The Black Circle The 39 Clues #5 by Patrick Carman
My rating: 4.5 / 5 Genre: Children’s mystery, adventure
Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Maze of Bones.
A cryptic telegram leads Amy and Dan Cahill to Russia without the one adult that’s had their backs in the clue hunt so far. Palaces and lost treasure looted by the Nazis pale in comparison to the promise of learning more about their parents, but are Amy and Dan walking into a trap?
Five books in, I’m starting to feel like every time I’m ready to read the next book, I should re-read all the ones before it again to remember the important details. I know some of that is my own memory problems, but there’s just so much happening over the course of these books. It’s hard to keep up with who might be bad, who definitely is bad, and who seemed to be good but double-crossed someone else. Little hints that aren’t followed-up on right away get lost in the greater story. The fact that this bothers me probably means that I’m enjoying the series, though, and I am. I just may have to start taking notes about what’s going on.
Somehow I knew that when, in my review for the previous book, I said that a future book might give me a different look at the Holts than the family of meatheads they’ve been portrayed as so far, it would end up happening soon, and I was right. Though really, it’s only the eldest son, Hamilton Holt who has a bit of character development here. I thought it was weird that after receiving actionable intel, he takes part in some kind of family capture-the-flag game before telling his dad that they need to get moving. Makes little sense. I also didn’t really get how the black circle was a big enough deal in the book to be put in the title. But overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series.
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes #9 by Arthur Conan Doyle Read by Ben Werling, Kevin Theis, and Sara Nichols
My rating: 4.5 / 5 Genre: Classic mystery
I think this has been my favorite collection of short stories in this series so far. I almost didn’t read it, thinking to skip this and His Last Bow and just reading The Hound of the Baskervilles to finish up my foray into Sherlock Holmes. But then I found an audiobook version that intrigued me, and I really can’t say that it wasn’t the reason it was my favorite. But even outside of liking the narration (more on that later), I was more engaged throughout this book. Most of the mysteries were intriguing (except for the one where the woman literally just tells everything to Holmes; there’s nothing for him to solve at all—I did like the very end of that one though), and I particularly liked the villain Baron Gruner. I’m surprised we don’t hear of him at least as much as Moriarty; he’s in only one less story than Moriarty (who is only in two), but he has more “screen time” and is also clearly quite clever. I am not sure how I would have felt about the stories narrated by Holmes instead of Watson if I weren’t listening to them read by Kevin Theis, but overall, I enjoyed my time listening to this book.
Regarding the audiobook, this version was narrated by Ben Werling, who also voiced Watson, and Kevin Theis, who voiced Sherlock. They both also performed various other male characters, and Sara Nichols voiced any female or child roles. I wasn’t impressed by Ben Werling who was a little odd with some of his dialog tags. He commonly put full emphasis on both words in the tag, “said Holmes.” with more of an exclamation point than a period after them. It was strange. But Kevin Theis, who I have gotten used to as the voice of Bertie Wooster, was great as Holmes. I would go back and listen to every single Holmes book, even the ones I didn’t care for much, if he was narrating them. Sara Nichols I don’t really have anything to say about, but I didn’t have any issues with her.
Investigator Wayne Deetz has the distinction of interrogating the perpetrator of a mass shooting, trying to get the answers about why, how, and possibly with what help. Months after the shooting, Tyson Cooper, whose wife was killed during the event, struggles to move on with his life and begins to question what right the shooter has to live. Deetz’s and Cooper’s stories are told in alternating chapters, with Deetz diving into the interrogation mere hours after the event and Cooper’s starting 10 months later.
I wasn’t entirely sure what the core of this story would be—a psychological dive into the mind of a mass killer, a look at the aftermath of his victims? I didn’t really see how it could be an action-packed race to stop a terrible event from happening, considering that the synopsis makes it clear the mass shooting has already happened. In the end, though, there was some of that as well as the look at the aftermath of the victims, in the form of more than one person who lost someone that day. I can’t really say there was much psychology on the killer’s side shown, which is not a problem, partly because it would have made the book much darker than I would prefer and also because it’s not really said to be about that. The story starts out pretty slowly and continues that way for more than half of the book. Then suddenly, it’s super tense and hurtling toward a major climax. The pacing could have been better, but I’ll admit that I was pretty caught up in the book in the last third.
