The View From Lake Como - Adriana Trigiani

 The View From Lake Como - Adriana Trigiani

Pub. Date: July 8, 2025

She read

Giuseppina (Jess) Capodimonte Baratta is a member of a close knit Italian American family in Lake Como, NJ. Yet, as a divorcee now living in her parents’ basement and seemingly “chief cook and bottle washer”for them, she is unsettled with her life and feels stifled creatively. Working with her Uncle Louie in a family marble business, his death brings some surprising and unsavory news about the business. That, along with a promised trip to Italy from him and a long held secret revealed by her parents causing a rift, provides an opportunity to reset her life. Will traveling to Italy resolve her inner conflicts and mend her and her relationships?

This is the second novel by Trigiani I have read and enjoyed. She has a great way with words, and I like her witty, sometimes biting humor in the midst of the drama of life. She has a good feel for family relationships with all the joy and angst they bring. Her vivid descriptions of Italian life (both in the US and in Italy), transport the reader to the actual locations where one can experience the tastes, smells, climate, the beauty. I liked the subplot addressing the plight of women of a certain age who were too early for the advances brought by the feminist movement. For some, there may be too much time spent on descriptions of all facets of the marble business; to others it will be instructive. 

By the way, as a former Jersey resident, I can attest that there really is a Lake Como borough, albeit small, in NJ. It formerly was known as South Belmar and there really is a lake there.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @PenquinBooks @DuttonBooks for the DRC.

*****

Buzz Books 2025:Fall/Winter

Buzz Books 2025: Fall/Winter- Publishers Lunch

This is a sampler of books being published fall/winter 2025, with excerpts from some of them.  It provides a great opportunity to construct a TBR list for the coming months.

 I always look forward to the Buzz Books editions. I just finished this one and now have a list of books from favorite authors as well as some intriguing new titles for the fall/winter. Looks like I am “booked” through the winter.

Thanks to Netgalley and Publishers Lunch BUZZ Books for the DRC.

*****

The Lake's Water is Never Sweet -Giulia Caminito

 The Lake's Water is Never Sweet - Giulia Caminito

Pub. Date: July 8, 2025

She read

Gaia lives a poverty stricken life with her domineering mother, disabled father, older brother who is embracing Anarchism, and younger twin brothers in Rome. An opportunity arises for the family to move to a lake community where Gaia completes her schooling. The family struggles financially and Gaia never has the material goods or opportunities of many of her peers. Her vulnerable relationships with female and male friends are fraught with self doubt, resentments, changing loyalties. 

Beautifully written, the prose is almost lyrical at times. Many will find this reminiscent of a Ferrante novel; I thought it darker. Caminito paints a bleak picture of those at the bottom of the social/financial ladder. Coming of age in the 1990s, Gaia is filled with insecurity. sadness, fear, anger, rage at times. I really didn’t get the sense that she felt any hope for her future. 

People will have differing reactions to the final chapter. I liked it. I enjoyed the evocative reminiscence.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @spiegelandgrau for the DRC.

****

Bring the House Down - Charlotte Runcie

 Bring the House Down - Charlotte Runcie

Pub. Date: July 8, 2025

She Read

During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Hayley meets Alex in a bar and sleeps with him. Unbeknownst to her, he is a theater critic who has just given her performance a scathing one star read. When she finds out the next morning, she responds by making her one person show all about Alex and the atrocities he has inflicted upon women over the years. The  show becomes hugely popular with negative repercussions for him. The only person who seems to still support Alex is Sophie, a fellow critic who is struggling with her own professional/domestic situation.

This debut fiction by a Scottish journalist familiar with the world of art and critics is a compelling narrative that gives the reader much about which to contemplate. There is exploration into ageless topics as well as some  that are very contemporary. It touches on mysogyny, art and criticism, the power of men and critics, motherhood, grief, Me Too, cancel culture. Despite such deep and sometimes dark subjects, it is entertaining, even amusing at times. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DoubleDayBooks for the DRC.

****

Rage - Linda Castillo

 Rage - Linda Castillo

Pub. Date: July 8, 2025

She read

Kate Burkholder, formerly Amish, is the police chief in the small Ohio town of Painters Mill. When children playing discover a dismembered body of a local Amish man, Kate’s investigation leads to uncovering shocking and sordid goings on in the community, as well as danger for her. She is assisted by her small but reliable staff and husband John Tomasetti, employed by the Ohio Bureau of Investigation. 

Well written, with good character development and a solid plot, this is an engrossing, suspenseful read. I read it in a day as I couldn’t put it down. Set during the summer, the atmospheric descriptions were so vivid I could feel the uncomfortable heat and humidity. Be forewarned, though, no cozy mystery this; the crimes are pretty brutal.

I like Kate.  She is a strong, well adjusted, endearing protagonist who does seem to get herself into dangerous predicaments.  I know she is short staffed, but when will she learn to always have back up with her during an investigation? 

I like the author’s use of and translation of deitsch. Where else can you find a police procedural, thriller, and insight into the Amish culture? This is the 17th in the series. Although I have read some of the prior installments, this can be read as a standalone.  I look forward to the next Kate Burkholder story.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinspress for the DRC

*****

Dogged Pursuit - David Rosenfelt

 Dogged Pursuit - David Rosenfelt

Pub. Date: July 1, 2025

She read

This, the 31st installment in the Andy Carpenter series is actually a prequel.  For those familiar with the series, Andy has just switched from being a prosecutor to starting out as a defense attorney. It explains how he met Laurie and how he came to adopt Tara, his beloved golden retriever.

When Andy goes to a shelter to adopt a dog, he chooses Tara. But Tara is pen mate with a cute beagle who is there because his owner has been arrested for the car bombing murder of three people. The only way Andy can keep the pen buddies together is to get permission from the alleged killer, Frank Tierney. Somehow, as he gets that permission, he gets roped into defending Frank, his first murder case representing the defense. He takes on Laurie, a former police officer as investigator. As he delves into the life of the main target of the bombing, nefarious dealings are discovered and Andy’s life is in danger. 

With a solid plot, colorful characterizations, twists, turns, courtroom drama and great humor, this is a very enjoyable, fast paced read. What a treat to learn more of the origin story of Andy Carpenter, his associates, and, of course, his dog, Tara. This book  is a mystery, legal thriller, heart warming and comedic.  What more could you ask?

I came late to this series, having been introduced to it only a few years ago by a fellow bookstagrammer.  It is now one of my  “must reads” whenever a new one is available.  Every read is a delight. If unfamiliar with Andy Carpenter, this is a great time to start the series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the  DRC.

*****

Don't Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

 Don't Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

Pub. Date: June 24, 2025

She read

A marriage is over; the husband done with his wife. A florist with two sons is living with her husband and their daughter; no matter how hard she works, they never seem to have enough money and why does the husband keep disappearing?  The wife of a murdered restauranteur receives a gift and note from an acquaintance of her late husband. Suddenly he is in her life, pursuing a relationship. What do these women and men have in common? Are they on a collision course?

Told in shifting timelines and sometimes alternating POVs, this is another psychological thriller from popular author Lisa Jewell. Like peeling the layers of a rotten onion, the true character and exploits of the main male character are slowly revealed. This is like watching an accident you know is going to happen….you just can’t look away from the story. As fantastical as elements of the plot may seem, manipulative, misogynist, narcissistic monsters like this do exist….just watch a few Dateline or other true crime episodes. One can only hope that women learn something from this tale…put away your naivety and develop some protective radar.   

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Atriabooks for the DRC. 

****