Devils Way - Robert Bryndza

 Devil’s Way - Robert  Bryndza

Release Date: January 12, 2023

She read

This is the fourth in the Kate Marshall private detective series; it is the second I have read. 

In 2007,  three year old  Charlie went missing from a campsite.  He had been sleeping in his grandmother’s tent, while his parents were in a tent nearby.  Eleven years later, after a chance meeting, the grandmother hires Kate and her partner Tristan to find out what happened to the boy.  Did he really drown in the river as the police supposed?  The discovery that a social worker who had investigated the family was murdered after Charlie’s disappearance nags at Kate.

Bryndza writes fast moving, quick reading, entertaining police/detective procedurals and Devil’s Way is no exception. Although the resolution to this case was not a big surprise, I couldn’t put the book down.  As in prior novels, Bryndza creates a good sense of place; I could picture the fast moving river, the boggy terrain,  the “ear” tree. 

Kate is a bright, capable, strong, but vulnerable female character despite her earlier difficulties in life.  Tristan, her once research assistant, is growing into being a valuable partner.  I enjoy these characters.

Although this is part of a series, I think it can work well as a standalone. This series along with Bryndza’s Erika Foster stories are both on my “don’t miss” list.

Thanks to #netgalley and #ravenstreepublishing for the arc

****

The Things We Do to Our Friends - Heather Darwent

 The Things We Do to Our Friends - Heather Darwent

She read

Release Date: January 10, 2023

Clare has had a difficult childhood and is harboring a deep secret, but now she is set to reinvent herself as she starts college in Edinburgh.  Working in a local pub, she becomes fascinated with some other students she meets there who, in her view,  seem to have it all.  Desperate to be accepted, she clings to them, even going along with an unsavory “project” they propose.  To what extents will she go to be part of the group?

This debut novel is dark, touching upon obsession, toxic dependency, the effects of poor parenting, and what I would view as mental illness. The language is evocative, especially when describing scenes such as Edinburg in January. It is well plotted, but I just didn’t take to any of the unlikable characters or their stories.  I read the book quickly just to get through it. By the end, I felt like, “so what?

***

All the Dark Places - Terri Parlato

 All The Dark Places - Terri Parlato

Release Date: December 27, 2022

She read.

Following a birthday party with close friends in attendance, Jay, a psychologist, is found murdered.  His wife, Molly,  is distraught; he was her rock.  Was it a patient or someone close to him?  The police find a secret he was hiding, but his wife is hiding one also, and perhaps some of the friends?  When the death of a missing girl ties into the investigation, led by Boston detective Rita Myers, the mystery deepens.

Fast paced and engrossing, the story is told from alternating points of view, Molly’s and Rita’s. I thought the book started off a little shallow.  But, as it progressed, so did the depth of the story  With a solid, credible plot and well developed characters, this is a good read for mystery/police procedural lovers.  Kudos for a debut novel. Here’s hoping it may be the beginning of a series featuring Rita. 

Thanks to #Netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for the ARC

****

Brotherless Night - V.V. Ganeshananthan

 Brotherless Night - V.V. Ganeshananthan

He and she read

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Brotherless Night tells the story of Sashi, a medical student, and her family, including four brothers, who are caught up in the unrest, violence, and ultimately, war in Sri Lanka in the 1980s.  They are Tamil in a majority Sinhalese country. Sashi adores her brothers, three of whom become involved with  the organization working for Tamil independence.  

This book was a bit out of my typical comfort zone, but it is good to mix it up once in a while.  A fictional account that reads like a memoir,  It is a tough story because so much of what occurs is not fiction.  It really happened and continues to happen all over the world as in so many cases the revolutionaries fighting for independence turn out to be as dangerous as the oppressors as does the outside forces that intervene.

This account of man’s injustices to his fellow man is beautifully written and engrossing. The author writes of unimaginable atrocities with sensitivity and pathos. Despite the wrenching honesty of the novel, the strength of those who survive is powerful and somehow uplifting. 

It is an important book and should be read. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhouse for the ARC

He  liked it also

*****

Better the Blood - Michael Bennett

Better the Blood - Michael Bennett

She read

Release Date: January 10, 2023

 Hana is caught between the blue world of being a police detective and the brown world of her Maori culture. When a body is found followed by a second one, could New Zealand have its first serial killer?  As the bodies count increases and the investigation unfolds, there is an indication that there is a tie between the murders and an historic execution and Hana, her daughter and estranged husband may be in danger.

Over and above an engrossing, well written mystery with strong character development, this is an important story about how NZ (and most other countries) have treated and continue to treat their indigenous peoples. The reader is introduced to Maori customs and language, with well appreciated footnoted translations.

Thanks to #Netgallley and #groveatlantic for the ARC.

****

Their Burning Graves - Helen Phifer

 Their Burning Graves - Helen Phifer

She Read

Release Date: December 19, 2022

A house is on fire in an upscale neighborhood; inside it is the scene of the gruesome murder of three members of a family.  Detective Constable Morgan Brooks and her team are on the case. While they investigate, the perpetrator has already picked out their next target. 

The Morgan Brooks series was recommended to me by a fellow bookstagrammer; it is the first of the eight that I have read.  It was a fast, engrossing read; the kind of mystery I typically like.  While I enjoyed it, I don’t think it completely worked as a standalone. Regarding the members of the team and their past history, I felt as though I was coming in in the middle of a story and would have liked a brief summary to catch up. Some series authors are very careful to help new readers catch up; that did not occur in this book.  I also felt that there were some questions left unanswered about the case.  Despite these concerns, it was a decent read and I will certainly seek out number nine when it is available  

****

The Body Falls - Andrea Carter

 The Body Falls - Andrea Carter

She read

After police sergeant Tom Molloy proposed to her, solicitor Benedicta (Ben) O’Keefe spent six months working in Florida.  She returns to her practice in Glendara, Inishowen just as rains of Biblical proportions cause flooding, bridge collapses, and the immediate isolation of the small town.  It traps members of a cycle group who were staying at the local B & B awaiting the start of a charity race.   When the dead body of the race’s organizer falls from on high onto the local vet’s car, it is up to the two man Garda department to investigate. Of course, Ben, can’t keep her nose out of the investigation and soon many secrets are revealed.  

It was entertaining getting to know the townspeople in Ben’s life as well as the temporary visitors with all their entangled relationships.  The setting was quite atmospheric, especially the descriptions of the flooding waters.  Lots of tea drinking and pub visiting in between the investigating. But the fireplace in the pub certainly warmed up the chilly, wet days and nights. The story was fast paced, engrossing, with great character development.  

This is the fifth in a series that was recommended to me by a fellow bookstagrammer.  It is the first one I have read but felt it did fine as a standalone. I think you could categorize this as a cozy mystery and have seen comparisons of Ben with Miss Marple, although she is much younger. The ending clearly leaves open a storyline for the next installment of the series. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #oceanviewpub for the ARC.

****

The House in the Pines - Ana Reyes

 The House in the Pines - Ana Reyes

She read

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Maya is in trouble. Unbeknownst to her boyfriend, she is going cold turkey off of Klonopin.  She can’t sleep and is using alcohol to try to help.   Her use of the medication dates back to treatment she received after high school when her best friend died in front of her and she swore that her boyfriend at the time, Frank, had something to do with it. Her memories of Frank and her experiences with him haunt her.  When she sees a video on social media showing another young woman dying in Frank’s presence, her paranoia and anxiety are ignited all over again.  She must return to her childhood home to investigate. 

This psychological thriller is told in dual timelines.  It is a debut novel with a unique plot. I have to admit I struggled in the beginning to get through it, but by the end I was totally engaged with the story.  You may buy the resolution or not, but it certainly was intriguing.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #Penguingroup #duttonbooks for the ARC

****

Blaze Me a Sun - Christoffer Carlsson

 Blaze Me a Sun - Christoffer Carlsson

She read

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Police officer Sven Jörgensson discovers the first victim of a serial killer in a small Swedish village on the same night that Prime Minister Palme is assassinated.  Through the years, he becomes obsessed with solving the case.  Years later, after Sven’s death, an author re investigates with very surprising findings. 

This Nordic noir novel is the American debut of a prize winning Swedish author who is also a criminologist.  As is often seen in this genre, Sven is a tortured protagonist. 

Told in various timelines, this slow burn story is so much more than just the exploration of crime.  It explores the nature of obsession,  guilt, motivation, familial relationships, the dark side of life.  It was well written and engrossing with great character development.

I do have to say that I guessed the perpetrator early on, but that in no way took away from my enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhouse #hogarthbooks for the ARC.

*****

The Innocent Wife - Lisa Regan

 The Innocent Wife - Lisa Regan

She read

Release Date: December 12, 2022

Another enthralling Detective Jose Quinn mystery.  This is the sixteenth in the series, and as I said after the fifteenth, they just keep getting better.

Claudia and Beau Collins are a popular local TV couple in Denton, PA. whose show is all about marital relations.  When Claudia is found murdered the night of their fifteenth wedding anniversary party (which, of course, they were going to film), the scene is set for more murder, secrets, lies, and game playing,  all to be investigated by Denton’s Josie Quinn and her team.  

I really like the Josie Quinn series and typically stay up late to finish each one I read because I can’t put them down! Josie has had a difficult life but she is a strong, competent  female protagonist who remains caring and upbeat despite the adversities she has experienced.  She is surrounded by a supportive team including her husband Lt. Noah Fraley and other repeating characters. 

 If you like well written, character driven, fast paced police procedurals/thrillers, and are not familiar with author Lisa Regan, I recommend this series.   I can’t wait for the next one!

The Innocent Wife can work as a standalone, but I encourage those new to this series to go back and read some of the prior ones. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC. 

*****

The Blackhouse - Carol Johnstone

 The Blackhouse - Carol Johnstone

Release Date: Jan. 3, 2023

She read

As a young child, Maggie MacKay declared she was Andrew MacNeil and had been murdered in a small village in the Hebrides.  Her mother, along with a documentary filmmaker, visited there when she was five to investigate, to no avail.  Twenty five years later, she returns to the village to try to find out just who Andrew was and what happened to him.  Here, she finds friendship, antagonism, love, and danger.  The story is told in two POVs with two timelines.

Extremely atmospheric, Johnstone portrays the beauty and the isolation of the Hebrides, as well as the violence of the storms and sea. I know I am going to be in a minority here, but, despite it being well written, I just couldn’t engage with this book. Reading it for me was tedious.  I frequently found myself skimming through, and not because I was anxious to find out what happened.  There were moments of great wisdom expressed that made me pause and say “this is really good.”  Unfortunately, those moments were overwhelmed by tedium.  Gothic, haunting, touching on the supernatural, there were some important issues and information here, but sometimes there was just too much.

Thanks to #netgalley and #scribner for the ARC

***

The Villa - Rachel Hawkins

 The Villa - Rachel Hawkins

She read

The Villa - Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: Jan. 3, 2023

Chess and Emily have been friends since childhood. Chess is a richly successful writer of self help books.  Emily is the moderately successful author of cosy mysteries, but her life is a bit upside down as she is getting divorced from a vengeful husband and has suffered from a mysterious illness.  When Chess invites her to spend the summer in a villa in Orvieto, Italy, she accepts despite some tension in their friendship.  Emily discovers that in the 1970s, the villa was the scene of a gruesome murder involving drugs, sex, rock and roll and a writer.  A parallel storyline tells of that fatal summer.

As noted, there are two time/storylines here plus a book within a book and snippets from other fictional nonfiction books, a podcast, and a blog.  All of that could be confusing, but they are clearly demarcated. There is an acknowledgment by the publisher that  the setting/theme pays tribute to the events surrounding Mary Shelley’s penning of  Frankenstein.  

Much of the story, except for one big twist, was very predictable and I enjoyed the contemporary story more than the past one. Yet, I thought it a creative, engrossing read. I would characterize this story more as women’s fiction than a mystery or thriller.  I’m sure it will be another best seller.

Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the ARC

Queens of the Age of Chivalry - Allison Weir

 Queens of the Age of Chivalry -  Allison Weir

She read

Release Date: Dec. 6, 2022

The final book in a trilogy,  it is the only one that I have read. The author was recommended to me by a fellow Bookstagrammer.  

This book recounts the stories of  five queen consorts of Plantagenet period, during the age of chivalry in the fourteenth century . They are Marguerite of France, wife of Edward I, Isabella of France (Edward II), Philippa of Hainault (Edward III), Anne of Bohemia, first wife of Richard II,  and his second wife, Isabella of Valois

In this meticulously researched tome we learn not only of these five women, but also quite a bit about their royal spouses. and the importance of these unions.   

Although there is a lot of information, no stuffy nonfiction chronicle is this.  Rather it reads more like  a novel. I really liked that when Weir cited money, she gave the equivalent in today’s  price; this provided a meaningful perspective on the costs. 

If you are interested in English royal history, particularly medieval, this will be a very satisfying read.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhouse #Ballantine books for the ARC

*****

In the Shadow of a Queen - Heather B. Moore

 In The Shadow of a Queen - Heather B. Moore

She read

In this book, the reader is introduced to the life of Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, during her teens and early twenties. The early death of her father, the beloved Prince Albert, and the perpetual mourning of her mother had a lasting influence on her upbringing.  As she grows into womanhood and marries, this look at her life explores the mores of the time, the machinations involved in selecting a suitable match for a royal princess, and the stalwartness yet repressed mindset of the queen. Louise had a mind of her own pursuing sculpting and embracing women’s rights and charitable causes, yet her early life was tightly controlled by her mother.  

This is an engrossing, pleasant read. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction based a a real person’s life, as I am always skeptical as to how much is fact and how much is fiction.  However, this work is well researched and documented.  While certainly the dialog is imagined, it embellishes authenticated events and observations.  

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m glad I took the time to read it.

Thanks to #netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for the ARC

****

In the Time of Our History - Susanne Pari

 In the Time of Our History - Susanne Pari

Release Date: Jan. 3, 2023

He and she read

Influenced by the author’s family’s experiences following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, this story takes place among a community of Iranian immigrants in 1990s New Jersey.  In a culture and generation where traditional gender roles are set in stone and women are subjugated to men, Mitra, because of a  decision she made, is cut off by her father and living in California.  When she returns for the one year anniversary of the tragic death of her sister, niece, and nephew, secrets are revealed and life altering events are set in place.

The author has a beautiful way with words as she weaves this tale of the immigrant experience.  There is joy, sadness, tension, anger, growth, and evolution.  A touching, poignant read specific to an Iranian American family; I think most of us can find something with which to relate in this realistic portrait of a family grappling with cultural and generational differences.   And don’t be surprised if you have a hankering for an expertly brewed cup of tea while reading.

A five star read that I think would be a good addition to any book club’s reading list.

Thanks to #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for the ARC

*****

The Widowmaker - Hannah Morrissey

 The Widowmaker - Hannah Morrissey

She read

Release Date: Dec. 6, 2022

A damaged young woman is hired by a wealthy family to photograph their Christmas celebration and they seem to take an inordinate interest in her. A somewhat unorthodox policeman is handed a cold case involving this family when all he wants to do is solve the murder of his former partner. All of them are harboring secrets.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book.  It was an engrossing, fast paced read. Told from two POVs with a bit of a complex plot, many elements were a little too unbelievable for me.  This is the second book I have read in the last month involving very wealthy families behaving badly; I thought both were a bit over the top.  

If you enjoy a dark mystery/thriller and are willing to put aside disbelief, this may be a good choice.  

Trigger warning: childhood sexual abuse. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC.

***

Foster - Claire Keegan

 Foster - Claire Keegan

She read

I read Keegan’s novella Small Things Like These and thought it a very worthwhile read so I was very happy to see this offering on NetGalley.  It was the winner of the Davy Byrnes Memorial Prize.

This very short novella finds a young girl sent to live with a relative in rural Ireland while her mother gives birth to yet another child.  Her family is poor and she has not received a lot of care or attention.Nervous about this new living situation and not knowing what to expect or when she can return home, she finds nurturing, caring adults taking care of her.  She learns a secret about this couple that explains some things.  When she has to return to her family, 

This is a sweet, yet heartbreaking story.  Beautifully written, you will find yourself warming to this waif of a child and the couple who foster her. Keegan paints a vivid picture of rural farming as well as the nearby coast.  The affecting, bittersweet ending will stay with you for a while.  

Thanks to #netgalley and #groveatlantic for the ARC.

*****

The Light Pirate - Lily Brooks-Dalton

 The Light Pirate - Lily Brooks-Dalton

Release date: Dec. 6, 2022

She read

Born during a hurricane that took her mother and step brother and named for it, Wanda, over her lifetime, is witness to the climatic obliteration of the state of Florida, while step brother Lucas sees the destruction on the west and east coast of the United States. Told in four parts, harnessing the elements of power, water, light, and time, the loss of the world as we know it is chronicled in Wanda’s story. 

I typically do not choose futuristic dystopian novels. This one, however,  intrigued me.  I live on an island in south Florida.  I have seen what was once a popular beach filled with lounge chairs and cabanas become a sodden mud hole, flooded during high tides. And, we are still reeling down here from the massive destruction of hurricane Ian.

Beautifully written and exquisitely detailed, Brooks-Dalton presents a futuristic horror that is all too real.  The beauty and the violence that is both Florida and nature is a repeated theme. Feel the intolerable heat; experience the ever present and rising water. As the novel focused on the survival of those few who chose to stay, it slowed a bit, but was still a fascinating read.  This is a book that will stay with you for a long time. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #grandcentralpublishing for the ARC.

*****

Two additional comments: 1. This is a futuristic horror that is all too real but what can we expect when we have had a governor who forbade his staff from using the words “climate change” and Floridians rewarded him by sending him onto the Senate? You reap what you sow . 2. Wanda seems to have a magical power involving light. I’m not a fan of magical powers in a novel, but  pay attention to Phyllis’ explanation of this as it relates to bacteria in the water….an all too real effect of the storms down here.  

