Ali Cross by James Patterson
Listened to on the Audible app
Narrated by Zeno Robinson and Andre Blake
Children's fiction, crime, family, detectives
Recommend: Yes
Ali wants more than anything to become a stellar detective likes his father, but he's only in middle school. His mind loves mysteries and figuring out clues. He has a big opportunity to practice these skills when his good friend goes missing and his house gets broken into and robbed just before the Christmas holidays. His father is encouraging and firm, telling him to keep out of serious situations where he could be harmed. Ali sometimes listens and other times does not.
I enjoyed this fast paced novel and especially liked the narrators, they really made the characters come alive.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Narrated by Lauren Ambrose
Mystery, murder, hotels
Recommend: No
Molly is a maid and a good one. She loves her job at an upscale hotel and wants nothing more out of life. She lives with her Grandmother and when she passes away her life is empty. Molly struggles to read people's emotions and meanings. She's socially awkward and slow to catch when others are deceptive. Yet, she notices things and she's brave and resilient among her co-worker's unkind comments, betrayals and unjust condemnation.
This mystery started out intriguing. Molly is a wonderful character who is strong and kind even when she has every reason not to be. Without giving away the plot too much, she is arrested and framed for a murder she did not commit. She has good people in her corner and because of them the truth comes forth. At least what the reader thinks is the truth. The very last chapter reveals some things that I did not like and because of that I can't recommend it.