One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

 Title: One Dog Night

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/22/2024
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter, Laurie, Marcus, Hike, Noah Galloway was Tara's first owner
What happens?  Noah believes that he set fire when he was on drugs that killed 26, 6 years ago.  Andy defends him and investigates why napalm was used. 
How long was this? 387 pages
Did I like this? Always good stories and laughs 
Overall grade: B+

Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Dog Tags

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: June 19, 2024
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter, Laurie, Hike takes over for Kevin, Tara, Milo the german shepherd, Billy Somerville one legged thief
What happens? Billy has Milo steal an envelope from an ex-military guy that everyone hated.  Someone kills the guy.  Everyone tied to a terrorist incident in Iraq is tied into a plot.  Andy has to get Billy off and solve it.
How long was this? 360 pages
Did I like this? Another really good Carpenter story, number 8 I think
Overall grade: A-

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

 Title: The Mystery Writer

Author: Sulari Gentill
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/15/2024
When was the book published: 2024
 Main Characters: Theodosia Benton, brother Gus Benton, law firm investigator Mac Etheridge and "prepper" family, mystery writer Dan Murdoch
What happens? Theo drops out of law school and moves to the US (from Australia) to write a book, in Lawrence Kansas.  She starts hanging out at Benders cafe/bar, where she starts hanging out and writing with Dan.
How long was this?  367 pages
Did I like this? first three quarters was very good, as Theo, Gus, and Mac try to solve the mystery of what happened to Dan.  Then the author blows the whole thing up into a bizarre far-fetched scheme.
Overall grade: B-

A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo

 Title: A Gathering of Secrets

Author: Linda Castillo
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 6/10/2024
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Kate Burkholder, CBI boyfriend, Daniel the bad Amish, ina, viola, etc the Amish girls
What happens? Daniel is lured to a romantic spot in a barn, locked in, and burned to death.  Kate has to find out what he did to deserve this.
How long was this? 308 pages 10 hours
Did I like this? It was decent, not particularly distinctive, action picks up at the end
Overall grade: B

The Truth About The Devlins by Lisa Scottoline

 Title: The Truth About The Devlins

Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/8/2024
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: TJ Devlin, reformed alcoholic and convicted felon, son of Paul, brother is John, sister is Gabby
What happens? John comes to TJ and tells him he might have killed a client, an account who works for a long time client of the Devlin law in the Runstan company
How long was this? 374 pages
Did I like this? a really good thriller, great characters, bad guys
Overall grade: A-

New Tricks by David Rosenfelt

 Title: New Tricks

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: June 5, 2024
When was the book published: 2009
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter, #7, Laurie, Kevin from the Lawdromat, Marcus, Vince and Pete have minor roles
What happens? Hatchet has Andy handle the disposition of a dog (Waggy) when Walter Timmerman is killed.The 2nd wife?  the son?  More death and destruction follows
How long was this? 309 pages
Did I like this? Yep, more solid Andy and Tara adventures, this time with a Bernese Mountain dog!
Overall grade: B+

End of Story by A.J. Finn

 Title: End of Story

Author: A.J. Finn
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: June 3, 2024
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: Nicky Hunter, Sebastian Trapp, current wife Diana, daughter Madeline, wife and son Hope and Cole.  
What happens? Trapp, famous mystery writer, is dying, and Nicky has been in correspondence with him over the years as a fan.  Trapp invites Nicky to stay with him and write about him in his final months.  Nicky naturally investigates the disappearance 20 years ago of Hope and Cole.
How long was this? 408 pages
Did I like this? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  A challenging writing style and very convoluted mystery make it tough.  Well defined characters and action filled plot.  Generally aggravating, but I would try another from this author
Overall grade: B

