Category: books

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

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First in the Kate Burkholder series. … I might continue on.

In Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries.

But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. A young Amish girl named Kate Burkholder survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer . . . but ultimately decided to leave her community.

A wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as chief of police. Her Amish roots and big-city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She’s certain she’s come to terms with her past―until the first body is discovered in a snowy field.

Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past―and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.

Amazon – Sworn to Silence (2011)

It was adapted into a TV movie called An Amish Murder.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Scandalous Behavior by Stuart Woods

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Another great, hilarious, fast-paced fantasy adventure.

Stone Barrington somehow buys 2 huge new historic estates in England.

AND 2 new expensive motorcars — as you and I would do. 😀 Bentley AND a Porsche.

As usual, beautiful women fall into his bed almost immediately.

The bad guys are particularly inept in this one.

This is #36 in the series.

Amazon

Rick Steves – Travel Badass

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On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer (2025) is selections from 23-year-old Rick’s 1978 journal on the “Hippie Trail“.

It was no “Magic Bus” experience. They did this trip the hard way — independently.

They didn’t have the first Lonely Planet guide, rather only the first BIT  (“Bible of the East”), a free half a dozen or so duplicated foolscap sheets stapled together with no cover. 

Rick’s posted travel photos of himself and best pal Gene reflecting on how the journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal changed his life.

My own travels in Europe 1976 in an orange Volkswagen van were a piece of cake compared with the Hippie Trail. I had no interest — though a High School friend, Ian Baird, did end up in Kathmandu drinking Chai and eating pie on Freak Street. He got quite sick as did almost all the westerners who tried that adventure.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The First Gentleman by James Patterson & Bill Clinton

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I enjoyed the first 2 books in this collaboration:

  1. The President Is Missing
  2. The President’s Daughter

So was enthusiastic about The First Gentleman (2025).

I’d say it’s the best of the three. And it would make a good TV mini-series.

The President of the United States is up for reelection.  Her husband is on trial for murder.  

Is the First Gentleman a killer? 

A pair of investigative journalists set out to answer that burning question about the NFL star-turned-political spouse. 

Void Moon by Michael Connelly

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Another great book by one of the best authors working today.

Void Moon (2000) is the ninth novel by American crime author Michael Connelly.

… the third of Connelly’s books not to follow the character Harry Bosch.

It was also his first novel to feature a female protagonist, Cassidy “Cassie” Black, and a protagonist who is a criminal instead of an investigator of criminals. …

She had served five years in prison for conspiring with her previous partner-in-crime, Max Freeling, to steal the winnings of casino visitors while they were asleep. …

Cassie decides she needs just one more big score to disappear overseas with her daughter.

Standup Guy by Stuart Woods

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A good Stone Barrington novel.

Millions of dollars from a long ago robbery were never recovered. Until now.

Standup Guy (2014) is #28 in the series.

After giving some legal advice to a walk-in client, Stone Barrington thinks he’s done with the man.

But several people are keenly interested in John Fratelli’s activities and how they relate to a long-ago crime…and some of them will stop at nothing to find the information they desire.

On a hunt that leads from Florida’s tropical beaches to the posh vacation homes of the Northeast, Stone finds himself walking a tightrope between ambitious authorities and seedy lowlifes who all have the same prize in their sights.

Standup Guy jacket

She Didn’t See it Coming by Shari Lapena

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The 2025 murder mystery from Shari Lapena is pretty good. It kept me guessing.

Bryden and Sam have it all – thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter.

The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden – working from home that day – has failed to collect their daughter from daycare.

Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

How can she have disappeared from her own home? And did she even leave the building at all?

With every minute that passes – and as questions swirl around their community – Bryden and Sam’s past seems a little less perfect, their condominium less safe, their friends, neighbours and relatives no longer quite so reliable . . .

Doing Hard Time by Stuart Woods

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Doing Hard Time (2014) is the 27th book in the Stone Barrington series.

A good one.

Stone Barrington is a rich New York lawyer who, over the years, has become increasingly adept at eating at fancy restaurants and spending huge amounts of money on airplanes, cars and houses. Also sleeping with every beautiful woman who comes along.

Best in this novel is the return of arch criminal (or maybe he’s really a good guy) Teddy Fay.

Teddy is on the run from just about everyone, having killed a number of people he felt deserved an early exit from their time on earth.

Stone’s son and his 2 friends are on their way to Hollywood to make a feature film. Teddy saves them in a typically insanely unlikely way.

The book is mostly set in L.A.

A Russian mafia boss from the past starts sending hitmen after Stone and family.

Entertaining, as always. An easy read.

Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods

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A better than average Stone Barrington novel.

Unintended Consequences (2013) is #26 in the series.

An easy, entertaining read.

Stone finds himself in Paris, France. With amnesia.

What happened?

Seems a French billionaire wants to buy one of his companies. And a Russian oligarch disagrees.

Michael Cavacini is an award winning writer. Yet STILL enjoys the silly Stone Barrington novels. As do I.

Severe Clear by Stuart Woods

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Not bad.

Severe Clear is #24 in the Stone Barrington fantasy series.

This one includes the Presidents of the United States and Mexico.

Stone Barrington is in Bel-Air, overseeing the grand opening of the ultra-luxe hotel, The Arrington, built on the grounds of the mansion belonging to his late wife, Arrington Carter.

The star-studded gala will be attended by socialites, royalty, and billionaires from overseas…and according to phone conversations intercepted by the NSA, it may also have attracted the attention of international terrorists. To ensure the safety of his guests—and the city of Los Angeles—Stone may have to call in a few favors from his friends at the CIA…