24. The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon – two sisters grow up in 1950s Vermont in a quirky hotel where things ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM. Has the bones of a good story but to me it was just okay. Fulfilled horror task of Read Harder Challenge.
25. The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks – a novel about the life and times of King David as told by his counsellor Nathan. Goes WAY beyond the highlights taught in Sunday school! This is a future book club selection that I’m sure will generate a great deal of discussion.
26. Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman – stand-alone mystery about a freshly elected State’s Attorney whose first murder case conjures up a previous murder case tried by her father as well as an old family story that may or may not have transpired quite the way she remembers it. Lots of personal local color which I really enjoyed, and lots quiet (sad) family drama.
27. Murder with Macaroni and Cheese by A.L. Herbert – follow-up to last year’s debut and the next installment in the Mahalia Watkins series. More local color for me! Also a good mystery storyline, fun characters … and recipes!
28. Badlands by C.J. Box – international drug gang tries to invade the booming economy of North Dakota’s oil fields, but their efforts are interrupted by the innocent actions of a young boy. Blood & Oil meets The Client meets Narcos. A real page turner but very violent.
Since I seem to be defaulting back to mysteries, and with many Read Harder Challenge tasks remaining unfulfilled this late in the year, I may need to make some adjustments to my reading plan. That’s okay!
