The Darkest Game - Joseph Schneider

 The Darkest Game - Joseph Schneider

She read

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Tully Jarsdel is not your typical homicide detective, much to the consternation of his more traditional partner.  A former academic, he is cerebral and introspective.  In this case, the third in the series, the detectives investigate the murder of a museum curator, traveling to Catalina Island to help unravel the mystery.

I have read the first two Jarsdel books and really enjoyed the first one.  This series is not for everyone, especially if you want a fast paced, action packed thriller.  Character development is interesting and there are many esoteric references such as “Phineas Gage”  and “Joseph K”.  If these names mean nothing to you, you may not enjoy this book unless you want to spend a lot of time Googling or just skipping over the unknown. If you enjoy well written,  character driven works that are different from the typical run of the mill, this is for you.  Oh yes, there are also family relationships and cultural and moral issues that are explored as well as modern day pirates!   There is some violence as well.  

This could work as a standalone, although reading the prior ones will give a little more background information.  

There is something about Tully that I like and I will certainly read the next installment. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the DRC. 

****

Ways and Means - Roger Lowenstein

 Ways and Means - Roger Lowenstein

She read

I’m not a big fan of non fiction, but I heard Lowenstein interviewed on NPR and found what he had to say quite interesting so I tried his book in which he outlines the influence of economic strategies on the progress and outcome of the Civil War.  I found it fascinating.  Well written, Lowenstein took what could have been a dry subject and kept my interest throughout.  He explained some complex subjects in a way that made them easily understood.  It is all here…the role of the central government, the differences between what is tolerated in the north and the south, finances, services, taxation. I gained more insight into not only the Civil War era, but also into some of our politics today.  

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguinpress for the DRC

*****

Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus

 Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus

She read (and recommends he read)

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

This is a different kind of book and I loved it.  It is quirky, amusing, and painfully honest.  

Elizabeth is a brilliant scientist with a distinctive personality.  She encounters obstacles and makes waves wherever she goes.  The story is set the early 50s through the early 60s and reflects the reality of that time for so many women (and, unfortunately, some of the reality that continues today).

Character development is entertaining with very unique players here….some charming, some hateful.  Dealing with them all, the indomitable Elizabeth forges ahead, no matter the challenges she meets.

Read this book just to find out why she always wears a number 2 pencil in her hair…but also to enjoy a delightful and perceptive story. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #Doubleday for the DRC.

*****

Watch Her Disappear - Lisa Regan

 Watch Her Disappear  - Lisa Regan

She Read

Another enthralling Josie Quinn mystery!  This is the fourteenth in the series and they just keep getting better. 

On prom night, a girl dressed in a gown is found stabbed to death outside the prom.

Was it a disgruntled boyfriend?  Or, is there a serial killer afoot?  And, what does this murder have to do with another one decades ago?

In this story, Josie is still sad about the death of the grandmother who raised her, but  there are positive signs that she is healing.  Josie’s close knit team, which includes her husband, Noah are all here, and we learn more about the history of their chief who looms large in this mystery.  

I really like the Josie Quinn series and typically stay up late to finish each one I read because I can’t put them down! Josie is a strong, capable female protagonist.

This can work as a standalone, but I encourage those new to this series to dig and read some of the prior ones. 

 If you like well written police procedurals/thrillers, and are not familiar with Lisa Regan, I recommend her.  I can’t wait for the next one!

*****

The South Bank Murders - Biba Pearce

 The South Bank Murders - Biba Pearce

She read

This is the fifth in the Detective Rob Miller series; it is the first I have read. 

While trying to juggle the demands of being a new father, Rob and his team are investigating two cases. One is the shooting death of their beloved former supervisor while the other involves the trafficking of refugee children seeking asylum in the UK.  

This is a solid British police procedural. It was an engrossing, fast read with a believable plot as well as good character development.

This works well as a standalone, but I really enjoyed it and, if I ever find time, would like to go back and read the prior books in the series.  

