Title:Night School
Author: Lee Child
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: June 5, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Reacher, Neagley, Sinclair - FBI I think, Bishop (CIA chief)
What happens? We got an AWOL soldier who is on to something big that he is selling to the bad guys for 100 million. Because of the money, everyone freaks out about what it could be. Multi-agency task force in Hamburg to hunt the guy down.
How long was this? 368 pages
Did I like this? Good, not the best reacher. always enjoyable
Overall grade: B+
Monday, June 5, 2017
Vicious Circle by C.J. Box
Title: Vicious Circle
Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 30, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Joe Pickett and family, the last of the Cates family looking for revenge, Nate Romanowski returns, Dave Farkus
What happens? Dallas gets out of prison and the Cates come after Joe and family. Old friend Farkus gets in the way and gets murdered. Cates has a couple of prison buddy idiots doing his dirty work.
How long was this? 367 pages
Did I like this? The best of the best. Can't wait for the next one
Overall grade: A+
Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 30, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Joe Pickett and family, the last of the Cates family looking for revenge, Nate Romanowski returns, Dave Farkus
What happens? Dallas gets out of prison and the Cates come after Joe and family. Old friend Farkus gets in the way and gets murdered. Cates has a couple of prison buddy idiots doing his dirty work.
How long was this? 367 pages
Did I like this? The best of the best. Can't wait for the next one
Overall grade: A+
Friday, May 26, 2017
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
Title: A Great Reckoning
Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 20, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Armand Gamache, cadets Amelia Choquet, Nathaniel, Jacques and Huifen, wife Reine-Marie, poet Ruth, artist Claire, gay innkeepers Olivier and , the duke Leduc
What happens? Gamache is recovering from some monstrous event while being a superstar detective at La Surete, and he takes over the academy for police, which is corrupt and evil. In his home village of Three Pines, someone finds a mysterious orienteering map in a wall at Olivier's pub.
How long was this? 389 pages
Did I like this? Overall very good, a bit dense with a couple of seemingly unrelated plot lines held together tentatively at times, a wild mix of characters. But no question, well written and compelling
Overall grade: B+
Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 20, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Armand Gamache, cadets Amelia Choquet, Nathaniel, Jacques and Huifen, wife Reine-Marie, poet Ruth, artist Claire, gay innkeepers Olivier and , the duke Leduc
What happens? Gamache is recovering from some monstrous event while being a superstar detective at La Surete, and he takes over the academy for police, which is corrupt and evil. In his home village of Three Pines, someone finds a mysterious orienteering map in a wall at Olivier's pub.
How long was this? 389 pages
Did I like this? Overall very good, a bit dense with a couple of seemingly unrelated plot lines held together tentatively at times, a wild mix of characters. But no question, well written and compelling
Overall grade: B+
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
Title: Lucky Boy
Author: Shanthi Sekaran
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 12 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Soli (Solimar Castro Valdez,) Ignacio, Kavya and Sikki Reddy, Checo, Silvia
What happens? Soli leaves her hometown in Mexico and illegally emigrates to the US, gets pregnant with Ignacio, moves in with Silvia in Berkeley, becomes nanny for the Cassidy's. Kavya can't get pregnant, tries IVF, and decides to become a foster parent.
How long was this? 469 pages
Did I like this? Excellent literature, compelling, complicated, hard to read at times, painful. Really well done and thought provoking. Other than Soli's amazing luck at finding her way through adventures, very believable.
Overall grade: A
Author: Shanthi Sekaran
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 12 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Soli (Solimar Castro Valdez,) Ignacio, Kavya and Sikki Reddy, Checo, Silvia
What happens? Soli leaves her hometown in Mexico and illegally emigrates to the US, gets pregnant with Ignacio, moves in with Silvia in Berkeley, becomes nanny for the Cassidy's. Kavya can't get pregnant, tries IVF, and decides to become a foster parent.
How long was this? 469 pages
Did I like this? Excellent literature, compelling, complicated, hard to read at times, painful. Really well done and thought provoking. Other than Soli's amazing luck at finding her way through adventures, very believable.
Overall grade: A
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Hunting Badger by Tony Hillerman
Title: Hunting Badger
Author: Tony Hillerman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 6, 2017
When was the book published: 1999
Main Characters: Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, Bernadette Manuelito, Louisa Bourbenettte (professor)
What happens? Three robbers hit a casino, and kill a guard and wound another. Chee returns from vacation and is relieved that the robbers have stolen a plane and gotten away, avoiding the 1998 mess when they had to search for a cop killer. They figure out that the plane was not stolen, and they have to go searching in the canyons.
