Girl with Dragon Tattoo Reviewed by UK Reviewer

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Stieg Larsson
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime

Reviewed by Owen O'Hagan, United Kingdom

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

If I’d stopped reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo twenty pages in, when I originally wanted to, I would never have experienced the compelling, clever and engrossing story that followed. It may get off to a slow start, but this book will keep you on edge until it’s all you can think about and you have no choice but read on.

Dragon Tattoo’s central mystery was beyond exciting. Ageing business-man, Henrik Vanger, employs journalist Mikael Blomkvist to solve the mystery of his great-niece, Harriet’s, disappearance and the truth slowly starts to reveal itself. I wanted to know what happened to Harriet, as much as the characters did themselves. At first, the amount of suspects in her case may seem overwhelming, but this particular part of the plot remains intriguing rather than complicated. The writer, Stieg Larsson, who tragically passed away shortly before the books were published, cleverly introduces characters and will leave you suspicious of each of them at some point.

Here lies a major strength of the book; its two protagonists. Blomkvist is a strong main character, who I gradually grew to understand and like. He has his flaws and is most definitely not the most likable character ever written, but his investigation into the disappearance of Harriet connects you to him. I even felt invested in his bazaar, accepted relationship with a married woman. I felt like I was on the case with Blomkvist and therefore grew to know him. It was small moments, like his relationship with a stray cat, that gave him some much needed depth, and made him three-dimensional

The second and perhaps the most unique character I’ve ever encountered, is Lisbeth Salander - the girl with the dragon tattoo. She’s a deep character, who is cold and calculated, but there’s something incredibly likable about her persona. She’s fiery, and doesn’t let anyone walk over her. It’s almost endearing. Salander’s sub-plot has likely attracted more attention than the main storyline itself. She loses her beloved guardian, only for him to be replaced by a disturbing and horrific monster of a man. This is where Larsson takes the story to a much darker place. It’s distressing and in your face, but that’s what’s so strong about the novel; it makes no excuses. Its conclusion is one of the most satisfying I’ve read, as well as one of the most shocking.

While Salander’s sub-plot is impressive, the same cannot be said for the story surrounding the political and financial scandal Blomkvist faces, thanks to his adversary, Wennerstrom. This very storyline is what put me off the book after merely reading the first chapter. The pages are full of information dumps, mostly about finance and business, and will likely go over the heads of many readers, leaving them bewildered and put off. I was relieved when the Harriet mystery was introduced, as the scandal was only mentioned occasionally, becoming background noise. Unfortunately, the mystery surrounding the Vanger family, that is full of compelling twists and shockers, concludes far before the end of the book. Instead, the focus returns to the scandal, and my interest levels dropped by a huge extent. This to me was a vital flaw in the novel – the main bulk of the book was enticing and gripping, but the beginning and the end fell flat. This was a disappointment in a book that had potential to be outstanding.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is at its core, an incredible thriller. The main mystery will steal your attention until its shocking conclusion. The characters will have you investing in their motivations and relationships. It’s just a shame that it doesn’t do enough to pull you into the story, and runs out of steam at its end. Please read this book, once you get past the first few chapters and delve into the mystery, you won’t want to put it down.

-----

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Your Clutter, This Book

If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Get Rid of This Clutter? T
Subtitle: Tools to Get it Done!
By Sallie Felton

Are You Conquering Clutter or Has Clutter Conquered You:?

What do Sallie Felton and Oprah Winfrey have in Common?

 

Peter Walsh loves both of them!

WANNA GET RID OF CLUTTER?

A how-to book power-packed

with specific strategies

to help you conquer

physical, emotional, and mental "clutter".

Buy 1 book & receive $10,000 in Bonus Gifts

Let's face it!

Everyone has clutter to some degree or another!

It's how you deal with the clutter that makes the difference

between conquering your clutter and

allowing your clutter to conquer you!

In her book, If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Get Rid of This Clutter?, author, radio personality and life coach Sallie Felton walks you through the practical and organizational strategies that make it easy to stay organized; but this book goes deeper and uncovers the hidden reasons why it can be so hard to get clutter free and stay that way.

What’s mental clutter?

· Does the chatter in your head never slow down?

· Does your mind never grow still? Are you constantly going over your to-do list in your head?

· Even when your body is exhausted, your brains just keeps going and you never feel rested or focused?

That’s mental clutter screaming at you, loud and clear!

What’s physical clutter?

· We all know it is all that “stuff” taking up space in our environment.
· Even paper piles become physical clutter!

And emotional clutter?

· It stems from the heart.
· Have you even not had closure with someone? How does that make you feel?
· Have you been hurt or feel less positive about yourself?


In If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Get Rid of This Clutter, Sallie Felton discusses how she de-cluttered her entire house, basement, attic, garage and sheds in 12 months, 365 days; taking you step by step how to do this, how to prioritize and keeping up. She shares with humor and wit her wins, her struggles, her procrastination and how she overcame it. http://bit.ly/GetRC

You don’t have to hit the ground running, but we guarantee, this book will motivate and keep you on tract to conquer the smallest to the largest areas inside and out. Learn from the expert.

Sallie Felton wears many hats as a Professional Life Coach (PCC), International Talk Radio host, facilitator, motivational speaker and author of 3 books. Her unique approach, which is equal parts honesty, playfulness and genuine compassion, is what's earned Sallie accolades from clients, colleagues and guests from her 2 radio shows, "A Fresh Start with Sallie Felton" (empowerment and positivity) and "Light at The End of The Tunnel" (support for those with or dealing with a loved one suffering with depression). As she says, "In order to move forward you have to start where you stand."

Dr. Anna Maria Prezio, Author of #1 Bestseller, Confessions of a Feng Shui Ghost-Buster, says, "What a treasure this book is! I've been fighting clutter (emotional and physical) for years without success and it's so important to feng shui your world! Now, at last we have a guide to help us unravel our issues and clear our lives of clutter once and for all. This book offers so many tips, methods and ideas for de-cluttering that if you follow the steps, you can't fail. I'm already making list of projects to tackle and feel like I can wade through them to victory! I'm also de-cluttering my life of unwanted relationships and past hurts/regrets, etc. Thanks so much!"

And here's the best part, when you buy the book today, you'll receive more than 100 downloadable bonus gifts you can enjoy and share. http://bit.ly/GetRC

Let's face it; everyone has clutter to some degree or another! It's how you deal with the clutter that makes the difference between conquering your clutter and allowing your clutter to conquer you.
In her book, If I'm So Smart, Why Can't I Get Rid of This Clutter?, author and life coach Sallie Felton, walks you through the practical and organizational strategies that make it easy to stay organized; but this book goes deeper and uncovers the hidden reasons why it can be so hard to get clutter free and stay that way.

~Submitted by Denise Cassino
Publicist: Book Marketing Specialist
303 838 3399
skype: denise.cassino
www.BestsellerServices.com
www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com
www.mybestsellerlaunch.com
Twitter @DeniseCassino

-----

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Lisa Yarde Reviews Historical Fiction

Title: The Unhewn Stone

Author: Wendy Laharnar
Author's Web site link: http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-927085-45-5
Available on Amazon
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Reviewed by Lisa J. Yarde originally for Amazon
Reviewer's rating: 5 out of 5

On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, Stefan Gessler waited in his attic room, poised for some momentous change in his otherwise uneventful life. He got more than he bargained for. He learns of an ancient manuscript, which his ancestors have protected for generations. With the aid of an ancient orb, Stefan transports into the past to change his family's destiny by trying to stop the legend of Wilhelm Tell.

His abrupt arrival in the fourteenth century is as disconcerting for him as his ancestral relations. Only one among them, the proud governor's son Rolf Gessler is unwilling to dismiss Stefan's claims about his journey to the past. While Stefan gains friends, he also makes dangerous enemies. When the governor unexpectedly dies, a corrupted knight accuses Stefan and Rolf of the murder, and punishes them for the crime. An ancient and eternal witch, who once divided the Gessler family, also knows the true origin of Stefan's orb. She will do anything to get it back.

This is Wendy Laharnar's debut fantasy novel. She has created a magical world, where an ordinary hero faces extraordinary odds in his quest. The author's attention to historical detail immerses the reader in the medieval period, while the fantasy element invites readers to escape with her characters to the past. Her hero Stefan is the honored guardian of his family's secret; often uncertain of his destiny, he remains courageous and willing to right the wrongs of the past. In perfect contrast to the hero, the unrepentant villain's only motivation is greed and ambition, making him the perfect nemesis. With such memorable characters and a unique setting, The Unhewn Stone is a wonderful read.

