The Whispers & The Burning Girl de Lisa Unger

The Whispers: A Whispers Story (The Whispers Series)

Pocket Star (Oct. 27 2014)

66 pages - 1.99 $ (Kindle Edition)

First book of the series (there are three). These are short novels (66 pages, this is actually very short!). I was intrigued by the slightly supernatural side (a psychic helps police) of this novel. And then I thought it would change me some pretty violent novels I've read lately!

The Burning Girl: A Whispers Story (The Whispers Series)Pocket Star (Nov. 25 2014)

75 pages - 1.99 $ (Kindle Edition)

Second book of the series and I read it in stride. It must be said that it is so short that finish first short novel resembles a coitus interruptus: in feel good that there is a sequel, but it ends there. In short, so I read the first two series in one sitting.

The blurb

In the first story short, Eloise Montgomery and daughter survive a tragedy in which she lost her husband and her other daughter. Then they learn to live in their new reality Eloise begins to have visions. She "gets" home people dead or in danger. Not knowing what to do at first, she eventually talk to the police and to assist in an investigation.

In the second book, a few years have passed. Eloise and her daughter are in conflict (his daughter never really liked that his mother had visions). Eloise and the cop she helped in the first volume are now partners and conduct investigations.

What's good about it?

We have all heard of psychic who help the police one time or another. Heard that some police officers do not hesitate to use their service. And then, almost everyone saw The Sixth Sense! So it's a recurring and more or less credible subject (according to your beliefs!) Both books actually read very quickly. I guess you can read the three in an evening (and no, I have not read the third).

The first was more interesting, there is an investigation about a missing girl (and we agree that to the extent that I like thrillers, that counts for a lot in my opinion!) Eloise has "received" this girl at home and was able to help the police. The novel, although very (very) short managed to camp characters, make us feel their emotions, their pain and  Eloise's struggle to forgive the author of her tragedy. This is sufficiently well written and narrated that I started reading the second book immediately, as if the end of the book was a chapter end.

The second book, meanwhile, is weaker. It doesn't happen much, no real investigation or real mystery elucidated. I guess it has to do with the idea of letting go that Eloise struggles with as she remains frozen in time, at the time of her tragedy and she has some difficulty moving forward. So if that was the goal, it's really well done! If not... I felt the same frustration or boredom in reading the second novella I felt by reading the second volume of the Millennium trilogy. This impression that the author fills some gaps between the first and third volume in which all happens. Despite this, the writing is still as enjoyable and easy. We discover a new character, Agatha, a very renowned psychic who helps Eloise and brings some freshness and exoticism.

In a nutshell

I will not speak for the third part of this trilogy, but the first two are nice, they can be read quickly and will delight readers who want to start AND finish a book (or even three), while they have only a few hours before them. It's a 3.5/5 for me. 

Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to me by the publisher. No review was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.

Once for this time...

I won't review a book but show off with my interview!

Marina Sofia, whom you can find on Twitter or on her delicious blog, findingtimetowrite, is featuring interviews with avid readers of crime fiction. And I had the great pleasure to answer her questions this month. 

Marina Sofia is a writer, a poet, who also review crime fiction on the Crime Fiction Lover website. She's a book lover and a crime fiction fan. We almost meet each other at Quais du Polar in France. Well, she saw me as I was a volunteer and didn't allow her to go into a room already too full of people (it was YOU! she told me) (I'm happy to see she's not mad at me!) Now I wish I could remember our first encounter (I guess I just have to go back there and meet her again!)

On the first of december, I was her guest. So if (or more "as" mwahaha) you want to know a little bit more about me or you don't but you'd like to read her posts which go from poetry to pictures, interviews, reviews, etc (everyone of you should find some kind of delight!), you just have to go there.

The Bleiberg Project by David Khara

(Consortium Thriller Book 1)

Le French Book (April 22 2013)

280 pages - 4,48 $ (kindle edition)

One again, it's because of Le French Book that I discover a French author. And I'll say that it's because I love their books that I tried The Bleiberg Projet as spy stories are not what I choose first. But it must be said that the fact that it speaks of history also helped me to choose this novel...

The blurb

Are Hitler’s atrocities really over? For depressive Wall Street trader Jeremy Corbin, absolute truths become undeniable lies overnight. He finds out his long-lost father is dead and boards a plane to Zurich with a Nazi medallion in his pocket, a hot CIA bodyguard next to him, and a clearly dangerous Mossad agent on his tail. What was his father investigating? Why was his mother assassinated? Can the conspiracy be stopped? An instant sensation in France -- Blue Moon Award for Best Thriller -- Over 130,000 copies sold

What's good about it?

The relentless pace of the story. This book is short and intense. From the very beginning, we are drawn into the story. It starts with Jay that we follow throughout and in the first person. I thought that it was cool to live the story with the other two protagonists but when through the eyes of Jay, it brings the kind of dark humour I like. Jay is assisted by a Mossad agent, Eytan, a giant who hides a dark secret (secret that one quickly understands) and a CIA agent, cute enough to give Jay back a certain taste for living. The story is told from different points of view and moves from the third person to first person when it comes to Jay, but this is done very well and helps to make the story lighter when Jay let out some very ironic remarks.

The story is well done, the indices are given throughout the story, even if we discover things by ourselves and before the protagonists (which I always find a bit of a shame) (but which can be flattering: yeah ! I found the answer before him!) (in the same time, him being a character, it's pretty silly to be best) (but one finds his delight where one can, right?) The three accomplices find themselves chasing the missing elements to allow them to save the world and their lives. With that, if I tell you that there's some CIA, Mossad and other hidden but global organizations involved... it gives you a good idea of the tension in this book. For fans of global conspiracy, genetic mutation and other experiment, you'll love The Bleiberg Project! (anti-GMO will also find compelling arguments)

We meet a bunch of characters, from the protagonists - Jay the trader-moron who proves intelligent, funny and humble enough eventually, Eytan the enigmatic character that you would like to know more, especially given his past and Jackie the CIA secret weapon: small but mighty! - to the historical figures (Himmler, Hitler and other Nazis eager for scientific experiments and to create the perfect creature). Because yes, we go from one era to another, from one gang of merry men to another, it sprays with bullets, it bursts and it's breathtaking.

And kudos for the translator, Simon John! I don't know what the book is like in French but the tone of the English version was excellent!

In a nutshell

An excellent book that reads quickly, a fast-paced story and a devastating humor. The Bleiberg Project was a great success and it's well deserved. It is a 4.5 / 5 for me.

Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to me by the publisher. No review was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.