"There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colorless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inc"There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colorless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it."
Doctor John Watson has recently returned from Afghanistan. A former army doctor for the British, Watson is honourably discharged from his post after suffering an injury. Choosing to settle in London, Watson can not find a suitable flat (apartment) on his army income. A fortunate run-in with Stamford, an old friend, leads Watson to one Sherlock Holmes who is also looking for better acommodations. They become flatmates at 221B Baker steet. A consulting detective, Holmes is asked to assist in an unusual murder and Watson comes along. Thus, a new a partnership is borne.
Recently, I read 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' and was absolutely mesmerized by it. 'A Study in Scarlet' is the work that introduced John Watson and Sherlock Holmes to the world. Watson is somewhat adrift since his return from Afganistan, unable to afford a decent place on his own. His friend Stamford introduces him to Holmes, who happens to be in the same situation. They agree to become flatmates after talking about their particular idiosyncrasies. And Holmes, well, he has these in spades. Watson quickly learns about his new roommate eccentricities after Sherlock correctly deduces he has been in Afghanistan in their first meeting. Proficient in chemistry and various branches of science, Holmes has quite a remarkable knowledge but a bit of a prickly personality that few find endearing. Yet, meeting Holmes is just the jolt Watson needs to reclaim his life. I absolutely love the interaction between these two. Hands down, one of the best literary partneships ever written.
As for the mystery aspect, it was brillant. The murder of Enoch Drebber, an American man, in an empty house with no visible wounds confounds Scotland Yard. With no viable suspects or motives, Sherlock Holmes, a consultant detective, is called upon. Though usually Holmes works alone, Watson goes with him to the crime scene. The crime takes a stranger turn when the secretary of Drebber, Joseph Stangerson, is also found dead a few days later in his hotel room. Through his skills of deduction, Holmes unravels this seemingly complicated plot. The book is divided into two parts. Initially, the beginning of the second part does not make much sense but it does integrate with the first part. I liked the way in which the mystery unfolded and wholly enjoyed the reveal. This was not only a smart read but also an entertaining one.
'A Study in Scarlet' was released in 1887. Published in Beeton's Christmas Annual magazine, it initally attracted very little attention. Sherlock gained more popularity with subsequent publications and has since gained quite a following. Sherlock Holmes is in the Guiness Book of Records as the most portrayed fictional character. I recently watched 'A Study in Pink', the BBC adaptaion of the famous detective and throughly enjoyed that as well. Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant as Sherlock. It changed the narrative some but kept its essence and I will continue watching that series as well. Its such a delight....more
"The unexpected always happens when Arsene Lupin is concerned in the affair."
Arsene Lupin is a thief. The French autthorities do not know how he looks"The unexpected always happens when Arsene Lupin is concerned in the affair."
Arsene Lupin is a thief. The French autthorities do not know how he looks like or even if Lupin is indeed his real name. He manages to elude them time and time again for he is a master of disguise. Yet what distinguishes Lupin from other thieves is his peculiar set of ethics: he does not appear to act out of malice and helps bring in criminals, in his particular fashion of course. He is thus known as a gentleman-thief.
I came to know of this book series in the same manner as so many, through the recently added Netflix series (which I am quite liking). Arsene Lupin is a complex fellow. His inventive genius and intellingence along with his uncanny ability to disguise himself (he is a "'man of a thousand disguises: chauffer, detective, Russian physician, Spanish bull-fighter, robust youth, or decrepit old man.") make him a nightmare for the police to track. But there is another facet to Arsene Lupin, he can also be charming, generous and uses his set of skills to bring down other criminals. I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It was not only entertaining and fun but also well put together. These short stories linked and flowed quite nicely, the mysteries were remarkable and the characters intriguing. In a way, this is a whodunit in reverse. The way in which the prose is written made me root for Lupin desspite the fact that he was on the other side of the law.
Maurice Leblanc created Arsene Lupin in 1905. Gentleman-thief is the first of these series of novels and short stories that feature Lupin. In a few installments, Lupin comes against Sherlock Holmes. Due to objections from Arthur Conan Doyle, Leblanc had to change the spelling from Sherlock Holmes to "Herlock Sholmes" but of course the character is one and the same. I am glad to have come across this series and willl definitely continue reading on. ...more
Jules and Will are a celebrity couple. Jules runs the successful and popular online magazine called The Download and her fiancee Will is the host of SJules and Will are a celebrity couple. Jules runs the successful and popular online magazine called The Download and her fiancee Will is the host of Survival, a tv show where he battles the natural elements. The two decide to marry in a secluded and remote island in Ireland for its beauty and its privacy. The day of the wedding, the weather turns bitterly sour and by night, someone is dead. Only one of the people on the island could have done it and while, on the surface it appears that all is well, simmering resentments and secrets abound among the guest list.
