It wasn’t until I posted this book to my currently reading status here that I realized it was second in the series. But it didn’t matter because the aIt wasn’t until I posted this book to my currently reading status here that I realized it was second in the series. But it didn’t matter because the author did a stellar job within the first two pages of catching readers up as to what had happened with the characters in the first book.
Throughout the book she also gave great insights into how whatever occurred in the first book impacted the characters, so that I never felt lost about not reading the first book. I felt deeply grateful to the author for the best catch-up experience ever!
The series follows Corie Geller a former FBI agent, suburban housewife, and current Private Investigator and her retired NYPD detective father who now lives with her family since Covid. The two pair up on a cold case of her father’s when the daughter contacts him.
After the catch up, the plot dragged a bit, until it twisted itself into gear with a story that kept readers guessing with red herrings and misdirection. Readers will find Corie and her dad likable characters, who are interesting, feel real and fully developed.
The question is, will this be a series to follow?
3 stars +.5 stars rounded up for likable characters and the catch-up experience....more
Another donation to my Little Free Library Shed, of a book read long ago. Now bringing my review to Goodreads.
What happens when you feel Catching up…
Another donation to my Little Free Library Shed, of a book read long ago. Now bringing my review to Goodreads.
What happens when you feel invisible and unappreciated?
Well…
In this case, the main character, Delia, decides to walk away from her life. Her marriage. Her children.
And…
Simply disappear.
For her life feels too complicated…
So…
Why not just walk away from it?
And…
This is the journey Tyler takes readers on. Watching Delia leave her family without a word, hitch a ride to a new town, buy a new dress in a new style, find a job and a room in a boardinghouse…
And…
Begin again? As someone new?
Or…
Find new complications with this new life?
The question is…
Will readers enjoy this journey? An examination of a marriage, aging and independence. A book about choices.
Or…
Be annoyed by the characters momentum and decisions and the journey itself? 3.5 stars. Rounded up. ...more
You are probably wondering how I was able to read 1125 books this year, right?
Let me explain. It might take a minute.
This is…
My first real year oSo…
You are probably wondering how I was able to read 1125 books this year, right?
Let me explain. It might take a minute.
This is…
My first real year on Goodreads…
Even though I officially joined in 2022. I have been learning how to navigate this site this year. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy Goodreads until this year, when I decided to become friends with you.
When you asked me to be your friend…
I was so grateful.
And…
When you accepted my friend request, I felt so appreciative.
This experience with you has been so thrilling at so many levels because of you. I always look forward to our shared comments under each other’s reviews.
And…
Your recommendations for books have enhanced my reading experiences immensely.
Also…
I have met some amazing authors, been offered some incredible books to read, and made some lifelong friends through this community.
So…
Thank you for accepting me into your reading world.
This year… as of December 31 I have read and re-visited 363,921 pages, 1125 books.
The shortest book I read was 16 pages – Frog and Toad Alone by Arnold Lobel. The longest book I read was 1,376 pages – Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It says that my average rating was 3.8, although it would be nice if the rating system here on Goodreads actually showed more than a 1-5 rating.
When I first started the reading challenge, I put in that I was only going to read 200 books.
But…
I surpassed that number rather quickly…
And…
I was told by one of my friends that I needed to up that number…
So…
I did, to 850.
Which…
I obviously surpassed again.
But…
I need to be clear that the reason that this number of books is so high is because I am catching up with all the books, I have read over the past several years. All I am trying to do is to get all those past books I have already read (by revisiting them) and then providing written reviews for Goodreads.
And…
At the same time be able to read current books…
And…
Review them, too.
I know, quite the workload, right?
This may take a while. At some point, I may give up on those past books, who knows!
I am not going to list the books I have read (here), I encourage you to go to my page, if you are interested to check them out. I am rather an eclectic reader. I will read anything and everything…from children’s books, to YA novels, to mysteries, to historical fiction to magical realism to non-fiction to memoirs and more.
And…
I also prefer print books. I like the feel of a book in my hands. I am old-fashioned that way.
Mostly…
I want to thank you. Thank you for making this experience so meaningful. I look forward to reading and sharing 2024 with you.
Because…
You make this fun. I love discussing books with you. Without you…why write reviews?...more
This was my second audio book. I listened to it over a period of days while exercising each morning.
Although it seems like all I am doing is reading This was my second audio book. I listened to it over a period of days while exercising each morning.
Although it seems like all I am doing is reading book after book each day – (well there is some truth to that) – this one as an audio book took longer to get through.
It reads (or sounds from my experience) like most popular political thrillers.
I'm guessing that President Clinton provided the details on the presidency and characters and Patterson drove the plot…but, who knows?
Anyway…it’s not JUST a thriller, it’s a scenario of what-ifs.
Still, even as I listened to Dennis Quaid’s gravelly voice as the President, I couldn’t help but wonder…would it have been easier for me to skip ahead had I been reading it in printed form?
For those who may ask the same question, all you need to do is go to Chapter 128 (the last chapter before the epilogue – yes, there are 128 chapters!) and listen or read how the authors summarize and wrap up the story.
Some interesting insights were also experienced as a reader/listener, when the President’s character presented how best to resolve the issues in our country in the closing speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress (Chapter 128).
The speech was inspiring, hopeful and relevant in so many ways. One could hope, right?...more
This was an advance reader’s edition (ARE) that was dropped off as a donation to my LFL. Could it be because it was an ARE that it just didn’t flow we This was an advance reader’s edition (ARE) that was dropped off as a donation to my LFL. Could it be because it was an ARE that it just didn’t flow well and the fixes hadn’t been made yet? Or was this it's final destiny readers version?
I really wanted to like this book. In many ways it started out so well, with her first sentence…
“I was waiting for the J train when I found out my husband was dead.”
Yet, what followed was not a murder. It was that her husband died, and she soon discovers he has a mistress. Now I am not giving away any secrets here – that was clearly laid out for us readers on the book’s back copy, along with the fact that said mistress, Cat is Ellie’s (our protagonist) colleague at her law firm.
Now we would expect that this would be the core of the story – figuring out what this was all about – the whys of it all, right? How did I not know that my husband had a mistress kind of a story?
Instead, Lin expends a lot of her narrative energy on Ellie’s inner life than Ian’s (her dead husband) infidelity. We learn about their interracial marriage (Ellie is Taiwanese American – Ian was white). Her bestie Mable Chou – who is widely different than her, and her love/hate relationship with her mother, Mary.
But, even in flashbacks about their relationship/marriage, everything about Ian falls flat to this reader. What exactly was this attraction to him? How do you mourn this loss anyway?
Well, off to France she goes and decides to spend her husband’s life-insurance check on a decadent trip to the French Riviera with Mable in tow.
At this point, we seem to be dealing with race issues as they meet another interracial couple. And the story drifts. Some more.
Will Ellie survive the loss of her husband?
Will she quit her overbearing law job?
Will we eventually learn why Ian was in an affair? And if he really loved Ellie?
Will we find out what Ellie's future holds for her? And do we care?
Do readers get their answers? Without giving away spoilers, the best I can say is…
Becky Farwell is our protagonist. (*Actually based on a true person - more about this later.)
We first see her as a high-school math prodigy living inBecky Farwell is our protagonist. (*Actually based on a true person - more about this later.)
We first see her as a high-school math prodigy living in Pierson, Illinois, with her widowed father. Her dad is in failing health. A dealer in agricultural cars, he has lost the business edge. Becky steps in and turns the faltering dealership around.
Still, this being a small-town fable, events soon veer toward heroic self-sacrifice. Becky passes on college to tend to her Dad, settling for an entry-level bookkeeper job in her hometown government.
She is gifted with talent, drive and ambition. She thrives in her administrative role, discovering caches of unused funds – many long forgotten – that the town can put to good use. And thus her reputation blossoms. “Becky always finds a way” becomes her personal brand. Eventually she becomes city controller.
But there is a hitch to this perfect story. Becky isn’t as perfect as she appears.
She has a double life.
And this double-life is the core of this intriguing, fast-paced story.
And this is where the problem lies in the storytelling. It sometimes strains credulity. There are flaws in its’ telling. And I don’t want to expose them here, because that would be spoiler territory.
Still…
It is an interesting read, and the question permeates…
How long will Becky succeed at her ruse? 3.5 stars.
*In the author's notes she does make mention that she had discovered a true story about a Rita Crundwell in the national news in 2012 from a small town in Illinois who worked as a government employee and had embezzled nearly $54 million over twenty years. This was an inspiration for her protagonist character.
(And even as I share this...this information isn't totally giving away spoilers for this fiction story...)...more
If anything good could happen to this girl, let it happen. Oh my goodness!
Have you ever opened a book, and said a few pages in – why am I here again?If anything good could happen to this girl, let it happen. Oh my goodness!
Have you ever opened a book, and said a few pages in – why am I here again?
