Hidden in Smoke

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg
4/22/25; 300 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Sharpe & Walker #3

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg is a very highly recommended investigative procedural following two different story lines and the third installment of the Sharpe & Walker series. Although you don't have to read the others in the series to enjoy Hidden in Smoke, Goldberg does suggest you might want to read the previous novels in this case.

The main story line follows Los Angeles County arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker as they are assigned to a series of arson fires at apartment buildings. When they are coming close to a suspect, a major fire breaks out under part of the I-10 Freeway and closes it down. Sharpe and Walker are pulled off their original investigation and put on the freeway disaster.

Complicating matter is that contractor George Petroni, who is experienced in repairing infrastuctures after a fire, has already cleared the scene in anticipation of repairs, thus destroying any forensic evidence. Sharpe and Walker, however, are not defeated and uncover clues indicating an even larger problem. They end up calling in homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone to assist them.

A second story line involves Danny Cole, the con man from Malibu Burning (2023), and a favor Walker asks him to do, after finding him. It involves wealthy businessman Roland Slezak and the increasing drug prices one of his companies is now charging. Danny calls in his cohorts and sets up an elaborate scheme to do this.

The action is fast-paced and the investigations are interesting, compelling, and multifaceted. Admittedly, sometimes you have to set disbelief aside and in other cases there is some dialogue that goes over the top, but when taken in all together this really is a satisfying , entertaining novel that held my complete attention throughout. The second plot line is much shorter so the focus is really on the arson investigations of Sharpe and Walker, joined in part by Ronin and Pavone.

All the characters are well known for those who follow their series. Their characters are established along with all of their various strengths, weaknesses, and piccadillos. It's always enjoyable to follow a well planned plot following a logical investigation with characters you know.

Hidden in Smoke is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors by Purple Moon Publishing

2/10/25; 128 pages

Purple Moon Publishing

1960s Nostalgia Activity Book for Seniors by Purple Moon Publishing is a fun retro-themed activity book. This is highly recommended for seniors but also for those who enjoy the 60s music, TV, movies, etc. 

In the book are a variety of activities including matching word puzzles, word scrambles, fill in the lyrics, cryptograms, trivia quizzes, word searches, crossword puzzles, and mazes. Covered are a wide variety of interests -music (with a focus on individual bands too), space race, civil rights movement, hippies, feminist movement, art, TV shows (with some focus on individual shows), movies, fashion, car culture, sports, toys, political events, and advertising slogans. An index to solutions pages is at the front of the book, with the answers beginning at page 100.  The illustrations are in back and white illustrations and it is in large print.

The music section should be popular with younger users and almost everyone who even causally listens to music should know the songs. Audiophiles and music enthusiasts will appreciate this section. At the opening are twelve QR codes for a 1960s playlist, which kind of had me chuckling knowing QR codes aren't always highly popular with seniors. The TV trivia section will also appeal to a wide age range with so many people who have likely watch them through reruns. This same appeal can apply to movies, sports, toys, etc. 

It is a theme through the activity book that people of any age who enjoy the individual areas of 60s trivia will likely enjoy doing the activities which makes this an activity book that others beyond seniors can enjoy. Thanks to Purple Moon Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via LibraryThing's Earlier Reviewers. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Blood on the Vine

Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco
4/22/25; 320 pages
Crooked Lane Books

Blood on the Vine by J. T. Falco is a highly recommended procedural following the investigation into the recent murder of two young women.

A former resident of Napa Valley, FBI agent Lana Burrell, returns over twenty years later to investigate what may be a situation with an active serial killer. The complications in returning involve the case of her father who is in prison for killing her best friend Jess many years ago at a Napa Valley vineyard. Returning to the area after being gone for years mean Lana must face her memories but she will also have insight into the area and the residents. Once there, Lana notices a man who is following her and she has questions if a cult might be involved.

The narrative opens up with one of the victims fleeing the killer, which immediately grabs your attention. Then readers are introduced to Lana, who is a clearly a flawed, wounded individual. She is also, ultimately, a fully realized intelligent, insightful and competent character. The introduction to her liaison with the sheriff's department, Deputy Essie Leroux, adds some comic relief, but the sixty-year-old recent police academy graduate proves her competence and abilities.

In this well-written, fast-paced procedural, there are several suspects, along with many questions and directions the investigation can go. Clearly, there are a whole lot of secrets individuals are hiding and expect some twists. Between chapters are various pieces of evidence related to the case which includes news articles, interviews, filed court cases, etc., which add depth, background information, and insight into the investigation. This is a debut novel, but written by an experienced writer and it shows.

Blood on the Vine is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Bookseller

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan
3/18/25; 368 pages
Aria & Aries
DS Cross Series #7

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan is a highly recommended procedural and the seventh book in the series featuring DS George Cross.

Torquil Squire is the 90 year-old owner of Squires Rare Books in Bristol. The family business is currently ran by his son Ed, with assistants Sam and Persephone (Percy). When Torquil heads to London for the day to attend a rare book auction, he returns in the evening to find his son, Ed, dead and Percy locked in the bathroom upstairs. DS George Cross and his partner DI Josie Ottey are called in to investigate and must figure out who would want to kill Ed and how the business of rare and antique books works.

