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August 9, 2019 - August 23, 2019

 

This contest period's winners were Gladys P., Judy M. and Susan G., who each received a copy of THE LAST WIDOW by Karin Slaughter and OLD BONES by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

 

Gil
Red Joan by Jennie Rooney

5
Joan was a young scientist working for the English government on the highly secretive A-Bomb project. Her two best friends were Russian communist operatives who were trying to manipulate her into revealing secrets about the project. Sonya was aggressive and had undue influence over her and Leo was her lover. Joan was totally committed to the project but became conflicted when the United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima causing so much human suffering. Should she remain loyal to her country or give in to the pressure from Sonya and Leo and contribute to the beginning of the Cold War? A very good book!

John
Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

5
The tale of an ominous warning marring a journey!

Donna
The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb

4
This fictional story is filled with fun, secrets, loses, love of family and friends. Natalie knows she's happily married, but she also knows there are serious lies that have put her life in jeopardy. This book was easy to read and kept you involved in the story.

WALTER
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

3
The Amazon rain forest was a punishing environment for non-natives who dared to explore the region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. What makes Candice Millard’s book THE RIVER OF DOUBT even more fascinating is that the voyage she chronicles included Theodore Roosevelt on his last great adventure after losing his bid for a third U.S. presidential term in 1912. The book is both informative and gripping as the exploration party travels up a previously uncharted river and the jungles of Brazil.

Jan
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

3
Many loved this book. I did not. It is about a dysfunctional family and that is not my idea of a good read. I live it. The daughter is the narrator and gives many examples of dysfunctional behavior while being so immature and child-like herself, even when she is in college. We finally learn some of the causes of this, but the totality of the book was not enough for me. Some people seem to love it. The book is well-written, pretty descriptive, but we only learn of the characters from this child-like, selfish college student. Not my cup of tea.

Ilene
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

5
BRIDESHEAD REVISITED is about British life between the world wars. When narrator Charles Ryder finds himself stationed at Brideshead he recalls his time spent with the heirs to the estate before the war. He remembers back, when in 1922, coming from a middle-class family, his mother dead and father in his own world, he first meets Sebastian, his most exciting friend, who invites him to his family’s estate where he is overwhelmed and feels a part of the family. So much history and relationships. A really great book.

Gil
Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

5
Sidney Ryan is a TV producer working on a documentary to exonerate Grace Sebold for the murder of her boyfriend for which she has spent the last ten years in prison. Sidney has found grave errors in the prosecutions case and has turned her show into the most watched documentary ever. During her investigation, Sidney discovers incriminating information about others who had a relationship with Grace. This was a great novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Amanda
The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

4
A good read!

Katrina
Man of the Year by Caroline Louise Walker

5
This book is full of surprises and twists up and to the last page. I love a book that can keep you guessing until the end and this one delivered just that. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the author throws another twist in the mix. Very good writer!

Elizabeth
The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

2
Sometimes I accidentally read chic lit. That’s what I would call THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones. If you do like chic lit, this is probably one of the better ones I have exit accidentally read. Part 1 is Alice’s part. She is emotionally unstable and paranoid. She is on husband number two after husband number one was lost in the mountains. Husband number one seemed perfect, then didn’t; husband number two seems perfect, then doesn’t, then does, then doesn’t, then does, etc. Then there is also Alice’s best friend, Beth. She seems perfect, too, then doesn’t. Is all this due to Alice's unstable paranoia? Maybe so, maybe not.

Rosa
Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football by John Urschel and Louisa Thomas

5
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir by John Urschel, who is equally a mathematician and a professional football player. The book chronicles his life to date (he's not yet 30 years old) as he tells the story of his two passions - mathematics and football. Obviously a highly intelligent man, Urschel shows how his parents influenced his choices and how he has made his life choices with the deliberate logic of one who studies math. The book is very readable for a lay person, who will not understand all of the details of mathematical concepts that Urschel describes (I certainly didn't). But that doesn't matter as what I enjoyed was Urschel's writing and humility. I recommend this book to any young person who is considering a career in STEM.

DOROTHY
Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber

4
This was a real good read. It is about two women, Jenna and Maureen, both have met men they like, but will it continue? Both woman are divorced and looking for a new love. One falls for a doctor and the other for a construction worker. There are many ups and downs in their relationships. It has a lot of twists.

Alexandra
Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

5
A wonderful book about three young women who go through and graduate from West Point Military Academy on the eve of 9/11. It is inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking, but so very, very good. I couldn’t put it down and was sorry to finish it!

DOROTHY
The Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank

5
Holly is a keeper of bees. She lives next door to Archie who is a widow and has two adorable children who Holly loves and takes care of them all the time. Obviously she is fond of Archie but he marries another woman who is not fond of children and is not nice to them. Her sister Leslie comes to visit and tells them that her husband is gay. He goes to Las Vegas and dresses as a woman. It is good - read it.

Bonnie
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

3
Based on a true story about a boys' reformatory in Florida, this is a sad story of Elwood's life there. The truth about the horrors and deaths there didn't come known until decades after it closed.

Tessa
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

3
3.5 stars. This is the first of four books in the “Neapolitan Series” by Ferrante. I loved the way this friendship between Elena and Lila was portrayed, and the strength of these two girls as they faced the challenges of growing up. I also really appreciated how the landscape and culture were practically a character in the novel. I felt immersed in 1950s Naples. I could not help but be reminded of my BFF when I was growing up. Like these characters, we hardly breathed without consulting one another, and shared every secret, every joy, every heartache, every dream, every disappointment, every triumph.

Joy
Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer

4
Really good book about two sisters in Nantucket.

Sherrie
Cold Woods by Karen Katchur

5
In this heart-wrenching novel, COLD WOODS by Karen Katchur, you find a source for the importance of girlfriends, of true friendship. Three young girls, in a poor town with not the best of families, find themselves forever tied; because of their friendship, their support for each other when bad things happen to a couple of them and for the extreme measures they go to protect each other. Trisha, Carlyn and Dannie are these friends, all without fathers who rely on their mothers, some are better at mothering than others, to horrible and brave ends. On the other side of the story is Detective Parker and his partner and their inquisitiveness with these three friends thirty years later. Great storytelling, loved it!

Linda
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

5
Ordered the book when it first came out but kept putting off reading it for various reasons. Once opened, it was a page-turner -- a "couldn't put down" type of story. Thought it compelling, graphic but not overwhelming and the blooming love story and perseverance amid the destruction of sanity was very well written. (As an aside, gave it to my daughter to read although, she was needing and reading some "froth" books. Told her, just start it, it's good. She became absorbed immediately.)

Matt
Wolf Pack by C. J. Box

4
Another Joe Picket novel. He is a game warden in Wyoming. As usual Box does his digs at the Feds and their blunders. He also spends a chapter on the normal duties of a warden, but Joe Picket books are not about normal duties. There is a real wolf pack and a human wolf pack in the book. As usual, a wild and exciting finish. One of the better ones in the series.

Rebecca
Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard

5
I love historical novels that give insight to the private lives of historically famous people. The relationship of Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed was very interesting. Mary Todd was pictured as a very well-rounded young woman and her courtship with Mr. Lincoln, subsidized by Mrs. Francis, was peculiar. I did enjoy the book.

