Author: C.J. Box

I know when I finished the first book in the Joe Pickett series I said that I wouldn’t read any others. We watched a Joe Pickett series on Netflix and I enjoyed it so I decided to read another one. This one is #16 in the series so a lot had happened since the first book and where the Netflix series ended.

All the characters I remembered from the book appeared in the television series, although I didn’t remember the Nate character. He returns in this book along with Joe’s eldest daughter who is now in her early twenties. The story is much more violent than I would have expected and deals with terrorists planning an attack in America.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Kent Haruf

Pat found this book on a shelf at the Lodge when we were staying in Vancouver; he hadn’t finished it so he brought it home. When he was finished he said I might like it so I added it to my pile of books.

It is a simple story, well-written, about the lives of several characters in a small town in Colorado. The characters include co-workers at the school, one of the teacher’s children, a student and two bachelors.

This is the first novel in a set of three and I’ll definitely read more of them.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Emma Donoghue

Some time ago Pat and I watched a travel documentary on Ireland. One of the places that was talked about was Skellig Michael. This is a fictional account of the very first monks to settle on the island.

Three priests set out by boat from a well established monastery in search of a spot where they would be way from all of the worldly temptations. The island they came ashore on was remote and rugged – there was only one tree and the island was inhabited only by birds. The zealousness of the leader meant it was a very hard life for his two followers.

This is quite unlike any of the other books I’ve read by Donoghue. I didn’t know of the connection between the story and Skellig Michael until I read the author’s notes.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Diana Gabaldon

The latest book in the Outlander series did not disappoint.I’m not sure where the title came from although there were a few places in the book where I though Fraser’s Ridge might have to be abandoned.

The American Revolution is still going on and Jamie (and Claire) are called to fight some of the battles. Ian and Rachel have finally found a name for their son; Roger, Bree and family have returned to the Ridge and have a new baby. Fergus and family have had to move twice due to threats related to their printing business. William is still having trouble coming to terms with his paternity; Lord John and his brother Hal are concerned as Hal’s son Ben is fighting for the Americans.

I wonder how long I’ll have to wait for the next book.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *