Western New York has had a very wet and cold week — someone told me that this past June was the wettest on record, and I believe it! Thus, I haven’t been doing the usual summer activities — mostly I’ve been hiding out with my nose in a book. This past week was a week of mysteries.
First, I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson, a book that apparently many other people are talking about. I don’t usually read fictional mysteries, but Larsson’s book had me hooked from page one. The characters were interesting (although, not always likeable), and the mystery plot complex (but not too complex). The only disappointment was that I had most of the “who done it” figured out before the ending, so I was not shocked by the conclusion of the book. Still, the book was a real page turner and I’m looking forward to Larsson’s next book due out later this summer.
I also just finished The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi. Monster is a book of true crime — I love true crime books as long as they are well written (not Ann Rule). Preston and Spezi’s book investigates the serial killer who killed 14 people in and around Florence, Italy. The Monster case has never been solved, but Preston and Spezi deliver a frank account of the Italian court system and ideas of justice.
Right now I am reading For the Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb, and the Murder that Shocked Chicago. No real mystery here — but a great look at crime history.
The weather looks like it is finally clearing! Yay — hopefully, I can spend part of the weekend outside. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend everyone!
The Scrapper Poet 