Lessons by Ian McEwan

 Title: Lessons

Author: Ian McEwen
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/25/2024
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Roland Baines, Miriam Cornell, Alissa, Daphne, Peter Mount
What happens? Roland has a sexual relationship with his piano teacher at 14.  Then, the rest of his life in detail, set in the political backdrop of the days from post WWII to COVID.
How long was this? 420 pages
Did I like this? long, rambling, esoteric, full of references I don't get
Overall grade: B-

high stakes by Dick Francis

 Title: High Stakes

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: 5/24/2024
When was the book published: 1975
Main Characters: Steven Scott, Jody Leeds, Owen (helper), Charles (banker), Alexandra Ward
What happens? Steven realizes that Jody (his trainer) has been cheating him in his billing, and also running some kind of scheme to make money by getting the horse to lose when Steven places his first large bet on the horse.
How long was this? 6 hours, 272 pages
Did I like this? classic Francis, loved it
Overall grade: A-

Play Dead by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Play Dead

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/17/2024
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter, Kevin, Marcus.  Bit of Laurie, still in Wisconsin.  Tara of course.  Reggie the swimming dog. Richard Evans, sister Karen
What happens?  Reggie appears.  Richard Evans is in jail for murdering Sharon (wife) on a boat.  Reggie was on the boat but was assumed dead (at trial) but is clearly alive.  Mysterious how it all ties together.
How long was this? 308 pages
Did I like this? Yeah, fast paced, fun.  Not obvious.  The recurring characters (Vince the newspaper guy and Pete the cop having beers and watching the game at Charlie's) could get old, but not yet!
Overall grade: A-

In the Frame by Dick Francis

Title: In the Frame
Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: May 16, 2024
When was the book published:  1976
Main Characters: Charles Todd, brother Donald, old school chum Jik, his wife
What happens?  Donald's wife is killed in a robbery.  Charles stumbles on a woman whose house has burned down destroying her antiques and paintings.  Both Donald and the woman had been to australia and bought a munnings
How long was this? 304 pages, 6 hours
Did I like this? Always good.  
Overall grade: A-

 

Enquiry by Dick Francis

 Title: Enquiry

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: May 12, 2024
When was the book published: 1969
Main Characters:  kelly Hughes, jockey, Dexter Cranfield, owner, Rebecca Cranfield, daughter
What happens? Jockey and owner get warned during an enquiry filled with false testimony.  Jockey fights like hell to find out what happened and why to get his name restored
How long was this? 272 pages, 6 hours
Did I like this?  Well done, yes, typical Francis plot w mystery, great characters and violence
Overall grade: A-

Three-Inch Teeth by C.J. Box

 Title: Three-Inch Teeth

Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 13, 2024
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: Joe Pickett, Marybeth, Sheridan, Nate and Liv and Kestrel. Dallas Cates.
What happens? A bear kills Sheridan's soon-to-not-be fiance, and then attacks a LEO.  Dallas Cates gets out of prison and gets together with Alex Soledad to get revenge on those who got him, by making their deaths look like bear attacks
How long was this? 450 large print
Did I like this? Good, but sad, and not particularly heroic
Overall grade: B+

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner

 Title: Still See You Everywhere

Author: Lisa Gardner
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 8, 2024
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: Frankie Elkin, Kaylee Pierson, sister Leilani, cooks Ann and Trudy, PM Vaughn, engineer Charlie, lawyer Victoria Twanow
What happens? Kaylee the Beautiful Butcher asks for Frankie to find sister Leilani who is "ward" of McManus billionaire who is building a resort on a desert island hours from Hawaii.
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Really good exciting story.  Lots of plot twists.  Giant crabs. Too much serial killing
Overall grade: A-

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 Title: The Thursday Murder Club

Author: J.A. Jance
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 4, 2024
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, Ron.  Elizabeth's husband Stephen.  Bogdan plays chess with Stephen.  Tony Curran, Ian Wrexham. Ron's son, Jason, the boxer and celeb.  
What happens? Tony turns up dead.  Ian is going to dig up the cemetery to build more retirement community. 
How long was this? 351 pages
Did I like this? the first Thursday murder club.  Plot's a bit convoluted and goes all over the place, but the characters and the descriptions and the dialogue and the people are priceless.
Overall grade: B+

Missing and Endangered by J.A. Jance

 Title: Missing and Endangered

Author: J.A. Jance
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: May 1, 2024
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Joanne Brady, husband author Butch, daughter college student Jennifer, roommate Beth Rankin, officer Armando Ruiz, Leon Hogan and bad mother-wife
What happens? Jennifer's roommate has a fake boyfriend on line.  Ruiz gets shot and kills Leon Hogan serving a no-contact order
How long was this? 365 pages
Did I like this? Meandering plot, hundreds of characters and back stories
Overall grade: B

