allthepage

I was anxious to read Richard North Patterson’s latest novel, Eclipse, partly because he’s a semi-local author, and partly because I’ve liked his past work. I used to read a lot of legal thrillers–a la John Grisham–which has been Patterson’s primary genre in the past, but have leaned more toward straight-ahead cop stories and serial killer sagas as of late. Much to my disappointment–at least as far as I read–Eclipse is less legal thriller than political nightmare. The protagonist, Damon Pierce, is a lawyer, but also a writer, who embarks upon a mission to Africa in hopes of freeing the husband of a fellow writer who is being held as a political prisoner.

I balked initially over the subject matter, because, truthfully, politics–in any country–often bores the hell out of me, and I have a tough time following various government machinations. If that makes me sound like a cretin, so be it. I decided to forge ahead with the novel, though, because, politics or not, the subject matter was compelling and the author a prior good read. After it took me a week to read the first hundred pages, I did what I almost never–almost never–do: I quit. The narration was dry, the chacters lacked any real development, and I just didn’t care what was around the next corner (although, in this case, probably guys with automatic weapons). To paraphrase another popular author, I just wasn’t that into it. And I have a stack of other stuff waiting. A really big stack.

I’m baaack! As much as I hate to admit it, losing the per-post income from this blog a couple of months ago sapped my motivation for writing as regularly as I had been. The truth is, not many people are checking in regularly, so, from a financial standpoint, I agree with the rate change. Still…

My latest guilty pleasure author is Lisa Jackson. I have reviewed her books here before, and went on to scoop up more, always appreciating a paperback that you can still buy for less than ten bucks. The latest set, are Hot Blooded and Cold Blooded.

Hot Blooded takes place in New Orleans and introduces a radio psychologist who is being stalked by a serial killer with a very weird and specific agenda. Everyone–from her crosstown competition to her new next door neighbor–is suspect.

Cold Blooded actually picks up where Hot Blooded leaves off, with a series of similar, but apparently unrelated murders that had been going on at the same time as the ones already solved. Another stalking serial killer, another generous dose of steamy–if tasteful–sex, and Detectives Bentz and Montoya doing their best to make the streets of New Orleans safe again. It’s formulaic, but it’s a formula that works for me.

The book that follows–or can stand alone–is The Night Before, which moves the action to Savannah, Georgia (something I occasionally wish I could do). Jackson is thoughtful enough to include a letter to readers at the end of her books, letting us know what comes next.

Thanks for your support, and–please!–tell a friend!