Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

 Title: Say Goodbye

Author: Lisa Gardner
Did I listen or read?: library book paperback
When did I finish?: 8/10/2026
When was the book published: 2008
Main Characters: Kimberly Quincy, husband Mac (GBI), Delilah Rose, temp partner Sal
What happens? Delilah reaches out to Kimberly about missing prostitutes.  Is it a serial killer?  The work of the burgerman? or arachnid backwards dinchara spider guy?  Little boys?  Hookers/
How long was this? 452 pages
Did I like this? Very confusing, still don't know who was who or who the bad guy was.
Overall grade: C+

The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths

 Title: The Postscript Murders

Author: Elly Griffiths
Did I listen or read?: Oakmont library
When did I finish?: 8/6/2026
When was the book published: 2020
Main Characters: Harbinder Kaur, partner Neil, Benedict, Edwin, Natalya, a bunch of authors, Patricia and Maria are carers.
What happens? Peggy is a Murder Consultant and dies in her apartment (at age 90.)  Is it murder?  Edwin, Benedict and Natalya convince Harbinder to suss it out.
How long was this? 344 pages
Did I like this? I really like the writer and the characters.  The plot was convoluted but really fun and well done.  Need to find more of these.
Overall grade: A-

James by Percival Everett

 Title: James

Author: Percival Elliott
Did I listen or read?: oakmont library book
When did I finish?: 8/1/2026
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters: James, Huck
What happens? A retelling of Huck Finn from the viewpoint of James the slave.  James is about to be separated from his family (at the beginning of the civil war) and runs away with James.  They have a series of harrowing adventures.  With the surprise at the end...
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? The main premise is that slaves speak the King's English except around white people.  It felt like a stretch and kind of weird, but the story itself was compelling and exciting.
Overall grade: B

The Ghost Fields by Elly Griiffiths

 Title: The Ghost Fields

Author: Elly Griffiths
Did I listen or read?: oakmont library book
When did I finish?: 7/22/2026
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Ruth Galloway the forensic archaelogist, Nelson father of Kate who is married to Michelle who is seeing Tim who works for Nelson.  The Blackstock family, old George, young George, Sally, Nell and Blake from the US.  Cathbad and Hazel are druids.
What happens? A plane is found buried near the old air force base (ghost field) and Fred Blackstock is in it, except he was supposed to have died in a crash in the ocean, and he is well preserved like he was buried someplace different
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, twists, characters.
Overall grade: A-

Second Wind by Dick Francis

 Title: Second Wind

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: not sure.  I know I read it, but it's not in the list
When was the book published: 1999
Main Characters: Perry Stuart, meteorologist, his grandmother
What happens? Perry's friend arranges for him to fly through a hurricane.  They are supposed to go to some island and some bad stuff is going on there.
How long was this? 272 pages
Did I like this? Always good D Francis
Overall grade: B+

Whistler by Ann Patchett

Title: Whistler

Author: Ann Patchett
Did I listen or read?: audible on trip to Tahoe to visit Stu and De
When did I finish?: June 15, 2026
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Daphne Fuller, husband Jonathan, Eddie Triplett (stepfather), 
What happens? Daphne and Jonathan are at the museum and Eddie is following them.  He turns out to be the stepfather that Daphne was trapped in an auto with in a snowstorm 40 years ago.  Her mother remarried the guy who wrote a bunch of positivity books, and wrote Eddie out of her life.
How long was this?  304 pages
Did I like this? It was a bit slow - an interesting story, but dragged a bit.
Overall grade: B

Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Dog Eat Dog

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 14, 2026
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: The usual, but in Maine, with a new lawyer, Charlie Tilton.  Matthew Jantzen meets Andy when he steps in to save a dog.  Matthew is on the run for a murder where his DNA (blood) is found on the hand of the victim, but he has Zero connection to the person killed
What happens? see above
How long was this? 298 pages
Did I like this? Despite the repetitive plot, characters, inside jokes, steps, mystery, tricks, etc., I love these books and wish there were another 50.  As long as Tara doesn't have to die....
Overall grade: B+

Zag A whiteboard overview by Marty Neumeier

 Title: Zag A Whiteboard Overview

Author: Marty Neumeier
Did I listen or read?: library book Link+
When did I finish?: July 11, 2026
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters:
What happens? A really good guidebook to comprehensive marketing planning and approach stressing how to be unique, different, to Zag.  See list below
How long was this? 169 pages
Did I like this? Pretty useful and interesting despite 20 years of changes.  Definitely a useful framework for a score client
Overall grade: B+

