2016 Book List

A lot of great books this year. I enjoyed Philip Kerr and Jeffery Archer along with my regular favorites. David Downing was especially appropriate because he was read during the rise of Trump... Made real life even more scary than it already is. I have only my daughter to thank for getting me started on this reading kick. There are seldom enough hours in the day if you have a kindle full of books.
 

1. Palace of Treason - Jason Matthews
2. The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street - Susan Jane Gilman
3. Scandalous Behavior - Stuart Woods
4. Truman’s Spy - Noel Hynd
5. Then We Take Berlin - John Lawton
6. March Violets - Philip Kerr
7. The Pale Criminal - Philip Kerr
8. Jack of Spies - David Downing
9. A German Requiem - Philip Kerr
10. The One From The Other - Philip Kerr
11. A Quiet Flame - Philip Kerr
12. If The Dead Rise Not - Philip Kerr
13. The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith
14. Field Grey - Philip Kerr
15. Prague Fatale - Philip Kerr
16. Family Jewels - Stuart Woods
17. Maisie Dobbs - Jacqueline Winspear
18. A Man Without Breath (Bernard Gunther, #9) - Philip Kerr
19. Due Diligence - Michael A. Kahn
20. Extreme Prey (Lucas Davenport, #26) - John Sandford
21. The Lady from Zagreb (Bernard Gunther, #10) - Philip Kerr
22. The Other Side of Silence (Bernard Gunther, #11) - Philip Kerr
23. The Nature of the Beast - Louise Penny
24. Black Out (Inspector Troy #1) - John Lawton
25. Dishonorable Intentions (Stone Barrington #38) - Stuart Woods
26. Only Time Will Tell (2011) (Clifton Chronicles #1) - Jeffrey Archer
27. The Sins of the Father (2012) (Clifton Chronicles #2) - Jeffrey Archer
28. Letters from Skye - Jessica Brockmole
29. The Black Widow (Gabriel Allon, #16) - Daniel Silva
30. Circling the Sun - Paula McLain
31. Mightier Than the Sword (The Clifton Chronicles #5) - Jeffrey Archer
32. Best Kept Secret (The Clifton Chronicles, #3) - Jeffrey Archer
33. Be Careful What You Wish For (The Clifton Chronicles, #4) - Jeffrey Archer
34. Cometh the Hour (The Clifton Chronicles #6) - Jeffrey Archer
35. Old Filth (Old Filth, #1) - Jane Gardam
36. Machinations (Machinations #1) - Hayley Stone
37. Escape Clause (Virgil Flowers, #9) - John Sandford
38. This was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles #6) - Jeffrey Archer
39. Dead Wake - Erik Larson
40. Night School (Jack Reacher #21) - Lee Child
41. Odessa Sea (Dirk Pitt, #24) - Clive Cussler

The World Beneath by Rebecca Cantrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great book! Good story, well developed characters and just enough reality to make it seem possible. The bad guys are very bad and the good guy is... well, a dog. Seriously, I loved it, its a fun read. I'll get to the second one later. I like the fact that a programmer is the hero. Programmers have a way of thinking and he uses facts, intuition and logic fully to solve his predicament. Well played. Nicely written too.

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Odessa Sea by Clive Cussler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clive Cussler never disappoints. The book is fast paced the characters are realistic yet iconic. The villains are awful and the heroes are beautiful, witty, handsome and strong. The story is essentially ripped from the headlines with just enough reality to keep you reading. Want to relax with a book? This one is fun, fast and a pleasure to read.

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Night School by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a real mystery masterpiece. The story is complex, readable and entertaining. Just enough realism to make it a bit scary. Set early in Reacher's career, it hints at some of his later behaviors and quirks. I just love it. I wish Lee Child would write three books a year. This book can stand alone. One needs not know anything about the other books in the series to enjoy it.
Child's use of language and writing style really shines in this book. So many interesting and provocative story lines that converge in a few seconds of utter realism.

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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great book. Erik Larson gets me anxious even though I know the ending. He brings the characters to life and the reader wonders what will become of them. I am so glad that he has shone a light on this episode of history. We tend to forget what transportation and communication was like in that era. He also shows us how utterly human and sometimes small minded even some of our greatest leaders have been. Human frailty and championing of ignorance is not a new condition of mankind, it is a chronic condition.

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This Was a Man by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fitting end to the Clifton Chronicles. At times hard to read because, knowing that it was the final episode, I didn't want it to end. Taking all the characters and weaving them into a final few inches of fabric, knowing that there would be no more was masterful. What a storyteller. This is a brilliant book and was a brilliant series. I do now know more about cricket than I ever wanted to.

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Sex, Lies, and Serious Money by Stuart Woods
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stuart Woods never fails to provide a delightful read. Imagine yourself with all the money in the world and a rich friend to tell you how to spend it appropriately. That's the main plot of this story. The underlying story is a minor, but interesting, crime conspiracy with Stone and his new friend involved. A lot of delightful sex, mischief and great meal descriptions. In addition jet setting around the the country in private jets.... These books are a joy to read.

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Escape Clause by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Between John Sandford books I forget how good he is. The story is wonderfully presented. The characters have depth and realism, even though they are incredibly weird and almost unbelievable. Virgil is so real and his emotions are portrayed beautifully. The plot is complex and yet I bought the whole thing. Can't wait for the next one. If you've never read John Sandford, this might be a good introduction... I loved it.

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Machinations by Hayley Stone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess this book was pretty much fluff for me. A bit end of the world, machines fight humans. The terminator without time travel. Interesting characters. I think my grandchildren will like this book. The story was too predictable and I don't just mean the ending. I sort of knew the storyline as it unfolded.

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Old Filth by Jane Gardam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection. It is very readable and I had trouble putting it down. The problem was that there was very little plot and a ton of character development. I guess I had figured out the "secret" and was not too surprised at the ending. I think I many have learned a lot about the British Empire that I did not know. Maybe I have a better idea of why England is so different from the States.

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Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another episode in the Clifton Chronicles. I love these books. The stories and characters are quite memorable. They seem to have a depth and realism that is wonderful. Reading these stories has given me a whole new look at English society and politics. I look forward to the next episode.

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