This 20th Gamache novel is a direct sequel to The Grey Wolf. Inspector Gamache with a very small group of trusted investigators works to foil more dastardly plots in what must be a covert operation. Trust no-one! There are police moles, crooked politicians, the Montreal mob, and a great deal of misdirection. So, in short, totally entertaining.
Category: Genre
Camino Ghosts – John Grisham
First, a confession: I have never read a Grisham novel, despite his being one of the best-selling authors in the world! So, this randomly chosen novel describes a classic legal battle. On the one side is Lovely Jackson, a Black woman claiming ownership of an island settled and inhabited by ship-wrecked African slaves in 1760. And on the other side is a despicable corporate developer who wants to build a resort and casino on the island. This classic David-Goliath battle comes to a satisfying conclusion because there is no last-minute revelation at the end of the book. So, a very entertaining read.
The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth Strout
Let me make something perfectly clear: this is a great book, high praise for the author of Olive Kitteridge and other literary masterpieces. The story is often profoundly simple, and there are descriptions of exquisite small events that will take your breath away. Artie is a 57-year-old married high-school history teacher with one son. What happens when he learns a family secret? Has he been living a lie? What does Artie do with this knowledge? Thus, the story becomes a meditation on sadness, loneliness and yes, melancholy; in other words, this is a moving exploration of what it is to be human. And finally, the book title is perfect!
The Book Of Lost Hours – Hayley Gelfuso
This imaginative book is a fine example of speculative fiction, and thus hard to describe. Imagine a reality where past and present memories are stored in books, in libraries in the “time space”. Timekeepers are tasked with the collection and storage of memories. But what if some memories are considered dangerous? What if individuals can alter time and erase memories, and what if some of these individuals work for nefarious government agencies to alter history? And in fact, this book is also a thriller, with a very complicated love story – highly recommended.
Cat’s Eye – Margaret Atwood
This 1988 novel may be Atwood’s most autobiographical story. Most notably, this is a story about women. Elaine is a painter in her 50s who returns to Toronto for a retrospective art show. What follows are reflections on her life. Perhaps the best section describes her childhood, ages 8-15, and the pervasive influence of mean girls who play on Elaine’s insecurity and her need to please. The cruelty is subtle, stressing Elaine’s imperfections. And there are secrets and shifting alliances. These girlhood traumas persist into adult life, so this is a powerful coming-of-age novel, a must read book.
Whistler – Ann Patchett
Simply put, this is a fantastic book. Daphne, a 53-year-old married woman, has a chance encounter with Eddie in an art museum; Eddie was briefly her step-dad when she was 9 years old (so 44 years ago). This is a superb relationship story, of the choices that people make and the choices that are made for them. There is a quiet simplicity to Patchett’s storytelling that remind me of Anne Tyler (high praise) There is transcendent writing about memory, and even lying as an act of kindness. This is one of Patchett’s best books about loss and enduring love – highly recommended. Thanks Amy, for this book.
Theo Of Golden – Allen Levi
Full disclosure – this remarkable first novel is unabashedly sentimental, and there will be tears. Theo is an 86-year-old gentleman of European origins who leaves his New York home to spend a year in Golden in SE USA. So, the obvious first question is why? What is his motivation? His actions are to exhibit goodness and kindness, to be curious, to be a conversationalist and especially to be a great listener. And he has a mysterious impulse to purchase portraits and return them as gifts to the subjects, a bestowal. The consequences of Theo’s generous actions create wonderful stories, reminding the reader of the importance of being an encourager in an anxious world, and thus to witness uplifting experiences. Thanks Joyce, for the gift of this book.
Fingersmith – Sarah Waters
This intriguing novel is a fine example of historical fiction. The setting: London and the south of England in the 1860s. Two 17-year-old women become involved in a Dickensian plot involving seduction and theft, but who are the villains? What if some villains become victims? Overall, this is a dramatic thriller with many thieves, and double crosses with some truly evil people, so very entertaining.
The Impossible Fortune – Richard Osman
This fifth book in the Thursday Murder Club mystery series is one of the best. Importantly, there is the clever and signature wit of Osman’s writing. Of course, the plot is devious: a missing person, a bitcoin fortune, a car bomb. But this is a story about the importance of relationships, old (Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim) and new, with family dynamics a key element. Highly recommended.
What David Read 