Eric
4.5 of out 5.0
America's Classic Ballparks by James Buckley is a loving tribute to Major League Baseball Parks, both past and present. Stunning photography and written history celebrates the unique beauty of each stadium examined. It was wonderful to see Tiger Stadium as it is usually an omitted place in the annuals of famous ballparks.
As a baseball fan this was a wonderful journey thru the past into the present attitude in how ballparks are developed and built. I highly recommend this amazing book.
This book was not good. That short sentence was about as entertaining as the best sentence in People Suck.
4.0 out of 5.0
Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiles Help Solve Crime by Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster is a very engrossing introduction into the many types of Profiling used to track, capture and convict the guilty criminals. So many different types of profiling are examined, providing both the positive and negative areas of each effort. It is surprising to discover how far criminal profiling has evolved in the past century and exciting to see the new techniques just being tested. From psychological profiling to geographical profiling and beyond, this book will keep you reading well past your bedtime. The case studies of how certain profiling styles helped catch famous killers, rapists and more, certainly helps in understanding scientific principles brought to light.
Although some of the terminology was difficult to grasp, each chapter was extremely fun and informative. I highly recommend Criminal Profiling for anyone with an interest in how the world seeks its worst offenders.
4.0 out of 5.0
Dahlia in the Dark Vol 1 by Joe Corallo is a graphic novel that tells the story of a supernatural hitman on a mission to deliver a package. It seems that he is on his way out of the business and on the outs with his daughter. The story is weaves a story of bleak redemption and is very gritty.
The art work brings the story to life with its willingness to display the written violence and gore.
Highly recommend for those who like dark urban fanatsay.
4.0 out of 5.0
Life Zero by Stefano Vietti is a collection of the first three comics in the Life Zero Series. Set in a major city during a zombie outbreak, a small group of military special forces attempt a series of rescue missions.
Life Zero is a brutal examination of the choices within the type of living displayed. The storyline is very captivating, matched by the beautifully wicked art that keeps you drawn into this world of horror and chaos.
If you like the Walking Dead but want something a bit more intense then I would give Life Zero a read. Highly Recommended.
3.0 out of 5.0
The Stone of Destiny by Andrew Neil MacLeod is an Action / Adventure with Mysterious elements sprinkled into the stories. Set in 18th Century Scotland, Samuel Johnson and James Boswell search for the legendary Stone of Destiny and encounter many strange people along the journey.
The writing seemed to reflect the past method of serialized storytelling. This choice helps to set the atmosphere of a spooky Scotland in which ancient folklore lurks around every Abbey. The caricaturized personalities of Johnson and Boswell did not work at all. Johnson was a Holmes type intellectual while Boswell was a W. C. Fields type womanizing drunk.
Some of the stories were a good fun read but the main quest was a dull tale. Not a recommend.
4.5 of 5.0
On the Trail of Jack the Ripper by Richard Charles Cobb simulates the London Terror Walk Tour through its captivating photography and engrossing narrative. Although over a hundred years have passed since the Whitechapel Murders occurred, you will still experience the eerie setting of those nights of shadows.
The author provides a great introduction for beginning Ripper readers and will engage with seasoned enthusiasts as it explores the case murders and similar crimes not officially assigned to Jack the Ripper.
If you love True Crime Fiction then this is a must read!
4.5 out of 5.0
The Cimmerian Vol 4 by Mathieu Gabella and Julien Blondel is the graphic novel version of BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER and HOUR OF THE DRAGON, two stories in the Conan universe created by Robert E. Howard.
The art work brings the story to life with its exquisite attention to detail and willingness to display the written violence and gore.
Highly recommend for any Conan fan.
Roberto Saviano upset organized crime when his novel, Gomorrah, gave him the opportunity to confront their wickedness. In this graphic novel Roberto exposes how a death threat from the Camorra Family has changed his life. Yearning for the freedom in his pre-novel days, Roberto searches for stability in a life hidden and guarded from the those who wish him harm.
Artist Asaf Hanuka works well with the author to set the proper emotions with the use of color and symbolism. The simplicity of the art captures the childlike moments perfectly but is more complex in more mature moments.
I had a couple objections while reading. The self comparison to other authors, while accurate in the threat given, comes across at times as pompous. Also there are moments when the art symbiology misses in it's effort to express to many emotions.
Overall this was a powerful presentation of what must be difficult circumstances.
4 out of 5
Falcon Fire by Erik A. Otto is a Science Fiction Novel about colonial Venus and the different factions of humans struggling for control. Hix is the former actor convicted of killing his girlfriend and Neeva is the inspector whose sister was Hix's girlfriend. As they interact the truth about Venus everyone believes comes into question.
Falcon Fire is an action packed story from the start and keeps going until the conclusion. Character development was a key focus within the narrative, although the plot was excellent as well. The Venus and its civilization was very intriguing and hopefully will be visited again in further books.
Highly recommended! If you enjoy Sci Fi that takes on todays issues of misinformation and inequality then this is a must read.
3.5 out of 5.0
A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton is the first novel in a new mystery series based on the fictional character Mr. Quayle. Mr. Quayle is a World War I Veteran working as the secretary for an English Earl in the 1920's.
After a young lady is found murdered in the garden of Lord Unsworth's estate Mr. Quayle is assigned to assist the police detectives in the investigation as well as protecting the interests of the estate. As neither party is comfortable with this situation, this allows for some friction as they work together to solve the questions, who was this woman, why was she murdered and by whom.
Overall, the story was fairly standard mystery fare. A good mystery but nothing outstanding or revolutionary.
The narration however was the highlight of this experience. Rafe Beckley does an excellent job in giving each character it's own voice and his tone and pitch was very engaging in tense moments.
I recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in testing the audio format to see if would work for you.
Nothing but the Night, by Greg King and Penny Wilson, examines the 1924 murder of Bobby Franks and the subsequent trail of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in a modern perspective. When a pair Chicago's wealthy young men kidnapped and murdered a 14 year old boy for the thrill of the crime, it captured the world's attention.
Nothing but the Night cross examines many topics and themes still discussed in the court of public debate. Homosexuality, Capital Punishment and “Affluenza”, a mental condition known only by the wealthy, are just some of the topics dealt with in this wonderful work of Non-Fiction.
Greg King and Penny Wilson keep the pacing perfect and bring out all the colors for so many fascinating personalities. If you enjoy True Crime then give this book a “Must Read” on your TBR!
Good look into how the crimes not only the victims and their families but how it affected his own family and circle of friends.
4 out of 5
Waco by Jeff Guinn is a Non-Fiction account concerning the tragedy of the standoff between the ATF/FBI and the Brand Davidians in Waco Texas in 1993.
It starts with the beginnings of the religious group as it splinters from the Seventh Day Adventists, the transformation of Vernon Howell into David Koresh and how the US Government reacts to the information presented by ex-members and a concerned community.
Very hard to put down and highly recommended!
Tough read. I read it through only because I was told this was a “ must read” series. Did not enjoy as much as I hoped and forced myself to plod along.
I loved this book more for the historical lesson that the mystery of the plot. I had never heard of the atrocities that happen in Nanking. The different timelines tying in together was fun but ultimately I enjoyed the description of the Tokyo city and society more than the protagonist's past and why she needed to now what happened in Nanking.
This book was confused in its direction. So many holes and plot points just muckled. Yes Muckled. As good a word as this book deserves.