BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Roni S. (Pittsburgh, PA)

The Devil in Jerusalem
by Naomi Ragen

The Devil in Jerusalem (7/15/2015)

'The Devil in Jerusalem' was a gripping book about a young woman's path to misery and the devastation of her family, including harm to her children. Her weakness and lack of character allowed her to be manipulated by many, including her family, her husband and later cult …more

The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene

The Headmaster's Wife (12/18/2013)

'The Headmaster's Wife' is a book that I will recommend to my friends. The writing is beautiful and sensual. I liked that the chapters were short. The book is a psychological compelling story about a Headmaster and his wife. One has a close up view of a private boarding …more

Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo

Her Last Breath (4/25/2013)

This is an excellent police procedural mystery with a touch of romance.The chief of police, Kate Burkholder,(who once was Amish) investigates an Amish buggy accident. A past crime is another thread that runs through the book. This book is well written and hard to put down. …more

A Murder at Rosamund's Gate: A Lucy Campion Mystery
by Susanna Calkins

A Murder at Rosamund's Gate (3/29/2013)

In her debut novel, Susanna Calkins does a wonderful job putting the reader in seventeenth century London, England. The author puts you there-experiencing the sights, smells, tastes and culture of the period. The main voice, Lucy is a chambermaid in a magistrate's house. …more

Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow

Indiscretion (11/24/2012)

This is Charles Dubow's first novel and it is beautifully written with good character development. There are 4 main characters and one of them is the narrator. The reader cares about some of the characters. You feel their joy and their pain. Anyone interested in life in the …more

A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama

A Hundred Flowers (7/30/2012)

I have enjoyed reading other books by this author, Gail Tsukiyama. She writes with tenderness. The language is simple and paints a picture. In "A Hundred Flowers," each chapter is the voice of a character. We get a true understanding of each once - their struggles, their …more

Afterwards: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton

Afterwards (5/9/2012)

I read and enjoyed Rosamund Lupton’s first book, “Sister.” “Afterwards” is a beautifully written thriller mystery that graps you from the first page. The book explores family relationships. You care about the characters. It is written from an “out of body” view as the main …more

A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George

A Good American (1/26/2012)

"The Good American" is an excellent multi-generational story. (1904-1984) Most of the story is set in a small town in Missouri. It is narrated by the grandson. Music, food, church, family, friends, and a restaurant continue through the generations. This book would lead to …more

Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank

Folly Beach (6/25/2011)

I have never read a Dorothea Benton Frank book. I enjoyed “Folly Beach.” It is written juxtaposing a play within the novel. The novel is modern day and the play is in the twenties. One learns history about Porgy, the author Dubose Heyward, and how the story became Porgy and …more

The Sweetness of Tears: A Novel
by Nafisa Haji

The Sweetness of Tears (3/19/2011)

I enjoyed this book and now plan to read the first book by Nafisa Hasji, “The Writing on My Forehead.” People who enjoy the authors, Thrity Umrigar and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, will enjoy this book although these settings are Pakistan, the United States, and Iraq.
& …more

The False Friend
by Myla Goldberg

The False Friend (8/30/2010)

The False Friend is a good psychological mystery. It is well written and I liked it better than Bee Season which is another book by Myla Goldberg.
The book deals with relationships - boyfriend, parents, and middle school friends from 20 years ago. It would be a good book for …more

Findings: Faye Longchamp Mysteries, No. 4
by Mary Anna Evans

A pleasant read (5/16/2008)

Findings is the fourth in the Faye Longchamp mystery series. The book can stand alone as I had not read the prior books. The main character, Faye is an archaeologist who lives on Joyeuse Island off the Florida panhandle. Faye traced her house back to an ancestor, a freed …more

The Quiet Girl
by Peter Hoeg

The Sounds of Silence (10/20/2007)

Ten years ago, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, another book by Peter Hoeg was one of my favorite books. I am very disappointed with The Quiet Girl. Kasper, the main character, is a retired world-renowned circus clown. Kasper is a “super hero.” He has the mystical ability to hear …more

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