Linda
Knife by Jo Nesbo

4
Someone has killed Rakel, wife of Oslo policeman Harry Hole, and there are few clues to follow. The house was a veritable fortress so she had to have known her killer. Harry begins to wonder if he killed her while he was in a drunken state but he loved her too much to ever hurt her. He goes after Svein Finne, notorious criminal recently released from prison. Harry had killed Finne’s son during a standoff with police and Finne hated him for this. Could Finne have killed Rakel in retribution for Harry killing his son?

Donna
Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok

4
Interesting story about two sisters, their mother, and lies from a generation ago. The writing carried me along and I finished the book in two days!

Linda
The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne

5
A heartwarming story of a young woman giving up her life in order to raise her orphaned nieces. Now both are grown and Stella has plans of her own and she is shocked when the love of her life reappears after twenty years. Her eldest niece Daisy is a successful accountant who puts up a brave front but never lets anyone see the real person inside until she meets Gabe. Her sister Bea, divorced from a famous rock star, is in love with Shane, a man she has known all her life but does not know how to let him know. Their lives are all changed in the seaside town of Cape Sanctuary.

Linda
Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin

4
Kira Vance is a go-getter private investigator and is working with her boss on a murder case. He calls her and says he’s found an alternative murder suspect instead of the doctor who has been accused of the murder. Before he can tell her more, he is shot and killed by an intruder. The killer shoots Brock Logan, the attorney they are working for, and aims his gun at Kira but misses. Logan hires Wolfe Security for protection of his staff and Kira meets and falls for Jeremy Owen. He’s attracted to her but her safety is his job and he takes his job seriously. When Kira is targeted, he realizes how important she is to him and is determined that no harm come to her.

Linda
Home Sweet Murder by James Patterson

3
The book is composed of two true crime stories. The first is "Home Sweet Murder" where the attempted murder of an attorney and his wife is carried out in an act of revenge. The second is "Murder on the Run" where murders are carried out against the people the killer felt had wronged him.

Linda
The First Lady by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois

5
President Harrison Tucker is up for re-election and his Chief of Staff Parker Hoyt is concerned about the numbers as shown in the latest poll. When the First Lady Grace Tucker disappears from a horse farm, Hoyt thinks they can capitalize on it. Then he has other ideas and contacts Marsha Gray, former Marine sniper, and gives her her orders. If the First Lady was found dead, Tucker would get the sympathy vote and would be re-elected. He didn’t count on Sally Grissom, Secret Service leader of the Presidential Protection Division, doing her job even when told to stand down. Sally felt her team lost the First Lady and now it’s up to her to find her.

Linda
I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie

5
Twenty years ago, Amanda Holmes was found bludgeoned in a canoe and, although brain dead, she has been kept on life support ever since. The main suspect in the attack was Ryan MacAllister, son of the owners of Camp Macaw, but no proof was ever found and the case went cold. With the recent deaths of the MacAllisters, the unsolved case is on everyone’s mind and the MacAllister siblings are determined to find out what happened that night. Great book!

Linda
What I've Done by Melinda Leigh

5
The daughter of Lincoln Sharp’s old partner has been charged with murder and her mother comes to Sharp for help. Haley Powell awoke to find herself covered in blood and no Noah Carter lying next to her in bed. She finds him lying dead in the yard. Her prints are the only ones found on the knife that was used to stab Noah three times. Haley remembers leaving a club with Noah but has lapses in her memory. Attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger have their work cut out for them. Who killed Noah and why is someone trying to frame Haley? Love the blossoming love between Morgan and Lance. Her three-year-old was holding herself aloof from him but now runs and jumps into his arms. Her family is now his.

Linda
Be Afraid by Mary Burton

5
Jenna Thompson, police officer in Baltimore, just finished a case that was too much like her own and made her realize she wanted and needed answers to why her family was killed and she was left alive. Police found her hiding in a closet in the suspected killer’s house nine days after the murder. Jenna returned to Nashville and was sketching tourists when she was approached by Detective Rick Morgan and asked if she could sketch a young girl using her skeleton in hopes that they might find who the child was. She did and her story made the local news and got the attention of the real killer. He was not finished with her and told himself Jenna had to die.

Becky
You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

4
This was a different kind of love story. A happily married woman dreams about a man, not her husband, for years. Then she discovers he is a real person who has been dreaming about her! Love, desire, confusion, humor, guilt, forgiveness, and just plain weirdness ensues. I liked it. Not the best book ever, but definitely an interesting take on human emotions. Well written, likeable characters who show real emotions, who grow and change in the development of the story. You will wonder while reading where this is all going and you will be surprised. Taken all together, this is a good read. I’m glad I read it.

Mary
Cemetery Road by Greg Iles

4
Greg Iles’ books always engage me with the storyline, and CEMETERY ROAD is no exception. Set in current day Mississippi, this is the saga of Bienville, MS, a fictional Gulf area city run by the nefarious Poker Club. This organization controls the police, the bank, several profitable businesses and those townspeople afraid of incurring their ill will. Journalist Marshall McEwan returns from D.C. to take on the Club, including his best friend’s father and a Chinese developer to prevent widespread fraud and solve a recent murder. There’s a complex love story in the mix, too. Only 4 stars because the Boar Island finale defies belief. A great read!

Becky
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui

5
This was a delightful book. A conservative Indian lady seeks closure with her son’s death by taking a guided tour of America. Pival hires an Indian (she thinks) tour company that is really Bengali. Her “companion” is an erstwhile actress who is tired of life. Her tour guide has never led a tour before. These three mismatched characters, each with their own set of opinions and expectations find themselves and America as they travel. Pival’s son, his chosen lifestyle, his companion, and his life’s work become clear as the tour progresses. By turns hilarious and heartrending, AMERICA FOR BEGINNERS presents an America like no other. The characters are interesting and well developed.

Becky
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

5
If you loved ORDINARY GRACE you will love this new stand-alone from the author of the Cork O’Connor mystery series. Three orphaned boys and a broken-hearted little girl run away from misery and beatings at a School for Indian Children during the Great Depression. The school is run by a tyrant and her subservient but cruel husband. When one child disappears after a tornado kills the one person who actually cared for the children, the four decide disappearing themselves is the only way to escape the merciless animosity. Floating and paddling down the rivers to their goal of St. Louis is fraught with danger from nature and those who are searching for them.

Heidi
The Hone for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman

5
Couldn’t put it down. I just had to find out what happened to the two main characters, Maggie and the daughter she was forced to put up for adoption. Heartbreaking and sweet.

Michelle
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

3
This is a tough book to rate and review. I’m torn because there is certainly historical importance that I don’t want to draw anyone away from. The April 3 Incident is one that I had never heard of before and I appreciated learning about. I also had never heard of Haenyeo and it was interesting to learn about. The problem I had was the telling of the story that was trying to connect everything. For me, there wasn’t enough showing, there was too much telling. Some of the tragic incidents were quickly told as if in a newspaper article. Not enough feeling and descriptions. And while I appreciated the historical importance, I sometimes felt I was reading a history book which left me bored at times and not looking to pick it up too quickly.

Becky
A Bend in the Stars by Rachel Barenbaum

4
Relativity and Russia star in this detailed novel of science and politics. Siblings Vanya (male, older, trying to prove Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) and Miri (female, a surgeon in a man’s field, following her deserter fiancée) flee across Russia trying to stay alive long enough to prove Vanya’s theory by photographing a solar eclipse as World War I begins. You do NOT need to understand the Theory of Relativity to enjoy this epic novel while meandering through Russia. A triangular love story ensues when Miri saves a Jewish mystery man who then falls in love with her. The story is really the love story and the chase for a photo of the eclipsed sun, all while being chased by a murderous villain.

