2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Finished

I successfully completed my first reading challenge. It was a good challenge for me as most of my reads were very enjoyable and I was introduced to new authors that I plan to read more of.

I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge as there is nothing better than reading a good mystery in the Summertime.

The challenge which is being hosted by Reviewed By Liz is to read six mysteries between June 1st and August 31st, 2007 by authors whose works you haven’t read before. Book choices are also allowed to overlap with other challenges.

There will be some prizes - a book drawing every week of the challenge for ALL participants, and a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the challenge for those who complete the challenge.

My proposed book list is as follows:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen (overlaps with the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge) [completed June 21st, 2007]

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot [completed July 30th, 2007]

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding [completed July 8th, 2007]

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton [completed June 24th, 2007]

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield [completed August 5th, 2007]

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly [completed August 13th, 2007]

The Black Echo

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Finished August 13th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #6
Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #2


This was the first book I have read of Michael Connelly and I very much enjoyed it. The writing reminded me of David Baldacci who is one of my favourite suspense writers.

The story is about an LAPD detective (Harry Bosch) that finds one of his former Vietnam army colleagues dead. It appears to be a drug overdose however after further investigation Bosch believes otherwise. The story is fairly fast paced as it involves bank robberies, the FBI, Internal Affairs, etc.

I was a little disappointed with the Bosch character as he seeems to be the typical loner tortured detective. I hope his character develops over the next few books in the series.

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Finished August 5th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #5



I wasn't sure what to expect when I choose this book for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge and I ended up really enjoying this book. It tells the tale of a best-selling author (Vida Winter) who is reaching the end of her days. She is a mystery to the world and she now wants to tell her story and has reached out to Margaret Lea to be the biographer. And what an interesting story that Winter tells Margaret that I couldn't wait to find out what happened.

Setterfield writes a beautifully unique story. I am glad I choose this book for the challenge otherwise I probably would never have read this book on my own.

Size 12 is Not Fat

Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot

Finished July 30th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #4


This was my first Meg Cabot book and it was a very light and easy read.

The story is about a twenty-something former teen pop star named Heather Wells. She has lost her fortune and takes a job as an assistant residence hall director. There are some deaths at the college that seem suspicious to Heather. She plays detective as she investigates the deaths as she trys to prove foul play is involved.

While I did enjoy the book, I did find some of the writing to be annoying because at times it didn't flow well. I will try some more books by Cabot when I am in the mood for something light.

Whispers and Lies

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding

Finished July 8th, 2007

Rating: 7/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #3



From the Publisher
A suspenseful tale of a woman who rents out the small cottage behind her house to a mysterious young stranger, Joy Fielding’s latest novel is about trusting and not trusting one’s instincts. Terry Painter is hooked from the very first meeting with her prospective new tenant. Alison Simms spots the rental notice posted in the hospital, and blows into Terry’s life like a tropical storm. Alison loves the cottage, right down to the colour combination, and moves in immediately. Terry, usually responsible and pragmatic, surprises herself for failing even to ask for references, but she is drawn instinctively to Alison, and realises she wants her to stay. Alison fills a gap in her life, bringing friendship and warmth.

Yet almost simultaneously, Terry begins to have suspicions about Alison. How much does she know about her, really? Alison has some strange habits and stranger friends. She has a limitless supply of cash in her purse, and knows the house so well it’s as if she’s been in it before. Her reasons for coming to Delray don’t quite add up, and she won’t talk about her parents: “We weren’t on the best of terms.” Moreover, Terry notices a shadowy figure lurking around her house, and starts to receive disturbing phone calls. Snippets of overheard conversation, surreptitious glances in Alison’s diary, and her mother’s nagging voice in her head make Terry paranoid that her tenant may want to do her harm.


For a mystery, it was a little slow at times. I thought I had the ending figured out and the author really through me for a loop and provided an unexpected ending. Overall I enjoyed it and will read more from this author.

A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

Finished June 24th, 2007

Rating: 6/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #2



This was another new author to me that I read for the 2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge. This was the first book in a series of books about a private dectective named Kinsey Millhone.

This particular book was about a murder that took place 8 years ago. The suspect that went away for the murder of her husband is out on parole and hires Kinsey to find out who really killed her husband.

I prefer my mystery novels to be a little more fast paced as I didn't find this book to be as fast paced as I normally like. I also found that Graften when into too much description in the book when I didn't think it was really necessary as it didn't really add anything to the book. This book was written in 1982 however it is interesting that the only item I read about that really dated the book was reference to a typewriter.

The writing style reminded me of Janet Evanovich so if you like her books you may enjoy Sue Grafton books as well. I found the ending a little bit predictable but I am interested to read more from the author and see how the character of Kinsey develops over time.

Harvest

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen

Finished June 21st, 2007

Rating: 9/10

Medical Mystery Madness Challenge Book #2

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #1


I killed two birds with one stone with this book as it overlapped between two challenges. This was a new author to me that I found by signing up for the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge and I have to say I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more from this author. The author kept my interest with the twist and turns without going over the top.

From the Publisher

Medical resident Dr. Abby Matteo is elated when the elite cardiac transplant team at Boston''s Bayside Hospital taps her as a potential recruit. But faced with a tormenting life-and-death decision, Abby helps direct a crash victim''s harvested heart to a dying teenager -- instead of the wealthy older woman who was supposed to receive it. The repercussions leave Abby shaken and plagued with self-doubt.

Suddenly, a new heart appears, and the woman''s transplant is completed. Then Abby makes a terrible discovery. The donor records have been falsified -- the new heart has not come through the proper channels. Defying the hospital''s demands for silence, she begins her own investigation that reveals a murderous, unthinkable conspiracy. Every move Abby makes spawns a vicious backlash...and on a ship anchored in the waters of Boston harbor, the grisly truth lies waiting.

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge

I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge as there is nothing better than reading a good mystery in the Summertime.

The challenge which is being hosted by Reviewed By Liz is to read six mysteries between June 1st and August 31st, 2007 by authors whose works you haven’t read before. Book choices are also allowed to overlap with other challenges.

There will be some prizes - a book drawing every week of the challenge for ALL participants, and a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the challenge for those who complete the challenge.

My proposed book list is as follows:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen (overlaps with the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge)

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly