All The Flowers Are Dying by Lawrence Block

This was an unbelievably weak entry into the Scudder canon. I think he's simply become too old for this game, and it wouldn't surprise me if this was his last appearance. First, the bad guy here is the same dude from a previous installment, and he was weak (as a nemesis) then. He's even lamer the second time around. One of the things I love about the Scudder series is that there are no diabolically brilliant but crazy serial killer psychopaths stalking the detective that foiled their evil plans for world domination. Okay, there was a mid-series appearance of someone who vaguely matches that profile, but it's not the norm and it was done well that time. Not so much, here. Second, Scudder is totally passive in this one. He's pretty much marking time, waiting for the resolution but not driving it. It's clear that he knows he's too old for this shit too, but then why feature him? I continue to be impressed with Block's willingness to Go There on some really difficult things, and the unflinching way in which his characters deal with them. But that's about the only thing going for it this time around.

The Burglar in the Closet by Lawrence Block

I'm still wanting to like this series more than I actually am enjoying it. How many times can a single burglar stumble across a murder in the course of his burgling, requiring that he dedicate himself to solving the crime to clear his good (bad) name? The answer so far seems to be "at least twice". So far, I like the writing, and I like the characters, but the plots leave me completely cold.

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

To be honest, I didn't think Mark Haddon would be able to deliver a second novel as fantastic as his first (The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time), but I will loudly declare my wrongness to anyone who will listen. I loved this story. I'm generally not a fan of modern British domestic lit, but this is a huge exception. Nothing has ever captured the middle-class middle-aged suburban British sensibility quite so brilliantly. I was completely immersed in the story's universe on a level that most books fail to achieve regardless of their time and place. It quite simply couldn't take place anywhere else, with anyone else, and still work as well. The end result is a novel that is a cut above. The story follows retiree George as he slowly rides off the rails into obsessive hypochondria. Parts are actually very disturbing as he loses perspective completely and dangerously, but somehow the charm remains even then. Put me down today for a pre-order on Hadden's next book, please.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I really loved almost everything about this book. So much so that I hardly even want to criticize anything. It was such a breath of fresh air after months of reading gritty mysteries because nothing else could hold my interest. It was exactly the blend of old-time sensibility and modern storytelling that I was hoping for. Vida Winter is a fascinating, enigmatic foil for the pragmatic, sensible biographer narrator. The twin elements of the story didn't feel exactly right, though I can't put my finger on what was off about them. But Margaret's enduring sense of her missing piece and her longing for maternal affection were played just right. Aurelius was also not quite right as a character, though again I have no specific criticisms for why he didn't work for me. Not helpful, I know. I look forward to Setterfield's next book, though I worry that the huge marketing push and success of this one is going to put way too much pressure on her to deliver again.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block

I'm not quite sure what to make of the Bernie Rhodenbarr series just yet. I'm obviously coming to the end of Block's Scudder series, and am trying both his other series (Keller and Rhodenbarr) on for size. I don't know that Bernie's a good fit, but I'll probably keep reading until I'm sure. I actually think Bernie himself is great, and I like the lighthearted caper feeling to the story, especially in contrast to the dark depression of the Scudder series at its end. But I didn't enjoy the fact that I could predict nearly every twist and turn of the plot, nor was the resolution very satisfying. We'll see.