Rating:  Summary: A Predictable Fast Read BUT, Ultimately Disappointing Review: I have read almost all of the popular works of Stuart Woods, especially the Stone Barrington novels. Holly Barker started out as an interesting character and then, dried up and blew away. The conditions under which she becomes the acting Chief of Police leave a lot to be desired and struck me as all too coincidental. The circumstances were so convenient for Woods that I siad to myself, "I've heard of artistic license, but this is beyond the pale....." Holly's relationship with the lawyer was also just to difficult to accept. It seems like she jumps into bed as soon as possible to add to the story line and yet, this was inconsistent with her earlier position as an Army MP major who filed charges against her commanding officer for sexual harassment. There was another major factual error in the book and it had to do with both Holly and her father, the alleged Special Forces Master Sergeant. In the beginning of the book, as Holly is making her decision to retire from the Army, Woods mentions that her father is still ona active duty as a Green Beret Master Sergeant. Using current military personnel policies, that would have been IMPOSSIBLE. out it. Her father is still in the Army as she is getting ready to retire after having served HER 20 years. How long has he been in if she is already ready to retire? As an E-8 (MSGT), he would have only been allowed to stay 26 years and would have long been retired before Holly. Additionally, if Holly is 37, how old is her dad? If he was 18 when he had her, that would make him at least 55 and that's the mandatory retirement age for enlisted personnel on active duty. Too many of the decsriptions revolving around the military just don't work and that took away from my Woods didn't do his research and his editors are very lazy or sloppy (or both). I'm glad I took this book out of the library and didn't have to pay for it. Had I paid for it, I would have been mad at two people, Woods and myself. If you still want to read this, get it from the library; don't spend good money for it.
Rating:  Summary: This one is impossible to put down... Review: I loved it! Daisy is a great character who finds herself alone in a town where she is suddenly in charge of the murder of her would-be boss. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I would recommend this one to most anyone - especially if you read and liked Palindrome (which I still think is Woods's best).
Rating:  Summary: I found this book to be Thrilling! Review: Woods has done it Again! I have yet to be disappointed reading anything written by Stuart Woods. I hope this new heroine will appear in future novels.
Rating:  Summary: Good Light Read Review: I liked all of the Stone Barrinton books, this is a nice departure. While the plot is "light", it is still worth the read. There are enough plot twists to keep you interested all the way through.
Rating:  Summary: Fun To Read! Review: All of Stuart Woods' books are so interesting and exciting that I usually finish them within a day or two, and this book is no exception. I like Woods' male characters, but being a female, I especially liked the fact that the main character in this book is a capable and confident female. (I want the her dog, Daisy) As with most of Woods' books, this book had some humorous parts that made me laugh out loud. Thanks, Stuart Woods!
Rating:  Summary: Disappointing Review: This was a waste of money and time. I bought the book because I'm in a law enforcement career, my favorite dogs are Dobermans, and I'd seen enough Stuart Woods books around that I thought he was a popular author, but I shouldn't have bothered. The dog has very little to do with the story, this supposedly intelligent policewoman falls for and trusts one of the lawyers way too fast, no character development for you to feel like you 'know' them, and the ending was too 'normal' instead of being something interesting and surprising. There's other disappointments but those are the biggies.
Rating:  Summary: Woods Gets Sloppy and Lazy Review: A weak contrived plot, wooden writing and thin characters. Stuart Woods can be entertaining and fresh, but they must be paying him too much. This is how writers lose their audiences.
Rating:  Summary: What about the dog? Review: I only read mysteries with horses or dogs in them. I bought the book only because of the pinscher on the cover. Couldn't put the book down-it was very entertaining. Daisy definately needed a bigger part. The ending was very predictable and came to a conclusion way too fast. I hope he brings Holly and Daisy back again for another adventure!
Rating:  Summary: Take it for what it's worth Review: I finished the book about 10 minutes ago. I've never read any of Woods' works before but I have to say that I will again. He's a little short on certain details, but mostly "junk" that you might likely read over in search of more depth. I have to say that I actually like his short takes on things that aren't pivotal to the story line, skipping on to the "meat". A great mystery unfolds as the reader is truely as blind to the situation as the lead character, with the plot opening up in a most timely fashion. I only wish that there were a little more substance to the ending. Definately an easy read on a summer afternoon/evening.
Rating:  Summary: Enjoyable Lightweight Read Review: I liked the characters in this story and would like to see them return in some future exploit. The suspense as to who the mole in the PD reminded me a little of some of the mysteries by Agatha Christy. The story held together well, although I thought the ending a little far-fetched. An enjoyable, lightweight read.
|