42. Lords and Ladies, Terry Pratchett

Will Magret marry the king? Will Nanny Ogg be seduced by Casanunda? Will Granny Weatherwax die? This Midsummer Night is more nightmare than dream.

41. Palace Council, Stephen L. Carter

A political plot involving Harlem's wealthy & privileged. The milieu, where Carter's three novels are set, is richly evocative. Tracking family relationships is half the fun.

40. A Deceptive Clarity, Aaron Elkins

Chris Norgren investigates murder and forgery of old masters. Series makes me wish I'd studied Art History.

39. You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You, Molly Ivins

Politics in the Clinton Years. What more can I say? If you don't know Ivins' sharp, funny,intelligent political essays, get thee to a bookshop.

38. Small Vices (Audio)

Collegiate murder and Spenser almost dies. This is the second listening for me and I look forward to more. Burt Reynolds makes the perfect Spenser.

34. The Colony, John Tayman

I loved it, but I keep looking at the white spots on my leg and worrying that I have leprosy.

36. The Judas Goat,Robert B. Parker

Spenser chases international terrorists, with Hawk, through London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Montreal during the Olympics.

35. Cinnamon Kiss, Walter Mosley

Murder (of course), missing persons (of course) and life-threatening disease for Easy Rawlin's daughter. Easy's encounters with the Hippies have a man-from-mars quality.

37. Endangered Species, Nevada Barr

Murder and baby turtles for Anna Pigeon on Cumberland Island off the Georgia Coast. This is a great series.

33. The Return Journey, Maeve Binchy (Audio)

Fourteen stories only on audio. First two are obviously early, but still good. Last 12 are pure Binchy and funny.

32. Le Rameau Brisé (When the Bough Breaks, French vers.), Jonathan Kellerman

Can't believe I never read this first in the Alex Delaware series. Tale of murder and child pornography may be the best.

31. Dunster, John Mortimer (Audio, abridged)

Vintage Mortimer. Television documentary revives old antagonisms and questions about wartime atrocities.