One Summer Day in Rome - Mark Lamprell

One Summer Day in Rome - Mark Lamprell

Release date: August 1, 2017

She read

Narrated by an unnamed ancient spirit, this is a story about love…love lost, love found, but most of all it is a love poem to the Eternal City.  There are three separate yet interwoven stories, the characters of whom occasionally intersect and just may have something in common. Yet, these six people are just the supporting characters for the true star is Rome itself.

Lamprell has a wry sense of humor and is a good observer of life, especially the vagaries of aging.  The three couples sometimes find themselves in comical, yet believable situations.

This is a light, quick read and I loved some of the new eccentricities I learned about Rome.  

Crime Scene - Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman

Crime Scene - Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman

She read

Release date: Aug. 1, 2017

Prolific writer Jonathan Kellerman has teamed up with his son, Jesse, to write this psychological thriller.  They managed to make an interesting story out of what seems like a nothing case.

I enjoyed the vivid detailed descriptions of various locations, some of which were amusingly metaphorical.  A lot of the language made me chuckle such as the image of a “unicorn vomiting up a rainbow” or the mention of a Donner golf course…”Think of the clubhouse lunch menu”.

Fans of the Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware character will enjoy the good doctor’s cameo appearance.

A compelling, quick read, it seems this may be the first of a series featuring Clay Edison, a deputy sheriff working in the county Coroner’s Bureau.  Let’s hope so!

The Late Show - Michael Connelly

The Late Show - Michael Connelly

Release date: July 18, 2017

She read

As a fan of both Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series, I look forward to each new book by him. In this police procedural, Connelly introduces a new female character, Renee Ballard.  Like Bosch, she has a history of issues with authority and as a result is assigned to the “Late Show”, or night shift.  Usually officers on this shift do not have the opportunity to follow up on many of the crimes they are called to initially investigate. Ballard, though,  also like Bosch, has an independent streak which drives her to pursue cases to their finish.    

Set in the gritty underworld of LA, The Late Show is a compelling read; I didn’t want to put it down.  A good writer, Connelly interweaves the various cases well; there is no confusion among the characters or action.  

I’m not sure yet how I feel about this female character and some of the tactics she employs to achieve her goals, but I look forward to the next book in this series to find out! 

Camino Island - John Grisham

Camino Island - John Grisham

She read

Not a typical Grisham legal thriller, I enjoyed this change of pace.  A good, light, summer read.

As someone who lives on an island off of Florida and has been a sea turtle volunteer, I thought he captured island life well and appreciated the accurate information he provided about the turtles.

Deadfall - Linda Fairstein

Deadfall - Linda Fairstein

She Read

Release date: July 25, 2017

Fans of Linda Fairstein’s Alexandra Cooper series will be pleased that Alex is back and  starting to heal emotionally from the damage inflected after being abducted in an earlier novel.  It’s been a year since the last Alex Cooper novel which had a twist at the end leaving readers hungry for Deadfall, the 19th in this series.

Deadfall picks up where the last one, Killer Look,  left off, with the shooting of long time New York City DA Paul Battaglia.  Alex, still on leave as a prosecutor in the DAs office,  finds herself in the crosshairs of both the investigation and the killer.  Even though she shouldn’t be involved in the case, she can’t stop herself and teams up with her usual cohorts to find the truth.  

One of the things I like about Fairstein’s books is that you always pick up new knowledge about some New York City landmark.  In Deadfall  it is the Bronx Zoological Park, along with insight into the criminal world of animal trafficking and a brief history of subway cars!  And, of course, there are the Final Jeopardy questions, a hallmark of the Alex Cooper novels. As always with Fairstein’s books, this a quick and absorbing read.  

This book can be read as a stand alone, but there are many references to actions that took place in the last novel, so anyone new to this series might consider reading it at the very least. Then there is the long history of the main characters and their many fascinating cases, so why not start the series from the beginning?

Into the Water - Paula Hawkins

Into the Water - Paula Hawkins

She read

Another dark story from Paula Hawkins, author of Girl on the Train.   Told from the different viewpoints of the characters in a small British town where a number of women have succumbed to what is known as “The Drowning Pool”, the truth gradually unfolds.

Unlike other reviewers, I did not find the number of characters overwhelming or confusing.  (Note: If you are someone who does have difficulty remembering names, take a minute to jot down the names and relationships as you read and then you will be less confused).

The book held my interest and it was a fast read.  I would rate it a good, not great read.  

Exposed - Lisa Scottoline

Exposed - Lisa Scottoline

She read
Release date: August 15, 2017

Fans of Lisa Scottoline’s Bennie Rosato/Mary DiNunzio series will be happy to see this latest entry.  A case involving Mary’s close friend, almost family, Simon Pensiera, finds the partners involved in a professional ethics quandary and questioning their personal and professional relationship.   

There are legal machinations and plot twists as well as some (violent) action all the while exploring who/what constitutes family and what we will do for them.  

Readers don’t have to be familiar with the earlier books in this series, but knowing the history of the law firm and Mary’s close neighborhood ties does add to the enjoyment of this story’s continued  insight into these characters and their motivations.