Midnight Marked

Character list
Caroline Evelyn Merit "Sentinel" = lead character, strong female vampire, member of Cadogan House
Ethan Sullivan = Master vampire, ruled Cadogan House, Merit's maker, boss, and love
Mallory Carmichael Bell = sorcerer, Merit's best friend, newlywed
Catcher Bell = magician, trained Merit how to fight after she became a vampire, married to Mallory, difficult past wiry Ethan, and works for Merit's grandfather
Gabriel Keene = Apex of the North American Central Pack of shifters, Fri Dec to Merit and Mallory
Bernard = cook for the pack, always tries to feed Merit
Chuck Merit = Merit's grandfather,  Catcher's boss, Chicago Supernatural Ombudsman
Jeff Christopher = shifter, computer guru, friend of Merit's, works for Chuck and with Catcher, dating Fallon  (Gabriel 's sister)
Malik = Ethan 's second in command
Luc = Cadogan House guardian captain
Juliet = Cadogan House guard, friend to Merit
Lindsey = Cadogan House guard, friend to Merit, dating Luc
Paige = sorcerer,  dating Cadogan House librarian
Scott Grey = Master of Grey House
Jonah = Merit's Red Guard partner,  Guard captain of Grey House
Morgan Greer = Master of Navarre House
Noah Morgan = Member od the Red Guard, unofficial leader of Chicago rogue vampires
Adrien Reed = enemy of Merit's, leader of Chicago criminal underworld, leader of The Circle
Sean = manage of Temple Bar, Cadogan official tavern
Colin = Sean's brother and other manager of Temple Bar
Caleb Franklin = former member of the pack
Annabelle Shaw = necromancer

Book Summary/Review:

Halfway through the story, and there is tension between the Pack and all the vampire houses, and more importantly between Ethan and Merit.  One dead shifter starts the novel and then Reed is interwoven and his fingerprints are on events, but no solid links to causing the killings.  Mallory and Catcher are married and many of the cast of characters are happy in their love lives.  Ethan and Merit are in an argument, but it seems that it will easily be overcome.  Merit deals not only with Reed but with a vampire that has a special (and unpleasant) connection to her past.  Merit is also in a strange place with Jonah and that is sad, because he was a good partner and balance to Ethan in Merit's life.  Ethan does have a new car after the events of the last book.  I give props to the author, Chloe Neill, because she makes several allusions to pop culture in this book more than other, or at least more memorable ones.  An appropriate Harry Potter reference from Luc and more than a Darth Sullivan reference for Star Wars were the ones that stand out right now.
The ending brought the biggest smile to my face, and the Epilogue is a must read for the full and complete story.  The personal lives of Ethan and Merit are in a great place for the prophecy mentioned in earlier books (and referenced in this book).  The idea that as a team supernaturals defeated the current threat and are working as a team, give great hope as a potential villain is given for the last book in the series.  As always Merit is growing closer to her supernatural family while maintaining her humanity and love of Chicago.  The best thing about these characters is that they keep developing, growing, changing, and becoming part of your world as your read each book.

As a lover of this series it was hard for me to start reading this, as it is the second to last in the series and the last one will be about a year's wait.  The struggle between Merit and Ethan is never good, as these two are always at their best when they are on the same side and working together with peace between them.  The ending made me happy and tied nicely into the start of the book and pieces that didn't make sense but do when you know what was planned.

Personal theory, that I am also strongly considering by halfway through the book that Reed's wife is the real one causing supernatural problems here.  The hints were dropped while at the garden party and when Merit talks about her eyes...in fact hints were dropped early about the wife's eyes and Merit talking about her and describing her...hmmmm waiting to see how that pans out...the ending is not surprising if you have been following this series and author.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

This book was actually recommended to me by a friend who said that it helped her understand marketing better.  Being interested in how to market my law practice I decided to give it a read.  While I am not disappointed at reading the book, I think labeling this book marketing advice was a misnomer.

One of the basic underlying theories is that the small things make the big difference in a trend catching on.  It is even in the title.  Baby steps are what starts the change, and small factors help the change stick, and a small group of people are what help the trend get started and spread.  Gladwell calls the three factors that are needed Law of the Few, The Stickiness Factor, and Power of Context.

