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July 7, 2017 - July 21, 2017

This contest period's winners were Hailey F., Lynnette Y. and Suzy S., who each received a copy of THE BREAKDOWN by B.A. Paris and TWO NIGHTS by Kathy Reichs.

 

Marsha
The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green

4
This charming book develops the stories of three estranged sisters who are beckoned home to their estranged mother who has put her acting career ahead of mothering. Each sister is undergoing a challenge in their relationships and careers but is willing to come home. What happens to their relationships and futures are the crux of the novel. Makes you appreciate what family you have.

Jennifer
Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens

5
She does it again! I actually think this one might be my favorite in the whole series. The mystery, as always, is perhaps not watertight, but it's not really about the mysteries here. It's about the characters and their relationships, and the settings and the language. All of the books in the series deal with these great characters beautifully, and this book is especially pleasurable because it takes place during a delightful (if murder-filled) English Christmas, in Cambridge, no less! There are such lovely details of traditional English Christmases, Cambridge scenery, and college life. The author grew up in one of the colleges (where her father was Master), so the details are loving and accurate. What fun to revel in the cozy detail.

Anita
The Last Mile by David Baldacci

5
This is the story of a young man with a future in football, whose parents are murdered. It appears as though he committed the crime. Melvin Mars is in jail for 20 years. He is on death row, and on the night he is dues to be executed, someone else confesses to the murders. Melvin is granted a stay. Amos Decker, working for the FBI investigates to find out why it took so long for the other person to come forward.

Ginny
Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

4
I like everything that Chevy Stevens has written and this book was no exception. A woman is terrified of her husband and gives him a couple of sleeping pills to make sure he stays asleep while she leaves for good with her daughter. Husband wakes up, drives away and kills a woman on the road, then gets sent to jail. After he is released, she tries to keep her teenage daughter from seeing him, but he persists while also trying to see his ex-wife. She's terrified for herself and her daughter and seeks refuge with her personal trainer. All hell breaks loose. Lots of suspense.

Gladys
Duchess by Mistake by Cheryl Bolen

5
An unusual reason for marriage and a question of true love together make for a most-unusual romance story, but a most-interesting one. There's jealousy, heartbreak, just a bit of everything to keep the reader wondering, "What next?" A very-talented author has, indeed, created a book that readers will enjoy with every twist and turn of events.

Sharom
The Widow by Fiona Barton

3
I don't believe I have encountered in my life anyone like Jean and Glen -- he a controller and she a submitter of such a degree that I cringed repeatedly through the story. It did show an interesting aspect of detective work over a long period of time and how a case can begin to consume those who are investigating it.

CYNTHIA
The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

5
This true story of a young woman who is determined to make a better life for herself. Her bravery through cold weather, physical abuse, moral corruption and a little help from an angelic stranger help her achieve freedom.

Allison
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

5
Very interesting read about the life of an Appalachian success story and his reflection of his upbringing and the values his culture taught him.

SHIRLEY
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

3
Excessive wordiness but a good story.

Barbara
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

5
I bought and read this book because my grandson plays hockey. I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. It is my very favorite in a long time. It's not only about hockey, but a small town and its loyalty to hockey. I loved all of the characters, even though they weren't the best. They all have something to say about society. I am so very glad I read this.

Barbara
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

5
I read this book because I saw that it was a movie, with my favorite Aidan Turner from "Poldark" on PBS. The book had me absolutely hooked, even though it was so much better than the trailer from the movie. I couldn't stop reading it and it was so well written.

Allison
His Last Letter by Jeane Westin

3
Interesting story about Elizabeth I of England.

Ellyn
The Widow's House by Carol Goodman

4
Is she or isn't she...crazy that is. Married writers, their former professor and ghosts share the old house on the hill. Mysteries in mysteries in this psychological thriller. Hard to put down.

Judy
The Trespasser by Tana French

4
Once again, our Irish female detective is in the middle of a strange case. Who murdered the lovely young woman and why. Fellow detectives want to readily pin it on the new boyfriend who was invited to dinner, but, this seems like too much of a rush to judgment, so she keeps on digging. Who actually committed the murder and how it is handled will keep you reading right up to the end.

Tessa B C
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

4
What a deliciously delightful foodie romance! I liked the characters and was invested in their story from beginning to end. The food descriptions made me hungry, and I loved the way Reichert described the joys of Milwaukee (my home town).

Kathy
Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear

4
12th in the Maisie Dobbs series, Maisie just home from nursing revolutionaries in Spain and is recruited by the English Government to help free a scientist held prisoner in a German concentration camp.

Lee
Dangerous Minds by Janet Evanovich

1
I enjoyed her first Minds book so much I could hardly wait to read DANGEROUS MINDS. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The storyline was absolutely ludicrous and as for the character Vernon I had enough of him in the first 50 pages.

Donna
The Wicked City by Beatriz Williams

4
Enjoyed reading the book --I found the characters really made the story click. I like that the story has a bit of mystery with two characters sharing the same apartment many years apart.

Elizabeth
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

5
What a pleasure THE STARS ARE FIRE is to read! This book, although not a thriller, is so full of suspense, it is unputdownable and will keep you reading until late at night. The great fire in Maine in 1947 really happened. The book's descriptions of causes and effects are fact. The story of Grace and her children could have been real. Before the fire Grace feels trapped in a loveless marriage with Gene, although they both love their two small children. When the fire spreads out of control, Gene has been helping a group of men trying to prevent the fire’s spread to their homes. He is one of many who go missing. Now Grace and her children are homeless, they have no money, and their source of income is gone.

Betty
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

4
A fun fantasy that would work for adults as well as teens.

sylvia
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

5
I was swept up not the time period - the story of Katherine Content - her bravado, her brains, and her insight into what REALLY had happened...we were all young once - LOVED THE BOOK!!

Linda
The World to Come by Jim Shepard

3
For some reason I have trouble with short stories. I guess they usually leave me wanting more. This was a Booktopia book, so I thought I would give it a try. Not bad. Ten stories, each involves a disaster. Maybe I just needed something a little more positive right now. Been a tough couple of months.

Donna
Betrayal by Tim Tigner

4
When I started this book I thought it would appeal to men, but I was quickly hooked. This story is about having power, wanting power and the willingness to do anything to have it, even if it means betraying the person you love. This book is a combination of trust, betrayal, terrorists and counter-terrorism with twists that make your heart pound.

