Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!
The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman: 4.5 stars. A heartwarming novel of discovery and new beginnings. Family secrets drive the story as Sutton Douglas tries to learn the truth about everything her mom kept hidden from her. The lakeside setting is absolutely perfect and springs vividly to life. The side characters add depth and offer opportunities for Sutton’s growth. A slight romantic element is the perfect topping on this wonderful novel.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin: 4 stars. At first I was not sure if I would like bookstore owner A.J. Fikry. He is unbending, gruff to the point of rudeness and all around crotchety. But an unexpected package works magic on A.J. as does his unexpected friendship with Amelia. Well-written with interesting characters and a fantastic setting.
A Killer in the Family by Gytha Lodge: 4.5 stars. This fifth installment in the DCI Jonah Sheens series perfectly blends the professional and personal lives of the investigative team. The hunt for a serial killer weighs heavily on Jonah as he and the rest of his squad work tirelessly to locate a suspect. The slow burn investigation is interspersed with Jonah’s troubled homelife. Ancestry DNA adds a realistic aspect to the storyline and provides intriguing twists and turns.
Cold Blooded Liar by Karen Rose: 4.5 stars. An outstanding police procedural with fascinating characters. This first installment in the San Diego series introduces dedicated Detecive Kit McKittrick and caring psychologist Sam Reeves. Kit is not one to trust easily so she fights her instincts when Sam provides information about the possible location of murdered teenager. This latest discovery adds to the number of cold cases that have haunted the homicide squad for over a decade. With suspicions falling on Sam, he has a vested interest in finding the killer as do Kit and her fellow detectives. A twist-filled mystery that will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next book this fantastic series.
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson: A work of non-fiction that focuses on the US Ambassador to Germany in 1933. I have just gotten started on this fascinating look back in time that is eerily similar to recent events in America.
Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!