There are 3 different types of people that are needed to get a word of mouth epidemic or trend to start, stick, and spread.  It is interesting to read about the qualities that Gladwell labels these types of people - Connectors, Mavens, and Salesman.  

This is clearly a very simplified version of what the book is about, but that is because for more details you should read the book.  I would not classify it as a marketing book, but it does address marketing in broader context. The author claims that you need to change the way the reader views the world, I think this is only partially true.  The reader will understand marketing better and understand how trends and epidemics start and catch fire, but there is no step-by-step guide on how to make it happen.  Honestly, there could not be a step-by-step guide and reading the book will help you see why.  The fact that trends and epidemics reach nation and worldwide levels shows how much careful detail and planning goes into it and then you still need the right combination of factors and right combination of people to make it spread like wildfire.

This was a great read, and I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in sociology.

Book Rating: 4 books out of 5

Suggested Reading

Last Apprentice: Attack of the Fiend (book 4) by Joseph Delaney

Characters:

Tom: a seventh son of a seventh son, the Spook's apprentice

Alice: a witch, friend of Tom, lives with Tom and the Spook

Spook/Mr. Gregory: gets rid of witches and other problems in the country

Jack: Tom's brother

Ellie: Jack's wife

Mary: Jack and Ellie's daughter
James: Tom's brother, a blacksmith

Andrew: Spook's brother

Father Stocks: friend of the Spook's, prior apprentice, and a priest in Downham

Mother Malkin: witch and relative of Alice

Bony Lizzie: witch, relative of Alice, took care of Alice

Mab: witch from Pendle

Jennet: one of Mab's younger sisters

Beth: Jenner's twin sister

Roger Nowell: magistrate, former high sheriff of Caster, does not believe in witches

Mistress Wirmalde: housekeeper to Roger Nowell, a witch

Tibb: creature created by two of the witch clans in Pendle

Grimalkin: cruel assassin the Malkin sometimes use, skilled with a long blade
Fiend: Nick, the evil one, the devil, darkness

Book Review/Summary:

This series just keeps growing in depth, characters, and draws the reader in.  As the characters continue to develop and Tom gains experiences the reader grows more attached to them.  Alice yet again proved she could push back the "bad" witch aspect of her family and put Tom ahead of them.  Tom's family was hurt and she willingly went to Pendle to see her family to protect them and help Tom free them.  Afterwards, she helped heal Jack and worked with the Spook and Tom to try and stop the Fiend.  The adventures in the Malkin Tower showed how well these two can work as a team, especially without the Spook around for guidance.  The Spook was missing for most of this book, as Tom worked with Father Stocks and had to use his internal guidance to decide what to do when things went south.
Tom is coming into his own as a Spook, and at the same time learning more about his mother.  Tom realizes that his mom was a lamias, and meets his 'aunts' who it is hinted at will make an appearance later in the series.  Tom's family is highlighted in this book, and the distance and gap that has formed while still remaining close because of kinship is a delicate line that Tom is learning how to navigate.
Tom was told of a prophecy from Tibb, that he questions at the end of the book.
Mab is an interesting character, who could easily start to be a rival for Alice.  She is smitten with Tom from the start and tries to claim him.  When that doesn't work she strikes a deal with Tom and appears to keep her end of the agreement.  As Tom is running for his life, she warns him of the dangers ahead and claims she loved him.  I predict Mab will come into play in other books in the series.  Mab clearly seems to be a 'bad' witch, but there is something about how she interacted with Tom that makes me question if she could form another alliance with Tom.
The book ends with Tom's life being in danger from several dark forces, and the possibility of being forced to fight in a war.  However, it also looks like the Spook will have Tom apprentice with a Spook further North to avoid being forced to fight.  This sounds like it will happen in the next book, and if not then it would be book after that.  It will be interesting to see how a different Spook trains Tom and what Tom is like without Mr. Gregory being his Spook.
"I see a girl, soon to be a woman.  The girl who will share your life.  She will love you, she will betray you, and she will die for you." (Chapter X) Tom questions if it is Mab who claims she loved him or Alice who he is growing close to.  I also question if it could be Tom's mother or niece.  Tom's mom is a lamias, and she can remain youthful or change back to a young woman.  The only reason I am dismissing this is because I don't think Tom's mother would betray him and this prophecy seems to indicate a romantic love.  This is also why I am dismissing it as not being a family.  However, book four in a series of at least twelve books means that another girl who is about to be a woman could be who this prophecy is about.  It is best to keep an open mind about who this girl is, but the front-runner is Alice.

