vamysteryfan | Fantasy and suspense books (Reply)

This week's nonfiction book is What We Talk About When We are Over 60 edited by Sherri Daley and Linda Hughes. It's a collection of essays written by women. Some talk about the past, some the future. Some are depressing, some are inspiring. In other words, it's life. tI gave me a sense that it's never too late to try something new.

The Very Best of Charles DeLint. This was a gift in every sense of the word. The author collaborated with fans to pick the stories to be included. Charles DeLint also offered free downloads one day last month with the news being spread on social media. I found out from a friend and grabbed it. Many of the stories were new to me. I enjoy his urban fantasies quite a lot. While some of them are sad, most are decidedly optimistic. If you haven't read any of his work, this is a great way to get into it.

Aunt Dimity and the Summer King by Nancy Atherton. I received an ARC of this book and thought I'd give the series another try. I think I should just accept the series isn't my cup of tea. The heroine is ditzy, the conceit of talking to a ghost through a book is repetitive, and the setting is unrealistic. There is an explanation of how Finch came to be but it didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Insatiable Appetites by Stuart Woods. This book actually takes place before Hot Pursuit. It opens with Kate Lee's presidential election. This is a better-than-usual entry in the series. It brings back a character that's been offstage for quite a while and ties up that loose end. Stone is more of a lawyer in this one. It's a nice quick read, perfect for airplanes.

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline.

<lj-cut text="** spoiler alert **">I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC for this book. This was an excellent read. An eminent psychiatrist is going through a messy divorce but his professional life is better than ever. Suddenly, he is hit with a sexual harassment suit and he is accused of unprofessional behavior with a patient as well. He has to solve the problems before he loses everything. One in 24 people in America are sociopaths, according to the book. They can "smile, and smile, and be a villain." We don't suspect who they are because they can mask themselves so well. The doctor is stunned to learn just who has been orchestrating his problems. The surprise twist at the end really surprised me. The first hundred pages or so were riveting. It slowed down a little in the middle but built to a very satisfying conclusion. This is a standalone - it doesn't contain any of her series characters. Well worth reading.</lj-cut>