Annie has been married to Graham for 30 years. The second marriage for both, she also has a very friendly relationship with Frieda, Graham’s first wife and both Annie’s daughter and Frieda’s son are also good friends. While mourning Graham’s sudden death, Annie learns that he has been unfaithful to her.
As with much of Sue Miller’s writing, this is well written, literate, with strong character development. She sensitively explores the grief of unexpectedly losing a spouse and then the further grief and anger of losing the idea of what you thought your marriage was. The interplay of family relationships is a driving force in this novel.
Although there are sections that seem to go on and on about the mundane, it was an engrossing read. And, after all, isn’t a lot of daily life mundane?
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Payback - Lorenzo Carcaterra
Payback - Lorenzo Carcaterra
She read
He didn't finish it
This is a story about a retired New York City police officer who, under often the direction of the Chief of Detectives, works with a disparate group of people on unsolved crimes. I read the first in the series and enjoyed it. Tank, the main protagonist, is a rough and tough individual who prefers fine wine, good Italian food, and museums to beer and bars.
This time, Tank is working two cases that are close to him. The first involves the death of his brother and sister in law which occurred in the prior novel. Chris, the surviving son, comes to live with his uncle; he is convinced that his parents car crash was more than accidental…it was murder. The second case involves a highly decorated dirty cop whose phenomenal clear record is due to coercive tactics.
This is an exciting, well plotted story. The involvement of the police chief and US Attorney’s office as well as the questionable not to mention violent tactics utilized to solve the cases strained credibility. But, if you can get beyond that, it is an enjoyable read.
****
She read
He didn't finish it
This is a story about a retired New York City police officer who, under often the direction of the Chief of Detectives, works with a disparate group of people on unsolved crimes. I read the first in the series and enjoyed it. Tank, the main protagonist, is a rough and tough individual who prefers fine wine, good Italian food, and museums to beer and bars.
This time, Tank is working two cases that are close to him. The first involves the death of his brother and sister in law which occurred in the prior novel. Chris, the surviving son, comes to live with his uncle; he is convinced that his parents car crash was more than accidental…it was murder. The second case involves a highly decorated dirty cop whose phenomenal clear record is due to coercive tactics.
This is an exciting, well plotted story. The involvement of the police chief and US Attorney’s office as well as the questionable not to mention violent tactics utilized to solve the cases strained credibility. But, if you can get beyond that, it is an enjoyable read.
****
Friday, August 21, 2020
Three Perfect Liars - Heidi Perks
Three Perfect Liars - Heidi Perks
She read
Laura returns to her position with an advertising agency after giving birth to Bobby. As if she isn’t conflicted enough leaving Bobby, she finds that Mia, her temporary replacement, has no intention of leaving and has, in fact, taken over her major account. Is she paranoid about Mia or does the woman have some hidden secrets? And what secret is Janie, wife of the owner of the agency keeping to herself? A fatal fire that destroys the agency brings these three together……
The book’s timeline shifts back and forth between the action in the weeks prior to the fire and the police interviews following it as what really happened is finally revealed. As has become a popular literary device, the story is told from different points of view.
Despite it getting bogged down a bit, it was an engrossing read with good character development, although I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.
****
She read
Laura returns to her position with an advertising agency after giving birth to Bobby. As if she isn’t conflicted enough leaving Bobby, she finds that Mia, her temporary replacement, has no intention of leaving and has, in fact, taken over her major account. Is she paranoid about Mia or does the woman have some hidden secrets? And what secret is Janie, wife of the owner of the agency keeping to herself? A fatal fire that destroys the agency brings these three together……
The book’s timeline shifts back and forth between the action in the weeks prior to the fire and the police interviews following it as what really happened is finally revealed. As has become a popular literary device, the story is told from different points of view.
Despite it getting bogged down a bit, it was an engrossing read with good character development, although I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.
****
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Blunt Force - Lynda LaPlante
Blunt Force - Lynda LaPlante
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 25, 2020
I enjoy both the old Prime Suspect and the more recent Prime Suspect:Tennison series on PBS, so a while I thought I tried one of the Jane Tennison series books and enjoyed it.
Blunt Force is the sixth in this series about the early career of Tennison.
Jane has been kicked off the Flying Squad, which investigates armed robberies, and is now working in the usually quiet district of Knightsbridge, seeing to such crimes as shoplifting from Harrod’s. But a grisly murder of a famous theatrical agent changes that.
A sub plot refers back to the time Jane was on the Squad.
Although I was engaged throughout, this is not a page turner; but this is not a criticism. It is a true police procedural with emphasis on the procedural. Well written, with a solid plot, there is good character development and interactions as we begin to see the evolution of Jane into one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in London whom we know so wel from Prime Suspect.
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 25, 2020
I enjoy both the old Prime Suspect and the more recent Prime Suspect:Tennison series on PBS, so a while I thought I tried one of the Jane Tennison series books and enjoyed it.
Blunt Force is the sixth in this series about the early career of Tennison.
Jane has been kicked off the Flying Squad, which investigates armed robberies, and is now working in the usually quiet district of Knightsbridge, seeing to such crimes as shoplifting from Harrod’s. But a grisly murder of a famous theatrical agent changes that.
A sub plot refers back to the time Jane was on the Squad.
Although I was engaged throughout, this is not a page turner; but this is not a criticism. It is a true police procedural with emphasis on the procedural. Well written, with a solid plot, there is good character development and interactions as we begin to see the evolution of Jane into one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in London whom we know so wel from Prime Suspect.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
The Quiet Girl - S F Kosa
The Quiet Girl
S F Kosa
she read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
Alex and Mina, married after a short courtship, have had a disagreement and Mina flees to her house on Provincetown. His apologetic phone calls ignored, Alex heads off to the Cape where he finds that Mina has disappeared.
Meanwhile, a mysterious young woman, Layla, is trying to scrape by working at a local restaurant. When a boisterous customer insists her name is Maggie, she takes off on her bicycle, apparently has an accident, and is having memory issues.
And that is all of a summary I am going to give to avoid any spoilers.
This is a psychological thriller, with emphasis on the psychological. This is a fast read and you will find yourself quickly turning the pages to try to figure out just what is going on.
Without going into it because of spoilers, I do think some of Mina's story strained credibility. Yet, as we find ourselves with time on our hands, it is worth a read.
S F Kosa
she read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
Alex and Mina, married after a short courtship, have had a disagreement and Mina flees to her house on Provincetown. His apologetic phone calls ignored, Alex heads off to the Cape where he finds that Mina has disappeared.
Meanwhile, a mysterious young woman, Layla, is trying to scrape by working at a local restaurant. When a boisterous customer insists her name is Maggie, she takes off on her bicycle, apparently has an accident, and is having memory issues.
And that is all of a summary I am going to give to avoid any spoilers.
This is a psychological thriller, with emphasis on the psychological. This is a fast read and you will find yourself quickly turning the pages to try to figure out just what is going on.
Without going into it because of spoilers, I do think some of Mina's story strained credibility. Yet, as we find ourselves with time on our hands, it is worth a read.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
We Are All the Same in the Dark - Julia Heaberlin
We Are All the Same in the Dark - Julia Heaberlin
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
I had a tough time getting into this book. It is a bit slow paced and obsessive in the beginning. It would have been easy to give up on it, but I persevered, reading it in small bits at a time rather than devouring it. I ended up engaging with it, but it certainly wasn’t one of my more favored reads.
***
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2020
I had a tough time getting into this book. It is a bit slow paced and obsessive in the beginning. It would have been easy to give up on it, but I persevered, reading it in small bits at a time rather than devouring it. I ended up engaging with it, but it certainly wasn’t one of my more favored reads.
***
Sunday, August 2, 2020
I Give it to You - Valerie Martin
I Give it to You - Valerie Martin
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11
With one caveat, I loved this novel.
Jan is an American professor/writer; Beatrice an Italian, educated and working in America, who spends her summers at the family villa in Tuscany. Introduced by a mutual friend, Jan, is invited to visit the villa where Beatrice reveals the background history of her aristocratic family, spanning the war years until the present. Over the years, Beatrice shares these stories and says of each “do you like it?….I give it to you”.
This book is a combination travelogue, family saga, and conundrum…who owns the stories of one’s friends and are they fair game for an author? Or is writing about them a betrayal?
The family’s history and surrounding Italian politics is fascinating in and of itself and many of the pleasures of a trip to Tuscany are here…the enticing landscape, the golden sun, vin santo and biscotti, fresh cornettos, a glass of wine, the rich espresso that only a caffettiera can make. While it is a fast read, I tried to slow it down, luxuriating in living that life.
All that said, I was disappointed in the ending….While it raises an interesting question, I felt it was rushed and left things unresolved. I think I could have enjoyed this book just as a travelogue and family saga without the unsettling and unsettled endings
She read
Publication Date: Aug. 11
With one caveat, I loved this novel.
Jan is an American professor/writer; Beatrice an Italian, educated and working in America, who spends her summers at the family villa in Tuscany. Introduced by a mutual friend, Jan, is invited to visit the villa where Beatrice reveals the background history of her aristocratic family, spanning the war years until the present. Over the years, Beatrice shares these stories and says of each “do you like it?….I give it to you”.
This book is a combination travelogue, family saga, and conundrum…who owns the stories of one’s friends and are they fair game for an author? Or is writing about them a betrayal?
The family’s history and surrounding Italian politics is fascinating in and of itself and many of the pleasures of a trip to Tuscany are here…the enticing landscape, the golden sun, vin santo and biscotti, fresh cornettos, a glass of wine, the rich espresso that only a caffettiera can make. While it is a fast read, I tried to slow it down, luxuriating in living that life.
All that said, I was disappointed in the ending….While it raises an interesting question, I felt it was rushed and left things unresolved. I think I could have enjoyed this book just as a travelogue and family saga without the unsettling and unsettled endings
*****
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