Fiction
Related: About this forumWhat Fiction are you reading this week, July 5, 2026?

Still reading Dead Mountain. The hits just keep on coming. There's police corruption, FBI secrets, and courtroom drama. All brought about by the continuing mystery of the missing hikers.
Listened to The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood, a Marlow Murder Club mystery. Veddy British, clever and amusing. I'll be looking for more of these.
Now listening to The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter, a comic and heartfelt novel. During the financial crisis of 2008 Matt Prior, whos losing his job, his wife, his house, and his mind "all of a sudden discovers a way that he might just possibly be able to save it all, and have a pretty damn great time doing it." Quite enjoyable.
Hope everyone survived the "festivities." I felt like I was living in a war zone. It started Wednesday night and went on every night since. Can't help but wonder how so many people came up with hundreds of dollars for explosives to aggravate the neighbors and terrorize their animals.
Stay hydrated.
viva la
(4,654 posts)Anne Bronte
hermetic
(9,344 posts)First published June 1, 1848
Told with great immediacy, combined with wit and irony, this is "a powerful depiction of a woman's fight for domestic independence and creative freedom."
Bayard
(30,780 posts)"A secret chamber. A mysterious shipwreck. A murder in the desolate salt marshes.
A seemingly straightforward private case turns out to be much more complicated-and sinister-than Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast ever could have anticipated."
Loves me some Pendergast.
txwhitedove
(4,425 posts)we barely hear the fireworks, but there definitely weren't as many this year.
Just finished A Ficker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham, recommended last week by MIButterfly. Oh my, quite a page turner, thriller, plot twists, keeps you guessing BUT I did not sneak a peek at the ending. "When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath. Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. But..."
Note on non-fiction I mentioned last week, The Ride of Her Life: Probably the best book I've read this year, funny, inspiring, and a historical memory for this Boomer.
mentalsolstice
(4,667 posts)About a young mans years at the Naval Academy, his service at Pearl Harbor and during WWII. My uncle graduated from the USNA in 1958, fellow graduates included John Poindexter and John McCain. It was the last class where midshipmen could elect to be commissioned in the USAF. My uncle did just that, poor KY boy didnt know how seasick he could get until his first youngster cruise. It ended well for him, he retired as a half bird, worked another 10 years at the Pentagon and retired happily.
Have a safe week, its hotter than hell out there. 🔥🥵
hermetic
(9,344 posts)Lived on bases most of my childhood, all over the world. I should check that book out. Thanks!
mentalsolstice
(4,667 posts)I lived in Pensacola, went college and worked at NAS as civil service. So most of my coworkers were active duty, retired or spouses. So I know the language.
Paper Roses
(7,637 posts)Most of the books I read are passed on to me. My finances restrict the purchase of new books. I also have access to several "Little Free Libraries". Since I don't watch TV except for some news, I read. Some books are worthy, others just take time but don't offer much.
This book was a fantastic novel, it took while to read because there is so much information with a very strong story. . I will pass the book to someone who will take the time to read this fictional novel and can appreciate the setting. Pre, during and following WW11 Europe.
I may even keep it for a re-read in the future. My version is a large size paperback published as such in 2014. Check your used bookstores or on-line. Well worth your attention.
hermetic
(9,344 posts)Glad you got the opportunity to read it.
cbabe
(7,046 posts)Lost in Yellowstone.
Thriller mysteries set in the national parks. Federal investigator Emme and her colleagues track killers surrounded by wilderness beauty.
I found the writing flat and Emme annoyingly. Good ideas that never really took off.
I prefer the Nevada Barr Anna series for a park ranger in beauty chasing bad guys.
hermetic
(9,344 posts)It's also good to know what to avoid.
LessAspin
(2,172 posts)
hermetic
(9,344 posts)in May. No one has reviewed it on GoodReads yet.
Number9Dream
(1,916 posts)Thanks for the thread, hermetic.
An interesting murder mystery set in 1958 in Minnesota. The victim was a prominent landowner, but a real lowlife. It was rather dark and depressing, and addressed racism and prejudice. If you're looking for a more cozy mystery, this ain't for you.
LogDog75
(1,492 posts)I like Patterson novels. They're light reading and the story line isn't complicated.
hermetic
(9,344 posts)That one was just published and sounds great. "Theres courage and nonstop action on every page."
Thanks!