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Sunday, August 08, 2021

Tahoe Death Fall by Todd Borg and Miscellaneous Nonsense

  Whew, I've been abandoning a lot of books lately.  Some I know pretty quickly that they aren't what I want to read; I've read over 50% of others (hoping that somehow the experience will be salvaged) before giving up.  Sometimes it's the book and sometimes it's me--for whatever reason.  


Cathy recently mentioned the Owen McKenna Tahoe series by Todd Borg as one of her favorites.  H
er review of the latest in the series caught my interest, so I started with the first in the series.  If I liked it, I'd have many books to keep me distracted from the real world.

And I did like it and will read the next book.    The excruciatingly long plane escape was more interruption than suspense for me, but any other implausible elements bothered me not in the least.   Owen and Street are great characters for a series, and I even hope Jennifer appears in future books.  She is too interesting to be wasted on just one book, and I'd like to see her grow up in the series.  Not that I actually expect that, but it doesn't hurt to hope.

from description:  When 14-year-old Jennifer Salazar approaches Tahoe Detective Owen McKenna, she explains that her identical twin sister Melissa died 8 years before on their 6th birthday. Now, at the ripe old age of 14, Jennifer has come to believe that her sister's death was not the accident that everyone says. When McKenna investigates, he uncovers a long-buried secret that is still driving a murderer to kill. McKenna is desperate to catch the killer before he strikes again because McKenna believes that Jennifer is next to die... (less)

A fast and easy read, with a Great Dane named Spot, interesting characters, and a plot that kept me wondering.  This is exactly what I need right now: escapism.   I suspect Tahoe Death Fall is one of those series that gets better as you become invested with the characters, and I'm eager to find out. The first book in the Owen McKenna series makes the most of the location, introduces characters, includes a love interest based on friendship and respect, and provides plenty of suspense.  

There are now 15 books in the series, so I will have a reliable "go to" when needed.

Mystery/Suspense.  2001.  Print length:  258 pages.
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Crafting:  I keep making the Nightmare Catchers--but now, I'm feeling the Halloween vibe.  Maybe I'll get out my Halloween fabric to make the next ones.  This is the time I usually start getting in the mood for Halloween characters.  

Currently Reading:  In this case, listening to The Bombay Prince by Suhata Massey.  :)

Recently Finished:  The Riverwoman's Dragon by Candace Robb and Better Off Dead (Jack Reacher) by Lee Child/Andrew Child.

Gardening:  too hot!  

 

20 comments:

  1. This sounds great! And it's nice to have a well-established series like this one to go-to when you need it. I've had a couple of months this year where I've had a terrible time getting into books, so I feel your pain with that. Hopefully you're getting out of that reading funk. It gets really frustrating after awhile.

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    1. It is nice when there are plenty of books in a series, especially when trying to fill the time while waiting for the next book in another series. I hope that it will be a while before the next reading funk. :)

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  2. Yes, too hot to do gardening or anything else! I can't wait to see how your nightmare characters get ready for Halloween. I'm so ready for fall. I've already been looking for titles for R.I.P. Don't know if it's happening but I hope so and regardless I'm ready for spooky reads. Love it when you find a good go to series especially when all other books aren't working out.

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    1. I'm eager to see what readers have planned for R.I.P., so I can snatch a few titles. I haven't signed up for the challenge for several years, but it so much to read books that fall in that category! Ready for fall, even though it won't be here for way too long. Summer has lost most of its allure. :)

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  3. That picture is too cute! And I hope you post pics of some of your Halloween nightmare characters. :)

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    1. Quokas are some of the cutest animals ever! I have several little monsters to finish up, then they will begin getting Halloween fabric. :)

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  4. I've not read any of the Tahoe series and not sure I'm up for starting another one right now, but I've made a note of it. Maybe in the future...

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    1. There are so many great series available, and right now my goal is to have some reliable escapism to keep me from dwelling on climate change and covid. Reading and peanut m & ms help!

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  5. Wonderful that you have a new-to-you reliable series to fall back on. I don't read as many series as you (I don't read as MUCH as you period! 😄) but I just picked up book number six in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and am looking forward to revisiting Mma Ramotswe & Co.

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    1. I really should read The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. I enjoyed watching episodes of the tv series, but haven't read the books--thanks for reminding me Ruthiella!

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  6. I'm so glad that you enjoyed Tahoe Deathfall, Jen! This is a series that does get better as it progresses and as you become invested in the characters. I look forward to August every year because I know I'm going to have a lovely escape to Lake Tahoe. :-)

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    1. I did enjoy it! It seemed like the kind of series that was going to get better as the characters become old friends. :) I'd love to visit Lake Tahoe if I ever feel comfortable with travel again!

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  7. I am determined to choose only books to read that I am really enjoying. It frustrates me to invest a lot of time in a book that I end up spurning.

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    1. It is frustrating, especially when one has high hopes for a book, to find it less than enjoyable. While occasionally I know that my mood has influenced my reception, often it is simply not a book that meets my specific expectations. Fortunately, there are so many other books to choose from!

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  8. Your comment about the part of the book that turned out to be more of an "interruption" than a bit of "suspense" caught my attention. I've felt that way for a long time about extended descriptions about characters being in suspenseful life-or-death situations. I can never get past the awareness that nothing really bad is going to happen to the hero of the story anyway, and I get anxious to move the plot along. I used not to be that way...not sure when it changed for me, but "horror" books no longer much horrify me and "suspense" novels too often leave me bored.

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    1. There are all kinds of suspense, aren't there? And any of them can be dragged out for too long! :)

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  9. This book sounds promising so I'll have to check out the series. So many books, so little time! ;)

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    1. I like being at the start of a new series that I expect to enjoy. :)

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  10. I'm reading the ones I've not read, too, plus his most recent, Tahoe Jade.

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    1. I'm pleased to be at the beginning, but I will get to Tahoe Jade eventually!

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