"Split Second" by David Baldacci

“Split Second” by David Baldacci was the #1 bestseller according to New York Times, as well it should have been.  This first installment of the explosive team, King and Maxwell, starts at the moment when the two meet.  From this instant on, the ex-Secret Service agent, King, and the somewhat tarnished agent, Maxwell, are thrown together in the most dangerous of situations.  The mystery that they are trying to untangle is, from the very beginning, baffling.  To make matters worse, as soon as they unweave one strand of the puzzle, ten more are added.  Like a snowball rolling downhill, King and Maxwell are confronted with a chilling dilemma, the solution of which not even the reader could fathom. It is a surprisingly confusing web brought on by a love story that is described as being “a sick, twisted version of [love]”.  The reader finds that King and Maxwell “move at the speed of light” to find a mad man and thwart another of his murderous schemes. 
As I found Mr. Baldacci’s book a delight to read, I gave it five out of five stars.  His mesmerizing style kept me jumping from one suspect to another until the very end, when it all becomes clear.  I found myself asking, “Why didn’t I think of that?”  “For a moment there I thought the fairy-tale ending would actually happen”, but I was wrong…or was I?  When Sean King lost that “specter of guilt that had haunted him” for years, Michelle Maxwell says to him, “You can rebuild [your life], better than before”, leaving it wide open for their next action-packed case together.  That installment of this wonderful series is patiently waiting for me to crack the spine.

"The Spark"

“The Spark” is about a firefighter, Donny Robertson, who goes from problem to problem as he tries to solve the killing of his friend, Fitz.  Fitz’s death looks innocent enough to everyone but Donny.  It began when Fitz and Donny answered a call that seemed to be a routine fire. Once in the building, Fitz got split up from Donny when he tried to save a man in an office, who turned out to be dead before the fire was set. Fitz was caught in the room and burned to death.  The fire was ruled an accident, but Donny thought differently.  He just could not accept what the other firefighters were saying.  So, he started to dig into the cause of the fire.  In doing so, he found himself the subject of an assassin.  However, that did not stop him from snooping around and he eventually met “The Spark”, who was hired to kill the inventor who was the original target.

“The Spark” is a first-time novel by John Kenny that was first available last month.  It is the most exciting first-time book that I have ever read.  It is full of tension and suspense.  Kenny has a background in firefighting, so it gives the reader a peek into a firefighter’s exciting life.  I, for one, am waiting for Mr. Kenny to decide to write another book, as his style is fast-paced and easy to follow.  I would suggest this book to anyone who is a fan of suspense, drama or mystery.

"Power" by Debra Webb

“Power” by Debra Webb is the third book in the series, “The Faces of Evil”.  It covers a week in the life of Deputy Chief Jess Harris.  It is not as fast paced as the first two installments, but still Jess solves two very different cases.  One was an unexpected murder that took place in a high class dance class.  The co-owner and dance teacher is killed in the first few pages.  As the victim lay dying, the killer whispered a cryptic message in her ear.  “Dead ballerinas don’t get to dance”.  Jess has too many suspects and too little time to solve this mystery.

In the meanwhile, a young man disappears from his grandparents’ loving home.  This baffling case leads to the demolition of Jess’ hotel room.  There, another message is scrawled on the wall with spray paint, like graffiti; “THE RAGE HAS STARTED”.  This is the beginning of a street gang war, in which a brother and sister fight for the lead position of the most powerful gang in the area.

“Power” was not my favorite of the series so far, but it was still well-written with Ms. Webb’s style of tension and suspense.  I enjoy this series’ characters, especially Jess and Burnett, whose history together adds another layer to the mystery.  The next book in the series is “Rage”, which I am excited to read.  

Upcoming

I just received "The Spark" from the author, John Kenny, today.  Since it is a first read, I will begin reading it now.  Look for the review shortly.

I wanted to have this thriller for you at Halloween, but my timing is off.  I will be reading it after "The Spark", and will review it as soon as I finish.

~Also ~ 

I will be reviewing "Power" by Debra Webb next week.

The Complete Kitten Care by Amy Shojai ~ An Overview

As you know, I am currently listening to "The Complete Kitten Care" by Amy Shojai, which I will be reviewing.  In the meantime, Ms. Shojai was kind enough to provide an overview to whet your appetite.

Complete Kitten Care is the Whole Kitten Caboodle!

This is it – – the one book you need when you're ready to add a new kitten to your household. The award-winning1st Edition has been revised and updated for this Kindle Edition with the latest care and behavior information. You can also get the read by the author! This book offers a veritable "Kitten 101" packed with feline facts on…

•  choosing, training, and communicating with your kitten
•  the personalities of different breeds
•  pedigreed versus shelter kittens
•  introducing a kitten to your family members and pets
•  understanding feline behavior
•  food and grooming considerations
• common medical concerns
•  living a long and happy life with your kittens as they grow into adulthood
• cat legends, myths, and fun facts
•  plus an updated list of kitten and cat resources: HOT LINKS to the best kitten Web sites, cat associations, magazines, and pet product stores

Kudos:

“What baby expert Dr. Benjamin Spock did for people, Amy Shojai has done for cats… Everything you need to know to begin a blissful life with your kitty.”

         –  Ed Sayers, President, San Francisco SPCA

"When you purchase a kitten, there should be four requirements by law: food, water dish, litter box, and this book."

       – Steve Dale, Pet Central and Animal Planet Radio Host and Syndicated Columnist

"Finally there's an informative, fun filled guide to help us raise the best cats possible… filled with practical solutions, delightful stories, and the latest in kitten-care research.

      – Bob Walker and Francis Mooney, Authors of  The Cat's House and Cats into Everything

"Covers kitten selection and care issues from A to Z… [a] thorough guide to getting your new baby off on the right paw."

     – Carol Nelson Douglas, Author of the Midnight Louie Mysteries

"Hairspray and Homicide" by Cindy Bell

“Hairspray and Homicide” by Cindy Bell is a cozy mystery which is a series. The main character, Bekki, a top hairstylist in New York City, has just had her world cave in around her. She has lost her reason for living; her man has dumped her. She does what any girl in her position would do; she goes back to her roots. Back home, she finds her mom, dad and a long-lost love. However, she also finds herself in the middle of a feud between her mom and her mom’s business rival, which leads to murder.

This is the first cozy mystery which I have read, and while I find it a little simple, it was enjoyable to spend a few hours instead few days reading one story. Unlike most of the series that I read, I am not enticed to read the second book. I realized that a cozy mystery is by nature a shorter version of a story. However, I am used to having the characters fleshed out for me, which was not the case in “Hairspray and Homicide”. I will give the genre, Cozy Mysteries” another try at a later date.

Coming Soon ~ Power Review

Keep your eyes open for the review of the third book of "Faces of Evil" series, "Power" by Debra Webb.