Author Discussion Boards - the Good and the Ugly: Do they affect readers opinions?

NOTE: This is the first in what will be a random, occasional series on author boards, author websites and the extras that authors do and don't do for their readers.

JAX:  How into your authors do you get? Do you just enjoy the books, and that's enough for you? Do you look up everything they've ever written, and see if perhaps their websites offer little extra tidbits? And are you more likely to follow an author if they have extras on their sites?

I do all of the above. Some books just don't inspire me to track down everything. But others...they draw me in. The characters become friends, and I love to get every last detail I can about them. It's fun to go to an author's site and see what sweet treats they leave for their readers. Snippets, and slices of life that wouldn't quite fit in a novel, but are so great to read anyway. It's not something I expect every author to do, writing takes time and these freebies are special gifts to be treasured.

Another thing I love to see is a thriving discussion group on an author's board. One where you can discuss what were your favorite parts of the book, what didn't quite tickle your fancy, and what you outright didn't like. Now, I publish little things here and there - nothing nearly as complicated as a novel - so I have a very tiny understanding of how nerve-wracking it is to get bad feedback. It kicks up every childish instinct to stamp my foot and take my toys and go home. So I do understand that authors don't exactly want to run a message board that is filled with criticism of their work.

Unfortunately, I'm seeing and hearing of more and more boards where it is unacceptable to express anything but utter adoration and support for the author in question. Plot holes, timeline issues, changing a character's history mid-series...don't point it out! That's mean spirited. Don't like a character? A particular scene strike you as improbable or offensive? Zip it, or you'll be labelled a troublemaker. Or banned.  *blink* Really? Now when someone comes on the board with an attitude and is obviously being mean by pointing these things out, that's one thing. But I've seen people post perfectly reasonable objections, or even just ask for clarification, stating that they still like a book and admire the author, but some detail or another had caught their attention. Then be verbally pummeled by the masses. The only ones the mods take to task are those who didn't like something. Now, I take pains to be tactful on the boards, so I haven't been banned, and the only warning I've ever gotten was from a mod who vehemently disagrees with me, and seems to dislike that I'll look up and quote passages to support my views. (I'm kind of a brat that way.) But I've seen some articulate, elegantly written posts be deleted because there isn't some element of ass-kissing to them.

I hate to say it, but this can affect how I see a series, especially if it's one I already see as struggling. And it will make me think twice about picking up anything else written by that author. Some may see this as unfair, but let's look at the situation: The mods run a board in an author's name, and as such are an author's representatives. They need to be aware of that when they stand by or take part in belittling a reader, even if the reader expresses a view they dislike, that the author's reputation suffers.

I'm a member of several boards that are very even handed. The mods don't just keep the members in line, they keep an eye on each other, especially when one mod is a little more involved or passionate about a topic. Other boards seem to let mods run wild: edited, deleting and handing out warnings to any who dare to disagree with them. I do understand that as an author's work becomes more popular, it is harder to keep in touch on a board. I am grateful for the extra time any author will spend to address questions and comments. I know that moderating a board is an act of love for an author's work, and as a mod, I do feel protective of the author and her work. But there is a big difference between defending against "your work sucks" and shutting down someone who says "this didn't make sense to me." Being firm with the former is warranted. Being rude to the latter means making yourself and the author look bad.

BEA: I love author boards, even more than author websites. Why? Because author discussion boards allow me to discuss the characters, story lines, books and genres that I love. Before joining my first one almost 6 years ago, I had no one in my real life to discuss my fantasy, sci fi or romance books with. The majority of my family and friends looked down on them (and still do).  

Both author websites and author boards will have freebies and extras for visitors and members.  Some authors opt to do it on one or the other while some opt for both, others for neither (no online freebies or extras) and there are still some authors who don't have an online presence. I will read an author regardless of their online presence but what they say and do online, just like in other media, will and does affect my perception of them. I love the extras and freebies that are sometimes available, I love the boards that I hang out on, but they don't make or break an author for me. As long as I like the books, AND the author doesn't piss me off, I'll keep buying and/or reading. 

