The Berry Pickers By: Amanda Peters

Oh, the big ugly cry happened at the end of this one!  Such a heart wrenching story and yet so beautiful and hopeful.  I can't rave enough about this book!!!! Read it!

Death in Disguise By: Caroline Graham

A twisted tale of greed and redemption and several corpses.  Wry wit and twisty plots are the hallmark of Graham's Barnaby series and that wit makes them so readable and despite the murders so enjoyable!

 

In Firm Pursuit By: Pamela Samuels Young

I Love Vernetta!!!  She's such a complex character and the situations she gets tangled in are superbly plotted. With her trusted and deeply loved best friend Special (yes that's her name) by her side there is nothing Vernetta can't survive! Great dialogue enhances this multi-mystery, multi-layered story. This is a great series!

Sidney Chambers and The Forgiveness of Sins By: James Runcie

It's always wonderful to visit the village of Grantcheter, even if it includes murders, deceit, abuse and theft.  Runcie's ability to weave six short stories into one large narrative is a brilliant example of his plotting and storytelling expertise.  As with the previous books, this follows Canon Chambers through roughly a year in his life with some pretty rough patches.  Comfortable surrounding and and familiar supporting characters make this series a joy.

 

The Wrecking Crew By: Kent Hartman

I've been listening to WMEX in Massachusetts ever since it came back on the air a couple of years ago.  An old fashioned radio station with the same DJs that were originally on the air when I listened to them 50 years ago!  When introducing songs they are CONSTANTLY mentioning The Wrecking Crew, and I was dying to know who/what The Wrecking Crew were.  Enter Kent Hartman's love letter of a book to The Wrecking Crew.  This book tells the story of this famous group of musicians responsible for backing, pretty much every hit you heard on the radio from the mid 60 through the mid 70s, many of which you're actually still listening too.  With a great deal of the history of the recording industry itself, this is a fascinating read and a wonderful tribute to uncredited musicians who provided the soundtrack to generations!

A Calamity of Souls By: David Baldacci

A taut courtroom drama set in the tumultuous time of 1968...change a few names and it would have been moved to 2024...and sad to say not a fucking thing has changed between 1968 and 2024.  I'd say it's gotten worse.  Baldacci has captured the time and the attitudes exceedingly well, which makes this book infuriating and gut wrenching.  Although a stand alone novel, if he so chose, Baldacci could easily make this a series with DuBose and Lee, and would gladly follow them!

 

Songbird: An Intimate Biography of Christine McVie By: Lesley-Ann Jones

The writing style of this took some getting used, but I got there eventually.  My favorite member of Fleetwood Mac gets the psychological treatment in this fascinating take on a biography. The more I read about Fleetwood Mac and it's individual members the more it amazes me that any of them managed to get anything done.  Their lives are so intertwined that you really can't separate one from the others.

To Die For By: David Baldacci

Twists and turns and turns and twists.  Just when you think you've got some tiny part of the puzzle figured out, Baldacci throws a curve at you and you realize you have no clue!  The 6:20 man, Travis Devine is a charming and lethal a perfect combination in this all to prescient story.

 

The Match By: Harlan Coben

I know the "star" of this series is Wilde, but I'm so enamored of Hester!  She is such an amazing character and has some of the best and snarkiest dialogue!!!  This installment delves deeper into Wilde's mysterious past and while it might seem like he gets some answers, one has to wonder if he got the full story!  Such a great series!

Fullfilment City By: E. M. Arons

Due to be published in May of 2025 and I hope people give it a chance. A prescient plot line of the pitfalls of advertising in this day and age, with big box stores and business, and a bit of a mystery to solve all rolled into one easily read novel.  This would be fine as a stand alone or great as the beginning of a mystery series.  Our protagonist Lydia is a complex character who feels real and her sidekick, Paul, provides charm, good looks, and sarcasm aplenty. I really enjoyed this.