The Hanging Tree — Ben Aaranovitch

I really enjoy the Peter Grant series, so am treating myself to one whenever I'm at low energy. Such a pleasurable easy read by a masterful writer.

Slough House — Mick Herron

Another in the Jacskon Lamb Slow Horses series. Again, I turn to these whenever I just want to lose myself in a book I know will be well-written and enjoyable.

Summer — Ali Smith

The last part of her seasonal quartet. I haven't read Spring yet (as I don't have it yet) but I've decided they don't really need to be read in order — and I really felt like reading one her books so just picked what was to hand.

As usual, she weaves a brilliant cast of characters around her theme, and drips in a steady feed of commentary on the times.

The Falls — Ian Rankin

A Rebus novel. Great stuff.

As I'm reading (or with some of them, re-reading) this series, I'm trying to also read with a writer's eye because I want to try to figure out how Rankin makes Rebus a character that we connect with so well.

So far I think it's because of his basic humanity. The balance of competing characteristics that make him real. Yes he's got good instincts, honed over years, but he's fallible and makes mistakes or misses insights. Yes he's got that world-weary edge of literary detectives, but he does still care deep down. Yes he's got confidence and bravado, but also he's introspective and self-doubting. Yes he's a bit of a loner, but he also connects with people, and even depends on them in his own way. Yes he's a maverick but he's without ego — he's self-deprecating and doesn't mind being thought a fool.

There's still deeper to go with this though, so I'll keep refnining my thinking over future books.

The Furthest Station — Ben Aaronovitch

Another in the Peter Grant series.

Our Game — John Le Carré

The absolute master at work. I've been gradually rereading the Le Carrés as treats.