4.5 zvaigznes

John Layman, Rob Guillory – Chew, Vol. 8: Family Recipes (Chew #36-40)

19536000

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Anthony and Antonelle Chu are fraternal twins. Tony and Toni. Each with their own extraordinary, albeit diametrically opposed, ability. Tony is Cibopathic, able to get psychic sensations of the past of anything he bites into or ingests. Toni is Cibovoyant, able to flash onto a vision of the future of any living thing she bit into or ingested. Tony is alive. Toni is dead. Toni has been murdered. Tony has vowed to catch her killer. Toni is going to help. Presenting a new storyline of the New York Times Bestselling, Harvey and multiple Eisner Award-winning series about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibals, and clairvoyants.

 

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pēc mešanās darbā ar pilnu jaudu, nu Toniju pārņēmis pavisam depresīvs noskaņojums; turklāt šī jau ir otra ļoti cilvēka nāve viņa dzīvē.

Tomēr, lai gan Antonelle jeb Tonija jau ir mirusi, bet pilnībā aizgājusi nav, jo, pateicoties savām spējām, jau nojauta par gaidāmo likteni un sagatavoja tā teikt sastāvdaļu ģimenes receptei. Jāpaspēj taču iedrošināt cīņai pret Vampīru!

Meisons piesaistījis jaunu sabiedroto Kolbiju un turpina bīdīt savas lietas. Diemžēl Poyo gandrīz nemaz neparādījās, laikam aizņemts īpašākās misijās. Uzzinām arī par interesantu planētu 24 gaismas gadu attālumā, uz kuras arī pastāv (pastāvēja?) dzīvība, un šķiet viņu rakstība atbilst uzrakstam debesīs pāris voljumus atpakaļ.

                                                                                                                                                                

After throwing himself back into the work, now Tony’s mood is completely depressive; furthermore this is the second death of a very close people to Tony.

However Antonelle or just Toni is already dead she hasn’t left us for 100%. Thanks to her power she knew what’s coming for her so let’s just say she prepared an ingredient for the family recipe. Someone has to encourage Tony in time for the fight against Vampire!

Savoy Mason has found new ally in the John Colby and keeps doing his things. Unfortunately Poyo showed himself only briefly, I guess he’s busy in the more special missions. We also find out about a interesting planet 24 light years away from us on which exists (or just existed?) a life, and their writing matches to the one that showed up in the skies few volumes ago.

John Layman, Rob Guillory – Chew, Vol. 5: Major League (Chew #21-25)

13556942

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Tony Chu – the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from what he eats – has been kidnapped! He was ambushed, knocked out, brought to a remote location, and bound securely. His captor intends to feed Tony from a menu of his choosing, to find out what Tony can see, in order to learn from him. His daughter, Olive, has been kidnapped for the exact same reason. Two kidnappers, two captives, and two very different outcomes. Presenting the fifth storyline of the New York Times bestselling, Harvey and multiple Eisner Award-winning series about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibals, clairvoyants – and kidnappers!

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Ja iepriekšējā voljumā varēja teikt, ka Tonija un Kolbijam neiet viegli, tad tagad tā teikt būtu maigi sacīts. Aboļbite parūpējies, ka, kamēr Tonijs pārcelts patrulēt ielas uz segveja kiltos, tikmēr Kolbijs pārsūtīts uz USDA aģentūru un par pārinieku ieguvis kiborglauvu~.

Major League uzzinām, ko Meisons ieplānojis Tonija meitas Olīvijas sakarā. Gandrīz vai visa ģimene pilna ar īpaši īpatnējiem cilvēkiem. Ja pirms tam nolaupīja meitu, tad šoreiz identisku pēc vārda būtības piedzīvo tēvs.

Šis voljums bija labāks un dod cerību, ka tā varētu turpināties. : ) Patīkami pārsteidza kāda tēla brīnumaina atgriešanās, to pat nevar apzīmēt, cik ļoti! :D

Jāpiebilst, ka Tonija un Amēlijas attiecībām šķiet nekādi šķēršļi nespēj stāties ceļā.

                                                                                                                                           

If I said about the previous volume that it’s not easy for Tony and Colby than now I think they would be happy about that. Applebee made sure that while Tony was transferred to patrol streets on a segway in kilt, Colby is transferred to USDA agency and as a partner receives cyborg lion.

In the Major League we find out what Mason is planning for Tony’s daughter Olive. It seems that almost entire (not all) Chu family have some kind of food related power. If in the fourth volume the kidnapped one was Olive then this time the same happens to the father.

This volume gives hope that the next ones and the series might improve. : ) I was pleasantly surprised by the wondrous return of a certain character. Can’t even express how much! :D

It’s enjoyable to see that nothing will stand in the way of Tony’s and Amelia’s relationship.

Gary Taaffe – Wanted! New Dad (Urban Hunters #9)

9 WANTED

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

WANTED! New Dad

Every orphan needs a dad, so why not use Billy’s? He’s in the bush somewhere, so Billy leads his new friends into the never–never to find him: nine young shoeless orphans, ten if you include Amber, plus four dogs and a baby kangaroo.