Book Rating:
5 out of 5 books.

Suggested Reading:
     
     
     

The Trolley Problem by Thomas Cathcart

This book is small, but a fun read.  It is great book to keep handy and read while you are waiting.  If for no other reason than you can sound smart discussing the theories of Immanuel Kant, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Intelligent Design to name a few.  The concept is simple - the basic problem of if you see a runaway train and it is about to hit 5 people and kill them, but you can flip the switch and divert the train to a different track but it would hit and kill one man, there is no time to warn any of the men on the track.  Do you flip the switch and let the train hit one man or let the train stay on the current track and hit 5 men.

The author took the approach of trying the case in the court of public opinion and the reader hears a side for and a side against flipping the switch.  Then you read about different reasons why people justify the decisions they make on if they would flip the switch or find the person who did guilty of a crime.

Overall, it was an interesting read.  At only point the methods being used to show arguments made me think this should be required reading for law school students, so they could help make effective arguments when presenting their side.  However, the methodology was superficial in coverage, as would be expected for a book of this length, so it may not be as beneficial as I thought.

Book Rating:

3 Books out of 5 Books.

I would have given it more, but it was superficial in coverage of all topics covered.  Enough to get you a basic knowledge, but not enough to fully support or disregard the theories.

Recommended Reading:

The Dealmaker's Ten Commandments

Book Review/Summary:

I purchased this book from Amazon after I listened to the author on an American Bar Association webinar.  I am not a "Dealmaker" in the sense that is used in the book, I don't negotiate deals for a living as a lawyer.  However, everyone is constantly negotiating in their lives and just because you are not a contract lawyer or talent manager the Ten Commandments here still hold true.  The ideas that create a successful Dealmaker in the talent industry are easily transferable to any job that lawyers are involved in.  I honestly think this should be required reading for law school students, because after sitting through Contracts I & II and a semester of Commercial Papers one know the Code, but not how to negotiate.  This book focuses more on negotiation skills, and honestly everyone can benefit from brushing up on negotiation skills.
The Tips and Self-Mastery Sections at the end of each Commandment is good self-reflection for the reader while not coming across as "Duh, you should know this!" or "Now spend an insane amount of time reflecting before the next Commandment."  They are ideas and suggestions on how to self-reflect and incorporate what you were reading into your job.  The book being about 130 pages means it is not an in depth detailed this is what you must do to be successful in being a "Dealmaker" but that is not the purpose of the book.  The purpose of the book is to realize what skills are needed and the Tips and Self-Mastery allow for the reader to determine how to incorporate, strengthen, and hone those skills as it relates to their job.
By biggest compliant with this book is that the title makes it sound like it would only be relevant for lawyers who represent talent in Hollywood.  However, if you read the book it is more about being a negotiator and that is transferable to so many jobs.  Lawyers, no matter what type of law you practice, are constantly negotiating.
For a "job book" meaning not a book I would pick up and read to decompress from work (ex. books Rick Riordan or Craig Johnston) this was a very good read.  The length also means that it could be read while traveling for work (in the car listen to the audio instead of trying to read and drive).

Book Rating:

5 our of 5 books

Suggested Reading & Viewing:

 
 

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean (Book 1) by Justin Somper

Character List:

Grace = Conner's twin sister, smart

Conner = Grace's twin brother, strong
Dexter Tempest = lighthouse keeper, father if twins Grace & Conner
Polly Pagett = matron of Crescent Moon Bay Orphanage
Lachlan Busby = Crescent Moon Bay Bank Manager
Cheng Li = pirate that rescues Conner, sails on The Diablo, does not get along with Captain Wrathe
Molucco Wrathe = Captain of The Diablo
Bartholomew = pirate on The Diablo
"Cutlass" Cate Morgan = pirate & swordswoman on The Diablo
Lorcan Furey = rescued Grace, swears to protect her
The Captain = Grace's savior
Miss Darcy Flotsam = rings the Dawning bell and the Nightfall bell


