The Eight Detective - Alex Pavesi
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
Julia visits Grant on the Mediterranean Island where he lives to edit and publish a book of mystery stories written by him twenty five years ago. Grant, a mathematician, has a theory that there is a mathematical structure to murder mysteries. The story alternates between Julia reading the stories aloud and a discussion with Grant. The stories are
old fashioned mystery tales such as ones writtenin the early twentieth century. Julia feels there is something amiss with Grant and seeks to find out what it is.
This is a different approach to a mystery and I salute the unique approach. The first 3/4 of the book engaged me, but, alas, my attention waned in the last 1/4 of book. Still, it is an intriguing read.
****
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Friday, July 24, 2020
Still Here - Amy Stuart
Still Here - Amy Stuart
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
This is the third in the “Still” series; I did not read the first two. Although reading the first two might have given me more of a background story, I had no difficulty picking up and following along with the characters and plot.
Clare, on the run from an abusive husband, has become a private investigator of sorts. In the past, she has worked with Malcolm, who has now disappeared. Asked by a police detective to travel to Malcolm’s home town to do some investigation, Clare exposes the ugly secrets of this small town.
This is a fast, easy, engaging read although there are no real surprises. I do hate it when supposedly smart women make stupid mistakes, but I will just chalk that up to Clare’s youth and inexperience as a PI.
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
This is the third in the “Still” series; I did not read the first two. Although reading the first two might have given me more of a background story, I had no difficulty picking up and following along with the characters and plot.
Clare, on the run from an abusive husband, has become a private investigator of sorts. In the past, she has worked with Malcolm, who has now disappeared. Asked by a police detective to travel to Malcolm’s home town to do some investigation, Clare exposes the ugly secrets of this small town.
This is a fast, easy, engaging read although there are no real surprises. I do hate it when supposedly smart women make stupid mistakes, but I will just chalk that up to Clare’s youth and inexperience as a PI.
Monday, July 20, 2020
Too Much and Never Enough - Mary Trump
Too Much and Never Enough - Mary Trump
He and she read
Well written by a literate writer. Interesting insight into this very dysfunctional and scary family. Verified what so many of us know, the consequences of which we have to live with everyday. Heaven help us all!
Well worth reading
Incidentally, Amazon won’t let you review this book unless you purchased it from them. Have they never heard of public libraries??? Must be nice to be a monopoly
He and she read
Well written by a literate writer. Interesting insight into this very dysfunctional and scary family. Verified what so many of us know, the consequences of which we have to live with everyday. Heaven help us all!
Well worth reading
Incidentally, Amazon won’t let you review this book unless you purchased it from them. Have they never heard of public libraries??? Must be nice to be a monopoly
*****
Sunday, July 19, 2020
The First to Lie - Hank Phillippi Ryan
The First to Lie - Hank Phillippi Ryan
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
A pharmaceutical company is pushing a fertility medication that can cause heart breaking side effects for some users. There is a cast of characters out to expose them and bring them down.
Told from different points of view, there are twists throughout the story. Although an engrossing read, much of the story lines strained credibility. I’d rate it 3 stars for the plot, but 4 for the writing.
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
A pharmaceutical company is pushing a fertility medication that can cause heart breaking side effects for some users. There is a cast of characters out to expose them and bring them down.
Told from different points of view, there are twists throughout the story. Although an engrossing read, much of the story lines strained credibility. I’d rate it 3 stars for the plot, but 4 for the writing.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
The Night Swim - Megan Goldin
The Night Swim - Megan Goldin
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
While Rachel is covering the trial of a local athlete accused of rape for her true crime podcast, she receives a series of letters from Hannah, a young woman urging her to investigate her sister’s death in this same town twenty five years ago.
The dual stories unfold from two points of view, Rachel’s and Hannah’s, and we are treated to both a courtroom procedural, mystery, and psychological thriller. There was sympathetic insight into the heartbreak rape victims and their families suffer both in our society and as a result of the judicial system.
This was an engrossing, didn’t want to put down read. Rachel is a strong, savvy character; I hope this will be the beginning of a series.
I liked this so much better than Goldin’s prior novel, The Escape Room.
*****
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
While Rachel is covering the trial of a local athlete accused of rape for her true crime podcast, she receives a series of letters from Hannah, a young woman urging her to investigate her sister’s death in this same town twenty five years ago.
The dual stories unfold from two points of view, Rachel’s and Hannah’s, and we are treated to both a courtroom procedural, mystery, and psychological thriller. There was sympathetic insight into the heartbreak rape victims and their families suffer both in our society and as a result of the judicial system.
This was an engrossing, didn’t want to put down read. Rachel is a strong, savvy character; I hope this will be the beginning of a series.
I liked this so much better than Goldin’s prior novel, The Escape Room.
*****
Friday, July 10, 2020
Paris Never Leaves You - Ellen Feldman
Paris Never Leaves You - Ellen Feldman
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4 2020
Charlotte and her young daughter, Vivi, struggle to survive in occupied Paris during World War II. Charlotte did what she had to to take care of herself and her daughter.
The story telling alternates between 1940s Paris and 1950s New York as Charlotte finally comes to terms with what war turns some people into and the subsequent survivors guilt so many feel.
This is an engrossing, fast read although I felt that part of the New York story (the romance) just didn’t “work” and spoiled it a bit for me.
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4 2020
Charlotte and her young daughter, Vivi, struggle to survive in occupied Paris during World War II. Charlotte did what she had to to take care of herself and her daughter.
The story telling alternates between 1940s Paris and 1950s New York as Charlotte finally comes to terms with what war turns some people into and the subsequent survivors guilt so many feel.
This is an engrossing, fast read although I felt that part of the New York story (the romance) just didn’t “work” and spoiled it a bit for me.
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Convince Me - Nina Sadowsky
Convince Me - Nina Sadowsky
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
Annie and Justin appear to have a fairy tale life. He, popular and successful, she, madly in love with him. Their life is ripped apart when he dies in a car crash.
The story opens at his funeral and is told from the POV of Annie, Justin’s best friend, Will, and Justin’s mother. As each reflect back on their history with Justin, there are a few unheeded warnings that all might not be as perfect as it seems.
Right after the funeral, Annie and Will begin to discover some devastating truths.
This is a fast paced, can’t put it down read. Great for summer reading or a rainy afternoon on the couch.
**** 1/2
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 4, 2020
Annie and Justin appear to have a fairy tale life. He, popular and successful, she, madly in love with him. Their life is ripped apart when he dies in a car crash.
The story opens at his funeral and is told from the POV of Annie, Justin’s best friend, Will, and Justin’s mother. As each reflect back on their history with Justin, there are a few unheeded warnings that all might not be as perfect as it seems.
Right after the funeral, Annie and Will begin to discover some devastating truths.
This is a fast paced, can’t put it down read. Great for summer reading or a rainy afternoon on the couch.
**** 1/2
Sunday, July 5, 2020
The Geometry of Holding Hands - Alexander McCall Smith
The Geometry of Holding Hands - Alexander McCall Smith
She Read
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
Although I am a fan of and have read all of McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’Detective Agency series, this is my first Isabel Dalhousie novel. A rather privileged woman as the result of a family trust with a loving husband and two small children as well as full time help, Isabel is a philosopher who edits the quarterly “Review of Applied Ethics” and helps out in her niece’s delicatessen when needed. In this installment we are invited to observe a slice of her life as she deals with this niece as well as a stranger who asks her to be executor of his will.
This is a quick, charming read. Isabel is wise and kind, but a somewhat insecure woman. I did enjoy her observations of life and how her mind wandered from one thought to another when encountering other people.
She Read
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
Although I am a fan of and have read all of McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’Detective Agency series, this is my first Isabel Dalhousie novel. A rather privileged woman as the result of a family trust with a loving husband and two small children as well as full time help, Isabel is a philosopher who edits the quarterly “Review of Applied Ethics” and helps out in her niece’s delicatessen when needed. In this installment we are invited to observe a slice of her life as she deals with this niece as well as a stranger who asks her to be executor of his will.
This is a quick, charming read. Isabel is wise and kind, but a somewhat insecure woman. I did enjoy her observations of life and how her mind wandered from one thought to another when encountering other people.
Thursday, July 2, 2020
The Fallen - Carlos Manuel Alvarez
The Fallen
Carlos Manuel Alvarez
She read
Told from the points of view of four Cuban family members, this book gives some insight into the lives of everyday people under this crumbling social structure. Yet, much of it is metaphoric, not my favorite literary device. It is a fast read that paints a picture of a bleak, but enduring future.
***
Carlos Manuel Alvarez
She read
Told from the points of view of four Cuban family members, this book gives some insight into the lives of everyday people under this crumbling social structure. Yet, much of it is metaphoric, not my favorite literary device. It is a fast read that paints a picture of a bleak, but enduring future.
***
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