 Learn more about the reviewer:

Historical Fiction: On Falcon's Wings, Sultana, Sultana’s Legacy

Contemporary Novellas: Long Way Home
Website
Blog
Blogging at Historical Novel Review
Moderating at Unusual Historicals
Find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter

-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

A Review of Novel Based On Pearl Harbor Events

Title: Eyes Behind Belligerence

Author: K.P. Kollenborn
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1470168162
eBook ISBN 978-1-4524-7114-3

Reviewed by Lynn at Miss Lynn's Books & More

 

Written in five parts, this book is an epic tale of how the Japanese living in America on Bainbridge Island, Washington suffered undue humility and harassment when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The main story centers around two boys Jim and Russell, their families and how the Japanese community is affected by the war.

The novel begins with Jim trying to deal with the suicide of his older brother and years after still blames his father, Jim is more the quite type while Russell is more outgoing. As they say opposites attract each other and no matter what Jim and Russell always seem to connect in one way or another. With the advent of the war, the families start to suffer persecution. Their stores are vandalized, they have to turn over anything that could harm or incriminate them in any way, weapons, knives and down to even including 2 way radios. Now they have arrested all the men and the rest of their families are being transported off the island leaving their homes, bank accounts and belongings behind for looters to take advantage of.

As they are all transferred to a relocation camp, that could be in all reality a lesser form of a concentration camp, this is where they will being till the war ends. Here is where Jim and Russell and their families are now living along with about 10,000 other Japanese families. With a watchtower at either end there is no chance for escape as they have to deal with the sand, the heat, meager meals, no privacy and a guard that would just as soon shoot them all as to have to look at them. As with any form of camp, problems arise, families go against families, gangs form, friendships either part or strengthen and romance can blossom. So goes the lives of Jim and Russell as they both manage to keep their friendship throughout.

A year after the advent of Pearl Harbor, the camp is showing signs of political unrest. There are riots, people accusing each other of wrong doings. Americans against each other. Those for and those against. As the military sets into to recruit members for a segregated combat unit, Jim and Russell both enlist, Russell to prove his loyalty to America. As he fights against his own country , Jim being disloyal is sent to a different camp .Hopefully this will help him to grown up and become a loyal American.With the end of the war and families returning back to Bainbridge Island, Jim and Russell vow to remain friends. While Russell goes off to college, Jim has finally learned to forgive his father for his brothers suicide and decides to remain in Bainbridge. Now is the time to start their lives over and try to regain back the respect from the community that they had lost years earlier.

This is a long book but a very interesting novel. For those that lived back in that time and read this book it will bring back memories, memories of hating and being hated. For the younger generation they can read but really not understand what it was like. I have to say the author did a wonderful job on researching the book before writing it.I just touch on a bit of the subject contained in this book. There is much more that one needs to read to reach the full impact of the novel. Recommended for all who like to read factual books based on actual events. Whould make a great movie.

----- The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Tibor Jones Prize Shortlist Novel Reviewed

Title: Tell A Thousand Lies
Author: Rasana Atreya
Author's website: http://rasanaatreya.com
Genre: Popular Fiction
Where it was published: Amazon (http://ow.ly/9DdxZ)
Available from Kindle

Shortlisted for the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia prize.
"We also particularly enjoyed the work of Rasana Atreya, [one of] our [two] runners up." ~ The Writing Room Bursary Competition 2011

Reviewed by Holly J Michael (Kansas City, MO USA)

 

Tell a Thousand Lies is an engaging novel that draws you into the heart and days of Pullamma's India where superstitions, the wrong color skin, and dirty politicians can determine a women's fate.

Raised by her grandmother, after her mother dies in childbirth and her father deserts the family, Pullamma lets go of the comfort of childhood innocence, fun and closeness of her best friend Chinni, to face woman-hood in a peculiar situation she lands in.

We travel with Pullamma and all of her hardships as she goes from a young girl in rural mid-1980s India hoping for a municipal water connection and a good husband--in spite of her dark skin and insufficient dowry--through her years of forced Goddesshood and difficulties and betrayals that take her into her adult years.

Tell a Thousand Lies is a moving comedic story about a woman's survival within societal and familial expectations. It allows us to become a part of the life of an endearing girl who makes the most out of difficult situations. It's a story about bonds of friendships, broken and restored, and love. I couldn't put the book down through Pullamma's travels and trials in India.

Pullamma's determination to overcome so many odds kept me breathlessly turning the pages to see how she would get out of the next pickle, and I don't mean her homemade pickle that became a source of income and a catalyst for female bonding and new friendships. I cheered when Pullamma triumphed under the most difficult situations and bit my nails when she had to face the evil politician's mischief.

