Nov. 17, 2005
I've thought this might be a little mind-boggling for myself, so I'm listing all the books I've reviewed so far this year.

The Sign of the Book by John Dunning. (I liked it)

Killing Kelly by Heather Graham (okay except for the over-the-top romantic language during the sex scene and the fairly silly premise)

Fairway to Heaven by Roberta Isleib.

Cut and Run by Ridley Pearson. (Superb!)

Dead of Night by Randy Wayne White. Weird but good.

Cold Service by Robert B. Parker. (I raved)

The Innocent by Harlan Coben (review/profile--I interviewed him. Nice guy)

Savage garden by Denise Hamilton (eh)

The Closers by Michael Connelly (review/profile--great book; not my favorite of his, but excellent)

Broken Prey by John Sandford. (Liked it a lot)

Rage by Jonathan Kellerman. Good.

Countdown by Iris Johansen. Here's a line from my review: "Jane comes across either as a spunky, tough, strong-willed heroine, or a short-fused, short-sighted dimwit with impulse-control problems." I'll let you guess which one I thought the main character was.

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs. Mines similar territory as The Da Vinci Code, but more intelligently.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. (review/profile). If you have a tweener, say age 9 to 14, I recommend this book as highly as a Harry Potter novel.

Bloody Mary by JA Konrath (review/profile--good, with reservations for the weak-stomached)

Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy

Vineyard Prey by Philip R. Craig

Dark House by Theresa Monsour

Trace Evidence by Elizabeth Becka (a first novel and a pretty amazing debut, though I say that with some reservations)

Panic by Jeff Abbott (wow!)

A Shot to Die For by Libby Fischer Hellmann (review/profile)

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen. (impressive, though not one I was in love with)

Restless Waters by Jessica Speart

The Grail COnspiracy by Lynn Sholes & Joe Moore (quite good)

Solomon versus Lord by Paul Levine (review/profile, and easily my favorite book of 2005. I just received the galley for his follow-up to be published in January, Deep Blue Alibi, and I can't wait to read it)

The EIght of Swords by David Skibbins (an absolutely amazing debut, highly recommended)

The LIncoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (thought it bogged down in the middle, but pretty good)

The Man with the Iron-On Badge by Lee Goldberg. Wonderfully funny.

Fever by Sean Rowe. Another debut novel, probably one of the most impressive I've ever read. Also requires a strong stomach, though.

School Days by Robert B. Parker

The Only Suspect by Jonnie Jacobs. One of the best of 2005. Highly recommended.

Also books I've reviewed that haven't run yet.

As Dog is My Witness by Jeff Cohen (wonderful)
Six for Gold by Eric Mayer and Mary Reed (excellent)
Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn (review/profile)
The Mind Box by AJ Diehl (good)

Also read, but not to review:

Tyrannosaur Canyon by Douglas Preston (excellent)
Dance of Death by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Mission Road by Rick Riordan (good, as usual)
Hard Rain by Barry Eisler (liked his first one better)
Map of Bones by James Rollins (wow!!!)

and undoubtedly several others I missed.

I'm a lucky guy.

Oh, gee, the ones that slip your mind. An unknown novel by a little known British writer about a boy wizard. Uh, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. (how does "staggering work of heartbreaking genius sound" or perhaps, "I laughed, I cried..." Not the best, but it sure as hell makes you want to cry and sets up the 7th book)

Best,
Mark Terry