So, what pisses me off?  Mostly, it's attitude. If the author gets overly snarky, is frequently rude, or starts acting as if they are a deity's gift to the world, I start withdrawing. I may still read but I'm less likely to  talk up the books. Now, I don't boycott or threaten the author (you know, like those charming readers who go "You need to write X or I'll stop reading your books!"). I just stop talking up the books or author or maybe stop reading their books. Generally, I keep buying and reading as long as I enjoy the books. Will an author's board affect my reading habits and enjoyment? For better or worse, yes.

I belong to some of same boards as Jax, both the good ones and the not so good ones, okay, the ugly ones. Now, one of those I joined because I'd heard such awful things about the board. I just couldn't believe it could be as atrocious as I'd heard. It wasn't.

It was worse.  The rules were 10 miles long and had subsections which had subsections. It seemed as if you needed permission just to breathe. There was even an area of the board that was exclusively for happy, positive comments on the authors works. Say what? Mild, VERY mild constructive criticism was tolerated but barely. This same board has had to shut down and re-open on several occasions because matters got so out of hand. Frankly, the mods and admins struck me as tyrants, and they were speaking on the author's behalf! Quite literally; according to the board rules and FAQ's, we were to treat their statements as the authors own. 

After reading some of the mod statements and wandering about the board on different occasions, I decided that we were not meant for each other. I don't want to be treated like I'm an idiot nor be told what to think. Right or wrong, it left a bad taste in my mouth and I had less respect for the author. (I've since stopped reading that author's books, in part due to the board and in part due to my dissatisfaction with the books)

Another board I went to also had rules similar to the board I just talked about. I joined that one because I liked, though I didn't love, the books and a friend suggested I join. Sadly, I found it be even worse than the first. Jax later joined that same board and it's the one she mentions up above in her area.What really caused me to leave was a post I read. I don't recall which book it was or the particular character that the poster was referring to, but apparently s/he referred to a character by a nickname that was not board sanctioned BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POST WAS INTERRUPTED BY A MOD READING THE POSTER THE RIOT ACT FOR USING THEIR OWN NICKNAME FOR A CHARACTER FROM THE AUTHOR'S BOOK. And yes, the mod typed it just like that, bold red caps and all, smack in the middle of the post. I didn't, and still don't, know why the mod didn't simply edit the post and then PM the member. For that matter, I don't understand the whole nickname issue. But as soon as I read that, I knew that was the wrong board for me. Again, it gave me a bad impression of the author as well as the board. That she would allow such rude, tyrannical behavior leaves me less than impressed.

Now, I've had some good experiences on various author boards - made friends (like Jax), discovered new-to-me authors, even traveled to another country and across my own  country to meet other board members and the authors. I've gotten previews of new books, snippets of info, etc before non-board members, etc. All of which are great, and lots of fun. I've joined author boards that I have no quarrel with; I don't visit daily or even weekly, but I go when I can and I enjoy myself when I'm there.

But authors and board administrators, please remember that your board is both an opportunity to enhance your reputation and attract new readers, and an opportunity to anger and annoy your readers and members and earn a bad reputation, whether or not you deserve it. 

 **An FYI Note: Jax and I are both mods on discussion boards as well as members so we are very well aware of what's involved in running a board. Jax and I both mod at Kelley Armstrong's board (that's where we met); I mod at Patricia Briggs's board, and Jax is a mod at a board that I admin. Possibly, this results in our standards being higher than they might otherwise be.** 

Review of The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: April 5th, 2011

More Info: Amazon

Book Blurb:

The Nanny Diaries meets The Wedding Planner in this smart, dishy novel from the author of Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives—featuring a woman who runs San Francisco’s premier baby planning company and the mommies-to-be who seek out her services. 

Katie Johnson may make her living consulting with new moms on the latest greatest baby gadgets no parent should be without, or which mommy meet-ups are the most socially desirable, or whether melon truly is the new black, but the success of her marriage to her husband, Alex, depends on controlling her own urges toward motherhood.

