Review: Blood Quantum (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation #14)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jeff Mariotte
Format: Paperback
Pages: 310
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads): The Las Vegas team of investigators has its hands full following a free-spending night at an exclusive nightclub which leaves the chairman of the Cloud Mountain Paiute Tribe dead. Already surrounded by controversy, the victim had a message scrawled in his own blood at the scene that would indicate a crime of revenge--and members of the chairman's inner circle aren't talking, which leads to a vicious cycle of violence and murder....?

What I think: My first problem with this novel is that it uses the two different shifts. I prefer the CSI novels that only use one crime for the plot. Following two, even if they merge into one in the end, is a lot of work. I get confused as to which characters are working which case; though, by the end, I figured out who was doing what. There is just too much science mixed in for my brain to keep up (in the beginning). This makes me take longer to read them. I bet watching the TV show more would solve this problem but who has time to catch up on four seasons?

Actually, this was one of the more complicated of the CSI novels just because of how many characters were involved with each case but I liked this novel a lot. I loved how everything was wrapped up. The cases went right to the last page of the novel which was a little bit weird because even on the TV show they get a few minutes of character nonsense. It wasn't bad, just odd. 

What else? The action was good. It didn't seem forced. It happened as I would expect after watching the TV show. The author didn't try to overdo it or anything.

Basically, I liked it. 

In Conclusion: A great one for CSI fans...duh. I have another CSI review coming...sometime. Not much of a rereadable novel but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I don't really know what to say here, sorry all.

Review: Swan Peek (Dave Robicheaux #17)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: James Lee Burke
Format: Paperback
Pages: 402
Rating: 5 out of 10

Summary (peeking at Goodreads): "James Lee Burke's new novel, Swan Peak, finds Detective Robicheaux far from his New Iberia roots, attempting to relax in the untouched wilderness of rural Montana. He, his wife, and his buddy Clete Purcell have retreated to stay at an old friend's ranch, hoping to spend their days fishing and enjoying their distance from the harsh, gritty landscape of Louisiana post-Katrina." But the serenity is soon shattered when two college are found brutally murdered in the hills behind where the Robicheauxs and Purcell are staying. They quickly find themselves involved in a twisted and dangerous mystery involving a wealthy, vicious oil tycoon, his deformed brother and beautiful wife, a sexually deviant minister, an escaped con and former country music star, and a vigilante Texas gunbull out for blood. At the center of the storm is Clete, who cannot shake the feeling that he is being haunted by the ghosts from his past - namely Sally Dio, the mob boss he'd sabotaged and killed years before.

My Thoughts: So, I didn't really realize what I was getting into with this novel. It's one of those novels that somehow manage to sneak onto your shelves without you noticing. Eventually you look at it and think "I don't know where you came from" so you pick it up and look at it for a minute. You proceed to ignore it because it isn't your top priority then suddenly you have free time (you bring it on a trip with you so you have to read it) and you finally read the book. This is the first novel in this series that I've read but it didn't bother me. The author provides enough information on the characters and whatever back story is needed that reading the others wasn't important. That's good because this isn't the usual novel I read and I don't plan on buying that other 17+ novels.

This story is less character focused and more plot/action oriented. It really just tells you the story. It gives you the information and expects you to keep up. I thought it was interesting. I liked the mystery and how it was all tied together. I enjoyed that I followed along trying to get ahead. It didn't bother me too much that it wasn't super excited. I managed. 

I found myself rooting for characters. Other characters I totally hated. It worked out how it should have been in that area expect that so many times I wanted to smash Clete upside the head.

For me, I don't consider this very high on the reread list. My being stuck mainly within the interest of the young adult genre kind of keeps my interest elsewhere. This was a bit like CSI novels though, if you like that. Let me know what you think about this novel.

Finally: I doubt that I would turn down another in this series but I'm not going to search for them. This novel isn't really my thing but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I enjoyed the mystery of it. If any of the labels speak to you and your favourite type of novels then check this one out!

Bones of the Lost

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Kathy Reichs
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (GoodReads love): When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of two-lane highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. The girl’s body shows signs of foul play. Inside her purse police find the ID card of a prominent local businessman, John-Henry Story, who died in a horrific flea market fire months earlier. Was the girl an illegal immigrant turning tricks? Was she murdered?

The medical examiner has also asked Tempe to examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran named Dominick Rockett stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Could there be some connection between the trafficking of antiquities and the trafficking of humans?

As the case deepens, Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the Army. Meanwhile, Katy’s father Pete is frustrated by Tempe’s reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe soon finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that extends all the way from South America, to Afghanistan, and right to the center of Charlotte.

Thoughts: Let me start by saying how much I love Tempe...a lot. How can you not love her? Sure, sometimes she is a little bit stupid and goes where she shouldn't but she cares so much about people. I love how hard she fought for the murder victim in this novel. I was also surprised to find how much the one cop cared in the end; it seemed like he didn't care for most of the novel.

I'm glad that the novels seemingly three story lines all ended up back together though it would never happen like this is real life. The conspiracy might exist like it did but what are the chances that she would get all the pieces and be able to put them together like she did.

One of my favourite things about Kathy Riechs novels is that the science is more realistic then it is on TV. Things don't happen fast. This novel has large time gaps in it almost as proof. 

But what's up with Pete? Also, I want more Ryan. Plus, Katy is crazy to just enlist like that but I guess that all that matters is that she is happy.

I wish that the novel would specifically say that she told the cops where she went when she runs off because she runs off all the time and it kind of makes me want to punch Tempe in the face. Like, call the police first or something if you can't get a hold of someone specific. Fine, run around risking your life if you want. I understand that the whole reason is to build suspense and to add action, and it does do that but seriously...

I like that she traveled during the novel. Kathy Reichs often travels to do her work so it stands that Tempe would to. I love that element of realism. I think it really adds some sense of movement to the novel too. She doesn't just sit in one spot. Plus, it's kind of exciting.

Final Thoughts: In all honestly, I will probably continue to buy Kathy Reichs no matter what happens. She could write another 16 novels and I would be more than happy to wait at Chapters on the release date. I'm hooked and will always be hooked. Maybe that makes my opinion on the matter a little bit bias so if you don't believe me than maybe you should go out and buy the book. If not this book than one of her many others. I have them all and they are beautiful. Tell me what you think, I could be blinded by my constant fangirling!

P.S. Sorry I've been MIA, school is sucking the life out of me this year. Hopefully, I'm back now but no promises! Love you all, lovely people.

P.P.S. If Kathy Reichs or anyone that works with her is out there, SEND ME THE NEXT BOOK!! Pleeeeeease.