Atreya's eloquent writing and detailed observations of life for women in India as well as the beauty and historical charm of India come through beautifully in this novel. I enjoy books filled with cultural richness that enlighten and entertain and Rasana Atreya pulls this off beautifully in her debut novel.

Having traveled throughout India several times and having relatives who live in India, I appreciated the spot-on struggles Indian women faced in the past and continue to face even today.

Tell A Thousand Lies is an emotional rollercoaster ride that makes you keep rooting for Pullamma as Atreya delightfully and hilariously infuses issues of class, religion, work, education, sexual roles, and the ties between women.

This is a very descriptive, well written story that draws you into the lives and emotions of the characters. A very good, humorous, poignant and heartwarming read.

 ~ Learn more about Rasana Atreya at  http://rasanaatreya.com and
http://rasanaatreya.wordpress.com . Her Tell A Thousand Lies is shortlisted for the TiborJones South Asia prize.

-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Book of Modern Fiction Reviewed

Title: An Artist of the Floating World
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Modern fiction
ISBN: 0679722661

Reviewed by Amy at book musings

Set in postwar Japan, Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World is the story of an artist, now elderly, coming to terms with his decision to use his art in support of the militaristic regime coming into power in the decades leading up to the war. The phrase "floating world" refers traditionally to Japan's pleasure districts--neighborhoods of restaurants, bars, theaters, and brothels. Much of the artist's remembered past takes place in the bars of the floating world, drinking, arguing, and discussing art with his mentors, his peers, and later with his students. His art, and that of his contemporaries, focused on depicting the people of this floating world.

This is a very subtle and unusual story. The first thing we learn about the artist is that he gained his house as a result of his good character and reputation. He treats his family well and is respected and admired. That there is something wrong with his past we only learn gradually and indirectly. His younger daughter's marriage negotiations end abruptly when the other family suddenly and inexplicably pulls out. A new suitor appears, and his elder daughter suggests delicately that he visit certain old associates to make sure that they do not tell the suitor's family anything "unfortunate." The oblique Japanese style of discourse, in which nothing is stated baldly, but only approached in stages, makes a wonderful mirror for the artist's thought processes. The impression is that he would prefer not to name, even in his own mind, the deed of which he is ashamed.

The central portion of the book is taken up with these visits to former associates and students. With each conversation, the picture of the past becomes a little more detailed. We come to understand that the artist, gradually becoming enamored of the belligerent, militaristic mood of the new regime in the prewar years, changed his style of painting and began producing propaganda art. In the process he alienated some people, including his beloved teacher, and influenced others to join him.

Eventually, the artist calls on a man who refuses to see him. This man and his refusal are the link to the deed that the artist has not named. When he names it, and we learn it, the story has gone from vague and indirect to, finally, direct and specific. 

There are no shocks here, really. This isn't a suspense story in which the point is to find out what the terrible act was. Rather, it's a man's process of facing his past actions from the vantage point of a now very different (floating?) world, and the good and bad effects of that confrontation, delicately and subtly told.

-----

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Cary Pepper Crime Novel Called "Great Read"

Reel Life Crime
Author: Cary Pepper
Author’s Website: www.carypepper.comGenre: Fiction/Detective/Crime
ISBN: 978-1-4658-4263-3

Reviewed by esmeowl12 originally for ReaderJots
Five-Star Review

I was intrigued by Reel Life Crime by Cary Pepper when I was approached to review it.

Private detective Ed Sampas is approached by an “odd couple” for an interesting case. Aristocratic Thelonius Noble and 300 pound Pago Mundy have a problem. Their authentic movie prop (one of only two that exist), the Maltese falcon, has been stolen and they want it back. The recovery must be done quickly and quietly. No police involvement.

Complicating matters are Sampas’ two totally different friends. McNulty, an up-and-up cop, is on the law side and Hank, the gay antiquities dealer, sometimes operates on the other side. Both become intricately meshed in the case.

Comic relief comes with two doped up computer geeks, a beautiful young photographer named Phoebe and Sampas’ nephew Ralph. There is mystery, plot twists and turns, revenge and near-death experiences. The ending is not what one would expect.

I thought this was a great read and highly recommend it. I enjoyed the suspense and the characters were believable and likable. I have never read The Maltese Falcon or seen the movie but I will now.

-----

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :