The Parisian - Isabella Hammad
He and She read
It took me a while to get through this, but I was glad I did. While it wasn’t an “I can’t put this book down”, it did hold my interest. Although the story focuses on Midhat Kamal, a Palestinian educated in Paris before returning home, the broader context of the history of Palestine during the early 20th century is an important one.
The author’s writing is lyrical, especially her descriptions. I thought that the beginning Paris portion of the novel a bit overlong and the liberal use of untranslated French and Arabic sometimes disrupted the flow. Despite these shortcomings, this is a very worthwhile read.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
The 18th Abduction
The 18th Abduction - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
She read
This is the latest in the Women's Murder Club series. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it. It may a bit confusing for those familiar with the series because the main story takes place five years before the the prologue and ending. Missing from the story are Joe and Lindsay's daughter, Julie, as well as Lt. Brady. Presumably, this case is supposed to have taken place earlier in their careers.
It's a tough story and I didn't particularly enjoy that part of it. I also kept wondering (spoiler alert) why the main villain started his atrocious behaviors again after a period of seemingly not engaging in them. There just seemed to be a time warp problem.......I also thought that there seemed to be very little mention/interaction of the other members of the Women's Murder Club.
Still, I will be sure to read the next one, The 19th Christmas.
She read
This is the latest in the Women's Murder Club series. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it. It may a bit confusing for those familiar with the series because the main story takes place five years before the the prologue and ending. Missing from the story are Joe and Lindsay's daughter, Julie, as well as Lt. Brady. Presumably, this case is supposed to have taken place earlier in their careers.
It's a tough story and I didn't particularly enjoy that part of it. I also kept wondering (spoiler alert) why the main villain started his atrocious behaviors again after a period of seemingly not engaging in them. There just seemed to be a time warp problem.......I also thought that there seemed to be very little mention/interaction of the other members of the Women's Murder Club.
Still, I will be sure to read the next one, The 19th Christmas.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Dead Inside - Noelle Holten
Dead Inside - Noelle Holten
She Read
Publication date. -May 31, 2019
The first of what is to be a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson, this focuses more on another character, Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood who works with domestic abusers. When three abusers with whom she has had contact are brutally murdered, questions arise. When a fourth, who happens to be her husband, is killed, Lucy is arrested.
A debut novel, this is well written and gives disturbing insight into the savage world of abusers and their victims. Although the outcome is somewhat predictable, the story is engrossing and well paced.
The story concludes with a hint of what is to come in the next in the series. While Lucy and many of the other characters are well developed, Maggie is not. I hope this will be addressed in Book #2.
She Read
Publication date. -May 31, 2019
The first of what is to be a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson, this focuses more on another character, Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood who works with domestic abusers. When three abusers with whom she has had contact are brutally murdered, questions arise. When a fourth, who happens to be her husband, is killed, Lucy is arrested.
A debut novel, this is well written and gives disturbing insight into the savage world of abusers and their victims. Although the outcome is somewhat predictable, the story is engrossing and well paced.
The story concludes with a hint of what is to come in the next in the series. While Lucy and many of the other characters are well developed, Maggie is not. I hope this will be addressed in Book #2.
Monday, April 29, 2019
The Dark Bones - Loreth Anne White
The Dark Bones - Loreth Anne White
She read
Publication date: May 21, 2019
After her father’s apparent suicide, Canadian police detective Rebecca North returns home to the rural western part of her country. She left years ago, disappointed by the young love of her life, Ash Haugen. Convinced that her father’s suicide is suspicious, she begins an investigation that reveals twenty year old secrets and reunites her with Ash.
Technically, this could be classified as a romantic thriller. Not my favorite genre, but it was a riveting story. I didn’t want to put it down. The writing and character development are good, with the author painting a graphic picture of the brutal cold of winter in the northwest as well as the tough life many encounter there. My only criticism is that it was a bit long in parts and I found myself skimming more than once.
One thing I really liked about the book is that Rebecca is a savvy protagonist; she did not get herself into any stupidly dangerous situations, something that occurs all too often in thrillers.
