2026 Book Review #30:Sharp Force

 

This is a book series I've enjoyed for many years now. 

I've read all of the Dr Kay Scarpetta books in order and this one didn't fully  disappoint me, although it's not one of her best, in my opinion.  This is book 29 in the series. 

STORY SUMMARY 

There is a serial killer in Washington, D.C area and he/she is known as the Phantom Stalker. He stalks victims with very sophisticated technology that allows him to invade homes and spy on their every move. The victims often wake up to a ghost-like hologram and then are murdered right in their beds. 

It's the early hours of Christmas morning and the Stalker has struck again.

Dr Kay Scarpetta, chief medical examiner/forensic pathologist, is called to go to Mercy Island which is the site of a notorious psychiatric hospital where two people have been viciously brutalized. One victim, Zain Willard, the nephew of a presidential candidate, is still alive and in the hospital with horrible cuts to his body. 

The other victim is someone from Kay's past.....and from her genius niece Lucy's past as well.......

And it soon becomes apparent that Dr Scarpetta could be the next Phantom Stalker victim.

Who will discover the identity behind this killer and will it be soon? 

MY THOUGHTS

This wasn't one of my fave Dr Scarpetta novels.  It was a bit sluggish to me in the middle and usually I can read one of these books in 2-3 days. This took longer than a week for me to trudge through it yet I did enjoy it...it was just slow going and I think mainly because it focused so much on the technology.  At least that's how it felt to me. 

Then the ending was so abrupt that it was kind of unbelievable whereas in past novels, it leads up to an exciting climax and then boom. This lacked the excitement to me. 

I always love the characters that have been developed over the years, and the various personalities that are displayed in their back stories or the plot behind the main plot.  This book does a great job with looking at the relationship between Marino (former police detective) and his wife Dorothy (Lucy's difficult mom and sister to Dr Kay).  We also see something new...but not surprising....with Dorothy and Benton, (FBI profiler) who is married to Kay.   I liked the subplot with the characters more than I did the main plot. 

I found no editing errors in this book nor was there a ton of swearing.  I always appreciate that about this author. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (Due to some mature content).

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this an 8. 

Autumn HodgePodge Meme

Indian Lake, NY
Saturday 27 September

I'm joining in on the Autumnal Hodgepodge this week. Head to this blog to read more.

1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? 

the crackle of the wood in our bonfire pit; the cry of the geese flying south overhead; the shouts of the neighbor children being released from the school bus in the late afternoons; the crunch of the leaves in the woods as I hike. 

2.  Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? 

What do you think??  Have you  ever even  read anything on this blog?? hahah Omgosh. Of course!  I lead 2 hikes a week July-November. All are in the mountains (most are in the Adirondacks with a couple in the Catskills or the Green Mts of Vermont).  From mid-March to June I lead 1-2 hikes a week as well but usually in the Spring season, we do some deep woods hikes not just mountains. 

Here's my most recent climb: 

on the summit of Rooster Comb
That's Giant Mt in the background...
the first high peak I climbed in 1978 at the age of 18

And a few days before that: 

another half mile to the summit of Jay Mountain
High Peaks region ADK 
in front: Ping
l-r: Joan, me, Michelle 

What's your favorite mountain? (to a hiker, that's kind of  a stupid question. No offense to whomever thought up this question.)  It's way too difficult to have one fave mountain. Especially when you hike all of the various mountains in the Adirondacks as much as I do.  I guess if I only hiked a couple of times a year, I might have a fave.  How about I answer with my fave mountain to climb depending on which region I'm in??  But that would take too long so just now that every mountain I have climbed (I've climbed 3 just in the week and a half and don't have time to today to share how many I've climbed in my life time)  But let's say my fave mountain in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks:  Rooster Comb Mt 

A better question would be "What is your least fave mountain and why?"  For me? that would be Snowy Mt (4000').  It was so difficult we all were in tears while scrambling on all 4s to reach the top.  Is located in the Central Adirondacks in the town of Indian Lake. Plus the fire tower was in rough shape so we couldn't make it to the top of that, although we did make it to the summit after 3.5 hours of climbing.  Total miles:  7.5 I've hiked longer ones that were easier. 

