Friday, April 28, 2017

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

My rating: 3.5

In 1908 Sara Harrison Shea was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her 8 year old daughter Gertie. Now, in present day, Ruthie and her family live in the same farmhouse where Sara Harrison Shea once lived. When Ruthie's mother Alice goes missing, it is the clues from the past that will help her discover her mother's whereabouts.




The writing was solid but I don't care for ghost stories as they always strike me as very implausible. If you like ghost stories, you might enjoy this as it was good writing and a solid storyline.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Everything You Want Me To Be by Mindy Mejia

My rating: 2.0

Maybe I fell for the hype? Maybe I read too many great reviews? Maybe I wasn't in the right mood? Or maybe this writing and storyline was as bad as I think it was.  UGH!  Could the characters have been any more one dimensional (Peter's character as just one example - double UGH!)


I didn't know for sure "who" did it till a little ways into the book but very early on in the book, the author clearly lets us know who "didn't" do it and then proceeds to continue to try to make it think it was that person.  Between a poor plot line, no character development and a red herring murderer that the author spoiled....if this book hadn't been on my beloved kindle, I would have thrown it across the room. Hopefully this review isn't too scathing but, you know you can always count on me to be honest!

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Bookmarks Magazine May/June 2017


This was our first weekend home in a month and I couldn't imagine a more perfect way to spend this afternoon with my feet in the pool and going through my much anticipated Bookmarks magazine:


This edition was packed full of so many books that intrigue me. Here are the ones that I have added to my queue:

     


      

  

Already in my queue from previous issues:
  

If you get Bookmarks, let me know what your picks are and/or please share what good books you are reading as I always love to talk books :-)


Friday, April 21, 2017

Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

My rating:4.7

In the small close knit town of Three Pines, resident Jane Neal has been found dead in the woods. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of the suspicious death.


For me, this book captured so much in such an understated way - small town life, a police detective and his crew and a French Canadian town to name just a few. This is a true "who done it" mystery but weaves in love, life and friendship stories with the beautiful writing. I will definitely be reading more in this series.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

The Girl In The Red Coat by Kate Hamer

My rating: 4.9

Single mum Beth takes her daughter Carmel to a local fair. In the foggy haze, Carmel goes missing.

First off, the writing. Wow!

"I'm looking out of the window and I can almost see her - in those tights that made cherry licorice of her legs - walking up the lane to school. The missing her feels like my throat has been removed."


While the story was sad and even upsetting, the writing was so beautiful. For myself, this wasn't about the story but about the amazing writing. .I lost myself in getting to know every one of the characters, who they were, how they felt and the unfolding of who they were. I love when I still have questions at the end of the book as the author didn't wrap it all up in a bow. I can't wait for THE DOLL FUNERAL, Hamer's next novel to be released in August 2017.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

My rating: 2.8

Lo Blacklock gets the incredible opportunity to cover for her boss doing an article on the maiden voyage of The Aurora. She witnesses a woman in the cabin next to her getting thrown overboard and things unfold from there.

Although being inside Lo's head is a scary place to be this book wasn't scary or a thriller lol! They have put a lot of hype around this to try to make it sound like Agatha Christie meets Girl On The Train (not even close!). I did have to suspend a lot of my questioning of the plot but Lo being a whining, neurotic, alcoholic with zero conscience for her job was definitely something difficult to get past. Lo's thought process was extremely annoying and implausible. Also, there were no likable characters which is challenging.  To top it off, the writing felt very juvenile and I was constantly being told what I should feel. Definitely NOT a recommend.

Monday, April 10, 2017

The Fall Guy by James Lasdun

My Rating: 3.8

Charlie, a wealthy banker with an uneasy conscience, invites his troubled cousin Matthew to visit him and his wife in their idyllic mountaintop house. As the days grow hotter, the friendship between the three begins to reveal its fault lines, and with the arrival of a fourth character, the household finds itself suddenly in the grip of uncontrollable passions



Very twisted and although I enjoyed it, none of the characters were likable and the ending felt anti-climatic. Not a must read.

Friday, April 7, 2017

The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

My rating: 5.0

The Innocent Traitor is the story of scheming parents trying to raise their lot through their daughter. It brings all of the characters to life and is told by various perspectives of the Tudor court capturing everything from the dress, food and protocol of that day.


Alison Weir may be my new favorite historical fiction author. If she was my historyteacher in school, I would have had an A+ in history as she makes it enjoyable to learn about that time period. Lady Jane Grey was Weir's first novel back in 2006. I am glad that I am late in discovering Weir as she now has over half a dozen more historical fiction books. I have already downloaded two more books by her to my kindle. Fabulous read..

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Faithless by Karin Slaughter

My Rating: 4.2

Sarah and Jeffrey stumble on a body that was buried alive in the Georgia woods.


Another roller coaster thriller ride that you never know where it will lead. I enjoy the easy read of Karin Slaughter's books...perfect when you want something light but entertaining.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Fever Dreams by Samantha Schweblin

My Rating: 2.0

Amanda lies dying in a rural hospital clinic. A boy named David sits beside her. This is told in various flashbacks. You know how when you have a fever and have the most wild crazy dreams and, when you wake up, you remember disjointed pieces that are just enough to unsettle you. This book was aptly named. Even after it ended I wasn't sure what to think. On one hand, this captured a fevered dream so well - disoriented, confused, bizarre, patchwork of disjointed pieces. Pieces that I didn't feel came together even in the end.


As much as the writing was amazing, this would not be a recommend.