Blood Flag - Steve Martini

She read; he is reading it.

Another in the Paul Madriani series.   This one could have been written a little better, but I enjoyed it.  I liked that he took what seemed a little far fetched and made it more plausible.

The Pursuit - Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

She read.

I do enjoy Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series...mostly, I guess because they make such fun out of New Jersey!  This is one of the "Fox and O'Hare" series.  I made myself read the one from this series.  I tried this one, but it was so silly (not funny...just silly) and blithely written that I quit after 50 pages.

The Last Time She Saw Him - Jane Haseldine

She read

Publication date: June 28, 2016

This is the author's first novel and it appears that it may be the first of a series.  It's difficult to write this review.  I liked the first 3/4s of this book.  Haseldine employs great use of descriptive language.  I really enjoyed her writing, feeling as though I were actually observing scenes.  I didn't want to put the book down initially, but I thought it unraveled as it got near the end and I did put it down because I needed a break from it.  It seemed to descend into a perverse, violent  Keystone komedy of actions.  That said, I thought it was a good debut and am looking forward to her next novel, hoping that style will win out over substance and her character's actions will become more realistic.

The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter - Malcolm Mackay

He read.

Another of Malcolm Mackay's novels.

THIS (not the one below)  was the first of an interesting trilogy dealing with Glasgow underworld. Excellent depiction of the characters and their positions. Introduces the main characters for the rest of series.Focuses on Calum,a hired gun for the mob and his exploits.   Still think the third. (which he read first) was the best of the trilogy. 

Kickback - Robert Parker

He Read

A Spenser novel.
Excellent read about corrupt juvenile judges and their relationships with private prisons.  Spenser uncovers a town where judges are shipping  juveniles off for little or no cause other than their personal gain.

Small Great Things - Jodi Picoult

She read

Publishing Date: Oct. 11, 2016

In this sure to be another best seller, Picoult tackles a frank presentation of racism, both overt and covert and something we all harbor in one way or another.  

The plot has been summarized in other reviews; it won’t be repeated here.  The story is told from three points of view, including that of a white supremacist; some of those passages were tough to read, yet so relevant in today’s political climate.  

It is evident that a lot of research, thought, and compassion went into this novel.  The ending may seem too contrived for some, but I think it was “just”.  

Small Great Things can be a quick, compelling read, or it can invite a lot of introspection on the part of the reader.  It would make a great choice for book clubs not afraid of an honest discussion.   Don’t neglect the Author’s Notes at the end.  

How a Gunman Says Goodbye - Malcolm Mackay

He read

This is the second book in a trilogy; he read the third one first and really liked it.  Focused on an aging killer and the rise of a new, young killer in a crime organization, this was not as interesting as the third one was.  The character development in the third was excellent, this one not as much.  The author has a good grasp of the underworld in Glasgow.