PRIVATE #1 SUSPECT

Jack Morgan comes home from a business trip to find his ex-girlfriend shot to death in his bed.  Needless to say, all evidence points towards him as the prime suspect.  Jack is desperate to prove his innocence and he is certain that his twin, Tommy, is behind the whole thing.  Jack is also busy on several other cases including helping a hotel owner who has had several guests over the past year found dead in their rooms.  Justine is working on taking care of a movie star who has been accused of raping an underaged girl.  Then, the team is busy paying back a debt to Noccia, the local mob boss. 

I have enjoyed both of the books that I have read in this series and I'll probably try to read the third one soon.  Jack Morgan is a likeable guy, even if he is a bit more of a player than I like in this one.  Women seem to be dropping at his feet and he can't resist them.  Still, this was a good story and James Patterson gets it right.

Rating  - A-

CURSED

Reagan Reilly is on her own for a few days.  Her parents are in Florida soaking up the sun and her husband, Jack, is away at a conference.  That's why when a friend in L.A. asks Reagan to come help find her missing boyfriend, it sounds like a nice getaway from cold New York.  Reagan's friend loaned $100,000 to her boyfriend who went missing.  Now, the girl's grandma is coming to town, expecting to use the savings to buy her granddaughter a new home.  She's frantic to get the money back before her grandma realizes what a fool she was to trust her boyfriend.  As usual in a Carol Higgins Clark book, there are several stories and subplots going on all at the same time which manage to be neatly wrapped up at the end.

I have come to be a bigger fan of Regan Reilly and Carol Higgins Clark over the years.  I especially enjoy listening to her books.  I have finally gotten used to the fact that there will be stories and to enjoy them rather than being distracted that there are so many loose ends that seem totally unrelated.  This was another good book and I'll be glad to listen to another one before long!

Rating - A-

THE SKELETON BOX

Gus' mom has been losing her memory bit by bit.  When her dearest friend is murdered in her home, Gus isn't sure if his mother might know more about it then she is telling.  Gus is facing the closing of his newspaper but that doesn't keep him from tracking down the murderer.  As he does, he uncovers a sad and sick story that involves his mother from the time she was a young teen.

I like the way Bryan Gruley writes a suspenseful story.  Most of his characters are flawed but we still end up caring about them.  I like Gus and I'll be looking forward to the next book in this series.

Rating - A

MIND SCRAMBLER

Danny and Ceepak are on a trip to Atlantic City for a hearing.  While they are there, Danny gets a note from his former girlfriend, Katie, that she needs to see him.   She is working as a nanny for a magician whose show is featured in the casinos.  After the show, when Danny goes looking for Katie, he finds her dead.  Danny is shocked by her death but also because she is dressed in a leather outfit and in a compromising position.  It seems that she may have been involved with another member of the show.  Danny soon realize that the magic show is hiding even more than the trick the audience is viewing.

Another great outing with Danny and Ceepak by Chris Grabenstein.  I always enjoy them and I can't wait for the next.

Rating - A-

Grant

This was the real story of the last year of General Ulysses S. Grant.  After his presidency, the General had retired to a financial business with his son.  Their partner stole their money and money of those who had invested with them.  This left the Grant family penniless.  Shortly after, Grant is approached with a proposal to write his memoirs.  Grant sees this as a way to provide for his family.  Within a month or so, Grant is diagnosed with throat cancer.  He manages to write a two volume book of his memories of the Civil War in order to provide for his wife and family.

This book was a fascinating look at Grant.  I had only known a little about his life.  I was struck by how highly regarded he was by both the North and the South following the Civil War because of his fairness and compassion in the surrender agreement.  I certainly came away with more respect for this military genius and former president.

Rating - B+

PRIVATE

Jack Morgan inherited his father's business, a top investigative agency called Private.  Jack's father was a notorious criminal but Jack has used his business to do as much good as possible.  One of the major obstacles in Jack's life is his twin who seems to be very much like their father.  Jack's firm becomes involved in stopping an NFL game fixing scheme, the serial murders of young girls and the murder of one of Jack's former girlfriends. 

I haven't read much James Patterson lately, but this book reminded me that I really do like his books.  Private was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

Rating - A-

A GOOD MAN

Mark Shriver tells the story of his amazing father, Sargent Shriver.  I had only known a little about this man but through Mark's story, I have become a huge admirer.  He was a man of faith.  He was devoted to his family.  He helped start the Peace Corps and Special Olympics.  When he passed away, over and over, his son, Mark, heard from waitresses to politicians that his father was a good man.  After reading this book, anyone would be inspired to be a better person.

Rating - A