Here is the list of the 17 checkpoints from Part 2 of Zag:

1. Who Are You?

2. What Do You Do?

3. What's Your Vision?

4. What Wave Are You Riding?

5. Who Shares the Brandscape?

6. What Makes You the "Only"?

7. What Should You Add or Subtract?

8. Who Loves You?

9. Who's the Enemy?

10. What Do They Call You?

11. How Do You Explain Yourself?

12. How Do You Spread the Word?

13. How Do People Engage With You?

14. What Do They Experience?

15. How Do You Earn Their Loyalty?

16. How Do You Extend Your Success?

17. How Do You Protect Your Portfolio?

Woman Down by Colleen Hoover

 Title: Woman Down

Author: Colleen Hoover
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 4, 2026
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Petra Rose, author, Nathanial Saint, local cop
What happens? Petra is recovering from being cancelled after lying about agreeing to have a character removed from a screenplay of her book.  She goes to a cabin by a lake to be away from her family for a couple of weeks to write, and Saint shows up to give her inspiration, which works, but....nothing is as it seems.
How long was this? 299 pages
Did I like this? Overall OK with one plot twist (an assault) that was completely out of place and kind of sickening.
Overall grade: B

Wrong Highway by Wendy Gordon

 Title: Wrong Highway

Author: Wendy Gordon
Did I listen or read?: gift father's day 2026 from Hope
When did I finish?: 7/4/2026
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Erica, sister Deb bie married to Ron w son Jared.  Husband Ethan who travels constantly for work as a data wizard
What happens? Erica's life falls apart as suburban boredom, Jared's intro to pot, Debbie's abusive husband all crash on her and turn her into a cocaine addict.
How long was this? 374 pages
Did I like this? I like the writing but the frustrating drug addiction makes the book a bit cringey.  A decent "action in suburbia" book
Overall grade: B

Bolt by Dick Francis

 Title: Bolt

Author: Dick Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/21/2026
When was the book published: 1987
Main Characters: Kit Fielding, fiance Danielle, princess Casilla, prince Litsi
What happens? Kit finds that the princess (owner of horses he rides) is being threatened by Henri Nanterre, who wants to take over their plastics biz to make guns. Casilla's husband (ill for years) refuses to sign.
How long was this? 318 pages
Did I like this? Great classic Francis.
Overall grade: A-

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

 

Title: My Firends

Author: Fredrik Backman

Published 2025

Pages 425

Grade B

Nice story about artists and dysfunctional families, but repetitive and odd, as opposed to a Man Called Ove which was more plot driven

Silent Bite by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Silent Bite

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/7/2026
When was the book published:  2020
Main Characters: Usual crew, but Hike has moved to South Carolina, replaced by sports fan Eddie Dowd
What happens? Willie's old cellmate Tony Birch is being accused of a crime in an elaborate frame up possibly related to his time in a gang 20 years ago when an innocent kid got shot.
How long was this? 296 pages
Did I like this? right on par
Overall grade: B

The Crossroads by C.J. Box

 Title: The Crossroads

Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?:  May 31, 2026
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Joe Pickett, Maryann, Sheridan, April, Lucy.  3 sets of neighbors off one crossroads
What happens? Joe gets ambushed.  His daughters with Nate's help do some detective work.  Which of the 3 ranching families (the billionaire, the drug dealing sisters, or the broke owner and wife) is responsible?
How long was this? 338 pages
Did I like this? Zipped right through it.  Great to see the women take the lead.  Not the most incredibly inventive plot, but told in a fun way.
Overall grade: A-

The Widow by John Grisham

 Title: The Widow

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/25/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Simon Latch the small town lawyer.  Eleanor Barnett, the widow who might be rich. Matildo is Simon's assistant.  Landy is the FBI agent.
What happens? Eleanor comes to Simon to re-write her will.  The other town lawyer has written a will with a $450,000 one time payment.  Eleanor claims to be rich. Is she?
How long was this? 404 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good story, moves along.  Ending a little frustrating.  Really?  but a good read
Overall grade: B+

Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

 Title: Leonardo Da Vinci

Author: Walter Isaacson
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/15/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Da Vinci!
What happens? Da Vinci was a supremely talented artist who was obsessed with understanding in detail the way things worked.  How we see.  How the muscles work.  How water flows.  Perspective

