Errant Dreams Reviews
750+ book reviews, kitchenware reviews, and more. We may be insane, but we’re on your side!

Archive for the ‘Thriller, Adventure & Mystery’ Category

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Pros: Fast action, complex plotting
Cons: Took a little while to get to know some of the characters
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

 

Joe Ledger knows he’s a good cop. But when he has to kill a terrorist that he killed the week before, his world starts to change. He becomes drawn into the Department of Military Science, a covert agency that is responsible for protecting the United States from terrorist threats. Together he and his team are looking for the terrorists that are attempting to infiltrate the States with a new bioterror weapon that turns people into zombies. It’s a race against time; a plan that has been years in the making is in motion and there is a traitor in their midst. Can Joe and his team stop the terrorists, or will this be the end of Western civilization?

(more…)

“Chains,” Shiloh Walker

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Pros: Very intense; outstanding characters and relationships; skillful handling of delicate topics
Cons: Wanted a teensy bit more about how the women found satisfaction in their jobs as well as their relationships
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review copy courtesy of Penguin Group.
Visit Shiloh Walker online.

 

Fifteen years ago, three girls in their senior year of high school in Madison had almost nothing in common—until they experienced a terrible tragedy that bound them together and sent them fleeing from their hometown.

Renee was the icy-perfect prom queen from old money, dating the Mayor’s perfect son. After that night she fled her mother’s plans for her to become a pampered trophy wife, instead choosing to train as a chef and play at the lifestyle of a submissive. Night after night, however, she still has nightmares in which she can smell blood.

Lacey was the school’s sweetheart—as good-tempered as she was pretty and strong. She’s become a photographer, but she’s been told her work lacks heart, and she knows it’s true. Five years ago she found pleasure in the arms of Madison’s sheriff, but he walked out on her, and no one else satisfies her.

Sherra was the school’s bad girl, a pint-sized troublemaker. Now she writes best-selling horror novels to exorcise her own demons. The idea of being touched by any man terrifies her, and now because of the threatening notes and emails she’s been receiving, she’s stuck with an overbearing bodyguard.

All three women are headed back to Madison for their 15-year reunion, and for the kickoff of Sherra’s big booksigning tour. They’ve become friends in the intervening years, and they’ve each found their own measure of success, but they’re lonely and afraid. Now they’re going to have to face their fears, conquer them, and conquer the monster that’s stalking them.

 
(more…)

“Killer Summer,” Ridley Pearson

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful plot, characters, mystery, etc.
Cons: Wanted a bit more of a couple of characters; it seemed like a few details were missing
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
Also posted on Epinions.

 

Sun Valley sheriff Walt Fleming is just trying to reconnect with his nephew through a little fly fishing. Unfortunately it seems he can’t leave the job behind, and when he spots a suspicious truck driving past, he has to investigate. When he realizes he’s interrupted the kidnapping of a courier and the theft of the courier’s expensive cargo, he’s determined to figure out who’s behind it.

Walt’s nephew, Kevin, is still reeling from the death of his father and all the family shock waves that created. He’s working at the local inn when he meets Summer, the daughter of a wealthy movie-maker. Summer’s a headstrong girl who’s chafing at her father’s overprotectiveness and is determined to go her own way—with Kevin’s help. Unfortunately, the two of them are about to cross paths with a complicated heist and some dangerous people…
 
(more…)

“Shoot to Thrill,” Nina Bruhns

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful characters; tons of action & adventure
Cons: Maybe a little melodramatic, but that’s also a plus…
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 8/4/2009.

 

Kick Jackson is a former spy & sniper who lost his team—as well as some of his leg—to terrorists his last time out. The government is calling him up to go after a terrorist only he can recognize, and he’s determined to stay out of it. In his attempt to hide out in the home of a beautiful ER nurse, however, he only ends up accidentally dragging her into his inevitable mission.

Rainie Martin is a strong and capable nurse despite her deep anxieties and a childhood trauma. She’s mad as hell when she gets roped into helping Kick get off of painkillers before his mission, but she can’t abandon him when he isn’t quite ready to go in time—so she agrees to take part of the trip with him, and a surprise attack leaves her stuck in the middle of a war zone.

 
(more…)

“Black at Heart,” Leslie Parrish

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Pros: Wonderful mystery; intense romance; fantastic characters
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 9/1/2009.
Visit Leslie Parrish on the web.

 

The best-laid plans of mice and reviewers… That is to say, I fully intended to write a review yesterday. However, the arrival of a copy of Leslie Parrish’s Black at Heart, the final novel in her Black CATs trilogy, triggered a full day of reading from which I couldn’t emerge until I reached the end. I loved the first two books in the series, Fade to Black and Pitch Black, and couldn’t wait to find out where things went next. Now I just hope we get to see more books about this team of FBI agents!

 
(more…)

“Pitch Black,” Leslie Parrish

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Pros: Very strong plot and characters; tense; suspenseful; intelligent
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

(more…)

“Burning Wild,” Christine Feehan

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Pros: Riveting pacing and plotting
Cons: Justification of emotional abuse
Rating: 1 out of 5

(more…)

“Fade to Black,” Leslie Parrish

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Pros: Very strong plot and characters; tense; fascinating
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

(more…)

“Illegal,” Paul Levine

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Pros: Amazing details of the world of illegal-smuggling; fast-paced action
Cons: Depressing start; too-clean ending
Rating: 4 out of 5

(more…)

“Deathwish,” Rob Thurman

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Pros: Hilarious, poignant, thoughtful; filled with personality and heart-pounding action
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

(more…)