So this is the Goodreads choice award winner for best mystery of last year. This narrative is intriguing, eerie and entertaining to read. Jules and Will appear to be the "It" couple of the moment: young, attractive and successful. They also appear to be very much in love and plan a grand wedding on a remote island in Ireland. Many want an invite to this exclusive event. During the day, the Folly (as the island is called) is beautiful but when night arrives, it becomes a treacherous and unyielding terrain to navigate. The day of the wedding ominously begins with dark clouds in the horizon. By nightfall, someone is dead and the responsible individual is among them. As someone that loves 'locked room mysteries' I was very much wanting to read this book and I have to say, I liked it. The atmosphere in this narrative is one of distrust and fear, of resentments, grudges and secrets thought to have been forgotten. The multiple points of view (the bride, the bridesmate, the best man, the plus-one, and the wedding planner) seemed excessive at first but as the story progressed, each account added to overall story. The meting out of details gradually increased as did the pace. The short chapters made this an easy read and the subject matter, made it interesting. The characters, while some-what cliched, were memorable. The reveal was satisfying. I think I will be seeking another book by Lucy Foley down the line....more
Cooper's Chase Retirement Village is in a quiet English town but for four of its residents life continues with excitement. Every thursday Elizabeth, JCooper's Chase Retirement Village is in a quiet English town but for four of its residents life continues with excitement. Every thursday Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron meet in the Jigsaw room to discuss old murder cases. Their former careers gives them a different insight. They call themselves The Thursday Murder Club. When a recent murder of a local developer takes place, the group puts aside old cases and begin to disect the new one. Finding their way into the police investigation, this group of septuagenarians prove as formidable as the police.
First book of the year and I love it! The Thursday Murder Club is a witty and humorous whodonit with standout characters. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron meet every thursday to discuss old murder cases that Elizabeth has kept from her past career. They call hemselves The Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead in his home, they switch gears. They talk themselves into the police investigation, befriending the leads of the case. They learn information about the case through their contacts and past careers (they have a former nurse, psychiatrist, union representative and police member among the four of them). They even get information the police can not get. As the case unravels, their personal connections deepen.
The character development in this book is outstanding. While the murder investigation is an important part of the plot, this is a character driven book. Quirky and off-beat, these characters are a memorable and unique group. The plot moves along a good pace and the reveal of the murder(s) is definitely satisfying. This is a fun and entertaining book to read that also has heart. There is a sequel coming that I will be reading. As for this book, I would definitely recommend. A great start for this year's reading challenge....more
“That’s easy. The same thing we all must do. Take stock of who we are, and what we have, and then use it for good.”
The Addler family board a flight f“That’s easy. The same thing we all must do. Take stock of who we are, and what we have, and then use it for good.”
The Addler family board a flight from New York to Los Angeles, moving due to the father's change of job. The flight does not make it to Los Angeles. It crashes and the sole survivor is twelve-year-old Edward Addler. As the only survivor of a group of 190 people, Edward catches the attention of the media and heart of the people. As he recovers from his injuries and goes to live with his aunt and uncle, Edward struggles with making sense of his new reality. With a barrage of expectations unexpectedly placed on his shoulders, Edward needs to learn how to live again.
Last day of the year and I am able to add one more book to my overall goal and this is a great book to close the year with. Dear Edward is a thoughtful, touching and heart-wrenching novel. Edward losses it all when the plane he is travelling in crashes. He is the sole survivor. Fortunately, Edward has an aunt and uncle that take him in and are willing to take care of him. He losses his father, mother and Jordan, his older brother. The plane crash catches the attention of the media and inadvertly, Edward becomes a person of great interest across the country. While his physical injuries gradually heal, its the ones of the heart that are more difficult to treat. It is a struggle for Edward to process what happened, a task that is harder due to all the eyes on him. With the help of his uncle, aunt and Shay (the neighbour's daughter), he lears not just how to survive, but how to live.
This is not a fun book to read but it is memorable. For a book that deals with death, it teaches us a lot about living, truly living. The tone of the narrative starts out solenm but gradually becomes more hopeful. The pace matches the tone and the characters standout. The narrative is split into Edward's life after the crash and the hours in the plane before the crash. While the main focus is Edward, we learn about some of the other passengers on the plane. From the young woman dealing with an unexpected pregnacy to the injured soldier returning home, all their stories add up to a sad & tragic yet beautiful & hopeful story. There is no denying that grief is a main theme of this book but the overall message is one about living. Such heart is displayed on these pages. Its both heartwrenching and heartwarning. Ann Napolitano based this book on a real crash, where only young boy survived and she treated the manner with the respect it deserves. Highly recommend this book!...more
A couple uncertain if they will be able to gift something to each other on Christmas, a kidnapping that takes a different turn, a criminal looking to A couple uncertain if they will be able to gift something to each other on Christmas, a kidnapping that takes a different turn, a criminal looking to reform his life and other surprising stories appear in this short but wonderful collection of short stories by O. Henry.
