Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
It's All Fun and Games........... (5/1/2019)
Well, it's all fun and games until a toxic blackmailing sociopath crashes the book club. Now all bets are off.
At first seeming like an annoying mischievous party crasher, Roux proves herself determined to unsettle all members, especially one, by conniving to have them reveal secrets and flaws they never intended to think about.
Amy is especially vulnerable; although she leads an exemplary generous life as a devoted wife, mother and friend, she has hidden from all her loved ones a tragic mistake from her youth.
Enter Roux, a professional serial blackmailer, who has the audacity to refer to her victims as "clients". She knows enough about Amy's past to completely overturn her life.
This novel was very well written and sustains the reader's interest with many crafty twists and turns. The situations occasionally strain credulity, but after all, it is a thriller. Just hang on and enjoy the ride!
My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing
Cure for marital boredom (10/25/2018)
Couples have many ways to try to add spice to their relationship: Date nights, special trips, fantasies, murder.
But wait! Murder?
Yes, indeed; this couple engages in recreational homicide and that is the theme of this novel.
Although the writing was excellent and the book certainly provided thrills, chills and plot twists, I personally found the theme of murder for thrills on the part of the protagonists distasteful and uncomfortable.
Thus, the "3" rating.
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Truth or Dare (12/21/2017)
In sync with the current literary trend of unreliable narrators, the protagonist, Amber, frankly lets us know at the beginning of the novel: I'm in a Coma; My husband doesn't love me anymore; Sometimes I lie. Well, don't say you weren't warned! The time frame of the story switches around from the present to the time just before the incident which caused the coma and then a childhood journal. But who's journal?
The twists and turns of this novel were indeed intriguing, as was the feeling that perhaps we were investing our empathy in the wrong character.
Among the ups and downs and in and outs is a fine lyrical writing style and Ms Feeney should be very proud of a fine first novel.
I have no patience with even the slightest ambiguity in a story ending, otherwise I probably would have scored this a 5. Still worth looking forward to this author's next novel.
Since She Went Away
by David Bell
100 Pages Too Long (6/9/2016)
I enjoy mystery/thrillers, stories of missing persons, etc. This book was the story of a missing woman, emphasizing how it affected her best friend and a number of red herring possibilities for the ultimate outcome. It was just average, an easy read, but really could have been quite a bit shorter. Also, although the missing person mystery was revealed at the end, there were some fragments which eluded resolution and left one wondering.
Maybe a good beach read.
He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton
Cuckoo's Nest Revisited (3/10/2015)
I was disappointed in this book, as it did not seem to live up to the subtitle, as far as medical genius. Except for the backstory by the protaganist's daughter, most of the book consisted of journal entries by the doctor in various phases of psychosis. His theories and research were barely mentioned. It was very sad as far as his hopeless medical situation and the stigma and dreadful treatment in that era, but the journal entries became somewhat tedious. It was easy to find compassion for him and his daughter who never really know him, but the book itself was not engaging to me.
Book clubs might find this interesting for discussions.
Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo
A good yarn (5/18/2013)
Disclosure: I am already a Linda Castillo fan and follow this series.
That being said, I was not disappointed in this book. It sustained a compelling plot about horrific murders while adding some romance and the intrigue of long-buried secrets.
Her characters ring true-the protagonist, Kate Burkholder, police chief- is a "fallen-away" Amish, and has the deep understanding of their customs together with the loneliness of being estranged from her culture.
Her love interest, John Tomasetti, whom she interestingly refers to by his last name, wavers between tolerance and impatience with her unwillingness to commit.
Peripheral characters share the laconic mistrust of the 'plain' folk for one who has left their ways.
I look forward to following this series in the future.
Loose Diamonds: ...and other things I've lost (and found) along the way
by Amy Ephron
Yawning (8/13/2011)
I looked forward to this book being warm, witty and wise. I was disappointed on all fronts. I never really connected with any of the essays and stories. It reminded me of reading a five-year-old people magazine about folks I never heard of.
Probably would give it a 2 1/2 if possible.
The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw
Swimming Among Genres (3/8/2010)
I wish I could give several 'number grades' to this book for various aspects; 5 for character development and dialogue, 3 for plot development, etc.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and felt the shifts among time and point of view were done well, it seemed as though some point were being missed, not the least of which was the guilty party of the seven year old murder mystery. Perhaps subtlety is wasted on me, but this missing piece was a big disappointment.
I don't think stories have to be strictly categorized, but this book seemed to waver uncertainly among psychological thriller, murder mystery, romance and serious fiction.
I will still, however, look for more of this author's work. (Should probably be a 3.5)
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