Book Reviews and More: JEMayhew

Showing posts with label JEMayhew. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 March 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2022

It has been a very good beginning to the year. Many great reads. I have read just over a book and a half a day. I read 146 books this quarter, in comparison with the last 6 years:

2022 – 145

2021 – 97

2020 – 96

2019 – 123

2018 – 91

2017 – 100

2016 – 52

In fact, I believe it is my best quarter ever. Part of it is due to my youngest two children’s reading skills really growing and they read to/with me for 20 minutes for or five days a week. And this Lent I have tried to read a different Stations of the Cross booklet each day. Looking back 2016 is a bit of an outlier as late that year I switched jobs and have since had much better work – life balance. In the spring of 2016, I worked through Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now (now available on ClaitasU). The year before that I removed all games from my phone and tablet and my reading had doubled.

But back to this quarter. By the numbers:

Books Read: 146

First Time Reads: 131

Fiction: 41

Non-Fiction: 105

5/5 Stars: 114

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the fourth quarter of 2020.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Benedict XVI: Defender of the Faith - Joseph Pearce

2. Prison Journal, Volume 3 The High Court Frees an Innocent Man - Cardinal George Pell

3. Spiritual Combat – According to St Benedict - Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

4. The Father Wants To Heal You - Nigel Woollen

5. Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

6. Meditations on the Stabat Mater - Armand de Malleray

7. Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman - Vision Book #7

8. St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters Introduction - Prof José Luis Illanes

9. Our Friends in Heaven, Volume 1: Saints for Every Day January to June - Daughters of St Paul edited by Sister Allison Gliot

10. Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon

11. Prayer books:

A Simple Prayer Book For Prisoners - Catholic Truth Society

Armed With The Faith: A Catholic Handbook for Military Personnel - Daniel R. Sweeney (Editor)

12. Books by Deacon Nick Donnelly

Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - CTS Finding God Series

Prayers for Grieving Parents - CTS Prayer and Devotions

Praying the Rosary with the Saints - CTS Devotions

Bonus Books:

(For the bonus section I am highlighting sever Stations of the Cross)

Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross - Edward Sri - Ascension Pocket Guide Series

Stations of the Cross - Timothy Radcliffe

Stations of the Cross - Timothy Radcliffe and Martin Erspamer - Community Prayer Edition

The Stations of the Cross: In the Footsteps of The Passion - Catherine de Hueck Doherty

The Way of the Cross - Caryll Houselander

The Way of the Cross: Praying the Psalms with Jesus - Father Mark Toups

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI: Meditations and Prayers on the Way of the Cross - Cardinal Camillo Ruini - CTS Devotions and Prayers

Way of the Cross - Pope Benedict XVI - CTS Meditations and Prayers (2005)

Way of the Cross for Loved Ones Who Have Left the Faith - Fr. Jeffrey Kirby STD

Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI - Benedict XVI and Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun 2008 - CTS Devotions

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Poetry by Jan Twardowski

Kiedy mówisz When You Say

Serious Angel

2. Operation Do-Over - Gordon Korman

3. Even - Andrew Grant - David Trevellyan Book 1

4. Our Daily Bread - Karina Fabian - A Rescue Sisters Story

5. Perdition's Heirs - Jane Lebak - Seven Archangels Book 6

6. The Golden Spear - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 11

7. Homestead - A.K. Frailey

8. Dark Visions of Torment - J.E. Mayhew - DCI William Blake Book 8

9. Sweet Briar Rose - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 8

10. Mortlock - Jon Mayhew - Mortlock Book 1

11. Better off Dead - Lee Child and Andrew Child - Jack Reacher Book 26

Bonus Books:

Armour of God Books - Theresa Linden

Boots of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Champion of the Rosary - Laurie J. Schmitt

Lepanto’s Lady - Laurie Schmitt

The beginning of 2022 has been a great quarter for reading. A few new authors, some favorites. Books in old series, and the beginnings of some new series. Again this year, at least so far, I managed to write reviews for all books read for the only the second time.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2021

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
146 - January-March 2022

365 - 2021

317 - 2020
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017
272 - 2016
177 - 2015
130 - 2014
88 - 2013
176 - 2012
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Friday, 4 February 2022

