Tuesday Book Review

 

Five-star review of The Flying Fortunes by John Keir Cross

I first read this spy story, soon after it was written in the early 1950’s for teens, especially boys. I’d looked for the American version, the one I’d read, off and on for years, and finally tracked down a used copy of the British version. I was not disappointed when I read it again after all these years, as much fun as I remembered. The Fortune family of high-wire acrobats, kids included, become involved in a plan to steal something from the British government. Any more, and I’d be revealing spoilers. Suffice to say, the writing is fun, the characters too,

Tuesday Book Review

 

Five-star review of Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller

 

I debated between giving four and five stars while I was reading this story about the mysterious disappearance of a husband and father during a camping and canoeing trip in the Ontario wilderness. The occasional questionable behavior of the characters and especially the questions no one ever asked deserved the four-star rating, but the twists and turns, the details and all of the excellent writing, especially the descriptions warranted five stars. If you like thrillers of this type, I recommend reading it. The back-and-forth storyline was easy to follow and the ending was satisfying.

Tuesday Book Review

Five-star review of Eleven Numbers by Lee Child

 

This is a novelette or long short story but is still a complete thriller about a mathematics professor recruited by the government for a tricky mission in Russia. Child’s ability to include so many twists and turns within such a short amount of time and then write a very satisfying ending is impressive. The main character could easily have a series of his own like Reacher, this time an espionage one. I’d certainly read it. 

Tuesday Book Review

Four-star review of Pike Island: A Thriller by Tony Wirt

 

Well-written story, probably worth four-and-a-half stars, with a couple of unexpected twists and turns told partly in the present and partly as a kind of flashback. Krista Walsh, the assistant to a newly elected congressman, must investigate threats he receives in the mail. I was with her at every place she visited and with one of the congressman’s friends through the events of twenty years earlier. Suspense was maintained throughout the story and tension increased. The ambition of politicians and the things they’ll do is reflected here but so are a number other real-life emotions.