The Forever Witness - Edward Humes

The Forever Witness - Edward Humes

She read

Publication Date: November 29, 2022

 This is a true account of how a 1987 cold case involving the murder of two young Canadians on a road trip in the state of Washington was solved thirty years later by a dogged detective with the assistance of DNA and genetic genealogy.

Humes details the trip the two victims made, the search for them, and the years long investigation.  He reports on the limited capabilities of forensics in the 1980s and 90s, along with the progression of advances in the analysis of DNA.  Insight is given into how a cold case detective works in identifying suspects.  While focusing primarily on this case, there is exploration into additional cases using forensic genealogy. 

A well written, engrossing, fast read,  Humes writes with humanity in talking about the young couple and their families. Some might find the book over detailed when describing the victims, the trial, the forensic science; I did not. He explains the science and controversy behind DNA matching in criminal investigations in an easily understandable manner.  

I enjoyed Humes mention of the queen of true crime novels, Ann Rule.  I have always enjoyed her books and found this one to be similar. Fans of true crime podcasts and shows such as Dateline will particularly enjoy this book.

*****

Thanks to #netgalley and #Dutton for the ARC

Murder at Black Oaks - Phillip Margolin

 Murder at Black Oaks - Phillip Margolin

She read

Release Date: Nov. 8, 2022

This is the sixth in the attorney Robin Lockwood series.  It is the third I have read. It would work well as a standalone. 

In 1990, district attorney Francis Melville successfully prosecutes Jose Alvarez for a murder and Alvarez is sentenced to death. A few years later, as the result of a privileged attorney-client communique, Melville learns who the real  killer is.  After the death of the guilty party, Melville asks Portland Oregon’s Robin Lockwood to help exonerate Alvarez.  All meetings with Melville take place at his desolate home, Black Oaks.  A replica of a 17th century English estate, it comes with a long sordid history and a curse. 

I have always liked Margolin’s books, and this one is no exception although it is somewhat different in that it includes a bit of spookiness and monsters.  As I read it, I  was reminded of  Agatha Christie’s stories.  Margolin acknowledged that attribution when a character said that they felt they were in an Agatha Christie novel. There were also mentions of werewolves and a hint of Frankenstein!  What fun!  

This was a quick, enjoyable read.  There are parallel stories to the main plot, something that seems to be a feature of the Lockwood series.  The one point that bothered me, though, was that I thought there was a flawed premise behind the unveiling of the motive of a killer in one of the side stories.  I don’t want to say any more about that lest I reveal a spoiler. 

Note:This was an ARC.  In some descriptions of the book, Melville has a different name (Hardy).

Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks  for the ARC



****

The Family Game - Catherine Steadman

 The Family Game - Catherine Steadman

She read

Harriet, who has just published a wildly successful novel, has emigrated to the United States to be with the love of her life, Edward. Edward comes from a very wealthy “old money” family from whom he has been estranged. The family hopes that Harriet will bring Edward back into the fold. But, they are a family who likes dangerous games, starting with a tape that the patriarch gives her.  Will Harriet succeed at the games and will her long held secret remain just that….secret? 

A lot of readers really liked this book.  I liked the atmospheric writing and enjoyed that it was a quick, engrossing read.  However, I thought the storyline a bit much.  There is a saying “the rich are different”.  Are they really THAT different?  As the action spirals downward to the ending, which was not a surprise, I felt the entire story deteriorated.  And don’t get me started on Harriet’s careless treatment of the tape.

I have to point out that I am a reader who does not like to suspend belief when I read.  Those who are comfortable doing this will probably like the book much more than I did. I have enjoyed Steadman’s books in the past and will certainly seek out her next one.

Thanks to #netgalley and #ballentinebooks for the ARC.

***

The Last Chairlift - John Irving

The Last Chairlift - John Irving

He and she read

 Spanning 80 years, this is the memoir of Adam, a writer and his eccentric extended family.  He had an unusual childhood and throughout his life is surrounded by some vivid characters.   I can’t possibly summarize this sprawling book in a brief review.

There is humor and horror.  It is disturbing; it is  poignant; it is infuriating. Fans of Irving will recognize some of his favorite settings and themes. As Adam’s life unfolds, Irving chronicles political and cultural events of the times. 

The book is very long…more than 900 pages and there is a lot of repetition. Part of it is written as a screenplay. Initially, I read all day and hadn’t even made a dent in the story.  I felt as though it were a chore to get through it until I changed my tactic.  I spent a set allotment each day to take my time to read just a few chapters while also reading other faster paced books at other times during the day. That way I was able to savor the writing rather than being frustrated by seeming to be going nowhere.

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonandSchuster for the ARC.

****

A Heart Full of Headstones - Ian Rankin

A Heart Full of Headstones - Ian Rankin

She read

 This is #24 in the Inspector John Rebus series; it is the second one I have read, having only recently discovered  Ian Rankin’s Tartan noir works. Scotland is just coming out of Covid lockdown and the retired, ill Rebus is in jail on charges of murder.  How did he get here and is this end of him? The actions leading up to this arrest expose the underbelly of the Edinburgh crime scene as well as police corruption.

Well written and fast moving, the plot is a bit complex and there are a lot of characters.  It took a while for me to get them straight in my mind.   I think it would have helped in understanding some of them had I read more than just one prior novel in the series.  

Fans of Rankin’s John Rebus will enjoy this latest installment. For those just being introduced to it, you might want to go back and read some of the prior novels.  

Thanks to @netgalley and @Littlebrown for the arc

****

Cradles of the Reich - Jennifer Coburn

 Cradles of the Reich - Jennifer Coburn

She read

The Lebensborn Society in Nazi Germany was established as part of their eugenics program to increase the population of “racially pure” Aryan babies. Cradles of the Reich tells the story of one of their maternity homes through the eyes of three fictional women. The pregnant Gundi is the prototype for Aryan beauty…attractive, blond, blue eyed…but she harbors a secret. Hilde strives to be the perfect Nazi loyalist all the while promoting her own self interests.  Irma, older and childless, is a nurse at the home.

Many of the horrors of life in the Reich are here.  The children’s books that taught hatred of the Jews.  The destruction of Kristallnacht followed by fines placed upon Jews for “causing” it.  The kidnapping of babies.  The euthanasia program for children with disabilities. The work camps. With all this occurring, pure Aryan women were being taught how to manage the home, raise their children, and tend to their husbands.  

This is a fast, engrossing read.  The ending is a bit abrupt.  I would have liked to have known the rest of the stories of these three women. I really would have liked an epilogue.  Perhaps there will be a sequel?

Do read the author’s notes at the end discussing the historical research and accuracy of the book.

There are a lot of World War II era historical fiction stories; I like to find those with varying  foci.  What they all have in common, though, is that I see them as warnings for our time.  We need to never forget man’s inhumanity to man and atrocities committed in the name of hate. We need to be sensitive to the dangers of cult like figures, hatred, and how easy it is for the unthinkable to become reality or a nation to be led astray.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #sourcebooksLandmark for the ARC.

****

The Furies - John Connolly

 The Furies - John Connolly

She Read

Although this is the twentieth in the Charlie Parker series, I think it is the first one I have read.  It is comprised of two novellas. In the first, The Sisters Strange, Charlie is called upon by someone concerned about the welfare of two sisters from someone in their past who is back now, having stolen some ancient coins. The Furies sees Charlie working two cases, both involving protection of women in trouble.    

Well written and more literate than some novels in this genre, I liked the main character, especially his sense of justice and understanding of the world.  Both stories incorporate a bit of the supernatural, something I just learned is typical of Connolly’s books.  

I just couldn’t engage with the first story, the longer of the two.   It was well told, but kind of meh.   I enjoyed the second one more. Fans of this series will probably enjoy The Furies, but I’m not sure it will attract many new aficionados.  

Thanks to @Netgalley and @Atriabooks for the ARC.

****

The Maze - Nelson DeMille

 The Maze - Nelson DeMille

She read

Publication Date: Oct. 11, 2022

This is the eighth in the John Corey series.  Since Nelson DeMille is such a popular, best selling author and I hadn’t read any of his books since Plum Island, the first John Corey installment, I wanted to read The Maze. 

John Corey is retired from the NYPD due to being wounded in action and has worked for several federal agencies since.  Now relaxing at his uncle’s house on the north shore of Long Island, he is approached by a former girlfriend and the local chief of police, a longtime friend, and encouraged to take a job with a private investigation firm.  He wants no part of the job, but realizes there must be something more to this request and takes the position on a temporary basis to investigate just what is going on.  Is this agency tied to the deaths of at least nine prostitutes in the area?  And just what are some of the local police and politicians doing attending lewd “Thirsty Thursday” events at the agency? 

I was really put off by the main character.  Told from a first person POV, John does have a very funny, sarcastic sense of humor, but his misogynist, adolescent behavior and remarks made him insufferable. Oh, and he thinks he is the gods gift to women.  The story dragged.  It took to almost the halfway point for the plot to be revealed and nearly to the end for anything to really occur.  A lot of time was spent with endless talk about what he was going to do and only in the last chapter did the reader see some action, albeit a bit unrealistic. There really wasn’t much of a mystery and it wasn’t fully resolved.  

***

Dawnlands - Philippa Gregory

 Dawnlands - Philippa Gregory

He read

Release Date: Nov 8, 2022

The third in the epic Fairmile series, this continues the story of herbalist Alinor Reekie and three generations of her family, while paralleling the narrative of the fall of the Stuarts. 

It is the 1860s, James II is king and the country seems ripe for another civil war. Ned Ferryman returns from America with his companion, Rowan, a Pokanoket slave,  to fight for freedom. The devious Livia is back in the story as a confidante of the queen while pursuing her own best interest. Alinor’s son, Rob, gets caught up in the drama as he seeks to help Ned avoid execution and Rowan avert deportation to Barbados. 

There are different storylines, told from various POVS of royals, tradesmen and slaves.

The reader is provided insight into not only the history of England during that period,

but also the horrors of slavery and the sugar plantation economy in Barbados.

Well written, readable,  parts were a bit fantastical. For history lovers, more in depth focus on  historical events would have been appreciated.  As in Tidelands, there is another abrupt ending to this book, with questions left unanswered.  Another sequel?  

Thanks to @netgalley and #atriabooks for the ARC. 

****

A Song of Comfortable Chairs - Alexander McCall Smith

 A Song of Comfortable Chairs - Alexander McCall Smith

She read

This is the twenty third in the simple but charming No. 1 Ladies Detective series.  All the familiar characters are here.  Instead of being hired by a client to investigate a case, Mma Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi set out to solve two problems close to home.  Grace’s old friend’s son is sabotaging her relationship with a good man.  Grace’s husband is worried about losing his furniture business because there is a new player in town undercutting his prices.  

The two ladies put their heads together and come up with clever and successful solutions to both issues.  All the familiar characters are here lending audience and support to the good hearted ladies.  And, yes, the talking shoes do make a cameo appearance!

A fast read, this is another feel good addition to the series.  Nothing too sinister or evil.

Just a nice afternoon or evening read while curled up with a pot of tea.  Fans of McCall Smith’s gentle prose and perceptive musings will welcome this latest endeavor.

*****'

1989 - Val McDermid

 1989 - Val McDermid

Release Date: Oct. 11, 2022

When last the reader saw Allie Burns, in the first book of this series, it was 1979 and she was a fledgling reporter chasing her first big scoop.  Ten years later, she is a decent journalist stuck working for the tabloid Sunday Globe. She has settled in to a loving relationship with Rona and is now living in Manchester.  Her boss is the disreputable Ace Lockhart, in a race with Rupert Murdock to see how low journalism can sink.   There are a few storylines here that center around these main characters along with Lockhart’s daughter, the very spoiled Genevieve.  

The book is quite atmospheric in giving a good sense of the time, highlighting some of the historical events.  It was a fun trip down memory lane for those of us who do remember the first “mobile” phones being the size of a car battery with a handset on top!  I recall using one of those!

1989 was a time of tragedies as well including the Lockerbie explosion and the poor treatment of HIV/AIDs patients due to ignorance, fear, and discrimination.  But it was also a time of hope as Glasnost seemed to be the harbinger of the break down of the Iron Curtain.  The book was at its most compelling near the end as a murder occurs and Allie tries to track down the truth about both the victim and the killer.

Thanks to @netgalley and #groveatlantic for the arc.

****

Many are Invited - Dennis Cuesta

 Many are Invited - Dennis Cuesta

She read

Publication Date: Oct. 6, 2022

As the book opens, something tragic had occurred at a housewarming party  (the reader doesn’t know what yet) and the story backtracks to reveal the events leading to it. It is 1999 and Steve and John work to resolve issues related to the Y2K “bug”.  Personal and professional jealousies are a recipe for disaster.  

This is a very fast read, but it just didn’t resonate with me.  It was interesting learning about startups, dot com billionaires, and all the furor about Y2K.  But the personal stories didn’t particularly appeal.  

I didn’t find anything appealing about any of the characters and I wasn’t sure what the point was.  

Thanks to @netgalley and #celestialeyespress for the ARC.

***

The Winners - Fredrik Bachman

 The Winners - Fredrik Backman

Release Date: September 27, 2022

This is the third in the Beartown trilogy about the lives of residents in two rival communities where hockey rules.  Although I hadn’t read the first two, I did not feel at a disadvantage reading The Winners.

Beautifully written, it explores the connections among people within a community, traversing the full range of human emotions and behaviors. 

A long book, the writing style and thought provoking prose do not allow for a fast read.  That is not a negative. The reader will want to ponder many of the ideas expressed in this deeply affecting tome.  It is a story that will stay with me for quite a while. 

 A five star read. 

Thanks to #Netgalley and #Atriabooks for the ARC. 

*****

Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

 Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Release Date: October 4, 2022

He and she read

Single mother Olivia, a beekeeper, lives with her son, Asher, handsome athletic hero of the  high school hockey team. When single mother, Ava, who works for the Parks Department, moves to town with her daughter Lily, the two offspring quickly fall for each other.  Lily is found dead and Asher is soon charged with murder.  Olivia steadfastly supports her son, but comes to wonder if perhaps he has some of the same traits as his abusive father, from whom she escaped.  

The co-writers tell the story from two points of view, Lily’s and Olivias, and two different times frames, before and after.  

As with many of Picoult’s novels, this touches on some very important topics including gender identity, domestic abuse, the vulnerability of women, suicide.   It is poignant, sensitive and enlightening. There are meaningful discussions of bigotry, all the ways people can be horrible to each other, and how people often hate what they can’t or refuse to understand.  

As always, Picoult’s research is thorough and readers learn some interesting and diverse info. This time, the topic is beekeeping and the many benefits of honey.  

I found the first half of the book to be a bit of a drag.  The second half kept me fully engrossed and unable to put it down. My only problem with the book was how convenient it was for Olivia to have a recently retired brother who had been a successful criminal attorney and was available to handle Asher’s case 24/7.  Most people don’t have that advantage.

Make sure you read the authors’ notes at the end.

If only the authors could perform magic and transform some the haters out there…..

Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse @ballantinebooks for the arc.

*****

Next in Line - Jeffrey Archer

 Next in Line - Jeffrey Archer 

She read

Release date: September 27, 2022

This is the fifth in the William Warwick series.  It is the third I have read.  Some are better than others and I thought this one of the better ones.

Taking place in 1988, there are a couple of plot lines with related characters, all revolving around Scotland Yard’s DCI Warwick.  His wife, Beth, works for the Fitzmolean.  One line finds Warwick and his team investigating possible misdeeds wtihin the Royalty Protection Command, assisted by DI Hogan, working undercover as Princess Diana’s body guard. The second is a continuation of a story involving a career criminal, his angry former wife, art thievery and a crooked lawyer; lots of opportunities for double crossing. And there is a related scheme about terrorists. 

This is a fast, entertaining, engrossing read.  Most of the characters  have a certain charm, even some of the crooks!   While there are different stories woven throughout, I never felt confused or lost.  

Reading  number four in the series prior to this one gives a lot of background for Next in Line, better helping to understand some of the action.  However, I think it can work as standalone.  I am looking forward to the next Warwick novel.

Thanks to #netgalley and @harpercollins360 for the ARC.

****

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy - Susan Elia MacNeal

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy - Susan Elia MacNeal

She read

Release date: Sept. 20, 2022

 Based on true events and true people, this historical fiction tells the story of a mother and daughter transported from Brooklyn to California who become spies in  the American Nazi movement in 1940.  Veronica is a would be journalist who infiltrates the American Bund; Vi a housewife who attaches herself to the America First Committee.  The book chronicles the many seditious plots of the Nazi sympathizers in Southern California and the women’s role in foiling some of them. 

The writing is a bit simplistic, but it tells an important story.  MacNeal’s rich descriptions of locations and fashions vividly evoke a by gone era. This was an engrossing read; I stayed up late to finish it because I couldn’t put it down.  

There is so much here that parallels our present time. That the FBI initially was more concerned about  Communists than Nazis really resonated with me.  It seems so often now we hear politicians calling groups “communists” or “socialists” to scare people, but they do not call out the neo Nazis or white nationalists.

Veronica and Vi are shocked by a group of Americans plotting treason against their own government; the group’s plan is to take it over if Roosevelt is elected and make the US a Christian nation. They want to relegate women to a position where their entire world is husband, family, children, home.  After what we have seen in this country in the last six years, it is not so much shocking as part of our newsfeeds. 

In the past few years, I have read quite a few novels that center around the rise of Nazi Germany.  I think it is no coincidence that so many have been written and look at them as cautionary tales for our time.  Especially when we now see Nationalism as a term used to camouflage anti democracy movements with hate and prejudice as their base.  As one of the characters says, we must “stop the spread of lies that feed their fears.“

As incredulous as some of the heinous activities of the fifth column in this book might seem, reading the author’s notes validates their authenticity.  

*****

Tidelands - Philippa Gregory

 Tidelands - Philippa Gregory

He read

This is the first in the Fairmile series.  Unfortunately, it was read out of sequence, having read the second one (Dark Tides) first.  This book gave background to the second. It takes place in the Tidelands during the English Civil War.

We are introduced to Alinor (Goody Reekie), whose husband is lost at sea.  She is devoted to her two children and lives a hard life as an herbalist and midwife.  Oblivious to what is unfolding in London between the Royalists and Parliamentarians,  her encounter with a young priest whom she helps find safety through the Tidelands has consequences for the family. 

Gregory’s historical perspectives are always enjoyable.  The novel was slow developing and the abrupt ending left a lot questions unanswered for the reader. As a standalone, one might find it a bit unsatisfying.  

***

Blowback - James Patterson; Brendon DuBois

 Blowback:A Thriller - James Patterson; Brendan DuBois

Release Date: Sept. 12, 2022

Just imagine…a psychopath is elected President of the United States.  Yeah, just imagine………Been there, done that, and this is not the book about it. 

I’d sort of abandoned reading Patterson a few years ago. As his books became more prolific, it seemed the writing got lighter and lighter. But, I couldn’t resist the description of this one.

The President of the United States, Keegan Barrett,  has become unhinged.  He has a kill list of enemies of the United States and sets up a back channel network to destroy them and bring the country on the verge of a world war.  It is up to some CIA agents and the new director of the agency to try to stop him.  And, by the way, the Vice President is in a comatose state due to poisoning and the majority leader is under fire due to a made up scandal,   

This is a cautionary tale about what could happen when a narcissistic paranoid sociopath focused on destroying his perceived enemies is placed in a position of power.  Keegan believes divine providence made him the president; he operates like he owns the country.  Sound familiar?  However, Keegan eats egg white omelets for dinner and “stays off Twitter and doesn’t claim to be a stable genius.” He works to obliterate foreign enemies rather than enabling them.  

A little fantastical?  Maybe not…….

Thanks to #netgalley and @LittleBrown for the ARC

****

Catch Her Death - Wendy Dranfield

 Catch Her Death - Wendy Dranfield

Release date: TODAY!  Sept. 9, 2022

I read this as a recommendation from a fellow bookstagrammer. It is the fifth in the Detective Madison Harper series; the first one I have read. Although there is a lot of tragedies the histories of the main characters, I think this does work well as a stand alone, although I was left with some unanswered questions about their background. 

The snow is falling, Christmas is neigh, and a woman is found bludgeoned to death in her car in her parking lot; her young son in the backseat is untouched.  After a second similar murder, Lost Creek, Colorado wonders if there is a serial killer afoot. Madison Harper, a detective who had spent years  wrongly incarcerated is on the case, along with her new partner, who seems more a hindrance than a help  Her father, a former fed who chased serial killers in Alaska, has recently reentered her life, as has her son.  Supporting her is good friend and private investigator, Nate, someone also who was also wrongly imprisoned for a period of time.  

This is a suspenseful, engrossing read.  I stayed up late into the night to finish it.  The main characters are damaged individuals striving to do their best. Some of aspects of the story strain credulity, but that didn’t take away from it.  This is not a cozy mystery; there are some gruesome murders here. 

I enjoyed this book.  I don’t think I will go back and read the prior ones, but do look forward to the next one in the series. 

Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC

****

The Old Place - Bobby Finger

 The Old Place - Bobby Finger

Release Date: Sept. 20, 2022

Mary Alice was a teacher in small town Billington, Tx. until she was forced into retirement.  She has a lot in common with her best friend, Ellie.  Both are now single and both lost their only sons; but their personalities are very different.   Mary Alice is NOT happy about her retirement or her life and takes this displeasure out on all those around her, especially the teacher hired to replace her.  When MA’s estranged sister shows up, family secrets unfold, relationships upended.

This is a well written story with a painfully accurate depiction of small town life and familial connections. It is a fast read.  I enjoyed the characterizations and poignant life observations. I have to admit that Bobby Finger was an unknown to me.  He is a podcaster, journalist, pop culture critic and this is his debut novel. The ending was a bit abrupt, but satisfying. As a debut, I give it 5 stars. I think it would make a good choice for a book club.  

Thanks to NetGalley and Penquin Group Putnam for the ARC.

*****

Dark Tides - Philippa Gregory

 Dark Tides - Philippa Gregory

He read

This, the second book in the Fairmile Series,  chronicles an English tradespeople family in the late 1600s as various branches spread out to Venice and the new colonies in America.  There are affairs, trysts, a suspicious death, forgeries, desires, all in an historical context. 

The book is an excellent portrayal of Restoration London among the trades class,  paralleling that with the rise of New England in the colonies.  

The characters are well developed; the story engrossing 

It would be a five star read except for some implausibilities in the Venetian storyline.

****

Suspect - Scott Turow

 Suspect - Scott Turow

Release Date: September 20, 2022

He and She read.

When last I read Scott Turow, legal favorite Sandy Stern was facing his last trial, looking back on his life as he contemplated the ravages of aging. In this novel,  Turow takes readers back to Kindle County and the adventures of Sandy’s granddaughter, Pinky, a unique individual who works as a PI for a local attorney.  The police chief of Highland Isle has been accused of soliciting sex from some of her subordinates in exchange for promotions and Pinky’s boss is defending her.  The investigation into this case unravels a web of corruption involving a former police officer now turned real estate mogul. As a parallel, or maybe related interest, Pinky is obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor and vows to find out his secrets as well. 

As always, Turow is at his best in depicting courtroom and investigative scenes.  They are fast paced and engrossing.  I thought Pinky’s contemplations about her love and social relationships a bit slow and repetitive.  I found myself skimming a bit, something I typically have not done in past Turow novels.   

