Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Litigators

This is an okay book written by John Grisham. Oscar Finley and Wally Figg are the bickering partners of a small twenty-plus-year-old law firm in the western part of the South side of Chicago that tries to appear successful although it is really a small-time operation. Generally, the firm focuses on simple divorces and DUI cases, with an occasional automobile accident that provides a boon to the firm. David Zinc hates his high paying job at a large law firm and decides to walk away one morning and gets drunk at a local bar. He ends up at the small firm and decides he really likes the company. Wally Figg learns of a cholesterol drug that may be killing patients, and decides that a class action lawsuit against the large pharmaceutical company will be a quick way to get rich.

The book is regarded as more humorous than most of Grisham's prior novels. Grisham noted that his inspirations for the book included television advertisements and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Coriolanus (2011)

This is an okay British movie based on true events. An on-going conflict is being waged between Rome and Volsci and rioting Roman citizens are particularly angry with general Caius Martius (Ralph Fiennes) who they blame for their problems. Martius raids the city of Corioles and after suffering many losses, emerges as the victor. He then engages in a one-on-one fight with the commander of the Volscian army, Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) and both men are injured. Martius returns home and is given the third name of Coriolanus for his military victory. However, the people revolt against him and he is banished by the Senate. He returns to Tullus Aufidius and pleads for support to get revenge on the Romans.

The film was adapted from the play by William Shakespeare written between 1605 and 1608 and is itself based on the legendary Roman general who is said to have lived in the 5th century BC. Suzanne Collins also references him in The Hunger Games trilogy with her character President Coriolanus Snow, a totalitarian dictator.

The Fallen Angel

This is an okay book written by Daniel Silva. After narrowly surviving his last operation, Gabriel Allon, the wayward son of Israeli intelligence, has taken refuge behind the walls of the Vatican, where he is restoring one of Caravaggio’s greatest masterpieces. Allon also helps the Pope's private secretary, Monsignor Luigi Donati with a case that is troubling The Vatican.

This is the 12th novel in the series.

I, Michael Bennett

This is an okay book co-written by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. Detective Michael Bennett arrests an infamous Mexican crime lord in a deadly chase that leaves Bennett's lifelong friend Hughie McDonough dead. From jail, the prisoner vows to rain epic violence upon New York City – and to get revenge on Michael Bennett. To escape the chaos, Bennett takes his ten kids and their beautiful nanny, Mary Catherine, on a much-needed vacation to the family’s cabin near Newburgh, New York. But instead of the calm and happy town he remembers from growing up, they step into a nightmare worse than they could ever have imagined. Newburgh is an inferno of warring gangs, and there’s little the police – or Bennett – can do to keep the children safe.

This is the 5th novel in the series.

Creole Belle

This is an okay book written by James Lee Burke. While Dave Robicheaux was in a recovery unit in New Orleans, a mysterious woman named Tee Jolie Melton paid him a visit, giving him an iPod with the song ‘Creole Belle’ on it. Since then, Dave has become obsessed with the song and the woman who gave it to him. When he goes searching for her, he discovers that her sister has been murdered.

This is the 19th novel in the series.

Full Blast

This is an okay book co-written by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. When Jamie decides to increase revenues for her newspaper by starting a personal ads section, the town of Beaumont feels more heat than she expected. With the local Chinese-food joint creating risqué fortune cookies, the opening of a trashy lingerie shop, and the bakery dabbling in pornographic pastries, Jamie is convinced that the town is going to hell in a hand basket – and it’s all her fault! Several townsfolk end up dead, and the key to the murders is connected to the personal ads. Jamie finds herself battling her own raging hormones when ever-so-sexy Max Holt comes on board to help.

This is the 4th novel in the series.

Fatal Error

This is an okay book written by J.A. Jance. Ali Reynolds’ peaceful summer is short lived when Brenda Riley, an old broadcasting colleague from Ali’s days in California, comes to town with a story of her missing fiancé. Ali agrees to help and soon discovers that the fiancé is Richard Lowensdale, an internet predator who preys on his victims’ emotions. But when Richard is found murdered, the women he scammed, including Brenda, become prime suspects.

This is the 6th novel in the series.

Below Zero

This is an okay book written by C.J. Box. The telephone calls begin innocently enough: “Tell Sherry April called.” And yet they send chills down the spine of Joe’s daughter Sherry. Wasn’t her stepdaughter April murdered six years ago in a bloody massacre? Wondering how the youthful caller knows details only April could know, Sherry becomes confused while Joe grows suspicious. Is the caller April – or are Joe and his family victims of a cruel hoax?

This is the 9th novel in the series.

Come Home

This is an okay book written by Lisa Scottoline. Jill Farrow is a typical suburban mom who has finally gotten her and her daughter’s lives back on track after a divorce. She loves being a pediatrician, is about to remarry, and her daughter, Megan, is a happily over-scheduled thirteen-year-old, juggling homework and the swim team. But Jill’s life is turned upside down when her ex-stepdaughter Abby shows up and delivers shocking news: Jill’s ex-husband is dead. Abby insists that he was murdered and pleads with Jill to help find his killer. Jill reluctantly agrees to make a few inquiries and discovers that things don’t add up.