Sunday, November 8, 2009

Intent to Kill - James Grippando - Review and Giveaway


Today is the opening day of the 2009 Miami Book Fair International. There are so many fantastic authors appearing (over 300!) and James Grippando is one of them.

Grippando has long been a favourite suspense author of mine. I really enjoy his recurring series featuring lawyer Jack Swyteck. As a lawyer himself, Grippando infuses his novels with a ring of authenticity. But his 16th novel, Intent to Kill, is a stand alone.

Ryan James was an up and coming baseball player. On the night that the Red Sox scout comes to watch him play, he is yanked from the game. His wife Chelsea has been killed on the way to the game, seemingly by a drunk driver. No one was ever caught or charged. His young daughter Ainsley survived. Three years later, he's hosting a sports talk radio show and keeping it together for the sake of Ainsley. But he's thrown for a loop when he receives a cryptic note " I know who did it" on the third anniversary of Chelsea's death. And Chelsea's autistic brother Babes may know more than he's letting on......

I hate giving away the plots in reviews, so am going to stop there. But it's a page turner for sure. Ryan is likeable, believable and sympathetic. Babes is based, in fact, on a persona from Grippando's past and again, very well drawn. His fascination with anagrams is addicting. There are lots of characters to pick from for the 'whodunit', but it takes a quick left turn at the end exposing someone I hadn't considered. The settings and dialogue ring true, showing Grippando's dedication to research - " The research for this novel was great fun - much of it done simply by observing, drinking beer, and root-root-rooting for the home team." He's got a great sense of humour too I think!

If you've enjoyed Harlan Coben or Linwood Barclay, you would enjoy anything by James Grippando.

Watch for his latest, Money to Burn, coming in February 2010.

Sound good? Want a copy of your own to read? Sponsored by the Miami Book Fair, I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader. Open to US and Canada. You've got until Sunday November 29 at 6pm EST to enter. Simply leave a comment. BUT!! Make sure you check back later this week or beginning of next week - The Miami Book Fair has sponsored another giveaway as well!


WHAT: 26th Miami Book Fair International
WHEN: Sun. November 8 through Sun. November 15, 2009
WHERE: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave., downtown Miami
ADMISSION:
“Evenings With…” lectures: Sun., Nov. 8- Fri., Nov. 13:
General Admission: $10, free for Miami Book Fair members
Please visit miamibookfair.com to order tickets.
Street Fair: Fri, Sat & Sun., Nov. 14 – 16:
Friday, Nov. 14: Free
Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 15 & 16: $8, $5 for those 62 and older, and free for those 18 years of age and younger, Miami Dade College students & employees with ID and Book Fair Friends, volunteers, exhibitors and guests with credentials.
INFORMATION: (305) 237-3258 (305) 237-3258 and http://www.miamibookfair.com/

Again, let us know about it if you're there!!

116 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would just love to be entered in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

Please enter me in your drawing, I would love to win a copy.

seriousreader at live dot com

KR said...

This sounds great! Thanks for the chance.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KiraR said...

Count me in please.

kiris089 at gmail dot com

Jenny said...

Sounds good! Enter me please

jennala @ cfl . rr . com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Sweet! How awesome of the people at the Miami Book Fair to sponsor this! (Maybe they'll invite me to appear next year??)

All posted at Win a Book. No need to enter me, as always. Thanks for the e-mail!

Simply Stacie said...

Thanks for the chance!

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

fredamans said...

Thank you for the entry. The book looks really good.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

Please count me in on this giveaway.
The review is a good one.

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Please enter me I would love to read this book
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

bermudaonion said...

I'm reading Got The Look by Jame Grippando right now and it's great so far, so I'd love to be entered! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

mindy said...

sounds great thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

cstironkat said...

I would love to win something to read for the long winter months.

heatherzilla said...

Sounds like a good book. Please include me in the giveaway.

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

catss99 said...

Please enter me!
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Would love to enter your contest and win this book!! libbysutherland forty-six at (gee mail) dot com

Patti V. said...

This sounds great! Please enter me in the giveaway!

chey said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

LittleEagle said...

Enjoy this author a lot. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Pleas count me in! Grippando is a new to me author and it sounds like something I'd like to read. Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Sue said...

I'd love a chance. Thanks for the giveaway!

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in your drawing...

karen k
kmkuka(at)yaho(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

Please enter me! I love finding new authors!

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

DarcyO said...

I'd love to read this one. Please include me.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

CMash said...

Am a google firend connect follower.
Am a newsletter email subscriber.

Have this book on my TBR list so am hoping I win.

desiree kelley said...

I woyuld love to read it

mverno said...

i read everynite before bed mverno@roadrunner.com

george ferris said...

I never heard of this author, but I am always on the look out for new authors to read their books.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

avalonne83 said...

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Joan Coussoule said...

Sounds like a good read. Please enter me. Thanks

Rita M said...

This book sounds like a great read... Please count me in!

Mysharona said...

looks like a good read

Lynne said...

This sounds like my type of book.

linett said...

would love to read this, thanks

PatZ said...

You're my kind of writer - fast paced and exciting. I would love this book.

randio said...

I've read several of Grippando's books & have really enjoyed them. I'd love the chance to read this one as well!

Lynz Pickles said...

I love Linwood Barclay, so I'm sure I'd love this! Please enter me.

lynzajw[at]gmail[dot]com

Bacallsmom said...

