Review: Turn Coat

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry gets his ass kicked. Volume 11. On audio, which is the best way to experience my favorite wizard.

Lots to say about this one but I want to avoid spoilers. Let's keep it at Harry jumps into the fray with both feet, as usual. Not nearly enough Murphy in this one. And it ended on a not so great note. Guess this means I'll be headed to book 12 soon to find out what is next.

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Review: A Night to Remember

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gripping account of what happened as the Titanic went down from the point of view of the survivors. Not sure they are all reliable. Possibly never going on a cruise again. And definitely not in third class.

You will feel the ice cold waters of the Atlantic. You will want to fill up those boats to capacity. Be glad of the safety regulations that govern our cruise ships today, because what happened on that ship was insanity.

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Review: Skinwalkers

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chee. Leaphorn. The beginning of a beautiful partnership.

First we have Joe Leaphorn. Solid cop. Experienced, smart, good husband. Then we have the younger Jim Chee, equally smart, trusts his instincts, a bit outside the rules. Together they make a great team.

This time we are chasing a skinwalker through the Navajo Nation. Lots of twists and turns, and it doesn't necessarily end up where you think it might. Looking forward to the next one.

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Review: Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a silly marshmallow. I liked this one better than the first one.

Arthur. Yes. Everything about him is a huge yes. Gabriel, while not my jam, works with Arthur. Plus, I loved Arthur's parents, who truly just want his happiness.

Unrealistic in how it all played out, but I certainly love a good HEA. So sue me. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Food: A Love Story

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Funny guy! Actually burst out laughing at a few parts, and can totally relate to the foods he loves and hates.

He's great in person, great on audio, and great in print. Thanks, Jim!

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Review: Avoiding Alpha

Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I must have been in a good mood when I read the first book, because this one was painful. Clunky, immature dialogue, clichés, and chockablock with eye-rolling scenes.

Perhaps I waited too long between book 1 and book 2, which from the review I enjoyed. Perhaps I am turning into a grumpy old lady. Or perhaps it's just not as good as book 1. The world may never know. 2 stars.

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Review: Fool Me Once

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good thriller with lots of twists and turns. I admit I didn't guess the ending but I had pieced some of it together.

This book might have been 4 stars but Maya made some questionable decisions throughout the book, and while she didn't fall into "too stupid to live" territory, she should be more intelligent than she was at times. I also didn't like the epilogue and felt it was unnecessary.

Otherwise, I liked it. 3 stars.

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Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love everything about this series. The Bridgertons are my favorite family.

This time, it's Eloise's story. You remember her, quietly in the background, or not, as she talks ALL. THE. TIME. But she's lovely, smart, and opinionated. She's a spinster at the ripe old age of 28, and now that her dearest friend Penelope is hitched to Colin, she is feeling her age. But worry not--the clandestine behavior from book 4 all comes out here.

It's a love match, as you would expect. I do miss Lady Whistledown, though. She was cheeky and fun. I liked the twist of instant motherhood, and no one would do it better than Eloise. Good stuff, as usual. On to book 6!

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Review: Death in a Strange Country: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery

Death in a Strange Country: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loving this series! Brunetti has really grown on me. Decent, stand up cop. Lawful good, dogged, and a good husband. What's not to like?

This time, Commissario Brunetti is investigating a murder. A body is found floating in a Venice canal, stabbed. Turns out it is an American solider from a nearby base. Guido is on the case, although they would rather he just let it go. But he can't, because you can't just change your alignment. He sticks with it, and in the end he pisses off his superiors and he solves the case, naturally.

Good series with well-plotted mysteries and interesting characters. 3 stars.

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Review: Snow Angels

Snow Angels by James Thompson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good start to the series!

Imagine Finland, cold and dark. A brutal murder has happened. Inspector Vaara is on the case. He's lawful good, like I want in my lawmen. Think Walt Longmire or Joe Pickett in Scandinavia. The cultural pieces are interesting, the crime was full of twists, and I loved the relationship between Kari & Kate.

Looking forward to book 2. 3.5 stars.

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