Becky
Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

4
This book is not PC. A teenage girl is called Dumplin’ by her mother who constantly reminds her how fat she is and how pretty she would be if she just lost some weight. Dumplin’ and her friends decide to enter the beauty contest Dumplin’s mother runs and had won many years before. Hilarity runs rampant as the young women (one fat, one disabled, one perhaps autistic and one gay) prepare their talent acts and wardrobes. This could have been awful. It was not. It becomes a sensitive and empathetic tale of young women learning to love themselves and accept others. Oh, and there is also a gentle love story. This would be great book for a mother/parent book club.

Becky
The Grave Robber's Secret by Anna Myers

3
I have read and enjoyed other books by Anna Myers. This one left me slightly off kilter. It wasn’t bad or poorly written, I was just uncertain to the point of the book. The ending didn’t seem to have a conclusion and for a middle-grader book, there was no clear right and wrong. Robby’s Pa takes him with him to rob a grave. They sell the body to a hospital for teaching purposes, but Robby is very disconcerted by stealing the body and defiling it. He thinks about the family whose loved one is now being dissected. Right, wrong, the value of education, concern for others, empathy, all come into play as the book proceeds. Because the book caused such ambivalent feelings, I am hesitant to recommend it.

Anna Servati
Children of the Salt Road by Lydia Fazio Theys

4
I enjoyed the setting of the story very much. Having visited Sicily many times (still have lots of family there) I thought the author did a fantastic job describing the beauty of the land, the people and the history. I loved the author's writing and the storyline from the different character's point of view really lets you get to know them. The plot development was so good I didn't want to stop reading. The suspense builds and continues right up to the very end. I highly recommend it.

susan
Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

4
A story for all ages, this book is an easy read with suspense and happy ending. A new series coming to TV soon?

Judith
Knife by Jo Nesbo

5
Brutal murders, clever twists, shocking ending. I LOVED it. Written so clearly - action never stops.

Charlene
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

5
THE WATER DANCER is life-changing. The Tasked. The Low. The Quality. The Coffin. The Underground. We witness a tale of life under bondage while still trying to get enough air to breathe. Hiram Walker, born to a white daddy on Lockless, a tobacco plantation, is also not safe. Whatever notions he had from the get-go because of his heritage diminishes with age. With the white grip on black toile, slavery becomes commonplace, then a commodity with time. As Hiram recants his tale from birth to blessed freedom, there is more to see than meets the eye. There is a power that lies within Hiram, one that awakens with the nasty encounters and hatred of white power, one that lies deep within his people and culture, and further, memory itself.

Nicole
The Break by Katherena Vermette

4
Heartbreaking circumstances in Winnipeg. So very beautifully written. The story is told from many characters’ viewpoints, which I loved. I both read and listened to the audiobook which added a whole other dimension.

Cheryle
The Whisper Man by Alex North

5
I received this book as an ARC from Bookish First. This is a fantastic book. At the forefront is this is a thriller, but more than that it is a story of the love of father and son after a tragic loss. But again there is more. There are many twists and turns and just when you think you have the thing figured out the author throws in another twist. Terrific! Tom Kennedy is dealing with the loss of his wife to cancer and his son Jake his mother. Together they pick out a house to move to in another town to deal with the loss and move on with their lives. But soon after they move a young boy is abducted and it is a reminder of the deaths of several young boys over the years.

Jan
Criminal Enterprise by Owen Laukkanen

4
I love this author. He always entertains. This book is about an average man - in debt, family, gets laid off, can't get another job, so he starts a small business of doing taxes for folks. One day he is desperate for money, his severance money is almost gone; he walks into a bank, hands a teller a note to give him money - gets the money and walks out. Easy. Later, he robs another bank - same thing. The robbing expands with his new assistant, and he is in over his head. Finally, an FBI agent and a Minnesota State Investigator get involved. (They were in his first book, too.) In the meantime, things get messy, a family member is kidnapped, the robberies get more serious, someone gets killed. I truly can not put Laukkanen's books down.

Linda
The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

4
A domestic thriller that will keep you guessing. Alice’s first husband vanished on a skiing trip, and is presumed dead. But is he? And she seems to be happy with her second husband, Nathan, with a successful business and two children. Then she suspects that Nathan is having an affair, and begins to wonder if her first husband is really dead. Then somehow, her best friend Beth is connected to both her husbands??? This was an enjoyable read - the plot was well thought out, and just when you think you’ve figured something out, you find out you’re wrong. Very entertaining!

Betty
Water Lily Dance by Michelle Muriel

5
A story of heartbreak, loss and second chances, Michelle Muriel gives us a beautiful story of three courageous women, centuries apart. Two timelines – one in 2012 Missouri and the other in 1865 Paris. The link between the two – artist Claude Monet and his garden. The strength of the book lies in its relationships, especially those between mothers and daughters.

Nissa
Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

5
CHRISTMAS ANGELS was a heartwarming breath of fresh air. It’s such a well-written, believable, inspirational novel about a woman realizing her dream at 32, becoming part of a small town full of wonderful people, and finding romance in the process. I loved this one!

Nissa
All the Lovely Pieces by J. M. Winchester

4
ALL THE LOVELY PIECES is J.M. Winchester’s (Jennifer Snow's) debut thriller and it is fantastic! It is gripping from page one, will keep on the edge of your seat, and leave you concerned for the characters’ well being. This is a story of domestic psychological and physical abuse, escaping the abuse, and challenges faced as a result of it. Told from three perspectives (Drew: the woman who escaped, Michael: the child, and Catherine: the nanny/hostage), this story is absolutely chilling and a must-read! You will not be disappointed!

Melissa
A Place at the Table and The Women in the Castle by Susan Rebecca White and Jessica Shattuck

3
Both books had important messages but some of it was lost in the disjointed writing style, especially in A PLACE AT THE TABLE. THE WOMEN IN THE CASTLE still is a must-read as it depicts some of the "common Germans" during the rise of Hitler.

Annemarie
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

5
I received this book as an ARC. I wanted to read something by an author I had never heard of. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! From the second I picked up the book, I was intrigued. I couldn't put it down. I started reading it on vacation and I had to will myself to close it and get some sleep or I wouldn't be functional during our trip! You will not be disappointed. Megan Goldin holds your attention from the first chapter. You find yourself feeling anxious for the people involved in this "game" and also wondering what the next move of the person who is manipulating this "game" is going to be. Megan Goldin has written another book, THE GIRL IN KELLERS WAY. This is my next read and I can't wait to start. Pick this book up. You will love it!

Peggy
Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

4
Unusual type for Ms. Lippman. Although the chapters were told by alternating narrators, it was an easy read. Enjoyed it very much.

Deb
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

4
As always, Picoult engages readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and conflicting thoughts. While the theme of racism and the story she weaves was disturbing at times, the fact that it is based on an actual occurrence is most disturbing. The three POVs in the story - the black female nurse, the white male skinhead, and the white female attorney - perhaps challenges the reader to examine their own prejudices. While most would claim not to be prejudiced, perhaps they are similar to the female juror who claimed so, but turned out to be the most prejudiced.

