Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘Infamy’ by Robert K Tanenbaum

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‘Infamy’ by Robert K Tanenbaum is the latest book in the Butch Karp-Marlene Ciampi series. Photo: amazon

 

Robert K Tanenbaum is a trial attorney and The New York Times bestselling author of thirty one books which include twenty-eight novels and three nonfiction books. He is best known for the popular Butch Karp-Marlene Ciampi series. The series begins with “No Lesser Plea” and his most current novel “Infamy” marks the twenty-eight and features prosecutors Butch Karp and his wife Marlene Ciampi. This time they team up to solve the murder of a US Army coronel while facing corruption at the highest levels of the United States government.

“Infamy” begins with the Prologue that has the jury about to deliver a verdict in a New York courtroom. From there it goes back eleven months to the Middle East where several people are killed in what becomes the beginning of a political cover up. Back in the states a former Army veteran suddenly murders three people in Central Park before giving himself up. After fleeing the scene he ends up at the Central Park Zoo where he takes hostages and claims he shot those people because he was being used in mind control experiments and was set up. He asks for immunity and in return he offers to name names and gives the operation code name ‘mirage.’ As Karp gets involved he finds that the corruption surrounding the case puts him, his friends and even his family in danger but he is determined to find those responsible.

Even though this is the latest in a long line of Butch Karp-Marlene Ciampi novels it is not necessary to be familiar with the characters or their backstory to enjoy or understand the story. It is a fast paced political thriller that combines courtroom drama with politics and is hard to put down. The action flows from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow. Mr Tanenbaum makes good use of dialogue to move the story along and the language is easy to understand without being too simplistic. “Infamy” by Robert K Tanenbaum is recommended for fans of legal and political thrillers similar to John Grisham.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘One Man’s Purpose’ by Stephen D Senturia

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‘One Man’s Purpose’ is Stephen D Senturia’s debut novel about the life of a professor at a fictional university.

Stephen D Senturia is a former Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As an author he has written textbooks and scientific papers and co-edited two journals and two book series. His first novel, “One Man’s Purpose,” is about a Professor at the fictional Cambridge Technology Institute and is based on his own experiences as a professor and educator.

In “One Man’s Purpose,” Martin Quint is a Professor at the Cambridge Technology Institute and at the top of his academic career. The story chronicles an academic year in his life that includes being a tenured professor, lecturing in his Circuits and Electronics course, rumors of a plagiarism scandal, competing against the rise of online courses and the politics behind tenure appeals. On top of that, he has to juggle his personal life of a sick father and a second marriage with a baby on the way. It is divided into four parts: Part I: Spring Term, 2013, Part II: Summer, 2013, Part III: Fall Term, 2013 and Part IV: Thereafter.

The author’s debut novel is a detailed account about what life in academia is like while trying to balance a personal life. Martin has his hands full with being a teacher, a researcher, a father with another child on the way and as a mentor dealing with a junior female colleague’s critical tenure case. This makes him believable and relatable because in today’s fast paced world most people have to juggle a work and family life. The story is easy to follow and understand but sometimes the academic terms and vocabulary can get confusing. Overall there is sufficient balance between the academic and the personal to appeal to most readers. The subplot dealing with the theft of confidential information that is posted online is of particular interest given modern news headlines about hackings. “One Man’s Purpose” by Stephen D Senturia is a rare look into the inner workings of a university and the average professor’s struggles to remain relevant. It is recommended for readers interested in learning more about these subjects.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘All the Time in the World’ by Caroline Angell

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‘All the Time in the World’ is the debut novel by Caroline Angell. Photo: amazon.com

Caroline Angell is a New York native with a B.A. in musical theater from American University. She is a playwright and director and has had her work performed at regional theaters in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area. “All the Time in the World: A Novel” is her debut novel and it was released earlier this year. It is about a young woman’s choice between the future she always envisioned for herself and the people who have become an important part of her life.

“All the Time in the World” is the story of Charlotte who is a promising music student but after experiencing some setbacks in her career takes a job as a nanny. She goes to work for Gretchen and Scotty, a glamorous Upper East Side Manhattan, while she figures out her next move as a composer in New York. As time goes by she comes to enjoy taking care of Matt and George, the couple’s young sons, and her life comes to revolve around them. All is well until Gretchen dies in an accident and she is faced with having to continue being the children’s caretaker to make sure their lives do not get further upended. The first part revolves around the children and their lives that include school, home and friends. The second part is more about human connections and how they each deal with loss.

Overall the action is fast paced and easy to read but sometimes the timeline gets confusing because the author switches between the past and the present. The universal themes of grief, love and hope are combined with humor to make it appeal to the average reader. There are extensive character interactions and developments which advance the story at an acceptable pace. It is recommended for readers who enjoy coming of age novels that contain the day to day detailed interactions with small children.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.