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March 1, 2019 - March 15, 2019

This contest period's winners were Beverly M., Harriett G. and Joanne C., who each received a copy of THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN by Lisa See and THE MALTA EXCHANGE by Steve Berry.

 

Jan
Team of Vipers by Cliff Sims

2
Caution: I do not like Donald Trump but I determined to read a sane book lauding his "accomplishments." The author is an Alabama political hack who caught on to the Trump candidacy and worked for the campaign as well as later in the White House. He is a good Southern Christian and it is interesting how he excuses Trump's many excesses and evil words and behaviors. When the vile tape recording came out where Trump denigrated all females, the author was able to excuse he and he worked with his team to counter all the publicity. They even made signs and went to the front of Trump Tower infiltrating the anti-Trump crowd trying to outshout them and get more TV coverage. When he is fired, he at least reported that his treatment was evil.

Betty
The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio

5
Set at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. A ghost. A star-struck young girl working in the kitchen of the Hotel Del. Is it a coincidence that she has the same name as the ghost?

Connie
The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

5
Unbelievable account of a young N. Korean girl who escaped and then helped her mother and brother to escape.

Joy
The Punishment She Deserves by Elizabeth George

4
Really good mystery. Keeps you at the edge of your seat.

Jan
Sorrow Road by Julia Keller

4
This is the fifth in a series about a very smart lawyer who returned to her West Virginia home to do good for the world. People are poor, there are no jobs and the coal mines have closed. Drugs remain the major occupation. Bell Elkins has been elected county prosecutor and she helps law enforcement with serious crime data and investigation because county funds are so limited. An older man died in a fairly new elder care residence and his daughter, a classmate of Bell's, believes that someone helped him die. Then another person died at the same place. There does not appear to be any crime but the daughter is convinced and manages to get Bell to agree to investigate. This is the beginning of another roller-coaster mystery.

Dale
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

3
Enjoyed the book but it was predictable. The characters were very likeable.

Dale
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

5
Best book ever. Loved it and enjoyed reading about this woman's life of hardships. Voted best book of the year by my book club.

Joanne
True Places by Sonja Yoerg

4
This book explores family relationships and interactions and how family dynamics change when another teenager is brought into the family.

Laurie
Less by Andrew Sean Greer

4
I laughed and cried along with colorful main character Arthur Less on his journey around the world...can one really run away from your problems? Book review clubs will have fun discussing the many themes in this author’s latest novel.

Jayme
Still Lives by Maria Hummel

4
In this gritty, fast-paced "who done it" the art world is turned upside down and inside out as one of its leading artists disappears on her opening night. This was a quick and interesting read, but please note that there are some pretty graphic descriptions of famous murdered women (Elizabeth Short, Nicole Brown Simpson, The Black Dahlia). I ended up skimming those pages and it did not impact the story.

Jayme
Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

3
This was an enjoyable read, but somewhat of a letdown after reading the first book, MOLOKA'I. This story read like a screenplay - not a novel. (I would lay money that it will be a movie or TV movie in the next few years). The structure was simple with minimal character development. This would be a very good vacation or beach read.

Susan
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

5
Backman just gets better and better. Fully-realized characters, heartbreaking plot. Written in anonymous first person narrative, the book is filled with unbelievable insight, written in fantastic prose.

Nancy
The River Widow by Ann Howard Creel

4
THE RIVER WIDOW by Anne Howard Creel has an almost Gothic atmosphere, the story of a woman isolated and held against her will, powerless and unprotected. The bulk of the novel is psychological and internal. The suspense comes not in action as much as through emotion and insight. At times I was reminded of Jane Austen's character Fanny from MANFIELD PARK, a girl completely dependent, suffering, without any power for self-determination, but with a moral clarity that sets her apart.

Patricia
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

5
A compelling read that draws you in to the postwar story of a brother and sister whose mysterious parents leave them in the care of a family friend who is referred to as "The Moth". Much intrigue and so well written.

Kathie
The Wicked King by Holly Black

4
This is the second book in a series. This YA series is imaginative, suspenseful and edgy. A faerie world filled with trickery and darkness on land and undersea, dangerous to both the faerie folk and mortals who live there. I can't wait for the third book.

Robin
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

5
My group really dug into a discussion of this novel that crosses between past and present Alaska, including the treatment of native peoples.

Rosemarie
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

5
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC. THINGS YOU SAVE IN A FIRE is hard to put down. After reading HOW TO WALK AWAY I became an instant fan of Katherine Center...and this book did not disappoint. Cassie Hanwell had a tough life and because of her circumstances becomes one tough firefighter. Slowly we learn how she overcomes all obstacles to find love and forgiveness. This story was written from the heart of the author as any one who reads it can tell. Another winner from Katherine Center.

Patricia
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

5
Wonderfully written as only someone who loves language could.

Rhonda
Whispers Beyond the Veil by Jessica Estevao

4
A well-written historical novel.

Patricia
Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

5
Beautifully constructed, evolved characters. Translation from Spanish to English is fantastic.

rhonda
The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

4
A beautifully-written story with excellent characterization. I enjoy books where I can learn about a craft, history etc. The apothecary work is informative and interesting.

rhonda
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

5
A beautifully-written novel around the period before, during and after the Japanese citizens internment camps in the United States during WWII.

Jane
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
Excellent description of London and the sewing rooms of Hartnell. They designed and sewed the wedding gown of Queen Elizabeth.

Donna
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
Absolutely enchanting and a little mysterious read. Loved the detail she researched for the actual embroidery work done by the girls on the dress.

Tessa
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

3
The subtitle is: A Memoir of Going Home. I’m not sure what I was expecting. One the one hand, Janzen is able to look at her life and the choices she made honestly and without (much) regret. She seems to genuinely like and cherish her family, and I really loved the relationship she had with her mother. On the other hand, I’m not so sure Janzen was truly over her husband’s having left for a guy he met on Gay.com. I enjoyed much of it and found her sense of humor about her own situation refreshing, but I didn’t love it.

Lisa
The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

4
I was a little skeptical because it is billed as a children's book, however was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The story held my interest for most of the book and there are wonderful lessons that apply to current times. The reason for not giving the book 5 stars is because parts of it were a little silly, such as the dragon of deadly farts. Perfect for children, but not as appealing to adults.

Ruth
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

5
Set in 1941, Lina and her family are taken from their Lithuanian home by Soviet guards and sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp while she fights for her life.

Kathleen
Bittersweet Brooklyn by Thelma Adams

4
Thelma Lorber is the youngest child of Rebecca and she has a sister Annie, an older brothers Abie and Louis. Rebecca spent so much time grieving the death of her husband that she had no time for Thelma, nor did she want to. Annie raised her siblings with an iron fist, and was mean to boot. She had no love for her siblings at all and treated them like they were dirt under her feet. She had her mother send the boys to a Jewish orphanage where they learned the worst kind of things and then went on the street and Abie ended up in mob activities. Louis enlisted to fight in WWI to escape. Like the title said, bittersweet is exactly how I would describe the book.

Patricia
The Reckoning by John Grisham

5
I think this was one of his best! I didn't want to do anything but finish this book but was sad when I had finished.

Rosemary
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

4
A story of two young women, one a native New Yorker and one a mid-westerner, who try to take New York City by storm in the late 1930s. As jazz fans they meet many people of the upper, richer class who draw them into their orbit. The story runs mainly from the late 30s, through the Spanish Civil War and ends, except for a postscript, just before WWII. An insightful look at the differences of classes, even in high society.

Sherry
Hunted by Joy Ohagwu

5
Excellent Christian fiction book.

Nancy
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

5
I knew about Christians who had hidden Jews during the German occupation of Paris in World War II, but I had never heard this chapter about architects who helped disguise hiding places for them, so that they could, basically, "hide in plain sight." This is a story of intrigue, love, history and bravery. I think both women and men would enjoy it and I think it would be a good book club discussion book.

MARILYN
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

5
Fascinating account of traumatic brain injury. I had no idea about this disability and was so wrapped up in each character that I found myself trying to get a sense of how it must feel to not know my left side existed. I empathized greatly with both the injured woman and her mother, hoping with each encounter that they could reconcile.

Sandra
Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse

5
I loved this book!!!! This transpired during WWII in Alabama. A married couple, turned their home into a B&B. Into this home moved a young couple, a widower, two unemployed college professors and a married couple from Vegas. The homeowners treat them like family. In essence, they become one. They take care of each other. Add a mystery into the mix, what happened to a young bride, and her husband, where they all come together to try to solve it. Their lives in the house, depend on it. Just a wonderful read!

Helen
Eliza Hamilton by Tilar J. Mazzeo

5
Fascinating biography on Alexander Hamilton’s better half! Very comprehensive! Wonderfully written!

Myrna
The Weight of a Piano by Chris Cander

5
This is a beautifully-written story of two girls/women and the piano that shares a role in their lives. The book will appeal particularly to those with a deep appreciation for music and its powerful influence over us. From the first chapter, a detailed description of the search for the perfect tree from which a Blüthner piano will be crafted, I was hooked!

Donna
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

3
Well-written suspense novel about a plane crash and the lives of the nine people aboard. Very interesting peek at lives of the wealthy and television news.

Ruth
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

4
Family violence, artists, psychotherapy patients, set in London, England.

Pam
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

5
A psychological thriller that was almost impossible to put down. Held you tight until the unexpected ending.

Pam
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

4
Realistic story of life in a women’s prison. We read this for book club. It provoked a strong discussion of why women end up in prison and what happens to them when they are incarcerated. But the subject matter was difficult for some readers.

Pam
The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea

5
I loved this story of a Mexican-American family living in San Diego so much that I recommended it for my book club. The writer captures the joy and sadness that is part of the immigrant experience.

Pam
Laurentian Divide by Sarah Stonich

5
The author captures the feeling of a small town in northern Minnesota where everyone knows everything about everyone, good and bad. Wonderful surprise ending.

Elizabeth
Flying Blind by Max Alan Collins

4
I was a little put off by the sometimes racist and sexist language - was the author trying to fit the protagonist into the times? But the story eventually grabbed me. The author did a nice job of weaving facts about Earhart with the speculations about how she disappeared and what became of her. It was a compelling read.

Michelle
The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin

4
Darker and deeper, the second book in this unique sci-fi/fantasy series is certainly worth reading if you enjoyed the first. Answers are slowly drawn out as the story unravels further but is told very differently than the first, with this novel going back and forth between two main characters. There are some parts that dragged a bit but the deeper layers of details and unforgettable dark scenes are worth it. I’m still amazed at the world Jemisin created and look forward to finding out what happens next and wrapping up the series.

Pam
Elevation by Stephen King

4
A short, feel-good novella about a man who decides to leave the earth a better place when he understands that his condition of extreme weight loss will ultimately lead to his demise.

Joanne
A Family Reunited by Jeffery Tracey, Sr.

4
This is a small book with a big impact. It is a nonfiction collection of short stories about a family that was separated and found their way back together. Jeff lived as a small child with his mother and did not remember anything about his older brothers. In the first few stories, his mother is able to gather his brother back to her and his father returns. They then relocate and pick up two more brothers. The stories are about brothers and their games and adventures. I met Jeffery Tracey when he was presenting three books. I was mostly interested in reading BRAINWASHED BY FOSTER PARENTS but after chatting with Mr. Tracey I started with this book. I am now going to find the next two and read them.

Barbara
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

5
LOST ROSES is a very well-written and researched novel set during WWI in Russia, NY, and Paris. Narrated by three female characters - an American heiress, a member of the Russian aristocracy and a Russian peasant - it focuses on the end of the Tsarist Russia and the rise of communism. Each of the voices is unique and fascinating. I really appreciate the strong female characters. I've always been interested in the last Tsar of Russia and his family, so loved all the details here. LOST ROSES is a prequel to Martha Hall Kelly's LILAC GIRLS. I haven't read LILAC GIRLS and did not feel like I was missing anything. I plan to read it soon though. Highly recommended! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy.

Karen
Cafe Europa by Ed Ifkovic

5
Edna Ferber and her mother, Julia, are on a tour of Europe when they encounter, Winifred Moss who is active in the suffrage movement. Edna decides to go with her to Budapest. They frequent Cafe Europa and encounter many interesting characters. Harold Gibbon is a reporter who insists that war is eminent and is pursing leads to support idea. There are two modern artists, a deaf-mute, Lajos Tihanyi, and Bertalan Por. Cassandra Blaine, a wealthy young woman, is betrothed to Count Frederic. Her former lover, Endre Molnar, Istvan Nagy, a poet, Ivan Farkas, an investigator, as the well as hotel staff are all interesting characters. It is a good mystery.

ILene
Everything She Forgot by Lisa Ballantyne

5
Margaret Holloway is driving alone on a very snowy day and her mind is on a troubled student when she is rear-ended and trapped in her car. She smells gasoline and knows any minute it will blow up when a stranger breaks the window and rescues her and then disappears. Who is this rescuing angel and why? The accident triggers so many questions about her childhood that she can’t remember. When she has Christmas break from teaching she decides to go to her father’s house with her husband and two kids. Her mother has been dead for a long time and she knows that in the attic is a box her mother has kept hidden...maybe there are some answers there.

Linda
Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

4
Jack Lancaster lost his mother in a fire set by cult leader Quinton Zane. Jack and his foster brothers were saved by the local sheriff who raised the boys when no relative came to claim them. They have been looking for Zane for twenty-two years and Jack thinks he is using the name of Lucan Tazewell. Winter Meadows is woman who Jack has been seeing. Zane has found out about Winter and has tried to get her twice but failed both times. He knows he can get to Jack through her. Zane killed Jack’s mother and plans to kill Jack and his brothers. To him, they are loose ends and Zane doesn’t leave loose ends.

Linda
A Merciful Truth by Kendra Elliot

5
Arsonists have been busy in Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Two deputies have been shot and killed while investigating the latest fire. Police chief Truman Daly and FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick join forces to find the killer. Suspicion centers around a mysterious man named Tom McDonald. Nothing shows up in this man’s past other than he used to be part of a militia group in Idaho and authorities believe he is trying to set up his own militia in Eagle’s Nest.

Linda
The Night Before by Wendy Walker

5
A suspenseful book that is hard to put down once you start reading. A young woman meets a man on an internet dating site and goes to meet him. She is leery of some of his answers but finds herself telling him all about herself. When she is not home by the next morning, her sister freaks out and calls the police. She gets her husband and a longtime friend to aid in the search. Unknown to her or her husband, their friend has a separate agenda. He feels he has to protect the woman from other men and herself and he is her protector. Thanks to Goodreads for this new book.

Linda
An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

3
Rafe Beaumont is not just a handsome face. He is assigned the job of seducing women to find out secrets to help England in its fight against France. He has been ordered to get close to Collette Fournay who is thought to be the daughter of Napoleon’s assassin Fortier. He doesn’t have much success with her and doesn’t know how to react when she doesn’t fall for him as most women do. He tells her they will be friends but friendship turns to lust and they soon act upon their attraction for each other. Now he faces a dilemma. Turn her over to his commander as a spy or go against his orders and do nothing.

Linda
Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis

4
Sadie Lane is a tattoo artist who sneers about Caleb Parker and calls him "Suits" but secretly has a crush on him. He was an inventor who made it big and now uses his wealth to invest in other projects. The project he wants most is for Sadie to fall in love with him. He had watched her for a while and grew close to her after both saved a starving dog and now act as his co-owners. A coin has been tossed in the fountain in hopes that love will find Sadie. She is stubborn and has been hurt in the past so her love is not given easily. Caleb is willing to be patient.

Linda
The Dangerous Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

4
Noah Tate, head of Tate Oil, has died accidentally and left his oldest son Sullivan (Van) in charge. Van is adopted as are his two brothers Lucas and Wolf. All are Navy SEALs and anxious to return to their base and their Navy life. They are not cut out for the corporate boardroom. Chloe Tate arrives from the Wyoming ranch as Van had ordered. Noah’s enemy Cesare de Santis is out for revenge as he says Noah had property lines redrawn so the oil appeared on his property instead of de Santis’ land. Van fears Chloe is his target especially when he reads the letter left for him by Noah. Chloe tells Van she has wanted him since she was 16. He has to keep her safe and hidden so de Santis can’t find her, but does not know how to react to this.

Linda
The House Next Door by James Patterson

3
There are three short stories in the book. The House Next Door is about a new neighbor who appears to be the answer to everyone’s prayers but he is not who he appears to be. The Killer’s Wife is about a detective’s inappropriate attraction to the wife of a suspected murderer and the consequences he will face. We.Are.Not.Alone is about messages received from outer space and attention was not given to their warnings. Now Earth has to face the consequences.

