David Knapp Ph.D. (Author of Marathon Leadership)

David Knapp rated a book really liked it The Devil in the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, #11) by Vicki Delany (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As I've mentioned in previous reviews, this series features English transplant Gemma Doyle, who co-owns and manages the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium at 222 Baker Street in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts town of West London. (Her nonagenarian Gr ...more
Feb 24, 2026 03:58AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book really liked it Shadows in Bronze (Marcus Didius Falco, #2) by Lindsey Davis	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I mentioned in my review of the first book in this series ("The Silver Pigs") that - while I didn't love that work - I liked it enough to check out a few more in the series. And that started with entry #2, which picks up not long after the end of "Pi ...more
Feb 24, 2026 03:46AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book liked it Death of an Irish Mummy (The Dublin Driver Mysteries, #3) by Catie Murphy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As you know from my goodreads reviews, I'm a big fan of Irish writers and/or series set in Ireland. Over the years, I've read and reviewed books by Tana French, Adrian McKinty, Claire Keegan, and Carlene O'Connor. Like those authors, Ms. Murphy does ...more
Feb 13, 2026 07:26PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Death of an Irish Mummy by Catie Murphy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Death of an Irish Mummy by Catie Murphy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book it was amazing David Copperfield by Charles Dickens	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A few weeks ago, I was going to start Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead." But when I read the jacket description and discovered it was a modern retelling of this classic Dickens work, I decided to go back and read the original before I read King ...more
Feb 11, 2026 06:12AM · 1 like · like · see review
David Knapp rated a book it was amazing The Waters of Eternal Youth (Commissario Brunetti, #25) by Donna Leon	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I thought this 25th entry was the best yet in Ms. Leon's Commissario Brunetti series, which I've grown to love for a number of reasons: 1. Its setting: Venice is one of my favorite cities on Earth, and Ms. Leon does an incredible job of making the rea ...more
Feb 09, 2026 09:01PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Waters of Eternal Youth by Donna Leon. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Waters of Eternal Youth by Donna Leon <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book really liked it Moriarty Returns a Letter (Baker Street Letters, #4) by Michael Robertson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As I've mentioned in numerous reviews, I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes - both the original Arthur Conan Doyle canon and the numerous pastiches that have been written by other authors over the years. I'm also a fan of Vicki Delany's Gemma Doyle seri ...more
Feb 01, 2026 10:37AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Moriarty Returns a Letter by Michael Robertson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Moriarty Returns a Letter by Michael Robertson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book really liked it Not Dead Yet (A Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Mystery Book 14) by Jeffrey Siger (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Unlike the 13th entry in the Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series, this novel grabbed me from the start. And the only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the plot - especially the climax - pushed my suspended disbelief to its limits. But up t ...more
Jan 29, 2026 03:00AM · like · see review
David Knapp rated a book really liked it Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery by Larry Millett	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As I mentioned at the end of my review of “Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul,” I enjoyed rediscovering Shadwell Rafferty so much that I decided to go back and reread the other works by Larry Millett that feature the likeable St. Paul detective and his ...more
Jan 27, 2026 07:50AM · like · see review
David Knapp rated a book really liked it By its Cover (Commissario Guido Brunetti, #23) by Donna Leon	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As I mentioned in my review of the 24th entry in this series (“Falling in Love”), I somehow read that novel out of order. So, I went back and read this 23rd entry to get back on track. (And, yes, I finished three different books yesterday!) This was a ...more
Jan 24, 2026 09:15AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of By its Cover by Donna Leon. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — By its Cover by Donna Leon <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
David Knapp rated a book liked it The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I think my perception of this novel may have been tainted by what I've come to call "The Atomic Habits Effect." Let me explain... Over the years, I had heard such amazing things about James Clear's work that I couldn't wait to read it. My reaction to ...more
Jan 24, 2026 08:44AM · like · see review

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The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany

The Devil in the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, #11)
by Vicki Delany (Goodreads Author)

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As I've mentioned in previous reviews, this series features English transplant Gemma Doyle, who co-owns and manages the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium at 222 Baker Street in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts town of West London. (Her nonagenarian Gr As I've mentioned in previous reviews, this series features English transplant Gemma Doyle, who co-owns and manages the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium at 222 Baker Street in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts town of West London. (Her nonagenarian Great Uncle Arthur is the other owner, although he prefers traveling the world to running the day-to-day operations.)

