I happened upon this non-mystery series Laura Lippman novel about a lobbyist who is really a madam and it started well (it went back and forth from her past and the current day). But, by the 2/3 mark, it became a sludge. I have thirty pages left. Whatever happens, it is getting BORING, even as the protagonist should be in danger. But, nothing much happens there. It just drags on. Also, she is starting to act pretty stupid. Bad sign.