Linda
Primrose Lane by Debbie Mason

5
Olivia Davenport was on the verge of suicide after losing her son and husband and was saved by Colleen Gallagher, the matriarch of the Gallagher family. Olivia (Livy) is now working at Greystone Manor, the Gallagher home now turned into a hotel. Finn Gallagher was working for Doctors Without Borders (DWB) in Africa when the clinic was overrun by rebels and Finn was injured. He is home mending from surgery. He never really knew Livy but helps out when her husband’s daughter by another woman comes to live with Livy. With friendship comes love but there is another enemy looking to hurt Livy. Colleen, now a ghostly presence at the Manor, is determined to keep Livy safe.

Lori
The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green by Erica Boyce

5
I'm so glad that I took a chance on reading an advance copy of this debut novel; I absolutely loved it. The crop circles provided a unique plotline, and I enjoyed learning about them. The story dealt with many issues including terminal illness and its effect on the whole family, chronic psychological problems, infidelity, and parent-child relationships. I liked the narration switching among the characters; I think it helped the reader get into their heads. All of the characters had complex challenges in their lives, and the author made all of them very interesting. She did a great job satisfying my curiosity about what would likely happen to all of them. Highly recommend for book groups and all readers.

Kathy
Foundation: The History of England From Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors by Peter Ackroyd

4
A whirlwind jaunt through British history, easily accessible for readers without much depth in the subject. I have developed an interest in a period of time I was previously uninterested in!

Kathy
A Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller

5
Gripping story of fully realized characters in a small town in West Virginia, where the opioid crisis is in full fury. Wonderful use of language. Intricate plotting.

Lisa
The Au Pair by Emma Rous

4
A suspense novel revolving around a family with secrets, a beautiful home and their au pair. The plot had a few surprises along the way and this book kept my interest until the epilogue. I always enjoy a great thriller.

Betty
The Quintland Sisters by Shelley Wood

4
Somewhere in the back of our minds, we all probably remember hearing about the Dionne quintuplets – the first full set of quintuplets to survive past birth. But I doubt many know their names or anything at all about them. Did you even know that there are only two surviving Dionne quintuplets today? I had no idea that that quintuplets lived their first decade of life as “animals in a zoo”. They were confined within a “hospital” built across the road from the house they were born in and where the rest of their family lived.

Katherine
Faithful Place by Tana French

4
Frank Mackey has to re-visit his troubled past in order to solve a murder.

Theresa
The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan

5
Jenny Colgan’s books are just so entertaining. The scenery she describes is gorgeous and the writing is both funny and fun. THE CAFE BY THE SEA is a great book to escape into with a box of chocolates or a mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day. Maybe both. Next on my list - the sequel - THE ENDLESS BEACH!

Cheryl
The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

4
I loved this book, and learned about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. This book takes place in Europe during World War II. It follows the story of three women as they start their journey together during the war, training, and making their way across the country to find a POW. They hand out coffee and donuts while tending to the injured soldiers and providing entertainment to keep up morale for the men fighting for our country. This is a sweet story. You will love the characters and feel like you are in the heart of the front lines. Easy reading and a great story make this book very enjoyable.

Cheryl
The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

4
A debut historical fiction novel by Rebecca Rosenberg about Jack London and his wife, Charmain. Charmain takes a backseat as a writer herself to help her husband and further his career while putting her dreams on hold. Dealing with problems in their marriage due to Jack's drinking and travels for war stories, Charmaine tries to hold her family together. Rosenberg writes a story that will engross you in the time period of the 1900s with characters like Houdini and his wife who become friends with the Londons. I loved this book as Jack London was one of my favorite authors as a child. This is a different take on things.

Cheryl
In Your Arms by S. L. Sterling

4
I loved this book!! It picked up right away, and kept me entertained the whole way through. I loved the story of Hope, Carter, Trent, and Felice. Usually I don't like stories that switch back and forth in time, but Sterling does a great job explaining what is happening with each time jump, and you won't be confused. I loved Hope. She is the average woman, who would be jealous put in her situation. I loved Cater because I thought he was just another jerky, cheating guy, but I was totally wrong about him. He is a great character. Trent...well I never really liked him, and Felice, I could see her as the pretty model type who is just out for a good time. This novel is sweet. I think you will love this one.

Richard N B
Dark of the Moon by John Sandford

3
3.5 stars. Book One in a new series featuring Virgil Flowers of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; he only works “the hard stuff.” Sandford crafts a tight plot with several twists and turns, plenty of suspects, a little love interest, and a skilled, likeable lead detective. I like the way Flowers pieces together the puzzle. He’s deliberate and cautious, but aggressive when questioning a reluctant witness. He’s an astute observer and is careful when drawing conclusions. It certainly kept me guessing right up to the reveal.

Jud
Dead Eye by Mark Greaney

4
This fourth entry in the Court Gentry series pits him against another highly-trained operative with the same skill set. Excellent book by any measure.

Jud
The Pandora Room by Christopher Golden

4
Good book featuring the discovery of what appears to be the mythical box of Pandora.

Dianna
Code Girls by Liza Mundy

4
4.25 stars. True story of what the women (and some men) did in the early to mid-forties to help in the efforts to win the wars in the Pacific and the Atlantic. Minus part of a star as it was not easy to follow. But I do recommend! I never knew anything about this of our history. Very interesting and awe-inspiring.

Barbara
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

5
Wow, this beautifully written novel focuses on one couple's marriage after a tragic event, but says so much more about the world in which we live. The writing is elegant, the story is heartbreaking, the characters are memorable. Highly recommend.

Gil
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

5
What a great book! Four employees of a Wall Street investment company were called to attend what seemed to be a team building exercise on a Friday evening, with nobody around for the weekend at a remote location. They were instructed to get into an elevator and to correctly respond to clues in order to be freed. These four individuals were not nice people, and although they formed a team were jealous of and undermined each other to get promotions and bigger bonuses. Their dislike for each other grew the longer they were trapped in the elevator. The book goes back and forth between what is going on in the elevator and Sara Hall, a former member of the team who left the company many years before.

Charlene
Bright Side by Kim Holden

4
Admittedly, this wasn't an ace in the hole for me. I don't want to comment on Kate's demeanor and everything that went down between the characters because I don't want to complain and nitpick about the little things (like two guys sharing a friendship over the same girl they both loved and slept with? That doesn't happen in the real world), but you really can't beat that attitude. That girl is always happy. I really liked that side of her, although it seemed annoying to me in the beginning. But her attitude didn't even change in the face of death. Gotta hand it to her.

SUSAN
The Drifter (A Peter Ash novel) by Nick Petrie

5
If you like Jack Reacher, you will surely like Peter Ash. Ash is a Marine who has left the service after fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. He comes home carrying emotional and physical scars, one of which makes it almost impossible to stay indoors for a very short time. So he travels the country, trying to outrun his demons. When he hears that a Marine buddy committed suicide, he goes to help the widow. From there, it's an exciting ride. There are four novels in the series (so far). I've read them all and highly recommend them all.

Jan
The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson

4
This mystery is set in Iceland where the author lives. This is a DARK book and that is not a pun. Hulda, a 64-year-old detective, is being forced out. She has always been abused - or felt she was abused. But she cleared a lot of cases, so why was she forced out? She was too independent and went off on a tear to solve one last case. I promise you will not get the murderer and there are a lot of other things you will not get until the very end. Call in sick to work, bring in food. Do not plan to stop until the end. The writing is good and the style takes on the murderer's thoughts and actions at times, always leading us down the wrong trail. A wonderful mystery.

vera
Broken Bone China by Laura Childs

5
I had won a copy of this and thought would be good. It's a Tea Shop Mystery and takes place in the area I live, Charleston, SC. I live just a few miles from Charleston. So lots of things she mentions I can relate to. Makes the book even more enjoyable. I would recommend to others and know I will be checking for more books by this author to read.

IVY
The World According to Fannie Davis by Bridgette M. Davis

5
Anyone who grew up in the 60s and perhaps the 70s heard about or knew someone who was into the "numbers". For many, it provided a better chance of winning money than the sweepstakes. Davis' tell-all story about her mother's numbers business is one of amazement. As a woman she ran an illegal business that allowed her to buy the best of designer clothes for her and her daughters and take elaborate vacations. As a well-respected woman in the community she never once had a run in with the law. She managed to purchase property and take care of family members. As a black woman, she was living a life that many only dreamed of. It wasn't until years after her death that truths about her life were revealed. Amazing story I could not put down.

