The World's Common Tater

It was another month in which I only read three books. Part of the problem is that I’m up very early so when I try to read later in the day I fall asleep. The other part of the problem is that I am easily distracted by games, social media, and TV. I will be spending time in airports and on planes this week and next. I’m hoping that will get my back in the reading groove.

Here is what I read.

The Missing Piece by John Lescroart

This is number 19 in the Dismas Hardy series. This time it focuses on Wes Farrell and Abe Glitzky. Wes is starting to feel like he can’t continue as a defense attorney when he takes the case of Doug Rush. Rush is arrested for the murder of Paul Riley, the man Wes prosecuted for killing Rush’s daughter. Riley has recently been released due to the work of the Exoneration Initiative. Glitsky is brought on to investigate for the defense and continues to work even after Rush is murdered himself.

This is just what I needed after a bad month of reading – a return to a universe I love. I’ve read all of the Hardy books and have especially loved the ones that focus on Glitsky. It was a good mystery peopled by characters I love. What more could I ask for? With the characters aging, I’m afraid there won’t be many more in the series.

The Dime by Kathleen Kent

Betty Rhyzyk is a Brooklyn cop from a long line of Brooklyn cops. She moves to Dallas with her girlfriend and soon finds herself on a case involving a drug cartel and a mounting number of dead bodies. When parts of those bodies start being delivered to Betty’s apartment it becomes more than just a case.

I almost read the third book in the series first. I somehow missed the first two books in the series. I saw a review for the third book in the paper and ordered it from the library. Luckily, I discovered my mistake and got this one instead. I will definitely be reading the other two books in the series. Betty is an interesting lead character and the author surrounds her with a good supporting cast. The story was interesting and took a turn I didn’t expect. If you like mysteries and thrillers grab this one.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The book starts in the 1990s when we meet an elderly woman who is dying of cancer. We then flashback to France in 1939. Vienne’s husband is about to head to the Front to fight the Nazis. Her sister Isabelle has been kicked out of another school and goes to live with her father in Paris. When the Nazis invade, Isabelle sets out on foot for Vienne’s house. From there the sisters take different paths. Isabelle wants to fight and joins the resistance, Vienne stays at her house where a Nazi officer is billeted and tries to get along for the sake of her kids.

I was disappointed to have a third historical fiction in a row for book club and took forever to read far enough into the book to discover how good it is. Hannah does a great job of depicting life in occupied France and the choices you have to make. I figured out who was telling the story early on, but it did not change my enjoyment of the book. Great writing, great characters, a great book.