Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins (first in the Gideon Oliver series)
Ok, but suffered from a telegraphed solution that it took the main character a long time to figure out. It moved slowly and I didn't find Oliver that interesting.
Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker (first in the series)
Half cozy, half police detective mystery. This hit all the right notes, Bruno was solid and charming and real life (good and bad) was reflected in the everyday life of rural France. I'll be reading more of this series.
The Man in the Cage by Jack Vance
This felt very dated and like a romance novel for men, even though it was a mystery. I wonder if his scifi has the same feel?
High Stakes by Dick Francis (audiobook)
This one featured Steven Scott, toy inventor millionaire. Scott's the mug and takes revenge on the trainer and bookie who done him wrong. He gets beat up and gets the girl along the way, as usual. Comfy like an old pair of slippers.
Disclaimer: Dick Francis is my guilty pleasure. I love his books even though every main character and every plot is exactly the same.
More mysteries await! I think I'll read another Ed McBain next and I started listening to
Tears of the Giraffe last night (second in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency).