Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan (Goodreads Author)

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Very annoying how Lily and Augusta's story kept getting interrupted by Everly's story which I found tedious.

I was struck by the chief difference between the Titanic and the Pulaski on the Titanic only the women and the children of the rich had the chance to get on a life boat (in fact the poor in steerage were locked below decks and didn't even have the opportunity to jump off the Titanic before it sunk) , on the Pulaski men, women, children, slaves all had an equal chance to board one of the life boats.

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Burger Burger in Biloxi

Really enjoyed Burger Burger, the atmosphere was great. Elvis was playing on the sound system as well as other music popular in the 50s and 60s.

I had the Ragin' Cajun, which was delicious. Menu

 

 It's easy for someone with mobility issues to get in. Definitely plan to go back.

Demolition Angel by Robert Crais

Demolition Angel by Robert Crais
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carol Starkey is trying to recover from the detonation that killed her partner and lover Sugar Boudreaux. When Charlie Riggio is killed in a detonation and Carol catches the investigation memories come flooding back of the event that changed her life forever.

At first it appears pretty straightforward the detonation is just another example of Mr Red's handiwork. But then Pell (former ATF) shows up and things start taking a turn. After examining the bomb herself Carol realizes Mr Red didn't build it. But who would know enough about Mr Red's work to copy it so precisely. Everything is letter perfect except for the one thing Carol found that no one else had. She soon realizes it had to be one of her former co-workers in the bomb squad.

But Carol isn't the only one hot on the trail of the murderer Mr Red isn't pleased that someone copied his work and when he gets their first the confrontation is explosive. And Carol is his next target. Will a blind Pell be able to save them both?

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L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole, #8)

L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book I have been waiting for finally some answers about Joe Pike and I love him now more than ever.

(view spoiler)[When a former girlfriend (Karen Garcia) of Pike's goes missing her Father ask Pike for help finding her and he brings Elvis Cole aboard. Unfortunately her body is discovered by some hikers, but due to the police refusing to look for her when she first goes missing her Father (who is a wealthy business man with pull) insist that Pike and Cole be part of the investigation. Things soon deteriorate when Krantz is brought in to head up the investigation.

Pike humiliated Krantz year's ago when he was investigating Pike's partner ( Wozniak, who was a dirty cop) and he has been itching to get even ever since. But he isn't the only one who wants to get even with Pike. Cole soon tumbles to the fact that they suspect one of the hikers (Dersh) in the killing when he realizes they have the guy staked out. But while he agrees the hikers were hiding something he doesn't think the guy is a killer. Digging deeper he discovers that the case in part of a series of killings. The victims don't seem to have any connection so they suspect a serial killer, and they are determined to keep a lid on it. But someone leaks the info to the media right before Karen Garcia's funeral. Then things get way worse Dersh winds up dead and a eye witness puts Pike at the scene even though he was miles away at the time. Krantz can't wait to arrest Pike and the evidence is piling up against him. An impromptu prison break has Pike showing up at Cole's shortly before Lucy arrives and she has a melt down when she finds him there. I kind of understand her POV as she could lose her law license and custody of her son if anyone knew she was aware of Pike being there and didn't report it but...she leaves in a huff, when Cole insist Pike stay until full dark when he will have a better chance of getting away. To further complicate matters when she returns latter that night for her purse she finds him hugging Samantha Dolan (a cop who is helping Cole).

Dolan and Cole dig into the last case Pike worked as a cop, where he supposedly saved the pedophile DeVille's life and killed Wozniak in the process. But Cole quickly realizes that Wozniak isn't the connection it's Deville when they find the witness list of people who had filed complaints against Deville and six of the victims are on it. They quickly realize Laurence Sobek is the killer and track down his Mother, a picture of him as an adult reveals how he knew what the police were up to and was able to gain access to so much information he is working as a civilian employee at Parker Center delivering the mail using the assumed name Curtis Wood. Cole even tried to chat him up to get info at one point. Cole calls Pike to let him know what is going on and that Wozniak's name will come up. Pike goes to tell Wozniak's wife Paulette and Cole and Dolan continue to Parker Center to tell Krantz and Bishop (Krantz's boss). They get a warrant for Sobek/Wood's home and while entering the property Samantha Dolan is killed by a booby trap. Pictures of Ben at tennis camp and Lucy are discovered and Cole and the police put them under lock down but Cole realizes that they are merely a distraction and that Wozniak's wife and daughter are the target. A few police are left behind to protect Lucy and Ben in case Cole is wrong but Cole and the majority of police head to Wozniak's home.

