The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
The Sentence is Death
by Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear (Narrator)
DETAILS: Series: A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, #2 Publisher: HarperAudio Publication Date: May 27, 2019 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 8 hrs., 36 min. Read Date: December 22-23, 2021
(the official blurb)
A notorious divorce lawyer is bludgeoned with an expensive bottle of wine and Horowitz finds himself dragged away from his day job by Hawthorne to chronicle the investigation.
Hawthorne seems to be more disagreeable this time out—almost like he was trying to be off-putting. Horowitz (the character) is a decent source of comic relief as he struggles to prove himself.
The mystery was pretty compelling—and while I think I got it before the duo (well, before Horowitz, anyway), it was a bit trickier than the first. All in all, it’s a fun listen.
The Iggy Chronicles, Volume One
DETAILS: Series: Chet and Bernie Publisher: Atria Books Publication Date: August 13, 2013 Format: Kindle Edition Length: 49 pg. Read Date: December 30, 2021
(the official blurb)
I’ve had this short Chet & Bernie story on my Kindle for ages, I think I started it a few times but got distracted quickly. Which makes no sense, because it’s not like it took too long to read.
It’s a fast read featuring Chet’s buddy, Iggy, and Bernie’s neighbor, Mr. Parsons. Bernie’s sharper than ever and he makes quick work of the mystery the duo literally stumbles into. It’s not a must-read, but it’s a fun one.
Zoth-Avarex’s Escape Plan: A Pick-Your-Own-Path Experience
DETAILS: Series: Zoth-Avarex, #2 Publication Date: June 13, 2021 Format: Kindle Edition Length: 43 pg. Read Date: December 31, 2021
(the official blurb)
Not surprisingly, Zoth-Avarex, was not happy being thwarted The Conjuring of Zoth-Avarex, and he wants revenge. Lockhaven presents this quest in a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style. Without, it should be stressed, being so close to the style as to infringe on any trademarks or anything.
I laughed at this, it was truly ridiculous. I don’t know that this is the sequel I wanted/expected, but I’m glad we got it.
Dogtology: Live. Bark. Believe.
by Jeff Lazarus
DETAILS:
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Length: 189 pg.
Read Date: December 30-31, 2021
(the official blurb)
The central conceit here is that humans are so obsessed with their dogs, have devoted so much time, energy, and work that it’s become a religion, with humans worshipping canines. This book is a look at that devotion and the rituals and beliefs that accompany it.
When this book sticks to poking fun at the obsessive nature of dog owners, and having fun with the nature of dogs, it’s pretty amusing. But it treads a little too close to mocking actual religion for me to get excited about it.
I’m not sure I laughed at all, but it’s frequently funny.
Gone Missing
by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
DETAILS: Series: Kate Burkholder, #4 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Publication Date: June 18, 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length:10 hrs., 8 min. Read Date: January 3-5, 2022
(the official blurb)
Hey, Castillo found a way to get Kate out of town to investigate a crime involving the Amish. This has been my biggest (or one of my biggest) concerns with the series, that at the rate things were going, the Amish in her community would all die before we got to book 10.
There is a string of Amish youth going missing—enough that it’s got the attention of the state to assemble a Task Force—Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are recruited to be part of it.
What they end up finding is pretty disturbing, but a little less disturbing than the last couple. I like where the series is finding itself and can see me sticking around for a little longer than I feared I might have.
Two Witches and a Whiskey
by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)
DETAILS: Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series, #3 Publisher: Tantor Audio Publication Date: February 27, 2019 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 8 hrs., 9 min. Read Date: January 11-12, 2022
(the official blurb)
Okay, this is more like it, a very good way to bounce back from the last book which was a bit of a disappointment to me. I wasn’t terribly worried about the series—I have a friend who’s further ahead of me (I think she’s done), and I assume she wouldn’t have recommended it if there was a problem.
Tori and her friends get themselves tied up in a big ol’ mess that will result in Tori dying unless they can pull off the impossible, or at least the incredibly unlikely.
The police (both real and supernatural) are lurking around the edges, the druid she met last time is back, and we learn a bit about Kai’s past and background. A fun story and some good character growth.
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