The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold is a 2022 Revell publication.
Finally, folks, we have a winner! The 2024 reading year has gotteThe Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold is a 2022 Revell publication.
Finally, folks, we have a winner! The 2024 reading year has gotten off to a very, very bumpy start. But this book is hopefully a sign that things are finally looking up!
I love inspirational stories like this one. Mrs. Kip is the real deal and Sara Brunsvold is too. This book is a genuine faith-based novel loaded with life lessons, but presented with a gentle, heartwarming touch.
Mrs. Kip never takes her eye off her goal- following where the Lord leads, though her life didn't turn out the way she had planned. Naturally, Mrs. Kip’s life, though she’s not famous or wealthy, turns out to have been quite extraordinary- living a full adventurous, courageous life...
Something journalist Aidyn Kelly comes to learn when she is commissioned to write Mrs. Kip’s obituary. She and Mrs. Kip, despite the brevity of time they have together, are a real blessing to each other. The lessons Aidyn will learn from Mrs. Kip will stay with her for the rest of her life, and the gifts Aidyn gives Mrs. Kip, showing her the fruits of her labor, which is quite plentiful, will fill your heart with joy and inspire you to trust God and whatever plans he might have for you
Overall, this is one of those emotional, feel-good stories that will stay with you for a long time! We need more people like Mrs. Kip and more books like this one!
I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author!
Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is a 1973 publication.
This is the second installment in the Leaphorn & Chee series, which centers around theDance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is a 1973 publication.
This is the second installment in the Leaphorn & Chee series, which centers around the disappearance of two boys.
This novel is incredibly interesting as it delves into the Zuni people and the unique laws and beliefs which complicate the investigation. The story held my attention all the way through, and though it is yet another ‘time-capsule’ story which contains some dated storylines- primarily that of ‘hippies and commune living’- nothing else about the story showed its age. The imagery was incredible and Hillerman has a real knack for drawing you into the landscape, making you feel like you are right there with him.
Overall, this is a compelling story, written with vivid details and atmosphere. Looking forward to the next installment!
Luther: The Calling by Neil Cross is a 2011 Simon & Schuster publication.
My DH and I watched every Luther episode ever made- all without the benefit Luther: The Calling by Neil Cross is a 2011 Simon & Schuster publication.
My DH and I watched every Luther episode ever made- all without the benefit of having read this book first. While I kept intending to read it- I never quite managed to work it into my schedule… until I noticed it was part of the KU program. I immediately borrowed it, super excited by the prospect of getting to read a ‘Luther’ story.
I will confess, though, that both my husband and I were occasionally put off by the show due to the very dark nature of the plotlines. It seems we’ve both mellowed just a bit over the years. So, though I was somewhat prepared for a dark, gritty crime thriller I was not ready for the descriptions of one of the most heinous sorts of crimes out there. I had to take a few breaks before I was able to complete the novel.
This book is basically the setup for the series- the case that nearly breaks the unorthodox John Luther. This meant that “Alice” had not come along just yet- and I was a bit disappointed she was not a part of this book. I always thought the series was better when she was a part of it.
That said, John Luther is a flawed, complicated character-an anti-hero type who flaunts the rules and manages to somehow come out of it with his job still intact. The book is well-written and executed and is unflinchingly realistic at times- from the graphic depictions of the crimes and the criminals- but also the corruption and vigilantism. I am disappointed to see that a planned follow-up has never materialized. I’d love to see more installments in the series, even though I found this one a bit hard to get through due to its graphic nature and subject matter.
Overall, I was glad I finally got around to reading this book. I wish I’d done so before watching the show, though, as I feel it would have given me a better understanding of John’s actions in that first season. Even if you have not seen the show- if you like dark, twisted, gritty crime thrillers this is one you might want to consider.
Recently I stumbled across a series that was evidently based on the Robin Hood legend. Though not my usual genre, I found myself intrigued enough to c Recently I stumbled across a series that was evidently based on the Robin Hood legend. Though not my usual genre, I found myself intrigued enough to consider adding it to my TBR list. But then I thought maybe it would be a good idea to read some of the older stories about the legendary folk hero- which other than a Disney-like story I read as a child; I had never done- to my knowledge. I have seen a few movies- but I wanted to read what I thought might be some of the 'original' tales and not the Hollywood version of them- which led me to this book. This compilation of stories set the tone for Robin Hood going forward- though, the tales of Robin Hood had been around long before Pyle put his stamp on them.
