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