This contest period's winners were Erin G., Jean V. and Judy R., who each received a copy of THE PRINCESS DIARIST by Carrie Fisher and VICTORIA by Daisy Goodwin.
Robin
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
With New York City as its setting, traveling through time as we delve into the fictitious life of Lillian Boxfish, based on the real life of advertising writer extraordinaire Margaret Fishback. It's an interesting sweep through time. The novel takes us up through 1984 and we see the city changing around our title character in real and profound ways.
LINDA
Blowback by Brad Thor
I freely chose to review this book as I am a huge fan of Brad Thor. BLOWBACK is Book Four where a ruthless senator has her eye on the presidency. Scot Harvath is fired and he goes off the grid and licks his wounds, but as the war on terror takes a chilling turn, the President has no choice but to secretly bring Scot back in. An ancient weapon is hidden in an Alpine glacier that was built to defeat the Roman Empire has been found, and a corrupt organization plans to use it on the USA.
Diana Thomas
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
I got this book from an aunt when we traded some books. Thanks, Aunt Edna. Prior to getting these few books from my aunt I had never really read this author except in the occasional anthology. I have been missing out on a great romance author. Her books are of the sweet and clean variety. There are no graphic encounters between the couples. The books also have a spiritual background, without a heavy religious turn, basically no preaching to the reader. I will definitely be reading more books by this author. I need to check the boxes of books to see if I have been given anymore by Debbie Macomber. The author has multiple series and one of them had been made into a series. I'm hoping the beginning books of the other series are just as good.
Elaine Baxter
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
Great book. Learned a lot about Kenya and the lives of the people of the times.
Cynthia
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Such a great Christmas read!
Maureen
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Excellent story about France during WWII. I got teary at the end. What horrific things occurred with the Nazi invasion. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth
Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain
I never read the original volume because it just seemed so daunting. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is the most user-friendly oral history I've read in regards to flow and sheer readability. (The authors even explain their methodologies at the end, which is helpful.) The cast of characters is astounding (and most are surprisingly unassuming), though the ending feels a bit abrupt.
Gina
Home by Harlan Coben
As usual, this was a page-turner. No way I could have guessed the ending, which is a Coben trademark. Two boys go missing ten years ago. Then one is seen and caught (or is he?) What happened to the other boy?
Kay
The Billion Dollar Spy by David E. Hoffman
An intriguing nonfiction book which deals with the CIA and the Russian spies that they cultivated.
Sharon
Faithful by Alice Hofmann
Another must-read by Alice Hoffman.
Dolores
A Man Called Ove by Fredik Backman
I thought the man was not that interesting - he was always meddling, then ended up being sort of a good person, along with all his complaining.
John
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
A dark, violent at times and extremely gritty YA novel about a girl who gave in to her darkest impulses after her sister was murdered. Amazing characters with one heck of a twist at the end.
Susan
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
Alice Lake finds a man sitting on a beach in a pouring rain storm without a jacket. She brings him one and he continues to sit so she offers him the use of her shed in the back yard. It's this act of kindness that opens up an unsolved mystery from over 20 years ago. The man has no memory of who he is or why he's there. Alice and her three children name him Frank and try to help him recover his memory. This is one of the best page-turners that I have read in a long time. It is fast-paced and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. There were lots of surprises and twists and turns. I was surprised to the very end. I highly recommend this book.
Susan
And Every Morning the Way Gets Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
Backman had done it again. He has brought me to my knees in this touching and all too real portrayal of a grandfather who is losing his memory and is frightened. He is training his grandson on memories he treasures so his grandson can remind him of them when he forgets. It's quite a clever idea. This is a novella and well worth investing your time into it. Backman has become one of my very favorite authors and this was a joy for me. If you haven't read his books, I don't know what you're waiting for. This is a great one to cut your teeth on and for those who have read him, a welcome addition.
Jayne
Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky
The relationships between mother and daughter, both professionally and as friends, is very well drawn in this beautifully-scripted novel. An architect and her mother work for the same family-owned business and the twists taken by the author are magnificent. I really enjoyed the storyline and the poignant way that the relationships develop.
Sharon
Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon
1975. San Francisco. Single mom Lux reluctantly allows her 5-year-old son to fly to the East coast to visit her parents. To deal with the sense of loss she feels she goes camping only to discover a huge fog bank. Curious, she walks through and discovers a community lost to time, living in 1906. She becomes entranced with this way of life and continues to yearn for it even as she returns to her "real" world. The book stretches and conflates time for Lux as she begins to travel back and forth, finding the farm work rewarding in the way her waitress job is not. Eventually she tells her teenage son about the community and he travels with her from time to time. Even when she finds another job, she is compelled to return to Greengage.
Jayme
Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins
An interesting version of the dystopian novel that takes place in drought-torn California where a sea of sand is slowly engulfing the west. The characters, though, are as dry as the landscape, and I really didn’t feel connected. I was very surprised with the ending, thus the 3 stars.
Jayme
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
This is a charming story about never being too old to change and accepting the quirks of those we love. The story is like a pair of warm, fuzzy slippers - a perfect fireplace read.
Helen
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
A great peak into the lives of the very wealthy in NYC. Loved reading about Truman Capote with all his feuds, relationships, and peculiarities.
Tessa B C
¡Ask a Mexican! by Gustavo Arellano
¡ASK A MEXICAN! is the title of Arellano’s regular column in the OC Weekly in which he tries to answer questions on the culture of America’s rapidly growing minority. This is a collection of those columns. Like most such satirical/humorous columns, they are best taken once a week. Reading all of them at once was a bit much. I was bored by much of it and didn’t find it very funny, though I did like the descriptions of food.
Nina
These is My Words by Nancy Turner
There are several themes running through this book. It is written in diary form covering a period of 20 years. Death, birth, love, marriage and family are the central themes. It takes a while for the reader to get used to the writing style. Several grammatical errors and no use of quotation marks made it a fun read.
