Thursday, February 20, 2014

Swag: A Novel

I picked up a copy of Swag by Elmore Leonard, because I am a fan of the author's writing, especially his Raylan Givens novels. I will admit right away, that I did not get as hooked on this novel as quickly as some of the others that I have read, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The story revolves around two holdup men, Frank and Stick, and their exploits in Detroit. At the risk of giving away too much of the plot, I will share that the novel focuses on their relationship and partnership. The story also has a couple of interesting twists which make it a fun read.

This novel would appeal to anyone who is a fan of crime fiction.

Swag: A Novel
 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Spartacus: Morituri

Spartacus: Morituri is the second of my pleasure reads in the past month and also the second of the Spartacus novels. Written by Mark Morris, the novel truly captures the spirit of the Starz television series. In the book, Batiatus' ludus is experiencing a general degree of malaise. The gladiators are weak and slow, a deficit apparent both on the training grounds of the ludus and the arena of Capua. In addition to troubles with his gladiator, Batiatus must also contend with a newcomer to Capua, a wealthy Greek with a powerful patron from Rome. The story is full of intrigue, action, and deceit, much like the TV series. I enjoyed this novel better than its predecessor.

Spartacus: Morituri