This is the second in “A Dark Lure” series. I did not read the first, although, from what I understand, it featured some of the characters in this novel, although not Rebecca. I hope that if there is a third, Rebecca will be a central character.
She read
Publication date: May 21, 2019
After her father’s apparent suicide, Canadian police detective Rebecca North returns home to the rural western part of her country. She left years ago, disappointed by the young love of her life, Ash Haugen. Convinced that her father’s suicide is suspicious, she begins an investigation that reveals twenty year old secrets and reunites her with Ash.
Technically, this could be classified as a romantic thriller. Not my favorite genre, but it was a riveting story. I didn’t want to put it down. The writing and character development are good, with the author painting a graphic picture of the brutal cold of winter in the northwest as well as the tough life many encounter there. My only criticism is that it was a bit long in parts and I found myself skimming more than once.
One thing I really liked about the book is that Rebecca is a savvy protagonist; she did not get herself into any stupidly dangerous situations, something that occurs all too often in thrillers.
This is the second in “A Dark Lure” series. I did not read the first, although, from what I understand, it featured some of the characters in this novel, although not Rebecca. I hope that if there is a third, Rebecca will be a central character.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
The Sect of Angels - Andrea Camilleri
The Sect of Angels - Andrea Camilleri
She read
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Loosely based on real events from the early 1900s, this tells the story of a cult of Sicilian priests who prey on young women and the attorney who exposes them.
I had difficulty with this book. Although based on a serious topic, a good part of it read, to me, like a farce. And, yes, all those names!!! The ending sadly reflected what seems so often to be reality in situations like this one.
She read
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Loosely based on real events from the early 1900s, this tells the story of a cult of Sicilian priests who prey on young women and the attorney who exposes them.
I had difficulty with this book. Although based on a serious topic, a good part of it read, to me, like a farce. And, yes, all those names!!! The ending sadly reflected what seems so often to be reality in situations like this one.
Monday, April 15, 2019
A Map of the Dark - Karen Ellis
A Map of the Dark - Karen Ellis
She read
FBI agent Elsa Myers specializes in missing children. When a seventeen year old goes missing, she, despite her father critically ill in a hospital awaiting hospice care, teams up with an NYPD detective, Lex Cole, to find the girl.
Like so many protagonists, Elsa is a damaged individual and the narrative behind it as well as its longterm effects tends to eclipse the missing child plot. As is a popular format today, the story is told from multiple viewpoints and shifts between past and present.
A bit cliched and perhaps a little bit too good to believe, I still found it an engrossing read. I look forward to the next in the series where I hope some of the childhood trauma will be less prominent and Elsa will still be working with Lex.
She read
FBI agent Elsa Myers specializes in missing children. When a seventeen year old goes missing, she, despite her father critically ill in a hospital awaiting hospice care, teams up with an NYPD detective, Lex Cole, to find the girl.
Like so many protagonists, Elsa is a damaged individual and the narrative behind it as well as its longterm effects tends to eclipse the missing child plot. As is a popular format today, the story is told from multiple viewpoints and shifts between past and present.
A bit cliched and perhaps a little bit too good to believe, I still found it an engrossing read. I look forward to the next in the series where I hope some of the childhood trauma will be less prominent and Elsa will still be working with Lex.
Friday, April 12, 2019
The Mother-in-Law - Sally Hepworth
The Mother-in-Law - Sally Hepworth
She read
Publication Date: April 23, 2019
In what has become a popular format, this story is told from two points of view, alternating between the past and present. Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana, have never “clicked”, despite Lucy’s attempts. When Diana is found dead, family secrets and relationships come to a head as the police investigate whether it was suicide or murder.
Set in Australia, this was an engrossing read that I really liked. I don’t often give 5 stars unless a book is truly outstanding, but there was something about this one that really appealed to me.
She read
Publication Date: April 23, 2019
In what has become a popular format, this story is told from two points of view, alternating between the past and present. Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana, have never “clicked”, despite Lucy’s attempts. When Diana is found dead, family secrets and relationships come to a head as the police investigate whether it was suicide or murder.
Set in Australia, this was an engrossing read that I really liked. I don’t often give 5 stars unless a book is truly outstanding, but there was something about this one that really appealed to me.
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