What could possibly go wrong? How about a kidnapping? A spear–pointed stand–off with the police? Or what about a run–in with a dangerous gang?

You might need oxygen for this one because it’s going to leave you breathless.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bunya Publishing

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

E-grāmatas kopija no autora apmaiņā pret recenziju.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Billiju un Amberu kopā ar bāreņu bariņu piemeklē piedzīvojumu pilnas dienas, kamēr viņi mēro ceļu pie Billija piederīgajiem. Abi jau sāk apjaust, ka bērnu acīs kļuvuši par paraugiem gluži kā vecāki.

Brīdī, kad Billija ‘’plānās’’ cilts biedri to vismazāk gaida, viņu skaits bezmaz vai trīskāršojas, kas ir par pamatu kārtīgām svinībām un līksmei.

Bet uz vietas palikt viņiem nav lemts! Un nu jau salīdzinoši stipri vien lielāko cilti sagaida patīkams pārsteigums no Turbo, Dīzeļa un sieviešu baikeru kluba. Var vien atklāt, ka tik daudz acu pāru uz viņu pusi nekad nav tikuši vērsti.

Tagad, ceļojuma beigās, tuvāk pilsētai un mūsdienu pasaulei, cilti noteikti sagaida raibu raibas dienas. viena no tām sērijām, kuru droši var ieteikt un ar lielu nepacietību atliek gaidīt turpinājumu.

                                                                                                                                                 

Billy and Amber together with bunch of kids that are orphans stricken with days full of adventure, while travelling to Billy’s tribe. Both of them are realizing that in the eyes of kids they are becoming parent like figures.

In the moment when the small tribe expects it the least their count is almost tripled in an instant and it’s a very good reason for celebration and joy.

But it’s not meant for them to stay put! And now the much bigger tribe is pleasantly surprised by their friends Turbo and Diesel with the help from women biker club. All I’m willing to say that so many pair of eyes hasn’t looked at them.

Now at the end of the short trip being closer to the city it’s for sure that there will be many days filled with fun adventures for the tribe. This is one of the series that can be surely recommended and that I’m going to eagerly wait to find out what’s happening next.

Annelie Wendeberg – The Journey (Anna Kronberg Thriller #3)

21543783

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

With her darkest nightmare come true and an assassin following her every step, Anna Kronberg must hurry to find the true motivation behind Moriarty’s plan to use disease as a weapon. Bit by bit, she and Sherlock Holmes unravel a spiderweb of crime, espionage, and bioterrorism that spreads across continents. The Journey is the 3rd book in the bestselling Anna Kronberg Thriller Series. Warning: This book contains explicit violence, foul language, and considerable female power.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Createspace

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Laimēju Goodreads izlozē

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pagājis vien aptuveni mēnesis kopš Anna atguvusi brīvību un ar to saistīto profesora Moriartija nāvi, kad viņas un arī Šerloka dzīvība tiek apdraudēta un abi spiesti bēgt. Situāciju vieglāku nepadara fakts, ka Anna ir stāvoklī, un viņas sajūtas par gaidāmo, īpaši ņemot vērā gaidāmā bērna tēvu.

Par iemeslu, kāpēc jāņem kājas pār pleciem, kļūst pulkvedis Morans, Moriartija tuvākais pakalpiņš, kurš savos centienos nav viens un cer gan atriebties, gan gūt kādu labumu no Annas grūtniecības, kas viņai šķiet kā lāsts, bet tikpat labi tas varētu būt tieši glābiņš, vismaz, kamēr mazulis nav dzimis.

Anna un Holmss nenodarbojas vien tikai ar bēgšanu un palikšanu dzīviem, bet arī cenšas līdz galam izprast Moriartija motivāciju un iemeslus bioloģisko ieroču izstrādei, kā arī iegūt kārtīgus pierādījumus, kas iesēdinātu Moranu uz ilgiem laikiem.

Par laimi, Annai un Holmsam nav jātiek galā ar ļaundariem vieniem pašiem. Bez palīdzības no Maikrofta un ne tikai neiztikt. Lieti, protams, noder mantotā daļa no mirušā vīra bagātības.

Noslēdzošajā triloģijas grāmatā uzzinām, ka Annas novērošanas spējas mierīgi var mēroties ar Holmsa; abi lieliski papildina viens otru, un abu tēlu attiecību dancis joprojām liek savu reizi pat pasmaidīt. Kas zin, nākamgad iespējams atradīšu iedvesmu palasīt citu autora piedzīvojumus ar Holmsu.

Uz mirkli grāmatas notikumos iesaistās arī Garets, lai gan gribētos, ka būtu bijis vairāk ne vien tik epizodiski; drusku izbrīnīja, cik ātri viņš gatavs piedot un saprast. Bet gan tas, gan visi citi mīnusiņi, kam gribētos piekasīties, ir saprotams un piedodams. :D Labprāt lasītu par turpmākiem Annas piedzīvojumiem; patika viņas izaugsme un beigu lēmums.

Iespējams, kādam šķitīs, ka darbība norit pārāk lēni.

