WHEN GHOSTS COME HOME by Wiley Cash

Cash lives up to his early promise and surpasses A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME in this family oriented, murder mystery, plane crash, racial tension, political story. That sounds like a lot, but Cash expertly guides the reader through this complicated, but easy to follow, tale right through to its explosive conclusion. Winston Barnes, a small-town Southern sheriff, discovers a too large plane crashed at the local airport along with the murdered body of a local, young Black man. Complications abound with the upcoming sheriff’s election, a grief-stricken daughter suddenly landing on his doorstep, a conniving developer who is also his political opponent, and now, a resurgence of Klan type bedeviling of the Black community. Cash deftly delivers the atmosphere of a Southern town, well developed characters, believable situations and a tightly conceived plot. Book groups will find a number of topics for discussion. Well worth your time even if you were disappointed in Cash’s last two books. 5 of 5 stars

THE PARIS BOOKSELLER by Kerri Maher

I was half way through this book before I realized it is essentially an accurate and lengthy biography of Sylvia Beach and her English language bookshop. Beach and her Paris shop, “Shakespeare and Company”, hosted many of the writers and thinkers of the early half of the 20th century. She came to fame with her publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses when no one else would publish it. In fact, America had declared it pornography and prevented it from being published or sold in the US. The novel also covers her relationship with Adrienne Monnier and Monnier’s French language bookshop. Both women were sponsors of American, French and British writers. The novel is well researched and well written but gets bogged down in the details. Joyce, Ulysses, Hemingway and Pound by themselves along with Beach could have made a fascinating tale that moved more quickly and kept the reader’s interest from flagging. Still, the history alone makes the book worth reading. Personally, I could have done with a hundred fewer pages. 3 of 5 stars

THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by Richard Osman

This second outing for the Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as the first. We learn a bit more about each of four members, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim as they meet Elizabeth’s ex-husband, also a former (or current?) member of MI5. The fun begins with 20 million in stolen (or not?) diamonds, continues with an attack on Ibrahim, a murder and several more murders. Will Elizabeth and company be able to outwit the Mafia, international thieves, hired killers, renegade officers and other assorted baddies while the laughs keep coming? Osman keeps the group moving while continuing the gentle humor and advancing the intricate plot. He has a good feel for folks in their seventies who do not feel “over the hill”, but are active and engaged. His plot will keep you wondering until the last pages. Altogether a fun read that will keep you engaged. 5 0f 5 stars

THE JUDGE’S LIST by John Grisham

This one grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. A sitting judge may be a serial killer. The daughter of one of his victims is sure of it and informs Lacy Stolz still working for the Board on Judicial Conduct. Although not an investigative body, the BJC decides they will “look into” the allegation. That is when the fun begins. Grisham is at or near his best here. There are a few spots where the action drags a bit, but you may need the breather. Lacy and Allie’s on again, off again romance is also front and center. A fun and scary way to spend a few afternoons or evenings. 5 of 5 stars

THE CHILBURY LADIES CHOIR by Jennifer Ryan

This was much better than I expected! I was expecting a syrupy sweet little tale and got a sprawling story of people: interesting people, who lived and changed and grew larger with each page. It is also a story of war – how fear and loss change people and places. Of course, there are also secrets, spies, skullduggery, lies, love, friendship, betrayal, kindness, faith, redemption, and the joy of music. Music and its ability to heal wounds, cross barriers and sooth hurting souls is the component that binds all the elements of the book into a pleasing and wondrous whole. Book groups will love this book. It offers a myriad of topics for discussion as well as enough plot elements to make every reader happy. 5 of 5 stars

SPEAKING IN BONES by Kathy Reichs

Dr. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, which means they study bones to determine how people lived, but in her case mostly how they died. When an odd woman shows up in her office with a tale of old bones, missing people, and murder, the doctor is intrigued. The bones in question are already in her lab. What will the bones say? Reichs uses all her professional knowledge to create a terrifying tale of murder, warped faith, family secrets and more. Along with bones, Tempe is also dealing her relationship with Canadian policeman Ryan. If you are new to Dr. Brennan, (this is the 17th novel in the series), you may need to do some catching up to fully understand some of the plot details. If you are a Tempe fan, this outing is deliciously evil. 5 of 5 stars

THE SANTA SUIT by Mary Kay Andrews

The Santa Suit is a very sweet story about a house that hasn’t been lived in for years, the suit of clothes worn by the former resident as he for many years portrayed Santa and the disillusioned young woman who is attempting to bring the house, and herself, back to life. Andrews is a master of creating real characters and believable situations in well plotted books. The Santa Suit is a prime example of her expertise. This is a feel good tale that won’t tax your brain but will renew your belief in the goodness of people and the charms of small town life. Well worth an afternoon, or two, of sitting, sipping sweet tea, and getting into a good story. 5 0f 5 stars