In the first of her FBI K-9 books, Sara Driscoll gives us a fluffy thriller with enough meat on its bones to make it interesting. The details about K-9 tracking and search/rescue are fascinating. Chapter heads provide detailed snippets about the process. Megan Jennings, and her canine partner Hawk are called to the scenes of terrible bomb blasts and fires and then involved in the search for, and ultimate apprehension of the madman. Fun read,

This is a good Icelandic thriller from Arnaldur Indriðason and I love that we‘re given more information about Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson‘s back story. In this novel, a skeleton is discovered, and tracing its identity reveals a story of terrible domestic abuse, and ultimately how it taints and destroys the victims. In a parallel arc, Erlender‘s daughter is hovering near death due to a late stage miscarriage resulting from her drug abuse.

There is twisted darkness that lives at the heart of Bottom Springs, LA and the Holy Fire Baptist Church. It takes Ruth, daughter of Pastor James Cornier, an interminable time to see it, but when she does, hellfire literally rains down. Ruth‘s psychological abuse, at the hands of her parents, would have broken her without her friend Everett‘s flawed intervention. Not any true redemption here. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

“‘You described a personality type. The ones who lead what you called “still lives.” Do you remember?‘”

“‘Yes I do. The ones who aren‘t growing and evolving. The one‘s who are standing still. They‘re the ones
who rarely get better.‘”

Rereading Penny‘s Still Life which is just as good as I remember! Going to read the series ( on Libby during appointments) to catch up on the one‘s I‘ve missed.

Deeply reliant on, and evocative of Pinocchio and at times, The Wizard of Oz, Kline‘s latest stand alone is, IMHO, not his best work. When he breaks free from the earlier author‘s tropes there are flashes of his usual brilliance, and I genuinely enjoyed his characters. Victor, the last of his kind, sets out on a quest to find his stolen creator/father/robot accompanied by sentient and charming machines seeking wisdom, courage and a heart.

What a lovely novel that I never wanted to end. The author has given us a wonderful gift, framed around and evocative of the play, Our Town. At her adult daughter‘s request, Lara Nelson is recounting her brush with fame: her own and
and that of her long ago summer love, Peter Duke, a troubled young man who goes on to doomed stardom. The cemetery scene is masterful! Yes, Ms Patchett, you brought us back to the joy of Wilder‘s work. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this entertaining mystery Jance combines characters from the Joanna Brady and the Walker Family series, featuring Dan Pardee. He‘s a field officer with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People‘s Task Force, and hard on the trail of a serial killer.

Don‘t miss the Afterword and the After-Afterword pages at the end. They may make you feel a bit better about the cultural appropriation problems related to Jance writing about indigenous issues.

When a book receives as much attention as this one, particularly in light of Iron Flame‘s release, it can prove a disappointing read. Although it doesn‘t really live up to the hype. FW is a pretty satisfying piece of dragon fiction, and like others, I liked the creatures more than the humans. I could have done without some of the Violet/Xaden romance, but there‘s a good story here, and I‘m on the mother of all library hold lists for the next.

Jacintha and Gabe Cross are the best penetration guys available, testing corporate security systems to insure they‘re as robust as possible. Returning home from a failed job, “Jack” finds her husband Gabe brutally murdered. Good premise, but not very well executed. Predictably, Jack is the primary suspect. Predictably, she runs terrible risks seeking the actual killer and unfortunately, there‘s no surprise twist. Good news: it‘s a quick read.

I bailed about a third of the way in. Should have quit when I read “… that malignant turd in the lunch bowl socked between his ears” on page three. Mean spirited, nasty and just plain dull. Can‘t remember who recommended it, but they did me no favor.

The first half of McMahon‘s latest is plenty scary, particularly when we wonder if what Alison O‘Connor comes to believe about her dying mother is true, or if Alison is descending into madness. Initially, McMahon walks that terrifying tightrope very well. Unfortunately, as the evil takes a concrete form, the story becomes a bit absurd. It‘s the difference between the truly scary, “Turn Of The Screw”, and the more predictable “Rosemary‘s Baby.”

I‘ve always enjoyed Heller‘s writing, and his talent saves this somewhat clumsy plot. Ren Hopper works in Yellowstone as a National Park Service Ranger. Someone is setting traps and stalking wildlife, particularly his friend Hilly‘s beloved wolves. The sense of place is fascinating, as are the tragedies from Ren‘s past. The characters and groups that are introduced, but never tied in to the story are annoying. Maybe a sequel?

Pretty good fairy tale that introduces us to the lives of Hansel and Gretel as adults shaped by their childhood traumas. Hansel has become a wastrel, gambling and drinking to excess. Gretel, who is grappling with the knowledge that she has witchy powers, is being pulled toward the dark, and the light. Shapeshifters and a cursed bear loom large. The chapter heads tell the story of Rose Red, and her character has an connection to the siblings too.