                                                                                                                                                 

It’s been just a month since Anna regained her freedom and death of Moriarty but already her and Sherlock’s life is once again in danger and both of them are forced to run. The fact that Anna is pregnant doesn’t make the situation easier, especially knowing who’s the father.

The reason why they have to run and hide is Colonel Moran, one of Moriarty’s closest henchmen. In his revenge and attempt to gain some profit from Anna’s pregnancy, which for Anna herself seems more like a curse although I would call it as something else since the child protects her (sort of) until he or she is born.

Anna and Holmes isn’t just hiding in some hole and staying alive, while doing that they are also trying to figure out the motivation behind Moriarty’s plan to develop biological weapon and also to acquire hard evidence against Moran so he would be locked away for a very long time.

Luckily in this fight Anna and Holmes don’t have to be alone. Without the help from Mycroft and not only from him they couldn’t cope. Of course the part of Moriarty’s riches that Anna inherits helps out a lot.

In this last series book we find out how big Anna’s observational skills really are, so big that she isn’t worse than Sherlock; both of them are excellently supplementing each other and their relationship dance still cracks a smile here and there. Who knows maybe next year I’ll read Sherlock’s adventures by another author.

As I hoped Garret takes some part in the events but only momentarily. I was a bit surprised how easy he got forgive to Anna and understands. But this and few other minuses to the story are forgivable and understandable. :D I would gladly read other stories with Anna’s participation.

Maybe for some this story might feel a little too slow.

Annelie Wendeberg – The Devil’s Grin (Anna Kronberg Thriller #1)

20362495

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

At the turn of the 19th century, bacteriological research has made a tremendous leap. When epidemics were still untamed and claimed thousands of lives, Pasteur and Koch isolated deadly bacteria to develop vaccines. Biological warfare was but a small step away…

In Victorian London’s cesspool of crime and disease, a series of murders remains undiscovered until a cholera victim is found floating in the city’s drinking water supply. Dr Anton Kronberg, England’s best bacteriologist, is called upon to investigate and finds evidence of abduction and medical maltreatment. While Scotland Yard has little interest in pursuing the case, Kronberg pushes on and crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes. The detective immediately discovers Kronberg’s secret – a woman masquerading as a man in order to practice medicine – a criminal deed that could land her in prison for years to come. But both must join forces to stop a crime so monstrous, it outshines Jack the Ripper’s deeds in brutality and cold-bloodedness.

Warning: This book contains foul language, non-explicit sex-scenes, explicit dissection scenes, violence, and considerable female power.

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www.

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Šķietami neinteresanta lieta ar Temzas upē noslīkušu holeras upuri, tomēr aizķer gan Annas, gan dižā detektīva Šerloka Holmsa ziņkārību. Literatūras ziņā šī man ir pirmā sastapšanās ar Holmsu, tāpēc nemācēšu spriest, cik ļoti atšķiras vai neatšķiras no oriģināla šis Holms, un varbūt, ka tā pat labāk. Nedaudz sevi atrāda arī doktors Vatsons. Bet kustīgo bilžu ziņā gan man prakse drusku lielāka un tā teikt aktīva, skatoties seriālu Elementary. Šķiet bija tik viena epizode, kur dots mājiens par Holmsa attiecībām ar narkotiskajām vielām, ja nezinātu, varbūt pat palaistu garām.

Pa dienu Anna Kronberga kļūst par dakteri un vienu labākajiem bakteriologiem visā Anglijā Antonu Kronbergu. Konkrētais laiks, kad sievietēm tādu amatu nav ļauts ieņemt, nekas cits Annai arī neatliek. Par lielu šoku Holmss jau vien pēc dažiem mirkļiem atkož viņas īsto personu. Arī Annai, iespējams ne tik ļoti, bet piemīt labas novērošanas spējas, un tas reizē Holmsu fascinē un biedē, jo viņa spēj redzēt viņā vairāk nekā citi. Patika, kā abi tēli mijiedarbojās.

Arī Garets pavīd vien dažas reizes. Ja nebūtu lasīts prīkvels, nezinu, vai saprastu, kā viņš pazīst Annu, un, kādas ir viņu attiecības.

Izmeklēšanas gaitā Anna un Holmss vairākkārt nonāk dzīvībai bīstamās situācijās. Lielā grāmatas tēma, kā jau sākums par upuri liek manīt, ir holera, kas blīvi apdzīvotājās pilsētas daļās (biežāk nabadzīgākie) laupa lielu skaitu dzīvību. Cēlu mērķu vārda daļa ārstu ir gatavi savos meklējumos pēc vakcīnas upurēt pāris nelaimīgos, par kuriem neviens nepārdzīvos un nemeklēs.

Kopā ar Holmsu Anna izmanto savu statusu, lai atklātu, kas notika ar noslīkušo pirms viņa sastapšanās ar upes ūdeņiem. Bet vai tas nesagraus tik veiksmīgi izveidoto otro dzīvi? To laikam varēs uzzināt vien, ja ķeršos klāt nākamajai triloģijas grāmatai. : )

                                                                                                                                           

At the first glance a case where a body infected with cholera is found floating in reservoir next to Thames, but it is enough to spark the interest in Anna and in the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. In literature this is my first meeting him, so I’m not sure how much similar he is to the original, or not. And maybe that’s for the best. A little better acquaintance with Holmes I have by watching Elementary. I guess there was only one moment where there was a glimpse into his relationship with narcotic substances, if I wouldn’t know about that maybe I would have missed it.

During the day Anna Kronberg becomes a male doctor and one of the best bacteriologists in England – Anton Kronberg. The time which she lives forces her to masquerade. To shock Anna, Holmes is capable to see who she is in just few moments. But Anna also has more than good observing skill and that at the same time scares and fascinates Holmes because she not like others can see more and look deeper into him. Liked how the two characters interacted.

Garret is another character that shows up only momentarily. If I wouldn’t have read prequel I’m not sure if would have understood their relationship and how he knows Anna.

During the investigation both Anna and Holmes get themselves in life threatening situations. The big theme of the book, as the hint from victim, is cholera witch in densely inhabited parts of the city (mostly the poor) takes a lot of lives. In the name to find a vaccine some doctors are willing to sacrifice few unlucky ones that no one will look for.

Together with Holmes Anna uses her status to discover what happened to the man before he drowned and met the river. But what if that destroys Anna’s skillfully formed second life? To find out that I guess I have to read the next book in this trilogy. : )

Lisa Gardner – Catch Me (Detective D.D. Warren #6)

17120190

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

In New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner’s latest D.D. Warren thriller, the relentless Boston investigator must solve a coldly calculated murder–before it happens.

In four days, someone is going to kill me . . .

Detective D. D. Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside D.D.’s latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition: Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston’s top detective to handle the death investigation.

It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle…

Charlie tells a chilling story: Each year at 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood best friends from a small town in New Hampshire; the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.

But as D.D. quickly learns, Charlie Grant doesn’t plan on going down without a fight. By her own admission, the girl can outshoot, outfight, and outrun anyone in Boston. Which begs the question, is Charlie the next victim, or the perfect perpetrator? As D.D. tracks a vigilante gunman who is killing pedophiles in Boston, she must also delve into the murders of Charlie’s friends, racing to find answers before the next gruesome January 21 anniversary. Is Charlie truly in danger, or is she hiding a secret that may turn out to be the biggest threat of all?

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to Latvijas grāmatu izstādē 2015!

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Čārlija Granta apzinās, ka pēc četrām dienām, 21.janvārī, viņa tiks nogalināta. Tāpēc Čārlija, ja nu kas, izpēta izmeklētājus Bostonā, ja nu tā tiešām notiek. Par laimi, viņas izvēle krīt uz detektīvi Vorenu.

Virzoties sižetam maz pamazām uzzinām par Čārlijas neapskaužamo bērnību, līdz viņa nonāca astoņu gadu vecumā nonāk slimnīcā un tad pie tantes. Līdz tam bija jāpacieš un jāiztur māte ar MBPS, t.i., māte, kura nodara pāri savam bērnam, lai gūtu uzmanību no citiem. Tas atstājis paliekošas sekas pieaugušās Čārlijas dzīvē. Iemesls, kāpēc Čārlija gatavojas konkrētam datumam, ir tāds, ka pēdējos divos gados nogalinātas viņas divas labākās bērnības draudzenes, un nu Čārlija palikusi kā pēdējā. Pēdējo gadu viņa visvisādi trenējusies, bet, apsverot slepkavību apstākļus, rodas jautājums, vai tam beigās būs nozīme?

Bez šīs pamattēmas Vorenai kopā ar dzimumnoziegumu izmeklētāju detektīvi O(uzvārds pārāk grūti izrunājams, tāpēc tā saīsināts) mēģina atrisināt slepkavības, kur dažs labs drīzāk būtu gatavs slepkavam pateikt paldies, jo upuri ir pedofili. Interesanti bija vērot O jaunības asumu, dedzību un Vorenas pieredzes pieeju darbā, kā mēģina sastrādāties.

Aplausi par neparedzamību vainīgā ziņā gandrīz līdz pašām beigām! Vienubrīd jau tu esi pārliecināts, bet tad pēkšņi, nez no kurienes tāds pavērsiens un jauns aizdomās turamais, ka tik turies. : )

Netiek aizmirst arī par ieskatu Vorenas personiskajā dzīvē. Tagad, kad mājās ir desmit nedēļu jauns puika Džeks, viņas darba ikdiena ieguvusi šādas tādās pārmaiņas. Varēja pasmaidīt par to kā varenā detektīve uztraucas par savu vecāku neizbēgamo vizīti. Un kā pēdējā piebilde; apsveikums no manas puses Vorenai un Aleksam! Par ko? Tad vien atliek pašam izlasīt. (Vai arī sagaidīt manu viedokli par septīto sērijas grāmatu; visticamāk)

                                                                                                                                                

Charlie Grant knows that after four days at 21st January she probably will get killed. That’s why Charlie looks for a decent detective in Boston if that should happen. Luckily or not it’s detective D.D. Warren that she finds.

