Book Reviews: All Good Deeds, Find The Lady

If there's a good reason for being cut off from the internet and being hit by a storm that causes days and days of blackouts, it's being able to pick a book and becoming 10 times more immersed than ever. With nothing to take your attention, no sudden notification for a new message or email, there's little distraction left.

The past week, I've been on an adventure to two different worlds, both involving illegal activity, the law, and an engrossing story.  (Plus, both were quite short as you could finish each within a day or two if you're feeling off.)

All Good Deeds by Stacy Green

I've never heard of the author before, but the title seemed a little familiar so I gave it a go. Besides the fact that I am biased towards female leads, it was part of a series, and I love reading series. (Which also depends on the story line and how mainstream it is. I tend to avoid mainstream titles.)

The Plot

"She's no killer. She's just taking out the trash. Don’t call Lucy Kendall a serial killer. She’s fighting for the innocent, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring justice. When a child disappears, Lucy quickly discovers the link to a predator she’s faced before–a man the state of Pennsylvania decided to turn loose on the streets. Determined to find the little girl and put a criminal behind bars for good, Lucy forces her way onto the case. As the search for the kidnapped child pulls Lucy into a web of evil beyond her darkest imagination, she’ll have to face her own dark truths to save the little girl–and herself." - source

Lucy, the heroine of the series, has a twisted sense of justice. Without giving too much away, I can say she feels that whatever wicked she's doing will make a specific group of people - kids - much safer.

My Thoughts

To be frank, the first few pages didn't really pique my interest. I felt like I was just reading a regular novel thrown together in hopes of turning bestseller. It was around the time I began getting to know the protagonist that I really got immersed.

I've always believed that a good book will leave your heart palpitating after the novel is done, but a great book leaves you in a trance for a good week. As much as the story was okay with twists you'd be well aware of by the middle of the book, it was a good book. Not great, but good enough to pass the time. There was a point I couldn't relate to Lucy at all.

Final Rating

This is more a 3 out of 5. I was entertained so I can't say it was boring, but I guess it was just a little too fast paced in a way that the author crammed every answer to every loophole in the last 2 chapters of the book. Would I recommend it? Sure, if only to pass the time. Like I said, it's a good book, but not something I'd find joy in reading over and over.

Find The Lady by Travis McKinney

I had recently just discovered Inkitt when it was suggested to me on the app, and as I had a weak spot for thriller/mystery novels, I bit the bait. Inkitt allows you to download stories for offline reading and that's what I did with this one. Stories on there are made by indie authors, so you'll never know what to expect. I figured it would be worth the read.

The Plot

Connor Donnelly is a low-operating pick-pocket turned major thief (and target of a curse involving a particular type of insect) who partners with a beautiful, blonde woman named Leyla who life had also turned its back against. Together, they make a great team, until a huge heist made Connor consider his options about Leyla, life, and everything else on the stakes.

My Thoughts

I had an inkling on how it would play out, given that this is an indie novel. I usually have a different mindset when reviewing independent authors and this was no exception. It was entertaining, though I found some portions of the novel a bit of a drag. The chapter order wasn't linear, something I was okay with as it's always interesting to see how one connects all of them together.

This, like All Good Deeds, was a good book. It doesn't stay in your mind very long, but for its purpose and its kind, I kind of expected it. It's a short story with I think around 30 plus chapters, also very readable in under a day.

Final Rating

This also gets a 3 out of 5. Connelly seemed a little off to me at times, and the way Leyla was described... Maybe I just felt it should've been prolonged a little more to one more chapter.