port mortuary
50 books in 365 days
The challenge begins again! I’m hoping to read a little bit out of the box this year. I’d like to read a few biographies and histories.
Here we go!
#1 – The House Rules by Jody Picoult. This is the only book I’ve read by this author and I would certainly be open to reading more of her novels This was the January selection for my book club. This is the story of a young man with Asperger’s Syndome, who becomes the focus of a murder investigation.
The story is told in the first person, which I generally don’t like, however, with many different characters giving their perspectives, it felt right.
It was quite frustrating at times, and often I was wondering, ‘why? Why would he do that?’, but the author did a great job of explaining Asperger’s without being overly clinical.
It’s not the best book I’ve ever read, but a good read nonetheless.
#2 – Honeymoon by James Patterson. I’m not even going to say it…
This book is again very typical of James Patterson; short chapters, evil doers, and a quick, compelling read. I think I read this book a bit too fast as a part of it that was revealed at the end didn’t make sense. I may look up a review or surmise of it just to clarify a few things – that was not typical of my experiences reading James Patterson, so I’m sure it was just me.
All in all, a decent book, but not his best IMHO.
#3 – Where Serpents Lie by T. Jefferson Parker. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and I would definitely looks for more of his books in the future.
The book starts off in a rather disturbing way as the subject matter deals with child prostitution and kidnapping. I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone who couldn’t handle books of this genre, as at times the story was quite bothersome, and the characters rather deranged.
The author did a fantastic job creating the lead character. I was moved by him and his character seemed realistic.
A good book.
#4 – Port Mortuary by Patricia Cornwell. I have said in the past that I’m not going to read any more Patricia Cornwell novels, and this time I mean it! This book features her reoccurring character, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and is written in her first person perspective.
I found this book annoying and slow. The characters (again, much like the last novel I read of hers) are always fighting, secretive, withholding information, self-centred, and paranoid. The characters are over achievers who believe the entire world would collapse because of something they did or did not do. They are unrealistic, one-dimensional, without many redeeming qualities, except anal obsessive-compulsive workaholics – if that can be viewed as a good thing…
The constant dialogue jumps around and is filled with eye rolling, exasperating and needless conversations.
It was one of those books where, HE’S THE BAD GUY! screams so loudly that obviously he’s not. Very annoying, I think Patricia Cornwell thinks her readers are stupid (we may not have 6 degrees, but we’re not stupid).
The book did come to a tidy end and I almost enjoyed the last 4 pages.
I did not enjoy this book and would love to talk to someone who did.
LG 