The Black Ice by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #2. There are two meanings to the title of this book. Black Ice is the name of a drug coming out of Mexico. The original, more purer form of the drug called Ice, came from Hawaii. The Mexican drug cartel figured out a way to produce the drug cheaper - and with less overhead because they can just transport it across the border into the US (rather than ship it or fly it over like the Hawaiian's have to do). There is also the more common reference to "black ice", which relates to when rain or snow covers the roads and then freezes, so drivers have to drive with caution due to the possibility of hitting black ice, which will potentially send the driver careening off the road into a ditch. Both meanings of this phrase applies to this book.

Even though Harry is on call (on Christmas) for the next murder scene, he is not called. He finds out about the murder over his police scanner. He goes to the scene anyway, of course. The victim is a cop, who apparently committed suicide in a very graphic way. His face is blown off by a double barrel shotgun. The police department wants to control the scene - and control the information coming out about the apparent suicide - which is why Harry wasn't called. Harry soon believes that it isn't a suicide, but a murder.

It doesn't take Harry long to suspect that this cop's murder (Calexico Moore) is linked to a drug mule case he is already working on. Then, when Harry is told to take over another cop's cases who retired suddenly (Porter), he realizes that one of Porter's last cases is also linked to the first two. So these three cases lead Harry to Mexico, the Mexican authorities and the DEA. Harry has to trust his instincts when it comes to who to trust, at home and in Mexico. Anyone who tries to take down a Mexican drug boss needs to tread lightly. You never know who they have paid off.

This particular drug lord, Zorrillo, breeds bulls for bullfighting. Since Harry attends a bullfight to try to set eyes on Zorrillo, I am reminded of how much a detest bullfighting. Watching an animal suffer until death is not my idea of "sport".

This story has the usual twists and turns - and both good and evil people die. It's interesting how Harry puts it all together in the end. It's all in the details!

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly

I liked this book, although I didn't like it as much as Lilac Girls by this same author. I've been trying to figure out why. The thing that bothers me the most is that both Arlette and Josie were taken by people they should have been more suspicious of. If these two were intelligent enough to join the French Resistance at the age of 17 - and survive Ravensbruck - then how is it that they so willingly went along with people I certainly didn't trust! When someone seems too good to be true, then take a step back and consider all the angles. Look at the evidence!

Other than that, I did like the book and I learned a few things I didn't know. I actually wasn't aware of Operation Paperclip and I am appalled at how many top Nazi's were given new identities to leave their crimes behind and live comfortably and safely in other countries. To know that they were assisted by members of the Red Cross and the Vatican is disgusting. All of the medical experiments, the killing of innocent children (including newborns), the starving of children in the Kinderzimmer at Ravensbruck, and all the other, endless, horrific things that went on because of Hitler and his Nazi's, is truly hard to believe. 

The one thing I have never been able to understand about Nazi Germany is how so many people thought these actions (to achieve a superior race) were okay. It's one thing to be taken in by a charismatic leader, or to follow what you are told to do as a child, or to get "caught up in the moment", but what about our innate sense of morality and ethics? How is torturing men, women and children ever beneficial to any cause at all? Even the top scientists and doctors of the time had to see how incredibly wrong it all was. How do you get that brainwashed by a man, or even by a movement? 

I think about how difficult it would have been to trust people during World War II and the aftermath. There were so many spies and double agents from all countries that were assimilated into each community. Russia, Israel and the US each had their own agenda for tracking down Nazi war criminals. When Arlette met Luc and Josie met Aaron, they should have been immediately suspicious. But, Arlette and Josie also had their own agendas (Arlette  to find her son and Josie to find Dr. Snow), so it's somewhat understandable that they "went along" to find out what information they could. But I was sad that some key, wonderful people died along the way.

World War II continues to be one of my favorite topics to read about. I am intrigued with how incredibly brave people were and how they managed to survive living in Europe and/or the camps during the war. From a psychological standpoint, I want to try to understand why the people running these camps thought it was acceptable to treat people the way they did.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Just what I needed, to start another detective series! The Black Echo is the first book in the Harry Bosch series. I believe there are 27 books in the series now, with some additional short stories. So.... lots to read, too little time. ;)

Harry is a LAPD homicide detective. In this introduction to Harry, we find out that he was a "tunnel rat" in the Vietnam War. When a man is found dead in a drain pipe often used by drug addicts and homeless people, Harry is called to the scene. Everyone wants to write off this death as another drug addict who overdosed, especially since he has fresh tracks in his arm. Harry notices quickly though that not all is what it seems to be. When the man is finally taken out of the drain pipe, Harry is shocked to realize that the dead man (Billy Meadows) was a fellow "tunnel rat" that had served with Harry. Harry had not seen him in 20 years, although Billy had called him once the previous year and Harry was under the impression that Billy had kicked his drug habit.

Harry's reputation with the police department has been tarnished due to the way he handled his last case. (A man ended up dead, at the hands of Harry.) Internal Affairs is especially "out for him", wanting him to be discharged from the department completely. So Harry has his work cut out for him when it comes to trying to investigate how Billy ended up in the drain pipe. This becomes even more mysterious when other people that Harry talks to end up dead. Harry is not allowed to work with his partner on the case (Jerry Edgar) and instead is told to work with an FBI agent by the name of Eleanor Wish. Harry falls for Eleanor, which complicates a few things as well.

Fortunately, there are colleagues in the department that are still loyal to Harry and they help him track down information he needs to solve this case. There are definitely some twists and turns in the story and I was suspicious of a variety of people along the way, wondering who could really be trusted. (For good reason, you will find out at the end!) The story involves the end of the Viet Nam war, the people who were there at the end, and their actions to profit. It's a very delayed "conclusion of events" from 20 years earlier.

I already ordered books #2-#4. I am thinking that Harry and Edgar will soon be partners again. (Fingers crossed.)

Wendy's Rating: ****

Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez

This book is an autobiography, which is a sequel to The Circuit. The Circuit covers the younger years of Francisco Jimenez and Breaking Through starts when he is around 13 years old until after his high school graduation.

Francisco, his older brother Roberto, and their parents left their small village near Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico when Francisco was four years old. They entered the United States illegally and settled in California. They were hoping to leave behind their life of poverty in Mexico, but ended up living in poverty in California. When Francisco was 14 years old, their illegal status was discovered and they were sent back to Mexico. Since the three younger siblings were born in California, it was only Francisco, Roberto and their parents that had to apply for citizenship to live in California. Fortunately, that was one thing in their lives that they were able to make happen, but when they were cleared to return to California, only Roberto & Francisco went. Their father had significant back pain and he decided to remain in Mexico until he could heal, since he wasn't able to work the fields in California anyway due to his pain. Roberto & Francisco attended school, worked before and after school, and sent as much money back to Mexico as possible to help out their family. Within the year, the family was reunited in California.

What was most impressive to me was Roberto, Francisco, and eventually Trampita's (the oldest of the younger kids) work ethic. They worked their tails off to help support their family, and they never complained about it. They were honest, hardworking, reliable, and quite honestly, "obedient" to their parents, teachers and employers. Francisco definitely understood the importance of learning English, getting good grades and finding a way to get an education post high school. It was really remarkable how hard he worked at everything. He is an excellent example of someone learning to empower themself to rise out of the poverty they were born in. He also didn't let other people's prejudices against Mexicans stop him from succeeding.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

I can see why this book won the Pulitzer Prize. The writing is excellent. The story is extremely detailed and the characters evolve over time. I would love to give it 5 stars, but I just can't. Not regarding the book overall. Despite the talented writing, I had a really hard time with the main character! That took away some of my enjoyment in reading his story.

The book starts near the end of the story itself. We are introduced to Theo Decker as an adult. Then we go back to the beginning and move forward through this 771 page book. The story starts when Theo is 13 years old. He lives with his mother, his father having left them the previous year. His father, to sum it up in a neat, tidy package, is an abusive, self-centered, alcoholic, actor-want-to-be who blames his wife for his own failures as a human being. Theo's mother is Theo's foundation. So, when his mother has to take off work one day to take Theo to school to meet with a teacher (due to Theo's misbehavior), and she ends up being killed by a terrorist attack bombing in the museum they stopped by on the way to school, Theo's life falls apart. He is filled with regret, guilt and grief. He also has no one to take him in, since no one knows where his father went, and his (very unlikable) grandparents don't want him.

Theo ends up going to stay with the family of a childhood friend, Andy Barbour. The Barbours are wealthy - and certainly dysfunctional. The oldest son is a trouble-maker; Andy is the odd duck; the two younger siblings are quite annoyed that Theo is staying with them. Mrs. Barbour is distracted by her social events and Mr. Barbour is rarely home (and we find out later has some significant mental health issues). Oddly enough, this family ends up being the "center" of Theo's life, even though he is soon sent away with his father, who suddenly shows up one day to claim Theo.

Theo's dad moves Theo to Vegas with him and his girlfriend, Xandra. Theo's dad now earns his living by gambling and he has reportedly given up alcohol. (But not really) Theo's life spirals downward pretty fast in Vegas. He meets Boris, who is 100% trouble. These two boys live an unsupervised life filled with alcohol & drugs. It's painful to read. I actually took several breaks from reading this book! It took me almost 6 weeks to finish it. Theo's poor decision-making was a key factor in that.

