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Reviews by Lorraine R. (southampton, NY)

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The War Reporter
The War Reporter
by Martin Fletcher
The War Reporter (8/25/2015)
The war in Bosnia and Serbia was difficult to understand and still seems a tragedy today. The main character, Tom Layne, returns to this part of the world after 15 years to make sense of what happened there on the pretense of making a documentary about a war criminal. Hopefully not all journalists are as self-centered as his character is. I was disappointed in this story, mainly because of his character. It was difficult to see how time after time he put his obsession before the lives of those he claimed to love. This is not a novel I would recommend. The angst of the journalist was tiring.
The novel was a disappointment.
Bellman & Black
Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield
Bellman and Black (9/10/2013)
Diane Setterfield has written another darkly Gothic novel in which the protagonist, William Bellman enters into a partnership with a phantom stranger, Black. The set of circumstances he encounters are haunted by a childhood game in which he kills a rook. The author weaves the symbolism of the rook into the tale of Bellman's fortunes and misfortunes. A fascinating story.
Lookaway, Lookaway
Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt
Southern lament (6/11/2013)
Was there ever a more dysfunctional family? Each character seemed less able to cope with what life gave them and what they made of their lives; dark family secrets aside. Wilton Barnhardt writes a fine novel of the South, with all the pathos of a Greek tragedy. Unfortunately it was painful to read at times, lacking humor and just hoping that someone in this family would find peace with themselves. It was well-written, the language was fluid and descriptive, but somehow lacked the depth of Pat Conroy's descriptions of Southern families. I would recommend this novel, a good book club read along with other novels of the South.
Crime of Privilege
Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker
Crime of Privilege (4/5/2013)
An entertaining investigative crime novel that exposes the abuses of power among wealthy and politically connected families. The protagonist is a lawyer who for much of his life has hidden from the fact that he protected his wealthy college friends from being prosecuted for a crime of rape. Now, years later, another crime involving this family occurs and he is again being asked to consider his loyalty vs. his values. He elects to investigate the murder of a young girl and this takes him on a journey into the past. Filled with many twists and turns, this crime novel was a fun read. At the same time, it exposed the abuse of power that occurs when families believe themselves to be above the law.
The Edge of the Earth
The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz
Haunting and magical (10/19/2012)
THE EDGE OF THE EARTH is another winner by author Christina Schwawrz. Set in the 1890's, a well educated young woman,Trudy, leaves her home to journey with her new husband, Oscar, to a remote lighthouse on the west coast. They live and work with a family, the Crawley's who have many dark secrets. The language of this novel is what draws the reader in. The author's language is beautifully lyrical as she describes a land that is isolated but dramatically wonderous. For example, "That night the rain began to fall so thickly and heavily, it seemed as thought the bowl of the ocean had risen into the sky and upended itself." The weather and magical beauty of the Pacific coast are the backdrop of Trudy's new world. She falls in love with it as the reader will fall in love with this haunting tale.
Heading Out to Wonderful
Heading Out to Wonderful: A Novel
by Robert Goolrick
Heading out to Wonderful? (6/7/2012)
I gave Robert Goolrick's second novel a 4 rating because I think his writing is fluid and detailed. However, I was not satisfied with his treatment of women characters. Sylvan in particular was shallow and easily manipulated by men. She seemed to be interested only in appearances and was unable to love anyone, including herself. It was hard to imagine her character as a real person. Charlie and Sylvan's relationship seemed based primarily on sexual satisfaction. I really hated the way Charlie abused his relationship with Sam, exposing him to his tawdry affair with Sylvan. The ending was dark, shocking and just a little unbelievable. As in his first novel, Goolrick seems obsessed with female characters who are manipulative and false and their lovers/husbands who become obsessed with them.
An Unmarked Grave
An Unmarked Grave: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
War and mayhem (4/16/2012)
Another Charles Todd success! I thoroughly enjoy reading their little mysteries set during WWI. Nurse Crawford's voice puzzles over the increasing facts and events leading from a murder on the fields of war. She is as tenacious as a bull dog, not willing to give up until she gets to the very bottom of the mystery. I have enjoyed all of the Todd mysteries and recommend them to others who like light, entertaining mystery reading.
Accidents of Providence
Accidents of Providence
by Stacia Brown
Acts of Providence (12/6/2011)
An intelligently written, carefully researched first novel, ACTS OF PROVIDENCE was both interesting and thought provoking to read. Stacia Brown brought the 1700's in London to life with her detailed description of how common people lived. She exposed the inequalities of the courts of law, in particular the complete denial of rights of women. She showed how vulnerable women were to their circumstances. both personal and public. This was an extremely well-written historical novel that blended political, religious and social beliefs of a revolutionary period of Britain's history.
Little Black Dress
Little Black Dress: A Novel
by Susan McBride
Little Black Dress (7/15/2011)
This novel could be classified as "chick lit." It had a somewhat interesting plot involving self-discovery and betrayal, however I found it to be predictable and trite. The introduction of magic in the "black dress" seemed to imply that magic was needed as an excuse for the decisions that women make in their lives. It is not a book I would recommend to others. It is at best, an "airplane novel."
The Daughter of Siena
The Daughter of Siena: A Novel
by Marina Fiorato
Italian horse races and ancient mysteries (5/13/2011)
Marina Fiorato successfully combines the mysteries of ancient tales with horse races in Palio, Italy, A forbidden romance and a believed dead noble son is thrown in for the historical romance lovers. The history of the town with its rival families and their extraordinary animal logos was fascinating. The battle between good and evil is fought out in the town square with the traditional horse race and its intrigues. The story moved well and the historical references to 16th century politics kept my interest. It was a fun read.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops: A Novel
by A.D. Miller
SNOWDROPS (12/2/2010)
A depressing picture of Moscow society after the fall of the Soviet Union. With the exception of two characters, Tatiana and Oleg, everyone was out for their own gain. It was painful to read about people whose goal was to use other for their personal gain. It was so discouraging to read about a society so demoralized and in many ways unchanged in terms of class distinctions since the Tzars. It was impossible to believe that the main character was so naive to not see how false those around him were, in his disastrous business deal and his relationship with the two girls. He was clearly blinded by his loneliness. I was so upset about this novel's depiction of life in Moscow, that I felt I wanted to read other accounts of life in the former Soviet Union today to compare. I can't really recommend this novel to others because it was so depressing.
Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #6
by Louise Penny
intelligent mystery (9/7/2010)
Bury Your Dead is a well written mystery, that contained several sub-plot mysteries. The author interwove several different investigations. While it took a while to understand this, the reward was an interesting historical exploration of the mystery surrounding the burial place of Champlain; a murder investigation involving an anglo historical society; and a new look at a recent murder case. Through it all, the protagonist, Inspector Gamache rehashes the recent death of a fellow officer during a terrorist plot. A complex and at times confusing number of events being told at once. At the end it all comes together.

