Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Valediction, by Robert Parker

Title: Valediction 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/30/2024
Finished: 12/31/2024

This is one of my favorites from the Susan dumps Spenser timeline that I generally don't like.  But this is a good one,with Spenser dating someone else, still semi-suicidal, and completely missing the real villain in the overall mystery.  A rare miss for Spenser makes this an entertaining and different read.  

Saturday, December 28, 2024

All These Worlds, by Dennis E Taylor

Title: All These Worlds 
Author: Dennis E Taylor 
Borrowed from Audible via Amazon Music 
Started: 12/22/2024
Finished: 12/28/2024

Third in the Bobiverse series, decent.  

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

A Catskill Eagle, by Robert Parker

Title: A Catskill Eagle 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/21/2024
Finished: 12/25/2024

Backtracking a bit in the Spenser series reread.  Not a huge fan of the Susan focused books. 

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Created, the Destroyer, by Richard Sapir and Warren Murphy

Title: Created, the Destroyer 
Author: Richard Sapir and Warren Murphy 
Purchased from Amazon Kindle edition 
Started: 12/18/2024
Finished: 12/21/2024

First in the Remo Williams series, pulpy and fun, but probably not enough to carry on with the rest.  

Friday, December 20, 2024

The Decagon House Murders, by Yuki to Ayatsuji

Title: The Decagon House Murders 
Author: Yuki Ayatsuji 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 11/1/2024
Finished: 12/20/2024

A twist/turn murder mystery in the "And then there were none" tradition.  Wanted to like it more than I did.  

Monday, December 16, 2024

Paper Doll, by Robert Parker

Title: Paper Doll
Author: Robert Parker 
Paperback from Free Library 
Started: 12/15/2024
Finished: 12/16/2024

Decent mid-series Spenser novel.  

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Pale Kings and Princes, by Robert Parker

Title: Pale Kings and Princes 
Author: Robert Parker 
Paperback from Free Library 
Started: 12/15/2024
Finished: 12/15/2024

Decent mid-series Spense  novel.  

Taming a Sea-Horse, by Robert Parker

Title: Taming a Sea-Horse 
Author: Robert Parker 
Pap ER back from Free Library 
Started: 12/13/2024
Finished: 15/15/2024

Jumper ahead several books in the Spenser series because I happened upon three of them at a take one leave one library last week.   In some ways that's good, I skipped the books where Susan runs off, Spenser is down, the. The the rescue.  I probably will read those again because I may like them more than I remember. 

Anyway, this one isn't one of my favorites.  I've never enjoyed the April storyline and this is one of those.  But there are two great sections. The "toughest guys in [rural city] Maine" part is a standout chapter.  And the very end with April's release is legit touching (look Im not a monster, even if I don't like the April storyline this ending is uplifting).  

Friday, December 13, 2024

A Savage Place, by Robert Parker

Title: A Savage Place 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/9/2024
Finished: 12/12/2024

One of the worst of the earlier Spenser books.  The LA setting isn't bad, but the mystery is terrible and Spenser's banter isn't up to usual standards.  

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Cold Moon Over Babylon, by Michael McDowell

Title: Cold Moon Over Babylon
Author: Michael McDowell
Borrowed from Audible
Started: 12/6/2024
Finished: 12/10/2024

Bought a new Chromebook which for some reason gave me three months free of Amazon Music, and that service recently added a "one Audible book a month" loan so I was finally able to read this one by McDowell that I'd had on my list for a while.

It was decent, but not great.  Bad guy gets his comeuppance, but only after he has murdered an entire family (three generations of family) over a 20 year period.  

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Early Autumn, by Robert Parker

Title: Early Autumn 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/6/2024
Finished: 12/8/2024

This is one of the best Spensers.  The mystery is t amazing, but the life lessons for the 15 year old kid -- I never tire of reading this one.  

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Gunman's Rhapsody, by Robert Parker

Title: Gunman's Rhapsody 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 12/3/2024
Finished: 12/4/2024

I think I would have loved this book in print, butt he Audiobook narrated by Ed Begley Jr wasnt for me.  If I ever find a print version I'll try it again.  

