At the start of January, I pledged to take the book reading challenge on Goodreads. I pledged to read 20 books this year. You can see my progress on the side bar under what I am currently reading. In January, I knocked 3 of them out. Technically, I read one of them twice… What can I say? Peter Robinson’s Banks series is delectable.
January 2017 Reading List
I will NOT be putting spoilers on this page, but I am including the blurb summary. 😉 All links in this post link to the book’s Goodreads page.
Something Wicked (Wicked Series #3) By Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush
You Sense Him
Some refer to it as the Colony. To others, it’s a cult. But few locals in the Oregon coastal hamlet of Deception Bay have ever been invited to the inner sanctum of Siren Song. Even the sisters who live here, far from strangers who might recoil at their unnerving psychic abilities, don’t know all the terrors buried within its walls. . .
You Fear Him
Eight months into a surrogate pregnancy for her sister, Kristina, Detective Savannah Dunbar just wants to wrap up paperwork before taking medical leave. But her department’s investigation into a brutal double homicide has suddenly become much more complex–and personal. And now there are disturbing rumors about the Colony, its matriarch, and a long history of bitter secrets. . .
But You Can Never Stop Him
Death has come to Siren Song before. But this time there will be no refuge and no remorse. For everything born in wickedness must die that way–and a killer will not rest until he has claimed them all. . . — Something Wicked Blurb
I did enjoy this book. There were times I was confused with who was doing what and had to go back and reread a few times, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. The book has a great sense of suspense and mystery to it which makes up for the confusion I had with the little chaos of characters and directions.
It took me longer than usual to get through it, maybe if I had read the first two books in the series before hand, it might have been an easier read. I will be adding the rest of the series to my want to read list.
The Hanging Valley (Inspector Banks #4) By Peter Robinson
A faceless corpse is discovered in a tranquil, hidden valley below the village of Swainshead. And when Chief Inspector Alan Banks arrives, he finds that no-one is willing to talk. Banks’s frustration only grows when the identity of the body is revealed. For it seems that his latest case may be connected with an unsolved murder in the same area five years ago. Among the silent suspects are the Collier brothers, the wealthiest and most powerful family in Swainsdale. When they start use their influence to slow down the investigation, Inspector Alan Banks finds himself in a race against time . . . – Hanging Tree Blurb
As a die hard Robinson fan, I don’t know how I failed to read this one before. I have read all the other books in the series, with the exception of his newest published last year; but somehow missed this one. Who knows why, I made up for it this year!
The beauty of the Banks series, you do not have to read them in order. Mr. Robinson writes this series in a manner that you can know what is going on in each book with out having read the ones prior. I love that about this series!
This particular book was published in 1989, his writing has always been solid. His characters are written in a manner you can imagine yourself hanging out with them. I have to admit, I was shocked with the abrupt ending of this book. I wanted more! It left me with unanswered questions.
Hero (Homecoming #3) By R.A. Salvatore
Something akin to “peace” has come to the Underdark. The demon hordes have receded, and now the matron mothers argue over the fate of Drizzt Do’Urden. Even so, it becomes clear to one matriarch after another that while the renegade Drow may come and go Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders will crawl forever on.
And so Drizzt is free to return to his home on the surface once again. Scores are settled as lives are cut short, yet other lives move on. For the lone Drow there is only a single final quest: a search for peace, for family, for home—for the future.
Hero picks up where Maestro left off, in a sweeping climax to an epic tale.
First I have to say on bended knee, begging and pleading… Mr. Salvatore, PLEASE do not let this be the end! With the statement made that this is the last book for Drizzt and his party, I had planned on just looking at the book sitting on my shelf, as if it would prolong that 30 book affair I have had with Drizzt and Guien.
My love for this series, the group of brilliant characters and love affair with the Drow, I finally picked it up, my longing got the better of me. To answer my better half’s question he posed as I whined incisively that this was the last book… No, there will be no need to tell R.A. to guard his ankles while I go all Misery like. That thought never crossed my mind, however summoning a Tarrasque to change his mind… HA!
The ending was beautiful, if this must be the last, the characters deserved their last moments, redemption, atonement, happiness and fulfillment.
But that Epilogue with Jarlaxle though… I hope that is a string, a small strand to give us hope that there will be more with our friends in the future.
But wait… what?!!! Was that freakin Zaknafein that walked through the door!!??? Did he just kill off Jarlaxle?!!! WTH just happened? My head is EXPLODING!!
(Ok, I fibbed about no spoilers… I just couldn’t contain myself with the cliff hanger that was left with us hanging from a ledge plunging into the canyon below.)
Have you signed up for the Reading challenge? What was your January 2017 Reading List? Share your reads, your thoughts and your comments below.
