I enjoyed this novella set in Tokyo. It is a prequel for a bigger series featuring Shig Sato an Inspector in the police
The boEnjoyable novella mystery
I enjoyed this novella set in Tokyo. It is a prequel for a bigger series featuring Shig Sato an Inspector in the police
The book was enjoyable and highlighted some of the differences in the Japanese culture from American culture. I have visited Tokyo and went on a business trip in the early 90s so I felt I could relate to the culture and etiquette that might be foreign to those not familiar with the culture
Mr Brewer does wonderfully of describing his characters and it is easy to visualize their interactions with one another.
I enjoyed the storyline and felt it was a concise believable read. It's speed of conclusion did remind me of a TV serial such as Law & Order I do look forward to reading more in the series...more
What an amazing story. Cannot believe this is a true story. What an experience Alex Messenger endured. The book does an amazing job of describing a liWhat an amazing story. Cannot believe this is a true story. What an experience Alex Messenger endured. The book does an amazing job of describing a life changing adventure journey over the Canadian tundra. He does a great job of describing how the experience transforms him even before the grizzly attack. The details of the attack and the subsequent care plan is amazing and demonstrates his internal strength
Amazing memoir full of description of the tundra and the experience...more
This is an enjoyable book that sheds some deeper light onto Stassi Schroeder. She basically advises her readers to own their choices and to do/be thinThis is an enjoyable book that sheds some deeper light onto Stassi Schroeder. She basically advises her readers to own their choices and to do/be things because that is what you want and it makes you happy not because others say that is what you should do. This book made her seem less shallow than she often seems on Vanderpump Rules...more
This is a fun YA adventure book that is the first in a series. I enjoyed reading this and learning about the main character, the title's namesake. CyrThis is a fun YA adventure book that is the first in a series. I enjoyed reading this and learning about the main character, the title's namesake. Cyrus is on a quest to leave his home island when we first meet him. As the story unfolds we come to understand why he is working toward this goal. We learn about his family and his neighbors. We grow to know Cyrus and his best friend Edward as the story progresses. They add an unlikely 3rd member to their travel party as this first book comes to an end. I eagerly started the second book the next day.
There is a large amount of fighting so if you or your younger reader are not up for that this may not be the best book for you....more
I have enjoyed all the Under Suspicion novels I have read previously and this installment did not disappoint. I find it engaging to read along as LaurI have enjoyed all the Under Suspicion novels I have read previously and this installment did not disappoint. I find it engaging to read along as Laurie Moran works with her production team to investigate old criminal cases. They interview the key players from the cases, many of whom are living under clouds of suspicion due to the unsolved nature of the case. The books also engage the reader in the characters and you can envision their feelings and reactions to the different situations.
Overall I find these books enjoyable and sincerely hope Alafar continues to write these books now that Mary Higgins Clark has died....more
While I enjoyed this book I didn't love it. In many ways it reminded me of John Knowles A Separate Peace. Similar premise of an event at a school withWhile I enjoyed this book I didn't love it. In many ways it reminded me of John Knowles A Separate Peace. Similar premise of an event at a school with a flashback story telling style. While Tartt's writing is good, it feels like it is too long at times. I had a similar reaction to Goldfinch when I read it a few years ago. Basically, I neither love nor hate the book. I'm just somewhat indifferent to it.
Be aware the book is full of drug and alcohol references so if this is not appropriate for the intended reader this may not be the best selection for them....more
False Flags was a high speed and engaging spy novel that is the 10th and final book in a series. I had not read any of the previous installments but tFalse Flags was a high speed and engaging spy novel that is the 10th and final book in a series. I had not read any of the previous installments but that did not prove to be an issue with this book The reader is introduced to Ann Sashakovich and her fiance', Jon Sommers, early in the book. We also learn out about a previous AI competition that has gone awry for Ann and her Stanford classmates that has left two AI's battling each other and trying to influence the espionage world.
The initial setup of the plot involves Ann and her classmates, Glen Sarkov, Dave Nordman, Laura Hunter, and Samantha Trout and their interactions while interviewing for jobs post college. Many of the interviews are with intelligence agencies which we find out are no strangers to many of the characters as they have family members in the business working for different nationalities.
This is actually one of the few issues I had with the book, there were often too many characters referenced and their relationships with the other characters discussed. It was hard to follow and I found myself lost and having to flip back for clarity. I wished while I was reading for a character chart, which I found at the conclusion of the book- which would have been easier to discover if I had been reading a physical book.
Overall the action and the story line were quite engaging. There were many interlinking subplots which the author tied together quite well. I appreciated the author's final chapters where Jon told what happened in the ensuing years to many of the key characters. I would like to have found out what happened further with the AI and the havoc it was attempting to reek on the world. We were left hanging on that one aspect.
