Category Archives: Book Talk

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

This first book I read:

With Every Memory by Janine Rosche: 4.5 stars. An emotional novel of healing. This incredible novel tackles some difficult topics with sensitivity and grace. The characters characters are wonderfully developed with realistic flaws that are relatable. The storyline has plenty of depth and substance and features unexpected plot twists. An excellent novel that I highly recommend.

I jumped into C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series with book 16 with plans to go back and start at the beginning. A Kindle challenge prompted me to read book 1 this week and I ended up reading books 2-4 too! So while I’ll give my individual ratings, my thoughts will be on the series as a whole.

It is nice to go back and fill in some of the details from the earlier mysteries. While I enjoyed the first four books, I felt like the series really hit its stride in book three.

Game Warden Joe Pickett is flawed with a strong moral compass. His wife and daughters are as well developed as Joe. The secondary characters who are regulars in the series are not as fully developed as Joe, his family and his sidekick, Nate Romanowski. There is plenty of heart-pounding action that keeps the stories moving at a brisk pace. The various settings and seasons leap vibrantly to life. Although it doesn’t bother me, the subject matter can be a bit gory. C.J. Box brings jaw-dropping twists and turns to each mystery.

Open Season: 4 stars.
Savage Run: 4 stars.
Winterkill: 4.5 stars.
Trophy Hunt: 4.5 stars.

Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson: 5 stars. As I read this incredible work of non-fiction, this quote kept running through my mind: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. As explained in the book, there were several opportunities to speak out against Hitler’s actions yet, not a single government nor leader condemned his actions. University Professor William E. Dodd is the first Ambassador to Germany when Hitler first becomes Chancellor under President Hindenburg. Despite Dodd’s best efforts, neither President Roosevelt nor anyone in his government, did anything about the information provided to them. Also included in the book is somewhat stunning details of Dodd’s daughter Martha’s associations and love affairs with rather dubious figures during her time period in Berlin. I highly recommend this meticulously researched work of non-fiction that is enlightening (and infuriating).

The Trade Off by Sandie Jones: 4.5 stars. This latest release by Sandie Jones combines mystery and the seamy side of tabloid journalism. A jaded deputy editor and an idealistic new reporter clash over the paper’s lack of journalistic ethics. After an article leads to the death of a reality star, the search for answers becomes dangerous but determination to uncover the truth propels this intriguing mystery.

Where the Dead Speak by Joshua Moehling: 4.5 stars. The second installment in the Ben Packard series is a compelling small town police procedural. The murder investigation into a local resident’s death yields few clues and is interspersed with an unexpected an election to replace the long time Sheriff after his death. With a dearth of suspects, Ben doggedly pursues the slippery killer. While the murder is solved, the mystery comes to a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in this fantastic series.

Home for the Challah Days by Jennifer Wilck: 4.5 stars. Read my review Tuesday 8/22.

Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!

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!

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

The Heatwave by Katerina Diamond: 3.5 stars. While I enjoyed the mystery, I found it to be a little slow-paced. The lead character was also a tad bit annoying as she tries to uncover information about what happened in the past that might have led to a current kidnapping in the present. Interpresed with the current day events are flashbacks to the pivotal summer when another teenage girl went missing. The dual storyline plot device works well and builds tension throughout the novel. The first person narration in the present reveals frustratingly little info about the protagonist’s connection to the past until the truly shocking conclusion.

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena: 4 stars. Great storyline with some slightly irritating characters. The pacing is outstanding and keep the pages turning quickly. Both parents drove me crazy at different times throughout the novel. The mystery kept me guessing until the great plot-twist is revealed.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen: 4.5 stars. I loved this fantastic mystery! Fast paced with well-developed characters. The storyline is compelling with an outstanding conclusion.

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman: 4.5 stars. Ms. Lippman’s mysteries are sometimes hit and miss with me. But I was very intrigued by the novel’s premise so I decided to give it a read. The storyline is unique and the characters are vibrantly drawn. The unfolding story moves at a steady pace. Despite some of the characters’ actions, they are mostly likable. This brilliant mystery comes to an absolutely jaw-dropping conclusion.

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman: 4.5 stars. A woman trying to uncover the secrets of her deceased mother’s past finds much more than she is searching for. Set in Michigan in the aftermath of the pandemic, this heartwarming novel is full of secrets and introspection. Heartfelt and engaging characters, a beautiful setting and an emotional storyline bring this compelling novel brilliantly to life.

Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos: 4.5 stars. This first mystery in the Porter Beck series is outstanding. Well-plotted with fantastic charcters, I devoured this engaging story. The Nevada desert is the perfect setting for this engrossing mystery. The chapters which take place in the 1950s are quite engaging due to the subject matter. Both storylines converge into a twist-filled, action-packed conclusion.

The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd: 4.5 stars. A brilliant domestic mystery that is set in a small fishing along the British coast. The disappearance of and subsequent search for Lucy’s husband, daughter and son is complicated by a tremendous storm. Terrific twists and shocking revelations prove to be a winning combination.

An Honest Man by Michael Koryta: 4.5 stars. Oh, boy is this newest release a wild ride. Recently released from prison, Isreal Pike becomes the main suspect in a murder investigation with a high body count. An island off the coast of Maine sets the stage for this compelling mystery with a clever storyline. With jaw-dropping discoveries, this compelling mystery hurtles to a bombshell conclusion.

The Poison Lilies by Katie Tallo: 4 stars. The second book in the Gus Monet series finds amateur detective Augusta Monet once again investigating a cold case. She becomes friends with neighbor Poppy Honeywell and becomes enmeshed in solving the mystery of what happened to her new friend’s long missing fiancé. Gus soon discovers just how infuential Poppy’s family is and what lengths they will go to to keep the past buried. A fast-paced mystery that comes to a stunning conclusion.

Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

I had a lot going on last week so I feel lucky to have read three books!

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano: 4.5 stars. Excellent debut! Read my thoughts HERE.

A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing: 3.5 stars. I soooo wanted to love this mystery since I’m a HUGE fan of Samantha Downing. While the mystery is fast-paced, none (and I mean NONE) of the characters are likable. While the storyline is interesting, I found parts of it to be repetitive. And I won’t even get into how big of a let down the conclusion is. I bumped up my rating a 1/2 star because the writing is so engaging.

I Did It For You by Amy Engel: 4.5 stars. Loved it. My review posts tomorrow (7/25).

Now it’s your turn. What have you been reading lately? Join the discussion by commenting below!