Anxious People - Fredrik Backman

 Anxious People - Fredrik Backman

She read

On the day before New Year’s Eve, a failed bankr obber takes hostages at a realtor’s apartment open house.  A father and son team of police officers have the case, as we learn about the complex lives of the hostages.  

If you are a fan of Fredik Backman (A Man Called Ove) , you will probably really like this.  I appreciated his poignant observations of life and some of his humor, although, the Qs and As between the policemen and witnesses were a bit tedious. Still, a light yet meaningful,  insightful read for our times.

****

Shallow Ground - Andy Maslen

 Shallow Ground - Andy Maslen

She read

Detective Ford still blames himself for his wife’s death six years ago in a climbing accident.  He struggles with his guilt as he raises his son, Sam, and tries to balance that relationship with the demands of his job.  Newly promoted to Detective Inspector, his first case is a serial killer whose MO is exsanguination.  

The plot is interesting and there is good character development, especially in his fellow team members.  New CSI Hannah Fellowes, a highly trained and skilled investigator is particularly interesting as an Asperger’s savant. Fast paced and engrossing, I will add Andy Maslen to my must read mystery/police procedural authors.  

This is advertised as the first of the Detective Ford book series.  I hope there will be more.

****

The Wonder Boy of the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg

 The Wonder Boy of the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg

She read

I’ve not read Flagg’s prior novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistle Stop Cafe. 

Even without that familiarity with the characters, however, this was a fun, feel good read for our dark times.

The Law of Innocence - Michael Connelly

 The Law of Innocence - Michael Connelly

He and she read

I have always enjoyed Connellys Lincoln Lawyer and Bosch series.  To have both characters in a book is a treat.

After a dubious traffic stop, a dead body is found in the trunk of Mickey Haller’scar and he is arrested and jailed for murder. It is up to him and his team to clear him.

It’s not enough to be proven not guilty, to be really free,  one must prove one’s innocence.  And for this, trusted investigators Cisco and Bosch are on the case.  All the other familiar supporting characters are here as well. 

There is always something to be learned about judicial practices in Connelly’s courtroom procedurals.  Fast paced and engrossing, the introduction of the Covid 19 pandemic is interwoven into the storyline.  Another best seller for Connelly.

We Keep the Dead Close -- Becky Cooper

 We Keep the Dead Close - Becky Cooper

In 1969, Harvard archeology graduate student, Jane Britton, was found bludgeoned to death in her apartment.  Although many myths and theories arose about this murder, it was not “solved” until almost 50 years later.

While a student at Harvard, Becky Cooper heard the stories and became obsessed with investigating all aspects of Jane’s life and death.  Her research was extensive. 

This true crime procedural is really three stories; the story of the victim, the author, and the history of Harvard both in what may have been an attempt to cover up the murder and the overt sexism in the old boys club that is this institution, with particular focus on the archeology department. 

There is a lot of flipping back and forth among characters and timelines with in depth coverage of Jane’s life as well as Becky’s.  Although a suspect, deceased by the time he is indentified,  is named in the end, there are some unanswered questions as well as disturbing information about how the case was handled.  This is a long book, and the minute details of Jane’s life and all the interviews conducted can be a bit of a slog, but it held my attention throughout and was an engrossing, if unsatisfying, read. 

****

The Searcher - Tana French

 The Searcher - Tana French

He and she read

Although this story is a bit different from French’s prior novels in that its main protagonist is an American (Chicago) detective who has retired to Ireland, it still features her knack for storytelling.  Her descriptions are so vivid, not only can you visualize Ireland, you can smell it (and taste the bacon!). She conveys a good feel for the rural life, its unspoken social code,  and the various characters that make up a small village.  

This is not a thriller, but rather a very good and literate work of fiction that will leave you with an appreciate for her writing.  

He also read it and liked it.

*****