A lot of my problems came in small bits and pieces here and there. I didn’t have any issues with the writing style (other than the aforementioned pacing), though there were several places that I’m certain a proofreader should have caught an extra comma here or there, or one spot where a couple of sentences at the beginning of a chapter were literally repeated at the beginning of another, 2 chapters later (this book was self-published, fyi). But for example, why, in a book set in pretty modern times especially, did the author choose to have one of the characters make the distinction that his son’s girlfriend was black (but he and his wife have decided they’re are okay with it) and that he worried what family and friends might think? Why was there such a large focus on violent video games as the catalyst for the shooter’s rampage, when literally a quick search online shows that there really isn’t any correlation (maybe unless the perpetrator is already mentally unstable). I have a few other examples that I marked in my notes, but I don’t want to unbalance the review.
The Christian angle in this book is overall pretty good. Cooper and his late wife were Christians, but he has decided that God is not what He claims to be in the Bible, if he could let such a wonderful woman as his wife die (actually, I think he’s in danger of putting her on a pedestal, unless she really is as perfect as his reminiscences would have us believe). Deetz is an unbeliever but is introduced to Christianity by his son, who attends what sounds like a mega-church. Two different starting points lead to some interesting conversations about God. In the end, I wish I had liked this book more, but I didn’t dislike it either. It’s clear that plenty of fans of the genre liked it more than I did, so if you’re interested, definitely check it out. I have another Creston Mapes book on my shelf, given to me by a friend, so I’ll be interested to read another book by this author.
Meet Molly Molly Learns a Lesson Molly’s Surprise Happy Birthday, Molly Molly Saves the Day Changes for Molly American Girl: Molly series #1-6 by Valerie Tripp
My overall rating: 5 / 5 Genre: Children’s historical fiction
I’ve been aware of American Girl books my whole life, though I didn’t realize how recently more were still being released. I’ve collected a few of these at thrift stores or sales over the years and decided to combine all 6 of one girl’s series into one review. I started with Molly, partly because it’s the only one I have all 6 of and partly because it’s the only one I remember for sure reading when I was younger. I thought the series might be silly or feel too light, since these books were written to go along with actual dolls, thus they could have been very quick and simple. However, they don’t smack of a marketing ploy; the author did a great job with them, and they’re really just like any other book series written for kids this age. Also, the “Looking Back” section at the end of each book is really interesting! I love that it gives a little history of the time period, generally relating to the story, with pictures and even examples of ads/posters/propaganda from that time period. The focus is on children and even women, which is something that you really aren’t going to see a lot of places. I think these books could be a great resource for teaching kids age 7+ about the time period, how kids lived in those days, and the hardships they had to deal with. If I’d gotten to these books when my daughter was younger, I would have had her read them and then discussed them with her afterward. Brief, individual reviews follow below:
Meet Molly: Molly and her brother are quite mean in this book, though it’s also very realistic. The end result is that they are shown a comparison between how they are treating each other and the war their father is away helping with, which I believe is the entire point. Many reviewers seem bothered by the way they treat each other, and it certainly isn’t the best example for the kids who read it, but hopefully they will pick up on the message at the end.
Molly Learns a Lesson: Molly’s got a little bit of a manipulative streak, which I totally can relate with. I like the way this one works out in the end—it might be a bit easy, but it is a kid’s book, after all.
Molly’s Surprise: Christmastime is hard for a lot of people, and Molly’s situation is not an easy one. As she tries to make Christmas as close to normal as possible, she learns that it’s just as much fun (or even moreso) to be the one giving surprises as to be the one getting them. I love the ending of this one. I may have teared up a little.
Happy Birthday, Molly!: I mean, it’s kind of strange that there’s a book dedicated to Molly learning a lesson, considering that she learns a lesson in pretty much every book in the series. Again, I feel for Molly here, as she regrets her decision to share her birthday with the displaced English girl. No one wins when you play the who-suffers-most game, except in fiction.
Molly Saves the Day: I particularly enjoyed the setting in this book, and while I would have absolutely hated a game like the one they play at camp (I hated a lot of things about camp, really, but most of that is because of my social issues that were developing at the time), it was fun to read about the strategy, wins, and losses. I will tell you right now, though, (possible spoiler) that if anyone dumped a jar of spiders on my head (or even just 1 spider, anywhere on me), I would never talk to them again. I would definitely not be bringing them an ice cream cone later that day.
Changes for Molly: This may be one of the most difficult to relate to in the series, which is sad, because it’s the final one (in the main series, at least). I wish the focus hadn’t been so strongly on Molly “looking the part,” that perhaps she could have learned that talent and ability were more important. But that’s not how it plays out and is probably the only one in the series that I would rate 4/5, instead of 5/5. Still, the ending is really great!