Sobek shot Pike in the back while he was talking to Paulette (the love of Pike's life and she returns his feelings) Pike manages to shoot him but Sobek catches Pike off guard and shoots him in the chest when Cole and the police arrive Pike is down and Paulette and her daughter are being held hostage. Cole and Krantz go in but Sobek gets the drop on them, Cole is badly wounded in the arm he uses to shoot and Krantz puts down his gun to keep Sobek from shooting Paulette Pike who everyone assumes is dead or dying shoots and kills Sobek. Krantz tries to arrest Pike but Cole interferes and Pike escapes. Cole loses his license and is a convicted felon after he takes a plea deal.

Frank Garcia gets his license back for him.

Cole realizes what is missing in the police report on Dersh's murder (the car) and points it out to John Chen. With Cole's help Chen finds the oil drips that proves it was Sobek who killed Dersh not Pike and he is cleared. (hide spoiler)] When a former girlfriend (Karen Garcia) of Pike's goes missing her Father ask Pike for help finding her and he brings Elvis Cole aboard. Unfortunately her body is discovered by some hikers, but due to the police refusing to look for her when she first goes missing her Father (who is a wealthy business man with pull) insist that Pike and Cole be part of the investigation. Things soon deteriorate when Krantz is brought in to head up the investigation.

Pike humiliated Krantz year's ago when he was investigating Pike's partner ( Wozniak, who was a dirty cop) and he has been itching to get even ever since. But he isn't the only one who wants to get even with Pike. Cole soon tumbles to the fact that they suspect one of the hikers (Dersh) in the killing when he realizes they have the guy staked out. But while he agrees the hikers were hiding something he doesn't think the guy is a killer. Digging deeper he discovers that the case in part of a series of killings. The victims don't seem to have any connection so they suspect a serial killer, and they are determined to keep a lid on it. But someone leaks the info to the media right before Karen Garcia's funeral. Then things get way worse Dersh winds up dead and a eye witness puts Pike at the scene even though he was miles away at the time. Krantz can't wait to arrest Pike and the evidence is piling up against him. An impromptu prison break has Pike showing up at Cole's shortly before Lucy arrives and she has a melt down when she finds him there. I kind of understand her POV as she could lose her law license and custody of her son if anyone knew she was aware of Pike being there and didn't report it but...she leaves in a huff, when Cole insist Pike stay until full dark when he will have a better chance of getting away. To further complicate matters when she returns latter that night for her purse she finds him hugging Samantha Dolan (a cop who is helping Cole).

Dolan and Cole dig into the last case Pike worked as a cop, where he supposedly saved the pedophile DeVille's life and killed Wozniak in the process. But Cole quickly realizes that Wozniak isn't the connection it's Deville when they find the witness list of people who had filed complaints against Deville and six of the victims are on it. They quickly realize Laurence Sobek is the killer and track down his Mother, a picture of him as an adult reveals how he knew what the police were up to and was able to gain access to so much information he is working as a civilian employee at Parker Center delivering the mail using the assumed name Curtis Wood. Cole even tried to chat him up to get info at one point. Cole calls Pike to let him know what is going on and that Wozniak's name will come up. Pike goes to tell Wozniak's wife Paulette and Cole and Dolan continue to Parker Center to tell Krantz and Bishop (Krantz's boss). They get a warrant for Sobek/Wood's home and while entering the property Samantha Dolan is killed by a booby trap. Pictures of Ben at tennis camp and Lucy are discovered and Cole and the police put them under lock down but Cole realizes that they are merely a distraction and that Wozniak's wife and daughter are the target. A few police are left behind to protect Lucy and Ben in case Cole is wrong but Cole and the majority of police head to Wozniak's home.

