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+