Joanne
The Clancys of Queens by Tara Clancy
Very enjoyable memoir of a woman raised in three very different households.
Lindsay Roseberry
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Not sure how a post-apocalyptic book can be called luminous, but this book can truly live up to this description. She focuses on the time just before an epidemic, two years after and twenty years after. My group was a little leery about the post-apocalyptic theme, but I'm getting reports they liked it better than that thought they would. The story focuses on a Shakespearean actor who dies just as the apocalypse hits and later on a band of actors and musician acting out Shakespeare for the few people, grouped in small settlements, who survived.
Beth
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
This book of historical fiction is an interesting and easy read. It describes the feud between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over electrifying America and the young lawyer Paul Cravath who helped shape the dispute and its outcome and who also founded the modern structure of law firms that still exists today. Moore does a great job of explaining science and law and how they interact.
Linda
Pretty Ugly by Kirker Butler
I judged this book by its cover. Received through my postal book group, I did not want to read this book. I do not watch reality TV. I have never watched Honey Boo Boo or Toddlers and Tiaras or Family Guy (which the author works on). All seem vulgar to me. This book isn't different, but it was terrible and funny at the same time. I didn't like any of the characters. Looking at the forest, rather than the individual trees, it made for a good read.
Julie
The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes
Mei Lein, pushed off of a huge passenger boat on the way back to China from America, or so she thought, became a remnant of the golden seam herself. An 1800s backdrop of time, Mei Lein, a seamstress by family trade, uses silk thread to stitch the secret historical tragedy on traditional Chinese clothing. She, who once swam to a nearby WA shore, ends up married and grateful to miss the divine fate whereby a ship captain, who later reveals himself as another inhabitant of her 'by now' island residence. Only her grandmother washes up on her newfound shore. Entwined by seaweed and inspired by devotion, Mei Lein to begin to tell her story by silk.
Jean
The English Girl by Daniel Silva
So intriguing! Nice locale.
Helen
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
I love Harry Bosch. I would miss him terribly if Michael Connelly ever stopped writing about him. Thank God he keeps on trucking. The latest is wonderful, with two, count them two plots going on. Beautifully written and well plotted, this is a gem. Won't give away the plot, just be assured you will love it.
Helen Wright
The Bone Collection by Kathy Reichs
This is a collection of four novellas, all of them quite different and all quite good. From swamp to Mt. Everest to a flashback and the Carolina foothills, Ms. Reichs covers everything and solves in very fine shape. This is an excellent collection and well worth reading.
Marilyn
An Unholy Shame by Joyce Cato
I enjoyed the first two of this series also.
Pauline
The Trespasser by Tana French
I love all her books, and one reason is that she does everything so very well -- characterization, plot, dialogue -- and yet each book is unique and resonates on its own. THE TRESPASSER again combined all these elements to keep me riveted until the very end.
Lynn W
The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal
Not very original. Maggie goes after a Jack-the-Ripper copycat murderer, eventually setting herself up as bait. Knew early on who "Jack" was. Good writing, but just seemed like a bridge to the next spy mission.
Dawn
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Loved how the author moved down each generation with each chapter! Great book.
LINDA
The Agency by M. L. Caggiano
I freely chose to review this book from and unknown author to me, and I LOVED THIS BOOK! Eddie Bartlett is a lonely and shy Wall Street research analyst who can't find love because he does not know how to talk to women he's attracted to. Unfortunately his best friend Dave has no problem and he's jealous of his friend. The one time in a bar when he got up the nerve to go talk to a lone woman he had to back off. He left the bar, went home, and discovered The Agency. He hired the Reynard Agency to help him meet beautiful women and help him feel more confident, unaware that he'd find the girl of his dreams.
Maureen
Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks
Although it is much wordier than any of his previous books and starts off a bit slow, it is a wonderful portrayal of family, love and heartache. The ending is a tearjerker. Reminds me of how I cried at the ending of one of his previous books. He has a knack!
LINDA
Outsystem (The Intrepid Saga # 1) by M. D. Cooper
I freely chose to review this ARC and am so glad I did as it's one terrific story! OUTSYSTEM is about seventy-two year old Major Tanis Richards who was demoted for her part in an unfortunate battle. Labeled the Butcher of Toro, she had hope to regain her rank and finally get off of Sol where her and her AI could finally enjoy their down time and civilian life. The year is the 42nd century and Mars 1 is inhabited with hundreds of beings to populate the planet. Tanis is temporarily assigned to head security on the GSS Intrepid, and she immediately sees holes and redundancy. Not surprising, she makes a lot of enemies when she eliminates people only to discover a secret plot to destroy her ship and billions of people in the process.
Lisa Nekich
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Suspenseful and very interesting story about the intersection of the lives from various backgrounds. Enjoyed the chapters that outlined the stories of the various characters. Also, the description of how some of the media outlets handle the news is spot on, and frankly a bit disturbing.
Marsha
The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Jane Ryland was a television star until she was fired for refusing to reveal a source. Now an investigative reporter, she is tracking down a candidate's secret mistress. She is also enamored with a detective with whom she works closely. Their relationship could cause professional problems so they are treading lightly. Fun read.
Holly
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
I'm re-reading this for book club. The plot is unpredictable and the characters are far from normal or average. It's quirky enough so that I don't mind re-reading it to enjoy the flow of words as well as the illustrations by the author.
Linda
Maus: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History (Maus, #1) by Ari Spiegelman
A marvelous but sobering graphic depiction of the author's father's experiences in Poland during World War II. Real, gripping, and heartbreaking told in stark black and white renderings. Inspired depictions of Nazis as cats and Jews as mice.
Susan
My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal
Leon and his brother Jake are foster children in the 80s in England. How Leon copes makes it a very compelling story, rich with characters.
