Saturday, April 18, 2020

Coyotes of Carthage - Steven Wright

Coyotes of Charthage - Steven Wright

She read

I really liked this book, although found the ending very dissatisfying.  It is well written with strong character development and good insight into the world of dark money used to influence elections. The author captures the culture of the rural south quite picturesquely. I  get very uncomfortable reading books with self destructive characters, and, unfortunately, Andre is one

Saturday, April 11, 2020

The New Husband - D.J. Palmer

The New Husband

D.J. Palmer

She read

Publication Date:  April 14, 2020

This is somewhat familiar theme in recent psychological thrillers with a bit of a spin. Told in different points of view, alternating between narrator and the perspective of Maggie, the daughter,  really liked the first half of the book, but then it took a twist and kind of lost me.  So, I suspended my belief and just went with the story and found I couldn’t put it down,
   ***1/2

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The Engineer's Wife - Tracey Enerson Wood

The Engineer's Wife - Tracey Enerson Wood

She read

This is a fascinating life story that needed to be told and is a good depiction of the feat of building the Brooklyn Bridge and the plight of women of that era.

I am always wary of historical fiction and concerned that people will take fiction as truth.  Understandably, an author must embellish the thoughts, feelings, and personal interactions of a historical character, but, the author explains, she also altered varoius timelines and some of the events/relationships are fictitious.  I have a hard time with this…..especially fabricating romantic relationships with real people or tragic events in the protagonist’s life. Do make sure you read the author’s notes to separate fact from fiction.


***

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Don't Turn Back - D.S. Butler

Don't Turn Back - D.S. Butler

She read

The investigation of a man found beaten to death leads DS Karen Hart back to suspects who have unpleasant memories for her.  She investigated them for human trafficking right before her world was upended by the death of her husband and daughter in a car accident.  Now paired with DI Scott Morgan, who has his own

The third in the series, this is the first Karen Hart novel I have read.  I enjoyed it.  Fast paced, with tight writing and likable protagonists, fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this story.

****

Sunday, March 22, 2020

The Red Lotus - Chris Bohjalian

The Red Lotus - Chris Bohjalian

He and she read

While on a bicycle trip to Vietnam,  ER doctor Alexis’  boyfriend goes missing and is found   days later the victim of an apparent accident.  But, some things don’t make sense and soon  she hires a private investigator back home in New York to look into it.

Well written, with strong character development, this thriller moves along at a good pace and had me holding my breath at times.  Without giving away more of the plot, I will just say….how appropriate for our times!

Spoiler alert/Warning: If rats make you queasy, be prepared!
  ****

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The Bramble and the Rose - Tom Bouman

The Bramble and the Rose - Tom Brouman

She read

This is the first I have read in the Henry Farrell series.  I found it to be disjointed and had to force myself to finish it and it did not make me want to go back and read the prior novels in the series.

**

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Honey Don't List - Christina Lauren

The Honey Don't List - Christina Lauren

Publication Date: March 24, 2020

She read

Despite being taken advantage of and the target of verbal abuse from its female star, Carey has worked for years for a husband and wife team who have built up their home improvement business from one store to many as well as a successful TV show.  She is, in fact, indispensable to them.  James is hired as an engineer but really is just an assistant to the husband as the couples marriage begins unraveling.  Carey and James are tasked with trying to keep the couple together, at least publicly.  Predictably, sparks begin to fly between the two.

The story is light and breezy, but not really humorous as stated in the blurb. It was a  fast read and entertaining.  I thought it became bogged down when detailing the romantic encounters between Carey and James and I found myself skipping pages of the narrative. I did like the ending.


***½