Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

 Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Library book

Sep 12,2023

Lovely story about a bank robber who holes up in an apartment open house and how the people and police come together to help each other

A-

Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

 Title: Don't Believe It

Author: Charlie Donlea
Did I listen or read?: libby kindle library
When did I finish?: 10/8/2023
When was the book published: 2018 
Main Characters: Grace Seybold, brother Matthew, Sidney the documentary producer, Gus the copy who lost his leg to cancer, Ellie, Grace's friend
What happens? 10 years ago, Grace is convicted for killing Julian.  Sidney (present day) is making a name for herself doing documentaries about innocent people wrongly accused. She convinces a major network to back a 10 episode series and starts investigating.
How long was this? 379 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, yeah. Plot and characters good...but the book didn't end.  Like it was book one in a series.  Weird.
Overall grade: B+

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

 Title: Someone We Know

Author: Shari Lapena
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook, on the way to Yellowstone
When did I finish?: October 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters:
What happens? Suburban mystery, hot young wife having affairs around the neighborhood, who killed her? Teenage boy breaking into houses and snooping for kicks helps reveal the killer
How long was this? 292 pages
Did I like this? ok.  Repetitive, clearly defined characters, late and not well planned plot twist
Overall grade: B

Daughter of the Morning Star by Craig Johnson

Title: Daughter of the Morning Star
Author: Craig Johnson
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: Sept 28, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Longmire, Henry, Vic, Jaya and missing sister, Jenna - basketball players
What happens? Jenny is missing a year.  Jaya starts getting threatening notes, and Rez sheriff LoLo Long wants him to help figure out what's up.
How long was this? 336 pages
Did I like this? Very hard to follow the plot via audiobook.  Couldn't track the characters and who he was with
Overall grade: B-

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

 Title: Symphony of Secrets

Author: Brendan Slocumb
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 9/21/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Frederic Delancey, historic musician from the 1920's, Bern, the researcher in modern times, Delancey Foundation, Josephine Rose
What happens? DF hires Bern to finish the RED part of the 5 piece (colors of the Olympic flag) opera.  Back in the 1920s, Fred figures out JoR's musical notations (she sees music in colors and writes in symbols) and becomes rich and famous.
How long was this? 424 pages
Did I like this? It was OK.  The whole premise of inventing a musical composer bigger than Beethoven is hard to swallow.  He built a reasonable story.
Overall grade: B-

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

 Title: Sworn to Silence

Author: Linda Castillo
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook 
When did I finish?: 9/19/2023
When was the book published: 2029
Main Characters: Kate Burkholder, book 1, John Tomasetti the BCI renegade, her brother Jacob, the Sheriff from the next town over, other cops Skid and Bones or whatever
What happens? A serial killer is stringing up women and carving a number in them.  Brutal murders.  Amish community.  Kate is Amish, but banned.
How long was this? 321 pages
Did I like this? A good story, yes.  Very exciting ending.  VERY gory
Overall grade: B+

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

 Title: The House in the Pines

Author: Ana Reyes
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 9/18/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Maya, boyfriend Dan, former best friend Aubrey, bad guy Frank
What happens? Maya is going off to college and meets mysterious man Frank.  Maya is struggling after college, living with Dan but still upset about what happened with Frank years ago.
How long was this? 317 pages
Did I like this? really good story, well-paced, creepy mysterious but an excellent first novel
Overall grade: A-