The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

Title: The Bullet That Missed
Author: Richard Osman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 7/30/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: The Thursday Murder Club, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, Ibrahim, Joanne - Joyce's daughter, Bogdan - not sure how he fits in, Jack Mason the former crook boss, Pauline, the makeup lady for the news host, Mike Waghorn, Viktor, ex-KGB
What happens? The Viking wants Elizabeth to kill Viktor or he will kill Joyce.  A buncha other stuff about money laundering and solving the murder of a report that Mike was close to
How long was this? 337 pages
Did I like this? Entertaining, funny, great characters.  Gotta go read bk 1 and bk 2
Overall grade: A-

 

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

 Title: The Five-Star Weekend 

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 19, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Hollis and Brooke, Tatum, Dru-Ann.  Gigi is the mystery outsider she's never met
What happens? Hollis's husband dies.  A few months later, she holds a 5 star weekend on Nantucket
How long was this? 327 pages
Did I like this? pretty entertaining
Overall grade: B+

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 Title: The Plot

Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 17, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Jacob Bonner, author, Evan Parker, who has a great plot idea, Anna, Jacob's wife and former podcast producer
What happens? Jacob is teaching at a Vermont writer's workshop, and Evan Parker has a great plot idea.  Evan dies and Jacob uses the plot to write a bestseller
How long was this? 322 pages
Did I like this? It was slow and boring at the beginning, but actually turned into a thriller once enough details were revealed.  Note: Wendy was unable to complete this.
Overall grade: B+

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

 Title: Mrs. Everything

Author: Jennifer Weiner 
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 10, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Jo, lesbian older sister, Bethie, younger sister, Sarah, mother, Dave, Jo's husband, Jo's daughters Kim, Missy, Lila. The love of Jo's life, Shelley
What happens? Starts in the 50's with Jo a great athlete in high school, Bethie becomes a party girl.  Follows their life through ups and downs, till cancer gets Jo
How long was this? 464 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, good characters, people who make mistakes, people who grow and change - mostly women
Overall grade: A-

Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline

 Title: Loyalty

Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Gaetano, lawyer with a good heart, Franco, who starts the mafia, Dante, who is kidnapped at 6 years old, Lucia who is born without pigment
What happens? A historical novel about Sicily around 1810, the rich barons who own the lemon groves and sulfur mines.  Dante is kidnapped and placed in an asylum, Gaetano goes to jail trying to investigate what happened.  Franco and Roberto make their way to the top of the lemon business by any means necessary.
How long was this? 398 pages
Did I like this? Good story, not a page turner, but interesting historical fiction
Overall grade: B