Dark Visions of Torment - J.E. Mayhew - DCI Will Blake Book 8.0

Dark Visions of Torment

DCI Will Blake Book 8.0

J.E. Mayhew

Obolus Books

Zertex Crime

ISBN 9781999840723

ASIN B09B4G1NS1

Wow, this is the 9th story in the DCI Will Blake series and it is another excellent read. I have read the last few stories in the order they were released. And had them pre-ordered and started them on the day they released. This one dropped during a busy time and it took me about a month to start reading it. It the beginning I was jumping around, but now I read the stores in the order they release. I have stated before that each of the stories is strong enough to be read on its own, but they are better as part of the series and better yet being read in order. I discovered this series based on a recommendation from Alex Smith, author of the DCI Kett books. I had read all the Kett books and was awaiting the next Softley Softley book when Smith mentioned book two in this series, Fearful Symmetry, and gave it a plug. I am still waiting for that Softley novel. But have had a lot of DCI Blake stories to fill the time. I have since discovered that the author publishes under three names, much like Smith. One for Adult crime novels, J.E. Mayhew and another for Young Adult and younger readers, Jon Mayhew, and a third supernatural Urban Noir as Edwin Torr. And I have now read books under all three names. I was glad I gave that first one a try and after reading all books currently available from him, I know I will read this series as long as new books are published in it. And even pre-ordered book as soon as I saw it available. I have read 26 books by Mayhew under the three different names and they are all great reads! These books are not as gritty as the Kett novels, but they are great British crime procedural stories. When I reviewed a Kett story I stated I could see Jamie Bamber as DCI Kett, and while reading this I could not help but picture Karl Urban as DCI Will Blake. And can picture it much like the old TV series Wired in the Blood.

But let us now return to this specific book. This story is very different than many of the others in the series. First it is both a murder and a cold case wrapped in one. And soon the cases start to cross over. Blake is back, but being assigned to a desk job after this case. He will be focusing on cold cases. And staying out of action, while his injuries continue to heal, both physical and emotional.

The description of this volume is:

“When a young boy goes missing, DCI Will Blake and his team are led into the little-known subterranean world beneath the Wirral. But the investigation unearths the body of a man who has been missing for almost sixty years. Ernie Hughes, lead singer of the little known Merseybeat band Arthur and the Galahads, disappeared one November in 1964, the night before the band were off to chase their dreams in Hamburg. It appears that Ernie’s death was violent. Blake’s investigations take him back to the heady days of The Cavern Club and Liverpool during the swinging sixties. Many of the witnesses are dead and the suspects in their twilight years. But not everyone is happy for dark secrets to surface, even after all this time and they’ll stop at nothing to keep them buried.

And why is Serafina behaving so amorously towards the local cat population?”

This story is not as dark and gruelling as the others in the Blake Series. We get to see a softer side of Blake. We even see him mend some old burned bridges. But there is the case of the modern kidnapping, a 60 year old body, and then a new murder. All three events taking place roughly at the same place. Blake is not leading the team on the current case and that causes some hut feelings and stepping on toes when he is called first. Can he navigate his new role in the department and the strange occurrences with his mother’s cat at home?

Usually at the end of a DCI Will Blake novel is a preview and announcement of the next instalment. I reached out to the author, and he is not sure there will be more stories. But this one does not feel like the ends of the adventures of DCI Will Blake but only time will tell. If it is the end it is a good capping off of the story. But I personally hope there will be more stories from Mayhew’s masterful pen.

Books as J.E. Mayhew:

DCI William Blake Series:

0.5 Tyger Tyger

1.0 A Poison Tree

2.0 Fearful Symmetry

3.0 The Bones of the Dead

4.0 Cruelty Has A Human Heart

5.0 All the Lies

6.0 Death's Cold Hand

7.0 No Time For Sorrow

8.0 Dark Visions of Torment

…

Books as Jon Mayhew:

The Spybrarian

…

Monster Odyssey Series:

1.0 The Eye of Neptune

2.0 The Wrath of the Lizard Lord

3.0 The Curse of the Ice Serpent

4.0 The Venom of the Scorpion

…

Mortlock Series:

1.0 Mortlock

2.0 The Demon Collector

3.0 The Bonehill Curse

…

Mr Grimhurst's Treasure: And other Ghost Stories

…

Collins Big Cat Series:

The Merchant of Venice: Band 16/Sapphire

Hamlet: Band 18/Pearl

Romeo and Juliet: Band 18/Pearl

Macbeth: Band 18/Pearl

…

Contributed to:

Beyond the Book: A Collection of Short Stories

Storycraft: How To Teach Creative Writing

Criminal Shorts: UK Crime Book Club Anthology

Make Doves Not War - Forward

…

Books as Edwin Torr:

Dead Means Dead Series

0.0 Blood, Bone and Coffin - 2018

1.0 Demons - 2017

1.3 Cotton Candy - 2017

1.6 The Suitcase in the Hall - 2017

1.9 Remurdered - 2017

2.0 Angel Hunter - 2017

2.5 Cold Caller - 2017

3.0 Jigsaw Girl - 2018

...