DOROTHY
Blessings in Disguise by Danielle Steel

4
Isabella is a busy woman. She finds and sells art. She is the mother of three daughters, all from different fathers. She had an abortion at a young age. Then at 15 she got pregnant and gave the baby up for adoption. She had many men in her life. Putman is a wealthy older man who gets her pregnant. She has a daughter. They never marry but stay in touch. He leaves his daughter a great deal of money. Then she marries a man and they have a daughter. He goes to jail and she removes him from her life. She marries another man. I enjoyed it.

Tessa
Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey

3
This is the second book in a series, but I don’t feel I missed anything by reading out of order. Set in 1817 England, this YA romance plus cozy mystery makes for some interesting twists and turns in the plot, as well as satisfying tension between the two lead characters. I picked this up on a whim as I was trolling the library’s shelves. It sounded like a quick, fun read and that’s exactly what it was.

Vicki
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel

5
THE WINEMAKER'S WIFE is a fantastic work of historical fiction going from the late 1930s and mid 1940s while also visiting the present. The story takes you to the vineyards of France during the occupation by the Germans, the story of those who worked for the French Resistance and those who collaborated with the Germans. It’s a story of a woman who spent her whole life trying to atone for mistakes she made in her youth. There are twists and turns within this story you never see coming. Kristin Harmel has written an intriguing and beautiful story of love and heartbreak, trust and betrayal, and a definition of family that is not necessarily tied by blood. The writing is exceptional and all encompassing as you live the story.

Kathleen
The Perfect Son by Lauren North

4
THE PERFECT SON by Lauren North is a psychological thriller, my favorite genre, about a young woman whose husband was killed in an airplane crash. She lives alone with her son, and her grieving consumes her making her life unbearable. She feels that she is a bad mom because of it. She and her husband had moved to a remote town in a tranquil English town, her husband's deceased mom's home. It is isolated which does not help her to overcome her grief. She wakes up in the hospital with a stab wound in her stomach and her son missing. She has a grief counselor, Shelley, who Tess befriends, who is there in the hospital with her. While in the hospital, Tess tries to piece together the events that led her to the hospital.

Kimiko
Murder, She Wrote: Murder in Red by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land

5
Another great Jessica Fletcher mystery, this time set around a brand new medical clinic which moves into Cabot Cove promising results that no other medical facility can offer.

Betty
The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan

5
Wow! This book kept me guessing. Totally riveting! First I thought one character was the bad one, then another, then back to the first, back and forth. The author paced her reveals really well. Her time as an investigative reporter must have come into play with this book. Winning is the name of the game. Jury tampering, witness tampering…all by someone within the legal system? Can this be true? And perhaps even murder to prevent exposure? The action is dizzying, heart-stopping. Everyone has an agenda…who can you believe?

Joy
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

4
A novel about Vivian Morris being kicked out of Vassar College in 1940. She is sent to live with her aunt who owns a theater.

Kirsten
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

4
A very poignant narrative about three siblings who finally discuss the trauma the youngest claims she endured growing up with a mother who mistreated her. The two older children initially dismiss their younger sister's memories. After all, they were present and did not notice any abuse. Yet, it is this very conundrum of how children can have such different experiences growing up even though they are raised by the same parents and together in one home that expands this story into one of nuance and emotional resonance.

Gladys
No Good Tea Goes Unpunished by Bree Baker

5
Everly Swan had a delightful snack bar beside the sea called Sun, Sand and Tea where she expected to have only the happiest of events to take place, but, alas, while Everly was catering a huge wedding reception the event was spoiled by a murder. The efforts to solve the murder make for a very entertaining story that is well reported by this story's author.

Kay
Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith

3
A slow read but absorbing - exploring grief, hope, motherhood, brotherhood and surrogate fatherhood. The characters are slow to start with, but get deeper and richer as the story unfolds. Initially I thought it was a light chicklit type of book - but NO - surprising.

Judith
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

5
A terrific summer read! Love the character development.

Dana
The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis

4
This is a delightful cozy mystery based on the premise that the Brontë sisters decide to become “detectors “ after they hear of a young wife and mother who has vanished. It is circa 1845 in Yorkshire, a time when women are not supposed to voice opinions, much less try to solve a mystery. In spite of the restrictions placed on them, they pursue every clue and ignore the danger of Chester Grange in order to solve the mystery of The Vanished Bride.

Debbie
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

2
What a crazy book! I must be living a desolate life with no designer clothes and private airplane trips all over the world. Kevin Kwan’s book, CRAZY RICH ASIANS, really opened my eyes to the life of the rich and famous. Kwan creates characters that provide a range of personalities. In the 21st century, family still rules the life of children. I felt that too much emphasis was placed on material objects and the emotional life was obsolete. After finishing the story, the excesses of spending remain in my memory, but the actual relationships fade in the background.

Robyn
Dark Lover by J. R. Ward

5
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series are soooo addicting. If you like paranormal books I guarantee this series will not disappoint.

Milena
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

4
THE ESCAPE ROOM is one hell of a ride. It's a corporate, psychological thriller set in the ruthless, cut-throat, greedy world of Wall Street. Four finance high-flyers and co-workers, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie and Sam, find themselves in a bizarre team-building exercise where they have to escape a locked elevator. Things go horribly wrong during the exercise, dark secrets are revealed, and loyalties (if there were any) are tested. I must say, I wasn't sure if I was going to like THE ESCAPE ROOM because I absolutely have no interest in reading books about Wall Street but this book sucked me right in. I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than two days. There were some great twists and the ending was very satisfying.

Marsha
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
Beautifully-written tale of Kya's struggle to survive as her family members leave her one by one and she is a small child alone in the marshlands of North Carolina. The characters are well developed and you come to love many of them. The story builds suspense as the towns people are certain the swamp girl, now twenty-four years old, has murdered a town hero.

Linda
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

3
Not quite sure if this is 2.5 or 3 stars. I was expecting more of a thriller, but what I got was workplace intrigue. The book is set in modern day Dallas, in a large corporation. The #MeToo movement in novel form. The format was interesting - reminded me a little of BIG LITTLE LIES, where we knew pretty much from the start that something bad happened at the Trivia night. In this book, a series of depositions gave the warning that all was not well. While the characters were not very likeable, the situation they find themselves in is realistic. And I didn’t figure out how they were going to get themselves out of the situation until almost the end, when Ardie was helping Rosalita with the financial aid forms.

Jan
The Jury Master by Robert Dugoni

4
If you like the current group of mystery writers - Crais, Penny, Heller, Keller, Sandford, Connelly, etc. who have a hero, a good guy, you will love this book. Sloane, a brilliant lawyer, gets mixed up with some folks who murder others and they work for the government. He does not know why they are coming after him or his friends, but he has a package they want. Sloane meets others along the way - a couple of good ones who help him. This is a giant roller-coaster mystery. Along the way, Sloane realizes that there has always been a hole in his life and his memory. He works to discover more about himself. Along with loving an old friend who helps him, he seems to be falling in love with his secretary of ten years. Quick read.

Kay
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penny

5
The Canadian setting in the mid 1800s mystery was fascinating and memorable. Lots of ice and snow, tracking and unraveling the puzzle of what happened in the first chapter of the book with the murder of a native tracker. I highly recommend this novel.

Elizabeth
The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

4
Very interesting, some surprises.

Patricia
Something in the Water by Katherine Steadman

4
Very good read. I enjoy psychological thrillers, my favorite read. This one had a twist in it that the main character did not see coming and neither did I. I thought the story was going in a completely different direction. Definitely recommend. Will read more books by this author.

Helen
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

5
I enjoyed this book very much. It is a slice of real life. Nothing is contrived. The author gives the reader many issues to think about. The author gives the reader many meanings of what a family means.

Donna
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

5
This book is a debut novel by the author Amanda Dykes. The tale is one filled with grief, honor, nostalgia, love,courage, and hope. It was a very delightful read!

Francisca
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright

4
It’s said that those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. I’ve studied some history, and yet I found much new information in this relatively slim volume. Albright clearly, methodically and logically lays out the foundations to bring understanding of Fascism. She cites numerous examples, using not only right-wing but left-wing and centrist ideologies to illustrate the concepts and realities.

Patti
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

4
Interesting book of a young man (twin brother) falling in love. His sister and the twin brother (the boy falling in love with another boy) are at odds and how they find their way back to each other.

Lori
Check In at the Pine Away Motel by Katarina Bivald

4
I was thrilled to be able to read an advance copy of this book since I adored the author's previous book, READERS OF THE BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND. I liked this book, too, but having the story being told by a dead person detracted from my enjoyment since I'm more of a realist. The writing, locale and characters were great. It was interesting to see the impact of homophobia in a small town setting and its long-term impact on the gay community. This topic made the book more serious than her last. I think Bivald's fans will be happy to read this book and I recommend it.

Lori
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

5
Loved this unique story - lots of suspense, but thought-provoking, too. Themes with immigration, autism, parenting, relationships- something for everyone. All the characters had something to hide, and I was kept guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book.

Lori
Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

5
This one started slowly for me, but as I got into the story, I liked it more and more. Historically interesting with great characters - reminded me a little of Henrietta Lacks with the medical testing issues. Love books about people who love reading. I highly recommend this book.

Lori
The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

5
This was the beginning of a fun new series of mysteries reminiscent of Miss Fisher and Maisie Dobbs. I enjoyed the characters and their backstories. It was very atmospheric and clever. I was kept guessing until the end. I look forward to continuing the series.

Lori
Lost and Wanted by Nell Freudenberger

4
This book had some interesting issues with single parenthood, dying with dignity and unrequited love. Although the big mystery of the story gets resolved, I was unsatisfied by the ending, not knowing what was in store for the main character.

Candace
The Widow's War by Sally Cabot Gunning

4
A well-written novel about a determined widow who dares to defy convention. She chooses her future, when traditional norms were the men who made decisions for women. Covers the time period of early settlers in our country.

Jeannie
Dear Rosie Hughes by Melanie Hudson

5
The epistolary format of DEAR ROSIE HUGHES by Melanie Hudson has it all: characterization with depth, conflict, tension, information, wisdom, humor, romance, friendship, family, setting, all things literary. Evoking the appeal of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, this novel captures reader interest from the first page and never lets go until the last page. It is a novel that I regretted it was over when I finished reading it, and its poignancy has stayed with me as I reflect on its impact with me. I will read it again someday because this novel has delivered the pure joy of reading to me, that elusive joy I hope to find in every book I read.

sandra
The Kilwade Tragedy: Tragedies don't just happen. by Terry Keys

5
Great read, fictional but based in/on facts. Young man going through a rough time had finally had enough. Parents divorced, girlfriend cheated on him. He was also bullied.

sandra
Tell Me Your Secret by Dorothy Koomson

5
A roller-coaster of a read. Police are looking for a serial killer. For one detective, it is personal. This killer keeps his victims 48 hours. If they open their eyes, before then, they die. Weird psychological reason this is done. Great read.

sandra
Alice Had A Palace by Brenda Rae Schoolcraft

5
Wow!! Her mom sounded like me a long time ago. My ex, did all those things to me, except the physical abuse. I also, grew up in a dysfunctional family, so I understand what Brenda went through. I was her, starting at age 7. So glad how her dad ended up. Could not have happened to a nicer guy.

Cindy
The Beekeeper of Alleppo by Christy Leftiri

5
Beautifully-written story about a tragic war and the aftermath for a man and his wife. I received an ARC copy.

Kar
The Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox

4
Kind of slow-moving. Not his usual can’t-put-down book.

Simonne
Wild Horses of the Summer Sun by Tory Bilski

3
One woman’s first account story about finding herself in a Iceland each year riding Icelandic horses. She tells of her discoveries, her life and the friendships she makes during her annual treks.

Laurie
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel

4
If you enjoy World War II fictional history, don’t miss Kristin Harmel’s new novel set in Champagne, France. I learned so much about the champagne wine industry along with a thrilling tale of love, infidelity, secrets galore!

Norene
Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence

3
Somewhat disappointing.

Marci
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

5
Compelling story of the foster care system in the 1950s through the late 70s based on the factual Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis. Children were snatched off the street and sold to rich families. Some were taken at birth in the hospital and their mothers were told the infants died. Many died after being in the home from abuse and neglect. Those in power looked the other way and many were paid for their silence. It's a must-read on how this situation thrived .Beautifully written and informative.

Evelynn
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty

5
I am a mom, a lover of all things a bit weird and curious, and a person who is interested in normalizing my own thoughts and beliefs around death, dying, and what comes next. This book is written in Q&A format, each chapter tackles a kid question along with delightfully dark drawings. I appreciate the raw honesty of children, their questions are a perfect match for the author's straightforward, yet humorous, approach to answering them. I wish I had a cool aunt like Caitlin Doughty growing up! I really enjoyed this read.

Pat
Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs

5
I’ve just now started reading this author and I'm enjoying her books. She writes on various topics. I learned a lot about the Amish in this one.

Rebecca
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

4
The characters were easily relatable. The story was captivating making me anxious to keep reading.

Linda
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

5
This novel tells the story of three generations of Palestinian women living in Brooklyn, and I could not put it down! The heartbreaking lack of choice - girls are a disappointment to their families from birth, and are to be married off as soon as possible, to be wives (more like slaves!) and mothers, preferably bearing sons, not daughters. Isra wants to love and be loved, and finds herself in a new country with an abusive mother in law, and husband. Eventually she realizes that this is not the life she wants for her daughters, but can she break the cycle and find a better life? Is this depiction of life in a Palestinian household the norm, or not? I don’t know, and certainly hope not, but it is a marvelous novel!

Claudia
The Eulogist by Terry Gamble

5
The novel follows the lives of three young adult siblings from Ireland in the 1800s that find themselves in Cincinnati after their mother dies and their father abandoned them. What makes this story so interesting is how slavery is woven into the whole story. The last few chapter leaves one to wonder if they really know their ancestry.

Jane
The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

5
I found this especially interesting as I knew very little about the McCarthy Era. Interesting to see how those times affected careers and friendships. I have read all of Ms. Barton‘s books and never fail to be educated and entertained.

Martha
The Woman's Hour, the great figh to win the vote by Elaine Weiss

5
My history textbooks mentioned in a few paragraphs the 19th Amendment and some the leaders in the movement for women to get the vote in the U.S. Weiss's book fills in the details and it is an exciting, suspenseful reading. When the movement's leaders began to look toward Tennessee for the final assent to ratify this movement, they met with resistance from the "Anti" side fueled by those who believed God wanted women at home raising children and stroking the egos of the men as well as those who believed the South had been wronged in the emancipation of slaves and found ways to block the voting of black men. The idea that black women might be able to vote was absolute blasphemy to some of these resisters. A battle you can appreciate!