All in all I can recommend this book
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy...more
Always fun to visit Lake Eden and this time we got an added bonus visit to sunny SoCal. Hannah's vacatioAnother fun murder mystery with Hannah Swensen
Always fun to visit Lake Eden and this time we got an added bonus visit to sunny SoCal. Hannah's vacation was cut short when she had to rush home to clear Lonnie , her sister Michelle's boyfriend, of murder. The usual cast of characters helped Hannah solve the case. Following clues and leads led Hannah into a perilous situation as usual. My only complaint and why I have it a 3 was the ending felt rushed. The story was flowing along with good details character interaction but then suddenly the solution is just is just abruptly there. It felt a little unsatisfactory. Still all and all an enjoyable read...more
The adventures with Stone Barrington never cease to be sexy and exciting. This book finds him bouncing back and forth between NYC and Key West. RemarkThe adventures with Stone Barrington never cease to be sexy and exciting. This book finds him bouncing back and forth between NYC and Key West. Remarkably, he only bounces between 2 women which makes it a bit less obnoxious than the last time we saw him. This storyline has 2 different threads but Woods does a good job of weaving the story together in a cohesive manner. All in all an enjoyable easy read, not the book if you are looking for deep intellectually stimulating material but still a fun read....more
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I checked the audiobook out from the library. I really enjoyed readiI was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I checked the audiobook out from the library. I really enjoyed reading Hilderbrand's descriptions of St. John as well as her storyline. The character development was well done and I appreciated seeing how the different characters interacted and reacted to a specific event they all had in common. I enjoyed how the story moved between different characters and seeing how specific scenes were perceived by each of the characters.
The mystery portion of the story was intriguing and I cannot wait to read the sequel. All in all a great book....more
I enjoyed this book as I always do with stories by Mary Higgins Clark. I thought it was a good balance of addressing the MeToo topic without being tooI enjoyed this book as I always do with stories by Mary Higgins Clark. I thought it was a good balance of addressing the MeToo topic without being too in your face on the subject. While I did figure out who was the guilty party, it took a while to surmise. The different aspects of the storyline worked well together and the story did a nice job of jumping between present day and going back in time to set up the current situation. My only complaint was the ending felt rushed. It was like the book was getting too long so Ms Clark felt she needed to rush to wrap it up. Other than that I really enjoyed the book...more
This book was very well written. I had no idea of the topic when I first started the book and was a bit worried when I realized what it was about. I aThis book was very well written. I had no idea of the topic when I first started the book and was a bit worried when I realized what it was about. I am not a big fan of the tear jerk novels that often end up on Oprah's book club list. I find those end up upsetting me so much that I cannot enjoy them. Well, this book was not one that has you bawling. It is very poignant and sad at points but I found it more thought provoking then overly sad. The story is well written, alternating between the past in 2013 and the story that is in the future. Napolitano does a wonderful job of showing Edward as human and the struggles he and his family face while trying to move forward from the tragedy they experienced. She really portrays the reality of the fact there is no guide book for dealing with such loss and there is no right or wrong way to handle it. Lacy, John and Edward do their best to move forward. The relationships between them and Edward's with Shay are atypical but honest. I appreciate the closure that is provided at the end of the story and the glimpse of the future that leaves you with a happy view and hope for Edward to have a happy life. I can definitely recommend this book. ...more
This book is awesome. If you are looking for a book to make you laugh then I highly recommend this book. While the subject of mental illness can stillThis book is awesome. If you are looking for a book to make you laugh then I highly recommend this book. While the subject of mental illness can still be a hush hush topic among some circles, Jenny Lawson is doing her best to remove that stigma. Her stories are real and point out the struggles she and others like her go through with debilitating depression and anxiety but they are presented in a fun way that gets the message across without being melancholy. There were many times I was laughing out loud and reading funny excerpts to my husband. All in all this is a great book I can highly recommend. Plus who can't smile while looking at a smiling racoon....more
It's a joy to catch up with Bailey in Harvest, OH. The supporting characters are a pleasure to read aboCandy making and crime solving in Amish country
It's a joy to catch up with Bailey in Harvest, OH. The supporting characters are a pleasure to read about as well. This is a wholesome feel good cozy. The guilty party was definitely a bit of a surprise. This installment had us viewing the English world from Charlotte's perspective a bit more. It is such an innocent view and gives you pause about some everyday things we take for granted. We also get a sneak peek at the main character of Amanda Flower's newest series which seems as though it might be delightful. We will Have to wait and see
It is always fun to read the Laura Childs' scrapbooking series. These books cover both my interests, mysteries and scrapbooking so they don't come outIt is always fun to read the Laura Childs' scrapbooking series. These books cover both my interests, mysteries and scrapbooking so they don't come out fast enough for my reading pleasure. This series is set in the French Quarter in New Orleans and as such has lots of the aspects one associates with the Big Easy. There are parades, fancy dining, and plenty of drinking in the book. There are nods to the city's links with the mystical and the dead as well as the antiques trade so prevalent there. The antiques business is at the center of this particular installment when Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava stumble upon the body of their friend Devon in his antique shop while watching a parade as part of the city's legendary Jazz Fest. The story of their amateur sleuthing to solve Devon's murder is intertwined with stories of their everyday lives, including the scrapbook store, Memory Mine, Carmela owns. There are plenty of visits from ex-beaus as well as glimpses of her current relationship with fiance, Detective Edgar Babcock. All in all the story is well paced and enjoyable with enough suspense to keep the reader engaged. I recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries and fun quirky characters....more
It is always enjoyable to read about Lindsey and her friends. This edition of the Briar Creek Library adventures is a delight as we visit Briar Creek,It is always enjoyable to read about Lindsey and her friends. This edition of the Briar Creek Library adventures is a delight as we visit Briar Creek, CT during a drought in June. Lindsay has a visit from a new town resident looking for gardening advice to save his roses. His thank you roses and more prove to be an unwelcome bit of attention. Fortunately her fiance', Sully and Robbie Vine are able to support her in confirming he lack of interest. This drags all 3 of them into a mystery that grows as the book progresses. We get glimpses of Lindsay and Sully's wedding planning and the lives of their friends and family during this book. I look forward to the next installment and see how Mrs. Cole's aka the Lemon's, new venture pans out....more
A fun cozy set in Key West. The main character, Hayley Snow, is a bit flighty but lovable character who makes some bumbling mistakes while trying to pA fun cozy set in Key West. The main character, Hayley Snow, is a bit flighty but lovable character who makes some bumbling mistakes while trying to prove she didn't commit a murder of her ex's current flame. She is simultaneously trying to land a food critic job at a new magazine in town. All the while trying to prove to herself and her family she didn't make a mistake by following her heart to the Southernmost point in the US. If you enjoy reading about food dishes and the fun lifestyle of Key West you will enjoy this book....more
This was a very engaging and enjoyable read. Milman keeps the reader guessing about who the bad guy is until the end. The Thriller with lots of twists
This was a very engaging and enjoyable read. Milman keeps the reader guessing about who the bad guy is until the end. The main character, Aidan, goes through some soul searching and growth. All in all a good enjoyable book that definitely gives pause to think about what you put out into the digital ether...more
I enjoyed this story in the latest installment of the Stone Barrington saga but I have to admit the shear number of different women he shares his bed I enjoyed this story in the latest installment of the Stone Barrington saga but I have to admit the shear number of different women he shares his bed with in a given week is getting a bit ridiculous- 1 leaves unexpectedly mid-evening and he takes another home instead, really. This story does have some good plot twists and a quick pace. On the other hand there are some plot lines that needed to be cleared up in my opinion- the wink between Betty and Vanessa is never explained for example. Also, for someone involved in the world of espionage and living in a city the size of NYC, it never raises a red flag that the antagonist keeps showing up in the same restaurants as Stone and Dino? While I enjoy the exploits of Stone and his friends I do think the series is getting a bit hurried in the release of the installments and the bit of extra time could be spent firming up plot details and lose ends. Even still, the book is an enjoyable read for a rainy/snowy afternooon....more
A very typical Stone Barrington novel, actually a little less death than normal in this one. Plenty of intrigue and plot twists. Stealth finds Stone iA very typical Stone Barrington novel, actually a little less death than normal in this one. Plenty of intrigue and plot twists. Stealth finds Stone in the UK for the entire book, no Turtle Bay house visits and minimal interaction with Joan. He does visit with Holly, Felicity, Dino, Viv and CIA director Lance Cabot. Not suprisingly, Stone ruffles some feathers and lands in the bedroom repeatedly in this current title. He meets his newest romantic partner as well as his nemesis for this installment while laid up in a military hospital following a car wreck. From there the intrigue, espionage, and plot turns commence.
I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie mysteries since I was a teen. She always lays out the solution so well and her clues and red herClassic whodunit
I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie mysteries since I was a teen. She always lays out the solution so well and her clues and red herrings work so well. Always a joy to read about Poirot although now it is hard not to visualize the actor vs the description Christie uses....more
I found this book to be a rather interesting read. I know several of the reviews I read prior to reading the book thought there was no point to the boI found this book to be a rather interesting read. I know several of the reviews I read prior to reading the book thought there was no point to the book, but I disagree. It was a book that caused the reader to do some self reflection. The premise of silence during their retreat lead to a natural evolution to hearing the characters inner voices without seeming out of context. I could see many aspects of myself in several of the characters. I definitely could relate to Francis' self conversation and her second guessing. I enjoyed the style of the novel where there was a timeline moving the story along, but Moriarty jumps from character to character for the perspective of the story. It made for an interesting progression of the storyline and enabled flashbacks to occur. I also appreciated the flashes forward at the end to see where the characters end up and to get a glimpse of their relationships post their visits to the spa. ...more
Very enjoyable audio book; The narrator does a great job of voice inflections and changing voices for the different personas Ruth takes on as a food cVery enjoyable audio book; The narrator does a great job of voice inflections and changing voices for the different personas Ruth takes on as a food critic as well as her family members. I found it enjoyable to hear about all the different restaurants she reviewed and the escapades she experienced. Overall it was a fun and enjoyable read, I think having lived in NYC made it more enjoyable for me than it might for some. I lived in NYC during the same time frame as the early portion of the book. I think the Audio book might have done better with moving the recipes to the end of the reading rather than intermittent in the book. It was a bit difficult to skip over them readily while listening in the car. Other than that an enjoyable read about a topic I knew little about....more
This was the second book in the Abby McCree series set in Snowberry Creek,WA. The book was a typical mystery set around the Halloween season. There weThis was the second book in the Abby McCree series set in Snowberry Creek,WA. The book was a typical mystery set around the Halloween season. There were the typical clues and false leads found in cozies. The relationship between Abby and her tenant, Tripp, continues to develop awkwardly. This book did have a bit of a thought provoking undertone about how veteran are often misunderstood and the sad realities of the suffering some of them experience due to their times on active duty. All in all an enjoyable book...more
This is the first book i have read in this series. I enjoyed the story with its numerous plot twists. Sara Winston is a well developed character. I feThis is the first book i have read in this series. I enjoyed the story with its numerous plot twists. Sara Winston is a well developed character. I felt like there was more to her than many of the cozy mystery characters. You got to see more of her thoughts and emotions than a typical cozy. I will definitely go back and read the rest of the series....more
It is always enjoyable to read about Hope Early and her adventures in Jefferson, CT. I enjoy the relationships she has with the different generations It is always enjoyable to read about Hope Early and her adventures in Jefferson, CT. I enjoy the relationships she has with the different generations of characters from her older friend, Jane, to her relationship with her sister, Clare. The developing story line with her frenemy Meg and her new friendship with Kitty are always interesting to read as well. I did figure out who was the guilty party but Ms. Sennefelder did a good job of keeping the reader guessing through most of the story throwing lots of possible suspects into the mix.
The story had several twists and turns and it is always fun to read the descriptions of her blogging and food photography. The included recipes always sound yummy, even if I will probably never try them.
I enjoyed this book , it was a fun read. There are some serious moment when Samantha is trying to deciding direction her lDelightful lighthearted read
I enjoyed this book , it was a fun read. There are some serious moment when Samantha is trying to deciding direction her life should follow. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and romantic components too. All in all i'd say it's like reading a chick flick. Definitely a cherry read does gloomy winter day or a perfect beach read...more
This book.is spooky and disarming but keeps you reading even when you're terrified of the outcome. Slimani does an amazing job at getChilling thriller
This book.is spooky and disarming but keeps you reading even when you're terrified of the outcome. Slimani does an amazing job at getting into the minds of the characters. You cannot help but have a bit of sorrow for Louise and wonder what drive her to her vicious acts. The immense impact of mothers guilt is apparent in Myrame.
While I did find the book very engaging I did come away wishing we had been given more background explanation of how Louise came to this point in life. Also a bit more closure on her relationships with Stephane and Nerve would have added to the story. even though I enjoyed the book.and found it engaging, I finished the book feeling like I had a lot of unanswered questions so that's why I didn't give it 4 stars...more
This is the first book by Pam Jenoff that I have read. I cannot wait to read the Lost Girls of Paris after reading The Orphan’s TAmazing story telling
This is the first book by Pam Jenoff that I have read. I cannot wait to read the Lost Girls of Paris after reading The Orphan’s Tale. The story is an amazing tale told during the height of WWII. It gives us a glimpse of the circus life and a perspective on how the rise of the Nazis invaded everyday life in Germany and beyond. This is a story of survival as well as sorrow. Jenoff is an amazing storyteller that keeps you wanting more I enjoyed the format of having 2 narrators and learning the story from both their perspectives. I appreciate that the storyline is given closure to the characters lives in the Epilogue. It’s nice to know what happens to everyone...more