Twisted Prey   John Sandford

Latest in Camp’s Lucas Davenport series. This time he’s in Washington, D.C. investigating an apparent assassination attempt on a Minnesota senator. As usual, Camp’s prose is excellent and pulls the narrative right along. The procedural elements are very well laid out, and there was a good deal of tension. Even though the ending is weakened by a measure of improbability, it was good. I’ve read many of the books in this series, and I liked this one as much as any of them. Good distraction while it lasted.

Distant Star   Roberto Bolaño

Brief, brilliant novel tracking poet, air force pilot, and serial killer Carlos Wieder through the crimes of the Pinochet years in Concepción, Chile and “the shifting anthology of Chilean poetry”, to Barcelona many years later. Written in clear, straightforward prose, at least in this translation, the story unfolds in an almost off-handed narrative. Chilling, sad, and filled with remorse. Felt I should read at least one of Bolaño’s novels. Very good.

Greeks Bearing Gifts   Philip Kerr

Latest, and penultimate, Bernie Gunther novel. I've now read every one in the series. Written well enough, the narrative moves right along, but the plot is static, at best, what little action there is is told through never-ending dialogue, the character portrayals are shallow, once again Bernie’s romantic interest is completely unconvincing, and the cynicism is over the top. Kerr seems more interested in appearing erudite than writing well. Got tired of Bernie’s never-ending sarcasm. Whole thing got tedious. Too bad.

The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook   Niall Ferguson
Well written look at history, primarily European, from the point-of-view of the struggle between networks and hierarchies. I had problems with Ferguson before I read this book, primarily his love of empires and oppression, especially the British Empire which he adores, and his extreme conservative politics, both of which are prominent throughout his analysis. I’m fascinated by networks, especially network theory, so the topic sounded tremendously interesting. Unfortunately, didn’t encounter any new ideas really, I have questions about his sources, and I found his conclusions unpersuasive.