Being swept away by a well-told story, one crafted by a skillful author, has become to me much like a drug. I am thoroughly addicted. Sadly, like any drug fiend will tell you, the problem with being an addict is the torturous, unending, all-consuming search for the next high. Even sadder however, is how almost impossible to recapture that first high is. I spend most of my time searching for that perfect book, one that will completely ensnare me, mesmerize me, transport me. Once in a while I find one.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter is by no means a perfect novel. It has its many flaws. What it is though, is a deeply engrossing character study. The novel is well plotted, suspenseful, and effortlessly blends the elements of a thriller with those of a mystery. For all these reasons this novel is a great read. But it’s the protagonist Dexter that takes your breath away. He is brilliant, charming, charismatic and a remorseless serial killer. In Dexter, Jeff Lindsay has created an unforgettable character. We see the world through his eyes and we so completely fall in love with him that we begin to look forward to his next kill.

This is an excellent couldn’t put it down page-turner that I devoured cover to cover in one sitting. I loved every twist and turn in this book and I think you will too. This book inspired the hit Showtime Series Dexter, which surprisingly enough is much better than the novel. Get this book, read it, then go out and get the TV series. You’ll thank me later.

I have read many books in my lifetime. From classics to science fiction to even an occasional romance novel, but of all these books, only very few have had the power to actually influence my life. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of these novels.

This riveting masterpiece takes you on the journey of a despondent young man contemplating an unthinkable ethical dilemma. Within the opening pages this novel will grab hold of you and send you back to 1800 Russia where you will vividly live the mental anguish and rationalization of the protagonist’s choice and the unexpected ramifications of his actions.

I love this story because I feel that it truly speaks to the human condition. Every single one of us at one point or another has faced ethical and moral dilemmas and the pressures that come with making the right choice.

If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of this novel and get ready for a twisted tale of greed, crime, and punishment you won’t soon forget.

This was my first, and still my favorite Elmore Leonard book. I’m not sure what combination of factors brought the whole thing off to such great effect, but I loved it. This novel spurred me on to read Elmore Leonard’s entire body of work.

Considering there are over 40 novels to his credit, you would think this was no easy task. But in fact, the opposite is true. I flew through most of them, and my only regret to this day is that there aren’t more of them.

Killshot is a fast paced, intricately plotted crime novel that’s like nothing else you’ve ever read. The characters couldn’t be more colorful or real, and the story just keeps you turning pages. If there is one book that embodies the essence of the couldn’t put it down winner, this is it.

P.S. There’s finally a movie based on this book that should be hitting theaters soon. I just hope Hollywood doesn’t screw it up.

Elmore Leonard has always been one of my favorite writers. Everyone raves about his mastery of dialog and his poetic prose, but for me is all about the characters and the story. Elmore Leonard is the man! He’s an industry all to himself. No one does it better. His characters just jump off the page, and you can’t help falling in love with them.

In this, his forty-second novel, he goes all out. In my opinion this is one of his best books ever. Leonard was a fantastic western writer before he switched over to mainstream crime fiction. In this novel he blends the two genres together to great effect.

It is not required, but if you’ve read his old western, Cuba Libre, you’ll get an extra kick out of this book. This is an intelligent, witty, well paced adrenaline rush of a novel. It’s a definite couldn’t put it down winner. If this is your first Elmore Leonard book, you’re in for a treat. Get it now.