Carolyn Wilhelm

Great story with twists and turns along the way

Revisado: 02-05-23

One of or the most popular hook by these authors! I recommend it highly, both Kindle and Audible versions. An X who is dangerous, an unrelated selfish person, and a chance meeting by some others leads to a new relationship. No life is problem free, so there are bumps along the path. Second chances are rare and readers will want to understand the hows and whys of the situation. So good!

Such an engaging listen, I did not want to stop the story and ended up paying full attention (not folding laundry or working on other chores like I planned). This is good to have on hand when there is travel or an event coming up and you want time to pass quickly.

This quote from the book is one I will easily remember - it might hook readers:

“Perhaps, he had finally begun to realize that the pursuit of money and possessions could set a dangerous trap and rob a man of his freedom. She hoped she could help him become the person he longed to be, and together they could put all their ghosts to rest.”

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Undercover as Trash and Recycling Workers, FBI Special Agents Save the Day

Revisado: 12-04-18

This book reads like an NCIS episode, which helps make it easy to visualize what the characters must be like. Without giving too much away so as to spoil the book, just let me say a few things. Martelli had been in Baghdad during the April 2003 invasion and had lost his left leg attempting to save the pilot and co-pilot. He never talks about it, and it never slows down his work as a detective. Even when he has to work as an undercover trash and recycling truck driver, or when under fire in serious crime scenes.

People regret getting tattoos, but the tattoo in this book is very large and unique. Readers learn about different styles or schools of tattoo art, and how where a tattoo might have been done. Finding the artist for a tattoo is part of the trail of clues in this suspenseful mystery. What an amazing tattoo!

This particular mystery has a joint FBI-NYPD sting operation which is complex and has many surprising turns of events. Detectives call home and check in with their families which adds drama to think of the danger they are facing.

Two special FBI agents posing as insurance agents representing US Trash and Recycling’s interests examine of a rental vehicle in an impound lot. More clues are revealed. Paint scrapings samples are sent to the FBI’s forensic laboratory which reveals more information helpful in solving the case.

This is one of the few books I’ve read which had actual Molotov cocktails.

Humor is sprinkled throughout this otherwise tense thriller, such as a story about someone’s pants on fire, and when the flames were extinguished . . . he was left without pants. Part of the shared history of the detectives.

Two of the Special Agents were called to Washington, DC to receive the FBI’s Medal for Meritorious Achievement, at the end of the story. You know all ends (mostly) well!

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Classical Music, Science, and Engineering Read

Revisado: 11-24-18

A thought-provoking read of the life of a virtuoso violinist who took a time out to earn a PhD and be an engineer and scientist for 45 years. Anyone who has a love of classical music and science will relate to many of the situations in the book. With well-educated Jewish grandparents who fled Russia and had to work hard to support their family. a love of music was nevertheless passed down from grandfather to father to son. The father dreamed and hoped the son would make music his profession, but the son had other talents and interests that pulled him away from that idea until later in life. Famous operas and musical literature are discussed delighting the musically educated reader. Science, engineering, and advanced degrees are interwoven through the story engaging the scientifically minded reader. Humor is another thread which any reader appreciates.
Streetcars, the old country, colorful characters, and piano lesson memories will cause many readers to reminisce and remember times gone by. The history of fine violin making and parents sacrificing for music lessons are also part of the story, teaching while entertaining those who read this book.
Listening to this over Thanksgiving weekend when memories of loved ones seem closer, the detailed scenes and conversations will enhance the thoughts of family. It seemed to fit this time of year as we listened. The pressure during his early years is described so anyone who has experienced parental pressure will find themselves identifying with the story. Finding other interests such as radio, ham radio, geology, and geophysics make so much sense as they offered a new and different view of life. Music was always an interest and continues throughout the book.
I played some of the book to my engineer husband, which caused memories and discussions for us. The story is a trip down memory lane caused us to reflect and remember, as well. Do you remember The Lone Ranger? Did you play checkers, original Monopoly, Parcheesi, and pickup sticks? Practice a musical instrument? Enjoy learning scientific facts? Earn advanced degrees? Anyone major in engineering physics like the author (at first)? Find it frustrating to select a vocation due to many potential possible life paths? This book is one that will entertain and delight such a reader.

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Based on scientific fact and absolutely believable

Revisado: 11-22-18

An Antarctic Murder Mystery (Book One) written by an Antarctic Explorer based on scientific fact and absolutely believable – in fact, much of it is nonfiction. I love books that COULD be true and are based in reality, and true information can be learned while listening This book fits the bill. The author says nature was an additional antagonist, and that alone would have been enough for an exciting audiobook, but add in a very plausible and complex murder and then you this suspense thriller.

The story was lost if submitted to Playboy magazine decades ago, and we would not be the richer for the trilogy that resulted from the remaining story seed. We just had to wait 50 years.

It starts with Ted and Susan in a car driving to the entrance of Brittingham House which used to be the University’s Geophysical and Polar Research Center. That sounds close to real life as the author’s name is Theodore and he probably had business at polar research centers decades ago. Such an experience in an extreme climate makes a great setting for a story. With so few characters it seems no one could have been guilty, making the story quite a puzzle. Everyone had responsibility helping the others (and themselves) stay alive while in Antarctica.

This is one of the books with twists and turns and no way to know who the “bad guy” really is in the mystery. Each person has remarkable credentials and acts so plausibly good.

A strong storm provides an opportunity for a few characters to obtain the equivalent of 12 million U.S. dollars, but no opportunity to spend the money without being found out. Suddenly having that much money anywhere would be suspicious, but outstandingly so in a very low population area. Deciding it was all or nothing, and not being satisfied with just some of the jewelry and coins, sets the stage for more mystery. What could be done with that amount of money and one local bank, anywhere? Clever thinking and patience were required.

In the meantime, scientific information and discussion among the crew add interest to the story. Everyone carries a huge amount of responsibility which adds tensions to many scenes. The descriptions of the housing, science labs and meals will leave you happy to be wherever you are now (if not already in Antarctica). All of this takes place close to 1960 where typewriters and not computers are the latest technology to help support their survival. And how is crime involved? Doesn’t everyone know everyone at the South Pole?

When the team is in Lima eating in nice restaurants, still in Miami, or other exotic (to Minnesota me) moments of relief from the extreme cold, but those locations are only in the beginning of the story. Enjoy them while you can. I suggest listening to this near the fireplace, somewhere sunny, or running the space heater to keep from virtually freezing while listening to this book.

Highly recommend!

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Mysterious Figure in the Dark — Who is it?

Revisado: 10-27-18

I am just beginning to use Audible and although I have read this book before, the experience was different and entertaining. I knew the story was and still entertained yet worried for the characters. Audible is still new to me but I could get hooked.

Solving these murders required overcoming seemingly virtually insurmountable obstacles. Every lead seemed to go to a dead end. There seemed to be only circumstantial evidence. The murderer left an ancient coin under the victims tongues, confusing everything but revealing the deaths were tied together. Danger increases as the ending builds and the cases are solved.

This book helps point out situations of sexual abuse, and there is factual information about the topic provided.

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