This collection of stories was written by Howard Pyle back in 1883. He adapted the older Robin Hood ballads, changed a few things up, including Robin’s original villainous reputation –making him into a hero who robbed the rich to feed the poor.
The book starts off with the story about how Robin Hood became something of an outlaw and wound-up living in Sherwood Forest. From there we are introduced to his Merry men and off we go on a variety of often hilarious adventures, and a few nailbiters, too- meeting an eclectic group of people- some who become allies and some who remain staunch enemies.
I never would have thought I’d find Robin Hood stories this enjoyable- but I admit I had a good time reading this book, which was nothing at all like I thought it would be- and doing a little research about the origins of the folklore hero. The language in this book, as I learned, was made up of a fake medieval dialect and it was hard to follow on occasion, as a result. It was also unintentionally funny sometimes because words today mean something entirely different from when this book was published.
All the same, I have a renewed respect for the Robin Hood legend. This was a fun exercise and was certainly a much-needed change of pace. I feel much better equipped now to pursue more stories or pastiches built around the legend of Robin Hood! Who knows, maybe I’ll even tackle Ivanhoe someday.
The Treachery of Time by Anna Gilbert is a 1995 publication.
It had always been Esther and Daniel- the two had a love that was just meant to be… untilThe Treachery of Time by Anna Gilbert is a 1995 publication.
It had always been Esther and Daniel- the two had a love that was just meant to be… until it wasn’t…
A confounding mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young girl will haunt Esther most of her life- she may have witnessed something that could help solve the mystery. But, when a young girl is found abandoned- filthy, and unable to tell anyone who she is or where she came from- Esther's life takes a turn she never could have imagined. Who is the girl and why does she seem to have it in for Esther- making sure any contentment she may have carved out for herself is ruined?
I have a little project I've been working on- which is to try and draw attention to older books that have been digitized in hopes that authors, their estate, or publishers will digitize more of them for the sake of preservation, if nothing else.
The other reason I would like to see them digitized, is that I have lots of old paperbacks I’d like to read- but have trouble seeing the small print. So, in my quest to see if I could find a specific book I had on my shelf. I discovered a nice little cache of books by Anna Gilbert- some of which are in the Kindle Unlimited program- so I decided to give this one try.
Gilbert is known for writing Gothics- but this one doesn’t fit into that category. It is also labeled a mystery- and that is true to some extent- but it’s mostly a dramatic historical fiction novel. The writing is typical for books written in this era- the pacing is very slow, especially if one is expecting more of a mystery. I did find myself feeling a bit impatient at times- especially now that my attention span is much shorter- but I was interested in how the various love interests would resolve themselves- and if the obvious connections the reader was meant to presume were accurate or not.
Eventually, despite being left with a touch of unease, we are mostly given a conclusion that is so bittersweet there’s a residual ache for what might have been.
The story is a bit melancholy, I must say. None of the main characters achieved the level of fulfillment in their lives they’d envisioned for themselves. Still, as with real life, they did manage to find purpose, and carve out a degree of peace and contentment despite the cruel hand they had been dealt.
The ‘chilling’ mystery only produced a low-level of suspense- but there is a lingering concern that remains and I did wonder if maybe the author had considered a follow-up novel that dealt with that possibility- but that does not appear to have ever materialized.. My main qubble is that this vague threat as not wrapped up more firmly.
Other than that, the atmosphere and characterizations were well done and lingered with me for a while. This style of writing is probably not well suited for some modern readers as the conclusion isn’t necessarily a dreamy happily ever after- and there’s absolutely no comic relief – not even a little reprieve from the gloominess. But one must keep in mind that this author was known for her Gothic stories and while this one didn’t have traditional Gothic elements it did mimic the pacing and heaviness of a Gothic novel.
I did enjoy the nostalgic feeling of reading an older book, written in a style I remember reading voraciously back in the day. It also helped that while the book deals with adult themes- it is handled without being too explicit.
This is strictly historical fiction- not historical romance- with a bit of mystery and suspense, The novel, still explores various types of love- love that doesn’t exactly meet the usual passion or romantic expectations but thrives regardless.
So for me, this turned out to be a satisfying read and I’m thankful once again to see some of these older titles digitized and available for folks like me who enjoy reading old books, or for those who prefer- or need to- adjust the font size- or for those with an open mind who might be interested in what people were reading back in the mid- 1990s.
Remy rescues a drowning man who turns out to have amnesia. This disrupts Remy’s quiet, isolated existMemory Lane by Becky Wade is a 2023 publication.
Remy rescues a drowning man who turns out to have amnesia. This disrupts Remy’s quiet, isolated existence as she is forced to take care of him. The sparks fly – but each of them has a dark part of their past, they must come to terms with.
For her part, Remy is willing to help find out who this mysterious man is and help him piece together the missing pieces of his memory… a task that could prove dangerous…
While I did enjoy this book- for the most part, I did have a few qualms.
One thing I feel I should mention is that the cover could be a bit misleading, and this is an issue I keep encountering. This is not a Rom-Com. It’s not even all that ‘light’. There are some heavy issues addressed in the story and though the author did a good job handling it delicately, the subject matter could be uncomfortable for some readers.
The other thing that bothered me was that the book is listed as Christian Fiction- which was really stretching it. Very little faith-based content- but plenty of other content that CF readers might find surprising- or perhaps controversial… which is why CF can be such a slippery slope sometimes.
That said, the book is ‘clean’- no sexual content, no harsh language or descriptive violence. Still, that doesn’t make it CF.
Other than that, though, the story is enjoyable- and I liked the mystery elements. There was a little something in the book for everyone- romance, mystery, drama and emotion- and it was all very well balanced.
Overall, I was of two minds about this one- there are some blips and gray areas- but the story is good, nevertheless. So, I’ll go with a 3.5- but rounded down.
American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years- 1950-2000 by Peter Vronsky is a 2021 Berkley publication.
Serial killers didn’t suddenly appear out of noAmerican Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years- 1950-2000 by Peter Vronsky is a 2021 Berkley publication.
Serial killers didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere- they have always been amongst us- long before such a phrase was coined- but one must admit that between 1950 and 2000 there was a huge surge in the number of prolific serial killers.
In this book the author attempts to explain why that might be- the ‘perfect storm’ of events that created an epidemic of psychosexual murderers. This book does not delve into various other subsets of serial killers- for instance, there are no female serial killers profiled- as he hopes to zero in on the sexual sadist types who terrorized cities, dominated the news cycles, and starred in our nightmares for years and years.
By focusing on this type of serial killer, the author can make a connection between various events- such as wars, the depression, and the easily available pulp magazines that featured images of male dominance over bound, scantily clad women and the sudden sharp increase in the number of serial murders.
This theory holds merit and is certainly worth considering and I was inclined to concede the point to a degree. While Ted Bundy claimed these images led him to harder pornographic material and was the catalyst for his numerous crimes, I felt maybe the author was giving those publications more power, perhaps, than they deserved. Still, I’m not negating the influence of these images, but I’m not sure one can blame everything on this type of media- sort of like blaming video games for every incident of violence that occurs- an inability to separate fact from fiction- but- sometimes it can be pure evil and nothing more.
The author went through a plethora of killers- some I was familiar with- some not so much. I felt the point could have been made without comprehensive studies of these killers. In fact, it was just too much for me. Too much violent, sicko stuff to read for any length of time without it causing mental stress. So, it took weeks to complete this book- even with a few skimming sessions. I think it could have been condensed down a bit and it might have been more effective- making the point with more efficiency.
The author is well versed on this topic, so of course, the book is researched, and the material was organized, and I had no trouble with the writing- just that it droned on far too long. But, for true crime readers, and serial killer aficionados, this is a book you’ll want to consider.
The conclusion of the book warns of another perfect storm in the making and I can’t say I disagree. I have a feeling it’s going to get worse before it gets any better….
A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Evardsson is a 2018 Celadon Books publication.
This book has been on and off my TBR list a few times over the years. I A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Evardsson is a 2018 Celadon Books publication.
This book has been on and off my TBR list a few times over the years. I recently discovered there was a Netflix series based on the book and so I decided to add it back to my list- then maybe give the TV series a go.
A teenage girl is accused of murdering an older man she may have been involved with romantically. She has a bit of a troubled past and now her parents face a dilemma no parent could possibly prepare themselves for....
The story is naturally a bit of a whodunit- as we are not entirely sure the accused is the guilty party- it’s also sort of a legal 'thriller', but perhaps at its core it’s a family drama with some interesting character studies.
Each individual narrator provides a piece of the family puzzle- a father who is perhaps over involved in his daughter’s life, a man who is concerned about his reputation and appearances, in contrast with the mother, whose job requires long hours and prevents her from establishing the close relationship with her daughter that her husband seems to enjoy.
Decisions from the past also come back to haunt them and play a key role in the current situation they find themselves in. It is also a thought-provoking set up that begs anyone who is a parent to ask themselves to what length would they go to protect their child.
While the story can be absorbing at times, it is a bit of a slower burn- and in the end I didn’t feel the sense of satisfaction I was expecting. It’s a well thought out, well written saga- and I think it has merit-but overall, I’m afraid I was a bit underwhelmed by it. Again, for the second time in a row I’ve decided to pass on the media tie-in- at least for now- and I think I’ll avoid that sort of tie-in for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, 2024 seems to be off to a sluggish start. I hope it improves soon!
Says it's a cozy mystery-but in the first eight pages there are more non-cozy expletives than I would tolerate in an entire novel that's categorized uSays it's a cozy mystery-but in the first eight pages there are more non-cozy expletives than I would tolerate in an entire novel that's categorized under this label. As a rule cozies should only use harsh language sparingly, if at all, in my opinion- so I'm off to find a cozy that fits that description.
The Girl Next Door by Peggy Gaddis is a 2013 Crimson Romance publication.
This book was originally published in 1968. Peggy Dern/Gaddis was a prolificThe Girl Next Door by Peggy Gaddis is a 2013 Crimson Romance publication.
This book was originally published in 1968. Peggy Dern/Gaddis was a prolific author with a large catalogue of medical romances under her belt. This book is one of her later releases which tended to focus on the timely topic of the Vietnam war and soldiers returning home wounded or disabled.
This is a short story – 171 pages in the 1968 print copy of this novel, the digital version claims only 100 pages. Either way it’s novella length at best. But, in this limited space the author manages to create a real soap opera of a story, filled with self-serving women, willing to use men as a means to an end, with little or no conscience about it. Oy!
Yes, this book was bad in many ways. Two women fighting over the same man- one who was sure she was in love and would never truly love another man- while the other just wanted a man to sponsor her singing career- which made them both look bad.
While this is one of those ‘Dime-store’ novels- and obviously, any book written in 1968 is dated- especially one categorized as romance- there are lessons to be learned from reading it. One is that it’s a ‘time-capsule’ experience. Today, due to intense pressure- authors may write a book set in the past- but they can’t fully capture the reality of it as today’s enlightened reader might not be able to relate- or will be outraged by the actual historical details. But, if you read a book written in a specific time you get the real deal- no modernizing involved- perhaps a bit of exaggeration, but you get a glimpse of the mindset of many, non- counter-culture young women in 1968- (though occasionally Betsy was a bit too square- another case of an author playing it safe, I'm sure-LOL!)
No formal education was mentioned- not even considered an option- it was marriage or work in a five and dime or department store- with marriage being the favored choice. This might mean settling for someone even if they weren’t your first choice or the person you had feelings for. There was a desperation there that was not healthy. Also, explored, was the way parents tended to shelter their daughters- to the point where, despite their chronological age, they remained emotionally immature.
So, despite the high dramatics, catty women, and aloof heroes, I’m so happy someone had the presence of mind to digitize these books. They aren’t going to get high ratings- especially since few people can get past the datedness- but they do give one insight into small-town 1968 mindsets- the type of books teenage girls might have been reading- which really helps us understand just how far we’ve come in many ways- and gives one perspective so as not to judge this older material too harshly. In their time, these books were probably the equivalent of a ‘Harlequin’ Romance- some better- some worse- but certainly worth preserving as a piece of history, if nothing else. Now, if someone would digitize Dern’s medical romances!!
Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway is a 2006 Avon publication.
Holiday themed novels are my weakness. Like a starving person at a buffet, every yMust Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway is a 2006 Avon publication.
Holiday themed novels are my weakness. Like a starving person at a buffet, every year I load up on new Christmas themed novels- way more than I could possibly read- even if I started in September- okay, if I started in July. So, my Kindle is now haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past- packed with unread heartwarming holiday family fare, Yuletide murders, and zany Christmas-themed rom-coms. So, this year I limited myself to only three (or four) new releases and instead picked holiday books I already had on my Kindle.
I have no idea how long this book has been on my device- but it’s been a few years- over five- at least. I love the cover, and the story sounded cute- so I plucked it from the pile.
Unfortunately, every year I also manage to pick a book that is the equivalent of a lump of coal amongst all the shiny bows and ribbons- and this year that humbug honor goes to “Must Love Mistletoe’.
This is a contemporary romance that although it had some potential fizzled out pretty early on. I have no doubt that if I’d read this book years back, I’d have been more entertained by it than I am now. But I’ve aged out of CR novels in which there is more heavy breathing, groping, making out and sex scenes than there is meaningful dialogue and character growth.
There really wasn’t a lot of holiday cheer in this one either, despite the premise- there was more grumbling about the holiday than warmth, joy, peace or even comedy for that matter. Though one couldn’t really blame Finn for not being in the holiday spirit- he would go from dark and brooding to lusting after Bailey, to make out sessions, then back to dark and brooding. It just didn’t mix well. Then there was that ending- with an unusual twist that didn’t make sense, and a rather abrupt conclusion.
Overall, this one will fare better for the targeted audience- which I was probably moderately a part of when I first acquired this book- but have long since abandoned.
On the plus side, each chapter ended with a small bit of Christmas trivia- which was fun and interesting-and almost made it worth sitting through all that heavy breathing… almost.
A Lakeside Thanksgiving by Leeanna Morgan is a 2021 publication.
This is the third book in the ‘Sapphire Bay’ series. I picked this book because the tA Lakeside Thanksgiving by Leeanna Morgan is a 2021 publication.
This is the third book in the ‘Sapphire Bay’ series. I picked this book because the title suggested it was centered around the Thanksgiving holiday. I have not read the previous installments- but hope to go back and fill in the backstory a little someday- but that said, one can glean the gist of things and it is not necessary to have read the first two books to enjoy this one.
Thanksgiving is mentioned several times in this book- but if you are thinking this story is in any way a traditional turkey day tale filled with holiday staples and big families gathered around the table with plenty of side drama- then you would be wrong. In this story there is a wedding taking place at Thanksgiving, and planning time is short.
But the main focal point of the story is centered around Barbara. Barbara is in Sapphire Bay for a few more months due to a sitpulation made by her grandmother. She intends to head straight back to San Diego the minute her family obligations are filled. Then she meets Theo- a local radio station owner who also left the big city -but for very different reasons. It seems like the real deal between them until their big city lives tempt them to return to the frenetic lives they had before coming to Sapphire Bay.
I admit to feeling a little disappointed that Thanksgiving itself wasn't more of a focal point in the story - sort of mentioned in passing, really. There are so few novels centered around this holiday, I had hoped to find one that would remind us to push the pause button on all the Christmas commercialism and take time to be with family and friends- count our blessings, and reflect on who and what is important to us.
But, upon further reflection, the message was one that I get on board with- but I must say this, though-
Putting people before careers, slowing down and taking time to find solitude, to help others, to pay it forward are not exclusive to small town living. In fact, I live in a small town and we are just as guilty of working sixty or more hours in a week as those who live in cities. No small town is as idealistic as books make them sound and both have their unique challenges- but whereever you live- you can still adopt a mentality of prioritizing and finding a balance between work and family.
So, overall, I ended up really liking this story, though it was not exactly what I had in mind. It’s clean, pleasant, and while light on the surface, there’s a gentle, but important message there, too.
This side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber is a 2017 publication.
Just after the Great War, Verity, who lost her husband, Sidney, in the war, has been inviThis side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber is a 2017 publication.
Just after the Great War, Verity, who lost her husband, Sidney, in the war, has been invited to the engagement party of one of Sidney’s fellow officers. Upon arrival, Verity is shocked to find a copy of ‘The Pilgram’s Progress’- the book she had given to Sidney, in her room. Inspecting the book, she finds a hidden, encrypted missive along with a suggestion her husband was a traitor.
On alert, Verity is determined to discover who is accusing her husband of such a heinous crime. It becomes immediately clear that something untoward was going on with the thirtieth division- and now, cut off from civilization, anyone who might know the truth is being eliminated. Not knowing who to trust, Verity must tread carefully, or she could be next!
A wonderfully entertaining mystery! Just what I was in the mood for. I really liked Verity, the surprise twists, set time and place, and the way everything came together in the end. I started this book back in November but was surprised by a few last-minute Thanksgiving developments so I opted to put it aside until I could truly focus on it and I’m glad I did. It was worth waiting for!
The story is well thought out and for a first in a series the author did an amazing job of putting all the characters into their positions and giving us plenty of incentives to catch the next installment….
A Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain is a 2009 Berkley publication.
Jessica has come down with a bad case of writer’s block and all of CaA Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain is a 2009 Berkley publication.
Jessica has come down with a bad case of writer’s block and all of Cabot Cove is aware of it. But her attention is diverted from her WIP as she prepares to host a Thanksgiving feast at her home. The guests are certainly an eclectic group, which will include her old friend, George, from across the pond.
But a new development has Jessica worried. She has noticed a man loitering around her house, while she is receiving daily letters that contain one letter at a time- some lower case- some upper case. At first Jessica blew it off, but as the letters continued George and Mort feel it is worth investigating.
Meanwhile, Jessica’s guest list continues to grow and with that she begins to worry they won’t all get along….
This may not be the only Thanksgiving themed novel in this series, but it’s the only one that came up in a search for Thanksgiving mysteries- so, I’m presuming it is.
Every year when the dog days of summer are winding down, I start craving Christmas stories. Even through the month of October when I’m also in the mood for something spooky, I can’t help but sneak in a few Christmas novels. But, what about Thanksgiving?
A few years ago, that question popped into my mind and since then, I’ve made a concerted effort to find and read at least one Thanksgiving themed story. So, without further ado…
This story is a bit of a slow burner- but I was so enjoying my return to Cabot Cove -with George making the trip to this landscape- that I didn’t mind the slow buildup.
Once the murder takes place, I thought it was fairly easy to decipher who the killer was, but the motive was very murky. So murky, I never would have put that piece of the puzzle together no matter how many times I guessed!!
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this Thanksgiving themed mystery. The ending was slightly quirky but all’s well that ends well. If you are overwhelmed by the rush into Christmas and all those 'Black Friday' sales- take some time out to read a good cozy Thanksgiving story and remember to slow down and take time to be thankful!!
Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley is a 2013 publication.
I’m not going to tell anyone how many books I have on my Kindle- but it’s pretty bad when bPumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley is a 2013 publication.
I’m not going to tell anyone how many books I have on my Kindle- but it’s pretty bad when books have loitered around on your device for over ten years. I stumbled across this one while looking for another book- and paused- looking at the cover- covered in pumpkins. I was actually looking for a Thanksgiving themed book- not Halloween- but it is still autumn- so why not?
This is not a bad start to this series. The mystery is solid and the characters likeable- the execution, though, was a bit wobbly. There were too many loose ends to tie up after the murderer is revealed- then a flat closing chapter filled with unnecessary information which didn’t leave me eagerly anticipating the next installment.
That said, it was an enjoyable story, overall. I read this book while preparing for Thanksgiving and with my DH home from work all week. My focus was divided for sure- so this was a nice, light escape from all the chaos.
Not sure if I’ll continue with this series. Daley has several long running series out there to choose from- maybe I’ll give her books another try someday... and who knows, I may have more of her books on my Kindle already! ...more