George Cross is neurodivergent. He is a tenacious, brilliant, and insightful investigator who is also socially awkward and struggles following social cues. On the job his differences make him a formidable investigator who can follow and catch clues others might miss. At the same time as the murder investigation is underway George's father, Raymond has a brain tumor diagnosis. He has a stroke during surgery and is now facing a longer recovery. His father's situation makes George consider retiring from the force to care for his dad.

For those who enjoy following the clues in detailed, intricate procedurals, The Bookseller would be a good choice. This is part of a series though it can still be enjoyed as a standalone novel. However, it is easy to see where reading the previous books in the series would be beneficial. It did seem a little long and drawn out at times. Thanks to Aria & Aries for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Strangers in Time

Strangers in Time David Baldacci
4/15/25; 448 pages
Grand Central Publishing

Strangers in Time David Baldacci is a descriptive, very highly recommended character driven historical fiction set in 1944 London during WWII.

Thirteen-year-old Charlie Matters lives with his grandmother, his only surviving relative. He's dropped out of school and spends his days using his wits to make money or steal what he can. When he notices through a window some biscuits on a plate and money in a cash drawer at a book store called The Book Keep, Charlie rushes in, steals the food and money, and runs. Later circumstances lead to him returning the money to the store owner, widower Ignatius Oliver.

Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to London after spending years in the countryside. When she arrives home the only person there is her nanny. She learns her mother has been hospitalized and her father is gone. She meets Charlie on the streets and asks him to help her find the building where her father is supposed to be working, but he's not there. Later, Molly meets Ignatius when looking for Charlie and as bombs wreak havoc on the city, the three forge a relationship.

The characters are richly drawn and depicted as fully realized, complicated individuals with flaws and strengths. The setting is also skillfully descriptive of place and time. All the characters are struggling with personal battles while a battle is literally going on around them, exposing everyone to potential death. The overwhelming sense of anxiety and the hustle for survival, as well as their tenacity, is clearly depicted in bomb-shattered London.

Strangers in Time moves at a fast pace and will hold your complete attention right to the end. The detailed, descriptive writing helps to vividly bring the characters and the setting to life. There are several plot twists, threats, mysteries, and surprises incorporated into the narrative along the way. Generally I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this novel is excellent, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Readers who enjoy well-written historical fiction should definitely read Strangers in Time. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Ruth Run

Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman
4/15/25; 304 pages
Penguin 

Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman is a highly recommended cross-country pursuit following a cybercriminal on the run and the government agency looking for her.

Ruth, 26, designed a hacked firewall microchip that is used in many banking systems that allows her to skim money from the banks. She has amassed more than $250 million when an alarm goes off one night alerting her that someone has accessed part of her system. She goes on the run with a bag full of cash as Mike along with others, all agents with an unnamed government agency, chase her.  Along the way she meets an eccentric cast of characters.

The narrative is presented from two points-of-view, Ruth and Mike. Ruth is an interesting character. Obviously she's intelligent, but she also grew up poor and will do whatever it takes to get by, including forgoing any gratification right now for future benefits. She is obsessed with good food and fantasizes about what she will be able to enjoy in the future. Never having money, not really knowing how much she would need, and now on the run, she reflects that perhaps she should have been satisfied with less money and left her life of crime earlier. 

Mike thinks he has a connection with Ruth. He has been stalking her for seven years, but there are others who are also obsessed with her. Her pursuers from the agency are all of dubious integrity.

Ruth Run moves at a fast-paced throughout. It is a compelling and sometimes humorous novel with an interesting plot. I was engrossed right to the end and cheering Ruth on as she eluded capture. The actual ending, however, was a problem for me. No spoilers, but it involves a bad choice that almost knocked two stars off my rating. 

Thanks to Penguin for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Enough Is Enuf

Enough Is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell by Gabe Henry
4/15/25; 304 pages
HarperCollins

Enough Is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell by Gabe Henry is a very highly recommended, brief and humorous account of the 500-year history of the various movements to simplify the spelling of English words.

"There's a reason spelling bees are only common in English speaking countries: English spelling is absurd." 
This is a sentiment I'm well acquainted with as someone who was out on the first round of my 6th grade spelling bee. I celebrated when spell check came into our lives. As Henry points out, there are two problems: English has 44 sounds but only 26 letters and every sound in English has 4 ways of spelling it. Anyone who has ever taught a child to read understands how complicated it is. A study showed that it takes children take 2-3 times longer to grasp English spelling.

Enough Is Enuf focuses on the linguistic history and other factors that have contributed to the complexity of spelling and those who promoted changing it. Over the years there have been numerous who attempted to simplify spelling including, in part, a 12th century monk named Ormin, John Cheke, Ben Franklin, Noah Webster (who smuggled in dozens of simplifications such as colour to color in his dictionary), Mark Twain, Melvill Dewey, Eliza Burnz, C. S. Lewis, George Bernard Shaw, Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, U2, Prince, and Def Leppard, and, currently, textspeak.

I was engrossed, informed, and entertained throughout this historical look at those who tried to reform the spelling of the English language. He honestly points out that one drawback to any simplify spelling movement is who really wants to learn how to read all over again? Included at the end is an abbreviated dictionary of simplified spelling based on Noah Webster's writing,  a section called "Muzik and Liriks," notes, and an index.

Enough Is Enuf is a well-written, well-researched, and entertaining history. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.