The Devil in Jerusalem
by Naomi Ragen
The Devil in Jerusalem (7/15/2015)
'The Devil in Jerusalem' was a gripping book about a young woman's path to misery and the devastation of her family, including harm to her children. Her weakness and lack of character allowed her to be manipulated by many, including her family, her husband and later cult leaders.
The book begins describing her childhood and the various people who influenced her in her life, including her parents, her brother, her grandmother, and, eventually, her husband. He was weak and needy, like her, and she followed him blindly, in the name of religion, both looking for affirmation of their goodness and successful-ness, resulting in their manipulation by psychopaths, masquerading as God's messengers.
The book was graphic, painful and depressing as the parents weakness and mistakes resulted into harm to their children by cult members.
The book would have been more interesting, if it had delved further into the psychological study of what made these parents, seemingly, so susceptible to such influence, rather than focusing on the sensational plot.
Until the very end, I did not think that enough distinction was made from Judaism or the study of Kabbala. And, I worry that many readers may not finish the book to learn that this was a cult, and not the practice of Judaism or Kabbala because the details are so disturbing.
That being said, I could not put it down, and was curious to finish the story. Although, the book is fiction, it is a novel inspired by true events.
The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene
The Headmaster's Wife (12/18/2013)
'The Headmaster's Wife' is a book that I will recommend to my friends. The writing is beautiful and sensual. I liked that the chapters were short. The book is a psychological compelling story about a Headmaster and his wife. One has a close up view of a private boarding school. Anyone who enjoyed 'The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls' would like this book. I look forward to reading his other books.
Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo
Her Last Breath (4/25/2013)
This is an excellent police procedural mystery with a touch of romance.The chief of police, Kate Burkholder,(who once was Amish) investigates an Amish buggy accident. A past crime is another thread that runs through the book. This book is well written and hard to put down. I finished the book in 3 days and normally it would take me one month to read 300 pages. Anyone interested in learning about the Amish culture would enjoy this. This is the fifth in the Kate Burkholder series and I look forward to reading the earlier books.
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate: A Lucy Campion Mystery
by Susanna Calkins
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate (3/29/2013)
In her debut novel, Susanna Calkins does a wonderful job putting the reader in seventeenth century London, England. The author puts you there-experiencing the sights, smells, tastes and culture of the period. The main voice, Lucy is a chambermaid in a magistrate's house. Lucy's close friend and coworker is murdered. Lucy must search for the truth when her brother is wrongly accused of the murder. The author writes beautifully and I never lost interest. In this book the door is open for a sequel.
Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow
Indiscretion (11/24/2012)
This is Charles Dubow's first novel and it is beautifully written with good character development. There are 4 main characters and one of them is the narrator. The reader cares about some of the characters. You feel their joy and their pain. Anyone interested in life in the Hamptons would enjoy this book but it also has a much wider appeal. Other settings include Manhattan, Paris and Rome. Some of the early parts of the book are very sensual. I will look forward to other books by this author. Of course, the title, "Indiscretion" tells it all.
A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama
A Hundred Flowers (7/30/2012)
I have enjoyed reading other books by this author, Gail Tsukiyama. She writes with tenderness. The language is simple and paints a picture. In "A Hundred Flowers," each chapter is the voice of a character. We get a true understanding of each once - their struggles, their courage, and their hopes. Each character has depth.
The book begins in China, 1957, when the country is controlled by Chairman Mao. The book is similar to "Dreams of Joy" by Lisa See.
One of the main characters in "A Hundred Flowers" is an herbalist so anyone who liked
"Mistress of Spices" (India setting) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, might also like this book. I recommend this to book clubs and anyone interested in Chinese history.
