Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan

Today I finished reading The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan.  This thriller was nominated for the 2011 Edgar Award.

The story is set in Bangkok, Thailand ca. 2010.  I was fortunate to have visited Thailand a few years ago.  I found the setting to be true to my memories except for Patpong.  I spent my time visiting temples, markets and an unending stream of jewelry shops with my wife.  I never made it to Patpong not even for a peek.

The Queen of Patpong is an interesting read.  A couple of the fight scenes are among the best I've ever read.  Hallinan can write violence in a way you feel every blow.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

Today I finished reading The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino.  This police procedural novel was nominated for the 2012 Edgar Award.

The book is a translation of a Japanese novel.  I graduated from high school at Misawa AFB, Amori, Japan.  This doesn't make me an expert on all things Japanese.  But I did enjoy the memories of life in Japan in the early 60's that the story elicited.

"Japanese crime writers excel at many things: one is slow tightening of the noose that's at the fast-pounding heart of the police procedural.  The Devotion of Suspect X is a teriffic book in that tradition, and it's about time American readers got a crack at it" - S. J. Rozan

Monday, May 20, 2013

Opinion Trifecta

Today he went to see his oncologist.

The CT Scan results were as good as could be expected.  Still 3 nodules and their size and shape had not changed.  Re-scan in November.

He talked to the oncologist about the six reasons he had been given for not having surgery.  The oncologist listened intently and agreed with each point.

When asked about joining a study to attack the NETs more agressively, the  oncologist replied, "Right now you feel pretty good.  I can guarantee you that if you join a study you won't be feeling good.  Let's just continue to watch them for now."

And there you have it.  Living with C.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

Today I read Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles.

After appearing in two of Iles's most popular novels, Penn Cage makes his triumphant return as a brilliant, honorable, and courageous hero. Rich with Southern atmosphere and marked by one jaw-dropping plot turn after another, "The Devil's Punchbowl" confirms that Greg Iles is America's master of suspense. ~ Goodreads

This is a wonderful Southern novel.  I hope Iles decides to write a fourth book with Penn and Caitlin.