WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS (LegalThril-Avery Keene-Washington, D.C.-Contemp) – Standalone-Stacey Abrams Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk for the legendary Justice Howard Wynn, is doing her best to hold her life together. When the shocking news breaks that Justice Wynn—the cantankerous swing vote on many current high-profile cases—has slipped into a coma, Avery’s life turns upside down.
Christine – VG – Adores Stacy Abrams. The mother was a piece of work, but she loved it in spite of the book being too long. Dianne – Good - This book was interesting but too long and required major suspension of disbelief regarding the Superwoman skills of the main character. The book suffers from trying to be too clever. The contrast between the young woman’s achievements and her mother’s status as a drug addict who constantly compromises the daughter’s legal, ethical, and social status does make the characters more interesting than the often cardboard figures in many murder mysteries. This book could have used more editing. On the other hand, Ms. Abrams shows she can write mysteries as well as practice politics. Don – G+ - The protagonist makes it work. Wonderful how Abrams ever had the time to write the book. She's so good that you "may" overlook the glitches in story development & plausibility. Gabriel – G- It was fairly good, so I'm rounding up to a Good. It held my interest, with an engaging protagonist, and fairly interesting other characters. Justice Wynn was memorable, if unlikable. I wouldn't call it exciting though. When it comes to the law and congressional hearings, I assume she really knows what she's talking about. Ginny – VG - The plot was fascinating and original as a political thriller and held my interest throughout the book. The main character, Avery, was annoying. For all of her Ivy League education and working as law clerk for the US Justice Department, she made some stupid decisions. What I especially liked was Avery’s band of players. Avery's eidetic memory served as a chess piece in understanding the sheer brilliance of her boss who used incredible tactics to bring down the bad guys. The well-developed characters, pace, and the inner workings of the Federal Government held my attention and made me homesick. Helen – DNF - I think I got to page 8 or 9 before thinking, "I can't do this one." This sounds awful, but I don't want a fun read to be full of 4-syllable words and politics. There wasn't anything to make me keep going: not the characters, not the plot (such as it was then), not the hope that things would get better (based on the book summary). This book is just not for me. DNF. Kathy J – VG – Really enjoyed it. There were a few TSTL elements, though. Linda F. - Good - The thriller aspect definitely works. I also liked and identified with protagonist Avery Keene. Yet I think this book was too complex. When you juggle too many balls in the air, the chances of one them falling increases. There was also a plot twist late in the novel that bothered me. It contravened known congressional procedures. Marcy – VG - I prefer to read my books, not listen to them, but as this was available from Libby as an audible, not otherwise, I listened to it while I painted my bathrooms. I loved it! I'm amazed at the never ending talent of Stacy Abrams! I love the way she paints a picture with her words! Nancy – VG+ - The book taught her about the law although it was unrealistic. She was all in on Team Avery. Ron – VG+ - Sometimes you have to suspend belief, but he liked the character and the writing. The judge was the most strange and his second wife.
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS (TradMys/Cozy-D.S. Harbinder Kaur-Leeds, England-Contemp) 2nd in series – Elly Griffiths Peggy Smith is 90-years-old so her death isn't startling, except to her caregiver Natalka Kolisnyk. It is not the number of crime novels in Peggy's room that was surprising, but that almost all of them were dedicated to Peggy.
