Shelfari 50 Book Challenge discussion
Paula's 2022
2. Die Trying - Lee Child4*s
Reacher is caught up unexpectedly with a woman who is kidnapped. They are taken many miles away to Montana to a militia camp. Holly is with the FBI and is pretty self sufficient. The FBI doesn't know that Reacher is not one of the people who kidnapped Holly, so they are out to get him also.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and wasn't disappointed by this one.
3. Old Yeller - Fred Gipson5*s
An old classic I read as a kid and decided to see if I enjoyed it as much. I still loved it and recommended it to my 8 year old grandson.
This book reminds us of how hard life was back in the day and how hard you had to work to make a living. A good horse and dog could make the difference.
4. A Fatal Faberge - Ellery Adams4*s
Molly goes to a party at the request of a cranky man's son. His father Curtis owns an antique book store that is going to ruin. When Molly tries to interview Curtis, he is drunk and rude so she gives it up. Later, Curtis is found dead in what looks like suicide, but Molly thinks is murder.
Molly is dragged into another murder, but these never get old for me.
5. The Trial of Lizzie Borden - Cara Robertson3*s
I found this to be a very interesting book with a lot of pictures of the lawyers and people and places involved in the trial. I liked the way you got both sides of the picture, why the prosecution was sure she did it and how the defense was sure she was innocent.
I liked at the end, we see how Lizzie lived the rest of her life and how Emma lived hers. I only gave it 3 stars because I thought some areas were a little long, but overall an interesting read.
6. Homicide and Old Lace - Delores Johnson4*s
Mandy has a young bride come into the dry cleaning business to alter a wedding dress for her wedding. Normally Mandy doesn't do it but her employee who does, was out that day. As she starts the alterations, Olivia tells her who her husband to be is. Mandy nearly swallows her pins to find it's her own ex-husband Larry! Since she's already started the job, she doesn't want to tell Olivia who she is. Mandy has to deliver the dress to the bride but when she's found dead, Mandy is a prime suspect.
This is a fun series and takes place in Denver, CO which makes it even more fun to read. I love her colorful characters and how she gets her clues.
7. Old Bones -Preston/Child4*
Graves are being robbed in different parts of the world. It comes to the attention of the FBI and Corrie Swanson, new agent to find why.
Nora Kelly an archeologist is approached by a man who has found the diary of Tamzene Donner of the tragic Donner Party. He is a historian and wants to find the Lost Camp and find the secrets there.
These two parties will converge to create an interesting story.
I really enjoyed this book, it had some historical facts and some out there concepts but as usual, well written and good read.
8. The Hate You Give - Angie Thomas3*s
This was a well done book about the racial divide taken from the headlines today. I liked Star's family and their values and working for a better life for the children, it's what we all want.
This seems to be very popular among the YA set, although there are lessons here for adults as well.
9. The Swarm - Arthur Herzog3*s
Killer African bees from Brazil are in the US. They are swarming and killing people. Scientists are trying to figure out how to solve the problem and save the US from ruin.
Good thriller which could happen. A little dry in a couple of places but overall a good thriller.
10. Break Down - BA Paris5*s
Cass is happily married to Matthew. She has gone to a party with her friend and is returning home. She sees a car stopped on the road with a woman in it, but because of bad weather, she doesn't stop. The next day she finds out the woman was murdered.
Cass is upset because she realizes she knew the woman who was killed. She is also worried that she has early onset dementia like her mother, she is forgetting things all the time now.
Between these two scenarios, this book was very hard to put down. I love Paris and look forward to her next book.
11. In Another Time - Jillian Cantor4*s
This was a beautiful story that takes place in WWII. Hanna is a Jewish woman who dreams of a first chair violinist job with the symphony. Max is a Christian bookstore owner. They fall in love and have to face the dangers when Hitler takes over.
There were some frustrating parts to the book but the story was very good.
This is a first time author for me and I will look for more books by Cantor.
12. The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter - Sharyn McCrumb5*s
I really enjoyed this story of a small town in Tennessee and it's inhabitants. All the characters felt real as well as the area it took place in. There were parts where I cried, I laughed and I had goosebumps, you can't ask for more than that in a story.
This was a first time author for me but I will be reading more.
13. The Wild Robot - Peter Brown4*s
Roz is stranded on an island after a hurricane sinks the ship that is carrying the crates of robots. Only Roz survives and some otters activate her. She must learn how to adapt to her surroundings and to communicate with the animals. She mothers an orphaned goose and makes friends with other animals.
This was a very heartwarming book and I look forward to the next in the series. My 8 year old grandson brought it to me to read because he enjoyed it so much and I'm glad he did.
14. Radium Girls - Kate Moore5*s
Young teen girls are taking jobs painting watch dials in a studio in the 1920's. The luminous paint they are using has radium in it. The girls get covered in the radium dust as well as dipping the paint brush in their mouths to make the brush point. They think it's fun that their bodies glow in the dark.
This is such a hard book to read because of the pain and suffering these girls went through, and were denied the truth. The book is very well written and these real people come to life on the page, you feel their pain.
15. Six Weeks to Live - Catherine McKenzie3*s
Jennifer gets devastating news while at her doctor's office. She has brain cancer and only 6 weeks to live. The more Jennifer thinks about it, she believes she has been poisoned and that is what caused her condition.
This was a good plot that had some good twists.
16. The Favor - Nora Murphy5*s
Leah has a favorite liquor store for every day of the week so no one knows how much she's really drinking. She is so unhappy that drink is all that helps get her through. She has lost her job for something that makes no sense to her.
McKenna is also an unhappy wife. She has quit her job that she loved because she had a miscarriage and her husband thinks her job contributed to the loss. McKenna is trying to get pregnant again.
These two women's lives intersect at a liquor store. They don't strike up a conversation, but they are so similar in looks that they are curious about one another.
The way their lives weave will leave you wanting more. This was a very intriguing story, and you find yourself rooting for these women.
I can't wait to read more by this author. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
17. The Wild Robot Escapes - Peter Brown4*s
After Roz is captured and taken to the factory, she is sent to a farm to keep it running. She is happy but misses her old life.
This follows Roz after she escapes from her farm job and journey's home. I've really enjoyed this series.
18. Time Ship - Book 2 - Ian Irvine3*s
This book was actually Book Two of this story but it wasn't listed anywhere for me to review it.
I had not read Book One, but got this free and thought it sounded good. The back story would have been nice, but it didn't detract from this plot.
I thought the premise of the book was a fun one, having a pirate ship from the year 1699 land at a resort in Puerto Rico in the year 2014. The fun soon stops when the pirates are found to have the plague from the 1600's which in todays world are thought to be fatal.
I found the book to be entertaining.
19. Seven Sisters - Earlene Fowler4*s
Benni and Gabe are shocked to find that Gabe's son Sam is planning on marrying one of Gabe's deputy's, and that she is pregnant. She is a member of a very rich and powerful family, but they are an odd bunch. During the get together of the families to announce the wedding, one member of the Brown family is shot and killed.
I love this series and this one did not disappoint. There is a new detective in the Sheriff's department, Hudsen who is quite a colorful character and I hope he appears in more books. I love Dove and her antics. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
20. A Killer Plot - Ellery Adams4*s
This is the first book in the Oyster Bay series. It was a fun read and I'm looking forward to more books in the series.
Olivia Lamoge is an intriguing character and I love Captain Haviland, her black standard poodle sidekick.
I'm looking forward to the next one.
21. One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow - Olivia Hawker4*s
Cora and Nettie Mae have lived on the prairie for 8 years. They haven't socialized other than to borrow something they need. The two of them are thrown into an unthinkable situation where they must combine their households to survive.
This is a beautifully written book about love, loss, family and survival in 1800's Wyoming. I loved the descriptions of the area and life in that time, how hard it was to live and survive.
22. Murder at Mulberry Bend - Victoria Thompson4*s
Sarah agrees to help a friend understand his dead wife better. She volunteered at a Mission for girls who tried to help them get off the streets. One young lady that Sarah had met, winds up dead wearing some clothes that Sarah had donated to the Mission. Against Malloy's wishes, she tries to track down the killer.
