Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

 Title: Apples Never Fall

Author: Liane Moriarty
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: December 10, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: The Delaney family, Stan, Joy, 4 kids (Troy, Amy, Lance, Brooke)
What happens? Joy disappears, and we go back and forward in time to hear what happened at the Delaney Tennis Academy and in their marriage over 30 years
How long was this? 467 pages
Did I like this? well done, good story, good not great twists
Overall grade: B+

Judge's List by John Grisham

 Title:  Judge's List

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: December 8, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Lacey Stoltz, Jeri Crosby, Judge Ross Banek
What happens? Jeri comes to Lacey with evidence that Banek is a lifelong serial killer getting revenge with a steel ball and a 30 inch nylon rope.
How long was this?  357 pages
Did I like this? yes, good story, not dragged out like the Whistler
Overall grade: A-

The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly

Title: The Dark Hours 
Author: Michael Connelly
Did I listen or read?: Kindle
When did I finish?: November 20, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Renee Ballard, Harry Bosch, murdered Las Palmas ex-gang member, Midnight Men rapists
What happens? Renee works with a checked out partner on the Midnight Men murders, and catches the ex-gang member murder and follows it up.  She ends wondering if she is going to stay on the force or go private w Harry.  The challenges of policing are presented front and center, from the police viewpoint most often.
How long was this? 400 pages 
Did I like this? Yes, usual great M Connelly stuff.  
Overall grade: A-

The Whistler by John Grisham

 Title: The Whistler

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: Audible
When did I finish?: 11/19/2021
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Lacy Stoltz, Greg Myers, partner Hugo, judge McDover, Tapicola indians
What happens? Bureau of Judicial Conduct gets a complaint that a Judge is working with the Coast mafia to control and siphon cash from the Tapicola Indian casino.
How long was this? 471 pages, 11.5 hours
Did I like this? The basic story is a good one.  It is extended by 3 hours by extensive ramblings about details that could just be left out.  I did immediately go to the 2nd Whistler story, The Judge's List
Overall grade: B

Better off Dead by Lee Child and Andrew Child

 Title:  Better off Dead

Author: Lee Child
Did I listen or read?:
When did I finish?: November 15, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Reacher, Michaela with a prosthetic foot, Dendonker
What happens? Reacher helps a woman trying to save her brother from a very bad midwestern bomb maker terrorist, who runs a business supplying food for private jets.
How long was this? 322 pages
Did I like this? It was OK.  I enjoy Reacher, but the technology and the violence dominate, and the people are just faint impressions in the background.
Overall grade: B-

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

 Title: Crossroads

Author: Jonathan Franzen
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: November 6, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Hilldebrandts - Russ, pastor, Marion, wife, Clem, oldest son, Becky, Perry, drug addict, Judson, Rick Ambrose, hip young pastor
What happens? story of the life of the family, and their intersection with the church, God, and the youth group (Crossroads)
How long was this? 667 pages
Did I like this? passable, interesting characters living their lives, but boring at times
Overall grade: B

Silverview by John le Carre

 Title: Silverview

Author: John le Carre
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: October 29, 2021
When was the book published: 2021 - le Carre's last book
Main Characters: Ted Avon, wife Deborah, book store owner and former hedge fund manager, Julian Lawnsley, Ted's daughter, Lily.  Agent Proctor investigates Teddy.
What happens? Julian moves to a small town and buys a book shop.  Teddy involves him in his bizarre schemes.  
How long was this? 224 pages
Did I like this? Normal le Carre.  Interesting characters.  Immersion in the UK.  mysterious plot that is hard to follow or understand even when it is over.
Overall grade: B+