India Black by Carol K. Carr

by Carol25 Comments
India Black by Carol K. Carr India Black - owner of a brothel coerced into being a spy for the British Government. I don't know if liked her, but I found her fascinating. The year is 1876. It's winter in London. Victoria is queen and Disraeli is prime minister. Sir Archibald Latham of the War department dies in India's brothel, the Lotus House. As she is disposing of the body - bad for business, you know - she is discovered by French who works for the PM. India is basically blackmailed into helping him retrieve documents that Latham had with him and that have disappeared. India falls headfirst into the deadly game of cat and mouse with the Russians. India is one of a kind. She's seen a lot in her life, knows that London is a tough city. She's cynical and carries a gun that she is more than capable of using. She's a businesswoman at heart, taking care of her tarts...
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The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva

by Carol8 Comments
The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva Instead of the usual review, today I'm answering questions inspired by the book. The questionnaire was provided by the publisher for this TLC book tour. If you were to write a blurb in fewer than three sentences for The Rembrandt Affair, what would it be? Gabriel Allon, spy, assassin and art restorer, is asked to recover a stolen Rembrandt. The painting's past is covered in blood, and following its trail leads Allon back into the world of international intrigue. Gabriel Allon is a talented spy and assassin, but also a master art restorer.  If you could have two careers that seem to be complete opposites, what would they be? Since we're talking fiction, I'm going to assume I don't actually need to have the skills or knowledge, right? I would love to own a bookstore and be a photographer. Of course, I would like some danger and adventure thrown in their somewhere, but I guess that might go along...
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Murder and a Missing Painting

by Carol11 Comments
"It's not every day an art restorer is brutally murdered in the United Kingdom," Isherwood said. "Given your circumstances, it must have come as something of a shock." "Let's just say I read the stories this morning with more than a passing interest." (pg. 38, The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva) I don't know how I've never read any of Silva's Gabriel Allon series before. I'm really enjoying this one. Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. The rules are easy and I only cheated a little. Grab your current read, open to a random page, and give us two teaser sentences. Remember, no spoilers. [tweetmeme source= "carolsnotebook" only_single=false http://carolsnotebook.com/2010/07/27/murder-and-a-missing-painting/] I received my copy from the publisher for review and the above is my honest opinion. I am an Amazon associate....
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The Deepest Water by Kate Wilhelm

by Carol12 Comments
The Deepest Water by Kate Wilhelm I actually listened to this one, an audiobook narrated by Marguerite Gavin. I've never read anything by Wilhelm before, although I 'm not quite sure how I missed her. She's been writing in a variety of genres since the 1960s, including mystery, science fiction and fantasy. The story centers on Abby, whose father, author Jud Connors, was murdered at his secluded lakefront cabin. The detective in charge of the case seems to be making little progress, at least from Abby's point of view. Abby, against the wishes off her husband Brice, begins investigating the murder and her father's past, helped by Jud's lover and his closest friend, both strong intelligent women. The female characters were the highlight of the book for me. Abby seems real, devastated by her father's murder, determined to find the killer, confused by what she discovers. Wilhelm hits a perfect note with the two older women also. They each have their own personalities,...
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Bad Luck?

by Carol7 Comments
"The cops want to talk to me, and I don't know what to tell them. All I know is that I don't like being connected to two murders through one client. It means you're either really bad luck, or you're not telling me everything I need to know". (pg. 147, Among Thieves by David Hosp) I haven't actually started this one yet, but I'm still guessing the he's not telling everything he know. What do you think? Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. The rules are easy and I only cheated a little. Grab your current read, open to a random page, and give us two teaser sentences. Remember, no spoilers. I borrowed my copy from the library and the above is my honest opinion. I am an Amazon associate....
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