Katie
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
A fascinating book - historical fiction - about the life of Beryl Markham. Much of the story takes place throughout Africa in the early 1900s. She was a woman before her time and fought, throughout her life, the stereotype of how a woman should live her life. She was raised on an African farm with her father and grew up "wild" by many people's standards with the neighboring children. She fought hard to just be herself and accepted as herself, becoming a horse trainer and later a licensed pilot. She was brave, smart and independent. I have now moved on to reading her memoir, WEST WITH THE NIGHT, and will then move on to OUT OF AFRICA. An enjoyable read.
Mary
Stolen by Daniel Palmer
When John Bodine steals the identity of another to secure the medication his wife needs to battle cancer, he is drawn into a sinister game.
Fran
Under a Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes
I read this book because I loved her other book, INTO THE DARKEST CORNER. Unfortunately, this one never really captured my interest in the same way. Hard to believe it is the same author.
Shelley K Hitt
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
Excellent.
Ron
The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf
The debut novel by the author of such great books as PLAINSONG and EVENTIDE. Like those two books, this takes place in a fictitious town in Colorado. It concerns the brutal husband and father of two whose wife dies early and whose kids suffer throughout childhood and even beyond. The daughter refuses to leave even though she has the opportunity, and she is the true hero of this story. The author's passing last year was a great loss to the literary world.
Annette
Off the Grid by C. J. Box
Riveting as always.
Laura
My Grandmother Told Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Unexpectedly, this book has an element of fantasy and not in a good way. I found myself struggling through those parts. I also found it hard to believe that little Elsa was 7, exceptional child or not. I think giving her a couple more years would have helped. I did, however, enjoy her real-life story. The characters were interesting and how they all tied together was good.
Emily
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, A Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them by Gina Kolata
Kolata tells the true story of the Baxley family who is struck down by a degenerative illness with no cure. The question facing each family member is whether or not to take a DNA test in order to find out if he or she carries the mutated gene. The book reads like a suspense novel as we see how each family member faces and answers this anxiety-provoking question. "Testing would allow you to prepare", however, knowing the result "could rob you of the limited number of carefree years left to you."
Debbie
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
Let me start off by saying I am not a Kennedy family fan. However, this wonderfully-written book about Rosemary Kennedy warmed me to the heart regarding this family. The effort and love put into finding a solution to Rosemary and the overall movement in psychology, health and caring for individuals with disabilities is heartwarming. I highly recommend this book.
Carolann
The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenzie
I usually read mysteries but this was a good change. It is set in Palo Alto where my son is living, so I was hoping for some insight into the area.
Suzanne
All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage
I really enjoyed this book. It has a lot going on to keep you interested. There is a mystery, a supernatural aspect, philosophy and spirituality.
LINDA
Help Wanted by Barbara Valentin
I freely chose to review this book. HELP WANTED is a delightful story of Claire Mendez, a married woman with four boys and a stay at home dad named Paul, who's quite handsome man even though they'd been married for fifteen years. When Paul lost his job, he decided staying at home for the boys was a good thing, but Claire tried to get him back in suits of corporate America and he didn't want to give up his dreams. Claire is burned out from her job and realized that her dream of becoming a best selling author was not going to happen. Frustrated beyond words, she finally pens a letter to the plate spinner advice columnist asking for help and is surprised by the answer! Now, I wish I had read Book One to see how it began!
Marilyn
X by Sue Grafton
I've enjoyed this series from the get go and they say Kinsey has matured over the years. This is another good read, suspenseful and rather philosophical, as well.
Nadine
After You by Jojo Moyes
I really, really enjoyed AFTER YOU. It was slower paced than ME BEFORE YOU, but good nonetheless. I enjoy Lou as a character and I liked finding out what happened to her after the end of the last book. We saw her grow so much in ME BEFORE YOU, and in AFTER YOU she regresses a little. But I think that's to be expected after you lose someone you love. But as the book and her life moves on, she slowly starts coming out of her depression and living a little more. There are certain characters that help her with this and it's interesting to see how they all interact.
Dorothy
Pilgrimage: A Tale of Old Natchez by Louise W. Collier
A historical novel of Natchez before, during and after the Civil War. The story contained information that was from the author's family.
SMeryl
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
"The act of meeting your soul mate releasing magic into the world." I really loved that premise. I had not read this author before but got sucked in by the writing style. It felt like I was there with the characters, namely the girl, Emily Wren. She's the one who lost her soulmates in this event called the culling. And this super immortal has the task of creating a new one. There are so many twists and it keep me hooked throughout.
Tessa B C
For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins
This is the sixth book in the Blessings series, which follows the residents of Henry Adams, Kansas, a small town originally founded by freed slaves. I liked that things don’t always go smoothly, but that – for the most part – the characters react realistically. And then there’s Astrid Wiggins; she is a caricature, so evil and unreasonable in her hatred and vindictiveness that she’s totally unbelievable. On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable, quick read. It reminded me of both the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross, and the Harmony series by Philip Gulley.
Gladys
Forever and All That Jazz by Karen Wiesner
Practically newlyweds Jazz and Walter lived in a small home provided for them by the church where Walter is the pastor. They are getting adjusted to not living alone when Jazz's father suffers a serious heart attack and needs home care. Jazz definitely plans for her father to live with them, but Walter is none too favorable toward the idea. His church work demands much of Walter and he is using video games to relieve his stress. Jazz feels neglected and this story is an tale of how true love helps a couple make necessary changes in their attitudes and lives.
Gina
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
I liked the idea that magic is released into the world when a person meets her soul mate and that there are some supernatural forces at work behind the scenes ensuring that soul mates do indeed meet. I found this to be a clean, wholesome love story which was really a sweet novel to read.