How long was this? 275 pages
Did I like this? Very strong Hillerman entry. Full of Indian lore and great characters and a good plot.
Overall grade: B+
Author: Tony Hillerman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 6, 2017
When was the book published: 1999
Main Characters: Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, Bernadette Manuelito, Louisa Bourbenettte (professor)
What happens? Three robbers hit a casino, and kill a guard and wound another. Chee returns from vacation and is relieved that the robbers have stolen a plane and gotten away, avoiding the 1998 mess when they had to search for a cop killer. They figure out that the plane was not stolen, and they have to go searching in the canyons.
How long was this? 275 pages
Did I like this? Very strong Hillerman entry. Full of Indian lore and great characters and a good plot.
Overall grade: B+
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
Title: One Perfect Lie
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 1, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Chris Brennan, pretending to be high school teacher, Susan and her kids Raz and Ryan, Heather and her kid Jordan, Mindy and her kid Evan, Abe the gay high school teacher
What happens? Chris is at a high school pretending to be a teacher and doing something involving a bombing and the young folks. Don't want to give away a cleverly revealed plot.
How long was this? 351 pages
Did I like this? Yes, Lisa S is hitting home runs, good stories, unique, deep in America
Overall grade: A
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 1, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Chris Brennan, pretending to be high school teacher, Susan and her kids Raz and Ryan, Heather and her kid Jordan, Mindy and her kid Evan, Abe the gay high school teacher
What happens? Chris is at a high school pretending to be a teacher and doing something involving a bombing and the young folks. Don't want to give away a cleverly revealed plot.
How long was this? 351 pages
Did I like this? Yes, Lisa S is hitting home runs, good stories, unique, deep in America
Overall grade: A
Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline
Title: Most Wanted
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 20, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Pregnant lady, husband, serial killer who might be sperm donor, crotchety old lawyer
What happens? Lady gets pregnant with donated sperm, husband is insecure, (spoiler alert) lady sees serial killer on TV, thinks its him, goes to see him in prison, thinks he's innocent.
How long was this? 400 pages I think
Did I like this? Very good, unique plot, real characters. Liked it a lot.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 20, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Pregnant lady, husband, serial killer who might be sperm donor, crotchety old lawyer
What happens? Lady gets pregnant with donated sperm, husband is insecure, (spoiler alert) lady sees serial killer on TV, thinks its him, goes to see him in prison, thinks he's innocent.
How long was this? 400 pages I think
Did I like this? Very good, unique plot, real characters. Liked it a lot.
Overall grade: A-
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Good as Gone by Amy Gentry
Title: Good as Gone
Author: Amy Gentry
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: August 16, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Anna Devalos, mom, Julie, kidnapped daughter, Jane, younger daughter, Tom, the dad
What happens? Julie was kidnapped, as her sister Jane watched from a hall closet. Anna, the mother deals with it when she returns 8 years later. Is it her? What happened to her? What's going to happen to her?
How long was this? 273 pages
Did I like this? pretty good. very similar to "The Missing" season 2, except different. a little hard to follow the reverse time structure of the explanation for the 8 year missing period
Overall grade: B+
Author: Amy Gentry
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: August 16, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Anna Devalos, mom, Julie, kidnapped daughter, Jane, younger daughter, Tom, the dad
What happens? Julie was kidnapped, as her sister Jane watched from a hall closet. Anna, the mother deals with it when she returns 8 years later. Is it her? What happened to her? What's going to happen to her?
How long was this? 273 pages
Did I like this? pretty good. very similar to "The Missing" season 2, except different. a little hard to follow the reverse time structure of the explanation for the 8 year missing period
Overall grade: B+
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Nutshell by Ian McEwan
Title: Nutshell
Author: Ian McEwan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 12, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Trudy who left John to be with his brother Claude, and the unborn baby who narrates
What happens? Trudy shacks up with Claude and plans to kill poet - husband John to inherit his house. All told by the unborn baby who observes the action from the womb.
How long was this? 197 pages. small.
Did I like this? Not one bit, painful - the whole premise, the rhodes scholar genius in the womb with the dense 1st person style, the whole plot. Disappointing after the great "The Children Act"
Overall grade: C-
Author: Ian McEwan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 12, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Trudy who left John to be with his brother Claude, and the unborn baby who narrates
What happens? Trudy shacks up with Claude and plans to kill poet - husband John to inherit his house. All told by the unborn baby who observes the action from the womb.
How long was this? 197 pages. small.
Did I like this? Not one bit, painful - the whole premise, the rhodes scholar genius in the womb with the dense 1st person style, the whole plot. Disappointing after the great "The Children Act"
Overall grade: C-
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Dead Letters by Caite Dolan-Leach
Title: Dead Letters
Author: Caite Dolan-Leach
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 6, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Ava Antipova, twin Zelda, father Marlon, mother Nadine, paris boyfriend Nico, finger lakes boyfriend Wyatt
What happens? Ava leaves her dysfunctional wine growing family for Paris, and gets word that her sister has died in a barn fire on their property. Ava comes back home to an alphabet driven mystery led by her sister Zelda, who doesn't seem to be dead.
How long was this? 332 pages
Did I like this? Exceptionally good, great idea, fun plot, great real alcoholic characters. The ending seemed a little jumpy to me, but the rest of the story kept me riveted.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Caite Dolan-Leach
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 6, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Ava Antipova, twin Zelda, father Marlon, mother Nadine, paris boyfriend Nico, finger lakes boyfriend Wyatt
What happens? Ava leaves her dysfunctional wine growing family for Paris, and gets word that her sister has died in a barn fire on their property. Ava comes back home to an alphabet driven mystery led by her sister Zelda, who doesn't seem to be dead.
How long was this? 332 pages
Did I like this? Exceptionally good, great idea, fun plot, great real alcoholic characters. The ending seemed a little jumpy to me, but the rest of the story kept me riveted.
Overall grade: A-
Monday, April 3, 2017
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
Title: The Undoing Project
Author: Michael Lewis
Did I listen or read?: gift hardcover
When did I finish?: April 1, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Daniel Kahnemand and Amos Tversky, two psychologist behavioral economists from 30 or 40 years ago
What happens? This guys take to studying how people use their judgement well or not well to make decisions, and the common mistakes they make in relying on their judgement.
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? A really interesting story about fascinating bright challenging people and an insteresting friendhsip. I am not really sure exactly what the point is, but I enjoyed it.
Overall grade: B+
Author: Michael Lewis
Did I listen or read?: gift hardcover
When did I finish?: April 1, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Daniel Kahnemand and Amos Tversky, two psychologist behavioral economists from 30 or 40 years ago
What happens? This guys take to studying how people use their judgement well or not well to make decisions, and the common mistakes they make in relying on their judgement.
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? A really interesting story about fascinating bright challenging people and an insteresting friendhsip. I am not really sure exactly what the point is, but I enjoyed it.
Overall grade: B+
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
Title: The Wrong Side of Goodbye
Author: Michael Connelly
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: March 31, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Harry Bosch, rich old guy Whitney Vance, the screen cutter killer, Bella Lourdes, partner at the San Fernando PD
What happens? Bosch is working as a volunteer for the SFPD investigating a guy who cuts screens and rapes woman, and knows when their fertility cycle is, and gets called in by ex-cop Creighton to help Whitney Vance who is dying and a billionaire and wants to track down his heirs.
How long was this? 392 pages
Did I like this? This is how books should be written.
Overall grade: A
Author: Michael Connelly
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: March 31, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Harry Bosch, rich old guy Whitney Vance, the screen cutter killer, Bella Lourdes, partner at the San Fernando PD
What happens? Bosch is working as a volunteer for the SFPD investigating a guy who cuts screens and rapes woman, and knows when their fertility cycle is, and gets called in by ex-cop Creighton to help Whitney Vance who is dying and a billionaire and wants to track down his heirs.
How long was this? 392 pages
Did I like this? This is how books should be written.