Ilene
The Colour of Murder by Julian Symons

5
THE COLOUR OF MURDER is a crime story set in England in the 50s. John Wilkins is living a rather drab life with a dead-end job handling complaints made to a large department store, a wife May who isn’t living up to his expectations, and it seems their main social life is Wednesday night dinners with his mother and Uncle Dan playing cards and sometimes meeting with friends of May. He has experienced black outs when he drinks too much. John is attracted to a beautiful young girl, Sheila, who he met at the local library. He starts to fantasize about what life could be with her. He hears of Sheila making plans with her father for a trip to Brighton, so he decides to go with his wife too. When he gets there he hears she has become engaged.

Thomas
Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson

5
Excellent book to read. Really enjoyed it.

Trezeline
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson

5
Excellent book. Very good book.

Karen
Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

5
Homs, Syria before and after the invasion. A beautiful, peaceful city with good memories. After the invasion, there is bombing, destruction, fear and hunger. The residents flee to refugee camps and try to leave the country by sea. The narrator tries to reassure his young son that they will make it safely across the sea to a better place and prays that the family will make it safely. If they do make it, he knows that the country where they land may not welcome them. The book is beautifully illustrated by Dan Williams to reflect Homs before and after the invasion.

Kathie
Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz

5
This is the fourth book in The Orphan X Series. I loved it!! Evan Smoak is such a complex character, and the suspense is just edge-of-your-seat and nail-biting. If ever a book earned the title of thriller it is this one! Such a good series - cannot recommend it enough!

Phyllis
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

5
I almost stopped reading this saga several times, but I stuck it out and am glad I read this heartwarming story about the Dunbar Boys and the friendship, death, love, and loss after their mother died. The setting is Australia and written in a most unusual style which was why I almost gave up. I so enjoyed THE BOOK THIEF that I kept going, but hesitate to recommend it to my friends.

Karen
American Duchess by Karen Harper

5
A really great read if you like historical fiction.

Muriel
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

5
I enjoy historical fiction and like books that go back and forth in time as long as they don’t become too confusing to follow. I think Kate Morton does a nice job with this. I have to admit I had to think a little bit about the characters in the various time periods in this book and remind myself of some of their backgrounds. There were a lot of characters throughout several different times. The book was not hard to follow, however. The reader learns early on of the tragic death of Edward’s fiancée in 1862. From that point, one guesses there will be other unfortunate things happening In my case, I just hoped nothing bad would occur to Elodie or Lucy, characters I developed a liking for I read Ms. Morton’s book quickly.

Jan
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
This debut novel is a wonderful book. It details the lonely life of a young girl who was abandoned to the wild when she was young. The beautiful writing is by a natural scientist who has published nonfiction books. Descriptions of emotions and the natural wildlife are stunning. One almost forgets that this is a novel. The young girl feels betrayed my almost everyone and cannot learn emotion or trust for other humans. It is a sad book but will be wonderful for book club discussions. The book not only educates us about nature but forces us to consider how we treat people who are different from us. Lessons for all ages. A wonderful read.

Sandy
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

5
With her husband's corpse still warm at the bottom of the stairs, "Tanya Dubois" has to go on the run. Again. When the police figure out that she doesn't officially exist, they'll start asking questions she can't answer. Desperate to keep the past buried, our heroine hopscotches across the country, adopting and shedding identities. Along the way, she collides with Domenic, a cop with murky motives, and the troubled Blue, a woman who sees through her disguise - and who may be a friend or a foe. But ultimately when the past can no longer be ignored, "Tanya" races home to confront the darkest secret imaginable. I enjoyed this book very much and couldn't get any housework done while reading it.

Sandy
The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes

4
In this novel from a New York Times bestselling author, the search for truth is defined by secrets and lies. Elle is a survivor. She's managed to piece together a solid life from a childhood of broken memories and fairy tales her mom told her to explain away bad dreams. But weekly visits to her mother still fill Elle with a paralyzing fear she can't explain. It's just another of so many unanswered questions as she grew up with in a family estranged by silence and secrets. As Elle's past unfolds, so does the truth - if she can believe it. She must face the reasons for her inexplicable dread. As dark as they are, Elle must listen to her grandfather's stories before his death buries the family's secrets forever. Another good one.

Bonnie
Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart

3
The author and his wife bought a small farm property in Andalucía in Spain. Hilarity ensues as they try to communicate with their neighbors, farm and raise livestock, and generally make something of a very rustic home.

Bonnie
The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

4
Eye-opening nonfiction about the author's early life in North Korea and her subsequent escape and settling in the USA. Reads like fiction and so enlightening.

Gladys
The Funny Side of Texas by Ellis Posey

4
This is a collection of short articles that have some connection with Texas. The articles have been submitted by various individuals.

Gladys
The Sweetheart Bargain by Shirley Jump

5
This is a delightful book that includes three generations and a bit of everything a love story can include...even lovable dogs. Well-meaning grannies try to aid the romance by meddling, teens aid a dog shelter that the female inherited, the male thinks the last thing he wants is an involvement. The dialogue is well written. You will enjoy this book.

Trezeline
Verity by Colleen Hoover

3
Suspenseful, good story.

Gladys
Little House on the Freeway by Tim Kimmel

5
This is a nonfiction book written by a minister who does a great deal of traveling and discussing ways to remain calm and collected in today's hurried and frantic world. He warns of the threats to health if one does not slow down. Later in his book he lists his definition of love and says that couples who enjoy that type of love can remain happily wed for their lifetimes.

Gladys
Touch Me With Fire by Nicole Jordan

5
To disguise her royal heritage, the heroine of TOUCH ME WITH FIRE claimed to have been adopted by Gypsies and hence the reader learns a great deal about Gypsy lifestyle and much of the Gypsy language. This adds an interesting background from the usual love story. Both the heroine and hero spend a lot of time with the Gypsies. The hero had been badly scarred in a war and lacked confidence in himself. The book contains almost four-hundred pages and there are lots of twists and turns in this unusual romance.

Deby
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

3
Lovely story. I liked the first half better than the second half.

Christine
Elevation by Stephen King

2
I have been a "constant reader" of Stephen King since the late 1970s. I have read all of his books, and have reread (and even re-reread) several of them. This novella isn't horror, and is barely supernatural. It's a pleasant enough story, I suppose, and that is just the problem. It's pleasant. I also feel it is a thinly-veiled little lesson, sort of like a middle school book about getting along with people, even though they are different than you. The little book is nicely presented, with a gorgeous cover, and beautiful artwork on the end-pages. However, the story itself falls flat.

Francisca
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

2
2.5 stars. Ernt Allbright is a damaged man. A former Vietnam POW, he is prone to fits of anger and depression. So, moving his family to a remote homestead in Alaska is clearly a sign that things are going to go badly. I was engaged and interested in the story from the beginning, but I quickly grew tired of Cora’s constant excuses for her husband. She seemed to never take seriously the signs that he was a danger to her…and to their child! On the plus side, I enjoyed the depictions of the majestic natural beauty. I liked the self-sufficiency of many of the characters, and particularly liked the strong women of the community. In general, however, the things I liked couldn’t make up for what I didn’t like, so this gets a below average rating.

Linda
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

3
Alicia's husband is dead and she is the prime suspect. But she has not spoken since his death and is declared mentally unstable at the trial and is placed in a psychiatric hospital. Theo, a psychotherapist gets a job at the Grove, Alicia's hospital, because he thinks he can help Alicia to speak again and to find out about the crime. This is a fast-paced, high interest thriller that I enjoyed. The chapters are short and the action keeps coming. Also, the print in my copy was large which made the pages turn quickly. It is well written and has a believable twist at the end.

Ilene
Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

4
Ivy Gamble, a P.I "without magic powers", is hired to investigate a murder of a nurse at Osthorne Academy, an elite school for young Mages where her twin sister who she has been estranged from for years is a teacher "with magic powers". Maybe this will be her chance to reconnect. Ivy, a likeable character with a bit of a drinking problem, maybe not having attended the right school and not coming from the right part of town is not really sure she is the right person for the investigation, never having dealt with a murder before. All the teenage suspects aren’t cooperating, what a problem! Liked the book very much, a little bit of romance, relationships and mystery.

Gladys
Rancher at Risk by Barbara White Daille

5
After experiencing a terrible tragedy, Ryan Mallow was not in the best of moods. Hoping a change of scenery will help Ryan to improve his actions as a ranch foreman, his boss sends him all the way from Nevada to a ranch in a New Mexico town where Ryan knows not a soul. Ryan gets involved in an unexpected event on his very entrance to Flagman's Folly. Determined to do much better on the new opportunity his boss has given him, he works very hard at his new ranch position, but finds himself competing with a very determined female. Hence, a delightfully story unfolds that you will definitely enjoy.

