Little Black Lies
by Sharon Bolton
Couldn't Put It Down (4/28/2015)
I have read Sharon (S.J.) Bolton's works before so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to review her latest book, "Little Black Lies."
Set in the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, the islands are remote, barren and inhabited by few. There are still minefields there from the Falkland War.
Suddenly and with rapid succession, children begin to disappear from the island. The islanders all know each other so it is with reluctance that they begin to suspect one of their own.
This story revolves around 3 main characters: Catlin; her childhood best friend, Rachel; and, Catlin's former lover Callum.
The book is divided into 3 sections with each section devoted to each individual character's voice. I loved how this moved and developed the story line, with each character telling his or her side of the story.
The plot moves smoothly and rapidly, and I was able to read 100 pages at a sitting without realizing how my time flew.
This is an excellent stand-alone book that will surely be a bestseller. This book is suitable to mystery book clubs, general book clubs and individuals who like well plotted thrillers.
Descent
by Tim Johnston
I just kept reading .... (11/9/2014)
Descent is the story of the Courtland family who are vacationing in the Colorado mountains with Caitlin and her brother when she goes for a run and never returns. This story is about her abduction and the efforts to track her down, of course.
But on a deeper level, Descent is about the physical and emotional toll the abduction and its aftermath take upon the whole family; it's that descent that brings the title of this book into focus. This is a story about family ties unraveling as the years go by and about the human spirit's fight for survival at any cost.
Tim Johnston has crafted a brilliant thriller, gripping in its intensity. The writing is stunning. I strongly recommend this book to thriller lovers or book club members who want to read a page turner. I liked it because it was a page turner and I kept asking myself, "How will this end."
I look forward to other books by Johnston.
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
by Helen Rappaport
A Sad End To A Tragic Family (5/21/2014)
Author Helen Rappaport,has done an outstanding job of documenting the lives of Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia Romanov (OTMA). Often seen as a unit (hence the OTMA), the sisters come across with very distinct personalities in this book. This tome was primarily written from their diaries and the personal recollections of survivors so their individuality blossoms in this book. Olga was the most sensitive, Tatiana was the natural leader, Maria had the best nature and Anastasia was the most rambunctious.
Nicholas and Alexandra are very devoted to their children and spend quite a bit of time with them, something unusual among royalty at the time. Tsarevich Alexei, the youngest, is burdened with the family illness, hemophilia, which must be kept hidden from royalty and the common people. That fact starts to bring about the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty as the family becomes more isolated due to his illness and the public sees them as uncaring and out of touch.
I felt sad for the sisters while reading this book as they come across as kind, generous and helpful. I often saw "opportunities" where if someone would have taken some action, their lives could have been saved by escaping when they could. This book is suitable for book clubs, readers of world or Russian history, or the events of WW1.
The book contains a helpful "Glossary of Names" to keep the reader on track with who is whom, including nicknames or pet names.
How the Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #9
by Louise Penny
Penny Continues to Astound (7/11/2013)
"How the Light Gets In" is Louise Penny's 9th book in the Three Pines mystery series featuring her intrepid detective Armand Gameche of the Surêté du Québec.
I find her writing absolutely hypnotic. One almost feels like a resident of this village as she so excellently describes the residents and locale of this mythic village. Penny catches so well the feelings, passions and eccentricities of the villagers.
This book is suitable for book clubs, mystery book clubs and those who just enjoy a good read without the descriptive murder scenes. I strongly recommend, however, that the new reader start with Penny's first Three Pines mystery, "Still Life" then read chronologically, or critical background details may be lost or not understood.
Fever
by Mary Beth Keane
Fever: A Love Story (3/17/2013)
This novel is based upon the life of Mary Mallon, known to history as Typhoid Mary. I titled this review a love story as it's the story of a 2-fold love; Mary's love of cooking and her love of ne'er-do-well Alfred, her long-time companion.
Mary used her talents as a cook to raise herself up on the domestic service ladder even after she was discovered to be an "asymptomatic carrier" of typhoid. Since cooks were more highly regarded and better paid than other domestics, she time and again went back to the craft even after she was put into isolation in 1907 and banned from cooking for others.
Mary could not keep away from her lover Alfred anymore than she could keep away from cooking. Their relationship continued on even thru Alfred's betrayal.
"Fever" gives us strong descriptions of early 20th century life in New York, especially for the lower classes who were forced to toil in upper class homes or in sweat shops for subsistence wages.
This fictionalized account of Mary depicts her as a strong immigrant woman who battled for a better life for herself. This book would be suitable for book clubs or those who enjoy reading about early 20th century life in New York.
And When She Was Good: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
A Different But Interesting Heroine, of Sorts (7/8/2012)
Having read Laura Lippman's works before, I was interested in seeing what form her creativity would take with her next book, since her novels are all compelling yet very different. This one was no exception.
The unlikely protagonist of this work, Heloise, is a prostitute/madam in the suburbs of Baltimore. At first, the topic and "career" of this woman put me off, but as I kept reading I became aware that I was liking her more and more. She is trying to change her life and do the right thing by her employees and her son. Of course, this journey is never easy, especially when the career is such a dubious one, and she is in danger. How Heloise makes this journey and the choices she makes are the theme of this book.
Lippman's prose flow to create the tone and set the pace of this novel. This work would be suitable for book clubs.
Cloudland: A Crime Novel
by Joseph Olshan
It Had Me at Chapter One (3/6/2012)
This book starts out immediately with the discovery of a dead body in an orchard and quickly moves from there. Interesting details are shared about Vermont and its local inhabitants and history. Cloudland is a totally engrossing work that kept me hooked from the beginning.
There is an interesting tie-in to the works of 19th century writer, Wilkie Collins. I thought this was a novel twist and has piqued my interest in reading works by Collins, in the public domain, and free on eReaders.
Cloudland is a novel about insanity, revenge and unrequited love. It is gripping and well written with enough red herrings to entertain the reader.
This book would be suitable for Mystery Book Clubs.
No Mark Upon Her: A Novel
by Deborah Crombie
Excellent addition to the series (1/8/2012)
Crombie's writing never disappoints. "No Mark Upon Her" is the 14th book in the series featuring Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincade and his wife, Inspector Gemma James. Duncan and Gemma are yet again involved in another intriguing mystery. This one revolves around the murder of an Olympic hopeful trying to make a comeback, who also happens to be a Met detective. When someone tries to kill a search and rescue team member, the case becomes more complex, involving powerful political interests within the Met itself.
Right from the beginning, you are caught up in the action in the competitive world of rowing. The tale is solved bringing in the combined skills of the two detectives and their colleagues. As in any good mystery, the plot casts suspicions on multiple characters. You do not know "who did it" until near the end of the book. This book is a page turner. Once I started, I could barely put it down. I highly recommend this novel to all Crombie fans as it is an excellent addition to the series. One also sees Kincaid and James continue to evolve as their characters accept new challenges by the addition of a 3 year old adoptee to the blended family. Great read.
Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson
Different Direction for Peter Robinson (11/22/2011)
This is not a book in the Inspector Banks series by Robinson, so those expecting one will be disappointed. That said, this book was very thoughtfully written and kept me up at night wanting to read "just one more" chapter. It's atmospheric narrative brings Yorkshire and its villages to life. It is a very visually written story that put me readily into the plot. A good read for a cold winter night.
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