As much as I fantasized about being a witch as a kid, I’ve realized that witch books are not my jam. I liked the concept: bane witches can consume vasAs much as I fantasized about being a witch as a kid, I’ve realized that witch books are not my jam. I liked the concept: bane witches can consume vast amounts of toxic substances and concentrate the ingested poison on a mark. These bane witches target men who commit violence against women. Piers doesn’t realize she’s a bane witch until she fakes her own death to escape her abusive husband. When she seeks out her great aunt Myrtle in the remote woods of the northeast, she learns about her family heritage and her magical gifts.
There are a lot of elements at play here: her relationship with her husband, her crush on the hunky sheriff, men she inadvertently killed before she realized her powers, a local serial killer, and the authority of her venery (her family coven). As much as I loved Myrtle, she was often contradictory in her loyalty and her evasiveness. There are not supposed to be any secrets between a bane witch and her venery, but Myrtle seems to pick and choose which of Piers’ secrets she keeps from their clan. I thought the setting was atmospheric, but I wasn’t sold on Piers and her character development. As much as the resolution worked, I wanted more from her overall…
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
Of all the Romanov books I’ve read over the years, this is the most unflattering portrayal of the Imperial couple that I’ve ever encountered. The “intOf all the Romanov books I’ve read over the years, this is the most unflattering portrayal of the Imperial couple that I’ve ever encountered. The “intransigence” of Nicky and Alix is the topic of the first half of the book, while the second half addresses the many factors and individuals that led to the abdication of the last emperor of Russia. There are myriad characters to keep track of but it focuses on the individuals who had the most influence on setting the abdication in motion. Yes, Nicholas’ leadership was ineffectual, but I appreciated how Hasegawa emphasized that the end of the Romanov dynasty was political rather than revolutionary. It’s a solid and informative dissection of the various contributing “dominoes” that toppled in the last days of Romanov rule.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
The latest installment in the Kate Burkholder series starts with a very sinister tone. The murder that is the subject of the book is one of the most dThe latest installment in the Kate Burkholder series starts with a very sinister tone. The murder that is the subject of the book is one of the most disturbing Kate and her team have ever encountered, and its ritualistic undertones lead her down a dark path that goes centuries back into Anabaptist martyrdom history. When her brother becomes a suspect in the murder, it hits too close to home and Kate has to step back from the investigation. Regardless, someone wants to see her stopped at all costs because her determination is a threat. This might be the book where Kate gets the most beaten and battered.
I enjoyed the history of Anabaptists in Europe prior to their exodus to America. The motives of the killer(s) were chilling, but she digs, Kate realizes that the victim probably deserved it. But did he deserve to die in such a horrible way? That was a good little “mmm hmm” twist. ...more
Gabriel Allon’s old friend Timonthy Peel is all grown up and investigating the murder of a professor in Cornwall. Was she the victim of a local serialGabriel Allon’s old friend Timonthy Peel is all grown up and investigating the murder of a professor in Cornwall. Was she the victim of a local serial killer the press dubbed The Chopper? When Timothy asks Gabriel to weigh in, they discover she may have proven that a particular Picasso painting was stolen from a Holocaust victim.
This goes far beyond a few crooked art dealers. The corruption of unprovenanced art is an international issue, and here it pertains to the British government. When the Prime Minster is forced to resign after receiving contributions from a Russian oligarch, I got a little lost. I get it, it’s my unfamiliarity with the structure of British government that made me lose interest. But it was still a fun conspiracy to untangle with some familiar characters. I kind of missed Gabriel’s Israeli team, but he’s retired now, so this is a good segue into how his career in art shapes these thrillers. ...more
The transition of power from Elizabeth I to James I doesn’t make for the most exciting topic, though the book was certainly scholarly and informative.The transition of power from Elizabeth I to James I doesn’t make for the most exciting topic, though the book was certainly scholarly and informative. It addresses everything from how the government functioned, to court etiquette, entertainment, religion, policy, and people during James’ first decade of reigning England. Because he didn’t demand radical changes to how the government functioned and adapted to England’s existing parliamentary structure, he didn’t cause much upheaval.
