feeling I got when trying to relate to the story and "dig in." I felt like maybe Grant was going for some comic relief, but I didn't think the plot warranted that.

The second person ending was different. I give Grant points for originality, but I really thought it was kind of hokey. Given how I felt about other parts of the book, I guess it fits.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a thriller with a little technology involved. And lots of corporate espionage. Run is also appropriate, and highly recommended, for teens. It's exciting and may be just the thing for some reluctant readers. You can probably read the beginning and discover very quickly whether you have the same problems as I did. If not, I think you will thoroughly enjoy Run. Even if you do have problems, I still enjoyed the twists and turns very much, so it was worth the read.

Published by Ballentine, October 7, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
288 pages

Rating: 3/5

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Book Review: Tabula Rasa, by Kristen Lippert-Martin

Tabula Rasa is a great teen survival story that is action packed.

Sarah is in a hospital in the middle of nowhere. She's having all her memories erased via an experimental procedure called Tabula Rasa (latin for "blank slate".) She believes that she somehow was a bad person, or is suffering from debilitating PTSD, so she has been sent here to have this procedure done.

Things go wrong during one of her procedures; the hospital becomes under attack and Sarah is running for her life in the middle of one of the worst blizzards ever. She teams up with a boy who helps her survive. Sarah has taken two pills given to her anonymously, and her memories have started to come back. But they must find the third pill that Sarah needs to take in order to get all her memories back, or else she will be brain damaged. And she must take the pill 24 hours after the last one.

Tabula Rasa moves. There's always something going on, and some new danger to face. There's some scary bad guys, and also some characters that keep you guessing. And a romance slowly develops, but doesn't take over the story. Sarah slowly figures out her past, and of course she was being deceived. But why?

My issue with Tabula Rasa is the entire premise. It's way out there--not really easy to believe. But once you go with it and just enjoy the survival story and the characters it is very entertaining.

The ending of Tabula Rasa comes together nicely, and things are resolved. Teens who love a fast-paced adventure and a heroine who just won't give up will enjoy Tabula Rasa.

Published by EgmontUSA (September 23, 2014)
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
352 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Heir of Fire, by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire is a great book, and if you've already started the series, you don't want to miss it. I did have some problems, but mostly they were personal problems, not really anything wrong with the book.

I had a hard time getting into the book at first. Heir of Fire is long, at close to 600 pages. I started work (school) this week, and because I could only read a few minutes at a time, I think this was the problem. I've been reading this book ALL WEEK, and was still only 50% finished. So I sat down and finished the last half all in one day.

Heir of Fire is really exciting, especially at the end. I don't want to say too much, though. There are several different perspectives that go back and forth, hence my problems with keeping track at the beginning.

Heir of Fire relies much more on the fantasy elements. I will always say that fantasy is one of my least favorite genres, however, I absolutely devoured Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight and loved the four novellas that are part of this series. (I also claim to not enjoy novellas -- usually.) But.....Heir of Fire really tested me. I like a lot of "real human life" along with my fantasy, and this one has very little of that. I liked the "assassin" part of Celaena's character, and there wasn't much of that in Heir of Fire. But the plot is so compelling! The bad guys are so bad, and Celaena, as always, is such a strong main character fighting impossible odds. I loved the new character, Rowan, and all of the story lines are exciting in their own way.

So Heir of Fire was not my favorite of the series, but there's no way I'm going to stop reading it. I still love these characters, and Maas really knows how to write. If you are a big fantasy fan, then this series is just getting better.

Published by Bloomsbury USA, September 2, 2014
eARC obtained from Netgalley
576 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Audio Book Review: The Kingdom of Little Wounds, by Susann Cokal

I'm not sure where to begin with my thoughts on The Kingdom of Little Wounds.

We're in some kingdom in the 16th century. The Kingdom of Little Wounds focuses on two people. Ava Bingen, who used to be a seamstress for the queen, but after pricking her with a needle, she gets demoted to nursemaid for the sick princesses and prince.

Midi Sorte is a black slave girl who cannot speak because her tongue is split. She is also a nurse for the children.

First of all, everyone in the kingdom is sick. Mostly with syphilis, it seems. All of the children, the queen, and the king. Secondly this book is gross. I've never read about puking and other bodily excrements in such great detail and so often. Not to mention the torturing and whippings.  And lots of descriptions of death. And some violent sex. I just go the feeling that Cokal was trying for the shock value.

The story here is interesting. There's a lot of court intrigue. The bad guy is trying to get Ava and Midi to spy for him, and when they don't come up with enough, he forces himself upon them. Everyone is subject to the King's wishes. If something bad happens, someone will be thrown into prison and beheaded for sure.

There are brutal rapes. Yes plural. I didn't find them too explicit, but this really will push the limits for some YA readers.

Basically, our two main characters are fighting for their survival any way they can. I don't want to give too many specifics about the story. But what they end up doing is creative, exciting, dangerous, and very entertaining.

So.  Did I like the book? Well, I guess yes. But, I really thought the violence was overdone, and the entire story moves very slowly. I thought maybe I should get a paper copy and read instead of listen, but by the time I could get the actual book, I was almost to the end. So I finished the audio.

The narrator, Susan Duerden, is good. The voices she used were distinctive and appropriate. It's just a long, slow book....

I liked the story -- the deceptions and the alliances. I know this has been described as a beautifully written book (it is a Printz Award Honor Book), but maybe that beauty is a bit too much for teens. I just can't think of very many teens I would recommend The Kingdom of Little Wounds to. The way it is written and the subject matter screamed "adult" to me -- even though the main characters are teens.

Published by Candlewick, 2013,  audio by Brilliance Audio
Copy obtained from the library
576 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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