2008 Book 105: Book of Fate

Book #:	105
Book Title:	The Book of Fate
Author:	Brad Meltzer
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	2006
Pages:	508
Started:	December 4, 2008
Finished:	December 8, 2008
Time to Read:	5 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"In six minutes, one of us would be dead. None of us knew it was coming... So says Wes Holloway, a once-cocky and ambitious presidential aide, about the day that changed his life forever. On that Fourth of July, Wes put Ron Boyle, the chief executive's oldest friend, into the presidential limousine. By the time the trip came to an end, Wes was permanently disfigured, and Boyle was dead, the victim of a crazed assassin. Eight years later, Boyle is spotted, alive and well, in Malaysia. In that moment, Wes has the chance to undo the worst day of his life. Trying to figure out what really happened takes Wes back to a decade-old presidential crossword puzzle, mysterious facts buried in Masonic history, and a two-hundred-year-old code invented by Thomas Jefferson. But what West doesn't realize is that The Book of Fate holds everyone's secrets. Especially the ones worth dying for. The Book of Fate. What does it say about you?"
Stars:	***
Review:	After reading my second Meltzer novel, I have to say that I like him as an author. I just don't love him. For instance...in this nearly-600 page work, the pace quickens then slows then quickens then slows, and then I forget what I've already read and go back and forth and, well...you get the point. Read carefully - there is a lot jam packed into these pages and you can easily miss a connecting detail if you aren't paying scrupulous attention. I like the subject matter - political setting, a hint of Masonic intrigue - nice. It's a story that seems to get told time and again these days, but Meltzer puts his own twist on it, which is great. Overall, an interesting read, but shy away if you're look for a light, fun time.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

2008 Book 104: The Millionaires

Book #:	104
Book Title:	The Millionaires
Author:	Brad Meltzer
Publisher:	Warner Books
Pub. Date:	2002
Pages:	481
Started:	December 1, 2008
Finished:	December 4, 2008
Time to Read:	4 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"It started as the perfect crime. Then it took a turn for the worse. "Charlie and Oliver Caruso are brothers who work at Greene & Greene, a private bank so exclusive you need two million dollars just to be a client. But when the door of success slams in their faces, they're faced with an offer they can't refuse: three million dollars in an abandoned account. No one knows it exists, and even better, it doesn't belong to anyone. It's a foolproof crime. More important, for Charlie and Oliver, it's a way out of debt and the key to a new life. All they have to do is take the money. But when they do, they quickly discover they've got a lot more on their hands than the prize. Before they can blink, a friend is dead - and the bank, the Secret Service, and a female private investigator are suddenly closing in. What invisible strings were attached to that account? How are the brothers going to prove they're innocent? And why is the Secret Service trying to kill them? Trapped in a breakneck race to stay alive, Charlie and Oliver are about to discover a secret that will test their trust and forever change their lives."
Stars:	***
Review:	I like this book for a number of reasons. It's a longish length novel, but it moves along at a rapid enough pace to keep you engaged and going to an end. The front story is intriguing, and there is enough going on beneath the surface to really hook you in. I'd really have to say that there are portions that are a bit overdone - relying on stereotypes at times to prove a point, or cliches to move a scene forward. But overall, enjoyable!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany