I’ve been “gone” for awhile.

Recovering from heart surgery.

A large chisel and hammer were required.

Time for reading. Great reading.

Daniel Silva is one of the best authors in the world.

Moscow Rules proves his prowess!

My new heart was moved, thrilled, and left beating faster!

Gabriel Allon is the man, a current man, not a man of the past.

While Gabriel is working on a restoration for the Pope, also being on his honeymoon, the grandmaster of Israeli security Ari Shamron gets him to investigate the murder of a  Russian journalist.

This investigation leads Gabriel to Russia, the New Russia, where money is now the chief weapon.

One such man of the New Russia is Ivan Kharkov, a wealthy businessman who is selling illegitimate arms around the world.

The plan of action is get inside or close to Kharkov and this sets up a brilliant plot across Europe.

Yes, this is Daniel Silva at his best!  Buy Moscow Rules for yourself.

As most of my readers now know, James Patterson is my favorite author!

I have most of his novels and enjoy going back and rereading several times!

The 9th Judgment did not disappoint.

This sometimes spine-tingling, fast-paced, heart-rendering novel is a another Women’s Murder Club hit!

Having daughters and a daughter-in-law remind me too quickly what can happen to them and my grandchildren if a maniacal killer reared their ugly head in our area.

This particular book seemed too delve more deeply into the private lives and feelings of the “club.” Especially Detective Lindsay Boxer since she has a fiance now and is experiencing the many sides of giving and taking in a martial relationship as they are living together.

There are actually two cases of murder that Rich and Lindsay are investigating the “the Lipstick Killer”, and the other involves a cat burglar nicknamed “Hello Kitty” which also involves the murder of  a famous actor’s wife.

As always I never reveal to much, but I can attest to reading the entire book in about 4 hours! Could not put this one down!

Thanks again James Patterson! A must get for yourself! The 9th Judgment!

I am also presently reading “Standard of Honor” by Jack Whyte and “The Assassin” by Stephen Coonts.

Be sure and read a fiction book today!

This is going to be great!

One of my favorite authors!

One of my favorite novels!

Made into a movie! Wow!

Best part is Mr. Follett had a hand in everything, so I know this will be a fantastic watch!

What a great cast including one of the all time greats, Donald Sutherland!

Of course my experience has been the book is always better that the movie, but knowing Ken, this will be great!

On Ken’s blog he writes: “The average lifespan of a man or woman in the Middle Ages was much shorter than today, and they started to act as adults when we in the 21st century would still consider them children. That short span gave immediacy to the experiences of life, especially during outbursts of violence like “The Anarchy,” Stephen and Maud’s brutal and protracted civil war.”

I wish you great success with this endeavor!

As I turned the corner and looked behind me, I sensed someone’s presence!

Oh! OK! It’s just my Mom!

I remember playing as a spy when visiting the downtown area as a young man! Man! This spy stuff is fun!

We have all as reading or playing been in that mode where our senses are heightened, our “world” seems foreign, and our friends could have infiltrated our group!

Little did I know that “Dr. No and From Russia With Love” would so much influence my adult reading life!

Daniel Silva captures the essence of the spy game with every book he writes about Gabriel Allon.

In “The English Assassin“, Gabriel heads to Zurich to restore a painting for millionaire banker, Augustus Rolfe.

Or is he?

Gabriel goes in and finds the banker dead and is arrested for the “murder.”

Herr Peterson, the head of the police department, knows the real truth and finally through government negotiations, Allon is released.

Anna Rolfe, daughter of the dead banker, has to find out what really happened to her estranged father. Gabriel is sent to help.

They are both drawn into an underground world of political power, stolen art, a suicide, and a “hit” is put out on Anna!

You know these types of novels just never get old!

Get “The English Assassin” for yourself!

Hardcover Fiction

Top 5 at a Glance
1. SOUTH OF BROAD, by Pat Conroy
2. THE WHITE QUEEN, by Philippa Gregory
3. DREAMFEVER, by Karen Marie Moning
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC, by Richard Russo

Do you run out and buy the latest bestsellers when they are available? Do you wait till they are on the $5 table at your local bookstore? Do you buy online at Amazon or other online retailers?

My personal strategy is to ask for the bestsellers on my birthday, Father’s Day, and Christmas. I have so many books now that all my shelves are full.

U mm… maybe a Kindle! Do you have one and do you really use it to read at home?

Is there a book club in your area, where you belong?