first commandment

The First Commandment by Brad Thor is apparently book 6 in the Scot Harvath series. I've read a few of these now, and I had a feeling this was an earlier adventure, just because there were some things that didn't seem to sync up with some of the other stories I've read, but because I've only ever read these with passing interest; my wife typically will read them, and I will go through and try to grab something I haven't read before, so I haven't paid much attention to publishing order. I suppose that would help keep track of the overall story arc that follow through on most character based series.

Scot Harvath is a lot like some other characters that series are built around in similar spy thriller books. Some similarities or characteristics that I don't think will surprise anyone may include something like: ex-military, special forces, apex predator with a heart of gold and plenty of righteous patriotism, who has had some personal loss or trauma that keeps them centered, and has later made his or her way through the CIA, the FBI, or the Secret Service, or maybe all three before being recruited to some super-secret, off book or even private espionage entity, that may or may not have direct oversight from the president, a prime minister, the director of the CIA, or some similar big wig who needs to get things done with credible deniability, for the good of the citizens and a free world. There are a bunch of them, and they are typically all fun to read. Brad Thor and Scot Harvath are not my favorite team, but they aren't the worst and I typically enjoy a read through one of their adventures. I just don't ever feel the need to run out and buy the next one (or even read the teaser chapter at the end of most paperbacks like this).

Looks like I've read book 11, 14, and 19. And I may have read book 1, The Lions of Lucerne * just recently, but didn't write here about it. Its possible I read some of the others as well, it looks like there are 25 books in the series so far.

 

* Yeah, I definitely read Lions a little while ago, but didn't write about it on the blog. 

 

 

 

a certain justice

Commander Adam Dalgliesh and his team have been called upon to solve another murder, in this later book in P.D. James' series of mysteries featuring the detective. A Certain Justice was first published in 1997, a few years after James was created Baroness James of Holland Park. She died just about 10 years ago, well into her 90s.

The format follows that of some of her other Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, that is the story focuses on the people surrounding, involved in, or otherwise impacted by the murder. This sets the stage, allows us to get to know the people involved, and typically the murder victim, prior to the deed. The deed itself is not shown to us, so we must work alongside Dalgliesh and his team while they try and sort it out.

James does a good job, and its clear why she's so popular. Lots of her books have been made into movies and television shows, including one of this book, in the UK. There are a fair number of English terms that may hang up American English readers, but that's pretty typical I think and context clues certainly help in most cases, but there are some things that just don't come across; Is that a clue or lunch they're taking about?

Some of the more complicated words have to do with the law and the courts. We're all familiar with what a barrister is, and that they wear wigs in court, and what robes? A gown? Not sure what those terms are. That doesn't prevent a good read however.