Chris
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

5
Great book. A science fiction book written by a Canadian author who rocked it. A great read for a debut novel!

Phyllis
The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally

5
This epic sweeping story revolves around the Durance sisters, Naomi and Sally, both serving as nurses in WWI from the backwater of Australia who share a secret about the mercy killing of their mother which drives a wedge between them throughout the story. An interesting, but horrific point of view from the wounded soldiers they treated in Gallipoli, Egypt, and the Archimedes Hospital ship which was torpedoed and sunk. Then on to France where they immerse themselves in the care of shrapnel facial wounds, lost limbs with gangrene, shell shock, mustard gas and finally Spanish Influenza. It is an anti-war novel through the cataclysmic descriptions of the horrors of war. It took me three tries to finish this poignant novel, but I am glad I did!

Ruth
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan

5
An enjoyable read.

KC
The Twelve-Mile Straight by Eleanor Henderson

3
1930 Cotton County, Georgia and a young Elma Jesup finds herself pregnant. She gives birth to twins but to everyone's surprise including her own, her daughter is light skinned and her son is dark skinned. The townspeople accuse local farmhand Genus Jackson of raping her. Genus is lynched, dragged by truck down the twelve-mile straight and then dumped in the town square. This tale continues as Elma raises her twins as best as she can, under the scrutinizing eye of her father and with the help from their black housekeeper Nan. Family ties stretch, lies come to the surface, and the pain and suffering of one man haunts many. There is a lot of book here and I felt the story dragged a bit, but the writing was dark, fluid, and compelling.

Gerry
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston

3
Fascinating detail about a topic on which I had virtually no background. I'd have loved it if the book included some photos, or even drawings, of the redwood canopy explored in the book. Preston is at his best when describing the trees themselves or the mechanics of climbing, and sections of the book that recounted dangerous climbs and near-fatal falls were riveting. His recounting of interactions and relationships among the various scientists and climbers were less engaging, which may be more a reflection of the personalities of his characters than a weakness in his writing. Overall, a worthwhile and interesting piece of non-fiction that I'm glad to have read.

Gerry
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

2
One of the most relentlessly depressing novels I've read! Southern Gothic is clearly not my genre.

Gerry
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

3
Three stars for an interesting story based on true events (the great fires in coastal Maine in 1947). Unfortunately, several characters just didn't ring true, and after a meandering pace throughout, the ending seemed rushed. The portrayal of women, with their complete lack of independent rights, was a good reminder of just how far we've come!

Gerry
Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child

3
TERMINAL FREEZE satisfied a category in the 2017 AWLB challenge (book set in Alaska or Hawaii) and was an enjoyable novel, if a bit over-the-top. I don't think I'd actually read it before, but the writing and the plot both seemed vaguely familiar, so perhaps I'm wrong, and this was a re-read -- or perhaps just a bit clichéd, and that's why it seemed familiar.

Gerry
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

4
I've read quite a few WWII novels in the last few years, but still learned something new from this one: the story of the Polish "rabbits" of Ravensbruck, who suffered horrific surgical experimentation at the hands of Nazi doctors who seem to have justified their cruelty by noting that their victims had already been condemned to die. I can't say I enjoyed reading about the cruelty these women endured, but the book was well researched and written and certainly one worth reading. 4-1/2 stars.

Simonne
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

5
Simply terrific! The reader is transported to another place and time and gets to review modern Russian history from inside a grand old hotel. The characters and the characterizations are marvelous. The story is smooth but quietly introduces so many ups and downs. Count Alexander Rostov will be one of my friends for the rest of my life. I think of him often during the day. What a treasure this book is!

Sandy
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi

5
One of the best books ever!! Kabul, 2007. The Taliban rules the streets. With a drug-addicted father and no brothers, Rahima and her sisters can rarely leave the house or attend school. Their only hope lies in the ancient Afghan custom of bacha posh, which allows young Rahima to dress and be treated as a son until she is of marriageable age. As a boy, she has the kind of freedom that was previously unimaginable. But Rashima is not the first in her family to adopt this unusual custom. A century earlier, her great-great-grandmother Shekiba, left orphaned by an epidemic, saved herself and built a new life in the same way. It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I was in there was nothing else I wanted to do but read.

Rosetta
With This Ring by Debra Clopton

5
This book is about a teacher and mother name Jessica. She is a widow trying to raise her six-year-old son. He wants a new daddy since his dad died rescuing a family during a flood. During show and tell at school, he introduces the police chief as his new daddy. His mother is not happy with this news as she is not ready to give her heart to anyone. Her heart has not healed since losing her husband, Adam. She does start to go on outings with her son and the police chief and their dogs. She bids on him at a Valentine Bachelor Fundraising event. They just can't stay apart for long.

Kimiko
Murder She Wrote: Hook Line And Murder by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bains

4
The latest in the Jessica Fletcher murder mysteries. Another surefire winner! This novel has a bit more suspense.

Ilene
Breaking Cover by Stella Rimington

5
This is an espionage story that could be taken out of today's headlines. The Russians are trying to infiltrate England's MI5 and MI6 intelligence agencies. A Russian spy seduces and coerces Jasminder Kapoor, a high-ranking female in English intelligence, to provide secret documents on England's spying-on-Russia activities. Now that she has been unwittingly compromised, she is in a no-win situation. If she does not comply with the Russians, her life is in danger. But even if she exposes the Russians her loyalty and judgment will be called into question and her career will be ruined. The story gives insight as to the ruthlessness of Russian spying practices. A good book to read.

Charlotte
Old School by Bill O'Reilly and Bruce Feirstein

5
Great book about values of the older generations. The new generation is referred to as Snowflakes, most of them just whine about the social injustice and income inequality. Maybe if they read this book, they would come to the realization that they can change their lives, get real, and live a happier life.

Margaret
Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

4
Tyler's novels are always well-written & once again, she takes ordinary people & places them in ordinary situations, many of which (both the people & the situations) are not exciting or interesting. But that's what real life is like! Liam, a 61-yr-old philosopher, has been downsized out of his job as a 5th-grade teacher, a job he settled for instead of philosophy. He's divorced, lives alone, & moves to a cheaper apartment. We are taken thru his experiences & how he deals with them. Some of his days are just boring &, while this is not a fast-paced novel, it moved quickly for me. I enjoyed some of the characters, mainly an ex-wife and a teen daughter. His affair with Eunice was touching, up to a point! Unsatisfactory ending but that's life!!

Ivy
Random Road by Thomas Kies

5
A fast page-turner! When Genie, an alcoholic on her last rung as a journalist gets involved with a story and someone from her past, it will either cure or kill her.

Kara
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee by Talya Tate Boerner

5
Tender coming-of-age story of a girl in the Mississippi Delta.

Debbie
You Can Fly by Chuck Rosenthal

1
For a short book, the reading time continued like a plague. I expected fun and excitement and only found boredom and clichés. I felt that I might be reading an uneventful children's author, but the constant mention of sex stopped those thoughts. The story read like one of the 1950s primers for elementary students, with battles and killing and violence. I have read J. M. Barrie's PETER PAN, and yes, Rosenthal presents the same characters, but with lack of emotion.

