The Cuban Affair - Nelson DeMille

The Cuban Affair - Nelson DeMille

He and She read

This is only the second DeMille book that I have read. “Mac” MacCormick, an Army veteran has made a new life as a charter boat captain in Key West.  Like many of the residents of that colorful location, he is a unique character.  Approached by some anti Castro Cuban Americans, he signs on for a dangerous mission on the Communist island, accompanied by an attractive, savvy woman.  

 Although I thought the book dragged a bit in getting through the story, I enjoyed it, especially DeMille’s often cynical sense of humor.  It is an entertaining read.

Y is for Yesterday - Sue Grafton

Y is for Yesterday - Sue Grafton

She read

I enjoy Sue Grafton’s alphabet series and am sad that Y is the penultimate.  Kinsey Milhone is a delightful character.  Grafton places her in the late 1980s which means she doesn’t have a smart phone nor the advantage of advanced technology.  She still relies on index card notes to keep track of her cases.  She is surrounded by a repeating cast of supporting characters and it is always enjoyable to revisit them.

This book, which seems to be a bit longer than some of the prior ones, involves two cases.  The first is a situation of black mail that refers back to incidents that occurred ten years ago.  Kinsey must unravel what really happened then as well as figure out what is going on in the present.  The second case is a carry over from the X novel and involves a dangerous madman on the loose who has already tried once to kill Kinsey.

Grafton is a good writer and although the book did seem to drag a bit, I enjoyed it.  

Second Acts - Teri Emory

Second Acts - Teri Emory

Release Date: Sept. 26, 2017

She read

I really liked this book.

Written from the points of view of three different women, Beth, Sarah, and Miriam who have been friends since college in the 1960s, The author demonstrates astute observations on love, aging, and life. 

The women have faced various crises in their lives… losing a child, a parent, a job, a lover; the one constant has been their friendship and mutual support.  Once free thinking young women with boundless options, they have endured many choices and challenges and are now embarking on the “second acts” of their lives.

Well written, this book is engrossing, entertaining, funny, sad, infuriating, satisfying. 

The Scarred Woman - Jussi Adler-Olsen

The Scarred Woman - Jussi Adler-Olsen

She Read

Release Date: Sept. 19, 2017

This is the seventh in the Department Q series police procedurals by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Department Q is Copenhagen’s cold cases division and in the Scarred Woman they are juggling five cases.  A recent homicide is similar to an unsolved one from more than ten years ago.  Young ne’er-do-well women are victims of a hit and run driver. There has been a robbery at a local club and a murder nearby.  Finally, the team is grappling with the dark history and instability of one of their own. 

Denmark is often identified as one of the happiest countries in the world. Adler-Olsen focuses on the decidedly seedier side of this society in this Scandinavian Noir tale.  He writes with a sense of humor, irony, and social commentary.   

I have not read the previous novels in this series and I think that was a disadvantage. Some of the recurring minor characters were not that well developed; I felt as though I intruded in the middle of some of their lives and was left wondering who they were and their relationship to each other.  I did enjoy the members of Department Q, particularly the endearing immigrant Assad who hasn’t quite got a grip on the local language and keeps misspeaking idioms. 

I thought the story was a bit convoluted with a rush toward the ending. Despite that, I enjoyed the book and would like to go back and read the prior ones as well as read future works by Adler-Olsen.  If you enjoy Nordic Noir, do read this!

Best Day Ever - Kaira Rouda

Best Day Ever - Kaira Rouda

She read

Publication date:  September 19, 2017

Paul Strom is one of the shallowest, most self centered, chauvinistic characters you will meet.  At first, I thought Rouda was writing a parody of every despicable trait a man could have when it hit me that he was a classic pathological narcissist and men like him really do exist.  

The action in this domestic suspense novel takes place over less than 24 hours with an epilogue one year later. Paul wants to spend the “best day ever” with his wife and is intent on not letting anything interfere with it. Why is he so intent on this?

Paul is so heinous you might be inclined to stop reading this book….but don’t.  You will be rewarded if you stay with it to the end. His sinister actions drew me in; I couldn’t put the story down and finished it in a day. It is well written with excellent character development and a satisfying ending. 

The Last Tudor - Philippa Gregory

The Last Tudor - Philippa Gregory

He read

Having read Gregory's entire Tudor series, he thought this was the best.

Lie to Me - JT Ellison

Lie to Me - JT Ellison

She read

Release date:September 5, 2017

Ethan and Sutton Montclair are successful, prize winning authors who, to all appearances are living the good life.  But, all is not as it seems.  Is he a monster?  Is she?  Did their baby really die of SIDS?

The novel opens with the discovery of a decaying body in the woods. Sutton has disappeared, leaving a terse note indicating she needs some time away; Ethan shouldn’t look for her.  Is the body hers?

Written in short segments from three different points of view, the true story of the Montclair’s lives, filled with betrayals, unfolds.  The suspense builds; just as the reader thinks s/he has figured out what is going on, more is revealed and there is another twist.  This is a well written story that you won’t want to put down.