Actually 4.5 star for S is for Silence because I loved the book up until the ending. Sue Grafton's previous alphabet mystery was different because ourActually 4.5 star for S is for Silence because I loved the book up until the ending. Sue Grafton's previous alphabet mystery was different because our detective heroine Kinsey was more of a secondary character who told the story than its protagonist. This volume is also different in that instead of being completely told from Kinsey's first person POV, we get some third-person POVs showing what the major suspects were doing a few days before the woman missing since 1953 was last seen. I very much liked that aspect of the story. It gave me a greater understanding of the various characters.
What spoiled the ending for me, and I read it three times, is that (view spoiler)[ while I understood how and why the murderer killed Violet for her money, I still don't understand what his buying the dog for her had to do with Kinsey figuring out that he was the killer. As soon as Kinsey picked out a gun to bring with her, I knew she was going to shoot the killer; that giveaway didn't bother me. But that bit with Liza telling Jake about "Phillip" [a character I couldn't find anywhere else in the book] took me a little time to understand; at first I thought it might be Kinsey's boyfriend Cheney Phillips. I wish the author had chosen a different name to avoid confusion. (hide spoiler)]
A well-written book about the Hittites, an empire that challenged Egypt for rule over the Mediterranean world 4000 years ago. Now the only thing peoplA well-written book about the Hittites, an empire that challenged Egypt for rule over the Mediterranean world 4000 years ago. Now the only thing people may know about Hittites is from the David and Batsheva story in the Bible, when David sees her bathing on the roof, sends mercenary Uriah [her Hittite husband] to the frontlines to die so David can marry her. The Hittite empire had been gone for over 1000 years, but Hittite warriors were still hiring out as mercenaries....more
I admit I'm an American Jew who has no familiarity with modern Hebrew poetry, but I don't think that's entirely my excuse for merely skimming the inteI admit I'm an American Jew who has no familiarity with modern Hebrew poetry, but I don't think that's entirely my excuse for merely skimming the interminable 25-page first chapter of Literary Murder by Batya Gur. I assume the author is trying to introduce all the characters, but a short list of them at the beginning (like many novels do) would at least would have let me look up who was who. Thankfully, this being a murder mystery, the plot speeds up after that as we get one victim in chapter two and the next in chapter four. Then the plot thickens as we learn that there's a connection between the two victims and that: 1] some of the possible suspects can't account for where or what they were doing at certain times, and 2] neither of the victims can either. Unfortunately for me, there were more boring literary digressions that slowed down the investigative plot considerably. The ending was well thought out, but this novel should have been at least 100 pages shorter. Yet I couldn’t skim too much for fear of missing the important clues. I doubt I’ll read any more of this author’s murder mysteries....more
I enjoyed The World Starts Anew more than Book 3. In addition to the Jewish content, I especially appreciated how expertly Jean Grainger reintroduced I enjoyed The World Starts Anew more than Book 3. In addition to the Jewish content, I especially appreciated how expertly Jean Grainger reintroduced the many characters from Books 1-3 without TMI, and how she kept so many plot balls in the air without dropping them. I was impressed at how well she integrated the scandal of abusive Irish "mother and baby homes" [google it] that came to light in the early 2020's. Of course I liked the happy ending that tied up so many loose ends. I feel sad because this is the final book of the "Star and Shamrock" series, however I recommend reading the series novels in order....more
I liked Wings of the Wind much better than book 2 in the series. Now the Hebrew characters have biblical names (i.e. Tobiah), not modern ones (i.e. ArI liked Wings of the Wind much better than book 2 in the series. Now the Hebrew characters have biblical names (i.e. Tobiah), not modern ones (i.e. Ari, Dov) and the ratio of romance to history, although high, does not neglect the biblical events as much. I particularly appreciated two aspects of the plot. 1] Using the directive in Deut 21 on how a Hebrew warrior must treat a beautiful woman whom he takes captive to set up the romance between our hero and heroine, and 2] how the story puts our heroine in Jericho at Rahab's inn, so she's there when the spies arrive and thus is rescued later. Typical of a Xian biblical romance, our heroine's virtue is threatened but not violated. I disliked how, as in book 2, the heroine is treated badly by jealous Hebrew women. Of course all are reconciled at the end....more
I could take up this entire page with synonyms for superlative in this review of An Officer and a Spy. It contains some of the best writing I've encouI could take up this entire page with synonyms for superlative in this review of An Officer and a Spy. It contains some of the best writing I've encountered in a long time, so good it depresses me because I know I'll never write that well. An amazing thriller plot--straight out of history. The heroes are brave, honest and dutiful; the villains are scheming, deceitful, cruel and antisemitic. There are spies and counterspies, actual evidence and forgeries [although some of the forgeries are the most valuable evidence], coverups and journalists working to uncover the truth. Does the name Emil Zola ring a bell? Even the title is enigmatic: are the officer and spy one person or two? Although I knew how it all ended, the details of getting there were so intriguing that I still had trouble putting it down....more
It is difficult to choose between 2 or 3 stars for Shadow of the Storm. Along with other Jews, I have just started reading, again for the umpteenth tiIt is difficult to choose between 2 or 3 stars for Shadow of the Storm. Along with other Jews, I have just started reading, again for the umpteenth time, the second book of Torah, Exodus [in Hebrew, Shemot]. This is the biblical record on which the movies "Prince of Egypt" and "The Ten Commandments" are based, although they pretty much only deal with the first twenty chapters of Exodus. This year I looked for some historical fiction that rewrites the Hebrews' journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land, although some would say that the Torah itself is historical fiction. To my surprise, almost all the authors of these novelizations were non-Jews, and evangelical Christians in particular. Indeed, there is a thriving business in Christian biblical fiction: see 222 such novels listed in biblical order. Apparently only one of them, The Red Tent, was written by a Jew.