Plato Luther
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
How refreshing it was to read a paranormal romance novel that isn't just focusing on vampires, or werewolves. That these super immortals are in charge of monitoring opportunities for soulmates is a unique concept and certainly peaked my interest as it reminded me of my fascination with another Immortality series. This saga has the potential to be equally fascinating. While soulmates as a subject requires the inclusion of romance, the romantic component is a pleasant overlay and not the predictable formulary of a typical romance. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Fulerton
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
This is a terrific concept for a Young Adult book: ageless beings, Paragons, and their candelabra-like Luminary buddies are responsible for making sure every human has the perfect soul mate. I can imagine this idea would be particularly fascinating for YA readers at a stage of life where close friendships and first loves are probably important possessions! P. S. Meraux has populated this magical world with all sorts of mythical creatures, including both the familiar and unfamiliar. The author also waxes lyrical at length with often quite poetic language. I found the plot challenging and unexpected.
Linda
The Imitation Game by Jim Ottaviani, Leland Purvis - illustrator
This graphic depiction of Alan Turing's troubled life contains much that the unrelated movie of the same name covered. The author's incorporate ghosts (Turing's mother, brother, associates) contributing to the understand (or non-understanding) of Alan. Make sure to read the afterword for clarification of the author's interpretation and timing of this book.
Debbie
The Bone Tree by Greg Iles
A book club forces us to read the whole trilogy of Greg Iles, and yes, we will be reading the final installment in 2017. I probably enjoyed the second book more than the first book. Both books provide a reading marathon that lasts longer than most television marathons. Greg Iles explains too much, at times, but leaves you hanging in the last chapter. The bad guys still dominant the story, and never seem to waiver in their evil ways. The theories on the assassination of John F. Kennedy provide food for the fodder. Iles presents strong characters that either inspire loathing or admiration. Penn Cage, the main character, does not hold either interest or abhorrence for me, but I like many of the minor characters.
Debbie
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
I very seldom reread a book, but this is a book club selection, and I enjoy reading Louise Penny. This time I listened to the audiobook, and the pleasure was immeasurable. Penny is the only author able to invoke strong emotions from me. The scenes involving Ruth and the duckling eggs provide a glimpse into the various layers of Ruth's personality that dominant her poetry. The sense of community building and healing shimmers through the darkest of the season. Louise Penny develops and expands on her characters in each new novel. My favorite characters are Ruth, Clara, Myrna, Armand, and Jean. Of course, I relish other characters; each has a distinct personality. Three Pines stands as an Eden, that also contains a serpent.
Debbie
The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry
I read Barry's THE LACE READER eight years ago, but I still remember the lyrical style. Barry continues that sense of poetry and music in THE FIFTH PETAL, set in Salem and dealing with remnants of the 1692 witch trials and hangings. The story centers on Callie and her gruesome past. Callie's mother and three other young women were brutally murdered while Callie hid in the bushes, but heard the commotion. Now, a new police chief wants to solve this cold case. Barry elaborates on witchcraft, scenery, and historic events, but the actual characters appear a little one-dimensional. As usual, I learned interesting information such as the healing of music and the symphony of music from special bowls. I was a little disappointed.
Sandy
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
This is a novel about Ernest Heminway's first marriage to Hadley Richardson. She is a quiet 28-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. After their wedding they set sail for Paris where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group. Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast living life of Jazz Age Paris. Eventually Ernest meets and falls in love with Pauline who demands he get a divorce.This is a moving portrait of a woman slighted by history, a woman whose story needs to be told. Very good.
Gladys
Her Cowboy Dilemma by C. J. Carmichael
Cassidy had left behind ranch life, rodeos, cowboys and horses for life in the big city forever...or so she thought,until her family's lifestyle was threatened back home in Montana. She had to help them out, temporarily, she thought, but once back home she was forced to depend upon help from their local veterinarian whose heart she had broken when she had left Montana. Could almost constant contact with him cause her to relinquish her dream of big city life? Could he even forgive her for her past actions? A bit of sadness, but an interesting story.
Betty
A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson
A very enjoyable mystery set in 1950s England. Stylistically reminded me of Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series.
Jean
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
A page-turner that I couldn't put down. A twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Enjoy Diane Chamberlain's writing.
Margaret
Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich
Very witty. The cast of characters didn't disappoint anymore than an old friend would. I laughed out loud all through the reading. Only problem with this book was that it was over too soon. Just too good to put down.
Rhonda
Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild
A look at members of the tea party. Their lives are fascinating.
David
Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
It took a little while to get the characters straight and to know what their purpose was in the story, but once I put them in their right places, the story was very interesting. It is about a retired sheriff in the Iron Lake area, and several people in the community have been found dead. In fact, someone tried to kill our hero, Cork. But didn't. Cork then worked on solving who was the bad guy, and why. I was honored to receive this book from a contest at Bookreporter.com. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.
Erin
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
This fascinating and often heartbreaking account of the author's childhood in Middletown, Ohio shed light on aspects of Appalachian culture that are rarely addressed. It's a remarkable and engaging story.
Shelia
Good in a Crisis by Margaret Overton
Memoir of her divorce and subsequent entry into the dating world again all against a backdrop of her aneurysm survival and parent's health problems. Funny, revealing, and well written. Then be sure to read her second book, HOPE FOR A COOL PILLOW, dealing directly with death, the healthcare system, and personal memories. A definite must-read.
Jayme
A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
I enjoyed this story about a Russian count who is placed on house arrest at the grand Metropol hotel after the Bolshevik Revolution. Through his eyes we see the changes in Russia, both politically and culturally. This isn't a heavy thought-provoking story. It is a charming, well-written tale laced with enduring characters - a relaxing read.
Nina Morse
Last Girl Before Freeway by Leslie Bennetts
An impressive, telling account of the highs and lows of Joan River's life before passing away from a botched throat surgery.
Gina
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Imagine being a brilliant neurosurgeon in training, a gifted writer with a master's degree in English, and being on an exciting career track. Then against all odds, you get cancer. Bad cancer. The kind that kills and there is no outcome other than death. It is a matter of time. This was not part of your game plan. Everything you thought you knew about your life comes into question. This non-fiction bestseller tells Dr. Paul Kalanithi's story. It is both matter of fact and moving.