While the plot goes on we little by little find out about Charlie’s unenviable childhood, until at age of eight she is at hospital and after goes to live with her aunt. Until then she had to endure her mother with Munchausen by proxy syndrome. That has left big scars to the life of grownup Charlie Grant. The reason why she knows that it’s going to be 21st January is because her two best friends have been killed on those dates for last two years, and know Charlie should be the last one. For the past year she has trained in all imaginable ways for the coming moment, but knowing how her friends were killed you have to ask will that will matter?

Besides this main theme Warren together with sex crimes investigator detective O (the last name to complicate to pronounce) tries to solve murders for which some might congratulate the killer because the victims are pedophiles. It’s interesting to watch how the young and impulsive O and Warren with her experience try to work together.

Applauses for unpredictability considering who’s the killer, couldn’t tell almost until the end. For a while you think you know pretty sure who it is, but out of nowhere a twist with a new suspect and you don’t know what to think!

D.D. Warren’s personal life isn’t forgotten. Now, when there is a 10 weeks old baby boy Jack at home, there are some changes at Warren’s day-to-day work routine. You can only smile seeing how the strong and a bit intimidating detective fears and worries about her parents visit. And as a note from me are congratulations to Warren and Alex! Why? Well, you should probably start to read the book. : ) (or wait for my review of Fear Nothing)

Gary Taaffe – Bowels of Hell (Urban Hunters #7)

7

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

BOWELS OF HELL (book 7)

Entombed and doomed to digestion down the bowels of hell itself, Billy and Amber must escape or die.

The orphans, abandoned again, must set aside their differences and put into practice what Billy has taught them. Or starve.

And is the honeymoon over already? Can the Bullies save their relationship with Mel?

“WOW! Hauntingly hypnotic. Good enough to set to music. A wickedly graphic conclusion. Loved it.” Anne, Australia

“It’s really clever. Very exciting. I love the way you’ve ended it.” Jack, Australia

“One minute his chilling descriptions are giving me the shivers and the next, I’m laughing out loud!” Ethan, USA

URBAN HUNTERS is laugh–out–loud, gut–churning, heart–wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bunya Publishing

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

E-grāmatas kopija no autora apmaiņā pret recenziju

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Aizlavījušies divatā prom no nometnes, kamēr citi guļ, Billijs un Ambera nonāk neapskaužamā un pat dzīvībai bīstamā situācijā, burtiski vai ellē (vismaz smaka uz to pusi). Par laimi, atrisinājums ir pozitīvs.

Turpinās ikdienas rosība bāreņu apmetnē, un Billijs ar Amberu turpina viņiem visvisādi palīdzēt. Kas patika, ka septītais sērijas stāsts atgriež vairāk jautrības nekā iepriekšējos divos. Šoreiz uzzinām nedaudz par Amberu pirms viņas sastapšanās ar Billiju, bet tikai nedaudz.

Noslēgums apstiprināja manu lielāko prognozi attiecība uz bērniem, Billiju un Amberu.

                                                                                                                                                

After sneaking away from the camp while others sleep, Amber and Billy get themselves in a really tight and life threatening spot, literally bowels of hell (at least the smell might be). Luckily everything ends well.

At camp continues daily activities, and Billy together with Amber are still helping them to learn what’s around them. What I liked that in this story has a bit of that humour as in the first books. This time we learn a little about Amber before she met Billy, but only a little.

The ending confirmed my biggest prognosis regarding kids, Billy and Amber.

Tess Gerritsen – The Sinner (Rizzoli & Isles #3)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Within the walls of a cloistered convent, a scene of unspeakable carnage is discovered. On the snow lie two nuns, one dead, one critically injured – victims of a seemingly motiveless, brutally savage attack.

Medical examiner Maura Isles’ autopsy of the murder victim yields a shocking surprise, but the case takes a disturbing twist. The body of another woman has been found. And someone has gone to a lot trouble to remove her face, hands and feet.

As long buried secrets are revealed so Dr Isles and homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, find themselves part of an investigation that leads to an awful, dawning realisation of the killer’s identity…

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Patologanatome Maura tiek izsaukta uz neiedomājamu nozieguma vietu, klosteri, kur varētu šķist, ka nekas tāds kā slepkavība nevarētu notikt. Māsas Kamillas autopsija dod negaidītus jaunumus, upurei kādu laiku pirms savas nāves bijušas dzemdības. Tā kādu laiku Ridzoli izmeklēšanas galvenā uzmanība vērsta viņas virzienā, bet drusku tiek piemirsts par citiem pavedieniem.

Grāmatā ir vairāki upuri, un atliek vien prātot, kā tās savijas kopējā stāstā. Pirmkārt jau prologā minētais vairākas nodaļas tiek tā arī atstāts, bet nav, par ko bēdāties, jo par to nav aizmirsts.

Uz Mauras galda nonāk arī upure ar sākotnēji neizskaidrojamiem ādas bojājumiem, bet pats dīvainākais, ka gan kājas, gan pēdas slepkava un arī sejas ādu slepkava paņēmis līdzi. Skaidri noprotama nabadzīga izcelsme.