I chose to start with the second book of trilogy written by Connilyn Cossette, because the first book focused on the Hebrew slaves before they left Egypt. This novel is, unsurprisingly, a romance that takes place against the background of the year the Hebrews spent at the base of Mt. Sinai. In other words, the year after the movies above end. The author does a nice job of describing life in the desert, eating manna, dyeing wool and weaving it to make the Tabernacle walls. But her description of the Golden Calf debacle was written from the POV of our heroine, who merely hears the cries of the punished participants. I was frustrated that other/later rebellions again Moses are missing altogether, and there was no mention of Moses' wife Zippora, his sons and father-in-law Jethro making a short visit and then leaving, never to be heard of again. Something that bothered me more were all the characters who had modern Hebrew names. Surely the author could have consulted Chronicles, which is full of biblical names. Even so, just out of curiosity, I intend to read the third volume of the trilogy. ...more
The Goodreads Jewish Book Club wanted to read an Israeli mystery novel in Feb, so I took a chance and started The Saturday Morning Murder, the first bThe Goodreads Jewish Book Club wanted to read an Israeli mystery novel in Feb, so I took a chance and started The Saturday Morning Murder, the first book of the Michael Ohayon series. I liked that it was written by a woman, Batya Gur. I actually gave it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because it was the author's first. Despite getting off to a good start with the dead body being found in Chapter One, the novel spent/wasted a lot of time explaining about the Psychiatric Institute: its formation, its members and how they're selected and trained. This book really needed a cast of characters at the beginning. There were a few red herrings and dead ends until the mystery was solved, but that seemed more realistic for a detective's life. So I'll probably read Book #2 in the series, but not until I've finished The Missing File....more
I liked book 1 The Papercutter better than its sequel The Border Crosser. Typical for the second book of a trilogy, problems worsen for the charactersI liked book 1 The Papercutter better than its sequel The Border Crosser. Typical for the second book of a trilogy, problems worsen for the characters and their community, which we can be hopeful and anticipate their ultimate overcoming in book 3. Although considering the parallel to the German Jews' increasing deprecation in the run-up to WW2, I suspect book 3 will see the community flee to a safety rather than defeat the evil regime, with the young leading the way. Also typical for a second book, an author has to walk a fine line between too much rehashing the first for those who read it, and not enough for those readers who haven't. Unfortunately, I'm not only in the first category, but I think there were some things from book 1, like a character's ability to judge others' souls by looking that them, that could have benefited from more explanation. But there's much to appreciate. The diverse group of characters are well drawn with unique skills to address the new difficulties. Now there's a set of Asian twins, one gay, in addition to a STEM genius in a wheelchair, plus one who grapples with "their" gender identity. Lots of normal teenage angst as well. I eagerly look forward to Book 3....more
After my disappointment with the audio version of Sour Puss two months ago, I decided to read the intervening volumes and then give up on Mrs. Murphy After my disappointment with the audio version of Sour Puss two months ago, I decided to read the intervening volumes and then give up on Mrs. Murphy mysteries. So I'm pleased I could give Cat's Eyewitness 4 stars, since it's the last one I'll be reading. I liked: the statue of Virgin Mary's mysterious bloody tears were a good start, although it seemed obvious that the deaths at the monastery had to be connected to the "miracle." Also that there were a couple of nice romance/love subplots that concluded happily. Again the biggest clue was provided by the animals, in this case a cardinal that witnessed the murder, but how would the humans find out what happened? The ending/denouement was satisfying and made sense....more
I agree with the other 3-star reviews of Children of Memory, a title that is more descriptive of the novel than I'd anticipated. I thought Children ofI agree with the other 3-star reviews of Children of Memory, a title that is more descriptive of the novel than I'd anticipated. I thought Children of Time, the first volume in this trilogy, was awesome, one of the most creative sci-fi novels I've read in a long time. The second, Children of Ruin, was excellent, but not up to the first volume's greatness. Unfortunately, the author's latest effort, which follows another spaceship full of potential emigrants from a dying Earth, was a major disappointment for me. The first 150 pages were good, although not as good as the prequels' beginnings, and things went downhill from there. At page 220, I started skimming the text, and by 250 I was skipping entire pages. Soon the timeline got too jumpy and the characters started loosing my interest until the story finally sank under the weight of a philosophical discussion of what constitutes sentience. Quite disappointing. Another reviewer summed it up well: “Children of Meh-mory.”...more