I now have a better understanding of why James promoted the Union of Scotland and England into Great Britain. I also learned more about the Gunpowder Plot and how detrimental it would have been had it succeeded. There were some interesting topics, but overall, this read like a textbook and was not engaging.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
I don’t typically gravitate towards ghost stories, but this had enough intriguing elements to interest me. Lilly and her husband Jack are relocating fI don’t typically gravitate towards ghost stories, but this had enough intriguing elements to interest me. Lilly and her husband Jack are relocating from Chicago to a small Wisconsin town and Lilly is immediately drawn to a historic, if decrepit, mansion that was once owned by a prominent family who ran a travelling circus company. Lilly, desperate to become a mother, is convinced that owning this house will enable her to conceive. But not long after they move in, they learn that it was the scene of a gruesome murder-suicide. While Jack travels for business, Lilly becomes obsessed with the history of the house and its doomed occupants, eventually becoming convinced its haunted. The strange noises and apparitions she experience convince her that she has to actively help the restless spirits somehow.
I liked the overall story but the big problem here was Lilly herself. A former actress, she’s a narcissist who flaunts her looks when it suits her. She’s self-serving and drives Jack into debt because of her heedless spending and desperate need to live in a house that is beyond their means. Her selfishness was at times infuriating. I appreciated the history of the house and the people who died there, but Lilly was too much of a hot mess to be endearing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
Twenty years ago, a 13 year-old girl was found murdered after a party at Turtle Lake. Finn “Kat” Jackman is still coping with the trauma of it despiteTwenty years ago, a 13 year-old girl was found murdered after a party at Turtle Lake. Finn “Kat” Jackman is still coping with the trauma of it despite the distance of decades and thousands of miles. Having relocated to England to escape the memory of her sister Izzy, she and her dad still have so many unanswered questions about what really happened that night.
Selman delivers some great plot twists here. The firs half of the book is misleading because midway through, BAM, I realized who the victim and perpetrators were. That’s when I also realized that the story up to that point was deliberately vague. Successful misdirection achieved.
Izzy’s involvement with an older man who groomed her and her friends was a bit Manson-esque. While he contributed to the girls’ mental breakdowns, he wasn’t responsible for the murder, but the creepiness factor was still there. There were several other twists and turns that made this an entertaining and engaging mystery and I enjoyed Kat’s perspective even if it was clouded by her perception of her sister.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
For five years, “Rachel” has been held captive in a windowless shed on the property of her abductor, Adrian. After the death of his wife, Adrian is foFor five years, “Rachel” has been held captive in a windowless shed on the property of her abductor, Adrian. After the death of his wife, Adrian is forced to move from the isolated property and uncharacteristically, he decides to take Rachel along. Because Adrian is a serial killer and so far, Rachel is the only woman he has kept alive. Oh yeah, and in addition to being a widow, he’s also a dad. His daughter Cecelia thinks that Rachel is renting a room from them in their new house because Adrian is doing a favor for a friend of a friend. He tells others that Rachel is a cousin in town for a visit. And Adrian is an upstanding citizen, a super helpful, nice guy, so why would anyone have reason to doubt him?
Rachel adapts to her new situation with the motive of finally escaping. But a new woman enters Adrian’s life and his behavior suddenly changes, thwarting Rachel’s plans. Is Emily a new love interest or potential victim? The dynamic here is really intense and its no wonder Rachel is resigned to her captivity. Five years of isolation and violation have really traumatized her, but she develops a new found strength once she’s out of her shed. This was an entertaining and sinister thriller.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
I wanted to like this book much more than I did, especially since the conclusion tidied thing up so nicely. It was too slow in delivering its punchlinI wanted to like this book much more than I did, especially since the conclusion tidied thing up so nicely. It was too slow in delivering its punchline, and there were too many different components that were confusing. Charlotte is living in London when the Blitz starts and she is understandably distressed by the Nazi bombing. When her friends start dying, she becomes even more alarmed. She then becomes convinced she’s being followed by a nefarious shadow man. And her father is an overbearing government official who she’s struggling to gain independence from by getting a job and her own apartment. Then we learn that he previously had her committed to an asylum, because apparently promiscuity and insanity are bedfellows.