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill? 

the "drama" surrounding an extended family event (Am not going into details!) 

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose. 

• pumpkin spice latte or chai latte:  Chai Latte  
• apple cider or hot chocolate: Cold Apple cider   
• stew or chili: both
• sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole: sweet potato 
• butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup : Butternut squash
• cranberry sauce or gravy: both 

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. 

Super stupendous and busy and filled with amazing moments with my close friends in the mountains.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm loving having the time to decorate for Autumn this week and to pack for my "Friends retreat" on Cape Cod beginning Sunday! 

Front yard beneath the cherry tree

Family room decor 

More autumnal decor in the family room 

  HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

Monday Musings

Monday afternoon 5 pm

Outside our windows: It's been raining for 3 full days.  The result of the nor-easter that blew up the East Coast Saturday. I'm ok with the rain. It's allowing me to get some things done in the ministries I lead or serve in and to get things done around the house. 

Joan and me......I've known her just 2  years and I'm thankful for her

I'm thinking about: a wonderful phone call I had with my friend Joan and our prayer time at the end of the conversation. 

I'm thankful for:  my husband and that he is feeling better. He had a horrible upper respiratory illness  all last week. I'm thankful the cough medicine he chose to take helped him sleep at night. 

Veggie Za

Salad

In the kitchen: I made a white pizza with red, orange and green peppers, garlic, onion, broccoli, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, basil, oregano, olive oil;  a tossed salad with romaine, buttercrunch lettuces, tomato, cucumber, carrots, red peppers; lemonade. 

I am wearing:  Old, faded jeans; a blue polo shirt,my Apple smartwatch, my birthstone, thumb ring, wedding rings,  the silver earrings Dave bought me from MOMA in MA and light brown toe nail polish.  

I am creating: space in my guest room for my workout props (Fitness ball, weights, foam roller, neck massager). 

I am going:  Cape Cod on Sunday, after the 9 AM service with 2 of my small group friends (Maggie (who has never been to the cape!  and Jill). 

I am wondering: how my youngest daughter Claire feels.  She texted me on Sunday that she has a bad cold. I've been praying she'll feel well enough to work tomorrow, and then take her physics exam on Wednesday. 

I am reading:  a mystery book centered around one of my fave recurring characters,Dr. Kay Scarpetta.  I am also reading the 2 books for the two small groups I lead (see side bar).  I'm also reading through the book of Joel in the Old Testament. 

I am hoping: that the rain ends before the Cape Cod trip. 

I am looking forward to: my personal retreat beginning Wednesday and ending next Wednesday. I'm planning on spending 1-2 hours with just my Bible, journal, piano,  and God each day. I need this before the semester begins to get super busy with the small groups and the hiking group. 

I am learning: that not every wounded person needs me to come alongside them.....I'm learning to use wisdom in which people to support and which to let go of. 

Around the house: I did a load of laundry, taught the Psalms class this morning, went grocery shopping after class, organized my notes for tomorrow evening's Bible study, and talked on the phone for an hour with my friend Joan, ending it in prayer together. 

Plans for the rest of the week: finish the library book and return it; finish caping for Cape Cod; a gutter/roofing company is coming by this week to fix our loose gutter trim; begin my personal retreat, so answer all emails and  complete ministry related items before Wed morning; a trip to Ace Hardware for more bird seed for the feeders; date night with Dave on Saturday; a run to the thrift store with more old clothing and household items; church at 9 AM Sunday. 

A favorite quote for today: 

I'm thankful I have a core group of friends...sisters in Christ...
we do this for each other.........

What's your Monday been like?? 

End of September Faves

 

It's the last Friday of September already and I'm here to share five of my fave blessings from the week. Head over to Susanne's site to learn more about being intentional in gratitude for what our weeks bring. 