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Mortal Stakes, by Robert Parker

Title: Mortal Stakes 
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/2/2024
Finished: 12/3/2024

Well I'm giving up all pretense and just admitting to myself that I'll be re-reading much of the Spenser series.  This is a decent early Spenser.  

Monday, December 2, 2024

The More the Terrier, by David Rosenfelt

Title: The More the Terrier 
Author: David Rosenfelt 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 12/1/2024
Finished: 12/2/2024

Another Andy Carpenter book, not a great plot but still funny and enjoyable. 

The Promised Land, by Robert Parker

Title: The Promised Land
Author: Robert Parker 
Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 12/1/2024
Finished; 12/2/2024

An early Spenser, but not a great one.  The next few in the series though are some of the best, including The Judas Goat that I just read a day ago.  

Sunday, December 1, 2024

The Judas Goat, by Robert Parker

Title: The Judas Goat
Author: Robert Parker 
Picked up paperback from Free Library 
Started: 11/30/2024
Finished: 11/30/2024

These early Parker books are the best.  This one is great.  Could reread it regularly. 

Monday, November 18, 2024

The Inevitable Ruin, by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Inevitable Ruin 
Author: Matt Dinniman 
Purchased from Amazon Kindle edition 
Started: 11/11/2024
Finished: 11/18/2024

The newest book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.  Not a great stand alone novel, but if you're invested in the series like I am, a great continuation of the over arching story.  

Friday, November 8, 2024

Everyone on this Train is a Suspect, by Benjamin Stevenson

Title: Everyone on this Train is a Suspect 
Author: Benjamin Stevenson 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 11/1/2024
Finished: 11/8/2024

Second in this series and I liked it, very charming books.  

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

The Only One Left, by Riley Sager

Title: The Only One Left
Author: Riley Sager
Borrowed in paperback from my wife
Started: 10/15/2024
Finished: 10/30/2024

A pretty terrible whodunit.

Monday, October 28, 2024

The Murder at the Vicarage, by Agatha Christie

Title: The Murder at the Vicarage 
Author: Agatha Christie 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 10/26/2024
Finished: 10/27/2024

The first Miss Marple book, not my favorite, I'm a bigger Poirot fan.  

Friday, October 25, 2024

The Iron Hand of Mars, by Lindsey Davis

Title: The Iron Hand of Mars 
Author: Lindsey Davis 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 10/19/2024
Finished: 10/25/2024

I've read too many of these Falco books back to back. They're good, but I need a break.  

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Venus in Copper, by Lindsey Davis

Title: Venus in Copper 
Author: Lindsey Davis 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 10/17/2024
Finished: 10/18/2024

Another Falco book. Not bad, a bit melodramatic.  Also meant to note how much this author HATES landlords.  Not an unpopular position, but it is prevalent throughout the books so far. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Shadows in Bronze, by Lindsey Davis

TItle: Shadows in Bronze
Author: Lindsey Davis
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 10/13/2024
FInished: 10/15/2024

Second in the Falco mystery series set in ancient Rome.  Pretty good.

Monday, October 14, 2024

The Footage, by Stuart James

Title: The Footage 
Author: Stuart James 
Purchased from Amazon Kindle edition 
Started: 10/13/2024
Finished: 10/14/2024

I'm a sucker for found footage movies and books which has led me to buy and read some pretty terrible stuff.  This is up there with the worst of them.  

Sunday, October 13, 2024

The Hollows, by Daniel Church

Title: The Hollows
Author: Daniel Church 
Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 10/1/2024
Finished: 10/13/2024

Decent but not amazing old gods-ish horror novel.  

The Silver Pigs, by Lindsey Davis

Title: The Silver Pigs 
Autor: Lindsey Davis 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 10/10/2024
Finished: 10/13/2024

First in a detective series set in ancient Rome. Pretty good.  

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Death at the Sign of the Rook, by Kate Atkinson

  • Title: Death at the Sign of the Rook
  • Author: Kate Atkinson
  • Purchased from local DC bookstore (hardcover -- forget how expensive these are)
  • Started: 10/6/2024
  • Finished: 10/9/2024
Another (the final?) in the Jackson Brodie series.  This one seemed a lot less "serious" than the earlier entries, but was still enjoyable.  No regrets on the purchase, Atkinson's worth it.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The First Man in Rome, by Colleen McCullough

  • Title:  The First Man in Rome
  • Author: Colleen McCullough
  • Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
  • Started: 9/28/2024
  • Finished: 10/8/2024
Back in 2022 I read the first three in this series as abridged, the only versions available from the public library.  I hate reading abridged and wasn't thrilled with them.

Now I have access to the unabridged and this is a spectacular book.  Hoping the others in the series are also available unabridged.  Incredible stuff.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Incidents Around the House, by Josh Malerman

Title: Incidents Around the House 
Author: Josh Malerman 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 9/20/2022
Finished: 9/24/2024

Not sure how I feel about this one, but I wanted to like it more than I did.  

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Recursion, by Blake Crouch

Title: Recursion 
Author: Blake Crouch 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 9/1/2024
Finished: 9/19/2024

Struggled with this one.  Interesting first third but I lost interest.  

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Dark Harvest, by Norman Partridge

Title: Dark Harvest 
Author: Norman Partridge 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 9/16/2024
Finished: 9/18/2024

Short Halloween novel, kind of like the lottery for YA readers.  Decent. 

Monday, September 16, 2024

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone , by Benjamin Stevenson

Title: Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone 
Author: Benjamin Stevenson 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 9/12/2024
Finished: 9/16/2024

An entertaining murder mystery 

Thursday, September 12, 2024

The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides

Title: The Marriage Plot 
Author: Jeffrey Eugenides 
Paperback picked up at free library 
Started: 9/2/2024
Finished: 9/12/2024

Overall I liked this book, even if I didn't care for any of the three main characters very much.  

Monday, September 2, 2024

How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, by Craig DiLouie

Title: How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive 
Author: Craig DiLouie 
Purchased paperback from local bookstore in DC
Started: 8/31/2024
Finished: 9/2/2024

Enjoyed this one overall but didn't love it.  

Saturday, August 31, 2024

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, by Janice Hallett

Title: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels 
Author: Janice Hallett 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 8/24/2024
Finished: 8/31/2024

Extremely enjoyable epistolary novel, Hallett is great at writing these.  

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Shrink Rap, by Robert B Parker

Title: Shrink Rap
Author: Robert B Parker 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 8/27/2024
Finished: 8/28/2024

Another Sunny Randall novel, only so so.  

Monday, August 26, 2024

Perish Twice, by Robert B Parker

Title: Perish Twice 
Author: Robert B Parker 
Paperback from take one leave one library 
Started: 8/25/2024
Finished: 8/26/2024

Had surgery three days ago and find myself with a lot of time on my hands for convalescing.  Third book in as many days.  Sunny Randall mystery, enjoyable for what it is, though I prefer the Spenser books.  

Sunday, August 25, 2024

The Twyford Code, by Janice Hallett

Title: The Twyford Code
Author: Janice Hallett 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 8/23/2024
Finished: 8/25/2024

Another epistolary novel from Hallett, very enjoyable.  These are really fun books.  

Saturday, August 24, 2024

I Remember You, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Title: I Remember You 
Author: Yrsa Sigurdardottir 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 8/20/2024
Finished: 8/24/2024


Icelandic horror novel, decent. 

Saturday, August 17, 2024

State of Paradise, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: State of Paradise 
Author: Laura Van Den Berg 
Purchased hardback bookstore in DC
Started: 8/10/2024
Finished: 8/17/2024

My literary crush with Van Den Berg continues.  This book was something of a love letter to Florida, at least it felt that way to this native Floridian who grew up in central FLA and escaped (for lack of a better word).  Not at all horror so some readers of Van Den Berg's previous work may be disappointed, but if they are, I'd argue they've focused too much on the stories and not enough on the writing.  

Van Den Berg's writing speaks to me the way Denis Johnson's did.  Absolutely terrific and drives a literary desire of my own (but I'm far too lazy/comfortable to write more than these blog posts).  This is a relatively short novel so I tried to take my time with it.  

I don't buy many books as is evidenced by how many of my posts are for library copies.  But this was one I wanted to read immediately and to support the author for future works.  

Friday, August 16, 2024

The Miernik Dossier, by Charles McCarry

Title: The Miernik Dossier
Author: Charles McCarry
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public LIbrary Audiobook
Started: 8/11/2024
Finished: 8/16/2024

Fantastic epistolary cold war spy novel.  Can't say enough about this one, absolutely loved it.

