A Man Without Breath   Philip Kerr
Latest Bernie Gunther novel. I have read everyone. This time Gunther is causing problems in Smolensk in 1943. Read quickly enough, as usual, but less interesting. Bernie’s sarcasm seemed stale, the plot was obvious, and the relationship with the woman felt contrived. Not bad, but a little disappointing. May be my last one.

The Great Agnostic: Robert Ingersoll and American Freethought Susan Jacoby
Interesting, well-written introduction to Ingersoll, his historical place, and his ideas. Too much a polemic telling us what we should take from it, especially the letter at the end, but much good information nonetheless. A fascinating figure. Very Good.

A Delicate Truth   John LeCarré
Perfectly executed novel about a rendition attempt gone wrong and the damage it does to some of the people involved. Beautifully written, interesting characters, and a timely, if depressing, plot. Excellent.

Walter Benjamin   Esther Leslie
Well written intellectual, or critical, biography of the German “philosopher” and critic who is currently so popular. I’m still not sure what to think of Benjamin, but there is much of him that is deeply intriguing, and this is an excellent overview. Well worth the read.

The Leopard   Jo Nesbø
Another excellent installment in the Harry Hole series. Harry returns to Oslo to track a serial killer to the Congo and back, while dealing with the encroachment of Kripos, his own addictions and demons, and the death of his father. The increasing damage to Harry’s body reflects the damage to his mind. Longest in the series so far and well worth it. Can’t wait for the next one.

In the Tunnel   Okubo Takamichi
Very disappointing Novella about two people trapped when the bus they are on is caught in a tunnel collapse. Read more and more like a pep talk on a positive mental attitude. Waste of time even though it was short.

The Destroyed   Brett Battles
Disappointing installment in Battles’ cleaner series about an unfinished job that comes back to haunt Quinn. Not enough character development, and Battles’ seemed to strain at the plot. Really quick read, but not that much fun.

Second Son, A Jack Reacher Story   Lee Child
Short story about a 15-year-old Jack Reacher solving a case the way the adult Reacher does. Nice to meet his family. Same intelligence of style and plot that makes the whole series so interesting. Really liked it.

The Infinite Tides    Christian Kiefer
Beautifully written, thoughtful novel about an astronaut returning from the ISS to deal with his daughter’s death and his wife leaving him. Thoughtful, interesting, and as already mentioned beautifully written. Too bad the ending was so disappointing. Too bad.

California Fire and Life   Don Winslow
Entertaining, well-written novel about an insurance fire investigator uncovering murder and fraud by a real estate mogul tied to the FBS and Russian Mafia. Enjoyed his conversational style. I was nicely entertained.

Helsinki Blood   James Thompson
Latest in this deeply entertaining, brutal, emotionally bleak series about inspector Kari Vaara. Everyone is seriously damaged as he tries to get out from under police corruption, win back his wife and daughter, and save their lives. Hope there’s another one.

Deep Down, A Jack Reacher Story   Lee Child
Very entertaining “Kindle Single”, set back in the 80s, about Reacher solving the penetration of the Navy by a Soviet spy. All the things that make the novels so good are here. Just too short. Really liked it.

Hit Me   Lawrence Block
Latest in Block’s Hit series. Now Keller has a wife and child and thought he was retired. Not so fast. As usual. Block’s quick, clean style, entertaing dialogue, and interesting plot made this novel hard to put down.

The Winter of Frankie Machine   Don Winslow
Entertaining novel about a mafia hit man who just wants to be a San Diego businessman. Characters are pretty shallow, but the style is entertaining, and there’s plenty of slam bang action. Quick, pleasant read.

The Snowman   Jo Nesbø
Latest Harry Hole police procedural where a snowman is integral to a series of murders of women. As always in this series, excellent writing, interesting characters, and a complex plot that is perfectly executed. This time Harry’s loved ones are also targets. Very good.

Death in Breslau   Marek Krajewski
Strange, difficult mystery, set in Breslau during the rise of the Nazis, when it was still part of Germany. Three women are sliced open, then scorpions placed in their bodies. The difficulty derives primarily from the poor translation that includes some sentences that unintelligible in English. Too bad.

War Stories, Poems about Long Ago and Now  Howard Nemerov
I’ve loved Nemerov’s poetry since I was a teenager. This collection is about WWII, Vietnam, and since. I wish more people knew his poems. Very good.

Getting Off    Lawrence Block (writing as Jill Emerson)
Utterly entertaining guilty pleasure of a novel about an irresistible woman who murders anyone she sleeps with. And she sleeps with a lot of people. Clean, simple style that pulls you right along. Absolutely loved it.