Disappointing Sci-Fi Despite good premise and some good writing Imagine a Sci-Fi novel centered around the construction of the first starship, complete with detailed schematics and detailed descriptions of the construction techniques, along with the inner-workings of the propulsion systems, weapons, sanitation, food-preparation, etc.  Now, add a conspiracy to scuttle the project from a shadowy … More Slingshot: Building the Largest Machine in Human History (The Starchild Trilogy, Book 1), by Robert G. Williscroft

From the Delta Mud, by Guy Wheatley, is a slow-paced story about a group of characters living in a small town on the shores of the Mississippi river.  None of the characters are particularly compelling or interesting, and although the author gives us a lot of detail about their daily lives (a LOT of detail), … More From the Delta Mud, by Guy Wheatley

Headline:  Confused, disjointed, and pointless (but at times beautiful)                 Tommy Orange’s novel, There There (derived from a quote by Gertrude Stein that there “is no there there” in Oakland) features many characters.  One is Dene Oxendene, an aspiring Native American filmmaker working on a project in which he asks urban Natives in Oakland to … More There, There: By Tommy Orange

Of Half a Mind, by Bruce Perrin, is the first book in “The Mind Sleuth” series, starring research psychologist Sam “Doc” Price.  This is an intellectual mystery, filled with plot twists and puzzles and interesting characters.  It’s a well-written page-turner that will keep you guessing, and keep you wanting to keep guessing, to the very … More Of Half a Mind, by Bruce Perrin

April 6, 2019 In, A Convenient Death, by Laurel Heidtman, Detectives Jo Valentine and “Sticks” Mullins are investigating a double-murder that occurred at a convenience store (hence the title).  The pretty and promiscuous young store clerk and a senior-citizen patron are shot execution-style in the back room of the quickie-mart.  Was this a robbery that … More A Convenient Death, by Laurel Heidtman

Reflection: The Paul Mann Story, is a relatively short novel that reads more like the outline for a story than a completed book.  The plot points lurch along in quick succession with little connection, detail, or explanation.  The characters lack depth (or names in many cases) and are two-dimensional ideas rather than fully developed people.  … More Reflection: The Paul Mann Story, by Titan Frey

The Baker’s Husband, by Jeannie Sharpe This is a book I read for a book group. It’s not my genre, so I’ll admit up front that I’m not predisposed to love this kind of story. It’s also the first novel attempt by this author, and it suffers from some pretty serious problems in plot, timelines, … More The Baker’s Husband by Jeannie Sharpe (Book Review)