Thank you to #NetGalley and #joffrebooks for the DRC

Content warning: violence against children

****

Hideout - Luisa Luna

 Hideout - Luisa Luna

She read

This is the third in the series; I read and enjoyed the first two. In this installment, a search for a long ago missing person by kick- ass unconventional PI Alice Vega diverges into revealing small town corruption and white nationals. 

I didn’t particularly like this book, but it features a topic that needs to be addressed and should be read.  Many books I read I don’t want to put down; I had no problem taking breaks from this one.  What I liked previously about this series was the two main characters (Alice and Cap) and the dynamics between them; those dynamics seemed to be missing here. There also seemed to be a lot of uninteresting descriptions, side stories that seemingly added nothing to the plot,  and I never enjoy reading detailed accounts of violence.

This works as a standalone, but I think you should  try the first two for more of an appreciation of this series. If you enjoy an action packed story and can deal with some straining of credulity, this book is for you. 

Content warnings: Descriptive violence

Thank you to #Netgalley and #JoffeBooks for the DRC.

***

The Resistance Girl - Mandy Robotham

 The Resistance Girl -- Mandy Robotham

She read

Publication Date: March 31, 2022

’ve read and really liked a few of Mandy Robotham’s historical fiction books. Her main characters typically are strong, independent women and the background stories factually accurate. 

The Resistance Girl, told from different POVs,  focuses on the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II.  It tells of the Quisling collaborators and the Norwegian’s courageous resistance, as well Hitler’s secret Aryan maternity program, Lebensborn.  

While I didn’t like this book quite as much as Robotham’s others, it still is a well written,   worthwhile, engrossing read. It is atmospheric and suspenseful.  It is also heartbreaking, given what is happening now in Ukraine.  How can this be happening again?

One of the things I particularly like about Robotham’s writing is that she usually ends with a strong resolution, tying up loose ends for all her characters. 

I highly recommended Many Robotham’s works. 

*****

Death in the Sunshine - Steph Broadribb

 Death in the Sunshine - Steph Broadribb

She read

The reviews for this book are mixed, but I decided to try it because it is based in Florida.  And what is more entertaining than Florida???

The first book in what is to be a series, and told from four different points of view, I thought a bit too much time was spent on repetitive ruminations.  Also, a pet peeve of mine..it bothered me that Moira had these newly adopted dogs but could be away from them all day and until late at night without walking or feeding them…let’s be real!

I did enjoy some of the stereotypical characters that one would find at a large Florida retirement village!

In addition to the main mystery, the detectives have secrets of their own from their past. Some are revealed but a big one is only hinted at..perhaps to be revealed in the next book?  

Despite some misgivings about this first in a series, I will try the second one in hopes that it will be more engaging.

***

What Happened to the Bennetts - Lisa Scottoline

 What Happened to the Bennets - Lisa Scottoline

She read

Publication Date: March 29, 2022

I have always enjoyed Lisa Scottoline’s writing, especially her Benny Rosato series.  In recent years, she has branched out to other genres and I really liked the well researched and well written Eternal, about three friends in Rome during the rise of Fascism.  

Although What Happened to the Bennetts is a thriller, I think it is at it’s best when exploring the feelings of loss experienced by a family when one of the members dies. There are lots of secrets and plot twists here.  Some of the action was a bit incredulous, but it made for an engrossing, entertaining read.  

****

The Golden Couple - Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen

 The Golden Couple - Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen

She read

Publication Date: March 8, 2022

So many secrets so slowly revealed.  

I chose this book because I have read two others by these authors and enjoyed them.  Like the prior books, there is treachery, deception, twists, red herrings all put together in an engrossing read told from different POVs.  It did take a while for the story to unfold.  A number of questions arise, but they are all answered by the ending.   

I did have a bit of a problem with the unorthodox, unethical practices of Avery, but without them, we wouldn’t have a story! 

Looking forward to the next book from this pair. 

****