Martha
The New Girl by Daniel Silva

5
Silva does it again, a thriller that is timely, suspenseful, and surprising. Using important figures from current times, he creates a story in which the Arab and Jewish sides of the Middle East are in both collaboration and contest. Gabriel Allon, our favorite assassin and secret agent, dares tread where few would go and hints at a future where, perhaps, two historical enemies may choose to share and cooperate in a setting of peace. This may be my favorite of the entire Allon series.

Linda
The Warning by James Patterson and Robison Wells

1
This was one of the dumbest books I’ve read and kept thinking it would get better but it never did. A year after a power plant accident, residents are allowed to return to their homes but things are not as they seem. The two main characters are Jordan and Maggie. Jordan seems to have abnormal powers while Maggie is a normal teen. They hear rumors about Ishango but have no idea of what or who this is but think it has something to do with the weird things going on in their town.

Linda
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

3
Too many unanswered questions to a weird book that abruptly ends. A young woman working in a low-paying job takes a job as nanny in a luxurious “smart home” in remote Scotland. She doesn’t have experience with older children but struggles on until she hears unexplained footsteps overhead and things disappear or are moved around. The older child tells her the ghosts don’t want her there. This child is later found dead lying on the ground underneath the nanny's third floor room. Police think she did it and she is taken to prison. All through the book, she is writing to an attorney for help but the book didn't say if he ever responded. Apparently, the nanny stayed in prison for a crime she didn't commit.

Linda
Seduce Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates

3
Hayley Thompson feels as if she’s living in a fishbowl. The daughter of a pastor and working as the church secretary, she envies her brother who has seen a little of the world beyond their small town. She gets a job with Gray Bear Construction and is introduced to a world she never knew by Jonathan Bear. Jonathan was left with a sister to raise when he was barely out of his teens. His parents both left and he feels unworthy of Hayley’s love. He tries to push her away but it takes the wisdom of his sister to actually see what he is pushing away.

Linda
No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman

4
Delilah Montebank and Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, have been best friends for years. He has been in love with her for some time but has not said anything because she indicated she was not ready for marriage. Now she sets her sights on the Duke of Branville but when she sees one of her friends flirting with Thomas, she is jealous. She tells herself it is not jealousy and Thomas is just her friend. But when he kisses her in the garden, his kisses are not those of a friend and neither are her kisses when she kisses him back.

Linda
Redemption by David Baldacci

5
As Amos Decker stands by the graves of his family, he is approached by Meryl Hawkins, the first man Amos put behind bars. Hawkins tells Amos he’s dying and he wants his name cleared as he was innocent of the crime. When Hawkins is later found shot to death, Amos has no idea of what he has stirred up. The deeper Amos gets in his investigation, the more people are turning up dead. The FBI team he works with has gone on to a new case but returns to Amos when his case turns up unsavory Russian characters.

Linda
The Visitor by Amanda Stevens

5
Amelia Gray finds an old photograph of two children and a man and woman looking out from an upper window. The woman looks eerily like Amelia and she learns it is her great-grandmother Rose Gray. The photograph leads Amelia to the Kroll cemetery and Nelda Toombs, the remaining twin from the photograph. Her twin Mott died and now appears to Amelia. The man is Ezra Kroll who founded a commune where all members were found dead and their ghosts now inhabit the cemetery unable to cross over. Amelia senses an evil entity and thinks that her love John Devlin sees it too, but he refuses to believe in the supernatural. The evil lurks and Amelia has to solve the riddle that Rose left for her to close the door to the other side.

Linda
The Sinner by Amanda Stevens

5
Amelia Gray is working to restore a cemetery when she comes across a mortsafe, a kind of cage fitted over a grave to stop grave robbers. They were used in Scotland to prevent corpses from being stolen for use in medical schools. Inside the cage, Amelia finds two hands reaching out of a newly-dug grave indicating the person was buried alive. She learns about a man known as Atticus Pope whose followers used evil means to ensure his soul would continue on in a new host body. His disciples were killed and placed in mortsafes but whose body had Pope taken over? Was it the strange detective with topaz eyes or the young police officer or the woman who leases the house to Amelia?

Linda
The Awakening by Amanda Stevens

5
As Amelia Gray starts work on restoring the old Woodbine Cemetery, she is told it holds secrets of the wealthy. She is warned about the Conge, a group of influential people who will kill those they think are unnatural. Since Amelia can see and converse with ghosts, she is in their cross-hairs. John Devlin, her love, is now engaged to Claire Bellefontaine who is a member of the Conge as well as her brother Rance Duvall. John tells Amelia the engagement is not what it seems but is a business arrangement. Amelia is visited by the ghost of a young girl who is connected to the Devlin’s, the Duvall’s, and Amelia’s Aunt Lynrose. Amelia has to figure what the connection is and bring peace to the young girl.

Linda
Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh

4
Major Harry Westcott returns to England and his country home after injuries received in the war with Napoleon. Accompanying him is his friend Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Bennington who plans to stay for a few weeks. Various family members arrive to see Harry including his sister Abigail. When her mother returns to London, Abby stays with Harry but didn’t count on Gil being there. Neither liked each other much but when he told her of the problem he was having in getting his daughter back from her grandparents, she is ready to help and that includes marriage. She is attracted to Gil but thinks he is too morose and he has fallen for her smile and genuine warmth. Can a marriage between them work?

Linda
Last Night with the Earl by Kelly Bowen

5
With debilitating scars earned at Waterloo, Eli Dawes returns as the Earl of Rivers. Aware of his hideous scars, he hides out at his country estate in Dover not knowing that the mansion is used by the Haverhall School in its summer session. Rose Hayward is the art teacher and the woman Dawes has been in love with ever since he first met her. She makes him aware of his duties although she continues to hide out from society. She was the butt of a caricature drawn by her late fiancé and was ridiculed. Dawes tells her he loves her and asks her to marry him but she tells him she can’t be the woman he needs by his side. He tells her she is the only woman he will ever want and he will not lose her this time.

Elizabeth
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

3
I loved the descriptions of Alaska and how people live there (at least in the 70s). I didn't so much love how Leni and her mother acted at all times. The mother should have left her husband long ago- but I guess she was typical of many battered wives. Leni provoked her dad though in unnecessary ways and the predicament she gets herself into was entirely unavoidable. The author's neat solution did not seem realistic to me.

Linda
The 18th Abduction by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

4
San Francisco detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin are investigating the disappearance of three school teachers after they left a bar. No one has seen them since then. Two of the women are later found murdered and forensics indicate that both were hung after being strangled. Joe Molinari, FBI agent and Lindsay’s husband, meets with a woman who identified a restaurant owner as former war criminal Slobodan Petrovic. Crimes committed by Petrovic in Bosnia are similar to the torture used on the dead women revealed by autopsies. Could these murders have been committed by Petrovic?

Linda
Murder Interrupted by James Patterson

3
Two true crime stories make up this book. The first is Murder Interrupted and is about a bungled murder. The husband wanted his wife dead and had contacted a man to do the job but the man kept putting it off and the husband kept paying him. When the wife was shot, she didn’t die as planned. The second is Mother of All Murders and is about a woman who makes her daughter appear to be ill from various ailments. The latest doctor tells the girl she can walk and doesn’t think she is ill with all the diseases her mother says she has. When the girl realizes she has been lied to and kept from having a normal life, she takes her revenge.