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman

 Title: Prom Mom

Author: Laura Lippman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 29, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Amber Glass, Joe Simpson, wife Meredith
What happens? In 1997, Amber goes to the prom with Joe (but as friends) and has a miscarriage in the hotel bathroom, baby dies, she becomes Prom Mom and he is Cad Dad.  Present day, Joe is married to Meredith and Amber moves back from New Orleans to Baltimore, opens an art gallery, and they reconnect.
How long was this? 302 pages
Did I like this? OK, medium.  Interesting characters and story, ending whipped together in the last few pages
Overall grade: B

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

 Title: The Little Liar

Author: Mitch Albom
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 23, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Nico, Sebastian, brothers, Fannie, friend, Udo, Nazi bad guy
What happens? Very realistic portrayal of the Nazis taking 50,000 Jews from Salonika in Greece and sending them to concentration camps.  Nico is the boy who tells no lies, until Udo tricks him into telling the people that they should board the train, that all would be well.
How long was this? 328 pages
Did I like this? Very well done.  Very hard to read.
Overall grade: A-

Dead Center by David Rosenfelt

Title: Dead Center
Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: April 16, 2024
When was the book published: 2006
Main Characters: Andy, Tara the dog, Kevin the assistant, Mack the scary body guard.  Laurie, now in Wisconsin on a police force.  Richard Davidson.  people of Center City
What happens? Laurie convinces Andy to come to Wisconsin because a young man is wrongly accused of the murder of 2 young ladies from the Centurions of Center City, a devout religious town
How long was this? 360 pages, 7 hours
Did I like this? Another solid story.  Lots of chuckles
Overall grade: B+

 

Blood Lines by Nelson Demille and Alex Demille

 Title: Blood Lines

Author: Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 20, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor (from The Deserter), Harry Vance, Anna Albrecht, Trent Chilcott, Col. Dombrowski, Odin
What happens? Scott and Maggie are sent to the minor leagues after the Deserter, and are called in to find out what really happened when Harry Vance died in Berlin.  The CIA and FBI and German police/spies get involved.  Scott pisses everyone off....
How long was this? 495 pages
Did I like this? Yes, a good story, very mysterious to figure out what is going on for the reader and the characters
Overall grade: B+

Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Sudden Death

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: April 11, 2024 while building a wood shed downstairs
When was the book published: 2005
Main Characters:  Andy Carpenter, Laurie the investigator, Tara the dog, Kevin the laundromat guy.  Tony Preston, dead NFL guy, Kenny Schilling innocent set up w body in closet
What happens? Andy is wrestling with Laurie's possible move to Wisconsin, gets a call from Kenny (doesn't know him) to help him as the dead guy is in his closet.
How long was this? 330 pages 7 hours
Did I like this? Quality Carpenter story and wit.  
Overall grade: B+

Broken Trust (Spenser) by Mike Lupica

 Title: Broken Trust

Author: Mikc Lupica
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 4/10/2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Spenser, Susan, Hawk, Belson, Quirk, Andrew Crain battery inventor, Ethan Crain 40% owner, Laura Crain, wife, Claire Megli, Whitson the bad attorney
What happens? Laura Crain comes to Spenser because Andrew is acting weird and won't say why.  Ethan is leading the merger with another big battery company.  Corporate intrigue.  Abused women. Hawk.
How long was this? 382 pages
Did I like this? A really good Spenser story, comfortable as an old pair of shoes
Overall grade: B+

Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Bury the Lead

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 4/8/2024
When was the book published: 2005
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter #3, Laurie, Kevin the assistant and laundromat owner - 
What happens? Andy's friend Vince the news paper guy hires him to help journalist Daniel Cummings who is the mouthpiece for a serial killer who cuts off the victims hands.  Andy unravels a plot with a lot of nasty characters with bad histories.
How long was this? 320 pages, 7 hours
Did I like this? Always fun to be with Andy and Willie and Tara the golden retriever
Overall grade: B+