Sobek shot Pike in the back while he was talking to Paulette (the love of Pike's life and she returns his feelings) Pike manages to shoot him but Sobek catches Pike off guard and shoots him in the chest when Cole and the police arrive Pike is down and Paulette and her daughter are being held hostage. Cole and Krantz go in but Sobek gets the drop on them, Cole is badly wounded in the arm he uses to shoot and Krantz puts down his gun to keep Sobek from shooting Paulette Pike who everyone assumes is dead or dying shoots and kills Sobek. Krantz tries to arrest Pike but Cole interferes and Pike escapes. Cole loses his license and is a convicted felon after he takes a plea deal.

Frank Garcia gets his license back for him.

Cole realizes what is missing in the police report on Dersh's murder (the car) and points it out to John Chen. With Cole's help Chen finds the oil drips that prove it was Sobek who killed Dersh not Pike and he is cleared.

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Safe With Me by K.L. Slater (Goodreads Author)

Safe With Me by K.L. Slater
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Did it have a plot? If so I totally missed it. In fact I am not sure Anna didn't imagine the entire thing. The only thing for certain is the entire cast of characters belongs in the loony bin.

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Ordinary Monsters (The Talents Trilogy #1)

Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I could give it 10 stars I would, this is the first book I have been excited about in ages and I can't wait for the next in the series. Set in Victorian England this thriller delivers nonstop action and chills galore.

(view spoiler)[Alice Quicke (normal) woman PI and Frank Coulton (talent strength) have been sent by Berghast (used to have the talent of healing) to find two boys with talents and protect them from Jacob Marber (talent manipulating dust) who supposedly would feed them to the drughr if he gets to them first. Charlie Ovid is a mulatto from Mississippi who has the talent of healing himself. When Alice and Coulton find him he is being held in a warehouse in Natchez after his failed execution. Alice and Coulton help him escape and believing that he is the boy Jacob is most interested in Coulton takes him on to England and sends Alice after Marlow (who glows blue and has the ability to heal (mend) others as well as kill (melt) with his talent). Alice finds Marlowe working at a circus with his guardian Brynt. Brynt is heartbroken to have the boy who she thinks of as her own taken away, when Jacob Marber arrives shortly after Alice and Marlowe leave and destroys the circus to get information about Marlowe's whereabouts Brynt follows him. Jacob Marber catches up with Alice and Marlow shortly before they catch a ship for England, Alice is seriously injured and Marlowe fights him off and heals Alice so they can catch the ship.

Back in England Charlie is settling in to Mrs Harrogate's (normal) home in London as they wait for Coulton and Marlowe to arrive, before they leave for Cairndale in Scotland. Charlie has a secret he has a ring with the Cairndale crest on it that was given to his Mother by his Father, who died on the way West. Charlie doesn't have any memories of his Father. Unfortunately Mrs Harrogate believes she has captured the litch (zombie) Walter, and plans to take him to Cairndale with the boys for Dr Berghast to question. Walter escapes and seriously injures Charlie who is slow to heal from the wounds Walter inflicted. Coulton recaptures him in time for them to take Walter on the train to Cairndale with them once Alice and Marlowe arrive. As a precaution Mrs Harrogate stays in a separate compartment with the litch Walter while Coulton stays with Alice and the boys in another compartment at the other end of the train. Unfortunately Jacob Marber can always find Walter and he plans to ambush the train. Brynt watches him from hiding and when Jacob stops the train she follows him aboard. Mrs Harrogate and Coulton try to stop Jacob and Walter. Mrs Harrogate is badly injured and Coulton is turned into a litch. Brynt sacrifices her life to throw Walter off the train allowing Alice and Marlowe to defeat an injured Jacob Marber. Mrs Harrogate, Alice, Charlie and Marlowe arrive at Cairndale believing that Coulton is dead. Walter is also at Cairndale imprisoned in the cellar. Marlow learns that as a baby he was taken from Cairndale by his nursemaid, and that they have been searching for him ever since.

