wynnz's reviews
213 reviews

Big Lake by Nick Russell

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

An armored car robbery with two dead guards has Sheriff Jim Weber's hands full with this case; his brother-in-law was one of the guards. With help from his FBI buddy, Jim must plod through the few clues and evidence he's got to piece together whodunit.

It's an interesting and entertaining read with a well-woven plot, along with well-rounded characters and plenty of suspects for Agatha Christie's and Inspector Clouseau's fans to choose from!

Overall, it's an enjoyable read, and I must admit I didn't see that ta-da ending coming.

Big Trouble by Dave Barry

adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 

A very entertaining and enjoyable read. Fast-paced, keeps those pages turning like a well-oiled bank-note counter, a fantastic cast of characters, an extremely chaotic plot  and an exhilarating countdown towards the end, that kept me on the edge of my seat. Funny, witty banter and sarcasm permeated throughout the dialogue.

There are multiple threads to follow all skillfully woven together and all culminating in a confluence in a chaotic conclusion. I think the writing has weathered well considering it's been twenty-four years since its publication.  

Overall, I couldn’t put it down, it was a blast! 

 

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

I discovered I didn't like it, it wasn't my cup of tea, It was repetitive and tiresome.

Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 "The only thing that wasn't shallow in this book was the Atlantic Ocean! It's a very good book, extremely entertaining, a pleasure to read, with a marvelous plot and a great cast of well-rounded characters full of idiosyncrasies, the narrative is well paced and kept me engaged. It brings the shady side of the plastic surgery industry into the sunshine, exposing its egos and underbelly to the reader.

Mick Stranahan manages to avoid an assassination attempt by the skin of his nose and assisted by the nose of a stuffed Marlin, catapulting him into a case he thought he had left in the past. But just like the proverbial bad penny, circumstances have conspired to bring him back into the chaos.

The book exposes the dangers of plastic surgery, the torture and pain the vain and egotistical put themselves through to attain perfection, and also the dangers of working with heavy machinery. The dialogue is full of funny and witty commentary that had me laughing. It's hard to believe that this book is over thirty years old. I wish I had known about these books when they were first published, never mind, better late than never. I know what I'm going to be reading for the foreseeable future." 

Lifting the Lid by Rob Johnson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Prepare to be thoroughly entertained and delighted! This book is an absolute joy to read, brimming with amusement and an engaging plot. The cast of characters is expertly crafted, each one adding depth to the story. The dialogue is top-notch, filled with witty banter that will keep you smiling throughout. 

Following Trevor and his loyal canine companion, Mlliy, is a wild ride of non-stop adventures and mishaps. They dash from one catastrophe to another, without a moment to catch their breath or even enjoy a proper meal. But that's what makes this journey all the more enthralling. 

The author's skilful storytelling keeps the pages turning, and you'll find yourself fully immersed in their escapades. It's a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish, and you won't want it to end. 

In summary, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an entertaining and captivating tale with well-rounded characters, witty dialogue, and a plot that never lets you catch your breath. 

Trouble on Paradise by Craig Alanson

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Reduced Ransom! (Hotshot Book 1) by Mike Faricy

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 

Pitched as "humor" and a "comedy," I would go as far as to say it is mildly amusing in some situations. As for the ineptitude of the main characters, they were surprisingly successful in their endeavors. Although they decided on one of the most difficult crimes to commit - kidnapping - the exchange of the ransom money is normally fraught with complexities, but our perpetrators had no such problems. I think the victims were dumber or more unstable than the perpetrators. Either that, or the kidnappers were clever in choosing their victims extremely well. There are no good guys in this caper, just some guys better than others.

The plot was straightforward, with a medium-paced narrative, decent characterization, some amusing dialogue dotted here and there. It was an enjoyable and entertaining, lighthearted look at the kidnap business. There seems to be a conflicting message; they say crime doesn't pay, unless you're incompetent and extremely naive, in which case, it does. 

THE ANCIENT CODE: A SciFi Adventure by T.S. Falk

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

2.0

 I think this type of genre has been saturated by this type of premise, to have a truly original story on this subject you have to think outside the box, unfortunately I think this one is still in it. There is nothing new here.
As batty as it may seem I didn’t feel excited or exhilarated by it, if I have to categorise or rate it I would say it was okay, average, mediocre. 

Dirty Weather by Gregg Hurwitz

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 A short review for a short story. So much to take in, in just twenty-odd pages. An ingenious and clever plot, a definite 'ta-da' moment worthy of an 'Elementary, my dear Watson." 

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

Wow, what a ride, what a journey—the odd couple. This book has just about everything in it: friendship, regrets, redemption. Even a generational gap doesn't mean two people can't connect. It's a thrilling escapade, a mystery, filled with humor and emotional turmoil. The plot is excellent, and the characterization is well-rounded in every way—relatable, likable, and believable. It's a classic page-turner, a must-read until the end. The narrative is well-crafted, engaging, and well-paced.

Overall, it's a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read, well worthy of your time. You will not regret reading this book.