Well, if I don’t mess up the post today, Glen Davis can share his list of favorites for 2017. I’ve really enjoyed this. And, everyone sent me their list in a different way. I think I only messed up Margie’s though.
And, just a reminder. If you’re here for the book giveaway, check the previous post. And, if you’re really here to see what Glen read, you’re also welcome to mention your books read this week. Thanks for joining us.
And, thank you, Glen, for sharing what your read last year.
*****
This year I somehow
managed to read 370 books. That’s an awful lot of fodder for a list. I
tried to format the list to something manageable, comparing apples to apples,
instead of apples to oranges or kumquats.
managed to read 370 books. That’s an awful lot of fodder for a list. I
tried to format the list to something manageable, comparing apples to apples,
instead of apples to oranges or kumquats.
Best
Espionage Novels:
Espionage Novels:
Use of
Force by
Brad Thor
Force by
Brad Thor
Starting with
a gripping scene taking place during the Burning Man Festival, Scott Harvath
has to stop a conspiracy by a Tajik terrorist. It’s very exciting, and
humanizes the antagonist to an unusual extent.
a gripping scene taking place during the Burning Man Festival, Scott Harvath
has to stop a conspiracy by a Tajik terrorist. It’s very exciting, and
humanizes the antagonist to an unusual extent.
Trap The
Devil by
Ben Coes
Devil by
Ben Coes
Dewey Andreas
is framed for the murder of the Secretary of State. There’s a gripping scene on
a train that will really stick with you.
is framed for the murder of the Secretary of State. There’s a gripping scene on
a train that will really stick with you.
Oath of
Honor by
Matthew Betley
Honor by
Matthew Betley
When a
Russian Black Ops team is discovered in Alaska, Logan West and company pursue a
conspiracy of stolen technology. A lot of breakneck action.
Russian Black Ops team is discovered in Alaska, Logan West and company pursue a
conspiracy of stolen technology. A lot of breakneck action.
Hong Kong
Black by
Alex Ryan
Black by
Alex Ryan
A bit
different than the others on this list, as it features a romantic couple, Nick
Foley and Dash Chen. As bodies wash up on a Hong Kong Beach, and someone murders
a CIA agent, Nick and Dash uncover a conspiracy in which organ harvesting is
just the tip of the iceberg
different than the others on this list, as it features a romantic couple, Nick
Foley and Dash Chen. As bodies wash up on a Hong Kong Beach, and someone murders
a CIA agent, Nick and Dash uncover a conspiracy in which organ harvesting is
just the tip of the iceberg
Best Hit
Man Novels:
Man Novels:
Zero Sum by Barry Eisler
Returning to
Tokyo in 1982, John Rain tries to go back to work in his vocation as assassin.
Unfortunately, another killer, named Victor has cornered that market. To get
back in the game, Rain has to assassinate a government minister.
Tokyo in 1982, John Rain tries to go back to work in his vocation as assassin.
Unfortunately, another killer, named Victor has cornered that market. To get
back in the game, Rain has to assassinate a government minister.
Quarry’s
Climax by
Max Allan Collins
Climax by
Max Allan Collins
Quarry is sent to
Memphis by his boss, The Broker to find out who is trying to kill a publisher
of pornography. This is a strange book, with not one, not two, but three layers
of nostalgia. Like most of the series, the book in set in the 1970’s. By the subject
matter, it seems like it was first conceived in 1998, back when they made a
movie about Larry Flynt. The book was published right before the
“ME-TOO” movement started. I can’t help but wonder if it would be
published today.
Memphis by his boss, The Broker to find out who is trying to kill a publisher
of pornography. This is a strange book, with not one, not two, but three layers
of nostalgia. Like most of the series, the book in set in the 1970’s. By the subject
matter, it seems like it was first conceived in 1998, back when they made a
movie about Larry Flynt. The book was published right before the
“ME-TOO” movement started. I can’t help but wonder if it would be
published today.