Julie
Bingo by Rita Mae Brown
The story revolves around a small town in Maryland that has the Mason-Dixon line running right through it. The other half of the town is in Pennsylvania. It's a light read about the characters and goings on in small town U.S.A.
Dorothy Gordon
Arsenic with Austen by Katherine Bolger Hyde
A delightful first book in a new series called Crime with the Classics. This cozy mystery features widowed professor Emily Cavanaugh who returns to the small coastal town of Stony Beach Oregon for her great aunt Beatrice's funeral. To her surprise she finds that she has inherited a large estate from Beatrice including Windy Corner, her aunt's large Victorian house, plus many cottages and shops worth several million dollars. Also it is a shock to encounter Luke, her first love, who disappeared from her life abruptly many years ago and who is the town sheriff. She begins to suspect her aunt's death was not so natural. Her would-be cousin Brock seems to be trying to take over her life. Something is very wrong and needs answering.
norene
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy
A classic.
Julie
I See You by Clare Mackintosh
The success of her first novel, I LET YOU GO, made Clare Mackintosh wonder whether her second effort would measure up at all. She need not have worried! This novel grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let you go with twists and turns right up until the last page. I literally read this book in an afternoon and evening; it's that good. Hint: If you catch one little clue that she drops, the last page won't shock you completely, but still the ending is a WOW! Please do not read the end of this book first, but rather enjoy the ride. You'll be anxiously anticipating her next book as soon as you finish this one.
Julie
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
The human spirit is a remarkable thing and Cora in THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD endures more than any human should be subjected to in one lifetime. This is her incredible story as well as a historical account of the Underground Railroad and a tribute to those who acted as conductors and station agents as well as those riding it to obtain equality and freedom. This book is especially poignant at this time in our current history. One of Whitehead's characters, Amanda, a young girl who survives an slave catcher attack, years later takes exception with WWI being called the Great War. She laments "The Great War had always been between the white and the black. It always would be." It is everyone's responsibility, black and white, to see it's not.
Jill
The Totally Gnarly, Way Bogus Murder of Muffy McGregor by Teddy Durgin
This first-time novel from Durkin features Sam, a typical 15-year-old teenager boy, who is intrigued by the murder of a popular girl in his parochial school class, seeks answers for how and why this happened. He teams up with a local PI and his reluctant friend, Chip, to do this. The usual adventures and capers ensue, some of which are quite funny. Durgin's strength lies in his character development and crisp dialogue. The reason that I initially purchased this book is because it takes place in 1986 in Laurel, Maryland, where I lived for a number of years (not at the time of the story's setting, but later). Durgin obviously knows his locale as he grew up there. All in all, a fun read!
Anna
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
This book should be required reading for all high school students. Parts of the story are hard to read because several of the characters are part of the white supremacy movement. This book made me think about racism differently. Those of us who are white do not have any idea what it is like to be a person of color. It is my hope that book groups will discuss this book. It is quite a book. Well done, Jodi Picoult.
Debbie
Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke
Croke writes an interesting and informative book about the elephants of Burma. The story follows James Howard Williams in his life following and caring for elephants while working in the teak business. The biography gave me an enormous vision of the elephants and their personalities and life. I had never thought of elephants as extraordinary mammals, but this biography enlightened my perspective. Croke relates the story in fascinating language and extreme detail of the everyday life in the teak business. The teak business involves huge separation from human contact as the work centers in the jungle. That young men would sacrifice all to do this job amazes me. Croke weaves an excellent tale, but falls into too technical language too often.
Debbie
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
I needed a Louise Penny to finish a saddened Thanksgiving Day, and the final pages lifted my mood. Armand Gamache has undertaken to reform the corrupt Süreté Academy du Québec. The task will not be easy, as this is the training ground for mean and cruel new recruits. Poems by Jonathan Swift jump from the pages; maybe I should find a copy of Swift's poetry. Four young lives hover between life and death. The sense of community and love and relationships dominant the pages. Why is Armand so caring? Is he an unobtainable image? Louise Penny writes a story with many levels and nuances, a story compelling to read to race to the last page to find the solution. The last page brings understanding but a sense of loss for the end of a wonderful book.
Beth
The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal
Another intriguing Maggie Hope mystery. This one begins in Glasgow and follows the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Tessa B C
Deck the Halls by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, combine their talents in a new mystery series featuring the collaboration of the two writers’ lead characters. This is an interesting and fun mystery. Of course, the reader always knows who the culprit is, but it’s fun to watch the police, Regan and Alvirah, arrive at the solution. I’ve never read anything by either of these authors before, so the characters were completely new to me, but I never felt lost and the way they come together seemed plausible. All told, this is a quick, entertaining cozy with a satisfying ending.
Sharon
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
A young woman takes a job as a caregiver for a man paralyzed from the chest down. As she learns to care for her patient, she learns her patient's terrible secret. Acting on that knowledge she must decide how she will deal with it. In the meantime, her patient teaches her independence. I could hardly breathe finishing the book.
Susan Currant
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
This is a story of two people, a child and a man, who survive a plane crash. I loved how the author told the backstory of each of the passengers on board. He also captured the media frenzy surrounding the crash and how a journalist crossed the line in his quest for the truth about the crash.
Judy
Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes
PARIS FOR ONE AND OTHER STORIES is a nice overnight read about a young (I presume) lady traveling to Paris alone with a history of fears and phobias. You cheer her on without being told of the fears she suffers from. I liked the ending even though it was predictable.
Judy O.
Downfall by J. A. Jance
Two women are found dead at the bottom of a mountain near Bisbee, AZ, and Sheriff Joanna Brady is on the case. This was a very good read from a very prolific writer.
LINDA
Charms: Book One of the Tempest Trinity Trilogy by Leslie Calderoni
I freely chose to review book one, and now I have to see how the story ends! Three teenage girls are born with magical powers and are untrained, only learning what they can do with a hit and miss effort. The kids at their school called them witches not knowing in a sense that's what they are. Once their aunt Eve returns from her frequent trips when situations don't go to her liking, she brings a difficult puzzle to solve with two teenage boys from New Orleans following her to retrieve what she took from them.
