The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice to return to a solidly written story, after another bout with a current author that was left alone by a good editor. Kaminsky does move this one very, very fast. The plot is very good, the mystery great and the characters very well done. As usual, Kaminsky nails the dialogue of the separate characters. Also, if you are a nostalgia nut like me, you’ll love the appearances of the well-known during this 1940s setting. To some, I’m guessing, this all appears way too old fashioned. Cynics of this day might say it isn’t realistic to what was really happening at the time, as if they knew what was realistic at the time (We sure have a weird view of “realism” today). These Toby Peters novels are just very good mysteries that are also much fun to read. With the 500 page tombs drowning in excess being produced today, I think some have forgotten what a good book is.



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Always Say Goodbye by Stuart M. Kaminsky

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first I’ve read of the Stuart Kaminsky series involving Lew Fonesca that otherwise takes place in Sarasota. This entry in the series, though, mostly takes place in Chicago as the main character looks for the murderer of his wife. The writing is well done. Especially in getting the Chicago dialogue to read true. There are a number of twists. One twist involving one character is especially well done. Also, this is not an overwritten novel as so many others are today.

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A rather varied collection read through the past few weeks. Ronald Kessler’s The Bureau is a follow-up to his earlier book ‘Inside the FBI’. It’s a very good history of this government department.

‘She Woke to Darkness’ is a Mike Shayne entry with Mike making a trip to New York. The difference is that most of the story is told through the eyes of Brett Halliday, A.K.A. David Dresser in real life. Not one of the best stories Cresser assembled. The bad guy is a bit too obvious.

Former Mayor Carl T. Langford’s 1976 book, ‘Hizzoner the Mayor is probably the best book I read this year and certainly is one of my favorites. Full of wit and wisdom, I’ve not read a book that has better to lay out the needs to be a politician and a leader. Langofrd, as is his style, doesn’t mess around and tells it like is it. It’s sad that it’s so hard to find that today.