Ms. Doyle (supposedly a distant relative of Sir Arthur Conan) is blessed with observation and deduction skills worthy of The Great Detective himself. She also is blessed with her own Watson - her friend Jayne Wilson, who just happens to own the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room. (Although it's not a literal comparison, given that Gemma - not Jane - narrates the tale.)

I've enjoyed the first ten books in the series to varying degrees. I don't think this was the best in the series, but it was really good.

If you regularly read my reviews, you know I avoid detailed plot summaries in them to prevent "spoilers." Instead, I stick to the book's jacket description. So, here's the one for this novel:

"The game is once again afoot in Vicki Delany’s 11th Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, when birthday festivities end in freezing cold murder.

Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to be a day marking not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away.

But the much-anticipated affair quickly turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance and other unruly guests. With drama at every corner, Gemma and Jayne take a break on the chilly deck overlooking the ocean when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below.

As Detective Ryan Ashburton takes a closer look at the guest list, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. With the police closing in and more lives on the line, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin."

Overall, Ms. Delany did a good job of developing the above plot into another fun entry in the series. And over the course of the 11 novels, I've grown to enjoy the exploits of Gemma, Jayne, Donald, Ryan, and the rest of the West London characters. So, I'll continue to read future entries in the series and try to appreciate them for what they are: fun, easy-to-read cozies. ...more

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Shadows in Bronze (Marcus Didius Falco, #2)
by Lindsey Davis

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I mentioned in my review of the first book in this series ("The Silver Pigs") that - while I didn't love that work - I liked it enough to check out a few more in the series. And that started with entry #2, which picks up not long after the end of "Pi ...more

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Death of an Irish Mummy (The Dublin Driver Mysteries, #3)
by Catie Murphy

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As you know from my goodreads reviews, I'm a big fan of Irish writers and/or series set in Ireland. Over the years, I've read and reviewed books by Tana French, Adrian McKinty, Claire Keegan, and Carlene O'Connor.

Like those authors, Ms. Murphy does As you know from my goodreads reviews, I'm a big fan of Irish writers and/or series set in Ireland. Over the years, I've read and reviewed books by Tana French, Adrian McKinty, Claire Keegan, and Carlene O'Connor.

Like those authors, Ms. Murphy does a terrific job of making her reader feel as if they are visiting the Emerald Isle thanks to her realistic and detailed descriptions. Also like those authors, she makes her settings more of a character than just a location - perhaps even the protagonist - because it drives so much of the plot and influences the characters so much.

Having said that, Ms. Murphy has some work to do in terms of catching up to the above-mentioned authors in my eyes. Don't get me wrong: this cozy mystery was good. In fact, I enjoyed it more than the first entry ("Dead in Dublin") - but not quite as much as the second ("Death on the Green"). And I will continue to read the series. But this third novel contained a few flaws that prevented me from giving it more stars.

The biggest flaw I thought was its plot. As you know, I don't go deeper than jacket summaries in these reviews to avoid spoilers. So, here's the one for this novel:

"Squiring a self-proclaimed heiress around Dublin has got limo driver Megan Malone’s Irish up—until she finds the woman dead . . .

American-born Cherise Williams believes herself to be heir to an old Irish earldom, and she’s come to Dublin to claim her heritage. Under the circumstances, Megan’s boss Olga at Leprechaun Limos has no qualms about overcharging the brash Texas transplant for their services. Megan chauffeurs Cherise to the ancient St. Michan’s Church, where the woman intends to get a wee little DNA sample from the mummified earls—much to the horror of the priest.

But before she can desecrate the dead, Cherise Williams is murdered—just as her three daughters arrive to also claim their birthright. With rumors of famine-era treasure on the lands owned by the old Williams family and the promise of riches for the heirs, greed seems a likely motive. But when Olga surprisingly becomes the Garda’s prime suspect, Megan attempts to steer the investigation away from her boss and solve the murder with the help of the dashing Detective Bourke. With a killer who’s not wrapped too tight, she’ll need to proceed with caution—or she could go from driving a limo to riding in a hearse..."

As was the case with "Dead in Dublin" and "Death on the Green," this plot was promising. However, it also mirrored the first two entries in that it ended up becoming incredibly complex and convoluted at times. There's just a lot going on - perhaps TOO much.

