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Reviews by Karen R. (Columbus, OH)

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Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson
Literary Mystery (12/4/2011)
This started off great, slowed down a little, and then I could not put it down. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. This mystery spends most of its time in character development, while slowly developing the plot. I enjoyed the two different times in history that were discussed, and felt I learned some things about WWII that I had not known before. It was well written, and very enjoyable. I enjoy mysteries requiring the reader to use their mind, minimal blood, and interesting characters. This book had all of these plus more.
Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure
by Beth Mcmullen
Motherhood vs. Spy (2/11/2011)
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, and I loved how the main character, who was a spy before being a mother, discusses how difficult being a mother is compared to being a spy. I look forward to more Sally Sin novels. Sally is a very compelling character.
Adam & Eve: A Novel
by Sena Jeter Naslund
Great writing, mediocre plot/characters (9/7/2010)
I enjoy reading. I am more than willing to suspend reality, up to a point, but this novel expects too much suspension of reality. There was not good character development, but it was well written. I am going to check out Naslund's other novels, because she is such a good writer.
The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel
by Michele Young-Stone
Great First Novel (4/27/2010)
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, with very good character development. I enjoyed how the story was interspersed with pages from the book The Handbook for Lightning Strike survivors. The characters, while flawed, were very interesting and have stayed with me and in my thoughts even after I was done reading the novel. I highly recommend this book.
The Map of True Places
by Brunonia Barry
Very Good Read (4/16/2010)
I enjoyed this book from the first page. I thought the characters were a little "stereotypical" but it was a quick read. It was well written, flowed very well. And I loved the ending. So many books are very good, and then just end; this ending actually enhanced the entire book.
Arcadia Falls
by Carol Goodman
Very Good Read (12/26/2009)
I normally do not like "stories within stories." When I read a book, I like to read the main story. In Acadia Falls, there are several stories within stories, and I enjoyed all of them. This is a book that I thought about when I was not reading, and looked forward to getting back to. All of the stories. The writing was good, the characters were interesting, and the multiple stories all very engaging.
The Book of God and Physics: A Novel of the Voynich Mystery
by Enrique Joven
Interesting but.... (6/19/2009)
I loved the premise of this book, a Jesuit Priest, who teaches high school physics, is trying to decipher an old manuscript. Hector, the Jesuit Priest, is an interesting, personable character. He loves to utilize the internet whenever possible. He also enjoys making his physics students think. But, the prose was a little awkward, possibly translation issues. And the book bogged down a little in the middle. The last third of the book was exciting, interesting and hard to put down. So actually 3.5 stars.
Murder in Mykonos
by Jeffrey Siger
Murder in Mykonos (11/7/2008)
I enjoyed the book. It was well written and easy to read. Fast paced, exciting, and I really enjoyed the lead detective. I am looking forward to seeing what Jeffrey Siger writes next. I am sure Detective Andreas Kaldis will become a series. I also enjoyed the setting of the Greek Islands. And, the twist at the end was very unexpected.
Tethered: A Novel
by Amy Mackinnon
Hooked from the first sentence (8/11/2008)
I received this book, and finished it within 3 days, while working full time. I was hooked from the first sentence, and the writing was great. The main character is an undertaker, who has flaws, and I came to know her and understand her. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Even when I wasn't reading, the book's characters and plots were on my mind. I have not been this "hooked" into a book for a long time. What a find this is, I hope it will not be too long before the author publishes another book.
A Case of Exploding Mangoes
by Mohammed Hanif
Started off great, then.... (4/5/2008)
I loved the beginning, found my self thinking of the main character, wondering what would happen, etc. Then, I lost interest. I stuck with the book, because I wanted to give it a fair review. Finally I just read the end, skipping about the last third. I don't know enough about Pakistani culture to know what was real and what was merely comedy. There were so many interesting characters, but not much character development. I will be interested to see what other readers felt about this book. I will also be interested in the next book Mohammed Hanif writes. I think this novel tries to introduce too many characters, but does not develop any of them enough.
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