My first Laura Kinsale and quite possibly my first Regency ("historical Regency?") and I enjoyed it, even though it is without much zing and is awfull...moreMy first Laura Kinsale and quite possibly my first Regency ("historical Regency?") and I enjoyed it, even though it is without much zing and is awfully long. Some may find the language an issue (Christian is aphasic / Maddy is Quaker) but I felt it added to the story. Appeals for me: the medical, the conflicts (and outwitting the greedy relatives), Christian's growing kindness, the elegant prose, and the sensual undertone.(less)
[audio] Kate Rudd's rendition of FIOS has left me drained, teary, and uplifted. Told in the first person, Rudd created a Hazel who is appropriately pr...more[audio] Kate Rudd's rendition of FIOS has left me drained, teary, and uplifted. Told in the first person, Rudd created a Hazel who is appropriately precocious, snarky, loving, angry and scared and the constraints of her medical condition sneak in admirably. Her male characters ring true for a thoroughly enjoyable listen. For adults who enjoy the YA coming of age focus (one's place in the great scheme of things), young romance, and "problem" theme (teens dying of cancer) this is an "I laughed, I cried, I was sorry it ended" story. Segal's Love Story, but for the high school crowd and more literate. The Audible version included an interview with John Green which confirms that Hazel's character was inspired by the real life Esther Earl - http://tswgo.org/esthers-story/. (less)
[audio] Fourth in the Evan Delaney suspense thrillers, Evan and Jesse's relationship is more firmly established and her parents play a significant rol...more[audio] Fourth in the Evan Delaney suspense thrillers, Evan and Jesse's relationship is more firmly established and her parents play a significant role. Once again, NAWS China Lake is the site where it all began. The action in the story (and violence and bodies and chase scenes) takes place between Santa Barbara, LA, and China Lake (about 4 hours drive). On audio, I sometimes found it difficult to orient myself wanting a map and colored pins. I find Gardiner's books compelling and the main characters engaging but I often feel a bit disoriented and have to give a red flag for descriptions of violence.(less)
#11 in the Barbara Holloway legal mysteries (can't be termed a thriller), this entry drags a little in the middle where defense attorney Barbara reali...more#11 in the Barbara Holloway legal mysteries (can't be termed a thriller), this entry drags a little in the middle where defense attorney Barbara realizes she really has nothing to defend her client -- but the only thing the prosecution has is a third party testimony. The old crowd (father Frank, investigator Bailey, co-attorney Shelley and her husband Alex, etc.) is all there and Barbara has even moved in with Darren and Todd. Another reviewer says this series feels like a grown up Nancy Drew and that's pretty accurate: it feels more dated than it is. The appeal of this series is Barbara's thought processes as she unthreads the mystery, the relationships between the characters, (usually, but not in this title) the court room scene, and the sense of place (Eugene, OR).(less)
Though third in the series, this is my first - I suspect reading the Merlot Murders first would have given me background but I don't think it reduced...moreThough third in the series, this is my first - I suspect reading the Merlot Murders first would have given me background but I don't think it reduced my enjoyment of this title. The strong sense of place (Northern Virginia) was the hook for me. Beginning in my backyard (at Mount Vernon) and being centered in Loudon County I can follow the action's map. Crosby offers up lots of wine making detail, bits of history from several eras, a taste of the life of the well to do (I don't often meet friends for a quick coffee at what must be modeled after the Red Fox Inn), and engaging if not completely developed characters. These cozy mysteries might disappoint adrenalin junkies or those who like to puzzle out tight mysteries but I'm going back to read #1 of these entertaining, light, factoid-filled mysteries.(less)
Solid J. P. Beaumont with (for those who enjoy the character-driven aspect) series events: J. P.'s ex-wife Karen's cancer gets worse, J. P. falls off...moreSolid J. P. Beaumont with (for those who enjoy the character-driven aspect) series events: J. P.'s ex-wife Karen's cancer gets worse, J. P. falls off the wagon, and Ron gets back in the saddle. J.P. is on his own (Sue has chicken pox!) to figure out who killed a sleezy employee of a high flying genetics company (Designer Genes Inc.). Until Kramer and Arnold get assigned as well. J. P. does not play well with others and, of course, pulls it off at the end. Jance's technology details are getting to sound quite dated (faxes and pagers play a significant part). Narrator Gene Engene is the quintessential J. P. Beaumont even if his female voices take a bit of getting used to.(less)
First in the Wine Country series, Crosby introduces Lucie Montgomery and her family's historic vineyard on the Loudon/Fauquier county line. Strong on...moreFirst in the Wine Country series, Crosby introduces Lucie Montgomery and her family's historic vineyard on the Loudon/Fauquier county line. Strong on sense of place (which is probably meaningless to anyone not familiar with Northern Virginia) and details on wine making, with a plucky heroine with a physical disability resulting from an injury, this is...a cozy mystery. As others have noted, none of the characters is particularly likable but perhaps that is to set up plots for future books.(less)
