Currently Reading 2024

[PamG]

I recently finished two books by Emily Shiner.

Three Drowned Girls
Rating: 3.88

One Liar Left
Rating: 3.98

Books 1 and 2 in the Detective Freya Sinclair series
Police Procedural
Chilling Prologue, dark and disturbing
Powerful Page-Turner

[Rosalyn]

Dark, theatrical, atmospheric, classic Gothic horror done right. It is deceivingly hard to write in the tone of a different period and describe the setting of a bygone era, but the Victorian era is Purcell's playground, you can tell she feels comfortable in it and writes beautifully without it being too flowery. The horror elements are gradually introduced, a shadow that grows darker and encompasses more as you read on, spinechilling.

my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PamG]

I originally forgot the review links. (Thanks, Rosh).
I recently finished two books by Emily Shiner.

Three Drowned Girls
Rating: 3.88
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

One Liar Left
Rating: 3.98
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Books 1 and 2 in the Detective Freya Sinclair series
Police Procedural
Chilling Prologue, dark and disturbing
Powerful Page-Turner

[PamG]

Here is my 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review of Lost Birds by Anne Hillerman:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery / Crime Novel
Good characterization and excellent world-building
Multiple subplots
Rushed ending

[PattyMacDotComma]

Ah - a couple of goodies from the #NeverTell short story collection.

Both are about women in the desert in very different, life-threatening circumstances. Deserts lend themselves to mystery, I think. One woman is a crook, while one is a tattooist.

This one is the crook:
Scorpions by Rachel Howzell Hall

My review of Scorpions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

This one is the tattooist
Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda

My review of Jackrabbit Skin

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

A realistic and nostalgic read - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 The Radio Hour by Victoria Purman https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen | read by Elizabeth Jasicki | Review
Second book in the On Devonshire Shores series

[Jenny]

Finished Illustrated Girl by Josephine Angelini


My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

I read Shelterwood , another excellent work of historical fiction by Lisa Wingate focusing on chikdren. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

Finished Aftermath: Life in the Fallout of the Third Reich, 1945–1955 by Harald Jähner | read by Rob Shapiro | Review
Details life of the surviving German population, mostly children, women, and imprisoned soldiers. Also the challenges facing the freed Jews into returning to their home communities.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical Mystery / Espionage
WW II
11th and final book in the Maggie Hope series
Well-researched
Good characterization and atmosphere
Strong and Impactful tale

[PamG]

Here is my 3.39 rounded to 3 stars review of Lying Next to Me by Gregg Olsen:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery / Police Procedural
Great Characterization, but unlikeable characters
Switches points of view frequently
Flashbacks without warning
Great atmosphere
Dark and twisty plot

[Rosalyn]

Ron Chernow wrote the definitive biography of, in my humble opinion, the de facto first president of The United States. From the exotic and scandalous circumstances of Alexander Hamilton's birth to his sudden ascension to the ranks of the exclusive, venerable group now known as the Founding Fathers, to his dogged perseverance in creating the foundational institutions that were to secure the new country's place in the world, Chernow tells not just a timeline, but also of Hamilton's psyche during each pivotal event, which is one of resoluteness and stubbornness that propelled him to achieve great feats and also lead to his premature death.

my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar | read by Lara Sawalha | Review soon
Searching for a safe haven in the Middle East and all the while discovering the history of family.

[Sarah]

Disappointed in this one. I had heard such good reviews of Good Material but it fell flat in my eyes —> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I finished my 43rd book

[PamG]

Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of Her Second Death by Melinda Leigh:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Short Story / Novella
Prequel to the Bree Taggert series
Police Procedural / Mystery
Decent intro to the main character
Entertaining, Fast-paced, and Engaging

[Jenny]

5 stars for Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao


Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PattyMacDotComma]

I'm glad I chose Michael Connelly's Bosch series as one to read each month this year. Angels Flight is the short funicular railway in L.A. that hauls people up and down a very steep hill. Two murder victims are discovered, spoiling Bosch's childhood memories of riding it with his mother.
My review of Angels Flight

[PamG]

Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of Deadly Fall by Elle James:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Romantic Suspense
Entertaining, Tense, Atmospheric
Good Characterization
6th and final? book in the Devil's Shroud series
1 steamy scene @ circa 50%

[pastbedtimestories]

A Wizard of Earthsea

Just finished the above and am currently reading the below. :-)
Wizard of Earthsea was amazing.
And Stephanie Plum in One for the Money is
absolutely hilarious so far.

