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There are currently 22 member reviews
for The Fifth Petal
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Dawn C. (Meridian, ID)
The Fifth Petal
I read the Lace Reader the first book in this series a while ago. I loved it and it is so fun to have characters in the first book also be in the 2nd book. It took a bit to reintroduce myself to the characters. So we have modern day Salem and the Salem of old when three women accused of being witches were slain on Halloween. Rafferty the Chief of police in trying to solve the murders. I really like the historic elements of Salem of the past, and the Salem of today which is all about capitalizing on witches. This was a light book, lots of fun. I enjoy Brunonia Barry's writing style and can't wait for book 3 Bone Lace!
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Sandra L. (Delray Beach, FL)
The Fifth Petal
Full disclosure: I'm a big fan of Brunonia Barry. To me, the main character of this most recent book is the city of Salem and it's fascinating history. Ms. Barry makes the area come alive with her vivid language. Good story with many twists and turns. Very entertaining!
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Amy E. (Delaware, OH)
The Fifth Petal
Having read Barry's two previous novels (The Lace Reader and The Map of True Places) I was anxious to read The Fifth Petal. I was not disappointed. The question is how does the "fifth petal" connect the 2014 death of a boy, the 1989 slayings of the young girls known as "the goddesses" and the Salem witch trials and hangings? Barry who is a masterful story teller leads the reader to the answer. Being a musician, I found her use of sound in the plot fascinating. For me, the book was a page turner. Probably her best yet.
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Carole P, Framingham, Ma
The Fifth Petal
Excellent!. Thank you BookBrowse for my copy!! Bruonia Barry wrote The Lace Reader ten years ago. A wonderful, suspenseful book set in contemporary Salem, Mass. Fifth Petal is the sequel, totally worth the wait. I will only tell you the basics, so as not to ruin the book for you. Although the time is now, the story involves a gruesome murder twenty-five years ago, the Salem witch trials and a new crime . It is a fascinating look into Salem's past and present. It is also an amazing read. If you haven't read either book, do it now!
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Shirley P. (Colorado Springs, CO)
A Book as Strong as the Roots of the Oak Tree
The oak tree's roots are the strong imagery used extensively in "The Fifth Petal." The story told in this book covers many time periods and several different characters. Do not be discouraged by this as the book carries you along and quickly picks you up and drops you where you need to be to follow the narrative. "The Fifth Petal" is a history lesson of Salem and the generations of witches thought to be present, a love story, and compelling mysteries through the years. I attempted the "Lace Reader" several years ago, and for some reason I let it go, but now I cannot wait to pick it up again. Barry is a masterful story teller and historian. She says it took her five years to complete this book, and after reading it, I can't believe it didn't take her much longer, so filled with backstory and interesting folklore in Salem. So along with reading Barry's other books, I'm putting Salem, MA on my bucket list.
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Sara P. (Longview, WA)
The Fifth Petal
I think that this is a well written book looking at witches in Salem, MA in a unique way. It takes place in present time, but each character has a connection to the past history of Salem with several connections to the women hanged as witches in 1689. There is also a murder mystery to be solved as well as secrets to be revealed. The book both draws the reader into the lives of some very interesting people as well as building suspense in solving the mystery. It has a surprising end in many ways yet is satisfying too for the most sympathetic character. A good read!
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Jennifer S. (Irving, TX)
The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry
Barry doesn't disappoint in this sequel to The Lace Reader. Some familiar characters are back and Barry's unique storytelling keep the reader engaged. I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my patrons.
