Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.
Remembrance Day****
An interesting take on the English-vs-Irish spy novel and while the author telegraphs too many things, he knows how to keep a story moving. Barely clears the 4-star threshold but if I invest time to read something almost 500 pages long, it has to be at least “good” and this was.
Dead Lions, Real Tigers, and London Rules****
I had originally meant to do a big long post on my love/grr relationship with Mick Herron’s Slough House (aka Slow Horses) series. But it would feel silly to write about books 2,3, and 5, without discussing 4, which I covered in another review. Plus, the reviews for all three of these respectively are more-or-less the same: they’re fun and thrilling, the obstructionism and writing style gets on my nerves, but I enjoy them and have enjoyed binging them, especially at this time. They’re the kind of mildly elevated middlebrow entertainment I crave and sometimes have trouble finding.
Zero Days****
Having come off the heaviness of a Le Carré novel, I needed something light and entertaining and this delivered. Ruth Ware is good at this specific kind of genre; certain folks just know how to deliver.
Whisper Down the Lane****
Like other Chapman books, it’s uneven but the point he is trying to make breaks through to me. Wasn’t a big fan of the ending either but I think it stayed true to its theme so it didn’t bother me enough to dock it a star.
Killing Castro****
A better plan than the Bay of Pigs! Inglourious Basterds only if the Basterds were the baddies. None of this is especially memorable but Lawrence Block, even early in his career, is such an efficient storyteller.
Deadly Beloved****
Didn’t know going in that this is a revamped Ms. Tree origin story. I enjoyed the comics well enough but I always prefer prose and this is no exception. A fun, quick, entertaining HCC read. Wish MAC did these instead of the Quarry novels.
Spy Hook****
I thought the Samson series had hit all the emotional beats after the first trilogy’s finale but it’s clear Len Deighton still has some tricks up his sleeve. It’s good and I can’t wait to see what he’s up to next with this series.