Overall grade: A
Saturday, March 25, 2017
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Title: A Little Life
Author: Hanya Yanagihara
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: DID NOT FINISH
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: JB, Malcolm, Jude, Willem
What happens? 4 guys who became close in college and their life
How long was this? Read 196 pages
Did I like this? SPOILER the dude who is the main character cuts himself. couldn't deal with it, stopped reading. Good writing, really long, wished I could finish the story
Overall grade: B
Author: Hanya Yanagihara
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: DID NOT FINISH
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: JB, Malcolm, Jude, Willem
What happens? 4 guys who became close in college and their life
How long was this? Read 196 pages
Did I like this? SPOILER the dude who is the main character cuts himself. couldn't deal with it, stopped reading. Good writing, really long, wished I could finish the story
Overall grade: B
Thursday, March 23, 2017
The Children Act by Ian McEwan
Title: The Children Act
Author: Ian McEwan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/22/2017
When was the book published: 2014
Main Characters: Fiona Maye, husband Jack, Adam - the religious kid with leukemia
What happens? Fiona's marriage is falling apart while she struggles with the court cases that she hears like the siamese twins and whether to force a Jehovah's Witness to take a blood transfusion.
How long was this? 221 pages
Did I like this? Really good, great writing, great characters, lots of sad.
Overall grade: A
Author: Ian McEwan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/22/2017
When was the book published: 2014
Main Characters: Fiona Maye, husband Jack, Adam - the religious kid with leukemia
What happens? Fiona's marriage is falling apart while she struggles with the court cases that she hears like the siamese twins and whether to force a Jehovah's Witness to take a blood transfusion.
How long was this? 221 pages
Did I like this? Really good, great writing, great characters, lots of sad.
Overall grade: A
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Lethal Legacy by Linda Fairstein
Title: Lethal Legacy
Author: Linda Fairstein
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/3/2017
When was the book published: 2009
Main Characters: Alex Cooper, DA, cops Mike and Mercer, the Hunt family, Tina Barr
What happens? A overly baked plot with rich people, stolen books, valuable maps, thieves, intrigue.
How long was this? 387 pages
Did I like this? barely readable, too many characters, motives, maps, books. Not for me
Overall grade: C
Author: Linda Fairstein
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/3/2017
When was the book published: 2009
Main Characters: Alex Cooper, DA, cops Mike and Mercer, the Hunt family, Tina Barr
What happens? A overly baked plot with rich people, stolen books, valuable maps, thieves, intrigue.
How long was this? 387 pages
Did I like this? barely readable, too many characters, motives, maps, books. Not for me
Overall grade: C
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
Title: Save Me
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/25
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Rose McKenna, daughter Melly with a birthmark, Amanda the bully
What happens? Rose is working in the cafeteria, watching out for her daughter who is being bullied. She goes into action to chastise Amanda and her friends, and there is a big explosion that kills a teacher and two cafeteria workers. That's all in chapter 1
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, different, full of surprises.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/25
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Rose McKenna, daughter Melly with a birthmark, Amanda the bully
What happens? Rose is working in the cafeteria, watching out for her daughter who is being bullied. She goes into action to chastise Amanda and her friends, and there is a big explosion that kills a teacher and two cafeteria workers. That's all in chapter 1
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, different, full of surprises.
Overall grade: A-
Friday, March 3, 2017
Unpunished by Lisa Black
Title: Unpunished
Author: Lisa Black
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Feb 19 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner (secret vigilante cop,) a bunch of journalists at the Cleveland paper
What happens? People associated with the paper start showing up dead. The paper is in the throes of dying, and possibly being sold to a conglomerate.
How long was this? 320 pages
Did I like this? Decent, not great.
Overall grade: B
Author: Lisa Black
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Feb 19 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner (secret vigilante cop,) a bunch of journalists at the Cleveland paper
What happens? People associated with the paper start showing up dead. The paper is in the throes of dying, and possibly being sold to a conglomerate.
How long was this? 320 pages
Did I like this? Decent, not great.
Overall grade: B
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz
Title: Orphan X
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/17/2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Evan Smoak who is Orphan X, Jack his dad-type handler, Mia the DA and her son Peter that live in his high rise, Morena Aguilar who his held captive by a NYC cop abuse, Katrin who is helping next with her gambling debts
What happens? Umm, Evan has been reaised as a super assassin since the age of 12 but gave it all up to help people out as the mysterious Nowhere Man, until it all comes crumbling down.
How long was this? 356 pages
Did I like this? Really good in the first half, definitely would try this guy again, a bit tedious outlining every perfect thing that this guy does perfectly. Will have to try the next book in the series to see where he takes it.
Overall grade: B+
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/17/2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Evan Smoak who is Orphan X, Jack his dad-type handler, Mia the DA and her son Peter that live in his high rise, Morena Aguilar who his held captive by a NYC cop abuse, Katrin who is helping next with her gambling debts
What happens? Umm, Evan has been reaised as a super assassin since the age of 12 but gave it all up to help people out as the mysterious Nowhere Man, until it all comes crumbling down.
