8-18-11 The Jasmine Trade by Denise Hamilton - Fiction

4 - This is the first Eve Diamond mystery and it is wonderful. Eve is such a well built character and following her as she works on stories for the LA Times is a treat. The Jasmine Trade is about parachute children, Asian gangs, and the Asian sex trade. Eve is drawn into the story when a 17 year old girl is found murdered in her car as she was on her way to get bridesmaid dresses for her wedding. Eve suspects this may not have been a strict carjacking gone wrong and becomes immersed in the Asian culture in LA. I'm very excited to read more Eve Diamond stories as long as they continue to be as engrossing as the first two.

8-15-11 Full Circle by Michael Palin - Non-Fiction

5 - Michael Palin gives the reader a spectacular and humorous look at the countries on the Pacific Rim starting in Alaska and working all the way around until he ends back at his starting point. He and his team travel by boat, canoe, train, car, and sometimes feet to see some of the most beautiful and wondrous spots surrounding the Pacific ocean. The book is his diary and is marked by the number of days into the journey they are. There are fabulous photographs, interesting facts, and intriguing people along the whole journey. If you enjoy travel reading or have any interest in any of the countries on the Pacific Rim I highly recommend this book.

7/31/11 Twice A Spy by Keith Thomson - Fiction

5 - Thank you to the anonymous poster who told me this was out! This is just as good as the first book and continues that story seamlessly. Charlie, Alice, and Charlie's dad Drummond are in Switzerland where Drummond can get an experimental treatment for his Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, someone knows they are there and wants to buy a washer from Drummond. With Alice kidnapped, Charlie and Drummond only have days to find the merchandise and get it to the kidnappers. While hunting for the washer, they also try to figure out a way to prevent the kidnappers from using it. If this sounds silly to you, you have to read the first book Once A Spy and then you'll under stand that a washer isn't just a washer.