Because Charlotte’s mental health is in question, she’s an unreliable narrator. Are her friends’ deaths connected to the figure lurking in the shadows or is her paranoia unfounded? Like I previously mentioned, the conclusion delivers satisfying answers to these questions, but getting there was convoluted. The best part was her new friendship with the boy in the park who feeds the birds. Tom’s purity and innocence was refreshing against Charlotte’s angst and suspicion.
Good potential, great conclusion, mediocre delivery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
When the Channel Islands are liberated after five years of Nazi occupation, residents are giddy with anticipation of a return to normalcy. Two young wWhen the Channel Islands are liberated after five years of Nazi occupation, residents are giddy with anticipation of a return to normalcy. Two young women soon learn that their island of Jersey will never be the same again – nor will their lives. Jean’s father was arrested and deported for having an illegal radio and Hazel is suspected of reporting him to the Germans. But there is more to the story than just a simple betrayal, and the more Hazel and Jean learn about each other, the more they realize how complex their situations are.
The way those complexities are revealed was expertly done and I enjoyed witnessing Hazel and Jean deal with these new truths. They both have their own flaws and make mistakes, but in the end, they learn and grow from their tragic experiences. It was a solid work of historical fiction and Lecoat did a great job portraying the anxiety of an occupied people, even after their oppression was over.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
I found there was a lot to relate to in this book because, like Julia, I have an English degree, I’m married to an engineer, I live in a nice Chicago I found there was a lot to relate to in this book because, like Julia, I have an English degree, I’m married to an engineer, I live in a nice Chicago suburb, and I had a strained relationship with a parent. The narrative shifts between Julia’s current situation and her past. Current: a steady marriage to Mark, son Ben who is a graduate student, a high school senior Alma, and a really comfortable life. Past: a troubled upbringing with her mother Anita, her early years as a wife and mother, and her friendship with matronly Helen, who takes Julia under her wing when she most needs it.
Julia is far from perfect and she struggles to maintain a façade of calm and normalcy when sometimes all she wants to do is mentally collapse. Her mom Anita is insufferable and it’s no wonder Julia is so fragile. Mark is the exact opposite, a composed and steady influence, despite Julia’s missteps in their marriage. I adored Helen and was sorry when Julia jeopardized their friendship. Yes, Julia is a basket-case, but she is so believably insecure and pessimistic and vulnerable. This was a great follow up to Lombardo’s debut. ...more
This is one of the plot twistiest books I have ever read and I devoured a majority of it in one sitting. A teenage girl is abducted in Kansas. A PhilaThis is one of the plot twistiest books I have ever read and I devoured a majority of it in one sitting. A teenage girl is abducted in Kansas. A Philadelphia mafia boss is having issues with his troubled son. What do those seemingly unrelated plots have in common? The way Finlay ties together the different narrative threads is expertly done.
The only witness to Ali’s abduction was her boyfriend Ryan, and it has haunted him for the past 5 years, so much so that he had to change his name to escape notoriety. When Ali’s car is discovered with two dead men inside, he has to confront the possibility that she might still be alive. I don’t want to give too much away because the second half of the book delivers shocks and surprises, one after another, and it was ever so fun. How it shifts from Kansas to Philadelphia, to Italy, England and France was clever, and overall it was an exciting thriller.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
Lena Browning is an aging film star whose protégé Sienna wants to do a biopic of her life. But what Sienna doesn’t know is that Lena’s life before famLena Browning is an aging film star whose protégé Sienna wants to do a biopic of her life. But what Sienna doesn’t know is that Lena’s life before fame was more extraordinary than she could imagine. Before Lena became Lena, she was Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who survived the Warsaw ghetto, primarily because of her Aryan appearance.
I really enjoyed the role Bina played in the Warsaw ghetto uprising as a member of the resistance. She was ruthless and unscrupulous, which are great qualities for someone actively defying Nazis. But they are not great personality traits when she betrays the people closest to her. Overall, she is not a likeable character because she’s too selfish.
The post-war Lena narrative was clever, but I thought the whole femme fatale schtick was over the top. She tries to make up for her betrayals during the war with vigilante justice, and that was just too unbelievable and melodramatic. The ghetto history was good, the aftermath, not so much…
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. ...more
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