Book 26 River of the Dead ** by Barbara Nadel

Interesting, well written.   Set in Turkey.   I've read a few histories and novels about Turkey and the plots, settings, and character types were all new to me.  

Will I read Nadel again --- maybe.

Book 25 Cry of the Owl *** by Patricia Highsmith

Much better than average mystery.   You cannot guess what will happen on the next page --- all remains a surprise up to the very last page.  


Three stars for being unique.


Other great books by this author:
The Talented Mr. Ripley and its sequels (one of my favourite mystery characters).

Book 24 Freedom ** by Jonathan Franzen

A story of modern times, incorporating many events and personality types of the last half of the 20th century.   Franzen tells a great story and has deep insight into human behaviour.    I really tired of the characters who while interesting had many moral flaws.   


Flaws --- male writer's fixation on sex, Amerian writer's need to create larger than life characters, and extreme plots and events, happy ending.


I would recommend it but it's not flawless

Book 23 Slam ** by Nick Hornby

Another book about the teenage boy, sex, and growing up in England.  Derivative of Adrian Mole.  Well written, entertaining, a few original insights.

Book 22 When in France, do as the French Do * by Ross Steele

A good book, not as good as Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't be Wrong, and a little out of date.