L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton

 This was a romp that was not as much fun as it was stressful and kind of depressing. Kinsey often deals with "underlife," but these folks were particularly low. Kinsey tries to help a neighbor, recommended by lovable Henry whom she can't turn down, and finds herself virtually kidnapped and taken on a wild goose chase to unravel a mystery and find a stolen treasure. The treasure was stolen by a group of unscrupulous men 40 years earlier, and murder ensued, and prison terms served. However, the quest for the treasure proved to be worthwhile. The main villain is truly evil and battering, and we have to have more of him than we like. What is somewhat borderline charming is the way another of the gang, Ray, and his daughter Laura, and his mother Helen become a family for Kinsey. 

I enjoyed having this lightweight paperback along for the trip to Rapid City from Las Vegas since it turned out to be such a comical loading and unloading of passengers as Allegiant tried to get us on a plane that worked. Because I had this entertaining, although somewhat depressing milieu, I was able to withstand the four-hour plus delay with aplomb. I did not get grumpy, nor did I get aprehensive, as Len did. We survived the ordeal and landed safely. This was a good book to have along since it totally "took me away" from the scene and helped me enjoy another world, even though it wasn't a particularly pleasant one. And a nice bonus at the end was Kinsey needing help from her cousin, whom she had rejected up to that point. It was gratifying to see that she needed help, asked for it, and got it. Which also means her cousin Tasha will most likely appear in the next installment. I also liked that Kinsey got a little sentimental at the wedding of William and Rosie. I'm glad it was a sweet occasion and that Kinsey got out of her horrible situation in time to be there. There was definitely the possibility that this adventure would waylay her plans...

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

 This book was a wonderful read, and creative and brilliant! I loved it so much, and thought, this author is amazing. One of my favorites, especially since "A Gentleman in Moscow," which was equally brilliant and rich. I felt this way all the way through, until the end! Oh, my, what a disappointing conclusion to it all! I'm not even sure what happened at the end; it's a little obscure. But, given time, maybe I will understand that death was the only way that Duchess could have ended? And Woolly too? These two characters were fascinating and troubled...maybe that was the point? I loved Emmett and Billy, and especially how their goodness contrasted with the troubled Duchess and Woolly. Still, I was hoping for redemption for them!

There were other great characters too--Ulysses and the professor were intriguing to learn about. The way the story lasted ten days and yet we learn so much about their lives and thinking. And Sally, the indefatigable Sally who was so capable and so focused and so taken for granted. Such good writing and character development are always appreciated by me, and the way the story came together was brilliant. So many times I was in awe of Towles's ability to make each character's voice and metaphors and analogies unique. Just brilliant. Still, I was hoping for a happier end for them all. 

It's been a week or so since I finished reading it, and I'm still not sure if I want to keep this book and try it again or not. I was so let down by the ending! But maybe taking it on again in awhile will help me understand what Towles is getting at. Yet do I want to believe people can't change? I'm all for reality and not arguing with it, but sheesh... Still undecided. 

So Brave, Young, and Handsome, by Leif Enger

Because I enjoyed "Peace Like a River" so much, I wanted to try another one by this author. This one is a treasure too. It's another cowboy story, kind of, and the narrator is similar to the one in his first book. That is, the narrator is humble, vulnerable, quirky, and often funny. Both narrators are absolutely delightful and honest and engaging.

Another similarity between the two books is that they deal with a criminal on the run. Outlaws and horses are involved in both stories as well. And both books have fascinating and witty and colorful characters who get caught up in crazy, outlandish, but somehow charming adventures.

I really liked the way this story unfolded. I enjoyed following Monte Becket's adventure, although I worried about him. I liked him so much, I felt protective of him. I wanted him to go home to Susannah, but he just could never get there! Things kept cropping up...and I enjoyed reading about what a road trip across Kansas and Oklahoma, etc., was like. I enjoyed the way he camped out, rode trains, met people, and was true to his friend Glendon. The final chapters set in the citrus orchards of California were beautiful reading too. Enger creates such idyllic settings and warmth, you want to enter the story somehow! He's also very funny. Laugh out loud funny sometimes. That Pinkerton detective, Charlie Siringo, unfolds in a fascinating way, as do all of the characters here. His language, metaphors, and visuals are STUNNING.