Think Twice by Harlan Coben

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The master of murder mystery twists brags that no-one can guess the killer.

I certainly didn’t.

Think Twice is his 2024 book.

How can a man who’s already dead be wanted for murder?

Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing.

Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on – until now, when two federal agents walked into his office, demanding to know where Greg Downing is.

According to the agents, Greg is still alive—and has been placed at the scene of a double homicide, making him their main suspect. Shocked, Myron needs answers.

Myron and Win, longtime friends and colleagues, set out to find the truth, but the more they discover about Greg’s whereabouts, the more dangerous their world becomes.

Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past churn …

The Rings of Power – season 2

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Meh.

The Rings of Power is set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

I got through the second season, but felt it was even weaker than season 1.

Guardian review – Most expensive TV show ever is in its second season, but reviews are disappointing and audiences are staying away

The only character I really found interesting this year is Tom Bombadil.

Though the series is planned for 5 seasons, I wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon cancels.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

North to Alaska by Trevor Lund

On By Rick McIn books, cycling, travelLeave a comment

North To Alaska: The True Story of An epic, 16,000-mile cycle journey the length of the Americas

I downloaded this book to read while cycling in Iceland’s wind and rain.

I had it easy compared to Trevor. 😀

At age-21, Trevor cycled 1800 miles down the west coast of Canada and the USA on a second-hand bike he had bought for around £20.

10 years later — in 1999 — he wanted more. Patagonia to Alaska .

His companion crapped out after the first few days. Trevor was alone.

His bicycle was terrible. No mobile phone. Very little money.

What’s different about this book compared with other similar adventures, is how honest and vulnerable the author is about all the many, many things that go wrong. You really feel the highs and lows.

 Independently published Jan. 7, 2020.

Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson

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In advance of Cross, an Amazon Prime TV adaptation dropping November 14, 2024, I read another of the many books.

Like most Patterson, this one has a plot full of holes. Real murder mystery writers must laugh when reading (the much more successful) Patterson.

If you can suspend belief, this one is more complicated and interesting than most.

Two serial killers. Or is it three?

Alex Cross, Run is the 20th novel in the Alex Cross series written by American author James Patterson. The novel focuses on the protagonist, detective Alex Cross, who must solve three cases at once with the whole city in a frenzy.

GOAL = Running 5km in 30min

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UPDATE ➙ best pace, so far, is 5:35 min. / km.

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Back in Parksville B.C., I’ve been running 30 minutes every morning.

The goal is 5km or further.

I’ve done it a few times in the 1st month.

IF I make 5km — I take the next morning off. A motivator. 😀

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The best I can recall lifetime was a 5km race finished in 25min 25seconds. In dress shoes!

I’ll try to work up to that. An old man, non-runner can dream. 😀

Any morning I miss the run, I — instead — run 10 flights of stairs in the afternoon. An easier workout.

I’ve started to add a Fartlek work-out alternative, as well. 10 sprints of about 70m with a short walking rest in-between.

Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman

On By Rick McIn books, humour1 Comment

Hilarious street philosophy.

Nick Offerman has released four semi-autobiographical publications:

  • Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living (2013)
  • Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America’s Gutsiest Troublemakers (2015)
  • Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop (2016)
  • Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside (2021).

He has also narrated all four as audiobooks.

Like most people, I love Nick Offerman as an actor, especially as Ron Swanson in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015).

His writing is just as funny.

When Nick wrote this 2013 book, he wasn’t nearly as famous as he is today.

In 2003, he married Will & Grace actress Megan Mullally. She’s MUCH more famous and financially successful.

Everyone knew Nick Offerman after his fantastic performance in episode 3, The Last of Us – season 1. An Emmy winning turn.

I do recommend this book. And plan on reading all four.

My Favourite Podcasts 2024

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, GOP USA, government, gymnastics, internet, mediaLeave a comment

Looking back on my favourite podcasts 2020 — things have changed.

If interested, search for any of these in your favourite Podcast Player.

These are podcasts I rarely skip:

Next most essential in 2024:

Sadly, most of The Economist podcasts went behind a paywall. I’ll probably buy those again, one day.

For some reason I’ve grown less interested in the TWIT network podcasts. Too much filler, not enough content.

I subscribe to perhaps 70 additional podcasts, but listen to them far less than 50% of the time.

I AM definitely listening to podcasts less than ever. I prefer audio books most of the time.

 Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

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Wow.

Very intriguing plot. Very original format.

The mystery concerns a long-ago triple — or was it quadruple? — suicide in a London cult, involving a leader self-styled as the Angel Gabriel.

The cult was called the Apperton Angels.

Leader Gabriel survived but is in prison for life for another murder.

Amanda Bailey, a terrier-like true-crime author, decides to write a retrospective book focused on the baby in the incident who will soon be turning age-18.

The Angels had believed that baby was the Antichrist. They had planned to sacrifice the child to save the world. Happily, the mother ran off with it.

The story is told using something called the “Dossier Method”.  

It’s simple: background information is revealed about a principal character via two or more side characters looking over written text—tweet, Facebook post, Instagram post, DM, etc. —about said principal character and discussing it.

The book feels more like the outline of a planned book.

It gets even more complicated when a second journalist decides to write a retrospective on the Atherton Angels at the same time.

In any case — it’s recommended.




PHOTOS – Parksville B.C.

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Autumn 2024.

Pretty Parksville.

September is my favourite month. We’ve had great weather.

A selection of my many photos, most of the waterfront at dusk.

Click through the 17 photos in a slideshow.

  • IMG_20240828_061345_462.jpg
  • Screenshot

Cross Country by James Patterson

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The dumbest of the Alex Cross series I’ve read, so far.

The novel has received a mostly negative response, and maintains a 2.5 rating (out of a possible five) on Amazon.com.[2] Several critics have attacked the story’s graphic scenes of violence and torture …

Seems Patterson REALLY wanted to draw attention to atrocities in Africa — so devised a plot to get Alex over there unofficially.

Cross Country (2008) is the 14th novel in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. 

The bad guy is really BAD. An African warlord known as the Tiger. He trains young boys from refugee camps to become killers.

Why? WHY when the Tiger has plenty of money and access to private jets?

It one of dozens of plot holes.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.