I have to start by saying that I was supposed to read this book back in December but multiple distractions and a disrupted schedule, derailed my plan. I am glad of that, though, for I was able to read it slower and truly enjoy it. I mainly picked this book for the title story, The Gift of the Magi (to have as a Christmas-themed story) but I came to love many of the other short stories too. This is simply wonderful storytelling and the surprise ending to these stories vary from witty and funny to thoughtful and profound. I particularly loved The Ramson of Red Chief and The Last Leaf. This is a truly special book and I would certainly recommend.
William Sydney Porter was his name but he chose O. Henry as his pen name. He was a prolific short story writer (over 400 written) as well as a licensed pharmacist, played musical instruments and sang, was in jail briefly for embezzling money (and reformed subsequently after) but he is mostly lauded for his writing today. His trademark was to provide surprising endings to his short stories which the readers loved but not always the critics. These stories are over 100 years old and yet still very popular. Many of his stories were adapted for the screen (one of them starred Marilyn Monroe). The O Henry award is given today to authors of great short stories....more
“Elephants can remember, but we are human beings and mercifully human beings can forget.”
Mrs. Ariadne Oliver is approached at a literary event by a wo“Elephants can remember, but we are human beings and mercifully human beings can forget.”
Mrs. Ariadne Oliver is approached at a literary event by a woman whose son is wanting to marry Mrs. Oliver's goddaughter, Celia Ravencroft. Celia's parents died fourteen years earlier in an apparent murder/suicide. It was not determined wether the father shot the mother or if the mother shot the father and then themselves. Mrs. Oliver calls on Hercule Poirot to solve the case as Celia's future marriage depends on it. Poirot revisits the cold case and discovers the truth.
One of the last installments of the Hercule Poirot series (though the actual last book of these series was written many years prior this one) Elephants Can Remember features mystery author Ariadne Oliver and Hercule Poirot. Mrs. Oliver was friends with Celia's mother hence how she became her godmother. When years earlier the dead bodies of the Ravencrofts were found, it can not be determined who shot who as the gun has both their fingerprints. The case goes cold but now that it has been brought up again and Poirot takes the lead. Mrs. Oliver begins asking those that knew the Ravencrofts what they remember, dubbing them "elephants". Poirot takes a look at the police investigation. When Poirot has all the information, he discovers what the police have missed.
Originally wriiten in 1972, Elephants Can Remember is a work that critics generally liked but did not consider to be one of the best by Christie. Judging by some reviews I have seen, that sentiment appears to be the same with the public. While this mystery is not as intricate as earlier books in the series, it is still very much enjoyable. There are not as many red herrings but the characters and narrative are still memorable. The solving of the mystery is satisfying. All and all, it is a good, cozy mystery....more
“The kids were happy. They had added another to their numbers. They didn't want to set the world on fire. They just wanted to be less alone in it.”
Af“The kids were happy. They had added another to their numbers. They didn't want to set the world on fire. They just wanted to be less alone in it.”
After many years of not seeing each other in person, Madison reaches out to Llillian and offers her a job. The two first met at a private boarding school, where they were roomates until Lillian had to leave. Since then, Lillian's life has been mediocre so she figures that Madison's job offer has got to be better than her current situation. When she meets Madison, she tells her the job is to take care of her husband's ten-year-old twins that have a unique problem: they spontaneously combust when upset. It is Lillian's job to keep the twins calm and out of sight as Madison's husband is vying for the post of Secretary of State. Lillian takes the job and expects the unexpected.
This is a unique, original, peculiar and quirky book. Lillian leads a lacluster life, has a deadend job and has a mother that cares little for her. She and Madison have kept in touch via letters but have not seen each other since boarding school. Madison is vague about the job offer but Lillian figures it beats her current one. Upon meeting Madison on her large property and mansion, Lillian learns that the job is to take care of Madison's step-kids, ten-year-old twins Roland and Bessie. There is a catch: the twins spontaneously combust and catch on fire. It must remain a secret as Jasper (Madison's husband) is a career politician and running for Secretary of State. Lillian is perplexed but accepts the job anyway. Her first meeting with the kids is less than ideal but the more time she spends time with them, the more she comes to care for them. In time, the three of them become a team and grow close together as they are kept at arms length from the rest of the family. Slowly, Lillian realizes that there is nothing wrong with the kids.
