Category Archives: Book Talk

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

I had another excellent reading week!

Fire with Fire by Candace Fox: 4.5 stars. An action-packed, fast-paced thriller. The “good guys” are flawed but that only adds to their likeability. The lab kidnappers’ actions are understandable yet incredibly misguided. Detective Charlie Hoskins is very relucatant to pair up with Lynette Lamb but she refuses to take no for an answer. She is a very intuitive investigator whose assistance is invaluable throughout their investigation. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as this incredible mystery races to a breathtaking conclusion.

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay: 4.5 stars. A fast-paced, twist-filled mystery that weaves back and forth in time. In the present Jack Givens is drawn into a search for his father who is missing from the witness protection program. In the past, readers discover what his father meant when he told his son “Your dad’s not a good person. Your dad killed people, son.” The characters are three-dimensional and interesting yet flawed. The storyline is a little improbable but it is very easy to suspend disbelief. The plot moves at a brisk pace and the conclusion is action paced.

Drowning by T.J. Newman: 5 stars. An adrenaline-laced thriller. The attention grabbing storyline keeps the pages turning at a blistering pace. The people aboard the plane are quite captivating and mostly likeable. The history between main characters Will Kent, soon to be ex-wife Chris and their eleven year old daughter is fraught and quite emotional. The chapters alternate between the high stakes rescue of the remaining passengers and the heart-rending events that contributed to the Kent’s separation and upcoming divorce. Different perspectives add plenty of depth to unfolding drama. The conclusion races to heart-stopping conclusion as the rescue plays out in just a matter of compelling hours.

Between Two Strangers by Kate White: 4.5 stars. A slow burn yet compelling mystery. A twisty storyline and engaging characters are the perfect combination for a page-turning read. Main character Skyler Moore struggles to understand why a one-night stand from twelve years ago would leave her a fortune. In her quest to uncover the truth, she has a skin-crawling stalker and an angry widow to contend with. It is not until the chilling conclusion that Skylar uncovers the stunning truth.

The Vanishing Hour by Seraphina Nova Glass: 4 stars. Written from muliple perspectives, this mystery is intriguing. Two of the mainish characters, Kira and Aden, have missing family members. Kira is frantic to find her daughter and her anxiety and stress levels are extremely high. Although sympathetic, Kira’s impulsive actions and inner monologue are very annoying. Aden’s father is missing but he is reluctant to return to Maine and deal with his brother and mom. But he is a dutiful son so he makes the journey and searches for his dad. Grace’s life is limited to the inn where she works. She has good reason for keeping to herself but finds herself a little less frightened once Aden becomes a guest. But when she learns about the missing people, Grace might just be the key to uncovering the startling truth about what has been happening in town. The plot is solid but the pacing is initally slow. The finale is full of urgency as Kira and Aden race to find their loved ones.

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 another good reading week:

The It Girl by Ruth Ware: 4.5 stars. An excellent mystery about a ten year old murder. Fast-paced, great characters and full of twists and turns!

The Shadow Docket by Stephen Vladeck: 5 stars. An excellent non-fiction exposé of the U.S. Supreme Court’s use of the “shadow docket”. These usually unsigned, short rulings usually give no explanantion for how the justices arrive at their decisions. The use of shadow docket has drastically increased in recents years and now has the power to shape the judiciary.

The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine: 4.5 stars. A brilliant portrayal of Washington D.C. politics. This compelling mystery’s chapters alternate between various characters’ perspectives. Twisty-turny and kept me guessing to the end!

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine: 4.5 stars. What an outstanding psychological suspense. This page-turner takes manipulative characters to an all new record. A new friendship sets the stage for someone with an agenda to worm her way into the lives of an unsuspecting couple. But after a perspective switch in narrators, readers receive a behind the scene look into what goes on behind closed doors. The devilishly clever conclusion is an absolute delight!

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner: 4.5 stars. Read my thoughts about this compelling novel in the upcoming “May Reading Challenge Discussion” on Thursday June 1st.

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

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

My reading week got off to a slow start, but I still managed to read three books

Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray: 4.5 stars. Read my review HERE.

Sins of the Tribe by Mark A. Salter: 4.5 stars. While I am not a college football fan, I was drawn in by the novel’s summary. Two brothers go off to college to play for the Bastille University Tribe football team. Wally is super smart but not exactly a star player. However, his brother Henry is an incredibly gifted field goal kicker who will only kick if Wally holds the ball for him. So they are sort of a package deal. At first, playing for the team is literally a dream come true. The nightmare begins when the players are seen as a commodity rather than people and crowd mentality (aka triblism) takes over. An absolutely heartbreaking novel that is eye-opening and ultimately hopeful.

