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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
My review of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevinhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gorky Park – Martin Cruz Smith – 2.5**
As the snow begins to melt, three frozen bodies are found in Moscow’s Gorky Park. This is the first in a series, and Smith gives us an interesting cast of characters, including a dwarf who does reconstructive sculpture from bones to help identify crime victims, and a rich, ruthless and well-connected American mogul. Investigator Arkady Renko will have to battle the KGB, FBI and New York City police to solve this case. It started with a bang, but I began to lose interest with all the subplots and political intrigue. And I found the ending disatissfying.
LINK to my full review
Book Concierge wrote: " Gorky Park
– Martin Cruz Smith – 2.5**
As the snow begins to melt, three frozen bodies are found in Moscow’s Gorky Park. This is the first in a series, and Smith g..."
Several of us on the Mystery & Suspense group on LibraryThing tried reading this as a group read a few years ago and we all absolutely hated it.
I just finished Haven
, the latest by Emma Donoghue. What a disappointment coming from this wonderful author. My three star (generous) review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Liz wrote: "I just finished Haven , the latest by Emma Donoghue. What a disappointment coming from this wonderful author. My three star (generous) review:https://www.goodreads.com/re..."
I guess every author has a dud at least once in their career...but I hate it when I get their dud expecting another good read. At least you finished it, and was generous.
I finished a book that had been on my physical TBR shelf for a couple of years: Bargain with the Devil
by F.J. ChaseMy 3 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PamG wrote: "I finished a book that had been on my physical TBR shelf for a couple of years: Bargain with the Devil by F.J. ChaseMy 3..."
My physical TBR is glaring at me with accusing eyes and I still keep picking up my Kindle. 😄
Rosh wrote: "PamG wrote: "I finished a book that had been on my physical TBR shelf for a couple of years: Bargain with the Devil by [author:F.J. Chase|2..."I know the feeling!
State Of Terror – Hillary Rodham Clinton & Louise Penny – 3.5***
Clearly Clinton provided the behind-the-scenes information on the workings of government on this scale, while Louise Penny crafted the plot, which was fast and furious and held my attention throughout. I wish Clinton hadn’t relied so much on taking digs at # 45, because the basic plot would have worked without that, and it just makes the book seem like a thinly veiled criticism of our former leadership.
LINK to my full review
"The Last Feather" by Shameez Patel Papathanasiou.
The first of a new fantasy series. Left me with mostly mixed feelings but kept me intrigued enough to want to read on.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
To Be Continued – Charmaine Gordon – 3***
I wasn’t expecting much from this coming-of-middle-age book, but I found it to be pretty entertaining. Oh, I did have some issues with the main character, but she eventually got her act together, found a new therapist, a new best friend, a new guy, and a new career. It was a fun, fast read.
LINK to my full review
Let Me Live - Kate Bold - (Tennessee)
Ashley Hope series Book #3
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Keep You Close by Mary Burton 3-StarsOld Secrets make for a new murder
My Review
Tainted Evidence by Rachel Grant 3-StarsLooted Native American remains need to be returned to their tribes.
My Review
Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr 🎧3-StarsJust moving the stories along
My Review
Point Last Seen by Christina Dodd 3-StarsNot I book I wanted it to be.
My Review
I'm not really "on the fence" about this series ... I love them. But great literature they are not, so they only get 3 stars from me. Still ...
A Fistful of Collars – Spencer Quinn – 3***
Book # 5 in the Chet and Bernie mystery series, has Bernie Small hired to “babysit” a notorious bad-boy Hollywood actor who’s the star of a movie being shot on location in his area. Of course, Bernie goes nowhere without his partner, Chet, who is a dog and also narrates the tale. I just love this series. I never get tired of Chet’s way of interpreting what he witnesses.
LINK to my full review
My 3 star review of Undercurrent
by Sara K. Parker:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overall, this romantic suspense novel was enjoyable. While there is plenty of danger and suspense, nothing distinguished it from other novels.
The Upright Piano Player – David Abbot – 3.5***
This work of literary fiction is a striking debut. Abbott gives us the story of Henry Cage, a successful businessman who seems to have it all: a fine home, a successful career, and a reputation for being a principled and upstanding man. But his outward success hides personal failure. Although I liked it, the structure of the book left me feeling dissatisfied, and with more questions than answers.
LINK to my full review
My review of Judge & Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
my review
My 3.29 star review rounded to 3 stars for Wicked Ways
by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
While I enjoyed this one and the premise was interesting, it didn’t quite deliver up to my expectations.
The Kill Artist – Daniel Silva – 3***
This is the first in a series starring Gabriel Allon, whose cover is that of an art restoration specialist. The action is fast and furious and sometimes confusing, as is to be expected in an espionage thriller. There are more twists and turns than a casual reader can keep track of. And a basic knowledge of of Israeli / Palestinian relationships and politics is necessary. This is a long-running series, with over twenty books, but I doubt I’ll pick up another. Just not my cup of tea.
LINK to my full review
Dashing Through the Snow – Debbie Macomber – 3***
Last minute plans to travel from San Francisco to Seattle nearly thwart Ashley Davison and Dashiell Sutherland. Stranded at the airport they decide to share the last remaining rental car. Their road to HEA includes several detours: an abandoned puppy, a pair of petty thieves, and an FBI agent who has mistakenly identified one of them as an international terrorist. But never fear. It’s a holiday rom com and a lovely distraction, so curl up in a comfy chair, with a warm blanket and the beverage of your choice and enjoy.
LINK to my full review
Much Ado About You – Samantha Young – 3***
Evie Starling, a thirty-three Chicagoan who’s just broken up with her boyfriend and been disappointed one time too many at work, decides to take a Bookshop Holiday in England to re-evaluate and regroup. She doesn’t expect to meet the devastatingly handsome local sheep farmer (and his even cuter dog). A charming rom com with all the usual tropes. Perfect for a light holiday read.
LINK to my full review
My review for The Couple at No. 9
It was enjoyable but missed the mark. Nothing set this book apart from others IMO
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for Stuck With Him
A 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative in it. I don't think I was at all, but I got an email telling me my review was not very positive.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Debra wrote: "My review for The Couple at No. 9It was enjoyable but missed the mark. Nothing set this book apart from others IMO
https://www.goodreads.c..."
Oh! Good to know. I was considering accepting this one.
Debra wrote: "My review for Stuck With HimA 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative in it. I don'..."
A thoughtful, lenient review imo. You mentioned several positives which is what I try to do when a book misses the mark for me.
Sandra wrote: "Debra wrote: "My review for Stuck With HimA 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative..."
Thank you, Sandra! I was shocked when I received the email.
Mod
A 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative in it. I don'..."
My goodness! It doesn’t sound negative at all!
Debra wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Debra wrote: "My review for Stuck With HimA 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought..."
I would have been also! Never had that happen to me before and I leave HONEST reviews. Never mean or too negative, but honest nevertheless. I highlight some positives and gently state what didn't work for me. If they're expecting a glowing review for every book they offer, they're not for me.
Jonetta wrote: "Debra wrote: "My review for Stuck With HimA 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative..."
Right! I wonder if they reached out to all readers who left the 1 and 2 star reviews.
Debra wrote: "My review for Stuck With HimA 3 star read. I enjoyed the book but the publisher did not enjoy my review and thought I was negative in it. I don'..."
Is there some "rule' that says all reviews must be positive? Isn't a review the readers opinion of the book? You do have the right to an opinion good, bad, or indifferent. Someone needs to tell the publisher to "get a clue." I agree with Jonetta. There was absolutely nothing negative in that nothing short of EXCELLENT review!
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Friends Sharing Book Love
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Murder 101 – Maggie Barbieri – 2.5**
Alison Bergeron is an English professor at a small, private college on the banks of the Hudson River in the Bronx, who finds herself the focus of a murder investigation when the body of one of her students is found in the trunk of her Volvo, which she reported stolen a few days previously. As a mystery, this was not very well plotted, and I found the reveal completely unrealistic and dissatisfying. But I did find the nascent romance between Alison and Crawford interesting. And I might read another book in the series just to see how that pans out.
LINK to my full review