February in Review

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I read 13 books last month, a major drop-off from the record-breaking amount of reading I did in January and much closer to a normal month for me. As the month went on, I was amused to realized that all of the books I was reading were coming out to be 4 stars (minus a couple of re-reads that were 5 stars). Up until the last 3 books (again, excluding 2 re-reads), all 4 stars. Kind of bizarre.

Here are the books I read in February:

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HTTYD 7
Puzzletastic
Dead Fake
Smith 2
Silent Extraction
Boone 5
Carpenter 23
Gentleman
Red
K Team 3
Lottery
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Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (5 / 5)
How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm by Cressida Cowell (4 / 5)
Super Puzzletastic Mysteries by Chris Grabenstein & various authors (4 / 5)
Dead Fake by Vincent Ralph (4 / 5)
But for the Grace by Peter Grainger (4 / 5)
Silent Extraction by J.N. Timmer (4 / 5)
The Fugitive by John Grisham (4 / 5)
Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt (4 / 5)
The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch (5 / 5)
Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie (4 / 5)
Red by Ted Dekker (5 / 5)
Citizen K-9 by David Rosenfelt (3 / 5)
Time Lottery by Nancy Moser (3.5 / 5)

This list includes 2 ARCs and 3 re-reads. My favorite book from February was Red. I started 2 series, continued 8 series, and finished 0 series. My ever-changing short list of to-be-reads, as well as a flag for the book I’m currently reading and an ongoing list of those I’ve read and posted about can be found here.

I’m also keeping my Goodreads page updated with a more extensive list of to-be-reads. Despite my almost too-long TBR list, I’m always looking for more to add. Feel free to offer suggestions of your favorites or just recent reads you enjoyed.

Book Review: Time Lottery

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Time Lottery
Book #1
by Nancy Moser

My rating: 3.5 / 5
Genre: Christian speculative fiction

Three people win a prize that will allow them to travel back in time, within their own minds, to a moment of their choosing, to try to change something in their past. After they’ve lived out the change, they can decide whether they want to stay in the new alternate universe they’ve created or return to their original lives.

The “time travel” involved here is an interesting idea and clearly just a means to the speculation involved in seeing what would happen if one could change a pivotal moment in one’s past. And it is an interesting premise. I was really looking forward to some high emotions and heart-felt moments, partly because of that premise and partly because of my experience with the other book that I read by this author. I can’t really say that it was as emotional as I expected, though. I did enjoy the story, and who hasn’t dreamed of the ability to revisit the past and at least see what could have been different, if not actually stay and live out a new path in life? There are three different storylines here, though there is some connection that requires suspension of disbelief (not in a bad way). One of the storylines I didn’t really connect with as much as the others, and I’m not a huge fan of something that happened at the end of the book. I think that many fans of Christian fiction would enjoy this book, especially those interested in the exploration of past decisions and the ability to change some of those decisions.

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Book Review: Citizen K-9

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Citizen K-9
The K-Team #3
by David Rosenfelt
read by Fred Berman

My rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Mystery

The K Team is asked to choose a cold case to investigate for the Paterson police department, and both Corey Douglas and Laurie Collins immediately choose the disappearance of two people from their high school class after a high school reunion a few years back.

The idea of investigating a cold case was a nice different take on the mysteries in this overall series. The team here doesn’t know for sure whether they are investigating a double murder or a disappearance of some type, but the reader has more knowledge. I often don’t feel like the segments showing the reader scenes that the MC isn’t aware of (this happens in the main series as well) are particularly necessary—sometimes they can add suspense or help the reader keep the twisty conspiracy straight, but plenty of times I feel like they’re just extemporaneous. Here, though, they gave me insight that did affect my view of the mystery and led me to some theories of my own. On the other hand, they made me shake my head at the way the investigation went for a while. The team goes after a crime boss for a large chunk of the book, Laurie even saying that they’re sure he’s behind the disappearance; meanwhile, Corey says multiple times (in the narration) that it makes no sense for the crime boss to be behind it. It just made it feel like a large portion of the book was spinning wheels. Corey also tended to be repetitive in his sorting though the case in the narration, and early in the book, he made a list of this “6 stages of relationships” (or something like that), and frankly, they just made no sense.

I really hate that I’m basically just listening to these books to make sure I don’t miss any major developments that might affect the main series (see my review of The K-Team) and have a feeling of “hanging in there” until this 4-book arc is done and I can focus solely on the main series. I’m sure David Rosenfelt had a reason to write these books, and I’m sure he put a lot into them, just like every author does. But they just don’t really work for me. I’m not trying to compare Corey to Andy, but Corey is just similar enough that it’s difficult not to. And in that comparison, Corey falls short. If you’re a fan of the Andy Carpenter series and wonder if you should read this, I’d say this particular book could be passed on (Andy is in it a tiny bit but mostly just to complain and deliver a few one-liners—if I only had this view of him, I’d think he was a sarcastic jerk too). If you haven’t read any of the main series, don’t start here. But definitely do start on the Andy Carpenter series if you’re interested.