Book Review/Summary:
Starting out the twins, Grace & Conner, hear the shanty (old song) of vampirates from their father, who in the next chapter is dead.  There is no mother in the picture, and given the choice of the orphanage or being adopted by the town banker the twins decide to take to the seas.  Unfortunately, the seas separate the twins and almost kills both of them, so that a few chapters in the twins are on separate pirate ships, but convinced that the other is still alive.
There is no real set up to how close the twins are, except that it is repeatedly stated and the twins miss each other.  The ships are mysterious at first and more characters and details about the ship are revealed in alternating chapters.  It is nice to know that every other chapter or so there is a switch from Conner's view to Grace's view.  The titles of the Chapters are also revealing of something key that will happen in that chapter, introducing a new character, or an event.
Half-way through the book the twins have been separated by fate, and are trying to find their way on the ship that has rescued each one.  Grace has realized that that shanty her father would sing to them is true and what kind of ship she is really on.  Conner is torn between knowing his sister is alive and what his shipmates tell him, and decided to follow the advice of his father "Make yourself ready and trust the tide."
The story ends predictably with the twins having reunited, but potential conflict looms in the air.  The Vampirates ship has an enemy and Grace may not be willing to leave.  The Diablo has a danger new person on their ship and Conner may not be willing to leave.
The ending of the book, makes me feel as if the purpose of this book was just to lay the ground work for future books.  There is the possibility of conflict and power struggles, on both ships, but nothing really has happened in this book.  While this is not the next great masterpiece that will change the world of literature, it is a fun lighthearted read.  I have hope that the next book in the series will improve my view, or I may end the reading there.

Book Rating:
3 books out of 5

Recommended Reading:

     

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

Review & Summary:

I will start by saying I bought this autobiography after watching A Ballerina's Tale .  I was inspired by this talented dancer to find out more about her background and what she went through, so I bought this autobiography.
My first impression as I start to read this is that while it is great that Misty is willing to share her stories she glosses over some of the challenges she faced.  While I understand it is her life and she does not have to share details, glossing over struggles makes it seem like there was no struggle.  I am hoping that as the book continues she will open up about her current life and what the world of ballet has meant to her and some of the challenges that she faced.
As the book moves on, you start to realize that while Misty is a prodigy or a natural at ballet there were other challenges that went along with it.  I don't know if it is her personality or the way she wants to view the world (or have you think she does) but she glosses over challenges and discrimination that she faced.  Making you wonder if she is either not as bothered by it as her and her co-writer want you to think or is she hiding hurt she may have felt in the past and gotten over, and does not want to relive those feelings or hurt others by talking about it.
As a reader you do appreciate more of Misty's accomplishments, because you learn more about her and how hard she worked to get where she is.  But, as Misty said in the book: when asked about the battles from her childhood she would keep answers short and sweet, because it was disheartening people knowing things about her that she didn't share or want them to know.
After reading that in Chapter Seven, I realized how hard it was for her to write this book and share things with strangers, and that might be why topics are glossed over instead of providing details of the drama.  While Misty talks of overcoming her shyness and anxiety when she is on the stage it seems off stage she still has the shyness.
Misty does discuss her struggles with racism within the world of ballet and how she has a support system.  Misty is great at pointing out who is helping her, but not letting the personal details of her private life be exposed.  While reading the majority of the book you think this is annoying or question why she glosses over topics, but in the final chapters she opens up on all the reactions she has gotten.  Reading how much criticism, bigotry, and hatred she has received at every accomplishment and when she does something in the public eye you understand why she keeps so much of her life private.  People are mentioned and memories are shared but details and in depth stories are held back.  Which makes her all the more amazing to me.

