This contest period's winners were Karen P., Nonie C. and Teresa M., who each received a copy of DREAMLAND by Nicholas Sparks and SUSPECT by Scott Turow.
Jane
Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard
You need excitement in your life. Escape to this book. Danger, cyber attack, murder and romance. Mackenzie is a professor at a university. Her sister calls her as she needs her help. She arrives home and her brother is found dead. Is it natural or murder is the question. Alex is a special agent supposed to be on a break from work. He is drawn into MacKenzie's situation. A drone shoots at her in the woods. God offers help and brings Mackenzie and Alex together for a second time. Alex discovers a family secret in his family while trying to find out who is destroying memorial of his dad. A very good mystery, suspense and romance all in one.
Jane
Remember Love by Mary Balogh
An earl, Devlin Were and Welsh woman grew up together as kids. The night they had their first kiss and Gwyneth agreed to marriage, Devlin makes a scene that turns into a disaster. The Earl of Stratton found by his son, Devlin, with his mistress. Devlin cannot stand to be quiet anymore. He is shocked but then he is banished from his home. He leaves his intended and joins military. His brother, Ben, leaves with him. 6 years he stays gone until he is summoned home to rule because his father died. Military life changes a man. But Gwyneth realizes she still loves him. She goes to him with a proposal. As they prepare to marry, Devlin begins to feel the love he had before. Love can see beneath grief and situations.
Trez
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Very interesting and informative book.
Linda
The Disinvited Guest by Carol Goodman
When the pandemic hits, Reed Harper gets his family and friends together on the Harper island off the coast of Maine. Along with them is Mac, son of their former housekeeper and now guardian of the island. Along with Reed and his wife Lucy are his sister Liz and her partner Niko and Lucy’s best friend Ada and her husband Crosby. Items start disappearing and suspicions arise that someone else could be on the island with them but who? Crosby and Ada start to leave the island but the boat capsizes and he is drowned. The boat was vandalized and Ada and Mac swim back to the island. Now there is no way off and no way to contact help from the mainland.
Linda
Flight by Laura Griffin
Miranda Rhoads is in Lost Beach after job burnout. A child predator was freed after evidence lost and as head CSI, Miranda felt responsible. Now she finds a couple murdered and left in their canoe. She works with Joel Breda, detective with Lost Beach Police Department, in uncovering clues found in one of the victim’s hands, particularly a bird feather. Short on help, Joel asks if she would work with the LBPD in solving the murder. Then another man is found murdered and someone sets fire to the lighthouse when Miranda is there. Joel is concerned about her being in the crosshairs of the killer and is determined to keep her safe.
Linda
Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva
Gabriel is talked into investigating paintings that have been discovered and his old friend Julian Isherwood thinks they might be fakes and they are. With the help of General Ferrari of Italy’s Art Squad, a plan is developed to catch the forger by Gabriel appearing to be a forger himself.
This brought Gabriel and Julian’s assistant Sarah Bancroft to New York to meet with her old flame Phillip Somerset. He had recently purchased a fake painting from Julian that was authenticated by the leading authority Aiden Gallagher but is he who he pretends to be? There was a lot of action in the latter part of the book that would have been better if spread out over the book. Also, Silva gets in digs about his political views. Keep them to yourself!
Linda
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Hannah finds her roommate April spread out on the rug in their apartment. The "It Girl" is dead! She's sure that one of the porters did it as he walked out of the stairway before she entered. The man has always been weird around her and is convicted on her testimony and sent to prison where he died. He proclaimed his innocence the whole time. Ten years have passed and a new journalist is looking into the events that transpired and wants to interview Hannah. They talk and now Hannah has doubts. Did she send an innocent man to prison? If not him, who killed April and why? Hannah is pregnant and her husband Will begs her to let it go but she can't. She has to find out the truth for her own peace of mind.
Linda
The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark
Meg Williams and her mother Rosie lost their home due to Ron Ashton and Meg wants revenge. Now years have passed and she is at a fund raiser for Ron who is running for a Senate seat. Also, there is Kat Roberts, an aspiring journalist who found out about Meg Williams years ago when she brought down a high school principal who was having sex with his students. Kat wanted to interview her but she had disappeared. Now Kat sees her and wants to know if she is involved in something having to do with Ashton so she hires Meg as her assistant. The more she finds out about Meg, she is intrigued about the woman who is not who she seems.
Karen
Verity by Colleen Hoover
A roller coaster ride of a book. Crazy!!!
Susan
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
Love her writing and characters.
Darlene
Black Point by Jerome T. Burke
This book is so good!! I loved it!
Laurie
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman
The bonus of reading a historical fiction novel: I can always predict I will learn something new. THE LOST GIRLS OF WILLOWBROOK highlights twin sisters, a dramatic tale of a dysfunctional family, set in Long Island, New York. The horrifying experiences that take place on this institution’s campus are unbelievable. A new thriller coming-of-age book not to be missed! Brava to author Ellen Marie Wiseman!
Jolene
The Truth about Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell
Very good - did not want to put this one down!!
Linda
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
Lovely book about a friendship between two women, surviving serious illness. Our book club loved this book.
Elizabeth
The Second Husband by Kate White
Great twists.
Bonnie
Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra
Enjoyed the fast-paced dialogue. I liked the rhythm of the book!
Francisca
Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
This was the first collection of short stories that Christie compiled featuring the famous Belgian and his “little grey cells". I love Poirot and I really appreciate the friendship and banter between him and Captain Hastings. The short stories do little to give the reader many of the clues which Poirot spends time thinking about and rely heavily on his explanations to Hastings at the end of each episode outlining his “methodical thinking.” Even so, he is still among my favorite detectives, and I enjoyed these stories very much.
Denise
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
So many twists and turns.
Dona
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Great dual-sided story of Diane and Finn at the start of the pandemic. Finn describes the horrible experiences as a doctor in the COVID unit and Diane is in a dreamlike state during her severe bout with COVID. But twists in this story make it very surprising!
