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Reviews by Peggy K. (San Diego, CA)

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What Doesn't Kill Her: A Reeve LeClaire Series Novel
by Carla Norton

Killer Designs (5/8/2015)

Whether you have read Carla Norton's first Reeve Leclaire mystery or not, this book will keep you turning the pages and going back to read the first book.

This is a real thriller with an incredibly brave young woman still struggling to recover from her own touch of evil and …more

The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth

Magical Tales (4/8/2015)

This was a very interesting book in so many ways. Most readers know a bit about the Grimm brothers but it is safe to say that few may know the story behind those books of fairytales.

Dortchen Wild grew up in Cassel and though she knew the Grimms there was some restriction by …more

The Life I Left Behind
by Colette McBeth

Friendship (11/3/2014)

Interesting psychological mystery. Attacked and left for dead by a close friend, Melody Pieterson no longer trusts anyone. She has locked herself away from the world.

Now her attacker is free and there is a new victim. Melody can no longer hide from the rest of the world. …more

Bitter Greens
by Kate Forsyth

Timeless Tales (8/8/2014)

This is a beautifully written book about three women. The youngest is the center of a well known fairy tale. The second will be her tormentor and the narrator a French aristocrat imprisoned herself in a convent.

The truth behind the fairy tale is very different and this …more

The Quick
by Lauren Owen

Shadows (4/19/2014)

This is a rather long story that doesn't get to its main plotline for some chapters. For myself it was simply too slow. On the plus side characterization is very well defined and in that it is a bit like reading Dickens. I like a good mystery and this one has an interesting …more

The Venetian Bargain
by Marina Fiorato

The Four Horsemen (12/26/2013)

The Venetian Bargain is a beautifully written love story with great depth. The main character, Feyra, is so well written and attractive that readers will find her hard to forget even after the last page.

There is such quality to the details about Venice, Constantinople and …more

Where Monsters Dwell
by Jørgen Brekke

Mystery Within a Mystery (11/16/2013)

This was one of the most unsusual mysteries I've read this year. First off you have two murders seemingly committed by the same person in two different countries related to another murder committed hundreds of years ago. Then you have a cast of characters who aren't your …more

Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole

Love in the Air (6/21/2013)

What a truly beautiful story and actually you get two stories for the price of one in two different eras. It would seem hard to develop a real story using letters as the main course but it works very well here and I believe this will appeal to ages 14 and up in females. …more

Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo

The Long Road Home (5/10/2013)

I look forward to each new book of Linda Castillo's Amish series. The tension is so tight it is almost unbearable. The opening scene with the accident brings you into the story and from that point you are hooked and can't put the book down. I find the Amish fascinating and …more

Fever
by Mary Beth Keane

Fever Blues (3/29/2013)

On the surface here you have a simple story of a young Irish woman trying to make good in America. A good read but this isn't just any young woman, this is the woman we all know now as Typhoid Mary. The book fictionalizes her personal life using the facts of her medical …more

Sentinel: A Spycatcher Novel
by Matthew Dunn

Russian Tea (6/9/2012)

I loved this book. Will Cochrane is Jason Bourne and James Bond in one body and even then still tougher than both. This is a real spy thriller and the tension goes up and up and up until the end. The action is nonstop.

It reminded me most of Ludlum's work but this book is …more

The Secrets of Mary Bowser
by Lois Leveen

Contrary Mary (4/11/2012)

This book opens new territory about slavery. Forget what you think you know about American slavery. Travel with Mary Bowser as she goes from slave to free negro. By itself it is a wonderful story but given the historical facts it is also a chance to have your mind …more

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great
by Eva Stachniak

Royal Spydom (12/26/2011)

Told from the view of a young woman ordered to be the "tongue" for the Empress, this story gives us a peek into the world of the Russian royalty and in particular Catherine the Great when she was just Sophie. There is so much information here and so much intrigue. It is a …more

Proof of Heaven: A Novel
by Mary Curran Hackett

A Mother's Love (9/3/2011)

For me this was not exactly a fast read. I found the story very touching and an illustration of the power of love to protect and sometimes overprotect and live in denial. There is a lot of talk about faith in this book but there is a fairly good balance too with both sides …more

In Search of the Rose Notes: A Novel
by Emily Arsenault

Finding Rose (6/13/2011)

This isn't a bad book but for me it wasn't above average. It was very slow moving in plot and not quite the mystery I had expected. Still I found the discussions of childhood by the main characters to be of some interest. I believe a book club would really be able to to get …more

The Informationist: A Thriller
by Taylor Stevens

Dark Africa (4/7/2011)

This is just a wonderful read. Mystery, suspense, thrills and chills abound in this book. It is also a very solid plot line telling you so much about Africa keeping your attention riveted until the very end. I am looking forward to the next book and hoping this will be a …more

Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure
by Beth Mcmullen

Spying in Suburbia (2/8/2011)

I loved this book and I don't even have kids. I think most young mothers would love this book as well but any female reader will like it. It is the perfect summer read. I found it the perfect mix of suburban life and having a job spying for the country. Made me wonder if …more

Ever By My Side: A Memoir in Eight ~~Acts~~ Pets
by Dr. Nick Trout

Animal Tales (12/23/2010)

What a delightful book. Perhaps it is because the author is of my age and many things he talks about are easily understood and remembered. If you love animals you will love this book. It is full of stories about animals and at the same time you learn a great deal about the …more

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Deadly Beauty (10/1/2010)

I admit I love Jack Reacher. He is a loner and perhaps that might put some readers off but give him a try at least once. This book is one of the best yet from Lee Child. It has everything you want in a mystery. There is action so fast it makes your head spin and characters …more

An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
by Jeff Guidry

A Love Story (5/6/2010)

I wanted to read this book because it dealt with wildlife and humans interacting in a good way.

I thought it was a beautiful story and well worth the read. It is a small book but it is filled with so much love and affection on both sides. It truly touches the heart and I …more

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Dream Count
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A searing new novel from the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, exploring four women's desires.

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The Jackal's Mistress
by Chris Bohjalian

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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