Debbie
Dangerous Undertaking by Mark de Castrique

4
The first chapter with the funeral scene remains as the best opening I have enjoyed. The story, told by Barry Clayton, unfolds in the North Carolina mountains. In this short novel, the characters dominate the pages from the circuit preacher, Lester Pace, to the reclusive liquor maker, Talmadge Watson, and many minor characters throughout the story. The weather, greed, and family loyalty greatly factor into the story. I have read both series by Mark de Castrique, but Barry Clayton pulls me into the story of the problems and heartaches that control our existence. Mark de Castrique softly hints of the encroachment of business into the freedom of rural life.

Therese
The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee

4
Had a great time talking about this book in my book discussion group. The three main characters gave us plenty to discuss, plus many of us have traveled to Hong King, so it was fun to reminisce. We all agree we hope the author writes a sequel to tie up loose ends.

Liz
Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen

3
Rebecca Winter, now in her 60s, was once a famous photographer. She is now entering a new chapter in her life after a divorce and having very little money left. She leases out her NYC apartment and moves to a cabin in the middle of nowhere where she meets Jim Bates, 40s, a roofer. So begins her journey of self discovery. The start of this book was very slow, but interest does pick up midway.

Liz
The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld

5
Madison Culver went missing when she was five years old while on a family trip to a National forest in Oregon. It is now three years later and her mother still believes she is alive. She hires a private investigator, Naomi, who is known as The Child Finder. Naomi herself was once a lost child. This is a very unsettling and uneasy story about determination, forgiveness and what a person, even a child, will do in order to survive.

Linda
Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol 2, 1933 - 1938 by Blanche Wiesen Cook

5
Very thorough, very enjoyable. I've loved reading about the Roosevelts, for some reason, since I was very young. I've read Joseph Lash's books and Doris Kearns Goodwin's. Last summer I read HISSING COUSINS about Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. I've watched the PBS series about the Roosevelts. And yet, I can still learn something new. Much of the information in this book comes from letters. I'd read this one again.

Linda
The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith

4
A slim listen about the Kennedys by the lone survivor of JFK and RFK's siblings. Jean Kennedy Smith was the seventh of the nine children of Joe and Rose Kennedy. There are vignettes of the entire family eating a meal and being quizzed by their mother, but, with the addition of three cousins who became orphans, there were too many people to sit at one table. So, there was one table for "adults" and one for the younger children. Jean's stories include more about Teddy, Bobby, Eunice and Pat, since the first four were more than a decade older. Easy read.

Francisca E B
West With the Night: A Memoir by Beryl Markham

5
Markham was an independent woman who lived life to the fullest and on her own terms. While there has been significant controversy over whether she actually wrote this memoir (some say her third husband ghost-wrote it for her), I still highly recommend it! Full of vivid imagery, the book really gives a sense of what life was like for the colonialists in Kenya in the early part of the 20th century.

Betsy
The Light in Summer: A Butternut Lake Novel by Mary McNear

4
I received the book as a winner in a Bookreporter contest. I read it over the July fourth weekend in a hammock and on a float at a lake. I want to visit or live at Butternut Lake! I hadn't read any BUTTERNUT books. I now want to read more. A delightful story with engaging characters. Thank you Bookreporter for introducing me to Mary McNear and BUTTERNUT LAKE.

Dorothy
The Fix (Memory Man Series) by David Baldacci

5
As usual a real good read by a great author. I couldn't put it down and there's a real surprise ending.

Lynn W
The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues by Edward Kelsey Moore

2
I really enjoyed this author's first book, THE SUPREMES AT EARL'S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT. This one...not so much. It's not as funny and story line is too far-fetched.

Donna
Redemption Road by John Hart

5
Oh my goodness, I feel like I've just ridden a runaway train. This story really sucks you in and is hard to put down. The characters are so believable and the details descriptive. It's difficult to know who you can trust. This story includes murder, betrayal, rage and desperate people willing to do anything. There is hope and care as characters try to move forward from the past.

Margaret
Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

4
I love Stevens' writing and her ability to grab me at the start and hold on to me until the end. This was one I didn't want to put down. It's a well-plotted suspense about domestic abuse, some of which is hard to read. We learn how the abuse affects relationships and, ultimately, the entire family. The protagonist is Lindsay and she and her teen daughter, Sophie, alternate telling this story, switching between past and present. After her husband (Andrew, the abuser) goes to jail when Sophie is five, Lindsay tries to make a home for Sophie. When Andrew is released, the tension mounts and we are kept guessing about who is causing Lindsay so much stress. Well-developed characters who each carries his or her own weight.

Cynthia
Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

4
This was my first exposure to Nancy Thayer’s work, and I will happily look forward to reading more! I found the characters engaging and well-developed and the setting was enticing. The twists, turns and dilemmas introduced are ones to which many readers will relate, and make for a compelling storyline. This would be a great beach read!

Jan
The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey

5
NetGalley provided a pre-publication copy of this book for my honest review. I am grateful for the book and for the opportunity to give a review because the book contains a great mystery. The moral of the book, and perhaps life, is that all actions have consequences. This delightful debut mystery gives us example after example about dysfunctional families and dysfunctional people, chief among them is the lead character, Detective Gemma Woodstock. Woodstock has remained in her hometown and now is the lead detective trying to solve the murder of her high school classmate. There are so many twists and turns that the reader must remain alert to know the time period and the various characters.

Lois
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

4
This book, which goes from WWI to present day, is delightful reading. There are two heroines, one in each time period, and each has fascinating story. You end up rooting for them to succeed. It's a wonderful read.

Bea
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

3
The fact that it was about a real underground railroad instead of the true to life term given to describe a network of persons and homes who helped escaped slaves make their way to freedom was a real disappointment.

Kathy
Journey to Munich: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

4
Maisie Dobbs has just returned home to London after caring for revolutionaries during the Spanish Civil War when she is recruited by her government to assume a woman's identity in order to bring home a German prisoner.

Dorothy
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

4
The story is based on actual fires and the effects on the people of coastal Maine after a long drought in 1947. The main character is a young woman who finds her inner strength and her children after they lose everything in the devastating fires. Good for book clubs.

Sherry
Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

5
Just finished reading it for our book club next week. I absolutely loved this book. It is right there on top of my list of lifetime favorites. It's a fabulous historical fiction story. Every time I read books like this I learn more and more about history and WWII. I just loved it and would recommend the world to read it.

Beverlee
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

4
The book started off a little slow for me but as I got to know the characters I became invested in them. I really enjoyed the book. I was sad to see it end and want to know where they are today!

Diane
The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health, and Disease by Daniel Lieberman

4
Very thought provoking with much new information. Accessible by the layperson.

Marsha
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

5
This remarkable book depicts a desperate time for women who were left during WWII when their husbands took part in a conspiracy to eliminate Hitler at the height of his power. It addresses the problems of what women had to do to survive and care for their children. The struggle to make ethical decisions when faced with desperate choices gives you much to consider. This is a beautiful and important book.

Liz
Taming A Rogue Earl by Tammy Andresen

5
Lucius Loudoun is an Earl, a drunk and a womanizer. He first meets May when she is only 13 on a transatlantic voyage from England to the United States. Skip ahead six years. May is once again visiting the U.S. and reconnects with Lucius. Neither can deny the strong attraction between them. He doesn't feel he is worthy of her, she wants him at all costs. This is a quick summer read that will hold your interest.

Sandy
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

5
I took two days to read this one. So good!! Chilling and emotional. Must read!

Danielle
There Your Heart Lies by Mary Gordon

4
Ever since reading THE TIME IN BETWEEN I have been obsessed with books about the Spanish Civil War, and this one does not disappoint. Told from the perspective of a woman (now in her 90s) who went to Spain as a member of the International Brigades, it is a story that immerses you from the very first page. I highly recommend it!

Karen
Camino Island by John Grisham

4
Well written, easy read, hard to put down!

Ruth
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

5
Vivid story of an unthinkable chapter in our nation's history...I will remember this book for a long, long time.

Mary
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

5
The author is funny and entertaining. Her story is inspiring to women who want to break out and do their own thing.

Mary
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

5
It's easy to understand why this book won the Pulitzer Prize. It's a powerful indictment of the Vietnam War and the author comes down equally hard on everyone involved. His satirical writing style and dark humor perfectly suit the events and issues he confronts.

Kay
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

4
This "Downton Abbey" type book is a good summer read. From the raging war and its effects to the class-system in a struggling manor house, the reader learns about love and loss.

Shelley
Most Dangerous Place: A Jack Swyteck Novel by James Grippando

4
A legal thriller that does not disappoint. This is the thirteenth book written about attorney Jack Swyteck and his cases. The characters are believable and the plot is exciting. The book is well-written and the reader gains an in-depth knowledge of how the legal system works. I did not know who was guilty or what was going to happen. The ending has a little twist.

Joy
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

5
This is a charming and heartbreaking story, with a varied assortment of whimsical characters. My first book by him, by no means my last.

Donna
The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter

5
This story begins and ends with murder, suspense and lies. Not only are the characters telling lies, they are also living lies. You are drawn into the stories, past and present, and don't know the truth until the very end.

Karen
Engame: A Nameless Detective Novel by Bill Pronzini

5
Two cases come to the detective agency. The owner, a former policeman, takes one case, and another PI, also a former policeman, takes the other one. Both cases seem to be easily explained, but when the PIs investigate they find the cases aren't so simple. Many details don't add up, and blame seems to be assigned as a misdirection. The investigations reveal details about the victims that lead to motives for their deaths. Despite misdirection and threats, the PIs reach conclusions to their cases and survive...

Hailey
The Mermaid's Daughter by Ann Claycomb

5
One of the best books of 2017 that I have read! A re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen's THE LITTLE MERMAID about a woman who suffers from phantom pains of her tongue being ripped out and needles being stabbed into the bottoms of her feet. She is an opera singer and she goes on a quest with her girlfriend, father and close friends to find out what is causing her so much pain --- and the secret is far more magical and deadlier than any of them could have imagined! Run, don't walk, to buy this book and you will want to read until the end without any breaks! It is that good of a story! I really felt as if I were in the story and feel I've known each character for years. You won't be disappointed when you read this book!

Thomas
Past Crimes: A Van Shaw Novel by Glen Erik Hamilton

5
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was a good read.

Thomas
Hard Cold Winter: A Van Shaw Novel by Glen Erik Hamilton

5
It was a very good book. I really liked the book.

Thomas
Brave Pilot by Shelley Alongi

3
It was an okay read. The print was too small.

Caroline
The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer

5
I love this book. It was original, fast passed and a true thrill ride!

Patti
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

4
It is a good book for book club discussions.

Susan
Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig

5
I thoroughly enjoyed GINNY MOON. The eponymous character is easy to love and it is easy to understand her Forever Family's frustration. Great book.

Linda
Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton

4
A fictionalized account of a trip by a professor and his group of students out west during the late 1800s to search for dinosaur bones. The trip is narrated by William Johnson, a pampered young man from Philadelphia, who took the trip to win a bet. He started the trip as a photographer for Professor Othniel Charles Marsh, but ends up with Professor Edward Drinker Cope. These men were bitter enemies and had spies in each other’s camps. Johnson started the trip as a wide-eyed young man looking for adventure and returned a hardened man who had seen the worst of men and survived.

Linda
Man Overboard: An Ali Reynolds Novel by J. A. Jance

3
A psychiatrist specializing in inter-generational suicides closes her office after her files and notes are hacked by Oden. Oden’s father committed suicide and he is interested in cases where a suicide victim’s parent has also committed suicide. Stuart Ramey works for Ali Reynolds at High Noon Enterprises and is upset when a friend's death is ruled a suicide when all indications point otherwise. Ramey begins digging to learn the truth about his friend's death.

Linda
Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak

4
Cora Kelly has been searching for her birth mother and finds her to be the owner of New Horizons Boys Ranch. Cora is hired by Elijah Turner to be the ranch’s new art instructor. When she meets Elijah, she is stunned by how good-looking he is. She could fall for him easily but he is the adopted son of her birth mother. How would it look if something came of this relationship? What will her mother do when she finds her new employee is actually her daughter?

Linda
Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

5
Lady Pandora Ravenel tries to reach a friend’s earring when she lost it behind a sofa, but gets stuck and is helped out by Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent. They are caught in an embarrassing situation and he is forced to ask her to marry him. Pandora is determined not to marry. She is an independent woman who develops board games and doesn’t feel the need for a husband. Gabriel is entranced by her beauty and wit and is determined to make her want to marry him.

Elizabeth
China Dolls by Lisa See

3
I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII but most have been about the European front. This is the first one I've read about how the war affected Asian Americans at the time. It was a new insight.

Linda
The Adversary (A Chris Bruen Novel Book 1) by Reece Hirsch

5
Chris Bruen, a former DOJ cybercrimes prosecutor, is now a partner at a San Francisco law firm. His client is Blue Cloud, a company that owns the world’s most popular operating system and whose source code was stolen by hackers. Bruen tracks hacker Pietr Middendorf to Amsterdam but finds him dead when he gets there. He finds a flash-drive hidden by Pietr that his murderer wants. Chris’ nightmare is just beginning. Anonymous files appear on his computer linking him to a terrorist network and now an international manhunt for him is underway. He has to find the hacker known as Enigma before he unleashes the virus Lurker.

