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
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
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
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.
*****
Don't Look For Me - Wendy Walker
She read
Molly accidentally ran over and killed her nine year old daughter. The family, understandably, has never been the same.... Molly’s guilt, her husband’s loss, her oldest daughter’s guilt for the role she might have played in the tragedy.
One stormy night, returning from her son’s football game four hours away, Molly’s car runs out of gas and she disappears. After finding her car abandoned and later receiving a note from her, it is assumed that she just “walked away”. But daughter Nicole has never given up on finding her mother.
I really didn’t like this book for about the first half, but then Walker had me and I couldn’t put it down. Red herrings keep you guessing in this psychological thriller. Although told from different points of view and timelines, it was never confusing. The ending was a bit contrived, though.
****
A Time for Mercy - John Grisham
She and he read
This courtroom procedural sees the return of Jake Brigance, the hero of two prior Grisham novels. The year is 1990 and Jake, still broke, is appointed to defend a 16 year old being tried as an adult accused of a capital crime. Yes, he is guilty and, yes, there are extenuating circumstances.
Nobody captures the essence of the deep south or spins a yarn better than Grisham. There is always something to be learned about the law and the culture as the action leads up to the trial. An engrossing, fast read that I didn’t want to put down. This just seemed like the perfect book to escape into during these fraught days. A best seller for sure!
He really liked it also...
******
Shelter in Place - David Leavitt
She read
The book opens with a group of Eva’s friends, devastated by the results of the 2016 presidential election, coming together at her country house in Connecticut to commiserate.
They are New Yorkers, living in a world of the arts, decorating, publishing, writing, and for Eva’s husband, Bruce, finance. It seems Eva is the Gertrude Lawrence to this non glitterati group; they all congregate at her homes, subservient to her control.
Convinced she must flee the horrors that await the new Administration, Eva is hell bent on purchasing an apartment in Venice as an escape. She in encouraged in this venture by her old friend, Min, who would love to spend time there. The catch is, she will only purchase it if her long time decorator, Jake, agrees to take on the project.
I enjoyed this novel with its breezy, witty dialog and, for the most part, “Rolex” or First World problems. It is an entertaining, distracting, fast read.
****