Rosa
Aurora by David Koepp
I saw Jeff Glor's interview with David Koepp, in which Glor said that "this book scared the shit out of my wife." I had to read it. It scared the crap out of me, too. That it is within the realm of possibility is terrifying. This is a post-apocalyptic scenario based on the premise that we are due for a solar storm that can knock out the power grid all over the world -- for up to 12-18 months. Koepp is a successful screenwriter so the plot here is like a film (I could almost see it playing in my head as I read the book). The different characters' storylines are interesting, and I was all in. Now I am just waiting for the movie.
Liz
The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz
The Oppenheimer triplets were conceived by IVF. One additional egg was frozen. When the triplets are about 17 years old, Johanna, the mother, decides to use a surrogate to give birth to the remaining egg, "the latecomer". The story follow their lives from 1972 to adulthood. If you can get past the first 290 pages, the story picks up and gets interesting. The ending is predictable with no surprises. I found the book to be very repetitive in parts, especially when discussing the one triplet, Harrison. The blurb says this is a “witty family story”. I did not see that at all. It was basically a dysfunctional family story.
MH
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
A delightful book! The author hooks you in the first chapter, planting seeds about something that happened on vacation between a quirky woman and her straight-laced best friend. Although I found the dramatic reveal a little anti-climatic, the story held my interest with accounts of their trips to exotic locales.
Jeanne
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center is a delightful, compelling and easy to read book. I am never disappointed when I read a book this author and I loved it. When Executive Protection Agent, Hannah Brooks, is assigned to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from a crazed fan stalker, the undeniable chemistry between Hannah and Jack and it’s not long before sparks start to fly. It is a well-written, lighthearted, humorous storyline that had me smiling and laughing out loud at times. It is just one of those books that will make you happy as you read it, and I think we all need a little uplifting, laughter and enjoyment in this difficult world we live in today. I rated it a five and am anxiously awaiting the author’s next book.
Rhoda
Words Reveal the Heart by Diane Greenwood Muir
This is Book 38 and I have enjoyed them all.
Susan
Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! by Fannie Flag
It was s slow starting book but picked up. I was surprised by the ending.
Kathleen
Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
This is the most enlightening book I've ever read. A must-read for everyone who cares about their fellow man.
Gayle
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci
Suspenseful until the end. A fast read.
Judith
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
This book bountifully fed both my lifetime interest in horses and my commitment to reading more about the historic and current Black experience in America. I found the book to be a page-turner, but the short chapters also made it possible to pick up when I only had a few moments to read. I am going to recommend this novel to my book group and already passed it on to my husband who also enjoyed it immensely.
nonie
Falling by T. J. Newman
A thriller with a lot of twists. Couldn't put it down.
Jo
The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Never fall in love with anything that can’t love you back! Is this good advice? Disaster and mystery keeps the “midnight oil burning.”
Linda
The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
I chose this suspenseful thriller because of the locale. It takes place at a small North Carolina mountain town, a favorite vacation spot of mine. I liked the twists and turns, although I did figure out "who done it." And one character's motive wasn't clear.
Teresa
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
A disparate group of employees work in a post-WWII London bookstore. Their personalities clash and mesh as they navigate a quickly changing world.
Sheree
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Did not want to do anything but read this book. It was page turning. I thought I had it worked out but was completely wrong. I was so glad I read it in September because I could relate to the start of college and remember back when I went to college. I would highly recommend the book!
Liz
Send For Me by Lauren Fox
The story is about four generations of women beginning with the Holocaust and ending in modern times. The thread that holds the story together are the letters that are found by the great granddaughter who has them translated. It is a heartbreaking story, but also filled with hope. It is very well written, but it is confusing at times because the author goes back and forth between time and characters. The ending also was a let down.
Nadine
The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
In 1979, Vincent Bianco has just graduated high school. His only desire: collect a little beer money and enjoy his final summer before college. So he lands a job as a laborer on a construction crew. Working alongside two Vietnam vets, one suffering from PTSD, Vincent gets the education of a lifetime. Now forty years later, with his own son leaving for college, the lessons of that summer - Vincent’s last taste of innocence and first taste of real life - dramatically unfold in a novel about breaking away, shaping a life, and seeking one’s own destiny.
Elizabeth
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
I mostly listened to this book. The frequent switches between the four modern day woman and the Nordic explorer were a little jarring in an audio format, but overall the book was extraordinary. It was written several years ago before Roe vs Wade was overturned - it is no longer the least bit far-fetched, if it ever was. Half of what happens in this book is happening now, as I think at least half of the states have outlawed abortion. In RED CLOCKS, a federal law has outlawed abortion throughout the country and the nation has passed the Fetal Person Amendment making all unborn people from conception. There is a "Pink Wall" put up by Canada, which has agreed to return any women it suspects of traveling to Canada for an abortion back to the US.
Donna
First Spritz is Free: Confessions of Venice Addicts by Kathleen Ann Gonzales
Venice, how does anyone describe this magical place? The contributors to this novel did a marvelous job. I had never traveled before I got married and my husband wanted me to see Italy. He had been stationed in Sicily after his duty in Vietnam and had traveled the country and loved everything about it. Fortunately, I was able to visit Venice 3 times between the 70s and 80s before the depopulation of the island. It’s now 50 years later and this novel brought back many memories of sights and sounds. I long to see and experience what I have missed but must be content with reading about them.
Donna
Our American Friend by Anna Pitoniak
Sofie, a journalist, receives a request from the White House. Lara, the First Lady, wants Sofie to write her biography. She will be free to write what is told to her without being reviewed. Lara’s story begins in Moscow when she was a teenager during the Cold War and continues to present day. The biography will expose the unlikable president in a situation that would end his presidency. This novel is includes spy’s, secrets, danger, power, family, choices and consequences.
Donna
Big Little Secrets by A. B. Whelan
Nelli and Clint are living well with their son in Las Vegas. Clint accepted a new job as a partner in setting up startup companies and it's necessary for him to go along with entertaining and showing the life of luxury to potential investors. Nelli isn’t happy with this life and wants to return to the quiet life in a small town. Nelli receives an invitation for her high school reunion back in Hungary. She has a 20+ year old secret that she wants to clear up from an incident when she was a teenager and decides to make the trip. Clint is unable to reach her, she hasn’t contacted him for weeks so he goes Hungary to find her. This is an interesting and fast-paced mystery about a group of teens whose lives have be ruined because of a secret.
Donna
In a Grove of Maples by Jenny Knipfer
How well do you know the person you wed? Beryl and Edward married in the late 1800s and moved from their family homes in Quebec to start a life of farming in Wisconsin. They had high expectations and soon learned that life is hard. Not only did they need to learn how to farm, they needed to learn how to live together during hard times. It was necessary for Edward to earn extra money for expenses and he got a job about 200 miles away for their first winter months, leaving Beryl alone. This Christian novel includes learning to communicate, compassion, patience, trust - the same things we all experience in a new marriage.
Donna
Violet’s Vow by Jenny Knipfer
Wisconsin, 1891: After 12 years of marriage, Violet and Roger’s dream of opening a flower shop became a reality. Unfortunately, Roger died in what was determined to be an accident. Violet didn’t believe it was an accident and made a vow to find justice for Roger’s death. A year later, Violet begins receiving love notes from a secret admirer and has narrowed her suspicions down to 3 men. Secrets are revealed in the course of the identity of the admirer. This lovely Christian book is filled with information about flowers, their meanings and a sweet, mysterious love story.
Donna
Old Castle Secrets by Amanda Daire
Daisy ran away from her parents home as a young girl. Daisy’s daughter, Khrista, left her as a teenager saying she never wanted to see her again. Khrista’s daughter, Kaelyn, also fled her mother’s home and said she never wanted to see her again. Each of these women were emotionally and physically abused by their parents in different ways, each one feeling they couldn’t forgive their mother, yet felt the pain of not being in contact with their daughter. Kaelyn is pregnant and wants to break the cycle though she’s part of it. This is a novel of complicated lives, misunderstandings, judgements, forgiveness and starting over. There are lessons included that can be applied to the reader's experiences.
Donna
More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
Cassie is a true crime writer and is intrigued by a story she’s comes across that happened over 30 years ago. She feels that there is more to this story and wants to write a book about the details that aren’t explained about a murder and the woman who is a major part of the story. Delores, Lore, had lived a double life by being married to two men. She was a working mother of twins and her job required that she travel on occasion. On one of her trips she meets and falls in love with an exciting man who, years later, is murdered presumedly by her first husband. Cassie’s book is to tell Lore’s side of the story. Cassie is convinced that Lore isn’t telling her the truth. This novel has many twists and surprises.
Donna
The Last Lie Told by Debra Webb
Finley is an investigator recovering from a nervous breakdown over the murder of her husband and is determined to find the killers. She and her boss, Jack, an alcoholic lawyer, take on case involving the murder of a wealthy husband and the father of identical twin daughters. The man who confessed to his death is in prison and claims to have new evidence proving that he did not commit the murder. As Finley delves into the case, she discovers that everyone is lying. The twins and their mother have a very complicated relationship that keeps the reader engrossed in the story. Finley doesn’t get the justice for her husband that she seeks in this novel and I’m looking forward to reading future novels in this series.
Donna
The Patient by Jane Shemilt
Rachel is in her 50s, a well respected doctor, in a stale marriage and is estranged from her daughter. Luc is a new patient, needing emergency treatment for a mental disorder. There is an immediate attraction between the two of them. Rachel is well aware that as his doctor she cannot act on this feeling. Circumstances and her belief that her husband is having an affair clouds her choices. This marvelous psychological suspense novel includes infidelity, mental disorders, murder and twists that will keep you guessing.
Donna
The Drop by John Anthony Miller
Jimmy is a wealthy American businessman who is well known at the Paradise Casino in Havana, Cuba and a regular visiting weekends each month. Havana is becoming a hot spot as revolution is building to remove Batista from power. The rebels need money to support their cause and decide to kidnap Jimmy and collect a large ransom. While in captivity, Jimmy informs the rebels that no one will pay the ransom. The characters in this novel include a greedy, unfaithful wife, amateur rebels, dirty police officers, the Tampa mafia, a professional at making people disappear and other questionable people. It is a fun story to read with a terrific twist at the end.
Donna
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Ireland, 1946. Bill Furlong’s mother was 16 and unmarried when she became pregnant. She was working as a domestic for a well to do widow and rather than turn them out, the widow kept them on. Furlong was never able to learn the identity of his father. Christmastime, 1985, Furlong is married and has 5 daughters and life is hard. He is a coal merchant and delivers coal and logs to the people in the town. One of his customers is a convent. The rumors in town is that unwed pregnant girls are there and are not treated well. A situation at the convent forces Furlong to consider his past and to do something.
Donna
Look Closer by David Ellis
This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and I intend to read all of his books. Only a person with a legal mind could put this story together. The reader in convinced that they know where this book is going, and the twists throughout are masterful and deceiving. I’m not going to get into the storyline, but can only say if you love a psychological mystery dealing with lies, suspense, infidelity, murder and revenge, this is the book for you.
Sheila
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
It’s a puzzle of time and characters, beautifully written and tied together.
Sheila
The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont
Ridiculous and unflattering portrayal of Agatha.
Sheila
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
I enjoyed this different perspective on WWII from northern Italy.
Rose
Election by Tom Perrotta
This was a super quick read. It is about a high school and the election of the student government president. When the faculty adviser suggests that a popular football player and National Merit semifinalist run for the office, Tracy Flick is surprised that she has some competition. After all, Tracy has been grooming herself for the job since middle school! Tracy is wise beyond her years, but isn't very popular, except with one particular teacher. This book is funny at times, but also surprising. I am so glad that I attended a single sex school after reading the things that happened in this high school, and the way that the administration and staff behaved as well!
Looking forward to the follow up book!
Rose
Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta
In this follow up to ELECTION, it is nearly 30 years after Tracy Flick has graduated from high school. Tracy is now the assistant principal of a high school and the principal is retiring at the end of the year. Tracy desperately wants to be the head of the school, but first she has to navigate the tricky landscape of school politics. Tracy's life hasn't worked out how she planned, she had to drop out of law school to care for her sick mother, and then ending up going into education. Now is her time to be rewarded. Due to her personality, Tracy really hasn't made many friends, and this may harm her in the selection process. Additionally, the school board president has come up with an idea to have a Hall of Fame for the high school.
Rose
The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub
Nora and her family move to NYC after her husband, Keith, is transferred. She speaks secretly to Teddy, and tells Teddy of her love. Keith suspects Nora of having an affair, but Nora can't tell Keith the truth. On top of this secret, Nora is keeping another secret, that she knows about the family that was murdered 25 years earlier in the house they are renting. When a family down the street befriends Nora and her family, Teddy warns Nora to be careful, and not to trust anyone. Then, when Jacob starts following Nora's daughter Stacey, and calling her Anna, Nora knows that her carefully crafted secret life may be exposed, and she must protect herself and her family at any cost. This is a tense thriller, with a few twists.
Judy
The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
Absolutely loved this book (as well as the first Book Woman book). Richardson is such a good writer.
Ann Marie
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
I loved this book! More than HAMNET, which I really loved!
Julie
The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore
I won an advanced reading copy from a Goodreads giveaway contest and found this book entertaining as well as educational. Una Kelly is a grifter living in the slums of 1880s New York. Unfortunately, she is wrongly accused of murder by another con-woman. Regrettably, she doesn't have any money in order to leave New York therefore, she hides out as a student at the nursing school at Bellevue Hospital. Soon Una realizes that in order to keep herself and her roommate from getting kicked out of the school she will need to solve the murder.
Janet
Verity by Colleen Hoover
A real page-turner that kept me guessing.
Julie
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Eudora is 85 years old and decided that she wants to leave this world with dignity and respect, and has decided she has led a long life and wants to leave this world on her terms. She reaches out to a medical clinic in Switzerland to begin the process. During the present time, new neighbors move in next door - Rose, a precocious ten year old, her mother, Maggie, and her father, Robert. Rose weasels her way into Eudora's life and soon a close relationship develops which threatens Eudora's decision.
Beth
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
Slow beginning but became fascinating as I got into the story.
Julie
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
This book is told in two different time periods by two different points of view by Odile Gustafson, during the occupation of France by the Nazi soldiers during WWII and in Froid, Montana during the 1980s. Lily Jacobsen also in Montana during the 1980s. Odile accepts a position at the Paris Library. I enjoyed getting to know the real life people who actually worked at the ALS. Odile marries Buck and after the war moves to Montana. Lily's mother dies and her father soon remarries a younger woman, Eleanor. Odile teaches Lily French and becomes a surrogate grandmother to her. I enjoyed the relationship between Lily and Odile and learning how important The American Library in Paris was to the citizens of Paris.
Mary Ann
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Read
I love everything by this author!!! I didn't know much about tennis but now I understand the game.
It was fortuitous that this book was released during the U.S. Open. I loved the relationship between the father and the daughter.
Tiffany
The Becoming by Nora Roberts
I originally started this as an audiobook. I find it easier to drive 1,200 miles while listening to a book, and I became infatuated! I can't wait for the third book of the series to come out on audiobook ! I listen while I'm doing other things and I love it!
Tessa
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
In this work of historical fiction, Davis turns her attention to another New York City landmark: Grand Central Terminal. I really wish Davis had focused more on the building’s historic past, the many reasons it achieved landmark status, and the fight to save it - or - on the feminist issue of unrecognized artists (or other contributors) due to gender bias.Trying to do both resulted in a work that didn’t fully explore either theme. It was a pretty fast read, and I kept turning pages, but I was left with a “Is that all?” feeling.
Beth
The Lord God Made Them All by James Herriot
I’m sorry to say that I’ve come to the end of the ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL series by James Herriot. I read the books as I found them in used bookstores so out of order. But this book, THE LORD GOD MADE THEM ALL, really is the final book in the series. Each of the books in this series consists of lovely stories written in first person by a Scottish veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. The time spans from the beginning of his career in the 1930s to this last book in the 1950s and 1960s. Although the stories are fiction, Herriot based them on his own experiences. So, they are largely books about animals, but they are really a series about a country vet. These books have been around since the 1970s, but they are just as touching now.
Rose
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This is the story of a marriage that is barely held together, told in alternating voices. Sarah and Adam Morgan have been married for 10 years. On the eve of their 10 year anniversary, Sarah once again disappoints Adam by telling him she must work and can't join him at their Virginia lake house. Sarah is a high-powered defense attorney and Adam is a writer. So, Adam goes alone. The secret is that Adam has a lover, Kelly, at the lake house. When he leaves Kelly to return home to Sarah, he plans to tell Sarah he is leaving Sarah. But she surprises him with a statement. And, then, the cops show up to arrest Adam for the murder of Kelly. Sarah then takes on his case, defending him. Smart and surprising.
Rose
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
This is an extremely disturbing thriller. It almost crosses the line into horror. Shay has disappeared from her former life, but is drawn back into it by her childhood friend, Jamie, who hosts a podcast called Transgressions. When her college roommate, Laurel, is found dead by hanging, Shay believes it is murder, not a suicide, because it is eerily familiar to the death of another of their roommates, Clem. The book goes down into a terrifying look at a violent, patriarchal cult known as the Pater Society. It is a damning look at how women can be forced into submission and made to feel unworthy. This book made me feel many things: horror, disgust, pity, sadness, disbelief, and more. The author interview is quite interesting.
Fayth
Forever Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reed
Engrossing. I could not put it down! 5 stars for sure.
Anna
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
I loved this book. I really enjoyed learning about The Alice Network operating in France during WWI. These heroic women risked their lives as much as any soldier on the battlefield but were not appreciated at the time. The story is told in a dual timeline. One involved several female spies in Lille during WWI, the other is the story of Charlie, a pregnant college student looking for her cousin who went missing after the end of WWII. Eve Gardiner, one of the spies, is the link between the two stories. I found myself reading faster in some chapters to get to the other storyline. I would highly recommend this book if you are a historical fiction fan. The Author’s Notes at the end explained much of the story is based in truth.
Ann Marie
56 days by Catherine Ryan Howard
I loved this book! I suggest to listen in audio to hear the Irish in the accent. Great book. I highly recommend. I didn't want to turn it off.
