Mystery/Suspense
Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths (2022). Harbinder Kaur, now a Detective Inspector for the CID, is newly arrived in London and sharing a flat with two strangers when she gets her first big homicide case. It’s lucky I like this series because I just read that Griffiths’ next book about Ruth Galloway will be the last one! My review.
The Whistler by John Grisham (2016) audio & The Judge's List by John Grisham (2021) audio. I really enjoyed this two-book series featuring Lacy Stoltz, an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, which pursues corrupt judges. The first book involves a judge being paid off by a casino – if Lacy can stay alive long enough to prove it – and the second is about a judge alleged to have committed multiple murders.
Historical Fiction
If Love Comes by Gladys Malvern. In this historical novel set in early 19th century California, Magdalena is the innocent cause of her mother's death in childbirth causing her father to think she is possessed by the devil. She is followed by tragedy and shunned by those around her, but she yearns for great love and acceptance. My review.
Contemporary Romance
One Month of You by Suzanne Ewart (2023). In this sappy and repetitive story, Jess has been diagnosed with Huntington's disease, which she inherited from her mother, so she is afraid to get involved with handsome bartender Alec.
Set on You by Amy Lea (2022). Fitness instructor Crystal Chen has learned to love her curves and ignore the trolls on social media but when she gets involved with a handsome firefighter she meets at the gym, she is stung by those who wonder what he sees in her.
Memoir
The Secret Life of Dorothy Soames by Justine Soames (2021). Justine never understood her mother and their troubled relationship but after her mother died, she learned Dorothy had grown up at London’s troubled Foundling Hospital. My review.
YA Historical
Juvenile Historical
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss (1990). This historical novel was based on the author’s childhood experience hiding with her sister from the Nazis in Holland during WWII. My review.
The Black Riders by Violet Needham (1939). A Ruritanian adventure featuring the mysteriously named Far Away Moses, who needs Dick’s help to escape from a troop of Black Riders. Count Jasper is the Governor of the Citadel and leader of the Black Riders, pursuing Far Away Moses and trying to persuade young Dick to betray his friends. Sentimental but well done!
Juvenile Fantasy
2 comments:
I may try the Matthew Venn series by Ann Cleeves since you recommend it. I did not mind that she killed off a character but I did not read past that book in the series. I do like the Vera series but I have not read many of them.
Regarding Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti series, I read Death at La Fenice back in 2011. Then I read the third book in the series earlier this year and I did like that one a lot. I plan to continue the series, especially since I have a good number of the books. But there is the problem of too many good books to read so I can understand if you are not motivated to continue. In the last book I read I liked the main character a lot, and he prepared a delicious simple meal for himself I want to try (his family was away in the country). I liked the mention of reading (by various characters).
I have read the first two Matthew Venn mysteries by Ann Cleeves and loved them both as well the TV series they inspired. Eager to read book 3.
I am such a Guido Brunetti fan that I have started rereading the series and have the Brunetti cookbook and a guide to Venice based on the locations in the novels. Actually I think Death at La Venice was even better the second time round because I knew all the main characters in Guido's life and so it was almost like reminiscing!
Happy Holidays!
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