I know I would really enjoy reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!

409cope said...

This sounds like a great book. I love suspense. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Beth (BBRB) said...

Ooh! This looks great! Please enter me!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

JoanneR said...

Thank you for the great offer!
joannereynolds@sbcglobal.net

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I really like this author-thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

Margie said...

This sounds like an author I would enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity!

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

clc408 said...

Sounds like my kind of book. How have I missed this author? Thanks for the chance.

clynsg said...

I haven't read any of his work, but this sounds good.

clynsg at yahoo.com

Brent said...

Please enter me.

marthajane said...

Just checked out his website. I haven't read any of his stuff, but will definitely put him on my "to read" list. Sounds good!
Please enter me to win.

Sarah E said...

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Deb K said...

Please enter me I would love to win this book!

deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

g.g. said...

I would love to read something by this author. Thanks for the chance.

anjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com

karryknisley76 said...

Sounds like a great read..thanks for the chance
karryknisley76 at hotmail dot com

minishoes1 said...

This sounds like a book I would stay up all night reading. count me in! Thanks! jacquecurl1(at)gmail.com

janeh said...

suspense novels are my favorite.....I'd love to read this book.......

Ellie Wright said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Alicia said...

Would love to read this..

Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

bloggyig at gmail dot com

lag123 said...

Please count me in. Thanks for the giveaway.

lag110@mchsi.com

okbarbie5 said...

Great Giveaway...thanks!!!

Tammy said...

Sounds like a great book.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

Cackleberry Homestead said...

Please enter me - I have been meaning to try one of his books.

crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

cqueen2 said...

thanks count me in

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Nancy said...

Wow, I have read a lot of suspense novels and I have never read any of James Grippando's books. I am going to have to check this author out.

Sarah said...

I'm currently reading his book "Born to Run" and it's quite good.

Nickolay said...

This looks awesome. A great Winter read. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

yadgirl said...

I've read several of James Grippando's books.

Carol M said...

I would love to win this book! I know I would enjoy it! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the giveaway.
patman1770[at]yahoo[dot]com

Tamara said...

This sounds like a great book. Please enter me!

Mike R. said...

Thanks for the contest.

LittleEagle said...

I like the author and would love to win the book. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carol EL said...

I've enjoyed some of his other books and would like to win this one. jelly15301@gmail.com

Rhonda said...

Terrific.

I would love to read this

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

suzanne said...

Sounds like another great book. Thank you Miami Book fair also.

bowlinsuzy@yahoo.com

Renee G said...

This looks like a book that I would enjoy reading.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Curling up by the Fire said...

I love this author and have read most of his books. I am looking forward to reading this one with great anticipation. Thanks for the great giveaway.

clenna said...

This book sounds very exciting - I would love to read it.

clenna at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book.

cherio1 said...

I've not yet read this author. The book sounds really intriguing! Please enter me. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of James Grippando, but the book sounds interesting! :)

da-ka-ta-chan@g-mail.com (remove the dashes)

mindy said...

sounds wonderful thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Daniel M said...

way cool love mysteries/thrillers! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

SeahorseLady said...

I love suspense books and am always looking for a new good book to read.

Anonymous said...

Grippando is up there with Lee Child and Michael Connelly when it comes to creating compelling characters with interesting idiosyncrasies. I catch segments of the Miami Book Fair on C-Span's Book Tv in the weekends.
This is a great giveaway. Thanks and happy holidays!
hickcrazy1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aisling said...

I've enjoyed previous books by James Grippando and this one sounds like another excellent story. I'd love to win.

erma said...

I'd love to enter the drawing.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Kim (Randominities) said...

This sounds like a good book. Thanks for giving a bit of the plot away, it makes me want to read it even more.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance to win it!
pjgirl74 at aol dot com

Andria said...

I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Susan said...

I haven't read James Grippando before. I took down his name and the others you mentioned.

The closest I'll get to the Miami Book Fair - or any decent book fair - is C-SPAN on the weekends.

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this.

shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I really love mystery/suspense books - this sounds like a good one!

Jenny said...

I'd like a chance to win this, thanks!

Betty C said...

I really love this type of book. It would be a great book to win.

Sahm Lee said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the contest!
airalynn@gmail.com

Oneangel said...

I would love to enter-loks like a great read!!

disneyfanheather said...

I would love to read this book! :)

Liz Mays said...

Thank you for the chance to win it!
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

Anonymous said...

It's always good to offer a book as a prize. Thank you for doing that. I'd love to win this book.

May Schultz
may041827@yahoo.com

lilyk said...

Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway. garrettsambo@aol.com

Elk Grove blogger said...

i need to read this book!

dvice12 said...

This looks like a great read

AmyLynn said...

I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!

Crystal F said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!

crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

mrk928 said...

thanks for the awesome giveaway

Unknown said...

I love a great page turner and this sounds like one! Thanks for the chance!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

cman said...

I won't be going.. too far away for me.
Please enter me in the giveaway :)

gsm57 said...

This sounds like a great read.

CherylS22 said...

I'd love to read this book - please count me in!
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Roseann K. said...

Love to win this book. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

The sounds GREAT! I would love to win this! Please enter me into the giveaway, thanks!!!!!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

kerri69 said...

would love a chance to read this thanks!

yadgirl said...

Count me in.