My Absolute Darling   Gabriel Tallent
Beautifully written, deeply disturbing novel about the incestuous relationship between Julia “Turtle” Alveston and her monster of a father who abuses her sexually and emotionally. Extraordinary details about the physical world and her inner life. Outstanding portrayal of her personality that completely justifies the narrative development, and very-well written characters, good and bad, most often in authentic dialogue. Very good, but hard to read emotionally.

Sourdough   Robin Sloan
Read this book because I loved Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore so much, and this novel has the same inventiveness and wonder in the same light, readable prose. Story of a young woman, sourdough starter, the future of food, and, as always, love. An interesting blend of hard technology and mysticism, very bay area. Entertaining, enjoyable, and worth every quick page. Really liked it.

The Midnight Line   Lee Child
Latest Reacher novel. This time, he’s in Wyoming and South Dakota trying to return a woman soldier’s West Point class ring. Get’s involved with a very sophisticated opioid drug ring. Written in Child’s usual crisp, intelligent, highly-readable prose. But most of the interactions between Reacher and the other searchers weren’t as interesting as in past novels, almost got a little tedious in the  middle. But, a quick, entertaining, and enjoyable read. Sad, too. Wish I had another one.

I.Q. Joe Ide
Very inventive, entertaining novel about a contemporary Sherlock Holmes character in urban Los Angeles. The Holmes figure is a young black man, Isaiah Quintabe, thus the title, whose sidekick is Dodson. Pretty good characterizations, and good writing, but the real power of it is the dialogue, which is very good. Plot is a little thin, but not bad. Very enjoyable read, couldn’t put it down, even the way I am now. Really looking forward to the next one.

Deep Freeze   John Sandford
Latest, very entertaining Virgil Flowers police procedural, based again in the fictitious Trippton, MN. He has to solve two murders, both with some difficult wrinkles. Not as much humorous repartee, this time, and I miss Virgil’s sexual adventures now that he’s with Frankie, but still good. All of it told in Camp’s clear, very readable prose that moves things right along. A very nice, enjoyable distraction.