The Pick, the Spade, and the Crow - Bill Rogers

The Pick, the Spade, and the Crow - Bill Rogers

She read

A British police procedural, this is slated to be the first in a series about the National Crime Agency.  It introduces Senior Investigator Joanne Stuart and the rest of the team with whom she will be working.  Stuart's character was well developed and although there were no real twists or surprises, the novel held my attention and it was a quick read.  I look forward to the next in the series.

The Girl from Venice - Martin Cruz Smith

The Girl from Venice - Martin Cruz Smith

He read

Publication Date:  Oct. 18, 2016

An interesting story about the politics of the Fascist and Resistance groups in Italy during World War II.  The story takes place at the end of the war and focuses on how the two groups manage to coexist or not.  It also dealt with the Fascist elimination of the Jews in Italy. Tells the story of a Jewish girl, the only survivor of her family,  and the Venetian fisherman who becomes involved with her/

El Paso - Winston Groom

El Paso - Winston Groom

He read

Publication Date: October 4, 2016

By the author of Forrest Gump, an excellent adventure story set at the turn of the century focusing on Pancho Villa and his Revolution.  Many American characters are intertwined including Tom Mix, Jack Reed, and other notables 

Based loosely on historical facts of the time.

Seduced - Randy Wayne White

Seduced - Randy Wayne White

Release date:  October 18, 2016

She read

This is the first of the Hannah Smith novels I have read.  The beginning was a bit farcical, but I enjoyed the story and learning about the characters.   Living in SW Florida, I particularly appreciated the history, biology, and insight into problems in our area relating to the citrus industry and our well known issues with pythons.  If you are a fan of Randy Wayne White, or SW Florida, don't miss it.  If you haven't read White before and are looking for a light, quick read in which you will learn a bit about the area, read this book.

Damaged - Lisa Scottoline

Damaged - Lisa Scottoline

She read

Another in the Bennie Rosato novels featuring Mary Di Nunzio.  A fast read, good mystery, happy ending.

Three Sisters Three Queens

Three Sister Three Queens - Philippa Gregory

He read

Historical fiction about Katherine of Aragon, Mary and Margaret of Scotland.
He felt that this was Gregory's best novel yet.

Two Days Gone - Randall Silvis

Two Days Gone - Randall Silvis

Publication Date:  January 10, 2017

She Read

A well known writer/college professor’s family is found slain and he appears to be on the run.  An emotionally damaged detective who has had prior (noncriminal) dealings with the professor investigates.  As part of his investigation, he tries to get inside the writer’s mind, particularly as it relates to the novel he is presently writing.

There are literary references that I enjoyed and the book is well written, with the story being told from the points of view of these two.  Unfortunately, despite the grave circumstances for the professor, I felt no affinity for him. Although it took me a while to get into it, the story held my attention.  It is worth a read.