He was not great at finishing things.  Easily distracted.  Very popular and always had a sponsor.  Did not finish work often.  Died with the Mona Lisa in his possession, believed to be still working on finishing it.
How long was this? 600+ pages
Did I like this? Important and enjoyable, but some parts I skipped over.   Too much detail
Overall grade: B+

Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

 Title: Dachshund Through the Snow

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: April 25, 2026
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Andy, Laurie, Marcus, Sam, a new guy Corey Douglas and his dog Simon Garfunkel
What happens? Andy represents Simon to get him early retirement with his retired cop buddy Corey.  Laurie picks an ornament off the community xmas tree for a little boy who wants his dad back who is innocent of a murder 14 years ago of a teenage girl who had his DNA under her fingernails.
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? Good stuff.  
Overall grade: B+

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

 Title: A Slowly Dying Cause

Author: Elizabeth George
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 4/19/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Bea Hannaford, cop w son Pete and ex- Ray, Michael Lobb, 2nd wife Kayla, brother Dexter.  Goron and Bran, son and father who help tin streamer Michael, Daidre, Lynley's ex who is the daughter of Bran, given up for foster care years ago. Havers and Lynley
What happens? Lobb is killed in his tin workshop.  All signs point to Goron, simple son of Bran.  Daidre wants to prove it's not him (her brother).  Enlists Havers to help out.
How long was this? 542 pages
Did I like this? Enjoyable George novel.  One plot line that has absolutely nothing to do with the main story.  But interesting and not predictable.
Overall grade: B+

Once for Yes by Allie Millington

 Title: Once for Yes

Author: Allie Millington
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook, car trip home from PD 4/2026
When did I finish?: 4/5/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Prue is 11.  Lives in Odenburgh - the building is one of the main characters.  Lina is the sister who passed away.
What happens? The building is up for sale.  Prue doesn't want to leave the last place that Lina lived.  The buy across the street is watching with binoculars
How long was this? 272 pages
Did I like this? Good for pre-teens
Overall grade: C+

In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka

Title: In Her Defense

Author: Philippa Malicka
Did I listen or read?: audible on trip to SB/PD April 2026
When did I finish?: March 30
When was the book published: 2026
Main Characters: Anna Finbow, Augusta is the main character, Jean Guest
What happens? Jean sues Anna for claiming that she has brainwashed Anna's daughter via "therapy" - Gus becomes the assistant for Anna and husband, but who actually met the daughter in Rome where she modeled for her at an art school
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Not really great, acceptable.
Overall grade: B

Even Money by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

 Title: Even Money

Author: Dick Francis and Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book (OVA)
When did I finish?: 3/25/2026
When was the book published:  2009
Main Characters: Ned Talbot, bookmaker outside the stands
What happens? Ned's father introduces himself, and then is stabbed to death.  He finds a backpack that his father left behind with a chip writer, and 30k in cash.
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? Usual quality Francis stuff
Overall grade: B+

The K Team by David Rosenfelt

 Title: The K Team

Author: David Rosenfelt
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/30/2026
When was the book published: 2020
Main Characters: Corey Douglas and the rest of the usual cast (Laurie, Andy, Marcus, Sam, etc.)
What happens? Corey and Laurie start the K team w Marcus. Someone is setting up Judge Hatchet Henderson to make it look like he is dirty.  
How long was this?  304 pages
Did I like this? Always enjoyable.  Problem is that Corey is "Andy" except he's a brave ex-cop.
Overall grade: B

Time and Again by Jack Finney

 Title: Time and Again

Author: Jack Finney
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/30/2026
When was the book published: 1970
Main Characters: Simon Morley
What happens? Simon gets recruited for a project (was working as a graphic designer for an ad agency) with a unique approach to time travel involving hypnosis and rehearsal.
How long was this? 400 pages
Did I like this? It was an interesting approach and a decent plot with good characters.
Overall grade: B+

Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child

 Title: Exit Strategy

Author: Lee Child and Andrew Child
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/16/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Reacher, Gilmour an ex-CIA hired randomly as a security guard to cheat. Strickland
What happens? Gilmour convinces Reacher to help him after he observes him saving an elderly couple from 3 scam artists in a coffee shop.  Reacher helps him and they finally eventually figure out the big secret, after unraveling that a shrink was using confidential info to blackmail patients into carrying out a plot.  What plot?  Hell if I know...
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? Not much.  I really couldn't follow what was going on and couldn't care.  It really is a creative idea revealed at the very end, and, if there was some hint of what the hell was going on, that would have helped.
Overall grade: C+

