Best books for January: A gold rush mystery, an investigative shocker, and a local novel
NONFICTION
"The Fort Bragg Cartel" by Seth Harp. Maybe I am naïve, but this investigative piece left me gob-smacked. It is about the massive drug trade run by a group of militaries, many of them in elite forces, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It is also an excellent review of our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq and how the people who serve there are often left with mental health problems and serious drug addictions. I highly recommend this book.
FICTION
The fiction list this month includes some easy or cozy reading, as it is called. Not particularly my favorite, but sometimes readers want a light bite, so to speak. You pick what works for you.
"Venetian Vespers" by John Banville. Not a cozy murder mystery, more of a brooding, dark, and atmospheric story set in Venice. I challenge you to guess the ending!
"The Predicament" by William Boyd. This story brings a second spy role for travel writer Gabriel Dax. He is a reluctant spy for MI6 but admits to a satisfied thrill with some of his daring actions. Boyd is often compared to John le Carre.
"Lit" by Tim Sandlin. Populated with some larger-than-life characters, this mystery set in a small Wyoming town pokes fun at current social mores with a fast-moving story. An easy read or listen.
"The Botanist’s Assistant" by Peggy Townsend. A charming mystery with a fierce heroine. You know the person who is uber-precise and detail oriented – sometimes that is who you need to solve the issue.
"Sheepdogs" by Elliot Ackerman. A global game of cat-and-mouse hijinks involving ex-CIA operatives and crooked foreign governments. Crazy, but fun.
"The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum" by Margalit Fox. 1860s New York and a nice Jewish lady is the most successful fence in the region. As she perfected the selling of stolen goods, she rose in society due to her lavish lifestyle.
"Becoming Hattie Mae" by Carol Heilman. The author is a Daniel Island resident, and this book tells the story of breaking free of the limitations of an Appalachian mining community. Heilman effectively uses regional dialect and immersive description.
"Rush" by Beth Lewis. A cozy mystery set in the Yukon during the gold rush.