Long time no post

Sorry about the no posts, it was the holidays, what can I say.

Well, I would like to talk about two different books that I read in the last couple of weeks, and give one of them a big thumbs up, and another, well, thumbs way down.

Bad news first "Cross Country" by James Patterson is the latest novel (or novella because they are so sort of a read) featuring Alex Cross and family. Alex Cross has gone through so many different iterations during this series it is hard to remember where we are now, but I guess Cross is back in the DC police force as we start with a savage murder that he and his new girlfriend are investigating. (Is it me or does this guy Cross have more ladies than most small towns?) Well without ruining anything, the action moves to Africa where we hear about the struggles of the Africans and more about what is going on there that really anything that has to do with the story. (Cross of course gets a girl there to.) Anyway this book turns out just like you would expect, Cross wins out, and there is more Cross to come.

I think that it is really time for Patterson to hang up the Alex Cross character. The books all seem to lack something that the early ones had, and really it seems like this book was 50% filler about the struggles that are going on in Africa now. THUMBS WAY DOWN...

Next is "Rough Weather" by Robert B. Parker, and is continuing the Spenser series that is loved by many. This Spencer story is actually interesting in that he really does not have a client, as he was at a crime and now is determined to figure out why it was done. Gray Man is once again the main enemy and I have to say this book was unique, fresh, funny, and exciting.

If you are not a fan of Parker or have never read anything from him, give "Rough Weather" a shot. It is really a good read.

Currently I am reading "The Bodies Left Behind" by Jeffery Deaver, author of the Lincoln Ryme books. So far so good, but I read some mixed reviews about this one, so I'll wait an see.

Been cold so not much in the way of cigar smoking these days. Take care!