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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
The Cat Who Played Post Office – Lilian Jackson Braun – 3***
Another charming episode in the life of journalist James Qwilleran (known simply as Qwill) and his precocious Siamese, Koko. I like the series because I like Qwill. His work as a journalist gives him a reason to poke his nose in where it doesn’t belong. If he doesn’t pick up on the significance of a clue, well trust that Koko will point him in the right direction with a yip, yowl or repeated scratching at a seemingly ordinary box.
LINK to my full review
Sea Change
was a bit of a disappointment, mainly because it was too depressing. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Last Chance - Kate Bold - (Florida)
Kaylie Brooks Series Book #2
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Police Procedural
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Graveyard of Lost Children - Katrina Monroe
Genera: F/F Romance /Paranormal
3.5★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sing Her Down by Ivy Pochoda
Not my kind of book due to its gritty violence, but I can see why this author is popular.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Block Party
has been getting a lot of buzz but it was just so so for me. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Inheritance by late Aussie author Kath O'Connor
A poignant read, but not as impactful as I had expected.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Children of the Sun by Beth Lewis
Loved the premise of this cult fiction combined with sci-fi elements, but some elements in the writing could have been better.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Party - Cassidy Lucas - (California)
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Genera: Mystery/Thriller
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really couldn't decide on a star rating for this one...so settled on 3.5. Some will like it but I can't honestly recommend it to most.
In in the minority but Good Night, Irene
was just so-so for me. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Saint Christopher and the Gravedigger - Catherine Cookson - (England)
Narrator: Derek Perkins
Genera: Historical Fiction?
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
One More Time by Mandy Magrohttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Castelmezzano, The Witch Is Dead by Adriana Liciohttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose by Josephine MoonMy review 2.5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gods of Jade And Shadow – Silvia Moreno-Garcia – 3***
Digital audiobook performed by Yetta Gottesman.
Fantasy is not my thing, but this book completely captured me. I loved Casiopea, a young woman who is intelligent, curious, resourceful, and determined. She’s not about to take guff from anyone – human or demon. She’s up for every challenge she’s presented with on this crazy journey to help the Mayan god of death regain his throne. I loved the rather open-ended conclusion. Where will she go? I can only imagine, but I’d be willing to read about her further adventures.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review of Girls and Their Horses
by Eliza Jane Brazier:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This mystery was a slow-burn suspenseful read with plenty of drama as well as great characterization and world-building. However, the book moved back and forth in time and switched points of view between five characters and nine interviews with a police detective. For me, this adversely affected the flow of the novel as well as my overall enjoyment.
The Hindi-Bindi Club – Monica Pradhan – 3.5***
This was highly reminiscent of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club . We have two generations of three immigrant families – mothers and daughters. The central plot revolves around Kiran, who, having married against her parents wishes and now divorced, has decided to ask for their help in finding a life partner. I enjoyed learning a bit more of the history of India, and of the disparate cultures within the subcontinent. Just as in real life, it’s not all drama and angst. There is plenty of humor, tenderness, laughter and tears of joy. Oh, and Prahan includes some wonderful recipes at the end of each chapter.
LINK to my full review
Book Concierge wrote: " The Hindi-Bindi Club
– Monica Pradhan – 3.5***
This was highly reminiscent of Amy Tan’s
The Joy Luck Club
. We have two generations of three immigran..."
Indian moi is cringing at that horribly cheesy title and cover!
The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson
Earlier published in the US as 'The Lost Ticket'. A mixed bag for me, slightly tilted towards the positive side.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Her Dangerous Journey Home
by Lee Swanson:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Historical fiction
Overall, it was entertaining with great characterization and world-building. However, the pacing in the first half was slow and the ending left too many threads open for me. Despite this, it's still an enjoyable read that is entertaining.
Lake Of the Ozarks – Bill Geist – 3***
Subtitle: My Surreal Summers in a Vanishing America. This is a charming memoir of the author’s teen-year summers spent working at his uncle’s resort at Lake of the Ozarks. He did any and all distasteful jobs and enjoyed the company of a bevy of lovely young women who served as housemaids and/or waitresses. The pay was abysmal, but they got free room and board and a sense of independence.
LINK to my full review
A Better Man
Louise Pennyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Explain this story to me like I'm five 🥴
Loving Edie - Meredith May
Narrator: Candace Thaxton
Genera: Memoir/Cute Dog (is that a genera? It should be!)
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
The Santa Suit – Mary Kay Andrews – 3***
This is a charming holiday rom-com with a bit of mystery. The small town is full of colorful characters, and as Ivy begins to become known around town she opens up to her new friends and to the possibility of a new romance. The ending is neatly tied up in a pretty ribbon, but hey, it’s a holiday romance, so I’m okay with that.
LINK to my full review
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds
is a bit of mindless fluff. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
my review for Sunshine Nails
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for
What the Neighbors Sawhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Word – Ellery Adams – 3***
This is book # 3 in the Books By the Bay cozy mystery series featuring Olivia Limoges, her dog Haviland, and a group of writers who meet regularly to discuss their works in progress. This plot involves an historical mystery of an escaped German POW during WW2, and a current-day award-winning author who is found murdered in his rental sea-side cottage. One thing I like about this series is how Adams slowly gives out the backstory of the characters, letting readers get to know Olivia, her extended family, and the residents of Oyster Bay over the course of the series.
LINK to my full review
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Marrying Winterborne – Lisa Kleypas – 3***
Book two in the Ravenels series focuses on Lady Helen Ravenel and Welsh department-store mogul Rhys Winterborne. Her family isn’t so keen on the engagement, but Lady Helen and Rhys will not be denied a wedding, even if they have to … well, if I told you that would spoil it. I certainly understand why Kleypas is so successful at the Regency romance genre. The road to happily ever after is full of bumps and detours to add tension and keep the reader turning pages, but the couple will get there.
LINK to my full review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's really not bad ... I could go either way on recommending or not recommending it. I'm undecided!
Pray For Silence – Linda Castillo – 3.5***
This is book two in the Kate Burkholder series, set in an Ohio county with significant Amish population. This novel involves the brutal murders of a family of seven. I love murder mysteries that feature strong female leads, and I look forward to reading more of this series. But trigger warning: this is a very violent crime with some very disturbing discoveries about the victims and the perpetrators.
LINK to my full review
My review of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Cat Who Played Brahms – Lilian Jackson Braun – 3***
Book five in the delightful cozy mystery series starring James Qwilleran, and his Siamese Koko. Qwill decides to take a sabbatical from the paper, and vacation at a remote cabin on a lake “up north.” Mooseville is certainly NOT the big city, but something mysterious is going on; several of Qwill’s cherished possessions go missing and then a neighboring cabin owner is murdered. I really enjoy this series. I like Qwill and I like Koko, and NO, the cat doesn’t talk but his meanderings and occasional reaction to a visitor frequently point Qwill in the direction of a significant clue.
LINK to my full review
The Gumshoe, The Witch and The Virtual Corpse - Keith Hartman - (Georgia)
Genera: Mystery/Urban Fantasy (Queer elements but not M/M, F/F or even M/F)
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Wind Knows My Name
. Not my favourite although I still adore Allende. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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