Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email bellis@denverpost.com.

“The Mitford Affair,” by Marie Benedict (Sourcebooks Landmark, 2023)

The Mitford family, a prominent, wealthy, connected group that influenced British doings, both social and governmental for decades, was perhaps best known when its six beautiful girls came of age in the 1930s and ’40s.

This is a fictional account of a controversial period, when several of the young women became heavily involved with, and supportive of, Hitler. Juxtaposed were two of the girls who advocated the Allies’ cause and actively worked for it. Jessica was a Communist and moved to the U.S. after the war. Nancy was a well-known novelist. With a group of overprivileged, bright, indulged young people like this, fireworks were sure to ensue and they did. Somehow the family, including the eccentric parents, remained close to one another after a fashion, although one even went to prison for her Fascist sympathies, dare I say “spying?”

Although this book is fiction and thorough, it carries the emotional “oomph” of the truth.

— 2½ stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, bonniemccune.com

“Wild Houses,” by Colin Barrett (Grove Press, 2024)

Not much happens for a while in this novel, set in rural Ireland. A number of marginalized youths, with few prospects, dabble in the drug trade, hang out, party hard and talk a lot … a lot. (Americans would call the houses where they hang out “party houses.”) But then one poorly-thought-out action sets off a chain of ever more stupid responses. And, for a couple of the characters, a way out, wanted or not, is hinted at. Bleak and inconclusive. Or promising and ensured. Depends on your perspective. (Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize.)

— 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver

“A Town Called Solace,” by Mary Lawson (Chatto & Windus, 2021)

This story begins sedately, told from three points of view (one in first person) about related events in Smalltown, Ontario. Some twists were foretold in neon. I kept reading out of inertia — then wham, around page 65 a flicker of intrigue, of mystery, reached out and pinched me. Hard. Goodbye, inertia.

This book reads quickly, partly due to the action and rotating points of view, and partly because of Lawson’s simple, conversational style. “The library was a flat, ugly, modern building, all expenses spared.” When the “mystery” is revealed, then resolved, it was quite satisfying. I enjoyed this book much more than I had expected. Shame on me for judging by the title. (Long-listed for the 2021 Booker Prize.)

— 3 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker

“Karla’s Choice,” by Nick Harkaway (Viking, 2024)

Devotees of John Le Carre espionage novels will recognize the name “Karla” immediately as George Smiley’s nemesis. Le Carre’s son attempts here to carry on the franchise and flesh out some of Karla’s backstory. Set in the decade between the father’s novels “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” and “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” the son’s book is entirely his own, for better or for worse.

In the inevitable comparison, Harkaway provides less character development, less dialogue and more third-person narrative than his father’s writings did, but his style does allow for more clearly stated musings on the harsh realities and stark choices in the world of espionage.

— 2 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver