My Reading List - Mix of Authors

First Thrill - A mix of short stories written by many new authors lead by Lee Child. Lee Child rocks!

My Reading List - Sandra Brown

Deadline (2013) - Journalist Dawson was recommended to follow the murder case in Atlanta and also helped his godfather to find the truth 40 years ago. Many turns and twists.

My Visit - Webster Lake (MA)

In a very sunny autumn Sunday, we decided to visit this lake at Mass and Connecticut border. It is well known by its 45-letter-long name:  Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Of course, this is an Indian name, it basically means that "You fish on your side, I fish on my side and nobody fishes in the middle.". I have no way of knowing the actual meaning or even know how to pronounce it but given this interesting explanation, I have been wanting to come and visit.

Entering Webster from Connecticut

The direction is kinda vague. I took what was suggested from Google direction but got lost after I took the exit 1 of Rt 395. I had to stop and ask some fellow who happened to be going to the same place. So I ended up entering the lake area from Memorial Beach Park entrance, which is next to the local Police Department.

Overpass to the Memorial Beach Park

Drove under the highway, the lake name was marked on the bridge. I had to come back to take this picture. There were some boats but no other activities on the lake. Some kids running around. We decided to walk around and took some panorama pictures. It was absolutely beautiful and a good family day well spent!

Peaceful lake

Peaceful lake

Peaceful lake

Leisure time

Crisp water

Lake view houses

a Corner of Lake

Kids playground

Kids playground

Who fishes on this side?

Entering Webster from Connecticut

My Reading List - Joseph Finder

Looked like all, at least from what I read, Joseph Finder's novel have something to do in corporate life, the conspiracies in some corporation.

Nick Heller Novel:

Buried Secret  (2011)- Alexa Marcus was buried alive with video cams connected. Why was her own father reluctant to save her? A story of chasing to reveal the truth. A-

Standalone

Killer Instinct (2007) - Jason Steadman was so lucky, or not, to have Kurt Semko help him to climb the corporate ladder, or the other way around? 

Vanished (2009) - Nick Heller was to find out who abducted his brother after he and his wife left a DC restaurant, and why? woman, money or something very secretive?

Suspicion (2014) - Danny Goodman's life took many turns after his daughter became best friend of Thomas Galvin's daughter. Many twists, feeling not real but good page turner. Jay Gould was a real legend.

My Reading List - Philip R. Craig

I discovered Philip R. Craig when I first saw his book 'Vineyard Prey' in the local library. The word 'prey' reminded me the 'prey' series that I have been fond of. 'Vineyard' may referred to Martha's Vineyard (and yes!). I decided to give a try. Indeed, Philip Craig was truly a great writer, full of humor and clear insight of many things. His story lines are tight and fast paced. Craig was a detail oriented writer. However, the details are all related to solve the mystery at hand.  J.W. Jackson, the main character in his series didn't want to get involved into many things, however, more than often, he needed to get more involved in order to be un-involved...

A Vineyard Killing (2003) - The new real estate billionaire Donald and his people got shot when they tried to force people sell their long time owned land. Did John Reilley have a role in this?

Murder at a Vineyard Mansion (2004) - Who was the 'Silencer' to fry those expensive loud speakers? who killed Ollie Mattes, a security of an under-construction mansion? and who murdered Harold Hobbes? the entangled relationships of some oldest families made me very confused. but I got it eventually.

Vineyard Prey (2005) - Who was the 'bunny' wanted to kill Joe Begay and Kate MacLeod? was this really related to their secret government work overseas?

My Reading List - Lawrence Block

Lawrence Block's books in general are mild in the crime plots but leads you through it via humorous dialogs and funny conversations as we as interesting setups. The characters are somewhat have the contradictory minds as what they thought and what they actually do. The actions are not necessarily heavy but the mind, the thought process are the focus. The story lines sometimes make you feel there is no focus but it all comes together at the end.

Keller Series

Hit Parade (2006) - Keller was tired of but no choice to continue doing what he had been doing. The focus of  the stories episodes were not on how did his jobs but his thoughts. Plain but funny and witty dialogs between him and Dot. A good relaxed reading.

Hit and Run (2008) - Keller was framed to be the killer of a politician and needed to survive. Many description of his mental activities and thought process.

Bernie Rhodenbarr 

The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (2013) - Bernie 'accidentally' helped his police friend to solve a murder burglary crime. Funny and enjoyable.

Written as Jill Emerson
Getting off (2011) - Kitty Tolliver, a serial killer with bad memory of her childhood murdered almost all men who had relationship with. She enjoyed it.



Stand-alone

The Girl with the Long Green Heart (1965) - The con artists Jonny Hayden and Doug Rance used Evelyn Stone, the secretary, on a plot to take her boss Wallace Gunderman's wealth with Canadian land. It was a smooth story until the last portion and it has a brilliant end.


* Greedy is an appetite. It is never sated. The more you feed it, the hungrier it gets. - Burglar who counted spoons

My Visit - Walden Pond (MA)

Walden Pond State Reservation

Panorama view of the pond

The pond is located at Concord. It is considered as the landmark of the conservation movement. The history behind it is related to Henry Thoreau, who lived there in mid 19th century and became an activist of natural preservation.

This is small pond surrounded by woods and trails. The area is pretty family friendly. Some said that  you could do picnic here. However, I neither saw any one was doing so, nor the barbecue setup, even not necessary. We came here in a cloudy autumn weekend. I was sure that it would look even more beautiful if it had been sunny.

The temperature was still cool around 9:00am and there were already a bunch of swimmers enjoying themselves. A couple of boats in the water. A young couple pushed a stroller not far from the beach. The quietness was broken by what looked like a group of students from nearby schools. Yeah.. everyone wanted to see the foliage in a Fall.

The trail was narrow but very well established and maintained. I think it could take about an hour or so to circle the pond. Let's see...

Next to the trail, behind the hill, it is MBTA's Fitchburg line of Commuter Rail:

MBTA Fitchburg Line

With the time of taking pictures and all that. It took more than an hour. But it was worth it. It is a good exercise after all.

Panorama view of the pond