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 an escaped psychotic she knows so well. Readers are drawn in by this frightening tale but it will also provide great insight into the mind of a true psychotic.
Readers from 17 and up who love mysteries and thrillers will find this a truly frightening and haunting tale. The terror that Reeve feels as she tries to save someone else from the man who tortured her will stay with you long after you finish the book. Book clubs can easily put together a number of questions about the characters especially regarding being kept in captivity for years.
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 what better way to learn and get a top notch thriller at the same time. This book will appeal to ages 16 and up and book clubs should enjoy discussing the Amish and the difficulties of doing police work in such a community. As always there is a wealth of information and not just about the Amish. There is psychological issues about friendship, love and what we blind ourselves to in our relationships. I don't think anyone will be disappointed in this mystery. Ms. Castillo's time has indeed come at last.
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 fiction work but it grabs your attention from the first page. Catherine is one of the great figures in Russian history and simply fascinating to watch. A book club would find so much here to talk about and pose questions. I think many readers will find Catherine's early life in Russia very different from how they have viewed her and new readers will just soak it all up. Fiction or not this is a great way to be introduced to Catherine. Russian royalty had a very different take on being royal. You have all this and then there is Varvara, and her life serving so many masters. This is a grand romance book in many ways but also a thriller in some. Younger people might not care for it so much but women in general I think will truly enjoy this adventure. I have read books about Peter the Great and this book, even as fiction, takes a lot of factual information and uses it as well as many non fiction books. Even if you have little interest in Russian history you can still enjoy this book just for the characters.
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 you won't forget any time soon. Once you get into the story you won't want to put the book down and when you finish I think you'll find that it stays with you for some time.
I would expect that most readers will be older, though certainly young men could enjoy these books as well. I enjoy a hard core thriller myself and perhaps there are other women out there who do as well. Jack Reacher is simply a fascinating character and though Lee Child has written over 14 books now featuring him, the man is never boring. This is a great read.
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 have to say that I've never heard of any eagle like Freedom. She is truly special and the author was incredibly lucky to meet her and become her friend.
It made me want to volunteer just as Jeff did, to make a difference and our wildlife needs all the help it can get. Excellent book for book clubs as it offers so many things to discuss and in general it is a good book for anyone over 12 yrs.