I've read several Frederic Brown titles. In those (including The Murderers) Brown takes great interest in getting inside the heads of the killers, whoI've read several Frederic Brown titles. In those (including The Murderers) Brown takes great interest in getting inside the heads of the killers, who all are convinced of their plan's ultimate success and cleverness. It inevitably backfires in a surprise ending....more
I have been leery of the Reacher series ever since I read the one where Reacher was self-described as looking like a condom stuffed with walnuts, an iI have been leery of the Reacher series ever since I read the one where Reacher was self-described as looking like a condom stuffed with walnuts, an image so outrageously revolting it turned me off the character. Another negative is the idea, not quite so prevalent in this earlier book, is the idea that if you determine you are in the right, then whatever actions you might wish to take are justified. The Hell with the law and the legal system; you're right so violence of any kind is justified. Were that kind of vigilantism be permitted by society, there would be no more civil society because each individual would determine his own "right." It would be one big free-for-all.
That being said, this book had far less of that mind-set than the later works and especially the movies. Reacher doesn't want to be in the situation, things are not as they seem, and there is far less of the usual Reacher misogyny, so I rather enjoyed this book....more
I have read all of Rex Stout's wonderful Nero Wolfe books. This one is the 2nd time around and still lots of fun. I have read all of Rex Stout's wonderful Nero Wolfe books. This one is the 2nd time around and still lots of fun. ...more
I read the second in the Frost series first. Had I read it in order after this one, I would have noticed the psychological connection. In Voice insideI read the second in the Frost series first. Had I read it in order after this one, I would have noticed the psychological connection. In Voice inside, Freeman’s killer was obsessed with a memory and acted on it. Memory is also a prime mover in Night Bird.
Memory is a very tricky thing as we have learned in the past few decades. It’s malleable, easily fooled, and extremely fallible. Ask an eyewitness to an accident how fast a car was going as he went through the stop sign, the witness will implant the image of a stop sign in his memory even though there may not have been one there.
Here a memory expert (Francesca Stein — get it? Frankenstein) uses images to change a client’s remembrance of a traumatic experience in order to eliminate a phobia. She maintains that every time you haul up a memory from the repository in your brain you alter it in some way. If you are interested in how memory works and its experience in the judicial process I recommend The fallibility of memory in judicial processes: Lessons from the past and their modern consequences Mark Howe and Laure Knott. *
A salient paragraph: When memory serves as evidence, as it does in many civil and criminal legal proceedings, there are a number of important limitations to the veracity of that evidence. This is because memory does not provide a veridical representation of events as experienced. Rather, what gets encoded into memory is determined by what a person attends to, what they already have stored in memory, their expectations, needs and emotional state. This information is subsequently integrated (consolidated) with other information that has already been stored in a person's long-term, autobiographical memory. What gets retrieved later from that memory is determined by that same multitude of factors that contributed to encoding as well as what drives the recollection of the event. Specifically, what gets retold about an experience depends on whom one is talking to and what the purpose is of remembering that particular event (e.g., telling a friend, relaying an experience to a therapist, telling the police about an event). Moreover, what gets remembered is reconstructed from the remnants of what was originally stored; that is, what we remember is constructed from whatever remains in memory following any forgetting or interference from new experiences that may have occurred across the interval between storing and retrieving a particular experience. Because the contents of our memories for experiences involve the active manipulation (during encoding), integration with pre-existing information (during consolidation), and reconstruction (during retrieval) of that information, memory is, by definition, fallible at best and unreliable at worst.
Lots of plot summaries. No point in me adding another. I suggest reading them in order and I will certainly now move on to the 3rd. *Memory. 2015 Jul 4; 23(5): 633–656. Published online 2015 Feb 23. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2015.1010709https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... Elizabeth Loftus gained considerable fame (and fortune) for her research into the fallibility and manipulatability (if that’s a word) of memory. https://www.amazon.com/Eyewitness-Tes... https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_l... An interesting article on Loftus’ research and the Weinstein trial. Physical evidence should always be required in any case involving memory. When you have prosecutors and victim’s rights advocates, all of whom have their own agendas, juries need to be very careful in evaluating eyewitness and memory testimony. https://www.scribd.com/article/446066...
I like Brian Freeman and this audiobook was read by one of my favorite readers. Generally, I am not a fan of police-procedural-type novels where the eI like Brian Freeman and this audiobook was read by one of my favorite readers. Generally, I am not a fan of police-procedural-type novels where the events become personal; and even though I found the motivating events for the killer to be tenuous, it's still a very good listen....more
I stumbled on Hoch totally by fortuitous accident. Hoch, who died in 2008, was a prolific short story writer with several series to his credit. PerhapI stumbled on Hoch totally by fortuitous accident. Hoch, who died in 2008, was a prolific short story writer with several series to his credit. Perhaps the most famous involves Nick Velvet, a thief who specializes in stealing very odd, often worthless things. For example, why steal three letters (only a certain three) from a building sign and do it while being watched by the police; or, why steal all the water from a certain swimming pool on a certain day, or a rare tiger from a zoo. He accepts only a huge flat fee for his work. Velvet has to be a detective as well as a thief in order to suss out the reasons behind the peculiar requests. He does, and sometimes it requires turning tables on his employer.