The plot is interesting, the characters, many of whom are unlikable, richly drawn.  I’m looking forward to more stories featuring Pinky. She is much more capable than the initial introduction to her makes her seem. I started out not liking her very much, but by the end she had endeared herself to me. 

Although this is part of a loose series (The Kindle County Books), it is not at all necessary to have read any of the prior ones.  Although readers who have may enjoy the brief cameo appearances by Sandy Stern.  

Thanks to @netgalley and #grandcentralpublishing for the ARC

****

The Enigma of Room 622 - Joël Dicker

 The Enigma of Room 622-  Joël Dicker

Release Date:  Sept. 13, 2023

Someone was murdered in Room 622 at the Hotel  Verbier; initially we don’t know who.  The crime occurred during a gala weekend sponsored by a bank in Geneva.  The murder remains unsolved. A few years later, a well known author visiting the hotel and a woman he meets there embark on finding out just what happened and soon the reader is immersed in the worlds of Swiss banking, international intrigue, and entangled romantic and familial relationships.

I selected this book because of the setting; I love Switzerland.  I really liked the first half, but soon I thought the plot was all over the place.  The story devolved almost into a farce.  

Acknowledging that this is a translation, the writing was good. There were many twists, some a bit absurd. The narration skips around in time filling in background on the various story lines. I felt that some of those lines and some of the repetition could have been edited out to make it more tightly plotted and livelier paced.

I did like the reveal at  the ending; not the revelation of the killer, but the final ending. That increased the appreciation of the book for me.  

*** 1/2

Thank you to @netgalley and #harpervia for the ARC

Lessons - Ian McEwan

 Lessons - Ian McEwan

Release Date: Sept. 13, 2022

She read

At age 11, Roland Baines is sent from his home to boarding school where his relationship with a piano tutor shapes his entire life. We follow him through the birth of his son, the desertion of his first wife, family relationships and secrets, the deaths of his second wife as well as key family members, and eventually his old age. As his somewhat uninspiring and uneasy life unfolds, McEwan chronicles global political and cultural events and the reader sees how some of them may affect our lives while others occur without touching us. 

The adjective that most comes to mind in thinking about this book (and there is a lot to think about) is sprawling.  It is at times melancholic, disturbing, reflective,  tranquil, hopeful. It also explores the affects of pedophilia on a developing child’s psyche as well as lifelong after effects.

Lessons is a rich, ambitious story; I have only touched upon selected portions in this brief review.  There is so much more that is included: the White Rose movement in Nazi Germany, the literary process and what is needed to be successful, the inevitable aging process. It is the journey of an entire generation. 

Thanks to #netgalley and Knopf Doubleday for the ARC.

****

The Night Watch - Neil Lancaster

 The Night Watch -    Neil Lancaster 

Release Date: September 8, 2022

She read

This is the third of the DS Max Craigie series; it is the second I have read. 

A noted gang enforcer for hire whose case was “not proven”in court is found dead, as his attorney.  A tip to a journalist ties these murders to others and the possibility of the involvement of someone within the police department.   Craigie and his team investigate the department as well as try to find the serial killer.  

Gritty, fast paced, engrossing, this is a solid police procedural, ringing true not only in the actions of the characters but also their camaraderie and their friendly mockery of each other.  For added enjoyment, there are some very colorful Scottish expressions.

Although this further develops the characters introduced in the prior novels, I think it can work well as a standalone.   

Thanks to Netgalley and HQDigital for the arc.

****

Her Final Confession - Lisa Regan

 Her Final Confession - Lisa Regan

I really like the detective Josie Quinn series.  Having recently finished #14 in the sequence, I was excited when I saw this offered on NetGalley,, thinking I had somehow missed the latest book. After reading a few pages, I realized something was out of sync, double checked, and found that this is a reprint in paperback of #4.  No matter,  I had missed the earlier stories, having only discovered Josie Quinn at #6.  

It was a little disarming at first to go back in time especially knowing Josie’s future, but I enjoyed filling in more of her back story, especially the beginning of her relationship with Noah and why she and Gretchen are such good friends and supporters of each other.

Taking place in Central Pennsylvania, this story finds Gretchen, a fellow police detective,  under arrest for the murder of a young man  her front yard.  When she admits she is responsible, Josie refuses to believe her guilt and sets off to prove her innocence. 

If you like well written, fast paced police procedurals/thrillers with good character development, and are not familiar with Lisa Regan, I would recommend her.  I can’t wait for #15.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @grandcentralpub for the ARC.

****

The Marsh Queen - Virginia Hartment

 The Marsh Queen - Virginia Hartman 

Release Date: Sept. 6, 2022

Loni Murrow has escaped her childhood existence in the humid swamp/marshlands of Florida to work as a bird portraitist at The Smithsonian in Washington DC.  She is called back home to attend to her mother who has developed dementia. Her return unlocks secrets about her father who she thought committed suicide when she was twelve years old as well as her arduous relationship with her mother. 

Beautifully written and exquisitely detailed, the mystery is slow to unravel and there are a few different story lines. The descriptions of Loni’s canoe trips along the mangroves in search of a purple gallinule were so vivid, I felt I was there with her seeing the glorious flora and fauna of the area. Her characterizations of some of the locals were equally striking.  I especially liked the man with the “barbecue belly”!

This is not an edge of your seat thriller. Read it not so much for the suspense, but rather for the eloquent depictions that transport you to the unique and primeval marshlands of Florida.

Thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the ARC

****

One Hot Summer - Anita Waller

 One Hot Summer - Anita Waller

She read

Release Date: August 25, 2022

DI Laura Hensall  and  DS Will Peters, who are beginning a personal relationship, are called to the scene of a fire that has killed two local teenagers.  Soon, there are other fires throughout the city as well as a ransom note.  They and their team race to stop the arsonists before there is a major catastrophe. 

This is a solid mystery/police procedural.  The story is well written; it pulled me into it and I spent most of the day reading.  Even though the “who done it” was evident a little more than halfway through the book, I still couldn’t put it down.  The characters are well developed and inspire empathy in the reader.

I’d love to see this become a series.  

Thanks to netgalley and boldwoodbooks for the ARC.

*****