The Suffering of Strangers - Caro Ramsay
She read
A baby is taken from his mother’s car; in his place is a baby with Down Syndrome. The cold case review team is looking into a series of historical rapes. Do these have anything to do with each other?
This is number nine is a series featuring Glaswegian detectives Costello and Anderson. I haven’t read the prior novels, and, unfortunately, this made me fell that I had come in in the middle of something. A number of different characters were introduced and I really had to pay attention to keep them straight.
Despite that, I found this to be a satisfying police procedural that was an engrossing read.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Friday, June 14, 2019
Chances Are - Richard Russo
Chances Are - Richard Russo
Publication date: July 30, 2019
He and she read
Richard Russo is an author whose works I enjoy and Chances are did not disappoint. In this novel, three sixty something men, friends from college, reunite on Martha’s Vineyard. As for many males their age, a pivotal point in their college years and ensuing lives was that first Selective Service draft lottery drawing in 1969. Each one of them are also linked by their love of a woman, Jacy, a sorority sister in the house in which they all worked. Jacy spent a Memorial Day weekend with them on Martha’s Vineyard right after graduation and disappeared at the end of that weekend.
Their past histories are revealed through flashbacks as they come to grips with their aging, how their lives have changed, and trying to ascertain what happened to Jacy those forty plus years ago.
As usual, Richard Russo’s narrative is strong on good writing and character development . While this may not have been my most favorite book of his, it is well worth a read.
Incidentally, Russo is one of HIS favorite authors as well.......
Publication date: July 30, 2019
He and she read
Richard Russo is an author whose works I enjoy and Chances are did not disappoint. In this novel, three sixty something men, friends from college, reunite on Martha’s Vineyard. As for many males their age, a pivotal point in their college years and ensuing lives was that first Selective Service draft lottery drawing in 1969. Each one of them are also linked by their love of a woman, Jacy, a sorority sister in the house in which they all worked. Jacy spent a Memorial Day weekend with them on Martha’s Vineyard right after graduation and disappeared at the end of that weekend.
Their past histories are revealed through flashbacks as they come to grips with their aging, how their lives have changed, and trying to ascertain what happened to Jacy those forty plus years ago.
As usual, Richard Russo’s narrative is strong on good writing and character development . While this may not have been my most favorite book of his, it is well worth a read.
Incidentally, Russo is one of HIS favorite authors as well.......
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Mine -- Courtney Cole
Mine - Courtney Cole
She read
While raising three children, one with a serious medical condition and starting a very successful cosmetic company, Tessa thought her marriage to Ethan was rock solid. But, she discovers he has been having an affair. Using subterfuge, she lures Ethan’s mistress, Lindsey, to her home while a hurricane rages outside. Both women behave shockingly as more and ore secrets are revealed.
Told in alternating viewpoints of the two women, I have mixed feelings about this book. As a longtime Florida resident, I found the implausibility of the beginning of the book disconcerting. Storms don’t come in that quickly. Even if Tessa was too busy to watch the news, potential storms are a big deal in Florida and talked about for days before landfall. If the family is so wealthy and the house has so many windows, why isn’t there someone they hire on a regular basis to help prepare for storms? And, where are there bluffs overlooking the ocean in Florida? Dunes maybe, but bluffs?
From that point on, I felt a lot of the book to be a bit unbelievable and, spoiler alert, the ending leaves some things unresolved. Yet, it was a fast, engrossing read….or perhaps I read it quickly to just get through it…….
She read
While raising three children, one with a serious medical condition and starting a very successful cosmetic company, Tessa thought her marriage to Ethan was rock solid. But, she discovers he has been having an affair. Using subterfuge, she lures Ethan’s mistress, Lindsey, to her home while a hurricane rages outside. Both women behave shockingly as more and ore secrets are revealed.
Told in alternating viewpoints of the two women, I have mixed feelings about this book. As a longtime Florida resident, I found the implausibility of the beginning of the book disconcerting. Storms don’t come in that quickly. Even if Tessa was too busy to watch the news, potential storms are a big deal in Florida and talked about for days before landfall. If the family is so wealthy and the house has so many windows, why isn’t there someone they hire on a regular basis to help prepare for storms? And, where are there bluffs overlooking the ocean in Florida? Dunes maybe, but bluffs?
From that point on, I felt a lot of the book to be a bit unbelievable and, spoiler alert, the ending leaves some things unresolved. Yet, it was a fast, engrossing read….or perhaps I read it quickly to just get through it…….
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Women - S.E. Lynes
The Women - S. E. Lynes
She read
Another domestic psychological thriller. A college student is overwhelmed when she is sought out for the attentions of an attractive, older professor. He sweeps her off her feet and before she knows it, she is living with him. But, of course, he has a history!!!
The author is a literate writer. Although there may be one too many coincidences, this is an engrossing, fast paced story, and worth a read if you are not burned out with domestic thrillers!
She read
Another domestic psychological thriller. A college student is overwhelmed when she is sought out for the attentions of an attractive, older professor. He sweeps her off her feet and before she knows it, she is living with him. But, of course, he has a history!!!
The author is a literate writer. Although there may be one too many coincidences, this is an engrossing, fast paced story, and worth a read if you are not burned out with domestic thrillers!
Friday, May 31, 2019
The Last Night Out - Catherine O’Connell
The Last Night Out - Catherine O’Connell
She read
Six long time friends get together for Maggie’s bachelorette party. The next morning, one of them is found dead and Maggie has done something that is sure to change her life forever.
This is a well written, engrossing read. The character development is good and although you may think you have it all figured out…..read on!!!
She read
Six long time friends get together for Maggie’s bachelorette party. The next morning, one of them is found dead and Maggie has done something that is sure to change her life forever.
This is a well written, engrossing read. The character development is good and although you may think you have it all figured out…..read on!!!
Saturday, May 25, 2019
The Parisian - Isabella Hammad
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.
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.
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.
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