Excursion to Tindari, by Andrea Camilleri

• Title:  Excursion to Tindari
  
• Author:  Andrea Camilleri
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County, VA Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 1/26/2018
  
• Finished: 1/30/2018
  

Another Montalbano mystery.

Sudden Death, by David Rosenfelt

• Title:  Sudden Death
  
• Author: David Rosenfelt
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County, VA Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 1/24/2018
  
• Finished: 1/25/2018
  

Another solid, funny, Andy Carpenter novel.

Bury the Lead, by David Rosenfelt

• Title:  Bury the Lead
  
• Author: David Rosenfelt
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County VA Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 1/22/2018
  
• Finished: 1/24/2018
  

When I first started these Andy Carpenter books a couple of weeks ago, I said how funny I found them (like the Fletch books) but that the titles/covers of the majority were dog related -- too cutsey for me.

Well, I'm man enough to admit, if not when I'm wrong, when I've lost a battle.  The combination of smart-ass one liners, and the expert narration by Grover Gardner, means I'm going to end up going through the entire series -- probably happily so.  I'll note that the author, David Rosenfelt, also shares my high regards for Gardner's narration.  To quote Rosenfelt from his website "Grover could read the Milwaukee Telephone Directory and make it sound compelling"

This, the third book in the series, wasn't an outstanding mystery.  Nonetheless, on my mile long commute from my condo to the office, I was laughing out loud like a crazy person on more than one occasion.  You can't top that for free entertainment.  

Voice of the Violin, by Andrea Camilleri

• Title:  Voice of the Violin
  
• Author:  Andrea Camilleri
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County, VA Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started:  1/20/2018
  
• Finished: 1/22/2018
  

Another Inspector Montalbano mystery, not as good as the others, but still reasonably enjoyable.

First Degree, by David Rosenfelt

Title: First Degree

Author: David Rosenfelt

Borrowed from Fairfax county VA Public Library Audiobook

Started: 1/19/2018

Finished: 1/20/2018

The second Andy Carpenter book, decent though not as entertaining as the first. 

A Midsummer's Equation, by Keigo Higashino

• Title:  A Midsummer's Equation
  
• Author:  Keigo Higashino
  
• Borrowed from HooplaDigital.com, via Worchester County (MD) Public Library, Audiobook
  
• Started:  1/15/2018
  
• Finished:  1/19/2018
  

Higashino is probably the best twist ending author alive today.  His books are so entertaining, and I have yet to actually solve/guess the final twist.

This book wasn't as tight as the others I've read, but it was still very entertaining and the twists at the end were perfect.  Really enjoy his work.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith

Title: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Borrowed from Take one leave one library (paperback)

Started: 1/16/2018

Finished: 1/18/2018

What an enjoyable book. Charming, entering, heartwarming.  Really liked this one. 

Stone Cold, by Robert B Parker

Title: Stone Cold

Author: Robert B Parker

Borrowed from Take one Leave One library in DC, paperback

Started: 1/14/2018

Finished: 1/15/2018

A Jesse Stone book, enjoyable. 

The Snack Thief, by Andrea Camilleri

Title: The Snack Their

Author: Andrea Camilleri

Borrowed from Fairfax county VA Public Library Audiobook

Started: 1/12/2018

Finished: 1/15/2018

Another Montalbano mystery. Good stuff. 

Hit Man, by Lawrence Block

• Title: Hit Man
  
• Author:  Lawrence Block
  
• Purchased (paperback) at Auction to Benefit Homeward Trails Animal Rescue (Bark Ball)
  
• Started: 1/10/2018
  
• Finished  1/13/2018

Didnt enjoy this one very much. 

Open and Shut, by David Rosenfelt

• Title:  Open and Shut
  
• Author:  David Rosenfelt
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started:  1/9/2018
  
• Finished:  1/11/2018
  

This is the first in a series, a series which I've avoided because the book covers look too cutesy (all covered with dogs and most with title relating to dogs).  I love dogs, don't have kids and don't want them (much to the dismay of my parents & inlaws) but I'd have dozens of dogs if I could.  But in my downtown condo, one dog is the max (Bica, now 11, lived with us for 10 years, hound love of my life).

But as much as I love dogs, I don't want to read a mystery series centered around them with titles like "Play Dead" and "Dog Tags" and "One Dog Night."

But the first book in the series has no cute dog title, simply "Open & Shut" and it was read by one of my favorite voice actors, Grover Gardner.

With all that said -- I liked this one.  The main character (Andy Carpenter, I think) is wise-cracking, intelligent, and a bit of wimp (although somehow, of course, landing beautiful women).  I thought he seemed very Fletch-like, which I like, though I imagine these books get on the nerves of others.

Anyway, will almost certainly move onto the next one at some point.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers, by Lawrence Block

• Title:  Burglars Can't Be Choosers
  
• Author:  Lawrence Block
  
• Purchased (paperback) at Auction to Benefit Homeward Trails Animal Rescue (Bark Ball)
  
• Started: 1/6/2018
  
• Finished  1/9/2018
  

Very enjoyable easy read.  My wife read it first and enjoyed it as well.

The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Title: The Sympathizer

Author: Viet Thank Nguyen

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library (Kindle Edition)

Started: 12/20/2017

Finished: 1/7/2018

Book club book, saving commentary for discussion. 

Faithful Place, by Tana French

Title: Faithful Place

Author: Tana French

Borrowed from Fairfax county VA Public Library Audiobook

Started: 1/1/2018

Finished: 1/7/2018

Another in the series that started with Into the Wood.  So far only enjoyed that first one.