Author profile and interview with J.E. Mayhew aka Jon Mayhew aka Edwin Torr.

Wednesday, 12 January 2022

Mortlock - Jon Mayhew - Mortlock Book 1

Mortlock

Mortlock Book 1

Jon Mayhew

Bloomsbury Children's Books

ISBN 9781408803936

eISBN 9781408810729

ASIN B0049U412K

This is the 25th volume I have read by Jon Mayhew in the last three years. I love his adult crime books under the name J.E. Mayhew, and greatly enjoyed his paranormal series under the pen name Edwin Torr. And now circling back and reading his Young Adult and Middle Grade works under this name. I have a read Mr Grimhurst's Treasure: And other Ghost Stories, which is a collection of stories set in this same world and was enthralled by it. This story did not disappoint. It was a little different than I expected but it is a spectacular story. I should note the eBook is only available in the UK, and the physical book is available there and in North America. And I can state for fans of the supernatural, scary, or macabre will definitely enjoy this story. The description of the book is:

“The sister is a knife thrower in a magician's stage act, the brother is an undertaker's assistant. Neither orphan knows of the other's existence. Until, that is, three terrible Aunts descend on the girl's house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he has carried to his grave. Cardamom was one of three explorers on an expedition to locate the legendary Amarant, a plant with power over life and death. Now, pursued by flesh-eating crow-like ghouls, brother and sister must decode the message and save themselves from its sinister legacy.”

A young woman witnesses as her protector and guardian is attacked by three ‘Aunties’. But these are not normal spinsters, they can change shape and transform into giant dark birds. She is trapped in the house with them. When she finally escapes she makes her way to the theatre where she performed and seeks help in with her protector’s friend. There is a mad race around London, interference from a flock of birds, capture and held captive at a strange manor, a night circus and more.

The story is an interesting mix of elements. A mystery, wrapped up in an adventure, and full of secrets and surprises. It was a hard book to put down. The characters on masterfully written and you will find yourself cheering the youngsters on. It is a gothic fiction story for younger reads at its best. It is a fantastic story and I looking forward to reading the other two in the trilogy. Yet another great read from Mayhew, no matter which pen name he is using.

Books as J.E. Mayhew:

DCI William Blake Series:

0.5 Tyger Tyger

1.0 A Poison Tree

2.0 Fearful Symmetry

3.0 The Bones of the Dead

4.0 Cruelty Has A Human Heart

5.0 All the Lies

6.0 Death's Cold Hand

7.0 No Time For Sorrow

8.0 Dark Visions of Torment

…

Books as Jon Mayhew:

The Spybrarian

…

Monster Odyssey Series:

1.0 The Eye of Neptune

2.0 The Wrath of the Lizard Lord

3.0 The Curse of the Ice Serpent

4.0 The Venom of the Scorpion

…

Mortlock Series:

1.0 Mortlock

2.0 The Demon Collector

3.0 The Bonehill Curse

…

Mr Grimhurst's Treasure: And other Ghost Stories

…

Collins Big Cat Series:

The Merchant of Venice: Band 16/Sapphire

Hamlet: Band 18/Pearl

Romeo and Juliet: Band 18/Pearl

Macbeth: Band 18/Pearl

…

Contributed to:

Beyond the Book: A Collection of Short Stories

Storycraft: How To Teach Creative Writing

Criminal Shorts: UK Crime Book Club Anthology

Make Doves Not War - Forward

…

Books as Edwin Torr:

Dead Means Dead Series

0.0 Blood, Bone and Coffin - 2018

1.0 Demons - 2017

1.3 Cotton Candy - 2017

1.6 The Suitcase in the Hall - 2017

1.9 Remurdered - 2017

2.0 Angel Hunter - 2017

2.5 Cold Caller - 2017

3.0 Jigsaw Girl - 2018

...

Author profile and interview with J.E. Mayhew aka Jon Mayhew aka Edwin Torr.

Friday, 31 December 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

It has been a different year for us all. This year I read about 1a book a day. This was up a little from last year. Since reading and reviewing books is my hobby, I am grateful to have been able to read 365 books this year. And have reviews written for all the books read. This year I read about 30% more non-fiction over fiction.

The year by the numbers:

365 Books Read

258 received 5/5 Stars.

320 books read for the first.

Here are my top ten fiction books of 2021.

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Saints in High Places Series - Corinna Turner

Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph

Do Carpenters Dream of Wooden Sheep?