He's adamant that they stay childless. Sure, Katie understands that he's upset over the fact that his out-of-town ex-wife rarely lets him see their ten-year-old son, Peter. But living vicariously through her anxious clients and her twin sisters' precocious children only makes Katie resent his stance more deeply.

While helping a new client—Seth Harris, a high tech entrepreneur who must raise Sadie, his newborn daughter, as a single parent after the tragic death of his wife in childbirth—maneuver the bittersweet journey from mourning husband and reticent father to loving dad, Katie’s own ideals about love, marriage, and motherhood are put to the test as she learns ones very important lesson about family: How we nurture is the true nature of love.

This review contains spoilers!

My Thoughts:

I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts of it I enjoyed. The book has humor yet tackles some weighty subjects - family, motherhood, health, the environment, decisions and their consequences, etc. It never gets preachy, and the characters are mostly likable. It's that latter part that is giving me problems, and where the spoilers come in. I couldn't think how to explain my dislike and my qualms without giving away some important plot lines.

Katie and  Alex have been married for about 10 years. Alex was married once before and has a son, Peter, that he hasn't seen or had contact with in 10 years. He doesn't want another child, saying it would be too painful. The implication is that having a child with Katie would be an intolerably painful reminder of his son but also implied is his belief that he and Katie would break up and he would lose yet another child. Alex is mostly portrayed as unlikable - arrogant, condescending, selfish, etc. We are not meant to like him.

Katie is funny, sweet, naive, and desperate for a baby. This is where it gets tricky. Alex has alternated between flat out refusing to have a child and implying that maybe someday they could. Understandably, this waffling frustrates Katie. She decides to take matters into her own hands (no, not like THAT, climb out of the gutter :D) Whenever they have sex, Alex wears a condom; additionally Katie is on a birth control pill.

Without telling him or talking to him, she goes off the pill. She also sets out to seduce him at every opportunity, preferably getting him drunk first so he will forget about wearing a condom. Alex is seemingly oblivious to her sudden seemingly insatiable sexual appetite. When getting him drunk enough to forget about condoms doesn't work, she sabotages his condom supply, poking holes in them all. Meanwhile,she tells herself that when she gets pregnant he will be so excited and happy that he won't be angry. That's all we see of Katie considering the consequences of having a child that she knows her husband does not want. Ever. Her conscience seemingly takes a vacation. She feels little guilt and when, later in the story, she finds out about betrayals that both Alex and her parents have committed she gets all self-righteous and holier than thou. Her own moral failing and betrayal of Alex don't even cross her mind.

As obnoxious as Alex is made out to be, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him re Katie's behavior. He is no angel, but neither is Katie. Her desire for a baby consumes her, blinding her to her behavior and the possible consequences. Now, I'm not a mother and am not likely to become one but I know that for women who want to have a child biologically their own and can't for some reason, that it can sometimes become a consuming passion. It's a ton of heartbreak and something difficult for others to understand.

However, Brown can't seem to decide whether the novel is a serious look at motherhood, families and consumerism (more on that in a minute) or a light-hearted, humorous look at motherhood, families, and consumerism. The tone vacillates wildly. On the other hand, she has a sharp-eye for the way that people interact, what motherhood does to women (both good and bad) and gently pokes fun at the inherent materialism and consumerism involved in the concept of a baby-planner. Katie is exceedingly thorough in her research for her clients and initially, quite honest, and honestly, a bit prim. After she and Alex break up (what? I said this review had spoilers) she goes all uber-bitchy and throws her principles out the window. I was happy to see that reverse course a bit later on.

Overall, it's not a bad book. I wish Brown had gone more in-depth with the morals and consequences of Katie's obsession. At no time does Katie acknowledge her deceitful behavior but she sure doesn't hesitate to excoriate Alex or her parents for their betrayals or perceived betrayals. Parts of the story are predictable but overall, it was engaging, thought-provoking and interesting.

This paperback was received from the publisher for review.