Kathy
Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear

4
Maisie Dobbs has just returned to London when she is recruited by her government to travel to Germany and pose as a scientist's daughter to retrieve a man from a prison camp. Good read.

Linda
Surveillance (A Chris Bruen Novel) by Reece Hirsch

5
Attorney Chris Bruen has hired Ian Ayres to test the security of his company’s online systems. Ian uncovers highly classified information that shows the existence of a top-secret government surveillance agency and a program that can break any encryption. Now Ian, Chris and retired hacktivist Zoey Doucet are all on the run, trying to evade an impressively technologically-equipped adversary.

Linda
Power Game by Christine Feehan

3
Peter Whitney, scientist, was responsible for tweaking human DNA to enhance men and women to enable them to have unusual abilities. Ezekiel Fortunes, Ghostwalker, met Bellisia Adams and knew she was his mate. She was engineered so that her body could change color to blend in with her surroundings. They are trying to stop another Ghostwalker from selling them out for money and power. This woman is powerful and has joined forces with someone who wants the formula for the Ghostwalkers. Zeke and Bella have to stop her at all costs.

Linda
Sacking the Quarterback by Samantha Towle

4
This is one of James Patterson's BOOKSHOTS. Grayson Knight is a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins --- and had never even gotten a parking ticket --- when he is suddenly arrested with a huge stash of drugs. State Attorney Ben Cross assigns the case to his assistant Melissa St. James. After meeting with Knight, she discovers that he does not do drugs and is not telling her the truth about what happened. She feels that he is covering up for someone and needs him to tell her the truth --- or he might be sent to prison for something he did not do.

Linda
Seducing Shakespeare by Tabitha Ross

3
Marietta DiSonna wants to save her brother when he loses at gambling, but she must seduce Shakespeare and steal his latest play in order to do so. She meets and falls in love with William Shakespeare and, when he reads his latest play to her, he tells her that she is his muse. She knows she can never betray this man. How can she save her brother? She and her friend Celia cook up a scheme. Another James Patterson BOOKSHOTS FLAMES.

Linda
Sinful Scottish Laird by Julia London

5
Lady Daisy Chatwick and her son travel to Scotland to evade the men who are vying for her hand in marriage and her fortune. When an accident causes a break in their travels, several Scottish riders come to their aid and Daisy is stunned by the sheer masculinity of the Scottish chieftan standing in front of her. Her old flame Captain Robert Spivey comes for a visit and asks for her hand in marriage. Even at sea, he has learned of the stipulations Daisy’s late husband has placed. She finds that Rob is not the old Rob she fell in love with and he can’t compare to Cailean Mackenzie, who has stolen her heart.

Dorene
The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes

5
The story of 14-year-old Sarah and her horse was a captivating read. It is so much more than the story of a girl and her horse.

Sharon
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

5
A struggling single mother with two children: the youngest a brilliant math student; the other a mascara wearing goth-boy who is bullied. The math genius is offered a scholarship at a prestigious school --- but the scholarship doesn't cover all the expenses. And then there's a man who somehow manages to be in deep trouble with the law. I laughed, cried, hoped, despaired and rejoiced. Great read.

Rosemary
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

5
Based on the true story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, the zookeeper of the Warsaw Zoo and his wife, the book follows the couple from the 1930s through World War II. In spite of the fact that helping Jewish people in any manner under German rule was punishable by immediate death, this couple hid, aided and fed over 300 Jewish refugees, enabling them to survive the Holocaust. I would recommend this book to everyone, so the world doesn't forget the unforgettable!

Tracey
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

5
I loved this book and read it in a few days! I hated Jack and wanted Grace to win in the end! They appear to be in love when around friends and family, but all is not what it seems. I can't say too much because I don't want to give it away. It was a great book!

Ruth
The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes

5
Jojo Moyes at her best...beautiful story about a young girl and her beloved horse.

Lynnette
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

5
Beautifully written, wonderful language, intriguing characters and cleverly developed plot.

Andra
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

4
A story that shows how a simple college English assignment to write a biography changes the lives of the student, Joe Talbert and his subject, Carl Iverson. Carl has been furloughed out of prison to a hospital because he is dying of cancer. Carl, a Vietnam war hero, had been convicted of murdering his 14-year-old neighbor. How does this project impact Joe's relationship with his mother, his autistic brother and the attractive female college student down the hall? How does the title reflect in their lives? I found the story compelling and the characters very interesting.

Linda
The Windfall by Diksha Basu

4
Quirky story of an Indian family whose fortune changes drastically. They "move on up" and become members of a better neighborhood, buy a better car, send their son to an American college and so many other changes it made my head spin. No one's choices are perfect and there are always consequences, some of which are good and some not. I had a smirk on my face through most of this book. Delightful narration.

Sandra
The 45% Hangover (A Logan and Steel Novella) by Stuart MacBride

4
This is a short novel, but no less good for being brief. Fans of Logan and Steel will chuckle out loud at the familiar dynamic between the two cops.

Linda
Wonder by R. J. Palacio

5
It has been five years since I originally read this book. I think it packs even more of a wallop to me today. A YA book that everyone will appreciate. Marvelous storytelling.

Ellyn
The New Neighbor by Leah Stewart

5
The memories of a 90-year-old former WWII nurse intermingle with her new neighbor who's running away from her old life. Each of the main characters has their own mysteries to reveal.

Elizabeth
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta

4
THE LEFTOVERS is about the lives of the people in one small town after millions of people all over the world suddenly disappear. The town is full of different reactions. This is a thought-provoking novel, a page turner.

Judy O.
Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

5
Searching for adventure, Conor Grennan gave up his job so he could make a year-long journey around the world. When he reaches Nepal, he stays for three months to work in an orphanage there. When his time is up, he goes back on the trail to finish his trip. But he vows to come back, as he has completely fallen in love with the orphans. Grennan soon discovers that these "orphans" were really children who had been stolen by child traffickers from the tiny villages of Nepal. They had been taken to the city and dumped there. This is my second reading of this book --- and what a totally enthralling story!

Jud
The Bomb Maker by Thomas Perry

4
Well-written novel about a criminal who has targeted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad of the LAPD.

Jud
Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey

4
Detective Alan Bank works to solve the murder of a man standing in a line full of people, yet no one claims to have seen the killer.

TM
Seekers of Earth (The Guardian Knights of Terra Book 1) by Kyle Pratt

4
I won a signed copy in a GOODREADS giveaway --- Seekers of Earth by Kyle Pratt. I only have one complaint: it was too short! It is a novella to introduce the series....Oh my goodness it was good! It appears to be a YA book, but it kept my attention!

