There much better novels about Vietnam. Hannah‘s latest is hampered by a surprising lack of insight, and too much focus on romantic entanglements. The primary strength of the novel is its focus on women who served during that soul-sucking war. It is completely believable that their heroic service is dismissed by everyone, including the VA with the words “there were no women in Vietnam.” Hannah was written some good novels; this isn‘t one of them.

This was a readable, but uncomplicated mystery. The most interesting aspect of the novel is how the mother, daughter and granddaughter find their way back to each other. Lana, a shark-like real estate mogul is diagnosed with a life threatening illness. She moves in with her estranged daughter and granddaughter and bored, tackles solving a murder or two. The granddaughter, Jack, is the best developed character although I grew to like Lana.

This is such a great series! All the usual characters are back as Vivian faces her most challenging challenge. Delivering dresses she meets, and is charmed by Mr. Buchanan. When she later discovers his body, she is charged with murder and has seven days to clear her name. The truth reveals facts about people she care about. Fast paced; great historical details. We get to know Vivian, and her boss Honor much better. Don‘t miss these books.

Margaret has fallen in love with a Victorian house that a great deal. Of course, the house is haunted, and boy-howdy are there ghosts! There‘s even a dead serial killer in the basement. What makes this such a clever story, is that Margaret is able to cope by applying the skills she has learned surviving years of domestic violence. Her husband earns his just deserts in the basement. There‘s a great, powerful women-united-against-violence ending!

Hana Westerman was a fascinating character in Better The Blood. We get to know her better in this 2nd in the series, but more importantly, we get to know her family and friends better. I loved experiencing life and the crime through the eyes of daughter, Addison and her partner, PLUS 1. Hana‘s father, Eru and her former police colleagues add depth. Getting to know one of the victims, as an after-death voice is brilliant. A great read!

The protagonist of this great mystery, Sergeant Joe Swallow, is a complex interesting character and I look forward to reading the later titles in the series. In the midst of the worst heatwave on record, Dublin prepares for Victoria‘s Golden Jubilee; two women have been murdered and dissidents threaten the festivities. Swallow believes the two murders are linked and that the unrest is related but some superiors want his investigation stopped.

This was a somewhat predictable, but very enjoyable read, full of interesting historical details. A young Irish woman flees Ireland for New York. Answering an ad, she travels west as a mail order bride, seeking a family to love. Her husband is a psychopath who marries and kills wealthy women for their money. Set during and after the Great San Francisco earthquake. Speaks to the power of blended families and love. Interesting twist at the end.

“Everything that is hidden will become clear.” Ms King has given us a story that reveals the truth behind two of the lingering puzzles related to Sherlock Holmes‘s past: his mother‘s death and his relationship with Irene Adler and with Russell‘s help the truth is revealed. Fascinating, well written, and deeply satisfying, if you‘re a Baker St. Irregular, don‘t miss this read!

Well, this book was just charming, and exactly what I needed during this stressful week! So glad that it starts a new series.

Inspector Chopra has been forced into retirement after a heart attack. Surprisingly, a favorite uncle bequeaths him with, of all things, a baby elephant. As Chopra struggles to confront his retirement, he cannot ignore the drowning death of a young man. As he follows clues, his elephant becomes an invaluable assistant.

I was so glad to spend time with Vivian Kelly again. It was also good to get to know her sister, Florence better. All the other great characters are here too: Danny, Honor and Bea, whose Uncle has died. Ruled a suicide by the cops, the friends aren‘t convinced and there investigation reveals a terrible conspiracy. Once again Schellman gives us wonderful period detail. Can‘t wait for the next in the series!

Ooh, this is a good thriller! Written by a former police officer who has crafted a great procedural, given us an evil villain, and a really interesting protagonist: Detective Leonore Asker, who has a fascinating back story. Demoted by a self-serving colleague, Asker winds up in a sub basement with a group of misfit colleagues. Whip smart and courageous she solves a beautifully complicated case. First in a series with a cliff hanger at the end.

Although the end it wrapped up in a fairly trite bow, I cared enough about the characters have a bit weep at the final resolution.

Ruthie, the youngest member of a Mi'kmaq family disappears in Nova Scotia while her family works the blueberry fields. The novel tells her story as she grows up with the couple that kidnapped her, and also recounts how her birth family was affected by her loss. Peters‘ language is lush and well worth reading.