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Book Review: Red

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Red
The Circle #2
by Ted Dekker

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Christian fantasy thriller

Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the first book in the series, Black.

Fifteen years after the events of the previous book, Thomas of Hunter is the leader of an army of forest dwellers, called the Forest Guard, in a perpetual battle against the desert dwellers, the Horde. He hasn’t dreamed once in those fifteen years, but when he gets into a pinch in battle, he realizes that the answers could be found in his dreams. When he wakes up in the other reality, mere hours have passed and the danger of the Raison Strain virus is ramping up. Both realities need him, and both are on the edge of destruction.

I have to admit that with the way that the previous book ended, I wasn’t all that enthusiastic starting into this book. I’ve never really enjoyed war, battles, fighting, etc. in books, and the endless war between Thomas’s Forest Guard and the Horde (aka Scabs) wasn’t a huge draw for me at the outset. Fortunately, it quickly becomes more than that, especially when Thomas intentionally dreams for the first time in order to glean information he can use to aid the fight. It’s interesting that Thomas has aged 15 years in that reality but is still a younger man in the “real” world. Waking up after dreaming of 15 years going by is hard to imagine, but I liked that some of the people that know him best can see a difference in how he acts and even how he looks (mostly his eyes).

The urgency of the Raison Strain, even though it’s been carried on past the first book, is still there. The world moves on to a new stage as the secret of the virus threatens to be exposed, and though normally I’d feel it’s a mistake to drag something like this on for so long, it works here, thanks to the addition of the parallel reality. Some major revelations are shown involving the connected realities in this book, too, that brought my engagement level even higher. The forest/desert world, which has always displayed a very literal view of good vs. evil and has been the main vehicle for development and change in this series, brings some emotional moments at the end of this book that made me consider diving right into the third book. I won’t, but I also will not be waiting very long to read it. 

I understand even more now why 20-something-year-old me read this series as a parallel to Christianity. It’s not as direct a parallel as I must have expected/wanted it to be, but it’s certainly allegorical. Though the ways the allegory fell short (or even fell apart) bothered me when I was younger, I’m able to enjoy the story for what it is this time around. And I’m glad for that, because I’m enjoying it a lot!

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Book Review: Sad Cypress

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Sad Cypress
Hercule Poirot #21
by Agatha Christie
read by David Suchet

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Classic mystery

This story has a different structure than the previous ones I’ve read, starting out in the courtroom with a woman on trial for murder. Then we see flashbacks to the events leading up to the death and Poirot’s investigation after. The courtroom scenes are shown from the perspective of the accused woman, and she gives nothing away in the narration. I made some assumptions right off the bat, but as the story unfolded, things became more muddled for me. I definitely didn’t guess the ending, but that never bothers me. Overall, I found the story engaging and the psychology involved well-written. Generally speaking, this was one of the better in the series for me. I still prefer Hugh Fraser’s narration to David Suchet’s, which I know might be weird, since David Suchet is well-known for portraying Poirot. His voice for Poirot in this audiobook left much to be desired, in my opinion, but it wasn’t bad overall.

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Book Review: Dog Eat Dog

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Dog Eat Dog
Andy Carpenter #23
by David Rosenfelt
read by Grover Gardner

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Mystery

When a stranger steps in to stop a dog from being abused and is then accused of a murdering two people in Maine, semi-retired defense attorney Andy Carpenter steps in to defend him. Anyone who will stand up for a dog can’t be all bad, can he?

A chance of scenery can be nice, and this time we go from New Jersey to Maine. Fortunately, most of the regular characters are still part of the story, so we’re not missing out on any of what makes these books great. But it breathes a little life into the series after so many books, with a chance for new scenery, courtroom characters, and locals. The lawyer that Andy partners with to be able to practice in Maine and Andy’s sudden obsession with lobster rolls were two of my favorite things about this books. The mystery was a good one, though not necessarily a stand-out for me. I felt like the ending was a little sudden and had a difficult time remembering it very well by a few days later. But the overall story is still good, and the narration is as enjoyable as ever. Even if I never listen to another Andy Carpenter book (not that I ever plan to stop), Grover Gardner would still forever be the voice of Andy in my head. If it’s not clear, I recommend this book (especially the audio) for fans of mystery, crime fiction, and courtroom dramas, as well as the books that precede it in the series (and probably all that follow it, but I’m still working my way through).