In this wonderful lyrical novel, the story of a six year old boy lost in the South African outback, is told through a series of incredible character studies. We meet his family and those searching for him, some genuinely concerned, and some with their own agendas. We also get to know Denny, lost during a dust storm, and experience his fear, and yes wonder as he seeks his Mam and home. McFarlane writes beautifully. Highly recommended!

Arnaldur Indriðason uses the term “jar city” to describe a collection of human organs kept for research purposes. The modern iteration is a genetic database. Both loom large in this great Icelandic novel that introduces us to Detective Erlendur Sveinsson. The plot: an aging rapist is murdered. Solving the crime involves tracing a genetic disease back to his victims. Beautifully translated. Erlendur, his colleagues and family are fascinating

Thalia Keith, a teenaged boarding school resident, is murdered after her performance in that year‘s musical. One of the few black staff members on campus is convicted and has served years in prison. Bodie Kane a tangentially involved student has been obsessed and, now an adult, has an opportunity to right wrongs. Set in the “me too” climate. Adults acting like bumbling teenagers. I almost bailed. At least the end wasn‘t neat. Not her best work.

I don‘t know whether this just wasn‘t the right time to read this, or whether something was lost in the translation, or whether I‘m just too impatient for this slow story, but at slightly after half way through, I realized that I just didn‘t care enough about the characters to finish. I have enjoyed his other titles. Disappointing.

Even when describing the most venal characters and their terrible lives/crimes Jame Lee‘s language soars. I love Robicheaux‘s introspection, and his grasp of worlds unseen. Clete‘s self-abusive life cloaks a sensitivity that is almost too hard to bear. Set amidst the fallout from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the “Bobbsey Twins From Homicide” are up against a cabal of shady characters including an old Nazi. And then there‘s Clete‘s daughter!

I love reading mysteries, and have always felt I should tackle Sue Grafton‘s series. Through the magic of the Libby app, like all good librarians (retired) I started with “A”. I truly hope the books get better. I found this one infinitely skimmable. The plot was muddled and the ending rushed. Grafton apparently couldn‘t decide if Kinsey Millhone is hard-bitten or cuddly. I‘ll try the next and hope it‘s better. If you‘re a fan, what do you say?

Serendipity lead me to this novel at the Library, it‘s been around for a while. I do enjoy a good historical mystery, and this generally fits the bill, although the historical premise is a bit shaky. Wilson posits a fictional reason for the disappearance of Hans Holbein in 1543 that involves the (factual) Prebendaries Plot to bring down Thomas Cranmer and restore Catholic rule. I enjoyed “meeting” his protagonist, London goldsmith Thomas Treviot.

This story has solid bones somewhat mucked up with humor that often falls flat. At times, the tale really soars — I mean, IT IS Sanderson after all, but there are other moments that you trudge through just hoping to get out the other side. The author tells us he was inspired by “The Princess Bride” but wanted to show what happens when the Princess is the quester, and that pretty much the plot in a nutshell. Not (too) sorry I read it.

There is something so comforting about meeting familiar characters in a new book. I love Doiron‘s Mike Bowdich mysteries. This isn‘t one of his best but it almost doesn‘t matter. Mike and Stacy Stevens are looking forward to their upcoming marriage. They‘re literally “on Golden Pond” for a celebration with family, including Charley and Ora, when Mike is called out to investigate what seems a fatal boat crash. Mayhem ensues!

Sister Holiday, fleeing the wreckage wrought by her life choices, is a novitiate with The Sisters of the Sublime Blood, teaching guitar licks to Catholic School students in New Orleans and hiding her tats under black serge. Someone is lighting fires, people are dying, and Holiday investigates.

The first third is beautifully written, language and plot in the middle are muddy but the end is surprising. I hope this is the start of a new series!

I hate to keep giving books a “meh” review, but I found the plot of this novel derivative, and quite frankly not very well written. The protagonist, Mary Engle, has just taken a secretarial job with the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age, which applies horrible eugenic principles, virtually imprisoning the women, many of whom have no impairments. An interesting topic, I just wish it had been handled better.

Not a lot of “there-there” in this mystery, and it certainly almost no connection to a library. It is no spoiler to say that the 1st murder occurs, and the characters meet in one but that‘s all. The plot involves a writer crafting a mystery, sharing the chapters with a colleague, who predictably turns out to be evil but not really involved in the plot. Speaking of same, you‘ll figure out the murderer quickly. I didn‘t bail, but should have.

