Void Moon by Michael Connelly

About the book: In L.A. Cassie Black is another eautiful woman in a Porche: except Cassie just did 6 years in prison and still has "ourlaw juice' flowing through her veins. Now Cassie is returning to her otl profession, taking down a money man in Vegas. But the perfect heist goes wrong, and suddenly Cassie is on the run - with a near psychotic Vegas "fixer" killing everyone who knew about the job. Between Cassie and the man hunting her there are a few last secrets: like who really set the job up, why Cassie had to take the chance, and how, in the end, it might all be a matter fo the moon....

Quote: After she hung up Cassie's eyes traveled up the wall next to the door. Her eyes held on the poster taped on the wall and facing her. It showed a woman in a string bikini walking on a sun-drenched beach. The word TAHITI! was scrawled in the sand behind her, just out of reach of the surf's wash. "To the place where the desert is ocean.she said out loud.

Why this book?: Because I won it from J. Kaye!

My thoughts:
I loved it, what a page turner. While none of the characters in this were "good" guys, I found myself rooting for Cassie. She was a strong well written character. The story flowed well, just a little back and forth to have to deal with. The ending was satisfying! The paperback of this book was published in 2001 ans I am hoping there is another one to follow Cassie Black. I enjoyed the voice of L.J. Ganser, it was easy to listen to. I reccomend this to anyone.

Links:
Preview the book

Interview with the author about the book

Challenges:

100+ Reading Challenge

Audiobook Challenge

Monthly Mixer Mele

Hours in 2010:

This book - 11 hours

total - 97hrs & 45 min.

Cat Striking Back by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Book Description : Beware of the cat striking back . . .
On a lovely moonlit night, Joe Grey is minding his own business, carrying a gift of mice to a litter of kittens, when he stumbles upon a murder scene. Behind an empty house lies a swimming pool, its bottom covered with mud. There is also blood, the smell of human death, and drag marks. But there is no victim. Without a body, it's a crime that will be hard to prove.
With stubborn feline curiosity, Joe Grey sets out to investigate. As he, Dulcie, and Kit follow the killer's trail among four houses whose owners are on vacation, they discover that more murder has been planned for the small, close-knit neighborhood. They uncover evidence of conflict among the residents and multiple signs of breaking-and-entering, although nothing valuable seems to be missing.
With the help of two local ferals, the cats find the victim's hidden grave and learn of the violence that is yet to come. As they set out to alert the law, they discover the perfect way to thwart the killer—through that person's unnatural but powerful fear of cats.
Thus unfolds the next installment in Shirley Rousseau Murphy's beguiling series about the gray tomcat P.I., his feline friends, and human companions, as, skirting danger, they unravel events shaped by human frailty and by the darkest feline imaginings from the killer's past.

Quotes: When Joe slipped out of his tower to the rooftops, his belly full of supper and his mind on the empty houses, the fog had blown away; the sky was clear, the moon bright as he leaped across the singles to the neighbor's roof and raced on into the night.

Why this book you might ask: I follow this series so there was no question about buying and reading this.

My Thoughts: I love this cat themed fantasy, cozy mystery series. This is the 15th book. It was a fun light read and while it won't be my favorite of the series I still enjoyed it. The thoughts of the human characters seemed to go on far too long, especially the musings of the bad guy. They were predictable and repetitive, I found myself skimming some pages. The lively dialogue I expect to read wasn't fully here this time. If you are a mystery person who loves cats or a cat lover who reads mysteries you'll like it.

Links:
Joe Grey books

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (October 27, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061123994
ISBN-13: 978-0061123993

Challenges:
100+ Challenge
2010 Cat Book Challenge
NaJuReMoNoMo
Monthly Mixer Mele

Total Pages for 2010:
This book - 319
Total - 1375