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Book Review: The Fugitive

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The Fugitive
Theodore Boone #5
by John Grisham
read by Richard Thomas

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Middle grade fiction

When Theo spots Strattenburg’s most wanted while on a field trip in Washington, D.C., it kicks off a whirlwind that leads to Pete Duffy standing trial once again for murdering his wife. And Theo is right in the middle of things, which is sometimes a good thing and sometimes a bad thing.

Leaving aside the incredible coincidence of Theo happening to be in the same place as someone from his hometown in a city as large as Washington, D.C., this was an enjoyable entry to the story and nicely wrapped up a storyline that’s been left hanging since the first book. What struck me most about this story is that nothing is really all that simple for Theo. No decision is obvious, and even when he thinks he’s doing a good thing, there are unpleasant consequences.

I know that several well-known adult authors have taken to writing for teens or young adults in recent years and that not everyone thinks this is a good idea. Like most things, though, blanket statements don’t work here. I haven’t actually read any of Grisham’s adult books (though maybe I should soon), but I appreciate John Grisham’s style in these books, because he doesn’t talk down to kids. He isn’t afraid to talk about serious matters and explains “dry” legal things in a way that even I can understand (which tells me most kids could probably understand it too). Theo is by turns responsible—sometimes wise beyond his years—and immature, which, considering his age and his upbringing, all makes complete sense. His parents are kind and responsible but also rather neglectful. And his Uncle Ike continues to be my favorite side character, even if he does get a raw deal in the narration.

Though previous books in this series could have probably been read in any order, it’s definitely best to have read at least the first book before reading this one. Though I’d recommend reading it all in order anyway. Overall, I’d say whether or not a teenager or pre-teen will be interested in this book will depend on what kind of fiction they like—if fast-paced action is important, this probably won’t suit them. If they’re interested in realistic fiction about crime and law and trials, this could be fascinating for them. And the audiobook is well-narrated, if that’s your/their speed.

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Book Review: But for the Grace

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But for the Grace
DC Smith #2
by Peter Grainger
read by Gildart Jackson

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Detective procedural, mystery

When the resident of a care home dies from a heroine overdose, DC Smith sets out to figure out whether it was murder, suicide…or something in between.

I liked this story overall, with the slower pace, lack of unnecessary flash and fluff, and Smith matching wits with an adversary. Part of what has made this series intriguing to me is the hints dropped here and there that there was a major case in DC’s past that didn’t go well. The shadow hangs over him, along with the shadow of his (somewhat?) recently deceased wife, and I appreciate the little crumbs of both of these situations. Though I’m not sure I quite have a handle on DC yet, that might just be because I made assumptions about him from the beginning based on tropes, and he’s turning out to be more unique than that. I don’t know if the author, then, isn’t putting him across clearly or if it’s my own issue.

I found myself getting lost here or there, either not remembering who some characters were and wishing for a reminder or sometimes due to the Britishness of the story. But overall, this was another good read/listen, and Gildart Jackson unsurprisingly does a great job as narrator. I recommend it for fans of procedural crime dramas, especially with a seasoned detective and set in a small-town area of England.

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Book Review: Super Puzzletastic Mysteries

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Super Puzzletastic Mysteries
by various authors (see below)

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Middle grade mystery, short stories

This book contains 20 short stories, all mysteries aimed at kids aged 8-12, written by 20 different authors, and all giving the reader the clues they need to solve the case, then stopping before the ending is revealed. Answers are in the back, so the reader can try to solve the story themselves and then check their answer. Normally with a book like this, I’ll try to give a couple of lines for each story—what I liked or didn’t care for so much. But with 20 stories, I decided not to take the time it would require to do that. I will say that I like almost all of the stories, some more than others. A few made me chuckle or made me want to look up more by the author. I didn’t solve them all, but it was always fun to try. There were a few similar detective characters (who weren’t always the POV character), super-focused Sherlock Holmes types that were fairly unemotional, something that I don’t think works as well in an eleven year old. Overall, though, this collection of stories would be great for older kids and pre-teens who enjoy mysteries and want to challenge themselves.

Contributing authors:
Chris Grabenstein
Steve Hockensmith
Stuart Gibbs
Sheela Chari
Fleur Bradley
Lauren Magaziner
Gigi Pandian
Lamar Giles
Kate Milford
Laura Brennan
Lara Cassidy
Fred Rexroad
Bryan Patrick Avery
Eileen Rendahl
Mo Walsh
Alana Ferguson
Peter Lerangis
Bruce Hale
Tyler Whitesides
James Ponti

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