The Plantation - Chris Kuzneski

I finished another Chris Kuzneski book today, The Plantation. It's another Payne and Jones story by Mr. Kuzneski. Jon Payne and David Jones served together in an ultra elite military organization called the MANIACs, or Marine Army Navy Intelligence Air Force Coast Guard. The group is comprised of the best Special Forces operators and tacticians from all the military, intelligence and homeland security branches. While somewhat simplistic as opposed the Magellan Billet of Steve Berry/Cotton Malone fame the group serves as a catalyst for the camaraderie and unspoken bond between the two main characters defining their ability to execute deadly missions together with little or no planning at all. However if you are a true student of tactics, wartime operations and missions, and military planning this is not likely the book for you as it does not delve into tactical decision making or Special Forces type procedures. The Plantation is Mr. Kuzneski's first published novel and debut's the main characters, Payne and Jones. The story begins with several abductions, one being the girlfriend of Mr. Payne who just happens to be an ex SF commander and CEO of a major corporation out of Pennsylvania. He pairs with his best friend, his former second in command, David Jones who now runs a detective agency from space within Payne's corporation. The two track down the abducted girlfriend by identifying a tattoo and learning the license plate of the van that drove off with the girlfriend. The story takes the pair to New Orleans where they stumble across an obvious enemy in an amazing coincidence of acquaintance in former NFL player Levon Greene. It is painfully obvious that Greene is playing the two fro the outset when he conveniently disappears to use the bathroom while the two heroes press a local tattoo artist for info on the tattoo after Greene begged to be a part of the action. When our heroes firearms don't work, acquired by Greene for them, they fail to consider Greene as an enemy again. This running theme of failure to notice the obvious works against readers who thrive on accuracy and detail however Kuzneski's story is more a fun fast paced adventure that uses simple drivers such as the MANIACs and disregard of the obvious to keep the story going. In fact even after the shooting at the tattoo parlor the New Orleans police release Payne and Jones without ever bring them to a police station. The end result is the discovery and destruction of a secluded island being used as a plantation similar to pre-Civil War times, where white slaves are being put to work and viciously abused by their new captors after their abductions. Payne and Jones, with the help of a local named Bennie Blunt (another obvious actor playing a part to mislead, in this case the plantation owners)do a great job of destroying the operations on the island but do not save all the captives or get to Greene and his lone surviving conspirator, Octavian Holmes. Using a hard drive found on the island Payne and Jones are able to track Greene, Holmes, and the rest of the captives to Nigeria where they are intended to be sold. Once again they successfully destroy a compound and save some more captives and are lead to the final battle wherein the eventually have an almost anticlimactic final face off with Greene and Holmes ultimately freeing the remaining captives including Payne's girlfriend. Of course the raid in Nigeria occurred with the complete active MANIACs team, all of whom survive. In the end the superficial nature and out of place dialogues and jokes don't detract from the fast paced and fun. If you have a flight and get stuck in an airport this may be a great way to pass the time.

The Fallen Angel by David Hewson

I just finished another wonderful story by David Hewson, The Fallen Angel. The story places Nic Costa in the middle of a family as it struggles to survive while dealing with tragedy, internal secrets, and outside pressures. While Mr. Hewson continues in his tradition of plot hints and beautiful descriptions of Rome this book shows his long term ability to develop characters and group dynamics beyond a single book. This story is an excellent murder mystery leading the reader on while dropping hints and teasing clues about the very different conclusion of the book. The parallels to the central character, Mina Gabriel, to Beatrice Cenci, serve as both plot driver and historical reference. I look forward to more David Hewson, Nic Costa, Agata Graziano, Teresa Lupo, and the rest of the gang from the questura in the centro storico of Rome. I'm just waiting for the breakout Silvio di Capua story!

In the Shadow of Gotham

I recently finished "In the Shadow of Gotham," by Stefanie Pintoff. This is an excellent historical murder mystery with a wonderfully developed main character. Simon Ziele, formerly a detective in New York City, is working in Dobson, NY just north of the city when a murder with ties to a Columbia University research group brings him back into the city. Despite his recent loss in the city Detective Ziele carries on ultimately uncovering deception, blackmail, and two more murders on the way to apprehending the true culprit. The story and language are wonderful, particularly if a reader has any interest in New York City at the dawn of the 20th century. I found that the main character was likable and relate-able, a sign of the author's strength of character writing. The past he was avoiding by moving to Dobson never seemed far from his mind much like anyone who suffered a real tragedy. Ziele's skill and honesty about his errors and strengths made him a real and tangible character. I was hoping for a somewhat more twisted ending as I had assumed the true killer from the start but the story kept me involved throughout regardless. I recommend this to anyone looking for a little history and a good murder mystery.

Dead Until Dark

I just buzzed through Charlaine Harris' first Sookie Stackhouse book, "Dead Until Dark." I'm not sure what I thought of the book, although it was a simple and quick read it was not quite what I expected in regards to plot. Although the Rene Lanier story line allowed for introduction of characters it seemed just too easily put together to me. I decided to read the book because I watched a few of the True Blood seasons. Which is a completely different post as I believe the show has jumped the shark. However while the book did present a different singular perspective, that of Sookie, it lacked that cool mysterious off the map Louisiana feel that True Blood used to have. If you are looking for a very quick read this may be the book for you but there are better and deeper stories out there.

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

What a great little story! In keeping with his previous stories Mitch Albom tells us a story with the ultimate lesson, to celebrate the life that we have and stop letting external constraints get in the way of our most valuable gift, our lives themselves. The basic story line is that Dor, our main character,invents the measurement of time in direct violation of God's will. Dor pays the ultimate price not by dying but rather by living in solitude, never aging or getting ill. He never gets hungry or thirsty, and all he can do in his solitude is listen to all the voices pleading for time in one fashion or another while failing to recognize the gift that their lives already are to them. Mitch Albom's imagination is second to none. If you've never read any of Mitch Albom's books I recommend you do.

A couple more academic books

I just finished "Soar with your strengths; a simple yet revolutionary philosophy of business and management" by Clifton & Nelson for my current course Executive Management and Leadership. While the book gave a fresh perspective on how to embrace one's strengths it seemed to lack solid data to really sway me 100%. I believe in positive psychology but this book left me wanting data to back up its various posed thoughts rather than the endless parables. The concept is great, applying strengths and managing weaknesses and paring strengths with internal and external expectations for full satisfaction in employment and in life but the book itself wasn't quite 200 pages and left me wanting content and supporting data. I also completed "Organizational Management and Leadership: A Christian Perspective" by Anita Satterlee. I found this book to be a nice simple management and leadership concepts reference with not quite enough substance. It served the course purpose well however it provides just enough reference data to inspire more questions and not quite enough road signs to find the answers. I found the glossary a little thin however the distinction between management and leadership in the book was insightful and helpful. I do recommend Clifton & Nelson, but be prepared to go looking into further works on strengths, expectations and the power of positive psychology. Satterlee works well for the Executive Management and Leadership course but again needs more substance and more glossary definitions for the non-finance or non-business minds to help figure things out.

Graduate Degree

One of the reasons my posts are few and far between is of course being a Dad. Of course my day job, an hour away from home, and finally my school work. I am in my fourth course towards a Master's Degree in Management and Leadership through Liberty University and I love the coursework. However it is time consuming and limits my recreational reading. I have a stack of books to finish and I am open to suggestions as well.