I‘m grateful that this great debut is first in a series: A Variety Palace Mystery. Walsh has given us a fascinating story, great characters, and surprising twists, particularly at the end. Set in Victorian London, the titular character, Rose, is found hanging in the Adelphi Arches. The police dismiss the death as a suicide. Minnie Ward and the private detective Albert Easterbrook investigate and find evil lurking in private men‘s clubs. Loved it!

“Endurance was strength. The courage of the lost swelled and moved, a force separating the days, clearing the way.” (p. 276) This is a remarkable novel with beautifully crafted writing and a fascinating story. Set in the aftermath of the Civil War and told through multiple voices and perspectives. Phillips gives us an account of how the horrors of slavery, poverty and war fracture lives and identities. Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer for Fiction.

This is a slow burn of a novel that, while beautifully written, does not follow familiar narrative arcs. As a result it is, at times, a challenging read.

Anisa dreams of being a famous translator but she struggles with language acquisition. Her boy friend has learned languages with incredible speed. He introduces her to The Centre, an extremely exclusive and secretive school. There is a horrific truth behind their successes.

Mrs. Wood is a very well known medium in Victorian London who is hiding a secret about her past. Attempting to attract new patrons, she takes on a young student, Emmie Finch, who has her own agenda and, blackmailing her instructor, threatens Mrs. Woods livelihood.

The details about readings, séances and the tricks of the trade are fascinating. Lucy Barker gives us a portrait of a woman potentially aging out of her profession. Well worth reading.

An engaging historical novel telling the story of two young British women and how their lives are affected by the beginning of World War I. Peggy and her neurodivergent twin, Maude work for the bindery at Oxford‘s University Press. Peggy longs for access to higher education, but fears the Maude cannot live without her support. Refugees from Belgium change their world, offering new vistas. No easy solutions or pat endings here. An interesting read.

In this first in a series, Aurora Ascher has given us a fairly unsuccessful, derivative fantasy. The novel proves, yet again, that steamy sex cannot substitute for plot, world building, or character development. That said, I did finish the novel albeit with a lot of skimming. Although a fantasy author might be excused flaws if they are resolved in a sequel, she tells us that the next book will focus another storyline, so probably not.

Good horror stories always leave you wondering about what‘s real. Medina‘s novel does a great job of leaving us guessing. We‘re unsure whether what Louie experienced as a child was real, or whether his mental health was affected by trauma. Now his niece, Naomi has terrible troubles and his monsters are back, or are they real? A beautifully written story about our fears and how they affect our attempts to save family and friends from themselves.

Benny Catspaw is nice. He‘s so nice, in fact, that a shadowy organization has targeted him as a threat to their plans for world domination. Then a mysterious sarcophagus is delivered and he is introduced to Spike, his Craggle, an alien creature dedicated to protecting their assigned charges who are too good for this world. Spike, Benny and Harper Harper set out to defeat the bad guys. Weird, yes, but more surprising is the charming humor.

Tana French has mad skills, and her latest novel is a knock-out! Set in West Ireland, in her hands the small town of Ardnakelty becomes a character in its own right. Johnny Reddy, under the control of a Brit crook, schemes to defraud. His daughter, Trey, has her own revenge agenda. Her adult friends Cal and Lena are trying to protect her from herself. The characters are marvelous and unforgettable. The ending is great. Highly recommended!

I loved to two earlier Pentecost and Parker books and his third offers a gloriously complicated plot. We get to know the two detectives better, and meet their really interesting client, Holly Quick. Great historical details. Very highly recommended. I also love Spotswood‘s view of the world: “my first thanks go to everyone, everywhere, fighting for a future that‘s a damn sight brighter than the world our heroes have waiting for them” (p. 367)

A competent mystery, first in an Alaskan series and featuring Cara Kennedy. Cara is on disability leave from the Anchorage Police Department after the death of her family. She‘s still trying to track down those responsible. She exhumes their bodies in a search for clues, and finds a shocking surprise that leads her a corrupt drug company, and a village that offers safe harbor to those in need. The setting is very well done, the story needs work.

I almost bailed on this read. I found the writing kludgy and the authors‘s tendency to drop unnecessary classical allusions into the text was just plain weird. About halfway though, it was like a switch was thrown and suddenly a plot appeared and the characters began to shine, and maybe that was the point. Once Emily accepts the help of her fae colleague, Bambleby and that of her neighbors, she grows beyond her stodgy ways.

I‘m not new to the horror genre, and I‘ve enjoyed LaValle‘s work in the past, but unfortunately I decided to bail on this. I read well over half, but found that my anxiety was increasing, and I‘m not in a place where that‘s OK. That said, this had an interesting plot relating the eerie story of women pioneers in Montana who have brought their curses along as they strive to build new lives.

