The Widow by John Grisham

 Title: The Widow

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/25/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Simon Latch the small town lawyer.  Eleanor Barnett, the widow who might be rich. Matildo is Simon's assistant.  Landy is the FBI agent.
What happens? Eleanor comes to Simon to re-write her will.  The other town lawyer has written a will with a $450,000 one time payment.  Eleanor claims to be rich. Is she?
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good story, moves along.  Ending a little frustrating.  Really?  but a good read
Overall grade: B+

Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

 Title: Leonardo Da Vinci

Author: Walter Isaacson
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/15/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Da Vinci!
What happens? Da Vinci was a supremely talented artist who was obsessed with understanding in detail the way things worked.  How we see.  How the muscles work.  How water flows.  Perspective

He was not great at finishing things.  Easily distracted.  Very popular and always had a sponsor.  Did not finish work often.  Died with the Mona Lisa in his possession, believed to be still working on finishing it.
How long was this? 600+ pages
Did I like this? Important and enjoyable, but some parts I skipped over.   Too much detail
Overall grade: B+

Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Dachshund Through the Snow

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 25, 2026
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Andy, Laurie, Marcus, Sam, a new guy Corey Douglas and his dog Simon Garfunkel
What happens? Andy represents Simon to get him early retirement with his retired cop buddy Corey.  Laurie picks an ornament off the community xmas tree for a little boy who wants his dad back who is innocent of a murder 14 years ago of a teenage girl who had his DNA under her fingernails.
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? Good stuff.  
Overall grade: B+

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

 Title: A Slowly Dying Cause

Author: Elizabeth George
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 4/19/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Bea Hannaford, cop w son Pete and ex- Ray, Michael Lobb, 2nd wife Kayla, brother Dexter.  Goron and Bran, son and father who help tin streamer Michael, Daidre, Lynley's ex who is the daughter of Bran, given up for foster care years ago. Havers and Lynley
What happens? Lobb is killed in his tin workshop.  All signs point to Goron, simple son of Bran.  Daidre wants to prove it's not him (her brother).  Enlists Havers to help out.
How long was this? 542 pages
Did I like this? Enjoyable George novel.  One plot line that has absolutely nothing to do with the main story.  But interesting and not predictable.
Overall grade: B+

Once for Yes by Allie Millington

 Title: Once for Yes

Author: Allie Millington
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook, car trip home from PD 4/2026
When did I finish?: 4/5/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Prue is 11.  Lives in Odenburgh - the building is one of the main characters.  Lina is the sister who passed away.
What happens? The building is up for sale.  Prue doesn't want to leave the last place that Lina lived.  The buy across the street is watching with binoculars
How long was this? 272 pages
Did I like this? Good for pre-teens
Overall grade: C+

In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka

Title: In Her Defense

Author: Philippa Malicka
Did I listen or read?: audible on trip to SB/PD April 2026
When did I finish?: March 30
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Anna Finbow, Augusta is the main character, Jean Guest
What happens? Jean sues Anna for claiming that she has brainwashed Anna's daughter via "therapy" - Gus becomes the assistant for Anna and husband, but who actually met the daughter in Rome where she modeled for her at an art school
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Not really great, acceptable.
Overall grade: B

Even Money by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

 Title: Even Money

Author: Dick Francis and Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book (OVA)
When did I finish?: 3/25/2026
When was the book published:  2009
Main Characters: Ned Talbot, bookmaker outside the stands
What happens? Ned's father introduces himself, and then is stabbed to death.  He finds a backpack that his father left behind with a chip writer, and 30k in cash.
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Usual quality Francis stuff
Overall grade: B+