How long was this? 356 pages
Did I like this? Really good in the first half, definitely would try this guy again, a bit tedious outlining every perfect thing that this guy does perfectly. Will have to try the next book in the series to see where he takes it.
Overall grade: B+
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Big Law by Ron Liebman
Title: Big Law
Author: Ron Liebman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 11, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Carney Blake, brother Sean, his father, girlfriend Diane, Jeremy Lichtman young and bright attorney on his side, Carl Smith, evil mastermind, Peter Moss, evil mastermind from a different firm
What happens? Carl assigns Carney (new partner, too junior for the assignment) the lead in a major plaintiff case out of India. Moss is the opposing council defending GRE. Carney is being set up and walks right into the trap.
How long was this? 254 pages
Did I like this? It starts with a reveal close to the end, so it was a little taxing and obvious at first, but then the plot picks up and his personal, family and business crises all rise and the pages fly by. Really good stuff, good guy to root for. My biggest negative is that the final verdict is not really explained, the final trial not really presented.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Ron Liebman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 11, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Carney Blake, brother Sean, his father, girlfriend Diane, Jeremy Lichtman young and bright attorney on his side, Carl Smith, evil mastermind, Peter Moss, evil mastermind from a different firm
What happens? Carl assigns Carney (new partner, too junior for the assignment) the lead in a major plaintiff case out of India. Moss is the opposing council defending GRE. Carney is being set up and walks right into the trap.
How long was this? 254 pages
Did I like this? It starts with a reveal close to the end, so it was a little taxing and obvious at first, but then the plot picks up and his personal, family and business crises all rise and the pages fly by. Really good stuff, good guy to root for. My biggest negative is that the final verdict is not really explained, the final trial not really presented.
Overall grade: A-
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Triple Crown by Felix Francis
Title: Triple Crown
Author: Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 4, 2017
When was the book published: October, 2016
Main Characters: Jeff Hinkley, Investigator for BHA, Tony Andretti - US investigator, Paul Maldini - his boss, George Raworth, trainer
What happens? Hinkley goes on loan to the US to investigate the a mole in a US agency (FACSA, made up) and winds up working as a groom for a trainer attempting to win the triple crown.
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? good stuff, fast paced, the usual Francis mix
Overall grade: B+
Author: Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 4, 2017
When was the book published: October, 2016
Main Characters: Jeff Hinkley, Investigator for BHA, Tony Andretti - US investigator, Paul Maldini - his boss, George Raworth, trainer
What happens? Hinkley goes on loan to the US to investigate the a mole in a US agency (FACSA, made up) and winds up working as a groom for a trainer attempting to win the triple crown.
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? good stuff, fast paced, the usual Francis mix
Overall grade: B+
Monday, January 30, 2017
What the Fly Saw by Frankie Y. Bailey
Title: What the Fly Saw
Author: Frankie Bailey
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: January 30, 2017
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Kevin Novak, funeral director, Hannah McCabe and partner Mike Baxter, Luanne Woodward, medium, Novak's wife, son Scott, daughter Megan, pastor Wyatt, shrink Burdette, billionaire Ted Thornton
What happens? During a big snow storm in Albany in 2020, Novak goes to his funeral home to make sure the bodies are OK, and winds up shot with a crossbow.
How long was this? 327 pages
Did I like this? It wasn't that bad, started with a total overload of characters and past plots, then a long and twisting road where it didn't seem possible anyone did it, and then all of a sudden, boom, a confession.
Overall grade: B-
Author: Frankie Bailey
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: January 30, 2017
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Kevin Novak, funeral director, Hannah McCabe and partner Mike Baxter, Luanne Woodward, medium, Novak's wife, son Scott, daughter Megan, pastor Wyatt, shrink Burdette, billionaire Ted Thornton
What happens? During a big snow storm in Albany in 2020, Novak goes to his funeral home to make sure the bodies are OK, and winds up shot with a crossbow.
How long was this? 327 pages
Did I like this? It wasn't that bad, started with a total overload of characters and past plots, then a long and twisting road where it didn't seem possible anyone did it, and then all of a sudden, boom, a confession.