A Heart Full Of Headstones by Ian Rankin

 Title: A Heart Full of Headstones

Author: Ian Rankin
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 5, 2024
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Rebus, Siobhan Clarke, Ger Cafferty, Jack Oram father of Tommy, cop Christine Esson, Alec Fleck, Malcolm Fox, Tynesdale gang like Haggard or Driscoll or Agnew
What happens? Cafferty asks Rebus to find Jack Oram, and Siobhan participates in the Haggerty case (attacked his wife and then killed).  Their paths cross as the Tynesdale corrupt cop investigation unfolds.
How long was this? 331 pages
Did I like this? good rebus story with a cliffhanger at the end
Overall grade: B+

The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

 Title: The Neighbor

Author: Lisa Gardner
Did I listen or read?: audio book libby
When did I finish?: April 3, 2024
When was the book published:  2009
Main Characters: Detective D.D. Warren the Jones, Jack and wife Sandra and daughter Ree, neighbor Andrew registered sex offender, 
What happens? Jack and Sandra have a weird marriage with tons of secrets but love their cute 4 year old Ree.  Sandra finds something on Jack's computer, researches, and then disappears into thin air.
How long was this? 384 pages 12 hours
Did I like this? The big secret with the reveal at the end sucks, but this has two of them.  Not great, but well written and moves reasonably well
Overall grade: B

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

 Title: None of This is True

Author: Lisa Jewell
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/27/2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Alix Summer, podcaster, Nathan, husband, Josie Fair, born the same day as Alix, same hospital, Josie's husband Walter, kids Roxy and Erin.
What happens? Josie realizes that Alix's was born on the same day, birthday twins, forces herself into her life, weird stuff happens, and has happened.  Hard to tell what the truth is.
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? It was engrossing, but weird, complex characters who were a bit frustrating
Overall grade: B+

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

 Title: The River We Remember 

Author: William Kent Krueger
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: March 21, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Cop Brody Dern, Jimmy Quinn, brother Tom and wife Garnet, Angie runs the diner, her son Scott.  Noah Bluestone and wife Kyoko.  Lawyer Charlie
What happens? Jimmy is found dead, with the catfish eating him in the Alabaster river.  Everything points at Noah (or his wife) and they will not say anything as Charlie (Charlotte) tries to help.
How long was this? 424 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, great characters.  Not a great mystery, but a very exciting ending.
Overall grade: A-

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris

 Title: The Dilemma

Author: B.A. Paris
Did I listen or read?: libby audio book
When did I finish?: 3/21/2024
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Livia and Adam, son Josh, daughter Marnie, best friend Nelson, his wife, Rob and Jess
What happens? Livia's throwing herself a massive 40th bday party, in part to make up for a wedding she never had because her parents disowned her.  Marnie is in Hong Kong studying, but wants to come back for the surprise.  Livia has learned a surprise about Marnie.
How long was this? 342 pages, 9 hours
Did I like this? It was not great.  Repeated hours of justifying why to keep two secrets from each other.
Overall grade: B-

No Reserve by Felix Francis

 Title: No Reserve 

Author: Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/12/2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Theo Jennings, horse auctioneer, Janis from accounting, Peter Radway, his boss, Elliott Mitchell and Brian Kitman
What happens? Theo auctions off a horse and it's bid up to 3 million.  He overhears Mitchell and Kitman in the men's room discussing how they illegally pushed the price up.  The horse dies.  Theo investigates.
How long was this? 256 pages
Did I like this? Excellent Francis horse story
Overall grade: A-

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

 Title: The Madness of Crowds

Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: March 7, 2024
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Gamache, wife Reine-Marie, Beauvoir, Lacoste.  Clara, Myrna, Gabri and the other dude.  Abigail Robinson. Vincent Gilbert the "asshole saint". Chancellor Claudette Roberts.  Danielle Schneider.  Haniya Dayoud
What happens? Abigail Robinson takes pandemic data and presents "why euthanasia is the right thing" for the elderly and handicapped.  Gamache has to do security duty for her speech at a local U.  Someone takes a shot at her.  It gets really complicated.
How long was this? 436 pages
Did I like this? It was not the best Gamache, repetitive and stretched out, with repeated (not occasional) ties to their personal lives, and roles as parents and grandparents.  
Overall grade: B

