See related article about Patrick McGoohan in Randy Larkin's shared items titled "The Prisoner Escapes."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
RIP Patrick McGoohan
Sad farewell to Patrick McGoohan who passed away on January 13, 2009. I see that he was born in Astoria, NY, only a few towns away from where I was born.
Patrick was a TV Star of "Secret Agent" and "The Prisoner." One of his last roles that I recall was as King Edward "Longshanks" in Mel Gibson's "Braveheart."
I remember watching both TV shows in the 60's. As I recall, "Secret Agent" was on Friday or Saturday nights and was one of the few shows that I looked forward to.
I loved the theme music to the show, of course, "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers.
So long Patrick. You will be missed.
Patrick was a TV Star of "Secret Agent" and "The Prisoner." One of his last roles that I recall was as King Edward "Longshanks" in Mel Gibson's "Braveheart."
I remember watching both TV shows in the 60's. As I recall, "Secret Agent" was on Friday or Saturday nights and was one of the few shows that I looked forward to.
I loved the theme music to the show, of course, "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers.
So long Patrick. You will be missed.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
"Six Seconds" review
Reading "Six Seconds" by Canadian author Rick Mofina.
Enjoyable thriller about a terrorist plot where a woman in Iraq lost her husband and child and then is raped multiple times by a group of American contractors. She is found in a dazed condition and recruited by a terrorist to go to the United States, establish herself with a former truck driver in Iraq and await the opportunity to seek a proper avenue to seek revenge. In this case that is to assassinate the Pope when he visits the United States.
The truck driver, Jake, is suffering from Post Traumatic Depression and believes that his wife Maggie slept with another man when Jake was working in Iraq. The driver kidnaps his son Logan and meets up with the Iraq mole.
Maggie is persistent in looking for her lost son. There is good drama with
lots of twists and turns.
Five months later, in Alberta Canada two children are found dead. One, a little girl is almost rescued from an icy river by Daniel Graham, a Canadian Mountie who hears the girl say "...don't daddy...don't...please" just before she dies. He becomes convinced there is more to the children's deaths and he investigates from Canada to the United States.
It is interesting to see a Canadian Mountie at work trying to solve the crime.
Fine work that keeps you wanting more. Recommended.
See "Rush Job" In Randy Larkin's shared comments for more information on this author.
Enjoyable thriller about a terrorist plot where a woman in Iraq lost her husband and child and then is raped multiple times by a group of American contractors. She is found in a dazed condition and recruited by a terrorist to go to the United States, establish herself with a former truck driver in Iraq and await the opportunity to seek a proper avenue to seek revenge. In this case that is to assassinate the Pope when he visits the United States.
The truck driver, Jake, is suffering from Post Traumatic Depression and believes that his wife Maggie slept with another man when Jake was working in Iraq. The driver kidnaps his son Logan and meets up with the Iraq mole.
Maggie is persistent in looking for her lost son. There is good drama with
lots of twists and turns.
Five months later, in Alberta Canada two children are found dead. One, a little girl is almost rescued from an icy river by Daniel Graham, a Canadian Mountie who hears the girl say "...don't daddy...don't...please" just before she dies. He becomes convinced there is more to the children's deaths and he investigates from Canada to the United States.
It is interesting to see a Canadian Mountie at work trying to solve the crime.
Fine work that keeps you wanting more. Recommended.
See "Rush Job" In Randy Larkin's shared comments for more information on this author.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Another top ten mystery for 2008 "The Brass Verdict"
In Michael Connelly's "The Brass Verdict," Mickey Haller is back in action.
Haller was last seen in the wonderful "The Lincoln Lawyer." As the action enfolds in "The Brass Verdict," Haller is recovering from a gunshot to the stomach and the complications to the pain medicine. He is a criminal defense lawyer and is summoned to the office of Judge Mary Townes Holder. He learns that his old courthouse competitor and friend Jerry Vincent has been murdered and his computer and laptop are missing. Jerry had named Haller in his legal documents as his successor in all legal matters, in event of his death.
The Judge knows that Haller hasn't practiced in over a year and asks if he is physically and mentally prepared to go back to work and take on Vincent's case load.
When Haller accepts, the Judge gives him the cases but requires a weekly update on his progress.
The biggest and most lucrative case is that of Walter Elliot. A movie studio owner who is a braggart and dislikable character. Elliot is accused of murdering his wife and her lover.
Haller must put together an administrative and investigatory staff immediately, review and case notes and find a way to defend this client.
Along the way Haller also takes on the case of a down and out surfer, who is a puppy like character who becomes Haller's driver in order to pay his legal fee.