Donna
The Wicked City by Beatriz Williams

3
I enjoyed the story.

TM
Join by Steve Toutonghi

3
I won a signed copy in a GOODREADS giveaway --- JOIN (Hardcover) by Steve Toutonghi. The book was okay...this story was very jumbled as it kept jumping back and forth between the different lives/drives. I freely admit I got lost several times. I will have to re-read this later and see how I feel about it a second time around. The premise of the story was intriguing. There were interesting characters and lots of mini-plots: some without resolution, like real life, I suppose.

Patricia
Sweetgrass by Mary Alice Monroe

5
Mary Alice Monroe is one of my favorite authors. She is environmentally aware and her books tell great stories, including the situation of the environment.

Shirley
Camino Island by John Grisham

3
A rollicking good Grisham yarn with a different cast for him: authors and booksellers and written with a bit of wink, wink. An ideal beach read.

Donna
Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica

4
Nick is killed in a car crash. His wife, Carla, tells her story after the crash alternating with Nick telling what happened prior to the crash. Clara has a four-year-old daughter and an infant son. She is sleep deprived and questions how Nick was killed. Was it murder, homicide, suicide or an accident? Clara becomes obsessive in her search for answers. She discovers secrets and comes up with scenarios of his death, blaming each person she knows. I couldn't put this book down.

Marsha
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

5
I am the proud recipient of this book from your website and I couldn't be more pleased. This book is more than a mere mystery. It contains two mysteries and plenty of interesting characters. The mystery-within-a-mystery format is brilliantly plotted and you will be waiting for the ending with great anticipation. I read a great many mysteries but I was not able to figure this one out. What fun!

Shserri
Thank You, Teacher: Grateful Students Tell the Stories of the Teachers Who Changed Their Lives by Edited by Holly and Bruce Holbert

4
Compilations of letters by people to thank their teachers. Holly Holbert wanted to re-inspire her husband (a teacher for 30 years) by asking people to write about how a teacher or teachers had changed their lives. This book is the result. As an on-again/off-again teacher, I did find this book inspirational. I also really liked the biographies of the writers of the letters included --- I want to look into some of their work as well. It made me realize that the spark/connection that a simple act/word of a teacher (or anyone for that matter) might make a dramatic difference in the future of someone --- and most of us will never know. A great reminder to be kind and attentive to all with whom we come in contact.

Lynn W
The Mannings: The Fall and Rise of a Football Family by Lars Anderson

3
Archie and Olivia Manning did it right. Their boys are good people who then became excellent players.

Suzy M
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

5
Not all books live up to their hype, but this one definitely does! On the surface this is a book about three friends, their children, their kindergarten class and their other family members. Beneath the surface this book has nuanced layers about trust, truth, respect, friendship and parenthood. I'm still thinking about this book a few days after finishing it. I know I will read it again and get even more out of it next time. Ms. Moriarty has a gift for dialogue and her Australian characters are a fresh change from the books I've read in the past. This is her first book, for me, and I've already bought THE HUSBAND'S SECRET to read next. One tip: you are going to stay up late reading and not want to put the book down!

Tessa B C
Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

4
This is a delightful debut novel. I love Angel --- she’s wise, discreet, confident, compassionate, decisive and a great friend and mentor. There are several humorous episodes and several touchingly sad ones, but Angel deals with all situations with aplomb and compassion. Parkin peoples the novel with a wide array of characters who form a community that celebrates together with one of Angel’s excellent cakes.

Kay
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

4
A great summer read with a "Downton Abbey" touch.

Deborah
Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

5
I think anyone who enjoys wine and some of the science behind it would really CORK DORK: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste. The book takes you through Bosker's initial desire to find out why sommeliers do what they do and in the process she becomes enamored with the process and begins her own journey. I learned a lot and I'm going to buy the book as a reference and possibly re-read it. I borrowed it from the library.

Gail
Burnt Mountain by Anne Rivers Siddons

3
Not my favorite book by this author but I did enjoy her southern characters and the places that the action took place. I disliked the surreal, magical, mythical feel to the camp up on Burnt Mountain and the strange behavior going on up there that was undetected by parents of campers from previous years. The story line of Thayer and her relationship with her mother and grandmother was good and the description of her growing up as the unfavored child was well written.

Lizz
Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner

5
This book kept me at the edge of my seat! I read this book in two days and could not put it down! A fast-paced thriller, I never figured out the ending like I do with some books! Highly recommend reading this book!

Diana
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe

4
This book was a perfect beach read novel, although it had more depth than the usual book of this type. At the heart of the story lies an estranged mother/daughter relationship. The mother's illness and the daughter's perceived personal problems sets the stage for the most real communication they have had with each other in over 20 years. This leads to discussions about past decisions and enlightens each to the path she chose. Of course, there is a romance for the daughter but that is secondary to the family dynamics. The author is quite knowledgeable about loggerhead turtles and their nesting patterns, which was interesting, especially if you live in an area where you can observe the safe zones around the nests in the summer.

Jan
Hostage by Kristina Ohlsson

4
A hostage situation involving the pilot of a Sweden to US flight --- the plane has already taken off, there are over 400 people on board and the US is saying no to all negotiations. The mystery is based in Sweden, so Bergman and Recht are working with the Swedish CIA to determine what will ease the hostage situation. This is, as usual for Ohlsson, a thriller with many personal and professional issues. I down-rated it for one reason. I got tired of Fredrika constantly second guessing the process and activity of the law enforcement group and for always trying to guess what clue she is missing. This is a habit in Ohlsson's books and I hope she works herself out of this.

Lynn
The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian

4
Engrossing and engaging, a scary story of things gone wrong. Would have been a five-star pick except for several plot twists that were more like a movie script than literature.

Thomas
Final Girls by Ripley Sager

5
An excellent book. I really enjoyed reading this book very much.

Liz
The Curse of Maleficent: The Tale of a Sleeping Beauty by Elizabeth Rudnick

5
This book was adapted by Elizabeth Rudnick for the movie of the same name. Although this is a YA novel I found it fascinating, so much so that I had to go out and get the movie from the library. Maleficent is a fairy, who, after her parents are killed, is raised by the fair folk. She finds goodness in all things until one day she is betrayed by a human. Her quest for revenge begins. This is a slightly different take on the story of Sleeping Beauty.

Jean
The Concrete Blonde (A Harry Bosch Novel) by Michael Connelly

3
I wanted to like this book more than I did. There was too much talking about things and not enough action. A boring trial based on things that happened before the book started was also not a thrill. Normally I'm a big fan of Connelly and his Harry Bosch books, but not this one.

Monica
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

4
This was an excellent read! I was drawn into the story immediately and it kept me engrossed the entire time I was reading, making it difficult to stop when I had to rejoin the world. Highly recommended!