Review of Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm? by Perry Romanowski

Publisher: Harlequin


Release Date: February 15th, 2011

More info: Amazon

Book Blurb:

Why does my shampoo stop working? 
Are my cosmetics poisoning me?
What does hypoallergenic mean?
Are organic products better?

Every day thousands of people turn to the scientists at the popular blog TheBeautyBrains.com for answers to their most pressing beauty questions. In Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?* you'll learn how cosmetic products work, what advertising claims actually mean, and how to make smarter buying decisions.

You'll discover that:

• Salon products are not necessarily better than products you can buy in the store.
• Some of the most expensive cosmetics are made by the same companies that make the less expensive       brands, and often the same formulas are used in both.
• You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to look and feel good.

You'll also find:

• 4 ways to tell if your cosmetic has expired
• 5 home beauty gadgets that really work
• 4 easy tips to longer, stronger nails
• and much, much more!

*You can! See chapter 6.

My Thoughts:

Here in the US, we use many, many personal care and body care products on a regular, even daily, basis. They have chemicals, some are practically nothing but chemicals. Companies have marketed all sorts of products: to stop sweat, to lessen wrinkles or dark spots, to clean our teeth, and to improve our appearance, or at least, our perception of our appearance. Most of us have contemplated whether those products will deliver what they promise or imply, and whether the more costly products are worth the extra expense.

"Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?" is an easy to read book that analyses and compares the ingredients in some of the currently popular beauty and hygiene products, comparing high-end products with their lower budget counterparts.You might actually be surprised by the results. The lower priced are often, but not always, as good as or better than the higher end items, and the book explains why, and what to look for in the labels. It also talks a bit about safety, in addition to value.

Some of the information does get a little technical, usually when Romanowski is answering a question (the book is written in a question and answer format, with the questions being taken from her website, "TheBeautyBrains.com") . Most of the book is written in an easy to understand style, but it’s not dumbed down. There’s also some myth-busting, including fragrances in skin products, getting rid of pimples and brushing your hair for 100 strokes.
 
If you’re looking for a book that tells you which brand or product to buy, this not the book for you; this gives you the information that you need so you can make informed decisions, but it also says, repeatedly, that if you like it, and can afford it, buy what you want. Romanowski doesn't tell us what to do, she presumes that we are intelligent enough to make our own decisions.

This book is a trendy, dated book in that it looks at popular products in use at the time it was written. It also addresses labeling laws and other regulatory matters pertaining to beauty and hygiene products here in the US. In a year or so, much of the book will be outdated. The chemistry likely won't change much but the products and ingredients probably will, at least somewhat, and the regulatory aspects probably will also.

I found the book to be an easy, fun to read (there were a few dry spots when it got extra-technical) that was informative and useful. The tone is that of a friend speaking to another friend, it never gets pompous or presumptuous. It was definitely worth reading.

This eARC was received from NetGalley.

Review of Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: January 25th, 2011

More Info: Amazon

Series: #1 Daphne Martin Mystery series

Book Blurb:

A routine cake delivery becomes a culinary nightmare when a small-town baker discovers her first client’s dead body in this irresistible new mystery series. 

It’ll take more than a little sugar to convince folks Daphne Martin’s freshly baked spice cake was not to blame for the mysterious death of town gossip Yodel Watson. Getting her new cake decorating business, Daphne’s Delectable Cakes, off the ground is hard enough now that Daphne’s moved back to her southern Virginia hometown, but orders have been even slower since she found Yodel’s body. She soon realizes, however, that just about everybody in town had a reason to poison the cantankerous busybody, from the philandering pet shop owner, to Yodel’s church potluck nemesis, to the Save-A-Buck’s cranky produce manager-turned-bagger. Now, to help prove she’s no confectionary killer, Daphne recruits her old flame, Ben Jacobs, editor of the local newspaper, and quickly stirs up a long-hidden family scandal that just might hold the secret ingredient she needs to solve the case. All she’s got to do is roll up her sleeves and get her hands a little dirty before the real culprit decides that taking sweet revenge on Daphne will be icing on the cake.

