Big Sky - Kate Atkinson
He and She read
Although it has been ten years since the last one, this is the fifth novel in the Jackson Brodie series. It is the first one I have read. I did not find this to be a disadvantage, although I now want to go back and read all the prior ones.
Quite a few colorful characters and storylines are introduced, but as the novel progressed, they distinguished themselves from one another and, for the most part, were all woven into the plot line.
Well written, I enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s wry humor while tackling difficult subjects. I can see why she has so many fans; count me as one of them.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Fleishman is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Fleishman is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner
He and she read
Successful talent agent Rachel Fleishman has separated from her physician husband, Toby. One day, she drops their two children off at Toby’s apartment and seemingly disappears.
Most of the book is devoted to two intersecting stories, the narrators and the one the narrator tells about Fleishman. Initially, I didn’t care for this style, but, near the end, the story pivots and the conclusion pulls it all together.
The author’s sense of humor is entertaining as she looks at the dating life of today’s middle aged single male. Her perception of the middle aged woman in today’s society is achingly accurate.
He and she read
Successful talent agent Rachel Fleishman has separated from her physician husband, Toby. One day, she drops their two children off at Toby’s apartment and seemingly disappears.
Most of the book is devoted to two intersecting stories, the narrators and the one the narrator tells about Fleishman. Initially, I didn’t care for this style, but, near the end, the story pivots and the conclusion pulls it all together.
The author’s sense of humor is entertaining as she looks at the dating life of today’s middle aged single male. Her perception of the middle aged woman in today’s society is achingly accurate.
Monday, June 17, 2019
The Suffering of Strangers - Caro Ramsay
The Suffering of Strangers - Caro Ramsay
She read
A baby is taken from his mother’s car; in his place is a baby with Down Syndrome. The cold case review team is looking into a series of historical rapes. Do these have anything to do with each other?
This is number nine is a series featuring Glaswegian detectives Costello and Anderson. I haven’t read the prior novels, and, unfortunately, this made me fell that I had come in in the middle of something. A number of different characters were introduced and I really had to pay attention to keep them straight.
Despite that, I found this to be a satisfying police procedural that was an engrossing read.
She read
A baby is taken from his mother’s car; in his place is a baby with Down Syndrome. The cold case review team is looking into a series of historical rapes. Do these have anything to do with each other?
This is number nine is a series featuring Glaswegian detectives Costello and Anderson. I haven’t read the prior novels, and, unfortunately, this made me fell that I had come in in the middle of something. A number of different characters were introduced and I really had to pay attention to keep them straight.
Despite that, I found this to be a satisfying police procedural that was an engrossing read.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Chances Are - Richard Russo
Chances Are - Richard Russo
Publication date: July 30, 2019
He and she read
Richard Russo is an author whose works I enjoy and Chances are did not disappoint. In this novel, three sixty something men, friends from college, reunite on Martha’s Vineyard. As for many males their age, a pivotal point in their college years and ensuing lives was that first Selective Service draft lottery drawing in 1969. Each one of them are also linked by their love of a woman, Jacy, a sorority sister in the house in which they all worked. Jacy spent a Memorial Day weekend with them on Martha’s Vineyard right after graduation and disappeared at the end of that weekend.
Their past histories are revealed through flashbacks as they come to grips with their aging, how their lives have changed, and trying to ascertain what happened to Jacy those forty plus years ago.
As usual, Richard Russo’s narrative is strong on good writing and character development . While this may not have been my most favorite book of his, it is well worth a read.
Incidentally, Russo is one of HIS favorite authors as well.......
Publication date: July 30, 2019
He and she read
Richard Russo is an author whose works I enjoy and Chances are did not disappoint. In this novel, three sixty something men, friends from college, reunite on Martha’s Vineyard. As for many males their age, a pivotal point in their college years and ensuing lives was that first Selective Service draft lottery drawing in 1969. Each one of them are also linked by their love of a woman, Jacy, a sorority sister in the house in which they all worked. Jacy spent a Memorial Day weekend with them on Martha’s Vineyard right after graduation and disappeared at the end of that weekend.
Their past histories are revealed through flashbacks as they come to grips with their aging, how their lives have changed, and trying to ascertain what happened to Jacy those forty plus years ago.
As usual, Richard Russo’s narrative is strong on good writing and character development . While this may not have been my most favorite book of his, it is well worth a read.
Incidentally, Russo is one of HIS favorite authors as well.......
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Mine -- Courtney Cole
Mine - Courtney Cole
She read
While raising three children, one with a serious medical condition and starting a very successful cosmetic company, Tessa thought her marriage to Ethan was rock solid. But, she discovers he has been having an affair. Using subterfuge, she lures Ethan’s mistress, Lindsey, to her home while a hurricane rages outside. Both women behave shockingly as more and ore secrets are revealed.
Told in alternating viewpoints of the two women, I have mixed feelings about this book. As a longtime Florida resident, I found the implausibility of the beginning of the book disconcerting. Storms don’t come in that quickly. Even if Tessa was too busy to watch the news, potential storms are a big deal in Florida and talked about for days before landfall. If the family is so wealthy and the house has so many windows, why isn’t there someone they hire on a regular basis to help prepare for storms? And, where are there bluffs overlooking the ocean in Florida? Dunes maybe, but bluffs?
From that point on, I felt a lot of the book to be a bit unbelievable and, spoiler alert, the ending leaves some things unresolved. Yet, it was a fast, engrossing read….or perhaps I read it quickly to just get through it…….
She read
While raising three children, one with a serious medical condition and starting a very successful cosmetic company, Tessa thought her marriage to Ethan was rock solid. But, she discovers he has been having an affair. Using subterfuge, she lures Ethan’s mistress, Lindsey, to her home while a hurricane rages outside. Both women behave shockingly as more and ore secrets are revealed.
Told in alternating viewpoints of the two women, I have mixed feelings about this book. As a longtime Florida resident, I found the implausibility of the beginning of the book disconcerting. Storms don’t come in that quickly. Even if Tessa was too busy to watch the news, potential storms are a big deal in Florida and talked about for days before landfall. If the family is so wealthy and the house has so many windows, why isn’t there someone they hire on a regular basis to help prepare for storms? And, where are there bluffs overlooking the ocean in Florida? Dunes maybe, but bluffs?
From that point on, I felt a lot of the book to be a bit unbelievable and, spoiler alert, the ending leaves some things unresolved. Yet, it was a fast, engrossing read….or perhaps I read it quickly to just get through it…….
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Women - S.E. Lynes
The Women - S. E. Lynes
She read
Another domestic psychological thriller. A college student is overwhelmed when she is sought out for the attentions of an attractive, older professor. He sweeps her off her feet and before she knows it, she is living with him. But, of course, he has a history!!!
The author is a literate writer. Although there may be one too many coincidences, this is an engrossing, fast paced story, and worth a read if you are not burned out with domestic thrillers!
She read
Another domestic psychological thriller. A college student is overwhelmed when she is sought out for the attentions of an attractive, older professor. He sweeps her off her feet and before she knows it, she is living with him. But, of course, he has a history!!!
The author is a literate writer. Although there may be one too many coincidences, this is an engrossing, fast paced story, and worth a read if you are not burned out with domestic thrillers!
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