Vicki
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

3
I found the switching from one generation to another hard to follow.

Jane
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
Fantastic book - don't miss it! A beautiful story of poverty, loneliness and love in an environment, along the North Carolina coast, that is lyrically described at every turn. I loved it!!!

LAURIE
The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

5
I learned all about the Mormon community. Very interesting. This woman (the author) lived through so much and was able to pull herself up through a PhD. Very well written and enjoyable to read.

Jud
The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler

4
Another great thriller featuring John Rain, an American ex-pat and freelance assassin living in Japan.

Kathleen
The Lost Night by Andrea Bartz

5
THE LOST NIGHT is about some college-age friends that like to party together and a lot of them share an apartment. The seem to all live in the same building. One of the girls commits suicide, or did she? It was very entertaining, and it didn't end the way I expected it to.

MH
The Huntress by Kate Quinn

4
Although I found the shift in narrators to be disconcerting, I enjoyed the book. I especially like books with a WWII setting; this one was different because it was set in America, which is not the usual setting for this type of book.

Lee
The Life of Irene Nemirovsky by Oliver Philipponnat and Patrick Lienhardt

5
I have never read a book that is described in so minute details. I sometimes felt that I could feel Ms. Nemirovsky take a breath. I did skim some or I would still be reading it next year - did I mention it was long? I enjoyed most parts, she was a fascinating woman and I hope to read her masterpiece, SUITE FRANCAIS again. With all this insight, how could I not?

Karen
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

5
A really great historical fiction book club read!

Sean
The Bat by Jo Nesbo

4
Jo Nesbo's first Harry Hole novel is interesting, charming, surprising, sad, funny, and unexpectedly better than advertised. Reading a Norwegian's foray into Australian life is intriguing. Nesbo's protagonist is not typical and the book had actual shocks. The characters were realistic and the mystery was decent. Overall, a very good start to what I expect to be a great series.

Lois,
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

5
This book is an education. Along with a fascinating story of how a family saved themselves during the Holocaust, we learn historical facts as to what was happening in Europe at the time.

Dale
The Widow's War by Sally Cabot Gunning

5
Loved this book, especially where it took place in MA, which is my home state. My book club plans on visiting the settings trail.

Simonne
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
Terrific and totally different.

Jayme
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

3
I think I would actually give this book a 3.5 rating. I enjoyed reading about Amsterdam in the 1600s and how the different guilds controlled the city. The plot was interesting, but it left me with more questions than answers.

Jayme
Pines by Blake Crouch

4
Part science fiction, part thriller this fast-paced book was worth the loss of a Sunday afternoon. I wish I could give more information, but that would spoil the read. All I can say is now I have to go and get the next two books in the series. My afternoons are now planned.

Margie
The Bitter Season by Tami Hoag

4
Very flowing writing, interesting characters, unique plot with some definite surprises. But just a warning -- very gory in parts. Hard to put this one down.

Sally-Jo
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

5
Such a great classic. I love the mystery of Mr. Rochester and Jane's boldness in standing up to him. Great book for book club discussions. So many layers.

Laurie
The Beautiful Possible by Amy Gottlieb

4
Re-reading this unique novel (begins in 1946) as the main characters, Sol, Rosalie and Walter, take the reader on a world-wide "love story" spanning 70 years and several continents! Book review clubs will have fun discussing multiple issues including marriage, infidelity and faith.

Tessa B C
Buried in Bargains by Josie Belle

3
Book 3 in the Good Buy Girls Mystery series, has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series: a group of friends who serve as amateur sleuths, a villainous temptress “mean girl” who is the bane of their existence, a handsome sheriff with a definite interest in widowed Maggie, and a lovely small community with a high murder rate. I identified the culprit the first time said culprit made an appearance in the book. But it was still fun to watch everyone else catch up.

Lee
The Border by Don Winslow

1
Mr. Winslow could have easily told his story of the drug cartels in 400 words rather than the 715 he employed. His work is not exactly WAR AND PEACE, but he writes like it is. Character after character appear then disappear. I for one am glad his story is over.

Dorothy
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran

4
A fascinating and well-written mystery like no other you have ever read. Our detective Claire is a mix of Sherlock Holmes and a stoner girl. Brilliant insights bring together the disappearance of a well-liked New Orleans ADA after the apocalypse of Katrina and the displaced population of the city.

Dee
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

5
Britt-Marie is quirky but delightful. She must adapt to a thoroughly new life that is not of her choosing. Another fine book by a great author.

Sharon
Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

4
An interesting read as Clare Cassidy, upon working to solve the mystery of her friend's death, is asked to share her diaries and she discovers that someone else has written in them -- brief, cryptic notes. Is her teenage daughter also in danger? Is she herself? Another colleague?

Susan
California Girls by Susan Mallery

4
I love books about sisters because I am very close to my two sisters. This novel was true-to-life - the three sisters argued with each other and were honest with each other even if it was brutal, but most importantly they loved each other and supported each other in every phase of their lives.

Mary
American Street by Ibi Zoboi

5
I love this very timely book of a young girl, Fabiola Toussaint, who leaves Port-au-Prince, Haiti with her mother to embark on a new life with family in Detroit. Immigration issues keep her mother from joining her and Fabiola must make the best of the situation in a strange country with her aunt and cousins. This coming-of-age story is powerful and filled with images of a magical culture that help Fabiola adjust to her new life in America.

Kim
The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

4
Initially, I thought it seemed a bit schmaltzy and overreaching, but as the story progressed I was truly caught up in the characters' lives. Would love to have an Aunt Doris in my life!

Candace
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

4
So frustrating to imagine that people have strong prejudices in today's world. I was totally caught up in the story, which offers each character's point of view. Four stars because the ending seemed contrived.

Candace
The Muralist by B. A. Shapiro

4
My favorite subjects encompassed in one book - art, history, and women's rights. Great look at imagining real people participating in the story as it develops.

pat
A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler

5
Wonderful historical fiction about Alva Vanderbilt. She had the pedigree but little family money and the Vanderbilts had the money but not the social acceptance. A perfect union for Alva and her husband, or was it? She enjoyed the challenge and reveled in building amazing mansions and having the resources to travel. But then came a time when her husband's affairs were too much and she did the unthinkable and filed for divorce!

Emma
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

4
Just finished this, BUT I'm still not sure if I liked the book or not. Yes, I found it very well written, totally grabbing you more and more, as the pages go. In one of the scenes with Ethan, my heart was beating crazy, as if I was watching it on TV! Maybe there's a part in me that didn't like the way the author totally tricked me!! Gosh, I never saw it coming!!! And there were so many sick people in this book, maybe that's what I didn't like. Too many unreliable narrators.

Ruth
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

5
Spellbinding novel of "fasting" in Ireland among early Catholics.

Phyllis
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

5
I have read several of her Gamache novels and this one especially riveting. Highly recommended, especially if you already are familiar with her Three Pines characters. She tackles the financial investments world, opioids on the streets and back alleys of Montreal, and family relationships after a will is read. I read a monthly blog from the author and know her beloved dog, Bishop, has recently died, and to still write such an interesting book is to her credit!

tracey
Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao

5
I loved this book! About two girls growing up in India who lose track of each other after something devastating happens to one girl. After her arranged marriage ends badly, the other sets out in search of her friend.

Cindy
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

5
Beautifully-drawn characters, compelling story about the AIDS crisis in Chicago, art, family drama. Loyalty, devotion, courage, persistence and love.

Wendy
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

5
Another great read! I enjoyed the fact that the plot twists kept me guessing and intrigued.

Beth
Flying Blind (A Nathan Heller Novel) by Max Allan Collins

4
I was a little put off by the sometimes racist and sexist language, though the author maybe was just trying to fit the protagonist into the times. But the story eventually grabbed me. The author did a nice job of weaving facts about Earhart with the speculations about how she disappeared and what happened to her. It was a compelling read.

Barbara
The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5
THE GOWN is a great read about the making of Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress. There's a lot of depth in the characters, the story is very interesting including mystery and intrigue. I actually Googled the name of one of the characters to check if she was a really person. Grab a copy, you won't be disappointed.

Helen
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

4
A thriller full of suspense and twists by this author, my favorite mystery writer! Her books are all fascinating reads.

