All the Best Lies - Joanna Schaffhausen
She read
Publication Date: Feb. 11, 2020
This is the third in the series featuring FBI agent Reed Markham and police officer Ellery Hathaway. As a young teenager, Ellery was kidnapped, raped, and tortured; she was rescued by Markham. Now an adult, Hathaway has formed a close relationship with Markham.
They team up to solve the brutal murder of Hathaway’s mother, some forty years ago.
I couldn’t put this book down. Its intriguing plot and strong character development compelled me to keep reading on and on. It earns a rare five stars from me.
Although I don’t feel that I missed anything by not having read the prior two novels in this series, I definitely want to go back and read them.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Janes - Louisa Luna
The Janes - Louisa Luna
She read
This is the second in the Alice Vega/Max Caplan series. I read and liked the first one. This time, they team up to investigate the deaths of two “Jane Does” suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
Yes, some of the action is a bit implausible, it took me a while to get through the story, and there was a lot of violence; yet, I liked the book. The characters and dynamic between them is what makes the story work.
She read
This is the second in the Alice Vega/Max Caplan series. I read and liked the first one. This time, they team up to investigate the deaths of two “Jane Does” suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
Yes, some of the action is a bit implausible, it took me a while to get through the story, and there was a lot of violence; yet, I liked the book. The characters and dynamic between them is what makes the story work.
****
Sunday, January 19, 2020
The Tenant - Katrine Engberg
The Tenant - Katrine Engberg
She and he read
This is a Nordic noir novel, so it is characteristically a bit dark. That said, I really liked it. Clever plot, good character development, well written, fast reading; I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to more from this author.
She and he read
This is a Nordic noir novel, so it is characteristically a bit dark. That said, I really liked it. Clever plot, good character development, well written, fast reading; I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to more from this author.
He liked it as well
Monday, January 13, 2020
Trace Elements - Donna Leon
Trace Elements - Donna Leon
She read
Publication Date: March 13, 2020
I am a huge fan of Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series and have read and loved all 29 of them. As is often the case in this series, Leon’s writing is at its best when it is concerned with the domestic affairs and exchanges of the Brunetti family or Guido’s interaction with the colorful supporting characters in his Questura. And, one always learns something from these books; in this case, it is the testing of the water system serving the Veneto.
It almost doesn’t matter what the case involves, for Brunetti’s charming approach to solving it and his unique, albeit cynical view of the concept of justice as it applies to the Italian legal system is foremost.
For anyone new to Donna Leon, this certainly can be read as a stand alone, but why deprive yourself? Go back to the beginning of the series and enjoy getting to know all of her memorable characters. It is a joy to read such a literate writer.
*****
She read
Publication Date: March 13, 2020
I am a huge fan of Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series and have read and loved all 29 of them. As is often the case in this series, Leon’s writing is at its best when it is concerned with the domestic affairs and exchanges of the Brunetti family or Guido’s interaction with the colorful supporting characters in his Questura. And, one always learns something from these books; in this case, it is the testing of the water system serving the Veneto.
It almost doesn’t matter what the case involves, for Brunetti’s charming approach to solving it and his unique, albeit cynical view of the concept of justice as it applies to the Italian legal system is foremost.
For anyone new to Donna Leon, this certainly can be read as a stand alone, but why deprive yourself? Go back to the beginning of the series and enjoy getting to know all of her memorable characters. It is a joy to read such a literate writer.
*****
Sunday, January 5, 2020
The Sacrament - Olaf Olafsson
The Sacrament - Olaf Olafsson
She read
This is a novel of longing and memory, beautifully written. Sister Joanna’s story is told from various time frames, as a young student in France, a nun asked to investigate possible abuse at a church school in Iceland, a return trip at the request of a former student, and as an aging sister living a comfortable, simple life back in France.
*****
She read
This is a novel of longing and memory, beautifully written. Sister Joanna’s story is told from various time frames, as a young student in France, a nun asked to investigate possible abuse at a church school in Iceland, a return trip at the request of a former student, and as an aging sister living a comfortable, simple life back in France.
*****
Sunday, December 29, 2019
A Long Petal of the Sea - Isabel Allende
A Long Petal of the Sea - Isabel Allende
She read
Publication Date: Jan. 21, 2020
The life story of Victor and Roser reflects the history of the Spanish Civil War, emigration of Spanish refugees to Chile, and the fraught political history of that country.
I enjoy Isabel Allende’s non magical writing, and this saga is no exception. The atrocities man inflicts upon man are told in a matter of fact manner, but this does not take away from their horrors. Each chapter begins with a quote from poet Pablo Neruda, an important actor in the history and culture of Chile whose life is interwoven into this narrative.
Written in third person gives the reader the feeling of being an observer not only of the lives of Victor and Roser, but also monumental historical events. Some of those events gives one pause in reflecting on our current political climate as well.
She read
Publication Date: Jan. 21, 2020
The life story of Victor and Roser reflects the history of the Spanish Civil War, emigration of Spanish refugees to Chile, and the fraught political history of that country.
I enjoy Isabel Allende’s non magical writing, and this saga is no exception. The atrocities man inflicts upon man are told in a matter of fact manner, but this does not take away from their horrors. Each chapter begins with a quote from poet Pablo Neruda, an important actor in the history and culture of Chile whose life is interwoven into this narrative.
Written in third person gives the reader the feeling of being an observer not only of the lives of Victor and Roser, but also monumental historical events. Some of those events gives one pause in reflecting on our current political climate as well.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Lady Clementine - Marie Benedict
Lady Clementine - Marie Benedict
She read
Publication date: Jan. 7, 2020
This is the story of Clementine Churchill from the time she meets Winston through World War II, with additional insight into her childhood and family background as well. Lady Clementine presents as an admirable woman, not only for what she did for Britain, but also her ability to negotiate around her larger than life husband without cowering before him.
I am always hesitant to read fictionalized accounts of real people; I have concern about what is real and what is made up as authors put words into the mouths of historical figures. This does seem to be well researched. I learned a bit of history of Britain; and just hope that it reflects reality and not a fictionalized account.
This is a fast read as it jumps through a historical time line, highlighting important events and reactions to them. Although I thought it a bit saccharine, it was an enjoyable read.
****
She read
Publication date: Jan. 7, 2020
This is the story of Clementine Churchill from the time she meets Winston through World War II, with additional insight into her childhood and family background as well. Lady Clementine presents as an admirable woman, not only for what she did for Britain, but also her ability to negotiate around her larger than life husband without cowering before him.
I am always hesitant to read fictionalized accounts of real people; I have concern about what is real and what is made up as authors put words into the mouths of historical figures. This does seem to be well researched. I learned a bit of history of Britain; and just hope that it reflects reality and not a fictionalized account.
This is a fast read as it jumps through a historical time line, highlighting important events and reactions to them. Although I thought it a bit saccharine, it was an enjoyable read.
****
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