Nick of Time by Tim Downs

Nick of Time by Tim Downs

Thomas Nelson – May 17, 2011

 Timdowns.net

Facebook: Yes

            Nick is going to be married, Saturday-if he solves the murder of a close and old friend and if he can stay alive that long. And if his fiancé doesn’t kill him first. An old friend contacts Nick and asks for his assistance in a cold case that his friend is very close to solving. Nick takes off to help his friend a week before he’s supposed to get married. In the true fashion of the previous Bug Man adventures, nothing is as it seems.

*For those who have not read Ends of the Earth, I will not reveal the name of Nick’s fiancé.*

Yes, I am completely biased and I only feel that I should I put that out there before I tell you what I think of this book.  I love Tim Downs’ books and always find myself completely surprised when reading his books.  I love the Bug Man himself, Nick. But more than that just when you think you know him and he won’t surprise, you find out something new about him. There are only a couple of Bug Man novels I haven’t gotten to, and they are sitting on my shelf waiting on my review list to shrink.

But being completely biased, I am not sure if I can truly capture my enthusiasm for this book completely, I am not sure if I can complete convey how fantastically happy this book made me. It took me a minute to get to this book, but when I started I couldn’t put it down. I don’t think it’s even possible to get enough of Nick and his adventures. No matter what they have in common (they always deal with solving some kind of crime) there’s always enough new and good stuff, that you can’t possible get tired of the Bug Man.

I am not a bug person, I don’t like them and to be honest when I see them I am more likely to kill them. But it is grossly fascinating how much information can be gathered from the simple presence (or absence) of a particular species of insects.

            This story has it all. A woman who go to the ends of the earth to find out the truth from the man that she loves and even willing to face the fact that he may have changed his mind about the wedding and her. One man who will risk it all for the sake of helping an old friend solve a long forgotten cold case. A best friend who will go to great lengths to show a soon-to-be groom the truth he’s running. Action and mystery to keep you engaged and turning the pages. Finally, an end that you never saw coming.

            No Bug Man novel would be the same without the side characters that you have gotten to know better over time. They help add humor and insight into Nick and his fiancé.

Rating: Thoroughly enjoyable read.

Recommendation: You definitely need to add this to your collection if you’re already a Tim Downs fan, and if not, what are you waiting for?

A free copy of this book was given to me in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to Booksneeze.

Always Shine,

Starr K.

Tim Downs' Ends of the Earth

Ends of the Earth

Ends of the Earth by Tim Downs

Bug Man Novel

Thomas Nelson – September 15, 2009

www.timdowns.net

Facebook: yes

Rating: Loved it! Couldn’t put it down

Recommendation: Fans of save-the-world-at-last-minute action and fans of clueless and quirky heroes

Nick Polchak is back, and his love and knowledge of bugs comes with him. He is called to the site of a murder, recommended by the victim’s wife. Nick must use his knowledge and experience of bugs and murder to unravel the truth that surrounds the mystery of Michael’s death.  Katherine remembers working with Nick before and some old feelings resurface. When the need of a dog team arises, Nick immediately calls on Alena and her pack of dogs.  Alena has not forgotten how things ended between her and Nick the last time they worked together. Now the Bug Man is faced with the murder that points to threat of terrorism as well as two women who are vying for his attention.

What can I say? I am a huge Tim Downs fan, and there is yet to be a book of his that I don’t like. I have to say that I read this one a little bit faster than the other ones. But that was because I accidentally started reading the next one, Nick of Time, and realized that there was a lot that I had missed in the previous book.  And I have to say that I am not disappointed in going back to this one.  Yes, there was the possibility of a terrorist attack that the victim unknowingly becomes a part of. But as more bodies come to light, and other weird occurrences are explained, the closer Nick comes to closer to solving the mystery.

The terrorist whose plans Nick has yet to uncover are nothing compared to mystery of the two women who are obviously after Nick’s heart. He hates to admit it, but is forced to deal with the fact that he is no longer part of the insect species. Though he is not familiar with the swirl of emotions that are going on inside of him, he knows that it undoubtedly makes him part of the human race.  Though it would really be cliché to say that every book is an adventure, it would always be the truth. One of the main reasons that I like the Bug Man novels is that you can get so wrapped up in his world, though it’s informative of all things insects, they are more of a side note than a central character. Nick, on the other hand is full of quirks and flaws. He is filled with sarcasm and able to toss out a snarky comment that flusters or upsets the other characters, but the reader can’t help but laugh. There are certain things that have become Nickisms, and are expected in all of the novels. But they are never overdone and always have a way to sneak in.

If there is ever a time I am in need of an entomologist, I pray that I am lucky enough to encounter one like Nick. He’s got to be out there somewhere, right? If only the world was so lucky.

Always Shine,

Starr K.

Tim Downs' Less Than Dead

Less Than Dead

                The construction of The Patriot Center has been brought to a stop upon the discovery of a long forgotten and unmarked graveyard. Nick Polchak is called in to investigate the graveyard. Nick uncovers the buried bodies as well as some buried secrets-secrets that someone will kill to keep buried. With the assistance of an unusually amazing cadaver dog and its trainer, Nick “The Bug Man” must find the killer before more bodies turn up and before the killer decides to come after them.

I have to admit that I am never disappointed with anything I read by Tim Downs. I am saddened by the fact that it has taken me this long to read this book, though it’s been sitting on one my many To Be Read stacks for an insanely amount of time. I was given the opportunity to read Nick of Time for Booksneeze and figured that I should read Less Than Dead first. Yea, I know I didn’t have to.  It’s not a necessity because each book has its own story.  But I wanted to. I used it as an excuse to move it to the done pile and I’m very glad that I did.

There are a lot of secrets that are buried in this small town, and you can always count on Polchak to go to the heart of the matter and uncover them. I love the fact that he has his own way of doing things and the fact that he doesn’t let the fact that he is working with the FBI to change that. He is after the truth and will pursue it wholeheartedly no matter the risks. And that is an admirable trait.  Some may even say that he doesn’t play well with others, but that should be expected from a man who spends a lot of time with bugs.  Despite all of the glaring flaws and nontraditional methods, it is easy to see that Polchak is one of the good guys. I was glad to see that while working on this gravesite case,  Polchak was able to find a connection with someone who is treated as much as an outcast as he sometimes it. It was nice to see a small connection to form between Alena Savard, but sad that nothing really became of it. But it does show some growth and possibilities with Polchak.

I guess I should get back to the actual story of Less Than Dead, it was entertaining and the secrets are surprising. There are a few twists that you know are coming, but not exactly sure what they are. It is an easy read and captivates (I forgot about the other book that I was reading).  It brings up an interesting question –not sure if it was intentional or not. But who is responsible for the secrets of our ancestors?

Would I recommend this book? YES!! More than that, I would recommend anything by Tim Downs!

If you want to know more about Tim Downs, The Bug Man novels and other stories check out his website www.timdowns.net or visit him on Facebook.

Always Shine,

Starr K.