Book Review: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(3 1/2 stars)  Lottie Jones is a 75-year old “retired serial killer” who leads a “quiet life” in a small town in the Pacific Northwest.  Earlier in her life, she changed her name and moved to escape possible arrest and imprisonment for killing several people.  She only kills when she gets very angry and when opportunity presents itself.  She stopped killing once she moved, but circumstances changed and she realized that her backstory was about to catch up with her. 

This book is humorously narrated in the first person by Lottie and is almost a “how-to” book on murder.  Suspend your disbelief when you read about an elderly woman killing a visitor by hitting her over the head with an umbrella.  It’s definitely got a cozy feel, but it’s more violent than that.  It’s fairly fast-paced but has a lot of different characters to keep track of.  I read this for my mystery book club, and virtually everyone in the group loved it. 

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Book Review: Slough House by Mick Herron (Slow Horses #7)

Slough House by Mick Herron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Slow Horses gang is back at it pretty quickly after the finish of book #6 - Joe Country.  But it turns out that someone is trying to kill the entire Slow Horse squad.  Rodney Ho (Rodster, Rodman, Rodinator, or Dyno-Rod as he refers to himself) is more of a hindrance than a help as usual, but he considers himself the star of the team.  Jackson Lamb is even more offensive, if that's possible, but that is certainly part of the humor.  Peter Judd and Diana Taverner take on large roles in this book, all focusing on the secret funding of "The Park."  The entire cast is back, along with a surprise appearance by a previous Slow Horse.

The upcoming season 6 of Slow Horses on Apple TV + is due to start this month (September 16, 2026) and will be based on books #6 and #7.  I'll be interested to see how they combine the storylines, especially since there is no sign of the huge snowstorm in Wales which figured prominently in book #6.

I love reading the books, but also love to see how they translate to the screen.  The characters, the humor, the drama are all so enjoyable!   I see that they have been renewed for seasons 7 and 8!  And you know that I'll keep reading these wonderful books.  

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Book Review: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Artie is a middle-aged high school history teacher.  He and his wife Evie seem to be at odds with one another, and he doesn’t see or talk to his grown son Rob nearly as much as he’d like to.  He wonders why people make small talk but don’t tend to talk about important subjects and speculates frequently about free will.  He realizes that people keep secrets from one another.  He is suffering from depression and isolation, and it’s starting to affect his teaching and his relationships with others.  

This is a very character-driven novel which takes us through a year in Artie’s life – 2024-2025.  The reader gets more than a peak into Artie’s mind and thought processes, interspersing vignettes with his wife, his son, his students, friends and neighbors.  And it shows the impact that Artie had on all of them.  I absolutely loved the relationship that Artie had with his son, and how it developed throughout the book.  This is the first book I’ve read by Elizabeth Strout and it certainly won’t be the last.  Content warnings.

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Book Review: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (Harlem Trilogy #1)

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ray Carney is the owner of an up-and-coming furniture store in Harlem, married to Elizabeth, with their second child on the way.  His in-laws live on Strivers Row in Harlem where he aspires to live, and his father-in-law is a member of the Dumas Club, a club he would like to join.  His life vacillates between running his furniture store and fencing the stolen goods that his cousin and friends bring to him. 

Whitehead’s writing gives the reader a true sense of place – the Harlem neighborhood of 125^th Street in 1959-1964 – by including real places such as the Apollo Theater and Morningside Park, and real events such as the riots.  There is an overall theme of race, class structure, and how the law can be applied.

I’m anxious to read the second in the series, Crook Manifesto, which covers the 1970’s, and the third and final book in the series, Cool Machine, which covers the 1980’s.

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Book Review: A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #12)

A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Armand Gamache is back in #12 of the Inspector Gamache / Three Pines series.  He has come out of retirement and accepted a new position as the Commander of the Surete Academy, the training course for the cadets who will become detectives.  He and Reine-Marie are still living in Three Pines, and an ancient map is discovered in the walls of the Bistro.  

Working at the Academy, Gamache is dealing with former best friends, foes, and enemies, along with all of the cadets.  He meets regularly with two third year cadets and two first year cadets, giving them advice and assignments to help them develop their detective skills.  He encounters murder, corruption, and deceit within the Academy, and discovers the importance of the newly uncovered map.  

Many of the characters that we know and love from previous books make appearances:  Clara, Myrna, Ruth, Olivier, and Gabri in Three Pines, and Jean-Guy, Isabelle, and Michel Brébeuf in the Surete du Quebec.  It is character-driven rather than action packed, but it is still quite a page-turner.  It would have been even better if a drawing of the map was included in the book.  I kept imaging what it looked like with all the important Three Pines sketches.  

Do yourself a favor and start reading Louise Penny’s books at the beginning, and you will be immersed in these wonderful characters and better understand the series.  I’m looking forward to reading #13!

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Book Review: London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe

London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(4 ½ stars) Zac Brettler is a 19-year-old living in London, and in 2019 he plunged to his death off a luxury high rise apartment into the Thames River below. His family was shocked by his suicide, but even more surprised when they discovered that he was leading a secret double life. He claimed to be Zac Ismailov whose father was a Russian oligarch worth billions. He became friends and was doing business with various wheelers and dealers in the London business scene, a world financial hub.

Zac’s parents questioned whether it was suicide or murder, potentially caused by the gangsters and criminal underworld of London that he was associating with. Despite his parents pressuring Scotland Yard to investigate their son’s death, nothing seemed to be getting done. At times Scotland Yard seemed like the Keystone Cops.

Once again Patrick Radden Keefe has written a fascinating narrative non-fiction account of Zac’s actions and his parents’ attempt to uncover the truth. He is at the top of his game with incredibly well-research investigative reporting. This book was a tense account of Zac’s downfall, along with his parents’ repeated attempts to make those guilty accountable for their actions. I was immediately drawn into this family tragedy which told the emotional story of Zac’s death and its impact on his parents and older brother. It’s a tough book to read, but incredibly compelling.

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Book Review: Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering by Shea McGee

Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering by Shea McGee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an absolutely beautifully photographed book of menus and tablescapes, arranged by season and holiday. The recipes are included for each of the dinners and celebrations. They all look so elegant but what really stood out for me was the innovative combination of ingredients and the use of what I probably already have in my kitchen, freezer or pantry. No need to scout out and buy obscure items that I will never use again. With just a few exceptions, the recipes and instructions don't take an inordinate amount of time and many can be made ahead of time.

This book is an inspiration for those wanting to entertain more - whether it's complex holiday meals or just a simple pizza party or burger slider gathering in the back yard. Shea McGee is such a wonderful hostess -- please invite me to your next dinner party of any occasion!

I first heard Shea interviewed on Katie Lee Biegel's podcast All On The Table a couple of months ago -
https://overcast.fm/+ABJ62W71YsE

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Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound, Tova is a 70-something woman who works the night shift at the local aquarium.  One of the famous aquarium exhibits is Marcellus, a giant aging octopus with whom Tova develops a friendship.  Cameron is an immature 30-year old who recently relocated to the same small town searching for his long-lost father as well as meaning for his life.
  
The story unfolds from three different points of view – Tova, Cameron and Marcellus.  Tova and Cameron find each other and slowly realize their connection with help from Marcellus.

It’s always a delight when I discover a five star book after reading too many three star fair to middling books recently.  Bonus points because it’s a debut novel!

Suspend your disbelief and immerse yourself in the lives of Tova, Cameron and Marcellus the octopus, along with the other quirky characters in Sowell Bay. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but you certainly won’t regret it!  Such a unique magical realism five star read!

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