BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Mary Ellen L. (Canfield, OH)

All the Old Knives
by Olen Steinhauer

All the Old Knives (12/10/2014)

Although a long time fan of mystery thrillers, this was my first read by Olen Steinhauer. I started the first few chapters, then put it aside until I had more time. I soon discovered, however, that although this is not a lengthy novel, it is best read in one or two sittings, …more

Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan

Under the Wide and Starry Sky (10/31/2013)

Fans of Nancy Horan's "Loving Frank" will not be disappointed with her second novel. She manages to bring to life the equally fascinating characters of Louis and Fanny and their loving, but turbulent, relationship as they travel the world. Historical facts are expanded upon, …more

How the Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #9
by Louise Penny

How the Light Gets In (7/7/2013)

I recently read the first book in Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series and just finished this ninth. This book is a most impressive mystery. The characters are well-developed and memorable, the plot subtle and ingenious, and the mystery complex. A definite five-star …more

A Nearly Perfect Copy
by Allison Amend

A Nearly Perfect Copy (3/11/2013)

The title of this book is significant as it relates to forgery in the art world and the subject of cloning. It was, however, misclassified as a mystery. It is rather an in-depth character study of its two main characters with an insight into the art world. The characters …more

The Roots of the Olive Tree: A Novel
by Courtney Miller Santo

Roots of the Olive Tree (7/8/2012)

This is an engaging novel of five generations of women, each with amazing longevity, hidden strength and an intriguing story. Their many secrets unfold, although somewhat slowly, throughout the novel as the women question revealing them. The novel's setting on an olive tree …more

Cloudland: A Crime Novel
by Joseph Olshan

Cloudland (3/2/2012)

The discovery of a body by a former investigative reporter in rural Vermont begins a crime novel with unexpected connections and psychological twists and turns. The reader is led in many directions along with the reporter as she tries to solve both the serial murders and …more

A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
by Jennifer duBois

Not a lost cause (12/8/2011)

For a first novel from a young author, this is an amazing book. It is skillfully written in a clever style, interweaving the lives of its central characters looking for answers to life's difficult question.

The characters are more interesting than appealing. The story line …more

The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman

A most interesting read (8/6/2011)

This was an intriguing book, starting which the quote from my favorite Whittier poem. I anticipated a plot following the poem's story line, which I did not find. What developed was a skillfully written and absorbing story with its mystery aspect subordinated to the …more

Sister: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton

Sister (5/15/2011)

Sister is an intriguing mystery which combines an unusual writing approach, a well-planned plot, and absorbing insights into family relationships and grief. It is a well-written, stylish novel with enough twists and clues presented in shifts of time and details to keep the …more

The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder

The Philosophical Breakfast Club (1/1/2011)

The Philosophical Breakfast Club fulfills its promotional materials as a vivid portrait of four extraordinary men of 19th century science. The author has done extensive research into the details of their personal lives and scientific contributions, however occasionally …more

The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst

Memorable (6/3/2010)

This is an engrossing novel which this reader couldn't wait to finish and was distraught when she did. It combines a mystery with a family drama, skillfully presented by an inventive author. The murder mystery aspect is secondary to the exploration of family relationships …more

Heresy
by S.J. Parris

Heresy (11/30/2009)

Heresy is billed as a historical thriller and lives up to its promotional materials. The novel contains vivid descriptions of the turbulent 16th century as seen through the eyes of a renegade Italian monk visiting Oxford University. A mystery evolves which is solved by the …more

Await Your Reply
by Dan Chaon

Await Your Reply (7/12/2009)

The author's prominence as a short-story writer is demonstrated by this latest publication, which incorporates three separate stories into a thrilling and surprising novel. The chapters rotate among the characters, leaving the reader to question the possible connection. If …more

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Real Americans
by Rachel Khong

From the author of Goodbye, Vitamin, a novel exploring family, identity, and the shaping of destiny.

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The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris
by Evie Woods

From the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop.

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