june 2017 - sandi

[Sandi]

Hi everyone. Here are my June reads:

Top Reads

The Long Drop
Denise Mina
A well written historical crime novel that was based on real events. Great descriptions that really brought to life Glasgow in the 1950s along with well developed characterizations made this an excellent read.

The Wolves
Alex Berenson
Finished up the story that began with The Counterfeit Agent and continued with Twelve Days, this was one of the better books in the series and I really enjoyed it. Listened to the audio version which was read by the always excellent George Guidall.

Deadline
John Sandford
Another entertaining entry in this series. Virgil has a knack of uncovering the dark underbelly of rural Minnesota and I really enjoyed the plot in this book. Listened to the audio which was read by Eric Conger who did his usual good job.

Good Reads

Morgue Drawer: Clink or Cooler?
Jutta Profijt
I always enjoy this series featuring Cologne's two most mismatched crime solvers. The audio version had a new narrator, Todd Haberkorn, who did a great job.

The Take
Graham Hurley
Second book in this English police procedural series and it was quite good. The two lead characters both have some interestingly rough edges and the supporting characters were also well drawn. The various plots were well constructed and I look forward to continuing on with this series.

Sharpe's Skirmish: Richard Sharpe and the Defence of the Tormes, August 1812
Bernard Cornwell
This was an entertaining though quick short story with all the Richard Sharpe elements that are expected.

Disappointing

Since We Fell
Dennis Lehane
This just did not really work for me. I found it hard to connect with the main character and found the first section slow. The last part did pick up the pace but was completely unrealistic.

[Melodie]

Good month, Sandi! Your opinion of the Lehane book definitely sealed the deal for me, especially after Carol compared it to Shutter Island! Will stay far away from it!

[Merrilee in AZ]

Lol, Melodie. I truly hated Shutter Island.

[Ann]

Good month Sandi! A month with Virgil Flowers is definitely a good one!
Between the two group read books (like or love After We Fell) there were some great discussions for both, The Long Drop which was very atmospheric and has such interesting 1959's Glasgow courtroom drama and Dennis's new book. Both were good audiobooks too. I am glad we read them as a group, especially when a book isn't quite what you expect it is good to discuss the merits and sticking points!

[Ann]

Sandi: I started the first Morgue Drawer book and I think I lost my library loan before I finished it. Thanks for the reminder to get back to it; I hadn't realized the series was up to five books.
My library system is being upgraded this weekend and the catalog access is down during the upgrade which I think is going to drive me crazy needing to look up book availability and not being able to scratch that itch!

[Amy]

Good month Sandi.

[Dan in AZ]

Sandi, the bad review is at least as important as a good review.

[Merrilee in AZ]

I haven't read Lehane in a long time. He just doesn't interest me lately.