Review of The Last Quarry

Book 40. The Last Quarry, by Max Allan Collins. Unabridged audio.

This is the first book I’ve read featuring Collins’ trained killer character, Quarry. Quarry was a professional killer, but has now disappeared into his well-deserved retirement. But he finds himself unable to remain aloof when he sees an injustice occur. This character trait brings him into the orbit of a media magnate.

The magnate eventually lures Quarry out of retirement. The killer acknowledges that “one last job” stories never end well, but nonetheless takes the gig. But when he stakes out his target, he wonders what trouble could be caused by this seemingly-harmless woman. His target is a cute small-town librarian with whom he begins an ill-advised relationship.

About two-thirds of the way through the story, I thought I knew where it was going, and that we’d spend the rest of the story seeing Quarry turn the tables on his employer. But a great plot twist occurs at this point, totally changing the direction of the rest of the novel.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable detective story, a quick hard-boiled read that delivered exactly what it promised.

Source: Hoopla

Review of Wounds that Heal

Book 39. Wounds That Heal, by Stephen Seamands. Paperback.

Stephen Seamands, a professor of Christian doctrine at Asbury College, has produced a very readable and insightful study of the healing work of the Cross. His point is that in a world of wounded people, we have hope. Through the ministry of Jesus, God enters our painful situations to bring healing and redemption.

The book does a good job balancing biblical analysis and pastoral care. The book is filled with real-life stories of people finding healing and redemption amidst their painful experiences. Seamands also includes a range of quotes and examples from people from a range of Christian experiences.

The book is valuable for personal or group use. Each of the 10 chapters ends with a half-dozen or so questions for reflection. Along with the wealth of personal stories included in the text, these questions make sure that the book is as practical as it is theological.

The book starts with a discussion of hurt, rejection and shame. He then moves to a discussion of freedom, liberation, and healing. The overarching theme is that at the Cross, Jesus felt all of the emotions of humanity, including shame, abandonment, and rejection. And through His work, all people have the opportunity to receive the benefits of His love and acceptance.

Source: My wife purchased this book, most likely from the bookstore at this church. 

This Week in Reading

BOOKS:

The Racketeer, by John Grisham, COMPLETED. Review here.

Kingdom Come, by Elliot S! Maggin, pages 162 –201.

Wounds That Heal, by Stephen Seamands, pages 118 – 165.        

The Last Quarry, by Max Allan Collins, pages 1 – 87 

COMICS:

Adventures of Supergirl 4

Dredd: Dust 1 & 2

Green Arrow 10

Joe Frankenstein 1 – 4

New Gods 7 & 8

Star Trek (IDW) 59 & 60

Wonder Woman 9

Underworld Unleashed: Batman 525, Detective 691, Steel 21, Superboy 22

Review of The Racketeer

 Book #38. The Racketeer, by John Grisham. Unabridged audio.

It has been a few years since I read any Grisham, and they are starting to pile up in my to-be-read list. So I figured I’d start with this one.

The plot starts with federal convict Malcolm Bannister half way through his 10-year prison term, having been caught up in a racketeering case that he was only barely involved with. In that time, the man has been disbarred, divorced, and lost contact with his son. And he is nursing a bitter grudge against the Federal Government. 

He gets his chance at freedom and revenge when a federal judge is murdered. The FBI has no idea who killed the judge, but Bannister does. He also knows that the judge has millions of dollars of gold bars hidden somewhere, and he has a plan to get his hands on them.

This is a fast-paced, exciting novel. Similar to many of Grisham’s protagonists, Bannister is a smart, self-assured fellow. He is always the smartest man in the room, but he is facing tough odds in this one. Major institutions are aligned against him. One way that Bannister is unique in Grisham’s novels in that he is African-American. Grisham has written about race before, but this book only tangentially touches on the topic. It’s an interesting story into which to insert an African-American lead.

This was a solid novel, start to finish. There are hints along the way, but the details of Bannister’s plot did surprise me. I enjoyed this read very much.

Source: public library

This Week in Reading

BOOKS:

The Racketeer, by John Grisham, pages 56 – 132

Kingdom Come, by Elliot S! Maggin, pages 135 – 162.

Wounds That Heal, by Stephen Seamands, pages 73 – 118.

COMICS:

Astonishing Tales 5

Day Men 1 – 8

Green Arrow 9

Legion of Super-Heroes 43

Mars 1

Snake Woman 3 – 6

Unlimited Access 4

This Week in Reading

BOOKS:

The Racketeer, by John Grisham, pages 1 – 56

Kingdom Come, by Elliot S! Maggin, pages 115 – 135

The Keeper, by David Baldacci, COMPLETED. Review here.

Wounds That Heal, by Stephen Seamands, pages 37 – 73

COMICS:

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 1 – 6

DC Retroactive Wonder Woman '70s

Green Arrow 8

Popeye (2012) 1, 9, 10, & 11

Secret Origins 10

Supergirl 14

Vampirella (2016) 1 & 2 

Review of The Keeper

Book #37. The Keeper, by David Baldacci. Unabridged audio.

This is Baldacci’s second YA novel featuring the character Vega Jane. Picking up where the first novel (reviewed here) left off, Vega and her buddy Delph have successfully escaped her hometown of Wormwood. They have entered the mysterious Quag, which is not the empty space that she was taught it was, and there may even be a land beyond the Quag. There might even be freedom.

But the Quag turns out to be worse than she ever thought it could be. The pair need to battle bloodthirsty beasts of all shapes and sizes, as well as go up against darkly magical forces. They run across another pair of youngsters in the Quag, unsure if they are enemies or allies.

This story certainly had its share of drama and action. There was a death among our main cast, a necessary sacrifice in the battle, but one that I did not expect. But there were way too many similarities to Harry Potter for my taste. For crying out loud, the lead character has a wand and speaks pseudo-Latin to achieve her magical goals. It became hard not to laugh every time this happened.

I enjoy most of Baldacci’s adult novels, and these ones are fine enough, but they just weren’t nearly as good as they could have been. There wasn’t enough original in the story and storytelling to make it a fully satisfying reading experience.

Source: Hoopla