John Glatt - Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity

68. Evil Twins: Chilling True Stories of Twins, Killing and Insanity by John Glatt (1999)
Length: 288 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 17 December 2011
Finished: 19 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 December 2011
Why do I have it? I like true crime but had never heard of any of these cases before.


There are many studies involving the separation of twins at birth where they grow up to live astonishingly different lives. However there are true cases where, if one twin turns out "bad", the other will follow them down the same destructive path. This book is a compilation of twins committing evil acts against others or each other as jealousy and anger spark seemingly from the womb. I have to say that I enjoyed this book as I had never heard of any of these cases, so I give the book A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

A. J. Gallant - Madman in the Mirror

67. Madman in the Mirror by A. J. Gallant (2001)
Length: 230 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 16 December 2011
Finished: 17 December 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to A. J. for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 December 2011
Why do I have it? I like horror and A. J. Gallant is a new author for me.


What do you do when a serial killer raises you from birth to be just like him? Henry has lived all his life in his father's shadow of terror and serial murder with the tacit understanding that he was being groomed to continue the "family business". Having witnessed his first murder as a toddler and actively participating in his father's murder sprees as an adult, Henry tries in vain to battle his inner demons and break free to go out on his own.


As an adult, Henry is struggling with the knowledge that his father's actions as well as his own have driven him literally insane - hearing voices and seeing images of horrific crimes in mirrors. Even when Henry eventually kills his father, he can not escape the anger and vengeance that he creates in one of his earlier victims; as the spirit of the dead man reaches out from beyond the grave to exact his own brand of revenge.


I have to say that this book was strange, extremely strange, and of course, being concerned with the life and actions of a serial killer, very, very violent. That being said, I did enjoy it even if truth be told, I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this book for myself. It certainly was different and not like any book I'd ever read before. It held me spellbound and at attention all through the story and I give it a solid B+!


B+! - (89-94%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Robert B. Parker - Thin Air

66. Thin Air by Robert B. Parker (1995)
Spenser Mysteries Book 22
Length: 293 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 13 December 2011
Finished: 16 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 February 2011
Why do I have it? I do like contemporary mysteries and have to say that I went on a bit of a Robert B. Parker buying spree at the Library Book Sale. (Total spent? About $10 (ten hardcovers) of a $35 splurge!:))


When a Boston police detective's adored new bride suddenly goes missing he comes to Spenser to help find her. Sleuthing from a New England college campus to the slick and sporty nightclub scene of Los Angeles, Spenser discovers all about beautiful Lisa St. Claire's secret past - her prostitution, her substance abuse and her numerous destructive past love affairs. Spenser begins to suspect that Lisa has been kidnapped, and is being held prisoner by her sociopathic Latino ex-boyfriend in a burned-out tenement in a Massachusetts mill town's barrio.

Accompanied by a wise-cracking Chicano shooter with an iron-clad attitude and an unflinching sense of honor, Spenser sets in motion a complex plan to rescue Lisa. Along the way, as he deals with broken down cops and messianic local warlords, Spenser questions his knowledge of truth, justice, passion and manhood.

Having read and enjoyed many of Robert B. Parker's previous Spenser books - for the most part - I found that this one wasn't really my type of book. I still thought that it was well-written and funny in parts, however it just wasn't my favorite book. I think I still will read Robert B. Parker's books as I have quite a number of them still to go through, but I have to give Thin Air an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

John Glatt - The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths

65. The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths by John Glatt (2007)
Length: 256 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 10 December 2011
Finished: 13 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 June 2009
Why do I have it? I like true crime and had heard of the Bart Corbin murder case at the time that it happened.

For months, the young son of Bart and Jennifer Corbin had told anyone who would listen that he was afraid of the violence that went on behind the closed doors of his elegant Georgia home. Then on the morning of December 4, 2004, 7-year-old Dalton ran to a neighbor's house, sobbing. What was uncovered was almost unbelievable to the Corbins' neighbors: Jennifer Corbin was engaged in a secret cyber-sex lesbian affair and successful dentist Bart Corbin had a bizarre and frightening past.

Jennifer Corbin's death looked like suicide. But that didn't fool young Dalton, and in the coming weeks the police uncovered an even more horrifying story: Dr. Corbin had been left by a woman before, and he may have gotten away with murder once but justice would make sure that he stood trial this time.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I actually turned on the television last night and saw that a television movie of the case was being broadcast. I didn't watch it, but I certainly give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

John Glatt - The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths

65. The Doctor's Wife: A True Story of Marriage, Deception and Two Gruesome Deaths by John Glatt (2007)
Length: 256 pages
Genre: True Crime
Started: 10 December 2011
Finished: 13 December 2011
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 June 2009
Why do I have it? I like true crime and had heard of the Bart Corbin murder case at the time that it happened.


For months, the young son of Bart and Jennifer Corbin had told anyone who would listen that he was afraid of the violence that went on behind the closed doors of his elegant Georgia home. Then on the morning of December 4, 2004, 7-year-old Dalton ran to a neighbor's house, sobbing. What was uncovered was almost unbelievable to the Corbins' neighbors: Jennifer Corbin was engaged in a secret cyber-sex lesbian affair and successful dentist Bart Corbin had a bizarre and frightening past.


Jennifer Corbin's death looked like suicide. But that didn't fool young Dalton, and in the coming weeks the police uncovered an even more horrifying story: Dr. Corbin had been left by a woman before, and he may have gotten away with murder once but justice would make sure that he stood trial this time.


I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I actually turned on the television last night and saw that a television movie of the case was being broadcast. I didn't watch it, but I certainly give this book an A!


A! - (90-95%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Mary Stewart - Thornyhold

64. Thornyhold by Mary Stewart (1988)
Length: 289 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 9 December 2011
Finished: 10 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 April 2011
Why do I have it? I do like the Gothic type of mystery and Mary Stewart is well known for this.


There was one thing in Gilly Ramsey's lonely childhood that she enjoyed; the visits from her Godmother, Geillis, an extraordinary woman with unusual powers. When Geillis suddenly died, the adult Gilly inherited her charming little cottage, Thornyhold, and went to live there in the English countryside. 


Once she arrived, Gilly encountered many strange occurrences; sinister neighbors, messages from beyond the grave and even the whisper of love. Just as Gilly grew closer to an attractive stranger and began to return his love, the inexplicable aura of suspense and witchcraft surrounding Thornyhold turned all too real and dangerous.

I have read a couple of Mary Stewart's books and have enjoyed some very much and others not so much. This book was very good except the plot was somewhat too easy to follow. I give this book a B+!

B+! - (89-94%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Jean Stone - Beach Roses

63. Beach Roses by Jean Stone (2003)
Length: 336 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 8 December 2011
Finished: 9 December 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 15 July 2011
Why do I have it? I usually enjoy books with touching plots and Jean Stone is a new author for me.

The women began as strangers: Rita has a past that can't stay hidden for long, Katie the rock star has to choose between saving her own life or the life of her unborn child, Hannah, a selfless housewife, finds herself abandoned by her friends just when she needs them most and Faye, a wealthy businesswoman, thinks she has already fought the battle of her life. Before the summer is over, these four women will form a lasting bond - one that will see old hurts finally healed, love rekindled and new life created.

I really enjoyed this book. I do like stories that involve women's friendships with each other. I give this book an A+! 

A+! - (96-100%)
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight