Book #27 in 2014 (Audio)

The 60 Second Procrastinator by Jeff Davidson.

No run time given, but it was pretty short, only 2 CDs.

Lots of good tips for beating procrastination.  I've notice an uptick in my productivity while I've been listening to this in the car.  When I get home, I jump right into a task.  Maybe I need a permanent loop of this playing in my life.

4 stars because it actually helped me.  Nothing new under the sun here, but a nice compilation.

Book #26 in 2014

Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis.

FBI research analyst Emmy Dockery is the only one who believes her sister's death is a fire wasn't accidental, but murder.  Spoiler alert:  turns out to be a serial killer.

Fast moving mystery, more like the Patterson of the old days.  I would have added another half a star if the killer's identity didn't feel a little gimmicky.

4 stars.

Book #25 in 2014

Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.

Harry Haristeen once again gets involved in the latest crimes in Crozet, VA.  Are the deaths of two prominent men related to the old skeleton unearthed by a fallen tree?  What about the missing church checks?  Coincidence?

As usual, the pets (Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker) and the other animals are the stars of the book, at least for me.  I don't think I'd continue reading these books if the pet chatter was eliminated.

3 stars.

Book #24 in 2014 (Audio)

Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker.  Read by Christine Lakin.

11.5 hours.

Beautifully written and delightfully narrated.  The story of two families, the McAllisters and the Snows, and how their lives intersect in the small mill town of Titan Falls, New Hampshire.

5 stars.

Book #23 in 2014

Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo.

Latest in the Amish murder series, and my least favorite.

Three members of an Amish family are killed when their buggy is hit by a car, in a hit and run.

The story was quite good, but the murders' identities really came out of left field.  It was unbelievable, to me anyway.

3 stars, but would have been higher but for the resolution.

Book #22 in 2014

One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf.

A small school in Iowa is taken over by a man with a gun.

Fast-moving, interesting and keeps you guessing until the end.  What's not to like?

5 stars

Book #21 in 2014 (Audio)

The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer.   Read by Angela Brazil.

7 hours, 30 minutes.

Once I let go of reality, the book was quite enjoyable to listen to.  A spell overtakes a suburban New Jersey town leaving the women feeling no desire for their mates.  Is the new drama teacher, who is putting on a production of Lysistrata behind it?  (Spoiler alert:  yes)

4 stars.