Sandy
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley

5
Well, yesterday I didn't get much housework or yardwork done. I had to finish this book! Faced with a heart-wrenching life and death decision, a family must make an impossible choice. When an accident leaves Elle brain-dead, Matt, her husband, is devastated. Though he cannot bear the thought of life without her, he knows that Elle is afraid of only one thing --- a slow death. And so Matt resolves to take her off life support. But he changes his mind when he finds out Elle is pregnant. He goes to court to fight for his unborn child, while his own mother also goes to court to fight for Elle's right to die. Who will win in the end?

Donna
The Late Show by Michael Connelly

4
Renée Ballard has been placed on night duty (the late show) and is an outcast among fellow police offers because she filed a sexual harassment charge against her former boss. This doesn't stop her from being a good cop who doesn't let go of a case until she's solved it, even if it involves a fellow police officer.

Gina
He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly

5
The cover blurb on this book is by Ruth Ware. She writes that it is "a gripping, twisting, furiously clever read ...keeps you guessing until the end....I loved it." Well, much to my shock and awe, Ruth Ware is right! HE SAID/SHE SAID starts slow with descriptions of an eclipse --- mostly of interest to our protagonists, Kit and Laura. Then the plot weaves a tale of love, lies and the unexpected. Author Erin Kelly gives us dire hints of disasters in the making when nothing of the sort seems plausible. I could not put it down. Best book of the year for me!

Margaret
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris

4
This is a psychological suspense/thriller that's quite a page-turner. It's well-plotted with just the right number of characters so it's easy to keep track of them. Cass is a young woman suffering from paranoia, forgetfulness, & guilt while being frightened about losing her short-term memory like her mother. Her mental stability is tested throughout the novel. There were times when I had no idea what was going on or who to suspect causing all the drama. So well-written, I couldn't put it down. Cass is traumatized by an event that starts the "breakdown" rolling. From there it's a roller coaster ride. At times it's repetitive, but it's fast-paced. Ms. Paris knows how to grab you at the start & not let you go until you've finished her novel.

Lara
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift

4
A beautifully written novella. I see why it made the list for the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. I've been reading through the nominees for the last prize and am very impressed so far. The writing has a quiet quality, really lovely. It is enough to make me want to read more of this author's work. I understand that he is quite established, but this was my first book by Swift.

Becky
The Last Child by John Hart

5
A compelling read of loss, anger, fear, and murder. Johnny is just a child, but he is a child searching for his kidnapped twin sister and aided by a detective possessed of the same relentless need to find Alyssa. Then another young girl goes missing. The characters are clearly drawn, especially the giant of a child man. The setting is detailed and atmospheric. There are red herrings in plenty, but the plot is tightly controlled and moves along at a ever increasing pace.

Becky
Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

5
Reichs drops Temperance Brennan for a new protagonist, or perhaps two. Sunday Night, a damaged woman who is former cop, former military, is fleeing her past. Then she is offered the chance to redeem herself and perhaps heal herself by finding a child kidnapped (or killed) during a terrorist attack. Darker than the Brennan books, Sunday is a compelling personality. You may find yourself reading just to discover Sunnie’s deepest secrets. Still, the mystery is worthy of Reichs’ considerable talent in plotting and characterization. At the end of the book there are still questions to uncover leading one to anticipate a second (and third) outing for this detective.

Trezeline
Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton

5
Very interesting and mysterious. Well written and a page-turner. Easy to read and informative. Even though it is not true, it is based on history and facts.

Becky
When the English Fall by David Williams

4
This not your usual “end of the world” book. It is a LOT better! An Amish community is well prepared when a solar storm knocks out all machinery worldwide. But the English (anyone not Amish) begin to run out of food and their money becomes worthless, civil society breaks down. The Amish are called to help. When they do, their closed community is affected as never before. Written entirely from the viewpoint of Jacob, an Amish farmer who lives near several large cities, the book explores the challenges and fears of a community that wants to avoid “the English” and their worldly ways. Written with sympathy for both groups and displaying an intimate knowledge of the Amish.

Becky
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt

5
Lucy, 16 and naive, runs away with her high school teacher. Their life together in an isolated, and isolating, rural area is not what Lucy expected. Lucy is portrayed sympathetically. The reader gets to know her intimately through her thoughts and actions. William, the teacher, is not so well known. His backstory is presented in back flashes. His life with Lucy is seen only through her eyes. Lucy’s sister, a minor but very important character, never gives up searching for her sister. The reader is constantly aware that “this will not end well”, but the actual ending is dramatic and terrifying. You will remember this book for a long time.

Judye
The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan

5
What a magnificent blend of historical event with current day tie-ins. It is beautifully written, also with humor, and you can feel the drumbeats regarding what is going to happen. I would consider this a must-read, and who knew the involvement of Clara Barton and the Johnstown floods?

Linda
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

3
Wow! A lot here to get my head around. While I was listening to this I kept thinking of the book COLD MOUNTAIN by Charles Frazier. It takes place at some of the same time, involves the Civil War and includes a lot of travel. I really liked Barry's writing, but I was often "shocked" by where the story went. (I put that in quotes because I didn't see things coming.) This might have been a book better read than listened to, although listening to the brogue of Aidan Kelly was marvelous.

WALTER
The Sleepwaker by Chris Bohjalian

4
It took a little longer than I would have liked before some things really started moving but it still went well. The ending was a surprise. I thought I had figured it out but didn't see it coming.

WALTER
Fatal by John Lescroart

2
This book started out really well, but the ending was predictable and boring. I would strongly recommend against reading it.

Walter
Sunset Park by Paul Auster

1
This was truly a terrible book. The characters are unlikable and unsympathetic and the writing itself is tedious, tending towards extremely long sentences and long, incredibly uninteresting digressions into the petty interests of the individual characters. This is a book that interrupts what passes for a plot with horribly boring detailed descriptions of the lives of baseball players, a film student's dissertation interests and worse. After the painful tedium of wading through this muck, the reader is punished further with an abrupt, pointless and unpleasant ending to a pointless and unpleasant story.

Walter
I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away by Bill Bryson

3
A collection of articles that varied between laugh out loud funny and skim through pedestrian. I like Bryson very much but this was not my favorite book of his.

Walter
End of Watch by Stephen King

4
I read MR. MERCEDES first, not realizing it was the first book of a trilogy. I enjoyed it very much. It was by accident I purchased the second book, FINDERS KEEPERS. While at a doctor's appointment, a nurse mentioned she was reading that book and I looked into it. It was then that I realized it was trilogy. After finishing FINDERS KEEPERS I naturally purchased END OF WATCH. I am not sorry that I did. The characters became family to me so I wanted to see how they all made out.