Best
Martial Arts Thrillers:
Martial Arts Thrillers:
The Spy
Across The Table by Barry Lancet
Across The Table by Barry Lancet
Some might
say the Jim Brodie series is not a martial arts thriller, but in the first
book, Japantown, he confronts a village full of ninjas. Case Closed.
In this entry, Jim Brody runs afoul of the North Koreans, and he finds
out what his way of life can cost him.
say the Jim Brodie series is not a martial arts thriller, but in the first
book, Japantown, he confronts a village full of ninjas. Case Closed.
In this entry, Jim Brody runs afoul of the North Koreans, and he finds
out what his way of life can cost him.
The Aikido
Caper by
Daniel Linden
Caper by
Daniel Linden
Parker is an
aikido instructor in Florida. When things get a little lean, he also works as a
PI. He gets a gig as a bodyguard to a movie star because accidents keep
happening on the set. As much a meditation on the place of Aikido and Steven
Seagal in the popular culture as it is a mystery.
aikido instructor in Florida. When things get a little lean, he also works as a
PI. He gets a gig as a bodyguard to a movie star because accidents keep
happening on the set. As much a meditation on the place of Aikido and Steven
Seagal in the popular culture as it is a mystery.
Best
Mystery (Non-Cozy)
Mystery (Non-Cozy)
Dead To
Begin With by Bill Crider
Begin With by Bill Crider
A wealthy
recluse restoring the old opera house by staging A Christmas Carol is murdered.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes investigates and finds the roots of the crime stretch back
into the 1950’s. All of the books in this series are great.
recluse restoring the old opera house by staging A Christmas Carol is murdered.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes investigates and finds the roots of the crime stretch back
into the 1950’s. All of the books in this series are great.
Torn and
Restored by
Austin Williams
Restored by
Austin Williams
Magician
Rusty Diamond has to return to Las Vegas, a city he fled after accidentally
injuring the daughter of a mob boss. Someone has found Diamond, and blackmailed
him into coming back. Someone who is killing people and showing it on the dark
web.
Rusty Diamond has to return to Las Vegas, a city he fled after accidentally
injuring the daughter of a mob boss. Someone has found Diamond, and blackmailed
him into coming back. Someone who is killing people and showing it on the dark
web.
The Crack
in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith
in the Lens by Steve Hockensmith
Old West cowboy sleuths
Big Red and Old Red head down to San Marcos, Texas, to find out who killed Old
Red’s paramour. They found the town is a lot different than the one they left,
but there are still people desperate to keep them from solving the crime.
Big Red and Old Red head down to San Marcos, Texas, to find out who killed Old
Red’s paramour. They found the town is a lot different than the one they left,
but there are still people desperate to keep them from solving the crime.
Best
Cozies
Cozies
Antiques
Disposal by
Barbara Allan
Disposal by
Barbara Allan
Brandy and
Vivian participate in a storage auction, and win a compartment that contains a
vintage coronet and a dead body!
Vivian participate in a storage auction, and win a compartment that contains a
vintage coronet and a dead body!
Dying for
a Diamond by
Cindy Sample
a Diamond by
Cindy Sample
Laurel McKay
and her husband Tom Hunter go on a honeymoon cruise. Somehow the entire
supporting cast goes on the cruise too! Laurel thinks she sees a body
fall into the ocean…or does she? Nobody seems to be missing, but some jewels
are!
and her husband Tom Hunter go on a honeymoon cruise. Somehow the entire
supporting cast goes on the cruise too! Laurel thinks she sees a body
fall into the ocean…or does she? Nobody seems to be missing, but some jewels
are!
The
Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper by Sally Carpenter
Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper by Sally Carpenter
Former teen
idol Sandy Fairfax tries to clean up his act and make a comeback. The only gig
open is playing at a Beatles convention in Evansville, Indiana. While there, a
member of a tribute band is shot. Sandy decides to sing with the band and solve
the mystery.
idol Sandy Fairfax tries to clean up his act and make a comeback. The only gig
open is playing at a Beatles convention in Evansville, Indiana. While there, a
member of a tribute band is shot. Sandy decides to sing with the band and solve
the mystery.