The boys like their teacher Miss Davenshaw (who is normal and blind) and their classmates; Komako (who manipulates dust like Jacob) she was found in Tokyo by Coulton and Jacob and Jacob helped her find the strength to let her sister who she had accidental turned into a litch go. It was on their voyage back to London that the drughr convinced Jacob to come with her and he disappeared off the ship. By the time he realized the drughr couldn't keep her promise to restore his twin brother (Bertolt) to life and her true nature no one at Cairndale would help him. Ribs (invisible) appeared on the ship and revealed herself to Coulton and Komako after playing tricks on them. Oskar (who can created a flesh giant which he calls Lymenion). We didn't learn much about Oskar's past in this book. After Alice and Mrs Harrogate leave for London the kids learn that Berghast is up to no good. Ribs, Oskar and Kokomo travel to town and discover that Dr Berghast has been trying to turn talents who have lost their powers into glyphics, since the glyphic (tree like thing) that protects Cairndale and keeps the orsine ( door to the world of the dead) closed is dying. The experiments have all been failures and the children have been left in a horrible state. Instead of allowing Berghast to kill them a kindly shop keeper is tending to them. Meanwhile Dr Berghast tricked Marlowe and Charlie into going into the orsine after a glove. They meet Jacob in the world of the dead after they find the glove. Charlie was in another area when Jacob appeared and stayed hidden, so Jacob never knew he was there. Jacob tied Marlowe up to protect him and left the glove with him. He also revealed that the drughr was Marlowe's Mother. They never came out and said it but I think Jacob was his Father. Jacob realizing that both the drughr and Berghast was evil planned to kill them both and he didn't want either one to have the glove as it would give them to much power. After Jacob left Charlie came out of hiding and tried to free Marlowe but he couldn't he had already stayed in the World of the Dead to long. Marlowe sent him back and he took the glove with him. Dr Berghast was surprised that Charlie was still alive as he expected him to die in the World of the Dead and when he saw the ring revealed that it had saved him. But he was furious Marlowe was left behind. Berghast took the glove and sent Charlie away and refused to allow anyone to look for Marlowe.

Alice and Mrs Harrogate found the weir-bents needed to summon the keywrasse (a cat that can grow larger it is controlled by weir-bents). They summon the keywrasse and follow it to the litch who they discover is Coulton and follow him into an ambush planned by Jacob Marber. Mrs Harrogate is crippled in the encounter and Marber and Coulton escape. Marlowe found his own way back to Cairndale, but Dr Berghast keeps him away from everyone, so Charlie and the others believe he is still trapped in the World of the Dead.

Alice and Mrs Harrogate arrive at Cairndale, Walter escapes from the cellar and kills the glyphic allowing Jacob Marber to enter Cairndale. Berghast uses Marlowe a bait to summon the drughr and the glove to drain her power. Mrs Harrogate goes to the island to warn Berghast and Alice stays behind with the kids to fight Jacob Marber and Coulton. Alice sends Charlie to the island to seal the orsine after they talk to Komako, Oskar and Ribs, but the dead eat the glyphic's heart before he can use it to seal the orsine. When he gets to the orsine he finds that Berghast has stabbed Mrs Harrogate and badly injured Marlowe. Charlie tries to stab Berghast but Berghast is able to stop him and drain Charlie of his power to heal. Before she dies Mrs Harrogate summons the strength to push Berghast into the orsine. Marlowe tells Charlie that he can seal the orsine, Brynt told him how but that he has to enter it to do so. He refuses to allow Charlie to enter the orsine with him and tells him he needs him on the side of the living to help him find a way out.

Alice gives the weir-bents to the keywrasse so that it is free to choose it's fate. When Marber attacks Alice the keywrasse chooses to attack Marber and save her. Freed from Marber's control Coulton begs Alice to kill him. Alice and the kids flee Cairndale, as the island explodes. When Charlie comes too he finds Miss Davenshaw who is gripping Berghast journal that reveals their is a second orsine. He takes Miss Davenshaw to Mrs Harrogate's house in London and eventually Alice and the kids arrive. They decide to go find Marlow. (hide spoiler)]

