Review: The Missing Element by John L. Betcher

The Missing Element

John L. Betcher
CreateSpace (March 8, 2010)
978-1451512717
294 pages
Reader’s Choice Rating  * * * * *

The Missing Element is the story of James “Beck” Becker and his wife Elizabeth, who have returned to Beck’s childhood home in Red Wing, Minnesota to enjoy retirement from their covert government jobs. Of course, life is anything but quiet with Beck around.

When Katherine Whitson, a Minneapolis computer genius, disappears under mysterious circumstances, her husband George calls the local police. After receiving no help from police, George then solicits a Red Wing acquaintance to convince Beck to help find Katherine.

Beginning at Katherine’s luxury apartment in the Minneapolis Warehouse District, Author John L. Betcher puts his protagonist through a labyrinth of red herrings. Beck’s investigation starts with George as the unfaithful husband, and then his lover, to Katherine’s work colleagues and on through the ranks of an influential computer company and into the overwhelming world of computer microprocessors before he can begin to find answers.

To solve the mystery of why Katherine was kidnapped—and to save her—Beck must draw on his resources with the FBI and their computer experts, as well as the expertise of his wife Elizabeth the former CIA agent.

Betcher leads us into the world of advanced computer technology and international espionage with this captivating suspense thriller. As we follow Beck on his quest to locate Katherine we are introduced to several colorful characters. There is the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputy, Doug Gunderson, and his wife, Connie, who enlist Beck’s help. The brawn in this story is provided by the enigmatic Terry “Bull” Red Feather. Bull is drawn into the story when Beck requests his assistance in dealing with the nefarious characters who try to stand in his way.

The Missing Element is well-written, the plot is intriguing, and the characters are interesting. Betcher draws you in from page one and holds your interest to the very last. Unlike many recent novels, Betcher takes his time tying up the loose ends and concluding the story. This book is obviously the beginning of an exciting new series of suspense novels for Betcher. The Missing Element is recommended for those who love to curl up with an entertaining mystery/suspense novel. It offers a little something for everyone: lively characters, espionage and cyber-technology, and of course the mystery of who took Katherine Whitson and why. Fans of Parker, Grisham, and Clancy will enjoy this first installment in the James Becker series.

Reviewed by Deb L. Baker for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews

Wednesday A-Z

Wednesday A-Z is a meme hosted by Vicki at Reading at the Beach.


Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

This week begins with the letter L. Here is my book.

The Lady and The Poet by Maeve Haran


Synopsis (from B&N):
Set against the sumptuousness and intrigues of Queen Elizabeth I’s court, this powerful novel reveals the untold love affair between the famous poet John Donne and Ann More, the passionate woman who, against all odds, became his wife.

Ann More, fiery and spirited daughter of the Mores of Loseley House in Surrey, came to London destined for a life at the court of Queen Elizabeth and an advantageous marriage. There she encountered John Donne, the darkly attractive young poet who was secretary to her uncle, the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. He was unlike any man she had ever met—angry, clever, witty, and in her eyes, insufferably arrogant and careless of women. Yet as they were thrown together, Donne opened Ann’s eyes to a new world of passion and sensuality.

But John Donne—Catholic by background in an age when it was deadly dangerous, tainted by an alluring hint of scandal—was the kind of man her status-conscious father distrusted and despised.

The Lady and the Poet tells the story of the forbidden love between one of our most admired poets and a girl who dared to rebel against her family and the conventions of her time. They gave up everything to be together and their love knew no bounds.



I missed last week what with my daughter's wedding and all. So now I am reading this during my leisure time in between reading specific  books for review. When I eventually finish this book, picked up from Barnes and Noble, I will post a review. Hope you all have a great week.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading in which two sentences are shared from a random page in your current read.

 'You are nearer to God than I,' he answered, his eyes still cloudy with desire. 'For I would have us be together were it God's will or not, even if it cost me my immortal soul.'

My eyes held his, soft with my new-found love. 'Then let us hope the price will be cheaper than that.'

 p. 232 The Lady and The Poet by Maeve Haran

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Last week I was reading the following:

1. The Missing Element by John L Betcher

2. Breakup: Enduring Divorce by Leo Averbach

3. Dead Man of the Year by Stephen Hawley Martin

I finished and wrote reviews for Dead Man of the Year and The Missing Element. I am still working on Breakup: Enduring Divorce. I am also finishing up North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. As those are for bookclub boards or just personal reading I am only able to read them in between the review books. My daughter's wedding last week went well and I should be able to start catching up soon.

This week I am reading:

1. Breakup: Enduring Divorce by Leo Averbach

2. Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris (ebook on Nook)

3. Dancing with Jou Jou by Barbara Louise Leiding

Not sure which other book I will get started on after these. I am going to be working hard to get caught up. Have a great week: enjoy your books.

Deb

In My Mailbox

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! Check out her blog to see what others are reading.

