These Impossible Things - Salma El-Wardany

 These Impossible Things - Salma El-Wardany

She read

Publication Date:  June 7, 2022

Malak, Kees, and Jenna have been friends since childhood in the tight knit and nurturing Islamic culture of the UK.  As they embark on their adult lives, a sudden falling out one evening separates them temporarily.  They begin to build lives apart, but, in crisis, are drawn back to one another. 

This was yet another novel that took a while for me to engage with and really appreciate.  Initially, I thought the friends, for their age, to be quite adolescent, or at least their conversation seemed so.  

Beautifully written, the author tackles some very difficult topics. There is so much here…the pull of family and culture, gender roles, abuse, the strength of friendship, and what, to me, has always been the tyranny of religion.   It is an engrossing, rewarding read. There is a technique the author employs that I really like.  As she told the story from each woman’s POV, she also related what was going in other related peoples’ lives at the same time. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing the DRC.

*****

What She Said - D.S. Butler

 

What She Said - D.S. Butler

She read

A woman is abducted; the only witness is a young child known to fantasize.  DS Karen Hart’s belief in the child’s story is validated when a woman is reported missing.  A playing card found at the scene may or may not be a clue and soon a second abduction takes place.  

This is the sixth in the Karen Hart series; it is the third I have read.  I like this main character.  She is likable, capable, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.    The story is fast paced; I didn’t want to put it down and, in fact, read it in one day.  

Fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this well written book,  along with  others in the series.  Although there is mention of events from Karen’s background that are not fully explained, this will work well as a standalone.  I look forward to the next issue in this series for another entertaining read.  

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the DRC. 

*****

The Favor - Nora Murphy

 The Favor - Nora Murphy

She read

Publication Date:

May 31, 2022

Leah, who had been a successful attorney, has spiraled downward into alcoholism and self loathing as the result of fear of her husband. McKenna, a pediatrician, has given up her work and stays home, also fearful of her husband. Leah sees McKenna in the supermarket. Recognizing McKenna as someone she used to be, Leah becomes obsessed with her. Soon we have a plot that is somewhat familiar from a past popular film.

Told in alternating timelines and POVs, it took me a while to decide I liked this psychological thriller.  An interesting plot line and well written, I didn’t like any of the characters.  Despite their controlling, abusive husbands, these women were of some means and had resources, yet immobilized by their inaction and inability to get out of their situations. Yet, I do realize this is reflective of some real life experiences.  

Domestic abuse is an important subject.  Unfortunately, I’m not sure that with the wishful thinking solution,  anything could be learned from this book to help women in this situation. There is, though,  a list of resources in the author’s note at the end. 

****

The Evening Hero - Marie Myung-OK Lee

 The Evening Hero - Marie Myung-OK Lee

She and he read

Publication Date: May 24, 2022

Dr. Youngman Kwak’s life has been all encompassing.  He has survived the worst of Korean history, been a refugee, experienced the racism of Birmingham, AL and northern Minnesota.   He is at loose ends when the hospital in which he has been employed suddenly closes and he is harboring a secret he has kept for years from his wife and child.  

A well written, memorable saga, there is much to this book; many layers that intersect. It is poignant, humorous, entertaining, horrifying, engrossing.  With evocative descriptions, there are thought provoking cultural and generational comparisons. I also appreciated learning more about the brutality visited upon Korea by Japan, Russia, China, and the United States.  

I highly recommend this book.

My husband also read it and really liked it.

*****

Bloomsbury Girls - Natalie Jenner

 Bloomsbury Girls - Natalie Jenner

Evie, a founder of the Jane Austen Society, and recent graduate of Cambridge is thwarted in obtaining her dream job and goes to London where she is employed at The Bloomsbury Books cataloging rare books.

A bookstore, famous literary characters, intrigue, tortured romances, the atmosphere of 1950 Bloomsbury and London…..it’s all here.Oh, yes, also misogyny and racism. 

By the author of The Jane Austen Society, this is a well written, charming, engrossing read.

*****

Two Nights in Lisbon - Chris Pavone

 Two Nights in Lisbon - Chris Pavone

She read; on his TBR list

Publication Date: May 22, 2022

While accompanying her husband on a business trip to Lisbon, Ariel’s husband, John, disappears.   Near the outset, it is evident that all is not what it seems with them and there are secrets.  At first, she has difficulty convincing the local authorities that he was kidnapped, but soon they are involved, along with  American embassy staff and a journalist on a whirlwind investigation as the secrets are revealed.

The plot is a bit convoluted, but, over and above the basic storyline, are poignant and sometimes painfully perceptive observations of life as well as the frustrating situations in which women are often placed due to mysogyny.  

There are actions and statements reflective of our societal and political culture and some wonderful statements.  “That is the problem these days. No one believes anyone” and my personal favorite, “there are a lot of lunatics in America.” 

This is a thriller not to be missed!

