Some books rate a second or even a third reading, they are so good. Here are the reviews of what I’m sure I’ll be reading again.

DODGING BULLETS by Joe McKinney.

DODGING BULLETS put me right into the character of heroin dealer Peto Hurst and wouldn’t let me out, even as he totally screwed up what was left of his marginal life by stealing from San Antonio’s Mexican Mafia. He ended up in a cornfield with a pistol to his head, and I will never again think of cornfields without thinking of gang murders (thank you Joe McKinney).

I felt like I was a heroin dealer running from worse to worst with my girlfriend at stake (first person viewpoint), my life at stake, everyone’s life at stake, making mistake after mistake and ending up with a slam-bam bloody shootout that either saved the day (or didn’t/no spoilers here). How many times did I say “stake”?

Loved it. And I’m a nice girl too.

Available on Kindle from Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/Dodging-Bullets-ebook/dp/B0046A9SVM and from Gutter Books   www.gutterbooks.com.

SHAKEN by J.A. Konrath

SHAKEN (not Stirred, that’s the name of the next Jack Daniels mystery from J.A. Konrath, forgive me but I just had to say it) has the whole bagful of what makes comtemporary thrilers of this type so enjoyable, even if you’ve pretty much read it all before.

There are impossibly inventive, extremely nasty serial killers to catch. There is a great gal inching her way up the police career ladder who is dead-set on catching them. There are familiar and entertaining sidekicks. There is fast-paced writing without a lot of extraneous description. And it’s even funny sometimes.

Presented to readers (in its original state) in three timelines, Shaken is almost impossible to put down. Not great (like Red Dragon), but a good, quick read. Worth your time if you “like” serial killer stories.

Although Shaken is the first of this series I have read (and this is near the end of this series), there was nothing confusing about coming in so late in the game. I want to read the rest of them now. What better comment could I make.

www.amazon.com/Shaken-ebook/dp/B003M69XAM.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS WEEK—A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. And Daisy Chain by Mary E. DeMuth.

Photos by Roxanne Rix