Anyway, Theo ends up moving back to New York and he is taken in by Hobie. Hobie is the partner of Welty, who died in the same museum explosion as Theo's mother. Theo found and talked to Welty as he lay dying. Welty gave Theo his ring and asked him to bring it to Hobie. Welty also convinced Theo to take the famous painting, The Goldfinch, off of the museum wall to save it. This is, of course, an essential part of this story. Another key person in Theo's life is Pippa, who is also at the museum that day. Pippa is Welty's niece, who was living with her uncle because her mother had died from cancer. Anyway, Pippa survives the bombing, but is seriously injured. Theo falls in love with her at first sight, when he first spots her in the museum before the bombing.

This story is very detailed and very complex. Theo lives his life, hiding the famous painting, making really bad decisions, betraying people who care about him, trusting people he shouldn't, loving someone who can't love him back and planning to marry someone that doesn't love him back. I kept waiting and waiting for Theo to do something, anything, to redeem himself. I desperately wanted him to make a positive change in his life. I guess he does, ultimately, but it take over 750 pages to get to that point, and even then, it doesn't actually end the way I wanted it to.

Wendy's Rating: ****

West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

I never would have read this book if it wasn't a book club selection, despite the rave reviews. I could not imagine that a book about two giraffes would be interesting or entertaining. Well, this is why I belong to a book club! I read the book in one day, and the story was quite engaging.

Woody Nickel is the main character. He is 17 years old - and on his own. He is dirty, starving and doesn't have a dime to his name. His parents and sister are dead (from the Dust Bowl) and his uncle, who he located on the east coast & lived with for awhile after his parents died, has recently died as well. Woody is a thief and a liar, but he is a survivor. He falls in love (at first sight) with a red-headed photographer who wants to take pictures of the "hurricane giraffes" and make a name for herself with Life magazine. The giraffes were being transported via ship from Africa to the New York Harbor when the ship (SS Robin Goodfellow) got caught in the Great Hurricane of 1938, off Haiti. The giraffes, who are young, were initially saved from poachers. Now they miraculously survive a hurricane in their crates on the ship. Woody names them Wild Boy and Wild Girl.

Riley Jones is the head keeper of the San Diego Zoo. He is charged with the mission of driving the giraffes across county from New York to the San Diego Zoo - which is quite a feat in and off itself, especially since Wild Girl has an injured leg. Riley has a driver since he can't drive due to an unexplained injury of his shifting hand. This driver is certainly not a solid fellow, and soon he abandons Riley. Woody wants to take his place. Riley finds himself between a rock and a hard place because he needs a driver asap, and he doesn't trust Woody at all (as he shouldn't!), but Woody finds a way to convince him to give him a try as a driver.

Woody has a nickname for everyone. He refers to Riley as "Old Man" and the photographer Augusta (aka Augie) as "Red". Red follows Woody & Old Man across the country taking pictures. This adventure takes 12 days, but they nearly lose their lives a few different times. It's a harrowing journey.

I normally don't like characters that make bad decisions again and again, which Woody does. Fortunately, he learns a few important things along the way as well. So, although he does some really stupid things and suffers the consequences, he does manage to redeem himself in my eyes. I really enjoyed this book, especially since the author includes historical facts.

Wendy's Rating: *****

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin

I really liked this book. It not only showed the incredible strength of two very different women during World War II, but it demonstrated the disparity of privileges, depending on what country one resided in. The book jacket makes a comment about the two women connecting, which yes, technically they do - eventually. But that's really not what their individual journeys are about.

Ava Harper is a librarian in the Rare Book Room of the Library of Congress in Washington DC. She gets sent to Lisbon, Portugal to help with the war effort. She is intelligent, speaks French & German, and knows how to use microfilm. Her new job is to collect all daily publications (newspapers) she can find each morning and send them to Washington DC for filing. She works out of the US Embassy. Since Portugal is a neutral country, she doesn't experience the same things that people living in occupied countries do in Europe. She eats wonderful food whenever she wants (while so many other people are starving), she attends fancy events in beautiful gowns, comes and goes as she pleases. There ARE Germans to be wary of, and she learns that lesson very shortly after her arrival.

Meanwhile, Elaine (Helene) lives in occupied France. She yearns to help with the Resistance, but her husband, Joseph, forbids it. This causes problems in their marriage. One day her husband doesn't return to their home (after a significant fight). Joseph had fought in the Great War and become a pacifist. In their final argument, Helene had called Joseph a coward. Helene has to seek out Joseph's best friend, Etienne, for information and help. She quickly discovers that Joseph is deeply involved with the Resistance and he was simply trying to protect her by forbidding her to be involved - and not telling her what he was doing. Joseph had already made new identity papers for Helene, which Etienne had. So she became Elaine. Etienne tells Elaine that Joseph has been arrested and is in prison. (He eventually gets sent to a concentration camp.)

These two women, with the help of other incredibly brave men and women, do whatever they can to save people and put an end to the war. Ava doesn't skirt danger completely, but she has plenty of food and a place to live with meaningful work. Elaine is starving, scared and at risk every minute of every day. Very different lives, but on the same mission.

Definitely a good read in my opinion!

Wendy's Rating: *****