The premise of this book is quite unusual but it works. Behind it lies very tangible concepts, that of family, friendship, trust and belonging. The cast of characters most definitely stand out, the plot is intiguing and the story original. I honestly did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. It is a quick read but also a very thoughtful one. Kevin Wilson's style remind me alot of Fredrik Backman and his books (I love Backman's books, by the way). There is humour and heart on these pages. I like Lillian as the narrator and I love the ending. There is a number of great quotes to get from this book. The overall message is certainly one I can back: that of being accepted and loved. I am so glad to have read this book. For anyone on the fence, I would say to just read it. It is definitely worth it....more
“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you c“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
Nora Seed is having a tough time. She has been fired from her job, her cat died and her relationships with other people are unstable. Nothing appears to be going well so Nora decides to end it. Except that she winds up in the Midnight Library instead. In it, there are thousands of books with the thousands of possible lives Nora could have lived if she had made different choices. Nora is told that she can choose one book at a time to live in. If she finds a life she likes better, she can stay there permanently. So as Nora starts exploring all the 'what-ifs', she begins to appreciate life anew.
"The only way to learn is to live."
This is a book I had my eye for a while so when I saw it on the list for best fiction, I decided to not wait any longer to read it. For a relatively short book, it packs a punch. Nora Seed is not okay. She has been fired, her cat died and none of the relationships in her life are working out. She decides to stop trying. But then something unusual happens. She winds up in the Midnight Library. Suddenly, all the lives she could have had are laid before her. All she has to do is pick a book, enter a different life and see if its better than her current one. As she goes through her regrets and undoes some of her past decisions, it becomes clearer that maybe there is no such thing as a perfect life. The short chapters made this narrative flow quite nicely. The prose is simple but powerful. The concept is impactful. Who has not wished for a different outcome in life at some point? There is a mention of quantum physics in the story but it is not overwhelming and is simply explained. Above all, this book is thoughful and well rendered. The tone is solemn. Its not a book that can be called fun or entertaining but its certainly memorable. This is the first time I read a book by Matt Haig and I have just learned that he deals with mental health issues. His observations and thoughts do reflect that, they are honest and hopeful. I am glad to hae read this book and will look into more books by Haig in the future....more
“The only problem was, when your whole existence is something you have to cope with, you look back one day and find that your strategy has become a wa“The only problem was, when your whole existence is something you have to cope with, you look back one day and find that your strategy has become a way of life.”
Tilly and Grace, two ten-year-old girls that are best friends, live in an English cul-de-sac called The Avenue. Everyone in The Avenue know each other or so they think until one of its inhabitants disappears. Mrs. Creasy suddenly goes missing. Everyone blames that on the heat wave of 1976. Tilly and Grace think otherwise and decide to go find God, in order to find Mrs. Creasy. The girls knock on all the neighbour's doors, asking about what they knew about Mrs. Creasy. Unknowingly, the girls' questions begin to unearth a secret from the summer of 1967. A secret that has been kept by those living in The Avenue for the past nine years and the reason most likely Mrs. Creasy is missing.
Some time ago I read Three Things About Elsie and found it sweet and charming. Liking Joanna Cannon's style, I decided to read another work by her. The Trouble with Goats and Sheep is a coming-of-age story, a mystery and and charming narrative. Grace and Tilly do not believe the heat wave is the reason Mrs. Creasy is missing and surely God must know so they set out to find him. They knock on all the neighbour's doors and ask about Mrs. Creasy and God. As they ask, they begin to reveal all the secrets behind the facades. Worse yet, they bring to light an incident from the summer of 1967 that all the residents of The Avenue had thought was buried. A secret that Mrs. Creasy had figured out. There is a tone of innocence on these pages for Tilly and Grace do part of the narration. Each of the characters standout for some quirky trait. The way Cannon depicts The Avenue is as a secretive community with some set ideas but with the potential to embrace a new time. Initially the back and forth between 1976 and 1967 threw me a bit but once I got used to it, it was not an issue. The pace and flow were complementary. This is a novel about perceptions and misconceptions. Humorous in parts and thoughtful in others, this was a book I quite enjoyed. ...more
Matt Bronik is a tenured professor and Quantum physicist at Dartmouth University. He loves teaching but his research is what drives him most. Brigid BMatt Bronik is a tenured professor and Quantum physicist at Dartmouth University. He loves teaching but his research is what drives him most. Brigid Bronik, his wife, gets a call one day telling her Matt has had a seizure. At the hospital, the doctors can not figure out what is wrong with Matt and when he recovers only a few hours later, they still can not say what caused the seizure. He claims it has nothing to do with his research but when Brigid learns that his work is not as benign as Matt makes it sound, she worries. When Matt goes missing after having another seizure, Brigid's fears are confirmed. With a list of people with interest in Matt's work, its a race against time to bring Matt home safely.
The premise of this novel is what drew me in. Matt Bronik is a successful professor and Quantum physicist, married to Brigid and father to Morgan. Brigid, his wife, undertands liitle of his work but knows that he loves it. When he suffers a seizure at work but recovers fully a few hours later in the hospital, no one can say what caused it and hope its an isolated incident. Its not. Pushed to give details of his work, Matt reveals he is working with Quantum interference that can have significant consequences but still insists this is not the problem. When he goes missing after another seizure, its clear that its his research that is at the heart of this situation. With the Department of Defence, intense Chinese competition and a multi-billionaire, many have interest in Matt's work and its anyone's guess who took him. The reason is not so obscure as Matt's work can be good or terrible if it falls in the wrong hands.