Walter
Under The Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

1
Characters were hard to relate to and plot did not exist at all. Depressing, boring and self serving

Chris
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

3
This book was very confusing for me, but for some reason it drew me in and kept me interested until the end. I was so glad I had a book club discussion afterwards, allowing all of us an opportunity to untangle the story. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to others unless you're looking for a challenging book and a good book club discussion.

Richard N B
The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne

4
This book surprised me. I usually prefer action-packed novels, but I really enjoyed this memoir about one man’s struggle to come to grips with his Tourette’s and to find balance in his life, his work, his family and his faith. (Proves I should listen when my wife recommends a book to me.)

Judy O.
Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain

5
Molly and her husband Aidan are trying to adopt a baby. As they get deeper into the process of paperwork, Molly worries more and more about the background checks that will follow. She has kept secret many things from her childhood that she does not want to come out --- even to her husband. This was a warm and touching story from a top-notch author.

Dorothy
Saints For All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan

3
Two young sisters come from Ireland to Massachusetts. One gets married and has a family the other enters the convent but something happens and they don't speak for years.

Walter
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

4
I loved this book. Terribly sad subject material but beautifully written. I almost stopped reading early on as it was heavy going and was not a light and breezy holiday read, but I am so glad I kept on going. The characters are divine and the bond between Thomas and handsome John Cole makes your heart sing. This is a wonderful book.

Walter
Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo

2
Seriously? Did Richard Russo even reread NOBODY'S FOOL before he wrote this one? Several continuity errors and a story that seemed pretty forced. There were some good elements to it, like Zach's role and the resolution with Sully and Ruth. If you read it without rereading the first book, you'll probably like it. Just take some time between the two to allow yourself to forget some details. I should've done that. I hate to criticize Russo, because he really is a wonderful writer. I love his other books. I just wish he had taken his time with this one and done it right. We could've waited another year or two for a better book.

Thomas
Indecent Exposure by Stuart Woods

4
I liked the book very much. It was a fast read.

Thomas
Indecent Exposure by Stuart Woods

4
I liked the book very much. It was a fast read.

Donna
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

3
It took a while to get into this book and I was questioning the title. As I got deeper into the story, it all made sense to me. TifAni is the new girl at the high school. She wanted to be part of the in-crowd and the only students that were nice to her were other outsiders. She became a target for the preferred group and paid a very heavy price. When she got out of high school, she changed her name to Ani to put her past behind her, and became a successful business woman. A documentary is made of her experience as a student and she must face her past.

WALTER
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

2
I am not a fan of action-filled, plot-driven books, but neither do I enjoy books that meander their way to a slow anti-climax. The subject had an interesting premise that failed to progress. Mr. Towles is a gifted writer who enjoys writing too much. I would have enjoyed his book far more if it had been 100 pages shorter.

WALTER
The Sport of Kings by C. E. Morgan

2
Much is fine, but the ending is enough for me to say don't read this book.

WALTER
The Lost Boy by Camilla Lackberg

2
The story was griping and excellent. However, the last chapter was offensive to me and foolish. If the story did not have this last chapter I would have given the book 5 stars.

WALTER
Night School by Lee Child

4
I am a huge fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books. I've read them all and order the next before it's available. This was not the best, however, as usual when the mystery starts to unravel you cannot put it down. Overall a good read, I would recommend it if you like action and mystery with a side of butt kicking. The best thing about this series is that Reacher walks into the next book just as he left the last. You never feel like you have to catch up. Reacher is Reacher.

WALTER
Death's End by Cixin Liu

2
It was literally "death's end" to force myself to finish this overly long trilogy. While the clever inventiveness of the science fiction was very high, the plot and especially the cold lack of any human warmth made it hard for this reader to relate to the characters by this last installment. Sometimes "less is more" and this last book is an example. It would have benefited by exploring the humanity and emotions of the two main characters. But, that could have been more easily done in the second volume, THE DARK FOREST.

Shelley
Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson

5
Middle grade novel based in Alabama 1972. The book opens with 11-year-old Benjamin Putter worried about a golf ball stuck in his throat. The story is about grief, friendship, second chances, facing your fears, understanding, forgiveness, as well as golf, BBQ, pigs, chickens, and trains. Lots of adventure, a little bit of mystery, and a few tears. Ben seeks the approval of his father and I liked the quote, "I wondered if Daddy knew how much power was in his sighs, even his dead ones." Lightly touches on 1972 desegregation with lingering tensions throughout the story. The ending is great and I can imagine this being a movie on the big screen someday. "Some things are true whether other people believe you or not."

Marsha
Trap the Devil by Ben Coes

5
Dewey Andreas is a former Delta and now a CIA operative and each book featuring him is a first rate thriller. You will not be able to put this book down without thinking of the terrorist outfits that are out to do harm to our nation. Sometimes the problem is even within our own government.

shelly
Results May Vary by Bethany Chase

4
Can a picture really be life-changing? In the case of Caroline and Adam it certainly was. Life will never be the same again when she realizes her husband has been unfaithful and had an affair. The shocking part is it was with a man and she never suspected anything. They were a couple for as long as anyone can remember going back to high school. Married for ten years and never suspecting anything, her world is suddenly turned upside down. Is it possible for Caroline to forgive Adam? As she starts trying to understand how this could of happened she learns more secrets about him. Her family is saying give him another chance. Her sister, Ruby, is trying to help her get through each day but also encouraging her to move on.

Lory
The Death Class: A True Story About Life by Erika Hayasaki

2
I was very intrigued about Norma Bowe, and her dedication, energy and compassion. If this review was specifically based on learning about this individual and her impact on society commitment to "walking the talk," I would have given it 5 stars, hands down. Instead I trudged through stories (not that they weren't interesting, but they weren't what I wanted to know more about) to get to moments in which I enjoyed learning about Dr. Bowe's accomplishments and contributions. THE DEATH CLASS left me wanting more.

Elizabeth
All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve

4
ALL HE EVER WANTED is a story of obsession. It is fiction written in the form of a memoir by a man who had been obsessed with his wife. I felt sorry for this man, Nicholas, for about the first two-thirds of the book. I forgave him his faults when (as I see from previous reviews I’ve read) others did not because it was apparent to me that this memoir is Nicholas’ confession. He now sees his errors and is sorry. Later, though, I wondered: Is Nicholas sorry because of what he had done, or does he just feel sorry for himself? I didn’t know, while I read the last third of the book, why he was writing this. Was it meant to be a memoir, a confession, or a justification for bad acts?

Christina
Arena by Karen Hancock

5
I love this book so much! Up front, it's marketed as Christian allegory. When I first read this, I had no idea (I am not religious). The story stands on its own as a well-written sci-fi/adventure/journey kind of story with strong character development, good pacing and interesting twists. I've re-read it a few times, and it never fails to entertain me. I would love to see them make a movie from this book; it would be interesting to see who they cast in the leads and how they portray the events.