He‘s back! Whitehead‘s latest novel is a knock-out. Brilliantly drawn characters that you grow to love in spite of, perhaps because of their flaws. His wonderful story telling skills are definitely on display in this tale set in the 70‘s. There are three sections are linked by recurring characters and the city, NY. Ray Carney and Pepper are unforgettable. Even the psychotic cop, Munson, presents a fascinating character study. A fantastic novel!

As the first in a new series this is an OK mystery with an interesting protagonist, Det. Declan Miller. I enjoyed Bellingham‘s slow unspooling of Declan‘s back story. The background characters, while not well developed, hold promise. I liked his partner, Sara Xiu a lot. Together they seek a hired gun that may be involved with one of two mob families. I do have to say the humor fell a bit flat. All in all, a competent, but not brilliant story.

In this wonderfully dense novel, Kuang discusses the exploitation wrought by British Empire, which was very real. She sets the story at Oxford in an alternate reality where magic and silver combine to further colonial domination. We meet students brought to the Royal Institute of Translation, lured by promises of belonging, but in truth, trapped in the political “game”. Exquisitely drawn characters, fantastic story. I loved every word.

This was a thoroughly engaging read based on Icelandic sagas. Gornichec gives us a historical fantasy that checks all the boxes: childhood friends growing up under a curse, check; witchcraft and shape shifting, check; power struggles, check; women seeking and finding non traditional roles, check; some men acting as oppressors and some as helpmates, check. My only criticism is that the author ties up the story in a trite bow. Sequel? Hope so.

I enjoyed this novel every bit as much as Mason‘s earlier “The Darwin Affair.” He writes fascinating historical mysteries. The only disappointment is how long we need to wait between books featuring Charles Field. Here, we are presented with a story that begins with a murderer stalking Florence Nightingale‘s nurses in the Crimea, and ends 12 years later with the same man stalking London politicians, and Field‘s family. Wonderful period details.

I found the premise at the heart of this novel to be far fetched: that scientists are in the process of proving that reality only exists when observed, and that the observer can manipulate time, space, and in so doing, can create and occupy alternate universes. The concepts are based on actual research and proofs by physicists, one of the author‘s among them. Can‘t really recommend, but I read every word. I‘m just not smart enough for this novel.

Naomi, Olivia and Cassidy had a terrible secret when they went into the woods as young girls 22 years ago. Naomi is carried out with multiple stab wounds. They identify a serial killer as the attacker who already being sought by the police. This OK thriller recounts the adult Naomi‘s search for the truth behind her horrible attack, and death/danger is stalking them again. Lots of red herrings but the big reveal is not a surprise.

Set in Boston during the first phase of the court mandated busing/desegregation. Two teens are dead. One black, killed by white students in an act of blind hatred, the other a young pregnant white woman who dared to call out the Irish mob for their sexual hypocrisy.

In ‘74 I was 19, and remember the visceral racial hatred in Boston. Lehane captures this period with real skill, reminding us that we share collective guilt for the forces at play.

A novel about magic, family secrets and how the combination can create terrible, corrupting pain. Nicholas is a scribe who creates magical books with his blood, pampered by his uncle, who has a terrible agenda. Joanna and Esther are sisters, tasked by their father with the protection of their magical library. Joanna trapped at home, and Esther moving annually to keep her family safe. The characters come together to find truth and freedom.

Collaborative writing, particularly of fiction is a difficult challenge. Even though the author blurb indicates these authors “have written together since middle school” their early pages don‘t offer a seamless single voice. Luckily, this eases as the novel progresses.

Emiko Soong, formally the Blade of her family, is now in San Francisco where she is tasked with the retrieval of a gate that controls access to hell. Exciting; 1st in a series.

This was a dense, fascinating novel and I look forward to the sequel. Rao‘s world building, and the science she created as it‘s foundations are compelling. Classed as fantasy by my Library, it‘s far closer to really good science fiction. Iravan is an architect, able to craft plants into structures. Ahilya, his wife, his antithesis, is an archeologist seeking answers to forbidden questions. They must work together to save their failing world.

This beautifully written novel is a terrifying cautionary tale positing where we will find ourselves if we continue on the path to an autocracy. Following a period of financial and societal meltdown, the U.S. government names a common enemy: Asians, and passes draconian laws to control the lives of citizens. Worst is the “re-location” of dissenter‘s children. Poets and librarians are the heroes. In my mind, Bird and his mother will live forever.

Cronin‘s latest explores the very nature of situational reality and it‘s a great read! Although over 500 pages, the story, and your reading time will fly by. The novel introduces us to the island community of Prospera, where the population is pampered. Their lifestyle is made possible by workers who are segregated on the Annex, but they are increasingly unhappy and seeking spiritual meaning. The truth behind it all is definitely a surprise.