Norma
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

5
MOLOKA'I spans nearly seven decades following the fictional life of Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl who contracts leprosy, later known as Hansen’s Disease. She is exiled without family to the island of Moloka'i to a settlement in Kalaupapa where she spends nearly 60 years living among friends and losing many she loved. The story is based upon some true and revealing incidents at this leprosy settlement and incorporates interesting Hawaiian culture and history. It includes picturesque settings, humor, sadness, loneliness and contentment. This is a beautiful story. It’s no wonder it has been a national bestseller. I look forward to his newly released, DAUGHTER OF MOLOKA'I.

Norma
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

5
This beautiful story spans 60 years intertwining Cuba past and present through the stories of Elisa, debutante daughter of a wealthy Cuban sugar farmer (1958) and her granddaughter, Marisol (2017) who is tasked with returning to Cuba to spread her grandmother’s ashes. Marisol believes she knew all about her grandmother but discovers family secrets hidden since the revolution. It was glorious to read what Cuba once was and scandalous what it remains to be. This is a history lesson with a story ranging from the vintage cars and paellas to Batista and Fidel revolutionaries. Having been to Cuba, seen and heard the stories of tyranny and suppression, I found this to be well done.

Norma
The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye

3
Welsh-Italian Alice James, whose nickname is Nobody, tells this story in the form of a memoir meant for someone she loves. It's 1921 and twenty-five year old Alice is on a train to Portland, Oregon nursing a gunshot wound. She is rescued by Pullman porter Max who takes her to the Paragon Hotel, the only hotel for blacks in Portland, where her wound is treated by Dr. Doddridge Pendleton, war veteran and the hotel owner. Historically, Oregon was not a good place for blacks to live. Slow start but good finish. The cadence, language of 1920s, and the disjointed storyline made me want to abandon it several times until just over 50%. I really didn’t enjoy the New York setting with the Italian mafia but did enjoy overall.

Norma
The River Widow by Ann Howard Creel

5
Set during the Depression and triggered by the Ohio River flood of 1937, Adah lived with an abusive husband until she, in a moment of survival, ultimately defends herself. As she attempts to rid her husband’s body into the raging river flood, she too, falls in and is swept downstream. So starts her story of endurance while living with her husband’s cruel family and their accusations of murder. Leave? Not without her impressionable young step-daughter. This was a bittersweet story of desperation that had me hooked from the beginning and kept me intrigued with her plight. There were so many different scenarios that could have happened throughout but none really plausible.

Norma
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

4
The story commences with the culmination and works backward to the beginning with each chapter to be one hour earlier. SPARK OF LIGHT tells of a pivotal day in the lives of several women and a doctor inside the last clinic in Mississippi which performs abortions. The story begins when a man enters The Center and begins shooting and taking hostages. From there, Picoult goes hour-by-hour back to daybreak, relating each character as to how and why she was there. Again Jodi gives us a novel full of current controversy as she tries to cover both sides of pro-life and pro-choice. I’ll admit the reverse timeline format is very unique but it didn’t really work for me. Making the storyline flow was a challenge.

Norma
Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan

4
On the northern Scottish island of Mure in the midst of winter with its long dark days, extreme wind where the snow and trees hardly exist, this story flows with a three part theme involving a dying billionaire, a pregnant school teacher and a Syrian immigrant doctor. The author uses some witty humor as you feel the camaraderie within this small rural island. At first I wasn’t quite a fan of how the story started from the view point of Bramble the old farm dog, but it just added to the cozy familiar feel of this entire book. Oh, by the way Bramble ended the book as well. Different from my usual read, I found I enjoyed this cozy book. I hoped it would enhance my trip to Scotland later this year.

Betty
Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse

5
This is a wonderful story of friendships and is a true page-turner. I couldn’t wait to know what would happen next. There is mystery and romance in this book.

Margaret
Beautiful Hope: Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World by Matthew Kelly

5
When I saw the title, I felt it would be great to read because of the sadness & stress I feel about our country's & the world's conditions. It contains inspiring & touching essays which teach lessons on hope. There are various contributors from Catholic religious & lay people. The introduction is written by Pope Francis & Matthew Kelly wrote the prelude. If you are looking for a thought-provoking book to help you grow in your faith, this is a good book to read during Lent. It's divided into 4 parts: Choosing Hope, Hope in the Church, Hope in Action, and Becoming Hope. I chose to read it over a period of time which gave me a chance for reflection on the uplifting essays. It certainly helped me to better understand the hope that Jesus brings.

Beverly
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

4
This was good psychological thriller. It keeps you wondering who did what.

dianne
Golden Child by Claire Adam

5
This book was a compelling read for me. It takes place in southern Trinidad, and it is character driven, which I like. It is about a family that is just surviving. Clyde and his wife, Joy, have twin sons, but the boys are not alike in the least bit. Peter is thought to be a genius, and his twin Paul, not so much. Clyde really does not understand Paul and is annoyed at the troubles he has caused. This is a story about family, about sacrifice, and about a soul-crushing betrayal that will take your breath away.

Donalene
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

5
A couple of our group would give it only a 2-star rating because they didn't like reading about the murders. Our group, ranging from the age of 70 to 89, had never heard about these murders. It is atrocious how we white people have treated the Native American people over the years, including now. Because oil was found on the land where they had been led to live, white men believed that the mineral rights belonged to the white men. We were stunned to learn about the guardianships Native Americans had to have because the white men believed that they couldn't make wise decisions. Although one might not like reading about so many murders, this is part of U.S. history that needs to be read. Sorry about my soapbox.

Patricia
Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman

5
A woman inherits her mother's yearbook when she dies. The woman doesn't want it so she puts it in the recycler bin. A neighbor finds it and reads it. She finds secrets that she wants to publish. The woman who put it in the recycle bin wants it back. Then a cat and mouse game begins!

Jan
The Lost Man by Jane Harper

5
As in her first two books, Harper has a death that does not make sense. How could this happen? This is in lonely area where ranches are thousands of miles large. Two brothers have met at the lonely headstone of a lost man (many years ago) to check on their middle brother who lies dead at the headstone. As they search and find his car, many miles away, it appears that he just left it, did not take water or phone or supplies. Why would he do that? It is sure death to go out in the heat walking in that area. Harper makes her characters live and we have a long ago woman who phones, strange phone calls going out from the house where the dead man, his family, his mother and the youngest brother live. Many mysteries. A five-star!

Diane
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts

4
A well-researched story that lays out much of how THE WIZARD OF OZ came to be. There are many details that make the story real.

Debbie
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

1
I rarely discontinue reading a book, but THE HATE U GIVE proved to be too harsh for me to read. I understand the need to write using the language of a character, but the profanity in this book could not be overlooked. The language clouded the experience and therefore ended my journey very quickly.

Debbie
The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb

4
Sharyn McCrumb weaves a poignant story of a mother’s grief and revenge. The story drawing on the true story of the case of the Greenbrier Ghost alternates between 1897 and 1930. The two events do not combine until midway through the story, when the lawyer talks about the trial. As usual, McCrumb utilizes the setting and characters in this chilling tale of a young bride falling to her death and her mother’s determination to show her daughter was murdered. The struggles and heartaches of the Heaster family emphasize the bleakness of life in the mountains of West Virginia, where happiness and joy sparsely filter through the clouds. McCrumb maintains the mood of suspense and foreboding throughout the tale.

Debbie
Death of a Nurse by M. C. Beaton

3
M. C. Beaton pens a funny and enjoyable mystery that centers on greed and hunger for money. A pretty nurse cares for a cantankerous, old, and wealthy man in the Scottish Highlands, and of course Hamish Macbeth makes a date with this nurse, Gloria Dainty. Gloria leaves Hamish waiting at the restaurant, and several days later, Gloria’s body appears. M. C. Beaton leads the reader into the tale of drugs, cheating, and hatred as more people die. In this brief story, M. C. Beaton still delivers wonderful characters and the harsh weather of Scotland and the stoicism of the Scottish people. Hamish Macbeth is an intelligent man not intent on stepping on other people to advance his career. Hamish loves his life and wants no glory or promotion.

Debbie
The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell

4
THE PEACOCK SUMMER by Hannah Richell surprised me. Richell displays a story seeped in beauty and unspoken rules. Lillian Oberon endures as the battered and beautiful wife of Charles Oberon. Charles beats a pregnant Lillian and causes her to miscarry, but Lillian rises above this event and other beatings to care for the estate of Cloudesley and Charles’ son, Albie. The year is 1955, and Charles commissions a painter, Jack Fincher to create a mural in an unused nursery. A friendship develops between Lillian and Jack, and the beauty and wildness of Cloudesley glimmer through the treetops. The second story involves Maggie, the daughter of Albie, when she returns to Cloudesley to care for her grandmother, Lillian.