Marilyn
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
The group was quite taken by this book and even though we were saddened by its content and felt that the author did a good job with character development and research into bullying and the possible impact of online reality games. The author stated that she tries to write in such a way that the reader will hold images of the characters in their minds for some time after completing the book, and I have to say that many members said that had happened for them.
Dawn Thayer
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
An elegant, sumptuous read. The characters were all vividly real, with the grand hotel becoming a character unto itself!
Donna
Escape the Night by Richard North Patterson
As a young boy, Peter survives an automobile accident that kills his parents, but has amnesia about the accident. As hard as he tries, he cannot recall what happened and has nightmares that alarm him to the point of screaming. He senses danger and death around him and justifiably so as people are trying to take the book publishing company from him that he inherited from his grandfather. The more he tries to get his memory back, the more dangerous it is for him.
Rebecca
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
There are very good reviews in the front flap of the short book, THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett, but I found it less than expected. Our reading group chose this book for the busy season between Thanksgiving and Christmas...a kind of break from the longer books usually read. The premise of THE UNCOMMON READER is that the queen is introduced to reading, and finding this new hobby, becomes lax in carrying out her royal duties, much to the chagrin of her advisers and the prime minister. The final page does reveal an amusing climax, leaving us to imagine what follows.
Debbie
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Wow -- this book makes you think! What a remarkable amount of research the author did! Our book club had LOTS to talk about after reading this book!
Judy
Black Cross by Greg Iles
Set in WWII this book tells the story of the development, and possibly the destruction of, poisonous gas similar to sarin. Tested on subjects in a hidden prison camp in Germany, it takes a Jewish partisan fighter and an American doctor on an exciting journey. Well worth your reading, even if it has been around a couple of years.
Lonnie
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Once again, Liane keeps you guessing. What actually happened at that backyard BBQ that affected all the people who were there?
Jackie
Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom
This sequel to the author's first novel, THE KITCHEN HOUSE, which was excellent. The narrative was told from the perspective of three different characters. It was well paced, intense and compelling.
Jackie
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
This novel is beautifully written and very compelling. It spans several generations in the life of a family. The characters are very interesting and multi-dimensional. Overall, a very lovely read.
Lily
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
I'm not much into giving a lot of five star ratings. I read many genres. I absolutely loved this book. It has such an incredibly fresh take on super immortals. I have not read any other story with a concept like this. The main characters are all very well developed to the point that I felt like I was in the story. They were interesting for their strengths and weaknesses. The solid purpose of the main characters, making sure magic is released when soul mates meet is so refreshing. While there's a hint of romance in this first book, I get the feeling that's supposed to develop organically. I like that Emily gets to meet her soulmate, but I do hope that the series continues to let me as a reader have more than her point of view.
Linda
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close
Not what I expected. It's a story of two young married couples who meet through the husbands' work trying to get Barack Obama elected President of the United States. The couples continue their friendship, and working within politics that affect each of the four in different ways. This is a book about the couples' relationships. I was hoping for more behind-the-scenes of politics. Still, not a bad read.
Jan
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
I received this book as an ARC from Bookreporter.com. It will be published in the spring of 2017. As I FOUND YOU begins, we are introduced to the several "unrelated" characters and storylines. There is a puzzling disappearance and a puzzling appearance. This great read then sweeps us along as we get to know the characters and try to sort out how they are related as we jump between present day and the happenings of nineteen years ago. I enjoyed the pace of the story and how engaging the characters were. The mystery builds to a very satisfying finish. I have not read this author before, but I will certainly be reading her again!
Diana Thomas
Nineteenth-Century Britain by Christopher Harvie and Colin Matthew
I still love the series, but I wasn't as big of a fan of this one. It's likely because I already knew quite a bit about this era in Britain. It was mostly a rehash of what I already knew with very little new information. However, I did find a few books in the bibliography that I hadn't had on my list of books to read yet so it wasn't a total loss. Hopefully, my library will get some more of this series in soon, I have requested a few, so I can continue reading more of these books. I haven't decided if it's worth buying the series or just the ones I really enjoyed. I do recommend the series if there is a specific subject you are interested in and just want some generic information about it.
Elizabetg
On the Road with Del & Louise by Art Taylor
We read this for book club and what a disappointment. None of us liked or cared about Del or Louise. It starts out with Louise being held up at a 7-11 she worked at, Del getting her phone number and the two of them traveling life together. We thought it would be lighthearted and cute. It was boring. The reason for the three stars, it was different. Not a lot of sex or profanity. This could have been fun because they were not bad to the Corey's two messed up people who fell in love. Read something else.
LINDA
Revved Up Soul (Steel Knights Book 1) by Liz K. Lorde
I freely chose to review this ARC and so glad I read it as Jasmine and Luke's story almost had me in tears! Jasmine Giuseppe became a doctor to help people; her mom had left her at an early age and she didn't know why. Was she not good enough, did her mom hate her? Thoughts like this ran around in her head until as an adult she shook it off, as she hadn't heard from her mom in years and she had no way to find out if she was dead or alive. Luke Reynolds was a member of the Steel Knight MC and he was grieving for his brother that he thought had been murdered by a rival club, but his President wanted proof. Luke just KNEW who had done it and he was not waiting to go after the coward.
Mary Lou
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
I never would have picked this one up but for my book club. That is one of the values of book clubs, i.e. exposure to titles beyond my comfort zone and initial interest. This is a beautiful story of four sisters in the Dominican Republic during the reign of the tyrant dictator Trujillo. The sisters grew up during his rule in the mid-century period of the 1900s, and they and their husbands were part of the underground resistance. Each of the four sisters has her own unique personality, and the author writes lovingly and lyrically of them, their husbands, children, parents, friends, neighbors. The country comes alive with the story, vividly told and beautifully described. Highly recommended.
