Reads

Reflections on what I am reading

Devin Gray Series

Wide Awake — Latest Read

My latest read was Wide Awake by Steven Konkoly. This is the third book in the Devin Gray series. This one was a very fast read. There was lots of military tech and action like the earlier books. The plot development was shallow and predictable.
Failure Mode by Craig Alanson Featured Image

Failure Mode: Expeditionary Force #15

I finished Failure Mode by Craig Alanson this week. This is book #15 in the Expeditionary Force series. It had been positioned as the last book in the series, but Alanson has announced that a sixteenth book, Aftermath, is planned for this December. Ending can be difficult. This one has its flaws, but Alanson did ok. I will miss the Joe and Skippy show.
Match Game by Craig Alanson

Match Game: Expeditionary Force #14

Just finished Match Game by Craig Alanson. This is book #14 in the Expeditionary Force series. I have been powering through the last half of this series all summer. This one moves the story in an unexpected direction as Alanson wraps up the series. Will be interesting to see how he ties it all up.
Expeditionary Force Book #13: Fallout by Craig Alanson

Fallout: Expeditionary Force #13

Just finished Fallout by Craig Alanson. This is book #13 in the Expeditionary Force series. I have been reading one of these each month for the past year to stay immersed in the storyline. This one leverages all the elements that Alanson has used to make this an enjoyable series.
Brushfire by Craig Alanson

Brushfire: Expeditionary Force #11

My latest read was Brushfire by Craig Alanson. This is Book 11 in the Expeditionary Force series. This is a solid story with many plot turns setting the stage for the last third of the series. I am reading through the last two-thirds of this series as a long summer read.
Expeditionary Force Mavericks

Expeditionary Force Mavericks: Deathtrap and Freefall

My latest "read" was actually the two books in Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force Mavericks series, Deathtrap and Freefall. This is a spin-off of Alanson's Expeditionary Force series. Like the main series, Alanson's world-building and story arcs in the Mavericks series are well done. The development of some of the key characters from the early books in the main series was solid. It was actually a nice break from the "Joe-Skippy" show in the main series.

Valkyrie and Critical Mass

My latest "read" was actually the next two books in Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force series. I read Valkyrie (Book 9) and Critical Mass (Book 10) in May and June. Both of these entries in the series had complex plotlines and big "cliffhangers" at the end.
Picture of Leon Uris and the cover of Trinity

Trinity by Leon Uris — Latest Read

I finished Trinity by Leon Uris last week. This novel explores the history of Ireland from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Despite how popular it was when it was released in 1976, this book never made my "TBR" list. When it came up on sale recently, I decided to give it a read.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman Featured Image

The Man Who Died Twice — Latest Read

Just finished The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. This is the second book the Osman's Thursday Murder Club Mystery series. The Thursday Murder Club series is set in a luxury retirement village in the UK where four residents gather to investigate crime cases. 
A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke

A Morning for Flamingos

My latest read was A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke. This is the fourth book in the Dave Robicheaux series. This is more than just a detective novel; it's a deep dive into the heart and soul of its characters and setting.