Premise: Elenor Cardew lives a life of hardship. It started with 2 drunken brothers who made her work on the farm. She escapes that into WWII. Then she lives with Aunt Maude who is a stern older lady. While living with Aunt Maude there is a couple who have a daughter Rose they don’t care for – and she is injured during the war. And then Rose needs Elenor. So, Elenor takes care of her. Is there anything Elenor won’t or can’t do?
Is this a book of love, loss and resilience? Or what?
Seraphine knows her end is near. She is 94. She invites her granddaughter Darcy and her 3 friends to her chateau – their first visit together in 20 ye Seraphine knows her end is near. She is 94. She invites her granddaughter Darcy and her 3 friends to her chateau – their first visit together in 20 years. But before she can reveal her secrets to her, she is brutally murdered.
Who could have done this?
Her granddaughter?
One of her friends?
One of her employees?
What was the motive?
What were the secrets she was keeping and wanting to reveal to Darcy?
Each chapter is told from a different POV. The first half of the story is quite slow, leaving readers wondering whether they just want to give up (that’s me wondering).
The book tripped along losing some of its momentum, but its second half was more engaged in solving the mystery.
Still, the characters were not particularly likable, another fault of the story.
Being a mystery lover, I was intrigued by the compelling themes and shocking secrets. And then the ending. Oy!
Still…
It took such a long time to get to the point, that the only thing I felt any good about in the story, was the beautiful French setting. ...more
But, part of liking a book, is liking its main character, and well, that wasn’t liThis is a Reese’s Book Club Pick.
I really wanted to like this one.
But, part of liking a book, is liking its main character, and well, that wasn’t likely to happen for me.
I am a fan of magical realism. I was so ready for the magic. But this magic was pushing me in directions that just didn’t feel fun.
Premise: Cassandra is neurodivergent. The author portrays her as an annoying and anal character. She is dumped by her boyfriend and her job in the same day. Also, her flat mate situation has become untenable. So, let’s just say it is a very bad day for her.
And it isn’t looking good for me as a reader, either.
Now here is where the magical realism comes in.
Through mental effort, Cassandra can travel back along her own timeline and relive her life at any point. Not a long distance – but at least 4 months to possibly save her relationship – her living situation and her career – right?
A do-over button.
Groundhog Day?
And this is where it gets blurry. Living a single day over and over is one thing – redoing it weeks at a time?
Too many unanswered questions.
First, there is no explanation for her special ability.
Second, why arbitrarily only about 4 months?
Third, why put readers through this blurriness?
Doesn’t time travel alter people’s lives?
Why should I care about getting answers as a reader when I don’t even care about the main protagonist?
I don’t know. I have been debating this book since I started to read it. I really, really wanted to like it.
This story is told in first person by Martha, a woman with an undiagnosed mental health disorder (for most of the book).
This is the story of her messThis story is told in first person by Martha, a woman with an undiagnosed mental health disorder (for most of the book).
This is the story of her messy life, structured around the breakdown of her marriage – her second one. The book goes back and forth between present day, her courtship with her husband Patrick and her childhood.
This also is a story about her sister Ingrid that feels interesting and insightful. Almost as if it were a memoir. Of course, this isn’t a memoir, but the writing style makes it feel as if we were reading about someone’s real life. But going back to the intricacies of the relationship between sister’s it was easy to recognize the intimacy and love between them, as well as the limits of their relationship – especially having a sister. I could feel how real that was to want to be there to support and protect each other.
The characters are multi-faceted.
Martha’s behavior was erratic. As a reader, I wondered, could I empathize with her, even when her behavior was difficult for those around her? Was I personally giving up on her? And when she finally did get her diagnosis, was I relieved? Or burned out? Where did my sensitivity go? Where is society’s sensitivity to how mental health issues affect those that impact their lives?
Martha never seems to live up to her potential, suffers paralyzing hours of depression and behaves erratically. Yet Patrick and her mother are devoted to caring for her. Their love for her is genuine.
Still...
I felt mentally and emotionally exhausted from this book.
If it was meant to be dark humor, it didn’t find that place for me.
I found it an interesting study of the human condition.
Perhaps a cautiously uplifting book of those who love imperfect people, despite their imperfections. 3.5 stars...more
This story focuses on 3 generations of women - Vira, her daughter Mabel and her granddaughter Emma, who now calls herself Sandra.
It begins and ends aThis story focuses on 3 generations of women - Vira, her daughter Mabel and her granddaughter Emma, who now calls herself Sandra.
It begins and ends abruptly. And it does not have likable characters.
