The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley (classic)This mid-20th century classic British novel is slow but sure. In quiet, subtle language the author reveals an adult world of deceit, treachery, and eventual tragedy from a boy’s point of view. The reader sees, or at least suspects, the truth that is often unfathomable to the young protagonist. Reminded me of two other books I adore: The Good Soldier and The Remains of the Day.

The Black Echo, The Black Ice, and The Concrete Blonde by Edgar Award-winning Michael Connelly (mystery)
Demoted LAPD cop Harry Bosch is smart, good-hearted, cynical, and the odds are against him since his fall from grace. But that doesn’t stop him from pushing hard, talking tough, and taking risks. Dry humor and intelligent detecting add to the pleasure of hanging out with Harry in these three equally good police procedurals.

Blood Sympathy by Reginald Hill (mystery)
From a veteran British mystery writer who I hope hasn’t gotten sick of writng Dalziel and Pascoe novels comes this fun mystery introducing Joe Sixsmith. I was captured by novice detective Joe’s observation that "Clients expected to find private eyes with their feet on their desks, and as short, black, balding, redundant lathe-operator was likely to disappoint most of their other expectations, it seemed only fair to satisfy them in this." A cozy, satisfying, witty book.

Shinju by Laura Joh Rowland (mystery)
This first novel is a gem, a prize, a must-read for everybody, no matter what your tastes are–fiction, history, romance, or morality tale. Set in 1698 Japan, the action starts when the bodies of a man and a woman bound together are dragged out of the Sumida River. Shinju, a ritual double suicide, is suspected until Sano, a samurai, comes on the scene. You’ll be pulling for him the whole exciting time.

Barchester Towers, Doctor Thorne, and He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope (classic)
I have never read a Trollope I didn’t love. These three titles are excellent examples of his wise, well-ordered world of the mid-1800s. With always kind yet incisive humor on every page, constant plot advancement (even though mostly baby steps), and colorful characters, his books are a reassuring refuge from what often feels like an out-of-whack world. He Knew He Was Right (not a part of the Barchester novels) is particularly pleasurable and did not seem overly long even at 930 pages.