The beekeeper’s apprentice by laurie r. king

 Title: The Beekeeper's Apprentice 

Author: Laurie R. King
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: July 21, 2025
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
What happens? Mary and Sherlock meet, and help find a kidnapped girl, but not the kidnapper.  Then, a plot (and bombs) to destroy Sherlock, Mary and Sherlock go into hiding and pretend to feud.
How long was this? 12 hours
Did I like this? good story, good writing, way too long.  Will try number 2.
Overall grade: B

Texas Ranger by James Patterson

 Title: Texas Ranger

Author: James Patterson 
Did I listen or read?: Libby audiobook
When did I finish?: July 19, 2025 Santa Barbara 2 week trip
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Rory the ranger
What happens? Rory comes home to investigate the brutalmirder of his ex wife
How long was this? 9 hours
Did I like this? The worst.  Holes in the plot.  They never explain how the bad guy got a threatening phone call. A mess say no to James Patterson. 
Overall grade: C-

Come to Grief by Dick Francis

 Title: Come to Grief

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 7/16/2025
When was the book published: 1995
Main Characters: Sid Halley, Ellis Quint, Gordon and Ginnie, Rachel Ferns and mother Linda, ex-father-in-law Charles Roland
What happens? Sid figures out that Ellis is committing a bizarre set of violent acts against horses, and accuses him (and has evidence.)  Sid is vilified by the media for accusing the popular media star and former jockey.  He has to investigate to get the whole story.  The first victim of this was Rachel's pony - Rachel has cancer and Sid becomes part of her life, very moving.
How long was this? 308 pages
Did I like this? Dick Francis is a great story teller and his characters are always interesting, believable, and multi-dimensioned.  Like most of his books, I loved this story.
Overall grade: A-

Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner

 Title: Creation Lake

Author: Rachel Kushner
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 12, 2025
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: Sadie Smith, fake name of spy, Bruno Lacombe, thought leader of ecoterrorists
What happens? Sadie is assigned to infiltrate a group of people trying to slow growth in agricultural France.  She hacks into Bruno's email and reads and reads and reads about his thoughts about the difference between Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens.  A plot sort of develops on whether this people are going to do something illegal, or just spill milk.
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Bizarre and not a spy story.  Kind of historical fiction about neanderthal's, and also about Cagot people who were ostracized.  But does a spy plot emerge?  Just barely enough to get me to finish, and then regret the whole thing.
Overall grade: C-

The Camera Man by Peter Grainger

 Title: The Camera Man

Author: Peter Grainger
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 7/5/2025
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: DC Smith, wife Jo, Diver and Diver assoc., Gerald Fitch, estranged wife Amanda
What happens? Smith is recently retired and DDA wants him to do work for the insurance company to verify that Gerald Fitch is actually dead.  He disappeared five years ago as his business (and maybe his marriage) was failing.  The trail is a dead end....almosst.
How long was this? 348 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, yeah, want to go back to the first DC Smith
Overall grade: B+

Dead Heat by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

 Title: Dead Heat

Author: Dick Francis and Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 7/2/2025
When was the book published:
Main Characters: Max Moreton, chef, Caroline w the viola, 
What happens? Everyone gets sick at Max's special meal before 2,000 Guineas.  Is the Hay Net in trouble? Well that's nothing as the next day, the lunch he is serving in a box at the track is BLOWN UP.  Max goes and figures out what is going on with the polo ponies and the evil people.
How long was this? 342 pages
Did I like this? Yeah, good Francis stuff
Overall grade: B+