Review: The Institute

The Institute by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

King had me at the very beginning when Tim Jamieson out of the blue decides to give up his seat on a flight and decides to hitch hike instead. He's not quite sure why he has chosen to do this, but he has and off he goes on a walk that takes him to a small town where he takes a job as a Night Knocker (a job his grandfather once had). He's overqualified for the job but decides to take it, nevertheless. There he meets some interesting people, as one often does in a small town, heck, that is where the truly interesting people live such as Orphan Annie who stole my heart and frankly hasn't given it back.

Just when I was getting into this plot, King changes things up a bit and introduces us to a brilliant twelve-year-old named Luke Ellis who has big plans for his future. Unfortunately, those plans did not involve being kidnapped late at night and being taken to "The Institute" where other teens are being held. Teens with special abilities such as telepathy and telekinesis. There they are all subjected to various tests, shots, experiments.

I'll admit, I felt a little let down when the plot changed from Tim to Luke. I was just digging that story line, them *bam*, start over with this one. The second one started off slowly for me but gradually gathered steam and sucked me in. With over 60 books under his belt, King is a master of character development and creates both likable and non-likable characters which make an impact. I was rooting for the kids at the Institute, hoping that there would be an end in sight to their suffering...but this is King, and you know that he is going to draw it out and makes things truly unsettling and unbearable for his characters.

Review: First Degree

First Degree by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a fun series. Just the right amount of suspense, mystery and humour. In this episode Andy's lady friend, Lori, is accused of murder and he and his team work around the clock to find answers that will clear her. Meanwhile, one of his clients who earned 11 million dollars for a wrongful imprisionment suit, is going to start a shelter for dogs and Andy is going to be his partner.

Just looking forward to the next in the series, an excellent read.

Review: Every Fifteen Minutes

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Just not my type of book or plot. Became a bit frustrating to read.
A psychiatrist is treating a teenager who has OCD and whose grandmother, whom he adores, is dying.

The story just ran on seemingly without a direction. Lisa Scottoline is still one of my favourite writers, just not this book.

Review: Most Wanted

Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Very sad to think that I disliked this book so much as its from one of my favourite writers. The first few chapters just went back and forth with "no its not, yes it is". Seriously not a good topic at all IMO.

View all my reviews

Review: The Last Chance Lawyer

The Last Chance Lawyer by William Bernhardt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dan is a lawyer who works extremely hard for his clients regardless if they are innocent. He is noticed by an entrepreneur who has a team of lawyers working on what he classifies as the last chance lawyers. His first case is to represent a Hispanic woman who is trying to stop a little girl from being deported. She had been taken to the US by her parents from El Salvador, but later the couple was killed in an accident, leaving the little girl on her own. Gabriella is caring for her and wishes to adopt her, but the underworld figures are against her. If she is not successful, the little girl will be returned to El Salvador and will be sold into the sex slave business that is rife in that area.

A very current story and an excellent read.

Review: Feared

Feared by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this episode the ladies are being sued by three men claiming reverse discrimination. Adding to that Mary is in her late stages of pregnancy makes this another mad cap, but fun frolic.

An excellent read.

Review: Something in the Water

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A couple have been together for awhile have planned their wedding and wonderful honeymoon. Mark is going to teach Erin how to scuba dive and she has promised to try to overcome her fears. So off they go to Bora Bora, very happily as newlyweds. The first few days are glorious, hitting a snag with a storm midway, but when the storm clears they head out for the scuba trip. They make a discovery in the ocean, a plane had crashed and the people were still seatbelted in.


A terrific story.

Review: Roadwork

Roadwork by Richard Bachman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A disturbing story about a fellow whose house the city it taking in order for there to be roadwork. He doesn't want to leave his house and the main reason seems to be that his son was born and died there as a child and Bart just can't let go. His wife, whom he loves, has left him due to his inability to let go.

A sad story.

Review: Elevation

Elevation by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just an entertaining and odd little novella about a man who is losing weight every day, actually becoming weightless and how his acts of kindness near the end makes him new friends and helpmates.

Review: Nothing to See Here

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Probably a good book, I just couldn't get into it at all.

Review: LT's Theory of Pets

LT's Theory of Pets by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An entertaining story about a fellow whose wife leaves him. Or did she? They have a dog and a cat that started off as his dog and her cat. But in reality he was close to the cat and her to the dog. Apparently she took the dog with her when she left.

This was narrated by Stephen King and thoroughly enjoyable. The ending was a bit dark, but of course it would be as its Mr. King and we would be disappointed without it.