Suzanne
Escape by James Patterson and David Ellis
The main character is Billy Harney, detective for Chicago police. He and his partner are chasing a child kidnapper and murder suspect. When the suspect stops and runs, his partner goes in the house after the girl and Harney chases the man into the woods. Suddenly the house explodes and Harney runs back to the house. James Patterson is always a good read.
Sherri
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Magical and mysterious. It's like being at a theme park where every time you turn a corner there's something new and wondrous. I didn't want it to ever end!
Jay
Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola
Enjoyed the story flow.
Kathleen
Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted
MIRANDA WRITES by Gail Ward Olmsted is a thrilling joy ride in the world of the law. Miranda is a disgraced assistant district attorney in a case of a rapist who gets off. The witness that Miranda never showed up as a witness in the trial. This blunder gets Miranda fired. The witness subsequently shows up three years later with a story to tell and what a story it is. Miranda firmly believes what she is going to do to help the victims and put away a violent criminal takes precedence over her show. She still wants that so she has to manage both in a juggle that could backfire on her. I really liked this story. Don't let the cover fool you that this is a rom com - it isn't. It is a twisty thriller at its best.
Lori
An Affair of Spies by Ronald H. Balson
I was delighted to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I loved the book and could hardly put it down. It was a departure from Balson's usual legal thrillers (which I also like), but this one was an intense and unique spy thriller. The premise of a Jewish refugee from Germany, now in the U.S. Army, and an American female physicist entering Germany during the war to extract a German physicist and learn about Germany's progress with nuclear bombs was very exciting. The author did a great job explaining the fundamentals of nuclear power in an understandable way. I could imagine this book transforming into a great movie. I highly recommend this book and look forward to Balson's next.
Anna
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
I love Lisa Scottoline's books. Although this one wasn't my favorite, I still very much enjoyed it. It was at times a family saga, a mystery and a thriller. It was a fast read even though at times seemed a little unbelievable. I liked the relationships between the mother and her daughter and the mother with her ex-stepdaughters. The message was that there is no expiration date on being a mother. She will do anything to protect and guide her daughter no matter what. I feel that this story would make a better movie than a book because it is so action-packed.
Kim
The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood
A wonderful historical fiction following three generations and family secrets. The author skillfully takes the reader from modern day discoveries to the terrors of WWII in London, England. It is amazing to learn how everyday citizens bravely banded together to save their country and the world from Hitler. It is a great read with lots of discovery and revelation.
Kelsea
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
This book was phenomenal. The story is rich and enthralling and the writing is impeccable. For lovers of fantasy and all things witchy, this is a must-read.
kathy
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Too much romance and not enough thrilling mystery aspects.
Carla
Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
Not a formulaic mystery! Interesting settings, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. I'm so tired of what has become cookie-cutter mysteries of "successful Manhattan therapists" married to "strong, handsome men" who "overcome barriers" while "solving a mystery." Who cares???! This novel is a refreshing read and a change from the overworked and overwrought predictable novels.
Pam
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
Hilarious and engaging, this romantic comedy also had depth! The audiobook was absolutely fabulous!
Debbie
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
So many narrators telling little bits of the story, until the end of the book and all stories merge into one tragic tale. Libby receives a letter on her 25th birthday from English solicitors informing her that she is the owner of a house on Cheyne Walk, a prestigious address. Now begins Libby’s journey to claim the house and learn about her parents. Libby, an abandoned baby in the Cheyne Walk House grew up with adoptive parents. Lucy enters her depressing narrative about living on the streets of France with her two children and trying to get back to England and the Cheyne Walk House. But why? Henry jumps into the picture, explaining many areas of what has happened in the house on Cheyne Walk, but he is only a young boy when it begins.
Debbie
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK by Kim Michele Richardson closely resembles THE GIVER OF STARS by Jojo Moyes. Both novels cover the rugged life of Kentucky traveling librarians. These women worked as librarians for $28.00 a month and were required to provide or rent their own transportation such as mule or donkeys. The mountain terrain hindered the journey to the readers who struggled to survive hunger and the trials of life. Richardson goes further into the story with the introduction of the blue-skinned Kentuckians that came from France with a genetic problem that translated to blue skin. This abnormality created these people to be classified as “colored”. The story briefly touches on the miscegenation laws in Kentucky.
Debbie
Funeral Train by Laurie Loewenstein
FUNERAL TRAIN by Laurie Loewenstein opened my eyes to the terrible discrimination directed to the blacks in the 1930s. A train headed to Vermillion, Oklahoma, jumps the track and falls into a ravine. Someone had tampered with the track to cause this horrible tragedy that kills dozens of people. Every Black person on the train, except one, dies in the crash due to the construction of the “colored” cabin which is made of wood and falls directly behind the train engine. This story shows the poorness and despair of the people living in the Dust Bowl. Crops have failed and people struggle to survive.
Amy
The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman
A great take on the Spanish Flu, which is not something typically covered since authors tend to focus on the Holocaust for that time period. It's interesting to compare and contrast with COVID-19.
Rose
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
3.5 rounded up to 4. People love Elin Hilderbrand, and I am so-so on her. It is a beach read-type of book for me, nothing too heavy, but an enjoyable escape. THE HOTEL NANTUCKET is a story of a group of people who have had heartache of one sort or another, and all come together to run a hotel on Nantucket for a wealthy owner. There is also a ghost that inhabits the hotel, having died in a fire after being trapped inside by the wife, angry that her husband had a mistress. The ghost, Grace, flits through the rooms watching the lives of the people in the hotel and nudging people along on their path. There are some surprises in the book, and some sweet stories. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
Rose
What's Mine and Yours by Naima Coster
I read this as part of the One Maryland One Book program. If it wasn't for this program, I don't think I would have read this book. It is a story about race relations, but in addition to the racial topic, it addressed issues of teen pregnancy, prejudice, homosexuality, drug and alcohol abuse, absentee fathers, poverty, abortion, and more. It was almost as if the author wanted to put every possible societal issue in the book. It ranged from 1992 to 2018, and would flip back and forth between the timelines. I think it did a good job of addressing racial issues, but I thought it could have been more focused at times.
Bonnie
Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra
Snappy, dialogue. I enjoyed reading/learning about this time period.
Donna
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
This novel describes the challenge of survival during the devastating times of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression taking place in Texas and California. Else, is a young woman with two children whose husband can’t take it anymore and leaves her with his parents. Everything is destroyed by the dust storms and drought except for a bit of hope. She and the children head for California living in poverty and daily struggles of survival. Else is a mother and learns that she must be a warrior.
This novel was well researched and I felt the fear and hopelessness of those terrible years.
Stephanie
Warcross by Marie Lu
I have read this book four times and its sequel two times! WARCROSS is an amazing book and it makes you think about what may happen in the future.
Richard N B
The Big Four by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings are on the trail of an evil syndicate trying to take over the world. That sounds like a James Bond novel synopsis more than a murder mystery featuring the famous Belgian detective and his “little grey cells,” and that is the crux of the problem. The action takes place over several years, with multiple attempts on Poirot’s and/or Hastings’s lives. Most of the scenarios seemed incredibly far-fetched and unrealistic. And worse, they were under-developed. Skip this one and concentrate on the traditional mysteries.
Nicolette
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
This is a feel-good character driven book. It took me a moment to get my balance as the story developed through more than one "main" character. However, I felt like I knew them all well by the end. The ghost story element even felt so human that I would not describe it as such. Family is who you are born with, but also who you surround yourself with.
Nicolette
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I liked the main character and his, well, character, and enjoyed his story.
Jane
Christmas Crime Cover-Up by Dana Mentink
As always Dana grabs your attention all way through. Danger abounds as Nora and Felicia return to Death Valley to rescue a donkey. They don't expect to be in danger the whole time. Seth keeps rescuing them and protecting them. Family situations improve. Romance too. Who is endangering Nora and Felicia and why?
Thomas
Desperation in Death by J. D. Robb
Excellent book. Loved reading it. She is always good.
Thomas
James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson
Very good book.
Liz
Corinne by Rebecca Morrow
Corinne is a member of the fundamentalist church as is the love of her life Enoch. When they are teenagers, they break the rules and Corinne is cast out from her church, but Enoch repents. She moves away and begins living in a worldly way, however she never really stops living Enoch. Fifteen years pass and her family is slowly allowing her back into their lives. A chance encounter with Enoch makes they both realize they are truly in love, but he will not leave the church and she will not rejoin it. This is a beautifully-told story; however, the very graphic sex scenes near the end of the book were a bit too much. They really did not add anything to the story and I felt those scenes distracted the reader.
Rose
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
This is Book 1 of a series that combines a bit of magic as well as time travel, romance, and mystery/justice. Xanthe and her mother become owners of an antique shop. When Xanthe touches a chatelaine (chains for a belt), she senses that there is a story behind the object. She is transported to the 17th Century where she hears the story of Alice who is accused of stealing items from the woman of the house. The mother of Alice is a spirit that implores Xanthe to help her daughter beat the accusation. While Xanthe fights to save Alice in 1605, she meets and falls in love with architect Samuel Appleby. Xanthe knows she must return to her own century, but hopes to return to Samuel. I didn't know what to expect from this book, not my genre.
Rose
The Second Husband by Kate White
Emma is awakened by the police to notify her that Derrick, her husband, was found murdered. Emma isn't too upset because Derrick wasn't so nice to her once they were married. Now, 27 months later, Emma is married to Tom, and his adult stepdaughter, Brittany, is spending the summer with them. Emma is shaken when the police tell her they have re-opened the murder investigation. When things around Emma's relationship with Tom begin to seem suspicious, Emma starts wondering if Tom had anything to do with the death of her first husband. This was a mystery that tried to be suspenseful, but I never felt any tension. I also wasn't really invested in the characters, and I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
Ann Marie
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
I love Maggie O'Farrell. Omg, what a great book. It's a 5-star book. I loved it more than HAMNET and that was a great book.
Andrew
Sword of Sorrow, Blade of Joy by J. F. Lee
Let me start by saying that Li Ming is freaking awesome - he's funny but stoic, stoic but sad, and he kicks butt! He's perfectly paired with Shu Yan - a strong, ornery (in a great way) young girl on the run that Li has taken on as a business partner and traveling partner. Then we have Tao Jun, along with Li Ming, they are legendary swordsmen of Blue Mountain and sworn brothers seaking to avenge the death of their master. This story is a riotously entertaining adventure through the world of Wuxia with deceit, pride and LOTS of action. Highly recommended!
Andrew
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
This is a solid, time-loop suspense that starts off like rocket.
Andrew
In Heaven and Hell by Jack Probyn
A high stake race against time to stop another terrorist attack, Jake gets zero recovery in this series. This terrorist plot goes much deeper than Jake can imagine. His metal strength is definitely being tested: Has he gone too far? Will this attack break him? I was locked in with every page of this one. I couldn't get enough!
Karan
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
Good plot, kept my interest but some characters were too stereotypical.
Marcie
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
I thought, "Why am I reading about a horse?", but this book was wonderful. It was a double time period about a horse in the 1850s and then the present-day with a scientist studying art and the structure of the bones of the horse and trying to match the art work to the bones. Also, there are interesting characters in the book. I actually couldn't put it down.
David
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
Utterly fascinating book about Charlie, who just tries to help an old man in need, and what happens as a result. Captivating book.
Teresa
Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Another fun adventure with Meddy, her mother, and her three aunties, in a sequel to DIAL A FOR AUNTIES. Poor Meddy just wants to marry the love of her life, Nathan, but nothing ever comes easily for this bride. As usual, murder is afoot, and typically, Meddy and the four aunties handle it - well, abysmally. It’s one crazy adventure that keeps the reader laughing and worrying.
Teresa
Election by Tom Perrotta
This book feels like a Netflix series for teens, that ends up being popular with adults as well. Each chapter takes on a different character: a teacher who seems to be having a very early mid-life crisis, a brother and sister in the midst of a family crisis, that same sister confronting her sexuality, her crush doing the same, and an über ambitious girl with big dreams. It all centers around the election for school president, and it gets pretty crazy.
Elizabeth
To Kill a Troubadour by Martin Walker
Always enjoy the books in this series. Several twists.