Michelle
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

4
I applaud Picoult for her intentions in writing about this subject. For me, the Author’s Note at the end was the most powerful part of the novel. I love how deep she dug within her own beliefs and ignorances to understand racism on this level. I wasn’t in love with the story. It still had that typical Jodi Picoult templated novel that I’ve long outgrown but out of all her novels, this one was by far the most brave, certainly most important, and truly felt from the heart. We could all learn from her words, for the depths of subject that’s too often ignored, especially at this level.

Linda
Murder Beyond the Grave by James Patterson

4
Two stories. Murder Beyond the Grave is about a small-town drug dealer who was busted by the cops and now works as a carpenter. The job doesn’t pay enough and Danny gets an idea to kidnap a wealthy man for ransom. He kidnaps a man and buries him in a box but did not give him enough air. By the time police find the man, he is dead. Danny got the death penalty. His girlfriend who knew nothing about the kidnapping got life. Murder in Paradise is about a woman buying a rundown lodge in the mountains and renovating it at tremendous costs. Her husband did not want to live in the sticks and contacted a man to kill his wife. The woman was killed and the killer was killed. The man who contracted the killing was convicted.

Trezeline
Perfect Peace by Daniel Black

3
A story about a mother who raises her son as if he were a girl.

Jan
Zizzle, Number 2 by Multiple authors

5
This delightful book has stories for children aged 11 through 76. Not only were the stories interesting, there were photos and lovely drawings included. Difficulty ratings for the stories are included along with short comments from the authors and additional information. This is a wonderful book for young people who are just moving into reading and for parents to read to their children. There are no difficult moral issues, just the usual concerns that others do not like them or pick on them. This is a birthday gift for an 11-year-old relative and I know he will love it as much as I did. The book backs are sturdy and will take a beating.

Pam
Chances Are by Richard Russo

5
Beautifully written. Strong characters. Story about friendship, love, commitment.

Nina
The Huntress by Kate Quinn

5
Wonderful character development and mystery make this a great read.

Kimberley
The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda

4
Our book club was split on the rating of this psychological thriller. It is a quick read and great for the beach. The story itself has you supporting the misunderstood mom until one realizes things are not as they appear. It is a great average length. It did not touch me personally but there is a strong message that families should discuss, not act. Ms. Rouda has scored again and the thriller has the reader captivated until the end.

ILene
American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

5
“First Daughter”, Alice Roosevelt, the eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, moves into the White House after the assassination of President Mc Kinley. Alice had a great relationship with her father, giving him a lot of good advice. We learn all about the history of the times and the leaders she comes in contact with. There was some heartbreak in her life, with a cheating husband, and her only daughter dying. Loved the book. What a great feisty character she was.

WALTER
Proof: The Science of Booze by Adam Rogers

2
An okay read, I did mange to finish it. Too much of the author in the book - where he is at, who he is talking to, how he got drunk as a skunk with friends to test hang-over cures. Not a whole lot of science, and it's watered down. I read a lot of nonfiction, I just don't like the chatty stuff in this book - lots of it is just page filler, chewing gum for the eyes. A much better book on 'booze' is "DRINK: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF ALCOHOL by Iain Gately.

WALTER
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

4
Good read even though it is a bit dated. Story flows along nicely. I had never heard of this author until her death in 2017. Figured I would start with A and see where it goes.

WALTER
B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

4
A few months after shooting the person who tried to kill her, Kinsey is hired to find the sister who has been missing for about 6 months. In her research of this missing sister, she has to backtrack what occurred prior to her disappearance to explain why and find her. After viewing all the angles, she finds not only the sister but the reason for her disappearance. This story is a great read. I am not sure of the time period but it was when you could get a burger, fries and drink for less than $3 and cost of plane tickets from LAX to Miami was cheap.

WALTER
C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

4
Has been done before. This was a good variation of that theme. Kinsey is an old friend by now. So is Henry Pitts. His expanded role was interesting. Love springs eternal. In this age of web access the old fashioned telephone book and microfilm approach to P. I. work is like time travel into the past. It just adds to the noir feel of the series. On to D.

WALTER
Nicotine by Nell Zink

4
I had a hard time getting the "point" of this. Very well written and interesting. Maybe somebody else will get more out of it than I did. It may be my age as well...written for a young(er) audience, at least younger than me!

WALTER
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love by Richard A. Carlson and Kristine Carlson

5
Years ago, I purchased a hard copy of this book and I have revisited it often and have always been motivated to apply what I have read. The results are really good! Now I give it as a wedding gift/card, along with a favorite kitchen product, to newlyweds. Several couples have mentioned how much they appreciate DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF IN LOVE. I like the ample variety of very practical subjects covered, briefly, but with clarity. I highly recommend this book.

WALTER
You Only Die Twice by Edna Buchanan

4
I only recently discovered Edna Buchanan's novels. Ironically, she was a reporter covering crime for one newspaper while I was a reporter for another in South Florida, but not covering crime. I've now read several of her novels, but this is far and above the best so far. The story just keeps twisting and turning and getting even more intriguing. It had me up reading half the night I got so involved. And when the crime is finally solved, it isn't anyone you would have suspected. And yet all the pieces of the puzzle fit together so nicely. Well done!

WALTER
Terry by George McGovern

5
Gripping and poignant, I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about the disease of alcoholism. A riveting read for those in recovery or struggling and a must-read for families of alcoholics. How can such a beautiful person die alone in the snow? Because no alcoholic thinks it's going to happen to them when they take the first drink. Haunting and chilling, TERRY is unforgettable.

WALTER
No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky

4
This was an interesting and informative story about how some children were taken from their family and sent from England to Canada to work. Sadly sometimes the children were not treated well and there were some cases where the parent or parents didn't even have the chance to recover the child before they were shipped off. I had never heard of this sad circumstance before I read this book. I definitely recommend this book and author.

Sybil
The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad

5
This is a touching and bittersweet story that happens in the early days of World War II. A young man from Maine in the USA decides to join the war effort in England, as the U.S. has not joined the war yet. After a few difficulties, he winds up helping out on a farm on which homing pigeons are raised. Those pigeons will go on to aid the war effort at great sacrifice of both pigeons and keepers. This story really touches the heart. There's the war and young love. There's the blitz, and death, and separation. It this book doesn't tug at your heart, nothing will. It's a look behind the battle lines and a peek at the devastation that war brings. I loved everything about this book. The writing is clear, the characters are real. A winner.

Tessa
The Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle

3
Book Five in the Coffeehouse Mystery series, featuring Clare Cosi, the co-owner/manager of a Greenwich Village coffee shop and an amateur sleuth. I really like this series. I enjoy learning more about the coffee business, though Coyle can be a little too detailed at times. Still, it’s a fast, enjoyable read and satisfies my yearning for a comforting cozy mystery.

Matt
Game of Snipers by Stephen Hunter

4
If you are already a fan of Bob Lee Swagger you know what to expect with this book. The character is now in his seventies but takes on a sniper half his age. The story is about the attempt to stop the snipper from killing a national figure. Swagger and the authorities have to learn who is the target and where it will take place. As usual Hunter gives a huge amount of info about rifles, ammo, and shooting but you can easily skip over this if you wish. If you liked the movie Sniper or the TV series by the same name, you will like this book.

Linda
Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline

5
Awesome who-done-it thriller with the Italian attorney Mary who always gets involved in tough cases. I love the way Lisa wraps Mary’s family into the story! Amazing read! One of my favorite authors!

Jeanna
The Whipser Man by Alex North

5
As a debut author I thought this book was amazing! This one was definitely a page-turner. I have been a bit bored lately with thrillers, but this book is on a whole different level! If you love thrillers then this is one to definitely pick up. This book was compelling, impressive and will creep you out! I also felt that this book was wrapped up very nicely in the end! Highly recommended!