I first listed to the audio version during a round trip to Arizona. The reader was excellent and did all the various voices well. But my previous compI first listed to the audio version during a round trip to Arizona. The reader was excellent and did all the various voices well. But my previous complaint about murder mystery audiobooks, that it's not easy to go back to check on a clue that I'd missed, raised its ugly head here too. Thankfully I was able to get the print version from my local library when I returned and learn what I needed to know. So far I've been reading Sue Grafton's alphabet series in order, and I must warn readers that R is for Ricochet is crafted differently than the earlier books. To quote Kinsey's epilogue, "In the passing of life, I'm usually the heroine, but occasionally I'm simply a minor character in someone else's play." But I found the plot interesting, and because I saw The Laundromat, a 2019 film starring Meryl Streep about the Panama Papers, I understood the financial chicanery involved in money laundering, shell corporations, and offshore banking. I liked how Kinsey rekindled a relationship with an old flame. In fact this novel could have been subtitled "R is for Romance, because there are also the two love affairs of secondary characters that do not end so well. ...more
There are several reasons I liked Whisker of Evil better than The Tail of the Tip-Off. 1] A body is discovered almost immediately in chapter one, rathThere are several reasons I liked Whisker of Evil better than The Tail of the Tip-Off. 1] A body is discovered almost immediately in chapter one, rather than having to read all sorts of backstory about the characters before the first murder occurs. 2] When we finally learn who did it, the motive and method are both clear and understandable. 3] This may be particular to me, but after working in genetic testing for decades, I appreciated how our sleuths used genetics to determine that one horse had been substituted for another, critical to the plot. 4] Last but not least, the two potential romances that haven't been making much progress over recent books finally make big jumps towards conclusion. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, Cat's Eyewitness...more
I enjoyed this novel so much that I read it in 36 hours and gave it 5 stars on Goodreads and Amazon. The dual POVs of matchmaker grandmother Sara and I enjoyed this novel so much that I read it in 36 hours and gave it 5 stars on Goodreads and Amazon. The dual POVs of matchmaker grandmother Sara and divorce attorney granddaughter Abby, past and present, one per chapter, were done very well. I had no trouble believing that these women actually existed. The plot was unique in that the subject was love and romance, yet we never see how either protagonist finds a match of her own (one reason why I only rated it 4.5 stars, not a full 5). I admit I liked Sara’s story better. Her scenes, mostly set between 1910-1921, brought the world of New York Jewish women to life. The magical realism of Sara's gift for discerning who was destined to love whom was wonderfully creative. Abby’s scenes, especially with her hard-nosed boss, came across more stereotyped than real. Maybe I just found the divorce and prenup discussions too crass and soap opera-ish. Abby had become a divorce lawyer in order to protect wives from being taken advantage of by their deceiving soon-to-be ex-husbands, but she had somehow gotten off track. I would have liked to see at least one scene where we see Abby doing what she’d set out to do. But overall, this novel is a sweet and fast read. Short chapters that easily switched between Sara's 1918 POV and Abby's 1994 POV, each describing their matchmaking experiences, made The Matchmaker's Gift difficult to put down....more
I started out really liking Project Hail Mary. The plot and alien characters were very creative, while the Earth characters were mostly stereotypes. TI started out really liking Project Hail Mary. The plot and alien characters were very creative, while the Earth characters were mostly stereotypes. The story does a good job of moving back and forth between past and present, Earth and spaceship, while always staying in Grace's first-person POV. But the more I read, the more disappointed I felt. This was definitely a novel with TMI, much of which--especially the scientific details--lends little to the story. I have a degree in Chemistry and ended up skimming most of it. I wanted to focus on the wonderful relationship between Grace and Rocky. The ending was well done, but I would rather the book was shorter so I didn't have to slog through so many catastrophic situations that the protagonists had to deal with. By the last third of the story, I was mentally saying, "Oh no, not another almost fatal disaster that will be remedied somehow." But all things considered, I still gave a 4-star rating, but not a 5....more