My Thoughts: 

This book was released several years ago but has been re-released with a new cover (see above) with some new material. I never read the original release so I can't compare the two.

Daphne is nice, is a bit naïve, and quite determined.  There was a wide ranges of characters in this book and Trent makes each one stand out. Daphne is starting a new life, trying to get her catering business off the ground and when Yodel's death threatens that, she finds herself investigating. She also gets involved in a family mystery which at first is intertwined with Yodel's death. While I did have fun reading this book, there were some parts in the middle where I did skim over as I felt that the story could have moved faster. Still, I enjoyed it and it held my attention.

I really liked that Daphne's involvement in the murder investigation rang true. Often in cozy mysteries, the amateur sleuths involvement requires a strong suspension of belief. This made sense and really worked. As is common with cozy mysteries involving food, there are some recipes at the back. They look relatively easy and like something your average baker could do. There are even baking tips sprinkled in throughout the book.

"Murder Takes the Cake" is a light, enjoyable, easy read.

This paperback was received from the publisher for review.

Review of The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch

Publisher: Pocket Star Books

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2011

More Info: Amazon

Series: no actual series but the third book to feature the protagonist

Book Blurb:

Michael St. Pierre, a reformed master thief, thinks he has left his criminal days far behind him, when he receives word that his best friend, Simon, has been locked up and sentenced to die in a brutal desert prison. Breaking into jail for the first time in his checkered career, Michael is stunned to discover that his new girlfriend, KC, is connected to Simon’s case. 

With a madman on their heels, the three adventurers make their way to Istanbul in search of the mysterious artifact that landed Simon behind bars in the first place: a map containing the location of a holy place lost to the mists of time, a repository of knowledge and treasure predating Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Testing their courage and wits, Michael and his team are forced to plot a series of daring thefts that take them inside some of the city’s most celebrated (and heavily guarded) sanctums, from the imperial harem of Topkapi Palace to the tombs of the Hagia Sophia itself. More than priceless artifacts are at stake—the lives of loved ones and perhaps the fate of humanity itself hang in the balance. 

A globe-trotting adventure that wings from the glittering banks of the Bosporus to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, The Thieves of Darkness confirms Richard Doetsch’s place as the modern-day master of pulse-pounding suspense.

My Thoughts:

"The Thieves of Darkness" is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Doetsch has a engaging style of writing that draws you in and holds you all the way. He takes you on an excursion through mystery, suspense, murder, romance and faith all in one book. The book is almost 500 pages and rarely slows down. The story could have been tightened up a bit but it held my attention and kept me reading. There are surprises around every corner and some that took me surprise but the clues and hints were there. The plotline and the religious themes reminded me somewhat of Dan Brown's books but with more, IMO, depth of characterization and detail. Doetsch clearly did his research and it shows.

I was a little uncertain at times exactly what the real nature of the treasure was but after reading the entire book and thinking about it, I have a better understanding and I think Doetsch was purposefully vague. The very nature of the treasure involves some vagueness. There are some unlikely coincidences, and the motives at times are fuzzy but the story held my attention. There's a lot of grey in the book, not everything is a clear case of black or white, good or evil. The characters make the best choices they can and hope for the best. The main bad guy has no redeeming qualities but he was an exception and even he was at times someone I could almost empathize with or understand.

Doetsch is ambitious, "Thieves of Darkness" is another thriller with everything but the kitchen sink and I can easily see it as a movie but overall, it's a fun, engaging and even thought provoking action thriller.

This paperback was received from the publisher for review.

An interview with mystery author Patricia Rockwell

Today we have Patricia Rockwell, a retired communications professor who now writes and publishes mysteries. She has two blogs: one, Communication Exchange about talking and communication, and Subjective Soup,Cozy Cat Press. You can also find her at Twitter and facebook. which is more of a personal blog. The press she founded is called

Bea:  Thank you for joining us today. First, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?