One for the Money

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Currently reading If Something Happens to Me and The Secret Book of Flora Lea

[Christine]

Flight Risk by Cherie Priest
A fun cozy mystery.

[PamG]

Here is my 3.19 rounded to 3 stars review of Troubled Waters by Carly Fall:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Paranormal Military Romantic Suspense
Book 1 on the Supernatural Renegades series
Lacked Suspense
Slow pacing
Some action late in the book
Lack of depth on supernatural power
Good setting and characterization
Enjoyable as a romance

[Christine]

[Melindam]

My 4-star review of by Nicola Nice

[Christine]

I finished my 44th book

[PamG]

Here is my 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review of Rules Of Prey by John Sandford:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery / Crime Thriller
First book in the Lucas Davenport Prey series
Unsettling, action-packed, compelling characters

[PattyMacDotComma]

Popular author Catherine Ryan Hyde chose an intriguing title, Life, Loss, and Puffins for her story of two kids, outsiders (one's only 13!), who embark on a quest/road trip, seeking real experiences, away from classrooms and screens. I suspended disbelief and enjoyed the ride.
My review of Life, Loss, and Puffins

[PamG]

Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of The Novelist from Berlin by V.S. Alexander:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical Fiction
Slow Pacing
I had a hard time engaging with it.
Based loosely on the list of German novelist Irmgard Keun
Seems well-researched

[Leanne]

The Ski Jumpers
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...


Saving Emma
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

Both books by two of my favorite authors. More fun because the stories revolve around my home state Minnesota.

[Denise]

I'm reading London by Edward Rutherfurd, The Direction of the Wind by Mansi Shah, This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Klagmann, add Dear California by David Kipen

[Christine]

[Angela M]

I read Sipsworth . 3.5 stars rounded up.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I'm currently reading The Rom-Commers, Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family, and Check & Mate.

[Annistyn]

from blood & ash... Just finished 4th wing and ACOTAR

[Christine]

I finished my 45th book

[PattyMacDotComma]

Caroline Kepnes woke up The Bad Friend with a satisfying (to me) surprise in her short story from the #NeverTell collection.
My review of The Bad Friend

[PattyMacDotComma]

A cute new children's picture book, A Wild Windy Night by Yui Abe is wilder and windier than little Ricky expected!
My review of A Wild Windy Night

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished these two:

- my If Something Happens review
- my Rom-Commers review

Currently reading Hidden Valley Road, finishing Check & Mate, and about to start Starter Villain.

[Phrynne]

My review of Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PamG]

Here is my 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review of Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Police Procedural / Romantic Suspense
Third book in the Bree Taggert series
Good characterization, strong female main character
Plenty of tension and suspense, light on the romance side
Surprise ending

[Angela M]

I read The Spectators . 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I finished my 46th book

[Annistyn]

From Blood & Ash

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

A touching, heartwarming and humorous read - One Long Weekend by Shari Low ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PamG]

Here is my 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review of She Serves the Realm by Lee Swanson:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical Fiction
Well-rounded and heartfelt tale with a compelling storyline.
Set in England during the reign of Edward II in Aug 1311 - Mid-1312.
Excellent World-building and Good characterization
Excellent Historical Notes section

[Denise]

I'm doing a mini read-a-thon and plan to finish Flowers for Algernon, If cats Disappeared from the World, and I Work at a Public library (anecdotes) this week

[Christine]

Sandy how’s your book going called One Long Weekend by Shari Low?

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ for The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...