The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths

 Title: The Postscript Murders

Author: Elly Griffiths
Did I listen or read?: Oakmont library
When did I finish?: 8/6/2026
When was the book published: 2020
Main Characters: Harbinder Kaur, partner Neil, Benedict, Edwin, Natalya, a bunch of authors, Patricia and Maria are carers.
What happens? Peggy is a Murder Consultant and dies in her apartment (at age 90.)  Is it murder?  Edwin, Benedict and Natalya convince Harbinder to suss it out.
How long was this? 344 pages
Did I like this? I really like the writer and the characters.  The plot was convoluted but really fun and well done.  Need to find more of these.
Overall grade: A-

James by Percival Everett

 Title: James

Author: Percival Elliott
Did I listen or read?: oakmont library book
When did I finish?: 8/1/2026
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: James, Huck
What happens? A retelling of Huck Finn from the viewpoint of James the slave.  James is about to be separated from his family (at the beginning of the civil war) and runs away with James.  They have a series of harrowing adventures.  With the surprise at the end...
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? The main premise is that slaves speak the King's English except around white people.  It felt like a stretch and kind of weird, but the story itself was compelling and exciting.
Overall grade: B

The Ghost Fields by Elly Griiffiths

 Title: The Ghost Fields

Author: Elly Griffiths
Did I listen or read?: oakmont library book
When did I finish?: 7/22/2026
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Ruth Galloway the forensic archaelogist, Nelson father of Kate who is married to Michelle who is seeing Tim who works for Nelson.  The Blackstock family, old George, young George, Sally, Nell and Blake from the US.  Cathbad and Hazel are druids.
What happens? A plane is found buried near the old air force base (ghost field) and Fred Blackstock is in it, except he was supposed to have died in a crash in the ocean, and he is well preserved like he was buried someplace different
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, twists, characters.
Overall grade: A-

Second Wind by Dick Francis

 Title: Second Wind

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: not sure.  I know I read it, but it's not in the list
When was the book published: 1999
Main Characters: Perry Stuart, meteorologist, his grandmother
What happens? Perry's friend arranges for him to fly through a hurricane.  They are supposed to go to some island and some bad stuff is going on there.
How long was this? 272 pages
Did I like this? Always good D Francis
Overall grade: B+

Whistler by Ann Patchett

Title: Whistler

Author: Ann Patchett
Did I listen or read?: audible on trip to Tahoe to visit Stu and De
When did I finish?: June 15, 2026
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Daphne Fuller, husband Jonathan, Eddie Triplett (stepfather), 
What happens? Daphne and Jonathan are at the museum and Eddie is following them.  He turns out to be the stepfather that Daphne was trapped in an auto with in a snowstorm 40 years ago.  Her mother remarried the guy who wrote a bunch of positivity books, and wrote Eddie out of her life.
How long was this?  304 pages
Did I like this? It was a bit slow - an interesting story, but dragged a bit.
Overall grade: B

Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Dog Eat Dog

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 14, 2026
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: The usual, but in Maine, with a new lawyer, Charlie Tilton.  Matthew Jantzen meets Andy when he steps in to save a dog.  Matthew is on the run for a murder where his DNA (blood) is found on the hand of the victim, but he has Zero connection to the person killed
What happens? see above
How long was this? 298 pages
Did I like this? Despite the repetitive plot, characters, inside jokes, steps, mystery, tricks, etc., I love these books and wish there were another 50.  As long as Tara doesn't have to die....
Overall grade: B+

Zag A whiteboard overview by Marty Neumeier

 Title: Zag A Whiteboard Overview

Author: Marty Neumeier
Did I listen or read?: library book Link+
When did I finish?: July 11, 2026
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters:
What happens? A really good guidebook to comprehensive marketing planning and approach stressing how to be unique, different, to Zag.  See list below
How long was this? 169 pages
Did I like this? Pretty useful and interesting despite 20 years of changes.  Definitely a useful framework for a score client
Overall grade: B+

Here is the list of the 17 checkpoints from Part 2 of Zag:

1. Who Are You?

2. What Do You Do?

3. What's Your Vision?

4. What Wave Are You Riding?

5. Who Shares the Brandscape?

6. What Makes You the "Only"?

7. What Should You Add or Subtract?

8. Who Loves You?

9. Who's the Enemy?

10. What Do They Call You?

11. How Do You Explain Yourself?

12. How Do You Spread the Word?

13. How Do People Engage With You?

14. What Do They Experience?

15. How Do You Earn Their Loyalty?

16. How Do You Extend Your Success?

17. How Do You Protect Your Portfolio?