What We Can Know by Ian Mcewan

 Title: What We Can Know

Author: Ian Mcewan
Did I listen or read?:
When did I finish?: 3/7/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Francis and Vivien Blundy, Thomas Metcalfe, Vivien's first husband Percy
What happens? in 2219, Metcalfe researches Blundy (from 2016, before the deluge from global warming) and tries to find the love poem that Francis wrote for Vivien called "A Corona for Vivien."
How long was this? 302 pages
Did I like this? Real literature, kind of odd and random that this guy dedicates his life to finding this poem, and all the characters around it.  Often the most interesting is life in 2119.
Overall grade: B

Woof by Spencer Quinn

 Title: Woof

Author: Spencer Quinn
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 3/3/2026
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Bowser and Birdi series number 1
What happens? Birdie works for the Gaux family bait shop.  The valuable stuffed fish disappears from the store.  I can't remember what happened.
How long was this? 304 pages
Did I like this? Ok, cute but repetitive, really wanted Chet and the Little detective agency
Overall grade: B-

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

 Title: The Impossible Fortune

Author: Richard Osman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/1/2026
When was the book published:2025
Main Characters: Joyce, Ibrahim, Ron, Elizabeth.
What happens? A couple has built a safe deposit cold storage biz.  Someone (a criminal) paid them with crypto and it's now worth 350 million.  The guy asks for help as his life is in danger.  The woman comes to see them and gets blown up.
How long was this? 368 pages
Did I like this? Really like these stories.  Love the characters and the plot moves.
Overall grade: A-

The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

 Title: The Proving Ground

Author: Michael Connelly
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/22/2026
When was the book published:  2025
Main Characters: Michael Haller, Lincoln lawyer, lorna, maggie, cisco, Jack McElroy, opposing lawyers the Mason bros, Victor Wendt - Tidalwaiv CEO.  Judge Ruhlin
What happens? Haller is a civil attorney and takes on the AI company that build a chatbot that coached a 16 year old boy to kill his girlfriend, representing the mother of the dead girl AND the parents of the shooter.  
How long was this? 387 pages
Did I like this?  A really good story, with a solid AI foundation, and plot twists for and against. Well done.
Overall grade: A-

The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

 Title: The Grey Wolf

Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: kindle from libby
When did I finish?: 2/12/2026
When was the book published: 2024
Main Characters:  Gamache, Beauvoir, Lacoste.  Jeanne Caron, old enemy.  Yves who became a monk. Charles Langlois
What happens? Gamache is made aware of a plot to poison the water, throwing the world into chaos so a lock-down government can be put into place
How long was this? 421 pages
Did I like this? It's a pretty boring plot, always enjoy the characters and Gamache's deep thinking approach. Hard to remember and keep track of who the good guys are.
Overall grade: B

Bark to the Future by Spencer Quinn

 Title: Bark to the Future

Author: Spencer Quinn
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 2/11/2026
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Chet the dog, narrator, Bernie Little PI, Rocket, a buncha high school connections from Bernie's past
What happens? Rocket is down on his luck.  Gives Bernie a pocket switchblade, then disappears.  
How long was this? 320 pages 7 hours
Did I like this?  A great idea, but the dog narration was distracting and hard to follow.  I think I will try the first book in the series. Fun and funny in some parts, repetitive and annoying in others.  A decent story under it all.
Overall grade: B

The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble

Title: The House at Saltwater Point
Author: Colleen Coble
Did I listen or read?: libby audio book
When did I finish?: Jan 28, 2026
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Ellie Blackmore, Grayson Bradshaw, Ellie's sister Mack, Mack's ex Jason
What happens? "She was distracted from saving thousands of lives by his broad shoulders and lean muscles."  Romantic fiction christian garbabe
How long was this? 328 pages 8 hours
Did I like this? Laughable at times.  Do not do again

Overall grade: C

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Title: Unbroken
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Did I listen or read?: libby audio 90% libby kindle 10%
When did I finish?: 1/23/2026
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Louie Zamperini, the Bird, Louie's family, brother Peter, mother Louise.
What happens? True story, Louie and his plan are shot down, and he survives horrible ordeals at sea, and then in Japanese prison camps.
How long was this? 426 pages, about 12 hours
Did I like this? A good story, hard to sit through the "repetitive torture" sections, but an amazing story

