Book Review - Quick Reviews of Recent Reads

Unfortunately, I've been kind of lax at the updating lately, between replacing the hot water heater, helping my brother move, trying to get some art and writing done and heading back to work, things seem to have gotten away from me. To help get things back up to speed, here's some super short reviews of my recent reads.

The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn
by John Bellairs
1978, 181 pages

John Bellairs was always one of my absolute favorite writers growing up, and this book is one of my faves amongst them. The book I read was my original copy from when I was a kid, and I enjoyed it every bit as much now. He has a knack for telling a great mystery with realistic characters. I always wanted to be a person in his stories. Highly Recommended!

10/10

Series of Unfortunate Events Book 1 - The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snickett
1999, 162 pages

I've decided that I would try to write a young adult mystery novel recently, and to that end figured I should read some recent books as well as revisit some of my old favorites, so Lemony Snickett seemed a natural choice. The first book was a lot of fun, told with just the right amount of sarcasm and fun, the black humor plays really well in it.

7/10

Series of Unfortunate Events Book 2 - The Reptile Room
by Lemony Snickett
1999, 190 pages

The second Lemony Snickett didn't play as well, it seemed incredibly short, the bulk of the book seems to take place in less than a day of time, and events seem to happen far to quickly. Still a fun read, but it seems more like the chapter of a book, rather than a full installment.

4/10

The Woods
by Harlan Coben
2007, 416 pages

Most certainly NOT a kids book, the story of a lawyers search for his missing sister and the mystery of what really happened in a horrible event at summer camp years ago. Gripping and great. While I saw the ending coming, it was still very well told.

7/10

Fresh Disasters
by Stuart Woods
2007, 352 pages

A hardboiled novel about a libidinous litigator and his outlandish acquaintances. A little short seeming, but fun as hell to read!

8/10


Bad Boy Brawly Brown
by Walter Mosley
2008, 320 pages

One of my absolute favorite books to read in a LONG time. The story of Easy Rawlins, a black man in 1964 L.A. doing a few "Favors" for people, that gets caught up in a world of murder, cults and conspiracies. I love the character, loved the writing even more. Mosley is now one of my top 10 crime authors, and the photo on the back fits my image of the author exactly. Very cool book.

9/10