A Thousand Bayonets ~ Joel Mark Harris

Disclosure: I received a copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis: John Webster, an ex-war correspondent is caught up in a mob power shift that takes everyone by surprise. As a witness to the execution of one mob boss, the main character struggles against his demons, competition from other journalists, and lies coming from every direction. His only goals are to protect his source and get to the bottom of what he witnessed.

While the characters are coping with threats of death, evading court summonses, personal relationships and emotional meltdowns, the author weaves in the realities of how journalists are perceived by their readers, how fame - even if brief - has a way of altering one's plans significantly and the journalist's own views of how they react during certain events.

Webster and the rest of the cast of characters are all very believable. They're all intent on protecting what they believe in, not to mention their backsides. As is true of most thrillers, the raw emotion, tension and anxiety are palpable and I found myself cheering on the protagonist. I did expect a less tidy ending, but then again I hope it's not the end of John Webster, or Harris.

Publisher: iUniverse Inc.
Publication Date: 12 August 2011
Format: Paperback

Review previously appeared on now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Stray Bullets ~ Robert Rotenberg

Disclosure: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis:A child is shot in a Toronto Tim Horton's car park during the first snow fall of the year. Most witness accounts and CCTV each reveal only parts of the events, and the one who may have seen it all is on the run.

Rotenberg's novel takes the reader on a journey that uncovers how the police, the Crown and defense attorneys map out and piece together events, broker deals and cope with the media to solve the murder of a four year old boy experiencing snow for the first time.

In short but very detailed chapters, the author is able to provide key player POVs while keeping the story moving at a quick pace without exposing too much too soon or decrease the level of suspense. Like the senior detective, I was confused by the chronology of part of the events and must admit that the twist was unexpected. It is minor is aspect, but significant in how the evidence is interpreted.

I quite like having books that have short chapters. They are perfect for those days those hectic days with the occasional brief pauses. When done right, as it is in Stray Bullets, means that unnecessary information is excluded and it keeps the reader focused on the mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and relish reading the author's two prior works that I believe include many of the characters found in this one.

Publisher: Touchtone Books
Publication Date: 1 May 2012
Format: ARC of Hardcover

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

What Casanova Told Me ~ Susan Swan

Disclosure: I received a copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

From the back cover:A dazzlingly imagined novel that embraces two centuries, two women, a long-lost journal and the mystery behind the legendary Casanova's last great love, What Casanova Told Me celebrates the unexpected in life and love, and the transforming lessons of travel.

I don't know what I expected from this book, but what that was is not what I got. I immediately noticed that the book was originally published in 2005 and this worried me a little. Then I noticed that several Canadian newspapers rated it rather highly, so I curled up on the sofa with cup of tea at hand and read...and read.

I was fortunate that it was a week end as I did not want to put the book down. I wouldn't call it an edge-of-your-seat-page-turner, but my interest in the protagonist - Luce and her ancestor - Asked For (yes, that is her name) parallel lives in Venice and Greece never waned. Armed with her ancestor's journal Luce reluctantly navigates through the Mediterranean with her late mother's partner. Asked For's writings serve Luce as both a therapeutic tool to cope with her mother's death, and and a means of encouragement in finding a partner worthy of her love.

Swan elegantly intertwines Luce's and Asked For's stories in ways that render even the blustering Lee Pronski likable. For his part, Casanova is quite simply a conduit for all of these women to realise their potential and who they really are. As it turns out, I am quite pleased to have a read a 7 year old book that I had never heard of.

Publisher: Random House of Canada
Publication Date: 6 June 2005
Format: Paperback

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog