Broken Promise: A Thriller
by Linwood Barclay
A thrilling few days (7/3/2015)
Linwood Barclay's "Broken Promise" is a murder-mystery thriller that takes place over just a few days. The book is set at such a fast pace, that I read it in just a few days as well (and I usually like to read at a leisurely pace to soak in all the details), in fact with the fast pace of the book and my reading, after I finished it, I went back and quickly reread many of the parts of the book to make sure I had not missed anything.
The thriller's premise and the characters were very well drawn, the protagonist sympathetic, and yet, the author, who has many characters in this book, has a way of portraying all the characters, even the protagonist, as slightly sinister. The fact that there is an underlying unsolved mystery, and that many of the characters have a "shady" past or tragic past, left me wondering if any of the characters were actually "good people" even the most innocent seeming. I like the different dimensions to the characters. It is very much like a roller coaster ride, where you can not tell what or who is coming next. However, the fact that the book is being set up for a sequel becomes very obvious half-way through the story, and at the end I was not satisfied because the underlying mystery is not solved in this book. I rated it as good for the fast-pace thrilling writing and dimensions to the characters. However, I did not rate it as high as I would have with a book of this quality, because of the unsatisfactory feeling at the end of the book. I don't mind some cliff hangers, but when they are such big ones, and so much has been left unresolved, it leaves me feeling like I haven't read a full novel, but just a prequel. Though I am looking forward to the sequel.
The Ghost Bride
by Yangsze Choo
Supernatural, history, and mystery come together (5/21/2015)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I read it before the airline disasters that made the island that this book takes place on (though in a different time period) a household name. The protagonist is a true heroine, she rises above her culture and its constraints, but with grace and understanding and respect. A worthwhile read, and a good historical perspective as well. I learned a lot about this island and its culture, as well as reading a great story. It is also not so "overly adult", I loaned it to my teenage daughter to read also, so she could get some perspective on another culture.
What Doesn't Kill Her: A Reeve LeClaire Series Novel
by Carla Norton
Fast Paced Action (5/7/2015)
This book was a very quick, easy, suspenseful, and fun read. The only regret I have is that I had not read the "prequel" or previous book about the same protagonist, by the same author ("The Edge of Normal"), so I knew there were things I was missing out on, such as an investigation in California that it is alluded to that the protagonist inserted was involved in; I also felt that this book, did not go into that much detail about the protagonist's years of captivity with her captor, and I thought that was maybe because it was discussed more in depth in the first book. So now, I have another book that I will go out and buy to get the full picture "The Edge of Normal." However, even without the full, or skimpy background provided, I did enjoy this book very much. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and also guessing what is in store in the future for our brave, bright, and heroic protagonist. A great, fast-paced, action-packed read!
Also, I thought the book was very relevant in many ways to several instances that have become known in our society in recent years (kidnappings and rescues of victims missing for years in the real world and their re-acclamation to society).
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
by William Klaber
The Ruin of Joseph Lobdell (12/28/2014)
Although I enjoyed this book, and appreciate the research that went into it, I felt from the first page that Lucy Ann Lobdell was destined for a bad end, so I always had a sense of doom or worry hanging over me when I read it. It was enlightening to read how she first decides to "live as a man" to gain better wages and jobs at first, but then comes to realize that "living and dressing as a man" is her true nature. I rejoiced when at times he found acceptance, though very saddened that it was often short lived. He was 100's of years ahead of his time, and I hope, if there is any justice in this world, there is a reincarnated Joseph Lobdell walking around this earth, living life freely, and honestly as he always wanted to, and finally finding acceptance and love. But, rebels take the risk to live what they believe in, because to live a more acceptable life would be a kind of death to them, so one has to admire Lucy/Joseph, and accept his choices.
Five
by Ursula Archer
A geochache nightmare (10/21/2014)
I must love the macabre because I could not put this book down. I read it in the bathtub, I read it while I blow-dried my hair, I read it until I fell asleep. It inspired me to look at geochaching sites in my own neighborhood (maybe I will try a few). Before reading "Five" I was unaware how popular geochaching was. Though I have no desire to encounter the grisly, and I think I have better judgment (hope so) than some of the novel players, I am intrigued. The book was suspenseful, original, informative, and even had a bit of love story twist. I would recommend it to a friend, but only those who like grisly murder mysteries, as this is not "light reading fare." But I thoroughly enjoyed it, one of my favorite books since joining Book Browse - especially as it opened a whole new world/hobby to me. Well Done Ursula Archer
The Lion Seeker
by Kenneth Bonert
The Lion Seeker (7/16/2014)
I could not put this book down. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the ending. I loved how the author weaved very difficult time periods of history together, to unveil truths and half-truths that shaped not only the protagonist and her family and her children, but generations of families. From early South Africa, to WWII, Israel (before and after WWII) to Lithuania before and after WWII. Most importantly, hope and love prevails for the protagonist's family, despite their many travails and traumas. I would read this book again, just to make sure I didn't miss a little detail, for the history it gives is educational, as well as the hope that it springs, even in the most wretched of us. A great novel, my favorite since joining BookBrowse.
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
by Helen Rappaport
A very fine, is slightly dry, history of the Romanov's (6/11/2014)
I have to admit I had a hard time getting into this book, because it started far before the "Romonav" sisters - it started with the upbringing of their mother (and I accidently thought the prolougue, which was kind of dry was part of the actual book and that took me a little while to get through). However, as the tragic end of the family became evident, their bravery, and humanity, brought life to the book. The book is a great documentary of the factual events surrounding the death (murder really) of the Royal Family and the beginning of the rise of Communism. However, perhaps because the writer was so fixed on accuracy, instead of storytelling, it was not my favorite accounting of the period. However, I did learn a lot that I will not soon forget.
The Weight of Blood
by Laura McHugh
A Study of the Ozarks (2/14/2014)
Laura McHugh paints a realistic view of the Ozarks, from the perspective of a young woman, of some privilege who has grown up in a particularly unwelcoming, scary town, but who is protected from its cruelties due to her family's stance. The young woman loves the beauty of the Ozarks. She loves its woods, caves, rivers, and many of its people. Ultimately, however she can no longer hide from its darkest side. After she discovers town secrets that are very close to her home and heart, she has to make choices - choices of loyalty and to whom does her loyalty lay with - and choices of where she will live out her future.
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