I loved the John Rebus books and TV shows. But Rebus retired.
Malcolm Fox is another character invented by Rankin from the same Edinburgh police force. But I find him not nearly as compelling.
Still, Rankin is a superb writer. This book is well worth reading.
Detective Inspector Malcolm Fox works in the Complaints and Conduct Department of Lothian and Borders Police, members of which are invariably treated with suspicion and hostility by regular police officers. …
After just finishing two HORROR novels by Karin Slaughter, it was a relief to follow the family friendly historical fiction of Harry Clifton growing up to become a soldier in WW II.
England and America.
Archer is a great story teller.
It’s one of a 7 part series but I’m not intrigued enough to read the entire thing.
I did finish this book. … But can’t recommend it.
It’s too dark. Too sad. It’s a hard read. And it’s long.
Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn’s happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father — Pikeville’s notorious defense attorney — devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.
Twenty-eight years later, Charlie has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lawyer herself — the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again—and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized—Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it’s a case that unleashes the terrible memories she’s spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won’t stay buried forever . . .
Sadly I’m running out of Michael Connelly novels. This one from the early days when Harry was darker was excellent, as usual.
A Darkness More Than Night (2001) is the tenth novel by American crime author Michael Connelly; it is the seventh featuring the Los Angeles detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, and the second featuring FBI profiler Terry McCaleb, with reporter Jack McEvoy (The Poet) also making an appearance in a supporting role. …
Harry is being framed for murder by a movie director.
The story seems so familiar that I’m sure the plot was used in the TV series.
I spend a lot of time in libraries. They are good. But could be much better.
Eric Klinenberg spent a year researching libraries for his book Palaces for the People.
How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life
Social infrastructure is the glue that binds communities together, and it is just as real as the infrastructure for water, power, or communications, although it’s often harder to see.
But Eric Klinenberg says that when we invest in social infrastructures such as libraries, parks, or schools, we reap all kinds of benefits. We become more likely to interact with people around us, and connected to the broader public. If we neglect social infrastructure, we tend to grow more isolated, which can have serious consequences.
I heard Klinenberg interviewed on the 99% Invisible podcast. His argument was compelling.
I’d love to see libraries expand their programs. Increase the hours they are open.
Libraries are unofficial sanctuaries for street people, at least during daylight. That should be formalized.
Libraries could be much, much better.
Loved it. Especially the ending.
It was nice to see a female protagonist. I found Mercer Mann to be quite believable.
I’ve put library holds on more Grisham books for the future.
Camino Island (2017) is a departure from Grisham’s main subject of legal thrillers and focuses on stolen rare books. Grisham made his first extensive book tour in 25 years ….
The book begins with the theft of five rare F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts from the Firestone Library at Princeton University and then embarks on a journey to a resort town on a Florida island in search of clues about the heist …
The Whistler (2016) is a legal thriller with a female protagonist, investigator Lacy Stoltz.
The plot centers on the legal and moral problems involved in Native American gaming. …
Lacy’s a lawyer working for the 7 person Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. They investigate complaints about judges.
The story is interesting.
Grisham is always good. But this book I found slightly too complicated. And a little slow.
NY Times review: “… Without exactly being repetitious, he makes this story longer than it has to be …”
