Hello again!
I'll get right to the point. There is a reason I decided to do this whole blog business. My name is Meggles, and I'm a massive book worm. I'm also a movie buff. I tend to have opinions on the latest and greatest (in some cases not so great) movies and novels. I decided it was time I threw my opinion out there to all. I know, it's super original and all. So lets get started.
I had originally started this post with a review of the "Fifty Shades" Series. The more I wrote the more I realized I wasn't saying anything that thousands of reviews have said before me. I'm also one of those reviewers who tries to find the good in the worst of any form of media. I couldn't with these books. Instead, I'll be doing an overall author review.
I am a bit of a genre snob. Horror and fantasy have always been my safe haven when it comes to novels. Branching out to something other than the yearly Jane Austin read seemed kind of silly to me. I never even gave thrillers a chance. Mainly because I assumed they wouldn't be gory or engaging enough for my tastes. For the most part, I was right about the gore. But the stories are actually pretty damn engaging.
While on vacation earlier this month, I ran out of books, which is a tragedy in itself. Thankfully my grandma has a bunch of books so I decided to rummage through them. This is when I came across "Deeper than Dead" by Tami Hoag. I was drawn by the shinny cover and....that's about it. Out of desperation I gave it a chance. I'm so glad I did. I finished it within the day and found myself wanting more. Once I got home I was able to find a bunch of them at my local used bookstore. I was even more pleased when I found out "Deeper than Dead" is the first in a trilogy, since this is, by far the better of Mrs. Hoag's novels.
Having read nearly every book she has out to date, I'll cover both what I like, and what I don't.
Pro's:
Mrs. Hoag's story weaving is amazing. She excels with her ability to keep you guessing who the killer is until the very end. In fact, there are only two books where I've been able to guess who did it before even getting through half the novel. Two out of twenty plus novels isn't bad. Most of the time her curve balls drive me so crazy, I actually skip to the end of the book to see if I was even close. Usually I'm not. I know this is shameful of me, but really now, it really would keep me up not knowing. Her bad guys are always very well written and actually have some depth. Not much, but some.
The characters are enjoyable. Especially her Kovac and Liska characters. Tough as shit cops, but the pair's strength comes from the ability to give each other shit when need be. I also enjoy her main characters from "Deeper than dead" There isn't one I don't like. She can make you feel bad for a character one chapter, and the next she can make you hate them with a passion. That is is damn good writing.
I love the fact that she doesn't set her novels in one specific state. She moves around from Minnesota, California to New Orleans. I'm sure I'm missing a state, but those are all I can remember at the moment.
The fact that she researches police departments, FBI branches and other law enforcement agencies is a point in my book. She could go off blindly what other books and online sources have to say. But she takes the time to interview officers, agents...so on and so forth.
Now for the Cons:
While I do enjoy most of her main characters, they follow a formula that drives me crazy. The heroin is usually tough, witty and usually has daddy or mommy issues. For the most part it's daddy issues. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy wit and tough. But when every single woman is the same as the last, it becomes old very fast.
The hero is the brooding sort, who usually has wit that is on par with the heroin. Also has mommy and daddy issues. He also ALWAYS believes the heroin is FAR too good for him and she deserves better.
The romance. le sigh. Every single pairing is pretty much the same. Lust as first sight. Denial. Witty banter to cover up the growing attraction. A first false start at sex, which the woman usually stops given how she's ready, but not ready just yet. The guy can wait but not long. The guy can't stop thinking about the woman. He is finally unable to control himself and pretty much forces himself upon her. The woman usually gives in given her massive need for him. Mind blowing sex which is a total shock to both of them. Given the guy's broody nature, he always plays hard to get. Yet he finally gives in at the end. Fairy tail ending for all involved. I've pretty much given away every ending to almost all over her books. For that I'm sorry, but the formula is frustrating and boring. The sex in these books are always the same. Boring. Change it up or don't write any romance at all. Or just stick to strictly romance novels.
The only two exceptions to this formula would be "Dark horse" and "Deeper than dead"
All con's aside. over all, her books are very well written, and extremely engrossing. I would recommend starting off with "Dark Horse". I believe it's one of her best novels to date.
Well that's it.
I'm always up for trying out new authors. If anyone has anyone they would highly recommend don't hesitate to suggest.
Till next time. Thank you all for reading. Laters!
