I was fortunate enough to discover Clara Black's Aimee Leduc series with the first installment, "Murder in the Marais," and I have purchased and read every one since, at the moment it was published. In this instance, thanks to NetGalley, I read the twentieth book in the series ahead of the publication date and it … Continue reading Murder at the Porte de Versailles – Cara Black
Category: Book Reviews
Deacon King Kong – James McBride (audible)
Deacon King Kong is a funny, tragic, sweet, ugly, pulls no punches but finds good in the world around every corner book. It is McBride's meticulous attention to the humanity, humor, danger, ambivalence and values (good and bad) of every single character that fills Deacon King Kong with heart and humor. Because, while its subjects … Continue reading Deacon King Kong – James McBride (audible)
The Dark Hours – Michael Connelly (Ballard #4; Bosch #35!)
Another very enjoyable entry in the Ballard/Bosch Series. Michael Connelly has never written a book I found unoriginal or unenjoyable. Here, Renee is still doing late nights but she actually has an apartment to live in, complete with an annoying HOA. Set during the pandemic and the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter protests and … Continue reading The Dark Hours – Michael Connelly (Ballard #4; Bosch #35!)
City of Shadows (Counterfeit Lady No. 5) – Victoria Thompson
I'm such a fan of Victoria Thompson's writing in general and the Counterfeit Lady series does not disappoint. For one thing, Thompson's research is excellent and she brings the periods she writes about alive. Lizzie, our "former" con artist is now married to Gideon Bates. She met his mother quite by accident when Mrs. Bates … Continue reading City of Shadows (Counterfeit Lady No. 5) – Victoria Thompson
Hideout – Louisa Luna
Hideout is the third book in the Alice Vega series. it definitely can be read as a standalone and I plan to read the earlier books, time permitting. Alice is a specialist in missing persons, usually recently missing and, from what I can tell, endangered people. But this time she has a client who will … Continue reading Hideout – Louisa Luna
Death as a Living – Doyle Burke
In Death as a Living, Doyle Burke tells the stories of memorable homicide cases. Burke was a homicide detective in Dayton, Ohio, investigating over 800 cases, some you would recognize. Burke and I would disagree about a lot of fundamental things about how to handle crime in the USA and on a few ways he … Continue reading Death as a Living – Doyle Burke
Shadows Reel – C.J. Box (Joe Pickett #22)
Wow! I requested an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley because I previously read and enjoyed about four books from the Joe Pickett series, always swearing I would go back to read the series from book one. In my own experience of popping in and out, including this entry, Box writes all of … Continue reading Shadows Reel – C.J. Box (Joe Pickett #22)
Our American Friend – Anna Pitoniak
I am totally ambivalent about choices made in this well written cold war Russia versus the United States novel, that then looks at the question of present day Russia cozying up to a Billionaire U.S. President with no morals, married to a (Russian) emigre. Sophie Morse is a young journalist, married to Ben, a lawyer. … Continue reading Our American Friend – Anna Pitoniak
Shadows of Pecan Hollow – Caroline Frost
This is an important book. This is a major debut novel. You will want to read it. And I am trying to write a review sufficient to explain why that is the case, but without spoilers. It is 1976. A thirteen year old girl ditches her hippie foster parents-- the latest foster parents among many. … Continue reading Shadows of Pecan Hollow – Caroline Frost
Greenwich Park – Katherine Faulkner
Greenwich Park is a story that, in a blurb could sound like a fairly common suspense story. It is anything but common. Faulkner is a gifted writer and a master plotter. It take place in upscale Greenwich England. Helen, pregnant for the fifth time after four miscarriages, is ending her job and starting prenatal classes. … Continue reading Greenwich Park – Katherine Faulkner
They Called me Bookworm 