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Reviews by Cheryl W. (Cassville, MO)

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Once We Were Brothers
by Ronald H. Balson
Once We Were Brothers (8/11/2013)
Although the premise of the story was interesting, a holocaust survivor filing a civil suit against a former Nazi, I found the story to be predictable and cliche. The dialogue between the characters was not as well written as it could have been. The narrative from the protagonist at times seemed to be descriptions of scenes from Holocaust films. It was an ok book, I wanted to finish it to see if I had the correct prediction of the ending. I did. I would recommend it if someone wanted to read an easy, light historical fiction.
Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo
Her Last Breath (5/8/2013)
I have read all of the books in the Kate Burkholder series and Linda Castillo just keeps getting better. This one kept me guessing until close to the end when I thought I had it figured out, and I did, to a point. Then there was a twist. I enjoyed this book very much, the only draw back was that I wasn't ready for it to end. I had some questions I still wanted answered. Maybe in the next one...
Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker
Crime of Privilege (4/30/2013)
Poor George, he doesn't know who to trust. This novel has twists and turns and people using one another. It keeps you guessing, who is telling the truth? Who is spying on who? How will the who-dun-it be solved? I enjoyed this book, it took me awhile to get into it and at times was confusing as to what the relationship was between the characters. Overall I would recommend it to others.
Live by Night
by Dennis Lehane
Live By Night (8/27/2012)
I have read all of Dennis Lehane's work. This is not one of his best. It had a slow start and an abrupt end. If you have never read his work before this is not the one to start with. I was disappointed.
King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village
by Peggielene Bartels, Eleanor Herman
King Peggy (12/10/2011)
Inspiring, funny, heartwarming, just a few adjectives to describe King Peggy. It is amazing what one person can do to help an entire community. King Peggy is a truly enjoyable read.
The Leftovers: A Novel
by Tom Perrotta
The Leftovers (7/10/2011)
This was a different take on the much written about topic of a rapture-like event. Unlike most books with this theme, the characters continued to live their lives. Each struggled with accepting what had happened and dealt with their losses in their own fashion. There wasn't the usual conflict between good and evil. It was a story of loss and acceptance.
Turn of Mind
by Alice LaPlante
Turn of MInd (5/15/2011)
The adjectives on the back cover of the book describe it well, "extraordinary, haunting, startling, poignant, compelling". I read it in one sitting and was sorry to see it end. It is thought provoking, disturbing, and very sad. Even so I would recommend it to just about anyone. It made me think of dementia in a new way.
Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook
Outside Wonderland (2/13/2011)
At first I thought this would be a cliched story about 3 siblings struggling though adulthood because as children they lost their parents. I was wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I'm not sure what I liked the most about the book, the hopefulness of it, the description of "life" in Here, the love the characters had for one another, or the realness of the story. As a public librarian I will make sure there is a copy on our shelves and will recommend it to patrons.
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