The Watchmen by John Altman

New Author

The best part of this book was the last 30-40 pages when finally something happened!!  I'm not sure if it was the writing or just the subject matter (terrorism) that caused this book to drag for me, but drag it did!!!

Altman has been praised with writing realistic espionage fiction which may be why I didn't enjoy it - the nightly news provides all the realistic terrorism I need.

The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King

Series

So, one Saturday morning I abandoned all household chores, professional duties and social commitments to finish this book.  My coffee cold and forgotten as I got lost in the streets of London in a real cloak and dagger!  I fell in love with Estelle and Robert Goodman, who reminded me to take time to stop and appreciate the beauty around me, in the acorn transformed to a tea cup, (and not feel so guilty about spending my Saturday morning reading!)

The Keep by Jennifer Egan

"E" Author

I'm torn on this book.  I really didn't care for it the entire time I was reading it, there's some confusion about the narration which is essential to the mystery of the novel, but beyond that there is some supernatural/sci-fi elements which I didn't like.  She wrapped it up nicely at the end so all the pieces fit, but I probably won't be passing this along or recommending it.  It's an "eh" kinda book.

Quote:  "People are bored......What's missing?  What do they need? What's the next step? And then I got it: imagination.  We've lost the ability to make things up.  We've farmed out that job to the entertainment industry, and we sit around and drool on ourselves while they do it for us."

The OrphanMaster  -  Jean Zimmerman
                 
                Historical Fiction.

Historical fiction and a mystery all in one book.
The time is 1663.  The place is Dutch Manhatten.

Dutch inhabitants live in the part of New York that is now Manhatten.  The English "Crown" have sent of a spy to see if they can take it over from the Dutch.  They is some local Indian lore about a scary monster and then we have the sick man who is capturing the orphans and then they disappear.  Is it the Indian monster or the orphanmaster who is the evil one. Or is it someone else.  I enjoyed reading about the history of 1663, but the mystery part was very disturbing!!!!

Not a favorite book of mine!