Gan Maurai, gan Ridzoli ir sava romantiskā stāsta līnija; abām nav ne vainas : ). Mauras gadījumā tas ir bijušais vīrs, kurš negaidīti uzrodas pēc trim gadiem un uzjundī atmiņas un jūtas; vien kāda var būt sakritība, ka tieši sākoties šai lietai, ņemot vērā viņa darbavietu.

Tikmēr Ridzoli mēģina aprast ar domu, ka ir stāvoklī, un pirmās domas visticamāk pārsteidzīgas. Nomāc arī neziņa, kā gan to uztvertu FBI aģents un tēvs Gabriels Dīns (otrajā grāmatā) un kā tad izvērstos abu nākotne un attiecības. Ridzoli nespēj iedomāties sevi mātes lomā, un līdzīgi kā Maura tā pieradusi ar ‘’masku’’, ko valkā darbā, ka brīžiem aizmirst to noņemt ārpus tā.

                                                                                                                                                

Medical examiner Maura Isles gets a call to unthinkable crime scene, to convent, as you might think that nuns would be safe behind those walls. Sister Camille’s autopsy reveals surprising news that some time before her murder she gave birth. And that sends most of detective Rizzoli’s attention in her way forgetting a bit about other leads.

Camille isn’t the only victim in the book, and the reader can just wonder how that all fits together. Firstly it’s the prologue which is left there for few chapters but no need to fear as it won’t be forgotten.

On Isles’ examination table arrives a victim at the first with unknown lesions but the bizarre thing that the killer cut of her hands and feats and also took her face skin. Her origin of poverty is obvious.

Both Maura and Rizzoli has her own romantic story lines, and both were quite good. In Maura’s case it’s her ex-husband who turns up after three years without any message bringing up old memories and feelings; only what are the odds that it is right when the case starts considering his workplace.

Meanwhile Rizzoli tries to comprehend with idea that she is pregnant, and the first thoughts are rash. She’s overwhelmed by not knowing how FBI agent and the father Gabriel Dean (second book) would react and by thoughts of possible future and their relationship. Rizzoli can’t imagine being a mom, similarly to Maura they sometimes forget to take off their ‘’toughness’’ mask outside the work.

Gary Taaffe – Tribal Scarring (Urban Hunters #2)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

TRIBAL SCARRING (book 2)

The clan face a dilemma – Billy doesn’t want to go on his Walkabout yet and besides, he hasn’t even been initiated into a man. Can hardly blame him, they want to use the slice of a knife where no boy wants a knife to go. The spirit of his mother forces the issue with a violent attack by a giant Red kangaroo. She’s good like that – helpful. The old Magic Man wants to seal Billy’s horrific injuries under the coals of a fire, exactly as he would initiate an Aboriginal Warrior. He’s helpful too. Billy must decide whether to endure the pain of initiation or remain a boy.

“Though Tribal Scarring was more serious, it was really great. One of the best YA books I have read! Kudos! I recommend everyone to read it.” JB Cacdac

“Great coming of age story. Isn’t Pindaari a loveable character.” Anne, Australia

“I can’t wait to see what Billy’s next adventure is!” Jessica B, USA

URBAN HUNTERS is laugh–out–loud, gut–churning, heart–wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bunya Publishing

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no http://bunyapublishing.com/

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Jau no mazotnes visi ciltī jutuši, ka Billijs ir citādāks. Un viņa iesvētīšana vīra kārtā, pēc neparastām un pat dzīvībai bīstamām ķenguru medībām, pienākusi ātrāk kā domāts.

Patika ieskats aborigēnu kultūrā. Billija ceremonija ietver ne tikai īpašas dejas un rituālus, bet arī apgraizīšanu. Saistoši gan ceremonijas apraksti, gan netradicionālie (aborigēnu) dziedēšanas veidi Billija ievainojumiem.

Trešās sērijas grāmatas nosaukums ir Walkabout, un, cik saprotu, tas ir ne tikai ceļojums vienam pašam ārpus cilts un ciema, bet ietver arī sevis garīgu atrašanu pēc iesvētīšanas.

Otrā Urban Hunters grāmatiņa bija kopumā nopietnāka, un beigas, lai gan ar mazāk smiekliem, atkal satriecošas.

                                                                                                                                                

Even from early age everyone in the tribe could tell that Billy was different, and his initiation into manhood comes sooner than expected after very dangerous kangaroo hunting.

Liked the insight in aborigine culture. Billy’s ceremony includes not only special dances and rituals but also circumcision. Fascinating descriptions about the ceremony and untraditional healing methods to Billy’s injuries.

The third book’s title is Walkabout, and if understand correctly that is not only a journey alone outside your tribe and village but also is about finding your spiritual self after the initiation.

Tribal Scaring was overall more serious than the first boo, and the ending although with less laughter still was great!

