Finn McIntyre has reached his bottom. His former SEAL teammates have all but given up on him and Charlotte (Twitch) Devlin, the only woman he’s ever lFinn McIntyre has reached his bottom. His former SEAL teammates have all but given up on him and Charlotte (Twitch) Devlin, the only woman he’s ever loved, isn’t willing to take him back…again. When Finn was captured, brutally tortured and physically scarred, he became consumed with a rage that won’t be diffused. He lost even more of his soul when he signed on as a CIA operative. After walking away from that, Finn somehow finds himself in the remote town of Purgatory, West Virginia, a place with an unusual origin and even stranger residents. Meanwhile, Detective Aiden McIntyre returns to active duty in Philadelphia, investigating the murder of a woman that doesn’t yield many clues but later connects to another inexplicable crime in Florida. And, Twitch gets upsetting news while she’s dealing with an odd sense that’s she’s being followed.
First, I’ve just got to say how much I loved this story that had me baffled for much of the beginning. It didn’t matter though as everything was so richly interesting I decided to just settle and an enjoy tagging along. Of course, in time, the connections started to become clearer, which turned up the tension and suspense as it got downright scary. There’s a lot going on and there came a point (about 40% in) where I just refused to put the book down, finishing it in a day.
I love the world of Bishop Security where the team members are more than family. Finn didn’t seem like he could be rehabilitated (his low moments were pretty epic) but what happened in Purgatory was magical and brilliantly crafted. He and Twitch seemed like polar opposites until I learned of not only their backstory but who Finn was before. This story overloaded my senses in such a wonderful way that I hated reaching the end. Reconnecting with the team and getting their updates just made it an even more special reading experience. Thank goodness there are so many other relationships yet to be explored that will keep the books coming. I loved every single thing about this one.
FBI Analyst Lucy Kincaid and Private Investigator Sean Rogan attempt yet another crime-free vacation. This time it’s on Cape Cod and things are lookinFBI Analyst Lucy Kincaid and Private Investigator Sean Rogan attempt yet another crime-free vacation. This time it’s on Cape Cod and things are looking pretty promising until Lucy answers a call to help a man in distress in the water. She later determines that the man thinks someone tried to kill him.
This is a really short story (22 pages) and I couldn’t imagine this being all that interesting. Silly me because once I started I was completely engaged. Well done, especially considering its brevity. Guess Lucy & Sean will never have that true vacation. ...more
Kidnapping cases are always awful but this time, it’s much, much worse. DI Kim Stone and her team are handed the case where two nine-year old girls, bKidnapping cases are always awful but this time, it’s much, much worse. DI Kim Stone and her team are handed the case where two nine-year old girls, best friends, were abducted in broad daylight. What makes it even more insidious are the demands of their captors. The parents are pitted against each other to bid for their child. The winning bidders will get their child back; the losing couple will not. It’s a tough case where the clues are spare and tensions are in the stratosphere.
What made this story even more of a nail biter is having the points of view of the abductors. It’s made clear very early on how dangerous and sadistic at least one was and he scared me silly. His tormenting of those children was close to unbearable so of course I couldn’t stop listening until the end. The dynamics between the parents and the team were just as anxiety ridden and Kim is almost at a breaking point.
It’s an outstanding story if you can take the nerve wracking suspense and fear for those children. There are other related issues going on, as if the abduction wasn’t enough and there was a need for more excitement. The narrator, Jan Cramer, continues to deliver great performances and I’ll always listen to this series because of her. At times it seemed to be too much but there’s a wonderful payoff at the end that sneaked up on me, along with some really special and sensitive moments. This is great storytelling.
It began with the discovery of human bones, unearthed by a dog. The remains were old and soon it was also discovered that they belonged to one of the It began with the discovery of human bones, unearthed by a dog. The remains were old and soon it was also discovered that they belonged to one of the participants in a 30-year old armored car robbery. Five people were involved in the Gamble-Helmet Heist but only one was captured. It’s the FBI’s case with Mercy and her team taking the lead in the investigation. Little did they know the beast they were unleashing with this one.
It was impossible to anticipate the twists and turns this story would take so I just hung on for the ride. It had a little slow start but I picked up on a valuable, obscure clue early on that ended up serving me well. Still, it wasn’t enough to prepare me for the stunning revelations that followed. And, the excitement kept coming when two of Eagle’s Nest residents experienced escalating vandalism and violence that was harrowing.
The case was interesting enough to make this an enjoyable reading experience but when you add in the personal relationship elements, this becomes a must read. I’m certainly not looking forward to the end of this series because with one more book remaining, there’s too much unresolved to complete in one story. Good news, however, as I discovered the author is working on another book for 2021. I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of Mercy’s world. And, of course I’ll be getting the audio version because the narrator rocks!
Sylvie Lee is missing. She is Amy’s bright, beautiful and highly successful older sister who returned to Holland because their grandmother was gravelySylvie Lee is missing. She is Amy’s bright, beautiful and highly successful older sister who returned to Holland because their grandmother was gravely ill. See, Sylvie, along with her grandmother, was sent to live with her aunt and uncle, Helena & Willhem Tan, when she was a baby and rejoined her family in New York when she was nine and Amy was two. Her grandmother subsequently died and Sylvie was expected back home a week ago but no one seems to know where she is. Amy departs for Holland to try and find her, learning so much along the way to make her question whether she truly ever knew the sister she reveres.
This is a multigenerational story that is about so much more than locating a missing person, which is what I thought this would be. We’re provided three narratives: Amy, the younger sister; Sylvie Lee; and, Ma, their mother. There are a host of secondary characters who are part of this frame and instrumental in shaping all three women. The most impactful aspect of the story is the ever evolving identity of Sylvie Lee. She’s driven by a number of forces that’s made her excel in everything she’s ventured and things appear to have shifted. Those shifts provide textured layers to what I had first believed to be a fairly two-dimensional story.
My book club selected this for discussion and after our meeting, I raised my rating. There are deep themes that I hadn’t considered, giving the story so many additional angles to consider. We had a robust discussion about the Dutch and Asian cultures, racism, immigration, abandonment and displaced affections among others. Even the title has a more nuanced meaning. While I found the transitions between narratives often choppy and awkward, they didn’t lessen the power of the characterizations and messages. I’m glad three narrators were used for the audio version because they delivered their characters’ voices in the cultural aspects of where they were most formed. I have to believe it was deliberate as it was effective. This is a complicated story with really interesting, culturally diverse and complex characters.
Detective D. D. Warren comes home after a day dealing with the most bizarre case she can recall and shares the experience with her husband over a glasDetective D. D. Warren comes home after a day dealing with the most bizarre case she can recall and shares the experience with her husband over a glass of wine. A man walks into the station and is convinced he’s already dead. A few hours after they dispatch him home, they receive a call that this time he’s truly dead.
I’m not a fan of novellas but I’m warming to those in this series because they’re cleverly crafted. And, if you have the good fortune to listen to them on audio, you’ll get the added benefit of Kirsten Potter’s sarcastic delivery, completely in tandem with the how the story is written. At the last minute, I decided to use a coupon to get the audiobook from Audible and treated myself to a fun 97 minutes of storytelling. I had no clue where this story would lead and how it would end but I didn’t care because I enjoyed the journey. Just read it and if you can get the audio version, go for it!
Elizabeth Shields and Connor McManus are both operatives with Cobra International Solutions (CIS), a private security firm. Two years ago, Connor saveElizabeth Shields and Connor McManus are both operatives with Cobra International Solutions (CIS), a private security firm. Two years ago, Connor saved her life during a mission that went sideways and she’s never forgotten his bravery in that moment. He’s made no secret of his attraction to “Lilibet,” his pet name for her and both have kept their distance due to the company’s fraternization ban. When Connor is notified of his best friend’s murder in Glasgow, he takes leave to be with Jack Murray’s family and try to figure out what happened. Elizabeth is set to leave for vacation but realizes quickly that Connor needs her help and arrives in Scotland instead of the beach.
I’ve watched these two dance around their attraction since the inception of the series and was glad to see them finally deal with it. What I didn’t expect was to fall for these two, especially Elizabeth who was completely different from what I’d imagined her to be. She was daring, charming, über smart and playfully uninhibited in her relationship with Connor. I knew I liked him but after learning about his origins, growing up poor and rejected in the slums of Glasgow, I came to seriously admire him and how he developed into an honorable, loyal and courageous man. These two put some serious steam in this story but it was an essential part of their relationship and the story. It’s rare for me to say that but in this case, it defined the two in ways that words couldn’t.
The investigation into Jack’s murder was interesting, though I’d figured out the bare details pretty easily. However, that didn’t detract from the excitement or the pleasure of experiencing Elizabeth in action. I’m loving this series and I loved this romance. They were something special.
Dougal Drummond, son of the Laird of Bruard, comes from a long line of fierce warriors. But now that his family’s long standing feud with the MackinnoDougal Drummond, son of the Laird of Bruard, comes from a long line of fierce warriors. But now that his family’s long standing feud with the Mackinnon clan is over, there’s no cause to fight for. Dougal’s restless and decides that he’s going to set sail and rescue the Fair Ellen, a young woman rumored to be held in captivity by her cruel father. He’s not even certain where she is or if the story is truth or myth but he needs to try. Rough weather cripples his boat and he lands at the island of Askaval. Kirsty Macbain spots him and provides assistance and welcome. She’s the island laird’s daughter, is beloved and is immediately taken with the handsome Dougal. But he’s determined to make his repairs and set sail again as soon as possible.
This was a fun story set during Christmas involving two young people who just wanted to fulfill their dreams. Dougal is looking for purpose and Kirsty wants to find her true love. She believes if she can delay his departure, Dougal might become attracted to her and abandon his foolhardy pursuit of Fair Ellen. Unknown to Kirsty, Dougal is already battling his attraction to her but needs the rescue for personal validation. Her efforts to thwart his plans were amusing and their developing relationship was heartwarming. It was a lovely Christmas story with a satisfying ending. 3.5 stars
(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)...more
Cyril Conroy turns to real estate investment at the end of World War II and transforms his family’s circumstances from impoverishment to wealth. When Cyril Conroy turns to real estate investment at the end of World War II and transforms his family’s circumstances from impoverishment to wealth. When he surprises them with a move to the Philadelphia suburbs and the purchase of a great mansion called The Dutch House, it also alters the course of everyone he cares about, and not in a good way. Their stories are told through his son Danny and spans several decades, providing a view of how their futures are shaped by the ensuing events.
Tom Hanks narrates the audio version of the book and felt like the perfect choice for Danny Conroy. The character was fairly dispassionate, a creation of his upbringing as he was shielded from the wreckage of his parents’ marriage and history. He was too young to recall much of it and his sister Maeve protected him beyond adulthood. Hanks’ performance was outstanding in that regard as he personified Danny. But Maeve was the more complex character and we only see her through his eyes. But, that made her all the more enigmatic and tragic as her world seemed to evolve around his.
This is a long saga without a lot of dramatic moments but does have significant, pivotal events that permanently define Danny and Maeve. They sometimes served them well but also stunted their ability to form deep relationships as adults. I enjoyed their journey and was captivated by the story. I didn’t always like Danny but understood him. But it is Maeve who got my admiration and empathy, someone I wanted to know more about but love that she’s left to my imagination. And, The Dutch House was always in the background. It’s an ideal story for book group discussions.
In 2017, Ronan Farrow began his investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the now infamous Harvey Weinstein. At the time, it was jusIn 2017, Ronan Farrow began his investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the now infamous Harvey Weinstein. At the time, it was just a routine assignment that I believe his network felt obliged to follow up and expected it wouldn’t go anywhere. However, Farrow isn’t that kind of journalist, the one that forms an opinion before doing the work. As he began to do his research, Farrow found more and more reason to keep digging as revelations about Weinstein fit a long term pattern of abusive behavior over decades, apparently well known inside and outside of the Hollywood community. But, the closer he came to airing the results of his groundbreaking work, the more resistance Farrow experienced from his network and those close or connected to Weinstein.
I thought I knew most of what there was to know about what happened to Ronan Farrow and his story covering the Harvey Weinstein investigation. Well before this investigation put his name in the headlines, Farrow had gotten my attention as I routinely watch NBC’s Today show and his segments were outstanding. Anytime I discovered he’d be airing a piece I made certain to watch it as the topics were relevant and the research was amazing. So, when I saw the Weinstein story show up in my The New Yorker magazine feed, I was confused. I’d just seen him on NBC two months earlier. It slowly dawned on me what had probably happened...they refused to air the story. Later when the network stated that it “wasn’t ready” when it was presented to them, I knew it for the lie it was. That’s not a biased opinion...it’s an informed one. It’s impossible for the story he filed with The New Yorker to have progressed that significantly in two months, the last time I’d seen Farrow on the network. It made me angry and for a long time, Farrow remained silent about the network’s role.
Sharing my perspective above is important for context. Yes, I had a bias and it was based on what I’d rooted out myself. However, what really happened was much, much worse than I’d concluded. It’s so bad that I’m struggling to continue watching the Today show, which falls under the leadership of those with the dirty hands in this story. However, Andrew Lack, the chairman of NBC News and MSNBC, was forced to resign two days ago and major changes in the network leadership were made, long overdue. I’ll give them a short time to implement change because now more than ever, integrity in news reporting is paramount.
I’d expected someone as powerful as Weinstein to exert his will in thwarting Farrow’s investigation and he indeed pulled out all the stops. But what was more astounding were the identity of lots of his enablers and the sinister tactics used to intimidate Farrow. I promise you’ll be let down in some instances (there’s significant coverage of Matt Lauer’s downfall, too). Farrow narrates his own story, which makes a difference as he adds the inflections and heightened emotions where he experienced them. At times, parts of the story sounds like inside baseball information but I was able to keep up as he does provide clarity. This is an important story as it gives background, raw and seemingly unfiltered, to one of the most important stories of our time. Farrow doesn’t pull any punches about himself and his motives either, which further deepens the story’s authenticity. I believe him. 4.5 stars
Two hikers discover human bones in the mountains of Georgia that are later determined to be a missing person that FBI Supervisor Special Agent KimberlTwo hikers discover human bones in the mountains of Georgia that are later determined to be a missing person that FBI Supervisor Special Agent Kimberly Quincy handled. Because of the location, Kimberly thinks there’s a possibility of a connection to Jacob Ness, the notorious abductor of Flora Dane and who’s suspected of having murdered other women and hid out in a property somewhere in Georgia. She and her fellow task force partner, Detective D. D. Warren collect their team, which includes Flora and true crime expert Kevin Edgar, and head for Georgia. When they arrive at the surrounding town, it’s immediately clear that its Southern charm is just a veneer for something more sinister.
The story is told from the points of view of Kimberly, D. D., Flora and a young mute girl they call Bonita who they find at the home of the town’s mayor. It was fascinating to get the contrasts between the four, one who’s on the inside of the mystery and the others who approach the investigation very differently but equally focused. From the onset, I kind of knew the what but was missing the how, why and whom. I became suspicious of everybody in that town whether they deserved it or not because of the varying perspectives. But somehow, it all worked because all four narratives were reliable, even Flora’s as she is most honest with herself even when she’s going into the dark.
I was skeptical about these three being able to work together harmoniously but it was akin to a well performing orchestra in reality. They focused on their specific assignments, which played to their individual strengths, and communicated really well. It made for an exciting story that moved pretty quickly. Little Bonita added a mystical element as she had a special connection to her dead mother, or at least believed so. Things came together astoundingly and a bit messy, which seemed as right as these three being a cohesive team. I’ve said this with every book but it bears repeating, Kirsten Potter is masterful at narrating these stories and I love her voice for D. D. I’m so glad I chose to listen to the series and will continue if any more books are added. I’ve enjoyed my journey alongside D. D. Warren as she’s grown in maturity and dimension. Hate that I’ve reached the end.
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