#73 Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

 

The story goes over the year after the battle of Chicago.  Harry is in a funk from all the death and losses of both friends and allies.  This is a story about grief and depression and how Harry works through it. Of course, there is stuff he is trying to fix from the aftermath of the war and also do his duties as the Winter Knight.  This is definitely the beginning of a new story arc in the Dresden series and can be a good place for a few reader to start if they don’t mind spoilers for past events. I liked how Harry just didn’t bounce back and neither did Chicago and yet by the end of the book there is hope.

 

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

#74 The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo, John Picacio (Author And Illustrator)

 

Cala’s family is prepping for Día de Muertos celebration but she is missing her recently departed grandfather to much to enjoy or help with the preparations.  As she goes to the cemetery with her family ghosts approach her and help her with realizing that this is the way to celebrate her grandfather and remember him with her family.  The art is amazing in the book and really helps with the storytelling.

#75 The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly, Peter Giles [Narrator]

 

After the events of the previous book Mickey is now doing civil work and is representing a grieving mother, whose teen daughter was killed by a former boyfriend that the case says did this at the motivation of his AI girlfriend.  The story also crosses paths with Jack McEvoy who approaches Mickey because he wants to write a book about the case and the risks of AI. Mickey uses all his tricks from working criminal defense cases to try and bring some accountability of the AI’s company on their actions. A timely story about the dangers of AI and its effects on people.

#76 Testimony of Mute Things by Lois McMaster Bujold

 

This is set earlier in Penric’s life and has him solving the murder of a woman that wanted to speak to the archdivine but was turned away.  When Penric finds out she is dead the next day he starts to find out what she wanted to tell his boss and who wanted her dead.