Patricia: I am a retired university professor who has recently taken up writing and publishing cozy mysteries.  I grew up in Nebraska and got my Bachelor and Master's degrees from the University of Nebraska but went all the way to Arizona for my doctorate.  My husband Milt is a retired Air Force officer and we travelled quite a bit when he was in the service.  We now live in Illinois close to family.  We have two adult children--a son and a daughter.

Bea: You were a college professor for many years. What did you like best about teaching?


Patricia:  loved teaching which I did most of my life.  Actually, I spent about four years of my career teaching in a high school and the rest at the college level.  I absolutely prefer teaching at the college level because the teacher is not required to be a babysitter and prison guard as they often are in the public schools.  I remember spending a lot of time on "smoking duty" when I taught in high school.  It was my task to patrol restrooms for wayward students who were trying to sneak a cigarette.  I'm just not cut out for that kind of interaction with students.  At the college level, my conversations with students are about their education, course work, and their futures.  Believe me, I have nothing but admiration for public school teachers.  They are asked to do a monumental task.

Bea: What prompted you to start writing fiction? Was it a long time dream?

Patricia: I've always been a reader--primarily mysteries.  As a college professor, I was expected to conduct my own research which entailed writing and publishing it in order to secure tenure.  I actually enjoyed academic writing, even spending eight years as a regional journal editor.  When I retired, I was able to put my academic writing, editing, and publishing experience to use and begin my second career as a fiction author and publisher.  

Bea: Why murder mysteries? And why someone in your field? Because you know the subject so well? Or do you think that there is a lot of potential in subject for mystery stories?


Patricia: As I said, I've always loved reading murder mysteries.  I love the puzzle aspect to them.  Actually, it wasn't until I started writing my first mystery that I discovered that the kind of mystery I liked and the kind I wrote was called a "cozy" mystery.  I like a story with an intriguing plot that the reader gets to solve along with the detective.  I don't care at all for excessive blood and violence, chase scenes, or foul language.   This is what cozies are.  Why me and my field?  If you mean, why have an amateur sleuth who solves crimes using acoustic technology, the answer is that I personally used such technology extensively in my own research so I'm quite familiar with how it works.  No, I never solved any crimes with it, but once a local television station did contact me and asked me to listen to an on-air interview with a suspect and tell them if the suspect was lying.  I did listen to the interview and reported some of the suspects behaviors and what those behaviors indicated in many typical situations.  However, I pointed out to them that just because the person exhibited these behaviors did not guarantee that they were lying.  

After my first Pamela Barnes mystery came out, one critic suggested that the potential for future stories where Pamela could solve mysteries using only sound clues was limited.  I beg to disagree.  I have finished three books in this series and am working on the fourth.  Obviously, sound is not a clue in all murders, but it can be a clue--and an interesting one--in many fictional crimes.

Bea: Do you have plans to write more books? Will they be more Pamela Barnes stories, or something new?


Patricia: I plan to write at least one book in this series each year.

Bea: You have twitter and facebook accounts, along with a LinkedIn account and several blogs. As someone who has spent time teaching and researching communication, what are your thoughts on these social sites? As a writer and publisher, do you believe they are necessary to be successful? 

Patricia: I have mixed feelings on social sites.  The landscape here is changing so fast that users have to work really hard to keep up with which sites work for them.  Truthfully, blogs were the "in" thing several years ago, but seem to be fading in preference to Twitter, Facebook, etc.  But just as quickly as blogs can decline, so can these media.  Maybe next year, Twitter and Facebook will be passe and something we don't even know about now will be popular.   Also, as an author of cozy mysteries, I am always cognizant of the results of the recent Sisters in Crime mystery readers' survey which indicated that the vast majority of cozy mystery readers are older women and that most of them do NOT use the Internet.  

Bea: Why did you start up your publishing company? What are your goals? Do you have any other books coming out?  

Patricia: I started my publishing company, Cozy Cat Press, because I truly love publishing and editing.  I got a taste of it when I worked in academia as I mentioned before.  I really love working with writers and helping them bring their work to fruition.  CCP just signed our third author and her cozy mystery will out later this year.