This volume also contains stories about Rand, the spy master. Like Velvet, Rand needs to play detective often to figure out the motives behind people’s actions.
I’m hooked and intend to read all the 950 stories. They’re charming. ...more
The killer is once again causing havoc for the 87th Squad. And a rapist is repeatedly raping the same women. Both cases have some odd features. It's cThe killer is once again causing havoc for the 87th Squad. And a rapist is repeatedly raping the same women. Both cases have some odd features. It's classic Ed McBain, always interesting characters, and often mysteries with a twist....more
Not quite as entertaining as Dolan's first novel, Bad Things Happen, which had the wonderful links to the publishing world, it's still as unusual and Not quite as entertaining as Dolan's first novel, Bad Things Happen, which had the wonderful links to the publishing world, it's still as unusual and complicated. Loogan is an interesting character as is the relationship between him and Elizabeth. I'll read more of Dolan....more
I worry when established writers take their protagonists out of the country. Usually, I suspect it is because they want to be able to write off a tripI worry when established writers take their protagonists out of the country. Usually, I suspect it is because they want to be able to write off a trip to some country they've always had a hankering to visit so they do in order to collect local color for the book. But Venezuela? Why would anyone want to go to a country on the verge of ruin and chaos -- at least that's the way it's described in this extended travelogue.
Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor, both CID officers, (think Paul Brenner and Cynthia Sunhill from the General's Daughter with whom they bear striking similarities in looks and speech) need to go undercover to Venezuela to bring back a Captain Kyle Mercer who deserted his unit and committed some heinous crimes in Afghanistan. He has now been seen by a less than reliable witness in Venezuela in a brothel for underage girls in the slums of Caracas. Clearly, the Army has way, way too much money if it were to indulge in such a risky venture, kidnap (or kill) this guy Mercer.
I really admire many things about Venezuela, the foremost being the conductor Dudamel and the truly magnificent Youth orchestra and high school music programs. That is not the country of this book and I found the plot to be a mish-mash of plot holes. I did like the Paul Brenner-like banter of the thinly disguised Brodie. Why invent a new character when you already had one on the books? (Perhaps because he wrote this with his son, Alex DeMille, another puzzler, the way to get his son a head start in the writer's market.)
I have read (or listened to) several DeMille and enjoyed the Brenner and Corey characters. I was disappointed in this one and certainly won't read the The Cuban Affair, which other readers have described as being similar in its travelogue nature. I enjoy reading the history and current affairs of other countries be they failed or successful; I also enjoy a good mystery/thriller/police procedural like the General's Daughter (5 stars); I do not enjoy one that succeeds at neither. Being generous at 2 stars.
An early Lawrence Block with the now-familiar cadence to his writing. It's basically a short story retold by Scudder to Elaine, not bad, but not greatAn early Lawrence Block with the now-familiar cadence to his writing. It's basically a short story retold by Scudder to Elaine, not bad, but not great either. Good quick airport read. I like Block, so I'm reading all his stuff....more
Audiobook. I have read/listened to many of Perry's books and generally I like them. They are perfect for traveling, walking the dog, doing the dishes,Audiobook. I have read/listened to many of Perry's books and generally I like them. They are perfect for traveling, walking the dog, doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, etc. There does seem to be a common theme in all of them regardless of whether the protagonist is a "good" or "bad" guy and that's the sort of savior or lone man/woman against hoards of overwhelming odds. It makes for an enjoyable read if a bit implausible. ...more
I enjoyed the characters, the mystery and especially all the publishing and book references. Good read. I will definitely move on to the 2nd in the seI enjoyed the characters, the mystery and especially all the publishing and book references. Good read. I will definitely move on to the 2nd in the series....more
Good book to read on trains, cars, and planes. I rather enjoy most Deutermann and have no need to recount the plot here. It's a bit fantastical but onGood book to read on trains, cars, and planes. I rather enjoy most Deutermann and have no need to recount the plot here. It's a bit fantastical but one doesn't really expect much realism from thrillers anyway, I did like Frick and Frack, however. Of course, the bag guy raises snakes. ...more
It was an OK read, a mix of virology and quantum physics that barely skimmed the surface of the science. I thought the references to Schrodinger's CatIt was an OK read, a mix of virology and quantum physics that barely skimmed the surface of the science. I thought the references to Schrodinger's Cat were interesting. To quote a physicist at the University of Texas, "The cat ends up both dead and alive at the same time. Because the existence of a cat that is both dead and alive at the same time is absurd and does not happen in the real world, this thought experiment shows that wave function collapses are not just driven by conscious observers." * While the thought experiment was interesting, it really went nowhere in the context of the story. Neither did the virus that Matt was supposedly working on. The switching of Points-of-View between Emmett, Matt's wife and Plottner wasn't necessary.