Alice Quicke (normal) woman PI and Frank Coulton (talent strength) have been sent by Berghast (used to have the talent of healing) to find two boys with talents and protect them from Jacob Marber (talent manipulating dust) who supposedly would feed them to the drughr if he gets to them first. Charlie Ovid is a mulatto from Mississippi who has the talent of healing himself. When Alice and Coulton find him he is being held in a warehouse in Natchez after his failed execution. Alice and Coulton help him escape and believing that he is the boy Jacob is most interested in Coulton takes him on to England and sends Alice after Marlow (who glows blue and has the ability to heal (mend) others as well as kill (melt) with his talent). Alice finds Marlowe working at a circus with his guardian Brynt. Brynt is heartbroken to have the boy who she thinks of as her own taken away, when Jacob Marber arrives shortly after Alice and Marlowe leave and destroys the circus to get information about Marlowe's whereabouts Brynt follows him. Jacob Marber catches up with Alice and Marlow shortly before they catch a ship for England, Alice is seriously injured and Marlowe fights him off and heals Alice so they can catch the ship.

Back in England Charlie is settling in to Mrs Harrogate's (normal) home in London as they wait for Coulton and Marlowe to arrive, before they leave for Cairndale in Scotland. Charlie has a secret he has a ring with the Cairndale crest on it that was given to his Mother by his Father, who died on the way West. Charlie doesn't have any memories of his Father. Unfortunately Mrs Harrogate believes she has captured the litch (zombie) Walter, and plans to take him to Cairndale with the boys for Dr Berghast to question. Walter escapes and seriously injures Charlie who is slow to heal from the wounds Walter inflicted. Coulton recaptures him in time for them to take Walter on the train to Cairndale with them once Alice and Marlowe arrive. As a precaution Mrs Harrogate stays in a separate compartment with the litch Walter while Coulton stays with Alice and the boys in another compartment at the other end of the train. Unfortunately Jacob Marber can always find Walter and he plans to ambush the train. Brynt watches him from hiding and when Jacob stops the train she follows him aboard. Mrs Harrogate and Coulton try to stop Jacob and Walter. Mrs Harrogate is badly injured and Coulton is turned into a litch. Brynt sacrifices her life to throw Walter off the train allowing Alice and Marlowe to defeat an injured Jacob Marber. Mrs Harrogate, Alice, Charlie and Marlowe arrive at Cairndale believing that Coulton is dead. Walter is also at Cairndale imprisoned in the cellar. Marlow learns that as a baby he was taken from Cairndale by his nursemaid, and that they have been searching for him ever since.

The boys like their teacher Miss Davenshaw (who is normal and blind) and their classmates; Komako (who manipulates dust like Jacob) she was found in Tokyo by Coulton and Jacob and Jacob helped her find the strength to let her sister who she had accidental turned into a litch go. It was on their voyage back to London that the drughr convinced Jacob to come with her and he disappeared off the ship. By the time he realized the drughr couldn't keep her promise to restore his twin brother (Bertolt) to life and her true nature no one at Cairndale would help him. Ribs (invisible) appeared on the ship and revealed herself to Coulton and Komako after playing tricks on them. Oskar (who can created a flesh giant which he calls Lymenion). We didn't learn much about Oskar's past in this book. After Alice and Mrs Harrogate leave for London the kids learn that Berghast is up to no good. Ribs, Oskar and Kokomo travel to town and discover that Dr Berghast has been trying to turn talents who have lost their powers into glyphics, since the glyphic (tree like thing) that protects Cairndale and keeps the orsine ( door to the world of the dead) closed is dying. The experiments have all been failures and the children have been left in a horrible state. Instead of allowing Berghast to kill them a kindly shop keeper is tending to them. Meanwhile Dr Berghast tricked Marlowe and Charlie into going into the orsine after a glove. They meet Jacob in the world of the dead after they find the glove. Charlie was in another area when Jacob appeared and stayed hidden, so Jacob never knew he was there. Jacob tied Marlowe up to protect him and left the glove with him. He also revealed that the drughr was Marlowe's Mother. They never came out and said it but I think Jacob was his Father. Jacob realizing that both the drughr and Berghast was evil planned to kill them both and he didn't want either one to have the glove as it would give them to much power. After Jacob left Charlie came out of hiding and tried to free Marlowe but he couldn't he had already stayed in the World of the Dead to long. Marlowe sent him back and he took the glove with him. Dr Berghast was surprised that Charlie was still alive as he expected him to die in the World of the Dead and when he saw the ring revealed that it had saved him. But he was furious Marlowe was left behind. Berghast took the glove and sent Charlie away and refused to allow anyone to look for Marlowe.