Overall grade: B-
Sunday, January 29, 2017
All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage
Title: All Things Cease to Appear
Author: Elizabeth Brundage
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 23, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: the three Hale boys, Cole, Eddy and Wade, their parents, George Clare, wife Catherine and their daughter Franny, town copy Lawton and his realtor wife Mary
What happens? Hale boys have to move out of their house after their parents commit suicide, George moves with family. He's a college professor and a (spoiler alert) complete psychopath. George comes home from work one day and Catherine has an axe in her head. Everyone thinks George did it, but they can't prove it.
How long was this? 400 pages
Did I like this? She has a unique writing style that sometimes made it hard to now who was talking and in what time, but it all comes clear in the end. Overall a good read for use.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Elizabeth Brundage
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 23, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: the three Hale boys, Cole, Eddy and Wade, their parents, George Clare, wife Catherine and their daughter Franny, town copy Lawton and his realtor wife Mary
What happens? Hale boys have to move out of their house after their parents commit suicide, George moves with family. He's a college professor and a (spoiler alert) complete psychopath. George comes home from work one day and Catherine has an axe in her head. Everyone thinks George did it, but they can't prove it.
How long was this? 400 pages
Did I like this? She has a unique writing style that sometimes made it hard to now who was talking and in what time, but it all comes clear in the end. Overall a good read for use.
Overall grade: A-
Defending Jacob by William Landry
Title: Defending Jacob
Author: Willam Landry
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 16, 2017
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: Andy Barber, asst DA, wife Laurie, teenage son Jacob, murdered 14 year old Ben Rifkin, competitor asst DA - can't remember his name, registered sex offender Leonard Patz
What happens? The 14 year old boy is found dead in the park, and a lot of the evidence points to Jacob. Andy knows he is innocent - but is he? The story is told with interjections to testimony that Andy is giving to the competitor asst DA.
How long was this? 421 pages
Did I like this? This was a good one. Very compelling, didn't know what was going to happen next.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Willam Landry
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 16, 2017
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: Andy Barber, asst DA, wife Laurie, teenage son Jacob, murdered 14 year old Ben Rifkin, competitor asst DA - can't remember his name, registered sex offender Leonard Patz
What happens? The 14 year old boy is found dead in the park, and a lot of the evidence points to Jacob. Andy knows he is innocent - but is he? The story is told with interjections to testimony that Andy is giving to the competitor asst DA.
How long was this? 421 pages
Did I like this? This was a good one. Very compelling, didn't know what was going to happen next.
Overall grade: A-
The Widow by Fiona Barton
Title: The Widow
Author: Fiona Barton
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 9, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: widow Jean Taylor, husband Glen, disappeared child Bella, the Mother, the Reporter, the Detective
What happens? Jean's husband was hit by a bus. He was believed to be guilty of the murder of little Bella, and the mother has come out and is pushing for resolution as is the detective. Jean has survived his years of abuse and is tryting to figure out how to survive, and then perhaps the right thing to do.
How long was this? 324 pages
Did I like this? Yes, different approach, good compelling mystery. A page turner.
Overall grade: A-
Author: Fiona Barton
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 9, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: widow Jean Taylor, husband Glen, disappeared child Bella, the Mother, the Reporter, the Detective
What happens? Jean's husband was hit by a bus. He was believed to be guilty of the murder of little Bella, and the mother has come out and is pushing for resolution as is the detective. Jean has survived his years of abuse and is tryting to figure out how to survive, and then perhaps the right thing to do.
How long was this? 324 pages
Did I like this? Yes, different approach, good compelling mystery. A page turner.
Overall grade: A-
Someone Always Knows by Marcia Muller
Title: Someone Always Knows
Author: Marcia Muller
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 2, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Sharon McCone, husband Hy, former colleague Gage Renshaw
What happens? Renshaw appears threathing Sharon and Hy, while she works with a new client trying to renovate or sell a distressed house filled with crack heads in the Western Addition. Hy is off for the entire book doing some top secret work.
How long was this? 292 pages
Did I like this? It was OK. I don't know these characters very well and should go back to book #1
Overall grade: B
Author: Marcia Muller
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 2, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Sharon McCone, husband Hy, former colleague Gage Renshaw
What happens? Renshaw appears threathing Sharon and Hy, while she works with a new client trying to renovate or sell a distressed house filled with crack heads in the Western Addition. Hy is off for the entire book doing some top secret work.
How long was this? 292 pages
Did I like this? It was OK. I don't know these characters very well and should go back to book #1
Overall grade: B
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