Child, Unwanted: Margaret of Castello

2. Linked - Gordon Korman

3. Treasures: Visible & Invisible - Catholic Teen Books Anthology

4. A Saint in the Family - Corinna Turner - An I Am Margaret Anthology

5. Rescue Sisters Short Stories - Karina Fabian

Antivenom

Moonboy

These Three

6. This Thing of Darkness - Fiorella De Maria and K.V. Turley

7. One Day at a Time and Other Stories - A.K. Frailey

8. unSParked Series - Corinna Turner

Liam and the Hunters of Lee'Vi

04 Farmgirls Die In Cages

05 Wild Life

9. Stolen Blessing - Jim Sano - Father Tom Book 3

10. Dead Means Dead Series - Edwin Torr (aka J.E. Mayhew)

0.0 Blood, Bone and Coffin

1.0 Demons

1.3 Cotton Candy

1.6 The Suitcase in the Hall

1.9 Remurdered

2.0 Angel Hunter

2.5 Cold Caller

3.0 Jigsaw Girl

11. DragonEye, PI Books - Karina Fabian

Greater Treasures

Murder Most Picante

A Winkle in Time

Magic, Mensa, & Mayhem

Of Slings and Feeling Vexed

If Wishes Were Dragons

Bonus Books:

A Changing of the Guard - Corinna Turner - Last Things Book 2

I Left My Brains in San Francisco - Karina Fabian - Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator 2

Loving Gabriel - T.M. Gaouette - Faith and Kung Fu Book 4

My reading has been up over each of the last few years. Which I attribute in part to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I was commuting to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. But being 2020 everything is topsy-turvy. And 2021 I worked from home all year. Reading took a little more discipline. I read more books this year. I managed to write reviews for all books read for the first time.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2021

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
365 - 2021

Monday, 18 October 2021

Have a Go - Jon Mayhew - YA Reads II

Have A Go

YA Reads II

Jon Mayhew

aka J.E. Mayhew

Badger Publishing

ISBN 9781788371995

I first encountered Jon Mayhew’s works through his adult fiction, a mystery series under the name J.E. Mayhew. I love his writing and have been tracking them all down and reading them. I found that he had a lot of Teen and Young Adult books under this name. And that he has another awesome series under the pen name of Edwin Torr. This is one of 4 that Mayhew wrote for Badger Publishing. It is very different than the other three. This one is what I call realistic fiction, it could be about me, or you, or kids we know. Madeleine L’Engle split her works into 2 classes Chronos and Kairos. This would be Chronos, ordinary, wrist-watch, alarm clock time. The description of the book is:

“Sixteen-year-old Jamie Garson thinks the world of his dad. To Jamie, Dad is a hero. When Jamie and his dad foil the robbery of a corner shop, their lives are turned upside down. Dad becomes a hero to everyone and Jamie is a celebrity at school. But not everyone is so happy for them. Heroes attract enemies and Jamie finds there’s a deadly downside to fighting crime.”

This story follows a family, as the dad becomes a local hero for stopping a robbery. And The Son starts facing consequences and bullying because of it. But at first Jamie thinks it is great. Then things start going sideways very hard and very fast. Soon it appears his friends have abandoned him. Thugs have it out for him and his father. He has been beaten up, bullied and had much worse threatened.

This is another great read especially for reluctant readers, and especially for middle school or secondary school readers. It will grab their attention and keep them hooked. And they will be able to see themselves or their friends in the characters or situations. It might just help them to look at those around them through new lenses. As mentioned, it is one of four by Mayhew for Badger Learning. I can really appreciate the fact that this is available in print, or in book packs for the classroom. I appreciated that there are book packs of PDF’s available for learning purposes. This one comes in a pack with 7 other volumes. I just wish more of the books from Badger were available as traditional eBooks for those of us who are not students, or not in the UK, as many of them are hard to track down in North America, and eBooks would be a great option.

This is one that I am thankful to have tracked down from the publisher. I have now read all the books by Mayhew from Badger and have plans to share them with my youngest two children. This is a story will have readers of all ages on the edge of their seats; it has an important message, and is masterfully written. It is another excellent story from Mayhew!

Books as J.E. Mayhew:

DCI William Blake Series:

0.5 Tyger Tyger

1.0 A Poison Tree

2.0 Fearful Symmetry

3.0 The Bones of the Dead

4.0 Cruelty Has A Human Heart

5.0 All the Lies

6.0 Death's Cold Hand

7.0 No Time For Sorrow

8.0 Dark Visions of Torment

…