CAPE FEAR (John D. MacDonald) - November 30/20

It's interesting how different this turned out to be from both films, especially the ending, but I definitely enjoyed this book. Max Cady basically disappears at around the midway point, which kind of wreaked havoc on the book's momentum. (He's just such a compelling figure that it's difficult not to miss him.) I liked the weird banter between Sam and Carol, but some sections were a little too descriptive and the dialogue was occasionally a little too verbose. Interesting too that Cady is killed offscreen. *** out of ****

THE ANSWER IS... (Alex Trebek) - November 26/20

 I probably enjoyed this book more than I was expecting to, even though it does contain a heavy emphasis on Trebek's upbringing and early days. He's just an interesting, down-to-earth guy, and though some chapters were just a little too earnest, I felt like I knew and respected him better as I read. The final stretch is fairly bittersweet, too, as Trebek comes to terms with his imminent demise. *** out of ****

A SIMPLE PLAN (Scott Smith) - November 22/20

 This book is clearly much, much longer than necessary, and yet I was riveted for most of it. It's interesting that the narrative reaches a point at which I assumed it would end - Jacob is murdered by his brother - but that's only about the halfway mark. Smith packs the novel with a whole bunch of really suspenseful scenes, and I definitely found myself sympathizing more and more with the protagonist. The bleak ending was expected but powerful. ***1/2 out of ****

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (Delia Owens) - November 14/20

 Read this on mom's recommendation and it's good. It's very, very long, and there are some stretches that are just way too descriptive (and there's so much poetry, too), but the story is inherently compelling and the main character is extremely well-developed and sympathetic. I even got a little choked up at the end, which I wasn't expecting. *** out of ****