The pace started off slow but gradually built up. Narrated by Brigid, Emmett (the detective) and Sean Plottner (the multi-billionaire who wants Matt to work for him), we follow as the case of Matt's dissaperance unfolds. This is light sci-fi book, an adventure and an intriguing mystery with plenty of suspects with motives. There is quite a bit of elements to this book and, at least to me, they all work well together. Initially I thought this book was going to be in the same vein as Blake Crouch's Dark Matter. It is not the case as Crouch's book is more of an active application whereas this is a theoretical Quantum idea. Still, this book shines on its own right. As far the science aspect, the Quantum interference, well its certainly intriguing (the thought experiment of Schrodinger's Cat also plays a role in the narrative). I could not explain it if I tried but I get the overall idea. The reveal at the end was satisfying and the narrative flowed nicely. The concept might be complicated but reading this book is easy. Would recommend this book....more
“It's very dangerous to believe people, I haven't for years.”
Gwenda is a young newlywed, in England looking for a home for her and her husband Giles.“It's very dangerous to believe people, I haven't for years.”
Gwenda is a young newlywed, in England looking for a home for her and her husband Giles. She comes upon one that she likes immediately, in Dillmouth. Its a charming house that feels quite familiar. Until Giles arrives, Gwenda takes care of remodeling the inside. In the process, Gwenda begins to remember eerie things. To escape, she goes to visit Gile's cousin Raymond West, where she meets Miss Jane Marple. Miss Marple helps Gwenda realize that the reason she remembers the house is because she lived in it as a child and may have witnessed a murder eighteen years ago.
This is the last book in the Marple series (I have read these in sequence except for the short story collection), and, in my opinion, one of the best. Gwenda and Giles Reed are a young couple seeking to settle in England, Gile's place of birth. Gwenda goes ahead and picks a house for them. After seeing a few, she comes upon the one in Dillmouth called Hillside. She loves it right away. She buys it and in the process of remodeling, she begins to remember things about the house that turn to be true. Overwhelmed, she seeks respite with a visit to the home of Gile's cousin, Raymond West, nephew of Miss Marple. A trip to the theater triggers a memory in Gwenda that frightens her for she recalls seeing a woman being murdered in the house. Needing answers, Gwenda and Giles embark on an investigation to learn what really happened in their house. This is another great whodonit work by Agatha Chistie. The uncertain atmosphere is set by Gwenda and her recollections of this house. Upon establishing the potential victim, we are introduced to a list of people with motives and opportunities. The plot is complex and the meting out of clues and red herrings masterfully done. Overall, the plot is intruguing and the reveal satisfying.
While Miss Marple is not as active in this book as she is the the earlier ones, she is very much present. Her trademark wit and keen eye help the young couple. Sleeping Murder was published in 1976 but written much earlier, in early 1940's during WWII. Both this book and the last installment of Hercule Poirot, Curtain, were written this early for Agatha Christie was in London, during the Blitz and wanted those written in the event she did not survive (thankfully that was not the case). I now have only the short story collection left to read and it will be a wrap on Miss Marple for me. It has been a pleasure....more
Lydia runs a bookstore in Acapulco, is married to Sebastian and is a mother to her 8-year-old-son Luca. As someone that loves books and read3. 5 stars
Lydia runs a bookstore in Acapulco, is married to Sebastian and is a mother to her 8-year-old-son Luca. As someone that loves books and reading, Lydia begins to have great literary conversations with a customer that comes in often into her shop. Sebastian, her husband, is a reporter that does not shy away about writing about the cartels in Mexico and one of his upcoming pieces is a profile of the head of the cartel in Acapulco. To Lydia's dismay, the description of this man sounds exactly like the customer with which she shares literary convesations with. When that proves to be true, the repercussions are deadly, leaving Lydia a widow and on the run for her life with her son.
To say this book has caused controversy is an understatement. Initially, I had no intention to read this book at all but the wide spread of opinions and reviews piqued my curiosity. In the interest of truth, I should admit to reading a few articles regarding the controversy prior to reading the book. Still, I went into this book with an open mind, determined to make my own judgement. Lydia has a quiet but good life. She loves her huband and son and her job as the bookstore owner. When a customer buys one of Lydia's favorite books, the two establish a rapport over literature. This man comes into her shop often and Lydia looks forward to it. That is, until, she learns trhorough her husband's article that he is also the head of the cartel. Lidya's hopes, that she can simply move on with her life are shattered when her husband and family are gunned down at a family gathering, leaving only her and her son as survivors. Knowing that she will never be safe in Acapulco, she takes Luca and starts a perilous journey north, where the cartel can not hurt her anymore.