Dianne – Good - Not sure why I handwrote this book title on my list. So I ended up reading 4 books for February. I enjoyed this book set in Scotland. It was a bit convoluted and at one point it looked like the author was creating a red herring and changing her mind about who done it. In the end, it was a bit too cozy and a tad twee. But it was enjoyable and had some pretty well-developed characters. Helen - Not bad. The characters were interesting, well-developed, and believable, although I didn't have a character I was rooting for. I definitely figured out who the murderer was well ahead of the reveal, although there was a twist that I missed. There were a lot of threads in this story that came together pretty well at the end. The pacing was good, and I appreciated the perspective shift among the characters. The romances weren't really believable and seem forced in, but, hey, B story gotta be there. Overall, it kept me entertained, but this is definitely a book you finish and return to the library or leave on the plane or in a hotel room for someone else to read. I give it a Good for entertainment value. Nancy – VG - Very Good. I enjoyed the book because it taught me a lot about the law and because it felt like a proper, tangled mystery. Almost all of its characters were well drawn, although one or two of the FBI agents felt a bit wooden, as though they came straight out of Dragnet. I enjoyed the book’s plot and the interactions between Avery, Ling, Noah and Justice Wynn as well as Avery’s relationship with Jared, who was so clearly destined to become her romantic partner. However, I did have an issue with Avery’s character being too much of an intellectual superhero complete with almost a never wavering and supreme self confidence. She was always the leader and her colleague’s trust in her never wavered. And really, who could have possibly performed as well as she did in her first time arguing a case before the Supreme Court, particularly without extensive support and preparation? But I still rooted for Avery all the way!
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
RULES OF PREY (PolProc-Lt. Lucas Davenport-Minneapolis, MN-Contemp) – 1st in series – John Sandford The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep the police befuddled.
Dianne – Good - Not sure why I handwrote this book title on my list. So I ended up reading 4 books for February. I enjoyed this book set in Scotland. It was a bit convoluted and at one point it looked like the author was creating a red herring and changing her mind about who done it. In the end, it was a bit too cozy and a tad twee. But it was enjoyable and had some pretty well-developed characters. Helen - Not bad. The characters were interesting, well-developed, and believable, although I didn't have a character I was rooting for. I definitely figured out who the murderer was well ahead of the reveal, although there was a twist that I missed. There were a lot of threads in this story that came together pretty well at the end. The pacing was good, and I appreciated the perspective shift among the characters. The romances weren't really believable and seem forced in, but, hey, B story gotta be there. Overall, it kept me entertained, but this is definitely a book you finish and return to the library or leave on the plane or in a hotel room for someone else to read. I give it a Good for entertainment value. Nancy – VG - Very Good. I enjoyed the book because it taught me a lot about the law and because it felt like a proper, tangled mystery. Almost all of its characters were well drawn, although one or two of the FBI agents felt a bit wooden, as though they came straight out of Dragnet. I enjoyed the book’s plot and the interactions between Avery, Ling, Noah and Justice Wynn as well as Avery’s relationship with Jared, who was so clearly destined to become her romantic partner. However, I did have an issue with Avery’s character being too much of an intellectual superhero complete with almost a never wavering and supreme self confidence. She was always the leader and her colleague’s trust in her never wavered. And really, who could have possibly performed as well as she did in her first time arguing a case before the Supreme Court, particularly without extensive support and preparation? But I still rooted for Avery all the way!
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
WAKING THE TIGER (PolProc-Insp. Maximo Betancourt-Singapore-1930s) – 1st book – Mark Wightman Inspector Maximo Betancourt is working a new beat, one he didn’t ask for. Following the disappearance of his wife, his life and career have fallen apart. When a beautiful, unidentified Japanese woman is found murdered in the shadow of a warehouse owned by one of Singapore’s most powerful families, Betancourt defies orders and pursues those responsible.
Dianne – VG - This book offers a glimpse of Singapore as Japan flexes its imperial might in Asia, while England and Germany near the brink of WWII. Any book about the late 1930’s in the era before the US became involved in the war is always interesting. Not knowing much about Singapore and its history, I found the book very informative. The characters were well developed and it was rather realistic that the perpetrator of the murder goes free. The fact that the missing wife of the detective is not found by the end of the book offers the exciting prospect of more adventures with Inspector Betancourt. Don – DNR - Slow Ginny – TBD – She's still plowing through but she feels as though she's sitting on a roller coaster s-l-o-w-l-y inching upwards anticipating the top but the top keeps getting further away. Very Hitchcock! Well, it's early pages yet, and she will continue to read.
Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk for the legendary Justice Howard Wynn, is doing her best to hold her life together. When the shocking news breaks that Justice Wynn—the cantankerous swing vote on many current high-profile cases—has slipped into a coma, Avery’s life turns upside down.
Christine – VG – Adores Stacy Abrams. The mother was a piece of work, but she loved it in spite of the book being too long.
Dianne – Good - This book was interesting but too long and required major suspension of disbelief regarding the Superwoman skills of the main character. The book suffers from trying to be too clever. The contrast between the young woman’s achievements and her mother’s status as a drug addict who constantly compromises the daughter’s legal, ethical, and social status does make the characters more interesting than the often cardboard figures in many murder mysteries. This book could have used more editing. On the other hand, Ms. Abrams shows she can write mysteries as well as practice politics.
Don – G+ - The protagonist makes it work. Wonderful how Abrams ever had the time to write the book. She's so good that you "may" overlook the glitches in story development & plausibility.
Gabriel – G- It was fairly good, so I'm rounding up to a Good. It held my interest, with an engaging protagonist, and fairly interesting other characters. Justice Wynn was memorable, if unlikable. I wouldn't call it exciting though. When it comes to the law and congressional hearings, I assume she really knows what she's talking about.
Ginny – VG - The plot was fascinating and original as a political thriller and held my interest throughout the book. The main character, Avery, was annoying. For all of her Ivy League education and working as law clerk for the US Justice Department, she made some stupid decisions. What I especially liked was Avery’s band of players. Avery's eidetic memory served as a chess piece in understanding the sheer brilliance of her boss who used incredible tactics to bring down the bad guys. The well-developed characters, pace, and the inner workings of the Federal Government held my attention and made me homesick.
Helen – DNF - I think I got to page 8 or 9 before thinking, "I can't do this one." This sounds awful, but I don't want a fun read to be full of 4-syllable words and politics. There wasn't anything to make me keep going: not the characters, not the plot (such as it was then), not the hope that things would get better (based on the book summary). This book is just not for me. DNF.
Kathy J – VG – Really enjoyed it. There were a few TSTL elements, though.
Linda F. - Good - The thriller aspect definitely works. I also liked and identified with protagonist Avery Keene. Yet I think this book was too complex. When you juggle too many balls in the air, the chances of one them falling increases. There was also a plot twist late in the novel that bothered me. It contravened known congressional procedures.
Marcy – VG - I prefer to read my books, not listen to them, but as this was available from Libby as an audible, not otherwise, I listened to it while I painted my bathrooms. I loved it! I'm amazed at the never ending talent of Stacy Abrams! I love the way she paints a picture with her words!
Nancy – VG+ - The book taught her about the law although it was unrealistic. She was all in on Team Avery.
Ron – VG+ - Sometimes you have to suspend belief, but he liked the character and the writing. The judge was the most strange and his second wife.
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS (TradMys/Cozy-D.S. Harbinder Kaur-Leeds, England-Contemp) 2nd in series – Elly Griffiths
Peggy Smith is 90-years-old so her death isn't startling, except to her caregiver Natalka Kolisnyk. It is not the number of crime novels in Peggy's room that was surprising, but that almost all of them were dedicated to Peggy.
Dianne – Good - Not sure why I handwrote this book title on my list. So I ended up reading 4 books for February. I enjoyed this book set in Scotland. It was a bit convoluted and at one point it looked like the author was creating a red herring and changing her mind about who done it. In the end, it was a bit too cozy and a tad twee. But it was enjoyable and had some pretty well-developed characters.
Helen - Not bad. The characters were interesting, well-developed, and believable, although I didn't have a character I was rooting for. I definitely figured out who the murderer was well ahead of the reveal, although there was a twist that I missed. There were a lot of threads in this story that came together pretty well at the end. The pacing was good, and I appreciated the perspective shift among the characters. The romances weren't really believable and seem forced in, but, hey, B story gotta be there. Overall, it kept me entertained, but this is definitely a book you finish and return to the library or leave on the plane or in a hotel room for someone else to read. I give it a Good for entertainment value.
