Reviews by Jean T. (Paducah, KY)

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The Delight of Being Ordinary
The Delight of Being Ordinary: A Road Trip with the Pope and the Dalai Lama
by Roland Merullo
Disappointed (4/19/2021)
The premise of the book was very intriguing, but for the most part the author did not deliver. It was a struggle to finish the last 3rd of the book and the ending felt less than credible simply because of the author's presentation -- in another's hands I could easily have …more
A Man Without Breath
A Man Without Breath: A Bernie Gunther Novel
by Philip Kerr
History and Mystery! (8/19/2015)
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect with the theme of a German policeman investigating murders in Nazi Germany in 1943. The author seemed to have done a great deal of historical research, using an actual atrocity as the basis for the novel. It provided …more
In Paradise
In Paradise
by Peter Matthiessen
Not In Paradise (2/10/2015)
I found this book rather off putting. It took me 3 tries before I got through it. It is very well written, but the author seems incredibly detached from his characters which is surprising given the nature of the topic. None of the characters were particularly appealing even …more
Whispering Shadows
Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Whispering Shadows (1/23/2015)
I enjoyed this book as an interesting character and cultural study. I lived in Asia and traveled extensively in China in the late '90s and felt the author did an excellent job of reflecting the character of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. His character development exploring Paul's …more
The Husband's Secret
The Husband's Secret
by Liane Moriarty
We All have Secrets! (10/10/2014)
This is one of the best books I've read all year! I really didn't know what to expect, but the author pulled me into the story quickly and held my interest throughout. She did an excellent job of bringing together multiple threads of multiple life lines and weaving them …more
Letters from Skye
Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole
Delightful Letters from Skye (6/12/2013)
I was extremely fortunate to be able to read this book virtually straight through – as it was I had a hard time finding a stopping point when I needed to break away. It was that compelling. I was interested through the opening pages, but by the end of the second chapter I …more
Rage Against the Dying
Rage Against the Dying
by Becky Masterman
No Rage Just Disappointment (1/8/2013)
As a mystery lover and someone who grew up in Tucson and did volunteer work with Law Enforcement in that area a few decades ago, I was excited to start a stroll down memory lane as the book opened. I enjoyed the introduction of Brigid as a smart sassy woman "of a certain …more
The End of Your Life Book Club
The End of Your Life Book Club
by Will Schwalbe
Disappoining Book Club (12/20/2012)
I approached this book with much anticipation after having read all the reviews. Perhaps it's just me, but I found the book interesting, but not compelling. I would have hoped for more depth in the discussion of the various books' relevance to the situations in the mother's …more
Voices
Voices
by Arnaldur Indridason
Christmas Mystery (11/23/2012)
This is the first book I've read by this author. It took me a little bit to sink into the rhythm as I was not familiar with the main characters and the Icelandic nomenclature. But I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author went about weaving the various threads of the story as …more
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs
Peculiar Indeed (10/8/2012)
Although the title and cover information seemed very intriguing, I was never able to connect with the characters and feel a part of the mystical experience presented. The author did not offer enough support for this theme so as to make it credible, unlike the Night Circus …more
Parrot and Olivier in America
Parrot and Olivier in America
by Peter Carey
A Shore Too Far (7/19/2012)
Interesting, but I found it a bit tedious in the places. The humor was evidently too subtle for me, as I did not find it nearly as funny as others have described. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Europe and the US in that time frame , but can't say that I ever really …more
Beneath the Shadows
Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster
Beneath the Shadows (5/13/2012)
I was pulled into this book from the beginning – loving the lyrical descriptions which set the scene and atmosphere. The author did a fine job of weaving in the threads of past and present and interweaving the different characters. I found the story compelling and read the …more
The Dangerous Edge of Things
The Dangerous Edge of Things: A Tai Randolph Mystery
by Tina Whittle
Went Off the Edge (4/21/2012)
I seem to be in a distinct minority among the various reviews I have read, but I did not find this book particularly enjoyable or credible. I've done volunteer work with police officers and have been friends with detectives and patrol officers at various points in my life …more
Paganini's Ghost
Paganini's Ghost: A Mystery
by Paul Adam
Great History, Ok Mystery (2/9/2012)
I would really give this a 3.5. I loved the historical aspects of the novel bringing the story of Paganini's life and the history of the Il Cannone violin. But I thought the mystery aspect of the novel was pretty weak. My favorite genre is mysteries, so I was a bit …more
The Sisters
The Sisters: A Novel
by Nancy Jensen
The Sisters (9/15/2011)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author conveyed a deep sensitivity and connection with the emotional threads that bound and separated the members of this family. I hated having to put the book down and at the close of each chapter looked forward to rejoining that …more
Before Ever After
Before Ever After: A Novel
by Samantha Sotto
Before Ever After Nevermore (6/26/2011)
I really wanted to like this book; even going so far as to start over again from the beginning after eighty pages in an attempt to find what I had “missed” the first time. I never found what I needed to bring it all together in a coherent whole which would have supported …more
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
by Wesley Stace
A Mystery Maestro (11/9/2010)
My first thought as I began reading "Charles Jessold" was “this is delicious!” which seemed a bit incongruous for a musical novel, but I was “hungry for more!” As I continued through the intricate twists and turns that comprise the narrator’s tale of murder set against a …more
The Hand that First Held Mine
The Hand that First Held Mine: A Novel
by Maggie O'Farrell
Love at First Sight (3/6/2010)
I was deeply intrigued with the first paragraph -- rereading it more than once just to be sure -- and by the end of the first page I was totally smitten with this book. At first I found the interweaving of Lexie’s and Elina’s stories a bit jarring and disjointed, but then I …more
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Heresy (12/20/2009)
I loved this book! I was pulled into the story immediately and fascinated with all the twists and turns as well as the historical detail. It was intricately plotted, but yet avoided becoming cumbersome with details. I was unable to predict the outcome, but the resolution …more
The Lieutenant
The Lieutenant
by Kate Grenville
Good, but I wanted more! (9/23/2009)
This book was my introduction to the writings of Kate Grenville, and I must say I am delighted to have finally made her acquaintance and plan to read more of her work. I thoroughly enjoyed the lush, lyrical power of her descriptive prose. However, I finished this book …more
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