Saturday, September 24, 2022

A Better Man by Louise Penny (Gamache)

 Title: A Better Man

Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: Sep 24, 2022
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Gamache, Jean Paul Beauvoir, Isabelle Lacoste, Tracey Carter (potter), Vivienne (abused wife), weird detective account Cloutier, Homer Gibson (Vivienne's father), Clara, Gabri, Olivier, etc.
What happens? Flooding conditions around Three Pines.  Cloutier recruits Armand to search for the lost woman.  Carter denies killing her.  She washes up in the Bella Bella
How long was this? 417 pages
Did I like this? A good Gamache story, as good as they come
Overall grade: A-

Wish You Were Gone by Kieran Scott

 Title: Wish You Were Gone

Author: Kieran Scott
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: 9/22/2022
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Emma, widow, kids Kelsey and Hunter, friends Lizzie (mother of Willow) and Gray, wife of Darnell who is business partner of the late Mr. Emma
What happens? The husband/father/business partner is dead.  How did it happen?  Well, he appears to have driven his car through the back of the garage.  Why is his necktie in the bushes?  Where's his cell phone and computer?  etc.
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? It was pretty good.  How could the killer who did this not have any aftereffects, not have it enter his / her thoughts that we had to listen to?
Overall grade: B+

Monday, September 12, 2022

Verity by Colleen Hoover

 Title: Verity

Author: Colleen Hoover
Did I listen or read?: Kindle
When did I finish?: Sep 11 2022
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Lowen the writer, Jeremy the husband, Verity the wife/writer
What happens? Lowen reluctantly agrees to finish Verity's books after an accident leaves her paralyzed
How long was this? 336 pages
Did I like this? Pretty predictable, sad, attempt at a twisted ending didn't really work for me.
Overall grade: B

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner

 Title: One Step Too Far

Author: Lisa Gardner
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: Sep 5 2022
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Frankie Elkin
What happens? A bachelor camping party goes bad, the son is missing 5 years later.  Frankie shows up to help search.
How long was this? 416 pages
Did I like this? Frankie is a great lead character, very different.  Great story, page turner.
Overall grade: A

Shadows Reel by C.J. Box

 Title: Shadows Reel

Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: Aug 28 2022
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Joe, Marybeth, Nate
What happens? Weird Nazi package left at the library for Marybeth.  Nate heads off to fight antifa and get his birds back
How long was this? 384 pages
Did I like this? OK, same great characters, weird plot
Overall grade:  B+