Friday, August 9, 2024

Poodle Spring, by Raymond Chandler & Robert B Parker

Title: Poodle Springs
Author: Raymond Chandler & Robert B Parker 
Purchased used hardcover
Started: 8/8/2024
Finished: 8/9/2024

The u finished Marlow novel, completed by Parker.  Might say Marlow but this is a Spenser novel through & through, and that's not a complaint. Enjoyed it.  

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Triptych, by Karin Slaughter

Title: Triptych
Author: Karin Slaughter 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 8/1/2024
Finished: 8/5/2024

My mom recommended this one since she likes the TV show, but this book was not for me.  Way too hateful of a plot, writing wasn't my style, overall did not enjoy this one.  

Saturday, August 3, 2024

The Jugger, by Richard Stark

Title: The Jugger 
Author: Richard Stark 
Paperback from free library 
Started: 7/25/2024
Finished: 8/3/2024

A very short but entertaining Parker novel.  These are such great pulp books.  

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

The Appeal, by Janice Hallett

Title:  The Appeal
Author: Janice Hallett
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 7/27/2024
Finished: 7/30/2024

This was a spectacular book, absolutely loved it.  Even though I did not successfully solve the mystery (and have doubts about the solution put forward).  I'm pretty sure there is a different solution indicated by the final email disclosed in the book, and I have a few guesses, but even not being sure of the mystery I really like this one.

Friday, July 26, 2024

Black Mouth, by Ronald Malfi

Title: Black Mouth
Author: Ronald Malfi 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle and Audiobook 
Started: 7/15/2024
Finished: 7/26/2024

Read the first two thirds of this one slowly via Kindle.  Switched to audiobook for the final third as I struggled to get myself to want to read it but wanted to finish.  Didn't love this one -- too Stephen King for me. 

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Small Town Horror, by Ronald Malfi

Title: Small Town Horror 
Author: Ronald Malfi 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/20/2024
Finished: 7/23/2024

I wanted to like this one more than I did.  Started off ok, but then fell apart for me quite a bit until two thirds of the way through when plot twists hit and the book sped to the ending.  So start and finish were good, middle only so-so. 

However, having moved to Kent Island a few years ago, I loved the mention of Stevensville and Love Point Road.  That made it all worthwhile.  

Saturday, July 20, 2024

A Better World, by Sarah Langan

Title: A Better World 
Author: Sarah Langan 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/18/2024
Finished: 7/20/2024

I liked the first half of this book quite a bit, but the second half wasnt as good and then the final chapters were a disappointment.  

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Tropic of Night, by Michael Gruber

Title: Tropic of Night 
Author: Michael Gruber 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/14/2024
Finished: 7/18/2024

This was a big, and mostly entertaining book.  The magic stuff was done in a way that wasn't too hokey.  Overall I enjoyed it.  

Monday, July 15, 2024

Dog Day Afternoon, by David Rosenfelt

Title: Dog Day Afternoon 
Author: David Rosenfelt 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/13/2024
Finished: 7/14/2024

Another Andy Carpenter book, these are basically all the same but I still enjoy them as audiobooks to fill the time when doing chores and such. 

Friday, July 12, 2024

Silver Nitrate, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Silver Nitrate 
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia 
Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/9/2024
Finished: 7/12/2024

I enjoyed this one overall for the characters, but wasn't enthralled by the plot.  Had hoped for more horror, less magic, but again, enjoyed it overall. 

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

The Floating Staircase, by Ronald Malfi

Title: The Floating Staircase 
Author: Ronald Malfi 
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle edition 
Started: 7/6/2024
Finished: 7/9/2024

Yes, another Malfi novel.  This was enjoyable as well.  

Come With Me, by Ronald Malfi

Title: Come With Me 
Author: Ronald Malfi 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/6/2024
Finished: 7/9/2024

Enjoyed this Malfi book quite a bit.  As noted in my last post, having just discovered this author I'm now lining up his books to read.  

