68. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen – This Rizzoli & Isles novel was really good, although it varied quite a bit from the usual formula. It included action in Italy, action in which our principals were not involved, and put us in the POV of a “guest” character. In a non-Rizzoli & Isles book, this guest could easily have been the main character. Still, this is a R&I novel, so I was surprised that Gerritsen spent so much time and ink in her head, rather than in the main characters’ minds/lives. The demonology plot was interesting and educational and effective as a story driver. And the final twist was, I must say, pretty darned cool. (finished 12/1)
69. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen – A very good read. Rizzoli & Isles dabble in Egyptology and mummification… to the extent that they are linked to murder and disappearances in the Boston area. The twist at the end was a big surprise. (finished 12/6)
70. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen – This is the newest Rizzoli & Isles novel and it rocks. Set for the most part in the mountains of Wyoming (rather than the usual: Boston), this novel puts Maura Isles in mortal danger for several weeks, while people in Boston think she has died. When Rizzoli finally discovers that Maura is alive, she moves heaven and earth to rescue her friend. Complete with cultists and corrupt cops, this book doesn’t disappoint on any level. (finished 12/9)
71. The Next Thing on my List by Jill Smolinski – Chick lit with heart and wit and a not-too-pat ending. The premise – a main character who accidentally caused the death of another woman, so she decides to complete that woman’s “things to do by my next birthday” list in proxy – could have resulted in a schmaltzy or morbid book, but Smolinski deftly avoids both sentimentality and creepiness. A really good read! (finished 12/13)
72. Flinx Transcendent by Alan Dean Foster – This ninth novel in the Pip & Flinx series is the last, bringing to a climax the overarching plotline of the whole shebang, the ultimate confrontation that will determine the fate of the characters and of our cluster of galaxies. While the language is at times overly flowery, overly pedantic, underly (well, it should be a word) conversational, the book holds up. And given the chore of winding up a series begun so long ago and involving so many civilizations, Foster has done an admirable job. (finished 12/27)
73. Unravelled by Robyn Harding – Not great literature, but it’s a fun (if unlikely and occasionally predictable) book. Don’t look for the meaning of life here, but there are laughs and some drama and lots of angst and even some knitting. (finished 12/31)
