The Anvil - Ken McClure - Book 136

The Anvil is a medical thriller. All of the people involved in the development of a wonder drug that virtually eliminates the need for facial reconstructive surgery die inexplicably - except one, who spends years on the run before deciding to fight back against the drug company that once employed him. Full of entirely believable scientific skullduggery, this book was a gripping read. Recommended.

Worth Dying For - Book 72

I said I couldn't wait to read Worth Dying For, the next in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child, so I started on it within a few days of finishing 61 Hours. I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was pleased to find out he'd survived the last book and that despite some injury was on top form as he took on a bunch of small town top dogs, their henchmen and various crime gangs, while solving a decades-old mystery. Classic Reacher action, well told. Highly recommended.

Lady Killer - Book 71

There's not much to say about Lady Killer, other than that I read it. Amazon describes this supposed thriller as 'less than convincing' and I think that's right. It was readable, but not enthralling, and I found myself skipping to the end to see how it turned out so I could put it down.

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - Book 68

With three cases going on at once, this is no ordinary thriller. A serial killer, a Mob connection, an evil twin (really!) and a deception by a friend, as well as a cast of well-drawn characters make Private a good read which I didn't want to put down. As usual, Patterson keeps chapters short and focused and there's always something happening. I liked the main character, ex-Marine Jack who runs Private Investigations and his many co-workers who help to solve all the crimes. I was happy to hear that there's another in the series which will be out soon. Highly recommended - 4 stars.

Killing Cupid by Mark Edwards and Louise Voss - Book 67

This is one of the best books I've read recently. Told in the form of the journals of the two main characters, it charts the ever-evolving relationship of Siobhan and Alex. It opens with a bang as one of the characters falls to her death (or was she pushed?) and the pace continues relentlessly throughout. As the novel progresses, the stalkee turns stalker, and both of the main protagonists teeter on the edge of obsession. You'll be surprised by how the relationship turns out - but will the workings of justice put an end to it all? A five star thriller!

Catch Your Death by Louise Voss and Mark Edwards - Book 66

"A secret conspiracy. A killer virus. A race to save the world. " - Amazon's description about sums up this gripping medical thriller about scientific conspiracy and megalomania. Scientist Kate Maddox is in a race against time to find out what happened at a research centre 20 years ago, discover who has kidnapped her son and stop the man responsible from unleashing a deadly virus. This is a pacy thriller which I couldn't put down. 4 stars.

61 Hours by Lee Child - Book 60

When a tour bus on which he bummed a ride skids off the road and crashes, Reacher finds himself in Bolton, S.Dak., a tiny burg with big problems. A highly sophisticated methamphetamine lab run by a vicious Mexican drug cartel has begun operating outside town at an abandoned military facility. After figuring out the snow-bound, marooned Reacher's smart, great with weapons, and capable of tapping military intelligence, the helpless local cops enlist his assistance, and, as always, he displays plenty of derring-do, mental acuity, and good old-fashioned decency. While the action is slower than usual, series fans will appreciate some new insights that Child provides into his hero's psyche and background as well as a cliffhanger ending. - Amazon.com

That description only gives a hint of the tension that builds throughout this gripping novel. As usual, Jack Reacher remains calm through a set of strange circumstances, involving prison riots, drug cartels and more. There's a shocking death near the end and the baddie is somewhat unlikely (I didn't see it coming) culminating in a cliffhanger that will only be resolved (I hope) in the next Reacher novel, Worth Dying For.

Infected, Contagious and Ancestor - books 55-57

Infected, Contagious and Ancestor are three books by Scott Sigler. I found them all unputdownable. Infected deals with a situation where "a number of unlucky humans ... develop some unusual symptoms—itchy, blue triangular growths on their skin—that eventually result in the carriers becoming screaming, homicidal maniacs" (Publishers Weekly).   Contagious is its equally riveting sequel. In contrast, Ancestor is about what happens when scientists try to play God, creating a throwback that could kill them all. Part medical and scientific thriller, part horror story, all three novels grip you from page one. I'm not a big horror fan, but found that in most cases, there was less gore than suspense (though there were some creative ends for some of the characters). Collectively, I give these books 4 stars.

Painless - Derek Ciccone - Book 25

Painless is the story of a little girl with CIPA and the secret government plot to kidnap her where she can join others of her kind - and their parents - in a top secret breeding facility. CIPA is a genetic mutation which prevents people from feeling pain. This means that they miss the warning signals that keep them from danger - but it also makes them into great soldiers for dangerous missions - exactly what the breeding program is all about. This is a fast paced thriller, with lots of twists, turns and shady characters, and is a great read.

Amazon's description:

A fast-paced thriller mixed with a heartwarming story of redemption. A series of ominous incidents make Billy Harper realize there is something very different about Carolyn Whitcomb. But when a rogue organization called Operation Anesthesia learns of Carolyn’s 'gifts', Billy must risk everything to save the life of the little girl who taught him to live again.

Blood Hunt - Ian Rankin - Book 23

I've never been the biggest fan of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels, though I suppose they are ok, but I found Blood Hunt unputdownable. From the minute Gordon Reeve learns of his brother's death to the resolution at the end, this book is a rollicking good read. Reeve is a former member of the SAS who ends up investigating a cast of villains which, rather improbably, includes one of his former squad mates. Every chapter brings a new bit of action and the story zips along nicely. Loved it!

The Venetian Judgement by David Stone - Book 5 (plus 1)

My fifth book was the Venetian Judgment by David Stone. I'd previously read the Orpheus Deception, so I expected an action-packed Robert Ludlum style thriller. Here's Amazon's description:

CIA cleaner Micah Dalton has taken his revenge against the Serbian gang who shot his lover. Then he receives a mysterious jade box containing a stainless steel glasscutter. Someone is sending him a very serious message, a message that will force him back into action against a foe out to unleash chaos upon the world...

This book was a good read, though in my opinion not in the class of the Bourne series by Ludlum. What also makes it strange is the intermittent presence of a dead guy who gives the hero advice. This is explained away by the lingering effects of some substance he was tortured with, but it doesn't quite ring true.  If you like thrillers, you'll probably enjoy this anyway - I give it 3 out 5 stars (because I'm feeling generous).





So, what about the half, you ask? I've also read Clive Cussler's The Wrecker, set in the early 1900s when the US railroad was being built. I count it as a half because I started it before the challenge, though I only read 10 pages.




Here's what Amazon says:

Van Dorn Detective Agency operative Isaac Bell returns, this time to track down a clever saboteur who’s been dubbed the Wrecker. Seems the Wrecker has it in for the Southern Pacific Company, and he will stop at nothing, including murder, to keep the company from putting through a new railway line between San Francisco and northern California.

I found this a good read, though slow to start, The hero, his fiancee and the other main characters are very personable and once you get past the first third, the story moves at a good pace.