The author does a relatively good job of describing the lands, the journey, the war effort and the struggles of the women, even the businesses and society of the times. I could feel myself present. But...
I didn't like these women. I didn't care about them. There wasn't anything to cheer about. I just wanted to get out of the scene as quickly as I entered the page. Not a good feeling at all. ...more
Inspector Ian Rutledge has returned to Scotland Yard after serving the UK Army during the great War. Although at the time they are unaware of PTSD, thInspector Ian Rutledge has returned to Scotland Yard after serving the UK Army during the great War. Although at the time they are unaware of PTSD, this is his struggle.
He is called in to a case in which 4 women from good, solid families have been accused of trying to kill a young man, whose small dinghy was sinking off shore. A farmer who was also a witness, claimed this is what he saw when he went out to try and rescue the man. Unfortunately, the man died from his mysterious head wound.
This isn't really a whodunit, per se. The Inspector needs to determine the intent to kill.
The cast of characters is interesting and illustrates the class-system in place in 1920s England, where presumption of guilt, and innocence, is almost a matter of evidence and social standing.
The pacing of the story feels deliberate. Not brisk, but thoughtful, drawing readers in.
Still, there was just something missing to make it a great story. 3.5 stars....more
I was looking forward to reading this one, mostly because I have grown to like this author’s way with storytelling.
I have enjoyed her past books, BecI was looking forward to reading this one, mostly because I have grown to like this author’s way with storytelling.
I have enjoyed her past books, Becoming Mrs. Lewis and The Bookshop at Water’s End, and I was ready to try her again.
I have read mixed reviews of this one, and I almost gave up on reading it, but decided I wanted to read this anyway. I am glad I did.
The story is of 25-year-old Hazel who receives a copy of a published book titled Whisperwood that brings up a time in her past when she was 14 and her sister Flora was 6.
It was 1940’s London WWII when children were being relocated out of harms way. She has been looking for her sister for twenty years. Hazel’s desire to finding her sister drives the story.
The two time frames allow readers insights into family dynamics and Hazel’s motivations for the truth.
There is mystery, suspense, history, romance, sadness, grief, disbelief – a gamut of emotions that will prevail as readers find the truth along with Hazel. 3.5 stars....more
Trevor Riddell’s bankrupt, recently separated father, Jones, brings him to his grandfather’s mansion (Riddell House) in order to move the old man to a Trevor Riddell’s bankrupt, recently separated father, Jones, brings him to his grandfather’s mansion (Riddell House) in order to move the old man to a nursing home. He is also there to sell the property for much-needed cash.
What he doesn’t count on is a ghost in the house, and secrets in his family’s history that may prevent his father and his Aunt Serena from carrying out this plan.
He really needs this plan to work, because secretly he wants his father to have money in the bank and his mother to reconcile with him.
The story is told from the perspective as Trevor as an adult, during this fateful summer.
As readers we are witness to his grandfather (who may have dementia) and his Aunt (who may be mentally ill or evil or both), and his father (who appears to be a lost soul trying to find his way back to his wife and son).
I really wanted this to work out for Trevor.
And then…
The ugly secrets.
And a ghost.
And then…
The Aunts’ erratic and sinister behavior. A bit creepy and to stock to be believable.
Of course…
It doesn’t help that I don’t like ghosts or horror stories.
I think they are a silly plot device. I kept saying to myself, “self, maybe this is Trevor’s imagination.”
I won’t say…but the ghosts do turn out to be other than they originally seem.
Still…
Once the ghosts showed up, I began to feel that the story seemed a bit contrived. Less believable.
After reading The Plot https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... by this author, I was so excited to get a hold of this book. So, you can imagine how dAfter reading The Plot https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... by this author, I was so excited to get a hold of this book. So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to offer it only 3 stars.
This is why…
Premise: We have a nameless narrator (which is a spoiler I won’t share) who introduces us to 3, starting before conception – the Oppenheimer triplets – Harrison, Lewyn and Sally. A Jewish American success story. Live in Brooklyn. Summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Rich. Exclusive social world.
This is a story of family conflict. Parents are at odds. Secrets. Dysfunctional.
There is grief and guilt, and weighty themes, and race playing a critical element in the story.
It was for me an unpleasant read, because the characters in their privilege were unlikable.
I just didn’t enjoy the story.
I probably will be an outlier, but that is okay. Sometimes, reading experiences are like that, too....more
I read this awhile ago, and I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
I am probably the only one I know who doesn't like this book.
There is a mysteryI read this awhile ago, and I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
I am probably the only one I know who doesn't like this book.
There is a mystery to be solved in this sleepy town.
Roderick Tanner QC has given an assignment to his law students Charlotte and Femi to solve the case, even though someone has already been sent to prison for the murder. Of course, he thinks that individual is innocent.
The attorneys attempt to solve the case through their continuous discussion via emails, messages and letters. And I think this is where I found myself frustrated with having to read the book in this manner.
I have read many books told in letter style, and to be quite honest, some of my favorite books are because of this, but this one, didn't work for me.
This could have been a clever mystery, and may still be for others....more
Whenever his book was made into a movie, I always wanted to read the book first, and this is what led me here.
I am finally bringing my review to GoodWhenever his book was made into a movie, I always wanted to read the book first, and this is what led me here.
I am finally bringing my review to Goodreads.
Premise: This book takes place in Germany, and has 3 primary POV’s, though Le Carre adds a few more later. The central protagonist is Issa Karpov, the son of a Russian war criminal and his Chechen “war bride.”
Issa claims to have been tortured in prison. He now appears to readers as a traumatized refugee in Hamburg being sheltered by a couple of frightened Turkish immigrants. He seeks help from Annabel, a German civil rights attorney, who is sympathetic to his story, and attracted to him, as well.
Issa leads her to Tommy Brue, a British banker, whose bank stashed his father’s fortune. Annabel seeks him out. Issa says he wants to become a doctor. Brue also wants to help Issa out, because he finds himself attracted to Annabel.
Although it appears like a potential love triangle, nothing more than touching hands occurs.
Apparently, as Annabel and Tommy attempt to help Issa, the Germans, the British and the Americans all want a piece of him.
Why?
The author appears to be doing a critique on the war on terror, but if that is all readers see, then the point is missed.
Issa can be any stateless individual from the wrong place with the wrong background. No one really cares about his religion, only what he knows and who he knows.
Le Carre does a good job of not being too preachy, but if he was attempting suspense, he failed at it. The story line is rather predictable.
Still…
The author attempts to write a complicated and compelling story. This isn’t necessarily a spy thriller, as the spies take a background seat, and the civilians take center stage.
What we have here are grubby, believable, morally compromised protagonists.
I read and discussed this book years ago when I first retired. I had signed up through a local community college emeritus class that discussed books a I read and discussed this book years ago when I first retired. I had signed up through a local community college emeritus class that discussed books and also included local author visits. This class was what encouraged me to go to my local library and offer my services to facilitate a Library Discussion Group and Local author Series program. I will be forever grateful for that class!
On to the review.
Premise: This is the story of Sabrina Castro, as she struggles with the toll of her romantic affair on herself, her marriage and her other relationships.
To be honest, as much as I have loved most of Stegner’s work, this is not one of my favorites.
Sabrina is not a likable character. So, it is hard to root for her. Yes, she is complex, and most likely there is redemption, but…
The story feels like a soap opera. And, if you have been following my reviews, you probably know, that is not my interest area.
And, I get that it was written in the 1950’s, so it is presenting women in a certain era, in which I cannot relate. So, am I being fair? Patient? Open?
I will say this…makes for a great book discussion selection. 2.5 stars....more
Premise: Emily and Chess grew up together. They were inseparable. Now as adults, with life always in the way, Chess suggests a trip to Italy, which EmPremise: Emily and Chess grew up together. They were inseparable. Now as adults, with life always in the way, Chess suggests a trip to Italy, which Emily jumps on as a way to reconnect with her best friend. And off they go.
They are staying at Villa Aestas in Orvieto, a holiday-home that use to belong to a rock-star, Noel Gordon. Unfortunately, a chain of events led to the murder of one of Noel’s friends, Pierce, an up-and-coming musician. Emily finds herself entranced with this mystery and wants to dig in to it. As she learns more, tension is built between her and Chess. Why?
Apparently, this story was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle – the birthplace of Frankenstein. (Per publisher)
Feels like a deadly legacy, yes?
The story goes back and forth in time – the 1970’s timeline and present day. And for whatever reason, whatever happened then, allows whatever is happening in the present, to happen. In other words, the past motivates the present actions.
Which ties Chess and Emily together. Will this be a good thing?
The story has promise, even though I had difficulty liking these two women.
Still, I found myself wanting to know more…
Because, it isn’t until the last third of the book, that everything comes together. When it all makes sense.
Just know this…
Nothing is as it first appears. If you can hang with it, you might enjoy the book after all. 3.5 stars....more
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