BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Kelly P. (Monterey, TN)

Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield

Why is this marketed as a ghost story? (9/12/2013)

The book is written with well-chosen words and descriptive passages evoking the industrial age in England. However, these passages do not tell a ghost story as promised by the jacket and cover blurbs. Instead we get a story of a man haunted by an internal demon, the memory …more

The Face Thief: A Novel
by Eli Gottlieb

Intriguing concept, blah execution (12/28/2011)

The Face Thief is a book crafted from an interesting concept, engaging language, and three fully formed characters. Unfortunately, the result of these excellent ingredients is an unsatisfying read. The two primary reasons for this dissatisfaction are the disjointed flow of …more

Salvage the Bones: A Novel
by Jesmyn Ward

A captivating tale (7/12/2011)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting and the language immerse the reader in the life of a poor Mississippi family in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina. While Hurricane Katrina lurks in the background it is not the focal point of the novel. Instead the plot …more

Snowdrops: A Novel
by A.D. Miller

a treat for the imagination. (11/27/2010)

A. D. Miller has created an atmospheric read which fully immerses the reader in post-soviet Russian society. The characters real, the settings are easy to picture in your head, and the story is plausible. The fact that the author was able to create a constant sense of …more

Your Republic Is Calling You
by Young-ha Kim

Mildly dissatisfied (7/19/2010)

I have mixed feelings about Your Republic is Calling You. The concept of the book is excellent, the primary plotline involving Ki-yong’s dilemma is unique, and the insights into the Korean culture (both North and South) alone are worth the read. The structure of the book …more

The Fifth Servant
by Kenneth Wishnia

Good book, bad mystery (11/28/2009)

The setting of the story, the period in history, the characterization, and the emotional impact resulting from the facts of Jewish life in that era all contributed to a fascinating novel. Unfortunately however, the mystery at the heart of the book detracted from an …more

An Edible History of Humanity
by Tom Standage

An enjoyable book (3/25/2009)

Overall, I found An Edible History of Humanity to be an enjoyable and informative book. The author traces the impact of food on human civilization by addressing such topics as global trade, political policy, warfare, and scientific development. While there are not many …more

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson

A truly wonderful book (9/27/2008)

This was one of the most enjoyable books that I have read in the last several years. The characters are engaging, complex, and believable and the storyline is a mixture of mystery, intrigue, and family drama with a dash of romance. Many books have those moments that are so …more

Killer Heat
by Linda Fairstein

As expected (3/4/2008)

Linda Fairstein books are not great literature but that is not a criticism. She writes thrillers, and Killer Heat delivers a good thrill. It is a fast paced story and she does a fine job of fleshing out her characters and giving them each a unique "voice". My only criticism …more

Seven for a Secret: A John the Eunuch Mystery
by Mary and Eric Mayer Reed

Disappointing (2/10/2008)

Seven for a Secret was somewhat of a disappointing read. The time period of the story is full of possibilities and the authors did a good job of imagery with the daily life of Constantinople. My problem was that I could not become engaged with the characters because it felt …more

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