Book Rating: 5 out of 5 books

Suggested Reading/Viewing:

     

Winter: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Character List:
Cinder: Princess and Heir to Luna, part cyborg
Winter: Princess on Luna, step-daughter to Levana
Cress: a gadget wiz, part of Cinder's crew
Scarlet: a human who lived in France, in love with Wolf, captured by Levana, part of Cinder's crew
Wolf: Solider that escaped from Levana's special pack, in love with Scarlet, part of Cinder's crew
Thorne: Captain and part of Cinder's crew
Kai: emperor on Earth
Levana: Queen of Luna, Aunt to Cinder
Iko: cyborg, part of Cinder's crew
Aimery: Solider on Luna, servant to Levana,
Jacin Clay: Solider on Luna, servant to Levana, in love with Winter
Torin: adviser to Kai

Review & Summary:
This is the last book in the series, and the lead up to this book is well worth it and finally paying off.   The crew that has been gathering and agreeing to help Cinder overthrow Levana to help the humans on Earth get rid of the disease she created and to help make conditions better for those on Luna have arrived on Luna.  Right away things go wrong and the team is scattered and changing the plans that they thought would work.  Winter is now learning about what Cinder has planned and trying to help.
Halfway through the book and part of you will wish there is a resolution and the other part of you is sad that the series will end soon and are hoping that Winter or Cinder come out on top.  With things having gone wrong and the plan in chaos the reader is left with bits and pieces of clues that have been woven in the stories since the start.
As the chaos of overthrowing Levana occurs several characters risk their lives and their futures are unknown.  Each character is becoming more independent, brave, and their reasons for doing this become personal as well as for the greater good.  Each of Cinder's crew is risking their lives to help her, and you want to cheer for them at their small victories, feel heartbroken at defeats, and keep your hopes up for a happy ending for all of these characters (even if it seems unlikely to happen at times).  While I do not want to spoil the ending, I am thankful that Marissa Meyer was writing the series instead of George R.R. Martin.  The ending tied up all of the story lines, at least all the ones I thought there were.  Do you find out every detail, no, but you get an idea of what the characters will be doing and what their lives will be like.  After three books and some novellas I really appreciated how the story lines came together and came to a conclusion.

Book Rating:
5 books out of 5

Suggested Reading:

       

The Invisible Hook by Peter T. Leeson

Book Review & Summary:

This book takes an interesting look at how piracy existed and thrived due to economic need, and that the pirates were not a reckless crew roaming the oceans aimlessly.  The economic principles that make companies and people successful is what was also used, on a different scale and for illegal purposes, to create successful pirate crews.  

This is a good read when thinking about economics or when heading to the beach and want to read something that looks impressive, but is really a fun read.
For me, the ideas and concepts of modern corporate management, marketing, and business being applied to history is appealing to read about.  Do you know things like "market branding" happened before it became a business buzzword and common term, yes probably, but seeing how it was being done in the 1720's by pirates is kind of interesting.
The book took me a while to get around to finishing, because even though it is an interesting read while reading, you can put the book down for several days or a week and not feel the burning desire to know what happens next.  This is because there are interesting concepts, but it is not a story to follow.  Overall I think it is an interesting read and recommend the book to those interested in Freakanomics, economics, and pirates, because it is all three rolled into one.

Rating:

4 out of 5 books - while interesting the author did repeat or overwrite some chapters.

Suggested Reading:

  Y
 

The Whispering Skull (Lockwood & Co. book 2) by Jonathan Stroud

Character List:

A.J Lockwood = owner of Lockwood & Co. Investigators (can see the Problems)

Lucy = investigator at Lockwood & Co. (can hear the Problems)

George = investigator at Lockwood & Co. (does most of the research on the Problems)

Quill Kipps = Adult supervisor at Fittes
Ned Shaw = a bully and an agent that works in Kipps's crew

Mr. Saunders = hires Lockwood & Co.

Mr. Joplin = works for Mr. Saunders and provides some research to the team

Dr. Edmund Bickerstaff = One of the "problems"
Marissa Fittes = the only person to have been able to speak to a level three "visitor"
Flo Bones = Relic woman who is friends (sort of) with Lockwood
Julius Winkman = antique dealer, owner of Bloomsbury Antiques Emporium, sells relics on the side
Jack Carver = relic man
Neddles = relic man, worked with Carver

Simon Wliberforce = friend of Dr. Bickerstaff
Mary Dulac = friend of Dr. Bickerstaff

Review/Summary:

Geared towards the young adult audience this is a fun read, when you want something silly and not serious.  The Problem is that ghosts and wraiths are coming back from the dead and bother the living of all ages, but only teenagers and children can see them or hear them specifically.  The team consists of Lockwood, Lucy, and George who live and reside in Lockwood's childhood home, and suspiciously his parents are not around.  The stories are told from Lucy's point of view.  This independent team is often competing with the bigger investigator houses The Fittes Agency and The Rotwell Agency.