Lisa Gardner – Live to Tell (Detective D.D. Warren #4)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

A savage crime has rocked a working-class neighbourhood of Boston; four members of a family have been brutally murdered. The father is lying in an intensive care unit, his survival in doubt. He is the principal suspect. Female police detective D.D. Warren, however, is not one to take things at face value. At the same time, Danielle Burton is about to have her life thrown into turmoil; a nurse whose life is at the service of her profession, she has tentatively recovered from a devastating family tragedy of decades before – and the investigation by Warren and her partner is about to throw Danielle’s life into chaos once again. There is one more angle to the triangle: the devotion of a mother, Victoria Oliver, to her disturbed son is about to be tested to the limit.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bantam Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Tuvojas 25.gadadiena kopš Daniela izdzīvoja, kopš viņas tēvs nogalināja māti, māsu, brāli un pats sevi, bet viņu atstāja dzīvu. Katru gadu Daniela tuvojoties šim datumam uzņemas vairāk maiņu darbā kā ierasts, un strādā viņa slimnīcas nodaļā, kura ārstē garīgi slimus bērnus.

Darbaholiķei seržantei Vorenai prātā ik pa brīdim iešaujas doma, ka būtu pēdējais laiks atrast dzīves draugu un mēģināt veidot ģimeni, bet vienmēr atrunājies ar ilgajām un neparedzamajām darba stundām, kā arī, ka vienkārši nav tam domāta. Tomēr Bobijs kalpo kā pamudinājums kaut ko darīt, īpaši, pēc tam, kad viņa un Anabellas ģimenē skaitlisks pieaugums. Šajā ziņā interesanta autores intervija ar Vorenu pēc recencijas. : )

Jaunākā lieta, visa ģimene tiek atrasta nogalināta un izskatās, ka vainīgais tēvs, kurš mēģinājis izdarīt nesekmīgu pašnāvību. Bet papētot tuvāk atklājas interesantas lietas kā iespējamas finanšu problēmas (bet ne bezcerīgas) un garīgi slims adoptēts puika ar tendenci uz vardarbību.

Nepaiet īpaši daudz dienu, kad jau līdzīgu likteni piedzīvo cita ģimene. No pirmā iespaida varētu domāt, ka abām ģimenēm nav nekā kopīga, bet izrādās, ka ir – Danielas darbavieta, kura piedāvā savu klāstu aizdomīgo.

Kā vēl vienu interesantu tēlu var pieminēt agrāku finanšu haizivi, bet tagad garīgu dziednieku Endrū Vieglpēdi (Andrew Lightfoot). No malas, pārāk neiedziļinoties, var padomāt, ka tāds nekaitīgs kadrs ar vien labiem nodomiem.

Viktorija un viņas astoņgadīgais dēls Evans ir gandrīz kā atsevišķs stāsts, kas atklāj savu saistību ar pārējo vien tuvojoties beigām. Jāpiebilst, ka Evans arī cieš no garīgām kaitēm un mēdz būt īpaši nežēlīgs, bet tādas epizodes mijas ar retām priecīgām, un māte akli tic, ka tikai viņa zina, kas būtu labāk un ka tikai viņa spēj palīdzēt. Bet, manuprāt, tā vien pasliktinot situāciju.

                                                                                                                                                

25th anniversary is near since Danielle survived; since her dad killed her mother, sister, brother and himself and left her live to tell. Each year Danielle buries herself in the work and picks up extra shifts, and she works at hospital’s unit for mentally ill children.

Workaholic Sgt. D.D. Warren occasionally thinks that it might be the last time to think about starting a family but always excused herself with long and unpredictable work hours and also that it’s not just meant for her. However Bobby and Annabelle are as a stimulus especially when their daughter is born. In this case afterwards the review there is an interesting interview. : )

The newest case, the whole family is found killed and it seems that father was responsible who later unsuccessfully tried to shoot himself. But after looking into the matters more closely interesting fact are revealed like that the family had financial troubles but not so desperate to kill or that they had adopted mentally ill child with violent episodes.

Not that many days go by when another entire family is killed. From the first sight you might think that there is nothing common between them but there is – Danielle’s workplace, and there are enough suspicious characters

And one of those is former financial shark but now a spiritual healer Andrew Lightfoot. He gives an impression as harmless person with only good intentions.

Victoria and her 8 year old son Evan could be almost another story that reveals its connection to the main one only when the end is approaching. I should add that Evan also is mentally ill and can be very violent and cruel. But such episodes vary with happy ones, and the mother blindly believes that only she knows what’s best for her son and that only she can help, but in my mind only making everything worse.

Lisa Gardner Interviews Detective D.D. Warren / I thought that she became a Sgt. in the second book

Lisa Gardner: D.D.–What do you find most fascinating/frustrating about working with the new guy, crime scene expert Alex Wilson?
D.D.: Alex seems sharp. Knows his blood spatter–I respect that in a guy. ‘Course, he’s been teaching at the Academy, which is one thing, while we’re now standing in a Dorchester home with five dead and carnage in every room. I don’t want lectures, I want results. This was a family–according the neighbors, even a nice family who seemed to actually like one another. Until, of course, the father snapped and killed them all. Or did he? These are the kinds of questions I gotta ask, and Prof Alex better be ready to answer.