Connelly has been correctly described as the best mystery writer around. The court scenes are believable and cleverly depicted. In is fun for the reader to be reacquainted with Harry Bosch who had a main role in previous Connelly novels. Bosch is in charge of Vincent's murder investigation and believes that the killer will now go after Haller because of what he knows and what he may discover.
The characters are well drawn and Haller is a likable hero. Having his young daughter witness her father's achievements in court adds a warmth to the plot.
Highly recommended.
Haller was last seen in the wonderful "The Lincoln Lawyer." As the action enfolds in "The Brass Verdict," Haller is recovering from a gunshot to the stomach and the complications to the pain medicine. He is a criminal defense lawyer and is summoned to the office of Judge Mary Townes Holder. He learns that his old courthouse competitor and friend Jerry Vincent has been murdered and his computer and laptop are missing. Jerry had named Haller in his legal documents as his successor in all legal matters, in event of his death.
The Judge knows that Haller hasn't practiced in over a year and asks if he is physically and mentally prepared to go back to work and take on Vincent's case load.
When Haller accepts, the Judge gives him the cases but requires a weekly update on his progress.
The biggest and most lucrative case is that of Walter Elliot. A movie studio owner who is a braggart and dislikable character. Elliot is accused of murdering his wife and her lover.
Haller must put together an administrative and investigatory staff immediately, review and case notes and find a way to defend this client.
Along the way Haller also takes on the case of a down and out surfer, who is a puppy like character who becomes Haller's driver in order to pay his legal fee.
Connelly has been correctly described as the best mystery writer around. The court scenes are believable and cleverly depicted. In is fun for the reader to be reacquainted with Harry Bosch who had a main role in previous Connelly novels. Bosch is in charge of Vincent's murder investigation and believes that the killer will now go after Haller because of what he knows and what he may discover.
The characters are well drawn and Haller is a likable hero. Having his young daughter witness her father's achievements in court adds a warmth to the plot.
Highly recommended.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
"Immoral" By Brian Freeman
I remember sitting back on my easy chair and beginning Brian Freeman's "Immoral." I sighed, "aah" this is gonna be a good one. I hope there's nothing scheduled because I'm going to be reading this gem of a mystery for as long as I can without putting it down.
It's no wonder that it was a finalist for the Edgar Award.
When the comparisons to Michael Connolly and Dennis Lehane were made I knew there had to be something grand about this novel and it didn't disappoint.
Lt. Jonathan Stride is brought in to help find missing teenager Rachel Deese who is described by one of her classmates as "...a bigger slut, you're not likely to find."
Rachel knew how to get her way with her father but when her father died she told her mother "...it was you who killed him." She is a difficult if beautiful teenager who vanishes. Lt Stride is pained by the possible connection with the disappearance of Kerry McGrath just 14 months earlier. He feels he's lost Kerry to t monster and is determined to do what he can to find who has taken these teenagers and to possibly rescue Rachel.
Stride is emotionally numbed by the death of his wife, Cindy, who passed away from cancer within the year. Her death has taken his heart and he goes through the steps of the investigation robotically, as if the fates have already been drawn for these teenagers and there's nothing that can be done to save them. He struggles and through his efforts the reader feels that he is searching for his lost wife as well as these children.
The characters are well drawn and likable. The setting in Superior, Wisconsin makes this reader feel the resemblance to "Fargo." So much so that I could almost see him riding shotgun across the frozen cornfields with Frances McDormand behind the wheel.
Highly Recommended.
It's no wonder that it was a finalist for the Edgar Award.
When the comparisons to Michael Connolly and Dennis Lehane were made I knew there had to be something grand about this novel and it didn't disappoint.
Lt. Jonathan Stride is brought in to help find missing teenager Rachel Deese who is described by one of her classmates as "...a bigger slut, you're not likely to find."
Rachel knew how to get her way with her father but when her father died she told her mother "...it was you who killed him." She is a difficult if beautiful teenager who vanishes. Lt Stride is pained by the possible connection with the disappearance of Kerry McGrath just 14 months earlier. He feels he's lost Kerry to t monster and is determined to do what he can to find who has taken these teenagers and to possibly rescue Rachel.
Stride is emotionally numbed by the death of his wife, Cindy, who passed away from cancer within the year. Her death has taken his heart and he goes through the steps of the investigation robotically, as if the fates have already been drawn for these teenagers and there's nothing that can be done to save them. He struggles and through his efforts the reader feels that he is searching for his lost wife as well as these children.
The characters are well drawn and likable. The setting in Superior, Wisconsin makes this reader feel the resemblance to "Fargo." So much so that I could almost see him riding shotgun across the frozen cornfields with Frances McDormand behind the wheel.
Highly Recommended.
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