Received these books in my mailbox this week:


Easy As Pi The Countless Ways We Use Numbers Everyday by Jamie Buchan
 
I received this from FSB Media Books

Synopsis (from FSB Media Books):
  Have you ever stopped to think how many countless ways we use numbers? From the ring of the alarm clock in the morning to the numbers triggering our cell phones, our world is designed with numbers in mind. With Easy as Pi, you'll get the 4-1-1 on the fascinating origin of many of the numbers we use or read about every day.


•What makes "cloud nine" and "seventh heaven" so blissful?

•Why is number 7 so lucky and 13 so unlucky?

•Is "fourth-dimensional thinking" really out of this world?

•What prompted Ray Bradbury to call his novel Fahrenheit 451?

•How did 007 become James Bond's number?

For the math averse: Be not afraid. Easy as Pi is not a textbook but rather a lively look at the derivation of numerical expressions and their inescapable influence on our culture -- from book titles to bus schedules. To sum it up, Easy as Pi equals one clever and often hilarious collection.
 
 
I bought this book at Barnes and Noble this week:
 

The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen

Synopsis (From B&N):


It's 1559. A young woman painter is given the honor of traveling to Michelangelo's Roman workshop to learn from the Maestro himself. Only men are allowed to draw the naked figure, so she can merely observe from afar the lush works of art that Michelangelo sculpts and paints from life. Sheltered and yet gifted with extraordinary talent, she yearns to capture all that life and beauty in her own art. But after a scandal involving one of Michelangelo's students, she flees Rome and fears she has doomed herself and her family. The Creation of Eve is a riveting novel based on the true but little- known story of Sofonisba Anguissola, the first renowned female artist of the Renaissance. After Sofi's flight from Rome, her family eagerly accepts an invitation from fearsome King Felipe II of Spain for her to become lady-in-waiting and painting instructor to his young bride. The Spanish court is a nest of intrigue and gossip, where a whiff of impropriety can bring ruin. Hopelessly bound by the rules and restrictions of her position, Sofi yearns only to paint. And yet the young Queen needs Sofi's help in other matters- inexperiences as she is, the Queen not only fails to catch the King's eye, but she fails to give him an heir, both of which are crimes that could result in her banishment. Sofi guides her in how best to win the heart of the King, but the Queen is too young, and too romantic, to be satisfied. Soon, Sofi becomes embroiled in a love triangle involving the Queen, the King, and the King's illegitimate half brother, Don Juan. And if the crime of displeasing the King is banishment, the crime of cuckolding him must surely be death. Combining art, drama, and history from the Golden Age of Spain, The Creation of Eve is an expansive, original, and addictively entertaining novel that asks the question: Can you ever truly know another person's heart?

I have read and reviewed 2 books this past week after my daughter's wedding. I should get through many others this week. I will be posting the 2nd review soon. It is on a book by John L. Betcher, The Missing Element, a suspense mystery book.

Review: Dead Man of the Year

Dead Man of the Year by Stephen Hawley Martin

Pub. Date: July2010
Publisher: Oaklea Press
272 pages

Durston Negus is a medium-sized advertising firm located in Richmond, Virginia. Brian Durston leaves a lucrative job at a Madison Avenue Agency to join the smaller firm. Promised a stake in the firm by his Uncle Rod, Brian’s future looks bright. Bright until the night he discovers his uncle’s body slumped over his desk. The police rule it a suicide which cancels out Uncle Rod’s life insurance policy. Without the insurance money Brian cannot purchase his Uncle’s shares of the firm. Who benefits? The surviving partners of course.


Brian decides an investigation is in order. While beginning the investigation the firm’s largest account goes into review and Brian must also work to save the account and the firm his uncle built. An up and coming copywriter steps in to help Brian solve the murder and perhaps save the firm. Could she be involved in the murder? Who can Brian trust?

A romance taunt with suspicion, an ad campaign that must be outstanding, partners who might have reason to murder the largest shareholder, Brian has his hands full. Will he be able to prove his uncle was murdered, inherit the money to buy his uncle’s interest, and save the agency?

This is a classic whodunit with many interesting story lines. Martin leads us through the exciting pace of an ad agency on the verge of success or failure. Brian is a hero who is reminiscent of a modern, lighter “Madmen” advertising character. He is likable though a little naive at times. The romance though sudden and a bit confusing at the beginning gains some merit as the story progresses. Dead Man of the Year has some of the feel of a cozy mystery mixed into a suspense mystery. This story is a page turner mystery. You just have to find out if it is a murder and if so who the murderer might be. This book is recommended for mystery buffs everywhere.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A book meme by Shelia at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Last Week I Was Reading:

1. Dancing with Jou Jou by Barbara Louise Leiding

2. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

3. Mum's the Word by Kate Collins (for Cozy Mystery Saturday)

This Week I Am Reading:

1. The Missing Element by John L Betcher

2. Breakup: Enduring Divorce by Leo Averbach

3. Dead Man of the Year by Stephen Hawley Martin

I am still working on last week's list as well. No time to read during the wedding weekend. And for all of those who asked about The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, I am still working my way through the book. I have to keep putting it on the backburner due to books I need to review. I should be able to get much more done now that my daugher's wedding is over. Thank you all for your encouragement and patience.

Here is a sample of  my photos of the weekend.