I‘ve been a John Sandford fan for more years than I care to admit. I‘ve read a boatload of the Prey books, following Lucas Davenport‘s career. I even stuck with him through the Flowers novels. I‘ve now read both of the books featuring Letty Davenport (Lucas‘s adopted daughter) but I doubt I‘ll read the next. She‘s a flat character, a pale echo of Lucas, or even Virgil fu*king Flowers . The plot here is foolish with more killing than necessary.

At the heart of this fascinating novel is an experimental bio-technology, cloaked in what the the entrepreneurs claim is a form of perpetual movement energy. Until the three stories unspool and intertwine, we‘re not sure what‘s real, indeed we‘re not sure about reality itself. I loved every brilliant word, and cried at the end, but you have to be willing to suspend belief and let this talented author drive.

This book was just what I needed at the end of a four day power outage. Instead of fretting about all the food going bad, I was able to escape into Lawrences‘s time bending world where the concept of enemy is literally in the eye of the beholder. Everyone is battling over the Library and the knowledge contained therein, but as Livira comes to understand “… an ocean of knowledge is apt to drown you long before it educates you.” (p.251)

I found the information about 19th C. spiritualism interesting in Penner‘s second novel, but the writing is a bit muddy. Vaudeline D‘Allaire is a famous medium, known for her debunking of others in her field and the tricks they employ. Lenna Wickes is apprenticing with Ms D‘Allaire, desperate to learn the truth as to her sister‘s murder. Together they take on corruption at the heart of the London Séance Society. Predictable plot, but diverting.

I really enjoy the details about musicians and the musical world that Brendon Slocum gives us in his novels. In this novel, we‘re introduced to a world famous composer, who actually stole his music from a neurodivergent woman, ostensibly a friend. Revealing this cultural appropriation almost ruins Bern Hendricks and Eboni Washington‘s lives, pitting them against a foundation founded to honor the composers‘ life. I agree, not as good as his first.

Book 2 of the HMRC Trilogy is written for grownups. Ciara is back in Niamh‘s body, she hasn‘t left the demons behind, and is about to be sworn in as head of the Coven. The warlock Hale believes that will give him ultimate power, but as we all know, men are short sighted when it come to witches. Speaking of, witch hunters make a hateful appearance, there‘s a bumbling Prime Minister, Leonie is seeking truth, and Elle‘s son & husband, wow! Fun read.

A very well crafted story about class differences in a world where magic ostensibly keeps an island nation safe. A war has been waged, a fragile peace crafted. Dr. Miles Singer is a psychiatrist who is treating shell-shocked veterans who are trying to escape internal horrors that may be real. He has fled his magical role in a ruling family. And why are all the witches in asylums? A thoroughly enjoyable read with believable romance subplot.

Mary Owens, a fourteen year old girl has been imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. The magistrate imposes a life sentence serving as a sin eater. Visiting the dying she, and her ilk, hear the confessions of the dying, returning to eat the foods that represent their sins, taking them into her soul. In short, sin eaters are damned. An interesting story, with a lot of plot holes. Described as a stand alone novel, the story needs a sequel.

The French Revolution, the Scarlet Pimpernel, a British maid impersonating Marie Antoinette, and coincidentally possessed by the spirit of a witch, vampires and a lot of commentary on evil doers on both sides of the political divide. I mean, what‘s not to like?!?

Cogman has given us a historical thrill ride peopled with interesting characters. She doesn‘t strive for historical accuracy (did I mention vampires?) But it was a fun read.

Sergeant Amal Singh, a Punjabi Sikh, has been sent to Fiji after unwittingly abetting a crime in Hong Kong. As the ranking Indian officer he is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a young woman from the sugarcane plantation where she was an indentured worker. Interesting historical details about the plight of these exploited workers. As a debut novel it has some flaws, but shows promise. The author is writing the next in the series.

Indigo is a mean girl who grows up to be a psychopath, living to manipulate reality and the lives of those around her, including her Aunt Tati, maimed-for-life and notably Azure, with whom she has a pact to become “one soul.” In a parallel story the Bridegroom recounts his life with Indigo and the secrets she keeps. Both stories are framed around fairy tales and a sentient house. All characters are hard to like, but it‘s beautifully written.

I loved Ninth House, and wasn‘t sure that the next could be as good. I needn‘t have worried, Bardugo has given us a great sequel that hits all the bases! Darlington man/demon is in hell. Lethe continues it‘s role checking and balancing Yale‘s secret/magical societies with Alex and Dawes in leadership roles and committed to freeing Darlington. We‘re taken on not one, but two trips to hell through a gauntlet in Sterling Library. Great read!