LG: When did you know you were going to have your own novel?
D.D.: First time I walked on scene in Alone. Please, I’m five times tougher than fellow detective Bobby Dodge and twenty times smarter. Plus, I look damn good in Jimmy Choos. Let’s see the former sniper do my job in my heels, then we’ll talk.

LG: What’s the most difficult case you’ve ever had to handle? Why?
D.D.: These past two family homicides. For one thing, any crime involving kids wrecks you a little. For another…I don’t believe in coincidence. Here are two families, totally different neighborhoods, socioeconomics, lifestyles, etc., yet they both wind up the same way, dead. Now, what are the odds of two totally different fathers going whacko in exactly the same way? I don’t believe it, but my boss isn’t into gut feel. All comes down to evidence. I would like some. Really, it would be nice right about now. Yo, Alex…

LG: What is the thing you love most about being a Boston P.D. Sergeant?
D.D.: Being in charge, calling all the shots, being the boss. Did I mention being in charge?

LG: What’s on your nightstand? What’s in the drawer?
D.D.: On my nightstand–back issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin I keep meaning to read. In the drawer–emergency stash of chocolate, couple of condoms (don’t I wish), and a Kindle loaded up with the latest J.R. Ward steamy hot, seriously action-packed vampire novel. Tell anyone, and they will never find your body.

LG: Favorite food?
D.D.: I’ve always been partial to Italian. Which my squadmate Phil, told Alex all about. Now, Alex claims to be a serious Italian cook–apparently his mother is a Capozzoli and they know their Bolognese. A little wine, a little homemade pasta, a little tiramisu. All I gotta do is pick up the phone, tell him a time and date…one phone call. How hard can that be? One little call.

LG: You drive that butch police car all day. What’s your idea of a dream ride?
D.D.: Walking on a beach. No car, no pager, no shoes. Just me, the wind, the waves and the cry of the gulls. I’d probably go nuts within minutes, but it would be nice to give peace a chance.

LG: Can you ever see yourself partnering successfully with another cop? Or are you the quintessential lone wolf?
D.D.: Excuse me, I love my squad and my squad loves me. Neil is one of the finest detectives around, plus better him than me viewing all the autopsies. And Phil–hey, family man, great wife, four kids, works in homicide to escape the violence. Gotta love Phil. They have my back and I have theirs. Life is good.

LG: I’m a woman traveling alone, staying in a hotel. What are your top three tips to keep me safe from psychos?
D.D.: Most hotel crimes have to do with property theft. Unfortunately, a guest walking in on a burglary, or a thief breaking in assuming the room’s vacant only to find a guest present, can lead to violence. Thus, your best defense is to always use the deadbolt, and always advertise when you’re “home,” so to speak.

Bolt all locks anytime you’re in the room and hang out the Do Not Disturb Sign Double-check door is closed and latched (failures happen more than you think) Try to avoid staying in rooms closest to the elevators and/or stairs–these rooms are more frequently targeted by thieves as the location allows for quick getaways.

LG: Do you have any scars?
D.D.: Maybe, but you should see the other guy. Give as good as you get, that’s always been my motto.

LG: What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a pair of shoes? Describe!
D.D.: Silver sequined Jimmy Choos, on sale $500. Should never have bought them, but they’re really pretty and when I wear them, I don’t look like a cop, walk like a cop, or think like a cop. How does that commercial go…? Oh yeah, priceless.

LG: If you had to: dog or cat?
D.D.: No! Never! Don’t even think it!

LG: Tell me something I don’t know about you.
D.D.: I like mobiles. Don’t ask me why. But there’s something cool about looking up and watching the various shapes and colors slowly twist around. Sometimes, after a really bad day, I go home, close my eyes and create mobiles in my head–maybe one with bright origami animals, or another with silver geometric shapes. I let them go round and round, til finally I can sleep. Then when I wake up, I’ll know something critical about the crime–a piece of the puzzle I missed the day before, a clue I’d overlooked. I think it’s from focusing on patterns. That’s what crimes are, really–very violent patterns that a good detective must deconstruct, then rebuild in her head.

LG: Worst crime scene?
D.D.: The mummified remains of six girls on the grounds of the abandoned mental institute in Mattapan. Never saw anything like it, never want to again. Funny, that was Bobby Dodge’s first case as a detective (Hide)–got him a wife, and now a baby girl. But he never talks about it, and neither do I. Sometimes, finding justice for the victims isn’t enough, but it’s all we got. So a good detective walls it up, puts a Do Not Disturb Sign on that section of memory and walks away. Gotta in this job, or you’ll go mad.

LG: What do you wish you knew five years ago?
D.D.: Can a working woman have it all? Five years ago, I sweated my job. I worried I wasn’t working smart enough, closing cases fast enough. Now, I sweat my entire life. Am I working too hard? Missing out on other parts of life? Maybe I should take Alex up on his offer of homemade alfredo, except can I really be the detective I need to be, while trying to be the girlfriend I’d like to be? Can’t figure it out. So I wish that I’d realized five years ago, how good I had it. That focusing only on my policing career was a luxury I’d never have again. Spoken like a true workaholic, huh?