It’s been quite a week in the US, to say the least. I’ve been feeling a volatile mix of emotions, from relief, hope, and optimism to sadness, fear, and doubt. It’s proven to be an exhausting and tricky maze to navigate. I’m just trying to take it moment-by-moment and day-by-day with as much patience, compassion, kindness, and gratitude as I can muster.

Let’s get to it.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

 

3 LINKS

• The NYTs finds Nesbo’s latest standalone THE KINGDOM much tamer and (initially) slower than the typical Hole books but eventually it slams to a conclusion.

• Bleeding Cool looks at the latest Reacher and points out a few things I’d also noticed in the last few books. To be fair, re-read a number of early JR this year and he’s not as taciturn but was always unstoppable.
  

• In the Guardian, Val McDermid reflects on the timing, inspiration, and changes that resulted from writing and publishing THE MERMAIDS SINGING.

 

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Vac McDermid:

• “A society gets the criminals it deserves.”
  

• “He frowned as he struggled to remember. It was like watching an elephant crochet.”

 

1 QUESTION

• Lots of big books coming out for the holiday season. What book are you most looking forward to in November? I’m excited about Connelly’s return to Mickey Haller in the latest Lincoln Lawyer book.
  

 

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series