Murder Has
Nine Lives by Laura Levine
Nine Lives by Laura Levine
When Jaine
Austin’s cat is picked to be in a cat food commercial, Jaine is ecstatic. Maybe
she’ll finally have some extra money. Of course, nothing goes quite right, and
there’s a murder. Jaine’s personal life is crazy, and she has to deal with that
as well.
Austin’s cat is picked to be in a cat food commercial, Jaine is ecstatic. Maybe
she’ll finally have some extra money. Of course, nothing goes quite right, and
there’s a murder. Jaine’s personal life is crazy, and she has to deal with that
as well.
Best
Psychological Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Force of
Nature by
Jane Harper
Nature by
Jane Harper
I read
something like 30 books in this genre, and this is the only one I really
remember. Five women go out into the wilderness of the outback, but only four
come back. The police try to find out what happened, but nobody’s story really
matches with the others. Quite good.
something like 30 books in this genre, and this is the only one I really
remember. Five women go out into the wilderness of the outback, but only four
come back. The police try to find out what happened, but nobody’s story really
matches with the others. Quite good.
And there it is! I tried
to keep the list relatively short, but also include some lesser known books.
to keep the list relatively short, but also include some lesser known books.
Glen
Glen: Great list of books read.
I do like thrillers and espionage books and have enjoyed reading the 2 Barrys (Eisler and Lancet) and Ben Coes. I did not know about ZERO SUM so will have to track that down to read about Rain's earlier days.
Of the cozies you listed, I enjoy Cindy Sample's DYING series but have not read the others.
And since I liked THE DRY, I am looking forward to reading FORCE OF NATURE.
Thanks for giving me more titles to add to my 2018 reading list!
370 books! Wow! Good for you, Glen!
Amazing total, nice list. The Collins was far from my favorite in the series, and I just cannot read his collaboration with his wife (as Barbara Allan). The mother in that series is like fingernails on the blackboard to me.
Glen, I was so impressed with the ones who read 200 books. Then you wrote you read 370 books. That blew me out of the boat. I think that is outstanding. I read 83, maybe one day I might reach where you have been.
I did know three of the authors you wrote about. I haven't read any of their books so far. I do have The Dry by Jane Harper that I received as a Christmas gift. Sure The Force will be added. Reminds me of the book I just finished called The River at Night by Erica Ferencik. It is about four women with a male guide on the river. I enjoyed it. Did everyone make it back home? Good question. Have to read the book for the answer 😊😮.
You did a real nice review for us and I enjoyed it, thank you for sharing your love of books with us today. I plan to go over it again and decide what to add to my reading list.
May 2018 be another blessed reading experience for you with new thrills and excitement.
I am enjoying all the lists!
Glen–a book a day–wow! Very impressive. I'm going to show the first part of your list (espionage, hit man, etc.) to my husband because I think he's going to find a lot of good suggestions there. I definitely want to read Force of Nature, as I loved The Dry, as well as the Bill Crider book. I think I've read all of Steve Hockensmith's books (and want more), and I've read some Laura Levines and Cindy Samples. You have a very eclectic list–bravo! Thanks for the recommendations.
Of course, Bill's book was a favorite. And the Jane Harper.
370 is a lot of books!! Wow! I'm planning on reading FORCE OF NATURE very soon. Our book group is discussing THE DRY in early March and I really enjoyed that one. Look forward to this second book. My husband reads Brad Thor and read your favorite this last year. Amazing book list. Thanks for sharing with us!
Jeffrey Meyerson: I would describe Collins' Antiques series as a cozy on steroids. MAC himself says the series is supposed to be a parody (although I'm not sure I believe him).
Thank you, again, Glen! I really enjoyed the list, and your comments.
Thank You, Lesa!
I hope to do it again next year!
Glen, I hope we're all around to do it again next year!