Donna
Twilight in Hazard by Alan Maimon
Journalist Maimon has authored an empathetic portrait of eastern Kentucky based on the five years (from 2000 to 2005) he spent in the region as a “foreign correspondent” for the Louisville Courier-Journal. He writes about the opioid epidemic, the decline of the coal mining industry, and legal battles between the ACLU and conservative legal groups regarding the display of biblical texts in schools and government buildings. He also details the struggle of newspapers and the decline of local reporting. Interesting insights into rural Appalachia.
MH
Seam Busters by Mary Hood
I saw this author’s name on a list of Georgia authors and hadn’t read her, so I chose a book that was available. I found the book hard to get into; the switch of characters and lengthy descriptions seemed to lead nowhere. Often, a plot line would start to develop, but little became of it. At the end, I had no idea of what had happened to some of the characters. I had known a woman who worked in a garment factory in a nearby area, so I was interested in that aspect, but leaned little.
Connie
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
Loved the insight into a resident in an assisted living facility. She is hanging on to the past but is faced with something terrible that happened in her past. Her friend, Elsie, helps her through her dilemma. Carson's writing is so beautiful. I've kept two pages of quotes from the book. Beautifully written.
Becky
The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas
4.5 stars. Buried secrets, evidence, clinic…
Becky
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
4.5 stars. Uneasy, tension, attic, cautionary tales…
Becky
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman
4.5 stars. Desperation, inquiry, survival…
Maryanne
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Really good read.
Kat
The Kind of Love That Saves You by Amy Yurk
She is writing to her unborn daughter. She was so in love with her husband, but on the way to get ice cream they were hit by a drunk driver and her husband was killed. She is so in grief, her best friend tries to help but she doesn't understand. Then a neighbor moved in, and she had lost her husband in a drive by shooting so they bonded. All three women became friends and she had the baby girl with both of them in the hospital room with her.
Cynthia
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
Wonderful, heartwarming story, based on an actual event during the depression. Both the storyline and characters are truly engaging.
Francisca
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson
There’s a good premise here and some interesting family dynamics. Johnson captured my attention early and kept me turning pages. I wanted to know what would happen to these people and how their stories would play out, but I thought Johnson relied too much on the secrets and failed to make sense of the present. Ruth is supposed to be this brilliant scientist and yet she behaves just as impulsively as Midnight, the young White boy she befriends. This is Johnson’s debut novel, and I think a little more work (and editing) might have made this a very memorable work.
Linda
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
This is a book to savor - beautifully written, profound, multi-layered. The locale, a peninsula on coastal Maine, is idyllic. The portrayal of two elderly friends with contrasting personalities is lovely. I also enjoyed Dark's dry sense of humor - Agnes is a treat!
Beth
The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis
Somewhat formulaic book but it did give me some insights into the terrible chapter of McCarthyism in this country and how it affected the performing arts.
Simonne
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Here’s a book I thought I would hate - not my style at all - and I find it fascinating! Pretty gory, but a subject so compelling. A new (or just suspected) species is discovered: mermaids, or sirens, and they are not the lovely women-fish of folklore.
Sheree
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
It was such a heartwarming novel! I didn't want to put it down. I have already recommended it to my friends!
Kimberly
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER by Angie Cruz is wonderful. This is a short, quick read and I am impressed that the author manages to give us a story that is so full and rich within such an abbreviated length. Cara Romero's story unfolds through a series of twelve visits with a job counselor. With each visit we learn a bit more about her life while also discovering exactly what it means to "drown in a glass of water." This is one book I can't imagine anyone not liking.
Rose
One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose
This book is about a bunch of rich and entitled women in Atlanta who are backstabbing each other. One of the women, Olivia, is trying to get back at her "friend" Shannon, getting her ousted as chairperson. Olivia is also sleeping with Mark, Karen's husband, for money. Shannon is recently divorced, and her ex-husband, Bryce, a politician, has now married Crystal, a younger woman. Karen is a real estate agent, married to Mark, but unhappy in her marriage. Jenny owns a salon and Keisha is her assistant. Olivia's husband, Dean, works in an unsavory business, but no one is really sure what he does. The story is told by Jenny, who is recounting the goings on to a police officer. Backstabbing women. Best part was the reveal of the plan.
Tessa
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
3.5 stars. A book club friend once said that she dislikes thrillers because she dislikes being manipulated. I am beginning to feel that way about thrillers, too. However, this is a fast-paced, intriguing book. There are several twists and turns that kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped to do other necessary things. Yes, there were some things that bothered me. A few threads that were left hanging. A few inconsistencies that an editor should have caught. As thrillers go, this is pretty good.
Julie
Irish Girls About Town by Mauve Binchy, Marian Keyes and Cathy Kelly
This book is a compilation of sixteen short stories by popular female Irish authors. Here are a few of my favorites: "Thelma, Louise and the Lurve Curves" by Cathy Kelly. Becky and Suzanne decide to take a twenty-one day road trip in the United States. Unfortunately, instead of a sports car end up sharing a sports utility vehicle with two good looking guys. "An Independent Woman" by Morag Prunty. Bridie decides to go on a blind date with someone from a want ad in the newspaper. The problem is Birdie is racist and the gentleman happens to be a doctor of ethnic origin.
Julie
Home for the Holidays by Debbie Macomber
This is a collection of two Christmas stories: "The Forgetful Bride" and "When Christmas Comes".
I didn't care much for "The Forgetful Bride" because I thought it was a bit far-fetched and corny. I did enjoy "When Christmas Comes" because it was quite humorous.
Thomas
Night Shift by Stephen King
Excellent book.
Thomas
Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaghter
Excellent book. Again, a very good read.
Michelle
The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers
A good historical fiction piece.
carol
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Patiki
Fascinating history of a great woman and the love and respect between father and daughter. I listened to this book and found the narrators excellent.
