November’s Reading Challenge is designed to help you escape the stress of the upcoming holidays by reading a book set in your favorite or dream vacation destination.
I am sorry this month’s post is a day late. I ended up getting caught in this last winter storm at the end of the week and I was delayed returning home from vacation.
The first book I selected is The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. I have to confess I M not a fan of the novel’s breezy manner of storytelling. It is written from three different points of view and the connection between the three narrators is gradually revealed over the course of the novel. I didn’t find two of the leading characters very likable and while the third was likable, her connection to the other protagonists is tangential. The secret is somewhat easy to guess but the epilogue reveals a few unexpected plot twists.
I ended up giving The Husband’s Secret 3.5 stars and I’m willing to take a chance on another novel by Ms. Moriarty in the future.
Please click HERE to learn more about The Husband’s Secret.
The second book I selected is Tallowwood by N.R. Walker. I truly enjoyed this well-written mystery. The main characters are extremely likable and the mystery element is quite intriguing. There are a handful of viable suspects and I had my suspicions about who was behind the killings. Some well-placed red herrings easily create doubt and left me on the edge of my seat until the big reveal. I would love to see future books starring August Shaw and Jacob Porter.
While I enjoyed the mystery overall, I did find it rather baffling that August had such a hard time proving the cases were linked to his superiors. My final rating is 4 stars.
Please click HERE to learn more about Tallowwood.
Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge? Were your swept away to an idyllic vacation destination?
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Check out December’s challenge HERE.
I also read Tallowwood – I do enjoy NR walker’s books and I really enjoy a good police procedural – add in Australia, and way hey!!!
I liked that whilst Jake was all starry eyed at August, fan boying like mad, he was also so sure of himself and his place (thanks to his family) and he was a good policeman.
August is the epitome of a curmudgeonly policeman, with good reason but I did feel he’d had his head down too long – more righteous indignation may have identified the obstructions thrown up against him earlier.
I did enjoy Jake breaking down August’s barriers, being the mature one really.
The murder investigation came together, narrowed down to a few with a twist in the end. Though Jake did have a sort of TSTL moment, though putting plans in place was good.
Enjoyed it a lot.
I enjoy her books too. I’m reading On Davis Row right now and I’m really liking it.