FIVE FAVES 

in front: Tyler and Courtney (my oldest girl)
l-r in back: Ridwan and his wife Lisi, me, Meg
at Stewart Creek Falls and Flow
southern Adirondacks 

• MEDITATIVE HIKE:  Last Saturday was my hiking group's last Summer semester hike. I chose an easy trail (just 1.5 miles to the falls, our destination) for us to do our completely silent hike. The goal was to get the members to either pray, reflect on a Scripture, or just enjoy the silence to hear the sounds of nature/enjoy God in His creation.  It was a hit!!  Once we got to the bridge wher the group pic was taken, we shared what we thought about or sensed God saying to us. It was a really special time. I got so much positive feedback from it and even Courtney and her boyfriend loved it. In fact, they led the hike and it was so special to me to see her doing this.  I'm thankful our Summer season wrapped up with a good number of people on the hike. 

Tyler and Courtney lead the way

Stewart Flow in the southern ADK

Stewart Creek Falls 

• WORSHIP and the WORD:  Last Sunday was excellent worship at church. The songs were ones I really needed to hear and my friend Joan sat with me since Dave was working production.  I like sitting with a friend at church when Dave cannot join me. Our pastor gave his 2nd sermon in our new sermon series about God Sightings. It was about Abraham and Isaac and how Abraham fully trusted God even when he was told to sacrifice his son. We also learned that this was an example of Jehovah Jirah (God our provider) because God provided a ram in Isaac's place and spared Abraham  that pain of killing his son.  Of course the spiritual lesson is that Jesus died for us, was the sacrificial "lamb of God" so we can be spared and saved from our sins.  I'm so thankful for a good church where Truth is preached and the worship music is powerful.  

I'm teaching from this book on Psalms

Tuesday evening book group 

• INTRO MEETINGS:  Every Monday for the next 14 weeks, I will be teaching a class based on the book Everlasting (about the 5 different kinds of Psalms: see side bar) and every Tuesday evening for the next 7 weeks, I will be facilitiating a book group discussion based on the study of Gideon (see sidebar).  My Monday morning group has 7 of us and the Tuesday evening group has 6 of us.  Many of the women have been in my groups in the past.  I had Intro meetings this past week and everyone shared why they wanted to do the study, along with a short testimony of how they came to Christ.  I'm thankful all went well and everyone is excited about getting together to learn in the coming weeks. 

on the summit of Rooster Comb Mt
l-r: Joan, me, Joy S
Giant Mt (my first mt climb at age 18, and a high peak) is in the background

• FAVE MOUNTAIN HIKE: Wednesday was a perfect early Autumn weather day and absolutely my fave for hiking. I had planned for my friend Joan to join me on my all time favorite mountain in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks.  This mountain is 2 hours and 15 min north of my house and it's my fave climb for a mountain under 3000' high.  The elevation is 2788' with an elevation gain of 1770! The entire hike was 5.98 miles.  So...relentless going up but there's a ladder to help.  This was not a SoulSteps hike because I just wanted to go with one other person but Joan asked if our other church friend Joy could go so of course I said yes. Joy is training to do some hiking in Yosemite next month so she was happy I included her. It was a beautiful day with beautiful people and I'm so thankful on this, my 6th time hiking up, that I didn't have to get on all 4s to get up the last granite slab like I did 2 years ago.   I walked easily!  So thankful for that.  I felt very fit and accomplished.  Here are some of my fave scenes, pictured below, and here is a link to a devotional I wrote based on my time with God at the summit. 

on the summit of Rooster Comb Mt 
high peaks wilderness region, ADK
Wed 23 Sept. 

Check out this tree on this boulder. 

relaxing in my fave spot on Rooster Comb Summit
looking at the very first mountain I ever climbed:
Giant Mt #12th highest in NYS

Quiet time with God
Pic is compliments of Joan 

fave flavor

• SURPRISE:  I must have bought these when they were on sale a while back  and stuck them in our dining room small cupboard because this week, when I went to that little cupboard to take out some battery operated tea candles, I discovered this bag in there!  I don't typically eat candy, but chocolate-maple is a fave of mine so I've indulged in 1-2 in the late afternoon as a treat.  I'm thankful I saw these! 

Those are my top fave blessings of the week. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend doing the things you love.