To my surprise, I found the prose well written rendered. The narrative is a far cry from a fun or entertaning read but it has grit and impact. This was not a book I rushed home to read. It is a raw, unsettling and heart-breaking story. Mainly narrated through Lydia and Luca, we follow their journey out of Mexico into the United States. Where Cummins shines is in her depiction of Lidya as a mother, of her insticnt of survival and of protecting Luca at any cost. Where I struggle is in the overall characterization. Much as I like a nuanced 'villain', I could never fully believe that Javier, this hardened and ruthless man, was a lover of poetry and literature, a would-be poet. I also throught that Luca was perhaps, too wise beyond his eight years. There were few details that seemed not properly explained and more than a fair share of cliches. Having said this, the pace and flow of the narrative did work well together to provide a heart-wrenching narrative. I would not say I love this book but I can say that it makes me very grateful for my life.
If nothing else, I would hope this book opens up dialogue about the immigration issue and the people behind it. That compassion and heart could work with the law so that people that desperately need protection and shelter can get it....more
“They'd both learned that a memory is a fact that has been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking almost unrecognizable t“They'd both learned that a memory is a fact that has been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking almost unrecognizable to anyone else who was in that room or anyone who was standing on the grass beneath that telephone pole.”
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope meet as rookie police officers. They remain friendly enough even after their careers in the NYPD change course. Escaping the stress of their jobs, the Gleesons and Stanhopes wind up becoming neighbours in a quiet neighborhood. Only their youngest children become friends despite the fact that they are next-door neighbours. Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope are born six months apart and grow to be quite close until a terrible incident between their families causes a rift that forces them apart. When they meet again, as adults, they wonder wether they can pick off from where they started or if they are doomed to repeat their parents' mistakes.
I had seen this book time and time again come up on my GR feed so when it appeared as a special deal on Kindle, I did not think twice about buying it. I like that the premise only gives a brief glimpse about the book so as to not give anything away. Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope start off as rookie police officers and for a short while are partners but Brain begins to lag behind Francis. The two families wind up becoming neighbours but they are not close. Lena, Francis' wife, tries to reach out to Anne, Brian's wife. Due in large part to Anne's mental instability (that either is not noticed or ignored entirely), Anne shuts Lena down. Lena's youngest daughter Kate and Anne's only child, Peter do establish a strong bond but on a fateful night are forced apart due to a terrible incident that affects both families. As life moves on, Kate and Peter meet again but their future cannot escape the consequences of the past.
This is not a fun or entertaining read but its certainly a memorable one. Its a gritty narrative about family, love, anger, regret, forgiveness, pain and redemption. The pace starts off slow but gradually builds up to match the tense tone of the book. Its a coming of age story, a love story and a family saga all in one. The defining moment, that terrible incident that forever scarred both these families permeates the pages, always casting a shadow on their lives. Where this book truly shines is in characterization. There are certain people in this book that I initally hated but by the end felt entirely different. Likewise, with characters that started off as likeable. Keane has constructed complex family dynamics and relationships that are very difficult to define and are ever changing. Initially, the changing of the points of view bothered me but in the end they complimented the pace and flow of the narrative. The way in which the conclusion played out, I think, was perfect and brought all the points made throughout the narrative home. This is literary fiction as its finest. Would certainly recommend....more
Bayview highschool is recovering from Simon's death, in which he attempted to frame four of his classmates. The school, has sin"Always take the dare."
Bayview highschool is recovering from Simon's death, in which he attempted to frame four of his classmates. The school, has since, shut down the many Simon copy-cat sites and become stricter with cell phone policy and the four students thought to have been behind Simon's death have graduated and moved on. It appears that all is well. That is until a sinister game of truth or dare springs up. If a student is targeted and ignores the game or refuses the dare, a rather ugly truth about them will be revealed. As the game takes a hold of the school, old fears reappear and another student winds up dead.
I have to start by saying that I enjoyed One of Us Is Lying more than I thought I would. Upon learning that there was going to be a sequel, I knew I had to read it. Bronwyn, Nate, Addy and Copper (the "Bayview Four") have been cleared by the police, graduated and moved on with their lives after it was believed they killed Simon. There has not been another scandal in the school since. However, a new game begins, a sinister version of truth or dare. A text goes out to an unsuspecting student asking them to choose truth or dare. If they choose to ignore the game or refuse the dare, a truth will be revealed and it will not be pretty. Maeve (Bronwyn's sister) is a student at Bayview along with Knox (her ex-boyfriend-turned-friend) and Phoebe (a friend of theirs). As the game grows in popularity, Maeve, Knox and Phobe wind up right in the middle of it, trying to figure out who is behind it before the game damages their own connections.
