Cecil’s Comments (group member since Jan 07, 2020)

Cecil’s comments from the Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) group.

I read Sara's Game by Ernie Lindsey, a fairly short and intense story about revenge gone over the top. A worthwhile read. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also read The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, and very much enjoyed it. This author is an expert in blending history with the drama, painting characters with a depth that makes them real.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge complete!
Word: Circle
Book: Circle of Influence by Annette Dashofy
A great thrill ride, will have to check out the others in the series!
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge complete!
Just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. An interesting view into the lives of the rich and famous in the movie industry during the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. And how sexual orientation could make or break careers during that time, despite what we may have thought. Not sure I felt sorry for Evelyn, given how many people she stepped on to get where she wanted in stardom. But pretty sure her story wasn’t that different from others going through the same thing. The final twist did add a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming, as far as her relationship with Monique went. A long but involved story of one woman’s rise to fame, and all it involved. Good read!

Challenge Complete!
Word: Woods
Book: In the Woods by Tana French
A good mystery within a mystery, complex characters and enough twists to be wholly satisfying. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge complete! (Finally!)
Book: The Darkest Secrets by Heather Wynter
Not a bad book, but a long way from my top pics. At least one more off my towering TBR pile!
My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge complete!
Book - The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
Keyword - Vanish

Not quite as good as “All the Missing Girls”, but still worth the read. See my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Planning on reading The Darkest Secrets by Heather Wynter. Have had it for a couple years as an ebook, just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Planning to read The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda. Enjoyed All the Missing Girls, so hoping this one is as good.

Challenge Complete!
I read Under raven's wing by Rudy Saccomanno, a good friend of mine. Have been meaning to get to this one for awhile, so this month's challenge was the perfect fit. Very much enjoyed it, was impressed at this first novel, hoping he writes more!
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge Complete!
Word: Black
Book: Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
While I enjoyed "The Thirteenth Tale" immensely, this one was a bit of a disappointment. Not terrible, but not what I had hoped for. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I will be reading a book written by a good friend, Under raven's wing by Rudy Saccomanno. Have been meaning to get to it for awhile, this seems like a good excuse to!

Going to read Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield. Read The Thirteenth Tale awhile back, really enjoyed the writing. Hoping this one is as rewarding!

just lori wrote: "Challenge Complete!

I read Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty. I became familiar with the author from her youtube channel Ask a Mortician. Not sure ho..."

My daughter likes her videos, and showed me a few. She really does come up with some interesting facts and stories, and is always professional when discussing her chosen profession. Might have to check this one out!

Challenge complete!
Read Briarpatch by Ross Thomas
May have taken liberties with the “burning” fuse on the bomb on the front, but staying within my owned books if at all possible. The only others were way down the list in series I haven’t started or gotten that far, and I’m kinda fussy about reading ahead.
SO! This was a fun ride, better than expected. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Change of plan - Started Backlash, and it was NOT what I expected. Not into romance novels, and when the majority of the prologue was a sex scene with two characters we hadn’t even met, not a good sign in my experience. After looking at a couple of reviews, realized it was more of a romance/family drama story than a mystery/thriller like I expected.
SO - going with Briarpatch by Ross Thomas, after I found it with a cover that shows a bomb with a “burning” fuse. (The copy I have was missing the dust jacket, so didn’t realize that’s what was on it.) Looks more promising.

Challenge Compete!
Word - Down
Book - Down River by John Hart
LOVE this guy’s books, was not disappointed with this one. Nice twisty turns mystery. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Had to scroll though my “books I have” list to look at covers, settled on Backlash: Aftermath / Tender Trap by Lisa Jackson. Apparently it is a combination of two books; “Tender Trap” and “Aftermath”, so will take a little longer.

Challenge Complete!
Word - Night
Book - Silent Night by MHC
A fun twist and change from classic Christmas stories, short enough I plowed through it in and hour or so.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Randi wrote: "I read An Elderly Woman Is Up To No Good by Helen Turste and translated from Swedish by Marlaine Delargy. It was funny with a great main character. It is the story of Maud, an elderly Swedish woman..."

Love your description!