Sunday, July 7, 2024

They Lurk, by Ronald Malfi

Title: They Lurk
Author: Ronald Malfi
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 7/2/2024
Finished: 7/7/2024

I have a new author -- and a local one at that. Malfi lives relatively near me near the Chesapeake Bay in MD and I really like his work. Expect to see a lot of his books listed here in the coming weeks.  

This collection of shirt stories was great. First two were good, last three were spectacular.  In particular the final two stories.   Great stuff.  

Friday, June 28, 2024

Horror Movie, by Paul Tremblay

Title:  Horror Movie
Author: Paul Tremblay
Purchased from Amazon Hardcover
Started: 6/26/2024
Finished: 6/28/2024

Really enjoyed this one.  I like Tremblay in general, loved a couple of his books, and I'd put this one up there with the best.  

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

The Southern Lawyer, by Peter O'Mahoney

Title:  The Southern Lawyer
Author:  Peter O'Mahoney
Borrowed from a neighbor, hardback
Started: 6/23/2024
Finished: 6/26/2024

A pretty terrible Grisham knock-off, though the author clearly loves Charleston and gives a pretty good tour of the city.  Not sure how much I'd enjoy wine from SC...

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair, by Joel Dicker

Title: The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair
Author: Joel Dicker
Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
Started: 6/23/2024
Finished: 6/25/2024

This was a somewhat random recommendation from a Reddit thread on book recommendations and I absolutely loved it.  Very grateful to the person who recommended it, since I'll now be looking for other books from Dicker, always great to have a new author to follow.  This was a spectacular book.  

Monday, June 17, 2024

Diavola, by Jennifer Throne

Title:  Diavola
Author: Jennifer Throne
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 6/12/2024
Finished: 6/17/2024

I wanted to like this one more than I did.  It wasn't bad, but not what I'd hoped for.


Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The Hunter, by Tana French

Title: The Hunter
Author: Tana French
Borrowed from DC Public Library
Started: 6/10/2024
Finished: 6/12/2024

Tana French is a fantastic writer.  This was just as good as everything else I've read, and I love the continuation of these Irish crime/drama stories.  

Friday, June 7, 2024

Don't Turn Around, by Harry Dolan

Title: Don't Turn Around
Author: Harry Dolan
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library, Audiobook
Started: 6/5/20204
Finished: 6/7/2024

My third book by Harry Dolan.  I really liked one (Man in the Crooked Hat), didn't like another too much (Bad Things Happen).  I'm in the middle with this one (Don't Turn Around), liked it but didn't love it.  The book does have some great red herrings and unexpected (and completely unrealistic, but of course you're hearing this from a guy who just finished two read-throughs of a series about a talking cat).  All in all, an enjoyable read.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

A Sincere Warning About The Entity In Your Home, by Jason Arnopp

Title: A Sincere Warning About The Entity In Your Home
Author: Jason Arnopp
Purchased from Amazon Kindle Edition
Started: 5/27/2024
Finished: 5/27/2024

Really a short story but recording it since it is sold as a stand-alone.  Not as good as I'd hoped, based on other things I've read by Arnopp.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden, by Denis Johnson

Title: The Largesse of the Sea Maiden
Author: Denis Johnson
Purchased from Audible 
Started: 5/20/2024
Finished: 5/23/2024

I've had this final Johnson book on my list for years.  I'm a big fan of Johnson and just kept putting off this final work.  Like Johnson's other writings, it's beautiful, funny, terrible -- he's just such a great writer.  

Thursday, May 16, 2024

For We are Many, by Dennis E. Taylor

Title: For We are Many
Author: Dennis E. Taylor
Purchased from Audible 
Started:5/14/2024
Finished: 5/16/2024

Book 2 in the Bobiverse series.  Still not sure how I feel about these.  Sometimes I'm really enjoying them, others I'm bored.  Since they're costing me money I'll probably take a break and see if I want to revisit.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

We are Legion (We are Bob), by Dennis E Taylor

Title: We are Legion (We are Bob)
Author: Dennis E Taylor 
Purchased from Amazon Kindle & Audiobook 
Started: 5/11/2024
Finished: 5/14/2024

I found Dungeon Crawler Carl via numerous Reddit postings praising that series and I fell in love immediately.  

These Bobiverse books are another series with tons of praise on reddit so I decided to give them a try.  Didn't love this first book, but it grew on me as I worked through it so I'll give the second a shot and decide from there.  

Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Exchange, by John Grisham

Title: The Exchange 
Author: John Grisham 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook 
Started: 5/10/2024
Finished: 5/12/2024

The follow up to The Firm.  The Firm was great, The Exchange was not.  

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Firm, by John Grisham

Title: The Firm
Author: John Grisham
Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook
Started: 5/6/2024
Finished: 5/8/2024

Haven't read this book since it was first published in 1991.  I know that was more than 30 years ago so some of what I'm going to say is obvious.  But since this is a blog for one, I might as well entertain that person (me).

First -- I was about 18 or so in 1991 and didn't know anything about law firms.  As it turned out, that's where I've spent my entire professional career (as a law librarian) but the firm/billing/retreats were all very similar to what my first law firm experience was like (I was there almost 20 years).  

Second -- while I'm aware of inflation, this book really brought it home, what it looks like over decades.  Top of his class Harvard grad is being recruited by DC/NY/Chicago firms.  Their salaries ranged between about $56,000 to $68,000.  And that is thought of as big money.  The Firm (in Memphis) is offering $80K which is get rich money.  The Firm's head librarian is paid the unheard of salary of $40,000 a year.  

Third -- interest rates for a home purchase are about 10% and the firm is offering a discount down to 7%.  This one was a bit easier for me since my student loans from the late 90s were in the 9% range.  But of course 7% rates now (2024) are considered high....

Anyway, to the book -- I enjoyed this a lot. Probably more than when it first came out.  But I'm 30 years older and have worked in law firms for 25+ years.  Decided on the re-read since Grisham wrote a follow up.  I don't expect it to be good, but wanted a refresh on the original.

Monday, May 6, 2024

A Haunting on the Hill, by Elizabeth Hand

Title: A Haunting on the Hill
Author: Elizabeth Hand
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 5/3/2024
Finished: 5/6/2024

Confession time -- when I finished book 6 in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, I tried to start another book but could not get into it.  Instead I started a re-read of all six books in the DCC series.  I read the whole thing again.

Once I finished book six for the second time, this new title had come through on my holds list for the public library.  

I've always loved the original The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.  I recently discovered Elizabeth Hand's novels and have enjoyed those quite a bit.  So this was a great fit for me, Hand revisiting Hill House.  I liked this book quite a bit.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride, by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride 
Author:  Matt Dinniman 
Purchased from Amazon Audible 
Started: 4/7/2024
Finished: 4/10/2024

Book six of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.  This book and the entire series is just so enjoyable. I blew through these in record time.  

Monday, April 8, 2024

The Butcher's Masquerade, by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Butcher's Masquerade 
Author: Matt Dinniman 
Purchased from Amazon Audible 
Started: 4/4/2024
Finished: 4/7/2024

Book 5 in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, super enjoyable, I hate that there is just one book left.  

Thursday, April 4, 2024

The Gate of the Feral Gods, by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Gate of the Feral Gods
Author: Matt Dinniman
Purchased from Amazon Audible
Started: 4/1/2024
Finished: 4/3/2024

Book 4 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, extremely fun stuff.  

Monday, April 1, 2024

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook
Author: Matt Dinniman
Purchased from Amazon Kindle Edition
Started: 3/29/20024
Finished: 4/1/2024

Book three in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.  Read this one instead of listening, fun continuation of this enjoyable series.

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Carl's Doomsday Scenario, by Matt Dinniman

Title: Carl's Doomsday Scenario
Author: Matt Dinniman
Purchased from Amazon Audible
Started: 3/28/2024
Finished: 3/29/2024

I devoured book 2 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series as quickly as the first, buying this one minutes after finishing the first book. 

Amazon wouldn't let me buy book 3 as an audiobook without subscribing to Audible so for book 3 I'm switching to the Kindle Edition. 

Book 2 was a lot of fun as a continuation of the first.  I doubt if any of these books work as a stand alone, but as a series it is the most fun I've had reading in a really long time.  Great stuff.  

Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl
Author: Matt Dinniman
Purchased from Amazon Audible
Started: 3/26/2024
Finished: 3/28/2024

This one has been recommended on various reddit boards I follow for years but I didn't think it was for me. I also don't have an audible subscription and if I was going to read i preferred to listen.  