Alice and Mrs Harrogate found the weir-bents needed to summon the keywrasse (a cat that can grow larger it is controlled by weir-bents). They summon the keywrasse and follow it to the litch who they discover is Coulton and follow him into an ambush planned by Jacob Marber. Mrs Harrogate is crippled in the encounter and Marber and Coulton escape. Marlowe found his own way back to Cairndale, but Dr Berghast keeps him away from everyone, so Charlie and the others believe he is still trapped in the World of the Dead.

Alice and Mrs Harrogate arrive at Cairndale, Walter escapes from the cellar and kills the glyphic allowing Jacob Marber to enter Cairndale. Berghast uses Marlowe as bait to summon the drughr and the glove to drain her power. Mrs Harrogate goes to the island to warn Berghast and Alice stays behind with the kids to fight Jacob Marber and Coulton. Alice sends Charlie to the island to seal the orsine after they talk to Komako, Oskar and Ribs, but the dead eat the glyphic's heart before he can use it to seal the orsine. When he gets to the orsine he finds that Berghast has stabbed Mrs Harrogate and badly injured Marlowe. Charlie tries to stab Berghast but Berghast is able to stop him and drain Charlie of his power to heal. Before she dies Mrs Harrogate summons the strength to push Berghast into the orsine. Marlowe tells Charlie that he can seal the orsine, Brynt told him how but that he has to enter it to do so. He refuses to allow Charlie to enter the orsine with him and tells him he needs him on the side of the living to help him find a way out.

Alice gives the weir-bents to the keywrasse so that it is free to choose it's fate. When Marber attacks Alice the keywrasse chooses to attack Marber and save her. Freed from Marber's control Coulton begs Alice to kill him. Alice and the kids flee Cairndale, as the island explodes. When Charlie comes too he finds Miss Davenshaw who is gripping Berghast journal that reveals their is a second orsine. He takes Miss Davenshaw to Mrs Harrogate's house in London and eventually Alice and the kids arrive. They decide to go find Marlow.
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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suitable read for the entire family. The book begins with Flavia finding a body in the garden. Before dying the man utters one word Vale. And soon Flavia is embroiled on a mission to find the killer and free her Father from jail.



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Dog on It (A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #1)

Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I guess I expected Chet to be more like my dog Fenris. I was frustrated with how easily he was distracted and annoyed that Bernie seemed to be extremely dense especially when it came to communicating with Chet.

Really Chet when the chain was clinking behind you couldn't you have picked it up in your mouth and ran with it!!!

Also annoyed that apparently Chet isn't neutered and is allowed to run lose. That Chet isn't micro-chipped and that when he goes missing his owner (Bernie) who is supposed to be a PI does very little to find him. In fact he would have been murdered at the animal shelter if it hadn't been for the reporter recognizing him.

It seems that dumb luck plays a huge role in Bernie and Chet's survival as well as in solving the case.

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The Girl Who Survived by Lisa Jackson (Goodreads Author)

The Girl Who Survived by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The majority of Kara's family was massacred on Christmas Day twenty years ago? Her half brother Jonas has just been released from prison on a technicality and Kara is getting mysterious text stating her half sister Marlie is alive. To top it off Tate (the reporter whose Father died saving her from the lake) won't take No for an answer and when push comes to shove his arms is where Kara winds up taking shelter from the chaos and murders surrounding Jonas' release. Who really killed Kara's family.

Was it Marlie who planned to run away with her boyfriend and who disappeared shortly after hiding Kara in the attic?
Was it her Aunt Fai who bleed the estate dry?
Was it Marlie's Father
or was it really Jonas?
All these questions and so many more arise as you read the book.

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