Also, I didn't think Ms. Murphy's writing was as crisp as it was in "Green." Or, perhaps I should blame her editor? I found a couple obvious mistakes in the book, and I thought she made references to a couple more things as if the reader should know what they related to. But neither my wife (who read it first) or I knew what she was talking about.

Still, I enjoyed her descriptions of Ireland, and her characters remain a real strength of her novels. I really love the ex-pat protagonist Megan - she's tough and sensitive, intelligent and empathetic, and attractive to (and apparently attracted by) both men and women. This apparent bisexuality is an interesting aspect of her character.

But it's not just Megan. I like the rest of the supporting characters, finding them to be well-written and engaging. So, I still recommend the series to fans of the cozy genre and look forward to reading and reviewing subsequent entries...I just wish the writing were more even at times. ...more

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David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens

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A few weeks ago, I was going to start Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead." But when I read the jacket description and discovered it was a modern retelling of this classic Dickens work, I decided to go back and read the original before I read King ...more

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The Waters of Eternal Youth by Donna Leon

The Waters of Eternal Youth (Commissario Brunetti, #25)
by Donna Leon

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I thought this 25th entry was the best yet in Ms. Leon's Commissario Brunetti series, which I've grown to love for a number of reasons:

1. Its setting: Venice is one of my favorite cities on Earth, and Ms. Leon does an incredible job of making the rea I thought this 25th entry was the best yet in Ms. Leon's Commissario Brunetti series, which I've grown to love for a number of reasons:

1. Its setting: Venice is one of my favorite cities on Earth, and Ms. Leon does an incredible job of making the reader feel as if they are visiting it while reading her books.

2. Its characters: Brunetti, his family, and the other recurring characters not only are well-written and engaging, but they continue to develop into full-dimensional characters as the series continues. With each novel, I have grown to love Brunetti's relationship with his wife and children. I have also grown to love the enigmatic Signorina Elettra as much - if not more - than even Brunetti!

3. Its plots: Ms. Leon is not one for neat, tidy, and happy endings. On the contrary, the novels document Brunetti's constant battle to maintain his dignity and sense of justice in the midst of Italy's famous culture of political corruption.

The fact that Ms. Leon does not provide tidy and/or happy endings can sometimes be frustrating as a reader. However, that was not the case with this entry. On the contrary, I was thrilled with how the author ended this novel.

As you know, I don't go deeply into plot details in these reviews to avoid spoilers. So, here's the jacket description for this novel:

"In Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series, the Venetian inspector has been called on to investigate many things, from shocking to petty crimes. But in 'The Waters of Eternal Youth,' the 25th novel in this celebrated series, Brunetti finds himself drawn into a case that may not be a case at all.

Fifteen years ago, a teenage girl fell into a canal late at night. Unable to swim, she went under and started to drown, only surviving thanks to a nearby man, an alcoholic, who heard her splashes and pulled her out, though not before she suffered irreparable brain damage that left her in a state of permanent childhood, unable to learn or mature. The drunk man claimed he saw her thrown into the canal by another man, but the following day he couldn’t remember a thing.

Now, at a fundraising dinner for a Venetian charity, a wealthy and aristocratic patroness—the girl’s grandmother—asks Brunetti if he will investigate. Brunetti’s not sure what to do. If a crime was committed, it would surely have passed the statute of limitations. But out of a mixture of curiosity, pity, and a willingness to fulfill the wishes of a guilt-wracked older woman, who happens to be his mother-in-law’s best friend, he agrees.

Brunetti soon finds himself unable to let the case rest, if indeed there is a case. Awash in the rhythms and concerns of contemporary Venetian life, from historical preservation, to housing, to new waves of African migrants, and the haunting story of a woman trapped in a damaged perpetual childhood, 'The Waters of Eternal Youth' is another wonderful addition to this series."

This plot is both intriguing and touching. And as I mentioned above, I loved the ending. In fact, I would have been outraged if Ms. Leon had ended it as she has so many of her other novels by allowing the guilty party to get away with it due to Italian corruption and/or inefficiency. I won't go deeper than that to avoid a spoiler, but it was both a beautiful and satisfying climax and denouement.