Master of Change by Brad Stulberg

 Title: Master of Change

Author: Brad Stulberg
Did I listen or read?: library book (link+)
When did I finish?: March 5, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: see the Word document "Master of Change by Brad Stulberg"
What happens?
How long was this? 198 pages
Did I like this? Very good, well done, not stretched out
Overall grade: A-

First Degree by David Rosenfelt

 Title: First Degree

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: libby audio book
When did I finish?: Feb 29, 2024
When was the book published: 2003
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter book 2, girlfriend partner Laurie Collins, dog Tara, Judge Hatchett, Miller from the first book and his dog Cash, 
What happens? Former crooked cop and Collins enemy Dorsey is found burned to death with his head chopped off.  Is it really him? Why does the evidence point at Oscar Garcia, drug peddler that Laurie has been tracking.
How long was this? 302 pages
Did I like this? Very enjoyable, fast paced, humor.  
Overall grade: A-

Hero by Thomas Perry

 Title: Hero

Author: Thomas Perry
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/25/2024
When was the book published:  2024
Main Characters: Justine Poole, bodyguard to the stars, Leo Sealy and Mr. Conger.  Joe Alston, random stranger
What happens? Justine's boss, Ben Spengler, calls her out to help as the Pinskys are about to be robbed by 5 guys in a follow from a fancy restaurant robbery.  Justine kills two guys.  Mr. Conger wants to avenge them, and hires Leo Sealy to kill her.  Leo is a pro.  Justine is a pro.
How long was this? 293 pages
Did I like this? Ok, not riveting.  Well thought out, detailed - two adversaries who are very smart and don't make mistakes.
Overall grade: B

Anna O by Matthew Blake

 Title:  Anna O

Author:  Matthew Blake
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Feb 19, 2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Anna O, Ben Prince - forensic psychologist, wife Clara, daughter KitKat, boss Virginia Bloom, Harriet, Anna's full time nurse
What happens?  Anna O has been asleep for 4 years since she slept walked and killed her business partners in a magazine startup.  Ben has a protocol to wake her up.  Is she guilty?  Is it related to her research on Sally the stepson killer from 20 years ago (who committed murder 20 years to the day earlier.)
How long was this? 424 pages
Did I like this? It was pretty good, basically - convoluted, with a plot twist inside a plot twist inside a plot twist.  Ending with an explanation of all of it, I guess.  Who was PatientX?
Overall grade: B

Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Open and Shut

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: Feb 10, 2014
When was the book published: 2002
Main Characters: Andy Carpenter, dog, ex wife Nicole, Laurie (detective/girlfriend), his father, Miller who is waiting for execution.  
What happens? His father asks Andy to help a convicted murderer overturn the conviction.  His father dies.  He inherits 21 million.  People start threatening him.
How long was this? 290 pages 7 hours
Did I like this? Very enjoyable, wiseass writing style, fast moving plot.
Overall grade: A-

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 Title: The Man Who Died Twice

Author: Richard Osman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 9, 2024
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Joyce, Ron, Elizabeth, Ibrahim.  the Thursday Murder club.  Elizabeth's current husband Stephen and prior husband, cops Chris and Donna, spies Sue and Lance, reluctant spy Poppy and mother Siobhan, crooks Connie Johnston, Frank the mafia guy and local money holder who has diamonds
What happens? 20 million dollars of Diamonds are stolen.  Ex-husband is accused.  Ibrahim gets beat up by a moron punk.  
How long was this?  352 pages
Did I like this? Excellent, funny, complex plot
Overall grade: A-

The Exchange by John Grisham

 Title:  The Exchange

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/5/2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Mitch and Abby McDeere, Sully law firm, head Jack Ruch, Cory - security, Stephen - associate.  Luca - Italian aging patriarch.  granddaughter Giovanna.  
What happens? Mitch gets called in to collect $400 million for Turkish company Lannak from Libya for a bridge in the middle of the desert.  Giovanna gets kidnapped
How long was this? 336 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, not a classic.  Story starts with a death row representation that's completely discarded.  Moves along, no wasted time at the end.
Overall grade: B