Overall grade: B+

Crossfire by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

Title: Crossfire
Author: Felix Francis and Dick Francis - Dick's last work
Did I listen or read?: oakmont library
When did I finish?: 1/20/2026
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Tom Forsyth, his mother, Josephine Kauri, Ian the stable lead, bad guys
What happens? Tom comes out of hospital with a new foot, goes home where he is not really welcome, discovers that his mother is being blackmailed and has made some major taxation choice mistakes.  Tom fixes it.
How long was this? 336 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good Francis story.  Unique somewhat unlikeable angry man lead.  

Overall grade: B

Mother of Bourbon by Eric Goodman and Kaveh Zamanian

 Title: Mother of Bourbon

Author: Eric Goodman and Kaveh Zamanian
Did I listen or read?: bought Eric's book at the Oakmont book fair after meeting him in the hot tub w his wife
When did I finish?: 1/16/2025
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Mary, her kids esp. Will and Emmett, her husband Joe
What happens? True fictionalized story of how Mary Dowling built a great bourbon empire before prohibition, while raising a family of 9 (maybe 8)
How long was this? 291 pages
Did I like this? Well done, interesting story. 
Overall grade: B+

The Murder Stone by Charles Todd

 Title: The Murder Stone

Author: Charles Todd
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: Jan 15, 2025
When was the book published: 
Main Characters: Francesca Hatton, Richard Leighton, Francis Hatton, the cousins
What happens? Francis the benevolent grandfather to 6 dies, and Richard Leighton accuses him of murder of Victoria.  Francesca unravels the truth about Francis and her life.
How long was this? 413 pages, 13 hours
Did I like this? It started slow and could be a nice 8 hours, but it got quite good in the 2nd half.
Overall grade: B+

An Inside Job by Daniel Silva

 Title: An Inside Job

Author: Daniel Silva
Did I listen or read?: Library book
When did I finish?: 1/8/2026
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Gabriel Allon, the pope
What happens? Spoiler alert - Someone finds a da Vinci in the vatican archives, painted over with another painting.  Gabriel finds it copies it, sells the copy to some russian billionaire, and returns the original
How long was this? 399 pages
Did I like this? Ok, kinda unbelievable that he can create a copy of any masterpiece and do whatever the hell he wants
Overall grade: B

The Tin Men by Alex Demille

 Title: The Tin Men

Author: Alex DeMille - Nelson DeMille passed away in 2024

Did I listen or read?: library book

When did I finish?: Dec 30, 2025

When was the book published: 2025

Main Characters: Scott Brodie, Maggie Taylor

What happens? Scott and Maggie get sent to investigate a murder at a top secret facility where Lethal Autonomous Weapons are being tested against a squad of rangers. One of the robots has killed a soldier.

How long was this? 368 pages

Did I like this? It was a really good science fiction but could be real story.  Engaging and creepy/scary realistic.

Overall grade: B+

Caught by Harlan Coben

 Title: Caught

Author: Harlan Coben
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook xmas car trip to SB 2025
When did I finish?: 12-29-2025
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Wendy Tynes, reporter, Hailey McWaid, missing girl.  Dan Mercer, caught in the act of soliciting a minor - or was he?, Ed the father of one of the kids supposedly abused by Dan
What happens? Wendy latches on to the story as she isn't sure that Dan is guilty, and she wants to help find Hailey.  She gets fired and then gets her job back, and stumbles onto the plot attacking a bunch of Princeton roommates
How long was this?  12 hours
Did I like this? It was a good story, with good twists and turns.  Lots of "You don't really know, do you, Wendy" requiring patience.  but basically a good story
Overall grade: B

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

 Title: Gone Before Goodbye

Author: Reese Witherspoon and  Harlan Coben
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Dec 22, 2025
When was the book published: 2025
Main Characters: Maggie McCabe, world class cosmetic surgeon who did wartime work around the world
What happens? Maggie's life is in ruins as her husband was killed and she started doing drugs and screwed up a surgery.  An old friend offers her services to do cosmetic surgery on a russian oligarch and his girlfriend's breasts and things get weird.
How long was this? 340 pages
Did I like this? The beginning was a little tough with the noble, tough, world-class characters, but once the plot got going, it was good.  Twists and turns
Overall grade: B+