So, I was happy to give it a five-star rating. And I look forward to continuing this terrific series. ...more

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Moriarty Returns a Letter by Michael Robertson

Moriarty Returns a Letter (Baker Street Letters, #4)
by Michael Robertson

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As I've mentioned in numerous reviews, I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes - both the original Arthur Conan Doyle canon and the numerous pastiches that have been written by other authors over the years. I'm also a fan of Vicki Delany's Gemma Doyle seri As I've mentioned in numerous reviews, I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes - both the original Arthur Conan Doyle canon and the numerous pastiches that have been written by other authors over the years. I'm also a fan of Vicki Delany's Gemma Doyle series, which is inspired by the Great Detective - but not a true pastiche series.

This series is similar. Set in modern London and definitely inspired by Sherlock Holmes, it features brothers Reggie and Nigel Heath. Their law offices now occupy 221b Baker St., which means they receive mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes. Furthermore, their lease requires them to respond to those letters, albeit through a stock response.

It's an interesting premise for a series, which is why I purchased and read the first entry in it ("The Baker Street Letters") years ago - and just recently reread and reviewed it here on goodreads. Overall, I liked, not loved, that novel, giving it three stars.

I also gave the second entry in the series ("The Brothers of Baker Street") three stars, although if 3.5 stars were an option, I would have increased my rating to that. However, that wasn't an option. So, I stuck with three stars - even though I was tempted to give it four.

The third entry in the series ("The Baker St. Translation") finally made the leap to a four-star review. So did this fourth entry.

As you know, I don't go deeply into plots in my reviews to avoid spoilers. But here's the jacket description for this novel:

"Michael Robertson has delighted mystery readers and Sherlock Holmes aficionados everywhere with his charming and innovative Baker Street mystery series, where brothers Reggie and Nigel Heath are charged with answering letters to Holmes that arrive at their law office, located at 221B Baker Street.

Now, Reggie and Nigel are back in a case that would confound even Sherlock himself. An exhibition of vintage Sherlock Holmes letters has opened at the Marylebone Hotel. As Reggie and his beloved Laura embark on a pre-wedding trip, someone from Reggie and Nigel’s past—someone whom they thought was long gone—reappears, causing a whole slew of new problems for the brothers. Written with Robertson’s characteristic charm, 'Moriarty Returns a Letter' is a standout mystery in a much-loved series, perfect for fans of the smash hit television shows 'Sherlock' and 'Elementary.'

Overall, this was a creative plot. I especially liked how it jumped back and forth in time to establish the background plot. About the only criticism I can make of it is that parts of it pushed the limits of my suspended disbelief.

Still, I very much enjoyed this novel. I've grown to really like Reggie, Laura, and the rest of the supporting characters. And as mentioned above, I love the entire premise for the series, which means I'll definitely read and review the remaining entries in it. ...more

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Not Dead Yet (A Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Mystery Book 14)
by Jeffrey Siger (Goodreads Author)

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Unlike the 13th entry in the Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series, this novel grabbed me from the start. And the only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the plot - especially the climax - pushed my suspended disbelief to its limits. But up t ...more

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Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery
by Larry Millett

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As I mentioned at the end of my review of “Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul,” I enjoyed rediscovering Shadwell Rafferty so much that I decided to go back and reread the other works by Larry Millett that feature the likeable St. Paul detective and his As I mentioned at the end of my review of “Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul,” I enjoyed rediscovering Shadwell Rafferty so much that I decided to go back and reread the other works by Larry Millett that feature the likeable St. Paul detective and his sidekick Thomas. In some of those works, Holmes and Watson are featured as well – making them true pastiches of the Arthur Conan Doyle canon.

Obviously, I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes - both the original canon and the numerous pastiches that have been written by other authors over the years. Some of the pastiches I read are so good they easily could pass as one of Conan Doyle's creations. Others, however, just don't capture the voice, feel, plot, setting, etc. of the original canon works.

This novel by Millett, like his other pastiches, definitely belongs in the former category of canon-worthy works.

Once again, Millett does a terrific job of capturing ACD's voice. Unlike some of the pastiches I've reviewed over the years, this one sounds like it could be part of the original canon in terms of the dialogue between Holmes and Watson. So, kudos to the author for that.

