*A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Armand
Gamache and his wife celebrating their
wedding anniversary at the remote, luxurious Manoir Bellechasse. True to form,
this classic drawing room mystery rich, cultured, and respectable family
arriving for a celebration of their own.
One of them I murdered and most of them can be considered suspects. Penny’s trademark lyrical descriptions and
people and places, sumptuous means and sly clues lead to satisfying resolution
of multiple mysteries.
The Marriage Artist by Andrew Winer is an introspective
analysis of the aftermath of the double suicides of an art critic’s wife and protégé, who were suspected to be
lovers, Daniel Lichtmann evaluates how his career and choices have been
influenced by World War II, the Jewish culture and a talented young ketubah
artist. Highly recommended by a good friend, but a bit too much Judicia and introspective
for me.
The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli, best-selling author
of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
presents an almost accessible exploration of the nature of time. Rovelli
challenges assumptions that time is linear or even measurable while explaining
the critical role of perception. According to The Sunday Times, “The
Order of Time is a dazzling
book." I needed to be smarter to grasp much of the well-written prose.
*The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah is set in the Post-Vietnam and
follows a girl coping with the dangers of an alcoholic father, domestic
violence and the harsh realities of living off the grid in Northern Alaska. Descriptions of the wild natural beauty are
nicely done and the extreme dangers of life on the “last frontier” are
intriguing, but the tale of star-crossed lovers has been told often and more
convincingly.
*Lincoln’s Last Trial:
The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency by Dan Abrams recreates Abraham
Lincoln's last (of 25) murder trial-- as he defends the son of a close friend
and loyal supporter. It attracts national attention because there is
speculation that he might run for the presidency and the added publicity
generated by the transcribed proceedings provided by pioneer stenographer and
future congressman, Robert R. Hitt.
Sometimes tedious, but useful insight into the practice of law before
the Civil War.
-Exit Strategy
by Charlton Pettus got a good recommendation by the NYT, but I don’t know why. The
brilliant founder of a financially ruined tech startup uses a secretive
organization to stage his death, create a new identity and help him escape all
his problems. With a dizzying variety of
setbacks, double crosses, unbelievable coincidences, improbable characters and
disjointed scenes, the book lumbers to a lame conclusion.
**Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman "brings...wit, timing and intelligence to this novel." (NYTimes). With unpredictable characters, wry voices, excellent pacing, and plot twists, this may not be great literature but is an engaging, enjoyable read about a young couple who embark on a dream honey to Bora Bora where that make a discovery that will change both their lives. "This capivating if credulity-stretching debut marks Downton Abbey alum Steadman as a new writer to watch."
**Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman "brings...wit, timing and intelligence to this novel." (NYTimes). With unpredictable characters, wry voices, excellent pacing, and plot twists, this may not be great literature but is an engaging, enjoyable read about a young couple who embark on a dream honey to Bora Bora where that make a discovery that will change both their lives. "This capivating if credulity-stretching debut marks Downton Abbey alum Steadman as a new writer to watch."
