The Lake House

The Lake House by James Patterson (2003)

Description: Six extraordinary children are trying to lead normal lives in the Rocky Mountain countryside. They live in different homes, with different families, but there is something powerful that connects them. Something that puts them in terrible danger.

The only time they've ever felt safe was when they were together in the waterfront cabin they call the Lake House. And the only people they've ever trusted are Frannie and Kit, the couple who rescued them from unimaginable evil once before.

When that evil resurfaces, the kids reconnect with Frannie and Kit and set off on an astonishing adventure. They flee to the Lake House, but even that haven may no longer be safe.

Dr. Ethan Kane is chief of surgery at Liberty General Hospital, one of the most esteemed hospitals in the nation. It is here that terrible secrets lie, secrets that will change the world for all of us.

Review: I only read this as it is the sequel to When the Wind Blows. What it really was, was the first book all over again... but a twisted version of it. We catch up with the kids and Frannie and Kit during this huge custody battle. Not long after we are back on the run with them in an all too familiar sinario. Then, the book takes a somewhat twisted change. Its like Patterson forgot that these kids were kids. They were talking and acting a lot older than 12 year olds. I would most definitely pass this book over.

When the Wind Blows

When the Wind Blows by James Patterson (1998)

Description: Frannie O'Neill is a young and talented veterinarian living in Colorado. Plagued by the mysterious murder of her husband, David, a local doctor, Frannie throws herself into her work. It is not long before another bizarre murder occurs and Kit Harrison, a troubled and unconventional FBI agent, arrives on her doorstep.

Late one night, near the woods of her animal hospital, Frannie stumbles upon a strange, astonishing phenomenon that will change the course of her life forever...

Her name is Max.

With Heartbreaking energy, eleven-year-old Max leads Frannie and Kit to uncover one of the most diabolical and in human plots of modern science.

Review: I decided to check this book out after reading Patterson's Maximum Ride, as it is based on When the Wind Blows. For whatever reason, Patterson decided to take his characters from When the Wind Blows and The Lake House and revamped them into the story of Maximum Ride. I have to say, I think I like the revamped characters. This book was a decent book with an interesting concept. Basically, there is this big government conspiracy with biotechnology. Nothing new, really. These bad scientists decided to splice human with avian DNA. So we get these bird-children. We also have a rouge FBI agent frequently referred to as "Mulder" and a softy veterinarian as their protectors. Once they all find each other people start dying and other mischief ensues. While it was interesting, it was a bit too dramatic at times for me. On the whole, not a bad beach read, but if you are looking for a good read, I would check out one of Patterson's Alex Cross books.

Score: 3 out of 5

The Woods

The Woods by Harlan Coben (2007)

Description: Twenty years ago, four teenagers at summer camp walked into the woods at night. Two were found murdered, and the others were never seen again. Four families had their lives changed forever. Now, two decades later, they are about to change again.

For Paul Copeland, the county prosecutor of Essex, New Jersey, mourning the loss of his sister has only recently begun to subside. Cope, as he is known, is now dealing with raising his six-year-old daughter as a single father after his wife has died of cancer. Balancing family life and a rapidly ascending career as a prosecutor distracts him from his past traumas, but only for so long. when a homicide victim is found with evidence linking him to Cope, the well-buried secrets of the prosecutor's family are threatened.

In this homicide victim one of the campers who disappeared with sister? could his sister be alive? Cope has to confront so much he left behind that summer twenty years ago: his first love, Lucy; his mother who abandoned the family; and the secrets that his Russian parents might have been hiding even from their own children. Cope must decide what is better left hidden in the dark and what truths can be brought to the light.

Review: This was my first time reading something by Coben. I have to say that I am a fan. This was a great read that didn't take me too long to finish. I can see why we have a hard time keeping any of his books on the shelves at the library. I thought the original story was interesting, so I checked it out. Wow, there were so many different turns and revelations. It was very true to life though. Do we ever really know those closest to us? I also loved the sarcastic character of Cope. He was a great "hero". He had his faults, but at the end he knew what was right and did it. A really great mystery that I think everyone should check out. I will definitely check out some of his other works.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

The Quickie

The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge (2007)

Description: When she sees her husband with another woman, Lauren Stillwell's heart nearly stops beating. Their marriage is perfect, she has a great job, she loves her life. But his betrayal turn her into someone she never imagined she could be - a woman lusting for revenge.

It was supposed to be a quickie, a way to even the score. But Lauren's night of passion takes a shocking turn when he witnesses an unexpected, unbelievable, deadly crime. Her horrifying secret threatens to tear her life apart, pitting her need to uncover the truth against her fear that the truth may be too horrible to bear. And whichever choice she makes could cost her dearly - her job, her marriage, even her life.

Review: I couldn't wait to get to the end of this book. It took no time to read, but what time I did spend, it was pure entertainment. What a ride from beginning to end. Although, I did figure some stuff out early on, I was really intrigued by all of the plot twists and turns. It was really a fantastic book (more like a beach read) that I think if you need some entertainment, you should definitely check out.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Too Late to Say Goodbye

Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal by Ann Rule (2007)

Description: Jenn Corbin appeared to have it all: two sons, a posh home, expensive cars, and a successful, handsome husband - Dr. Bart Corbin. Then their idyllic life together began to crumble. Just before Christmas 2004, Jenn was found dead, a revolver beside her. Gwinnett County detective Marcus Head was not convinced it was suicide. And was this related to the apparent suicide fourteen years earlier of Dorothy "Dolly" Hearn? A high school athlete and homecoming queen, Dolly dated Bart in dental school. Or was the answer to be found in a relationship Jenn was having outside her marriage?

Review: What a heartbreaking story. I felt so connected to the people involved due to Rule's excellent writing. What I really love about Rule is that she doesn't make you feel a certain way about the case she is presenting. She presents the facts and then lets you form your own opinion. I thought this book was outstanding and a great fast read for those who really like true crime.

Score: 4 out of 5