Recently the audiobook was offered for cheap on Amazon so I bought it and listened.  This book is amazing.  

I ignored all other responsibilities for two days as I was lost in this book. When it was over I tried a different audiobook and lasted about 5 mins before I bought the next in the DCC series which was equally discounted on Amazon.  

Just a spectacular, silly, wonderful book. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The Hangman, by Louise Penny

Title:  The Hangman
Author: Louise Penny
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Short story/novella from the Three Pines series.  Not great.

Monday, March 25, 2024

Still Life, by Louise Penny

Title: Still Life
Author: Louise Penny
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 3/20/2024
Finished: 3/25/2024

First in the Three Pines/Inspector Gamache series.  Enjoyed it. 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexadre Dumas
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 3/12/2024
Finished: 3/17/2024

This is a book often recommended but also intimidating due to its volume.  I decided to start it when laid low with a bad cold, I'm sorry to say the cold has outlasted the book, since the book is as fantastic as everyone claimed.   

The cold rages on, miserably.  

Monday, March 11, 2024

The Chaos Agent, by Mark Greaney

Title:  The Chaos Agent
Author: Mark Greaney
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 3/5/20204
Finished: 3/11/2024

Another enjoyable entry in the Grey Man series.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Hard Light, by Elizabeth Hand

Title: Hard Light
Author: Elizabeth Hand
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started:  3/7/2024
Finished: 3/10/2024

Really enjoyed this book and the entire Cass Neary trilogy.  I see there is a 4th book so I'll probably try to track it down eventually. 

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Available Dark, by Elizabeth Hand

Title: Available Dark
Author: Elizabeth Hand 
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/24/2024
Finished: 3/1/2024

Second in the Cass Neary trilogy.  While I didn't love this as much as I did the first, it is still a great book and Cass is an intriguing protagonist.  Hand is a great writer -- can't believe I've missed her work for so long, o let knew her from her articles I. The Washington Post.  

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Sun Down Motel, by Simone St James

Title: The Sun Down Motel
Author: Simone St James
Paperback
Started: 2/1/2024
Finished: 2/28/2024

My wife and I grabbed this from a take one leave one library in DC to read to each other. Haunted murder plot sounded interesting. 

It wasn't interesting. Terrible book, we struggled to finish but finally did tonight.  

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Audition, by Ryu Murakami

Title: Audition
Author: Ryu Murakami
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/21/2024
Finished: 2/22/2024

A short, entertaining book with a brutal ending.  

Monday, February 19, 2024

Generation Loss, by Elizabeth Hand

Title: Generation Loss
Author: Elizabeth Hand
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/17/2024
Finished: 2/19/2024

Really enjoyed this one. 

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Wylding Hall, by Elizabeth Hand

Title: Wylding Hall
Author: Elizabeth Hand
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/14/2024
Finished: 2/15/2024

Enjoyable mocumentary book, kind of found footage.  Not scary, but atmospheric.  

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Lie Still, by Julia Heaberlin

Title: Lie Still
Author: Julia Heaberlin
Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/10/2024
Finished: 2/14/2024

I have read a couple of other Heaberlin books and really like them -- this one less so.  A decent thriller/beach read, but not as good as the other two I read.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

The Forgotten Man, by Robert Crais

Title: The Forgotten Man
Austor: Robert Crais
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/26/2024
Finished: 2/8/2024

First of these Cole/Pike books I struggled to finish. Could not get into this one, really dragged for me.  

Monday, February 5, 2024

Twas the Bite before Christmas, by David Rosenfelt

Title: Twas the Bite before Christmas
Author: David Rosenfelt
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/4/2024
Finished: 2/5/2024

Another simple but comforting Andy Carpenter book.  

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Fateful Mornings, by Tom Bouman

Title: Fateful Mornings
Author: Tom Bouman
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 2/1/204
Finished: 2/4/2024

Second book in a series, I read the first years ago and liked it.  Didn't love this one, but it wasn't terrible.  