With sequels, there is always the possibility that they will not live up to the book that preceded it. This is not the case for One of Us Is Next. It most certainly delivered an exciting, entertaning and hard to put down book. The tension from the first book is present and prevalent. The story of the "Bayview Four" is well incorporated while a fresh one unwinds with Phoebe, Knox and Maeve. The plot is intriguing and the pace complimnted the plot. Granted, a few details are far-fetched and easy to glean. That did not ruin my experience of reading the book, though. I just had to know how it all played out. While, its my view, that the first book is better, the sequel did not dissapoint. All and all, this was a fast, entertaining and fun read. ...more
Melody Browne lives in a flat with her seventeen-year-old son. A single mother, Melody tends to keep to herself, in part because she can not remember Melody Browne lives in a flat with her seventeen-year-old son. A single mother, Melody tends to keep to herself, in part because she can not remember part of her life. When she was a child, Melody was in a fire that made her forget the first nine years of her life. While on a date at a hypnotis's show, Melody is selected at random to participate on stage. What was meant as an amusing experience turns more serious when Melody start recalling her life before the fire. Gradually, details emerge and Melody begins to reconstruct her life. But the more she remembers, the more questions she has and Melody realizes that she can not move forward until she deals with the past.
Having previously read a book by Lisa Jewell and seeking a "lighter" read, I picked this title. The cute design and bright colors of the cover conveyed, to me, a feel good story. This was true, to a degree. Melody Browne has lived her adult life with her son separate from her parents. She is under the belief that she has no other family as a fire wiped her memory of her early childhood. All this changes after having a date in which she attends a hypnotist's show. She is selected to go on stage but the act results in Melody starting to remember life before the fire. As she starts to recall her past, Melody is hit with a rush of different emotions and does not know what to believe. What she knows now is that her life is not as simple as she originally thought. This is a narrative that switches from the past to present and does so well. The gradual reveal of details was meted out well and complimented the overall pace. This story was darker than I thought it was going to be but it suited the narrative. Jewell conveys pain and uncertainty on the pages as Melody recalls the past. I will say characterization pleasently surprised me as no character was a clear stereoptype. A few details did not entirely convince me but overall, this was good read....more
“That day, I tell myself that even if I am not getting anything in this life, I will go to school. I will finish my primary and secondary and universi“That day, I tell myself that even if I am not getting anything in this life, I will go to school. I will finish my primary and secondary and university schooling and become teacher because I don’t just want to be having any kind voice... I want a louding voice.”
Five stars for a heart-wrenching story and an even braver girl!
Adunni is fourteen years old. All her life she has wanted one thing and that is education. Her hopes and dreams are dashed when her father tells her that she is to be married to an older man and become his third wife. Adunni has no say in the matter as his father needs to collect her bride price to sustain the family. Her husband expects Adunni to have a son, the first wife is far from welcoming and as a whole, her new life is challenging. When tragedy strikes, Adunni flees to Lagos to work as a maid, not giving up on her dreams of finding her louding voice.
This book has generated a lot of hype and I am happy to say that it is absolutely warranted. The Girl with the Louding Voice is a coming-of-age story, a survival story and a narrative with a message I can certainly back. Adunni wants to go to school and eventually become a teacher. Her father, however, needs money and when a wealthy man in the village offers him a generous bride price for Adunni, he agrees for Adunni to marry him. Adunni becomes the third wife to a man older than her father and is expected to produce a male heir . . . . as soon as possible. Adunni fears that her dreams will be out of reach but when a terrible incident forces her to flee her new home for Lagos, she becomes determined to make them happen. Working as a maid for a wealthy women in Lagos is barely better than the situation she ran away from but Adunni has a desire that refuses to quit.
This in an impacting story, rich in details and characters that stand out. Set in Nigeria, the underlying context is that of girls being beneath men, no matter the social standing. I would not say this is a fun or entertaining book but its one that is hard hitting and memorable. I was not too sure about the way Adunni spoke in the first few chapters but the further I read, the more that I understood that this is an integral part of the narrative. Adunni has heart and so much courage to face a life that was not kind to her. The tone is saddening and often, frustrating but the spirit of this book is triumphant. I was mad about her circumstances but awed by her bravery. It is tempting to simply want to identify these charaters as "good" or "bad". I would argue, though, that Big Madam (Adunni's "employer") was more complex than meets the eye and towards the end, I could even summon a little compassion for her. This is a compelling read that makes me very grateful to be able to live the life I have. Adunni represents so many girls denied an education and and her voice in these pages is certainly a louding one. Highly recommend this book.
"Not his-story. My own will be called her-story."...more
"The world will still be a place where people do terrible things. But here's the thing about despair. We fall into despair when the terrible gangs up "The world will still be a place where people do terrible things. But here's the thing about despair. We fall into despair when the terrible gangs up on us and we forget the world can also be wonderful.
The world is terrible and wonderful at the same time. One doesn't negate the other, but the wonderful keeps us in the game. It keeps us moving forward."
