Sue Recommends Broken by Karin Slaughter

Broken brings together characters from two of Karin Slaughter's mystery series--the Atlanta with Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (2 book series) and Grant County with Dr Sara Linton and Police Officer Lena Adams (8 book series)--in an intriguing search for who and why a college student is stabbed and thrown into the local lake. The action is fast and the deaths keep coming as Will Trent tries to uncover secrets within the walls of the Police Station.

Will Trent is such an unusual character--an extremely bright, articulate investigator who is hiding secrets of his own (dyslexia, an unhappy marriage, and a "crush" on Dr. Sara Linton). He seems so mild mannered but is able to outwit suspects and witnesses through his easy interview style.

I enjoyed this novel so much that I am anxious to go back and read the other Will Trent books--Triptych and Fractured.

If you enjoy audiobooks, I felt that Natalie Ross performed well in her reading of this novel. SH

Sue Recommends Mullah's Storm by Thomas W. Young

Mullah's Storm is the most realistic and compelling novel that i have ever read. Suspenseful and electrifying from the beginning to end, and as close to reality as it could possibly be.--General Carl Stiner U.S. Army(Ret) Former Commander in Chief U.S> Special Operations Command

The Mullah's Storm is the first novel written by Thomas W. Young and I hope that his subsequent ones will offer the adventure, suspense, thrills, and vivid as life experiences that I found in this one.

Knowing the author's background--4,000 hours as a flight engineer for the Air National Guard in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and elsewhere...(from cover)--you find that he has written about thoughts, fears, and characters taken from his own experiences as well as those of colleagues from military engagements.

The author allows you to walk in the shoes of a downed pilot and an army translator in the Hindu Kush as they try to outmaneuver the Taliban; survive the extreme conditions in these snowy, frigid, and dangerous mountains; and keep control of a radical Muslim cleric who is their prisoner. You will not regret giving this book a chance and will not want to put it down.

For audio fans, I just found out that Scott Brick reads the audiobook. I plan to listen to it next as Mr. Brick transports you to the extreme conditions and situations of Mr. Young's story. SH

Sue Recommends The Lion by Nelson DeMille

Yes! Nelson DeMille's newest book in the John Corey series, The Lion, has been released! Those of us who yearn for him to release another book starring John as soon as we finish one are ecstatic to have a sequel to his encounters with the Libyan terrorist you love to hate--Asad Khalil. This time Khalil has the financial backing of Al-Qaeda in exchange for his participation in a terrorist act for them along the lines of another 9/11. You can count on nonstop action to keep you turning pages. For even more entertainment, try the audio recording of the book read by Scott Brick. He truly brings John Corey to life!

If you have not read The Lion's Game, you will want to read it first to understand the history Corey, a former NYPD police Homicide Detective and special agent to the Anti-Terrorist Task Force, and Khalil have. The rest of the series does not have to be read in order but the books do occasionally make references to events and people in earlier books. Start from the beginning and enjoy them all! SH



Plum Island (Book 1)
The Lion's Game (Book 2)
Night Fall (Book 3)
Wildfire (Book 4)

Stay up to date with DeMille's latest book releases with the Nelson DeMille Newsletter Sign-up .

Sue Recommends Reckless by Andrew Gross

Andrew Gross became well known when he co-authored books with James Patterson. However, Mr. Gross's own books are, in my opinion, much better written and the plot is much more complex and well-conceived than any that reached bestseller status with Mr. Patterson.

His latest, Reckless, integrates the idea of financial terrorism within the global banking industry that becomes deadly for those executing stock transactions. We have all been amazed in real life at the ability of these people to wreak havoc on global economies. Mr. Gross is able to take a fictional scheme and bring suspense, murder, and terror to a story that hooks the reader as a former NYPD cop, Ty Hauck, a character from Dark Tide and Don't Look Twice, and Naomi Blum, a U.S. Treasury Agent try to find the persons responsible for this financial scheme and save the global economy as major banks collapse. 5 stars in my book. Who is responsible? SH

Sue Recommends Silent Sea by Clive Cussler

Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul fill the bill for readers looking for suspense, action, adventure, and a bit of history with Silent Sea, the 7th installment of the Oregon Files series featuring tough, smart, tech-savvy Juan Cabrillo. The book works well as a stand alone title.

The drama begins as Juan's crew is retrieving a downed satellite from Argentina and discovers the remains of a WWII blimp. This pushes Juan into a race with the Argentinians and Chinese to prevent them from laying claim to the politically unattached Antarctic continent. The thrills never stop, AND if you listen to the Book on CD read by Scott Brick, you race through the story and are left panting for the next installment. SH

Sue Recommends True Blue by David Baldacci

Take a just former NPD police officer, Mace Perry, wrongfully accused of a felony, mix her with a lawyer, Roy Kingman, who finds a colleague's dead body in the office refrigerator, add a NPD police chief, Beth Perry, who happens to be the sister of the felon, sprinkle with a secret government operation, and David Baldacci has the makings for another winning, suspenseful thriller and series

True Blue keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat while bodies continue to fall. Mace and Roy struggle to stay alive while solving a murder and possibly earn Mace her opportunity to be an NPD Blue again. Action and plot twists abound even though the characterization of Mace as a young woman with the skills of a super agent with knives, guns, outsmarting gang members and assassins is a bit unbelievable.

I listened to the Book on CD in my car and was disappointed when I reached my destination and had to leave Mace, Roy, and Beth behind as I returned to real life. SH

Debra enjoyed Pictures at an Exhibition

AudioFile Magazine's Earphones Award Winner Pictures at an Exhibition by Sara Houghteling is beautifully narrated by Mark Bramhall who has a unique ability to interpret each character's voice with unusual clarity. At times heartbreaking, fascinating and beyond our comprehension to imagine, Houghteling weaves a tale of prominent Parisian art dealer Daniel Berenzon whose fine collection has been looted while under German occupation in the early 1940's. The story continues after liberation when Daniel's son Max, in his attempt to recoup the vanished treasures, uncovers secrets that shake his already devastated world. Houghteling's descriptions of the Parisian landscape in the 1940's will capture your imagination and make you feel as though you are really there.

Debra recommends 'A Fortunate Age'

A 'starred review' in Booklist, A Fortunate Age by Joanna Smith Rakoff, is reminiscent of Mary McCarthy's The Group. Rakoff's debut novel highlights a group of bright, ambitious Oberlin grads coming of age in the 1990's in New York City. The politics of the era are competently woven in the story of this arts loving group of twenty somethings as they emerge into adulthood. The story is further enhanced in the audio recording expertly narrated by Christina Moore.

Debra recommends : In Defense of Food

Michael Pollan's audio recording of In Defense of Food is narrated by Scott Brick with his enviable energy, pacing and articulation. Audiofile magazine says ....of all Pollan's work, this particular title requires the most force and assurance, and the pacing of a skilled reader. Pollan's denunciation of "the ideology of nutritionism," packed with studies, names, theories, and suppositions, is food for two or three listenings. Pollan's conviction and enthusiasm is contagious. Enjoy!