This is my third Chris Bohjalian book. The first one I read was The Flight Attendant which I loved and could not put down. The second one I read was SThis is my third Chris Bohjalian book. The first one I read was The Flight Attendant which I loved and could not put down. The second one I read was Secrets of Eden which started off strong but dragged in the middle.
The Author's Note at the beginning of the book is fascinating. It is about a true story of a Vermont homeless man who was a world-renowned photographer in the 1950's and 1960's. When he passes away, he leaves behind a box of photographs and negatives. This story provides the basis for the fictional novel, The Double Bind.
The Double Bind starts off with a huge bang. The main character, Laurel, is riding her bicycle on a desolate, wooded area of Vermont when two men pull over in a van directly in front of her. After her assault, Laurel recovers and begins working at a homeless shelter. Bobbie Crocker, a homeless man, passes away and leaves a box of photographs and negatives. Laurel begins exploring how a once successful photographer becomes homeless. And it links to her past.
Unfortunately, the book drags in the middle with scenes, dialogue, and details that seem to distract from the main storyline.
The first Chris Bohjalian book I read was The Flight Attendant and I could not put it down. I immediately added many Bohjalian books to my TBR.
My secoThe first Chris Bohjalian book I read was The Flight Attendant and I could not put it down. I immediately added many Bohjalian books to my TBR.
My second Bohjalian book was Secrets of Eden. I listened to it on audiobook; fabulous narrators. Chris Bohjalian is an incredible storyteller because his first chapter always grabs me.
The book starts with the POV of the pastor. A woman he baptized was found dead the next day, presumably by her abusive husband. And then it appears that her husband killed himself.
It seemed like an easy open and shut case of murder-suicide. Until it becomes possible there are other scenarios.
The book starts off with a bang but drags in the middle. Some chapters and details felt extraneous and unnecessary.
I recently read Freida McFadden's book, The Teacher and could not put it down. I rated it five stars. I quickly added other Freida McFadden books to mI recently read Freida McFadden's book, The Teacher and could not put it down. I rated it five stars. I quickly added other Freida McFadden books to my TBR.
I listened to Ward D on audiobook and had a hard time engaging with it. My rating and review are definitely an outlier, so please read other Goodreads reviews.
Normally, McFadden's books create a huge hook for the reader in the first chapter. It didn't hook me. I felt the main character was a little ditzy or dumb or didn't ask enough questions about being locked up overnight in the ward.
I tried to hang in there, but eventually it ended up in the DNF pile....more
I recently read Freida McFadden's book, The Teacher and could not put it down. I rated it five stars. So then I placed quite a few McFadden books on mI recently read Freida McFadden's book, The Teacher and could not put it down. I rated it five stars. So then I placed quite a few McFadden books on my TBR.
Want to Know a Secret? was okay but not great. It wasn't riveting but I kept hanging in there hoping it would get better. The main protagonist, April, receives creepy text messages about her son, her husband, and herself.
My main dislike of the book was that it felt like catty, mean women doing spiteful things to each other. There were antics around PTA meetings, children's playground fights, and shoplifting as well as more serious situations like extramarital affairs and murder.
Robin Monarch, the main protagonist, is at it again in The Art of Rendition. His new instructions include kidnapping which is fraught with many compleRobin Monarch, the main protagonist, is at it again in The Art of Rendition. His new instructions include kidnapping which is fraught with many complexities. Monarch's intelligence, creativity, and highly observant skills help him succeed.
I recently read Mark Sullivan's book, The Last Green Valley, and I immediately added many Sullivan books to my TBR. The short stories that feature CIA agent, Robin Monarch, are action packed and fast paced. Prior to reading The Art of Rendition, I read Brotherhood and The Escape Artist which are short stories that feature Robin Monarch....more
I listened to The Escape Artist on audiobook after reading my first Mark Sullivan book, The Last Green Valley and rating it five stars. I then put allI listened to The Escape Artist on audiobook after reading my first Mark Sullivan book, The Last Green Valley and rating it five stars. I then put all of Mark Sullivan books on my TBR, including those that he wrote with James Patterson.
The Escape Artist is an action packed large diamond jewelry heist story based in the Congo. It is a short story that clips along like a runaway locomotive. ...more
I am on a Mark Sullivan reading odyssey after recently reading The Last Green Valley which I rated five stars and subsequently added all Mark SullivanI am on a Mark Sullivan reading odyssey after recently reading The Last Green Valley which I rated five stars and subsequently added all Mark Sullivan books to my TBR.
Brotherhood is a short story that I listened to on audiobook. Robin Monarch, the main protagonist, is given one shot at freedom. But he has to earn it by stealing precious jewelry and artwork.
Thief is the third book in a series about CIA operative, Robin Monarch. The other two books are short stories: Brotherhood and The Escape Artist. ThieThief is the third book in a series about CIA operative, Robin Monarch. The other two books are short stories: Brotherhood and The Escape Artist. Thief is not a short story. Monarch continues to have extremely challenging assignments which he masterfully pulls off, despite the odds.
I have seen the movie, Murder on the Orient Express, but I had never read the book. One of the book clubs I belong to chose it, so I listened to it onI have seen the movie, Murder on the Orient Express, but I had never read the book. One of the book clubs I belong to chose it, so I listened to it on audiobook. It is narrated superbly by Dan Stevens. I felt like I was alongside the detective on the train during each interview and the discussion of who potentially committed the murder....more
Wow! Fiona Davis packs a spectacular punch with her historical novel, The Spectacular. It is superbly narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr.
MWow! Fiona Davis packs a spectacular punch with her historical novel, The Spectacular. It is superbly narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr.
Marion, a nineteen year old woman, faces her future with grit, determination, and dreams. Her father and her boyfriend want her to pursue a respectable career for women in the 1950s: secretary, nurse, or teacher. Marion loves to dance and auditions for the Rockettes and makes it.
I loved so many things about this book: * The nonfiction elements: there was a Mad Bomber in NYC who detonated over 30 bombs during a 16 year period. He set them off in Radio City Music Hall, public libraries, Grand Central Station, Port Authority, phone booths, the subway, and other locations. In the book, he's referred to as the Big Apple Bomber. * Another nonfiction element: Psychological profiling was used to help catch the Mad Bomber. * Lots of family and relationship dynamics, including a very controlling, domineering father. * The story arc, character development, and details about Rockettes are fabulous. * Marion is a spunky, determined young woman who wants a dancing career regardless of what her father and boyfriend say and do. * I learned a lot!
The story was created after a Rockette who was in her 80s reached out to Fiona Davis. She shared many details about being a Rockette in the 1950s. The Rockette's performed four shows a day which meant 600 kicks a day. They worked three to four weeks straight before getting a day off. The Rockette's performed shows between movies. If there was a western movie, they learned new dances and performed in cowgirl costumes.
At the end of the audiobook, Fiona Davis mentioned that she was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2020.
I tried to continue to the end with this 20 hour audiobook, In the Woods, but gave up at about 50%.
The premise is interesting. Three children are abdI tried to continue to the end with this 20 hour audiobook, In the Woods, but gave up at about 50%.
The premise is interesting. Three children are abducted and one survives. The survivor becomes a detective and twenty years later is investigating the murder of a 12 year old girl. The two crimes are eerily similar.
However, to get from point A to point B requires a ton of reflection, lots of unnecessary detail about friends, bars, relationships, faded memories, etc.
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