Red Cat   Peter Spiegelman

A very well written and executed mystery. John March’s brother demands that he find a woman who is threatening him and his family. Of course, she then turns up murdered. March painstakingly follows what clues he has. Spiegelman does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere and environment in which March works. A lot of detail about the characters. All the relationships are fraught and unraveling. The murdered woman is an especially fascinating character. Really enjoyed this very good novel.

Holy Ghost   John Sandford

Latest in the Virgil Flowers series. This time  there are shenanigans and murder in Wheatfield, Minnesota surrounding visitations from the Virgin Mary who looks suspiciously like one of the town’s women. Like the other books in the series, the banter among the cops and the idiosyncratic townspeople are the most enjoyable elements. Even the sub plots weren’t so bad. But Sandford took so long with the police procedural that it got a little tedious. All-in-all an enjoyable, very well written distraction.

The Darkening Age: The Christian Destruction of the Classical World   Catherine Nixey

Disturbing and infuriating history of the concerted Christian efforts to destroy “pagan” culture and thought as Christianity became the dominate ideology between the first and fifth centuries of the Christian era. Nixey’s attempts to make it a popular, almost entertaining, history weaken it, and the organization was a little chaotic, but the information that does come through is very important, and works to undermine the Christian propaganda about that period. Very informative and useful history.

Wrecked   Joe Ide

Third novel in the very enjoyable IQ series. The main narrative arc leads Isaiah to Grace, she is his Irene Adler, which leads to love and serious danger, and unfortunately, too many chases. But like the other IQ novels, the real entertainment is the characterizations. The hood is filled with unique and interesting people. As usual, Ide’s prose moves things right along effortlessly. Had a very good time reading it, wish there were more of them.

They Shoot Horses Don’t They   Horace McCoy

Emotionally bleak, 1935 novel about two people involved in a marathon dance. Captures the desperation of life in Depression-era America, as well as any history could. Authentic prose, vivid characters, and engrossing plot. A very quick, rewarding read.