Set in a beautiful part of my state, and written by a Michigan author, this mystery was a joy to read. Michael Russo, a Petoskey attorney, usually handles family law. When a wealthy member of a weirdly insular resort, Cherokee Point is murdered, the police ask Russo‘s help in gaining the other resident‘s confidence. Russo winds up investigating the suspects, and ultimately solving the case, but the truth is terrible. Glad it‘s part of a series.

I have really enjoyed the books in Massey‘s Perveen Mistry series. Set in 1920‘s India, the sense of place and history are fascinating and this, her latest, is a great read. Perveen, the only female lawyer in Bombay, is representing a woman falsely charged with the use of an abortifacient, and later with the murder of her employer. The truth revolves around white colonial greed. We get to know more about Perveen in each novel

I actually enjoyed this light read. The author explores the ways in which we adjust our stories and concepts of love to protect ourselves from difficult truths.

According to Penelope, ostensibly a teacher, actually something much more and terrible, the Everly family owes her a blood debt; Violet sets out to remove the curse, sometimes aided, sometimes betrayed by Penelope‘s acolyte: Alexander. The plot gets a bit muddy at times.

What an interesting read! Set in Kyiv, 1919, a period of great unrest. Samson Kolechko has lost his entire family, most recently his father who is murdered by one of the factions fighting for control of the city. In the attack, Samson loses an ear. Reporting thieving Red Army soldiers who seize space in his home, Samson is offered a job with the newly formed police force. Fine start of a new series with great characters. Beautifully translated.

What a great read! Tautly plotted and very well written.

A young black man kills a white school teacher in the aptly named Charon County, VA. As he leaves the scene he is killed by the police. As Sheriff Titus Crowne investigates, terrible evil acts are revealed and they must hunt a serial killer. All in the midst of racial provocation by Confederate apologists.

I loved Titus‘s final redemptive act at this end of this highly recommended novel.

Ash Woods wanted to enter Lancaster College to earn his Alchemy Certificate, but unaffiliated with a powerful clan he‘s denied entry. Working as a gardener he meets Ramsey Thorne who recognizes their latent power. Ultimately joined by Callum Kendrick they embark on a quest for the Book of Source.

As a younger reader, my parents allowed to read anything I chose. I should note that this YA book has explicit bits, but well suited to the story.

I‘m not sure if I can really recommend Sager‘s latest. The first 2/3 of the book is slow, laying almost more of a back story than needed. The last third of the book has so many plot twists, it‘s almost hard to keep track. In short, the pacing is really weird. The plot: fleeing a personal scandal Kit McDeere becomes caretaker for Lenora Hope accused, but never convicted of her family‘s murder. Now she wants to tell her story.

Speculative fiction, and yet one of the more powerful condemnations of the American penal system that I‘ve read since Michelle Alexander‘s nonfiction The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration… The author‘s footnotes are brilliant!

Prisoners, tortured into a complete lack of hope, are offered a chance at freedom by participating in state supported gladiator-like killing “games.” In the midst of the carnage, there is grace. Unforgettable characters.

“Just when you think you‘ve seen the worst human beings have to offer, you find out you‘re wrong.” (p. 442).

King features Holly Gibney, a character I‘ve loved. She has been hired to find a missing woman and in the process unveils horrors wrought by a pair of demented professors who are seeking a way to reverse the ravages of their old age. King proves, yet again than no one should underestimate midwestern small towns.

Are the sins of parents visited upon their children? In this “story of atrocities” (p. 226) we live through Tom Kettle‘s life memories. His wife, June was raped, starting at age 6, by a Catholic priest. As an adult she strikes out in a horrible act of justice. The ripples of her act and her pain extend to her entire family. Awful and grim, the novel is so beautifully written that, although there is no redemption it becomes a transcendent story.

The language in this novel was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, with everything that I have going on, I just couldn‘t concentrate enough to do it justice, so I‘ve set it aside for another day. Anyway, this is a temporary bail, but a bail nonetheless ☹️

In the first half of this book Chakrabory lays the foundation for her new series. As a result it is a slow and, frankly not very interesting beginning to what becomes, in the second half a thrill ride through a well-built world. Amina Al-Siafi is a mother, was a ship‘s captain/pirate and returns to the sea to rescue a young, magical girl . Her past shipmates join her on what becomes a life threatening adventure. Looking forward to the next entry.

