The latest books I've finished and flowers in the Auckland Botanical Garden. We had just been to the museum, it was cool and gray outside. The gardens were bursting with color, so inviting!
-by Janice Hallett
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: Love this author and unusual presentation of the mysteries.
-by Val McDermid
The Distant Echo: First in a series of mysteries with an actual police detective. She has a miniscule role but BritBox turned it into a tv series, so that is a good sign. I did figure out the murderer and there was more character development than usual. Good writing so I'm willing to try another.
A Darker Domain: Second, even better than the first. I like that she has two plot lines and it is clear they are going to connect up. I had an inkling of the solution here, but not all of it. I also like that she doesn't drag out the end.
The Skeleton Road: Third, didn't love the background of the Balkans War. I was not paying attention, so felt out of my depth. I also did not like the ending for a few different reasons. The writing is still good so I'll check out the next one.
-by Terry Pratchet
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents: This one is more stand alone and shorter than the other. What would happen if 1 cat and a bunch of rats ate magical rubbish and became smart. They take on a town with corrupt rat catchers.
-by Kelly Barnhill
The Crane Husband: Odd fantasy/mystic/future world.
When Women Were Dragons: A more fleshed out story, just as the title says.
-by Malka Older
The Mimicking of Known Success: Feels like a mystery set in Oxford...but it is on Jupiter. Lovely world building! Novella-love the shorties!
-by Premee Mohamed
Murdered courtesan returns to almost life and takes revenge. Writing style feels a bit of manic pixie daydream, but novella length, so if it bugs you, it is over quick.
-by Gulia Enders
Gut: Lots of info on the stomach, intestines, and all the microbes that live there. Too many cutesy stories and high level info. But it was easy to pick up for short periods and it read fast.
-by Suzanne Wolfe
A Murder by Any Name: Set in Queen Elizabeth's time and in the castle.
-by Gary Paulson
Hatchet: A middle grade book about a boy who gets stranded in the woods with nothing but a hatchet.
DNF
-by Glen Cook
Sweet Silver Blues: Looking for the next Terry Pratchet like world. This seems similar but the writing is only ok.
-by Caimh McDonnell
A Man with One of Those Faces: Still looking for a Pratchet world. Didn't grab me enough to get more than a couple chapters.
-by Bob Odenkirk: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama: Autobiography. We just finished Better Call Saul, so thought to check it out. Just okay, I skipped most of it and just read the Drama. Great actor, meh for writing.
