This could have been so good. However it revolves around tragic marriage. The reasons for the marriage are never explained. That whole paA Fatal Flaw
This could have been so good. However it revolves around tragic marriage. The reasons for the marriage are never explained. That whole part is left out. It's crucial....more
I have read a lot of mysteries over my 70 years. This one may be as much as 4 1/2. The ending was both completely unexpected and also entireVery Good
I have read a lot of mysteries over my 70 years. This one may be as much as 4 1/2. The ending was both completely unexpected and also entirely plausible. The author was able to deal with religious issues without being either overly pious or critical. The book is well worth reading....more
Maybe as much as 4 1/2. A fascinating combination of Russian history, palace politics, and Russian Mysticism - both Christian and pre-Christian, The cMaybe as much as 4 1/2. A fascinating combination of Russian history, palace politics, and Russian Mysticism - both Christian and pre-Christian, The concept of a "Poustinia" was familiar,but the definition the author used was not, and it made a lot of sense. The concepts of "brattsy," "dvoeverie," and "zaum" were not, and are very useful. In addition, the author had the good sense (which many, many authors have not), to include a short glossary of unfamiliar words. Much of the writing seemed as prose poetry. I very much recommend this short but powerful novel....more
For a full review, go to Goodreads. This is a hateful book toward anyone who's not Roman Catholic- potshots are taken at ProtestantA Very Biased Book
For a full review, go to Goodreads. This is a hateful book toward anyone who's not Roman Catholic- potshots are taken at Protestants and Eastern Religions as well as Islam. The criticism of Islam is based and one-sided....more
This was history at its most exciting. The author writes well, if somewhat sensationally. I wish I were a better historian. At one point, heVery Good
This was history at its most exciting. The author writes well, if somewhat sensationally. I wish I were a better historian. At one point, he got history/myth wrong, when he had Moses pulled from bulrushes by Phaeroh's wife l, rather than daughter. I am not familiar enough with his other accounts. Whatever. The book was fun....more
Actually more like 3 1/2. The action was exciting. However:
It took far too long after the action stopped for the people to "declare their love."
How thActually more like 3 1/2. The action was exciting. However:
It took far too long after the action stopped for the people to "declare their love."
How the book would end was obvious from the beginning.
There was an obvious major clue it took the protagonists far too long to realize.
And, most of all I (though I may be biased, as a retired military officer): On page 85 of my edition starts the following: "The coast guard boys were out there chasing them down." Fist of all, Coast Guard should be capitalized. Secondly, as I worked closely with the CG, they employ WOMEN and MEN, not boys. The character who says this is an investigative reporter for a major Seattle newspaper, and should know better. ...more
The last book of the series I read - the ghost story - was a disappointment. Mr. Johnson said he had wanted to write one, and hMaybe as much as 4 1/2.
The last book of the series I read - the ghost story - was a disappointment. Mr. Johnson said he had wanted to write one, and he did, and it was OK, but it was good to get the old Walt Longmire back. The other was good, but this was far more entertaining and readable.
BTW, I do not watch the series on Netflix, due to casting Lou Diamond Phillips as Henry Standing Bear. Mr. Phillips is a fine actor, but he IS NOT Henry Standing Bear, any more than Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher (I also do not see these films). As Mr. Johnson would have the Northern Cherokee Elders say, "Umm, hummm. Yes, it is so."...more
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