Kathy
The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton

5
This book was published in 1962. The story is set in rural Missouri. In 2005, Pulitzer prize winner Jane Smiley listed this book as one of the 100 top books to read. The story reminded me and my book club members as comparable to with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. A wonderful read.

Gil
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

5
What a great book! Four employees of a Wall Street investment company were called to attend what seemed to be a team building exercise on a Friday evening, with nobody around. They were instructed to get into an elevator and to correctly respond to clues in order to be freed. These four individuals were not nice people, and although they formed a team, were jealous of and undermined each other to get promotions and bigger bonuses. Their dislike for each other grew the longer they were trapped in the elevator. The book alternates between what is going on in the elevator and Sara Hall, a former member of the team who left the company many years before. Sara was not treated well by the other four.

Betty
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

3
Grand Central Station should actually be counted as a character in this book. I loved how its history informed so much of the story.

Liza
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson

5
This is a biography of Rosemary Kennedy, the sister of JFK. She was born under horrific circumstances and suffered brain damage. She was treated gently and received a lot of attention when she was a child, but as she grew into her teens she was shipped off to so many different boarding schools for "special needs" children. She was a beautiful woman, and patriarch Joe Kennedy was afraid she would "get into trouble", so he had her lobotomized at age 23. Her siblings were never told what happened to her until they were adults. She was institutionalized for the remainder of her life. Such a sad story, mentally ill people were treated so differently in the 30s & 40s.

Angie
All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung

4
ALL YOU CAN EVER KNOW is a beautiful memoir about the author's childhood as an adopted Korean child in a white family, her experience entering motherhood, and her journey to find her birth family in her adulthood. It's a story about family, identity, and belonging, and poses many questions to consider regarding transracial, transcultural adoption. The adoptee experience is a complex one to begin with without all these additional layers of culture of race. I found Chung's writing to be so easy to read and compelling, as if a close friend were telling me a story. I'd definitely recommend this book!

Joanne
Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong

4
My first read by this author. This book was #4 in the Casey Duncan series and though I had not read the first 3, I did not feel too far out in left field. Good character development and interesting plot line.

Harriett
Accidental Brothers by Dr. Nancy Segal

5
Fascinating and true story about two sets of twins where one twin of each set was sent home to the wrong family. The setting is Columbia, South America. One family lives in Bogota and the other in a very rural area. The studies and interviews of the four make for very absorbing reading. Dr. Segal's, as well as the twins', discoveries will cause you to dwell on nature vs. nurture.

Tessa
Die Trying by Lee Child

3
3.5 stars. Gosh but these books are addictive! Reacher is former military police, and now is roaming about taking odd jobs. He’s certainly got his hands full this time. I like that in this book, Holly Johnson is a strong female. She may be on crutches, but she is far from helpless. Implausible though it may be, Child gives the reader a fast-paced thriller full of action and intrigue.

Laura
Maid by Stephanie Land

3
Good book. I would have liked more detail about her relationships with her parents and boyfriends. I'm very glad that the states and feds have programs for people in her position.

Gretchen
Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz

5
This is #4 in the Orphan X series and each one gets better than the one before! I would recommend this series to anyone who loves action-packed thrillers.

Gretchen
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5
Loved it, loved it, loved it! It is the first novel for the author who has written three nonfiction books on her time as a wildlife scientist in Africa. The main character, Kya, is known by the locals as the Marsh Girl as she lives alone in the marsh. You won't want to put the book down and when you reach the end you will wish there was more.

Summer
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

5
This book is amazing. The storyline sucks you in and you are transformed to a time of war. A must-read!

Liz
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins

4
Joe Talbert must complete a writing assignment for a college class. He must interview and do a brief bio on a stranger. He heads to a close-by nursing home in the hope of finding someone. There he meets Carl Iverson, a decorated Vietnam veteran, who only has weeks to live. Carl is also a convicted murderer who has been released from prison in order to die. With the help of his autistic brother and Lila, his next door neighbor, they begin to unravel the true story behind Carl's conviction.

Jud
Deadly Force by Lawrence O'Donnell

4
Excellent treatise on a police shooting in 1970s Boston that pitted the victim's wife against the two officers involved at a time where victims rarely won a wrongful death suit in court.

Lillian
The Fix by David Baldacci

5
Lots of action with a plot twist at the end. Definitely a good read.

Marsha
Good Hope Road by Lisa Wingate

5
Did not believe I would like this as much as her book BEFORE WE WERE YOURS but this was a great story. Jenilee rebuilds her life after a tornado destroys her small town. Her elderly neighbor, Eudora, grows close to her through the tragedy and a joyous ending.

Francisca
Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

3
3.5 stars. Good historical fiction set in 1837 to 1860 Virginia. The novel explores the ways in which family bonds are formed regardless of biological connection. I loved Mattie. She’s a strong woman who works hard and smart, watching and learning skills that will help her and her family find their way to freedom someday. I did not like Lisbeth too much for most of the book, but once she was forced to confront her assumptions, she showed strength of character.

Marsha
Ambush by James Patterson and James O. Born

4
It's a Detective Michael Bennett tale that doesn't disappoint. Surprises with attacks on family members, Mexican and Canadian gang wars, and a beautiful professional assassin.

Pat
The Reckoning by John Grisham

4
I've read a lot of Mr. Grisham's books in the past. Most I liked, a few not so much. This newest book of his is really good. Some mystery, some war and good quick reading.

Thomas
The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright

5
Excellent and really enjoyed reading it.

Vicki
Verity by Colleen Hoover

3
This book is by THE Colleen Hoover!! Of course I had to read it. Of course I would love it. Well maybe not love. This is tough for me because I so do love me a Colleen Hoover book. And a thriller? Up there tied with historical fiction as my fave genre. I HAD to get it. It was great writing. It was everything I would expect if a novel by her. Or not. The graphic sex scenes. Nothing new in this book. I’m saying this respectfully because I do think she is a fantastic writer. This book had great writing. But, and no spoilers, the ending? No. I wanted it to knock my socks off. Isn’t that what we expect? It was a good plot. It just was a HUGE letdown.

Vicki
The World of Lore: Dreadful Places by Aaron Mahnke

3
It wasn’t the author’s writing that I gave 3 stars to but the fact that for being such an expensive eBook, I had heard of almost every story in here. Unsolved Mysteries, internet stories, etc., most are out there. There were a few I found fascinating that I had not heard of. It was a good enough and decent written book, but if you’re like me and read all these types of stories, there’s not a lot of new ones in here.

Bonnie
The Au Pair by Emma Rous

3
The au pair is the key to this page-turner about family secrets and murder.

Asha
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

4
I found it was for me a page-turner until three or four final chapters. To me they felt contrived, as if the author found it difficult to tie it all together.

Miriam
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

5
A wonderful saga of a count in Moscow. Spans several decades and is a wonderful read. Highly recommended.

Debbie
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

2
NINE PERFECT STRANGERS begins slowly, then the pace accelerates, until halfway into the book when the tempo stalls. Moriarty creates interesting characters with real problems. The reader learns about drugs, wealth, sports, divorce, suicide, death, life, and many more topics, probably too many topics for one book. Moriarty hits the nail on the head with her character studies of the nine strangers and the supporting cast. Yes, the epilogue of what happens to each character gives closure but overextends a lengthy book. My feeling for the book jumped from enjoyment to dread.

Vivian
The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor

3
This was a decidedly different read from THE CHALK MAN but kept the dark and twisted vibe throughout the story.

Debbie
The Limits of the World by Jennifer Acker

3
THE LIMITS OF THE WORLD dived into the relationships of an Indian family that migrated from India to Africa to Ohio. I learned many aspects of the Indian culture and their move to Africa to seek jobs. I wish that Jennifer Acker had included a glossary of the Indian items, as this reader had trouble in determining the food and other nouns. Sunil seemed extremely lazy and content to let his parents provide his monetary existence, even after he marries. Urmila stands as a force that propels the family onward to a better life. Premchand shows a man disillusioned with his life, but unable to make any changes. The story portrays the differences in a generation, and the new generation’s loss of culture and heritage.