Nancy – VG - Very Good. I enjoyed the book because it taught me a lot about the law and because it felt like a proper, tangled mystery. Almost all of its characters were well drawn, although one or two of the FBI agents felt a bit wooden, as though they came straight out of Dragnet. I enjoyed the book’s plot and the interactions between Avery, Ling, Noah and Justice Wynn as well as Avery’s relationship with Jared, who was so clearly destined to become her romantic partner. However, I did have an issue with Avery’s character being too much of an intellectual superhero complete with almost a never wavering and supreme self confidence. She was always the leader and her colleague’s trust in her never wavered. And really, who could have possibly performed as well as she did in her first time arguing a case before the Supreme Court, particularly without extensive support and preparation? But I still rooted for Avery all the way!
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
RULES OF PREY (PolProc-Lt. Lucas Davenport-Minneapolis, MN-Contemp) – 1st in series – John Sandford
The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep the police befuddled.
Dianne – Good - Not sure why I handwrote this book title on my list. So I ended up reading 4 books for February. I enjoyed this book set in Scotland. It was a bit convoluted and at one point it looked like the author was creating a red herring and changing her mind about who done it. In the end, it was a bit too cozy and a tad twee. But it was enjoyable and had some pretty well-developed characters.
Helen - Not bad. The characters were interesting, well-developed, and believable, although I didn't have a character I was rooting for. I definitely figured out who the murderer was well ahead of the reveal, although there was a twist that I missed. There were a lot of threads in this story that came together pretty well at the end. The pacing was good, and I appreciated the perspective shift among the characters. The romances weren't really believable and seem forced in, but, hey, B story gotta be there. Overall, it kept me entertained, but this is definitely a book you finish and return to the library or leave on the plane or in a hotel room for someone else to read. I give it a Good for entertainment value.
Nancy – VG - Very Good. I enjoyed the book because it taught me a lot about the law and because it felt like a proper, tangled mystery. Almost all of its characters were well drawn, although one or two of the FBI agents felt a bit wooden, as though they came straight out of Dragnet. I enjoyed the book’s plot and the interactions between Avery, Ling, Noah and Justice Wynn as well as Avery’s relationship with Jared, who was so clearly destined to become her romantic partner. However, I did have an issue with Avery’s character being too much of an intellectual superhero complete with almost a never wavering and supreme self confidence. She was always the leader and her colleague’s trust in her never wavered. And really, who could have possibly performed as well as she did in her first time arguing a case before the Supreme Court, particularly without extensive support and preparation? But I still rooted for Avery all the way!
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: Good
WAKING THE TIGER (PolProc-Insp. Maximo Betancourt-Singapore-1930s) – 1st book – Mark Wightman
Inspector Maximo Betancourt is working a new beat, one he didn’t ask for. Following the disappearance of his wife, his life and career have fallen apart. When a beautiful, unidentified Japanese woman is found murdered in the shadow of a warehouse owned by one of Singapore’s most powerful families, Betancourt defies orders and pursues those responsible.
Dianne – VG - This book offers a glimpse of Singapore as Japan flexes its imperial might in Asia, while England and Germany near the brink of WWII. Any book about the late 1930’s in the era before the US became involved in the war is always interesting. Not knowing much about Singapore and its history, I found the book very informative. The characters were well developed and it was rather realistic that the perpetrator of the murder goes free. The fact that the missing wife of the detective is not found by the end of the book offers the exciting prospect of more adventures with Inspector Betancourt.
Don – DNR - Slow
Ginny – TBD – She's still plowing through but she feels as though she's sitting on a roller coaster s-l-o-w-l-y inching upwards anticipating the top but the top
keeps getting further away. Very Hitchcock! Well, it's early pages yet, and she will continue to read.
AVERAGE GROUP RATING: VG - Conditionally