It isn’t a good holiday if you don’t read a pile of murder mysteries so in the midst of my memoirs I read three by some favourite authors: Ann Cleeves, Janet Evanovich, and Jonathan Kellerman…some ridiculousness sandwiched between two serious mysteries.
I really enjoy Ann Cleeves’ mysteries because her detectives are very human. This one was from her Vera Stanhope series which I particularly like (love the tv version too – although watching it again after reading this you realize how much gets cut out to fit an episode). Vera doesn’t always treat her team nicely but there is a kindness in her as well.
Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is just a lot of silliness. They are outrageous and the characters are pretty much one dimensional and stereotypes. But they make me laugh and I like the people even if they aren’t very deep. This one was very good and a great break from covid.
Kellerman’s are always pretty dark and often involve serial killers. This one was no exception. But his characters are interesting and more complex than Evanovich’s and the relationship between Alex Delaware and his best friend Milo Sturgis is very well written. This one was the best one in a while.
60 Before 60 