Afterwards: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Afterwards (5/9/2012)
I read and enjoyed Rosamund Lupton’s first book, “Sister.” “Afterwards” is a beautifully written thriller mystery that graps you from the first page. The book explores family relationships. You care about the characters. It is written from an “out of body” view as the main character is unconscious in the hospital but able to leave her body and travel. I am not fond of science fiction but enjoyed reading this book. It is similar to “Lovely Bones.” I look forward to reading the author’s next book.
A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George
A Good American (1/26/2012)
"The Good American" is an excellent multi-generational story. (1904-1984) Most of the story is set in a small town in Missouri. It is narrated by the grandson. Music, food, church, family, friends, and a restaurant continue through the generations. This book would lead to interesting book club discussions about family, discrimination, religion, community, and immigration. I was never bored as the character development and various story lines held my interest and stayed with me long after finishing the book. Part of my family immigrated to Shelbina, Missouri. My paternal great-grandmother was born in Shelbina in 1870 so the book gave me a better understanding of my history. It would make an excellent movie.
Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank
Folly Beach (6/25/2011)
I have never read a Dorothea Benton Frank book. I enjoyed “Folly Beach.” It is written juxtaposing a play within the novel. The novel is modern day and the play is in the twenties. One learns history about Porgy, the author Dubose Heyward, and how the story became Porgy and Bess.
I did find some of the conversational language trite.
Anyone who enjoys Ann River Siddons, Pat Conroy or “low country” books would like this book. Family relationships and romance make this a fun and educational read.
The Sweetness of Tears: A Novel
by Nafisa Haji
The Sweetness of Tears (3/19/2011)
I enjoyed this book and now plan to read the first book by Nafisa Hasji, “The Writing on My Forehead.” People who enjoy the authors, Thrity Umrigar and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, will enjoy this book although these settings are Pakistan, the United States, and Iraq.
One has to pay attention to the title of each chapter as the book is written in many voices. Different cultures, different religions, the Iraq war, PTSD, and the meaning of family are all explored.
I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because the author tried to cover too many themes and I found the final chapter weak.
The False Friend
by Myla Goldberg
The False Friend (8/30/2010)
The False Friend is a good psychological mystery. It is well written and I liked it better than Bee Season which is another book by Myla Goldberg.
The book deals with relationships - boyfriend, parents, and middle school friends from 20 years ago. It would be a good book for book groups. I was disappointed with the ending. However, once I reread the ending and concentrated on every word, I understood it better but still was disappointed.
Findings: Faye Longchamp Mysteries, No. 4
by Mary Anna Evans
A pleasant read (5/16/2008)
Findings is the fourth in the Faye Longchamp mystery series. The book can stand alone as I had not read the prior books. The main character, Faye is an archaeologist who lives on Joyeuse Island off the Florida panhandle. Faye traced her house back to an ancestor, a freed slave named Cally who had lived in the house.
Faye has a constant companion/protector named Joe Wolf Mantooth. Joe is a Native American of the Creek Tribe. The author establishes Joe and Ross Donnelly, an Atlanta attorney, as competing love interests in Faye’s life.
Much of the story revolves around a buried emerald necklace. Murders connected to Faye’s work as an archaeologist occur. Faye and Joe work together to solve the murders. This puts their lives in danger. The book was light reading and included Civil War history. I did want to finish the book but with lots of foreshadowing it was not hard to figure out the ending. It was a pleasant read.
The Quiet Girl
by Peter Hoeg
The Sounds of Silence (10/20/2007)
Ten years ago, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, another book by Peter Hoeg was one of my favorite books. I am very disappointed with The Quiet Girl. Kasper, the main character, is a retired world-renowned circus clown. Kasper is a “super hero.” He has the mystical ability to hear the musical resonance of people and objects. Kasper can hear silence. He is searching for a missing young girl who shares the same mystical ability.
The Quiet Girl is a mixture of mystery and fantasy. I appreciated the philosophical undertones. The book is disjointed often changing between past and present. Had this been a library book I would not have finished it. Smilla’s Sense of Snow was made into a movie. I believe that The Quiet Girl was written with that in mind.
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