Karen
A Fearsome Moonlight Black by David Putnam
This book is about Dave Beckett who is a rookie in the West Valley PD. His first call deals with a suicide; he also see his first murder. He falls for a women named Beth, but she wants want him find her first boyfriend name Cole. His life changes when he almost killed by a serial killer. He becomes a detective in the sheriff's office. He gets a nickname called Dogman because he is real good at his job and sometimes he does not always go by the book. His trainer named Johnny Maslow is convicted of the woman's murder at Dave's time as a rookie. He doesn't believe him when he says he's not guilty. He finds out that the death he has seen as a rookie are related and he finds out that the killer is on the loose; maybe Johnny is innocent.
Meredith
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
I loved this book about the son of an unwed mother in Ireland. The novel begins with the pregnancy in 1945 and spans to present day. It’s a beautiful portraiture of a gay man in a time where that life was badly misunderstood and not tolerated. The character exacerbates his situation with lies and cowardly actions. I couldn’t put the book down, devouring its 600 pages in just a couple of days. Highly recommend!
Becky
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE by Deanna Raybourn is a fun romp through assassinations – although these are assassins with scruples – they only kill those who deserve to die to make the world a better place. That is -- until someone puts a hit on them! Four women assassins who have spent their whole lives working for “the good of humanity” have reached retirement age, only to discover they themselves have been targeted. Will they become victims or will their “advanced age and unique skills” actually work to their advantage? This mystery is almost a cozy with a bit of humor thrown in. The flashbacks are interesting and give a portrait of each woman. The situations are believable – sort of. Although a bit long, it held my interest
Ann Marie
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
This book is really good but I suggest listening to it in audio. Had some twists I didn't guess, so a solid recommendation.
Rose
The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
I was drawn to this book by the cover - it is so beautiful and joyous. I was excited to be able to listen to the audio version of the book and hear the characters come to life. The story follows Sara Glikman, beginning in 1910, as she brings together various people, joining soulmates. She has to overcome the objections of men who don't think this is a job for a woman. However, Sara's successful matches speak for themselves. Sara tells her granddaughter, Abby, a successful divorce attorney for very high-powered wealthy clients, that one of the couples Abby is representing won't get divorced. Abby doesn't understand how her grandmother knows these things, but when she inherits her grandmother's journals, she realizes she may have the gift.
Lori
The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book since I had read and loved WARTIME SISTERS. I appreciate that the author's books are each unique and not formulaic. I enjoyed learning about life during the historical part of the book, and, although I generally don't like "magic" in the books I read, I was able to suspend my disbelief and thoroughly enjoy the story. I also liked the more contemporary part of the book and the issues it raised. The book is a nice combination of history, romance, family, feminism and ethical decisions. I think it would make a great choice for book discussion groups. I highly recommend this book.
Thomas
Quick and Dirty by Stuart Woods
Very good book.
Thomas
Unbound by Stuart Woods
An excellent book. I liked it very much.
Sherri
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Magical realism at its best. Every room is full of wonder and mystery.
Maryanne
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
This was about a Chinese American woman who wants at all costs to be a starlet in the movies and all the characters she meets and bargains with have a demonic monster side. Interesting but abstract and hard to follow.
Karen
Suspects by Danielle Steel
The first author I ever loved. She never lets me down. Very intriguing. Keeps your interest.
Claire
The Tenets in the Tattoos by Becky James
This book was such a refreshing change of pace for the portal fantasy genre! For starters, it chose to focus on platonic love and how those bonds can be just as strong, if not stronger, than romantic ones. I loved this heavy emphasis on friends and family that tends to get tossed aside for the love triangle of the week in most fantasy. The choice to make soul mates a non-romantic think was heartwarming and really helped deepen the connection between all the characters. The other thing I found fun and unique was the choice of narrator. It would have been so easy to make this a story about bookish and friendless Evyn who stumbles into a magic world and discovers she is something akin to a princess, but I feel like that story has been told.
Debbie
Death of a Rainmaker by Laurie Loewenstein
I enjoyed the first Dust Bowl book. Laurie Loewenstein developed the characters in a refreshing manner. And the terrible dust storm that settled over the town after the rainmaker set off fireworks to poke the rain that does not arrive. So who has killed the rainmaker and why? Is one of the farmers or businessmen responsible for this odious crime? Loewenstein leads the reader to many theories of the who and why, but the final resolution provides a surprise. The journey shows the everyday life of the Oklahoma individuals during a bleak period for framers and businessmen, but also focuses on food and parties and love.
Thomas
Haunted by James Patterson
Very good book. I really liked reading it.
Thomas
Poison by John Lescroat
Excellent book. I loved reading it.
Rose
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
I loved SOMETIMES I LIE as well as HIS AND HERS by Alice Feeney, so I was really excited to read DAISY DARKER. It is about a family gathering for Daisy's grandmother's 80th birthday party, at which the grandmother reveals the wishes and bequests of her will. Daisy is the youngest of 3 sisters, and she always felt that her mother treated her differently due to Daisy being born with a heart defect. When family members start dying, everyone is terrified as to who will be next. There is a reference to Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, and the novel does pay tribute to that book. But, I was dissatisfied with the ending. I don't like when the twist is an unbelievable twist, and so I was disappointed.
Sean
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware tells an intriguing story that had me trying to figure out if it was a supernatural horror or a murder mystery, which was something I don't think I've ever experienced before. We're introduced to Rowan, who gets an amazing job offer to be the nanny to four girls in an amazingly high-tech house in Scotland. There are so many odd things that Rowan and readers try to figure out. I liked the mystery and enjoyed the characters. There were a handful of twists --- some were obvious, others not so much. The ending crushed me. I think many authors struggle to end a book properly, but Ware pulled it off extremely well. The "smart home" seemed unnecessary at times, but the overall story was able to eclipse that.
Liz
Eyes Turned Skyward by Alena Dillon
Peggy Lewis was one of the first WASPs, the first American women to fly military aircraft during the 1940s. Their life was very difficult; they were not accepted by the males and were looked down upon, plus they were not recognized by the government as veterans. Peggy is now in her last years, and her daughter Kathy is facing a myriad of challenges in her own life. She never knew about her mother's years of service, but upon discovering her mother's past, she is determined to get her mother the recognition she deserves, as well as repairing the relationships between Peggy, Kathy and her brothers before it is too late. The book is beautifully written and heartbreaking at times, but also very uplifting.
