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“Black Ice” is the latest — and eighth — book in Thomas King’s exceptional DreadfulWater Mystery series. And there is lots going on in the town of Chinook. Thumps DreadfulWater is currently the temporary deputy sheriff as Sheriff Duke Hockney is dealing with the death of his wife. Claire and Thumps are still trying to figure out their relationship and Wutty Youngbeaver is competing in the U.S. Open qualifying golf tournament. And Cisco Cruz — the ninja assassin — is back in town, which usually means trouble.

One of the cases that the sheriff’s office is working on involves someone stealing cars. The case isn’t a high priority as the cars are returned and they have been serviced, repaired and cleaned. A higher priority case occurs when a private investigator is found injured near a house that he has been watching. This definitely gets Thumps attention and he and his colleagues — Deanna Heavy Runner and Deputy Cooley Small Elk — begin an investigation. And their investigation uncovers a complicated case that involves secret government agencies, covert activities, national security, the sale of restricted technologies and more. And this investigation is why Cisco Cruz is back in Chinook.

Besides King’s delightful cast of characters, there are other funny moments occurring throughout the story involving the game Jenga, Howdy, a shelter dog looking for a home, and Wutty’s attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open. As usual, the dialogue is witty and laugh-out-loud funny. King also injects humorous observations into the story, including his comparison of dog and cat tongues.

The only negative thing about reading a Thomas King book is that when you are finished you have to wait for the next one. If you are having difficulty finding a gift for someone on your list you might get them a DreadfulWater Mystery and introduce them to the wonderful world of Thumps DreadfulWater.

“Karla’s Choice”

• Nick Harkaway
• Viking
• 2024, 300 pages
• ISBN: 9780735250406

“Karla’s Choice” is the latest George Smiley novel and it takes place in that “10-year gap between ‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold’ and ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.’” And it wasn’t written by John le Carre, but by his son, Nick Harkaway.

The gripping spy story set in London in 1963 sees a literary agent, Laszlo Banati, go missing. His disappearance might have something to do with an assassin from Moscow sent to kill him. Banati’s assistant ends up helping British intelligence — the Circus — as she is concerned about her employer.

George Smiley is now retired and enjoying a peaceful life with his wife, until he is contacted by the Circus to do one last task. While the assignment doesn’t sound too onerous, things have a way of changing quickly!

“The Rom-Commers” (audio book)

• Katherine Center, read by Patti Murin
• Macmillan Audio
• 2024, 9 CDs
• ISBN: 9781250344786

Whether you are travelling or unwinding from the chaos of the holidays, listening to a good audio book can be relaxing. “The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center is a fun story about Emma Wheeler, a woman who splits her time between being a caregiver for her dad and attempting to be a screenwriter. When she is offered a great opportunity to help a famous screenwriter rewrite his terrible romantic comedy script, she moves to L.A. for six weeks. And while the screenwriter isn’t big on rom-coms, or even love, Emma is hoping to change his mind.

The “Rom-Commers” is an entertaining, relaxing 11.5-hour listen.