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda: 4.5 stars. Cutter’s Pass is a mountain town with access to the Appalachian trail. The town is also known for unexplained disappearances that began with four fraternity brothers who vanished twenty-five years earlier. Two women have also gone missing over the years and recently, so has journalist Landon West. His brother, Trey, has arrived in town to see if he can figure out what happened to Landon. He stays at the same hotel where manager Abby Lovell has worked the last ten years. Trey’s arrival becomes the catalyst for Abby to try to find out the truth about the people who have gone missing. But is she prepared for the answers she is going to find? I highly recommend this OUTSTANDING mystery that left me guessing whodunit and why right up until the twist-filled 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 only read a couple of books last week:

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin: 4.5 stars. I very rarely read sci-fi but something about the summary just grabbed my attention and would not let go of it. Terrific world-building, an intriguing storyline and oustanding characters are an absolutely winning combination. The premise is soooo interesting as are the various characters. There are twists galore and even the one I wasn’t sure about turned out to be fantastic! Although the novel has 560 pages, it is very fast-paced and does not seem that long at all. Highly recommend!

The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight: 4.5 stars. Casey Black’s social media downfall turns out to be a much needed turning point in her life. Deciding to meet her South Carolina relatives, she is delighted and charmed by her granna, farm manager Nigel Evanston and her deep roots in the local community. This delightful journey of self-discovery stars an outstanding cast of lovable characters, a richly developed storyline and glimpses of life for freedman in the late 1800s. The ending is a little bittersweet but incredibly uplifting. Highly recommend!

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 pretty good reading week:

Home Before Night by J.P. Pomare: 4.5 stars. A short read that takes place during a snap Covid lockdown. Opening with an outstandstanding prologue, this twist-filled, fast-paced mystery moves at a breathless speed. The characters are well-drawn and some are quite flawed. The storyline is brilliantly executed with so many surprises that are impossible to predict.

Nine Black Robes by Joan Biskupic: 5 stars. A stunning exposé that provides an insightful look into the shaping of the American Supreme Court. A riveting behind the scenes account that offers a depressing portrait of a deeply flawed system that has been exploited by outside influences. Engaging but does not leave much optimism for changes in the “highest court in the land” any time soon.

Come from Away by Genevieve Graham: 4 stars. Historical novel set in Nova Scotia during World War II. This intriguing novel is well-researched and provides an interesting glimpse into a small coastal town that unexpectedly finds the war has come to its shores. Not only are their young men fighting the Germans overseas, but the enemy’s U-Boats menace their coast. The Baker family worries about the safety of their sons who did not hesitate to sign up to fight while daughter Grace wonders if she is doing enough to help the war effort. She soon finds her loyalties tested by a stranger’s secrets.

Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen: 4.5 stars. An excellent mystery with a speculative fiction element. Seven years after a mysterious illness spreads blindness across the globe, life has still not returned to normal. However, thanks to clever techology, many people are now able to “see”. When a witness to a murder reports the killer was nothing but a dark blob, homicide Detective Mark Owens is reluctant to accept the statement at face value. Before long, he knows the witness is telling the truth, but will be able to convince his fellow detectives? And can Mark find out who is behind the rising murder count and why? Prepare for an exciting ride as this brilliant mystery comes a to twisted conclusion.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilerson: 4.5 stars. This multi-layered generational debut is absolutely riveting. Estranged siblings come together after their mother’s death only to discover their family history is not what they were led to believe. In between stunning revelations, they continue to harbor their resentments toward each other. Will they find healing as they reel from one shock to another? I HIGHLY recommend this superb novel.

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

Welcome to this week’s Book Talk!

Last week’s books:

House Rules by Jodi Picoult: 4.5 stars. 18 year old Jacob Hunt has Asperger’s and his latest fascination is forensic science. His mom Emma is his biggest cheerleader and she has spent the most of his life fighting for him. When Jacob is arrested for murder, she questions whether her perception of her son is skewed by her immense love for him.

Her other son, Theo, is caught in an untenable position. Although he is the youngest, he must often take the lead role with his socially awkward yet brilliant brother. He resents always being eclipsed by Jacob’s needs but Theo is also protective of him.

As the story takes a dramatic turn, Emma is willing to do whatever it takes for Jacob’s upcoming court case. She is proud and stubborn so she is absolutely furious when Theo takes matters into his own hands.

As Jacob’s trial hurtles to its conclusion, will the jury also consider the intricacies of Asperger’s along with the evidence?

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas: 4 stars. My review will post tomorrow (4/25).

Amazing Gracie by Laura Drake: 4.5 stars. My review will post tomorrow (4/25).

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