Book Review: Wake Up Dead

Wake Up Dead by Roger Smith

This is a fast-paced book set in Cape Town, South Africa. It starts out as the story of Roxy Palmer but quickly expands to include two car-jackers ... then drug dealers, cops, former cops, and numerous innocent bystanders. The story is very fast and very violent. In a way it reminds me of A Simple Plan (by Scott D. Smith) ... where the action starts with a single decision and then spirals quickly out of control.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and finished it in only a couple of sittings. The blood and violence get to be a bit much at times ... but ultimately I wanted to know how it ended.

Note: I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 1/18/10) as part of its Early Reviewers program

Book Review: The Klezmer Bunch

The Klezmer Bunch by Amalia Hoffman

This is a charming book about klezmer musicians traveling to play at a wedding ... complete with instruments and a runaway baby carriage. The pictures are wonderful! There is even a glossary at the back to translate the Yiddish words.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 11/29/09) as part of its Early Reviewers program