The introductory section does a nice job reminding the readers what happened in book 1 SCREAMING STAIRCASE and what the relationship of the characters is and what the "Problem" as the book calls them are.  Starting off with conflict between Lockwood and Kipps sets the stage for a challenge and hints at problems and motivation between the two of them and their crews.  Lockwood & Co. are hired by Mr. Saunders who is cleaning up a cemetery in London when he and his investigator, Mr. Joplin, find the grave of Dr. Bickerstaff and the main case for the book is set.  A parallel plot is the skull in the jar that only Lucy can hear talk, but that George, in his quest to understand why the problem started, conducts experiments on to try and get it to talk to all three of the crew.
As the Lockwood crew starts to search for answers to Dr. Bickerstaff's stolen body and missing artifact the mystery really beings.  The challenge with Kipps is based around this mystery, as it is the main story in the book.  Lucy is talking to the head in the jar, who claims to have known Dr. Bickerstaff, but also whispers doubts into Lucy's mind.  The head in the jar tells where a clue to the mirror's power's might be found, and the crew decides to see if the head is telling the truth.  Lockwood leads his crew into questionable situations and conflict arises between him and Lucy.  As Lockwood & Co. go about trying to solve the mysteries they wind up in trouble.  The ending of the book provides a nice closure to this book and potential mystery or connections to the next book.

Also in the series:

     

Book rating:
4 books out of 5 books

Spirit of Steamboat (A Longmire Story) by Craig Johnson

Character List:

Walter "Walt" Longmire= Sheriff, widower
Martha = Walt's wife, who died several years ago
Victoria "Vic" Moretti = Under-Sheriff, from Philadelphia
Henry Standing Bear = Walt's best friend, Native american
Lucian Connally = former Sheriff, friend of Walt's often times provides help and guidance
Ferg = deputy that works for Walt
Ruby = dispatcher for Absaroka County Sheriff's Office
"Double Tough" = Deputy that works for Walt, ex-oil rig jockey
Santiago "Sacho" Saizarbitoria = Deputy that works for Walt (wife = Marie, son = Antonio)
Cady = Walt's daughter, married to Michael, lives in Philadelphia
Michael Moretti = Cady's husband, Vic's younger brother
Julie Luehrman = co-pilot & mechanic
Isaac Bloomfield = doctor in Durant
Rick = Durant Airport Manager
Ms. Oda = grandmother of injured child
Amaterasu = young girl injured, name means shining over heaven

Review and Summary:

A Christmas short story, that involves memories from Walt and Lucian.  Cady has not yet given birth to her daughter at the start of the book, but is due soon.  The short story is a great read, and does not seem like it is required to understand other books in the series.  However, I enjoy any book that helps you know more about characters that you love.
A young child is the only survivor of an accident that killed everyone in her family on Christmas Eve.  She is seriously injured and needs to be flow to a hospital in Denver that specializes in her injuries.  Her grandmother meets Walt at Durant Airport.  The life-flight helicopter barely arrived at the airport, and cannot take the young girl to Denver due to a storm that is ground flights and cannot be flown around.  The highway patrol has shut down the roads and it would take too long to drive the young girl anyway.  The only plane that can make the flight is so old that Lucian Connally has to be brought back into service by Walt.  The stage is set for a risky flight and scary adventure to get the girl there and the crew back home before Christmas.  By the middle of the book the doctor is improvising medical equipment in an aircraft that might barely get there before running out of fuel, and Walt wishing for just one thing to go right.  Of course things are not going right, and the quirks of each character shine in these situations.  A Christmas story always has a happy ending, and this one just warms your heart.

Suggested Reading and Viewing:
                 

Book Rating:
5 out of 5 books.

A Serpent's Tooth (A Longmire Myster) by Craig Johnson

The Longmire series is a favorite of mine, and I enjoy the author's writing.  I am going to try and keep an bias out of this review, but it will be hard.