This story is flat out soul-satisfying! Greta, like many of the women in her small Indian village, is abused by her husband. She finds some freedom when he disappears. Some think she killed him and want her to help them get rid of their equally horrible spouses. Mahem ensues. Lots of humor amongst the very real pain. By the end, after getting her vengeance, she tells her returned wastrel, “You‘re wrong, I‘m right, and I‘m definitely not sorry.”

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! Vera Wong has run a tea house in Chinatown for years, but the business is barely squeaking by and she‘s lonely. One morning she comes down to find a dead man on the floor. As she sets out to solve the crime,her primary suspects become closer than family, enriching her life. I loved the twist at the end.

If you‘re looking for mood lifting book, grab this quick read. You won‘t be sorry.

“Vera Wong Zhuzhu, age sixty, is a pig, but she really should have been born a rooster.”

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

I have enjoyed all of the August Snow novels, but Stephen Mack Jones latest, Deus X is really something special. Father Michael Grabowsk, who August has known since the Franciscan baptized him, has been forced to retire in light of unsubstantiated abuse allegations. Investigating, Snow discovers that the false accusations stem from a power mad Bishop who wants a Vatican post. Beautifully written, great Detroit details. Highly, highly recommended.

Special Agent Harry Vance is murdered in Berlin. His colleagues, Brodie and Taylor, Army criminal investigator, are sent to liaise with their German counterparts and various FBI & CIA folk to find the perpetrator. Not surprisingly, everyone has a different agenda. Their investigation leads them to historical truths about the Stasi and current threats from far right baddies. In short a vintage DeMille plot. Written with his son this one falls flat

Agnes Sharp converted her home, Sunset Hall to a shared living situation for pensioners and they‘ve become a family of sorts. None of them came through life unscathed, and they have secrets from their past. And none more than Agatha who is investigating the deaths of people she once knew. Although I‘ve enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club books, this story is darker, and more complex. I loved it; and Hettie, the tortoise is a fantastic character!

Reading this book is like experiencing a fever dream. When I let go, and just enjoyed the beautiful writing, I found myself discovering a route through the madness that has gripped Ada, her son Giles and her husband, Danny when she disappears.

Is Ada really unhappy, does she chafe at her role as mother, has she willingly left, or has she been transmuted into the natural world she believes to be failing. Others are gone too. What‘s happening?

This was an engaging mystery, and the first of the County Kerry series. Dimpna Wilde followed in her father‘s footsteps and became a veterinarian. She left her hometown, Dingle, after horrific events. She‘s retuned because one of the principal men involved in those events is murdered. She‘ll have to revisit the past to find the truth.
Unfortunately, there isn‘t a lot of Irish here; I wish the dialogue had been more authentic. Good twists though.

1. Yup, I can drive a stick. I learned on a huge Buick station wagon with “three on the tree” which definitely dates me!

2. Can‘t get better than Hunter Thompson and the Great Red Shark — and that dates me too!

#Two4Tuesday. #TheSpineView

The only disappointing thing about reading this book is that I have not read any of the earlier related Rockton series. This book has all the components of a good mystery, well drawn characters, puzzling deaths, lots of red herrings and mistaken identities.

Haven‘s Rock will be a hidden community, created to provide sanctuary for people requiring support and safety. Even before it‘s finished people begin to disappear and then bodies are found.

This is a strangely unsuccessful historical mystery, and it‘s difficult to put my finger on exactly why. I think it‘s mainly that her primary character, Alexander Hamilton‘s wife, Eliza is a bit one dimensional. Reeling from her husband‘s death, she attempts to unravel a conspiracy that had led to several murders, assisted by a group of widows from another class of society.

If this will become a series, later entries may be stronger.

After reading and enjoying her, Drowning, I went back to read this, her first. While it wasn‘t as tightly crafted, Newman can certainly provide a thrill-ride.

Pilot Bill Hoffman has been asked to be substitute pilot for a flight to New York. His family is then taken hostage. They‘ll die if he doesn‘t agree to crash the plane. Newman gives us evil doers that are real, complex with understandable motives. Read it in one sitting.

What a wonderful, charming story. Meg (“short for Megladon”) Shaffer gives us a book that shows us the power of hope, and how wishes can come true.

Jack Masterson is the author of the Clock Island book series. Four adult‘s, all with childhood connections to the author, have been invited to compete for the rights to his latest book. Lucy Hart MUST win to make her dream of adopting Christopher come true. Thoroughly enjoyed this read!