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Reviews by Sue P. (Richardson, TX)

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The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel
by Jenny Wingfield

An Instant Classic! (7/7/2011)

This book was, quite simply, one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. The characters are so rich, the descriptions so evocative, the events so spellbinding that for the time it took me to read it, I WAS in 1950s Arkansas breathing the air, tasting the food and smelling the same scents as the Moses and Lake families. I didn't just read this book - I inhaled it - devoured it.

Prophecy: An Historical Thriller
by S.J. Parris

Prophecy (3/31/2011)

Astrology, black magic, the occult - all play a part in this novel by the author of HERESY. Fans of Historical Fiction should put this book at the top of their lists. Parris writes knowledgeably about her subject and captures the English Medieval times just as we might envision it.

Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
by Peter Robinson

"Bad Boy" = GREAT Read! (7/2/2010)

This is the best Inspector Banks book in years, which is saying a great deal - because this whole series is excellent. I was absolutely riveted from the beginning. Characters (new and existing) were fully-fleshed and believable. Suspense ran extremely high and the action seemed to never stop. Don't start reading this book unless you are prepared to put everything else aside until you finish.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel
by Nancy Pickard

Pickard Deserves Every Award She Has Won (2/21/2010)

This book is absolutely no exception. She captures the essence and character of not only small towns and communities, but the spirits and souls of those who inhabit them. Suspenseful and intriguing, she is certain to garner more awards for this beautiful novel.

Under This Unbroken Sky
by Shandi Mitchell

Still Reeling From This Debut Novel (9/13/2009)

I was so involved with the characters in this novel that I dreamed of them. The suspense rivals the most nail-biting thriller I've ever read; the passion and beauty of the language is sometimes overwhelming; and you will never forget the climax. Not an easy read, but a wonderful one.

Valley of the Lost
by Vicki Delany

Another Good One From Vicki Delany (1/1/2009)

This is a sequel to Vicki Delany's first book, In The Shadow of the Glacier - and a good one, too. My only negative comment is that if one has not read the first book, it's easy to get confused, as some things that occurred in the first book are not recapped in the second. Otherwise, the characters are engaging and likable, the mystery is fast-paced and intriguing, with a neat twist and a satisfactory ending. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

The Fisher Boy
by Stephen H. Anable

Good debut! (3/21/2008)

For some reason, when I read the synopsis, I envisioned sort of a "cozy" mystery. It was definitely not that. The book is populated with many intriguing characters, but the town itself is one of the main players. It was a bit draggy at first - like floating lazily downstream in a slow-moving river, then suddenly, the current picks up, and you are swept along with it. This was an interesting read and turned into a very good mystery.

The Pirate's Daughter
by Margaret Cezair-Thompson

An Engrossing Read (10/10/2007)

Combining the sultry, yet exciting, atmosphere of Jamaica with the glamor of “Old Hollywood”, this novel evokes feelings that are both unsettling and nostalgic. The characters are as rich and varied as the setting, and in their search for themselves, the women, especially, come to life - you will remember May and Ida long after the book is finished. Both of them, coming of age a generation apart, weave relationships and intrigues that will fascinate the reader.

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