Either you'll love it or hate it. Baruch "Buck" Schatz, former military and retired career Memphis detective, at 87-88, is not your usual protagonist....moreEither you'll love it or hate it. Baruch "Buck" Schatz, former military and retired career Memphis detective, at 87-88, is not your usual protagonist. What a Jewish curmudgeon! The very funny dialog is profane and rude and some of the plot includes descriptions of vicious violence, but oy vey -- the book sucks you in, rooting for Buck and his grandson as they try and ferret out some Nazi gold...and who is doing all the killing. I tagged it amateur PI even though Buck was a detective, but his sleuthing is done so far off the record it seemed logical but I also added "Police procedural" because a *lot* of detail about the workings of a police investigation are discussed. Red flags for language and violent discriptions.(less)
Engaging "coming of [adult] age" story. 36 year old Gal (Galilee) has dealt with renal disease her whole life and has compensated for the uncertainty...moreEngaging "coming of [adult] age" story. 36 year old Gal (Galilee) has dealt with renal disease her whole life and has compensated for the uncertainty by controlling the things she *can* control: the biology class she teaches, her interactions with friends and co-workers, seeking to breed a truly unique rose. In plops Riley, her 15 year old niece, and George, the new chemistry teach, and even Mark, who receives treatment at the same dialysis center as Gal. Each one learns how to cope with Gal's thorns as Gal learns to be...less thorny. (less)
Audio: I liked this title, the sixth in the Maisie Dobbs series, better than previous ones, perhaps because, while historical fiction (1930's London),...moreAudio: I liked this title, the sixth in the Maisie Dobbs series, better than previous ones, perhaps because, while historical fiction (1930's London), the concept feels very contemporary (weapons of mass destruction) -- and it is somewhat comforting to think we, as a civilization actually have dealt with this threat before. Also, while Maisie uses her "intuition" there is less "magic" than in previous titles. I added the military tag because so much of the book revolves around WWI veterans and the police procedural because Maisie teams up with Scotland Yard as well as MI5. While the series tone is bleak (how Novelist can call it "upbeat" is beyond me) the ending does leave a sense of general hope. Strong period details and sense of time and place.(less)
Medical mom-lit, a bit more literary than Jodi Picoult -- more literary, and personal than issue driven. Two women with parallel story lines (one deal...moreMedical mom-lit, a bit more literary than Jodi Picoult -- more literary, and personal than issue driven. Two women with parallel story lines (one dealing with marital betrayal, the other with the death of her autistic son) intersect in this adult coming of age (or rediscovering onself) story.(less)
It took me a long time to get through this Phil Broker title -- a lot of macho details when what originally attracted me was the manly-man daddy aspec...moreIt took me a long time to get through this Phil Broker title -- a lot of macho details when what originally attracted me was the manly-man daddy aspect of Broker (in this title, his wife has taken his daughter which seems to give Broker a pass at acting human). I thoroughly enjoyed the medical thread to the story, the ostrich details, and the VERY strong sense of place (Minnesota) and winter details that play a significant role in the story line. The denoument was satisfying (glad I was sitting in the sun) and I'm looking forward to #4.(less)
This is a nicely plotted, evangelical thriller with a chaste romance. The suspense is not "who done it" but what is he going to do next? The various c...moreThis is a nicely plotted, evangelical thriller with a chaste romance. The suspense is not "who done it" but what is he going to do next? The various characters each have their own walk to faith, voicing with little subtlety the doubts and weaknesses many of us hold. The ending tackles the concept of forgiveness.(less)
As an adult (this is a children's book) this hit me the way the YA title The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie did: it cou...moreAs an adult (this is a children's book) this hit me the way the YA title The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie did: it could have been so sad / manipulative but it was actually funny and uplifting. I'm not in a place to write about this for a children's audience (you can read School Library Journal's review, etc.) and one can't actually review it as an adult book -- but for me it was a compulsive read, making me laugh and making me cry, and reminding me to be kinder than necessary and everyone deserves to be ordinary. The cover art is inspired. (less)
Take one over-the-hill-but-not-out-to-pasture, self-deluding, selfish, independent, alcoholic real estate agent as your unreliable narrator and mix wi...moreTake one over-the-hill-but-not-out-to-pasture, self-deluding, selfish, independent, alcoholic real estate agent as your unreliable narrator and mix with a newcomer with problems of her own and see what happens to one small wealthy town in New England. The humor is wry, the physical disability alcoholism and quite possibly my greater than expected enjoyment (since I rarely like books with main characters I don't particularly like) is due to Mary Beth Hurts portrayal of Hildy.(less)
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