Linda
Free Fire by C. J. Box

5
Four employees of Yellowstone National Park are found murdered in a remote location and the murderer turned himself in to Park officials. Clay McCann is a local attorney who knew about a technicality in the law and he was set free. Governor Rulon brings Joe Pickett back to work as a game warden and sends him to Yellowstone to find out what is going on and why the four were killed. Joe finds bio-mining of resources is involved and leases were made to corporations to harvest the resources found in the Park. Some Park officials were involved in the scheme and Joe finds his life in danger and unsure who he can trust.

Linda
Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason

4
Aidan Gallagher is the remaining single Gallagher and his grandmother gets that look in her eyes when she sees him and Julia Landon. Julia has been secretly in love with Aidan and bases her fictional character Adrian on him. When Aidan reads her novel, he sees the relationship between himself and Adrian and he really likes the steamy sex scenes Julia has written in the book. They begin their romance until a long-held secret becomes public knowledge and their budding romance fizzles. I did not like Julia’s character. Her well-meaning meddling in other peoples’ lives takes a wrong turn. She needs to mind her own business.

Linda
Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason

4
When Shay Angel’s uncle Charlie Angel goes missing, she is determined to find him. As a confirmed bachelor, Charlie raised Shay the best he could and she loves him. The East Coast mob wants to make inroads in Harmony Harbor and Charlie is against their plans and very vocal about his stand. Michael Gallagher is an FBI agent and has been in love with Shay for years. Their previous relationship ended with her going to prison and she doesn’t think she is good enough for Michael. He doesn’t agree and tells her she has been and will always be the woman for him.

Linda
Sandpiper Shore by Debbie Mason

2
If I didn’t want to find out what the various characters were up to, I would have quit reading this book before 50 pages. These characters were too stupid to be interesting. Logan Gallagher and Jenna Bell are meant to be together. Logan handles security for a foreign princess who wishes to remain in the United States and marrying a US citizen is her way of achieving her aim. Jenna was engaged to a con man who bilked her out of her money and business before disappearing. Jenna loves Logan but won’t get in his way if he marries the princess. He is supposed to be a Secret Service agent but lets the princess and her staff make him believe he was in a love affair with the princess after he loses his short-term memory in an accident.

Linda
A Merciful Secret by Kendra Elliot

5
FBI agents Mercy Kilpatrick and Eddie Peterson work with detective Evan Bolton to find the killer of Olivia Sabin who was found slashed to death. They learn that a well-known judge in Portland, Oregon was killed in the same way and believe the murders were probably committed by the same person. Investigation leads Mercy to an old friend who is the son of the judge. When asked if he knew Olivia, he hesitates and says no but Mercy knows he is lying. Olivia’s daughter Salome is missing and was seen at the judge’s office the day he was killed. Is Salome’s life in danger or is she the killer? How are the victims related?

Linda
A Merciful Silence by Kendra Elliot

5
Heavy rains have uncovered human bones and FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and police chief Truman Daley are working to identify the remains. Cause of death is similar to murders that occurred years ago and the lone survivor has recently returned to Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Truman incurs the wrath of the Sovereign Citizens and is attacked and kidnapped from his front porch. Mercy is stretched to the breaking point in searching for the killers and now Truman. She doesn’t know how to go on if she loses him and realizes how much she loves and needs him.

Tessa
Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery

2
2.5 stars. This is the sixth book in the series that follows the irrepressible Anne Shirley as she grows from a young orphan to adulthood. This book focuses on Anne and Gilbert’s six children who seem to all share their mother’s gift of imagination and tendency toward fantasy. But I read the earlier books in the series for Anne, and she wasn’t as prevalent in this episode. I’m not sure I’ll continue reading the series at all.

Becky
Singapore Sapphire by A. M. Stuart

4
In the mood for a multiple murder/gem smuggling mystery with a bit of romance and family drama and a fair amount of diverse culture? Then this is your book. Harriet, newly arrived in Singapore in 1910, is the richly nuanced main character. Most characters are well developed, although a couple surprises near the end seem a bit “out of the blue.” The culture of colonial Singapore is clearly drawn. The main characters are mainly upper class British, with the requisite native servants and lower level functionaries. I read an eBook before publication and there was no glossary – one is sorely needed. The plot is fast moving and well developed. The writing is clear and expressive. The character listing helps keep the many persons straight.

Becky
Daughter of Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

5
The long awaited sequel to MOLOKA’I is here! Rachel’s daughter Ruth, taken from her the day Ruth was born, is the main character in this family tale that extends from Hawaii to California to Japanese internment camps and back to California. Brennert excels in incorporating actual people and events into his stories. DAUGHTER OF MOLOKA’I is no exception. The discrimination against Japanese (Rachel is adopted by a Japanese couple) in the early part of the twentieth century, the difficult life of “foreign” farmers in the lush farmland of California and the internment of hapless Japanese during WWII make up the bulk of this novel.

Elizabeth
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

5
It’s difficult to put simply a synopsis of such an involved book as THE GOLDFINCH. There’s so much to say about it! But suffice it to say that the narrator, at 13, is the victim of a museum bombing. His mother is killed, and at the insistence of a dying old man he leaves the museum with a painting, saving it from possible ruin. Both these results, along with PTSD, affect his life for many years after the bombing. If you read other reviews of THE GOLDFINCH, you know that people either love it or they hate it. I’m at the positive end of the scale, i.e., I loved it. But I understand the negative remarks. I just don’t agree.

Eva
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly

5
Page-turner. First time to read one of his novels and it will not be last.

Lana
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

5
This book was a total view changer for me. Rather than presenting his arguments in angry rhetoric, Mr. Stevenson presented them in a historical, well-thought out way. I recommended it to my husband and daughter the minute I finished it and will be recommending it to my book club. It is truly life perception altering.

Izella
The Latecomers by Helen Klein Ross

5
A wonderful story spanning several generations of the same family. Great historical details. Tremendous research. Loved it!!!!

Gil
The Reckoning by John Grisham

3
Pete Banning returned home, after surviving the Bataan Death March, about a year after his family had been notified that he was missing in action and probably dead as a casualty of World War 2. The book describes an historical fiction account of how Pete and other American soldiers were tortured by the Japanese during the war. Not long after his return, Pete calmly walked into the office of Dexter Bell, the minister of his church and fatally shot him. There were witnesses and a quick arrest. Pete offered no motive and simply would not talk about the crime. He stood trial but was a very difficult client for his attorney. Why did he do it, and would he get away with it? The community was divided because Pete was a beloved war hero.

S
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

4
Our group enjoyed this fictionalized history of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage written from his wife Hadley's point of view. In our discussion we had to keep reminding ourselves how different life was in the 1920s for women compared to modern times.

Barbara
There There by Tommy Orange

4
The opening essay on the history of Indians in America from the Indians point of view should be required reading in all American history classes. What followed after was a fascinating narrative on the individual lives of disparate urban Indians living in Oakland California culminating at the Great Oakland Powpow. Excellent read.

Jan
The Line Becomes A River by Francisco Cantu

5
A young man, with a mother who is a U.S. citizen and a father who is Mexican, does not really know what he wants in life. He loves nature; he became a Border Patrol Officer on the U.S.-Mexican border. He spent time with his mother, not with his father. He did his job in the Border Patrol but after four years had enough. He quit to become a writer and worked at a coffee bar. During his several years there, he became friends with the maintenance person, a Mexican man. After years of never missing a day of work, one day the maintenance man did not appear. He had returned to Mexico to be with his dying mother; he was undocumented and could not get back in the U.S. The author, former border patrol, helps his family. A sad book.

Linda
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

5
This book is mesmerizing. I felt like I was there diving with the women and experiencing all their grief and heartaches. There was so much research done to write this book. I couldn't put it down. I read late into the night. I think about this book daily and the lessons I learned about friendship and loyalty. I was so glad I walked into the library the very day they put it out on the shelf for the first time.

Eileen
And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer

4
What would you do if you discovered a lost choral work by Bach, whose words were offensively anti-Semitic? This extensively researched novel spanning several time periods tells the story of how the manuscript wound up in the present day in the hands of Susanna. She must face the ethical decision of what to do with this lost masterpiece that could bring evil or good.

Donna
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

4
Wolitzer captured the zeitgeist of the late 1990s through early 2000s perfectly. The nuances of language, the particulars of university life and workplaces of the time period are all captured with pinpoint accuracy. This lends the story a verisimilitude that I have rarely found, yet often craved, in contemporary fiction. For me the feminist perspective/storyline and title are secondary to the interwoven stories told: the coming of age of Greer, Cory and Zee.