Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

Title: Orphan X
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/17/2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Evan Smoak who is Orphan X, Jack his dad-type handler, Mia the DA and her son Peter that live in his high rise, Morena Aguilar who his held captive by a NYC cop abuse, Katrin who is helping next with her gambling debts
What happens? Umm, Evan has been reaised as a super assassin since the age of 12 but gave it all up to help people out as the mysterious Nowhere Man, until it all comes crumbling down.
How long was this? 356 pages
Did I like this? Really good in the first half, definitely would try this guy again, a bit tedious outlining every perfect thing that this guy does perfectly.  Will have to try the next book in the series to see where he takes it.
Overall grade: B+

Big Law by Ron Liebman

Title: Big Law
Author: Ron Liebman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 11, 2017
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Carney Blake, brother Sean, his father, girlfriend Diane, Jeremy Lichtman young and bright attorney on his side, Carl Smith, evil mastermind, Peter Moss, evil mastermind from a different firm
What happens?  Carl assigns Carney (new partner, too junior for the assignment) the lead in a major plaintiff case out of India.  Moss is the opposing council defending GRE.  Carney is being set up and walks right into the trap.
How long was this? 254 pages
Did I like this? It starts with a reveal close to the end, so it was a little taxing and obvious at first, but then the plot picks up and his personal, family and business crises all rise and the pages fly by.  Really good stuff, good guy to root for.  My biggest negative is that the final verdict is not really explained, the final trial not really presented.
Overall grade: A-

Triple Crown by Felix Francis

Title: Triple Crown
Author: Felix Francis
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 4, 2017
When was the book published: October, 2016
Main Characters: Jeff Hinkley, Investigator for BHA, Tony Andretti - US investigator, Paul Maldini - his boss, George Raworth, trainer
What happens? Hinkley goes on loan to the US to investigate the a mole in a US agency (FACSA, made up) and winds up working as a groom for a trainer attempting to win the triple crown.
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? good stuff, fast paced, the usual Francis mix
Overall grade: B+

What the Fly Saw by Frankie Y. Bailey

Title: What the Fly Saw
Author: Frankie Bailey
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?:  January 30, 2017
When was the book published: 2015
Main Characters: Kevin Novak, funeral director, Hannah McCabe and partner Mike Baxter, Luanne Woodward, medium, Novak's wife, son Scott, daughter Megan, pastor Wyatt, shrink Burdette, billionaire Ted Thornton
What happens? During a big snow storm in Albany in 2020, Novak goes to his funeral home to make sure the bodies are OK, and winds up shot with a crossbow.
How long was this? 327 pages
Did I like this? It wasn't that bad, started with a total overload of characters and past plots, then a long and twisting road where it didn't seem possible anyone did it, and then all of a sudden, boom, a confession.
Overall grade: B-

All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage

Title: All Things Cease to Appear
Author: Elizabeth Brundage
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 23, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: the three Hale boys, Cole, Eddy and Wade, their parents, George Clare, wife Catherine and their daughter Franny, town copy Lawton and his realtor wife Mary
What happens? Hale boys have to move out of their house after their parents commit suicide, George moves with family.  He's a college professor and a (spoiler alert) complete psychopath.  George comes home from work one day and Catherine has an axe in her head.  Everyone thinks George did it, but they can't prove it.
How long was this? 400 pages
Did I like this? She has a unique writing style that sometimes made it hard to now who was talking and in what time, but it all comes clear in the end.  Overall a good read for use.
Overall grade: A-

Defending Jacob by William Landry

Title: Defending Jacob
Author: Willam Landry
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 16, 2017
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: Andy Barber, asst DA, wife Laurie, teenage son Jacob, murdered 14 year old Ben Rifkin, competitor asst DA - can't remember his name, registered sex offender Leonard Patz
What happens? The 14 year old boy is found dead in the park, and a lot of the evidence points to Jacob.  Andy knows he is innocent - but is he? The story is told with interjections to testimony that Andy is giving to the competitor asst DA.
How long was this? 421 pages
Did I like this? This was a good one.  Very compelling, didn't know what was going to happen next.
Overall grade: A-

The Widow by Fiona Barton

Title: The Widow
Author: Fiona Barton
Did I listen or read?: Nook
When did I finish?: Jan 9, 2017
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: widow Jean Taylor, husband Glen, disappeared child Bella, the Mother, the Reporter, the Detective
What happens? Jean's husband was hit by a bus.  He was believed to be guilty of the murder of little Bella, and the mother has come out and is pushing for resolution as is the detective.  Jean has survived his years of abuse and is tryting to figure out how to survive, and then perhaps the right thing to do.
How long was this? 324 pages
Did I like this? Yes, different approach, good compelling mystery.  A page turner.
Overall grade: A-