The more I get into this series, the more I like it. Sarah is such a strong character and I always look forward to what she will get into next.
23. Dead Silent - Robert Feriggno3*s
Nick's best friend is visiting with his girlfriend for a few days. Nick's wife Sharon isn't happy about it, but puts up with it because of Nick. Nick and Allison go to a function together because Sharon had too much work to do. When they come back, they find Perry and Sharon dead, naked in their hot tub.
I actually thought this was pretty good, it had a good story and was a page turner but there were a lot of characters and some of them were superfluous. It was short on feelings about the dead friend and wife, a little mechanical in that area, but I would read more by this author.
24. When the Stars Go Dark - Paula McLain4*s
Anna is facing a personal tragedy and her husband tells her to leave so they can have space. She goes to a small town where she grew up and an old friend is trying to find a missing teen. Anna is a detective and specializes in finding missing kids so she offers to help.
This is a first time author for me, and I liked the writing style and suspense. I understand the author normally does historical fiction and I look forward to reading those.
25. Dark Rivers to Cross - Lynne Reeves4*s
Lena runs a vacation area in Maine with rustic cabins. Her two boys help by taking guests on tours, hiking and fishing. Jonah is going back to college and Luke has chosen to stay and help run the resort. Both boys know they are adopted and Jonah wants to find his birth parents but Luke is happy not knowing. Lena tries to talk Jonah out of it but he is insistent.
This was a very good read, going back and forth to learn how Lena and the boys came to the resort and where they were from. There is one thing toward the end of the book that bothered me, and that's why it has a 4* rating rather than a 5. It doesn't ruin the story, just something that bothered me. I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review the book.
26. In the Woods - Tana French3*s
Three friends go off to play in the woods, only one is found later and can't remember anything that happened. 20 years later he is a detective and on a murder case close to his childhood home.
The writing is excellent, I kept wanting to read and get lost in the pages, but there were sections towards the end that made me shake my head. I might be tempted to try another because of the writing and the way it draws you in and hope it doesn't leave you hanging.
27. Rosemary - Kate Clifford Larsen4*s
Not much is known about Rosemary because her parents did all they could to hide this lovely person. She was born mentally handicapped and after reading about the nurse who held Rosemary in the birth canal for 2 hours so the doctor could get there for the delivery and make some money was appalling! Rosemary was loved but treated as an embarrassment to the rest of the family, mostly Joe and Rose who were trying to get ahead in politics.
This is such a tragic story and my heart pours out to Rosemary. I'm thankful I was born into a middle class family where having money wasn't an issue if I hadn't been born perfect.
29. I've Got My Eyes On You - Mary Higgins Clark3 *S
Kerry is getting ready to go to college and since her parents are gone til the next day, has a party for her friends. Her parents find her dead in the pool when they get home.
I always enjoy MHC, but this one just seemed a little more predictable. I really liked her next door neighbor who was mentally handicapped. He was a very lovable character. I would give this 3.5 stars if I could.
28. Tails You Lose - Carol Perry3*s
Lee is teaching a class in an old department store that has been turned into a school. The story goes that the top floor is haunted by a woman in white.
This was good but not as good as the first one. I'll continue with the series and see how the next one goes.
30. Lethal Licorice - Amanda Flower4*s
Bailey has moved to Harvest, Ohio from New York to help her grandmother after her grandfather's death. Her grandparents are Amish but Bailey is not. She has entered the Amish candy festival for her grandmother's Swissmen Sweets candy store. Some people are not happy that Bailey is there as she is the only one not Amish. Josephine Wheeler is very upset about it and makes a fuss in front of the judges, but Bailey wins out. Later, Josephine is found dead inside the workings of an organ in a church nearby.
This was my first of the series that I've read and I found it to be very pleasing. I will continue with the series.
31. Lethal Clichés - Ellery Adams4*s
Olivia supports Laurel from her book club to be a reporter. There have been a string of robberies lately and Laurel is interviewing the victims. Olivia receives a letter that terribly upsets her. She is also working on finding out who sent it to her.
I loved the first book and this was just as good if not better. I loved all the different factions going on in this book and am looking forward to the next one.
32. At Sea - Emma Fedor4*s
Cara and Brenden meet and there is an instant mutual attraction. Brenden tells her after they have been out a few times that he is in Special Forces and has been surgically modified to breathe underwater. Cara is skeptical but he proves it to her.
I loved the writing style of this author, I became so immersed in the story that I didn't turn my light out until 1:30 this morning so I could finish it. It was with mixed emotions because I wanted to continue reading about these characters. I became so close to Cara and all she was going through as well as those around her.
I would have liked a little more clarity at the end, but it was satisfactory. I'll look for more books by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and to Gallery Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
33. Forests, Fishing and Forgery - Tonya Kappes4*s
Mae is enjoying all the people who are coming to the campground. She has a bachelor party group coming in and they are rowdy so she's worried about them but other than that, life is good.
Love this series and this one keeps you guessing until the end as to who the protagonist is!
34. Hatchet Island - Paul Doiron4*s
Mike Bowditch and Stacey are on the way to Bayer's Island after receiving a message from Kendall about weird goings on at the bird sanctuary. The leader, Maeve has been missing a few days and the lobstermen are bothering the volunteers.
This is book 13 in the series and the first one that I've read. I didn't feel lost bu it would give some background on the main characters to have started from number one. I thought the book was well written and the descriptions by the author make you feel as if you are there.
I look forward to reading the previous books. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.
35. Look Closer - David Ellis5*s
A wealthy woman is found dead, hanging from her 2nd floor banister on Halloween. So starts this very twisty tale.
This book could not have had a better title, you keep reading because you can't wait to see what happens next. As things unravel, you sit back and have to take a breath. Really, did that just happen?
This is one of those books where you can't say too much or you might give the plot away, but it is well worth the read. I'll be looking for more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.
36. Fragment - Warren Fahy4*s
A group of people doing a Sea Explorer show stumble upon a remote island. They soon discover that the island is deadly.
I thought this was a fun read with something different than the usual dinosaurs that time forgot. A few of them I kept hoping would get eaten and done away with, but it was an entertaining read.
37. The Souls of Lost Lake - Jamie Jo Wright4*s
Starts out in present day with a ghost story sitting around a campfire. Now a young girl has disappeared and no one wants to think about Ava Coons, who the ghost story is about and is said to roam the woods and steal young girls.
This is a first time author for me and I very much enjoyed this book. The tale is told from present day told from Wren's perspective, and the past from the 1930's with Ava Coons telling her story. Both stories have their secrets and I usually figure out what happened early on, but this book kept me in the dark until the end. Very enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
38. Lies - T M Logan4*s
Joe has a happy life with his wife and young son. After picking his son up from school, William spies his moms car so they decide to follow her surprise her. Turns out, she surprises them with where she goes.
This is one of those books where nothing is as it seems and has a twist. I listened to it on audio and enjoyed the time I had to listen. I thought it was worth the read.
39. Years - LaVyrle Spencer4*s
Lannea is going to a small town in North Dakota for her first year of a teaching assignment. She is 18 and has a lot to learn. Theodore picks her up from the train station but was expecting a man. He is furious because the school teacher stays at his house with he, his mom and son. No one else will take her so she stays with them.
This is a good historical romance. It makes you laugh and cry.
40. Christmas, Criminals and Campers - Tonya Kappes4*s
A famous author comes to town. She's going to stay at the campground to write her new book and brings her manager with her. The librarian is her most ardent admirer and is so excited to meet her so plans for the author to come to Normal's book club. Nadine, the author, is rude and hurts the librarians feelings, and when Nadine winds up dead, she is the prime suspect.
I love listening to these stories and look forward to the next one. The recurring characters are a fun bunch of people.
41. One of the Girls - Lucy Clarke3*s
Bella plans a hen party for her best friend Lexi on a greek island. There are six women total and gradually their stories come out. Everyone seems to have something to hide and as the story unfolds, we get a look into these women's friendship.
I liked this book but I didn't love this book. There were a lot of characters to keep up with and hints throughout that something big was going to happen. Something did happen but the journey getting there was long.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.