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Daughters Unto Devils, by Amy Lukavics

Title: Daughters Unto Devils
Author: Amy Lukavics
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 1/27/2024
Finished: 1/30/2024

I wanted to like this more than I did.  It wasn't terrible, but felt very YA and my mind sometimes wandered as I listened to it.  Ending was unsettling though.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

The Last Devil to Die, by Richard Osman

Title: The Last Devil to Die
Author: Richard Osman
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/22/2024
Finished: 1/25/2024

Another charming entry in the Thursday Murder Club series -- maybe my favorite since the first book. I hope Osman has gotten rich from these books, they are really entertaining.  

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Mystic River, by Denis Lehane

Title: Mystic River
Author: Denis Lehane
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 1/21/2024
Finished: 1/24/2024

Really enjoyable, wanted to get through the book before finally watching the movie -- somehow never saw it.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

The Last Detective, by Robert Crais

Title: The Last Detective
Author: Robert Crais
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/19/2024
Finished: 1/21/2024

This was another great, intense, Cole & Pike novel.  

Thursday, January 18, 2024

LA Requiem, by Robert Crais

Title: LA Requiem
Author: Robert Crais
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started:  1/15/2024
Finished: 1/18/2024

Well this was an outstanding novel.  I've been really enjoying these Cole & Pike novels, but this one was on a whole other level.  

Monday, January 15, 2024

Indigo Slam, by Robert Crais

Title: Indigo Slam
Author Robert Crais
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/14/2024
Finished: 1/5/2024

Decent Cole & Pike novel. I had to skip one in the series, Sunset Express, because bizarrely the public library didn't have it in Kindle Edition, could only be read through Libby.  Didn't want to have to read it on my phone, but will eventually pick that one up. 

Friday, January 12, 2024

Voodoo River, by Robert Crais

Title: Voodoo River
Author: Robert Crais
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/9/2024
Finished: 1/12/2024

Another Cole & Pike novel. Enjoyed it, but I was pretty lost on the actual mystery going on.  

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Borges in 90 Minutes, by Paul Strathern

Title: Borges in 90 Minutes
Author: Paul Strathern
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 1/10/2024
Finished: 1/10/2024

Debated recording this here since so short, but what the hell. It was decent. 

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

The Haunted Forest Tour, by Moore & Strand

Title: The Haunted Forest Tour
Author: James Moore & Jeff Strand
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 1/6/2024
Finished: 1/9/2024

A lot of recommendations for this one on Reddit, I thought it was pretty terrible, but I finished it.

Monday, January 8, 2024

Free Fall, by Robert Crais

Title: Free Fall
Author: Robert Crais
Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/6/2024
Finished: 1/8/2024

I know I will regret blowing through these Cole & Pike novels so quickly, but I can't stop myself. Super enjoyable, if not very believable.  

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Lullaby Town, by Robert Crais

Title: Lullaby Town
Author: Robert Crais
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 1/4/2024
Finished: 1/6/2024

I am really enjoying these Cole & Pike novels, this was another great one.  Crais is clearly influenced by Robert Parker's Spenser novels, but these are a bit darker.   Really enjoyable.  

Friday, January 5, 2024

Flop Dead Gorgeous, by David Rosenfelt

Title: Flop Dead Gorgeous
Author: David Rosenfelt
Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library (Audiobook)
Started: 1/4/2024
Finished: 1/5/2024

Another Andy Carpenter book, mostly entertaining for a single running gag throughout.  Easy to know how this one would turn out, but I doubt anyone reads these books for the plot.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Gone by Dawn, by Tom Wood

Title: Gone by Dawn
Author: Tom Wood
Purchased from Amazon Kindle Edition
Started: 1/3/2024
Finished: 1/4/2024

Really just a short story, but part of the Victor the Assassin series and decent. 

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Santa's Little Yelpers, by David Rosenfelt

Title: Santas Little Yelpers
Author: David Rosenfelt
Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook
Started: 1/2/2024
Finished: 1/3/2024

Another Andy Carpenter book. Think I may have read this one before, but I didn't record it.  

Monday, January 1, 2024

There Will Be No More Good Nights, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: There Will Be No More Good Nights
Author: Laura Van Den Berg
Purchased from Amazon Kindle Edition
Started: 12/31/2023
Finished: 1/1/2024

My first book of 2024 from my Lit crush, Van Den Berg.  This collection read more like a writing exercise -- some extremely short stories, but as usual I really enjoyed them.