Rendered one of Russia's wealthiest men for his entrepreneurial talents, financial genius Alex Konevitch ill-advisedly hires the KGB's former deputy director to handle his corporate security and subsequently loses his company before fleeing with his wife to America, where he struggles for survival amid false accusations and a contract on his head. I didn't actually realize this was based on a true story till I came to the end of the book. Fascinating. That being said I found this to be one of those rare thrillers that truly kept me engrossed the whole time. A captivating and emotional thriller with authentic and convincing characters. One of my favorite novels of the past few months.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book; it was an enthralling read. And I liked way Miss Brown writes as she thinks, it's much like readers think. The book isn't clinical; readers do not think in a clinical way. The way she brought previous deductions and acts of the killer to other areas of the crime, reminding her readers of what she'd previously discovered, so we could see how it related to what she was pointing us toward at that moment is a phenomenal way to help her readers understand the process. Don't forget the little things. And to, the rehashing is what, I, as a reader do often.

The character development seemed as if it was "borrowed" from the earlier books, and even though all of the previous characters were referenced again, not all of them were present. The story was disjointed, with an abrupt and contrived ending. Having Matt standing on the bridge at the end talking to his girlfriend was ridiculous. Where was the wrap-up of the whole story? There was none.

This novel puts a new twist on the old concept. Moreover, it delves into the philosophy of time travel. They learn that the Jack Naile in the past came from a future different than their own. Apparently these changes created differences without eliminating the time trip itself.

Mixing a suspenseful story with a dash of down-home flavor, Elizabeth Lynn Casey once again offers an up-close look at Southern small-town living with PINNED FOR MURDER. Visiting with the charmingly eccentric folks of Sweet Briar is like taking a trip back home and readers will enjoy catching up on all the gossip from the ladies of the sewing circle, as well as a peek into the romantic relationship between Tori and Milo.

Lustbader's cookie-cutter fifth Jason Bourne novel in the Ludlum franchise (after The Bourne Deception) downgrades the title character to a mere co-star with villain Leonid Arkadin, a graduate of the same covert training program, who also possesses almost superhuman combat skills. Bourne and Arkadin's globe-trotting pursuit of each other drives the main plot, which includes yet another secret cabal bent on world domination, Severus Domna.

Shadows of Destiny is, I think, the final chapter in this trilogy by Rachel Lee (Shadows of Myth and Shadows of Prophecy being the first two books). It ends the way it should, not necessarily the way you want. That said, I would be the poorer if I had missed this incredible journey. Four stars rather than five because this is not a stand-alone book, it needs the two previous books to understand what's happening and why. Put all three books together, and you have a solid five-star read. I highly recommend them.

Before long, the search unfolds, baby bones are found buried under the Lopez house, and a homicide investigation also ensues. The case turns deadly and Abby soon finds her own life in danger as well as those around her: her sister Kate, her crotchety, yet well intentioned Aunt Caroline, and her homicide detective boyfriend Jeff Kline. As Abby races to find out what happened to Emma's mother and the identity of the baby bones, Sweeney creates the appropriate amount of drama around the case and keeps the reader engaged.

What is it that Mr Ellory has that many otherwise competent writers don't? What lifts him above the crowd? I believe it is his ability to make loneliness, longing, sadness and tragedy come alive for us and transform us, without causing despair. He has that quality that I look for, above all others, in a writer: the ability to remind us of the bittersweet nature of life here on earth. It is a quality that he shares with such esteemed writers as Haruki Murakami, Kazuo Ishiguro and the late Roberto Bolano.

The plot eventually involves a manuscript which is given to the detective. The manuscript might be a lost Sherlock Holmes story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which takes place in San Francisco. Eventually Kate begins to read it. When Kate begins to read it, a man's voice takes over the narration; and a vibrant, resonant English accent tells a story as if it is Sherlock Holmes telling a story in the first person. It is magnificent. I become totally engrossed. When Kate is interrupted, or stops to talk to someone, the woman narrator takes over.

As its description promises, this book is "rich in ideas and characters." The many characters include the girls' father back in Boston and his young new wife and their two little girls, the various other founders and staff of Emily and Jonathan's dot coms, and George's wealthy friends. Also, two rabbis, one on each coast, play important roles in bringing the sisters' story together. The major ideas are about learning what's important in life, and how we make substitutions, such as reading cookbooks instead of cooking, because we think what we really want is unattainable.

Dan Harrington began playing poker professionally in 1982. On the circuit he is known as Action Dan, an ironic reference to his solid but effective style. He has won several major no-limit hold em tournaments including the European Poker Championships (1995), the $2,500 No-Limit Hold em event at the 1995 World Series of Poker, and the Four Queens No-Limit Hold em Championship (1996).