Breakdown by Sara Paretsky

 Title: Breakdown

Author: Sara Paretsky
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 1, 2024
When was the book published:  2012
Main Characters: V.I. Warshawski, Tommy Glover, Chaim Salanter, Sophy Durango, Miles Wuchnik, Lawlor (Rush Limbaugh), Xavier Jurgens
What happens? V.I.'s niece is in a cemetery doing a tween vampire thing, and a dead body appears, killed vampire style.  Nazi war crimes, mentally incompetent criminals (Ruhetal) and far-right nonsense.
How long was this?  431 pages
Did I like this? Decent story.  Definitely like VI character
Overall grade: B

Kickback by Ace Atkins

 Title: Kickback 

Author: Ace Atkins
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 1/25/2024
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Spenser, a bit of Hawk and Susan.  Dillon Yates, 17 yr old.  Judge Scalli. Hood DeMarco.
What happens?  Judge is taking kickbacks and putting kids in a youth facility, no lawyers allowed. People die.  Spenser goes to Florida.
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? very predictable story.  tortured by including a blow-by-blow at the youth facility.
Overall grade: B-

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 Title: Lessons in Chemistry

Author: Bonnie Garmus
Did I listen or read?: Kindle library book
When did I finish?: January 20, 2024
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Elizabeth Zott, Calvin Evans, daughter Mad, neighbor Harriet
What happens? Elizabeth is frustrated by being a woman chemist, meets Calvin, winds up with a hit cooking show.
How long was this? 360 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good fantasy
Overall grade: B

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

 Title: The Last Devil to Die

Author: Richard Osman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 1/15/2024
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: usual 4, Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim
What happens? Their friend Kuldesh runs an antique store and decides to resell the heroin drop that is sold/reappropriated from his store.  He gets killed.  Elizabeth's husband Stephen wrestles with dementia.  They help a new neighbor, Mervyn, who is being conned in a on-line love scam.
How long was this? 349 pages
Did I like this? Very good story.  Very touching depiction of dementia.  This is book 4.  need to get 2 and 3.
Overall grade: A-

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

 Title: The Lincoln Highway

Author: Amor Towles
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 1/10/2024
When was the book published: 2021 
Main Characters: Emmett Watson, brother Billy, Duchess and Woolly, Ulysses, Prof. Abernathe
What happens? Emmett is driven home from his time in juvenile prison because his father has passed away.  He is there for hitting a guy at the fair who died.  Woolly and Duchess sneak out in the trunk of the warden's car.  Emmett's plan to take Billy and drive to California on the Lincoln Highway to find their mother runs into many obstacles and detours.
How long was this? 576 pages
Did I like this? It was a nice read, and I would definitely read the next chapter if he writes one.
Overall grade: B+

Missing Joseph by Elizabeth George

 Title: Missing Joseph

Author: Elizabeth George
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 3, 2024
When was the book published: 1993
Main Characters: Lynley and Helen, St. James and Deborah.  Polly Yarkin who loves constable Colin Shepherd who loves Juliet Spence mother of Maggie who loves Nick Ware.
What happens?  Pastor Sage doesn't show for the Townley-Young wedding.  He's dead.  Did Juliet (caretaker for the TY "hall") intentionally poison him w hemlock?
How long was this? 496 pages
Did I like this? good story, not great.  Interesting theme of adoption
Overall grade: B

What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman

 Title: What the Dead Know

Author: Laura Lippman
Did I listen or read?: Libby audio during Xmas SB trip 2023
When did I finish?: 12/29/2023
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters: Heather Bethany,   Kevin Infante, horny copy, Chet Willoughby, horny retired copy, Kay Sullivan, social worker, Gloria Bustamante, lawyer
What happens?  Heather reappears after a car accident on an icy Baltimore bridge, one of the missing Bethany sisters.  She doesn't want to tell her story, and regrets admitting that she was a Bethany sister.  The car belonged to Penelope Jackson.  Who dat?
How long was this?  384 pages, about 12 hours
Did I like this? It was pretty good, yeah.  Kept our attention.
Overall grade: B+