My Rating: 4.8
When a woman is murdered in a quaint British village, beautiful newsreader Anna Andrews is dispatched to the scene to report on the case. Detective Jack Harper is in charge of the investigation and suspicious of why Anna is there.
Told from various perspectives and in a series of flashbacks, you soon realize that everyone is a suspect and everyone seems to have a motive. A very creepy fast-paced psychological thriller.
It is always the highlight of my week when I get my Bookmarks magazine in the mail. I almost drool in anticipation of being able to curl up with the magazine and add books to my queue. Their descriptions are great where I get a good sense of whether or not the books will appeal to me. Here are the ones that I added to my queue from this month. I think this is a nice selection and makes me so happy about carving out time for reading.
Although I don't like short stories, I love Jhumpa Lahiri so had to add this to my queue
Let me know if I missed any that you picked out. Also, let me know any good books you are reading that I should add to my queue!
My Rating: 4.9
In the Industrial 1860's, Irish Immigrant Clara Kelly is sent by her family from Ireland to try to make her way in America. She ends up securing a job as Lady's Maid in the home of the up and coming Andrew Carnegie.
Again, Benedict hits it out of the park. This is fiction that reads like Historical Fiction in the capturing of that time period. I thoroughly enjoyed everything on this audio book - the Irish accents, the various voices, the story and the characters. Picture "Downton Abbey" told in 1860's America.
Ms. Benedict, I have only recently discovered you but with reading one book of yours a month, am quickly exhausting your wonderful books....please write faster
My Rating: 4.8
Sisters, Mickey and Kacey were raised by their grandmother and were once inseparable. Now, their lives have taken very different paths. Mickey is a cop and Kacey lives on the streets. With an unfolding string of murders, Mickey gets increasingly concerned as to why she hasn't seen her sister in far too long.
This is told in a series of flashbacks to the sisters childhood and adolescence and then flashes forward to present day. It has a sense of foreboding where you want to rush ahead and yet the writing slows you down to absorb the beautiful flow. Loved the pacing and story.
My Rating: 4.7
In 1931 has so much desperation everywhere. Ellis is a struggling reporter who csptures a photo of two children and their mother with a "For Sale" sign. This photo wasn't meant for publication but leads not only to his big break, but to so many other unintended consequences.
This story was inspired by an actual newspaper photo. It captures the wholesomeness and the sadness of that era. The stories of Lillian, Ellis and the young mother and her children unfold showing how so many things are intertwined. There was a bit too much convenient drama but, it was a well written very readable story.
My Rating: 4.7
Unlike with her own mother, Blythe wants to be a loving warm mother. She has trouble bonding with her daughter and believes that she is very manipulative and something is 'off'. Her husband continually sides with their daughter and doesn't see things the same way. Then when their second child Sam is born, Blythe feels that warm loving connection with her son.
This is a very suspenseful novel as, from the beginning, you know that things have turned out very bad. This was a page turner that was a fast engrossing read. It was very twisted and I loved it!
My Rating: 3.0
A couple, Nuri and Afra, leave war torn Syria in search of a better life. Mustafa, Nuri's cousin, has already made it to London and is waiting for them there. This is about their journey of past, present and the hope for their future.
I know that I am going to be in the minority on this book but, despite the fabulous writing, I did not find this enjoyable. The author's attempt at mixing timelines and dreams with reality made the story hard to follow to the point of being incoherent. I didn't feel that the characters were well developed. The story was sad, depressing and dragged to the point I was very glad when it was over.
My Rating: 4.8
Georgeanna is a Union nurse during the Civil War. Georgie's path crosses with Jemma, a slave girl who is sold off and ends up conscripted in the army. Ann-May Wilson is the plantation owner who owns Jemma and is trying to find her to bring her back.
This is inspired by true events and helps you to feel like you are back in the Civil War times. So much material is covered in this book - slavery, war efforts, picking sides in the war, plantations, war-torn New York, Civil War nursing and more. Extremely well done. I am glad that I read the first two books in this series as it does reference some of those characters, but you could read this as a stand alone.
My Rating: 4.9
Stormie shares her personal challenges in her marriage in a very relatable way. She includes specific prayers at the end of each chapter. Her approach got me to view my marriage in a different way as well as completely changed my approach on praying.
This was one of those books that from the very beginning of reading it and putting it in to practice, I saw God's hand at work in my marriage. It is VERY powerful and I can't recommend it highly enough.
My Rating: 4.9
This starts in 1908 when Clemmie and Winston are married and covers their many years together. She was a driving force in Winston's career as well as implementing groundbreaking ideas such a air-raid shelters and job initiatives for women during WWII.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read of Benedict's and this was no exception. Despite Winston and Clementine's difficult beginnings, they were a powerful duo who left an indelible mark on the world. This was a thoroughly enjoyable and also educational read. I can't wait to read more by this fabulous author.
My Rating: 4.9
This opens on a contented scene of quiet domesticity. Jason is at home with his beautiful wife enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir while she cooks dinner. Their 15 year old son is doing his homework at the kitchen table. At his wife's prompting, Jason pops around the corner to celebrate his college room mate. On his walk back home to his family for dinner, Jason is kidnapped at gun point. He is taken to a remote power plant where he is beaten. The last words he hears are "Are you happy in your life?" before he loses consciousness. When he wakes up, he is surrounded by strangers who all seem to know him and are so excited that he is "back". What unfolds next is a wild ride of Jason struggling to reconnect with his family.
I don't remember how this ended up in my queue. I am not a big sci-fi fan but, from the very beginning, this book reeled me in. I thoroughly enjoyed this read with great writing, excellent character development and such a unique plot line.
My Rating: 3.4
A group of thirtysomething friends have a tradition of going away to a different venue every year to celebrate New Years. This year, Emma picks a very remote estate in the Scottish Highlands. On the train there, it is very apparent that there is a lot of baggage and secrets amongst the group.
Other than the very end where you find out who was killed (which you pretty much can deduce early on) and who the killer was, there is no real mystery here. It was entertaining with the well done voices on audio but the story wasn't fabulous. A bunch of spoiled bratty adults stuck together in a snowed in lodge. This author feels like a cross between Agatha Christy and Ruth Ware which, for me, is not a recommend.
My Rating: 4.8
Alex Vogel just graduated from Harvard Law School and is a first year Associate at the renowned Manhattan Law Firm of Klasko & Fitch. Her long time boyfriend is supportive as long as the job doesn't take over her life. Alex is one of the few women in this male dominated field and she soon decides to take on the challenge of joining their hardworking M&A group. The power, the prestige, the wining and dining of clients all soon mean Alex is pulled into the Boys Club and looses her way.
This was a fabulous read. It starts off light (picture "Suits") combined with an addictive whirlwind work schedule. Soon Alex and the firm is showing their other side and it becomes a complete train wreck. Definite recommend.
My Rating: 3.8
Liz is a successful lawyer just returning to work after maternity leave. When her young son is taken from the home of the childminder, she realizes that her past may be catching up with her. Things spiral from there very quickly with many people close to Liz disappearing or being murdered.
So many twists my brain feels like a pretzel! If you can suspend all reality and go along for the ride, this was a light fun read.