Raymond Jaffe is sixteen years old. His only friend has just moved to a different city, he does not feel like he fits in with his step-father or step-mother, his parents appear distant and school is complicated. He does not feel like there is a place for him anywhere. One morning Mildred, an elderly lady that lives in his apartment building, asks him if he has seen Luis Velez. Luis Velez helped Mildred, who is blind, taking her to the store and bank but he has not shown up in two weeks. Raymond, at first, helps Mildred get groceries but gets more involved in her life as time goes by. He becomes determined to find out what happened to Luis Velez. He tells himself this will help Mildred but along the journey, discovers that it helps him too.
I had seen this title come up my GR feed and when I saw it on Kindle, in the special deals section, I simply had to have it. Raymond is an awkward and sensitive teenager. His parents are divorced and both, re-married. He does not get on well with either his step-father or step-mother. He is half white and half black. His only friend is moving away. When Mildred asks him if he has seen Luis Velez, he answers as a mere courtesy but upon learning that she is down to her last can of soup, he takes her to the store instead. The more he interacts with Millie (as he begins to call Mildred), the more he feels like there is a place for him. Millie is ninety-two and blind and yet, she sees him as no one has seen him before. This book is foremost about kindness. The concept is simple yet profound. While the prose is not one of the most intricate I have read, it has a lot of heart and so many emotions. I thought the plot to have surprising elements and liked how all of them integrated. Its hard not to like Raymond, Millie or Luis. The book tackles hard-hitting subject mattters that range from race and prejudice to feeling alone and like a misfit. I think everybody can relate, on some level. Kindness is always welcome but especially in times like we are living now, its more than neccessary. A story about friendship, and the power of kindness this was the perfect book to read right now.
"The world is a tough place, my friend. I'm not ready to change my mind about that. And yet, we're called upon to be grateful that we're in it. That seems to be our challenge."
Hercule Poirot is back on the case for the first collection of short stories featuring the detective. Captain Hastings is with the famed detective wheHercule Poirot is back on the case for the first collection of short stories featuring the detective. Captain Hastings is with the famed detective when he receives callers that wish to contract his services. From senior members of government to young ladies seeking to right a wrong, Poirot receives a myriad of visitors at his flat. Dealing with deceit and blackmail to stolen jewels and missing wills, Poirot has no shortage of cases in which to employ his little grey cells.
I am an avid Agatha Christie fan though I should admit I prefer a novel to a short story. Having said this, Christie's hand is more than apparent on this collection 0f eleven short stories. Originally published in 1924 (they first appeared separately in The Sketch magazine), as a collection, this is the third installment in the Hercule Poirot series. Poirot gets a number of different callers that require his service. Captain Hastings is the narrator as he accompanies Poirot from crime scene to crime scene. Hastings does not stop remarking Poirot's vanity and shall we say, lack of humility. But he also remarks on his wit and intelligence as he solves mysteries no one else can crack. As a whole, this was an entertaining and fun read. Some mysteries were better than others. I most enjoyed The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge and The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. These might be shorter but its still has Christie's trademark all over. Now unto the next one....more
Lucie Churchill is invited to a week long wedding extravaganza before attending the wedding of a friend. Luicie arrives in Capri with her cousin CharlLucie Churchill is invited to a week long wedding extravaganza before attending the wedding of a friend. Luicie arrives in Capri with her cousin Charlotte as her chaperone as Lucie is just nineteen. The two of them meet Rosemary and George Zao (mother and son) when while in the courtyard of the hotel they are discussing their dissapointments in their rooms. Charlotte wanted to have the rooms with a good view. The Zaos offer to switch rooms and that is where Lucie starts to dislike Geoge. By the end of the week, however, the two change their tune. Lucie leaves Capri for New York and put it and George behind. Five years later, Lucie and her fiancee are spending the weekend outside the city when she learns that George and his mother have rented a house nearby. Memories of that week in Capri resurface and spill into their lives.
I read the Crazy Rich Asians series some time back and found it to be a lot of fun. When Sex and Vanity came out, my curiosity was piqued. These two books are from the same vein but quite different. Lucie is a socialite. Half Chinese and half Caucasian, her faher comes from a distinguished New York family. As she is quite young, her mother insists on Charlotte coming with her to the wedding in Capri. Meeting George Zao alters the course of her life. Upon her return to New York, she continues with her life. She graduates from college and pursues a career as an art consultant. When George and his mother rent a house near hers, Lucy becomes concerned for she does not want for what happened in Capri to be known in New York. There is no subtlety in this book. Plot points and characters are exagerated, as is the whole narrative. This was no surprise to me and part of the reason why Kwan's books are fun to read. While I was not surprised at the outcome, I found the book entertaining and overall, enjoyable. I will say that I like Crazy Rich Asians better though, the plot had mor whimsy and I found the characters in that book more compelling than in this one. I have different expectations for each book I read and the ones I had for this one were met. All and all, a fast and entertaining read....more
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