I liked the characters, especially the felines, but the mystery wasn't that interesting and the story dragged. At least there wasn't too much politicsI liked the characters, especially the felines, but the mystery wasn't that interesting and the story dragged. At least there wasn't too much politics. I confess that I accidentally saw one of the final pages so I knew who the murderer was, but even then I never could see why he did it. I like police procedurals where the reader knows who done it, yet enjoys watching the detective figure it out. However, I wasn't intrigued or drawn in to see how that happened in this case. Disappointing....more
I agree that P is for Peril is a clever combination of two unrelated murders, one of which (the secondary plot line) leaves Kinsey outsmarted and almoI agree that P is for Peril is a clever combination of two unrelated murders, one of which (the secondary plot line) leaves Kinsey outsmarted and almost killed herself. The primary case, that of a missing doctor who may have skipped town to escape a mess of both financial and personal problems, or may have died. And if the latter, was it an accident, suicide or murder? And if it was murder, who done it and why?
According to many frustrated readers, the book ends by not answering the last question. Unlike Sue Grafton's other alphabet mysteries, this one lacks her usual short epilogue where Kinsey sums up what happened. The last three pages are blank.
Interestingly, the copy I got from my local library had an epilogue pasted in. Based on including this final page, I give the novel 5 stars. For curious readers, I’ve included it here, although I recommend reading the entire novel first. (view spoiler)[ Epilogue
In the end, nobody was even charged for the murder of Dowman Purcell. Once Jonah arrived and introduced himself to Crystal and Anica, he asked me to show him the box I’d found under Leila’s bed. He didn’t tell me to open it, but asked if I had my lock-picking tools and then turned his back while I used them. There was $15,000 inside, but no drugs. Instead, there was a nasty collection of hardcore S&M items, not the fun kind. The next day Lonnie had long talk with Jonah. True, the bullet in the house next door’s shingles implicated either Crystal or Leila, but no jury would convict teenage Leila of murdering the man who was so cruelly molesting her. Nor would they convict her mother. And since neither woman could incriminate herself, there was no way to prove beyond a reasonable doubt which one did it. But the missing $15,000 nagged at me. On a hunch, I used my detective resources to find the local “Dr. Kildare,” a pseudonym for prominent women’s abortionists. My excuse was that I was investigating Dowan Purcell’s death and trying to find anyone who’d seen him in early September. Sure enough, the doctor clearly recalled Purcell bringing in his daughter for the procedure—heaven forbid they call it an abortion—since most girls were accompanied by their mothers. Purcell had paid $15,000 cash for the doctor’s services. Respectfully submitted, Kinsey Millhone (hide spoiler)]...more
I listened to this audiobook in two sessions, one on the drive from LA to Phoenix and the other on the return trip. I was hoping to hear more of how tI listened to this audiobook in two sessions, one on the drive from LA to Phoenix and the other on the return trip. I was hoping to hear more of how the animals spoke, but they seldom appeared in the beginning of the story, except for when they disrupted Harry and Fair's long-awaited wedding. There was a long, boring, scene where the experts on bioterrorism and chemical warfare discussed the subjects, which never came up later. Then more interminable TMI about viticulture and winemaking. I felt like I was hearing way too many lectures about subjects I had no interest in, and since it was an audiobook, I couldn't just skim it. It seemed forever until the first murder, not just the missing person, but knowing it was a murder. And that ending was way too gruesome to listen to. I think I'll go back and read the earlier books in the series [11, 12 and 13] that I skipped because I wanted to hear and audio version. Then I'll give up....more
This time I read the print book version of this Mrs. Murphy mystery instead of listening to the audiobook, which vindicated my decision. The two-page This time I read the print book version of this Mrs. Murphy mystery instead of listening to the audiobook, which vindicated my decision. The two-page cast of characters at the beginning is invaluable, and I referred to it many times. In addition, once I'd finished the novel I went back to check out the clues and critical information that I'd missed. Everything held together and I appreciated how the plot explored a new type of criminal enterprise that I wasn't familiar with. All the scenes in the salvage yard, and especially the formal gala there, were a pleasure to imagine after reading the book's descriptions. The animals were as clever and engaging as usual, but I miss seeing Bain among the recurring human characters....more
