Stuart MacBride

I was introduced to an author by the name Stuart Macbride.

The first mystery novel titled Cold Granite was dark and mysterious. I thought it would be too graphic for it dealt with children missing and a serial killer. But Stuart kept it light and used words to describe the events as a pathologist would explain them. His background research showed in his manner of writing.

The location is Scotland cold and dark, winter season and Stuart describes it well. Aberdeen and the  FHQ with it's architectural design and the Grampian Police Force.

Logan McRae has shown that he is a good Detective Sargent and though he may do things differently and not always by the book his gut feeling guides him through the process of finding the missing link to put the criminals behind bars.

This series is a must read for those who enjoy a good mystery novel. Added to your list....

Apps

I thought I would try the application on my mobile...I'm sitting here at Panera listening to a sales pitch about Web sites...not to me but to someone else...and I wonder of how much all this is true..the saying too good to be true comes to mind...I know there are legitimate MLMs but I've been burned by some I've become skeptical!!

The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva

“Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Woman, oil on canvas, 104 by 86 centimeters” holds a deep dark secret. A secret if told could destroy many lives and cause catastrophic events to three major world powers. Since it’s existence lives have been altered through no fault of it’s owners. But a painting such as this, brings monies into the millions. What is it about this painting that everyone wants and yet, no one wants the secrets inside revealed? Who holds the key? Only one man can find this key an expert art restorer by the name of Gabriel Allon.
Gabriel Allon  is very well known for his work in restoring old paintings  from Van Gogh to Rembrandts. He has restored paintings in the past that seemed doomed to be tossed into the fire. But as a lover of beautiful things no job is too difficult or unpleasant a task.
Julian Isherwood a well known art dealer has a client ready to buy the painting for $35 million. He hired Christopher Liddell to restore the painting and now Liddell is dead and the painting missing. Julian feeling there is something a miss calls on a friend from the past Gabriel Allon. For not only is Gabriel an art restorer, but also a retired Israeli Agent. Julian has worked with Gabriel in the past and he knows that Gabriel is the right man for the job. How to convince him to assist? Maybe if Gabriel knew the history behind the missing painting.
Martin Landesmann a wealthy billionaire is interested in finding the painting, Peter Voss is a man not wanting the painting to be found, and Lena Herzfield never wants to see this painting again. Their lives are intertwined in the mystery behind and the unveiling of “Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Woman, oil on canvas, 104 by 86 centimeters”.
Daniel Silva captivates the reader with his style of writing and experience to detail. Though this is fictional work some of it is real and leaves it to the reader to decipher. However, the experience of Lena Herzfield and the art dealers depict the tragedy's that occurred during World War II and continue to occur in this present day.

Finding Joy

RUNNING BLIND by DESMOND BAGLEY

First published in 1972 but written as if today in mind. Desmond Bagley writes an interesting spy spoof which includes double agents from three major powers Americans, Great Britain, and Russians.
Set in the isolated country of Iceland with it’s volcanic rock and geysers. Desmond Bagley brings this country to life with such clarity allowing the reader to feel and view every green scene, every treacherous road, and every sulfuric smell.

Alan Stewart ex-British Agent now retired was recruited as a messenger boy to deliver a package to a Russian agent. This package was small and sealed. He was not allowed to ask questions nor open this package. However, people are trying to kill him before the package is even delivered. Why? And who can he trust?

Alan and his fiancé Elin are caught in the middle of this intrigue espionage that takes them to the back roads of Iceland and with every turn he finds himself in a “cat and mouse” game. And all he has as a weapon is his sgian-dubh-the black knife of the Highlander which he inherited from his grandfather who inherited from his grandfather. [[Sgian-Dubh]]

Great read and with the view of Iceland and it’s peaceful inhabitants Running Blind brings chaos to this peaceful country.

The Network by Charles Ingram

Confusion, speculation, intrigue, espionage, dramatization, and fear are words that describe this great mystery novel.
My first novel from this author has left me wanting more. A mystery novel with such detailed coordination by the most highest form of government. How can one government with DOOM in the air can pull off a complete evacuation of a city with ten million plus inhabitants?
Terrorism has struck the city of London and it is left up to two covert ops to find the ones responsible and eliminate them with the approval of worldwide governments. The mercenaries must be stopped at all cost for millions of lives are at stake and the threat of a WW III may be imminent. No one wants a great war; hence, it relies on all form of governments to unite and stop the terrorism once and for all.
This detailed mystery relates the extensive evacuation of a great city and all those parties involved. And how easily it can slip by if the governments don’t work together to rectify the process.
Harry Winchester and Tess Fulton; Malik and Dahlia are the main characters each with their own purpose in view. Yet, their lives are similar the former to stop the bomb and the latter to see the threat threw. And in the midst of this intrigue and cat and mouse chase (which takes them around the world) love finds them and fills their hearts with meaning. Every aspect of their lives have heightened and the lives of millions lay in limbo. Even with the latest technologies the experience of each party and their instincts leads them to trails so close not aware how close they’ve become as ships who pass through the night.
Zulu – hours before D-day and the clock is ticking.

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