The author also created a plot worthy of the canon. As you know, I don't go deeply into plots in my reviews to avoid spoilers. But here's the jacket description:

"Sherlock Holmes and John H. Watson, M.D., have been summoned on two occasions by James J. Hill, St. Paul's leading magnate, to investigate Minnesota's most dastardly crimes, as recounted brilliantly in 'Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon' and 'Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace.' Many Baker Street devotees have been surprised to learn that Holmes and Watson ever 'crossed the pond,' but in fact a third trip - again to the land of lakes and arctic winters - has now come to light. As recounted enthrallingly in 'Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery,' this case finds the famous pair engaged not by a magnate by by royalty: King Oskar II of Sweden. The king has heard of a rare Viking treasure and hopes Holmes can use his expertise in rune stone carvings to render an opinion on a mysterious stone dug up by a western Minnesota farmer.

Before the celebrated detective can attempt to authenticate this fabulous find, though, the hapless farmer is murdered and the stone vanishes. In this singular case, Holmes's soaring imagination is complemented by the talent for 'discreet investigations' exhibited by Irish saloon keeper Shadwell Rafferty in the Ice Palace case. Rotund and rollicking, sharp as a St. Paul wind and rough as his own old leather boots, Rafferty accompanies the great detective through a maze of intrigue and villainy on a hunt for a rune stone, a murderer, and the archeological truth."

As was the case with "Red Demon" and "Ice Palace," this novel was not just a Holmes pastiche - it was a great piece of historical fiction that drew on actual events in 19th-century St. Minnesota. So, it was the best of both worlds: a great pastiche and an educational work of historical fiction.

Interestingly, I have previously read this work a couple of times and didn't remember liking it as much as I did this time. The plot has a few more holes than those of his first two pastiches, which is why I think four stars is more appropriate than five. Overall, however, I enjoyed this reread and look forward to finishing Millett's pastiches throughout 2026. ...more

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By its Cover (Commissario Guido Brunetti, #23)
by Donna Leon

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As I mentioned in my review of the 24th entry in this series (“Falling in Love”), I somehow read that novel out of order. So, I went back and read this 23rd entry to get back on track. (And, yes, I finished three different books yesterday!)

This was a As I mentioned in my review of the 24th entry in this series (“Falling in Love”), I somehow read that novel out of order. So, I went back and read this 23rd entry to get back on track. (And, yes, I finished three different books yesterday!)

This was another solid novel in this series, which I've grown to love for a number of reasons:

1. Its setting: Venice is one of my favorite cities on Earth, and Ms. Leon does an incredible job of making the reader feel as if they are visiting it while reading her books.

2. Its characters: Brunetti, his family, and the other recurring characters not only are well-written and engaging, but they continue to develop into full-dimensional characters as the series continues. With each novel, I have grown to love Brunetti's relationship with his wife and children. I have also grown to love the enigmatic Signorina Elettra as much - if not more - than even Brunetti!

3. Its plots: Ms. Leon is not one for neat, tidy, and happy endings. On the contrary, the novels document Brunetti's constant battle to maintain his dignity and sense of justice in the midst of Italy's famous culture of political corruption.

The fact that Ms. Leon does not provide tidy and/or happy endings can sometimes be frustrating as a reader. However, that was not the case with this entry.

As you know, I don't go deeply into plot details in these reviews to avoid spoilers. So, here's the jacket description for this novel:

"One afternoon, Commissario Guido Brunetti gets a frantic call from the director of a prestigious Venetian library. Someone has stolen pages out of several rare books. After a round of questioning, the case seems clear: the culprit must be the man who requested the volumes, an American professor from a Kansas university. The only problem--the man fled the library earlier that day, and after checking his credentials, the American professor doesn't exist.

As the investigation proceeds, the suspects multiply. And when a seemingly harmless theologian, who had spent years reading at the library turns up brutally murdered, Brunetti must question his expectations about what makes a man innocent, or guilty."

Unlike some of her novels, Ms. Leon actually provided a satisfying conclusion to this novel in terms of justice being served. I won't go any deeper than that to avoid a spoiler, but it was nice to see Brunetti not be foiled by Italy's unique sense of legal justice (i.e., corruption). I do have to say, however, that the ending is abrupt. I turned the page expecting more of a denouement, only to discover that that was it.

Also, this novel moved at a faster clip than many of her other novels in the series. And although there were a few moments where the plot dragged, I think it deserved my four-star rating. ...more

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The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author)

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I think my perception of this novel may have been tainted by what I've come to call "The Atomic Habits Effect." Let me explain...

Over the years, I had heard such amazing things about James Clear's work that I couldn't wait to read it. My reaction to ...more

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