Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lawyers, Guns & Money by JD Rhoades

I read and reviewed one of Rhoades' other books, The Devil's Right Hand, and ended up pleased that I came across his work. Here's an abbreviated description of the book I just finished, Lawyers, Guns & Money:

Andy Cole has a problem. Local crime boss Voit Fairgreen has just dropped a bag full of cash on his desk and hired him to defend Voit's brother Danny on a murder charge.

The problem is that Danny just might be innocent. But someone powerful needs this case buried, and if an innocent man dies for that, so be it.

Andy Cole is a guy who's made a good living by going along to get along. He's been willing to bend every rule, except Rule One--always get paid. But this case will cause him to re-examine his life and push him and his lover, beautiful newspaper editor Elizabeth Sinclair, to risk everything--including their lives-- for the truth.



Go ahead and read my review of his previous book (here). Much of the same applies, including that he still has the same initials as JD Sumner. From my earlier review:


I really enjoyed this book. Great characters, plot, dialogue, and just flat out good writing.


I picked it up for free, but I would have paid for it. And I'll read more of his stuff. What better rec can I give?


Keep in mind that I just finished two of Lee Child's books before I picked this up, and Rhoades had me turning the pages. 


Another great job, JD. And I'll continue to read more of his stuff. Fo' Stars.

Stonewall's Rating System here.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sick (Project Eden #1) by Brett Battles

Not sure how I stumbled across Brett Battles, but I read his first book and really enjoyed it (I reviewed it here). Looking for something to read in my electronic TBR pile (more about that here), I decided to give Sick a ride. Sick is the first book in the Project Eden series (of which there are three to date).

Here's an abbreviated blurb:
Daniel Ash wakes to the cry of his daughter. Stepping through her doorway, he expects to find her frightened by a nightmare. 

But the nightmare is his. It's real. And it's just beginning... 

Something is burning Ash's daughter alive. Something horrible that is spreading beyond the walls of their home, and taking no prisoners. 

A team of armed men in biohazard suits bursts into his house. But these aren't the good guys. 
They haven't come to save Ash's family. They've come to finish what they started. 

The problem is Ash refuses to disappear. He wants only one thing: to find those responsible. 

Because humanity is on the brink of execution. And man is pulling the trigger.



This is the kind of thriller I've been looking for. Not terribly long, great writing and characters, well constructed plot and short on flowery descriptions.

I only give 5-stars to books I would read again, and I won't read this again, mainly because I generally don't read books twice. But I'll probably read everything else this guy writes, and soon, starting with the second book in the series, Exit 9. How's that for an endorsement, Bretito? Fo' stars.

Stonewall's rating system here.