Review: Angel of Vengeance

Angel of Vengeance by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Angel of Vengeance is the 22nd book in the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  Do yourself a favor, and do not start the series with this book.  At least read, book 21, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, first.  This book will make much more sense in that context.  That said, things have shifted dramatically from when we started this series.  It was originally mystery/thriller.  Now, there is an element of science fiction involved.  Aloysius Pendergast was always kind of an odd duck, but now we are starting to understand why!  We also get more insight into Diogenes Pendergast.  Angel of Vengeance takes the good parts of Sherlock Holmes and leaves out the misogyny.  (I still like Holmes, but he isn't the best with women.)  In fact, Constance Greene is really the star here.  This is her story as much as Pendergast's.  She's definitely earned it.  I look forward to seeing what the next book holds!  

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Review: The Final Problem: A Novel

The Final Problem: A Novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Final Problem: A Novel by Arturo Perez-Reverte from Mulholland Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around February 10, 2026.

Arturo Perez-Reverte is one of my favorite writers.  When I was studying Spanish, I would read his books untranslated to practice.  I credit him that my Spanish reading skills are WAY BETTER than my speaking skills.  I was super excited to see he had a new book that related to Sherlock Holmes.  The title, The Final Problem, gives that much away to Sherlock fans.  I enjoyed very much that the main character is an actor who is best known for playing Sherlock Holmes.  I could not stop picturing Basil Rathbone as I read.  He is my Sherlock Holmes.  It didn't hurt that the actor also goes by Basil.  Coincidence or elementary?  I don't want to give anything away, but this is a mystery in same vein as a Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie story.   If you like those, you will want to read this.  There are locked room elements.  People stranded on an island due to a storm when someone (SPOILER) dies.  Whodunnit?  Everyone looks to the guy who played Holmes to lead them in figuring it out.  Did playing Sherlock Holmes give him enough powers of deduction to solve the case?  The ending might surprise you.

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Review: The Tiger

The Tiger by John Vaillant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a lengthy discussion about what we were reading, Tahmoh Penikett told me to read this book, The Tiger by John Vaillant.  He sold me it as a true story about a tiger that seeks revenge on a hunter. It is that, but it is also much more.  It is really the history of the Amur (formerly known as Siberian) tiger and the humans that coexist in their territory. The book tells the stories of different men who have given their lives to these tigers, literally and figuratively.  I say men because while there are women in the book, it doesn't seem that they tangle with tigers nearly as often as men do.  These tigers are big, smart, very dangerous, and absolutely stunning.  I have a giant painting of one in my house's entryway.  That might betray who I was rooting for in the book.  It is awful that they have been hunted to near extinction.  I don't blame them for seeking revenge.  This is not an easy read for an animal lover.  I even felt bad for the people who were having to hunt because it was necessary for survival.  None of it should be necessary and yet, this is the world we have created.  It made me pretty sad.  A fascinating read for those who are into history, conservation, and/or tigers.  

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Review: Moonlight and Magic

Moonlight and Magic by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Moonlight and Magic is the fourth book in the Betwixt & Between series by Darynda Jones.  I listened to the audiobook narrated by Traci Odom.  I definitely recommend reading at least one other book in the series before this one for a couple of reasons.  The first reason is the books really do build upon one another so you lose something if you skip around or over any of them.  The second reason is this book focuses a bit more on Annette, the best friend of the main character of the series.  I'm glad she got her own story, but if you started here, it would make less sense.  As to whether you should lister to it or read it, up to you.  My library only had the audiobook, so that's what I went with.  

Moonlight and Magic has plenty of the spicy romance and humor that you get with a Darynda Jones book.  We learn more about Annette and what is going on with her own magical journey.  I'd be really careful about crossing her.  A lot of things that can heal you can also kill you.  If she offers you a coffee, definitely do not drink it no matter how caffeine starved you may be.  Now we just need a book five!

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Review: The Marriage Act

The Marriage Act by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Marriage Act is the second book in the Dark Futures series by John Marrs.  You can read it as a standalone although it does reference other books in the series.  It may have a few spoilers for the Passengers if you want to read that first.  I haven't read them in order and have not had any issues following the story.

In this future, the UK government passes an act that gives big benefits to couple who are willing to sign up for a "smart marriage" that allows them to be randomly monitored for signs of marital discord.  Depending on how bad it gets, they may even be forced to get divorced whether they want to or not.  Marriage becomes so important that to be anything other than smart married is treated like a contagious disease.  Not everyone is on board and Freedom For All is born to oppose the act.  Things get pretty dark.  

The story is told from various perspectives.  There are mysteries and social commentary.  This future is not that far removed from our current world.  In fact, there are aspects currently being suggested by certain US government officials.  It was hard for me to put this down because I really wanted to know how it ended.  So good!  Read it!

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Review: Beguiled

Beguiled by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beguiled is the third book in the Betwixt & Between series by Darynda Jones.  I recommend reading the books in order to really appreciate the story.  They build on each other.  They are pretty fast reads, so it isn't asking much to just read them all.  

Beguiled is spicy romantasy.  That's not my usual thing, but I love the humor and the characters are always fun.  There is also a coffee dependency that I can relate with hard.  It doesn't hurt that the main character is close to me in age and gives me hope that I can find a hot Scot living in my basement.  I haven't found him yet, but he must be down there somewhere!  I just need to move a few more boxes.  If you like stories of the paranormal, witches and warlocks, and things that go bump in the night, check this out.  Have a fan ready because you will need it!

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Review: The Woman in Suite 11

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Woman in Suite 11 is the second book in the Lo Blacklock series by Ruth Ware.  If you haven't read or seen The Woman in Cabin 10, I would recommend that first.  You can read this as a standalone, but that really sets the stage for why things go the way they do in this.  Plus, it would kind of spoil things if you read this first.  I haven't seen the film yet, but I highly recommend reading The Woman in Cabin 10.

Ruth Ware hasn't done sequels before so The Woman in Suite 11 is a special treat. I appreciate that Ware was willing to go back here because it was something her readers really wanted. It was interesting to enter this world again.  I don't want to say too much and spoil either book.  I felt tense from the very start.  Luxury travel journalism turns out to be more stressful than you would think.  I still wouldn't mind having a visit to a swanky hotel and resort comped though.  Hold the murder.

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