Storm of Lightning Michael Vey #5 by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 3 / 5 Genre: YA sci-fi adventure
Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Prisoner of Cell 25.
Michael Vey and most of the rest of the Electroclan are faced with the loss of the rest of the resistance and, for some of them, members of their own family. While they try to find some answers, Hatch goes forward with the plan that the sinking of the Ampere only delayed, rather than stopping.
This isn’t the first book in this series to feel full of filler, but it is the one that seems to be most full of filler. There’s not really any one main quest, even the kind that doesn’t get started until far into the book. I suppose technically going back to help Taylor’s parents can be seen as the quest of the book, but it’s not set up until well into the book, so until then, all we get is Michael and the gang trying to get answers or get to safety. And they’re mostly led around by other people. The only powers that are really used are when Michael is (yet again) stupid and draws attention to himself. Add to that the wholly unnecessary format that Evans uses, which he’s probably always done but is just a lot more noticeable now, of starting a new “part” every time there’s a new perspective to show, and this book doesn’t really feel like action—it’s more like one long rest hold.
Other things in this book that would have been minor points if the rest of the book had been more interesting became bigger distractions. For example, why wouldn’t Quentin’s power that is basically an EMP knock out the locator beacon he’s been implanted with? How does he even have a phone that works? Since the first resistance base was kept super secret, yet Michael managed to reveal its location to the bad guys, why on earth do they tell him the name and location of the next one? And how are we supposed to take Hatch seriously as a super powerful (if not over-the-top) bad guy when one of his favorite methods of punishment is to lock his enemy in a cage with monkeys? I don’t really have a problem with the cliffhanger at the end, though the way it was written was maybe a bit unnatural-sounding. I’m still interested in the series, but while a filler episode in a TV show can sometimes be excused (especially if it’s enjoyable in its own right), my investment in a nearly 300-page book leaves me much more dissatisfied with filler (plus, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable in its own right). Though if you’re reading the series, you probably shouldn’t skip it, unless you find a recap somewhere that gives spoilers.
Ramona and Her Father Ramona Quimby #4 by Beverly Cleary Read by Stockard Channing
My rating: 5 / 5 Genre: Children’s classic
I so wish I had read these books when I was a child. I remember knowing about them. I may have read one, or maybe it was a different one set in the same world. But I really think I would have connected with Ramona. This book was my favorite so far, and that’s considering that I’ve really liked them all. Ramona gets to spend more time with her dad than usual, but it’s at the cost of him having lost his job and taking some time to find a new one. The scenes that stuck out to me the most are those related to her dad’s smoking habit. The scene where Beezus confronts him about it is relatively intense, and when her dad confesses his brief slip to Ramona, I teared up a little! This book is not just about the adventures of a young girl; it’s full of so much heart! Stockard Channing’s narration is pretty great, too, and I recommend it for anyone who might be interested, young or old.
These Happy Golden Years Little House #8 by Laura Ingalls Wilder read by Cherry Jones
My rating: 4 / 5 Genre: Children’s historical classic
Of course I knew that Laura would grow up and this family that started in the Big Woods of Wisconsin would eventually change as some of them moved on, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a little sad when it happens. Still, most of it was enjoyable, as a few years go by with Laura teaching school and finding other ways to make money to help her family, as well as spending time with Almanzo Wilder, who isn’t dissuaded when Laura tells him there’s no future for them. Unlike another series I read with a young main character, it’s not really the change in Laura’s maturity, motivations, or even location that make this book slightly less enjoyable for me than the rest of the series. I think it had more to do with the somewhat shallowness of the writing, even though I’m used to it by now. In this particular book, with the progression from wanting to be an old maid so she doesn’t have to leave home to happily accepting Almanzo’s marriage proposal, it really would have been nice to get a little more in depth on Laura’s thoughts and feelings. Overall, though, I liked what is essentially the end to the series, since the last one is a departure from the rest of the series.
As before, my enjoyment of the book was greatly enhanced by the audiobook narrator, Cherry Jones, who does a fantastic job, and being able to hear Pa’s fiddle, thanks to Paul Woodiel. If you’ve ever considered reading this series, or have already read it and have occasion to listen to the audiobooks, I say do it!