*****

Good Neighbours - Mary Grand

 Good Neighbours - Mary Grand

She read

Publication Date: May 18, 2022

Nia, who is having some marital difficulties, accepts her aunt’s request to house sit in Harbour Close, on the Isle of Wight for a few weeks.  A rather small community, they are very accepting of her, but something seems a little unsettling.  When Nia discovers the body of one of her new friends on the beach, she can’t resist investigating, even if it puts her in danger. There are a few viable suspects. And, what about that cultlike religion?

This book is well written,  but at a pace that reflects the slow, claustrophobic life of the Close.

Quite atmospheric, the beautiful descriptions of the Isle of Wight made me want to take a walk there soon. In all, it was a satisfying read.

****

With Prejudice - Robin Peguero

 With Prejudice - Robin Peguero

She read

Publication Date:  May 17, 2022

I really don’t want to say too much about the plot except it involves the trial of a man accused of rape and murder.  It is an interesting approach to a legal thriller.  We learn not only the machinations of the prosecution and the defense, but also get insight into the life experiences (and prejudices) brought to a trial by individual jurors, police, attorneys, witnesses.  

The author has a good sense of today’s societal, racial and cultural divides and there is even some humor injected.  There are a lot of characters and that could be  confusing. It is only near the end when some of that confusion is clarified. I could say more about that, but it might be considered a spoiler. 

This was a fast read that I enjoyed.

Thank you to #netgalley and #grandcentralpublishing for the DRC

****

The Lioness - Chris Bohjalian

 The Lioness - Chris Bohjalian

He read

In the 1960s, a Hollywood star, her husband, and some invited guests go on a Safari for her honeymoon where they encounter Russian mercenaries.  Told from various POVs, the book is well written and gives a good sense of place with great descriptions of Tanzania.  

The story rang true in many instances, but in others, it didn’t.  Some of the animals engagements with humans I thought a bit fantastical and some of the action between humans strained credulity. 

I enjoyed the story, even though I had to suspend belief at times, but I guess that is what fiction is all about!

Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the DRC

****

Memory Keeper of Kyiv - Erin Litteken

 Memory Keeper of Kyiv - Erin Litteken  

She read

Publication Date:  May 17, 2022

This story alternates between 1929/early thirties and 2004.  The earlier time frame chronicles the experiences of Katya during the Holodomor in Ukrainia, while the latter introduces her in later years with her daughter, grand daughter, Cassie, and great granddaughter, Birdie.

The Holodomor (literally death by hunger) was another horrific time in the history of Ukrainia.   It was a time of famine, terror, deportation, and death.  The famine was manmade by Stalin and the Soviets as they stripped the country of its food.  As the author said “everyone wants Ukraine’s fertile soil for their own, and nobody wants to let Ukrainians rule it.”  In the author’s notes, Litteken reports that 1 in 8 Ukrainians died during this time and the country lost almost 13% of its population.  And yet, the famine/terror was denied by the Soviets and even by western journalists for years. 

Written before the present atrocities in Ukraine, this is a tough book to read, but it needs to be read.  Litteken is a good story teller and she portrays the horrors without being overly graphic.

Some reviews have suggested that the book should have only included the earlier story and not the later one involving Katya’s granddaughter, herself a widow trying to rebuild her life as she learns about her grandmother’s past.  I thought, though, that it gave a nice balance and coda to the earlier horrors.  

I give this book five stars because it is something that needs to be read.  How can this genocide be happening again less than 100 years later?

*****

Dark Circles - Caite Dolan-Leach

 Dark Circles - Caite Dolan-Leach   

She read

Publication Date:  May 10, 2022

Olivia (Liv) Reed, an actress on a path to self destruction, enters a spiritual retreat, The House of Light.  At first, it seems to be a typical New Age, health restoration facility.  But, Liv soons discovers cult like behavior and sinister goings on.  After being kicked out, she investigates and starts a podcast to expose the group, which, in turn, puts her in danger. 

I thought this book a bit disjointed and slow paced. I found myself skimming to get through some of the less interesting and tedious parts. 

 Liv is not an endearing character and I found myself not really caring about her…in fact, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.  There also seemed to be some loose threads hanging at the end.  

The best part of the book, for me, was the podcast (except for the commercials although they did lend a bit of humor)….the organization of it, the actual script, and the listeners social media input. 

I’m sure others will like this book better than I did, but it just wasn’t a top read for me. 

***

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the DRC.

My Wife is Missing - D.J. Palmer

 My Wife is Missing - D.J. Palmer

She read

Publication Date: May 10, 2022

While on a family vacation, Michael discovers that his wife, Natalie, and their two children are missing.  He is distraught as he frantically searches for them.  But, there are secrets!

As the story unfolds in two different time periods, now and before, there are hints that there is more to Michael than has been revealed.  And, is Natalie’s insomnia making her paranoid or is there something to fear?

This is one of those books that took a while to resonate with me. If I were a quitter, I might have put the book down as I initially didn’t connect with or feel any empathy for any of the characters and thought Natalie’s ruminations a bit tiresome.  

Around 60% through the book, though, that changed and the story totally engaged me.  There are twists, turns, surprises, and secrets unveiled.    

****