Inspector Gamache was a most interesting character, thoughtful and fully human in his emotions. The historical look at Quebec was intelligently researched and it was fun to read about places I have been to in Quebec city. I would definitely recommend this book to history and mystery lovers. I look forward to reading more of Louise Penny's novels.

by
Quick Mystery Read (6/4/2010)
Smart, sexy and fun. This new novel by Elizabeth Lowell will satisfy readers who enjoy a fast paced mystery. The two main characters, Mac and Emma are witty and make a great investigative pair. Enjoyed the setting of the Pacific Northwest ocean where the two had to solve the mystery of deadly twin yachts.
The Man From Saigon
The Man From Saigon: A Novel
by Marti Leimbach
The Man From Saigon (2/15/2010)
It is unusual to read a war novel about a female reporter. The author successfully relates a very difficult and sad time in American history through the perspective of a female. Many books have been written about this period through the eyes of the soldiers, such as the Things they Carried by Tim O'Brien, and this is a refreshing change from the war novel genre. This is well-written and thoughtful literature. It would be good book club novel to be read in conjunction with other Vietnam war novels.
The Man From Saigon
The Man From Saigon: A Novel
by Marti Leimbach
The Man From Saigon (2/15/2010)
It is unusual to read a war novel about a female reporter. The author successfully relates a very difficult and sad time in American history through the perspective of a female. Many books have been written about this period through the eyes of the soldiers, such as the Things they Carried by Phil Caputo, and this is a refreshing change from the war novel genre. This is well-written and thoughtful literature. It would be good book club novel to be read in conjunction with other Vietnam war novels.
The Fifth Servant
The Fifth Servant
by Kenneth Wishnia
The Fifth Servant (10/30/2009)
This novel, set in the middle ages, was a mystery whose background was the mindless persecution of Jews in the city of Prague. I don't think it will have a wide appeal because of the topic. It portrays life in a ghetto and the hypocrisy of rules that governed Jews. Cleverly written with excellent research.
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