The plot did propel the reader forward, however, to determine what was actually going on. I just would have liked to read a more in depth discussion of what Matt's research actually was, why it was important, what Sheena's contribution might have been (real or imagined), and why the Defense Dept and Plottner might actually care.
I admit to a fondness for stories in which a character is on the run, has to hide from bod/good guys and is inventive in how that hiding is achieved aI admit to a fondness for stories in which a character is on the run, has to hide from bod/good guys and is inventive in how that hiding is achieved and how s/he extricates him/herself from his/her predicament.. (I swear, one of these days, I'm going to switch to the incorrect "their" -- it's so much easier.)
Perry is a master at this type of plot. I enjoyed reading (actually listening to the incomparable Michael Kramer narrate) this mélange of prequel/sequel concerning Eddie's adopted son's dilemma. He's trying to go straight, having married a rich British heiress, but gets spotted by some thug who recognizes him, and he knows he has to nip the problem at its source. The hunted becomes the hunter.
Now I realize he's wealthy, has tons of money, but there is no explanation how he manages to keep well stocked with cash. Can't use ATMs or cash checks etc., because they would allow others, including the cops, to locate his position. So why does he never has money issues? It's those little things that bug me. Personally, I would probably have to go to the bathroom at key times, but the heroes never do. They must have bladders of steel.
I like Perry and have read a lot and will continue to read all of them....more
Letty, adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, another of Sandford's series, is his latest character in this, the first, of a new series. By my count it'Letty, adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, another of Sandford's series, is his latest character in this, the first, of a new series. By my count it's the fourth after Kitt, a character I liked a lot but as they were technology oriented, dated themselves very quickly. Lucas, who morphed from a Minneapolis cop to state investigator to US Marshal, was OK, but for some reason I found him irritating (see my reviews of the Prey books.) My favorite is Virgil Flowers, a marvelous character who melds humor with perspicacity.
The Investigator is clearly intended to be the first in a series and Sandford has already set up a potential duel between Letty and the villain for future books. I'll listen to just about anything read by Richard Ferrone, a marvelous reader, so I expect I'll be getting the next one as soon as it appears....more
Veritas in Latin translates as "truth". Sabar has written a detailed and fascinating book about how that was achieved in the case of a papyrus fragmenVeritas in Latin translates as "truth". Sabar has written a detailed and fascinating book about how that was achieved in the case of a papyrus fragment that had a series of words that could be interpreted to suggest that Jesus was married (ala DaVinci Code -- a fun book, btw.). Sabar's story contains confirmation bias, hubris, amateur scholars v. professional scholars, and academic jealousies. Truths might take a while to get into the Ivory Tower but they do make it eventually.
The temptation to read a concept into something because it matches an agenda we already subscribe to is an overwhelming temptation. Karen King, esteemed professor in the Divinity School at Harvard, fell victim to a forged papyrus that could (! not necessarily) have suggested Jesus had a wife. (That it's much more likely he was gay, given his predilection for hanging out with guys, has been suspected in other quarters.) Nevertheless, this scrap of papyrus was a dream come true for King who had argued the Church's position on women was all wrong.
The story is fascinating. Two amateur Coptic scholars, one an atheist, when they had a chance to look at the fragment, realized the translation and wording was lifted verbatim from the Gospel of Thomas and the translation of the word for "my" most likely had a different meaning anyway. Other professional scholars also revealed doubts although their argument that the grammar was inappropriate for the time period didn't convince me. All you have to do is watch television or listen to conversations on the street and you will quickly realize how perverted colloquial grammar can become. Words like notorious, infamous, and famous have all become synonymous, ruining any former subtleties, not to mention confusion of ran and run, nor the infamous "he gave it to you and I" which sends shivers down my Strunk and White. (If you don't know what Strunk and White is, then you're part of the problem.) Not to mention the total destruction of the past tense by the historical present. End of rant.
Sabar had followed the story from the beginning and it was his article in the Atlantic that reopened the furor. He had taken the time to track down the origin of the fragment and doggedly sleuthed out the seller of the fragment, something King most assuredly should have done.
Along the way, Sabar discusses the history of our attitudes toward marriage and Augustine's obsession with sex as well as the non-canonical Gospels. It all provides very appropriate context. In the end I don't damn King as much as others have in the media. We ALL suffer from confirmation bias and her case is simply confirmation of how powerful it can be. (Puns intended.) ...more
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