Character List:
Walter "Walt" Longmire= Sheriff, widower
Martha = Walt's wife, who died several years ago
Victoria "Vic" Moretti = Under-Sheriff, from Philadelphia
Henry Standing Bear = Walt's best friend, Native american
Lucian Connally = former Sheriff, friend of Walt's often times provides help and guidance
Ruby = dispatcher for Absaroka County Sheriff's Office
"Double Tough" = Deputy that works for Walt, ex-oil rig jockey
Santiago "Sacho" Saizarbitoria = Deputy that works for Walt (wife = Marie, son = Antonio)
Frymire = Deputy that works for Walt
Cady = Walt's daughter, married to Michael, lives in Philadelphia
Michael Moretti = Cady's husband, Vic's younger brother
Dorothy = owner of the Busy Bee Cafe
Cord Lynear = boy who was found
Roy Lynear = owner/operator of East Spring Ranch
George Joseph Lynear = one of Roy's sons
Barbara Thomas = tells Walt about "angels" helping her
Mike Thomas = Barbara's nephew
Nancy Griffith = works for Health Services
Orrin = name in the Book of Mormon
Drew Goodman = Bishop for Church of Latter-day Saints
Tim Berg = Sheriff of City of Belle Fourche, places pencils in his beard
Eleanor Tisdale = owner of Short Drop Mercantile & runs Short Drop Library
Sarah Tisdale = Eleanor's daughter, claims to be Cord's mother


Review:
I love that there is character history from previous stories, but if you read them out of order or start with this one first there is enough detail to fill you in while not boring readers faithful to the series.  The mystery starts out with Barbara telling Walt about "angels" who help her at her house, only to find out it is a missing teenage boy.  At the start of the book there is no murder, but the mystery of who the missing boy belongs to and who he really is.  New characters are introduced and familiar characters are still there.
It looks like Walt and his crew might have to work with another Sheriff, Tim, and with the foundation of an oil pipeline being mentioned early in the book by a few people it is safe to say that it sounds like the federal government will get involved (or try to) at some point.
As more characters are introduced the mystery of who the young man is, turns into more than a missing child.  Walt visits or contacts several other sheriffs and this story ventures into federal jurisdiction without ever actually bringing the federal government into play.
The cast of characters that show up for this mystery are unique and cast help the plot twists.  The mainstay characters have their own developments and reading the Epilogue is a must.  Around the main mystery of figuring out who Orrin is and where Cord came from stems other subplots and twists in the main plot.  The family of Absaroka county is only slightly expanded.  The plot of oil was strongly hinted out from early on and the end result with that is not all that surprising for those that followed along the clues and hints (most of which are laid out for you, but some are vague).
If you have read this author and series before you will love this book, if not it is not a bad one to start at, but starting at the beginning would be my recommendation.  I am eager to start reading the next book in the series, Any Other Name: A Longmire Mystery .

Previous Books in the series:
               

Book Rating:

4 books out of 5 - a good book, but there are better in the series

Suggested - check out the TV show

   

Swords and Scoundrels (book 1 of The Duelists Trilogy) by Julia Knight

Character List:
Vocho = brother, former member of the Guild
Kacha "Kass" = sister, former member of the Guild
Dom = claims to be rich and from a farm near where Vocho and Kacha were staying
Petri "Eggy"Egimont = former flame of Kacha, former member of the Guild, working for Bakar,
Duke of Elona = king's right hand and Petri's father
Bakar/Prelate = leader of the revolution/new ruler or Reyes
Eneko = Mater of the Guild
Cospel = valet for Vocho and Kacha
Licio = King
Sabates = magician "helping" Licio