] I've enjoyed all the Mrs. Murphy mysteries I've read so far, and I've read them in order. But I've so many recommendations that the audiobooks have ] I've enjoyed all the Mrs. Murphy mysteries I've read so far, and I've read them in order. But I've so many recommendations that the audiobooks have an interesting take on the talking animals that when I had a long drive scheduled this week, I decided to try this one to hear in the car. I wasn't that impressed with the animal voices, but I'm glad I tried it out. My main objection to mystery audiobooks is that it is inconvenient to go back to find where a particular clue was dropped. When driving, it is impossible [if I want to reach my destination safely]. So I'll continue to read Mrs. Murphy stories in print form. As for Claws and Effect, I liked the hospital setting and seeing relationships deepen between the longterm characters. I had a pretty good idea who the murderer was, or at least one of the murderers since it wasn't clear how many there were. I could have done with less information about horses and hunting, but I did appreciate that the hunters always let the fox escape, and that we got to hear what the fox was thinking. I also liked the Underground Railroad involvement. But I though the ending was too abrupt; I wanted to know more of what happened to certain characters afterward. ...more
I can see from other reviews that quite a few readers were not as impressed with O is for Outlaw as I was. But compared with Sue Grafton's previous N I can see from other reviews that quite a few readers were not as impressed with O is for Outlaw as I was. But compared with Sue Grafton's previous N mystery, which I gave 3 stars, this was a great improvement. The steps Kinsey took to put all the puzzle pieces together were completely understandable, although I can see why some readers were confused and put off by the two unrelated crimes that Kinsey had to unravel. However that only made her detective skills shine brighter, although there were so many characters involved that I sometimes had to go back to remind myself who a particular one was. But none of them were superfluous. I enjoyed the apartment manager sisters and their tarot card readings; Kinsey couldn't have solved the murder without their help. I also appreciated how the police detectives, after realizing that Kinsey had been set up, turned to her for assistance. And that ending! Although gruesome, I thought it was great. The murder only got what he deserved.
And after slogging through The Golden Enclaves's 30-page bloated chapters, I very much appreciated how short [less than 15 pages] and condensed the ones in this novel were. And as an author, I appreciate how tempting Grafton made it to read just one more chapter because they were so short....more
Until this book, I’ve been a huge fan of Grafton’s Alphabet series of Kinsey Millhone detective mysteries, most of which involve murders. N is for NooUntil this book, I’ve been a huge fan of Grafton’s Alphabet series of Kinsey Millhone detective mysteries, most of which involve murders. N is for Noose involves murders, but I’m not a fan of it. I’ve been reading her books in the series in order and this is my first disappointment. After reading the top reviews on Amazon, it’s clear I’m not alone. The first reviewer summarized, and I agree, “I Love Sue Grafton, But This Is My Least Favorite Thus Far.” I’ve been a novelist, and a fan of all sorts of fiction, so I know a lousy plot when I read one. As the Amazon reviewer complained, “There were parts of this story that really did not make sense to me. I also felt there were certain questions concerning the mystery aspect of this novel that went unaddressed. … there are gaps in this case that I could drive a bus through.” I considered writing a paragraph of spoiler alerts to all the plot holes, red herrings, and ignored clues, but decided not to do that to future readers....more
After finishing Hyde's Have You Seen Luis Velez? I had to read another of Catherine Ryan Hyde's novels. No surprise to anyone reading this, I couldn'tAfter finishing Hyde's Have You Seen Luis Velez? I had to read another of Catherine Ryan Hyde's novels. No surprise to anyone reading this, I couldn't pass up a book called My Name Is Anton. I was shell-shocked by the emotions that ricocheted through me reading this novel; there are so many subtexts involved. On the surface we have the basic romance where love triumphs over all kinds of adversities, where kindness and generosity overcome meanness and cruelty. But underneath there’s how (not why) people, family members in particular, are unable to acknowledge mental illness and therefore can’t/won’t seek help or treatment—a dynamic still prevalent in society today. Also unexamined is how/why one spouse abuses the other, or parents abuse/neglect children. All these are things people are ashamed of and keep hidden. I didn’t see even a hint as to why Anton’s parents kept his deceased brother’s room just like before, when one would expect for them to move to a different apartment asap. Or what the mother’s absent parents were like to have produced such a daughter—as Anton himself describes her—neither helpful nor kind. But all in all, an excellent read....more
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