The Cat Who Saw Stars Book #21 by Lilian Jackson Braun
My rating: 3 / 5 Genre: Cozy mystery
Former crime reporter Jim Qwilleran attempts to spend a two-week vacation in his cabin on the lake, but it turns out to be less restful than staying home would have been. Besides still writing his column and doing favors for friends, he becomes entangled in a couple of mysteries that locals attribute to extraterrestrial “visitors,” though he’s certain there’s an answer closer to home.
Not one of my favorites in the series (though not my least favorite either). The solution to the main mystery came more out of nowhere than it normally does in these books, so it was anti-climactic. Braun seemed to forgo much of the investigating this time, in favor of yet another weather-related local disaster. Add to that the frustration that a death in the book had noresolution of any kind, not even speculation or a mention of the fact that it would have to remain a mystery. It was just dropped. I do like that Qwilleran was able to compare his tendency to half-believe that Koko’s antics helping him solve mysteries could be compared to the locals who firmly believe in UFOs, though he always leaves room for the possibility that everything Koko does is just a coincidence. I’m still enjoying my trip through this series of fairly quick reads and hope the next will be better.
Back to the Drawing Board McGee and Me! #6 by Bill Myers
My rating: 5 / 5 Genre: Children’s Christian fiction
Oh, Nick, I really feel ya in this story. Not that I’m an artist, not even close, but I definitely know what it’s like to feel threatened by someone who comes along and seems to be better than you at something you felt was your strong point. Quite frankly, everything Nick feels here I have felt before, so this book hit me closer to home than most of the others in the series. The lesson Nick learns—to simply do your best and focus on using your talents and abilities in whatever way God has planned for you, rather than worry about comparing yourself to others—is a good one for everyone and even a good reminder for those who may have learned that in the past. Definitely one of my favorites in the series. McGee, Nick’s animated friend, isn’t as enjoyable on the page as he is on the screen, but I tend to just skim the all-animated sections now. These books may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it.
My rating: 2 / 5 Genre: Christian suspense, romance
The sudden death of her previously estranged brother leaves FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs reeling and questioning her responsibility in the tragedy as well as her faith. Her partner, Gage Patterson, doesn’t understand when she resigns from the FBI to go back to teaching creative writing at a college, but he vows to keep working her brother’s case. But when a student turns in a writing assignment that is a spot-on eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, Risa finally has a lead to pursue and won’t be staying away from the FBI long.
This is the third DiAnn Mills book I’ve read, and though I did liked the first one, I’m starting to notice a trend in which I don’t get along well with her writing style. I often found myself confused and unable to grasp the meaning in the author’s choice of words. Dialog felt unnatural or stilted, especially during interviews with people involved in the investigations, and characters’ words didn’t always quite line up with each other’s. And sometimes, it seems like there’s subject-verb confusion that should have easily been caught by an editor. It’s a little difficult to explain, but I’ll share one quote that I think is a good example of what I mean. Said by a character: “Running didn’t keep them safe. But fear took over. Still am.” I promise, I’m not leaving anything out that would explain what the “Still am” refers to, or if I did, it’s because what it refers to is so separate from the rest of this quote that I didn’t realize that’s what it was supposed to connect with. And maybe plenty of people will read that line and just keep going, because the intent is clear enough (still am…running, I guess?). But for me, I can’t help but stop short and think, “Huh? Still am what? Huh?” And that takes me right out of the story. And since this is just one example of a lot of different lines that made me scratch my head, hopefully that gives a good enough understanding of why I struggled to get into this story.
The message in the book is good, though, and the main reason I gave it two stars is for the conversation with the psychologist, who I felt asked some good questions and really got to the heart of Risa’s grief, doubt, and self-blame. I wish it could have come a little earlier in the book to spare us some of the angst, but it was still appreciated. The relationship between the two MCs, on the other hand, also confused me. They’ve been partners for five years and are both already in love with each other (secretly) at the start of the story, yet sometimes it seems like they really have a lot to get to know about each other still. The writing assignment angle, which is what really caught my attention in the synopsis and made me want to try another DiAnn Mills book, hoping it would be more like the first one I read than the second, was a pretty big let-down for me. I also struggled with consistency issues in various places. I really dislike giving this low of a rating to any book, and I’ve found myself questioning my own ability to read and comprehend what I’m reading correctly, since I’ve so far been in the vast minority with my thoughts of this book and the previous one I didn’t care for. Please check out other reviews for different opinions, as most of them are positive so far, if you’re interested in the synopsis and/or genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me a copy of this book to review. Publication date: September 5, 2023
A Journey of Words 