The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear by Eric Van Lustbader

This short story packs a lot into a few pages. In fact, it's hard to believe how much depth is here. I've read all the books in Lustbader’s Ninja series and even though it’s been years since his last book, it didn't feel like that in reading this story.

It’s very hard to describe this story without giving away spoilers. Let’s just say that it’s action packed and spans only a couple of days. It begins with a near death, and ends with several deaths.

One can only hope that Lustbader will pen another Linnear book in the near future. 

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

The Escape by David Baldacci

I have to start off by admitting that I’m a huge Baldacci fan. I started reading him from his first book, and he’s never disappointed me yet. Having said that, this is just a fantastic book. I have liked each of the other 2 books in his John Puller series, but this is by far the best. Did I mention that it’s a fantastic book?

This book centers around John Puller’s older brother, Robert. Robert Puller has been in each of the other 2 books, usually when John visits him in prison. Robert Puller is the disgraced brother convicted of treason and sentenced to life in prison in Leavenworth Military Prison. It’s a prison that no one escapes from, until Robert does. What follows is a whirlwind of a book.

John Puller is charged with tracking down his brother Robert and bringing him in. It is a mission that will have John, and the reader, wondering who he can trust, and just who is playing whom. There are enough twists, turns, blind alleys and double crosses to keep the reader up late at night.

Well done, Mr. Baldacci. Well done. 

Veterans Day

No, this is not a book review. On this Veterans Day, it is important to remember what this day really stands for. For many Americans, it is a day when the post office is closed, banks and offices are closed. There will be lots of postings on social media of pictures about Veterans Day. The local news media will do stories about the Veterans in local communities. There will be Veterans Day sales at local stores. 

Yet, I fear that the actual Veterans, their service and sacrifice are being lost in all the noise.

The Veteran who stood guard in unimaginable heat and cold so that you could stand in line complaining about the wait at your store.

The Veteran who hasn't seen his or her family in a year while you complain about the long drive to see family on holidays.

The Veteran who came back with physical scars while you complain about the long walk from your parking place.

The Veteran who came back with mental scars because he saw things you will never have to see.

The Veteran who gave of himself until he could give no more, and then kept giving.

The Veteran who stood between you and all those who would wish to take away your freedom.

The Veteran who never came home.

Please take a moment today and pause to think about the Veteran. If you have one in your family, please thank them for their service.

 If you see a Veteran today, thank them, remember them, honor them.

 These men and women are the true heroes.

“All gave some, some gave all.”

Gray Mountain by John Grisham

While I've read both good and bad reviews for Grisham’s latest offering, I have to come down solidly on the side of it being a really good book. Yes, it’s an ‘issue book’. The issue is Mountaintop Removal, a method of strip mining that destroys the mountains, wildlife and water supply in coal country. The novel tells the story of Samantha, a young lawyer from corporate New York who takes a position in a legal aid clinic in Virginia, deep in the Appalachian Mountains. Instead of big money clients, hers are the regions poor. It is a foreign world to Samantha, one that will tug on her emotions, and the reader’s too. This is not a powerful, literary novel. It’s a good story, told in classic Grisham style. Settle in by the fire with a good glass of wine and prepare to be entertained. It’s what Grisham does best.