L.Cat's Book Shelf by L.Cat

The Overlook by Michael Connelly began its life as a 16 part serial in the New York Times. It features L.A. detective, Harry Bosch, in his 13^th adventure. Fans of Connelly’s will see the flaws in the book immediately. Primarily, a lack of character development and tying up loose ends. It is a taut 12 hour investigation that raises questions of national security, terrorism and lack of cooperation between the Feds and local law enforcement agencies. It is a good read but is not up to Connelly’s usual standards. I actually had the case fairly well solved at the midpoint of the book. I would give it a 7.5 – 8 on my grading scale.
Free Fire by C. J. Box- This is the seventh adventure to feature Wyoming Game warden Joe Pickett. It opens to find the previously terminated Pickett working as foreman on his father-in-law’s ranch. Gov. Rulon offers to reinstate Pickett to investigate a murder in Yellowstone. A lawyer using a legal loophole is able to shoot and kill four campers that he said were threatening him. Rulon wants Pickett to investigate the crime and the background of the victims. Joe is immersed in a web of deceit and misdirection that keeps the reader guessing to the end. It is a great read. I would give it a 9.
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris – This is the seventh Southern Vampire novel to feature telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. Pressed into service by the vampire queen of Louisiana, Sookie attends an important Vamp summit to act as a human Geiger counter to detect deceit and danger for the Louisiana contingent. Sookie soon becomes embroiled in the most dangerous situation she has faced. Harris has a talent to blend romance, vamps, telepaths, and shape shifters in a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It might not pass as great literature but it is a great summer read. I’d recommend that the reader start with the first of the series Dead as a Doornail. It would be easier to see the players and character development than tring to sink your reading teeth in this one(sorry) without a background. It receives an 8.5 on my reading scale.