Bea: What's a typical writing day like for you? Are you an outliner or do you wing it? 

Patricia: A typical day for me is spent at my computer.  Most of my day is spent promoting my company and its books--as opposed to actual fiction writing.  When I'm actually writing a book, it's an all day activity for about a month until it's done.  Yes, I do use an outline but I adjust it as I go.

Review of The Survivor by Sean Slater

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: March 3rd

More Info: Amazon

Book Blurb:

Columbine. Dunblane. Virginia Tech. Winnenden. But Saint Patrick's High?

In his first hour back from a six-month leave of absence, Detective Jacob Striker's day quickly turns into a nightmare. He is barely on scene five minutes at his daughter's high school when he encounters an Active Shooter situation. Three men wearing hockey masks - Black, White, and Red - have stormed the school with firearms and are killing indiscriminately.

Striker takes immediate action. Within minutes, two of the gunmen are dead and Striker is close to ending the violence.

But the last gunman, Red Mask, does something unexpected. He runs up to his fallen comrade, racks the shotgun, and unloads five rounds into the man, obliterating his face and hands. Before Striker can react, Red Mask flees - and escapes.

Against the clock, Striker investigates the killings for which there is no known motive and no known suspect. Soon his investigation takes him to darker places, and he realizes that everything at Saint Patrick's High is not as it appears. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his world becomes. Until Striker himself is in the line of fire.

And the violence follows him home. 

My Thoughts:

Slater has a knack for grabbing the reader’s attention and making them want to keep turning the pages. Although, the first chapter or two didn't grab me right off, but then I was drawn in and the story kept me engrossed. The funny thing was, I'd had it for several months but kept procrastinating. Once I started reading, I regretted procrastinating.

 I enjoy reading mysteries, especially ones where you think you know what's going on, but you really don't. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, Slater threw a curve ball. There are some cliches; the one that annoyed me the most was the cop, in this case Striker, who rebels against his superior and constantly clashes with him. But despite that, it worked and it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

In fact, I almost liked the lead shooter. We have some insight into his mind, thanks to the chapters written from his point of view. This worked very well, and made him more human to me. I felt sorry for him, or rather, the younger, child form of him.
 
The story is told in multiple view points, primarily Striker's, his daughter Courtney, and one of the killers, though it's a while before we learn his identity. Even when we learn his identity, we still don't know what is going on or what the motivation was. The story is complex and layered and while the ultimate reason for the shootings are fairly mundane, the back story and detours are detailed and fascinating.

The character development was strong in this book though I would have liked to see more development of Striker's partner, Felicia Santos. There's another book planned so perhaps we'll see it then.Overall, the characters feel real, people you might in your every day life.

The book does contain violence and some torture scenes, but they are not overly graphic. I think. I am a total wimp so I skimmed those but from what I read, they weren't too bad. Just too much for me.

Although I read mysteries regularly, I think this was my first that was set in Canada. That made it interesting for me, to see the similarities and differences between there and the USA, where I live. It was less of a cultural struggle for me than when I first started reading books set in the UK.

This paperback was provided by Simon & Schuster UK 

End of Month Giveaway! Open globally

So, to close out the month of murder and mayhem, I am having a giveaway. I may even do this every month, or every month where I have print books to mail. :)

Up for grabs are some of the books that I reviewed this month. Which ones? Well, the ones that I have print copies of :D A few are ARC's so the covers are different and there are some typos plus the final content of the printed book may differ; most are the final book. I'm having camera problems so for now, I'll use the cover pix from the posts. The winner can choose up to 3 of the listed books, and it's open internationally. April 1st, (no kidding, honest!) I'll use random.org to choose a winner.

Who is eligible to enter? If you commented on a review this month, then you will be entered. Sorry, only review comments count.

The Books:

1. Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent
2. The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater (ARC)
4. Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (ARC - has different cover & title)
5. Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne
6. Altar of Bones by Philip Carter
7. Treachery in Death by JD Robb