Thomas
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

5
I thought it was an excellent read.

Gil
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

5
Erin and Mark are on their honeymoon on the tropical island of Bora Bora. While scuba diving, the wreckage of a private plane is discovered on the ocean floor. Upon inspection a locked satchel is found which turns their lives around. Struggling with doing the right thing, they are conflicted and obsessed with what is in the satchel and to whom it belonged. They need help. One thing leads to another and it comes down to who can be trusted as more people become involved. A really good book, hard to put down.

Jane
Alaskan Hideaway by Beth Carpenter

5
Mac travels to Alaska to be alone. After the death of his daughter, he blames himself. But Ursula and her goddaughter bond with his dog. Ursula is always bringing him food. Rory keeps inviting him places. Blossom, his dog, loves spending time with Rory. Finally the killer of his daughter is found. Mac recedes back into his grief. It takes a bird to bring him out of his grief. I knew some about Alaska and a friend has sent me pictures of Auroras. A great read.

Pat
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

5
Did not know what to expect from the title but was happily surprised. Story of two sisters who lose touch and years later find themselves both involved in brewing beer. I did love a bunch of grandmas sharing their skills and interests when they are involved in the ancient art of brewing beer. I learned a lot and I do not even drink!

Jan
The End of Innocence by Allegra Jordan

4
Historical fiction is not a favorite genre for me but this was better than most. It is based on an actual event/situation at Harvard University after World War I. The beginning is very slow but keep going – it gets better. Students at Harvard University are drawn into the war – a German mother demanding that her son return from Harvard to fight for the German side, many American students going to Europe to fight for the English, French or country of their heritage. But before the war, various romantic relationships happen, even a pregnancy. The book is completely researched and lovers of historical fiction will love this one.

Jan
Chances Are... by Richard Russo

4
This book is darker than Russo's usual books. The premise of the book is three old college buddies, now 66, return to a sea coast cottage. But overhanging everything, and this is not giving anything away, is the disappearance of the fourth member of the group - a young sorority girl, who disappeared immediately after their final weekend there after graduation. The three men were all in love with her but went different ways and casually stayed in touch. Now, 50+ years later, they decide on a reunion and along the way, we get much of the backstory. The book is well-written, keeps the mystery of what happened to Jacy going, and we get their three stories and finally find out what happened to Jacy. So many ideas for book discussion!

Jean
The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel

5
I really liked this historical novel. It goes between WWII and the present, but I felt it was easy to follow the storyline and the characters. It's set in the Champagne region of France. Story covers love/marriage/betrayal/forgiveness. I put this on the TBR list due to reading about it on Bookreporter.com, but then received an ARC from Goodreads. I am recommending this to my two book clubs.

ILene
Temper by Layne Fargo

5
TEMPER starts with a new play by an unknown author. Kira Rascher is the actress and Malcolm Mercer is a manipulative director and actor who keeps pushing Kira beyond her limits. There are other assorted actors and friends involved with the play. You won’t believe the ending, what a climax! Thank you Scout Press for the best psychological thriller.

Debbie
Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen

3
The adventures of Georgie as she attempts to solve a murder of a drug-addicted party girl. Georgie must also play companion to a Greek bride for George, one of the King’s sons. Queenie’s part is very minor in this story, as is Belinda’s. Belinda has fallen on hard times and will need the assistance of Georgie’s mother. Darcy and Georgie dance a seductive Latin dance, but Georgie remains chaste. Many of the characters represent actual royals and some of the events whispered did happen, but Rhys Bowen cushions the facts with sweet anecdotes. The Spyness series remains a cozy mystery with many guilty pleasures.

Debbie
Beatrice on Her Own by Rosemary Zibart

3
BEATRICE ON HER OWN presents an image of a 13-year-old’s understanding of WWII and the movement of American Japanese to interment camps. Rosemary Zibart portrays Beatrice as a sweet and caring girl who battles injustice for animals and people. The only surprising element rests in the leniency given to Beatrice, but of course, times were different, and children had more freedom. Santa Fe, New Mexico, provides Beatrice a home away from the London bombings. I did not know that London children were sent to the United States during WWII. Zibart uses language that children would easily read and understand, and the illustrations by Odessa Sawyer add insight into the book. The characters provide a range of personalities, especially Clem.

Gina
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

4
This book was very thrilling from the start. The plot was very unique, too. And the ending was satisfying. The author switches from past to present day with every new chapter. I look forward to reading more from Miss Goldin.

Cris
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

5
I highly enjoyed this exciting novel concerning parallel universes. The premise is of a different time line being created for the choices you didn't make in life; so there is the one "you" that decided to get married and raise a family, but then there is another "you" in a parallel word who decided to focus on your career instead. Not exactly an original concept, but this book takes that concept and makes it exciting and dangerous. Enjoyable reading, but not too heavy.

Liz
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

3
Mia comes from a wealthy family. Her father a judge, mother and sister self-absorbed and she has an egotistical boyfriend. When Mia is kidnapped for ransom, instead of the kidnapper turning her over to those that want her, he flees with her instead. For several months they are in hiding and a different kind of relationship starts. While the story had the potential of being excellent, I was put off by the writing style. The story kept jumping back and forth, not only between time periods, but the characters as well. The ending had an interesting twist.

ROSEMARIE
Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman

4
This is the story of six young adults who meet as freshmen in college. It will take you through their college years and how their relationships grow and change. There are a number of twists in this story I didn't see coming. I would categorize this book as a study in personalities. I enjoyed it very much and it was a quick and entertaining read.

Richard N B
D Is For Deadbeat by Sue Grafton

3
I really like this series and its retro feel. There are no cell phones or computers; Kinsey has to rely on her intellect, her network of connections and good old-fashioned legwork. She’s smart, determined, self-sufficient and never has to rely on a man to get her out of a tight spot.

Liza
The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson

4
Liked this suspenseful novel of an American spy who infiltrates and Al Queda cell planning an attack on American soil.

Gil
Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea

5
What a great book! Becca Eckersley, a first year law student at George Washington University, is brutally murdered and assaulted in the family's vacation house at Summit Lake, North Carolina. There are few clues and the police write it off as a random burglary gone wrong. Kelsey Castle, a writer for Events Magazine discovers something very different. A really good mystery with many twists and turns. Wow!

Maryanne
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

5
Fantastic! I stayed up later and later every night not wanting to stop reading. The characters, setting and mystery were so well done!

Thomas
How Quickly She Disappears by Raymond Fleischmann

5
Excellent book. I enjoyed it very much.

Thomas
Anything For You by Saul Black

5
I enjoyed reading it very much. The book was excellent.

shelly
Wearing the Greek Millionaire's Ring by Jennifer Faye

4
Stasia Marinakos is finally taken a step she never dreamed of. She had wanted to take a cruise to Greece but when Lukos died it seemed like so had her life. They were so happy and suddenly Lukos was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after. Thanks to her brother Zander he had insisted that it was almost two years since his passing and she needed to go on with her life. Reluctant at first, she agreed to his birthday gift of a cruise and she accepted. What she was totally unprepared for was seeing Roberto Carrass, her brother's good friend along with his family on the cruise. Roberto's grandmother felt it was time for him to settle down, get married and have a family. The only problem was Roberto did not share her views.

Thomas
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh

5
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was an excellent book.