Lynn W
Another Man's Moccasins (Longmire #4) by Craig Johnson
Interspersed throughout this book is Walt's Vietnam experience. I have resisted reading anything about that war, but this format did not disturb me.
Linda
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
The only reason I read this book is because it was selected for my library's "book to movie" book club; and I'm glad I did. It's a funny/sad read- my favorite kind. I learned a lot about how quadriplegics cope with daily life. And I pondered on the question, "Is it okay to assist in the suicide of someone who truly wants to end his life?" I'll definitely read the sequel!
Margaret
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt
Caroline Leavitt is a new author for me and, after reading this novel, I'd like to read more of her work. This is fast-moving & held my interest throughout. The setting is rural Pennsylvania & Waltham, MA, in the early 1970s around the time of the Manson murders in CA. It is beautifully written with two protagonists, sisters Lucy (16) and Charlotte (18). They are orphaned at an early age and lovingly adopted by an older family member. This is a coming-of-age story with well-developed characters who seem very real. It's heartbreaking at times due to naïve decisions by Lucy. It's interesting to read about the various family relationships, first loves, sisterly love and emotions. I will remember this novel for a long time.
LINDA
Power: Jonah's Power (The Five Sisters Book 1) by TaQuandra Taylor
I freely chose to review this story of Book One and now I want to read more! POWER is about five sisters who lost their mom and were forced to rely on each other. That was ten years ago and as the oldest, Genesis had to forget her dream of attending law school and join the police force so that her sisters could live with her and come first. New York City is a terrible place without their mom and no dad, but they soon learn that their mom left them a gift before she left them and figured out what to do with it. Genesis, Isis, Liberty, and Freedom have to uncover secrets and lies with danger around every dark corner as unknown to them some one watches and waits...
Jan
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
An Inspector Gamache mystery, even though he has retired to Three Pines. He is still respected by his former colleagues. A wild young boy in the village is always telling wild tales, and he comes into the bistro one day to tell about a "giant gun" has found in the forest. Everyone pats him on the head and says, "That's nice." The next day the boy is missing. The investigation takes some time because inept new officers write off his death as an accident. Gamache and others know that it is not but they have no proof. This book tells of the pieces that they gather to discover who is the one who killed the boy and another woman in town. The book is, as usual, a great read. Penny never drops a surprise on us at the end. A great read!
Hedwig
For the Most Beautiful by Emily Hauser
I bought this through Amazon as it had it be shipped from England and it is not yet in the U.S. It is about the battle of Troy, however, it is narrated by two women in alternating chapters with chapters written by the Greek gods which come across as very shallow and self-centered creatures. I highly recommend this for all who love Homer's epic tales.
Mary Lou
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
I loved this book, although it was not always an easy read. Landreaux, father of four, accidentally kills his best friend’s son Dusty while hunting. In the tradition of the sweat lodge, Landreaux offers his son, LaRose, to Peter and Nola, Dusty’s parents, in reparation. The story that evolves is one of history, legend, healing of old wounds, hope, tradition and joy. The book is set in North Dakota, partly on the reservation and partly off. I found the characters to be very real, and the efforts of LaRose and his new sister Maggie to help Nola move through her grief so touching and yet sad. Those two children had to give up their childhood in favor of protecting Nola. And yet they grew in wisdom and strength through that process. Great book.
Francisca E B
The Geography of Genius by Eric Weiner
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley. Weiner explores the culture of various cities and eras that resulted in an environment that fostered genius. It’s an interesting book, but not a particularly compelling one, and there were times when I just zoned out. Still, I learned a little about a variety of subjects.
Edward
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
Being a dad I'm not a typical reader of YA novels but as a man with three teenage daughters, I like to know what they're mentally ingesting, so to speak. I think the storyline is clever, not your normal vampiry angst-ridden characters. I don't know how prevalent these Paragons are in literature, but I enjoyed reading about their world. I think the characters are believable. It's not a bad concept, thinking that they're behind the scenes, making sure that everyone has a soul mate. This stuff about what souls look like was rather inspiring, as I remember the awe that accompanied the birth of each of my daughters and the first moments I held them, how fragile they seemed. I think the writing is fast-paced. I highly recommend this book.
Quinn
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
Great writing. I loved the overall tone, which made me feel like I was right in the heart of the story. It's a young adult paranormal romance with honest characters and a touch of mystery. It ends with a surprising twist that was awesome!!!
Jan
Dig Two Graves by Kim Powers
This is supposed to be a mystery but it was really a teaching of Greek mythology. The hero teaches Classics at a college. His nickname is "Hercules" - the one who completed the Seven Labors or Twelve Labors or Nineteen Labors. Unless you love Greek myths, this is a boring book. The bad guy, the one who murders people, uses clues about the Labors of Hercules to entice the good guy to his death, but does the good guy escape? You have to read the last 20 pages of the book to find out. This was a boring book but I continued to read it because of the good reviews and the awareness that the author has been very successful in the media in the past. This is my first and last novel by Powers.
Bonnie
Home by Harlan Coben
Coben never disappoints. If you're looking for an escape with a mystery that'll have you turning the pages to finish and see how it ends, this is the book for you.
Donna
The Candidate by Lis Wiehl
The subject is very timely because of our recent election process. The premise is alarming and disturbing. Candidates to be the next president of the United States are in the process of campaigning to be nominated. Evil forces are in the mix to control their chosen candidate to the point of brainwashing. An excellent book to read.
Joanne
Look at You Now: My Journey from Shame to Strength by Liz Pryor
16-year-old Liz Pryor gets pregnant at 16 and is promptly sent away by her parents, who are divorced. No one is to know about the pregnancy, not even her six siblings. The author comes into her own by the end of the book. A very enjoyable read.
