Exhume - Danielle Girard

Exhume - Danielle Girard

She read

Even though the story was a little over the top, I enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down.  This was the first time I have read anything by Danielle Girard, but I will look into some of her other books.  Purported to be the first in a new series about medical examiner Annabelle Schwartzman, I look forward to reading the next one and hope that the story will  be a little more grounded.  

The Trespasser - Tana French

The Trespasser - Tana French

She read

I have read most, if not all of Tana French's other novels and have enjoyed them.  This one was not my favorite.  It seemed to get a little bogged down, taking a while to get where it was going.  I didn't feel particularly sympathetic to Antoinette Conway, the only female member of the Dublin Murder Squad.  But, still, this is an enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys this author or police procedurals.  

Out of Bounds - Val McDermid

Out of Bounds, Val McDermid

She read

A Scottish police procedural, this is the fourth in the Inspector Karen Pirie series, and the 30th by McDermid; it is the first I have read.  I really liked it.  A member of the Historic Cases (cold cases) Unit, Pirie is a strong, intelligent, vulnerable, but not  overly flawed character.  I liked her better than many of the female protagonists who have inhabited other procedurals I have read recently. There are a few story lines here, but all could be followed easily and when they overlapped, they did so realistically. A gripping story, good character development and I liked the inclusion of topical issues/conversation such as Syrian refugees and the banter about Donald Trump. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/police procedural.  I'm glad I discovered this author!

Home - Harlan Coben

Home - Harlan Coben

He read; she read

I've read a few of Coben's novels that I have really liked; this one, not so much.  This is one in the Myron Bolitar series, the first in this series I have read.  Although the story held my attention and I was interested in finding out what happened, some of the main characters were a bit much.  I like realistic characters; Coben's character of Win, for example,  was a little too much of a "superhero" for me.  There were instances of humor throughout that I did enjoy.  I don't think I would read another Bolitar novel, but certainly look forward to other Coben works.

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.