Here are three more novels I’ve read recently.

The Last Good Kiss, by James Crumley. This Black Lizard book sat on my shelf for a long time. Didn’t know what I was missing. Another roman noir book. The book takes a leisurely, meandering pace, with several seemingly unrelated things going on. At times you think everything’s resolved and the book can end now. Finally, about 80% of the way through, things collide in a way I wasn’t expecting. Well done. But the protagonist is a bit too far on the lacking-in-morals side for me. Probably won’t read any more.

School Days, by Robert Parker. A quick read, like most Spencer novels–a couple days, tops. I wasn’t sure how this one would end. I did some guessing, and came pretty close, but still enough wiggle room for surprises. Hawk made no appearance in this book, and Susan was pretty much absent, but Pearl the Wonderdog was ever present. Now I’m all caught up with the Spencer series (except for the latest hardback).

The Flower Net, by Lisa See. This author has a series of mysteries set in China. They have gorgeous covers. Every time I was in a bookstore, I was drawn to them. Finally bought “The Flower Net,” the first in the series. Set mostly in China, with the middle section in Los Angeles. Lots of background, lots of Chinese flavor. It was a little much at first, and I wanted the plot to move along faster, but once I got into the rhythm, it was good. Not great.