42. In Trump Time - Peter Navarro4*s
A good expose of people inside the White House during the Trump years and how he really handled the pandemic. He explains the PPE shortage as well as other aspects of this terrible time. Also the 2020 election.
I found it to be an interesting read.
43. The Poacher's Son - Paul Doiron4*s
Late one night, Mike Bowditch gets a message from his estranged father. He tries to call him back but can't reach him. He finally finds out that his father is accused of murdering 2 people, one an officer of the law. He hasn't seen or heard from his dad in a couple of years, but sets out to prove his innocence.
This is the first of a series. I recently read an ARC in the series but it was #13. I really liked the book so have decided to start from the beginning, and I wasn't disappointed.
44. Before You Knew My Name - Jacqueline Bublitz3*s
Two women travel to New York to build new lives. Alice is 18 with no family and Ruby, a 36 year old trying to start a new life. They do not know each other and have never met until the tragic day that Ruby finds Alice's body.
Alice narrates the unfolding story, but it gets a bit confusing at times. I had to look back to see who some parts were talking about. The book is written in a flowing prose but I got a bit bogged down in a couple of places.
This is a sad book but also has hope associated with it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.
45. The Last Words of Madeleine Anderson - Helen Kitson3*s
Gabrielle is in her 40's and her job is to keep house and cook for the vicar. She has published a book that was well received but can't seem to write another. She receives a letter from a fan who wants to meet her and eventually comes to visit. Gabrielle thought it was a woman but it turns out to be a man, 20 years her junior at the door.
This was a good plot but I found some parts to be unbelievable. I even rolled my eyes a couple of times. There are a couple of twists, one I didn't see coming. I would read another book by this author.
46. Dirty Dealing - Gary Cartwright4*s
Just finished reading this book after having it for years. We lived in El Paso while this stuff was going on so recognized some of the names.
Cartwright does a good job of telling of the out of hand drug smuggling and law enforcement during this time. Very tumultuous times.
47. Grave Descend - John Lange3*s
A yacht has supposedly sunk and McGregor has been called in to try and raise it. The more he meets with the insurance person, the more questions he has and thinks something is fishy.
This is a Michael Crichton book written under his pen name, John Lange. It is a quick read with a much more jocular attitude than his other books but is a decent read. My copy had a biography of Crichton at the end which I found interesting.
48. Fortune and Glory - Janet Evanovich4*s
Stephanie and Grandma are after Jimmy's treasure and there are some pretty nasty guys trying to get the keys from Grandma. Stephanie is also having to get some guys to rebond. They aren't as easy as some earlier ones.
I enjoy most of these books but this one was a really good one. I look forward to the next one.
49. Assaulted Caramel - Amanda Flower3*s
Bailey leaves New York to go to Amish Country in Ohio to visit her Amish grandparents. Her grandfather is not well. When she arrives, a man is arguing with her grandfather, and her grandfather falls to the ground. She rushes to his side and the doctor is called. His prognosis is not good. The next morning, the man who was arguing with her grandfather is found dead in their candy shop.
I enjoyed this book and getting to know the characters.
50. Sweet Water - Cara Reinard4*s
Sara and Martin get a phone call that their son needs help. He is in the woods near their home. When they get there, they find Finn's girlfriend, dead. When they finally find Finn, he is drugged and can't remember what happened. Martin takes over and reaches out to his parents who start planning the coverup.
This is a book about secrets and how rich families handle bad situations. It's another book that makes you glad you're not rich. I wasn't surprised by the twists, I saw them early on but I still thought it was a good read.
1. Murder Gets a Makeover - Laura Levine
4*s
Jaine let Lance talk her into a free makeover by a person who does makeovers for the stars. When she shows up for first appointment, Bebe is a very rude and ruthless boss. Jaine feels sorry for the workers she meets and is especially the guy who brings in the laundry and is bombasted for having metal hangers only to find out that he is Bebe's husband. Jaine finds Bebe dead in her office, strangled with a metal hanger and she is the prime suspect.
I always enjoy these books and Prozac the cat is always funny. Anxious for the next one.