Dianne
Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray
Excellent story of the summer in 1936 when a young French girl meets and has an affair with Picasso. Move to the present time period when the granddaughter of this French girl travels to France to find a lost painting and save her mother from a nursing home. Endearing story.
Melanie S.
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
3.5 stars. Gothic and dark. Had a claustrophobic feeling as did this author's book, ROOM. The wonderful writing and the mystery kept me reading on, but the story was slow and uncomfortable to get through. The twist at the end redeemed this book somewhat and made it worth the time spent reading.
Gladys
The Final Days by Barbara Olson
The amount of research Barbara Olson did regarding the illegal actions of then President Bill Clinton is just astounding. She includes names, gives dates, lists just where she found her facts, etc., so the reader is left with no doubt of how unscrupulous Bill Clinton acted. One needs to be truly interested in details to read this book. I was amazed at how many times Hillary Clinton vowed that she knew nothing about what Bill Clinton was doing wrong. It reminded me of the many times of late Hillary has been quoted saying "I didn't know" or "I don't remember" when being questioned even when under oath. Evidently, that habit of Hillary's did not start with her more recent health problems. Neither did the political ambitions of both.
Genevieve
What Light by Jay Asher
A wonderful story that takes place at Christmas-time, full of love, family and forgiveness.
Kimberly Vaccaro
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
One of the best books I've read this year!
Satrina
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
I enjoyed it. I had not experienced anything from this author before, but I liked the cover description about soulmates and finding the one person you're supposed to be with. It appealed to the romantic in me. I was surprised by this 'other world' where characters that I never knew existed went about the business of making sure people have soulmates. Nice notion. I guess it's like having a supernatural angel or something. I honestly never read anybody describe the soul this way before, like it's a physical part of us that can hurt and be changed and has such an impact on who we are as human beings. That was mesmerizing. I don't want to give anything away but there is a nice story as well. I didn't see the ending coming which I really loved.
Maxine
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
Emily is 23 and excited about her life, close to finishing college, has a good part time job and doesn't know anything about everything that is going on in the supernatural world hidden from her own but will totally change her life. There's a super wicked twist in the end along the lines of BAM! Fate smacks her in the face. The characters seemed three dimensional and real, not rushed. In one of the opening chapters I got a little confused about the members of the council of nine, the ruling body of this alternative universe that the Paragons work out of. There were a number of introductions made in rapid succession but I found that it didn't hurt the book overall. I like that the mystery behind why her original soul mates were killed.
Plato Luther
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
Compelling characters, well written. Perhaps too much so, I stayed up late many a night finishing a chapter when I should have gone to bed because I had to get up early the next morning. I do like the way this author writes. Reading Book Two now.
Alice
Luminary by P. S. Meraux
Loved, loved, loved, how unpredictable it was. So many YA paranormal romance novels are just so quick to have everybody falling into bed in an instant. This one took me down a path that turned back in on itself and had a real story that made me care about the characters. Well done.
LINDA
Soul Kissed (Shadow Kissed #1) by Erin Kellison
I freely chose to review this book and wish I had the whole series! A fatal plague sweeps through the magekind while they sleep and no one is immune. Cari Dolan of Dolan House is one of the richest houses in the land, but as she watches the plague take her father's life and almost hers she is the only one left to care for members and staff of the House, and she has no time to mourn her dad. Outsider Mason had no family and no house to claim him and his son so that their were called "Stray." He had hoped that one House would take him and his son in; otherwise, they were at the mercy of the hellish things this world offered.
Bonnie
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Wow. Beautifully written, character-driven novel that thrums along so that you don't want to stop reading. Doesn't get much better than that.
LINDA
Stranded with the SEAL by Amy Gamet
I freely chose to review this ARC and I'm so glad I did. Otherwise, I would have missed a wonderful story! But, now I want MORE!! For two years Trevor "Hawk" Hawkins lived with the gruesome death of his fellow team member. Jax, his best friend and leader of HERO Force, said that they couldn't avenge Ralph's death as Steele was a billionaire and with sketchy evidence against him, that he would slip away and leave trying to stay out of jail for harassment. He has stewed about his revenge, planned, and plotted out each detail, but the mother of all blizzards he never planned for! Olivia Grayson awoke shivering from being cold. Her head and body ached as if she'd been hit by a Mack truck! She felt a hard body behind her...
Tessa B C
Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs
This is a good cozy mystery. I like how Childs took time to build the relationships among the tea shop’s employees and other characters. There are plenty of suspects and a couple of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I’ll keep reading this series.
Judy O.
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
At only 179 pages, I expect this would be called a "novella". It is the story of neighbors Addie Moore and Louis Waters, both senior citizens and both living alone in neighboring houses. Through Addie's instigation they develop a deep friendship; but Addie's family tries to stop it, even using a small boy as a pawn in their insistence to end the relationship. This is a beautifully-written book, and now I am anxious to read other books by Kent Haruf.
Kathleen
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
Great book for fans of Daphne Du Maurier. It is reminiscent of REBECCA. Those who like suspense will enjoy I FOUND YOU.
Kathleen
Turbo Twenty-Three: A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is up to her usual antics in this mystery. I would recommend it to those who want an easy and humorous read. This is very similar in content to Janet Evanovich's previous Stephanie Plum mysteries, but it is a fun read nonetheless.
Helen
That Church Life by Teresa B. Howell
This book is a silent bestseller. It is filled with mystery, suspense and thrills. No one would ever guess the ending. This author did a very good job making this book a smashing page-turner.
Pauline
Cold-Blooded by Lisa Regan
Homicide detective Augustus Knox never gave up looking for the killer of the high school track star, Sydney Adams. The victim was gunned down in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park 14 years ago. To others it was considered a cold case. Knox is retired from the police force and only has months to live. He asks private investigator Jocelyn Rush to help solve the case. They find themselves facing a very cunning ruthless psychopath. COLD-BLOODED is a great read that is hard to put down. Lisa Regan also wrote another great read, FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER.