Review:
The book got off to an awkward start, and was a bit confusing.  Sticking with the story it got better and within the eight chapters there was many paths this story could go and plot lines being laid.  The main characters are brother and sister and they have gotten in trouble with the Duelist Guild, which is a mystery of the exact reason why but what was done is told.  Vocho and Kacha are trying to survive and come across an unknown object that is when the main plot begins.
Halfway through the book, you start to see all the subplots starting to merge together and the backstories are really starting to make sense in the present.  It is hard to predict how things will be resolved or what plot twists might be.  Guesses and predictions can be made based on the information that is revealed about Eggy, Kacha, and other characters.  Still not sure who, other than Vocho and Kacha, are going to be major players (and how so).  The mystery is what keeps me reading and the clues being dispersed through current and "interludes" that happened as far back at 18 years ago is interesting.  At first the Interludes were confusing and seemed oddly timed, but by chapter twelve the pattern is starting to make sense and adds to the character development.  I like that the Interludes are titled and time frame is clearly given at the start of the chapter.  While I don't enjoy this method in every book I read it is beneficial and has become enjoyable as it gives character development and background on the subplots and motives.  By the end of the book it seems like everyone's motives have been made clear and what their original plan is.  There seems to be several with people similar goals, but different ways to do it and reasons for achieving those goals.  New teams appear to be forming and alliances seem shaky for a few.  One thing seems certain, by the end of the trilogy the Prelate will be overthrown and the Guild will have to make changes.
The ending of the books just kind of stopped.  There wasn't a cliffhanger just plot lines left unresolved and the characters have just learned new information about other characters.  I am thankful I have ordered the second book in the series, Legends and Liars (The Duelists) , because it really does just seems like the decision to end the book was made based on size of the book.

The series seems interesting and I may read other books by the author, because I liked how real the characters are.
 

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 books.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase book 1)

Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors, so I know there is some bias to this review.  I will try and be fair, but honestly I do enjoy his humor and writing style, please keep that in mind when reading my review.

Character List: (not all inclusive)
Magnus Chase: main character son of Frey
Randolph: Magnus's Uncle
Blitzem "Blitz": friend and protector of Magnus (dwarf)
Hearthstone "Hearth": friend and protector of Magnus, deaf, uses sign langauge (elf)
T.J: Civil War Solider & hallmate to Magnus, son of Tyr (God of courage)
X: a half-troll & hallmate to Magnus
Mallory Keen: hallmate to Magnus
Halfborn Gunderson: hallmate to Magnus
Samirah "Sam" al-Abba's: Valkyrie that selected Magnus
Gunilla: head of Valkyries
Surt: Fire God
Mimir: adviser to Odin
Fenris: the wolf

Review:
The story is typical to Rick Riordan's modern day world mixed with mythological gods.  This series is about Norse Gods & Mythology.  Magnus is the main character who is new to this world, because his mortal mother tried to keep it a secret and protect him.  Then something happens that changes this and Magnus becomes aware of the different worlds.  Typical pattern to start a Rick Riordan book, characters are introduced and more is revealed about each character including how they are integrated into this world.  This story is based in the mortal world of Boston with the mythical world of Norse Gods & Legends easily accessing other worlds through doors hidden in Boston.
The quest is cryptic, but makes sense as the story progresses.  Mimir and other characters give Magnus clear tasks that will somehow help the cryptic prophecy came about.  Midway through the book the smaller steps are made semi-clear, you know the goal but not the outcome that will result.  The group that will be needed to complete the quest has been assembled and they are off to start their first task.  Some motives are fully known, others are hinted at, and other motives are guesses.  If you have read other books by this author you will see a pattern and may be more successful at guessing motives.
As the quest progresses the team builds rapport, learns each other's secrets, protects each other, and as the reader you come to embrace all of the characters.  The team seems mismatched and up against daunting tasks, but through teamwork they learn they can conquer anything they are tasked with along the way to complete the quest.  As a team the tasks and quest is completed, with some unfortunate results for some characters.  The core of the team is rewarded at the end, and it looks like they may separate for a brief time, but more quests are hinted and and plans to see each other again are made.

This being the first book in the series there are hints and clues about what will come (and hopefully be resolved) in future books.  The books does end with finality for this quest and could be a stand alone as no other quests are directly indicated.  There is a direct hint at why one task was not completed in the Epilogue. The hints of what is to come thrill me, because there is at least one other series that looks like Magnus and his crew might have a cross-over with.  The hints of what is to come in this series left me on a high note and glad a I preordered the second book in this series, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 2 The Hammer of Thor .

I can't fault the author for sticking with his pattern, it has clearly worked and resulted in massive success for him.  However, you hope that something is different, something is not going to follow the script.
As a bonus there is a small cameo from another character in another series.  It is small, and almost screamed at you when mentioned in a few sentences here and there and confirmed in chapter twenty-six.  There are also jokes aimed at some of his other series, I enjoy an author that can poke fun at himself and his other characters without being disrespectful to fans of that series.
 

Overall rating:
5 books out of 5 books